Abstract 1804: The role of adipose derived stromal cells for reversal of radiation fibrosis

Hypothesis: Up to 70% of patients after radiotherapy develop radiation fibrosis (RF), an irreversible scarring of normal tissue resulting in functional morbidity and increased risk of surgical complications. Adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) have been used effectively for the treatment of complex wounds in animal models and clinical trials. We hypothesize that ADSCs may reverse RF by repopulating mesenchymal precursor cells and by providing angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and matrix remodeling factors. Methods: A RF animal model was developed and ADSC isolation was confirmed by immunophenotype and differentiation assay. GFP and luciferase labelled ADSCs were used to assess biodistribution after transplantation. To determine the therapeutic effect of ADSC transplantation for RF, we assessed functional changes to leg contracture, oxygen saturation and perfusion and molecular changes to inflammation, vascularization, and matrix remodeling. To determine the mechanism of ADSC-mediated fibrosis reversal, we assessed transcriptomic and epigenetic changes to RF tissue. Results: A RF model was created by radiating the hind limb of C3H mice. This model showed a dose dependent leg contracture and histological findings of fibrosis. We confirmed the immunophenotype of isolated ADSC and their ability to differentiate into adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages. ADSC transplantation showed a statistically significant trend towards improved leg contracture (2-way ANOVA, p Conclusions: ADSC transplantation may be an effective treatment for the reversal of radiation fibrosis. As cancer survivorship increases, the prevalence of radiation fibrosis will rise and necessitate increased focus on effective treatment strategies for this condition. Citation Format: Xiao Zhao, Ju Hee Lee, Kenneth Yip, Laurie Ailles, Fei-Fei Liu. The role of adipose derived stromal cells for reversal of radiation fibrosis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1804. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1804