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Updated: Oct 30, 2025
Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro
Published on: March 18, 2014
adipoSIGHT in Therapeutic Response: Consequences in Osteosarcoma Treatment
Banani Kundu1,2, Virginia Brancato1,2, Joaquim Oliveira1,2
13B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal.
Co-culturing osteosarcoma cells with human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) created tumorspheres that resisted chemotherapy. This interaction suggests potential oncological risks with ASC-based therapies in cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Chemotherapeutic resistance is a significant challenge in cancer treatment, leading to disease recurrence and metastasis.
- Cancer stem cells and stromal interactions, including those with stem cells, influence treatment efficacy.
- Osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, presents challenges due to its complex cellular microenvironment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic response of co-cultured osteosarcoma (Saos 2) and human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs).
- To analyze cell-cell interactions and drug resistance mechanisms within tumorspheres formed by Saos 2 and ASCs.
- To assess the potential oncological risks associated with using ASCs in cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Co-culture of Saos 2 cells and ASCs on a nonadherent, concave surface to form tumorspheres.
- Real-time microscopic monitoring of cell arrangement using cell tracker dyes.
- Investigation of cell-cell interaction via E-cadherin expression analysis.
- Assessment of doxorubicin infiltration and gene expression (SOX2, OCT4, CD44) post-chemotherapy.
Main Results:
- Heterotypic tumorspheres (Saos 2-ASCs) exhibited higher E-cadherin expression and compact organization compared to homotypic tumorspheres.
- Limited doxorubicin infiltration was observed in heterotypic tumorspheres, conferring protection against chemotherapy.
- Genes associated with drug resistance (SOX2, OCT4, CD44) were overexpressed in heterotypic tumorspheres after chemotherapy.
Conclusions:
- The interaction between Saos 2 cells and ASCs enhances chemoresistance by forming a protective barrier and upregulating drug resistance genes.
- ASCs may contribute to chemotherapy resistance in osteosarcoma.
- The findings highlight potential oncological risks of ASC-based regenerative therapies in cancer patients, necessitating further research.
