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Capasso M, Brignole C, Lasorsa VA, Bensa V, Cantalupo S, Sebastiani E, Quattrone A, Ciampi E, Avitabile M, Sementa AR, Mazzocco K, Cafferata B, Gaggero G, Vellone VG, Cilli M, Calarco E, Giusto E, Perri P, Aveic S, Fruci D, Tondo A, Luksch R, Mura R, Rabusin M, De Leonardis F, Cellini M, Coccia P, Iolascon A, Corrias MV, Conte M, Garaventa A, Amoroso L, Ponzoni M, Pastorino F. From the identification of actionable molecular targets to the generation of faithful neuroblastoma patient-derived preclinical models. J Transl Med 2024; 22:151. [PMID: 38351008 PMCID: PMC10863144 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04954-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB) represents the most frequent and aggressive form of extracranial solid tumor of infants. Although the overall survival of patients with NB has improved in the last years, more than 50% of high-risk patients still undergo a relapse. Thus, in the era of precision/personalized medicine, the need for high-risk NB patient-specific therapies is urgent. METHODS Within the PeRsonalizEd Medicine (PREME) program, patient-derived NB tumors and bone marrow (BM)-infiltrating NB cells, derived from either iliac crests or tumor bone lesions, underwent to histological and to flow cytometry immunophenotyping, respectively. BM samples containing a NB cells infiltration from 1 to 50 percent, underwent to a subsequent NB cells enrichment using immune-magnetic manipulation. Then, NB samples were used for the identification of actionable targets and for the generation of 3D/tumor-spheres and Patient-Derived Xenografts (PDX) and Cell PDX (CPDX) preclinical models. RESULTS Eighty-four percent of NB-patients showed potentially therapeutically targetable somatic alterations (including point mutations, copy number variations and mRNA over-expression). Sixty-six percent of samples showed alterations, graded as "very high priority", that are validated to be directly targetable by an approved drug or an investigational agent. A molecular targeted therapy was applied for four patients, while a genetic counseling was suggested to two patients having one pathogenic germline variant in known cancer predisposition genes. Out of eleven samples implanted in mice, five gave rise to (C)PDX, all preserved in a local PDX Bio-bank. Interestingly, comparing all molecular alterations and histological and immunophenotypic features among the original patient's tumors and PDX/CPDX up to second generation, a high grade of similarity was observed. Notably, also 3D models conserved immunophenotypic features and molecular alterations of the original tumors. CONCLUSIONS PREME confirms the possibility of identifying targetable genomic alterations in NB, indeed, a molecular targeted therapy was applied to four NB patients. PREME paves the way to the creation of clinically relevant repositories of faithful patient-derived (C)PDX and 3D models, on which testing precision, NB standard-of-care and experimental medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Capasso
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotecnology, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sueva Cantalupo
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotecnology, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Eleonora Ciampi
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marianna Avitabile
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotecnology, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela R Sementa
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Katia Mazzocco
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Barbara Cafferata
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Gaggero
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valerio G Vellone
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Cilli
- Animal Facility, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, 16100, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enzo Calarco
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Giusto
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sanja Aveic
- Pediatric Research Institute Città Della Speranza, 35127, Padua, Italy
| | - Doriana Fruci
- Department of Emato-Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, 00146, -Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tondo
- Department of Emato-Oncology, Anna Meyer Children's Hospital, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Roberto Luksch
- Emato-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Rossella Mura
- Emato-Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, 09047, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marco Rabusin
- Pediatric Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Monica Cellini
- Emato-Oncology Unit, University-Hospital Polyclinic of Modena, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Paola Coccia
- University-Hospital of Marche, Presidio Ospedaliero "G. Salesi", 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Achille Iolascon
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotecnology, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria V Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Massimo Conte
- Clinical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, -Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Garaventa
- Clinical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, -Genoa, Italy
| | - Loredana Amoroso
- Clinical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, -Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
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Brignole C, Calarco E, Bensa V, Giusto E, Perri P, Ciampi E, Corrias MV, Astigiano S, Cilli M, Loo D, Bonvini E, Pastorino F, Ponzoni M. Antitumor activity of the investigational B7-H3 antibody-drug conjugate, vobramitamab duocarmazine, in preclinical models of neuroblastoma. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007174. [PMID: 37775116 PMCID: PMC10546160 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION B7-H3 is a potential target for pediatric cancers, including neuroblastoma (NB). Vobramitamab duocarmazine (also referred to as MGC018 and herein referred to as vobra duo) is an investigational duocarmycin-based antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed against the B7-H3 antigen. It is composed of an anti-B7-H3 humanized IgG1/kappa monoclonal antibody chemically conjugated through a cleavable valine-citrulline linker to a duocarmycin-hydroxybenzamide azaindole (vc-seco-DUBA). Vobra duo has shown preliminary clinical activity in B7-H3-expressing tumors. METHODS B7-H3 expression was evaluated by flow-cytometry in a panel of human NB cell lines. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in monolayer and in multicellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) models by the water-soluble tetrazolium salt,MTS, proliferation assay and Cell Titer Glo 3D cell viability assay, respectively. Apoptotic cell death was investigated by annexin V staining. Orthotopic, pseudometastatic, and resected mouse NB models were developed to mimic disease conditions related to primary tumor growth, metastases, and circulating tumor cells with minimal residual disease, respectively. RESULTS All human NB cell lines expressed cell surface B7-H3 in a unimodal fashion. Vobra duo was cytotoxic in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner against all cell lines (IC50 range 5.1-53.9 ng/mL) and NB MCTS (IC50 range 17.8-364 ng/mL). Vobra duo was inactive against a murine NB cell line (NX-S2) that did not express human B7-H3; however, NX-S2 cells were killed in the presence of vobra duo when co-cultured with human B7-H3-expressing cells, demonstrating bystander activity. In orthotopic and pseudometastatic mouse models, weekly intravenous treatments with 1 mg/kg vobra duo for 3 weeks delayed tumor growth compared with animals treated with an irrelevant (anti-CD20) duocarmycin-ADC. Vobra duo treatment for 4 weeks further increased survival in both orthotopic and resected NB models. Vobra duo compared favorably to TOpotecan-TEMozolomide (TOTEM), the standard-of-care therapy for NB relapsed disease, with tumor relapse delayed or arrested by two or three repeated 4-week vobra duo treatments, respectively. Further increased survival was observed in mice treated with vobra duo in combination with TOTEM. Vobra duo treatment was not associated with body weight loss, hematological toxicity, or clinical chemistry abnormalities. CONCLUSION Vobra duo exerts relevant antitumor activity in preclinical B7-H3-expressing NB models and represents a potential candidate for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Enzo Calarco
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Elena Giusto
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Eleonora Ciampi
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Michele Cilli
- Animal Facility, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Derik Loo
- MacroGenics Inc, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
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Capasso M, Brignole C, Bensa V, Lasorsa VA, Sebastiani E, Cantalupo S, Sementa AR, Mazzocco K, Cafferata B, Vellone VG, Cilli M, Calarco E, Giusto E, Ciampi E, Perri P, Corrias MV, Aveic S, Fruci D, Quattrone A, Tondo A, Luksch R, Mura R, Rabusin M, De Leonardis F, Cellini M, Coccia P, Conte M, Amoroso L, Garaventa A, Ponzoni M, Pastorino F. Abstract 3407: The italian personalized medicine program PREME for high-risk neuroblastoma. Cancer Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2023-3407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: In the era of precision medicine, the need for high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) patient-specific therapies is crucial.
Methods: From November 2018 to February 2021, the Italian PeRsonalizEd MEdicine (PREME) program has enrolled 18 NB affected patients. Tumors and bone marrow-infiltrating NB cells underwent to histological (selection panel: CD45, CD56, TH, PHOX-2B, S100) and to flow cytometry (selection panel: CD45, CD56, GD2, B7-H3) immunophenotyping, respectively. The biological material was then used for: 1) DNA extraction for subsequent DNAseq (Whole Exome Sequencing, 100X mean coverage, or Deep Targeted Gene Panel Sequencing, 1000x mean coverage, when the percentage of the neoplastic counterpart within the sample was over or down 60%, respectively); 2) RNA extraction for subsequent RNAseq (30 millions of reads per sample); 3) Development of primary NB cell culture (3D/tumor-spheres) and of Patient-Derived Xenografts (PDX) models in mice (both stored in local Bio-banks).
Results: 14 out of 18 patients (77.7%) had one or more potentially actionable somatic alterations in primary tumors. Among those, 4 had also one pathogenic germline variant in known cancer predisposition genes. In 11 of the 14 cases the Molecular Tumor Board identified molecular alterations potentially targetable by an approved or investigational agent, and 4 of those received the treatment. Out of 11 tumor samples implanted in mice, 5 gave rise to PDX, all preserved in a local PDX Bio-bank. Comparing all genomic variants of the 5 tumors with developed PDX samples up to second generation, we observed a high grade of similarity among primary tumors and subsequent PDX tumor models (Pearson coefficients>0.8). Considered the allele frequency distribution, a significant increase in the PDX tumor models at first generation (G1) (median=0.008) and second generations (G2) (median=0.038) with respect to the primary tumors (G0) (median=0.034) was observed. The validity and reproducibility of our PDX models was further demonstrated from high rates of conserved somatic variants at G1 compared to G0 tumors (mean=81.93%), at G2 compared to G1 (mean=84.04%) and at G2 compared to G0 tumors (mean=78.31%). Finally, we were able to identify all the potentially actionable genetic alterations of G0 tumors in the PDX generations G1 and G2. A high grade of similarity was confirmed when the histological, the immunophenotypic and the transcriptomic profiles among primary tumors and PDX generations were compared. Also, NB cells grown as 3D demonstrated good rates of conserved somatic variants, paving the way to the creation of a Bio-bank of patient-derived tumor-spheres. The development of a bioinformatics pipeline for RNAseq data analysis is ongoing.
Conclusions: Until now, PREME program has reported a large number of NB patient samples, which harbor targetable genomic alterations and has allowed the development of a Bio-banks to be used for translational research.
Citation Format: Mario Capasso, Chiara Brignole, Veronica Bensa, Vito Alessandro Lasorsa, Enrico Sebastiani, Sueva Cantalupo, Angela Rita Sementa, Katia Mazzocco, Barbara Cafferata, Valerio Gaetano Vellone, Michele Cilli, Enzo Calarco, Elena Giusto, Eleonora Ciampi, Patrizia Perri, Maria Valeria Corrias, Sanja Aveic, Doriana Fruci, Alessandro Quattrone, Annalisa Tondo, Roberto Luksch, Rossella Mura, Marco Rabusin, Francesco De Leonardis, Monica Cellini, Paola Coccia, Massimo Conte, Loredana Amoroso, Alberto Garaventa, Mirco Ponzoni, Fabio Pastorino. The italian personalized medicine program PREME for high-risk neuroblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3407.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sanja Aveic
- 6Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Doriana Fruci
- 7IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | | | | | - Roberto Luksch
- 9Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Rossella Mura
- 10Ospedale Pediatrico Microcitemico “Antonio Cao” Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | | | - Monica Cellini
- 13UOC Oncoematologia Pediatrica Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Modena, Italy
| | - Paola Coccia
- 14Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria delle Marche, Presidio Ospedaliero “G. Salesi”, Ancona, Italy
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Pastorino F, Capasso M, Brignole C, Lasorsa VA, Bensa V, Perri P, Cantalupo S, Giglio S, Provenzi M, Rabusin M, Pota E, Cellini M, Tondo A, De Ioris MA, Sementa AR, Garaventa A, Ponzoni M, Amoroso L. Therapeutic Targeting of ALK in Neuroblastoma: Experience of Italian Precision Medicine in Pediatric Oncology. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030560. [PMID: 36765519 PMCID: PMC9913103 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. Patients with relapsed/refractory disease have a poor prognosis, and additional therapeutic options are needed. Mutations and amplifications in the ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) gene constitute a key target for treatment. Our goal, within the Italian project of PeRsonalizEdMEdicine (PREME), was to evaluate the genomic status of patients with relapsed/refractory NB and to implement targeted therapies in those with targetable mutations. From November 2018 to November 2021, we performed Whole Exome Sequencing or Targeted Gene Panel Sequencing in relapsed/refractory NB patients in order to identify druggable variants. Activating mutations of ALK were identified in 8(28.57%) of 28 relapsed/refractory NB patients. The mutation p.F1174L was found in six patients, whereas p.R1275Q was found in one and the unknown mutation p.S104R in another. Three patients died before treatment could be started, while five patients received crizotinib: two in monotherapy (one with p.F1174L and the other with p.S104R) and three (with p.F1174L variant) in combination with chemotherapy. All treated patients showed a clinical improvement, and one had complete remission after two cycles of combined treatment. The most common treatment-related toxicities were hematological. ALK inhibitors may play an important role in the treatment of ALK-mutated NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Pastorino
- UOSD Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Mario Capasso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via G. Salvatore, 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- UOSD Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Vito A. Lasorsa
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via G. Salvatore, 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Veronica Bensa
- UOSD Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- UOSD Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Sueva Cantalupo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via G. Salvatore, 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Serena Giglio
- UO Pediatria-Neonatologia/Nido PO A. Ajello ASP Trapani, 91100 Trapani, Italy
| | - Massimo Provenzi
- Pediatric Oncology, Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Piazza Organizzazione Mondiale Sanità 1, 24127 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Marco Rabusin
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell’Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Elvira Pota
- UOSD di Ematologia ed Oncologia Pediatrica, Università Degli Studi Della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli,” Piazza Luigi Miraglia 2, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Monica Cellini
- Division of Paediatric Hemato-Oncology, University Hospital Azienda Policlinico di Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tondo
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Anna Meyer Children’s Hospital, VialePieraccini 24, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Maria A. De Ioris
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Angela R. Sementa
- Dipartimento di Patologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Alberto Garaventa
- UOC Oncologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- UOSD Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-01056363539; Fax: +39-0103779820
| | - Loredana Amoroso
- UOC Oncologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
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Lucarini V, Melaiu O, D’Amico S, Pastorino F, Tempora P, Scarsella M, Pezzullo M, De Ninno A, D’Oria V, Cilli M, Emionite L, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L, De Ioris MA, Barillari G, Alaggio R, Businaro L, Ponzoni M, Locatelli F, Fruci D. Combined mitoxantrone and anti-TGFβ treatment with PD-1 blockade enhances antitumor immunity by remodelling the tumor immune landscape in neuroblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:326. [PMID: 36397148 PMCID: PMC9670422 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02525-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Poor infiltration of functioning T cells renders tumors unresponsive to checkpoint-blocking immunotherapies. Here, we identified a combinatorial in situ immunomodulation strategy based on the administration of selected immunogenic drugs and immunotherapy to sensitize poorly T-cell-infiltrated neuroblastoma (NB) to the host antitumor immune response. Methods 975A2 and 9464D NB cell lines derived from spontaneous tumors of TH-MYCN transgenic mice were employed to study drug combinations able of enhancing the antitumor immune response using in vivo and ex vivo approaches. Migration of immune cells towards drug-treated murine-derived organotypic tumor spheroids (MDOTS) were assessed by microfluidic devices. Activation status of immune cells co-cultured with drug-treated MDOTS was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis. The effect of drug treatment on the immune content of subcutaneous or orthotopic tumors was comprehensively analyzed by flow-cytometry, immunohistochemistry and multiplex immunofluorescence. The chemokine array assay was used to detect soluble factors released into the tumor microenvironment. Patient-derived organotypic tumor spheroids (PDOTS) were generated from human NB specimens. Migration and activation status of autologous immune cells to drug-treated PDOTS were performed. Results We found that treatment with low-doses of mitoxantrone (MTX) recalled immune cells and promoted CD8+ T and NK cell activation in MDOTS when combined with TGFβ and PD-1 blockade. This combined immunotherapy strategy curbed NB growth resulting in the enrichment of a variety of both lymphoid and myeloid immune cells, especially intratumoral dendritic cells (DC) and IFNγ- and granzyme B-expressing CD8+ T cells and NK cells. A concomitant production of inflammatory chemokines involved in remodelling the tumor immune landscape was also detected. Interestingly, this treatment induced immune cell recruitment against PDOTS and activation of CD8+ T cells and NK cells. Conclusions Combined treatment with low-dose of MTX and anti-TGFβ treatment with PD-1 blockade improves antitumor immunity by remodelling the tumor immune landscape and overcoming the immunosuppressive microenvironment of aggressive NB. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02525-9.
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Cangelosi D, Brignole C, Bensa V, Tamma R, Malaguti F, Carlini B, Giusto E, Calarco E, Perri P, Ribatti D, Fonseca NA, Moreira JN, Eva A, Amoroso L, Conte M, Garaventa A, Sementa AR, Corrias MV, Ponzoni M, Pastorino F. Nucleolin expression has prognostic value in neuroblastoma patients. EBioMedicine 2022; 85:104300. [PMID: 36209521 PMCID: PMC9547201 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB) represents the most frequent form of extra-cranial solid tumour of infants, responsible for 15% of childhood cancer deaths. Nucleolin (NCL) prognostic value in NB was investigated. METHODS NCL protein expression was retrospectively evaluated in tumour samples of NB patients at diagnosis and after chemotherapy. NCL prognostic value at mRNA level was assessed in a cohort of 20 patients with stage 4 NB (qPCR20, n=20, discovery dataset) and in the MultiPlatform786 including 786 patients of all stages (validation dataset). Overall and event-free survival curves were plotted by Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. FINDINGS NCL protein, down-modulated after chemotherapy in association with features of neuroblastic differentiation,resulted statistically significantly overexpressed in NB tumours and higher in stage 4 compared to stage 1,2,3 patients. In the stage 4 patients cohort qPCR20, patients with high NCLmRNA expression revealed a statisticallysignificant lower survival probability than those with low NCL expression (OS: HR 4.1 95%CI 1.2-13.8;p=0.0215[Log-rank test], EFS: HR 4.1 95%CI 1.2-14.0, p=0.0197[Log-rank test]). In the MultiPlatform786 (n=786), multivariate analysis suggested thatNCL expression has a statistically significant prognostic value even in the model adjusted for established prognostic markers. NCL expression significantly stratified also patients with >18 months and stage 4 tumour (OS: HR 1.8 95%CI 1.2-2.7, p=0.0009[Log-rank test]; EFS: HR 1.7 95%CI 1.1-2.5, p=0.002[Log-rank test]), patients with>18 months stage 4 with MYCN non amplified tumour[EFS: HR 2.3 95%CI 1.2-4.7, p=0.01[Log-rank test]), and patients with MYCN non amplified and MYC high [OS: HR 11.9 95%CI 2.3-62.4, p=0.003[Log-rank test]; EFS: HR 7.2 95%CI 1.6-33.4, p=0.01[Log-rank test]). A statistically significant correlation between NCL and MYCN, MYC, and TERT was found in independent datasets (MultiPlatform786 (n=786) and Agilent394 (n=394). Gene set enrichment analysis revealed a statisticallysignificant positive enrichment of MYC target genes and genes involved in telomerase maintenance. INTERPRETATION NCL is a novel and independent (adjusting for age, INSS stage, and MYCN status) prognostic marker for NB. FUNDING IMH-EuroNanoMed II-2015 and AIRC-IG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Cangelosi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberto Tamma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Fabiana Malaguti
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS IstitutoGianninaGaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Barbara Carlini
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS IstitutoGianninaGaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Giusto
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enzo Calarco
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Nuno André Fonseca
- CNC – Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joao Nuno Moreira
- CNC – Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Coimbra, Portugal,Univ Coimbra – University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alessandra Eva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Conte
- UOC Oncologia, IRCCS IstitutoGiannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy,Corresponding authors.
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy,Corresponding authors.
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Pastorino F, Capasso M, Brignole C, Giglio S, Bensa V, Cantalupo S, Lasorsa VA, Tondo A, Mura R, Sementa AR, Garaventa A, Ponzoni M, Amoroso L. Italian Precision Medicine in Pediatric Oncology: Moving beyond Actionable Alterations. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911236. [PMID: 36232538 PMCID: PMC9570321 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor encountered in childhood. Although there has been significant improvement in the outcomes of patients with high-risk disease, the prognosis for patients with metastatic relapse or refractory disease is poor. Hence, the clinical integration of genome sequencing into standard clinical practice is necessary in order to develop personalized therapy for children with relapsed or refractory disease. The PeRsonalizEdMEdicine (PREME) project focuses on the design of innovative therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from relapsed NB. We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) of patient-matched tumor-normal samples to identify genetic variants amenable to precision medicine. Specifically, two patients were studied (First case: a three-year-old male with early relapsed NB; Second case: a 20-year-old male who relapsed 10 years after the first diagnosis of NB). Results were reviewed by a multi-disciplinary molecular tumor board (MTB) and clinical reports were issued to the ordering physician. WES revealed the mutation c.G320C in the CUL4A gene in case 1 and the mutation c.A484G in the PSMC2 gene in case 2. Both patients were treated according to these actionable alterations, with promising results. The effective treatment of NB is one of the main challenges in pediatric oncology. In the era of precision medicine, the need to design new therapeutic strategies for NB is fundamental. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating clinical WES into pediatric oncology practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratorio di Terapie Sperimentali in Oncologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Mario Capasso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Laboratorio di Terapie Sperimentali in Oncologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Serena Giglio
- UOC Oncologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratorio di Terapie Sperimentali in Oncologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Sueva Cantalupo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Annalisa Tondo
- Dipartimento di Oncoematologia, Ospedale Meyer, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Rossella Mura
- Oncoematologia Pediatrica, Ospedale Pediatrico Microcitemico “Antonio Cao” Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, 09121 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Angela Rita Sementa
- Dipartimento di Patologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratorio di Terapie Sperimentali in Oncologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0105-636-3539; Fax: +39-0103-779-820
| | - Loredana Amoroso
- UOC Oncologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
- These authors contributed equally to this work
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Fragassi A, Di Francesco M, Pastorino F, Ferreira M, Di Francesco V, Palange AL, Celia C, Di Marzio L, Cilli M, Bensa V, Ponzoni M, Decuzzi P. Abstract 5069: Delivering docetaxel and curcumin via a nano-combination-therapy for modulating the progression of neuroblastoma. Cancer Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2022-5069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Neuroblastoma (NB) is a form of extracranial tumor derived from the sympathetic nervous system that affects most often infants and young children. It is a very heterogeneous tumor with different levels of aggressiveness. Despite the multiple therapeutic strategies (i.e. aggressive chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy), the outcome in advanced stages or recurrent diseases is negative. New strategies are needed to improve the therapeutic efficacy of existing drugs and reduce their toxicity. Nanotechnology represents a good tool for reaching this goal. Taken this in mind, the focus of this experimental work was to engineer polymeric biodegradable nanomedicines for co-delivering anti-inflammatory and chemotherapeutic molecules to NB malignant masses. More specifically, the work focused on the synthesis, physico-chemical and biopharmaceutical characterization, in vitro testing and in vivo validation of nanomedicines loaded with the cytotoxic drug Docetaxel (DTXL) and the natural anti-inflammatory compound, Curcumin (CURC).
Methods: Four configurations of Spherical Polymeric Nanoparticles (SPNs) - loaded with CURC (CURC-SPNs), loaded with DTXL (DTXL-SPNs), loaded with the combination thereof (CURC/DTXL-SPNs), and empty (SPNs) - were synthesized using an oil-in water emulsion/solvent evaporation technique. SPNs size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index (PDI) were measured by dynamic light scattering. The toxicity of SPNs was determined by an MTT assay on the human NB cell line SH-SY5Y. For in vivo efficacy and biodistribution experiments, homozygous CD1 nu/nu athymic female mice (4 to 6-weeks old) were orthotopically injected with SH-SY5Y cells in the left adrenal gland.
Results: Empty, DTXL-SPNs, CURC-SPNs, and CURC/DTXL-SPNs were characterized by a narrow size distribution (PdI < 0.15) with an average hydrodynamic diameter of about 185 nm. All the formulations showed a negative surface ζ-potential, associated with the carboxylate groups in the DSPE-PEG coating. A biphasic release profile was observed for all the 3 formulations, with almost 90% of the total drug mass released within the first 24 hours. In vivo results indicated that mice treated with CURC/DTXL -SPNs had a significant increase in life span as compared to untreated mice (control) (p=0.0002), mice treated with CURC-SPNs (p=0.0205), DTXL-SPNs (p=0.0391), and free DTXL (p=0.0054). Biodistribution experiments showed a 2% ID/g accumulation of the injected dose per tumor mass, regardless of the tumor development stage. This behavior is in agreement with results from a longitudinal Magnetic Resonance Imaging analysis of the malignant masses.
Conclusion: The obtained results would suggest that nanomedicines could effectively delivery two therapeutic molecules within the malignant mass and modulate its progression leading to a significant increase in overall survival.
Citation Format: Agnese Fragassi, Martina Di Francesco, Fabio Pastorino, Miguel Ferreira, Valentina Di Francesco, Anna Lisa Palange, Christian Celia, Luisa Di Marzio, Michele Cilli, Veronica Bensa, Mirco Ponzoni, Paolo Decuzzi. Delivering docetaxel and curcumin via a nano-combination-therapy for modulating the progression of neuroblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5069.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Christian Celia
- 3University of Chieti-Pescara “G. D’Annunzio”, Genova, Italy
| | - Luisa Di Marzio
- 3University of Chieti-Pescara “G. D’Annunzio”, Genova, Italy
| | - Michele Cilli
- 4IST-National Institute for Cancer Research, Genova, Italy
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Cangelosi D, Brignole C, Bensa V, Tamma R, Malaguti F, Carlini B, Calarco E, Perri P, Ribatti D, Fonseca NA, Moreira JN, Eva A, Amoroso L, Conte M, Garaventa A, Sementa AR, Corrias MV, Ponzoni M, Pastorino F. Abstract 1276: Nucleolin has prognostic value in neuroblastoma patients. Cancer Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2022-1276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) represents the most frequent form of extracranial solid tumor of infants, responsible for 15% of childhood cancer deaths. Nucleolin (NCL) prognostic value in NB was here investigated.
Methods: NCL protein expression was evaluated in NB patients at diagnosis and after induction chemotherapy. NCL mRNA prognostic value was first assessed in a cohort of 20 stage M NB patients and confirmed in the MultiPlatform786 including 786 NB patients of all stages. Overall and event-free survival curves were plotted by Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test.
Findings: NCL protein resulted significantly overexpressed in NB tumors compared to the non tumoral counterpart, and higher in stage M compared to stage L patients. In the stage M cohort and in MultiPlatform786 dataset, patients with high NCL mRNA expression revealed a significant lower survival probability than those with low NCL expression. In MultiPlatform786 dataset, NCL mRNA expression was significantly higher in patients with age >18 months, in stage M and in MYCN amplified tumors than in patients with age ˂18 months and in stage L or MS and with MYCN non amplified tumors, respectively. Multivariate analysis suggested NCL has a significant prognostic value even in the model adjusted for established prognostic markers. NCL significantly stratified patients with age <18 and age >18, stage M, >18 months and stage M tumor, stages L or MS, and with MYCN not amplified. A significant correlation between NCL and MYCN, MYC, and TERT was found in two independent datasets. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed a significant positive enrichment of MYC target genes and genes involved in telomerase maintenance. NCL protein resulted down-modulated after chemotherapy, in association with morphological features of neuroblastic differentiation.
Interpretation: NCL is a novel and independent prognostic marker for NB.
Funding: IMH-EuroNanoMed II-2015 (ER-2015-2360441-Eranet) and AIRC IG n. 24397 to PF.
Citation Format: Davide Cangelosi, Chiara Brignole, Veronica Bensa, Roberto Tamma, Fabiana Malaguti, Barbara Carlini, Enzo Calarco, Patrizia Perri, Domenico Ribatti, Nuno A. Fonseca, Joao N. Moreira, Alessandra Eva, Loredana Amoroso, Massimo Conte, Alberto Garaventa, Angela R. Sementa, Maria V. Corrias, Mirco Ponzoni, Fabio Pastorino. Nucleolin has prognostic value in neuroblastoma patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 1276.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nuno A. Fonseca
- 3University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joao N. Moreira
- 4University of Coimbra, Faculty of Pharmacy, Coimbra, Portugal
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Lucarini V, Melaiu O, D'Amico S, Pastorino F, Tempora P, De Ninno A, Businaro L, Ponzoni M, Locatelli F, Fruci D. Abstract 5207: Mitoxantrone in combination with TGFβ and PD-1 blockade remodels the tumor immune landscape enhancing neuroblastoma antitumor immunity. Cancer Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2022-5207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Poor infiltration of functioning T cells renders tumors unresponsive to checkpoint-blocking immunotherapies. Here, we employed a combinatorial in situ immunomodulation strategy based on the administration of selected immunogenic drugs and immunotherapy to sensitise two mouse models of neuroblastoma (NB) sparsely infiltrated by T cells to the host antitumor immune response. Using multiple in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo approaches, we found that mitoxantrone treatment curbed NB growth and promoted tumor regression when combined with TGFβ and PD-1 blockade in aggressive NB models. This combined immunotherapy strategy resulted in the enrichment of a variety of both innate and adaptive immune cells into the TME, and the concomitant production of inflammatory chemokines involved in remodelling the tumor’s immune landscape. Mitoxantrone in combination with TGFβ and PD-1 blockade could be used to reshape the functional repertoire of intratumoral immune cells, restoring the entire immune cell cycle and overcoming the immunosuppressive microenvironment of aggressive NB.
Citation Format: Valeria Lucarini, Ombretta Melaiu, Silvia D'Amico, Fabio Pastorino, Patrizia Tempora, Adele De Ninno, Luca Businaro, Mirco Ponzoni, Franco Locatelli, Doriana Fruci. Mitoxantrone in combination with TGFβ and PD-1 blockade remodels the tumor immune landscape enhancing neuroblastoma antitumor immunity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5207.
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Pastorino F, Brignole C. Editorial of the Special Issue “Targeted Therapies for Cancer”. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051114. [PMID: 35625850 PMCID: PMC9138888 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer, the second leading cause of death worldwide, continues to represent an impressive challenge for researchers and clinicians [...]
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Pastorino
- Correspondence: (F.P.); (C.B.); Tel.: +39-010-5636-3541 (F.P.); +39-010-5636-3533 (C.B.)
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Correspondence: (F.P.); (C.B.); Tel.: +39-010-5636-3541 (F.P.); +39-010-5636-3533 (C.B.)
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12
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Ponzoni M, Bachetti T, Corrias MV, Brignole C, Pastorino F, Calarco E, Bensa V, Giusto E, Ceccherini I, Perri P. Recent advances in the developmental origin of neuroblastoma: an overview. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:92. [PMID: 35277192 PMCID: PMC8915499 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02281-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric tumor that originates from neural crest-derived cells undergoing a defective differentiation due to genomic and epigenetic impairments. Therefore, NB may arise at any final site reached by migrating neural crest cells (NCCs) and their progeny, preferentially in the adrenal medulla or in the para-spinal ganglia. NB shows a remarkable genetic heterogeneity including several chromosome/gene alterations and deregulated expression of key oncogenes that drive tumor initiation and promote disease progression. NB substantially contributes to childhood cancer mortality, with a survival rate of only 40% for high-risk patients suffering chemo-resistant relapse. Hence, NB remains a challenge in pediatric oncology and the need of designing new therapies targeted to specific genetic/epigenetic alterations become imperative to improve the outcome of high-risk NB patients with refractory disease or chemo-resistant relapse. In this review, we give a broad overview of the latest advances that have unraveled the developmental origin of NB and its complex epigenetic landscape. Single-cell RNA sequencing with spatial transcriptomics and lineage tracing have identified the NCC progeny involved in normal development and in NB oncogenesis, revealing that adrenal NB cells transcriptionally resemble immature neuroblasts or their closest progenitors. The comparison of adrenal NB cells from patients classified into risk subgroups with normal sympatho-adrenal cells has highlighted that tumor phenotype severity correlates with neuroblast differentiation grade. Transcriptional profiling of NB tumors has identified two cell identities that represent divergent differentiation states, i.e. undifferentiated mesenchymal (MES) and committed adrenergic (ADRN), able to interconvert by epigenetic reprogramming and to confer intra-tumoral heterogeneity and high plasticity to NB. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing has disclosed the existence of two super-enhancers and their associated transcription factor networks underlying MES and ADRN identities and controlling NB gene expression programs. The discovery of NB-specific regulatory circuitries driving oncogenic transformation and maintaining the malignant state opens new perspectives on the design of innovative therapies targeted to the genetic and epigenetic determinants of NB. Remodeling the disrupted regulatory networks from a dysregulated expression, which blocks differentiation and enhances proliferation, toward a controlled expression that prompts the most differentiated state may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bachetti
- U.O. Proteomica e Spettrometria di Massa, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enzo Calarco
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Giusto
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Isabella Ceccherini
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy.
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13
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Di Giulio S, Colicchia V, Pastorino F, Pedretti F, Fabretti F, Nicolis di Robilant V, Ramponi V, Scafetta G, Moretti M, Licursi V, Belardinilli F, Peruzzi G, Infante P, Goffredo BM, Coppa A, Canettieri G, Bartolazzi A, Ponzoni M, Giannini G, Petroni M. A combination of PARP and CHK1 inhibitors efficiently antagonizes MYCN-driven tumors. Oncogene 2021; 40:6143-6152. [PMID: 34508175 PMCID: PMC8553625 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02003-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
MYCN drives aggressive behavior and refractoriness to chemotherapy, in several tumors. Since MYCN inactivation in clinical settings is not achievable, alternative vulnerabilities of MYCN-driven tumors need to be explored to identify more effective and less toxic therapies. We previously demonstrated that PARP inhibitors enhance MYCN-induced replication stress and promote mitotic catastrophe, counteracted by CHK1. Here, we showed that PARP and CHK1 inhibitors synergized to induce death in neuroblastoma cells and in primary cultures of SHH-dependent medulloblastoma, their combination being more effective in MYCN amplified and MYCN overexpressing cells compared to MYCN non-amplified cells. Although the MYCN amplified IMR-32 cell line carrying the p.Val2716Ala ATM mutation showed the highest sensitivity to the drug combination, this was not related to ATM status, as indicated by CRISPR/Cas9-based correction of the mutation. Suboptimal doses of the CHK1 inhibitor MK-8776 plus the PARP inhibitor olaparib led to a MYCN-dependent accumulation of DNA damage and cell death in vitro and significantly reduced the growth of four in vivo models of MYCN-driven tumors, without major toxicities. Our data highlight the combination of PARP and CHK1 inhibitors as a new potential chemo-free strategy to treat MYCN-driven tumors, which might be promptly translated into clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Di Giulio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Colicchia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biology, University Tor Vergata, 00173, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Flaminia Pedretti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Experimental Therapeutics Group, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesca Fabretti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Ramponi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Cellular Plasticity and Disease Group, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giorgia Scafetta
- Pathology Research Laboratory, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Licursi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", University La Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giovanna Peruzzi
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | | | - Anna Coppa
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Armando Bartolazzi
- Pathology Research Laboratory, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy. .,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Marialaura Petroni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
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14
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Morandi F, Bensa V, Calarco E, Pastorino F, Perri P, Corrias MV, Ponzoni M, Brignole C. The Olive Leaves Extract Has Anti-Tumor Effects against Neuroblastoma through Inhibition of Cell Proliferation and Induction of Apoptosis. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13072178. [PMID: 34202787 PMCID: PMC8308225 DOI: 10.3390/nu13072178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extra-cranial solid tumor of pediatric age. The prognosis for high-risk NB patients remains poor, and new treatment strategies are desirable. The olive leaf extract (OLE) is constituted by phenolic compounds, whose health beneficial effects were reported. Here, the anti-tumor effects of OLE were investigated in vitro on a panel of NB cell lines in terms of (i) reduction of cell viability; (ii) inhibition of cell proliferation through cell cycle arrest; (iii) induction of apoptosis; and (iv) inhibition of cell migration. Furthermore, cytotoxicity experiments, by combining OLE with the chemotherapeutic topotecan, were also performed. OLE reduced the cell viability of NB cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner in 2D and 3D models. NB cells exposed to OLE underwent inhibition of cell proliferation, which was characterized by an arrest of the cell cycle progression in G0/G1 phase and by the accumulation of cells in the sub-G0 phase, which is peculiar of apoptotic death. This was confirmed by a dose-dependent increase of Annexin V+ cells (peculiar of apoptosis) and upregulation of caspases 3 and 7 protein levels. Moreover, OLE inhibited the migration of NB cells. Finally, the anti-tumor efficacy of the chemotherapeutic topotecan, in terms of cell viability reduction, was greatly enhanced by its combination with OLE. In conclusion, OLE has anti-tumor activity against NB by inhibiting cell proliferation and migration and by inducing apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Morandi
- Stem Cell Laboratory and Cell Therapy Center, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy;
| | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.B.); (E.C.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (M.V.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Enzo Calarco
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.B.); (E.C.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (M.V.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.B.); (E.C.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (M.V.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.B.); (E.C.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (M.V.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.B.); (E.C.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (M.V.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.B.); (E.C.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (M.V.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.B.); (E.C.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (M.V.C.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-10-56363533
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15
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Brignole C, Bensa V, Fonseca NA, Del Zotto G, Bruno S, Cruz AF, Malaguti F, Carlini B, Morandi F, Calarco E, Perri P, Moura V, Emionite L, Cilli M, De Leonardis F, Tondo A, Amoroso L, Conte M, Garaventa A, Sementa AR, Corrias MV, Ponzoni M, Moreira JN, Pastorino F. Cell surface Nucleolin represents a novel cellular target for neuroblastoma therapy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:180. [PMID: 34078433 PMCID: PMC8170797 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01993-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB) represents the most frequent and aggressive form of extracranial solid tumor of infants. Nucleolin (NCL) is a protein overexpressed and partially localized on the cell surface of tumor cells of adult cancers. Little is known about NCL and pediatric tumors and nothing is reported about cell surface NCL and NB. METHODS NB cell lines, Schwannian stroma-poor NB tumors and bone marrow (BM)-infiltrating NB cells were evaluated for the expression of cell surface NCL by Flow Cytometry, Imaging Flow Cytometry and Immunohistochemistry analyses. The cytotoxic activity of doxorubicin (DXR)-loaded nanocarriers decorated with the NCL-recognizing F3 peptide (T-DXR) was evaluated in terms of inhibition of NB cell proliferation and induction of cell death in vitro, whereas metastatic and orthotopic animal models of NB were used to examine their in vivo anti-tumor potential. RESULTS NB cell lines, NB tumor cells (including patient-derived and Patient-Derived Xenografts-PDX) and 70% of BM-infiltrating NB cells show cell surface NCL expression. NCL staining was evident on both tumor and endothelial tumor cells in NB xenografts. F3 peptide-targeted nanoparticles, co-localizing with cell surface NCL, strongly associates with NB cells showing selective tumor cell internalization. T-DXR result significantly more effective, in terms of inhibition of cell proliferation and reduction of cell viability in vitro, and in terms of delay of tumor growth in all NB animal model tested, when compared to both control mice and those treated with the untargeted formulation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that NCL could represent an innovative therapeutic cellular target for NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nuno A Fonseca
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Coimbra, Portugal
- TREAT U, SA - Parque Industrial de Taveiro, Lote 44, 3045-508, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Genny Del Zotto
- Department of Research and Diagnostics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Bruno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ana F Cruz
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Coimbra, Portugal
- UC - University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fabiana Malaguti
- Department of Pathology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Barbara Carlini
- Department of Pathology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Morandi
- Stem Cell Laboratory and Cell Therapy Center, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enzo Calarco
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vera Moura
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Coimbra, Portugal
- TREAT U, SA - Parque Industrial de Taveiro, Lote 44, 3045-508, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Laura Emionite
- Animal Facility, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Cilli
- Animal Facility, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Annalisa Tondo
- UOC Oncologia Pediatrica, Ospedale Meyer, Florence, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Angela R Sementa
- Department of Pathology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria V Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Joao N Moreira
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Coimbra, Portugal
- UC - University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
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16
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Brignole C, Pastorino F, Perri P, Amoroso L, Bensa V, Calarco E, Ponzoni M, Corrias MV. Bone Marrow Environment in Metastatic Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102467. [PMID: 34069335 PMCID: PMC8158729 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of the interactions occurring in the BM environment has been facilitated by the peculiar nature of metastatic NB. In fact: (i) metastases are present at diagnosis; (ii) metastases are confined in a very specific tissue, the BM, suggestive of a strong attraction and possibility of survival; (iii) differently from adult cancers, NB metastases are available because the diagnostic procedures require morphological examination of BM; (iv) NB metastatic cells express surface antigens that allow enrichment of NB metastatic cells by immune-magnetic separation; and (v) patients with localized disease represent an internal control to discriminate specific alterations occurring in the metastatic niche from generic alterations determined by the neoplastic growth at the primary site. Here, we first review the information regarding the features of BM-infiltrating NB cells. Then, we focus on the alterations found in the BM of children with metastatic NB as compared to healthy children and children with localized NB. Specifically, information regarding all the BM cell populations and their sub-sets will be first examined in the context of BM microenvironment in metastatic NB. In the last part, the information regarding the soluble factors will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Loredana Amoroso
- Pediatric Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy;
| | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Enzo Calarco
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence:
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17
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Bauckneht M, Pastorino F, Castellani P, Cossu V, Orengo AM, Piccioli P, Emionite L, Capitanio S, Yosifov N, Bruno S, Lazzarini E, Ponzoni M, Ameri P, Rubartelli A, Ravera S, Morbelli S, Sambuceti G, Marini C. Increased myocardial 18F-FDG uptake as a marker of Doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress. J Nucl Cardiol 2020; 27:2183-2194. [PMID: 30737636 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-019-01618-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxidative stress and its interference on myocardial metabolism play a major role in Doxorubicin (DXR) cardiotoxic cascade. METHODS Mice models of neuroblastoma (NB) were treated with 5 mg DXR/kg, either free (Free-DXR) or encapsulated in untargeted (SL[DXR]) or in NB-targeting Stealth Liposomes (pep-SL[DXR] and TP-pep-SL[DXR]). Control mice received saline. FDG-PET was performed at baseline (PET1) and 7 days after therapy (PET2). At PET2 Troponin-I and NT-proBNP were assessed. Explanted hearts underwent biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses. Finally, FDG uptake and glucose consumption were simultaneously measured in cultured H9c2 in the presence/absence of Free-DXR (1 μM). RESULTS Free-DXR significantly enhanced the myocardial oxidative stress. Myocardial-SUV remained relatively stable in controls and mice treated with liposomal formulations, while it significantly increased at PET2 with respect to baseline in Free-DXR. At this timepoint, myocardial-SUV was directly correlated with both myocardial redox stress and hexose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (H6PD) enzymatic activity, which selectively sustain cellular anti-oxidant mechanisms. Intriguingly, in vitro, Free-DXR selectively increased FDG extraction fraction without altering the corresponding value for glucose. CONCLUSION The direct correlation between cardiac FDG uptake and oxidative stress indexes supports the potential role of FDG-PET as an early biomarker of DXR oxidative damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Bauckneht
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Vanessa Cossu
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Orengo
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Piccioli
- Cell Biology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Emionite
- Animal Facility, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Selene Capitanio
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nikola Yosifov
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Bruno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Edoardo Lazzarini
- Cardiovascular Disease Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine & Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Pietro Ameri
- Cardiovascular Disease Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine & Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Rubartelli
- Cell Biology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Ravera
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Morbelli
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gianmario Sambuceti
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Cecilia Marini
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
- CNR Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, Milan, Italy
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18
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Di Paolo D, Pastorino F, Brignole C, Corrias MV, Emionite L, Cilli M, Tamma R, Priddy L, Amaro A, Ferrari D, Marotta R, Ferretti E, Pfeffer U, Ribatti D, Sementa AR, Brown D, Ikegaki N, Shimada H, Ponzoni M, Perri P. Combined Replenishment of miR-34a and let-7b by Targeted Nanoparticles Inhibits Tumor Growth in Neuroblastoma Preclinical Models. Small 2020; 16:e1906426. [PMID: 32323486 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201906426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) tumor substantially contributes to childhood cancer mortality. The design of novel drugs targeted to specific molecular alterations becomes mandatory, especially for high-risk patients burdened by chemoresistant relapse. The dysregulated expression of MYCN, ALK, and LIN28B and the diminished levels of miR-34a and let-7b are oncogenic in NB. Due to the ability of miRNA-mimics to recover the tumor suppression functions of miRNAs underexpressed into cancer cells, safe and efficient nanocarriers selectively targeted to NB cells and tested in clinically relevant mouse models are developed. The technology exploits the nucleic acids negative charges to build coated-cationic liposomes, then functionalized with antibodies against GD2 receptor. The replenishment of miR-34a and let-7b by NB-targeted nanoparticles, individually and more powerfully in combination, significantly reduces cell division, proliferation, neoangiogenesis, tumor growth and burden, and induces apoptosis in orthotopic xenografts and improves mice survival in pseudometastatic models. These functional effects highlight a cooperative down-modulation of MYCN and its down-stream targets, ALK and LIN28B, exerted by miR-34a and let-7b that reactivate regulatory networks leading to a favorable therapeutic response. These findings demonstrate a promising therapeutic efficacy of miR-34a and let-7b combined replacement and support its clinical application as adjuvant therapy for high-risk NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Di Paolo
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, 16147, Italy
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, 16147, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, 16147, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, 16147, Italy
| | - Laura Emionite
- Animal Facility, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Michele Cilli
- Animal Facility, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Roberto Tamma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, 70124, Italy
| | - Leslie Priddy
- Mirna Therapeutics, Inc. 2150 Woodward Street, Suite 100, Austin, TX, 78744, USA
| | - Adriana Amaro
- Tumor Epigenetic Unit, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Davide Ferrari
- TIB MOLBIOL S.r.l., Advanced Biotechnology Center, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Roberto Marotta
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, 16163, Italy
| | - Elisa Ferretti
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, 16147, Italy
| | - Ulrich Pfeffer
- Tumor Epigenetic Unit, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, 70124, Italy
| | - Angela Rita Sementa
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, Genoa, 16147, Italy
| | - David Brown
- Mirna Therapeutics, Inc. 2150 Woodward Street, Suite 100, Austin, TX, 78744, USA
| | - Naohiko Ikegaki
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Shimada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, Genoa, 16147, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, Genoa, 16147, Italy
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19
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Venturini A, Passalacqua M, Pelassa S, Pastorino F, Tedesco M, Cortese K, Gagliani MC, Leo G, Maura G, Guidolin D, Agnati LF, Marcoli M, Cervetto C. Exosomes From Astrocyte Processes: Signaling to Neurons. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1452. [PMID: 31849688 PMCID: PMC6901013 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It is widely recognized that extracellular vesicles subserve non-classical signal transmission in the central nervous system. Here we assess if the astrocyte processes, that are recognized to play crucial roles in intercellular communication at the synapses and in neuron-astrocyte networks, could convey messages through extracellular vesicles. Our findings indicate, for the first time that freshly isolated astrocyte processes prepared from adult rat cerebral cortex, can indeed participate to signal transmission in central nervous system by releasing exosomes that by volume transmission might target near or long-distance sites. It is noteworthy that the exosomes released from the astrocyte processes proved ability to selectively target neurons. The astrocyte-derived exosomes were proven positive for neuroglobin, a protein functioning as neuroprotectant against cell insult; the possibility that exosomes might transfer neuroglobin to neurons would add a mechanism to the potential astrocytic neuroprotectant activity. Notably, the exosomes released from the processes of astrocytes maintained markers, which prove their parental astrocytic origin. This potentially allows the assessment of the cellular origin of exosomes that might be recovered from body fluids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Venturini
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Mario Passalacqua
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Experimental Medicine, and Italian Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Simone Pelassa
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Tedesco
- 3BrainAG, Wädenswil, Switzerland.,Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and System Engineering DIBRIS, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Katia Cortese
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Gagliani
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Leo
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Guido Maura
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Diego Guidolin
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Luigi F Agnati
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Manuela Marcoli
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research CEBR, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Cervetto
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
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20
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Alessandri G, Coccè V, Pastorino F, Paroni R, Deicas M, Restelli F, Tremolada C, Berenzi A, Parati E, Brini AT, Bondiolotti G, Pessina A, Ponzoni M. Abstract 2160: Microfragmented human fat tissue is a natural scaffold for drug delivery: potential application in cancer chemotherapy. Cancer Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2019-2160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Localization of chemotherapy at the tumor site can improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity. In previous studies we have shown that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) isolated from bone marrow or fat tissue, can be loaded with the anti-cancer drug Paclitaxel (PTX) and kill cancer cells when localized nearby. We here investigated the capacity of human micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT), used as a natural container of MSCs, to delivery PTX with the idea to improve local drug concentration and to prolong the therapeutic activity. Surprisingly, we found that both fresh but also devitalized MFAT (DMFAT) (by freezing/thawing procedure) were very effective biomaterials able to deliver and release significant amount of PTX, killing several human cancer cell lines in vitro with an impressive long lasting activity. In an orthotopic mice model of Neuroblastoma (NB) transplant, we found that DMFAT loaded with PTX prevents or delay NB relapse when placed in the surgical area of tumor resection, without any collateral toxicity. We concluded that MFAT, but also DMFAT, may work as natural biomaterials that can be used to localize and release anti-cancer molecules at the tumor site. In addition, the procedure to easily prepare DMFAT did not alter its natural scaffold structure. This suggest that such biomaterial may have a prominent role in the near future in many oncological applications to delivery anti-cancer drugs, helping to fight cancer in human.
Citation Format: Giulio Alessandri, Valentina Coccè, Fabio Pastorino, Rita Paroni, Michele Deicas, Francesco Restelli, Carlo Tremolada, Angiola Berenzi, Eugenio Parati, Anna Teresa Brini, Giampietro Bondiolotti, Augusto Pessina, Mirco Ponzoni. Microfragmented human fat tissue is a natural scaffold for drug delivery: potential application in cancer chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2160.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Carlo Tremolada
- 4Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
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21
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Alessandri G, Coccè V, Pastorino F, Paroni R, Dei Cas M, Restelli F, Pollo B, Gatti L, Tremolada C, Berenzi A, Parati E, Brini AT, Bondiolotti G, Ponzoni M, Pessina A. Microfragmented human fat tissue is a natural scaffold for drug delivery: Potential application in cancer chemotherapy. J Control Release 2019; 302:2-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Pastorino F, Brignole C, Di Paolo D, Perri P, Curnis F, Corti A, Ponzoni M. Overcoming Biological Barriers in Neuroblastoma Therapy: The Vascular Targeting Approach with Liposomal Drug Nanocarriers. Small 2019; 15:e1804591. [PMID: 30706636 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201804591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a rare pediatric cancer characterized by a wide clinical behavior and adverse outcome despite aggressive therapies. New approaches based on targeted drug delivery may improve efficacy and decrease toxicity of cancer therapy. Furthermore, nanotechnology offers additional potential developments for cancer imaging, diagnosis, and treatment. Following these lines, in the past years, innovative therapies based on the use of liposomes loaded with anticancer agents and functionalized with peptides capable of recognizing neuroblastoma cells and/or tumor-associated endothelial cells have been developed. Studies performed in experimental orthotopic models of human neuroblastoma have shown that targeted nanocarriers can be exploited for not only decreasing the systemic toxicity of the encapsulated anticancer drugs, but also increasing their tumor homing properties, enhancing tumor vascular permeability and perfusion (and, consequently, drug penetration), inducing tumor apoptosis, inhibiting angiogenesis, and reducing tumor glucose consumption. Furthermore, peptide-tagged liposomal formulations are proved to be more efficacious in inhibiting tumor growth and metastatic spreading of neuroblastoma than nontargeted liposomes. These findings, herein reviewed, pave the way for the design of novel targeted liposomal nanocarriers useful for multitargeting treatment of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Di Paolo
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Flavio Curnis
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 16132, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Corti
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 16132, Milan, Italy
- Vita Salute San Raffaele University, 16132, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
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23
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Dallatomasina A, Gasparri AM, Colombo B, Sacchi A, Bianco M, Daniele T, Esposito A, Pastorino F, Ponzoni M, Marcucci F, Curnis F, Corti A. Spatiotemporal Regulation of Tumor Angiogenesis by Circulating Chromogranin A Cleavage and Neuropilin-1 Engagement. Cancer Res 2019; 79:1925-1937. [PMID: 30796053 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-0289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The unbalanced production of pro- and antiangiogenic factors in tumors can lead to aberrant vasculature morphology, angiogenesis, and disease progression. In this study, we report that disease progression in various murine models of solid tumors is associated with increased cleavage of full-length chromogranin A (CgA), a circulating vasoregulatory neurosecretory protein. Cleavage of CgA led to the exposure of the highly conserved PGPQLR site, which corresponds to residues 368-373 of human CgA1-373, a fragment that has proangiogenic activity. Antibodies against this site, unable to bind full-length CgA, inhibited angiogenesis and reduced tumor perfusion and growth. The PGPQLR sequence of the fragment, but not of the precursor, bound the VEGF-binding site of neuropilin-1; the C-terminal arginine (R373) of the sequence was crucial for binding. The proangiogenic activity of the CgA1-373 was blocked by anti-neuropilin-1 antibodies as well as by nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists, suggesting that these receptors, in addition to neuropilin-1, play a role in the proangiogenic activity of CgA1-373. The R373 residue was enzymatically removed in plasma, causing loss of neuropilin-1 binding and gain of antiangiogenic activity. These results suggest that cleavage of the R373R374 site of circulating human CgA in tumors and the subsequent removal of R373 in the blood represent an important "on/off" switch for the spatiotemporal regulation of tumor angiogenesis and may serve as a novel therapeutic target. SIGNIFICANCE: This work reveals that the interaction between fragmented chromogranin A and neuropilin-1 is required for tumor growth and represents a novel potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Maria Gasparri
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Colombo
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelina Sacchi
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Mimma Bianco
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Daniele
- Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Esposito
- San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy.,Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Marcucci
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Flavio Curnis
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Corti
- San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy. .,Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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Chen L, Pastorino F, Berry P, Bonner J, Kirk C, Wood KM, Thomas HD, Zhao Y, Daga A, Veal GJ, Lunec J, Newell DR, Ponzoni M, Tweddle DA. Preclinical evaluation of the first intravenous small molecule MDM2 antagonist alone and in combination with temozolomide in neuroblastoma. Int J Cancer 2019; 144:3146-3159. [PMID: 30536898 PMCID: PMC6491995 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
High‐risk neuroblastoma, a predominantly TP53 wild‐type (wt) tumour, is incurable in >50% patients supporting the use of MDM2 antagonists as novel therapeutics. Idasanutlin (RG7388) shows in vitro synergy with chemotherapies used to treat neuroblastoma. This is the first study to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of the intravenous idasanutlin prodrug, RO6839921 (RG7775), both alone and in combination with temozolomide in TP53 wt orthotopic neuroblastoma models. Detection of active idasanutlin using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry and p53 pathway activation by ELISA assays and Western analysis showed peak plasma levels 1 h post‐treatment with maximal p53 pathway activation 3–6 h post‐treatment. RO6839921 and temozolomide, alone or in combination in mice implanted with TP53 wt SHSY5Y‐Luc and NB1691‐Luc cells showed that combined RO6839921 and temozolomide led to greater tumour growth inhibition and increase in survival compared to vehicle control. Overall, RO6839921 had a favourable pharmacokinetic profile consistent with intermittent dosing and was well tolerated alone and in combination. These preclinical studies support the further development of idasanutlin in combination with temozolomide in neuroblastoma in early phase clinical trials. What's new? Long‐term survival of high‐risk neuroblastoma patients currently averages than 50%. New therapies that both improve survival and reduce treatment toxicity are urgently needed. MDM2 antagonists are a novel class of anti‐cancer agents that stabilize the p53 pathway and lead to tumour suppression. In this preclinical study, the authors tested a prodrug of the MDM2 inhibitor idasanutlin in mice. They found that this compound inhibited tumour growth and increased survival, especially in combination with temozolomide. These results support the further development of idasanutlin plus temozolomide in clinical trials for neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindi Chen
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Philip Berry
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Bonner
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Calum Kirk
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Katrina M Wood
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Huw D Thomas
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Yan Zhao
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Daga
- Oncologia Cellulare, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gareth J Veal
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - John Lunec
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - David R Newell
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Deborah A Tweddle
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Ponzoni M, Curnis F, Brignole C, Bruno S, Guarnieri D, Sitia L, Marotta R, Sacchi A, Bauckneht M, Buschiazzo A, Rossi A, Di Paolo D, Perri P, Gori A, Sementa AR, Emionite L, Cilli M, Tamma R, Ribatti D, Pompa PP, Marini C, Sambuceti G, Corti A, Pastorino F. Enhancement of Tumor Homing by Chemotherapy-Loaded Nanoparticles. Small 2018; 14:e1802886. [PMID: 30294852 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201802886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Targeted delivery of anticancer drugs with nanocarriers can reduce side effects and ameliorate therapeutic efficacy. However, poorly perfused and dysfunctional tumor vessels limit the transport of the payload into solid tumors. The use of tumor-penetrating nanocarriers might enhance tumor uptake and antitumor effects. A peptide containing a tissue-penetrating (TP) consensus motif, capable of recognizing neuropilin-1, is here fused to a neuroblastoma-targeting peptide (pep) previously developed. Neuroblastoma cell lines and cells derived from both xenografts and high-risk neuroblastoma patients show overexpression of neuropilin-1. In vitro studies reveal that TP-pep binds cell lines and cells derived from neuroblastoma patients more efficiently than pep. TP-pep, after coupling to doxorubicin-containing stealth liposomes (TP-pep-SL[doxorubicin]), enhances their uptake by cells and cytotoxic effects in vitro, while increasing tumor-binding capability and homing in vivo. TP-pep-SL[doxorubicin] treatment enhances the Evans Blue dye accumulation in tumors but not in nontumor tissues, pointing to selective increase of vascular permeability in tumor tissues. Compared to pep-SL[doxorubicin], TP-pep-SL[doxorubicin] shows an increased antineuroblastoma activity in three neuroblastoma animal models mimicking the growth of neuroblastoma in humans. The enhancement of drug penetration in tumors by TP-pep-targeted nanoparticles may represent an innovative strategy for neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Flavio Curnis
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita Salute San Raffaele University, 16132, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Bruno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Guarnieri
- Nanobiointeractions & Nanodiagnostics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Leopoldo Sitia
- Nanobiointeractions & Nanodiagnostics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberto Marotta
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Nanochemistry Department, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Angelina Sacchi
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita Salute San Raffaele University, 16132, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Bauckneht
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ambra Buschiazzo
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Rossi
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Di Paolo
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gori
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Tecnologie dei Materiali, Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 20131, Milan, Italy
| | - Angela R Sementa
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Emionite
- Animal Facility, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Cilli
- Animal Facility, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberto Tamma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Pompa
- Nanobiointeractions & Nanodiagnostics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Cecilia Marini
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16131, Genoa, Italy
- CNR Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianmario Sambuceti
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16131, Genoa, Italy
| | - Angelo Corti
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita Salute San Raffaele University, 16132, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
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Ponzoni M, Brignole C, Emionite L, Bruno S, Guarnieri D, Sitia L, Bauckneht M, Buschiazzo A, Rossi A, Paolo DD, Perri P, Curnis F, Gori A, Sementa AR, Cilli M, Pompa PP, Sambuceti G, Corti A, Pastorino F. Abstract 3879: Enhancement of tumor penetration by drug-loaded nanoparticles: An innovative targeted strategy for neuroblastoma. Cancer Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2018-3879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Anti-cancer drugs-loaded targeted nanocarriers can reduce side-effects and improve therapeutic efficacy in preclinical studies. However, poorly perfused and dysfunctional tumour vessels limit the transport of the payload into the parenchyma of solid tumours. The use of tumour-penetrating nanocarriers might enhance tumour penetration and anti-tumour effects.
Methods: A consensus motif, mediator of tissue penetration (TP) was added to a previously characterized neuroblastoma (NB)-targeting peptide (pep). In vitro NB cell association and internalization of TP-pep, either free or coupled to Stealth Liposomes (SL), were tested by FACS and confocal microscopy. In vitro cytotoxic potential of a novel doxorubicin (DXR)-loaded liposomal (TP-pep-SL[DXR]) was evaluated by MTS assay. Three mouse xenograft models mimicking the growth and spread of NB in humans (injection routes: subcutaneous; adrenal gland; tail vein) were enrolled to examine in vivo penetration, vascular permeability, tumour glucose consumption and sensitivity in response to TP-pep-SL[DXR].
Results: Compared to pep, TP-pep increases its cellular association in vitro on cell lines and cells derived from NB patients. When coupled to SL, TP-pep enhances liposomes penetration and cytotoxic effects in vitro and increases binding and penetration in a mouse model of NB. Moreover, in vivo accumulation of Evans Blue dye within the tumour mass reveals that TP-pep-SL[DXR] increases the tumour vascular permeability into NB tumour mass, but not in non-tumour tissues. Compared to pep-targeted liposomes, TP-pep-SL[DXR] leads to an increased anti-NB effect towards all the animal models tested.
Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the enhancement of tumour penetration by drug-loaded nanoparticles might represent an innovative targeted strategy for NB.
Citation Format: Mirco Ponzoni, Chiara Brignole, Laura Emionite, Silvia Bruno, Daniela Guarnieri, Leopoldo Sitia, Matteo Bauckneht, Ambra Buschiazzo, Andrea Rossi, Daniela Di Paolo, Patrizia Perri, Flavio Curnis, Alessandro Gori, Angela Rita Sementa, Michele Cilli, Pier Paolo Pompa, Gianmario Sambuceti, Angelo Corti, Fabio Pastorino. Enhancement of tumor penetration by drug-loaded nanoparticles: An innovative targeted strategy for neuroblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3879.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Matteo Bauckneht
- 5IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ambra Buschiazzo
- 5IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Flavio Curnis
- 6IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gori
- 7Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy
| | | | - Michele Cilli
- 2IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | - Angelo Corti
- 6IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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Di Paolo D, Pastorino F, Brignole C, Marimpietri D, Loi M, Ponzoni M, Pagnan G. Drug Delivery Systems: Application of Liposomal Anti-Tumor Agents to Neuroectodermal Cancer Treatment. Tumori 2018; 94:246-53. [DOI: 10.1177/030089160809400217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Disseminated neuroectoderma-derived tumors, mainly neuroblastoma in childhood and melanoma in the adulthood, are refractory to most current therapeutic regimens and hence the prognosis remains very poor. Preclinical research studies have indicated several agents that show promising therapeutic potential for these neoplasms. However, there appears to be a limitation to their in vivo applicability, mainly due to unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties that lead to insufficient drug delivery to the tumor or metastatic sites or to high systemic or organ-specific toxicity. In this scenario, the focus is on targeted cancer therapy. Encapsulating anticancer drugs in liposomes enables targeted drug delivery to tumor tissue and prevents damage to the normal surrounding tissue. Indeed, sterically stabilized liposomes have been shown to enhance the selective localization of entrapped drugs to solid tumors, with improvements in therapeutic indices. The identification of tumor-associated antigens and/or genes and the relative ease of manipulating the physicochemical features of liposome hold promise for the development of novel therapeutic strategies that selectively target tumor cells. Combined targeting is still investigated, especially the availability to simultaneously target and kill both the cancer cells and the tumor vasculature. Animal models make it possible to link molecular genetics and biochemistry information to the physiological basis of disease and are important predictive tools that offer a frontline testing system for studying the involvement of specific genes and the efficacy of novel therapeutics approaches. Relevant experimental models of human neuroblastoma and melanoma, which better reflect the tumor behavior in patients, are required to evaluate the effectiveness of the various targeted liposomal formulations and their possible systemic and organ-specific toxicity. The most multifunctional targeted liposomes are herein described, with primary attention on testing their efficacy in clinically relevant animal models for the treatment of neuroblastoma and melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Di Paolo
- Experimental Therapies Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Experimental Therapies Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Experimental Therapies Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Danilo Marimpietri
- Experimental Therapies Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Monica Loi
- Experimental Therapies Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Experimental Therapies Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pagnan
- Experimental Therapies Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
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Corti A, Gasparri AM, Ghitti M, Sacchi A, Sudati F, Fiocchi M, Buttiglione V, Perani L, Gori A, Valtorta S, Moresco RM, Pastorino F, Ponzoni M, Musco G, Curnis F. Glycine N-methylation in NGR-Tagged Nanocarriers Prevents Isoaspartate formation and Integrin Binding without Impairing CD13 Recognition and Tumor Homing. Adv Funct Mater 2017; 27:1701245. [PMID: 28979182 PMCID: PMC5624507 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201701245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
NGR (asparagine-glycine-arginine) is a tumor vasculature-homing peptide motif widely used for the functionalization of drugs, nanomaterials and imaging compounds for cancer treatment and diagnosis. Unfortunately, this motif has a strong propensity to undergo rapid deamidation. This reaction, which converts NGR into isoDGR, is associated with receptor switching from CD13 to integrins, with potentially important manufacturing, pharmacological and toxicological implications. It is found that glycine N-methylation of NGR-tagged nanocarriers completely prevents asparagine deamidation without impairing CD13 recognition. Studies in animal models have shown that the methylated NGR motif can be exploited for delivering radiolabeled compounds and nanocarriers, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF)-bearing nanogold and liposomal doxorubicin, to tumors with improved selectivity. These findings suggest that this NGR derivative is a stable and efficient tumor-homing ligand that can be used for delivering functional nanomaterials to tumor vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Corti
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Gasparri
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Ghitti
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelina Sacchi
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Francesco Sudati
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Fiocchi
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Laura Perani
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gori
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, C.N.R., Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Valtorta
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Moresco
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | | | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Istituto G. Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16148, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giovanna Musco
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Flavio Curnis
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
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Pastorino F, Brignole C, Emionite L, Bruno S, Curnis F, Paolo DD, Perri P, Gori A, Longhi R, Cilli M, Corti A, Ponzoni M. Abstract 5130: Tumor-penetrating peptide-coated nanoparticles as a novel strategy for the targeted therapy of neuroblastoma. Cancer Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2017-5130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Anticancer drugs loaded into tumor- and vasculature-targeted nanocarriers (NC) can reduce side-effects and improve therapeutic efficacy in pre-clinical studies. However, poorly perfused and dysfunctional tumor vessels and lymphatics limit the transport of the payload into the parenchyma of solid tumors. The use of NC decorated with tumor-penetrating peptides (TPPs) might enhance tumor penetration and antitumor effects.
A previously characterized neuroblastoma (NB)-targeting peptide ligand was here modified (now referred as TPP-NB) by adding a consensus motif as a mediator of cell, vascular and tissue penetration via neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) receptor recognition. NPR-1 expression was validated by FACS analysis in NB cell lines and by IHC staining in tumor cells and tumor stroma from NB-bearing mice. Recombinant NRP-1 was used to validate TPP-NB specificity. In vitro and in vivo cell association and internalization of TPP-NB, either free or coupled to Liposomes (L) were tested by FACS and confocal microscopy. Vascular permeability assay after treatment with TPP-NB-targeted, doxorubicin-loaded Liposomes (TPP-NB-L[DXR]) was performed evaluating the in vivo accumulation of Evans Blue dye within the tumor mass. Therapeutic experiments with TPP-NB-L[DXR] were performed in mice orthotopically injected with human NB cells.
NRP-1 expression is validated in a panel of NB cells and in tumors from NB-bearing mice. Differently from the original peptide and some control ones, TPP-NB is able to recognize recombinant NRP-1. The addition of the NRP-1-recognizing sequence to the original peptide significantly increases its NB cellular association in vitro. Interestingly, the results seem to indicate that the enhanced capability by TPP-NB in binding NB cells is related to the combination of the NRP-1-recognizing and the original sequence. Importantly, TPP-NB coupled at the external surfaces of L[DXR] significantly increases their cellular association on NB cells in vitro. Competitive binding assay reveals that binding of TPP-NB is specific and can be inhibited by an excess of the unlabeled free peptide. The localization and the cellular distribution of L evaluated by confocal microscopy in vitro and in mouse models of NB, confirm the binding specificity, showing an increased selective internalization of TPP-NB-L-FITC compared to that obtained with either untargeted L or L decorated with the scrambled peptide. Moreover, TPP-NB-L[DXR] further increases the vascular permeability into the NB tumor mass, but not in non-tumor tissues. The therapeutic efficacy of TPP-NB-L[DXR] has been investigating in terms of overall survival. On running results indicate that the novel NC exerts an increased anti-NB effect compared to DXR-loaded L decorated with the original peptide.
Our findings demonstrate that the achieved penetrating features by a NB-targeting peptide might increase liposomal drug binding, homing and antitumor efficacy.
Citation Format: Fabio Pastorino, Chiara Brignole, Laura Emionite, Silvia Bruno, Flavio Curnis, Daniela Di Paolo, Patrizia Perri, Alessandro Gori, Renato Longhi, Michele Cilli, Angelo Corti, Mirco Ponzoni. Tumor-penetrating peptide-coated nanoparticles as a novel strategy for the targeted therapy of neuroblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5130. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5130
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura Emionite
- 2IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino–IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michele Cilli
- 2IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino–IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Angelo Corti
- 4San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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Chen L, Pastorino F, Berry P, Bonner J, Wood K, Veal G, Ponzoni M, Lunec J, Newell DR, Tweddle DA. Abstract LB-300: In vivo evaluation of the intravenous MDM2-p53 antagonist RO6839921 alone and in combination with temozolomide in TP53 wild-type orthotopic models of neuroblastoma. Cancer Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2017-lb-300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background. Neuroblastoma is a predominantly TP53 wt tumor which supports the use of MDM2-p53 antagonists as a novel therapy for neuroblastoma patients. This is the first study to evaluate the efficacy of RO6839921, an IV prodrug of RG7388, alone and in combination with temozolomide in TP53 wild-type orthotopic models of neuroblastoma.
Methods. Studies were conducted using a well-established orthotopic model of neuroblastoma, implanted with SHSY5Y-Luc (TP53 wt; non-MYCN amplified) and NB1691-Luc (TP53 wt; MYCN and MDM2 amplified) cells, and randomized into control, intravenous RO6839921, oral temozolomide or RO6839921 and temozolomide in combination. Tumor growth was monitored using bioluminescence imaging. Active RG7388 in plasma and tumor samples were detected using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and p53 pathway activation assessed by MIC-1 ELISA assays, Western analysis and/or immunohistochemistry for p53, p21 and cleaved caspase 3.
Results. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis of RO6839921 observed peak plasma levels of active RG7388 at 1h posttreatment with maximal activation of the p53 pathway observed 3-6h posttreatment. RO6839921 had a favorable pharmacodynamic profile consistent with intermittent dosing. Assessment of anti-tumor efficacy demonstrated that RO6839921 was as effective as temozolomide and that RO6839921 in combination with temozolomide led to significantly greater tumor growth inhibition and survival than either agent given alone. RO6839921 alone and in combination with temozolomide was well tolerated.
Conclusions. These preclinical studies support the evaluation of combining RO6839921 with temozolomide in early phase clinical trials of neuroblastoma patients with wt TP53.
Citation Format: Lindi Chen, Fabio Pastorino, Philip Berry, Jennifer Bonner, Katrina Wood, Gareth Veal, Mirco Ponzoni, John Lunec, David R. Newell, Deborah A. Tweddle. In vivo evaluation of the intravenous MDM2-p53 antagonist RO6839921 alone and in combination with temozolomide in TP53 wild-type orthotopic models of neuroblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-300. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-LB-300
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindi Chen
- 1University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | | | - Philip Berry
- 1University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Bonner
- 1University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Katrina Wood
- 3Department of Histopathology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth Veal
- 1University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | | | - John Lunec
- 1University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - David R. Newell
- 1University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Bauckneht M, Ferrarazzo G, Fiz F, Morbelli S, Sarocchi M, Pastorino F, Ghidella A, Pomposelli E, Miglino M, Ameri P, Emionite L, Ticconi F, Arboscello E, Buschiazzo A, Massimelli EA, Fiordoro S, Borra A, Cossu V, Bozzano A, Ibatici A, Ponzoni M, Spallarossa P, Gallamini A, Bruzzi P, Sambuceti G, Marini C. Doxorubicin Effect on Myocardial Metabolism as a Prerequisite for Subsequent Development of Cardiac Toxicity: A Translational 18F-FDG PET/CT Observation. J Nucl Med 2017. [PMID: 28646013 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.117.191122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The present translational study aimed to verify whether serial 18F-FDG PET/CT predicts doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. Methods: Fifteen athymic mice were treated intravenously with saline (n = 5) or with 5 or 7.5 mg of doxorubicin per kilogram (n = 5 each) and underwent dynamic small-animal PET beforehand and afterward to estimate left ventricular (LV) metabolic rate of glucose (MRGlu). Thereafter, we retrospectively identified 69 patients who had been successfully treated with a regimen of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine for Hodgkin disease (HD) and had undergone 4 consecutive 18F-FDG PET/CT scans. Volumes of interest were drawn on LV myocardium to quantify mean SUV. All patients were subsequently interviewed by telephone (median follow-up, 30 mo); 36 of them agreed to undergo electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography. Results: In mice, LV MRGlu was 17.9 ± 4.4 nmol × min-1 × g-1 at baseline. Doxorubicin selectively and dose-dependently increased this value in the standard-dose (27.9 ± 9 nmol × min-1 × g-1, P < 0.05 vs. controls) and high-dose subgroups (37.2 ± 7.8 nmol × min-1 × g-1, P < 0.01 vs. controls, P < 0.05 vs. standard-dose). In HD patients, LV SUV showed a progressive increase during doxorubicin treatment that persisted at follow-up. New-onset cardiac abnormalities appeared in 11 of 36 patients (31%). In these subjects, pretherapy LV SUV was markedly lower with respect to the remaining patients (1.53 ± 0.9 vs. 3.34 ± 2.54, respectively, P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis confirmed the predictive value of baseline LV SUV for subsequent cardiac abnormalities. Conclusion: Doxorubicin dose-dependently increases LV MRGlu, particularly in the presence of low baseline 18F-FDG uptake. These results imply that low myocardial 18F-FDG uptake before the initiation of doxorubicin chemotherapy in HD patients may predict the development of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, suggesting that prospective clinical trials are warranted to test this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Bauckneht
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giulia Ferrarazzo
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco Fiz
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Radiology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Silvia Morbelli
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Matteo Sarocchi
- Clinic of Cardiovascular Diseases, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Unit of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, IRCCS Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Ghidella
- Clinic of Cardiovascular Diseases, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Pomposelli
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Miglino
- Haematology Clinic, University of Genoa, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Pietro Ameri
- Clinic of Cardiovascular Diseases, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Emionite
- Animal Facility, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Flavia Ticconi
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Ambra Buschiazzo
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Salvatore Fiordoro
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Borra
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vanessa Cossu
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Bozzano
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Adalberto Ibatici
- Haematology Clinic, University of Genoa, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Unit of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, IRCCS Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Spallarossa
- Clinic of Cardiovascular Diseases, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Gallamini
- Department of Research, Innovation, and Statistics, Lacassagne Cancer Centre, Nice, France
| | - Paolo Bruzzi
- Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy; and
| | - Gianmario Sambuceti
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Cecilia Marini
- CNR Institute of Bioimaging and Molecular Physiology, Section of Genoa, Milan, Italy
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Pastorino F, Ponzoni M, Simone G. Molecular galactose-galectin association in neuroblastoma cells: An unconventional tool for qualitative/quantitative screening. Proteomics Clin Appl 2017; 11. [PMID: 28066995 DOI: 10.1002/prca.201600116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Galectin decorates the cell membrane and forms an extracellular molecular association with galactoside units. Here, galactoside probes have been used to study galectin expression in neuroblastoma cells. The hypothesis behind this investigation has been that the molecular mechanisms by which glycans modulate neural metastatic cells involve a protein-carbohydrate association, galectin-galactose. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Preliminary screening to validate the hypothesis has been performed with galactose moieties anchored to beads. The molecular association has been studied by FACS. In vitro experiments reveal the molecular binding preferences of the metastatic neuroblastoma cells. Ex vivo, the galactose probes discriminate healthy tissues. The unconventional assay in microfluidics used in this study displayed results analogous to the above (GI-LI-N cell capture efficiency overcomes IMR-32). RESULTS At the point of equilibrium of shear and binding forces, the capture yield inside the chamber was measured to 60 ± 4.4% in GI-LI-N versus 40 ± 2.1% in IMR-32. Staining of the fished cells and subsequent conjugation with red beads bearing the galactose also have evidenced that microfluidics can be used to study and quantify the molecular association of galectin-galactose. Most importantly, a crucial insight for obtaining single-cell qualitative/quantitative glycome analysis has been achieved. Finally, the specificity of the assay performed in microfluidics is demonstrated by comparing GI-LI-N fishing efficiency in galactose and fucose environments. The residual adhesion to fucose confirmed the existence of receptors for this glycan and that its eventual unspecific binding (i.e. due to electrostatic interactions) is insignificant compared with the molecular binding. CONCLUSION Identification and understanding of this mechanism of discrimination can be relevant for diagnostic monitoring and for producing probes tailored to interfere with galectin activities associated with the malignant phenotype. Besides, the given strategy has implications for the rational design of galectin-specific ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Unità di Terapie Sperimentali, Istituto G Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genova, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Unità di Terapie Sperimentali, Istituto G Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genova, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Simone
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an Shaanxi, 710072, P.R. China.,University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy
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Di Paolo D, Yang D, Pastorino F, Emionite L, Cilli M, Daga A, Destafanis E, Di Fiore A, Piaggio F, Brignole C, Xu X, Liang C, Gibbons J, Ponzoni M, Perri P. New therapeutic strategies in neuroblastoma: combined targeting of a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor and liposomal siRNAs against ALK. Oncotarget 2016; 6:28774-89. [PMID: 26299615 PMCID: PMC4745691 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many different aberrations in the Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) were found to be oncogenic drivers in several cancers including neuroblastoma (NB), therefore ALK is now considered a critical player in NB oncogenesis and a promising therapeutic target. The ALK-inhibitor crizotinib has a limited activity against the various ALK mutations identified in NB patients. We tested: the activity of the novel ALK-inhibitor X-396 administered alone or in combination with Targeted Liposomes carrying ALK-siRNAs (TL[ALK-siRNA]) that are active irrespective of ALK gene mutational status; the pharmacokinetic profiles and the biodistribution of X-396; the efficacy of X-396 versus crizotinib treatment in NB xenografts; whether the combination of X-396 with the TL[ALK-siRNA] could promote long-term survival in NB mouse models. X-396 revealed good bioavailability, moderate half-life, high mean plasma and tumor concentrations. X-396 was more effective than crizotinib in inhibiting in vitro cell proliferation of NB cells and in reducing tumor volume in subcutaneous NB models in a dose-dependent manner. In orthotopic NB xenografts, X-396 significantly increased life span independently of the ALK mutation status. In combination studies, all effects were significantly improved in the mice treated with TL[ALK-siRNA] and X-396 compared to mice receiving the single agents. Our findings provide a rational basis to design innovative molecular-based treatment combinations for clinical application in ALK-driven NB tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - D Yang
- Sundia MediTech Company, Ltd., Shangai, China
| | | | - Laura Emionite
- Animal Facility, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Cilli
- Animal Facility, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonio Daga
- Laboratorio Trasferimento Genico, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elisa Destafanis
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.,Present address: Centre for Inherited Cardiovascular, IRCCS Politecnico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Xiaobao Xu
- Sundia MediTech Company, Ltd., Shangai, China
| | | | | | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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Simone G, Ponzoni M, Pastorino F. Abstract 5112: Galactose probes hit neuroblastoma cells through a specific galactose-galectin association. Tumour Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2016-5112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Brignole C, Perri P, Piaggio F, Pastorino F, Di Paolo D, Emionite L, Daga A, Kondylis V, Pasparakis M, Ribatti D, Ponzoni M. Abstract 3844: A novel liposomal Clodronate depletes tumor-associated macrophages in primary and metastatic melanoma: anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor effects. Cancer Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2016-3844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The depletion of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), involved in different stages of cancer development and progression, is an appealing strategy in cancer therapy.
We developed novel Clodronate-containing liposomes (Clo-Lipo-DOTAP) presenting good physicochemical properties (size distribution, polidispersity index and Z-potential).
In vitro, Clo-Lipo-DOTAP inhibited proliferation, reduced viability and induced apoptosis of a macrophage-like cell line in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
In proof of functionality experiments, Clo-Lipo-DOTAP depleted macrophages in a genetic mouse model of chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma leading to a significant reduction of F4/80-positive cells in the liver and spleen of treated mice compared to PBS-treated controls. The number of granulocytes, B and T lymphocytes was not affected.
In B16/F10 subcutaneous melanoma-bearing mice, Clo-Lipo-DOTAP significantly reduced the volume of primary tumors (P < 0.001). Within the tumors, the expression F4/80 and α-SMA was significantly lowered. Plasma levels of IL-10, Mo KC, TNF-α, VEGF and PDGF-bb were statistically decreased. In B16/F10 lung metastatic melanoma model, treatment with Clo-Lipo-DOTAP significantly reduced the number of pulmonary nodules (P < 0.05). F4/80-positive cells and microvessel density were statistically decreased.
In conclusion, the depletion of TAMs in primary and metastatic melanoma presents anti-tumor efficacy via inhibition of angiogenesis and modulation of inflammation related cytokines.
Citation Format: Chiara Brignole, Patrizia Perri, Francesca Piaggio, Fabio Pastorino, Daniela Di Paolo, Laura Emionite, Antonio Daga, Vangelis Kondylis, Manolis Pasparakis, Domenico Ribatti, Mirco Ponzoni. A novel liposomal Clodronate depletes tumor-associated macrophages in primary and metastatic melanoma: anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor effects. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3844.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Laura Emionite
- 2Animal Facility, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino–IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonio Daga
- 3IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino–IST, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | - Domenico Ribatti
- 5Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Marini C, Ravera S, Buschiazzo A, Bianchi G, Orengo AM, Bruno S, Bottoni G, Emionite L, Pastorino F, Monteverde E, Garaboldi L, Martella R, Salani B, Maggi D, Ponzoni M, Fais F, Raffaghello L, Sambuceti G. Discovery of a novel glucose metabolism in cancer: The role of endoplasmic reticulum beyond glycolysis and pentose phosphate shunt. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25092. [PMID: 27121192 PMCID: PMC4848551 DOI: 10.1038/srep25092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer metabolism is characterized by an accelerated glycolytic rate facing reduced activity of oxidative phosphorylation. This “Warburg effect” represents a standard to diagnose and monitor tumor aggressiveness with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose whose uptake is currently regarded as an accurate index of total glucose consumption. Studying cancer metabolic response to respiratory chain inhibition by metformin, we repeatedly observed a reduction of tracer uptake facing a marked increase in glucose consumption. This puzzling discordance brought us to discover that 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose preferentially accumulates within endoplasmic reticulum by exploiting the catalytic function of hexose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase. Silencing enzyme expression and activity decreased both tracer uptake and glucose consumption, caused severe energy depletion and decreased NADPH content without altering mitochondrial function. These data document the existence of an unknown glucose metabolism triggered by hexose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase within endoplasmic reticulum of cancer cells. Besides its basic relevance, this finding can improve clinical cancer diagnosis and might represent potential target for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Marini
- CNR Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), Milan, Section of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa and IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Ambra Buschiazzo
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa and IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Anna Maria Orengo
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa and IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Bruno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gianluca Bottoni
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa and IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Emionite
- Animal facility, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Elena Monteverde
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa and IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lucia Garaboldi
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa and IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Barbara Salani
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa and IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Davide Maggi
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa and IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, IRCCS G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Franco Fais
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Molecular Pathology, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Gianmario Sambuceti
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa and IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
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Piaggio F, Kondylis V, Pastorino F, Di Paolo D, Perri P, Cossu I, Schorn F, Marinaccio C, Murgia D, Daga A, Raggi F, Loi M, Emionite L, Ognio E, Pasparakis M, Ribatti D, Ponzoni M, Brignole C. A novel liposomal Clodronate depletes tumor-associated macrophages in primary and metastatic melanoma: Anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor effects. J Control Release 2015; 223:165-177. [PMID: 26742942 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- F Piaggio
- Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - V Kondylis
- Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany; Centre for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - F Pastorino
- Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - D Di Paolo
- Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - P Perri
- Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - I Cossu
- Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - F Schorn
- Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany; Centre for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - C Marinaccio
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - D Murgia
- Department of Pathology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - A Daga
- Laboratorio di Trasferimento Genico, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - F Raggi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - M Loi
- Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - L Emionite
- Animal Facility, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - E Ognio
- Animal Facility, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - M Pasparakis
- Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany; Centre for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - D Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; National Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - M Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy.
| | - C Brignole
- Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy.
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Liguori L, Pastorino F, Rousset X, Alfano S, Cortes S, Emionite L, Daga A, Ponzoni M, Lenormand JL. Anti-Tumor Effects of Bak-Proteoliposomes against Glioblastoma. Molecules 2015; 20:15893-909. [PMID: 26340616 PMCID: PMC6332045 DOI: 10.3390/molecules200915893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite palliative treatments, glioblastoma (GBM) remains a devastating malignancy with a mean survival of about 15 months after diagnosis. Programmed cell-death is de-regulated in almost all GBM and the re-activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway through exogenous bioactive proteins may represent a powerful therapeutic tool to treat multidrug resistant GBM. We have reported that human Bak protein integrated in Liposomes (LB) was able, in vitro, to activate the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in colon cancer cells. To evaluate the anti-tumor effects of LB on GBM, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays and Western blot analysis were performed on GL26 murine cell line. LB treatment shows a dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability, followed by an up-regulation of Bax and a down-modulation of JNK1 proteins. In GL26-bearing mice, two different routes of administration were tested: intra-tumor and intravenous. Biodistribution, tumor growth and animal survival rates were followed. LB show long-lasting tumor accumulation. Moreover, the intra-tumor administration of LB induces tumor growth delay and total tumor regression in about 40% of treated mice, while the intravenous injection leads to a significant increased life span of mice paralleled by an increased tumor cells apoptosis. Our findings are functional to the design of LB with potentiated therapeutic efficacy for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Liguori
- SyNaBi Laboratory, TIMC IMAG, UMR S5525, UJF/CNRS, Joseph Fourier University, Grenoble Cedex 9 38700, France.
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa 16147, Italy.
| | - Xavier Rousset
- The Rex Laboratory, TIMC IMAG, UMR5525, UJF/CNRS, Joseph Fourier University, CHU-Grenoble, BP217, Grenoble Cedex 9 38043, France.
| | - Silvia Alfano
- The Rex Laboratory, TIMC IMAG, UMR5525, UJF/CNRS, Joseph Fourier University, CHU-Grenoble, BP217, Grenoble Cedex 9 38043, France.
| | - Sandra Cortes
- The Rex Laboratory, TIMC IMAG, UMR5525, UJF/CNRS, Joseph Fourier University, CHU-Grenoble, BP217, Grenoble Cedex 9 38043, France.
| | - Laura Emionite
- Animal Facility, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST, Genoa 16132, Italy.
| | - Antonio Daga
- Laboratorio di Trasferimento Genico, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST, Genoa 16132, Italy.
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa 16147, Italy.
| | - Jean-Luc Lenormand
- The Rex Laboratory, TIMC IMAG, UMR5525, UJF/CNRS, Joseph Fourier University, CHU-Grenoble, BP217, Grenoble Cedex 9 38043, France.
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Bartolini A, Di Paolo D, Noghero A, Murgia D, Sementa AR, Cilli M, Pasqualini R, Arap W, Bussolino F, Ponzoni M, Pastorino F, Marchiò S. The Neuronal Pentraxin-2 Pathway Is an Unrecognized Target in Human Neuroblastoma, Which Also Offers Prognostic Value in Patients. Cancer Res 2015; 75:4265-71. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-0649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Cossu I, Bottoni G, Loi M, Emionite L, Bartolini A, Di Paolo D, Brignole C, Piaggio F, Perri P, Sacchi A, Curnis F, Gagliani MC, Bruno S, Marini C, Gori A, Longhi R, Murgia D, Sementa AR, Cilli M, Tacchetti C, Corti A, Sambuceti G, Marchiò S, Ponzoni M, Pastorino F. Neuroblastoma-targeted nanocarriers improve drug delivery and penetration, delay tumor growth and abrogate metastatic diffusion. Biomaterials 2015; 68:89-99. [PMID: 26276694 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.07.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Selective tumor targeting is expected to enhance drug delivery and to decrease toxicity, resulting in an improved therapeutic index. We have recently identified the HSYWLRS peptide sequence as a specific ligand for aggressive neuroblastoma, a childhood tumor mostly refractory to current therapies. Here we validated the specific binding of HSYWLRS to neuroblastoma cell suspensions obtained either from cell lines, animal models, or Schwannian-stroma poor, stage IV neuroblastoma patients. Binding of the biotinylated peptide and of HSYWLRS-functionalized fluorescent quantum dots or liposomal nanoparticles was dose-dependent and inhibited by an excess of free peptide. In animal models obtained by the orthotopic implant of either MYCN-amplified or MYCN single copy human neuroblastoma cell lines, treatment with HSYWLRS-targeted, doxorubicin-loaded Stealth Liposomes increased tumor vascular permeability and perfusion, enhancing tumor penetration of the drug. This formulation proved to exert a potent antitumor efficacy, as evaluated by bioluminescence imaging and micro-PET, leading to (i) delay of tumor growth paralleled by decreased tumor glucose consumption, and (ii) abrogation of metastatic spreading, accompanied by absence of systemic toxicity and significant increase in the animal life span. Our findings are functional to the design of targeted nanocarriers with potentiated therapeutic efficacy towards the clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Cossu
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gianluca Bottoni
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Monica Loi
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Emionite
- Animal Facility, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alice Bartolini
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Angelina Sacchi
- Division of Experimental Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Flavio Curnis
- Division of Experimental Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Bruno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Cecilia Marini
- Genoa Section, CNR Institute of Bioimages and Molecular Physiology, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gori
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, Milan, Italy
| | - Renato Longhi
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Murgia
- Department of Pathology, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Michele Cilli
- Animal Facility, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carlo Tacchetti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Experimental Imaging Center, Scientific Institute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Corti
- Division of Experimental Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianmario Sambuceti
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Serena Marchiò
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy; Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
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Dondero A, Pastorino F, Della Chiesa M, Corrias MV, Morandi F, Pistoia V, Olive D, Bellora F, Locatelli F, Castellano A, Moretta L, Moretta A, Bottino C, Castriconi R. PD-L1 expression in metastatic neuroblastoma as an additional mechanism for limiting immune surveillance. Oncoimmunology 2015; 5:e1064578. [PMID: 26942080 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1064578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Revised: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) remains poor, although immunotherapies with anti-GD2 antibodies have been reported to provide some benefit. Immunotherapies can be associated with an IFNγ storm that induces in tumor cells the "adaptive immune resistance" characterized by the de-novo expression of Programmed Death Ligands (PD-Ls). Tumor cells can also constitutively express PD-Ls in response to oncogenic signaling. Here, we analyze the constitutive and the inducible surface expression of PD-Ls in NB cells. We show that virtually all HLA class Ipos NB cell lines constitutively express PD-L1, whereas PD-L2 is rarely detected. IFNγ upregulates or induces PD-L1 both in NB cell lines in vitro and in NB engrafted nude/nude mice. Importantly, after IFNγ stimulation PD-L1 can be acquired by NB cell lines, as well as by metastatic neuroblasts isolated from bone marrow aspirates of high-risk NB patients, characterized by different MYCN amplification status. Interestingly, in one patient NB cells were poorly responsive to IFNγ stimulation, pointing out that responsiveness to IFNγ might represent a further element of heterogeneity in metastatic neuroblasts. Finally, we document the presence of lymphocytes expressing the PD-1 receptor in NB-infiltrated bone marrow of patients. PD-1pos cells are mainly represented by αβ T cells, but also include small populations of γδ T cells and NK cells. Moreover, PD-1pos T cells have a higher expression of activation markers. Overall, our data show that a PD-L1-mediated immune resistance mechanism occurs in metastatic neuroblasts and provide a biological rationale for blocking the PD-1/PD-Ls axis in future combined immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Dondero
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova , Italy
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Laboratorio di Oncologia , Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabio Morandi
- Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Laboratorio di Oncologia , Genova, Italy
| | - Vito Pistoia
- Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Laboratorio di Oncologia , Genova, Italy
| | - Daniel Olive
- CRCM, Team Immunity and Cancer, Inserm, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS , UM 105, U1068, UMR7258 , Marseille, France
| | - Francesca Bellora
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova , Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Università di Pavia and Dipartimento di Onco-Ematologia Pediatrica, Ospedale Bambino Gesù , Roma, Italy
| | - Aurora Castellano
- Università di Pavia and Dipartimento di Onco-Ematologia Pediatrica, Ospedale Bambino Gesù , Roma, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Laboratorio di Oncologia , Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Moretta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy; Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, Genova, Italy
| | - Cristina Bottino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy; Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Laboratorio di Oncologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberta Castriconi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy; Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, Genova, Italy
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Perri P, Paolo DD, Priddy L, Fiore AD, Brignole C, Pastorino F, Brown D, Ponzoni M. Abstract 1453: MicroRNA replacement and RNAi-mediated silencing of ALK as combined targeted therapies for neuroblastoma. Cancer Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2014-1453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The effective treatment of advanced Neuroblastoma (NB) is still a challenge in pediatric oncology, because the clinical use of most therapeutics is limited by insufficient drug delivery to the tumor and high systemic toxicity. The discovery of the RNAi has great promise for anti-cancer therapeutics but, as in high-grade solid tumors a single ‘oncogene addiction’ is rare, multi-'gene' target combinations are required and a targeted delivery system is mandatory to successfully translate RNAi-based therapeutics into the clinics.
It is now ascertained the master role of ALK and related genes such as PHOX2B, able to promote its transcription, in NB growth and survival, opening new perspectives for RNAi-mediated therapies for NB. Nevertheless, even if the counterpart of tumor suppressor (TS) regulators in NB is not completely known, a number of miRNAs with TS functions have been found aberrantly under-expressed in NB and associated with aggressive phenotypes.
To develop a new generation of targeted and multi-RNAi-directed therapeutics for NB, we are exploiting our well-established NB-specific delivery system, the GD2-Targeted Liposomes entrapping specific siRNAs, TL[siRNA], or miRNAs mimics, TL[miRNA]. The final purpose is to get simultaneously the silencing of the oncogenic functions of ALK and related genes and the replacement of miRNAs with TS functions in clinically relevant mouse models of NB. We have planned to test different combinations of individually entrapped TL[siRNA] or TL[miRNA] for in vivo therapeutic efficacy.
In a pilot study, NB-bearing mice were treated with different TL[siRNA]. After 65 days from i.v. injection of HTLA-230 (WT ALK) cells, we observed: about 50% of TL[siALK]-treated mice still disease-free, marginal effects with TL[siPHOX2A] and moderate effects with TL[siPHOX2B] formulations alone and a significant increased mice survival with an equimolar combination of TL[siRNA] of each gene. The enhanced efficacy of ALK and PHOX2 genes knockdown combination highlights a powerful therapeutic potential.
After pilot transfection studies of SH-SY5Y (F1174L mut ALK) and GI-LI-N (WT ALK) cell lines, TS miRNAs mimics were screened and selected. Cell proliferation was evaluated at different days post-transfection. miR-96, miR-34a and let7b replacement resulted the most effective in inhibiting NB cell growth. Liposomal preparation of miRNA-NC and the above mimics for in vivo studies was tuned up according to the number of negative charges of the stem-loop sequence with an entrapment efficiency of 80-90%. Currently, an ongoing in vivo trial indicates promising results after replacement of miR-34a and let7b.
We believe that the use of tumor-targeted biocompatible carriers of RNAi molecules able to replace loss-of-functions and to knockdown gain-of-functions in cancer cells at the same time is likely to represent an innovative modality for a more effective gene therapy.
Citation Format: Patrizia Perri, Daniela Di Paolo, Leslie Priddy, Annarita Di Fiore, Chiara Brignole, Fabio Pastorino, David Brown, Mirco Ponzoni. MicroRNA replacement and RNAi-mediated silencing of ALK as combined targeted therapies for neuroblastoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1453. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1453
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Bartolini A, Loi M, Paolo DD, Emionite L, Sacchi A, Curnis F, Bottoni G, Massollo M, Gagliani C, Bruno S, Gori A, Longhi R, Cilli M, Tacchetti C, Corti A, Sambuceti G, Ponzoni M, Marchiò S, Pastorino F. Abstract 1778: Characterization and anti-tumor functionality of a neuroblastoma-specific peptide, either free or conjugated to nanocarriers. Cancer Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2014-1778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction. The identification of peptide ligands specific for solid tumors is expected to provide targeting moieties to improve delivery and to decrease toxicity of chemotherapy. We have recently identified the peptide HSYWLRS as a specific ligand for neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood tumor mostly refractory to current therapies.
Experimental procedures. The capability of peptide HSYWLRS to recognize NB cells was evaluated by coupling Qdot fluorescent nanoparticles with HSYWLRS or its scrambled version (SCR). NB cell association and internalization of HSYWLRS-targeted liposomes were tested by FACS and confocal microscopy studies. We further evaluated a potential role of this peptide in perturbing tumor-stroma interactions and tumor growth. NB cell lines stably transfected with eGFP were mixed with endothelial cells in the presence of either SCR or HSYWLRS peptides. Cell morphology and reciprocal cellular interactions were evaluated by optical and fluorescence microscopy. We finally performed therapeutic experiments with mice orthotopically injected with luc-trasfected NB cells and treated with HSYWLRS-targeted, doxorubicin-loaded liposomes (HSYWLRS-SL[DXR]). Anti-tumor efficacy was evaluated by BLI imaging. In vivo imaging was also performed by injecting mice with a bolus of fluorodeoxyglucose during a list mode acquisition lasting one hour using a dedicated micro-PET system. After framing rate optimization, tumor glucose consumption was measured using Patlak graphical approach and normalizing the slope of regression line for serum glucose level.
Results. FACS analysis showed that HSYWLRS-Qdot and SCR-Qdot bound NB cells in a dose-dependent manner, however with different intensity, being HSYWLRS-Qdot the more potent. The binding of HSYWLRS-Qdot was efficiently inhibited by an excess of HSYWLRS, but not by control SCR peptide. In contrast, the binding of SCR-Qdot was not inhibited neither by an excess of SCR nor by HSYWLRS peptide, suggesting that the binding of SCR-Qdot is not specific. Again, the specific peptide-driven binding of HSYWLRS-SL to NB cells was inhibited by an excess of HSYWLRS peptide. In all cases, HSYWLRS specifically altered in vitro the interactions of NB cells with endothelium. Similarly, this peptide statistically decreased tumor take and growth when co-injected with tumor cells in the adrenal gland of nude mice.
Preliminary in vivo results obtained by BLI and micro-PET devises indicated that HSYWLRS-SL[DXR] decrease tumor growth through a reduction of tumor glucose consumption, leading to an enhanced life span in treated mice.
Conclusion. Our findings demonstrate that HSYWLRS peptide recognizes NB cells and is functional in the design of nanocarriers with therapeutic efficacy paving the way to its clinical development.
Citation Format: Alice Bartolini, Monica Loi, Daniela Di Paolo, Laura Emionite, Angelina Sacchi, Flavio Curnis, Gianluca Bottoni, Michela Massollo, Cristina Gagliani, Silvia Bruno, Alessandro Gori, Renato Longhi, Michele Cilli, Carlo Tacchetti, Angelo Corti, Gianmario Sambuceti, Mirco Ponzoni, Serena Marchiò, Fabio Pastorino. Characterization and anti-tumor functionality of a neuroblastoma-specific peptide, either free or conjugated to nanocarriers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1778. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1778
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Bartolini
- 1Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Institute for Cancer Research, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Monica Loi
- 2Experimental Therapy Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela D. Paolo
- 2Experimental Therapy Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Emionite
- 3Animal Facility, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino–IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Angelina Sacchi
- 4Division of Molecular Oncology San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Flavio Curnis
- 4Division of Molecular Oncology San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Bottoni
- 5Nuclear Medicine Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino–IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michela Massollo
- 5Nuclear Medicine Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino–IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Cristina Gagliani
- 6Department of Experimental Medicine University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Bruno
- 6Department of Experimental Medicine University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gori
- 7Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, Milan, Italy
| | - Renato Longhi
- 7Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Cilli
- 3Animal Facility, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino–IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carlo Tacchetti
- 8Department of Experimental Medicine University of Genoa; Experimental Imaging Center, Scientific Institute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Corti
- 4Division of Molecular Oncology San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianmario Sambuceti
- 5Nuclear Medicine Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino–IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- 2Experimental Therapy Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Serena Marchiò
- 1Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Institute for Cancer Research, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- 2Experimental Therapy Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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Paolo DD, Emionite L, Liu G, Cilli M, Fiore AD, Brignole C, Liang C, Pastorino F, Gibbons J, Ponzoni M, Perri P. Abstract 2622: New therapeutic strategies in neuroblastoma: combined targeting of a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor and liposomal siRNAs against ALK. Cancer Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2014-2622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), a tyrosine kinase receptor involved in the genesis of several human cancers, is a promising therapeutic target in Neuroblastoma (NB). Many studies on sporadic cases with advanced NB have shown ALK mutated or highly expressed independently of its genetic status (mutated, amplified, wild-type) and its pivotal role in NB growth and survival. As ALK is currently considered a master driver of NB oncogenesis, the use of therapies inhibiting ALK represents a suitable treatment option.
The ALK inhibitor Crizotinib was recently approved for the treatment of advanced NSCLC patient. However, as often observed with kinase inhibitors, some patients develop acquired resistance in part due to genetic ALK mutations. To overcome this limitation a selective and more potent ALK inhibitor, X-396, was developed that is currently in phase I clinical trial in adult patients with advanced solid tumors, but it has not been tested in preclinical animal models of NB.
We have successfully employed a RNAi-mediated therapeutic approach to selectively knockdown ALK expression by using nanoliposomes entrapping siRNA and coupled with anti-GD2 antibodies to target NB cells. Our data demonstrate for the first time a role of ALK in NB-induced angiogenesis and in tumor invasion.
Here, we aimed to test whether the combination of the novel ALK kinase inhibitor X-396 with the liposome-based silencing of ALK could represent a powerful synergistic and or additive effect in NB xenografts to promote long-term survival.
In vitro, X-396 showed to be more effective than Crizotinib in inhibiting cell proliferation and in inducing cell death in both LAN-5 (R1275Q ALK mut, Crizotinib-sensitive) and SH-SY5Y (F1174L ALK mut, Crizotinib-resistant) cells.
Pharmacokinetic profiles of X-396 after multiple PO administration in NB-xenografts revealed a good bioavailability and a moderate half-life. Biodistribution study clearly indicated that the concentration of X-396 8h post-administration was 35 fold higher in the tumor site than in plasma. X-396 reduced the tumor volume in subcutaneous SH-SY5Y NB-model in a dose-dependent manner and it was more effective than Crizotinib when administered at the same concentration. In orthotopic xenografts of SH-SY5Y and LAN-5 cells, X-396 significantly increased life span. In combination studies, all effects were significantly improved in the mice treated with targeted liposomal formulation of ALK-siRNA and X-396 compared to untreated control mice or mice receiving the single agent treatments. In the latter studies, further enhancement of life span was obtained by increasing the X-396 dose. Moreover, the combined treatment was also proven to be effective in the SH-SY5Y-pseudometastatic model in determining long-term survivors. Our findings provide a rational basis to design innovative molecular-based combination of treatments for clinical application in NB.
Citation Format: Daniela Di Paolo, Laura Emionite, George Liu, Michele Cilli, Annarita Di Fiore, Chiara Brignole, Chris Liang, Fabio Pastorino, Jay Gibbons, Mirco Ponzoni, Patrizia Perri. New therapeutic strategies in neuroblastoma: combined targeting of a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor and liposomal siRNAs against ALK. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2622. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2622
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - George Liu
- 3Sundia MediTech Company, Ltd., Shanghai, China
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Loi M, Becherini P, Emionite L, Giacomini A, Cossu I, Destefanis E, Brignole C, Di Paolo D, Piaggio F, Perri P, Cilli M, Pastorino F, Ponzoni M. sTRAIL coupled to liposomes improves its pharmacokinetic profile and overcomes neuroblastoma tumour resistance in combination with Bortezomib. J Control Release 2014; 192:157-66. [PMID: 25041999 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Revised: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), the most common and deadly extracranial solid tumour of childhood, represents a challenging in paediatric oncology. Soluble tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (sTRAIL) is a cancer cell-specific molecule exerting remarkable anti-tumour activities against paediatric malignancies both in vitro and in preclinical settings. However, due to its too fast elimination and to the undesired related side effects, the improvement of sTRAIL in vivo bioavailability and the specific delivery to the tumour is mandatory for increasing its therapeutic efficacy. In this manuscript, we developed an innovative pegylated liposomal formulation carrying the sTRAIL at the outer surface (sTRAIL-SL) with the intent to improve its serum half-life and increase its efficacy in vivo, while reducing side effects. Furthermore, the possibility to combine sTRAIL-SL with the proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib (BTZ) was investigated, being BTZ able to sensitize tumour cells toward TRAIL-induced apoptosis. We demonstrated that sTRAIL preserved and improved its anti-tumour activity when coupled to nanocarriers. Moreover, sTRAIL-SL ameliorated its PK profile in blood allowing sTRAIL to exert a more potent anti-tumour activity, which led, upon BTZ priming, to a statistically significant enhanced life spans in two models of sTRAIL-resistant NB-bearing mice. Finally, mechanistic studies indicated that the combination of sTRAIL with BTZ sensitized sTRAIL-resistant NB tumour cells to sTRAIL-induced cell death, both in vitro and in vivo, through the Akt/GSK3/β-catenin axis-dependent mechanism. In conclusion, our results suggest that sTRAIL-SL might be an efficient vehicle for sTRAIL delivery and that its use in clinic, in combination with BTZ, might represent an adjuvant strategy for the treatment of stage IV, sTRAIL-resistant, NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Loi
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova 16148, Italy
| | - P Becherini
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova 16148, Italy
| | - L Emionite
- Animal Facility, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - A Giacomini
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Italy
| | - I Cossu
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova 16148, Italy
| | - E Destefanis
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova 16148, Italy
| | - C Brignole
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova 16148, Italy
| | - D Di Paolo
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova 16148, Italy
| | - F Piaggio
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova 16148, Italy
| | - P Perri
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova 16148, Italy
| | - M Cilli
- Animal Facility, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - F Pastorino
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova 16148, Italy.
| | - M Ponzoni
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova 16148, Italy.
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Carotenuto M, Pedone E, Diana D, de Antonellis P, Džeroski S, Marino N, Navas L, Di Dato V, Scoppettuolo MN, Cimmino F, Correale S, Pirone L, Monti SM, Bruder E, Zenko B, Slavkov I, Pastorino F, Ponzoni M, Schulte JH, Schramm A, Eggert A, Westermann F, Arrigoni G, Accordi B, Basso G, Saviano M, Fattorusso R, Zollo M. Neuroblastoma tumorigenesis is regulated through the Nm23-H1/h-Prune C-terminal interaction. Sci Rep 2013; 3:1351. [PMID: 23448979 PMCID: PMC3584926 DOI: 10.1038/srep01351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2012] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nm23-H1 is one of the most interesting candidate genes for a relevant role in Neuroblastoma pathogenesis. H-Prune is the most characterized Nm23-H1 binding partner, and its overexpression has been shown in different human cancers. Our study focuses on the role of the Nm23-H1/h-Prune protein complex in Neuroblastoma. Using NMR spectroscopy, we performed a conformational analysis of the h-Prune C-terminal to identify the amino acids involved in the interaction with Nm23-H1. We developed a competitive permeable peptide (CPP) to impair the formation of the Nm23-H1/h-Prune complex and demonstrated that CPP causes impairment of cell motility, substantial impairment of tumor growth and metastases formation. Meta-analysis performed on three Neuroblastoma cohorts showed Nm23-H1 as the gene highly associated to Neuroblastoma aggressiveness. We also identified two other proteins (PTPRA and TRIM22) with expression levels significantly affected by CPP. These data suggest a new avenue for potential clinical application of CPP in Neuroblastoma treatment.
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Pastorino F, Brignole C, Loi M, Di Paolo D, Di Fiore A, Perri P, Pagnan G, Ponzoni M. Nanocarrier-mediated targeting of tumor and tumor vascular cells improves uptake and penetration of drugs into neuroblastoma. Front Oncol 2013; 3:190. [PMID: 23936762 PMCID: PMC3733002 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children, accounting for about 8% of childhood cancers. Despite aggressive treatment, patients suffering from high-risk NB have very poor 5-year overall survival rate, due to relapsed and/or treatment-resistant tumors. A further increase in therapeutic dose intensity is not feasible, because it will lead to prohibitive short-term and long-term toxicities. New approaches with targeted therapies may improve efficacy and decrease toxicity. The use of drug delivery systems allows site specific delivery of higher payload of active agents associated with lower systemic toxicity compared to the use of conventional (“free”) drugs. The possibility of imparting selectivity to the carriers to the cancer foci through the use of a targeting moiety (e.g., a peptide or an antibody) further enhances drug efficacy and safety. We have recently developed two strategies for increasing local concentration of anti-cancer agents, such as CpG-containing oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, and chemotherapeutics in NB. For doing that, we have used the monoclonal antibody anti-disialoganglioside (GD2), able to specifically recognize the NB tumor and the peptides containing NGR and CPRECES motifs, that selectively bind to the aminopeptidase N-expressing endothelial and the aminopeptidase A-expressing perivascular tumor cells, respectively. The review will focus on the use of tumor- and tumor vasculature-targeted nanocarriers to improve tumor targeting, uptake, and penetration of drugs in preclinical models of human NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Pastorino
- Experimental Therapy Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini , Genoa , Italy
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Loi M, Di Paolo D, Soster M, Brignole C, Bartolini A, Emionite L, Sun J, Becherini P, Curnis F, Petretto A, Sani M, Gori A, Milanese M, Gambini C, Longhi R, Cilli M, Allen TM, Bussolino F, Arap W, Pasqualini R, Corti A, Ponzoni M, Marchiò S, Pastorino F. Novel phage display-derived neuroblastoma-targeting peptides potentiate the effect of drug nanocarriers in preclinical settings. J Control Release 2013; 170:233-41. [PMID: 23714122 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2013.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2012] [Revised: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Molecular targeting of drug delivery nanocarriers is expected to improve their therapeutic index while decreasing their toxicity. Here we report the identification and characterization of novel peptide ligands specific for cells present in high-risk neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood tumor mostly refractory to current therapies. To isolate such targeting moieties, we performed combined in vitro/ex-vivo phage display screenings on NB cell lines and on tumors derived from orthotopic mouse models of human NB. By designing proper subtractive protocols, we identified phage clones specific either for the primary tumor, its metastases, or for their respective stromal components. Globally, we isolated 121 phage-displayed NB-binding peptides: 26 bound the primary tumor, 15 the metastatic mass, 57 and 23 their respective microenvironments. Of these, five phage clones were further validated for their specific binding ex-vivo to biopsies from stage IV NB patients and to NB tumors derived from mice. All five clones also targeted tumor cells and vasculature in vivo when injected into NB-bearing mice. Coupling of the corresponding targeting peptides with doxorubicin-loaded liposomes led to a significant inhibition in tumor volume and enhanced survival in preclinical NB models, thereby paving the way to their clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Loi
- Experimental Therapy Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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Loi M, Di Paolo D, Soster M, Brignole C, Bartolini A, Emionite L, Sun J, Becherini P, Curnis F, Petretto A, Sani M, Gori A, Gambini C, Longhi R, Cilli M, Allen TM, Bussolino F, Arap W, Pasqualini R, Corti A, Ponzoni M, Marchiò S, Pastorino F. Abstract 5620: Novel phage display-derived neuroblastoma-targeting peptides potentiate the effect of drug nanocarriers in preclinical settings. Cancer Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2013-5620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose: Molecular targeting of drug delivery nanocarriers is expected to improve their therapeutic index while decreasing their toxicity. The identification of novel peptide ligands specific for cells present in high-risk neuroblastoma, a childhood tumor mostly refractory to current therapies, is needed.
Experimental design: We performed combined in vitro/ex-vivo phage display screenings on human neuroblastoma cell lines and on tumors derived from orthotopic mouse models of human neuroblastoma. Binding validation and homing in vivo of selected phage clones were tested by immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescent analyses. Cell association experiments in vitro with the corresponding synthetic biotin-labeled peptides were performed. In vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo tumor accumulation and therapeutic experiments were performed using peptide-targeted, doxorubicin-loaded, nanocarriers.
Results: By designing proper subtractive protocols, we identified phage clones specific either for the primary tumor, its metastases, or for the stromal components. Globally, we isolated 121 phage-displayed neuroblastoma-binding peptides; of these, 26 bound the primary tumor, 15 the metastatic mass, 57 and 23 their respective microenvironments. Of these, five phage clones were further validated for their specific binding ex-vivo to biopsies from stage IV neuroblastoma patients and to neuroblastoma tumors derived from mice. All five clones also targeted tumor cells and vasculature in vivo when injected into neuroblastoma-bearing mice. Coupling of the corresponding targeting peptides with doxorubicin-loaded nanocarriers led to a significant inhibition in tumor volume and enhanced survival in preclinical neuroblastoma models.
Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that novel ligands of neuroblastoma-associated markers are functional in the design of nanocarriers with therapeutic efficacy paving the way to their clinical development.
Citation Format: Monica Loi, Daniela Di Paolo, Marco Soster, Chiara Brignole, Alice Bartolini, Laura Emionite, Jessica Sun, Pamela Becherini, Flavio Curnis, Andrea Petretto, Monica Sani, Alessandro Gori, Claudio Gambini, Renato Longhi, Michele Cilli, Theresa M. Allen, Federico Bussolino, Wadih Arap, Renata Pasqualini, Angelo Corti, Mirco Ponzoni, Serena Marchiò, Fabio Pastorino. Novel phage display-derived neuroblastoma-targeting peptides potentiate the effect of drug nanocarriers in preclinical settings. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5620. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5620
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Loi
- 1Istituto G. Gaslini Experimental Therapy Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Di Paolo
- 1Istituto G. Gaslini Experimental Therapy Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Soster
- 2University of Torino and Institute for Cancer Research @ Candiolo (IRCC), Torino, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- 1Istituto G. Gaslini Experimental Therapy Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alice Bartolini
- 2University of Torino and Institute for Cancer Research @ Candiolo (IRCC), Torino, Italy
| | - Laura Emionite
- 3Animal Facility, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino–IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy, Genoa, Italy
| | - Jessica Sun
- 4The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Pamela Becherini
- 1Istituto G. Gaslini Experimental Therapy Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, Genoa, Italy
| | - Flavio Curnis
- 5Department of Molecular Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Petretto
- 6Istituto G. Gaslini Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Genoa, Italy
| | - Monica Sani
- 7Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gori
- 7Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Renato Longhi
- 7Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Cilli
- 3Animal Facility, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino–IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy, Genoa, Italy
| | - Theresa M. Allen
- 9Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Federico Bussolino
- 2University of Torino and Institute for Cancer Research @ Candiolo (IRCC), Torino, Italy
| | - Wadih Arap
- 4The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | - Angelo Corti
- 5Department of Molecular Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- 1Istituto G. Gaslini Experimental Therapy Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, Genoa, Italy
| | - Serena Marchiò
- 2University of Torino and Institute for Cancer Research @ Candiolo (IRCC), Torino, Italy
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- 1Istituto G. Gaslini Experimental Therapy Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, Genoa, Italy
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Cantilena S, Pastorino F, Pezzolo A, Chayka O, Pistoia V, Ponzoni M, Sala A. Frizzled receptor 6 marks rare, highly tumourigenic stem-like cells in mouse and human neuroblastomas. Oncotarget 2012; 2:976-83. [PMID: 22249030 PMCID: PMC3282103 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signalling is an important component of vertebrate development, required for specification of the neural crest. Ten Wnt receptors [Frizzled receptor 1-10 (Fzd1-10)] have been identified so far, some of which are expressed in the developing nervous system and the neural crest. Here we show that expression of one such receptors, Fzd6, predicts poor survival in neuroblastoma patients and marks rare, HIF1/2 α-positive cells in tumour hypoxic areas. Fzd6 positive neuroblastoma cells form neurospheres with high efficiency, are resistant to doxorubicin killing and express high levels of mesenchymal markers such as Twist1 and Notch1. Expression of Fzd6 is required for the expression of genes of the non-canonical Wnt pathway and the spheres forming activity. When transplanted into immunodeficient mice, neuroblastoma cells expressing the Fzd6 marker grow more aggressively than their Fzd6 negative counterparts. We conclude that Fzd6 is a new surface marker of aggressive neuroblastoma cells with stem cell-like features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Cantilena
- Molecular Haematology and Cancer Biology Unit, UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford st London WC1N 1EH London UK
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