1
|
Trivedi S, Tilsed C, Liousia M, Brody RM, Rajasekaran K, Singhal S, Albelda SM, Klampatsa A. Transcriptomic analysis-guided assessment of precision-cut tumor slices (PCTS) as an ex-vivo tool in cancer research. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11006. [PMID: 38744944 PMCID: PMC11094020 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61684-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
With cancer immunotherapy and precision medicine dynamically evolving, there is greater need for pre-clinical models that can better replicate the intact tumor and its complex tumor microenvironment (TME). Precision-cut tumor slices (PCTS) have recently emerged as an ex vivo human tumor model, offering the opportunity to study individual patient responses to targeted therapies, including immunotherapies. However, little is known about the physiologic status of PCTS and how culture conditions alter gene expression. In this study, we generated PCTS from head and neck cancers (HNC) and mesothelioma tumors (Meso) and undertook transcriptomic analyses to understand the changes that occur in the timeframe between PCTS generation and up to 72 h (hrs) in culture. Our findings showed major changes occurring during the first 24 h culture period of PCTS, involving genes related to wound healing, extracellular matrix, hypoxia, and IFNγ-dependent pathways in both tumor types, as well as tumor-specific changes. Collectively, our data provides an insight into PCTS physiology, which should be taken into consideration when designing PCTS studies, especially in the context of immunology and immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sumita Trivedi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Caitlin Tilsed
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Cellular Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maria Liousia
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Cellular Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert M Brody
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karthik Rajasekaran
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sunil Singhal
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Steven M Albelda
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Cellular Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Astero Klampatsa
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang L, Hu D, Xu J, Hu J, Wang Y. Complex in vitro Model: A Transformative Model in Drug Development and Precision Medicine. Clin Transl Sci 2023; 17:e13695. [PMID: 38062923 PMCID: PMC10828975 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
In vitro and in vivo models play integral roles in preclinical drug research, evaluation, and precision medicine. In vitro models primarily involve research platforms based on cultured cells, typically in the form of two-dimensional (2D) cell models. However, notable disparities exist between 2D cultured cells and in vivo cells across various aspects, rendering the former inadequate for replicating the physiologically relevant functions of human or animal organs and tissues. Consequently, these models failed to accurately reflect real-life scenarios post-drug administration. Complex in vitro models (CIVMs) refer to in vitro models that integrate a multicellular environment and a three-dimensional (3D) structure using bio-polymer or tissue-derived matrices. These models seek to reconstruct the organ- or tissue-specific characteristics of the extracellular microenvironment. The utilization of CIVMs allows for enhanced physiological correlation of cultured cells, thereby better mimicking in vivo conditions without ethical concerns associated with animal experimentation. Consequently, CIVMs have gained prominence in disease research and drug development. This review aimed to comprehensively examine and analyze the various types, manufacturing techniques, and applications of CIVM in the domains of drug discovery, drug development, and precision medicine. The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the progress made in CIVMs and their potential future use in these fields.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luming Wang
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Evaluation Technology for Medical Device of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
| | - Danping Hu
- Hangzhou Chexmed Technology Co., Ltd.HangzhouChina
| | - Jinming Xu
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Evaluation Technology for Medical Device of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
| | - Jian Hu
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Evaluation Technology for Medical Device of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
| | - Yifei Wang
- Hangzhou Chexmed Technology Co., Ltd.HangzhouChina
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kayser C, Brauer A, Susanne S, Wandmacher AM. The challenge of making the right choice: patient avatars in the era of cancer immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1237565. [PMID: 37638045 PMCID: PMC10449253 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1237565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies are a key therapeutic strategy to fight cancer. Diverse approaches are used to activate tumor-directed immunity and to overcome tumor immune escape. The dynamic interplay between tumor cells and their tumor(immune)microenvironment (T(I)ME) poses a major challenge to create appropriate model systems. However, those model systems are needed to gain novel insights into tumor (immune) biology and a prerequisite to accurately develop and test immunotherapeutic approaches which can be successfully translated into clinical application. Several model systems have been established and advanced into so-called patient avatars to mimic the patient´s tumor biology. All models have their advantages but also disadvantages underscoring the necessity to pay attention in defining the rationale and requirements for which the patient avatar will be used. Here, we briefly outline the current state of tumor model systems used for tumor (immune)biological analysis as well as evaluation of immunotherapeutic agents. Finally, we provide a recommendation for further development to make patient avatars a complementary tool for testing and predicting immunotherapeutic strategies for personalization of tumor therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Kayser
- Group of Inflammatory Carcinogenesis, Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Annika Brauer
- Group of Inflammatory Carcinogenesis, Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sebens Susanne
- Group of Inflammatory Carcinogenesis, Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Anna Maxi Wandmacher
- Group of Inflammatory Carcinogenesis, Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Seliger B, Al-Samadi A, Yang B, Salo T, Wickenhauser C. In vitro models as tools for screening treatment options of head and neck cancer. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:971726. [PMID: 36160162 PMCID: PMC9489836 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.971726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Various in vitro models using primary and established 2- and 3-dimensional cultures, multicellular tumor spheroids, standardized tumor slice cultures, tumor organoids, and microfluidic systems obtained from tumor lesions/biopsies of head and neck cancer (HNC) have been employed for exploring and monitoring treatment options. All of these in vitro models are to a different degree able to capture the diversity of tumors, recapitulate the disease genetically, histologically, and functionally and retain their tumorigenic potential upon xenotransplantation. The models were used for the characterization of the malignant features of the tumors and for in vitro screens of drugs approved for the treatment of HNC, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as recently developed targeted therapies and immunotherapies, or for novel treatments not yet licensed for these tumor entities. The implementation of the best suitable model will enlarge our knowledge of the oncogenic properties of HNC, expand the drug repertoire and help to develop individually tailored treatment strategies resulting in the translation of these findings into the clinic. This review summarizes the different approaches using preclinical in vitro systems with their advantages and disadvantages and their implementation as preclinical platforms to predict disease course, evaluate biomarkers and test therapy efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Barbara Seliger,
| | - Ahmed Al-Samadi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Research Program Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bo Yang
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Tuula Salo
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Research Program Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Cancer Research and Translational Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ladan MM, Meijer TG, Verkaik NS, Komar ZM, van Deurzen CHM, den Bakker MA, Kanaar R, van Gent DC, Jager A. Functional Ex Vivo Tissue-Based Chemotherapy Sensitivity Testing for Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1252. [PMID: 35267560 PMCID: PMC8909506 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background chemotherapy is part of most breast cancer (BC) treatment schedules. However, a substantial fraction of BC tumors does not respond to the treatment. Unfortunately, no standard biomarkers exist for response prediction. Therefore, we aim to develop ex vivo sensitivity assays for two types of commonly used cytostatics (i.e., platinum derivates and taxanes) on organotypic BC tissue slices. METHODS Ex vivo cisplatin sensitivity assays were established using organotypic tissue slices derived from the surgical resection material of 13 primary BCs and 20 fresh histological biopsies obtained from various metastatic sites. Furthermore, tissue slices of 10 primary BCs were used to establish a docetaxel ex vivo sensitivity assay. RESULTS Cisplatin sensitivity was assessed by tissue morphology, proliferation and apoptosis, while the relative increase in the mitotic index was discriminative for docetaxel sensitivity. Based on these read-outs, a scoring system was proposed to discriminate sensitive from resistant tumors for each cytostatic. We successful completed the cisplatin sensitivity assay on 12/16 (75%) biopsies as well. CONCLUSIONS We developed an ex vivo cisplatin and docetaxel assay on BC slices. We also adapted the assay for biopsy-sized specimens as the next step towards the correlation of ex vivo test results and in vivo responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marjolijn M. Ladan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.M.L.); (T.G.M.); (N.S.V.); (Z.M.K.); (R.K.)
- Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Titia G. Meijer
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.M.L.); (T.G.M.); (N.S.V.); (Z.M.K.); (R.K.)
- Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole S. Verkaik
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.M.L.); (T.G.M.); (N.S.V.); (Z.M.K.); (R.K.)
- Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Zofia M. Komar
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.M.L.); (T.G.M.); (N.S.V.); (Z.M.K.); (R.K.)
| | | | | | - Roland Kanaar
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.M.L.); (T.G.M.); (N.S.V.); (Z.M.K.); (R.K.)
- Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dik C. van Gent
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.M.L.); (T.G.M.); (N.S.V.); (Z.M.K.); (R.K.)
- Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Agnes Jager
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Templeton AR, Jeffery PL, Thomas PB, Perera MPJ, Ng G, Calabrese AR, Nicholls C, Mackenzie NJ, Wood J, Bray LJ, Vela I, Thompson EW, Williams ED. Patient-Derived Explants as a Precision Medicine Patient-Proximal Testing Platform Informing Cancer Management. Front Oncol 2022; 11:767697. [PMID: 34988013 PMCID: PMC8721047 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.767697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Precision medicine approaches that inform clinical management of individuals with cancer are progressively advancing. Patient-derived explants (PDEs) provide a patient-proximal ex vivo platform that can be used to assess sensitivity to standard of care (SOC) therapies and novel agents. PDEs have several advantages as a patient-proximal model compared to current preclinical models, as they maintain the phenotype and microenvironment of the individual tumor. However, the longevity of PDEs is not compatible with the timeframe required to incorporate candidate therapeutic options identified by whole exome sequencing (WES) of the patient’s tumor. This review investigates how PDE longevity varies across tumor streams and how this is influenced by tissue preparation. Improving longevity of PDEs will enable individualized therapeutics testing, and thus contribute to improving outcomes for people with cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abby R Templeton
- School of Biomedical Sciences at the Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre - Queensland (APCRC-Q), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Penny L Jeffery
- School of Biomedical Sciences at the Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre - Queensland (APCRC-Q), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Patrick B Thomas
- School of Biomedical Sciences at the Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre - Queensland (APCRC-Q), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Mahasha P J Perera
- School of Biomedical Sciences at the Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre - Queensland (APCRC-Q), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Gary Ng
- Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alivia R Calabrese
- School of Biomedical Sciences at the Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre - Queensland (APCRC-Q), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Clarissa Nicholls
- School of Biomedical Sciences at the Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nathan J Mackenzie
- School of Biomedical Sciences at the Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre - Queensland (APCRC-Q), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jack Wood
- School of Biomedical Sciences at the Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Laura J Bray
- Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ian Vela
- School of Biomedical Sciences at the Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre - Queensland (APCRC-Q), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Erik W Thompson
- School of Biomedical Sciences at the Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Elizabeth D Williams
- School of Biomedical Sciences at the Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre - Queensland (APCRC-Q), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|