methylcellulose and Ovarian-Neoplasms

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most leading cause of cancer related deaths in women in the US. Customized immunotherapeutic strategies may serve as an alternative method to control the recurrence or progression of ovarian cancer and to avoid severe adverse effects of chemotherapy. In this study, a microparticulate vaccine using whole cell lysate of a murine ovarian cancer cell line, ID8 was prepared with the use of a spray dryer. These particles were designed for oral delivery using enteric polymers such as methacrylic copolymer, Eudragit(®) FS30D and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate. These particles were targeted for uptake via microfold cell (M-cell) in Peyer's patches of small intestine using M-cell targeting ligand, Aleuria aurantia lectin. The interleukins (ILs) such as IL-2 and IL-12 were added to the vaccine formulation to further enhance the immune response. The particles obtained were of 1.58±0.62 μm size with a charge of 12.48±2.32 mV. The vaccine efficacy was evaluated by administering the particles via oral route to C57BL/6 female mice. At the end of vaccination, mice were challenged with live tumor cells. Vaccinated mice showed significant (around six-fold) retardation of tumor volume in comparison to non-vaccinated animals for 3 weeks after the tumor challenge (p<0.001). The serum IgG antibody levels were found to be elevated in case of vaccinated animals in comparison to non-vaccinated group (p<0.05). Analysis of IgG1 titers (indicative of Th2 response) and IgG2a titers (indicative of Th1 response) showed a mixed Th1 and Th2 immune response in case vaccine alone and Th2 response in case of vaccine with interleukins group. Moreover, CD8+ T-cell, CD4+ T-cell and B-cell populations in different lymphatic organs were elevated in case of vaccinated mice. Thus, whole cell lysate vaccine microparticles formulated by spray drying could trigger humoral as well as cellular immune response when administered orally. Such vaccine could potentially be an effective treatment for patients with residual tumor or high tumor-relapse probability.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Administration, Oral; Animals; Antibodies, Neoplasm; B-Lymphocytes; Cancer Vaccines; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Drug Carriers; Female; Humans; Interleukins; Methylcellulose; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Ovarian Neoplasms; Polymethacrylic Acids; Treatment Outcome

Eight patients with advanced ovarian cancer were treated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic lysine carboxymethylcellulose (poly(ICLC]. Toxicity was substantial. No responses were seen in this small group of patients. Further clinical trials utilizing poly(ICLC) at the doses described in patients with advanced ovarian cancer do not appear to be warranted.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; Female; Humans; Methylcellulose; Middle Aged; Ovarian Neoplasms; Pilot Projects; Poly I-C; Polylysine

Human ovarian cancer cells from ten patients were cultured in the agar double layer assay as described by Hamburger and Salmon and in a methylcellulose monolayer system. The assays were compared under the same experimental conditions. The rate of positives (defined as greater than 30 colonies/dish) was 75% in the methylcellulose assay and 69% in the agar double layer. Plating efficiency ranged in the methylcellulose assay between 0.021% and 0.089% and in the agar double layer from 0.015% to 0.094%. Cytological and cytochemical staining of cells obtained from colonies in both test systems and of the tumour cells prior to plating revealed the same morphology. The methylcellulose monolayer system requires less additives than necessary in the agar double layer system. Furthermore, it is easier to handle with respect to the plating procedure and less time consuming. In addition, the effect of the anti-oestrogen tamoxifen on colony formation was tested. The dose response curves for colony formation with tamoxifen proved to be identical in both systems. At a concentration of 10(-6) M an inhibition of colony formation of more than 70% of controls was observed in the agar and in the methylcellulose system.

Topics: Agar; Clone Cells; Colony-Forming Units Assay; Female; Humans; Methylcellulose; Ovarian Neoplasms; Tamoxifen; Tumor Stem Cell Assay

Methods and evaluation of the human tumor stem cell assay (HTSCA) are described. Advantages and disadvantages of the test system are elaborated. The in vitro/in vivo correlation in the drug screening of human ovarian carcinomas shows that the prediction of sensitivity to a cytotoxic agent is only possible in 64%. Prediction of drug resistance, however, seems to be possible in 95%. The number of patients that profit from the HTSCA seems to be only less than 10%. Our investigations describe the influence of various hormones and antiestrogens on the colony formation of human ovarian carcinoma cells. Tamoxifen and his major metabolite 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen were the most active agents. Both compounds inhibit the colony survival (70% at pharmacological concentrations) of 60% of the screened ovarian carcinomas. A significant correlation to the quantitative level of estrogen or progesterone receptors could not be proved. Colony formation of ovarian carcinoma cells was compared in the HTSCA as described by Hamburger and Salmon and in a methylcellulose-monolayer system. Our results show that the colony formation corresponds to the results of the original HTSCA: Cloning ovarian carcinoma cells in the methylcellulose-monolayer, however, seems to be technically easier and faster.

Topics: Agar; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma; Cells, Cultured; Colony-Forming Units Assay; Drug Resistance; Estradiol; Female; Hormones; Humans; Medroxyprogesterone; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; Methylcellulose; Ovarian Neoplasms; Progesterone; Prognosis; Tamoxifen; Tumor Stem Cell Assay

The correlation of the colony growth of cells disaggregated from human melanoma, sarcoma, lung, and ovarian carcinomas were studied in four different semisolid tissue culture assays: (a) the soft agar assay of Pluznik and Sachs; (b) the soft agar assay of Hamburger and Salmon; (c) the soft agar-methyl cellulose assay of Buick et al.; and (d) the methyl cellulose assay of Ogawa et al. There was no colony growth of tumor cells achieved in 15 of 15 cases assayed in Ogawa's methyl cellulose assay. The plating efficiency of the above mentioned tumors was similar in the assays of Pluznik and Sachs, Hamburger and Salmon, and Buick et al. However, the tumor take rate differed among these three systems. The assay of Buick et al. appears potentially useful for analysis of the biology of human tumors.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Agar; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; Cytological Techniques; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Melanoma; Methylcellulose; Ovarian Neoplasms; Sarcoma