Summary of the Proceedings of the Basic Science of Uterine Fibroids Meeting: New Developments February 28, 2020.

Scientists from multiple basic disciplines and an international group of physician-scientists from the field of obstetrics and gynecology presented recent studies and discussed new and evolving theories of uterine fibroid etiology, growth and development at The Basic Science of the Uterine Fibroids meeting, sponsored by the Campion Fund and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The purpose was to share up-to date knowledge and to stimulate new concepts regarding the basic molecular biology and pathophysiology of uterine fibroids, and to promote future collaborations. The meeting was held at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in North Carolina on February 28, 2020. Speakers reviewed recent advances in cellular and molecular processes that contribute to fibroid growth and new opportunities for treatment. At the conclusion of the conference, attendees identified important new directions for future research.

Magnetic nanoparticles as a new approach to improve the efficacy of gene therapy against differentiated human uterine fibroid cells and tumor-initiating stem cells.

OBJECTIVE: To study whether efficient transduction and subsequent elimination of fibroid tumor-initiating stem cells during debulking of tumor cells will aid in completely eradicating the tumor as well as decreasing the likelihood of recurrence. DESIGN: Case control study. SETTING: Research laboratory. PATIENT(S): None. INTERVENTION(S): Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) complexed to adenovirus (Ad-GFP) or (Ad-LacZ) used to transfect differentiated human fibroid cells in vitro. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Rate of transduction and tumor growth inhibition. RESULT(S): We have developed a localized nonsurgical adenovirus-based alternative for the treatment of uterine fibroids that combines viral-based gene delivery with nanotechnology for more efficient targeting. Magnetic nanoparticles complexed to adenovirus, in the presence of an external magnetic field, accelerate adenovirus transduction. We observed a statistically significant increase in transduction efficiency among differentiated human fibroid cells at two different multiplicities of infection (MOI), 1 and 10, respectively, with MNPs as compared with adenovirus alone. Human fibroid stem cells transfected with Ad-LacZ expressed ß-galactosidaze at a MOI of 1, 10, and 50 at 19%, 62%, and 90%, respectively, which were statistically significantly enhanced with MNPs. CONCLUSION(S): When applied with adenovirus herpes simplex thymidine kinase, magnetofection statistically significantly suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis in both cell types. Through the use of magnetofection, we will prove that a lower viral dose will effectively increase the overall safety profile of suicide gene therapy against fibroid tumors.