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Rao S, Verrill C, Cerundolo L, Alham NK, Kaya Z, O'Hanlon M, Hayes A, Lambert A, James M, Tullis IDC, Niederer J, Lovell S, Omer A, Lopez F, Leslie T, Buffa F, Bryant RJ, Lamb AD, Vojnovic B, Wedge DC, Mills IG, Woodcock DJ, Tomlinson I, Hamdy FC. Intra-prostatic tumour evolution, steps in metastatic spread and histogenomic associations revealed by integration of multi-region whole-genome sequencing with histopathological features. Genome Med 2024; 16:35. [PMID: 38374116 PMCID: PMC10877771 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01302-x] [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: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extension of prostate cancer beyond the primary site by local invasion or nodal metastasis is associated with poor prognosis. Despite significant research on tumour evolution in prostate cancer metastasis, the emergence and evolution of cancer clones at this early stage of expansion and spread are poorly understood. We aimed to delineate the routes of evolution and cancer spread within the prostate and to seminal vesicles and lymph nodes, linking these to histological features that are used in diagnostic risk stratification. METHODS We performed whole-genome sequencing on 42 prostate cancer samples from the prostate, seminal vesicles and lymph nodes of five treatment-naive patients with locally advanced disease. We spatially mapped the clonal composition of cancer across the prostate and the routes of spread of cancer cells within the prostate and to seminal vesicles and lymph nodes in each individual by analysing a total of > 19,000 copy number corrected single nucleotide variants. RESULTS In each patient, we identified sample locations corresponding to the earliest part of the malignancy. In patient 10, we mapped the spread of cancer from the apex of the prostate to the seminal vesicles and identified specific genomic changes associated with the transformation of adenocarcinoma to amphicrine morphology during this spread. Furthermore, we show that the lymph node metastases in this patient arose from specific cancer clones found at the base of the prostate and the seminal vesicles. In patient 15, we observed increased mutational burden, altered mutational signatures and histological changes associated with whole genome duplication. In all patients in whom histological heterogeneity was observed (4/5), we found that the distinct morphologies were located on separate branches of their respective evolutionary trees. CONCLUSIONS Our results link histological transformation with specific genomic alterations and phylogenetic branching. These findings have implications for diagnosis and risk stratification, in addition to providing a rationale for further studies to characterise the genetic changes causally linked to morphological transformation. Our study demonstrates the value of integrating multi-region sequencing with histopathological data to understand tumour evolution and identify mechanisms of prostate cancer spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasa Rao
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Botnar Research Centre, Windmill Road, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK.
| | - Clare Verrill
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lucia Cerundolo
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Zeynep Kaya
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Miriam O'Hanlon
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alicia Hayes
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Adam Lambert
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Martha James
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Jane Niederer
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Shelagh Lovell
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Altan Omer
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Francisco Lopez
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tom Leslie
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Richard J Bryant
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alastair D Lamb
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Boris Vojnovic
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David C Wedge
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Ian G Mills
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Dan J Woodcock
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ian Tomlinson
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Freddie C Hamdy
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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2
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Ruan JL, Lee C, Wouters S, Tullis IDC, Verslegers M, Mysara M, Then CK, Smart SC, Hill MA, Muschel RJ, Giaccia AJ, Vojnovic B, Kiltie AE, Petersson K. Irradiation at Ultra-High (FLASH) Dose Rates Reduces Acute Normal Tissue Toxicity in the Mouse Gastrointestinal System. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021; 111:1250-1261. [PMID: 34400268 PMCID: PMC7612009 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Preclinical studies using ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) irradiation have demonstrated reduced normal tissue toxicity compared with conventional dose rate (CONV) irradiation, although this finding is not universal. We investigated the effect of temporal pulse structure and average dose rate of FLASH compared with CONV irradiation on acute intestinal toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Whole abdomens of C3H mice were irradiated with a single fraction to various doses, using a 6 MeV electron linear accelerator with single pulse FLASH (dose rate = 2-6 × 106 Gy/s) or conventional (CONV; 0.25 Gy/s) irradiation. At 3.75 days postirradiation, fresh feces were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing to assess changes in the gut microbiota. A Swiss roll-based crypt assay was used to quantify acute damage to the intestinal crypts to determine how tissue toxicity was affected by the different temporal pulse structures of FLASH delivery. RESULTS We found statistically significant improvements in crypt survival for mice irradiated with FLASH at doses between 7.5 and 12.5 Gy, with a dose modifying factor of 1.1 for FLASH (7.5 Gy, P < .01; 10 Gy, P < .05; 12.5 Gy, P < .01). This sparing effect was lost when the delivery time was increased, either by increasing the number of irradiation pulses or by prolonging the time between 2 successive pulses. Sparing was observed for average dose rates of ≥280 Gy/s. Fecal microbiome analysis showed that FLASH irradiation caused fewer changes to the microbiota than CONV irradiation. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that FLASH irradiation can spare mouse small intestinal crypts and reduce changes in gut microbiome composition compared with CONV irradiation. The higher the average dose rate, the larger the FLASH effect, which is also influenced by temporal pulse structure of the delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ling Ruan
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Carl Lee
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Shari Wouters
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences Group, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium; Molecular Pathology Group, Cell Biology and Histology and Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, Campus Drie Eiken, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Iain D C Tullis
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mieke Verslegers
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences Group, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Mohamed Mysara
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences Group, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Chee Kin Then
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sean C Smart
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A Hill
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth J Muschel
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Amato J Giaccia
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Borivoj Vojnovic
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anne E Kiltie
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kristoffer Petersson
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom; Radiation Physics, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
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Sjoberg HT, Philippou Y, Magnussen AL, Tullis IDC, Bridges E, Chatrian A, Lefebvre J, Tam KH, Murphy EA, Rittscher J, Preise D, Agemy L, Yechezkel T, Smart SC, Kinchesh P, Gilchrist S, Allen DP, Scheiblin DA, Lockett SJ, Wink DA, Lamb AD, Mills IG, Harris A, Muschel RJ, Vojnovic B, Scherz A, Hamdy FC, Bryant RJ. Tumour irradiation combined with vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy enhances antitumour effects in pre-clinical prostate cancer. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:534-546. [PMID: 34155340 PMCID: PMC8367986 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01450-6] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a need to improve the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) and reduce treatment side effects. Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP) is a focal therapy for low-risk low-volume localised PCa, which rapidly disrupts targeted tumour vessels. There is interest in expanding the use of VTP to higher-risk disease. Tumour vasculature is characterised by vessel immaturity, increased permeability, aberrant branching and inefficient flow. FRT alters the tumour microenvironment and promotes transient 'vascular normalisation'. We hypothesised that multimodality therapy combining fractionated radiotherapy (FRT) and VTP could improve PCa tumour control compared against monotherapy with FRT or VTP. METHODS We investigated whether sequential delivery of FRT followed by VTP 7 days later improves flank TRAMP-C1 PCa tumour allograft control compared to monotherapy with FRT or VTP. RESULTS FRT induced 'vascular normalisation' changes in PCa flank tumour allografts, improving vascular function as demonstrated using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. FRT followed by VTP significantly delayed tumour growth in flank PCa allograft pre-clinical models, compared with monotherapy with FRT or VTP, and improved overall survival. CONCLUSION Combining FRT and VTP may be a promising multimodal approach in PCa therapy. This provides proof-of-concept for this multimodality treatment to inform early phase clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna T Sjoberg
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Anette L Magnussen
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Esther Bridges
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrea Chatrian
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Joel Lefebvre
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ka Ho Tam
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Emma A Murphy
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jens Rittscher
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Target Discovery Institute, NDM Research Building, University of Oxford, Headington, UK
| | - Dina Preise
- Department of Core Facilities, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Lilach Agemy
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tamar Yechezkel
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sean C Smart
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul Kinchesh
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Danny P Allen
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David A Scheiblin
- Optical Microscopy and Analysis Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc. for the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Stephen J Lockett
- Optical Microscopy and Analysis Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc. for the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - David A Wink
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Centre for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Alastair D Lamb
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ian G Mills
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Adrian Harris
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ruth J Muschel
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Boris Vojnovic
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Avigdor Scherz
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Freddie C Hamdy
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard J Bryant
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Berne A, Petersson K, Tullis IDC, Newman RG, Vojnovic B. Monitoring electron energies during FLASH irradiations. Phys Med Biol 2021; 66:045015. [PMID: 33361551 PMCID: PMC8208618 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/abd672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
When relativistic electrons are used to irradiate tissues, such as during FLASH pre-clinical irradiations, the electron beam energy is one of the critical parameters that determine the dose distribution. Moreover, during such irradiations, linear accelerators (linacs) usually operate with significant beam loading, where a small change in the accelerator output current can lead to beam energy reduction. Optimisation of the tuning of the accelerator's radio frequency system is often required. We describe here a robust, easy-to-use device for non-interceptive monitoring of potential variations in the electron beam energy during every linac macro-pulse of an irradiation run. Our approach monitors the accelerated electron fringe beam using two unbiased aluminium annular charge collection plates, positioned in the beam path and with apertures (5 cm in diameter) for the central beam. These plates are complemented by two thin annular screening plates to eliminate crosstalk and equalise the capacitances of the charge collection plates. The ratio of the charge picked up on the downstream collection plate to the sum of charges picked up on the both plates is sensitive to the beam energy and to changes in the energy spectrum shape. The energy sensitivity range is optimised to the investigated beam by the choice of thickness of the first plate. We present simulation and measurement data using electrons generated by a nominal 6 MeV energy linac as well as information on the design, the practical implementation and the use of this monitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Berne
- Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Kristoffer Petersson
- Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
- Radiation Physics, Department of Haematology, Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Iain D C Tullis
- Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Robert G Newman
- Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Borivoj Vojnovic
- Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
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Barber PR, Weitsman G, Lawler K, Barrett JE, Rowley M, Rodriguez-Justo M, Fisher D, Gao F, Tullis IDC, Deng J, Brown L, Kaplan R, Hochhauser D, Adams R, Maughan TS, Vojnovic B, Coolen ACC, Ng T. HER2-HER3 Heterodimer Quantification by FRET-FLIM and Patient Subclass Analysis of the COIN Colorectal Trial. J Natl Cancer Inst 2020; 112:944-954. [PMID: 31851321 PMCID: PMC7492762 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djz231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The phase III MRC COIN trial showed no statistically significant benefit from adding the EGFR-target cetuximab to oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in first-line treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. This study exploits additional information on HER2-HER3 dimerization to achieve patient stratification and reveal previously hidden subgroups of patients who had differing disease progression and treatment response. METHODS HER2-HER3 dimerization was quantified by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy in primary tumor samples from 550 COIN trial patients receiving oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy with or without cetuximab. Bayesian latent class analysis and covariate reduction was performed to analyze the effects of HER2-HER3 dimer, RAS mutation, and cetuximab on progression-free survival and overall survival (OS). All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Latent class analysis on a cohort of 398 patients revealed two patient subclasses with differing prognoses (median OS = 1624 days [95% confidence interval [CI] = 1466 to 1816 days] vs 461 days [95% CI = 431 to 504 days]): Class 1 (15.6%) showed a benefit from cetuximab in OS (hazard ratio = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.25 to 0.76, P = .004). Class 2 showed an association of increased HER2-HER3 with better OS (hazard ratio = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.44 to 0.94, P = .02). A class prediction signature was formed and tested on an independent validation cohort (n = 152) validating the prognostic utility of the dimer assay. Similar subclasses were also discovered in full trial dataset (n = 1630) based on 10 baseline clinicopathological and genetic covariates. CONCLUSIONS Our work suggests that the combined use of HER dimer imaging and conventional mutation analyses will be able to identify a small subclass of patients (>10%) who will have better prognosis following chemotherapy. A larger prospective cohort will be required to confirm its utility in predicting the outcome of anti-EGFR treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Barber
- UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O’Gorman Building, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gregory Weitsman
- Richard Dimbleby Laboratory of Cancer Research, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Katherine Lawler
- Richard Dimbleby Laboratory of Cancer Research, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- Institute for Mathematical and Molecular Biomedicine, King’s College London, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, UK
| | - James E Barrett
- Richard Dimbleby Laboratory of Cancer Research, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Mark Rowley
- Institute for Mathematical and Molecular Biomedicine, King’s College London, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, UK
- Saddle Point Science Ltd, London, UK
| | | | - David Fisher
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Institute of Clinical Trials & Methodology, London, UK
| | - Fangfei Gao
- UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O’Gorman Building, University College London, London, UK
| | - Iain D C Tullis
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jinhai Deng
- Richard Dimbleby Laboratory of Cancer Research, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Louise Brown
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Institute of Clinical Trials & Methodology, London, UK
| | - Richard Kaplan
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Institute of Clinical Trials & Methodology, London, UK
| | - Daniel Hochhauser
- UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O’Gorman Building, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Timothy S. Maughan
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Borivoj Vojnovic
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anthony C C Coolen
- Institute for Mathematical and Molecular Biomedicine, King’s College London, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, UK
- Saddle Point Science Ltd, London, UK
| | - Tony Ng
- UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O’Gorman Building, University College London, London, UK
- Richard Dimbleby Laboratory of Cancer Research, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Department of Research Oncology, Guy’s Hospital King’s College London, London, UK
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Hill MA, Thompson JM, Kavanagh A, Tullis IDC, Newman RG, Prentice J, Beech J, Gilchrist S, Smart S, Fokas E, Vojnovic B. The Development of Technology for Effective Respiratory-Gated Irradiation Using an Image-Guided Small Animal Irradiator. Radiat Res 2017; 188:247-263. [PMID: 28715250 DOI: 10.1667/rr14753.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The development of image-guided small animal irradiators represents a significant improvement over standard irradiators by enabling preclinical studies to mimic radiotherapy in humans. The ability to deliver tightly collimated targeted beams, in conjunction with gantry or animal couch rotation, has the potential to maximize tumor dose while sparing normal tissues. However, the current commercial platforms do not incorporate respiratory gating, which is required for accurate and precise targeting in organs subject to respiration related motions that may be up to the order of 5 mm in mice. Therefore, a new treatment head assembly for the Xstrahl Small Animal Radiation Research Platform (SARRP) has been designed. This includes a fast X-ray shutter subsystem, a motorized beam hardening filter assembly, an integrated transmission ionization chamber to monitor beam delivery, a kinematically positioned removable beam collimator and a targeting laser exiting the center of the beam collimator. The X-ray shutter not only minimizes timing errors but also allows beam gating during imaging and treatment, with irradiation only taking place during the breathing cycle when tissue movement is minimal. The breathing related movement is monitored by measuring, using a synchronous detector/lock-in amplifier that processes diffuse reflectance light from a modulated light source. After thresholding of the resulting signal, delays are added around the inhalation/exhalation phases, enabling the "no movement" period to be isolated and to open the X-ray shutter. Irradiation can either be performed for a predetermined time of X-ray exposure, or through integration of a current from the transmission monitor ionization chamber (corrected locally for air density variations). The ability to successfully deliver respiratory-gated X-ray irradiations has been demonstrated by comparing movies obtained using planar X-ray imaging with and without respiratory gating, in addition to comparing dose profiles observed from a collimated beam on EBT3 radiochromic film mounted on the animal's chest. Altogether, the development of respiratory-gated irradiation facilitates improved dose delivery during animal movement and constitutes an important new tool for preclinical radiation studies. This approach is particularly well suited for irradiation of orthotopic tumors or other targets within the chest and abdomen where breathing related movement is significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Hill
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Gray Laboratories, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - J M Thompson
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Gray Laboratories, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - A Kavanagh
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Gray Laboratories, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - I D C Tullis
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Gray Laboratories, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - R G Newman
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Gray Laboratories, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - J Prentice
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Gray Laboratories, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - J Beech
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Gray Laboratories, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - S Gilchrist
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Gray Laboratories, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - S Smart
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Gray Laboratories, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - E Fokas
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Gray Laboratories, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - B Vojnovic
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Gray Laboratories, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
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Volpi D, Tullis IDC, Barber PR, Augustyniak EM, Smart SC, Vallis KA, Vojnovic B. Electrically tunable fluidic lens imaging system for laparoscopic fluorescence-guided surgery. Biomed Opt Express 2017; 8:3232-3247. [PMID: 28717564 PMCID: PMC5508825 DOI: 10.1364/boe.8.003232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The addition of fluorescence guidance in laparoscopic procedures has gained significant interest in recent years, particularly through the use of near infrared (NIR) markers. In this work we present a novel laparoscope camera coupler based on an electrically tunable fluidic lens that permits programmable focus control and has desirable achromatic performance from the visible to the NIR. Its use extends the lower working distance limit and improves detection sensitivity, important for work with molecularly targeted fluorescence markers. We demonstrate its superior optical performance in laparoscopic fluorescence-guided surgery. In vivo results using a tumor specific molecular probe and a nonspecific NIR dye are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Volpi
- CR-UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Iain D. C. Tullis
- CR-UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Paul R. Barber
- CR-UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Edyta M. Augustyniak
- CR-UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Sean C. Smart
- CR-UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Katherine A. Vallis
- CR-UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Borivoj Vojnovic
- CR-UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
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Kersemans V, Beech JS, Gilchrist S, Kinchesh P, Allen PD, Thompson J, Gomes AL, D’Costa Z, Bird L, Tullis IDC, Newman RG, Corroyer-Dulmont A, Falzone N, Azad A, Vallis KA, Sansom OJ, Muschel RJ, Vojnovic B, Hill MA, Fokas E, Smart SC. An efficient and robust MRI-guided radiotherapy planning approach for targeting abdominal organs and tumours in the mouse. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176693. [PMID: 28453537 PMCID: PMC5409175 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preclinical CT-guided radiotherapy platforms are increasingly used but the CT images are characterized by poor soft tissue contrast. The aim of this study was to develop a robust and accurate method of MRI-guided radiotherapy (MR-IGRT) delivery to abdominal targets in the mouse. METHODS A multimodality cradle was developed for providing subject immobilisation and its performance was evaluated. Whilst CT was still used for dose calculations, target identification was based on MRI. Each step of the radiotherapy planning procedure was validated initially in vitro using BANG gel dosimeters. Subsequently, MR-IGRT of normal adrenal glands with a size-matched collimated beam was performed. Additionally, the SK-N-SH neuroblastoma xenograft model and the transgenic KPC model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were used to demonstrate the applicability of our methods for the accurate delivery of radiation to CT-invisible abdominal tumours. RESULTS The BANG gel phantoms demonstrated a targeting efficiency error of 0.56 ± 0.18 mm. The in vivo stability tests of body motion during MR-IGRT and the associated cradle transfer showed that the residual body movements are within this MR-IGRT targeting error. Accurate MR-IGRT of the normal adrenal glands with a size-matched collimated beam was confirmed by γH2AX staining. Regression in tumour volume was observed almost immediately post MR-IGRT in the neuroblastoma model, further demonstrating accuracy of x-ray delivery. Finally, MR-IGRT in the KPC model facilitated precise contouring and comparison of different treatment plans and radiotherapy dose distributions not only to the intra-abdominal tumour but also to the organs at risk. CONCLUSION This is, to our knowledge, the first study to demonstrate preclinical MR-IGRT in intra-abdominal organs. The proposed MR-IGRT method presents a state-of-the-art solution to enabling robust, accurate and efficient targeting of extracranial organs in the mouse and can operate with a sufficiently high throughput to allow fractionated treatments to be given.
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MESH Headings
- Abdomen/diagnostic imaging
- Abdomen/radiation effects
- Abdominal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging
- Abdominal Neoplasms/radiotherapy
- Adrenal Glands/diagnostic imaging
- Adrenal Glands/radiation effects
- Animals
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Humans
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging/instrumentation
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred CBA
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, Nude
- Mice, Transgenic
- Motion
- Multimodal Imaging/instrumentation
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Phantoms, Imaging
- Radiometry/instrumentation
- Radiotherapy Dosage
- Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/instrumentation
- Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods
- Radiotherapy, Image-Guided/instrumentation
- Radiotherapy, Image-Guided/methods
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed/instrumentation
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods
- Tumor Burden
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Affiliation(s)
- Veerle Kersemans
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - John S. Beech
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart Gilchrist
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Kinchesh
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Philip D. Allen
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - James Thompson
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ana L. Gomes
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Zenobia D’Costa
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Luke Bird
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Iain D. C. Tullis
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert G. Newman
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Aurelien Corroyer-Dulmont
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nadia Falzone
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Abul Azad
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine A. Vallis
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Owen J. Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth J. Muschel
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Borivoj Vojnovic
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A. Hill
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Emmanouil Fokas
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, German
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) (Partner Site), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sean C. Smart
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Yeung TM, Volpi D, Tullis IDC, Nicholson GA, Buchs N, Cunningham C, Guy R, Lindsey I, George B, Jones O, Wang LM, Hompes R, Vojnovic B, Hamdy F, Mortensen NJ. Identifying Ureters In Situ Under Fluorescence During Laparoscopic and Open Colorectal Surgery. Ann Surg 2016; 263:e1-2. [PMID: 26672509 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000001513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Trevor M Yeung
- *Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK †Department of Colorectal Surgery, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK ‡Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Oxford, UK §Department of Cellular Pathology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
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10
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Laios A, Volpi D, Tullis IDC, Woodward M, Kennedy S, Pathiraja PNJ, Haldar K, Vojnovic B, Ahmed AA. A prospective pilot study of detection of sentinel lymph nodes in gynaecological cancers using a novel near infrared fluorescence imaging system. BMC Res Notes 2015; 8:608. [PMID: 26502876 PMCID: PMC4621870 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1576-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN) sampling may significantly reduce surgical morbidity by avoiding needless radical lymphadenectomy. In gynaecological cancers, the current practice in the UK is testing the accuracy of SLN detection using radioactive isotopes within the context of clinical trials. However, radioactive tracers pose significant logistic problems. We, therefore, conducted a pilot, observational study to assess the feasibility of a novel optical imaging device for SLN detection in gynaecological cancers using near infrared (NIR) fluorescence. METHODS A novel, custom-made, optical imaging system was developed to enable detection of multiple fluorescence dyes and allow simultaneous bright-field imaging during open surgery and laparoscopic procedures. We then evaluated the performance of the system in a prospective study of 49 women with early stage vulval, cervical and endometrial cancer who were scheduled to undergo complete lymphadenectomy. Clinically approved fluorescent contrast agents indocyanine green (ICG) and methylene blue (MB) were used. The main outcomes of the study included SLN mapping detection rates, false negative rates using the NIR fluorescence technique and safety of the procedures. We also examined the association between injection sites and differential lymphatic drainage in women with endometrial cancer by fluorescence imaging of ICG and MB. RESULTS A total of 64 SLNs were detected during both open surgery and laparoscopy. Following dose optimisation and the learning phase, SLN detection rate approached 100 % for all cancer types with no false negatives detected. Fluorescence from ICG and MB detected para-aortic SLNs in women with endometrial cancer following uterine injection. Percutaneous SLN detection was also achieved in most women with vulval cancer. No adverse reactions associated with the use of either dyes were observed. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the successful clinical application of a novel NIR fluorescence imaging system for SLN detection across different gynaecological cancers. We showcased the first in human imaging, during the same procedure, of two fluorescence dyes in women with endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Laios
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Gynaecological Oncology Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK.
| | - Davide Volpi
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Iain D C Tullis
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Martha Woodward
- Early Phase Research Hub, Department of Oncology, Oxford Cancer and Haematology Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK.
| | - Stephen Kennedy
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Pubudu N J Pathiraja
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Gynaecological Oncology Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK.
| | - Krishnayan Haldar
- Gynaecological Oncology Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK.
| | - Borivoj Vojnovic
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Ahmed A Ahmed
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Gynaecological Oncology Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK.
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, OX37DS, UK.
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11
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Jeynes JCG, Merchant MJ, Barazzuol L, Barry M, Guest D, Palitsin VV, Grime GW, Tullis IDC, Barber PR, Vojnovic B, Kirkby KJ. "Broadbeam" irradiation of mammalian cells using a vertical microbeam facility. Radiat Environ Biophys 2013; 52:513-21. [PMID: 23963461 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-013-0487-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2012] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A "broadbeam" facility is demonstrated for the vertical microbeam at Surrey's Ion Beam Centre, validating the new technique used by Barazzuol et al. (Radiat Res 177:651-662, 2012). Here, droplets with a diameter of about 4 mm of 15,000 mammalian cells in suspension were pipetted onto defined locations on a 42-mm-diameter cell dish with each droplet individually irradiated in "broadbeam" mode with 2 MeV protons and 4 MeV alpha particles and assayed for clonogenicity. This method enables multiple experimental data points to be rapidly collected from the same cell dish. Initially, the Surrey vertical beamline was designed for the targeted irradiation of single cells with single counted ions. Here, the benefits of both targeted single-cell and broadbeam irradiations being available at the same facility are discussed: in particular, high-throughput cell irradiation experiments can be conducted on the same system as time-intensive focused-beam experiments with the added benefits of fluorescent microscopy, cell recognition and time-lapse capabilities. The limitations of the system based on a 2 MV tandem accelerator are also discussed, including the uncertainties associated with particle Poisson counting statistics, spread of linear energy transfer in the nucleus and a timed dose delivery. These uncertainties are calculated with Monte Carlo methods. An analysis of how this uncertainty affects relative biological effect measurements is made and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C G Jeynes
- Ion Beam Centre, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK,
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12
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Waterhouse BR, Gijsen M, Barber PR, Tullis IDC, Vojnovic B, Kong A. Assessment of EGFR/HER2 dimerization by FRET-FLIM utilizing Alexa-conjugated secondary antibodies in relation to targeted therapies in cancers. Oncotarget 2012; 2:728-36. [PMID: 21908901 PMCID: PMC3248220 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [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
The expression level of the HER family is unreliable as a predictive marker for targeted therapies in cancer. Thus, there is a need to develop other biomarkers, which can be used to accurately select responsive patients for targeted therapies. The HER dimerization status may be more important than HER receptor expression per se in determining sensitivity or resistance to a given therapeutic agent. The aim of the study is to develop a FRET assay using dye conjugated secondary antibodies to assess HER receptor dimerization. Using primary antibodies from different species in conjunction with Alexa488 and Alexa546 conjugated secondary antibodies, we validated our EGFR/HER2 dimerization assay in three cell lines, EGFR positive A431 cells as well as HER2 positive breast cell lines BT474 and SKBR3 cells. Finally, we applied our assay to assess EGFR/HER2 dimerization in paraffin embedded cell pellets. Our results show promise for the assay to be applied to tumor samples in order to assess the prognostic significance and predictive value of HER receptor dimerization in various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R Waterhouse
- Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Group, Cancer Research UK Molecular Oncology Laboratories, The Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM), University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, UK
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13
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Matthews DR, Fruhwirth GO, Weitsman G, Carlin LM, Ofo E, Keppler M, Barber PR, Tullis IDC, Vojnovic B, Ng T, Ameer-Beg SM. A multi-functional imaging approach to high-content protein interaction screening. PLoS One 2012; 7:e33231. [PMID: 22506000 PMCID: PMC3323588 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2011] [Accepted: 02/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional imaging can provide a level of quantification that is not possible in what might be termed traditional high-content screening. This is due to the fact that the current state-of-the-art high-content screening systems take the approach of scaling-up single cell assays, and are therefore based on essentially pictorial measures as assay indicators. Such phenotypic analyses have become extremely sophisticated, advancing screening enormously, but this approach can still be somewhat subjective. We describe the development, and validation, of a prototype high-content screening platform that combines steady-state fluorescence anisotropy imaging with fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM). This functional approach allows objective, quantitative screening of small molecule libraries in protein-protein interaction assays. We discuss the development of the instrumentation, the process by which information on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) can be extracted from wide-field, acceptor fluorescence anisotropy imaging and cross-checking of this modality using lifetime imaging by time-correlated single-photon counting. Imaging of cells expressing protein constructs where eGFP and mRFP1 are linked with amino-acid chains of various lengths (7, 19 and 32 amino acids) shows the two methodologies to be highly correlated. We validate our approach using a small-scale inhibitor screen of a Cdc42 FRET biosensor probe expressed in epidermoid cancer cells (A431) in a 96 microwell-plate format. We also show that acceptor fluorescence anisotropy can be used to measure variations in hetero-FRET in protein-protein interactions. We demonstrate this using a screen of inhibitors of internalization of the transmembrane receptor, CXCR4. These assays enable us to demonstrate all the capabilities of the instrument, image processing and analytical techniques that have been developed. Direct correlation between acceptor anisotropy and donor FLIM is observed for FRET assays, providing an opportunity to rapidly screen proteins, interacting on the nano-meter scale, using wide-field imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R. Matthews
- Division of Cancer Studies, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gilbert O. Fruhwirth
- Division of Cancer Studies, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gregory Weitsman
- Division of Cancer Studies, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Leo M. Carlin
- Division of Cancer Studies, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Enyinnaya Ofo
- Division of Cancer Studies, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Melanie Keppler
- Division of Cancer Studies, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul R. Barber
- Division of Cancer Studies, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Iain D. C. Tullis
- Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Borivoj Vojnovic
- Division of Cancer Studies, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tony Ng
- Division of Cancer Studies, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon M. Ameer-Beg
- Division of Cancer Studies, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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