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Korelin K, Oostveen M, Wahbi W, Ianevski F, Cavalcante B, Turunen L, Belevich I, Al-Samadi A, Salo T. Evaluation of BH3 mimetics as a combination therapy with irradiation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116719. [PMID: 38749173 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common cancer with a five-year survival rate around 60%, indicating a need for new treatments. BH3 mimetics are small molecules that inhibit anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, resulting in apoptosis induction. METHODS We performed a high-throughput screen using a Myogel matrix to identify the synergy between irradiation and the novel BH3 mimetics A-1155463, A-1331852, and navitoclax in 12 HNSCC cell lines, normal (NOF) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), and dysplastic keratinocytes (ODA). Next, we examined synergy in an apoptosis assay, followed by a clonogenic assay and a Myogel spheroid on selected HNSCC cell lines. Finally, we applied zebrafish larvae xenograft to validate the effects of navitoclax and A-1331852. RESULTS All three BH3 mimetics exhibited a strong synergy with irradiation in eight HNSCC cell lines and ODAs, but not in NOFs and CAFs. A-1155463 and A-1331852 induced apoptosis and reduced proliferation, and together with irradiation, significantly increased apoptosis and arrested proliferation. A-1331852 and navitoclax significantly decreased the clonogenicity compared with the control, and combination treatment led to a decreased clonogenicity compared with monotherapy or irradiation. However, unlike navitoclax or A-1155463, only A-1331852 significantly reduced cancer cell invasion. Furthermore, in spheroid and zebrafish, irradiation appeared ineffective and failed to significantly increase the drug effect. In the zebrafish, A-1331852 and navitoclax significantly reduced the tumor area and metastasis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings encourage the further preclinical investigation of BH3 mimetics, particularly A-1331852, as a single agent or combined with irradiation as a treatment for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Korelin
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland.
| | - Mayke Oostveen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Wafa Wahbi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Filipp Ianevski
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
| | - Bruno Cavalcante
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland; Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador 40296-710, Brazil; Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-909, Brazil
| | - Laura Turunen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
| | - Ilya Belevich
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Ahmed Al-Samadi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland; Institute of Dentistry, School of Medicine, Kuopio Campus, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tuula Salo
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland; Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu 90014, Finland; Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu 90220, Finland; Department of Pathology, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki 00029, Finland
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Wahbi W, Awad S, Salo T, Al-Samadi A. Stroma modulation of radiation response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Insights from zebrafish larvae xenografts. Exp Cell Res 2024; 435:113911. [PMID: 38182078 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.113911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tumour microenvironment (TME) of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) consists of different subtypes of cells that interact with the tumour or with each other. This study investigates the possibility of co-culturing HNSCC cells with different stroma cells in a zebrafish xenograft model, focusing on the effect of stroma cells on HNSCC growth and response to irradiation. MATERIAL AND METHOD HNSCC metastatic cell line HSC-3 was used along with five types of stroma cells: normal gingival fibroblasts (NOF), cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF), macrophages, CD4+ T cells, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The mixture of HSC-3 cells and each-stroma cell type-was injected into 2-day post-fertilization zebrafish embryos, and the effect of stroma cells on tumour growth was tested. The study also aimed to mimic the HNSCC tumour by injecting a mixture of HSC-3 cells, CAFs, macrophages, and HUVECs into zebrafish embryos and testing the effect of these stroma cells on the cancer cells' response to irradiation compared to HSC-3-only tumours. RESULTS CAFs had a significant inducement effect on tumour size, while HUVECs showed the opposite effect. The irradiated group of HSC-3-only tumour had a significantly smaller tumor cell area compared to the control, while the group with stroma cells and HSC-3 cells showed cancer cells being resistant to irradiation. CONCLUSION This is the first report of co-culturing cancer cells with several types of stroma cells using a zebrafish xenograft model. This study also highlighted the role of stroma cells in turning the cancer cells from radioresponsive to radioresistant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wafa Wahbi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Biomedicum Helsinki 1, C223b, Haartmaninkatu 8, P.O. Box 63, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Biomedicum Helsinki 1, Haartmaninkatu 8, P.O. Box 63, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Shady Awad
- Clinical Pathology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; Hematology Research Unit, Department of Hematology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuula Salo
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Biomedicum Helsinki 1, C223b, Haartmaninkatu 8, P.O. Box 63, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Biomedicum Helsinki 1, Haartmaninkatu 8, P.O. Box 63, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; Department of Pathology, HUSLAB, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 21, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5281, Oulu, 90014, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5281, Oulu, 90014, Finland
| | - Ahmed Al-Samadi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Biomedicum Helsinki 1, C223b, Haartmaninkatu 8, P.O. Box 63, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Biomedicum Helsinki 1, Haartmaninkatu 8, P.O. Box 63, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; Institute of Dentistry, School of Medicine, Kuopio Campus, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio, Finland.
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Dalir Abdolahinia E, Han X. The Three-Dimensional In Vitro Cell Culture Models in the Study of Oral Cancer Immune Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4266. [PMID: 37686542 PMCID: PMC10487272 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The onset and progression of oral cancer are accompanied by a dynamic interaction with the host immune system, and the immune cells within the tumor microenvironment play a pivotal role in the development of the tumor. By exploring the cellular immunity of oral cancer, we can gain insight into the contribution of both tumor cells and immune cells to tumorigenesis. This understanding is crucial for developing effective immunotherapeutic strategies to combat oral cancer. Studies of cancer immunology present unique challenges in terms of modeling due to the extraordinary complexity of the immune system. With its multitude of cellular components, each with distinct subtypes and various activation states, the immune system interacts with cancer cells and other components of the tumor, ultimately shaping the course of the disease. Conventional two-dimensional (2D) culture methods fall short of capturing these intricate cellular interactions. Mouse models enable us to learn about tumor biology in complicated and dynamic physiological systems but have limitations as the murine immune system differs significantly from that of humans. In light of these challenges, three-dimensional (3D) culture systems offer an alternative approach to studying cancer immunology and filling the existing gaps in available models. These 3D culture models provide a means to investigate complex cellular interactions that are difficult to replicate in 2D cultures. The direct study of the interaction between immune cells and cancer cells of human origin offers a more relevant and representative platform compared to mouse models, enabling advancements in our understanding of cancer immunology. This review explores commonly used 3D culture models and highlights their significant contributions to expanding our knowledge of cancer immunology. By harnessing the power of 3D culture systems, we can unlock new insights that pave the way for improved strategies in the battle against oral cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiaozhe Han
- Department of Oral Science and Translation Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA
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