No description available.

Glioblastomas are highly vascular brain tumors that are characterized as heterogeneous, comprised of an anatomically and functionally irregular blood brain barrier (BBB) that contributes to variable drug distribution and possibly associated pharmacodynamics (PD) responses. Standard pharmacokinetic (PK) approaches that are based on whole tumor homogenates and accordingly averaged drug concentrations are limited in their ability to depict regional variations in drug concentrations, and could lead to faulty assessments of drug distribution and activity. Given the paucity of quantitative information on intratumoral PK/PD variability of anticancer drugs, the goal of this project was to characterize the regional PK and PD properties of gefitinib, an EGFR inhibitor, in brain tumors, in the context of biological characteristics, and use the information to develop mechanistic PK/PD models that may be valuable to understand why some anticancer drugs are inactive. Towards this end, in vitro cytotoxicity assays and pilot in vivo studies were first conducted and identified U87VIII mutant cell line as a gefitinib sensitive orthotopic brain tumor model with suitable growth characteristics to allow for immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of tumor biological characteristics for further studies. Subsequently, in vitro PD studies identified phosphorylated-ERK1/2 (pERK) as a PD marker for this cell line. Thereafter, to set up a framework to obtain intratumoral PK/PD information in vivo, a novel tumor sectioning protocol was devised and sensitive and robust PK (LC-MS/MS) and PD (Meso Scale Discovery, MSD, electrochemiluminescence-based assay) methods were developed to enable the use of minimal amounts of tumor samples to assess the intratumoral PK and PD characteristics of gefitinib. Mice bearing orthotopic U87VIII mutant tumors were administered gefitinib at doses of 150 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg orally (p.o.), followed by collection of plasma and tumor samples at various time points, based on a serial sacrifice study design. Serial tumor sections were obtained in four distinct regions according to the aforementioned protocol for PK, PD and IHC measurements. An IHC index called microvessel pericyte index (MPI), a measure of BBB integrity, reflected the variability in gefitinib brain tumor concentrations, and was used to bin the data to generate three intratumoral PK/PD data sets. These data sets were then used to develop a set of hybrid physiologically based PK/PD models accounting for variable BBB permeability within the tumor. Each model consisted of a forcing function describing plasma concentration profile, a tissue compartment to represent the drug disposition within the tumor, and target-response compartments for the PD model. The intratumoral variation in the PKs of gefitinib was accurately described by the MPI classifications and ranged about 2-fold, and was responsible for the associated PD variability. In summary, using a novel tumor sectioning protocol and sensitive analytical methods in an orthotopic glioblastoma (GBM) model, the intratumoral variability of gefitinib PK/PD could be binned according to BBB integrity and enabled the development of a mechanistic hybrid physiologically based PK/PD models, which provides a means to assess the influence of tumor heterogeneity on drug response. / Pharmaceutical Sciences

L’imagerie préclinique dans le domaine de la cancérologie est en plein essor. Elle permet grâce à des modèles animaux représentatifs de cancers humains de comprendre les mécanismes de développement des pathologies et d’évaluer l’efficacité thérapeutique d’un nouveau traitement. Le principal objectif de ce travail a été de développer deux modèles orthotopiques de cancer (pancréas et colon) et d’évaluer des traitements de références ainsi qu’une nouvelle stratégie thérapeutique par plasma froid fibré appelée Plasma Gun. Les 2 modèles de cancers développés ont montré une bonne représentativité vis-à-vis des cancers humains, avec l’apparition de métastases à distance et la présence de zones hypoxiques. Le 5-fluorouracile pour le modèle orthotopique de carcinome colorectal HCT116-luc et la gemcitabine pour le modèle d’adénocarcinome pancréatique MIA PaCa2-luc ont induit à faible dose des effets discrets pouvant être mis en évidence grâce aux modalités d’imageries mises en oeuvre. Après validation de nos démarches expérimentales une nouvelle stratégie thérapeutique, le Plasma Gun, a été évaluée et a montré des effets significatifs sur l’inhibition de la croissance tumorale. Le second objectif de ma thèse a été de mettre en oeuvre des outils pour l’induction et la caractérisation des métastases osseuses ainsi que pour l’imagerie haute résolution de la vascularisation. D’une part, les métastases osseuses obtenues par injection de cellules PC3M-luc en intracardiaque ont été évaluées et quantifiées grâce à différentes modalités d’imagerie (bioluminescence, scintigraphie et scanner X). D’autre part, la réalisation d’une imagerie haute résolution de la vascularisation a été possible grâce à la technique de casting qui permet de recréer la structure 3D de l’architecture vasculaire suite à l’injection d’une résine dans la circulation. Les développements réalisés lors de cette thèse ont ainsi permis d’apporter des outils pour l’évaluation préclinique de nouvelles thérapies anticancéreuses. / Preclinical imaging in oncology is booming. It allows, using representative animal models of human cancers, to understand the mechanisms of development of pathologies and to assess the therapeutic efficiency of a new treatment. The main objective of this work was to develop two orthotopic models of cancer (pancreas and colon) and to assess on them the reference treatments as well as a new therapeutic strategy by non thermal plasma so called Plasma Gun. The two cancer models developed showed good representation in relation to human cancers, with the appearance of distant metastases and hypoxia. 5-fluorouracil for the HCT116-luc orthotopic model of colorectal carcinoma and gemcitabine for the MIA PaCa2-luc pancreatic adenocarcinoma model, have induced discrete effects at low dose wich can be detected thanks imaging modalities. After validation of our experimental steps, a new therapeutic strategy, Plasma Gun was evaluated and showed significant effects on tumor growth inhibition. The second objective was to carry out tools for the induction and the characterization of bone metastases and for high resolution imaging of the vasculature. On the one hand, bone metastases obtained by injection of PC3M-luc cells intracardially, was evaluated and quantified with different imaging modalities (bioluminescence, scintigraphy and Computed Tomography). And the other hand, the achievement of a high resolution imaging of vascularization, was possible by the casting method that restores the 3D structure of the vascular architecture following injection of a resin in the circulation.

Die orthotope Lebertransplantation (OLT) ist in den letzten Jahren zu einer etablierten Methode in der Behandlung von infausten Lebererkrankungen geworden und hat deren Prognose wesentlich verbessern können. Während der Lebertransplantation kommt es immer wieder zu bedrohlichem intraoperativem Blutverlust, der sowohl die Kurz- als auch die Langzeitprognose der Lebertransplantierten entscheidend beeinflussen kann. Ziel war es, die pathophysiologischen Hämostasevorgänge bei OLT weitergehend zu untersuchen und Möglichkeiten der therapeutischen Beeinflussung zu erarbeiten. Es konnte gezeigt werden, daß sich der erhöhte Blutverlust während der anhepatischen Phase durch eine gesteigerte fibrinolytische Aktivität erklärt und daß dabei sowohl das extrinsische Fibrinolysesystem mit dem Gewebeplasminogenaktivator t-PA als auch das intrinsische Fibrinolysesystem mit urokinase-type PA (u-PA) und dem FXII-abhängigen PA beteiligt sind. Zur Bestimmung des letzteren wurde eine chromogene Substratmethode entwickelt. Venöse Stauung, Kontaktaktivierung beim Passieren des Blutes durch den veno-venösen Bypass, fehlende hepatische Clearance sind dabei die wichtigsten Auslösefaktoren. In der Reperfusionsphase konnten Zeichen einer gesteigerten Prothrombinaktivierung gemessen werden, so daß DIC-artige Hämostaseveränderungen für die postreperfusionellen Blutverluste verantwortlich gemacht werden. Eine Korrelation zur anhepatischen Fibrinolyse besteht nicht. Die Spenderleber spielt eine entscheidene Rolle bei den postreperfusionellen Hämostaseveränderungen. Leukozytäre Aktivierungsprodukte wie extrazelluläre Proteinasen und Zytokine werden aus der Spenderleber freigesetzt und stören systemisch das hämostatische Gleichgewicht. Parallel kommt es nach Reperfusion zu einer Verminderung der Thrombozytenzahl und ihrer Aggregabilität. Diese scheint partiell durch die aggregationshemmende Wirkung der University of Wisconsin Konservierungslösung bedingt zu sein, in der die Spenderleber bis zur Transplantation aufbewahrt wird. Die Gabe des Proteaseninhibitors Aprotinin scheint Hyperfibrinolysezeichen, maximalen Anstieg der t-PA Aktivität, Transfusionsbedarf und endotheliale Schäden in der Spenderleber zu reduzieren, wobei in einer offenen und randomisierten Studie der Vorteil einer kontinuierlichen Infusionsgabe gegenüber einer dreimaligen Bolusgabe deutlich wurde. In einer weiteren offenen und randomisierten Therapiestudie wurde versucht durch intraoperative Prostaglandin E1(PG E1)- Gabe endotheliale Aktivierungsprozesse in der Spenderleber zu beeinflussen. Tatsächlich führte eine PGE1-Infusion zu einem signifikant schwächeren postreperfusionellen Abfall sowohl der Thrombozytenzahl als auch der thrombozytären Aggregationsfähigkeit. / The orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has become an established method in the treatment of end stage liver disease and has ameliorated its prognosis substantially. During liver transplantation severe haemorrhage intraoperatively clearly influences the patient´s short and long-term outcome. The pathophysiology of hemostasis during OLT was studied and new strategies of therapy developed. It could be demonstrated that the high blood loss during the anhepatic phase is caused by increased fibrinolytic activity involving the extrinsic fibrinolytic system with tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) as well as the intrinsic fibrinolytic system with urokinase-type PA (u-PA) and the FXII-dependent PA. For the easier determination of the later a chromogenic substrate method was developed. High venous pressure, contact activation initiated by the contact of the patient's blood with the veno-venous bypass and the lack of hepatic clearance are the main initiating factors of fibrinolysis during the anhepatic phase. In the reperfusion phase signs of increased prothrombin activation could be measured so that a DIC-like constellation could be made responsible for the blood loss after reperfusion of the graft liver. There was no correlation to the preceding anhepatic fibrinolysis. The graft liver plays an important role in inducing hemostatic disturbances during reperfusion. Activation products of leukocytes like extracellular proteinases and cytokines are released out of the graft liver and seem to induce hemostatic imbalances systemically. In parallel there is a decrease of platelet count and platelet aggregability. This seems to be induced in part by the University of Wisconsin solution in which the graft liver is kept until transplantation. Aprotinin, a protease inhibitor, given during OLT seems to reduce signs of hyperfibrinolysis, maximal t-PA values, transfusion requirements and endothelial damage of the graft´s liver vascular bed. In an open and randomised clinical trial the advantage of a continuous aprotinin infusion in comparison to a three times bolus application was demonstrated. In another open and randomised study prostaglandin (PG)E1 was given in order to influence endothelial activation processes in the graft liver. The administration of PGE1 was leading to a significant lower decrease of platelet count and platelet aggregability.

Les cancers broncho-pulmonaires à petites cellules (CBPPC), tumeurs endocrines représentant 20% des cancers pulmonaires, sont fortement associés au tabagisme. Ils sont très agressifs en raison de leur progression rapide et de la présence de métastases souvent présentes au moment du diagnostic. Moins de 10% des patients sont opérables et la plupart des échantillons de tumeurs sont recueillis par endoscopie bronchique ou par médiastinoscopie. Dans ce travail de thèse, nous avons montré que l’expression du TFPI-2, un gène suppresseur de tumeur, était diminué dans 65% des cas de CBPPC. Afin d’étudier l’impact du TFPI-2 sur la progression tumorale, nous avons préalablement développé un modèle orthotopique murin de CBPPC qui mime le développement de ce type de cancer pulmonaire. Des cellules NCI-H209, n’exprimant pas le TFPI-2, ont été préalablement transfectées pour exprimer la luciférase et la croissance tumorale a été suivie par imagerie de bioluminescence. L’expression du TFPI-2 a ensuite été restaurée dans ces cellules et nous avons montré que la croissance tumorale était alors réduite. Cet effet peut s’expliquer par une diminution de la prolifération des cellules exprimant le TFPI-2, associée à un arrêt du cycle cellulaire en phase G1/S dû à l’expression de p15 et de p27 et à une induction de l’apoptose. Nous avons aussi démontré que lorsque le TFPI-2 est surexprimé, les transcrits et les protéines MMP-1 et -3 sont diminuées, tout comme la phosphorylation des protéines de la voie des MAP Kinases impliquées dans l’induction des transcrits de ces MMP. Cette corrélation entre l’expression du TFPI-2 et la diminution de celle de la MMP-1 a été retrouvée dans 35% des échantillons de CBPPC humains. Ces résultats suggèrent que l’inactivation du TFPI-2 dans les CBPPC peut favoriser le développement de ce cancer. Enfin, nous avons également démontré, pour la première fois que le TFPI-2 peut aussi inhiber la kallicréine 12, une protéase à sérine potentiellement anti-angiogénique. L’ensemble de ces données suggèrent que le TFPI-2 peut être un potentiel biomédicament capable de limiter la progression des carcinomes pulmonaires à petites cellules. / Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) is the most common neuroendocrine tumour of the lung (15% of cases) and is strongly associated with smoking. It is characterised by tumours that grow rapidly with early metastases. Less than 10% of patients with SCLC have a resectable tumour, thus surgical specimens are scarce and most tumour samples come from small biopsies obtained during bronchial endoscopy or mediastinoscopy. In this study, low levels of TFPI-2 expression were found in 65% of patients with SCLC. To study the impact of TFPI-2 in tumour progression, we first developed a clinically relevant animal model that resembles various stages of human SCLC. NCI-H209 cells, not expressing TFPI-2, were genetically modified to express firefly luciferase and the growth of the tumour was sensitively followed by bioluminescence imaging. TFPI-2 was then overexpressed in these cells and we showed that TFPI-2 inhibited lung tumour growth. Such inhibition could be explained in vitro by a decrease in tumour cell proliferation, blockade of G1/S phase cell cycle transition due to p15 and p27 expression, and an increase in apoptosis shown in NCI-H209 cells expressing TFPI-2. We also demonstrated that TFPI-2 upregulation in NCI-H209 cells decreased MMP expression, particularly by downregulating MMP-1 and MMP-3. Moreover, TFPI-2 inhibited phosphorylation of the MAPK signalling pathway proteins involved in the induction of MMP transcripts, among which MMP-1 was predominant in SCLC tissues and was inversely expressed with TFPI-2 in 35% of cases. These results suggest that downregulation of TFPI-2 expression could favour the development of SCLC. Finally, we also demonstrated for the first time that TFPI-2 could inhibit the kallikrein 12, an anti-angiogenic serine proteinase. Altogether, these results suggest that TFPI-2 could be a new potent therapeutic agent to control SCLC tumour progression in SCLC.

Lung cancer leads in mortality among all types of cancer in the US and Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the major type of lung cancer. Immuno-compromised mice bearing xenografts of human lung cancer cells represent the most common animal models for studying lung cancer biology and for evaluating potential anticancer agents. However, orthotopic lung cancer models based on intrapulmonary injection of suspended cancer cells feature premature leakage of the cancer cells to both sides of the lung within five days, which generates a quick artifact of metastasis and thus belies the development and progression of lung cancer as seen in the clinic. Based on intrapulmonary inoculation of multicellular spheroids (MCS), we have developed the first orthotopic xenograft model of lung cancer that simulates all four clinical stages of NSCLC progression in mice over one month: Stage 1 localized tumor at the inoculation site; Stage 2 multiple tumor nodules or larger tumor nodule on the same side of the lung; Stage 3 cancer growth on heart surface; and Stage 4 metastatic cancer on both sides of the lung. The cancer development was monitored conveniently by in vivo fluorescent imaging and validated by open-chest anatomy, ex vivo fluorescent imaging, and histological studies. The model enjoys high rates of postoperative survival (100%) and parenchymal tumor establishment (88.9%). The roughness of the inoculated MCS is associated negatively with the time needed to develop metastatic cancer (p=0.0299). In addition, we have constructed a co-culture MCS that consisted of A549-iRFP lung cancer cells and WI38 normal human fibroblast cells. The pro-proliferation effect and the high expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) by the co-cultured WI38 cells indicated their transformation from normal fibroblasts to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). The morphology of the co-culture MCS features a round shape, a tight internal structure, and quicker development of roughness. The large roughness value of co-culture MCS suggests that small co-culture MCS could be inoculated into mice lung with a small needle to reduce the surgical trauma. Taken together, a new orthotopic model of NSCLC has been developed, which would facilitate future development of medications against lung cancer.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US and worldwide, accounting for 16% of deaths worldwide in 2015. Of more than 100 types of cancers affecting humans, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and is the second leading cause of death in women. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast carcinomas defined by the lack of the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2 /neu). The prognosis and survival of TNBC patients remains the poor due to the lack of effective targeted therapy. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, such as liposomes, are widely investigated to enhance anticancer efficacy by concentrating the drug molecules in the tissues of interest and by altering the pharmacokinetic profile. Taking advantage of the pH gradient in the tumor microenvironment, pH-triggered release is a promising strategy to enhance the anticancer efficacy of drug delivery systems against TNBC. Previously, a strategy in our lab has been developed to render saturated and pegylated liposomes pH-sensitive: protonation-induced conformational switch of lipid tails, using trans-2-aminocyclohexanol lipids (TACH, flipids) as a molecular trigger. Based on previous work in our lab, pH-sensitive liposomes (fliposomes) composed of C-16 flipids with amine group of morpholine (MOR) and azetidine (AZE) demonstrated optimized triggered release in response to the tumor’s low pH microenvironment. In this study, different preparation methods were developed and optimized to produce viable fliposomes with high doxorubicin (DOX) encapsulation efficiency. In vitro release assays were established and validated to accurately reflect pH-triggered release of fliposomes. The physicochemical properties of DOX-loaded fliposomes were characterized and their pH-dependent release were investigated. Factors influencing the desirable attributes of liposomes, such as size, pH-sensitivity, stability and drug-loading capacity were explored. Based on these characterizations, central composite design (CCD) was utilized to optimize the formulation of fliposome with two critical factors, flipids and cholesterol. Cell viability assays on traditional monolayer and innovative three-dimensional multicellular spheroids (3D MCS) of TNBC cell lines were conducted to evaluate the anticancer efficacy of the resultant fliposomes in vitro. The constructed 3D MCS carried heterogeneously distributed live and apoptotic cells, as well as acidity inside the 3D MCS based on confocal microscopic imaging studies. The distribution and penetration of DOX-loaded fliposomes into 3D MCS was imaged by confocal microscopy in comparison to DOX-loaded non pH-sensitive liposomes and free DOX. As a result, fliposome manifested superior anticancer activity against TNBC 3D MCS by efficient penetration into 3D MCS, followed by tuning up the release rate of the anticancer agent DOX. A TNBC orthotopic xenograft model was established by transplanting TNBC into the murine mammalian fat pad, which maintains the organ-specific tumor microenvironment of the original organ . A pilot pharmacokinetic study was conducted in order to correlate the pH response and stability properties with the in vivo stability of the optimized AZE-C16 fliposome. The antitumor efficacy was comparable between free DOX and DOX-loaded stealth liposome with tumor volumes of ~ 80-90% of the control treatment 32 days post first dose. In contrast, the DOX-loaded fliposome, especially MOR-C16 fliposome, exhibited a significantly higher antitumor efficacy and delayed progression compared to free DOX and stealth liposome treatments. Taken together, DOX-loaded fliposomes were successfully prepared and optimized for in vivo application. They were able to achieve superior activity against TNBC in vitro and in vivo, facilitated by enhanced release of the anticancer drug DOX after penetration inside TNBC tumor.

No description available.

Contexte. Le cancer bronchopulmonaire (CBP) demeure la première cause de mortalité par cancer dans le monde. Malgré l’espoir suscité par le développement des thérapies ciblées, son pronostic demeure sombre, particulièrement dans les cas de CBP à petites cellules (CBP-PC) et de CBP non à petites cellules (CBP-NPC) présentant une activation de l’oncogène KRAS. Matériel et Méthodes. Nous avons mené 3 études successives, visant à (i) radiosensibiliser des modèles de CBP-PC par l’ajout d’un inhibiteur de BCL2, (ii) cibler des modèles de CBP-NPC mutés KRAS par l’association d’un inhibiteur de mTOR et d’un inhibiteur de RAF, et (iii) créer un modèle préclinique orthotopique murin de CBP reproduisant la progression tumorale observée en clinique. Résultats. Dans la première étude, l’inhibiteur de BCL2 oblimersen a présenté un effet radiosensibilisant sur des modèles de CBP-PC, in vitro et in vivo. Dans la seconde étude, l’association de l’inhibiteur de mTOR everolimus et de l’inhibiteur de RAF/VEGFR RAF265 a présenté un effet synergique sur des lignées cellulaires de cancers présentant la double mutation de KRAS et de PIK3CA, in vitro et in vivo. Dans la troisième étude, l’injection orthotopique d’une lignée bioluminescente de CBP-NPC chez des souris nude a permis d’établir des tumeurs intra pulmonaires évoluant vers une extension métastatique ganglionnaire et hématogène, et de détecter la présence de cellules tumorales circulantes. Conclusion. L’association d’un inhibiteur de BCL2 à la radiothérapie est une stratégie intéressante dans le CBP-PC, l’association d’un inhibiteur de mTOR et d’un inhibiteur de RAF/VEGFR est une stratégie intéressante dans le CBP-NPC présentant une double mutation KRAS-PIK3CA, mais ces données doivent être confirmées sur des modèles orthotopiques afin de gagner en pertinence avant d’envisager un transfert en clinique. / Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS) can induce cellular immortalization, proliferation, and resistance to anticancer therapeutics such as epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors or chemotherapy. This study assessed the conséquences of inhibiting these two pathways in tumor cells with activation of KRAS, PI3K-AKT, or both. We investigated whether the combination of a novel RAF/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor, RAF265, with a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, RAD001 (everolimus), could lead to enhanced antitumoral effects in vitro and in vivo. To address this question, we used cell lines with different status regarding KRAS, PIK3CA, and BRAF mutations, using immunoblotting to evaluate the inhibitors, and MTT and clonogenic assays for effects on cell viability and proliferation. Subcutaneous xenografts were used to assess the activity of the combination in vivo. RAD001 inhibited mTOR downstream signaling in all cell lines, whereas RAF265 inhibited RAF downstream signaling only in BRAF mutant cells. In vitro, addition of RAF265 to RAD001 led to decreased AKT, S6, and Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 phosphorylation in HCT116 cells. In vitro and in vivo, RAD001 addition enhanced the antitumoral effect of RAF265 in HCT116 and H460 cells (both KRAS mut, PIK3CA mut); in contrast, the combination of RAF265 and RAD001 yielded no additional activity in A549 and MDAMB231 cells. The combination of RAF and mTOR inhibitors is effective for enhancing antitumoral effects in cells with deregulation of both RAS-RAF and PI3K, possibly through the cross-inhibition of 4E binding protein 1 and S6 protein. We then focus on animal models. Preclinical models of NSCLC require better clinical relevance to study disease mechanisms and innovative therapeutics. We sought to compare and refine bioluminescent orthotopic mouse models of human localized NSCLC. Athymic nude mice underwent subcutaneous injection (group 1-SC, n = 15, control), percutaneous orthotopic injection (group 2-POI, n = 30), surgical orthotopic implantation of subcutaneously grown tumours (group 3-SOI, n = 25), or transpleural orthotopic injection (group 4-TOI, n = 30) of A549-luciferase cells. Bioluminescent in vivo imaging was then performed weekly. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) were searched using Cellsearch® system in SC and TOI models Group 2-POI was associated with unexpected direct pleural spreading of the cellular solution in 53% of the cases, forbidding further evaluation of any localized lung tumour. Group 3-SOI was characterized by high perioperative mortality, initially localized lung tumours, and local evolution. Group 4-TOI was associated with low perioperative mortality, initially localized lung tumours, loco regional extension, and distant metastasis. CTCs were detected in 83% of nude mice bearing subcutaneous or orthotopic NSCLC tumours. Transpleural orthotopic injection of A549-luc cells in nude mouse lung induces localized tumour, followed by lymphatic extension and specific mortality, and allowed the first time identification of CTCs in a NSCLC mice model.

Broad distribution and activity limit the utility of anti-cancer compounds by causing unacceptable systemic toxicity and narrow therapeutic indices. To improve tumour accumulation, drug-loaded macromolecular assemblies have been designed to replace conventional surfactant-based formulations. Their nanoscale size enhances tumour accumulation via hyperpermeable vasculature and reduced lymphatic drainage. Incorporating targeting ligands introduces cell specificity through receptor-specific binding and uptake, enabling drugs to reach intracellular targets. In this work, the targeting properties of polymer nanoparticle micelles of poly(2-methyl-2-carboxytrimethylene carbonate-co-D,L-lactide)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol)-furan (poly(TMCC-co-LA)-g-PEG) were verified using in vitro and in vivo models of breast cancer. To select a relevant mouse model, the vascular and lymphovascular properties of two tumour xenograft models were compared. Greater accumulation of a model nanocarrier was observed in orthotopic mammary fat pad (MFP) tumours than size matched ectopic subcutaneous tumours, suggesting that the organ environment influenced the underlying pathophysiology. Immunostaining revealed greater vascular thickness, density and size, and thinner basement membranes in MFP tumours, likely contributing to greater blood perfusion and vascular permeability. Based on these observations, MFP tumour-bearing mice were used to characterize the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of a taxol drug, docetaxel, encapsulated in poly(TMCC-co-LA)-g-PEG nanoparticles. The nanoparticle formulation demonstrated longer docetaxel circulation in plasma compared to the conventional surfactant-based formulation. As a result, greater docetaxel retention was uniquely measured in tumour tissue, extending exposure of tumour cells to the active compound and suggesting potential for increased anti-cancer efficacy. Furthermore, active targeting of antibody-modified nanoparticles to live cells was shown to be selective and receptor-specific. Binding isotherms were used to quantify the impact of antibody density on binding strength. The equilibrium binding constant increased linearly with the average number of antibodies per particle, which is consistent with a single antibody-antigen interaction per particle. This mechanistic understanding enables binding behaviour to be adjusted in a predictive manner and guides rational nanoparticle design. These studies validate poly(TMCC-co-LA)-g-PEG nanoparticles as a platform for targeted delivery to cancer on both a tissue and cellular level, forming a compelling justification for further pre-clinical evaluation of this system for safety and efficacy in vivo.