Clinically Translatable Transcrocetin Delivery Platform for Correction of Tumor Hypoxia and Enhancement of Radiation Therapy Effects

Improving the tumor reoxygenation to sensitize the tumor to radiation therapy is a cornerstone in radiation oncology. Here, the pre‐clinical development of a clinically transferable liposomal formulation encapsulating trans sodium crocetinate (NP TSC) is reported to improve oxygen diffusion through the tumor environment. Early pharmacokinetic analysis of the clinical trial of this molecule performed on 37 patients orient to define the optimal fixed dosage to use in a triple‐negative breast cancer model to validate the therapeutic combination of radiation therapy and NP TSC. Notably, it is reported that this formulation is non‐toxic in both humans and mice at the defined fixed concentration, provides a normalization of the tumor vasculature within 72 h window after systemic injection, leads to a transient increase (50% improvement) in the tumor oxygenation, and significantly improves the efficacy of both mono‐fractionated and fractionated radiation therapy treatment. Together, these findings support the introduction of a first‐in‐class therapeutic construct capable of tumor‐specific reoxygenation without associated toxicities

Synthesis and evaluations of dual molecules composed of a PARP inhibitor and a DNA alkylating agent for concomitant chemoradiotherapy

Cette étude a consisté en le développement et l’évaluation de nouvelles molécules pour la radiochimiothérapie concomitante. Ce travail a abouti à la conception de nouveaux agents chimiothérapeutiques duaux basés sur la combinaison covalente de deux radiosensibilisateurs: un inhibiteur de la PARP d’une part, et un alkylant de l’ADN (complexe de platine ou témozolomide) d’autre part. Les évaluations biologiques ont permis de mettre en évidence l’intérêt d’une molécule duale inhibiteur de la PARP/platine. Parallèlement à ce projet, le développement d’outils moléculaires pour l’étude d’inhibiteurs de la PARP a été entrepris. Ainsi, plusieurs sondes d’affinité ont été conçues pour une étude d’inhibiteurs de la PARP par protéomique chimique. Ce travail a permis de valider la spécificité d’une sonde d’affinité pour la PARP1 et la PARP2. Finalement, des molécules fluorescentes inhibitrices de la PARP ont été développées dans l’objectif d’un criblage d’inhibiteurs de PARP3 par anisotropie de fluorescence.The main topic of this work was the development and biological evaluation of dual molecules for concomitant chemoradiotherapy. To this end, new dual chemotherapeutic agents were designed by linking covalently two radiosensitizers: a PARP inhibitor and an alkylating agent (platinum complex or temozolomide). This study led to an efficient PARP inhibitor/platinum dual molecule. A complementary approach was to develop affinity probes to study PARP inhibitors by a chemical proteomic method. This study permitted to validate the selectivity of an affinity probe for PARP1 and PARP2. Finally, fluorescent PARP inhibitor probes were synthesised and evaluated for a PARP3 screening by fluorescence anisotropy

Synthesis and evaluations of dual molecules composed of a PARP inhibitor and a DNA alkylating agent for concomitant chemoradiotherapy

Cette étude a consisté en le développement et l’évaluation de nouvelles molécules pour la radiochimiothérapie concomitante. Ce travail a abouti à la conception de nouveaux agents chimiothérapeutiques duaux basés sur la combinaison covalente de deux radiosensibilisateurs: un inhibiteur de la PARP d’une part, et un alkylant de l’ADN (complexe de platine ou témozolomide) d’autre part. Les évaluations biologiques ont permis de mettre en évidence l’intérêt d’une molécule duale inhibiteur de la PARP/platine. Parallèlement à ce projet, le développement d’outils moléculaires pour l’étude d’inhibiteurs de la PARP a été entrepris. Ainsi, plusieurs sondes d’affinité ont été conçues pour une étude d’inhibiteurs de la PARP par protéomique chimique. Ce travail a permis de valider la spécificité d’une sonde d’affinité pour la PARP1 et la PARP2. Finalement, des molécules fluorescentes inhibitrices de la PARP ont été développées dans l’objectif d’un criblage d’inhibiteurs de PARP3 par anisotropie de fluorescence.The main topic of this work was the development and biological evaluation of dual molecules for concomitant chemoradiotherapy. To this end, new dual chemotherapeutic agents were designed by linking covalently two radiosensitizers: a PARP inhibitor and an alkylating agent (platinum complex or temozolomide). This study led to an efficient PARP inhibitor/platinum dual molecule. A complementary approach was to develop affinity probes to study PARP inhibitors by a chemical proteomic method. This study permitted to validate the selectivity of an affinity probe for PARP1 and PARP2. Finally, fluorescent PARP inhibitor probes were synthesised and evaluated for a PARP3 screening by fluorescence anisotropy

Combining Radiation Therapy with ALK Inhibitors in Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): A Clinical and Preclinical Overview

Over the past years, the identification of genetic alterations in oncogenic drivers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has significantly and favorably transformed the outcome of patients who can benefit from targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Among these genetic alterations, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements were discovered in 2007 and are present in 3–5% of patients with NSCLC. In addition, radiotherapy remains one of the cornerstones of NSCLC treatment. Moreover, improvements in the field of radiotherapy with the use of hypofractionated or ablative stereotactic radiotherapy have led to a better outcome for localized or oligometastatic NSCLC. To date, the effects of the combination of ALK inhibitors and radiotherapy are unclear in terms of safety and efficacy but could potently improve treatment. In this manuscript, we provide a clinical and preclinical overview of combining radiation therapy with ALK inhibitors in anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive non-small cell lung cancer

Three-Dimensional Cell Culture: A Breakthrough in Vivo

Cell culture is an important tool for biological research. Two-dimensional cell culture has been used for some time now, but growing cells in flat layers on plastic surfaces does not accurately model the in vivo state. As compared to the two-dimensional case, the three-dimensional (3D) cell culture allows biological cells to grow or interact with their surroundings in all three dimensions thanks to an artificial environment. Cells grown in a 3D model have proven to be more physiologically relevant and showed improvements in several studies of biological mechanisms like: cell number monitoring, viability, morphology, proliferation, differentiation, response to stimuli, migration and invasion of tumor cells into surrounding tissues, angiogenesis stimulation and immune system evasion, drug metabolism, gene expression and protein synthesis, general cell function and in vivo relevance. 3D culture models succeed thanks to technological advances, including materials science, cell biology and bioreactor design

Gemcitabine-Based Chemoradiotherapy Enhanced by a PARP Inhibitor in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a devastating disease with a 5-year overall survival of 9% for all stages. Gemcitabine-based chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer is highly toxic. We conducted an in vitro study to determine whether poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 inhibition radiosensitized gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. Human pancreatic cancer cell lines, MIA PaCa-2, AsPC-1, BxPC-3 and PANC-1 were treated with gemcitabine (10 nM) and/or olaparib (1 µM). Low-LET gamma single dose of 2, 5 and 10 Gy radiations were carried out. Clonogenic assay, PAR immunoblotting, cell cycle distribution, γH2Ax, necrotic and autophagic cell death quantifications were performed. Treatment with olaparib alone was not cytotoxic, but highly radiosensitized cell lines, particularly at high dose per fraction A non-cytotoxic concentration of gemcitabine radiosensitized cells, but less than olaparib. Interestingly, olaparib significantly enhanced gemcitabine-based radiosensitization in PDAC cell lines with synergistic effect in BxPC-3 cell line. All cell lines were radiosensitized by the combination of gemcitabine and olaparib, through an increase of unrepaired double-strand, a G2 phase block and cell death. Radiosensitization was increased with high dose of radiation. The combination of olaparib with gemcitabine-based chemoradiotherapy could lead to an enhancement of local control in vivo and an improvement in disease-free survival

Proton Therapy and Gliomas: A Systematic Review

Background: Gliomas are primary cerebral tumors. Radiation therapy plays a key role in their treatment but with a risk of toxicity associated with the dose to and volume of normal tissue that is irradiated. With its precision properties allowing for the increased sparing of healthy tissue, proton therapy could be an interesting option for this pathology. Methods: Two reviewers performed a systematic review of original papers published between 2010 and July 2021 following PRISMA guidelines. We analyzed disease outcomes, toxicity outcomes, or dosimetry data in four separate groups: children/adults and individuals with low-/high-grade gliomas. Results: Among 15 studies, 11 concerned clinical and toxicity outcomes, and 4 reported dosimetry data. Proton therapy showed similar disease outcomes with greater tolerance than conventional radiation therapy, partly due to the better dosimetry plans. Conclusions: This review suggests that proton therapy is a promising technique for glioma treatment. However, studies with a high level of evidence are still needed to validate this finding

Radiosensitizing Pancreatic Cancer with PARP Inhibitor and Gemcitabine: An In Vivo and a Whole-Transcriptome Analysis after Proton or Photon Irradiation

International audienceOver the past few years, studies have focused on the development of targeted radiosensitizers such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors. We performed an in vivo study and a whole-transcriptome analysis to determine whether PARP inhibition enhanced gemcitabine-based chemoradiosensitization of pancreatic cancer xenografts, combined with either proton or photon irradiation. NMRI mice bearing MIA PaCa-2 xenografts were treated with olaparib and/or gemcitabine and irradiated with 10 Gy photon or proton. First, a significant growth inhibition was obtained after 10 Gy proton irradiation compared to 10 Gy photon irradiation (p = 0.046). Moreover, the combination of olaparib, gemcitabine and proton therapy significantly sensitized tumor xenografts, compared to gemcitabine (p = 0.05), olaparib (p = 0.034) or proton therapy (p < 0.0001) alone or to the association of olaparib, gemcitabine and radiotherapy (p = 0.024). Simultaneously, whole RNA sequencing profiling showed differentially expressed genes implicated in categories such as DNA repair, type I interferon signaling and cell cycle. Moreover, a large amount of lncRNA was dysregulated after proton therapy, gemcitabine and olaparib. This is the first study showing that addition of olaparib to gemcitabine-based chemoradiotherapy improved significantly local control in vivo, especially after proton therapy. RNA sequencing profiling analysis presented dynamic alteration of transcriptome after chemoradiation and identified a classifier of gemcitabine response