Preclinical small molecule WEHI-7326 overcomes drug resistance and elicits response in patient-derived xenograft models of human treatment-refractory tumors

Patient-derived models: Advanced tools for precision medicine in neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer derived from the sympathetic nervous system. High-risk neuroblastoma patients have a poor overall survival and account for ~15% of childhood cancer deaths. There is thus a need for clinically relevant and authentic models of neuroblastoma that closely resemble the human disease to further interrogate underlying mechanisms and to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Here we review recent developments in patient-derived neuroblastoma xenograft models and in vitro cultures. These models can be used to decipher mechanisms of metastasis and treatment resistance, for drug screening, and preclinical drug testing. Patient-derived neuroblastoma models may also provide useful information about clonal evolution, phenotypic plasticity, and cell states in relation to neuroblastoma progression. We summarize current opportunities for, but also barriers to, future model development and application. Integration of patient-derived models with patient data holds promise for the development of precision medicine treatment strategies for children with high-risk neuroblastoma.

Bacteria-Mediated Intracellular Click Reaction for Drug Enrichment and Selective Apoptosis of Drug-Resistant Tumor Cells

Functionalized biocarriers that can perform bio-orthogonal reactions in tumor cells may provide solutions to overcome the efflux of the chemotherapeutic agent from drug-resistant tumor cells. Herein, we report the enrichment of therapeutic drugs in tumor cells through intracellular click reaction with functionalized bacteria. Specifically, an intracellular bioactive drug enrichment template (OPV@Escherichia coli) is constructed by combining positively charged oligo(phenylene-vinylene)-alkyne (OPV-C≡CH) with E. coli via electrostatic interaction. After the cell uptake of OPV@E. coli and Cu(II)-based complex, Cu(I) generated in situ can catalyze the bio-orthogonal click reaction to covalently anchor the azide-bearing molecules of cyanine 5 (Cy5-N₃) and paclitaxel (PTX-N₃) on OPV@E. coli. These molecules and their functions were retained and enriched inside the drug-resistant tumor cells A549T, which can label cells with fluorescent probes and selectively induce the apoptosis of drug-resistant tumor cells.