A Novel NCI-H69AR Drug-Resistant Small-Cell Lung Cancer Mini-Tumor Model for Anti-Cancer Treatment Screening

Small-cell lung cancer is a fast-growing carcinoma with a poor prognosis and a high level of relapse due to multi-drug resistance (MDR). Genetic mutations that lead to the overexpression of efflux transporter proteins can contribute to MDR. In vitro cancer models play a tremendous role in chemotherapy development and the screening of possible anti-cancer molecules. Low-cost and simple in vitro models are normally used. Traditional two-dimensional (2D) models have numerous shortcomings when considering the physiological resemblance of an in vivo setting. Three-dimensional (3D) models aim to bridge the gap between conventional 2D models and the in vivo setting. Some of the advantages of functional 3D spheroids include better representation of the in vivo physiology and tumor characteristics when compared to traditional 2D cultures. During this study, an NCI-H69AR drug-resistant mini-tumor model (MRP1 hyperexpressive) was developed by making use of a rotating clinostat bioreactor system (ClinoStar®; CelVivo ApS, Odense, Denmark). Spheroid growth and viability were assessed over a 25-day period to determine the ideal experimental period with mature and metabolically stable constructs. The applicability of this model for anti-cancer research was evaluated through treatment with irinotecan, paclitaxel and cisplatin for 96 h, followed by a 96 h recovery period. Parameters measured included planar surface area measurements, estimated glucose consumption, soluble protein content, intracellular adenosine triphosphate levels, extracellular adenylate kinase levels, histology and efflux transporter gene expression. The established functional spheroid model proved viable and stable during the treatment period, with retained relative hyperexpression of the MRP1 efflux transporter gene but increased expression of the P-gp transporter gene compared to the cells cultured in 2D. As expected, treatment with the abovementioned anti-cancer drugs at clinical doses (100 mg/m2 irinotecan, 80 mg/m2 paclitaxel and 75 mg/m2 cisplatin) had minimal impact on the drug-resistant mini-tumors, and the functional spheroid models were able to recover following the removal of treatment.

A novel NCI-H69V small cell lung cancer functional mini-tumor model for future treatment screening applications

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is aggressive and despite multiple clinical trials, its standard of care is unchanged for the past three decades. In vitro cancer models are crucial in chemotherapy development, and three-dimensional (3D) models aim to bridge the gap between two-dimensional (2D) flat cultures and in vivo testing. Functional 3D spheroids can better represent the in vivo situation and tumor characteristics than 2D models. An NCI-H69V SCLC mini-tumor model was developed in a clinostat-based rotating bioreactor system. Spheroid growth and viability were characterized for 30 days, and the ideal experimental window with mature and metabolically stable spheroids was determined. Application of the model for anticancer treatment screening was validated with the standard chemotherapeutic drug irinotecan, for an exposure period of 72 h. The following parameters were measured: soluble protein content, planar surface area measurements, intracellular adenosine triphosphate and extracellular adenylate kinase levels, and glucose consumption. Histological morphology of the spheroids was observed. The established model proved viable and stable, while treatment with irinotecan caused a decrease in cell growth, viability, and glucose consumption demonstrating reactivity of the model to chemotherapy. Therefore, this NCI-H69V SCLC functional spheroid model could be used for future anticancer compound screening.