Enhancing efficacy of gemcitabine in pancreatic patient-derived xenograft mouse models

A novel gemcitabine analog as a potential anticancer agent: synthesis and in-vitro evaluation against pancreatic cancer

Gemcitabine (Gem) is approved for use in pancreatic cancer chemotherapy. However, Gem undergoes rapid metabolism in the blood, producing an inactive metabolite. Due to this rapid metabolism, the effective dose of Gem is high, thereby predisposing patients to severe adverse effects. This study aimed to improve Gem's metabolic and therapeutic stability by modifying the amine group (4-NH2) with hydroxylamine to form 4-N-hydroxylGem hydrochloride (GemAGY). Micro-elemental analysis and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) were used to characterize GemAGY, and its anticancer activity was investigated against MiaPaCa-2, BxPC-3, and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cell lines. The GemAGY metabolic stability was evaluated in human liver microsomal solution. In the 2D cytotoxicity assay, the IC50 values of GemAGY-treated MiaPaCa-2, PANC-1, and BxPC-3 cells were significantly lower when compared to GemHCl-treated cultures. More so, in 3D spheroid assay results, GemAGY IC50 values were found to be 9.5 ± 1.1 µM and 12.6 ± 1.0 µM when compared to GemHCl IC50 values of 24.1 ± 1.6 µM and 30.2 ± 1.8 µM in MiaPaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells, respectively. GemAGY was stable, with 60% remaining intact after 2 hours of digestion in microsomal enzymes, compared to GemHCl, which had less than 45% remaining intact after 30 minutes. GemAGY-treated MiaPaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells at 3.12 and 6.25 μM concentrations demonstrated a significantly reduced cell migration towards the wound area compared to the GemHCl-treated cultures at the same concentrations. Further, GemAGY-treated MiaPaCa-2 cells significantly increased the expression of p53 and BAX compared to GemHCl-treated cells. GemAGY demonstrated significant anticancer activity and improved metabolic stability compared to GemHCl and is most likely to have potential anticancer activity against pancreatic cancer.

Safety Assessment of a Nucleoside Analogue FNC (2'-deoxy-2'- β-fluoro-4'-azidocytidine ) in Balb/c Mice: Acute Toxicity Study

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to provide an insight into the acute toxicity of a novel fluorinated nucleoside analogue (FNA), FNC (Azvudine or2'-deoxy-2'-β-fluoro-4'-azidocytidine). FNC showed potent anti-viral and anti-cancer activities and approved drug for high-load HIV patients, despite, its acute toxicity study being lacking.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

OECD-423 guidelines were followed during this study and the parameters were divided into four categories - behavioral parameters, physiological parameters, histopathological parameters, and supplementary tests. The behavioral parameters included feeding, body weight, belly size, organ weight and size, and mice behavior. The physiological parameters consisted of blood, liver, and kidney indicators. In histopathological parameters hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to analyse the histological changes in the mice organs after FNC exposure. In addition, supplementary tests were conducted to assess cellular viability, DNA fragmentation and cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF-α) in response to FNC.

RESULTS

In the behavioral parameters FNC induced changes in the mice-to-mice interaction and activities. Mice's body weight, belly size, organ weight, and size remained unchanged. Physiological parameters of blood showed that FNC increased the level of WBC, RBC, Hb, and neutrophils and decreased the % count of lymphocytes. Liver enzymes SGOT (AST), and ALP was increased. In the renal function test (RFT) cholesterol level was significantly decreased. Histopathological analysis of the liver, kidney, brain, heart, lungs, and spleen showed no sign of tissue damage at the highest FNC dose of 25 mg/kg b.wt. Supplementary tests for cell viability showed no change in viability footprint, through our recently developed dilution cum-trypan (DCT) assay, and Annexin/PI. No DNA damage or apoptosis was observed in DAPI or AO/EtBr studies. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α increased in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that FNC is safe to use though higher concentration shows slight toxicity.

Biological evaluation of novel gemcitabine analog in patient-derived xenograft models of pancreatic cancer

Gemcitabine (Gem) has been a standard first-line drug for pancreatic cancer (PCa) treatment; however, Gem's rapid metabolism and systemic instability (short half-life) limit its clinical outcome. The objective of this study was to modify Gem into a more stable form called 4-(N)-stearoyl-gemcitabine (4NSG) and evaluate its therapeutic efficacy in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models from PCa of Black and White patients.Methods 4NSG was synthesized and characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), elemental analysis, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). 4NSG-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (4NSG-SLN) were developed using the cold homogenization technique and characterized. Patient-derived pancreatic cancer cell lines labeled Black (PPCL-192, PPCL-135) and White (PPCL-46, PPCL-68) were used to assess the in vitro anticancer activity of 4NSG-SLN. Pharmacokinetics (PK) and tumor efficacy studies were conducted using PDX mouse models bearing tumors from Black and White PCa patients.Results 4NSG was significantly stable in liver microsomal solution. The effective mean particle size (hydrodynamic diameter) of 4NSG-SLN was 82 ± 6.7 nm, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 4NSG-SLN treated PPCL-192 cells (9 ± 1.1 µM); PPCL-135 (11 ± 1.3 µM); PPCL-46 (12 ± 2.1) and PPCL-68 equaled to 22 ± 2.6 were found to be significantly lower compared to Gem treated PPCL-192 (57 ± 1.5 µM); PPCL-135 (56 ± 1.5 µM); PPCL-46 (56 ± 1.8 µM) and PPCL-68 (57 ± 2.4 µM) cells. The area under the curve (AUC), half-life, and pharmacokinetic clearance parameters for 4NSG-SLN were 3-fourfold higher than that of GemHCl. For in-vivo studies, 4NSG-SLN exhibited a two-fold decrease in tumor growth compared with GemHCl in PDX mice bearing Black and White PCa tumors.Conclusion 4NSG-SLN significantly improved the Gem's pharmacokinetic profile, enhanced Gem's systemic stability increased its antitumor efficacy in PCa PDX mice bearing Black and White patient tumors.

Patient-derived xenograft models in cancer therapy: technologies and applications

Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, in which tumor tissues from patients are implanted into immunocompromised or humanized mice, have shown superiority in recapitulating the characteristics of cancer, such as the spatial structure of cancer and the intratumor heterogeneity of cancer. Moreover, PDX models retain the genomic features of patients across different stages, subtypes, and diversified treatment backgrounds. Optimized PDX engraftment procedures and modern technologies such as multi-omics and deep learning have enabled a more comprehensive depiction of the PDX molecular landscape and boosted the utilization of PDX models. These irreplaceable advantages make PDX models an ideal choice in cancer treatment studies, such as preclinical trials of novel drugs, validating novel drug combinations, screening drug-sensitive patients, and exploring drug resistance mechanisms. In this review, we gave an overview of the history of PDX models and the process of PDX model establishment. Subsequently, the review presents the strengths and weaknesses of PDX models and highlights the integration of novel technologies in PDX model research. Finally, we delineated the broad application of PDX models in chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and other novel therapies.

Florida-California Cancer Research, Education and Engagement (CaRE2) Health Equity Center: Structure, Innovations, and Initial Outcomes

INTRODUCTION

The Florida-California Cancer Research, Education, and Engagement (CaRE2) Health Equity Center is a triad partnership committed to increasing institutional capacity for cancer disparity research, the diversity of the cancer workforce, and community empowerment. This article provides an overview of the structure, process innovations, and initial outcomes from the first 4 years of the CaRE2 triad partnership.

METHODS

CaRE2 serves diverse populations in Florida and California using a "molecule to the community and back" model. We prioritize research on the complex intersection of biological, environmental, and social determinants health, working together with scientific and health disparities communities, sharing expertise across institutions, bidirectional training, and community outreach. Partnership progress and outcomes were assessed using mixed methods and four Program Steering Committee meetings.

RESULTS

Research capacity was increased through development of a Living Repository of 81 cancer model systems from minority patients for novel cancer drug development. CaRE2 funded 15 scientific projects resulting in 38 publications. Workforce diversity entailed supporting 94 cancer trainees (92 URM) and 34 ESIs (32 URM) who coauthored 313 CaRE2-related publications and received 48 grants. Community empowerment was promoted via outreaching to more than 3000 individuals, training 145 community cancer advocates (including 28 Community Scientist Advocates), and publishing 10 community reports. CaRE2 members and trainees together have published 639 articles, received 61 grants, and 57 awards.

CONCLUSION

The CaRE2 partnership has achieved its initial aims. Infrastructure for translational cancer research was expanded at one partner institution, and cancer disparities research was expanded at the two cancer centers.

Synthesis, characterization, and anticancer evaluation of 1,3-bistetrahydrofuran-2yl-5-FU as a potential agent for pancreatic cancer

The failure of current chemotherapeutic agents for pancreatic cancer (PCa) makes it the most aggressive soft tissue tumor with a 5-year survival of slightly above 10% and is estimated to be the second leading cause of cancer death by 2030.

OBJECTIVE

The main aim was to synthesize, characterize and evaluate the anticancer activity of 1,3-bistetrahydrofuran-2yl-5FU (MFU).

METHODS

MFU was synthesized by using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and tetrahydrofuran acetate, and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), micro-elemental analysis, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and liquid chromatography with mass spectrophotometry (LC-MS). MFU and Gemcitabine hydrochloride (GemHCl) were tested for antiproliferative activity against MiaPaca-2 and Panc-1 cell lines.

RESULTS

The half-minimum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of MFU was twice lower than that of GemHCl when used in both cell lines. MiaPaca-2 cells (MFU-IC50 = 4.5 ± 1.2 μM vs. GemHCl-IC50 = 10.3 ± 1.1 μM); meanwhile similar trend was observed in Panc-1 cells (MFU-IC50 = 3.0 ± 1 μM vs. GemHCl-IC50 = 6.1 ± 1.03 μM). The MFU and GemHCl effects on 3D spheroids showed a similar trend (IC50-GemHCl = 14.3 ± 1.1 μM vs. IC50-MFU = 7.2 ± 1.1 μM) for MiaPaca-2 cells, and (IC50-GemHCl = 16.3 ± 1.1 μM vs. IC50-MFU = 9.2 ± 1.1 μM) for Panc-1 cells. MFU significantly inhibited clonogenic cell growth, and induced cell death via apoptosis. Cell cycle data showed mean PI for GemHCl (48.5-55.7) twice higher than MFU (24.7 to 27.9) for MiaPaca-2 cells, and similarly to Panc-1 cells. The in-vivo model showed intensely stained EGFR (stained brown) in all control, GemHCl and MFU-treated mice bearing subcutaneous PDX tumors, however, HER2 expression was less stained in MFU-treated tumors compared to GemHCl-treated tumors and controls. Mean tumor volume of MFU-treated mice (361 ± 33.5 mm3) was three-fold lower than GemHCl-treated mice (1074 ± 181.2 mm3) bearing pancreatic PDX tumors.

CONCLUSION

MFU was synthesized with high purity and may have potential anticancer activity against PCa.

A pancreas tumor derived organoid study: from drug screen to precision medicine

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) one of the deadliest malignant tumor. Despite considerable progress in pancreatic cancer treatment in the past 10 years, PDAC mortality has shown no appreciable change, and systemic therapies for PDAC generally lack efficacy. Thus, developing biomarkers for treatment guidance is urgently required. This review focuses on pancreatic tumor organoids (PTOs), which can mimic the characteristics of the original tumor in vitro. As a powerful tool with several applications, PTOs represent a new strategy for targeted therapy in pancreatic cancer and contribute to the advancement of the field of personalized medicine.