Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common primary brain cancer with a 5 year survival rate of <15%, even with the most aggressive therapies. Malignant glioma cells are highly invasive and their efficient infiltration into adjacent normal brain tissue prevents complete surgical removal and limits the dosing of radiation and chemotherapeutic drugs. Unfortunately, local chemotherapy, provided by either biodegradable polymer implants or convection-enhanced delivery, has had limited clinical success; in part due to inefficient delivery of therapeutics to distant invading tumor cells. Fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, is a promising molecular target for GB therapy. High Fn14 expression correlates with higher brain tumor grade and poor patient outcome, and is found in both migrating glioma cells in vitro and invading glioma cells in vivo. Hence, a delivery strategy designed to target Fn14+ tumor cells is a promising approach for treating distant invading tumor cells. Our pilot data show that gene vectors with bio-inert surfaces (via extremely dense PEG coatings) provide improved penetration and distribution in brain tissue, minimize non-specific binding, and therefore have a greater potential for cell-specific targeting in the brain. Our overall hypothesis is that Fn14-targeted gene vectors will suppress brain cancer invasion by delivering therapeutic gene constructs into the regions of the brain that contain infiltrating tumor cells and effectively inhibiting Fn14 signaling in invading Fn14+ glioma cells. This hypothesis will be tested in the following specific aims: (1) synthesize and characterize Fn14-targeting gene vectors and assess their Fn14 targeting, cellular trafficking, and in vitro gene expression in Fn14+ glioma cells, (2) using optimized gene vectors from Aim 1, evaluate brain tissue penetration and particle distribution in vivo, and (3) using therapeutic version of gene vectors from Aim 2, evaluate inhibition of Fn14 signaling and suppression of glioma cell invasion ex vivo and in vivo. These studies will provide an important next step in the application of brain- penetrating delivery technologies; specifically, directly targeting treatments to the key infiltrating tumor cells not accessible with surgery. Our next step would include: (1) identifying optimum therapeutic gene and cellular pathway targets, and (2) augmenting particle delivery and dispersion using convection-enhanced local delivery and focused ultrasound mediated systemic delivery.

Public Health Relevance

Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in patients younger than 35 years. Malignant glioma cells are highly invasive and their efficient infiltration into adjacent normal brain tissue prevents complete surgical removal and limits the dosing of radiation and chemotherapeutic drugs. The aim of this project is to develop brain penetrating gene vector systems, with structure-specific targeting to infiltrating tumor cells, to permit the delivery of specially designed therapeutics for improved brain cancer treatment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
Type
Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development Award (K25)
Project #
5K25EB018370-03
Application #
9134759
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZEB1-OSR-D (J2)S)
Program Officer
Erim, Zeynep
Project Start
2014-09-01
Project End
2017-08-31
Budget Start
2016-09-01
Budget End
2017-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
$130,131
Indirect Cost
$9,639
Name
University of Maryland Baltimore
Department
Neurosurgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
188435911
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21201
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