Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Serum Biomarkers for Detection of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Teratomas

  • Johannes Riegler
  • , Antje Ebert
  • , Xulei Qin
  • , Qi Shen
  • , Mouer Wang
  • , Mohamed Ameen
  • , Kazuki Kodo
  • , Sang Ging Ong
  • , Won Hee Lee
  • , Grace Lee
  • , Evgenios Neofytou
  • , Joseph D. Gold
  • , Andrew J. Connolly
  • , Joseph C. Wu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

The use of cells derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) for regenerative therapies confers a considerable risk for neoplastic growth and teratoma formation. Preclinical and clinical assessment of such therapies will require suitable monitoring strategies to understand and mitigate these risks. Here we generated human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), selected clones that continued to express reprogramming factors after differentiation into cardiomyocytes, and transplanted these cardiomyocytes into immunocompromised rat hearts post-myocardial infarction. We compared magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cardiac ultrasound, and serum biomarkers for their ability to delineate teratoma formation and growth. MRI enabled the detection of teratomas with a volume >8 mm3. A combination of three plasma biomarkers (CEA, AFP, and HCG) was able to detect teratomas with a volume >17 mm3 and with a sensitivity of more than 87%. Based on our findings, a combination of serum biomarkers with MRI screening may offer the highest sensitivity for teratoma detection and tracking.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)176-187
Number of pages12
JournalStem Cell Reports
Volume6
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 9 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • magnetic resonance imaging
  • microRNA biomarker
  • pluripotent stem cells
  • serum biomarker
  • tumorigenicity
  • ultrasound imaging

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

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