scholarly journals Fibroblasts Influence Metastatic Melanoma Cell Sensitivity to Combined BRAF and MEK Inhibition

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 4761
Author(s):  
Delphine Morales ◽  
Pascale Vigneron ◽  
Ines Ferreira ◽  
Warda Hamitou ◽  
Mikael Magnano ◽  
...  

The sensitivity of melanoma cells to targeted therapy compounds depends on the tumor microenvironment. Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro coculture systems better reflect the native structural architecture of tissues and are ideal for investigating cellular interactions modulating cell sensitivity to drugs. Metastatic melanoma (MM) cells (SK-MEL-28 BRAF V600E mutant and SK-MEL-2 BRAF wt) were cultured as a monolayer (2D) or cocultured on 3D dermal equivalents (with fibroblasts) and treated with a BRAFi (vemurafenib) combined with a MEK inhibitor (MEKi, cobimetinib). The drug combination efficiently inhibited 2D and 3D MM cell proliferation and survival regardless of their BRAF status. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), isolated from a cutaneous MM biopsy, were also sensitive to the targeted therapy. Conditioned media obtained from healthy dermal fibroblasts or CAFs modulated the MM cell’s response differently to the treatment: while supernatants from healthy fibroblasts potentialized the efficiency of drugs on MM, those from CAFs tended to increase cell survival. Our data indicate that the secretory profiles of fibroblasts influence MM sensitivity to the combined vemurafenib and cobimetinib treatment and highlight the need for 3D in vitro cocultures representing the complex crosstalk between melanoma and CAFs during preclinical studies of drugs.

Author(s):  
J. P. Revel

Movement of individual cells or of cell sheets and complex patterns of folding play a prominent role in the early developmental stages of the embryo. Our understanding of these processes is based on three- dimensional reconstructions laboriously prepared from serial sections, and from autoradiographic and other studies. Many concepts have also evolved from extrapolation of investigations of cell movement carried out in vitro. The scanning electron microscope now allows us to examine some of these events in situ. It is possible to prepare dissections of embryos and even of tissues of adult animals which reveal existing relationships between various structures more readily than used to be possible vithout an SEM.


2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 272-276
Author(s):  
Jens Tijtgat ◽  
Julia Katharina Schwarze ◽  
Gil Awada ◽  
Bart Neyns ◽  
Sandrine Aspeslagh

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 232470961989094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasan Fazeli ◽  
Edina Paal ◽  
Jessica H. Maxwell ◽  
Kenneth D. Burman ◽  
Eric S. Nylen ◽  
...  

Context. Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is an aggressive tumor with a median survival of 3 to 9 months, a 1-year survival of less than 10% and without definitive therapies. Recently, in BRAF V600E mutated ATCs, new targeted therapy using a combination of a BRAF inhibitor, dabrafenib (Dab), with a mitogen-activated extracellular protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor, trametinib (Tram), has shown significant promise. Case Description. We report a case of aggressive ATC with 5 sequence mutations: BRAF V600E (mutation fraction [MF] 34%), TERT E441del (MF 37%), RET N579K (MF 55%), EZH2 D154E (MF 60%), and CDK4 S259L (MF 48%). The patient had a dramatic response to the Dab/Tram combination with near complete resolution of his lung, bone, hepatic, and splenic lesions soon after starting therapy. Unfortunately, intolerable side effects (grade 2-3) on this regimen required tapering and discontinuation of the treatment. He had a quick resurgence of disease after stopping the combination therapy. The patient died approximately 3 months after discontinuing Dab/Tram. Autopsy revealed an atrophic thyroid gland with microscopic subcapsular focus of well-differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma. There was extensive lymphatic spread of the tumor throughout bilateral lungs with fibrosis. No other metastatic site was identified. Conclusion. We report a unique case of ATC with 2 new mutations of EZH2 D154E and CDK S529L. This case exemplifies the significant promise Dab/Tram therapy holds, the potential side effects that limit their use, and autopsy findings status post use of this combination therapy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 779-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayesha Idrees ◽  
Valeria Chiono ◽  
Gianluca Ciardelli ◽  
Siegfried Shah ◽  
Richard Viebahn ◽  
...  

Three-dimensional cell culture systems are urgently needed for cytocompatibility testing of biomaterials. This work aimed at the development of three-dimensional in vitro dermal skin models and their optimization for cytocompatibility evaluation. Initially “murine in vitro dermal construct” based on L929 cells was generated, leading to the development of “human in vitro dermal construct” consisting of normal human dermal fibroblasts in rat tail tendon collagen type I. To assess the viability of the cells, different assays CellTiter-Blue®, RealTime-Glo™ MT, and CellTiter-Glo® (Promega) were evaluated to optimize the best-suited assay to the respective cell type and three-dimensional system. Z-stack imaging (Live/Dead and Phalloidin/DAPI-Promokine) was performed to visualize normal human dermal fibroblasts inside matrix revealing filopodia-like morphology and a uniform distribution of normal human dermal fibroblasts in matrix. CellTiter-Glo was found to be the optimal cell viability assay among those analyzed. CellTiter-Blue reagent affected the cell morphology of normal human dermal fibroblasts (unlike L929), suggesting an interference with cell biological activity, resulting in less reliable viability data. On the other hand, RealTime-Glo provided a linear signal only with a very low cell density, which made this assay unsuitable for this system. CellTiter-Glo adapted to three-dimensional dermal construct by optimizing the “shaking time” to enhance the reagent penetration and maximum adenosine triphosphate release, indicating 2.4 times higher viability value by shaking for 60 min than for 5 min. In addition, viability results showed that cells were viable inside the matrix. This model would be further advanced with more layers of skin to make a full thickness model.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 369-375
Author(s):  
Karisa C Schreck ◽  
Mallika P Patel ◽  
Jan Wemmer ◽  
Stuart A Grossman ◽  
Katherine B Peters

Abstract AbstractTargeted therapy has gained mainstream attention with notable successes against specific genetic mutations in many cancers. One particular mutation, the BRAF V600E mutation, is present in a small subset of gliomas in adults. Although clinical experience and trial data of RAF-targeted therapy in adults with glioma are lacking at this time, the poor prognosis of adult high-grade glioma has led neuro-oncology practitioners to consider the use of targeted therapy in these patients. In this manuscript, we describe the use of RAF and MEK inhibitors in adults with recurrent glioma. We discuss the utility of these agents, describe their toxicities, and give examples of management strategies. Given the significant toxicities of RAF and MEK inhibitors, along with the long potential duration of treatment, neuro-oncology providers should counsel patients carefully before initiating therapy and monitor them closely while undergoing treatment with RAF-targeted therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlyn N. Myrdal ◽  
Srinath Sundararajan

Little is known about the optimal sequencing of targeted therapy and immunotherapy in the treatment of patients with BRAFV600-mutated metastatic melanoma. BRAF/MEK inhibition often has the benefit of rapid disease regression; however, resistance is frequently seen with long-term use. Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors offers the potential for long-term response but displays a lower rate of objective response. The benefit of synergy between therapies is apparent; however, there is limited data regarding optimal sequencing in the treatment of advanced melanoma. We present the case of a 62-year-old gentleman with advanced BRAFV600-mutated melanoma who followed an unconventional treatment path. After progressing on single-agent vemurafenib, he had response to multiple modalities of immunotherapy before progression. After, he had a substantial response to multiple BRAF/MEK inhibitor rechallenges before developing resistance. The patient is now stable after a retrial of combination immunotherapy. Our case illustrates that with the right sequencing of therapy, meaningful clinical responses can be elicited with rechallenging of targeted therapy and immunotherapy in metastatic melanoma.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2518-2518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amod Sarnaik ◽  
Nikhil I. Khushalani ◽  
Jason Alan Chesney ◽  
Harriet M. Kluger ◽  
Brendan D. Curti ◽  
...  

2518 Background: Treatment options are limited for patients with advanced melanoma who have progressed on checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies such as BRAF/MEK inhibitors (if BRAF-V600E mutated). Adoptive cell therapy utilizing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) has shown antitumor efficacy with durable long-term responses in heavily pretreated melanoma patients. Safety and efficacy of lifileucel (LN-144), a centrally manufactured autologous TIL therapy are presented. Methods: C-144-01 is a global Phase 2 open-label, multicenter study of the efficacy and safety of lifileucel in patients with unresectable metastatic melanoma. We report on Cohort 2 (N = 55) patients who received cryopreserved lifileucel. Tumors resected at local institutions were processed in central GMP facilities for TIL production in a 22-day process. Final TIL infusion product was cryopreserved and shipped to sites. Patients received one week of cyclophosphamide/fludarabine preconditioning lymphodepletion, a single lifileucel infusion, followed by up to 6 doses of IL-2. Results: In 55 patients with Stage IIIC/IV unresectable melanoma, 3.1 mean prior therapies (anti-PD1 100%; anti-CTLA-4 80%; BRAF/MEK inhibitor 24%), high baseline tumor burden (110 mm mean target lesion sum of diameters), ORR was 38% (2 CR, 18 PR, 1 uPR). Of 21 responders, 4 have progressed to date with median follow up of 7.4 months. Overall disease control was 76%. Improved responses in some patients were observed with longer follow up. Most (54) patients progressed on prior anti-PD1 and those with PD-L1 negative status (TPS < 5%) were among responders. Mean cells infused was 28 x109. Median IL-2 doses administered was 6.0. Adverse events resolved to baseline, 2 weeks post TIL infusion, a potentially important benefit of one-time TIL therapy. Conclusions: Lifileucel treatment results in 38% ORR in heavily pretreated metastatic melanoma patients with high baseline disease burden who received prior anti-PD1 and BRAF/MEK inhibitor if BRAF mutated. Based on these data, a new Cohort 4 in C-144-01 has been initiated to support lifileucel registration. Clinical trial information: NCT02360579.


2004 ◽  
Vol 379 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela KESSLER-BECKER ◽  
Thomas KRIEG ◽  
Beate ECKES

In vivo, fibroblasts reside in connective tissues, with which they communicate in a reciprocal way. Such cell–extracellular matrix interactions can be studied in vitro by seeding fibroblasts in collagen lattices. Depending upon the mechanical properties of the system, fibroblasts are activated to assume defined phenotypes. In the present study, we examined a transcriptional profile of primary human dermal fibroblasts cultured in a relaxed collagen environment and found relative induction (>2-fold) of 393 out of approx. 7100 transcripts when compared with the same system under mechanical tension. Despite down-regulated proliferation and matrix synthesis, cells did not become generally quiescent, since they induced transcription of numerous other genes including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and growth factors/cytokines. Of particular interest was the induction of gene transcripts encoding pro-inflammatory mediators, e.g. cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2), and interleukins (ILs)-1 and -6. These are apparently regulated in a hierarchical fashion, since the addition of IL-1 receptor antagonist prevented induction of COX-2, IL-1 and IL-6, but not that of MMP-1 or keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). Our results suggest strongly that skin fibroblasts are versatile cells, which adapt to their extracellular environment by displaying specific phenotypes. One such phenotype, induced by a mechanically relaxed collagen environment, is the ‘pro-inflammatory’ fibroblast. We propose that fibroblasts that are embedded in a matrix environment can actively participate in the regulation of inflammatory processes.


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