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Stem Cell-Based Models for Studying the Effects of Cancer and Cancer Therapies on the Peripheral Nervous System
Mikayla N Richter1,2, Faranak Fattahi1,2,3
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
Abstract:
In recent years, the complexity of cancer and cancer therapies and their interactions with the peripheral nervous system have come into focus, but limitations in experimental models have remained a significant challenge in the field. As evidence, there are currently no therapies approved that target cancer-peripheral nervous system or cancer therapy-peripheral nervous system interactions as an anti-neoplastic or anti-neurotoxic agent, respectively. Human pluripotent stem cells offer an appealing model system that, unlike rodent models, is compatible with high throughput, high content applications; techniques that reflect modern drug discovery methodologies. Thus, utilizing the key advantages of stem cell-based models in tandem with the strengths of traditional animal models offers a complementary and interdisciplinary strategy to advance cancer and cancer therapy-peripheral nervous system research and drug discovery. In this review, the current status of the cancer-peripheral nervous system and cancer therapy-peripheral nervous system research is discussed, examples where stem cell-based models have been implemented are described, and avenues where stem cell-based models may further advance the field are proposed.
Insights
Limitations in current models hinder cancer and cancer therapy-peripheral nervous system research. Human pluripotent stem cells offer a promising complementary approach for advancing drug discovery and understanding these complex interactions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Oncology
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Cancer and its treatments significantly impact the peripheral nervous system, yet effective therapies targeting these interactions are lacking.
- Existing experimental models present limitations in studying cancer-peripheral nervous system (PNS) and cancer therapy-PNS interactions.
- There are no approved therapies specifically targeting cancer-PNS or cancer therapy-PNS interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state of research on cancer-PNS and cancer therapy-PNS interactions.
- To highlight the potential of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) as a model system.
- To propose future research directions utilizing stem cell-based models.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cancer-PNS interactions and therapeutic interventions.
- Discussion of the advantages of hPSC-based models over traditional methods.
- Exploration of complementary strategies combining stem cell and animal models.
Main Results:
- Current experimental models are insufficient for comprehensive study of cancer-PNS and cancer therapy-PNS interactions.
- Human pluripotent stem cells offer advantages for high-throughput, high-content screening relevant to drug discovery.
- A combined approach using stem cell and animal models presents a promising interdisciplinary strategy.
Conclusions:
- Stem cell-based models, particularly hPSCs, hold significant potential to advance research in cancer and its neurological side effects.
- Integrating stem cell models with traditional approaches can overcome current limitations in drug discovery for cancer-neuropathy.
- Further development and application of these models are crucial for discovering novel anti-neoplastic and anti-neurotoxic agents.
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