751
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The IRE1 endoplasmic reticulum stress sensor activates natural killer cell immunity in part by regulating c-Myc. Nat Immunol 2019; 20:865-878. [PMID: 31086333 PMCID: PMC6588410 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-019-0388-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are critical mediators of host immunity to pathogens. Here, we demonstrate that the endoplasmic reticulum stress sensor inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1α) and its substrate transcription factor X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) drive NK cell responses against viral infection and tumors in vivo. IRE1α-XBP1 were essential for expansion of activated mouse and human NK cells and are situated downstream of the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. Transcriptome and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed c-Myc as a new and direct downstream target of XBP1 for regulation of NK cell proliferation. Genetic ablation or pharmaceutical blockade of IRE1α downregulated c-Myc, and NK cells with c-Myc haploinsufficency phenocopied IRE1α-XBP1 deficiency. c-Myc overexpression largely rescued the proliferation defect in IRE1α-/- NK cells. Like c-Myc, IRE1α-XBP1 also promotes oxidative phosphorylation in NK cells. Overall, our study identifies a IRE1α-XBP1-cMyc axis in NK cell immunity, providing insight into host protection against infection and cancer.
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752
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Di Vito C, Mikulak J, Zaghi E, Pesce S, Marcenaro E, Mavilio D. NK cells to cure cancer. Semin Immunol 2019; 41:101272. [PMID: 31085114 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes able to mediate immune-surveillance and clearance of viral infected and tumor-transformed cells. Growing experimental and clinical evidence highlighted a dual role of NK cells either in the control of cancer development/progression or in promoting the onset of immune-suppressant tumor microenvironments. Indeed, several mechanisms of NK cell-mediated tumor escape have been described and these includes cancer-induced aberrant expression of activating and inhibitory receptors (i.e. NK cell immune checkpoints), impairments of NK cell migration to tumor sites and altered NK cell effector-functions. These phenomena highly contribute to tumor progression and metastasis formation. In this review, we discuss the latest insights on those NK cell receptors and related molecules that are currently being implemented in clinics either as possible prognostic factors or therapeutic targets to unleash NK cell anti-tumor effector-functions in vivo. Moreover, we address here the major recent advances in regard to the genetic modification and ex vivo expansion of anti-tumor specific NK cells used in innovative adoptive cellular transfer approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Di Vito
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Joanna Mikulak
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Zaghi
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Italy.
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753
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754
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Chrétien S, Zerdes I, Bergh J, Matikas A, Foukakis T. Beyond PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibition: What the Future Holds for Breast Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E628. [PMID: 31060337 PMCID: PMC6562626 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has altered the management of human malignancies, improving outcomes in an expanding list of diseases. Breast cancer - presumably due to its perceived low immunogenicity - is a late addition to this list. Furthermore, most of the focus has been on the triple negative subtype because of its higher tumor mutational load and lymphocyte-enriched stroma, although emerging data show promise on the other breast cancer subtypes as well. To this point the clinical use of immunotherapy is limited to the inhibition of two immune checkpoints, Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1) and Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated Protein 4 (CTLA-4). Consistent with the complexity of the regulation of the tumor - host interactions and their lack of reliance on a single regulatory pathway, combinatory approaches have shown improved efficacy albeit at the cost of increased toxicity. Beyond those two checkpoints though, a large number of co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory molecules play major roles on tumor evasion from immunosurveillance. These molecules likely represent future targets of immunotherapy provided that the promise shown in early data is translated into improved patient survival in randomized trials. The biological role, prognostic and predictive implications regarding breast cancer and early clinical efforts on exploiting these immune-related therapeutic targets are herein reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Chrétien
- Department of Oncology - Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.
| | - Ioannis Zerdes
- Department of Oncology - Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.
| | - Jonas Bergh
- Department of Oncology - Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.
| | - Alexios Matikas
- Department of Oncology - Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.
| | - Theodoros Foukakis
- Department of Oncology - Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.
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755
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Doescher J, Laban S, Schuler PJ, Brunner C, Hoffmann TK. Immunotherapy for head and neck cancers: an update and future perspectives. Immunotherapy 2019; 11:561-564. [DOI: 10.2217/imt-2019-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Doescher
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Ulm, Frauensteige 12, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Simon Laban
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Ulm, Frauensteige 12, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Patrick J Schuler
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Ulm, Frauensteige 12, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Cornelia Brunner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Ulm, Frauensteige 12, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas K Hoffmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Ulm, Frauensteige 12, 89075 Ulm, Germany
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756
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Sivori S, Vacca P, Del Zotto G, Munari E, Mingari MC, Moretta L. Human NK cells: surface receptors, inhibitory checkpoints, and translational applications. Cell Mol Immunol 2019; 16:430-441. [PMID: 30778167 PMCID: PMC6474200 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-019-0206-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 318] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells play important roles in innate defenses against viruses and in the control of tumor growth and metastasis. The regulation/induction of NK cell function is mediated by an array of activating or inhibitory surface receptors. In humans, major activating receptors involved in target cell killing are the natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) and NKG2D. Activating receptors recognize ligands that are overexpressed or expressed de novo upon cell stress, viral infection, or tumor transformation. The HLA-class I-specific inhibitory receptors, including KIRs recognizing HLA-class I allotypic determinants and CD94/NKG2A recognizing the class-Ib HLA-E, constitute a fail-safe mechanism to avoid unwanted NK-mediated damage to healthy cells. Other receptors such as PD-1, primarily expressed by activated T lymphocytes, are important inhibitory checkpoints of immune responses that ensure T-cell tolerance. PD-1 also may be expressed by NK cells in cancer patients. Since PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) may be expressed by different tumors, PD-1/PD-L1 interactions inactivate both T and NK cells. Thus, the reliable evaluation of PD-L1 expression in tumors has become a major issue to select patients who may benefit from therapy with mAbs disrupting PD-1/PD-L1 interactions. Recently, NKG2A was revealed to be an important checkpoint controlling both NK and T-cell activation. Since most tumors express HLA-E, mAbs targeting NKG2A has been used alone or in combination with other therapeutic mAbs targeting PD-1 or tumor antigens (e.g., EGFR), with encouraging results. The translational value of NK cells and their receptors is evidenced by the extraordinary therapeutic success of haploidentical HSCT to cure otherwise fatal high-risk leukemias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Genny Del Zotto
- Department of Research and Diagnostics, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enrico Munari
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Pathology, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar, VR, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- UOC Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
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757
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Kamiya T, Seow SV, Wong D, Robinson M, Campana D. Blocking expression of inhibitory receptor NKG2A overcomes tumor resistance to NK cells. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:2094-2106. [PMID: 30860984 PMCID: PMC6486333 DOI: 10.1172/jci123955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A key mechanism of tumor resistance to immune cells is mediated by expression of peptide-loaded HLA-E in tumor cells, which suppresses natural killer (NK) cell activity via ligation of the NK inhibitory receptor CD94/NKG2A. Gene expression data from approximately 10,000 tumor samples showed widespread HLAE expression, with levels correlating with those of KLRC1 (NKG2A) and KLRD1 (CD94). To bypass HLA-E inhibition, we developed a way to generate highly functional NK cells lacking NKG2A. Constructs containing a single-chain variable fragment derived from an anti-NKG2A antibody were linked to endoplasmic reticulum-retention domains. After retroviral transduction in human peripheral blood NK cells, these NKG2A Protein Expression Blockers (PEBLs) abrogated NKG2A expression. The resulting NKG2Anull NK cells had higher cytotoxicity against HLA-E-expressing tumor cells. Transduction of anti-NKG2A PEBL produced more potent cytotoxicity than interference with an anti-NKG2A antibody and prevented de novo NKG2A expression, without affecting NK cell proliferation. In immunodeficient mice, NKG2Anull NK cells were significantly more powerful than NKG2A+ NK cells against HLA-E-expressing tumors. Thus, NKG2A downregulation evades the HLA-E cancer immune-checkpoint, and increases the anti-tumor activity of NK cell infusions. Because this strategy is easily adaptable to current protocols for clinical-grade immune cell processing, its clinical testing is feasible and warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Kamiya
- Department of Pediatrics and National University Cancer Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - See Voon Seow
- Department of Pediatrics and National University Cancer Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Desmond Wong
- Department of Pediatrics and National University Cancer Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Dario Campana
- Department of Pediatrics and National University Cancer Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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758
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Mikulak J, Bruni E, Oriolo F, Di Vito C, Mavilio D. Hepatic Natural Killer Cells: Organ-Specific Sentinels of Liver Immune Homeostasis and Physiopathology. Front Immunol 2019; 10:946. [PMID: 31114585 PMCID: PMC6502999 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is considered a preferential tissue for NK cells residency. In humans, almost 50% of all intrahepatic lymphocytes are NK cells that are strongly imprinted in a liver-specific manner and show a broad spectrum of cellular heterogeneity. Hepatic NK (he-NK) cells play key roles in tuning liver immune response in both physiological and pathological conditions. Therefore, there is a pressing need to comprehensively characterize human he-NK cells to better understand the related mechanisms regulating their effector-functions within the dynamic balance between immune-tolerance and immune-surveillance. This is of particular relevance in the liver that is the only solid organ whose parenchyma is constantly challenged on daily basis by millions of foreign antigens drained from the gut. Therefore, the present review summarizes our current knowledge on he-NK cells in the light of the latest discoveries in the field of NK cell biology and clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Mikulak
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Bruni
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Oriolo
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Di Vito
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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759
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Mariotti FR, Quatrini L, Munari E, Vacca P, Moretta L. Innate Lymphoid Cells: Expression of PD-1 and Other Checkpoints in Normal and Pathological Conditions. Front Immunol 2019; 10:910. [PMID: 31105707 PMCID: PMC6498986 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) belong to a family of immune cells. Recently, ILCs have been classified into five different groups that mirror the function of adaptive T cell subsets counterparts. In particular, NK cells mirror CD8+ cytotoxic T cells while ILC1, ILC2, ILC3, and Lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi)-like cells reflect the function of CD4+T helper (Th) cells (Th1, Th2, and Th17 respectively). ILCs are involved in innate host defenses against pathogens and tumors, in lymphoid organogenesis, and in tissue remodeling/repair. In recent years, important molecular inducible checkpoints (PD-1, TIM3, and TIGIT) were shown to control/inactivate different immune cell types. The expression of many of these receptors has been detected on NK cells and subsets of tissue-resident ILCs in both physiological and pathological conditions, including cancer. In particular, it has been demonstrated that the interaction between PD-1+ immune cells and PD-L1/PD-L2+ tumor cells may compromise the anti-tumor effector function leading to tumor immune escape. However, while the effector function of NK cells in tumor is well-established, limited information exists on the other ILC subsets. We will summarize what is known to date on the expression and function of these checkpoint receptors on NK cells and ILCs, with a particular focus on the recent data that reveal an essential contribution of the blockade of PD-1 and TIGIT on NK cells to the immunotherapy of cancer. A better information regarding the presence and the function of different ILCs and of the inhibitory checkpoints in pathological conditions may offer important clues for the development of new immune therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Linda Quatrini
- Department of Immunology, IRCSS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Munari
- Department of Pathology, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Department of Immunology, IRCSS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, IRCSS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
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760
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Cichocki F, Miller JS. Setting traps for NKG2A gives NK cell immunotherapy a fighting chance. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:1839-1841. [PMID: 30985296 DOI: 10.1172/jci128480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The equilibrium of signaling through activating and inhibitory receptors dictates whether a given NK cell will execute cellular cytotoxicity. In this issue of the JCI, Kamiya et al. describe a novel approach to efficiently inhibiting surface expression of the inhibitory receptor CD94/NK group 2 member A (NKG2A) through retention of the protein in the endoplasmic reticulum. In adoptive transfer experiments into tumor-bearing immunodeficient mice, NKG2Anull NK cells were significantly more effective at eliminating HLA-E-expressing tumor cells than NKG2A+ NK cells. This study provides proof of concept for a new immunotherapeutic approach using NKG2Anull NK cells.
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761
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NKG2A is a NK cell exhaustion checkpoint for HCV persistence. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1507. [PMID: 30944315 PMCID: PMC6447531 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09212-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Exhaustion of cytotoxic effector natural killer (NK) and CD8+ T cells have important functions in the establishment of persistent viral infections, but how exhaustion is induced during chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains poorly defined. Here we show, using the humanized C/OTg mice permissive for persistent HCV infection, that NK and CD8+ T cells become sequentially exhausted shortly after their transient hepatic infiltration and activation in acute HCV infection. HCV infection upregulates Qa-1 expression in hepatocytes, which ligates NKG2A to induce NK cell exhaustion. Antibodies targeting NKG2A or Qa-1 prevents NK exhaustion and promotes NK-dependent HCV clearance. Moreover, reactivated NK cells provide sufficient IFN-γ that helps rejuvenate polyclonal HCV CD8+ T cell response and clearance of HCV. Our data thus show that NKG2A serves as a critical checkpoint for HCV-induced NK exhaustion, and that NKG2A blockade sequentially boosts interdependent NK and CD8+ T cell functions to prevent persistent HCV infection. Immune cells may become less responsive, or ‘exhausted’, upon chronic viral infection, but the underlying mechanism and crosstalk are still unclear. Here the authors show that, upon chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, natural killer cell exhaustion is induced by NKG2A signalling to instruct downstream exhaustion of CD8+ T cells and HCV persistence.
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762
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Abstract
Although common evolutionary principles drive the growth of cancer cells regardless of the tissue of origin, the microenvironment in which tumours arise substantially differs across various organ sites. Recent studies have established that, in addition to cell-intrinsic effects, tumour growth regulation also depends on local cues driven by tissue environmental factors. In this Review, we discuss how tissue-specific determinants might influence tumour development and argue that unravelling the tissue-specific contribution to tumour immunity should help the development of precise immunotherapeutic strategies for patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Salmon
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Precision Immunology Institute and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- INSERM U932, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
| | | | - Sacha Gnjatic
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Precision Immunology Institute and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Miriam Merad
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Precision Immunology Institute and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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763
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The Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Microenvironment as a Potential Target for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040440. [PMID: 30925774 PMCID: PMC6520833 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Similarly to other types of malignant tumours, the incidence of head and neck cancer is increasing globally. It is frequently associated with smoking and alcohol abuse, and in a broader sense also with prolonged exposure to these factors during ageing. A higher incidence of tumours observed in younger populations without a history of alcohol and tobacco abuse may be due to HPV infection. Malignant tumours form an intricate ecosystem of cancer cells, fibroblasts, blood/lymphatic capillaries and infiltrating immune cells. This dynamic system, the tumour microenvironment, has a significant impact on the biological properties of cancer cells. The microenvironment participates in the control of local aggressiveness of cancer cells, their growth, and their consequent migration to lymph nodes and distant organs during metastatic spread. In cancers originating from squamous epithelium, a similarity was demonstrated between the cancer microenvironment and healing wounds. In this review, we focus on the specificity of the microenvironment of head and neck cancer with emphasis on the mechanism of intercellular crosstalk manipulation for potential therapeutic application.
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764
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Belderbos RA, Aerts JGJV, Vroman H. Enhancing Dendritic Cell Therapy in Solid Tumors with Immunomodulating Conventional Treatment. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2019; 13:67-81. [PMID: 31020037 PMCID: PMC6475716 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells and are the key initiator of tumor-specific immune responses. These characteristics are exploited by DC therapy, where DCs are ex vivo loaded with tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and used to induce tumor-specific immune responses. Unfortunately, clinical responses remain limited to a proportion of the patients. Tumor characteristics and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) of the tumor are likely hampering efficacy of DC therapy. Therefore, reducing the immunosuppressive TME by combining DC therapy with other treatments could be a promising strategy. Initially, conventional cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, were thought to specifically target cancerous cells. Recent insights indicate that these therapies additionally augment tumor immunity by targeting immunosuppressive cell subsets in the TME, inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD), or blocking inhibitory molecules. Therefore, combining DC therapy with registered therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or checkpoint inhibitors could be a promising treatment strategy to improve the efficacy of DC therapy. In this review, we evaluate various clinical applicable combination strategies to improve the efficacy of DC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Belderbos
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joachim G J V Aerts
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Heleen Vroman
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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765
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Targeting natural killer cells in solid tumors. Cell Mol Immunol 2019; 16:415-422. [PMID: 30911118 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-019-0224-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells endowed with cytolytic activity and a capacity to secrete cytokines and chemokines. Several lines of evidence suggest that NK cells play an important role in anti-tumor immunity. Some therapies against hematological malignacies make use of the immune properties of NK cells, such as their ability to kill residual leukemic blasts efficiently after conditioning during haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, knowledge on NK cell infiltration and the status of NK cell responsiveness in solid tumors is limited so far. The pro-angiogenic role of the recently described NK cell-like type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s) and their phenotypic resemblance to NK cells are confounding factors that add a level of complexity, at least in mice. Here, we review the current knowledge on the presence and function of NK cells in solid tumors as well as the immunotherapeutic approaches designed to harness NK cell functions in these conditions, including those that aim to reinforce conventional anti-tumor therapies to increase the chances of successful treatment.
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766
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Shevtsov M, Pitkin E, Ischenko A, Stangl S, Khachatryan W, Galibin O, Edmond S, Lobinger D, Multhoff G. Ex vivo Hsp70-Activated NK Cells in Combination With PD-1 Inhibition Significantly Increase Overall Survival in Preclinical Models of Glioblastoma and Lung Cancer. Front Immunol 2019; 10:454. [PMID: 30967859 PMCID: PMC6439337 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) which is expressed on the plasma membrane of highly aggressive tumors including non-small cell lung carcinoma and glioblastoma multiforme serves as a target for Hsp70-targeting NK cells. Herein, we aimed to investigate the antitumor effects of a combined therapy consisting of ex vivo Hsp70-peptide TKD/IL-2-activated NK cells in combination with mouse/human anti-PD-1 antibody in a syngeneic glioblastoma and a xenograft lung cancer mouse model. Mice with membrane Hsp70 positive syngeneic GL261 glioblastoma or human xenograft A549 lung tumors were sham-treated with PBS or injected with ex vivo TKD/IL-2-activated mouse/human NK cells and mouse/human PD-1 antibody either as a single regimen or in combination. Tumor volume was assessed by MR scanning and tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T, NK, and PD-1+ cells were quantified by immunohistochemistry (IHC). We could show that the adoptive transfer of ex vivo TKD/IL-2-activated mouse NK cells or the inhibition of PD-1 resulted in tumor growth delay and an improved overall survival (OS) in a syngeneic glioblastoma mouse model. A combination of both therapies was well-tolerated and significantly more effective with respect to both outcome parameters than either of the single regimens. A combined treatment in a xenograft lung cancer model showed identical effects in immunodeficient mice bearing human lung cancer after adoptive transfer of TKD/IL-2-activated human effector cells and a human PD-1 antibody. Tumor control was associated with a massive infiltration with CD8+ T and NK cells in both tumor models and a decreased in PD-1 expression on immune effector cells. In summary, a combined approach consisting of activated NK cells and anti-PD-1 therapy is safe and results in a long-term tumor control which is accompanied by a massive tumor immune cell infiltration in 2 preclinical tumor models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Shevtsov
- Radiation Immuno-Oncology, Center for Translational Cancer Research, TUM (TranslaTUM), Munich, Germany.,Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), St. Petersburg, Russia.,Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Polenov Russian Scientific Research Institute of Neurosurgery, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Emil Pitkin
- Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alexander Ischenko
- Research Institute of Highly Pure Biopreparations, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Stefan Stangl
- Radiation Immuno-Oncology, Center for Translational Cancer Research, TUM (TranslaTUM), Munich, Germany
| | - William Khachatryan
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Polenov Russian Scientific Research Institute of Neurosurgery, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Oleg Galibin
- Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Stanley Edmond
- Radiation Immuno-Oncology, Center for Translational Cancer Research, TUM (TranslaTUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Dominik Lobinger
- Radiation Immuno-Oncology, Center for Translational Cancer Research, TUM (TranslaTUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Gabriele Multhoff
- Radiation Immuno-Oncology, Center for Translational Cancer Research, TUM (TranslaTUM), Munich, Germany
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767
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Innate lymphoid cells: A potential link between microbiota and immune responses against cancer. Semin Immunol 2019; 41:101271. [PMID: 30902413 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The adaptive immune system plays a crucial role in anti-tumor surveillance. Enhancement of T cell responses through checkpoint blockade has become a major therapeutic avenue of intervention for several tumors. Because it shapes immune responses and regulates their amplitude and duration, the microbiota has a substantial impact on anti-tumor immunity. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) comprise a heterogeneous population of lymphocytes devoid of antigen-specific receptors that mirror T helper cells in their ability to secrete cytokines that activate immune responses. Ongoing studies suggest that ILCs contribute to anti-tumor responses. Moreover, since ILCs are present at barrier surfaces, they are stimulated by the microbiota and, reciprocally, influence the composition of the microbiota by regulating the surface barrier microenvironment. Thus, ILC-microbiota cross-talk may in part underpin the effects of the microbiota on anti-tumor responses. In this article, we review current evidence linking ILCs to cancer and discuss the potential impact of ILC-microbiota cross-talk in anti-tumor immune responses.
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768
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de Jonge K, Ebering A, Nassiri S, Maby-El Hajjami H, Ouertatani-Sakouhi H, Baumgaertner P, Speiser DE. Circulating CD56 bright NK cells inversely correlate with survival of melanoma patients. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4487. [PMID: 30872676 PMCID: PMC6418246 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40933-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The roles of NK cells in human melanoma remain only partially understood. We characterized NK cells from peripheral blood ex vivo by flow cytometry obtained from late stage (III/IV) melanoma patients. Interestingly, we found that the abundance of CD56bright NK cells negatively correlate with overall patient survival, together with distant metastases, in a multivariate cox regression analysis. The patients' CD56bright NK cells showed upregulation of CD11a, CD38 and CD95 as compared to healthy controls, pointing to an activated phenotype as well as a possible immune regulatory role in melanoma patients. After stimulation in vitro, CD56bright NK cells produced less TNFα and GMCSF in patients than controls. Furthermore, IFNγ production by the CD56bright NK cells correlated inversely with overall survival. Our results highlight that abundance and function of CD56bright NK cells are associated with melanoma patient survival, emphasizing the potential of NK cell subsets for biomarker discovery and future therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaat de Jonge
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Anna Ebering
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Sina Nassiri
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Bâtiment Génopode, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Petra Baumgaertner
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Daniel E Speiser
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland.
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital Center (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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769
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Milette S, Fiset PO, Walsh LA, Spicer JD, Quail DF. The innate immune architecture of lung tumors and its implication in disease progression. J Pathol 2019; 247:589-605. [DOI: 10.1002/path.5241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Milette
- Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental MedicineMcGill University Montreal Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research CentreMcGill University Montreal Canada
| | - Pierre O Fiset
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of MedicineMcGill University Montreal Canada
| | - Logan A Walsh
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research CentreMcGill University Montreal Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of MedicineMcGill University Montreal Canada
| | - Jonathan D Spicer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental MedicineMcGill University Montreal Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research CentreMcGill University Montreal Canada
- Department of SurgeryMcGill University Health Center Montreal Canada
| | - Daniela F Quail
- Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental MedicineMcGill University Montreal Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research CentreMcGill University Montreal Canada
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of MedicineMcGill University Montreal Canada
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770
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Immunological and clinical implications of immune checkpoint blockade in human cancer. Arch Pharm Res 2019; 42:567-581. [DOI: 10.1007/s12272-019-01140-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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771
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Strengthening the AntiTumor NK Cell Function for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20040890. [PMID: 30791364 PMCID: PMC6412350 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20040890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The crosstalk between cancer cells and host cells is a crucial prerequisite for tumor growth and progression. The cells from both the innate and adaptive immune systems enter into a perverse relationship with tumor cells to create a tumor-promoting and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), the most lethal of all gynecological malignancies, is characterized by a unique TME that paves the way to the formation of metastasis and mediates therapy resistance through the deregulation of immune surveillance. A characteristic feature of the ovarian cancer TME is the ascites/peritoneal fluid, a malignancy-associated effusion occurring at more advanced stages, which enables the peritoneal dissemination of tumor cells and the formation of metastasis. The standard therapy for EOC involves a combination of debulking surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. However, most patients experience disease recurrence. New therapeutic strategies are needed to improve the prognosis of patients with advanced EOC. Harnessing the body’s natural immune defenses against cancer in the form of immunotherapy is emerging as an innovative treatment strategy. NK cells have attracted attention as a promising cancer immunotherapeutic target due to their ability to kill malignant cells and avoid healthy cells. Here, we will discuss the recent advances in the clinical application of NK cell immunotherapy in EOC.
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772
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Helper-like innate lymphoid cells and cancer immunotherapy. Semin Immunol 2019; 41:101274. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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773
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Altmann DM. Natural killer cell transcriptional control, subsets, receptors and effector function. Immunology 2019; 156:109-110. [PMID: 30632618 PMCID: PMC6329198 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been considerable advances in characterization of the complexities of natural killer (NK) cell ligand recognition, activation, subsets and effector functions. The nature of the transcription factors that act to define distinctive functional programmes of NK cell subsets are now starting to be clarified as a consequence of studies in knockouts. Importantly, this is being extended to improved understanding of the nature of NK cell memory. As NK cell biology offers increasing resonance with analogous pathways in CD8 biology, some have made the case that immunology may sometimes benefit from a little less conceptual 'splitting' and a little more conceptual 'lumping.'
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774
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Dart A. Checkpoint ahead - be prepared to stop! Nat Rev Cancer 2019; 19:61. [PMID: 30542080 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-018-0096-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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775
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Sciumè G, Fionda C, Stabile H, Gismondi A, Santoni A. Negative regulation of innate lymphoid cell responses in inflammation and cancer. Immunol Lett 2019; 215:28-34. [PMID: 30711614 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2019.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The immune system employs an array of effector cells to ensure tissue homeostasis and protection against pathogens. Lymphocytes belonging to both the adaptive and innate branches share several functions, comprising the ability to directly kill stressed or transformed cells, and to provide helper responses through specific production of cytokines. These properties are regulated by distinct sets of soluble molecules, receptors, and intracellular factors, which altogether tune the functional output of effector lymphocytes and their final activation state. In contrast to adaptive T cells, innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) do not require antigen receptors and are characterized for their ability to provide rapid immune responses. While the factors underlying functional diversification and the main principles leading to ILC activation have been dissected, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying termination of ILC effector functions is still in its infancy. Herein, we discuss the recent findings describing how ILC responses are turned off in the context of inflammation and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Sciumè
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Fionda
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Helena Stabile
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Gismondi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, 86077, Pozzilli, IS, Italy.
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776
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Wennerberg E, Galluzzi L. Born to Kill: NK Cells Go to War against Cancer. Trends Cancer 2019; 5:143-145. [PMID: 30898260 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical and clinical data emerging over the past year demonstrate that cancer cells suppress the cytotoxic functions of natural killer cells by a variety of mechanisms. These findings reveal a new arsenal of actionable therapeutic targets to drive clinically relevant immune responses against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Wennerberg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.
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777
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Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes F, Cursons J, Huntington ND. The Emergence of Natural Killer Cells as a Major Target in Cancer Immunotherapy. Trends Immunol 2019; 40:142-158. [PMID: 30639050 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Immune 'checkpoint' inhibitors can increase the activity of tumor-resident cytotoxic lymphocytes and have revolutionized cancer treatment. Current therapies block inhibitory pathways in tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells and recent studies have shown similar programs in other effector populations such as natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells are critical for immunosurveillance, particularly the control of metastatic cells or hematological cancers. However, how NK cells specifically recognize transformed cells and dominant negative feedback pathways, as well as how tumors escape NK cell control, remains undefined. This review summarizes recent advances that have illuminated inhibitory checkpoints in NK cells, some of which are shared with conventional cytotoxic T lymphocytes. It also outlines emerging approaches aimed at unleashing the potential of NK cells in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes
- Molecular Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Joseph Cursons
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia; Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Nicholas D Huntington
- Molecular Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia; Biomedicine Discovery Institute and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
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778
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Barrow AD, Colonna M. Exploiting NK Cell Surveillance Pathways for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11010055. [PMID: 30626155 PMCID: PMC6356551 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11010055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells can evoke potent anti-tumour activity. This function is largely mediated through a battery of specialised cell-surface receptors which probe the tissue microenvironment for changes in surface and secretory phenotypes that may alert to the presence of infection or malignancy. These receptors have the potential to arouse the robust cytotoxic and cytokine-secreting functions of NK cells and so must be tightly regulated to prevent autoimmunity. However, such functions also hold great promise for clinical intervention. In this review, we highlight some of the latest breakthroughs in fundamental NK cell receptor biology that have illuminated our understanding of the molecular strategies NK cells employ to perceive malignant cells from normal healthy cells. Moreover, we highlight how these sophisticated tumour recognition strategies are being harnessed for cancer immunotherapies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander David Barrow
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| | - Marco Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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779
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Mingari MC, Pietra G, Moretta L. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Anti-NKG2A Antibodies on Board. Trends Immunol 2019; 40:83-85. [PMID: 30609967 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2018.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Antibodies directed towards checkpoint inhibitors have unveiled extraordinary potential in cancer therapy. An article by the Vivier group (Cell 2018;175:1731-1743) shows that blocking the HLA-E-specific NKG2A inhibitory receptor, expressed by NK and inducible in T cells, results in benefits against poor prognosis tumors. Moreover, NKG2A and PD-1/PD-L1 mAb combinations unleash tumor-specific T cell proliferation and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Mingari
- Department of Experimental Medicine and CEBR, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; UOC Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- Department of Experimental Medicine and CEBR, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; UOC Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
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780
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States; Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States; Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States; Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Paris, France.
| | - Nils-Petter Rudqvist
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States.
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781
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Abstract
One of the major breakthroughs of cancer immunotherapy has come from blocking immune checkpoint molecules on tumor-reactive T cells. Now, two studies examine targeting of a novel immune checkpoint, NKG2A, that can be expressed on both NK cells and on CD8+ T cells, either combined with a tumor-targeting antibody or with a tumor-specific vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- John B Haanen
- Medical Oncology and Molecular Oncology & Immunology Divisions, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, NL.
| | - Vincenzo Cerundolo
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
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782
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van Montfoort N, Borst L, Korrer MJ, Sluijter M, Marijt KA, Santegoets SJ, van Ham VJ, Ehsan I, Charoentong P, André P, Wagtmann N, Welters MJP, Kim YJ, Piersma SJ, van der Burg SH, van Hall T. NKG2A Blockade Potentiates CD8 T Cell Immunity Induced by Cancer Vaccines. Cell 2018; 175:1744-1755.e15. [PMID: 30503208 PMCID: PMC6354585 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 219] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating CD8 T cells were found to frequently express the inhibitory receptor NKG2A, particularly in immune-reactive environments and after therapeutic cancer vaccination. High-dimensional cluster analysis demonstrated that NKG2A marks a unique immune effector subset preferentially co-expressing the tissue-resident CD103 molecule, but not immune checkpoint inhibitors. To examine whether NKG2A represented an adaptive resistance mechanism to cancer vaccination, we blocked the receptor with an antibody and knocked out its ligand Qa-1b, the conserved ortholog of HLA-E, in four mouse tumor models. The impact of therapeutic vaccines was greatly potentiated by disruption of the NKG2A/Qa-1b axis even in a PD-1 refractory mouse model. NKG2A blockade therapy operated through CD8 T cells, but not NK cells. These findings indicate that NKG2A-blocking antibodies might improve clinical responses to therapeutic cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine van Montfoort
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Linda Borst
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Michael J Korrer
- Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Marjolein Sluijter
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Koen A Marijt
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Saskia J Santegoets
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Vanessa J van Ham
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ilina Ehsan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Pornpimol Charoentong
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Marij J P Welters
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Young J Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Sytse J Piersma
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Thorbald van Hall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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