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Updated: May 9, 2026
Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
A novel extracellular drug conjugate significantly inhibits head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Larissa Sweeny1, Yolanda E Hartman, Kurt R Zinn
1University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 1670 University Boulevard, Volker Hall G082, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
Objectives:
Despite advances in treatment modalities, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a challenge to treat with poor survival and high morbidity, necessitating a therapy with greater efficacy. EDC22 is an extracellular drug conjugate of the monoclonal antibody targeting CD147 (glycoprotein highly expressed on HNSCC cells) linked with a small drug molecule inhibitor of Na, K-ATPase. In this study, EDC22's potential as a treatment modality for HNSCC was performed.
Materials And Methods:
HNSCC cell lines (FADU, OSC-19, Cal27, SCC-1) were cultured in vitro and proliferation and cell viability were assessed following treatment with a range of concentrations of EDC22 (0.25-5.00μg/mL). Mice bearing HNSCC xenografts (OSC-19, SCC-1) were treated with either EDC22 (3-10mg/kg), anti-CD147 monoclonal antibody, cisplatin (1mg/kg) or radiation therapy (2Gy/week) monotherapy or in combination.
Results:
In vitro, treatment with minimal concentration of EDC22 (0.25μg/mL) significantly decreased cellular proliferation and cell viability (p<0.0001). In vivo, systemic treatment with EDC22 significantly decreased primary tumor growth rate in both an orthotopic mouse model (OSC-19) and a flank tumor mouse model (SCC-1) (p<0.05). In addition, EDC22 therapy resulted in a greater reduction in tumor growth in vivo compared to radiation monotherapy (p<0.05) and a similar reduction in tumor growth compared to cisplatin monotherapy. Combination therapy provided no significant further reduction in tumor growth relative to EDC22 monotherapy.
Conclusion:
EDC22 is a potent inhibitor of HNSCC cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, warranting further investigations of its clinical potential in the treatment of HNSCC.
Insights
EDC22, a novel drug conjugate targeting CD147, effectively inhibits head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) growth in vitro and in vivo. This promising therapy warrants further clinical investigation for HNSCC treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Drug Development
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presents significant treatment challenges with poor patient outcomes.
- Current therapies for HNSCC often result in high morbidity and limited efficacy, necessitating novel treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of EDC22, an extracellular drug conjugate targeting CD147, as a treatment for HNSCC.
- To assess the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of EDC22 in preclinical models of HNSCC.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies involved treating HNSCC cell lines with varying concentrations of EDC22 to assess proliferation and viability.
- In vivo studies utilized mice with HNSCC xenografts, comparing EDC22 monotherapy and combination therapy against anti-CD147 antibody, cisplatin, and radiation.
Main Results:
- EDC22 significantly reduced HNSCC cell proliferation and viability in vitro at minimal concentrations (0.25μg/mL).
- In vivo, EDC22 treatment markedly decreased tumor growth rates in both orthotopic and flank HNSCC xenograft models.
- EDC22 demonstrated superior tumor growth reduction compared to radiation monotherapy and comparable efficacy to cisplatin monotherapy.
Conclusions:
- EDC22 exhibits potent inhibitory effects on HNSCC cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo.
- The findings support further clinical investigation of EDC22 for its potential in treating HNSCC.
