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Kitzberger C, Shehzad K, Morath V, Spellerberg R, Ranke J, Steiger K, Kälin RE, Multhoff G, Eiber M, Schilling F, Glass R, Weber WA, Wagner E, Nelson PJ, Spitzweg C. Interleukin-6-controlled, mesenchymal stem cell-based sodium/iodide symporter gene therapy improves survival of glioblastoma-bearing mice. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2023; 30:238-253. [PMID: 37701849 PMCID: PMC10493263 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2023.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
New treatment strategies are urgently needed for glioblastoma (GBM)-a tumor resistant to standard-of-care treatment with a high risk of recurrence and extremely poor prognosis. Based on their intrinsic tumor tropism, adoptively applied mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be harnessed to deliver the theranostic sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) deep into the tumor microenvironment. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional, highly expressed cytokine in the GBM microenvironment including recruited MSCs. MSCs engineered to drive NIS expression in response to IL-6 promoter activation offer the possibility of a new tumor-targeted gene therapy approach of GBM. Therefore, MSCs were stably transfected with an NIS-expressing plasmid controlled by the human IL-6 promoter (IL-6-NIS-MSCs) and systemically applied in mice carrying orthotopic GBM. Enhanced radiotracer uptake by 18F-Tetrafluoroborate-PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was detected in tumors after IL-6-NIS-MSC application as compared with mice that received wild-type MSCs. Ex vivo analysis of tumors and non-target organs showed tumor-specific NIS protein expression. Subsequent 131I therapy after IL-6-NIS-MSC application resulted in significantly delayed tumor growth assessed by MRI and improved median survival up to 60% of GBM-bearing mice as compared with controls. In conclusion, the application of MSC-mediated NIS gene therapy focusing on IL-6 biology-induced NIS transgene expression represents a promising approach for GBM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Kitzberger
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Khuram Shehzad
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Volker Morath
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rebekka Spellerberg
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julius Ranke
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Steiger
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Roland E. Kälin
- Neurosurgical Research, Department of Neurosurgery, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gabriele Multhoff
- Center for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Radiation Immuno-Oncology Group, Munich, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Eiber
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Franz Schilling
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rainer Glass
- Neurosurgical Research, Department of Neurosurgery, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang A. Weber
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Centre for System-Based Drug Research and Centre for Nanoscience, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter J. Nelson
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Spitzweg
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Ortega-Martorell S, Olier I, Hernandez O, Restrepo-Galvis PD, Bellfield RAA, Candiota AP. Tracking Therapy Response in Glioblastoma Using 1D Convolutional Neural Networks. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4002. [PMID: 37568818 PMCID: PMC10417313 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15154002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GB) is a malignant brain tumour that is challenging to treat, often relapsing even after aggressive therapy. Evaluating therapy response relies on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria. However, early assessment is hindered by phenomena such as pseudoprogression and pseudoresponse. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS/MRSI) provides metabolomics information but is underutilised due to a lack of familiarity and standardisation. METHODS This study explores the potential of spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) in combination with several machine learning approaches, including one-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1D-CNNs), to improve therapy response assessment. Preclinical GB (GL261-bearing mice) were studied for method optimisation and validation. RESULTS The proposed 1D-CNN models successfully identify different regions of tumours sampled by MRSI, i.e., normal brain (N), control/unresponsive tumour (T), and tumour responding to treatment (R). Class activation maps using Grad-CAM enabled the study of the key areas relevant to the models, providing model explainability. The generated colour-coded maps showing the N, T and R regions were highly accurate (according to Dice scores) when compared against ground truth and outperformed our previous method. CONCLUSIONS The proposed methodology may provide new and better opportunities for therapy response assessment, potentially providing earlier hints of tumour relapsing stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Ortega-Martorell
- Data Science Research Centre, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (I.O.); (R.A.A.B.)
| | - Ivan Olier
- Data Science Research Centre, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (I.O.); (R.A.A.B.)
| | - Orlando Hernandez
- Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería Julio Garavito, Bogota 111166, Colombia; (O.H.); (P.D.R.-G.)
| | | | - Ryan A. A. Bellfield
- Data Science Research Centre, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (I.O.); (R.A.A.B.)
| | - Ana Paula Candiota
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red: Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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Bausart M, Bozzato E, Joudiou N, Koutsoumpou X, Manshian B, Préat V, Gallez B. Mismatch between Bioluminescence Imaging (BLI) and MRI When Evaluating Glioblastoma Growth: Lessons from a Study Where BLI Suggested "Regression" while MRI Showed "Progression". Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061919. [PMID: 36980804 PMCID: PMC10047859 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Orthotopic glioblastoma xenografts are paramount for evaluating the effect of innovative anti-cancer treatments. In longitudinal studies, tumor growth (or regression) of glioblastoma can only be monitored by noninvasive imaging. For this purpose, bioluminescence imaging (BLI) has gained popularity because of its low cost and easy access. In the context of the development of new nanomedicines for treating glioblastoma, we were using luciferase-expressing GL261 cell lines. Incidentally, using BLI in a specific GL261 glioblastoma model with cells expressing both luciferase and the green fluorescent protein (GL261-luc-GFP), we observed an apparent spontaneous regression. By contrast, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis revealed that the tumors were actually growing over time. For other models (GL261 expressing only luciferase and U87 expressing both luciferase and GFP), data from BLI and MRI correlated well. We found that the divergence in results coming from different imaging modalities was not due to the tumor localization nor the penetration depth of light but was rather linked to the instability in luciferase expression in the viral construct used for the GL261-luc-GFP model. In conclusion, the use of multi-modality imaging prevents possible errors in tumor growth evaluation, and checking the stability of luciferase expression is mandatory when using BLI as the sole imaging modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Bausart
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials (ADDB) Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elia Bozzato
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials (ADDB) Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Joudiou
- Nuclear and Electron Spin Technologies (NEST) Platform, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Xanthippi Koutsoumpou
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Katholiek Universiteit Leuven (KULeuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bella Manshian
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Katholiek Universiteit Leuven (KULeuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Véronique Préat
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials (ADDB) Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bernard Gallez
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (REMA) Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
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Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Escape in the Time Course of Glioblastoma. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:6857-6873. [PMID: 36048342 PMCID: PMC9525332 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02996-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive primary brain tumor with a malignant prognosis. GBM is characterized by high cellular heterogeneity and its progression relies on the interaction with the central nervous system, which ensures the immune-escape and tumor promotion. This interplay induces metabolic, (epi)-genetic and molecular rewiring in both domains. In the present study, we aim to characterize the time-related changes in the GBM landscape, using a syngeneic mouse model of primary GBM. GL261 glioma cells were injected in the right striatum of immuno-competent C57Bl/6 mice and animals were sacrificed after 7, 14, and 21 days (7D, 14D, 21D). The tumor development was assessed through 3D tomographic imaging and brains were processed for immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and western blotting. A human transcriptomic database was inquired to support the translational value of the experimental data. Our results showed the dynamic of the tumor progression, being established as a bulk at 14D and surrounded by a dense scar of reactive astrocytes. The GBM growth was paralleled by the impairment in the microglial/macrophagic recruitment and antigen-presenting functions, while the invasive phase was characterized by changes in the extracellular matrix, as shown by the analysis of tenascin C and metalloproteinase-9. The present study emphasizes the role of the molecular changes in the microenvironment during the GBM progression, fostering the development of novel multi-targeted, time-dependent therapies in an experimental model similar to the human disease.
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Combination of DNA Vaccine and Immune Checkpoint Blockades Improves the Immune Response in an Orthotopic Unresectable Glioblastoma Model. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14051025. [PMID: 35631612 PMCID: PMC9145362 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14051025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Combination immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy to increase the immune response in glioblastoma (GBM) and overcome the complex immunosuppression occurring in its microenvironment. In this study, we hypothesized that combining DNA vaccines—to stimulate a specific immune response—and dual immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)—to decrease the immunosuppression exerted on T cells—will improve the immune response and the survival in an orthotopic unresectable GL261 model. We first highlighted the influence of the insertion position of a GBM epitope sequence in a plasmid DNA vaccine encoding a vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) (here referred to as pTOP) in the generation of a specific and significant IFN-γ response against the GBM antigen TRP2 by inserting a CD8 epitope sequence in specific permissive sites. Then, we combined the pTOP vaccine with anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 ICBs. Immune cell analysis revealed an increase in effector T cell to Treg ratios in the spleens and an increase in infiltrated IFN-γ-secreting CD8 T cell frequency in the brains following combination therapy. Even if the survival was not significantly different between dual ICB and combination therapy, we offer a new immunotherapeutic perspective by improving the immune landscape in an orthotopic unresectable GBM model.
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6
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Candiota AP, Arús C. Establishing Imaging Biomarkers of Host Immune System Efficacy during Glioblastoma Therapy Response: Challenges, Obstacles and Future Perspectives. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12030243. [PMID: 35323686 PMCID: PMC8950145 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12030243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This hypothesis proposal addresses three major questions: (1) Why do we need imaging biomarkers for assessing the efficacy of immune system participation in glioblastoma therapy response? (2) Why are they not available yet? and (3) How can we produce them? We summarize the literature data supporting the claim that the immune system is behind the efficacy of most successful glioblastoma therapies but, unfortunately, there are no current short-term imaging biomarkers of its activity. We also discuss how using an immunocompetent murine model of glioblastoma, allowing the cure of mice and the generation of immune memory, provides a suitable framework for glioblastoma therapy response biomarker studies. Both magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance-based metabolomic data (i.e., magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging) can provide non-invasive assessments of such a system. A predictor based in nosological images, generated from magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging analyses and their oscillatory patterns, should be translational to clinics. We also review hurdles that may explain why such an oscillatory biomarker was not reported in previous imaging glioblastoma work. Single shot explorations that neglect short-term oscillatory behavior derived from immune system attack on tumors may mislead actual response extent detection. Finally, we consider improvements required to properly predict immune system-mediated early response (1–2 weeks) to therapy. The sensible use of improved biomarkers may enable translatable evidence-based therapeutic protocols, with the possibility of extending preclinical results to human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Candiota
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain;
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Unitat de Bioquímica de Biociències, Edifici Cs, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carles Arús
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain;
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Unitat de Bioquímica de Biociències, Edifici Cs, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence:
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7
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Markwell SM, Ross JL, Olson CL, Brat DJ. Necrotic reshaping of the glioma microenvironment drives disease progression. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 143:291-310. [PMID: 35039931 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02401-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor and has a dismal prognosis. The development of central necrosis represents a tipping point in the evolution of these tumors that foreshadows aggressive expansion, swiftly leading to mortality. The onset of necrosis, severe hypoxia and associated radial glioma expansion correlates with dramatic tumor microenvironment (TME) alterations that accelerate tumor growth. In the past, most have concluded that hypoxia and necrosis must arise due to "cancer outgrowing its blood supply" when rapid tumor growth outpaces metabolic supply, leading to diffusion-limited hypoxia. However, growing evidence suggests that microscopic intravascular thrombosis driven by the neoplastic overexpression of pro-coagulants attenuates glioma blood supply (perfusion-limited hypoxia), leading to TME restructuring that includes breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, immunosuppressive immune cell accumulation, microvascular hyperproliferation, glioma stem cell enrichment and tumor cell migration outward. Cumulatively, these adaptations result in rapid tumor expansion, resistance to therapeutic interventions and clinical progression. To inform future translational investigations, the complex interplay among environmental cues and myriad cell types that contribute to this aggressive phenotype requires better understanding. This review focuses on contributions from intratumoral thrombosis, the effects of hypoxia and necrosis, the adaptive and innate immune responses, and the current state of targeted therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Markwell
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave. Ward 3-140, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - James L Ross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Cheryl L Olson
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave. Ward 3-140, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Daniel J Brat
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave. Ward 3-140, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Letchuman V, Ampie L, Shah AH, Brown DA, Heiss JD, Chittiboina P. Syngeneic murine glioblastoma models: reactionary immune changes and immunotherapy intervention outcomes. Neurosurg Focus 2022; 52:E5. [PMID: 35104794 PMCID: PMC10851929 DOI: 10.3171/2021.11.focus21556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant brain neoplasm with dismal 10-year survival rates of < 1%. Despite promising preliminary results from several novel therapeutic agents, clinical responses have been modest due to several factors, including tumor heterogeneity, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and treatment resistance. Novel immunotherapeutics have been developed to reverse tumor-induced immunosuppression in patients with glioblastomas. In order to recapitulate the tumor microenvironment, reliable in vivo syngeneic murine models are critical for the development of new targeted agents as these models demonstrate rapid tumor induction and reliable tumor growth over multiple generations. Despite the clear advantages of murine models, choosing an appropriate model from an immunological perspective can be difficult and have significant ramifications on the translatability of the results from murine to human trials. Herein, the authors reviewed the 4 most commonly used immunocompetent syngeneic murine glioma models (GL261 [C57BL/6], SB28 [C57BL/6], CT-2A [C57BL/6], and SMA-560 [VM/Dk]) and compared their strengths and weaknesses from an immunological standpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Letchuman
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Leonel Ampie
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Ashish H. Shah
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Desmond A. Brown
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - John D. Heiss
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Prashant Chittiboina
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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McKelvey KJ, Hudson AL, Donaghy H, Stoner SP, Wheeler HR, Diakos CI, Howell VM. Differential effects of radiation fractionation regimens on glioblastoma. Radiat Oncol 2022; 17:17. [PMID: 35073960 PMCID: PMC8788072 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-022-01990-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radiotherapy (RT) is a mainstay of treatment for patients with glioblastoma (GB). Early clinical trials show that short course hypofractionation showed no survival benefit compared to conventional regimens with or without temozolomide chemotherapy (TMZ) but reduces the number of doses required. Concerns around delayed neurological deficits and reduced cognition from short course hypofractionated RT remain a concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of increased interfractional time using two different radiation fractionation regimens on GB. METHODS The radiobiological effect of increasing doses 0-20 Gy x-ray photon RT on Gl261 and CT2A GB cell lines was compared by colony forming assay, DNA damage by alkaline comet assay, oxidative stress, DNA damage, cell cycle, and caspase-3/7 by MUSE® flow cytometric analyses, and protein expression by western blot analyses. Conventional (20 Gy/10 fractions) and hypofractionated (20 Gy/4 fractions spaced 72 h apart) RT regimens with and without TMZ (200 mg/kg/day) were performed in syngeneic Gl261 and CT2A intracranial mouse models using the Small Animal Radiation Research Platform (Xstrahl Inc.). RESULTS X-ray photon radiation dose-dependently increased reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, autophagy, and caspase 3/7-mediated apoptotic cell death. While the conventional fractionated dose regimen of 20 Gy/10 f was effective at inducing cell death via the above mechanism, this was exceeded by a 20 Gy/4 f regimen which improved median survival and histopathology in Gl261-tumor bearing mice, and eradicated tumors in CT2A tumors with no additional toxicity. CONCLUSIONS Spacing of hypofractionated RT doses 72 h apart showed increased median survival and tumor control via increased activation of RT-mediated cell death, with no observed increased in radiotoxicity. This supports further exploration of differential RT fractionated regimens in GB clinical trials to reduce delayed neurological radiotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly J McKelvey
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia.
| | - Amanda L Hudson
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
| | - Heather Donaghy
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
| | - Shihani P Stoner
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
| | - Helen R Wheeler
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
- Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
| | - Connie I Diakos
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
- Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
| | - Viive M Howell
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
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Himes BT, Geiger PA, Ayasoufi K, Bhargav AG, Brown DA, Parney IF. Immunosuppression in Glioblastoma: Current Understanding and Therapeutic Implications. Front Oncol 2021; 11:770561. [PMID: 34778089 PMCID: PMC8581618 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.770561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor in adults an carries and carries a terrible prognosis. The current regiment of surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy has remained largely unchanged in recent years as new therapeutic approaches have struggled to demonstrate benefit. One of the most challenging hurdles to overcome in developing novel treatments is the profound immune suppression found in many GBM patients. This limits the utility of all manner of immunotherapeutic agents, which have revolutionized the treatment of a number of cancers in recent years, but have failed to show similar benefit in GBM therapy. Understanding the mechanisms of tumor-mediated immune suppression in GBM is critical to the development of effective novel therapies, and reversal of this effect may prove key to effective immunotherapy for GBM. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of tumor-mediated immune suppression in GBM in both the local tumor microenvironment and systemically. We also discuss the effects of current GBM therapy on the immune system. We specifically explore some of the downstream effectors of tumor-driven immune suppression, particularly myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and other immunosuppressive monocytes, and the manner by which GBM induces their formation, with particular attention to the role of GBM-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). Lastly, we briefly review the current state of immunotherapy for GBM and discuss additional hurdles to overcome identification and implementation of effective therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin T Himes
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Philipp A Geiger
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
| | | | - Adip G Bhargav
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Desmond A Brown
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Ian F Parney
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
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11
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Yang T, Mochida Y, Liu X, Zhou H, Xie J, Anraku Y, Kinoh H, Cabral H, Kataoka K. Conjugation of glucosylated polymer chains to checkpoint blockade antibodies augments their efficacy and specificity for glioblastoma. Nat Biomed Eng 2021; 5:1274-1287. [PMID: 34635819 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-021-00803-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Because of the blood-tumour barrier and cross-reactivity with healthy tissues, immune checkpoint blockade therapy against glioblastoma has inadequate efficacy and is associated with a high risk of immune-related adverse events. Here we show that anti-programmed death-ligand 1 antibodies conjugated with multiple poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains functionalized to target glucose transporter 1 (which is overexpressed in brain capillaries) and detaching in the reductive tumour microenvironment augment the potency and safety of checkpoint blockade therapy against glioblastoma. In mice bearing orthotopic glioblastoma tumours, a single dose of glucosylated and multi-PEGylated antibodies reinvigorated antitumour immune responses, induced immunological memory that protected the animals against rechallenge with tumour cells, and suppressed autoimmune responses in the animals' healthy tissues. Drug-delivery formulations leveraging multivalent ligand interactions and the properties of the tumour microenvironment to facilitate the crossing of blood-tumour barriers and increase drug specificity may enhance the efficacy and safety of other antibody-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yang
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yuki Mochida
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Xueying Liu
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Hang Zhou
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Jinbing Xie
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yasutaka Anraku
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kinoh
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Horacio Cabral
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kazunori Kataoka
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki, Japan. .,Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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12
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Targeting Glucose Metabolism of Cancer Cells with Dichloroacetate to Radiosensitize High-Grade Gliomas. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7265. [PMID: 34298883 PMCID: PMC8305417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147265;] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
As the cornerstone of high-grade glioma (HGG) treatment, radiotherapy temporarily controls tumor cells via inducing oxidative stress and subsequent DNA breaks. However, almost all HGGs recur within months. Therefore, it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms of radioresistance, so that novel strategies can be developed to improve the effectiveness of radiotherapy. While currently poorly understood, radioresistance appears to be predominantly driven by altered metabolism and hypoxia. Glucose is a central macronutrient, and its metabolism is rewired in HGG cells, increasing glycolytic flux to produce energy and essential metabolic intermediates, known as the Warburg effect. This altered metabolism in HGG cells not only supports cell proliferation and invasiveness, but it also contributes significantly to radioresistance. Several metabolic drugs have been used as a novel approach to improve the radiosensitivity of HGGs, including dichloroacetate (DCA), a small molecule used to treat children with congenital mitochondrial disorders. DCA reverses the Warburg effect by inhibiting pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases, which subsequently activates mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation at the expense of glycolysis. This effect is thought to block the growth advantage of HGGs and improve the radiosensitivity of HGG cells. This review highlights the main features of altered glucose metabolism in HGG cells as a contributor to radioresistance and describes the mechanism of action of DCA. Furthermore, we will summarize recent advances in DCA's pre-clinical and clinical studies as a radiosensitizer and address how these scientific findings can be translated into clinical practice to improve the management of HGG patients.
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13
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Cook KM, Shen H, McKelvey KJ, Gee HE, Hau E. Targeting Glucose Metabolism of Cancer Cells with Dichloroacetate to Radiosensitize High-Grade Gliomas. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147265. [PMID: 34298883 PMCID: PMC8305417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As the cornerstone of high-grade glioma (HGG) treatment, radiotherapy temporarily controls tumor cells via inducing oxidative stress and subsequent DNA breaks. However, almost all HGGs recur within months. Therefore, it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms of radioresistance, so that novel strategies can be developed to improve the effectiveness of radiotherapy. While currently poorly understood, radioresistance appears to be predominantly driven by altered metabolism and hypoxia. Glucose is a central macronutrient, and its metabolism is rewired in HGG cells, increasing glycolytic flux to produce energy and essential metabolic intermediates, known as the Warburg effect. This altered metabolism in HGG cells not only supports cell proliferation and invasiveness, but it also contributes significantly to radioresistance. Several metabolic drugs have been used as a novel approach to improve the radiosensitivity of HGGs, including dichloroacetate (DCA), a small molecule used to treat children with congenital mitochondrial disorders. DCA reverses the Warburg effect by inhibiting pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases, which subsequently activates mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation at the expense of glycolysis. This effect is thought to block the growth advantage of HGGs and improve the radiosensitivity of HGG cells. This review highlights the main features of altered glucose metabolism in HGG cells as a contributor to radioresistance and describes the mechanism of action of DCA. Furthermore, we will summarize recent advances in DCA’s pre-clinical and clinical studies as a radiosensitizer and address how these scientific findings can be translated into clinical practice to improve the management of HGG patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina M. Cook
- Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia; (H.S.); (K.J.M.); (H.E.G.); (E.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-286274858
| | - Han Shen
- Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia; (H.S.); (K.J.M.); (H.E.G.); (E.H.)
- Translational Radiation Biology and Oncology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead 2145, Australia
| | - Kelly J. McKelvey
- Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia; (H.S.); (K.J.M.); (H.E.G.); (E.H.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, St. Leonards 2065, Australia
| | - Harriet E. Gee
- Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia; (H.S.); (K.J.M.); (H.E.G.); (E.H.)
- Translational Radiation Biology and Oncology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead 2145, Australia
- Sydney West Radiation Oncology Network, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
- Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead 2145, Australia
| | - Eric Hau
- Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia; (H.S.); (K.J.M.); (H.E.G.); (E.H.)
- Translational Radiation Biology and Oncology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead 2145, Australia
- Sydney West Radiation Oncology Network, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
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14
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McKelvey KJ, Wilson EB, Short S, Melcher AA, Biggs M, Diakos CI, Howell VM. Glycolysis and Fatty Acid Oxidation Inhibition Improves Survival in Glioblastoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:633210. [PMID: 33854970 PMCID: PMC8039392 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.633210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive adult glioma with a median survival of 14 months. While standard treatments (safe maximal resection, radiation, and temozolomide chemotherapy) have increased the median survival in favorable O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT)-methylated GBM (~21 months), a large proportion of patients experience a highly debilitating and rapidly fatal disease. This study examined GBM cellular energetic pathways and blockade using repurposed drugs: the glycolytic inhibitor, namely dicholoroacetate (DCA), and the partial fatty acid oxidation (FAO) inhibitor, namely ranolazine (Rano). Gene expression data show that GBM subtypes have similar glucose and FAO pathways, and GBM tumors have significant upregulation of enzymes in both pathways, compared to normal brain tissue (p < 0.01). DCA and the DCA/Rano combination showed reduced colony-forming activity of GBM and increased oxidative stress, DNA damage, autophagy, and apoptosis in vitro. In the orthotopic Gl261 and CT2A syngeneic murine models of GBM, DCA, Rano, and DCA/Rano increased median survival and induced focal tumor necrosis and hemorrhage. In conclusion, dual targeting of glycolytic and FAO metabolic pathways provides a viable treatment that warrants further investigation concurrently or as an adjuvant to standard chemoradiation for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly J McKelvey
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
| | - Erica B Wilson
- Translational Neuro-Oncology, Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Short
- Translational Neuro-Oncology, Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Alan A Melcher
- Translational Immunotherapy, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, Institute for Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Biggs
- Department of Neurosurgery, North Shore Private Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
| | - Connie I Diakos
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia.,Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
| | - Viive M Howell
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
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15
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Helaine C, Ferré AE, Leblond MM, Pérès EA, Bernaudin M, Valable S, Petit E. Angiopoietin-2 Combined with Radiochemotherapy Impedes Glioblastoma Recurrence by Acting in an Autocrine and Paracrine Manner: A Preclinical Study. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123585. [PMID: 33266255 PMCID: PMC7760857 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Glioblastoma (GB) is a highly aggressive brain tumor characterized by poor prognosis and high rate of recurrence in response to conventional treatments consisting of tumor resection and radiochemotherapy (RCT). The reasons for this therapeutic failure are mainly due to the complexity of GB biology and its environment. GB progression is highly dependent on its vascularization and inflammatory status. Besides, evidence showed that RCT also induces vascular change and inflammation. In GB patients, Angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), biomarker of poor prognosis is a crucial angiogenic factor also involved in inflammation. Our aim was to clarify the role of Ang2 in RCT-induced changes in the GB environment. To this end, we generated Ang2-overexpressing GL261 cells and characterized tumor progression, as well as inflammation and vascularization, in response to RCT. We showed that Ang2 delays tumor recurrence and makes a lasting improvement in animal survival when combined with conventional RCT. Abstract (1) We wanted to assess the impact of Ang2 in RCT-induced changes in the environment of glioblastoma. (2) The effect of Ang2 overexpression in tumor cells was studied in the GL261 syngeneic immunocompetent model of GB in response to fractionated RCT. (3) We showed that RCT combined with Ang2 led to tumor clearance for the GL261-Ang2 group by acting on the tumor cells as well as on both vascular and immune compartments. (4) In vitro, Ang2 overexpression in GL261 cells exposed to RCT promoted senescence and induced robust genomic instability, leading to mitotic death. (5) Coculture experiments of GL261-Ang2 cells with RAW 264.7 cells resulted in a significant increase in macrophage migration, which was abrogated by the addition of soluble Tie2 receptor. (6) Together, these preclinical results showed that, combined with RCT, Ang2 acted in an autocrine manner by increasing GB cell senescence and in a paracrine manner by acting on the innate immune system while modulating the vascular tumor compartment. On this preclinical model, we found that an ectopic expression of Ang2 combined with RCT impedes tumor recurrence.
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16
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Ridwan SM, El-Tayyeb F, Hainfeld JF, Smilowitz HM. Distributions of intravenous injected iodine nanoparticles in orthotopic u87 human glioma xenografts over time and tumor therapy. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2020; 15:2369-2383. [PMID: 32975163 PMCID: PMC7610150 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2020-0178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: To analyze the localization, distribution and effect of iodine nanoparticles (INPs) on radiation therapy (RT) in advanced intracerebral gliomas over time after intravenous injection. Materials & methods: Luciferase/td-tomato expressing U87 human glioma cells were implanted into mice which were injected intravenously with INPs. Mice with gliomas were followed for tumor progression and survival. Immune-stained mouse brain sections were examined and quantified by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Results: INPs injected intravenously 3 days prior to RT, compared with 1 day, showed greater association with CD31-staining structures, accumulated inside tumor cells more, covered more of the tumor cell surface and trended toward increased median survival. Conclusion: INP persistence and redistribution in tumors over time may enable greater RT enhancement and clinically relevant hypo-fractionated-RT and may enhance INP efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharif M Ridwan
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Ferris El-Tayyeb
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - James F Hainfeld
- Nanoprobes, Inc., 95 Horseblock Road, Unit 1, Yaphank, NY 11980, USA
| | - Henry M Smilowitz
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
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