Abstract 3722: Novel Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technology for no-invasive 3D ex vivo drug activity profiling

Abstract

Abstract Drug discovery and early to late drug development process have relied on 2D monolayer based in vitro assay platforms and small animal models. The limitations posed by 2D in vitro assays for evaluation of targeted and immunomodulatory agents have prompted researchers to develop novel 3D in vitro and ex vivo platforms utilizing the tumor microenvironment like conditions for better understanding of mechanisms of novel targeted and immunomodulatory drug/compound entities. Therefore, rapid development of robust 3D ex vivo cell culture as drug efficacy testing system for drug discovery, development and profiling of standard of care and Immunotherapeutic molecules have led to understanding the relevance of these platforms within the scientific and clinical community. 3D ex vivo platforms are being diligently evaluated as better predictive drug efficacy testing tools in preclinical as well as clinical space in the quest for profiling of novel anticancer entities (as single or two drug combinations). Within this context, there has been growing need in improved imaging and analysis of complex 3D structures (Multicellular tumor spheroids/Organoids) containing multiple cellular components such as, Tumor cells, stromal cells, various immune cells to monitor signaling pathways and assess immune events including T cell infiltration as drug efficacy measurement. At SCREEN LifeScience, we have developed a novel OCT based technology for imaging and analysis of complex 3D structures, such as, spheroid /organoid for growth & morphological profiling, quantification of internal cavities, drug sensitivity testing to capture the events leading to tumor cell death and assessing mechanism of drug action. Additionally, this technology allows us perform large tissue imaging, non-invasive monitoring of macro and sprouted neo-vasculature without the need for fluorescent staining for providing quantitative information about the vascular morphological changes, thereby allowing for the evaluation of anti-angiogenic drugs in real time. In summary, the OCT technology shown to be robust and versatile technology useful for studying multiple disease models, including cancer. Its utility in regeneration medicine is being further evaluated as a versatile non-invasive platform. Citation Format: Sumeer Dhar, Akihiro Ueda, Takemitsu Muira, Yasushi Kuromi, Yuki Mori, Hiroki Fujimoto. Novel Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technology for no-invasive 3D ex vivo drug activity profiling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3722.