The pronounced biological influence of the tumor microenvironment on cancer progression and metastasis has gained increased recognition over the past decade, yet most preclinical antineoplastic drug testing is still reliant on conventional 2D cell culture systems. Although monolayer cultures recapitulate some of the phenotypic traits observed clinically, they are limited in their ability to model the full range of microenvironmental cues, such as ones elicited by 3D cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. To address these shortcomings, we established an ex vivo 3D Ewing sarcoma model that closely mimics the morphology, growth kinetics, and protein expression profile of human tumors. We observed that Ewing sarcoma cells cultured in porous 3D electrospun poly(e-caprolactone) scaffolds not only were more resistant to traditional cytotoxic drugs than were cells in 2D monolayer culture but also exhibited remarkable differences in the expression pattern of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. This 3D model of the bone microenvironment may have broad applicability for mechanistic studies of bone sarcomas and exhibits the potential to augment preclinical evaluation of antineoplastic drug candidates for these malignancies.tissue engineering | tumor model | biological therapy | connective tissue D espite the primacy of the cancer cell's dysregulated genotype [e.g., a near universal translocation of the Ewing sarcoma (EWS) breakpoint region 1 gene in EWS cells] as the initial step in malignant transformation, it has become increasingly apparent that the overall tumor phenotype is also dictated by the 3D tumor microenvironment (1-4). Nonetheless, studies of cancer biology and evaluation of antineoplastic drug efficacy remain heavily dependent on conventional 2D cell culture systems despite their limited ability to reflect the 3D tumor architecture, extracellular matrix (ECM), and surrounding cell types that comprise the in vivo tumor milieu.To overcome some of these constraints, 3D in vitro models such as spheroid and gel systems have been extensively studied and, compared with 2D monolayer culture, appear to better mimic the profound effects that the in vivo 3D environment has upon the human tumor phenotype (5-9). For example, malignant cells cultured in 3D exhibit increased chemoresistance (10, 11) and decreased cell proliferation (12), and assume specific phenotypes inducible only under a 3D context, such as angiogenic capability (13-15). Furthermore, striking differences in signaling pathways targeted by proven and experimental therapies have been observed in 3D tumor models (16-18). Accordingly, heightened awareness of the importance of 3D culture for cancer cells has resulted in the increasing use of spheroid culture systems for cancer research. However, these non-adhesion-mediated systems provide poor control over the tumor architecture and cell-cell interactions; as a result of culture conditions that prohibit cellular attachment onto surrounding surfaces, ce...

Three-dimensional tumor models accurately describe different aspects of the tumor microenvironment and are readily available for mechanistic studies of tumor biology and for drug screening. Nevertheless, these systems often overlook biomechanical stimulation, another fundamental driver of tumor progression. To address this issue, we cultured Ewing sarcoma (ES) cells on electrospun poly(e-caprolactone) 3D scaffolds within a flow perfusion bioreactor. Flow-derived shear stress provided a physiologically relevant mechanical stimulation that significantly promoted insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) production and elicited a superadditive release in the presence of exogenous IGF1. This finding is particularly relevant, given the central role of the IGF1/IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) pathway in ES tumorigenesis and as a promising clinical target. Additionally, flow perfusion enhanced in a rate-dependent manner the sensitivity of ES cells to IGF-1R inhibitor dalotuzumab (MK-0646) and showed shear stress-dependent resistance to the IGF-1R blockade. This study demonstrates shear stressdependent ES cell sensitivity to dalotuzumab, highlighting the importance of biomechanical stimulation on ES-acquired drug resistance to IGF-1R inhibition. Furthermore, flow perfusion increased nutrient supply throughout the scaffold, enriching ES culture over static conditions. Our use of a tissue-engineered model, rather than human tumors or xenografts, enabled precise control of the forces experienced by ES cells, and therefore provided at least one explanation for the remarkable antineoplastic effects observed by some ES tumor patients from IGF-1R targeted therapies, in contrast to the lackluster effect observed in cells grown in conventional monolayer culture. T he ability to treat cancer patients is critically dependent upon a robust drug discovery pipeline and an efficient method to select the most promising drug candidates for clinical trial advancement. Preclinical drug screening typically relies on the use of 2D culture systems, which are reproducible, fast, and inexpensive. Nevertheless, tumor phenotype is dictated by its interaction with the surrounding 3D microenvironment (1). The inability of 2D systems to mimic this key element has generally resulted in preclinical findings that overstate drug activity when subsequently tested in human clinical trials, therefore undermining the drug discovery process in cancer therapies (2).To overcome these issues, several 3D tumor models have been proposed, including tumor spheroids and hydrogel systems, which attempt to recapitulate heterotypic interactions either between tumor and stroma or tumor and extracellular matrix (ECM), respectively (3, 4). These systems have begun to bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo testing in several aspects, such as cell growth (5), gene expression pattern (6), and chemoresistance (7). However, these models are still unable to recapitulate and adequately examine the effects of other cues present in the tumor microenvironment, such as heterotypic cell−cell...

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT), which harbors EWSR1-WT1 t(11;22)(p13:q12) chromosomal translocation, is an aggressive malignancy that typically presents as intra-abdominal sarcomatosis in young males. Given its rarity, optimal treatment has not been defined. We conducted a retrospective study of 187 patients with DSRCT treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center over 2 decades. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. We determined whether chemotherapy, complete cytoreductive surgery (CCS), hyperthermic intraperitoneal cisplatin (HIPEC), and/or whole abdominal radiation (WART) improve overall survival (OS) in patients with DSRCT. Critically, because our institutional practice limits HIPEC and WART to patients with less extensive, potentially resectable disease that had benefited from neoadjuvant chemotherapy, a time-variant analysis was performed to evaluate those adjunct treatment modalities. The pre-2003 5-year OS rate of 5% has substantially improved to 25% with the advent of newer chemotherapies and better surgical and radiotherapy techniques (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.29-0.75). Chemotherapy response (log rank = 0.004) and CCS (log rank < 0.0001) were associated with improved survival. Although WART and HIPEC lacked statistical significance, our study was not powered to detect their potential impact upon OS. Improved 3- and 5-year OS were observed following multidisciplinary treatment that includes Ewing sarcoma (ES)-based chemotherapy and complete tumor cytoreductive surgery, but few if any patients are cured. Prospective randomized studies will be required to prove whether HIPEC or WART are important. In the meantime, chemotherapy and CCS remain the cornerstone of treatment and provide a solid foundation to evaluate new biologically targeted therapies. .

Purpose: Endoglin (ENG; CD105) is a coreceptor of the TGFb family that is highly expressed in proliferating endothelial cells. Often coopted by cancer cells, ENG can lead to neoangiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry in aggressive malignancies. It exists both as a transmembrane cell surface protein, where it primarily interacts with TGFb, and as a soluble matricellular protein (sENG) when cleaved by matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14). High ENG expression has been associated with poor prognosis in Ewing sarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer that primarily occurs in adolescents and young adults. However, the therapeutic value of ENG targeting has not been fully explored in this disease. Experimental Design: We characterized the expression pattern of transmembrane ENG, sENG, and MMP14 in pre-clinical and clinical samples. Subsequently, the antineoplastic potential of two novel ENG-targeting monoclonal antibodydrug conjugates (ADC), OMTX503 and OMTX703, which differed only by their drug payload (nigrin-b A chain and cytolysin, respectively), was assessed in cell lines and preclinical animal models of Ewing sarcoma. Results: Both ADCs suppressed cell proliferation in proportion to the endogenous levels of ENG observed in vitro. Moreover, the ADCs significantly delayed tumor growth in Ewing sarcoma cell line-derived xenografts and patientderived xenografts in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: Taken together, these studies demonstrate potent preclinical activity of first-in-class anti-ENG ADCs as a nascent strategy to eradicate Ewing sarcoma.

We discovered new druggable targets expressed by chemoresistant ES cells, xenografts, and relapsed human tumors. Joint suppression of these newfound targets, in concert with IGF-1R or mTOR blockade, should improve clinical outcomes.

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Despite longstanding reliance upon monolayer culture for studying cancer cells, and numerous advantages from both a practical and experimental standpoint, a growing body of evidence suggests more complex three-dimensional (3D) models are necessary to properly mimic many of the critical hallmarks associated with the oncogenesis, maintenance and spread of Ewing sarcoma (ES), the second most common pediatric bone tumor. And as clinicians increasingly turn to biologically-targeted therapies that exert their effects not only on the tumor cells themselves, but also on the surrounding extracellular matrix, it is especially important that preclinical models evolve in parallel to reliably measure antineoplastic effects and possible mechanisms of de novo and acquired drug resistance. Herein, we highlight a number of innovative methods used to fabricate biomimetic ES tumors, encompassing both the surrounding cellular milieu and extracellular matrix (ECM), and suggest potential applications to advance our understanding of ES biology, preclinical drug testing, and personalized medicine.

Ewing sarcoma is a transcription factor-mediated pediatric bone tumor caused by a chromosomal translocation of the EWSR1 gene and one of several genes in the ETS family of transcription factors, typically FLI1 or ERG. Full activity of the resulting oncogenic fusion protein occurs only after binding RNA helicase A (RHA), and novel biologically targeted small molecules designed to interfere with that interaction have shown early promise in the preclinical setting. Herein, we demonstrate marked preclinical antineoplastic activity of an orally bioavailable formulation of YK-4-279 and identify mechanisms of acquired chemotherapy resistance that may be exploited to induce collateral sensitivity. Daily enteral administration of YK-4-279 led to significant delay in Ewing sarcoma tumor growth within a murine model. In advance of anticipated early-phase human clinical trials, we investigated both de novo and acquired mechanism(s) by which Ewing sarcoma cells evade YK-4-279-mediated cell death. Drug-resistant clones, formed by chronic in vitro exposure to steadily increased levels of YK-4-279, overexpressed c-Kit, cyclin D1, pStat3(Y705), and PKC isoforms. Interestingly, cross-resistance to imatinib and enzastaurin (selective inhibitors of c-Kit and PKC-b, respectively), was observed and the use of YK-4-279 with enzastaurin in vitro led to marked drug synergy, suggesting a potential role for combination therapies in the future. By advancing an oral formulation of YK-4-279 and identifying prominent mechanisms of resistance, this preclinical research takes us one step closer to a shared goal of curing adolescents and young adults afflicted by Ewing sarcoma.