51
|
Research progress of neoantigens in gynecologic cancers. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 112:109236. [PMID: 36113318 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The incidence and mortality of gynecological cancers have increased over the past decade. In the absence of effective treatment strategies, many advanced patients develop resistance to conventional therapies and have poor prognosis. Neoantigens have emerged as a novel tumor-specific antigen (TSA) that arises from genomic mutations in tumor cells. With higher immunogenicity than tumor-associated antigens (TAA), they have no risk of developing autoimmune response, leading them an attractive candidate for tumor therapeutic vaccines. With the development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, the identification of neoantigens has been gradually improved, and the scope of application of neoantigen vaccines has continued to expand. Combined with other therapies such as immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) or adoptive cell therapy (ACT), the application of neoantigen in gynecological cancers has extended to clinical practice. Here, we reviewed the preclinical and clinical studies of neoantigens in gynecological cancers.
Collapse
|
52
|
Zhou Z, Zhou X, Yang Y, Wang L, Wu Z. Pan-Cancer Analysis of Pentraxin 3: A Potential Biomarker of COVID-19. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184438. [PMID: 36139597 PMCID: PMC9496739 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a potential biomarker of the severity and mortality of COVID-19 patients, is aberrantly expressed in human tumors. However, a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of PTX3 remains to be elucidated. PTX3 data profiles and clinical information in TCGA cancers were obtained from different public databases to clarify the expression levels, genetic alterations, prognostic significance, underlying mechanisms, and the predicted role in immunotherapy of PTX3 across TCGA cancers. Our analyses showed that PTX3 was aberrantly expressed in most tumors and was significantly related to prognosis and tumor stage. Interaction network and enrichment analyses revealed that PTX3 participated in tumor immuno-related progression. In addition, PTX3 levels were critically associated with immune cell components and immune scores, and PTX3 strongly coexpressed with immune-related genes in TCGA cancers. Meanwhile, PTX3 expression was associated with immune checkpoint genes, and immunotherapy potential biomarkers in multiple cancers, predicting special immunotherapy responses in different tumor types. In kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), PTX3 emerged as an independent prognostic factor through multivariable Cox regression analyses. Blocking PTX3 with siRNA could suppress the growth of KIRC cells and invasion. Conclusively, our study shows a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of PTX3, which might serve as a pan-cancer prognostic biomarker.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zijian Zhou
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Clinical Research Center of Urolithiasis, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Clinical Research Center of Urolithiasis, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Lujia Wang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Clinical Research Center of Urolithiasis, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Correspondence: (L.W.); (Z.W.); Tel.: +86-21-52887081 (L.W.); +86-21-52887081 (Z.W.)
| | - Zhong Wu
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Clinical Research Center of Urolithiasis, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Correspondence: (L.W.); (Z.W.); Tel.: +86-21-52887081 (L.W.); +86-21-52887081 (Z.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
53
|
Hoyos D, Greenbaum BD. Perfecting antigen prediction. J Exp Med 2022; 219:e20220846. [PMID: 35972475 PMCID: PMC9386507 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20220846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in genomics and precision measurement have continued to demonstrate the importance of the immune system across many disease types. At the heart of many emerging approaches to leverage these insights for precision immunotherapies is the computational antigen prediction problem. We propose a threefold approach to improving antigen predictions: further defining the geometry of the antigen landscape, incorporating the coupling of antigen recognition to other cellular processes, and diversifying the training sets used for models that predict immunogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Hoyos
- Computational Oncology, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Benjamin D. Greenbaum
- Computational Oncology, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
54
|
Sources of Cancer Neoantigens beyond Single-Nucleotide Variants. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710131. [PMID: 36077528 PMCID: PMC9455963 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of checkpoint blockade therapy against cancer has unequivocally shown that cancer cells can be effectively recognized by the immune system and eliminated. However, the identity of the cancer antigens that elicit protective immunity remains to be fully explored. Over the last decade, most of the focus has been on somatic mutations derived from non-synonymous single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small insertion/deletion mutations (indels) that accumulate during cancer progression. Mutated peptides can be presented on MHC molecules and give rise to novel antigens or neoantigens, which have been shown to induce potent anti-tumor immune responses. A limitation with SNV-neoantigens is that they are patient-specific and their accurate prediction is critical for the development of effective immunotherapies. In addition, cancer types with low mutation burden may not display sufficient high-quality [SNV/small indels] neoantigens to alone stimulate effective T cell responses. Accumulating evidence suggests the existence of alternative sources of cancer neoantigens, such as gene fusions, alternative splicing variants, post-translational modifications, and transposable elements, which may be attractive novel targets for immunotherapy. In this review, we describe the recent technological advances in the identification of these novel sources of neoantigens, the experimental evidence for their presentation on MHC molecules and their immunogenicity, as well as the current clinical development stage of immunotherapy targeting these neoantigens.
Collapse
|
55
|
Liu Z, Lv J, Dang Q, Liu L, Weng S, Wang L, Zhou Z, Kong Y, Li H, Han Y, Han X. Engineering neoantigen vaccines to improve cancer personalized immunotherapy. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18:5607-5623. [PMID: 36263174 PMCID: PMC9576504 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.76281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy treatments harnessing the immune system herald a new era of personalized medicine, offering considerable benefits for cancer patients. Over the past years, tumor neoantigens emerged as a rising star in immunotherapy. Neoantigens are tumor-specific antigens arising from somatic mutations, which are proceeded and presented by the major histocompatibility complex on the cell surface. With the advancement of sequencing technology and bioinformatics engineering, the recognition of neoantigens has accelerated and is expected to be incorporated into the clinical routine. Currently, tumor vaccines against neoantigens mainly encompass peptides, DNA, RNA, and dendritic cells, which are extremely specific to individual patients. Due to the high immunogenicity of neoantigens, tumor vaccines could activate and expand antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to intensify anti-tumor immunity. Herein, we introduce the origin and prediction of neoantigens and compare the advantages and disadvantages of multiple types of neoantigen vaccines. Besides, we review the immunizations and the current clinical research status in neoantigen vaccines, and outline strategies for enhancing the efficacy of neoantigen vaccines. Finally, we present the challenges facing the application of neoantigens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China.,Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China.,Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Jinxiang Lv
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Qin Dang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Long Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Siyuan Weng
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Libo Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Zhaokai Zhou
- Department of Pediatric Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 40052, China
| | - Ying Kong
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Huanyun Li
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Yilin Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Xinwei Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China.,Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China.,Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China.,✉ Corresponding author: Xinwei Han.
| |
Collapse
|
56
|
Yu G, He X, Li X, Wu Y. Driving neoantigen-based cancer vaccines for personalized immunotherapy into clinic: A burdensome journey to promising land. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 153:113464. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
|
57
|
Jia W, Zhang T, Huang H, Feng H, Wang S, Guo Z, Luo Z, Ji X, Cheng X, Zhao R. Colorectal cancer vaccines: The current scenario and future prospects. Front Immunol 2022; 13:942235. [PMID: 35990683 PMCID: PMC9384853 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.942235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Current therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy encounter obstacles in preventing metastasis of CRC even when applied in combination. Immune checkpoint inhibitors depict limited effects due to the limited cases of CRC patients with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H). Cancer vaccines are designed to trigger the elevation of tumor-infiltrated lymphocytes, resulting in the intense response of the immune system to tumor antigens. This review briefly summarizes different categories of CRC vaccines, demonstrates the current outcomes of relevant clinical trials, and provides particular focus on recent advances on nanovaccines and neoantigen vaccines, representing the trend and emphasis of CRC vaccine development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenqing Jia
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiyan Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haoran Feng
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaodong Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zichao Guo
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiping Luo
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaopin Ji
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaopin Ji, ; Xi Cheng, ; Ren Zhao,
| | - Xi Cheng
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaopin Ji, ; Xi Cheng, ; Ren Zhao,
| | - Ren Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaopin Ji, ; Xi Cheng, ; Ren Zhao,
| |
Collapse
|
58
|
Sun J, Li X, Chen P, Gao Y. From Anti-HER-2 to Anti-HER-2-CAR-T Cells: An Evolutionary Immunotherapy Approach for Gastric Cancer. J Inflamm Res 2022; 15:4061-4085. [PMID: 35873388 PMCID: PMC9304417 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s368138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Current Therapeutic modalities provide no survival advantage to gastric cancer (GC) patients. Targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) is a viable therapeutic strategy against advanced HER-2 positive GC. Antibody-drug conjugates, small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and bispecific antibodies are emerging as novel drug forms that may abrogate the resistance to HER-2-specific drugs and monoclonal antibodies. Chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells (CAR-T) targeting HER-2 have shown considerable therapeutic potential in GC and other solid tumors. However, due to the high heterogeneity along with the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) of GC that often leads to immune escape, the immunological treatment of GC still faces many challenges. Here, we reviewed and discussed the current progress in the research of anti-HER-2-CAR-T cell immunotherapy against GC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiangang Sun
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongshun Gao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
59
|
Lv D, Khawar MB, Liang Z, Gao Y, Sun H. Neoantigens and NK Cells: “Trick or Treat” the Cancers? Front Immunol 2022; 13:931862. [PMID: 35874694 PMCID: PMC9302773 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.931862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has become an important treatment strategy for cancer patients nowadays. Targeting cancer neoantigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, which emerge as a result of non-synonymous somatic mutations with high immunogenicity, is one of the most promising cancer immunotherapy strategies. Currently, several therapeutic options based on the personalized or shared neoantigens have been developed, including neoantigen vaccine and adoptive T-cell therapy, both of which are now being tested in clinical trials for various malignancies. The goal of this review is to outline the use of neoantigens as cancer therapy targets, with an emphasis on neoantigen identification, clinical usage of personalized neoantigen-based cancer therapy agents, and the development of off-the-shelf products based on shared neoantigens. In addition, we introduce and discuss the potential impact of the neoantigen–MHC complex on natural killer (NK) cell antitumor function, which could be a novel way to boost immune response-induced cytotoxicity against malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lv
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- School of Life Sciences, Anqing Normal University, Anqing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China
| | - Muhammad Babar Khawar
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China
- Applied Molecular Biology and Biomedicine Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Narowal, Narowal, Pakistan
| | - Zhengyan Liang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China
| | - Haibo Sun
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Haibo Sun,
| |
Collapse
|
60
|
van Wilpe S, Simnica D, Slootbeek P, van Ee T, Pamidimarri Naga S, Gorris MAJ, van der Woude LL, Sultan S, Koornstra RHT, van Oort IM, Gerritsen WR, Kroeze LI, Simons M, van Leenders GJLH, Binder M, de Vries IJM, Mehra N. Homologous recombination repair deficient prostate cancer represents an immunologically distinct subtype. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2094133. [PMID: 35800157 PMCID: PMC9255222 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2094133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Homologous recombination repair deficiency (HRD) is observed in 10% of patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer (PCa). Preliminary data suggest that HRD-PCa might be more responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In this study, we compare the tumor immune landscape and peripheral T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire of patients with and without HRD-PCa to gain further insight into the immunogenicity of HRD-PCa. Immunohistochemistry was performed on tumor tissue of 81 patients, including 15 patients with HRD-PCa. Peripheral TCR sequencing was performed in a partially overlapping cohort of 48 patients, including 16 patients with HRD-PCa. HRD patients more frequently had intratumoral CD3+, CD3+CD8−FoxP3− or Foxp3+ TILs above median compared to patients without DNA damage repair alterations (DDRwt; CD3+ and Foxp3+: 77% vs 35%, p = .013; CD3+CD8−FoxP3−: 80% vs 44%, p = .031). No significant difference in CD8+ TILs or PD-L1 expression was observed. In peripheral blood, HRD patients displayed a more diverse TCR repertoire compared to DDRwt patients (p = .014). Additionally, HRD patients shared TCR clusters with low generation probability, suggesting patient-overlapping T cell responses. A pooled analysis of clinical data from 227 patients with molecularly characterized PCa suggested increased efficacy of ICIs in HRD-PCa. In conclusion, patients with HRD-PCa display increased TIL density and an altered peripheral TCR repertoire. Further research into the efficacy of ICIs and the presence of shared neoantigens in HRD-PCa is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra van Wilpe
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Donjetë Simnica
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Oncology/Haematology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Peter Slootbeek
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas van Ee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Mark A. J. Gorris
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lieke L. van der Woude
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Shabaz Sultan
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Inge M. van Oort
- Department of Urology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Winald R. Gerritsen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Leonie I. Kroeze
- Department of Pathology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Michiel Simons
- Department of Pathology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Mascha Binder
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Oncology/Haematology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - I. Jolanda M. de Vries
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Niven Mehra
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
61
|
Hernandez-Sanchez A, Grossman M, Yeung K, Sei SS, Lipkin S, Kloor M. Vaccines for immunoprevention of DNA mismatch repair deficient cancers. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:e004416. [PMID: 35732349 PMCID: PMC9226910 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of cancer vaccines to induce tumor-antigen specific immune responses was sparked by the identification of antigens specific to or overexpressed in cancer cells. However, weak immunogenicity and the mutational heterogeneity in many cancers have dampened cancer vaccine successes. With increasing information about mutational landscapes of cancers, mutational neoantigens can be predicted computationally to elicit strong immune responses by CD8 +cytotoxic T cells as major mediators of anticancer immune response. Neoantigens are potentially more robust immunogens and have revived interest in cancer vaccines. Cancers with deficiency in DNA mismatch repair have an exceptionally high mutational burden, including predictable neoantigens. Lynch syndrome is the most common inherited cancer syndrome and is caused by DNA mismatch repair gene mutations. Insertion and deletion mutations in coding microsatellites that occur during DNA replication include tumorigenesis drivers. The induced shift of protein reading frame generates neoantigens that are foreign to the immune system. Mismatch repair-deficient cancers and Lynch syndrome represent a paradigm population for the development of a preventive cancer vaccine, as the mutations induced by mismatch repair deficiency are predictable, resulting in a defined set of frameshift peptide neoantigens. Furthermore, Lynch syndrome mutation carriers constitute an identifiable high-risk population. We discuss the pathogenesis of DNA mismatch repair deficient cancers, in both Lynch syndrome and sporadic microsatellite-unstable cancers. We review evidence for pre-existing immune surveillance, the three mechanisms of immune evasion that occur in cancers and assess the implications of a preventive frameshift peptide neoantigen-based vaccine. We consider both preclinical and clinical experience to date. We discuss the feasibility of a cancer preventive vaccine for Lynch syndrome carriers and review current antigen selection and delivery strategies. Finally, we propose RNA vaccines as having robust potential for immunoprevention of Lynch syndrome cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Hernandez-Sanchez
- Department of Applied Tumor Biology, University Hospital Heidelberg Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark Grossman
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kevin Yeung
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Shizuko S Sei
- Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven Lipkin
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Matthias Kloor
- University Hospital Heidelberg, Institute of Pathology, Department of Applied Tumor Biology, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
62
|
Robles-Oteiza C, Wu CJ. Editorial overview: Vaccines: Reinvigorating therapeutic cancer vaccines. Curr Opin Immunol 2022; 76:102176. [PMID: 35429774 PMCID: PMC9612210 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2022.102176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Lessons learned from the rapid deployment of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic are reinvigorating the cancer vaccine field. Using delivery platforms including mRNA and synthetic long peptides, recent clinical trials have demonstrated that cancer vaccines are safe, feasible, and can be associated with the generation of antigen-specific memory T cells and, in some cases, durable clinical responses. Despite these advances, fundamental questions remain regarding the optimal delivery platforms and antigen targets to use in cancer vaccines. Ongoing and future studies that harness advances in the identification of novel sources of antigens, the prediction of immunogenic antigens, and the use of single-cell technologies to profile antigen-specific T cells will hopefully reveal correlates with clinical outcomes and provide a mechanistic basis for future progress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camila Robles-Oteiza
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Catherine J Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
63
|
Su X, Jin H, Wang J, Lu H, Gu T, Gao Z, Li M. Construction and validation of an immunoediting-based optimized neoantigen load (ioTNL) model to predict the response and prognosis of immune checkpoint therapy in various cancers. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:4586-4605. [PMID: 35613927 PMCID: PMC9186755 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Only a minority of patients clinically benefit from immune checkpoint therapy. Tumor clones with neoantigens have immunogenicity; therefore, they are eliminated by T-cell-mediated immune editing. Identifying neoantigen clones with the ability to induce immune elimination may better predict the clinical outcome of immunotherapy. METHODS We developed ioTNL model, which indicates the immunoediting-based optimized tumor neoantigen load, by identifying tumor clones that could induce immune elimination. Data of more than two hundred patients from our patient pool and previously reported studies who underwent anti-PD-(L)1 therapy were collected to validate the prediction performance of ioTNL model. Clonal architectures, immune editing scores and ioTNL scores were identified. The association between the response as well as prognosis and the ioTNL were evaluated. Panel sequencing of genes from 2,469 patients within 20 cancer types was performed to profile the landscape of immunoediting. RESULTS As expected, the ioTNL score could predict the response in patients who underwent immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) immunotherapy for various cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC; p = 0.0066), skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM; p = 0.026) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC; p = 0.0025). Patients with a high ioTNL score demonstrated longer survival than those with a low score. We verified the ioTNL on our cohort through panel sequencing and found that the ioTNL was associated with the response (p = 0.025) and prognosis (p = 0.00082) in anti-PD-(L)1 monotherapy. In addition, we found that the immune editing score correlated with the tumor mutation burden (TMB) and the objective response rate of immunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Identifying neoantigen clones with the ability to induce immune elimination would better predict the efficacy of immunotherapy. We have proved that the reliable method of ioTNL can be applied to whole-exome sequencing (WES) and panel data and would have a broad application in precision diagnosis in immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Su
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shanxi 710061, China
- YuceNeo Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518000, China
- YuceBio Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Haoxuan Jin
- YuceNeo Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518000, China
- YuceBio Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Jiaqian Wang
- YuceNeo Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518000, China
- YuceBio Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Huiping Lu
- YuceNeo Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518000, China
- YuceBio Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Tiantian Gu
- YuceNeo Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518000, China
- YuceBio Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Zhibo Gao
- YuceNeo Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518000, China
- YuceBio Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Manxiang Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shanxi 710061, China
| |
Collapse
|
64
|
Diaz-Cano I, Paz-Ares L, Otano I. Adoptive tumor infiltrating lymphocyte transfer as personalized immunotherapy. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 370:163-192. [PMID: 35798505 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and, despite new targeted therapies and immunotherapies, a large group of patients fail to respond to therapy or progress after initial response, which brings the need for additional treatment options. Manipulating the immune system using a variety of approaches has been explored for the past years with successful results. Sustained progress has been made to understand the T cell-mediated anti-tumor responses counteracting the tumorigenesis process. The T-lymphocyte pool, especially its capacity for antigen-directed cytotoxicity, has become a central focus for engaging the immune system in defeating cancer. The adoptive cell transfer of autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has been used in humans for over 30 years to treat metastatic melanoma. In this review, we provide a brief history of ACT-TIL and discuss the current state of ACT-TIL clinical development in solid tumors. We also discuss how key advances in understanding genetic intratumor heterogeneity, to accurately identify neoantigens, and new strategies designed to overcome T-cell exhaustion and tumor immunosuppression have improved the efficacy of the TIL-therapy infusion. Characteristics of the TIL products will be discussed, as well as new strategies, including the selective expansion of specific fractions from the cell product or the genetic manipulation of T cells for improving the in-vivo survival and functionality. In summary, this review outlines the potential of ACT-TIL as a personalized approach for epithelial tumors and continued discoveries are making it increasingly more effective against other types of cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ines Diaz-Cano
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Health Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre/Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Paz-Ares
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Health Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre/Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain; Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain; Medicine and Physiology Department, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Itziar Otano
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Health Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre/Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain; Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
65
|
Molvi Z, O'Reilly RJ. Allogeneic Tumor Antigen-Specific T Cells for Broadly Applicable Adoptive Cell Therapy of Cancer. Cancer Treat Res 2022; 183:131-159. [PMID: 35551658 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-96376-7_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
T cells specific for major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-presented tumor antigens are capable of inducing durable remissions when adoptively transferred to patients with refractory cancers presenting such antigens. When such T cells are derived from healthy donors, they can be banked for off-the-shelf administration in appropriately tissue matched patients. Therefore, tumor antigen-specific, donor-derived T cells are expected to be a mainstay in the cancer immunotherapy armamentarium. In this chapter, we analyze clinical evidence that tumor antigen-specific donor-derived T cells can induce tumor regressions when administered to appropriately matched patients whose tumors are refractory to standard therapy. We also delineate the landscape of MHC-presented and unconventional tumor antigens recognized by T cells in healthy individuals that have been targeted for adoptive T cell therapy, as well as emerging antigens for which mounting evidence suggests their utility as targets for adoptive T cell therapy. We discuss the growing technological advancements that have facilitated sequence identification of such antigens and their cognate T cells, and applicability of such technologies in the pre-clinical and clinical settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zaki Molvi
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Richard J O'Reilly
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
66
|
DNA damage promotes HLA class I presentation by stimulating a pioneer round of translation-associated antigen production. Mol Cell 2022; 82:2557-2570.e7. [PMID: 35594857 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Antigen presentation by the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) on the cell surface is critical for the transduction of the immune signal toward cytotoxic T lymphocytes. DNA damage upregulates HLA class I presentation; however, the mechanism is unclear. Here, we show that DNA-damage-induced HLA (di-HLA) presentation requires an immunoproteasome, PSMB8/9/10, and antigen-transporter, TAP1/2, demonstrating that antigen production is essential. Furthermore, we show that di-HLA presentation requires ATR, AKT, mTORC1, and p70-S6K signaling. Notably, the depletion of CBP20, a factor initiating the pioneer round of translation (PRT) that precedes nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), abolishes di-HLA presentation, suggesting that di-antigen production requires PRT. RNA-seq analysis demonstrates that DNA damage reduces NMD transcripts in an ATR-dependent manner, consistent with the requirement for ATR in the initiation of PRT/NMD. Finally, bioinformatics analysis identifies that PRT-derived 9-mer peptides bind to HLA and are potentially immunogenic. Therefore, DNA damage signaling produces immunogenic antigens by utilizing the machinery of PRT/NMD.
Collapse
|
67
|
Jia Q, Wang A, Yuan Y, Zhu B, Long H. Heterogeneity of the tumor immune microenvironment and its clinical relevance. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:24. [PMID: 35461288 PMCID: PMC9034473 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00277-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
During the course of tumorigenesis and subsequent metastasis, malignant cells gradually diversify and become more heterogeneous. Consequently, the tumor mass might be infiltrated by diverse immune-related components, including the cytokine/chemokine environment, cytotoxic activity, or immunosuppressive elements. This immunological heterogeneity is universally presented spatially or varies temporally along with tumor evolution or therapeutic intervention across almost all solid tumors. The heterogeneity of anti-tumor immunity shows a profound association with the progression of disease and responsiveness to treatment, particularly in the realm of immunotherapy. Therefore, an accurate understanding of tumor immunological heterogeneity is essential for the development of effective therapies. Facilitated by multi-regional and -omics sequencing, single cell sequencing, and longitudinal liquid biopsy approaches, recent studies have demonstrated the potential to investigate the complexity of immunological heterogeneity of the tumors and its clinical relevance in immunotherapy. Here, we aimed to review the mechanism underlying the heterogeneity of the immune microenvironment. We also explored how clinical assessments of tumor heterogeneity might facilitate the development of more effective personalized therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingzhu Jia
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Military Medical University, Xinqiao Main Street, Chongqing, 400037, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Aoyun Wang
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Military Medical University, Xinqiao Main Street, Chongqing, 400037, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Yixiao Yuan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650118, China
| | - Bo Zhu
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Military Medical University, Xinqiao Main Street, Chongqing, 400037, China. .,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
| | - Haixia Long
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Military Medical University, Xinqiao Main Street, Chongqing, 400037, China. .,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
| |
Collapse
|
68
|
Lang F, Schrörs B, Löwer M, Türeci Ö, Sahin U. Identification of neoantigens for individualized therapeutic cancer vaccines. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2022; 21:261-282. [PMID: 35105974 PMCID: PMC7612664 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00387-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Somatic mutations in cancer cells can generate tumour-specific neoepitopes, which are recognized by autologous T cells in the host. As neoepitopes are not subject to central immune tolerance and are not expressed in healthy tissues, they are attractive targets for therapeutic cancer vaccines. Because the vast majority of cancer mutations are unique to the individual patient, harnessing the full potential of this rich source of targets requires individualized treatment approaches. Many computational algorithms and machine-learning tools have been developed to identify mutations in sequence data, to prioritize those that are more likely to be recognized by T cells and to design tailored vaccines for every patient. In this Review, we fill the gaps between the understanding of basic mechanisms of T cell recognition of neoantigens and the computational approaches for discovery of somatic mutations and neoantigen prediction for cancer immunotherapy. We present a new classification of neoantigens, distinguishing between guarding, restrained and ignored neoantigens, based on how they confer proficient antitumour immunity in a given clinical context. Such context-based differentiation will contribute to a framework that connects neoantigen biology to the clinical setting and medical peculiarities of cancer, and will enable future neoantigen-based therapies to provide greater clinical benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Lang
- TRON Translational Oncology, Mainz, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Ugur Sahin
- BioNTech, Mainz, Germany.
- University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
69
|
Cifci D, Foersch S, Kather JN. Artificial intelligence to identify genetic alterations in conventional histopathology. J Pathol 2022; 257:430-444. [PMID: 35342954 DOI: 10.1002/path.5898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Precision oncology relies on the identification of targetable molecular alterations in tumor tissues. In many tumor types, a limited set of molecular tests is currently part of standard diagnostic workflows. However, universal testing for all targetable alterations, especially rare ones, is limited by the cost and availability of molecular assays. From 2017 to 2021, multiple studies have shown that artificial intelligence (AI) methods can predict the probability of specific genetic alterations directly from conventional hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) tissue slides. Although these methods are currently less accurate than gold-standard testing (e.g. immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction or next-generation sequencing), they could be used as pre-screening tools to reduce the workload of genetic analyses. In this systematic literature review, we summarize the state of the art in predicting molecular alterations from H&E using AI. We found that AI methods perform reasonably well across multiple tumor types, although few algorithms have been broadly validated. In addition, we found that genetic alterations in FGFR, IDH, PIK3CA, BRAF, TP53 and DNA repair pathways are predictable from H&E in multiple tumor types, while many other genetic alterations have rarely been investigated or were only poorly predictable. Finally, we discuss the next steps for the implementation of AI-based surrogate tests in diagnostic workflows. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Didem Cifci
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Foersch
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jakob Nikolas Kather
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.,Pathology and Data Analytics, Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
70
|
Lowery FJ, Krishna S, Yossef R, Parikh NB, Chatani PD, Zacharakis N, Parkhurst MR, Levin N, Sindiri S, Sachs A, Hitscherich KJ, Yu Z, Vale NR, Lu YC, Zheng Z, Jia L, Gartner JJ, Hill VK, Copeland AR, Nah SK, Masi RV, Gasmi B, Kivitz S, Paria BC, Florentin M, Kim SP, Hanada KI, Li YF, Ngo LT, Ray S, Shindorf ML, Levi ST, Shepherd R, Toy C, Parikh AY, Prickett TD, Kelly MC, Beyer R, Goff SL, Yang JC, Robbins PF, Rosenberg SA. Molecular signatures of antitumor neoantigen-reactive T cells from metastatic human cancers. Science 2022; 375:877-884. [PMID: 35113651 PMCID: PMC8996692 DOI: 10.1126/science.abl5447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 94.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The accurate identification of antitumor T cell receptors (TCRs) represents a major challenge for the engineering of cell-based cancer immunotherapies. By mapping 55 neoantigen-specific TCR clonotypes (NeoTCRs) from 10 metastatic human tumors to their single-cell transcriptomes, we identified signatures of CD8+ and CD4+ neoantigen-reactive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Neoantigen-specific TILs exhibited tumor-specific expansion with dysfunctional phenotypes, distinct from blood-emigrant bystanders and regulatory TILs. Prospective prediction and testing of 73 NeoTCR signature-derived clonotypes demonstrated that half of the tested TCRs recognized tumor antigens or autologous tumors. NeoTCR signatures identified TCRs that target driver neoantigens and nonmutated viral or tumor-associated antigens, suggesting a common metastatic TIL exhaustion program. NeoTCR signatures delineate the landscape of TILs across metastatic tumors, enabling successful TCR prediction based purely on TIL transcriptomic states for use in cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frank J. Lowery
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sri Krishna
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Rami Yossef
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Neilesh B. Parikh
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Praveen D. Chatani
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nikolaos Zacharakis
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Maria R. Parkhurst
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Noam Levin
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sivasish Sindiri
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Abraham Sachs
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kyle J. Hitscherich
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Zhiya Yu
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nolan R. Vale
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yong-Chen Lu
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Zhili Zheng
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Li Jia
- National Institutes of Health Library, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jared J. Gartner
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Victoria K. Hill
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Amy R. Copeland
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shirley K. Nah
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Robert V. Masi
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Billel Gasmi
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Scott Kivitz
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Biman C. Paria
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Maria Florentin
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sanghyun P. Kim
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ken-ichi Hanada
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yong F. Li
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Lien T. Ngo
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Satyajit Ray
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mackenzie L. Shindorf
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shoshana T. Levi
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ryan Shepherd
- Vector Production Facility, Clinical Research Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Chris Toy
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anup Y. Parikh
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Todd D. Prickett
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michael C. Kelly
- Single Cell Analysis Facility, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Rachel Beyer
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Stephanie L. Goff
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - James C. Yang
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Paul F. Robbins
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Steven A. Rosenberg
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| |
Collapse
|
71
|
Charneau J, Suzuki T, Shimomura M, Fujinami N, Mishima Y, Hiranuka K, Watanabe N, Yamada T, Nakamura N, Nakatsura T. Development of antigen-prediction algorithm for personalized neoantigen vaccine using human leukocyte antigen transgenic mouse. Cancer Sci 2022; 113:1113-1124. [PMID: 35122353 PMCID: PMC8990807 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is currently recognized as the fourth modality in cancer therapy. CTLs can detect cancer cells via complexes involving human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules and peptides derived from tumor antigens, resulting in antigen-specific cancer rejection. The peptides may be predicted in silico using machine learning-based algorithms. Neopeptides, derived from neoantigens encoded by somatic mutations in cancer cells, are putative immunotherapy targets, as they have high tumor specificity and immunogenicity. Here, we used our pipeline to select 278 neoepitopes with high predictive "SCORE" from the tumor tissues of 46 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or metastasis of colorectal carcinoma. We validated peptide immunogenicity and specificity by in vivo vaccination with HLA-A2, A24, B35, and B07 transgenic mice using ELISpot assay, in vitro and in vivo killing assays. We statistically evaluated the power of our prediction algorithm and demonstrated the capacity of our pipeline to predict neopeptides (area under the curve = 0.687, p < 0.0001). We also analyzed the potential of long peptides containing the predicted neoepitopes to induce CTLs. Our study indicated that the short peptides predicted using our algorithm may be intrinsically present in tumor cells as cleavage products of long peptides. Thus, we empirically demonstrated that the accuracy and specificity of our prediction tools may be potentially improved in vivo using the HLA transgenic mouse model. Our data will help to feedback algorithms to improve in silico prediction, potentially allowing researchers to predict peptides for personalized immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy Charneau
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Suzuki
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa, Japan.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Manami Shimomura
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Norihiro Fujinami
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Tetsuya Nakatsura
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
72
|
Charpentier M, Dupré E, Fortun A, Briand F, Maillasson M, Com E, Pineau C, Labarrière N, Rabu C, Lang F. hnRNP-A1 binds to the IRES of MELOE-1 antigen to promote MELOE-1 translation in stressed melanoma cells. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:594-606. [PMID: 34418284 PMCID: PMC8807352 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The major challenge in antigen-specific immunotherapy of cancer is to select the most relevant tumor antigens to target. To this aim, understanding their mode of expression by tumor cells is critical. We previously identified a melanoma-specific antigen, melanoma-overexpressed antigen 1 (MELOE-1)-coded for by a long noncoding RNA-whose internal ribosomal entry sequence (IRES)-dependent translation is restricted to tumor cells. This restricted expression is associated with the presence of a broad-specific T-cell repertoire that is involved in tumor immunosurveillance in melanoma patients. In the present work, we explored the translation control of MELOE-1 and provide evidence that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP-A1) binds to the MELOE-1 IRES and acts as an IRES trans-activating factor (ITAF) to promote the translation of MELOE-1 in melanoma cells. In addition, we showed that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced by thapsigargin, which promotes hnRNP-A1 cytoplasmic translocation, enhances MELOE-1 translation and recognition of melanoma cells by a MELOE-1-specific T-cell clone. These findings suggest that pharmacological stimulation of stress pathways may enhance the efficacy of immunotherapies targeting stress-induced tumor antigens such as MELOE-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Emilie Dupré
- InsermLabEx IGOCRCINAUniversité de NantesNantesFrance
| | - Agnès Fortun
- InsermLabEx IGOCRCINAUniversité de NantesNantesFrance
| | | | - Mike Maillasson
- InsermLabEx IGOCRCINAUniversité de NantesNantesFrance
- InsermCNRSSFR SantéInserm UMS 016CNRS UMS 3556Université de NantesNantesFrance
| | - Emmanuelle Com
- InsermEHESPIrset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) – UMR‐S 1085Univ RennesRennesFrance
- ProtimBiosit – UMS 3480US‐S 018Univ RennesRennesFrance
| | - Charles Pineau
- InsermEHESPIrset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) – UMR‐S 1085Univ RennesRennesFrance
- ProtimBiosit – UMS 3480US‐S 018Univ RennesRennesFrance
| | | | | | - François Lang
- InsermLabEx IGOCRCINAUniversité de NantesNantesFrance
| |
Collapse
|
73
|
Neoantigen Cancer Vaccines: Generation, Optimization, and Therapeutic Targeting Strategies. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020196. [PMID: 35214655 PMCID: PMC8877108 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternatives to conventional cancer treatments are highly sought after for high-risk malignancies that have a poor response to established treatment modalities. With research advancing rapidly in the past decade, neoantigen-based immunotherapeutic approaches represent an effective and highly tolerable therapeutic option. Neoantigens are tumor-specific antigens that are not expressed in normal cells and possess significant immunogenic potential. Several recent studies have described the conceptual framework and methodologies to generate neoantigen-based vaccines as well as the formulation of appropriate clinical trials to advance this approach for patient care. This review aims to describe some of the key studies in the recent literature in this rapidly evolving field and summarize the current advances in neoantigen identification and selection, vaccine generation and delivery, and the optimization of neoantigen-based therapeutic strategies, including the early data from pivotal clinical studies.
Collapse
|
74
|
Jiang C, Schaafsma E, Hong W, Zhao Y, Zhu K, Chao CC, Cheng C. Influence of T Cell-Mediated Immune Surveillance on Somatic Mutation Occurrences in Melanoma. Front Immunol 2022; 12:703821. [PMID: 35111147 PMCID: PMC8801458 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.703821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Neoantigens are presented on the cancer cell surface by peptide-restricted human leukocyte antigen (HLA) proteins and can subsequently activate cognate T cells. It has been hypothesized that the observed somatic mutations in tumors are shaped by immunosurveillance. Methods We investigated all somatic mutations identified in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Skin Cutaneous Melanoma (SKCM) samples. By applying a computational algorithm, we calculated the binding affinity of the resulting neo-peptides and their corresponding wild-type peptides with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I complex. We then examined the relationship between binding affinity alterations and mutation frequency. Results Our results show that neoantigens derived from recurrent mutations tend to have lower binding affinities with the MHC Class I complex compared to peptides from non-recurrent mutations. Tumor samples harboring recurrent SKCM mutations exhibited lower immune infiltration levels, indicating a relatively colder immune microenvironment. Conclusions These results suggested that the occurrences of somatic mutations in melanoma have been shaped by immunosurveillance. Mutations that lead to neoantigens with high MHC class I binding affinity are more likely to be eliminated and thus are less likely to be present in tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chongming Jiang
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Evelien Schaafsma
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - Wei Hong
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yanding Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ken Zhu
- Medical School, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Cheng-Chi Chao
- Antibody Discovery, Chempartner Corporation, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Chao Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
- The Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
75
|
Defects in MMR Genes as a Seminal Example of Personalized Medicine: From Diagnosis to Therapy. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11121333. [PMID: 34945805 PMCID: PMC8707096 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11121333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsatellite instability (MSI) is the landmark feature of DNA mismatch repair deficiency, which can be found in 15-20% of all colorectal cancers (CRC). This specific set of tumors has been initially perceived as a niche for geneticists or gastroenterologists focused on inherited predispositions. However, over the years, MSI has established itself as a key biomarker for the diagnosis, then extending to forecasting the disease behavior and prognostication, including the prediction of responsiveness to immunotherapy and eventually to kinase inhibitors, and possibly even to specific biological drugs. Thanks to the contribution of the characterization of MSI tumors, researchers have first acknowledged that a strong lymphocytic reaction is associated with a good prognosis. This understanding supported the prognostic implications in terms of the low metastatic potential of MSI-CRC and has led to modifications in the indications for adjuvant treatment. Furthermore, with the emergence of immunotherapy, this strong biomarker of responsiveness has exemplified the capability of re-activating an effective immune control by removing the brakes of immune evasion. Lately, a subset of MSI-CRC emerged as the ideal target for kinase inhibitors. This therapeutic scenario implies a paradox in which appropriate treatments for advanced disease are effective in a set of tumors that seldom evolve towards metastases.
Collapse
|
76
|
Antill Y, Buchanan DD, Scott CL. Mismatch repair and clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in endometrial cancer. Cancer 2021; 128:1157-1161. [PMID: 34875102 PMCID: PMC9300166 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Endometrial cancer is common, and a subset recurs and requires additional treatment. Some of these are recognized as being susceptible to immune therapies and are said to have mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR). However, this clinical trial highlights which cases are more likely to respond well: those containing mutations in genes known as Lynch genes and also some with mutations in POLE/POLD1 (“ultra‐hypermutation” genes). In contrast, the majority of dMMR endometrial cancers have silencing or DNA methylation of one of these genes, MLH1, and do not seem to be as responsive to single‐agent immune therapy. The availability of combination therapies may be important to consider for these women.
This hypothesis‐driving study highlights the need for further evaluation of the interaction between immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy responses and the mechanism of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency. Although MMR gene germline pathogenic variant carriers and Lynch‐like tumors with double somatic MMR gene mutations are highly likely to respond to a single‐agent immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), those with MLH1 hypermethylation may benefit from additional agents to induce an ICI response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoland Antill
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cabrini Health, Malvern, Victoria, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Familial Cancer Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniel D Buchanan
- Familial Cancer Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Colorectal Oncogenomics Group, Department of Clinical Pathology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Genomic Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Clare L Scott
- Familial Cancer Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
77
|
Therapeutic cancer vaccines: reasons to believe. Emerg Top Life Sci 2021; 5:591-595. [PMID: 34495328 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Our hopes of using the power of the immune system to control tumours have been partially fulfilled with anti-PD1 antibodies and other checkpoint inhibitors and the use of engineered T cells targeting lineage-specific surface markers with chimeric antigen receptors. Can these successes be generalised? Therapeutic cancer vaccines aim to educate or re-educate the immune system to recognise tumour specific or tumour associated antigens. After many false dawns, some positive data for the effectiveness of such an approach is starting to emerge in advanced solid tumours, albeit as combination therapies with checkpoint inhibitors. But is the field targeting the right antigens? Interventions using the most effective vaccine platforms to target certain sets of antigens in patients with low disease burden might bring impressive long-term benefits to patients as single agents.
Collapse
|
78
|
Kanani A, Veen T, Søreide K. Neoadjuvant immunotherapy in primary and metastatic colorectal cancer. Br J Surg 2021; 108:1417-1425. [PMID: 34694371 PMCID: PMC10364874 DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znab342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common solid organ cancer. Traditional treatment is with surgery and chemotherapy. Immunotherapy has recently emerged as a neoadjuvant therapy that could change treatment strategy in both primary resectable and metastatic CRC. METHODS A literature review of PubMed with a focus on studies exploring upfront immunotherapy in operable CRC, either for primary resectable stage I-III cancers or for (potentially) operable liver metastasis. RESULTS Immune checkpoint blockade by the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) receptor inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab and the cytotoxic T cell-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitor ipilimumab has shown good results in both early-stage and advanced CRC. The effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors have so far been demonstrated in small phase I/II studies and predominantly in treatment-refractory stage IV disease with defect Mismatch repair (dMMR). However, recent data from phase I/II (NICHE-1) studies suggest an upfront role for immunotherapy in operable stage I-III disease. By blocking crucial immune checkpoints, cytotoxic T cells are activated and release cytotoxic signals that initiate cancer cell destruction. The very high complete response rate in dMMR operable CRC with neoadjuvant immunotherapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab, and even partial pathological response in some patients with proficient MMR (pMMR) CRC, calls for further attention to patient selection for neoadjuvant treatment, beyond MMR status alone. CONCLUSION Early data on the effect of immunotherapy in CRC provide new strategic thinking of treatment options in CRC for both early-stage and advanced disease, with prospects for new trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Kanani
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Gastrointestinal Translational Research Unit, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - T Veen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Gastrointestinal Translational Research Unit, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - K Søreide
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Gastrointestinal Translational Research Unit, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
79
|
Roudko V, Cimen Bozkus C, Greenbaum B, Lucas A, Samstein R, Bhardwaj N. Lynch Syndrome and MSI-H Cancers: From Mechanisms to "Off-The-Shelf" Cancer Vaccines. Front Immunol 2021; 12:757804. [PMID: 34630437 PMCID: PMC8498209 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.757804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Defective DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) is associated with many cancer types including colon, gastric, endometrial, ovarian, hepatobiliary tract, urinary tract, brain and skin cancers. Lynch syndrome - a hereditary cause of dMMR - confers increased lifetime risk of malignancy in different organs and tissues. These Lynch syndrome pathogenic alleles are widely present in humans at a 1:320 population frequency of a single allele and associated with an up to 80% risk of developing microsatellite unstable cancer (microsatellite instability - high, or MSI-H). Advanced MSI-H tumors can be effectively treated with checkpoint inhibitors (CPI), however, that has led to response rates of only 30-60% despite their high tumor mutational burden and favorable immune gene signatures in the tumor microenvironment (TME). We and others have characterized a subset of MSI-H associated highly recurrent frameshift mutations that yield shared immunogenic neoantigens. These frameshifts might serve as targets for off-the-shelf cancer vaccine designs. In this review we discuss the current state of research around MSI-H cancer vaccine development, its application to MSI-H and Lynch syndrome cancer patients and the utility of MSI-H as a biomarker for CPI therapy. We also summarize the tumor intrinsic mechanisms underlying the high occurrence rates of certain frameshifts in MSI-H. Finally, we provide an overview of pivotal clinical trials investigating MSI-H as a biomarker for CPI therapy and MSI-H vaccines. Overall, this review aims to inform the development of novel research paradigms and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Roudko
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.,Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.,Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Cansu Cimen Bozkus
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.,Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Benjamin Greenbaum
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Computational Oncology program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States.,Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Aimee Lucas
- Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Samuel D. Bronfman Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Robert Samstein
- Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.,Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nina Bhardwaj
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.,Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
80
|
Vaccines for Non-Viral Cancer Prevention. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222010900. [PMID: 34681560 PMCID: PMC8535337 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222010900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer vaccines are a type of immune therapy that seeks to modulate the host’s immune system to induce durable and protective immune responses against cancer-related antigens. The little clinical success of therapeutic cancer vaccines is generally attributed to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment at late-stage diseases. The administration of cancer-preventive vaccination at early stages, such as pre-malignant lesions or even in healthy individuals at high cancer risk could increase clinical efficacy by potentiating immune surveillance and pre-existing specific immune responses, thus eliminating de novo appearing lesions or maintaining equilibrium. Indeed, research focus has begun to shift to these approaches and some of them are yielding encouraging outcomes.
Collapse
|
81
|
Koh G, Degasperi A, Zou X, Momen S, Nik-Zainal S. Mutational signatures: emerging concepts, caveats and clinical applications. Nat Rev Cancer 2021; 21:619-637. [PMID: 34316057 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00377-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Whole-genome sequencing has brought the cancer genomics community into new territory. Thanks to the sheer power provided by the thousands of mutations present in each patient's cancer, we have been able to discern generic patterns of mutations, termed 'mutational signatures', that arise during tumorigenesis. These mutational signatures provide new insights into the causes of individual cancers, revealing both endogenous and exogenous factors that have influenced cancer development. This Review brings readers up to date in a field that is expanding in computational, experimental and clinical directions. We focus on recent conceptual advances, underscoring some of the caveats associated with using the mutational signature frameworks and highlighting the latest experimental insights. We conclude by bringing attention to areas that are likely to see advancements in clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gene Koh
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC Cancer Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrea Degasperi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC Cancer Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Xueqing Zou
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC Cancer Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sophie Momen
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC Cancer Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Serena Nik-Zainal
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- MRC Cancer Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
82
|
Cimen Bozkus C, Blazquez AB, Enokida T, Bhardwaj N. A T-cell-based immunogenicity protocol for evaluating human antigen-specific responses. STAR Protoc 2021; 2:100758. [PMID: 34458873 PMCID: PMC8377590 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Determining the antigen specificities of the endogenous T-cell repertoire is important for screening naturally occurring or therapy-induced T-cell immunity and may help identify novel targets for T-cell-based therapies. Here, we describe a rapid, sensitive, and high-throughput protocol for expanding antigen-specific T cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro following peptide stimulation and detecting antigen-specific effector cytokine formation by flow cytometry. Our approach can be applied to examining specific T-cell subsets from various tissues. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Roudko et al. (2020) and Cimen Bozkus et al. (2019).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cansu Cimen Bozkus
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10127, USA
- Corresponding author
| | - Ana Belen Blazquez
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10127, USA
- Global Biological Specimen and Imaging Management (GBS&IM), Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Tomohiro Enokida
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10127, USA
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Nina Bhardwaj
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10127, USA
- Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
83
|
Dias MH, Bernards R. Playing cancer at its own game: activating mitogenic signaling as a paradoxical intervention. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:1975-1985. [PMID: 33955157 PMCID: PMC8333773 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In psychotherapy, paradoxical interventions are characterized by a deliberate reinforcement of the pathological behavior to improve the clinical condition. Such a counter-intuitive approach can be considered when more conventional interventions fail. The development of targeted cancer therapies has enabled the selective inhibition of activated oncogenic signaling pathways. However, in advanced cancers, such therapies, on average, deliver modest benefits due to the development of resistance. Here, we review the perspective of a 'paradoxical intervention' in cancer therapy: rather than attempting to inhibit oncogenic signaling, the proposed therapy would further activate mitogenic signaling to disrupt the labile homeostasis of cancer cells and overload stress response pathways. Such overactivation can potentially be combined with stress-targeted drugs to kill overstressed cancer cells. Although counter-intuitive, such an approach exploits intrinsic and ubiquitous differences between normal and cancer cells. We discuss the background underlying this unconventional approach and how such intervention might address some current challenges in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Henrique Dias
- Division of Molecular CarcinogenesisOncode InstituteThe Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - René Bernards
- Division of Molecular CarcinogenesisOncode InstituteThe Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
84
|
Joyce S, Ternette N. Know thy immune self and non-self: Proteomics informs on the expanse of self and non-self, and how and where they arise. Proteomics 2021; 21:e2000143. [PMID: 34310018 PMCID: PMC8865197 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202000143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
T cells play an important role in the adaptive immune response to a variety of infections and cancers. Initiation of a T cell mediated immune response requires antigen recognition in a process termed MHC (major histocompatibility complex) restri ction. A T cell antigen is a composite structure made up of a peptide fragment bound within the antigen‐binding groove of an MHC‐encoded class I or class II molecule. Insight into the precise composition and biology of self and non‐self immunopeptidomes is essential to harness T cell mediated immunity to prevent, treat, or cure infectious diseases and cancers. T cell antigen discovery is an arduous task! The pioneering work in the early 1990s has made large‐scale T cell antigen discovery possible. Thus, advancements in mass spectrometry coupled with proteomics and genomics technologies make possible T cell antigen discovery with ease, accuracy, and sensitivity. Yet we have only begun to understand the breadth and the depth of self and non‐self immunopeptidomes because the molecular biology of the cell continues to surprise us with new secrets directly related to the source, and the processing and presentation of MHC ligands. Focused on MHC class I molecules, this review, therefore, provides a brief historic account of T cell antigen discovery and, against a backdrop of key advances in molecular cell biologic processes, elaborates on how proteogenomics approaches have revolutionised the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Joyce
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System and the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Nicola Ternette
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
85
|
Immunogenomics in personalized cancer treatments. J Hum Genet 2021; 66:901-907. [PMID: 34193979 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-021-00950-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in next-generation sequencing technologies have led to significant improvements in cancer genomic research and cancer treatment. Through the use of comprehensive cancer genome data, precision medicine has become more of a reality; albeit, at present, only ~10-15% of patients can benefit from current genomic testing practices. Improvements in cancer genome analyses have contributed to a better understanding of antitumor immunity and have provided solutions for targeting highly cancer-specific neoantigens generated from somatic mutations in individual patients. Since then, numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of neoantigens and neoantigen-reactive T cells in the tumor microenvironment and how their presence influences the beneficial responses associated with various cancer immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Indeed, cancer immunotherapies that explicitly target neoantigens specific to individual cancer patients would lead to the ultimate form of cancer precision medicine. For this to be realized, several issues would need to be overcome, including the accurate prediction and selection of neoantigens that can induce cytotoxic T cells in individual patients. The precise prediction of target neoantigens will likely accelerate the development of personalized immunotherapy including cancer vaccines and T-cell receptor-engineered T-cell therapy for patients with cancer.
Collapse
|
86
|
Microsatellite Instability in Colorectal Cancers: Carcinogenesis, Neo-Antigens, Immuno-Resistance and Emerging Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13123063. [PMID: 34205397 PMCID: PMC8235567 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary A deficient mismatch repair system (dMMR) results in microsatellite instability (MSI). The MSI status of a tumor predicts the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) that are now approved in patients with dMMR/MSI metastatic colorectal cancers. In addition to the mechanisms through which MSI can activate the immune system via particular neo-antigens, this review reports the clinical and pre-clinical strategies being developed in the case of resistance to ICI, including emerging therapies and new biomarkers. Abstract A defect in the DNA repair system through a deficient mismatch repair system (dMMR) leads to microsatellite instability (MSI). Microsatellites are located in both coding and non-coding sequences and dMMR/MSI tumors are associated with a high mutation burden. Some of these mutations occur in coding sequences and lead to the production of neo-antigens able to trigger an anti-tumoral immune response. This explains why non-metastatic MSI tumors are associated with high immune infiltrates and good prognosis. Metastatic MSI tumors result from tumor escape to the immune system and are associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance. Consequently, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are highly effective and have recently been approved in dMMR/MSI metastatic colorectal cancers (mCRC). Nevertheless, some patients with dMMR/MSI mCRC have primary or secondary resistance to ICI. This review details carcinogenesis and the mechanisms through which MSI can activate the immune system. After which, we discuss mechanistic hypotheses in an attempt to explain primary and secondary resistances to ICI and emerging strategies being developed to overcome this phenomenon by targeting other immune checkpoints or through vaccination and modification of microbiota.
Collapse
|
87
|
Antill Y, Kok PS, Robledo K, Yip S, Cummins M, Smith D, Spurdle A, Barnes E, Lee YC, Friedlander M, Baron-Hay S, Shannon C, Coward J, Beale P, Goss G, Meniawy T, Lombard J, Andrews J, Stockler MR, Mileshkin L. Clinical activity of durvalumab for patients with advanced mismatch repair-deficient and repair-proficient endometrial cancer. A nonrandomized phase 2 clinical trial. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2020-002255. [PMID: 34103352 PMCID: PMC8190057 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-002255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this study, we assessed the activity of durvalumab, an antibody to programmed death ligand-1, in two cohorts of women with advanced endometrial cancers (AEC)-mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) and mismatch repair deficient (dMMR). METHODS A multicenter phase two study was performed in women with AEC with pMMR tumor progressing after one to three lines of chemotherapy and women with AEC with dMMR tumor progressing after zero to three lines of chemotherapy. Mismatch repair status was based on immunohistochemistry expression. All women received durvalumab 1500 mg given every 4 weeks until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective tumor response by RECIST V.1.1 modified for immune-based therapeutics. RESULTS Seventy-one women were recruited: 35 dMMR and 36 pMMR. Median follow-up was 19 vs 21 months in dMMR versus pMMR, respectively. Median age was 67 years. Histology in dMMR versus pMMR included endometrioid (94% vs 57%) and serous (0% vs 31%) and was high grade in 26% vs 74%. The objective tumor response rate (OTRR) in the dMMR cohort was 47% (17/36, 95% CI 32 to 63), including 6 complete responses and 11 partial responses (PRs)) vs 3% in the pMMR cohort (1/35, 95% CI 1 to 15, PR). In the dMMR cohort, durvalumab was the first-line therapy in 58% (OTRR 57%) and the second-line therapy in 39% (OTRR 38%). Median progression-free survival was 8.3 months in the dMMR cohort vs 1.8 months in the pMMR cohort. The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate was 71% in dMMR vs 51% in pMMR, with median OS not reached for dMMR vs 12 months for pMMR. Immune-related adverse events occurred in 14 women, mostly grades 1-2. CONCLUSION Durvalumab monotherapy showed promising activity and acceptable safety in AEC with dMMR regardless of prior lines of chemotherapy, but activity was limited in AEC with pMMR. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS ANZGOG1601, ACTRN12617000106336, and NCT03015129.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoland Antill
- Medical Oncology, Cabrini Health, Malvern, Victoria, Australia .,Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Peey-Sei Kok
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kristy Robledo
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sonia Yip
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle Cummins
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Deborah Smith
- Mater Pathology, Mater Research and University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Amanda Spurdle
- Molecular Cancer Epidemiology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Barnes
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yeh Chen Lee
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Friedlander
- Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sally Baron-Hay
- Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Catherine Shannon
- Mater Cancer Care Centre, Mater Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jermaine Coward
- Clinical Trials Unit, Icon Cancer Care, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Philip Beale
- Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Geraldine Goss
- Medical Oncology, Monash Medical Centre Clayton, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tarek Meniawy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Janine Lombard
- Medical Oncology, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Hunter Region Mail Centre, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Andrews
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Martin R Stockler
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Linda Mileshkin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
88
|
Abstract
Therapeutic cancer vaccines have undergone a resurgence in the past decade. A better understanding of the breadth of tumour-associated antigens, the native immune response and development of novel technologies for antigen delivery has facilitated improved vaccine design. The goal of therapeutic cancer vaccines is to induce tumour regression, eradicate minimal residual disease, establish lasting antitumour memory and avoid non-specific or adverse reactions. However, tumour-induced immunosuppression and immunoresistance pose significant challenges to achieving this goal. In this Review, we deliberate on how to improve and expand the antigen repertoire for vaccines, consider developments in vaccine platforms and explore antigen-agnostic in situ vaccines. Furthermore, we summarize the reasons for failure of cancer vaccines in the past and provide an overview of various mechanisms of resistance posed by the tumour. Finally, we propose strategies for combining suitable vaccine platforms with novel immunomodulatory approaches and standard-of-care treatments for overcoming tumour resistance and enhancing clinical efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mansi Saxena
- Vaccine and Cell Therapy Laboratory, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Hematology and Oncology Department, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Nina Bhardwaj
- Vaccine and Cell Therapy Laboratory, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Hematology and Oncology Department, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Parker Institute of Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
89
|
Mechanisms of Immune Escape and Resistance to Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapies in Mismatch Repair Deficient Metastatic Colorectal Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112638. [PMID: 34072037 PMCID: PMC8199207 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary A subset of colorectal cancers (CRCs) is characterized by a mismatch repair deficiency that is frequently associated with microsatellite instability (MSI). The compromised DNA repair machinery leads to the accumulation of tumor neoantigens affecting the sensitivity of MSI metastatic CRC to immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs), both upfront and in later lines of treatment. However, up to 30% of MSI CRCs exhibit primary resistance to frontline immune based therapy, and an additional subset develops acquired resistance. Here, we first discuss the clinical and molecular features of MSI CRCs and then we review how the loss of antigenicity, immunogenicity, and a hostile tumor microenvironment could influence primary and acquired resistance to CPIs. Finally, we describe strategies to improve the outcome of MSI CRC patients upon CPI treatment. Abstract Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) represent an effective therapeutic strategy for several different types of solid tumors and are remarkably effective in mismatch repair deficient (MMRd) tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). The prevalent view is that the elevated and dynamic neoantigen burden associated with the mutator phenotype of MMRd fosters enhanced immune surveillance of these cancers. In addition, recent findings suggest that MMRd tumors have increased cytosolic DNA, which triggers the cGAS STING pathway, leading to interferon-mediated immune response. Unfortunately, approximately 30% of MMRd CRC exhibit primary resistance to CPIs, while a substantial fraction of tumors acquires resistance after an initial benefit. Profiling of clinical samples and preclinical studies suggests that alterations in the Wnt and the JAK-STAT signaling pathways are associated with refractoriness to CPIs. Intriguingly, mutations in the antigen presentation machinery, such as loss of MHC or Beta-2 microglobulin (B2M), are implicated in initial immune evasion but do not impair response to CPIs. In this review, we outline how understanding the mechanistic basis of immune evasion and CPI resistance in MMRd CRC provides the rationale for innovative strategies to increase the subset of patients benefiting from CPIs.
Collapse
|
90
|
Qing T, Jun T, Lindblad KE, Lujambio A, Marczyk M, Pusztai L, Huang KL. Diverse immune response of DNA damage repair-deficient tumors. CELL REPORTS MEDICINE 2021; 2:100276. [PMID: 34095878 PMCID: PMC8149377 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Tumors with DNA damage repair (DDR) deficiency accumulate genomic alterations that may serve as neoantigens and increase sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitor. However, over half of DDR-deficient tumors are refractory to immunotherapy, and it remains unclear which mutations may promote immunogenicity in which cancer types. We integrate deleterious somatic and germline mutations and methylation data of DDR genes in 10,080 cancers representing 32 cancer types and evaluate the associations of these alterations with tumor neoantigens and immune infiltrates. Our analyses identify DDR pathway mutations that are associated with higher neoantigen loads, adaptive immune markers, and survival outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitor-treated animal models and patients. Different immune phenotypes are associated with distinct types of DDR deficiency, depending on the cancer type context. The comprehensive catalog of immune response-associated DDR deficiency may explain variations in immunotherapy outcomes across DDR-deficient cancers and facilitate the development of genomic biomarkers for immunotherapy. Tumor immunogenicity is associated with DNA damage repair deficiencies (DDR-ds) The immunogenicity of DDR alterations varies by pathways and cancer types DDR-d tumors with high immune infiltrates correlate with immunotherapy response
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Qing
- Breast Medical Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Tomi Jun
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Katherine E Lindblad
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.,Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.,The Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Amaia Lujambio
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.,Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.,The Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Michal Marczyk
- Breast Medical Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.,Department of Data Science and Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Lajos Pusztai
- Breast Medical Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Kuan-Lin Huang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| |
Collapse
|
91
|
Abidi A, Gorris MAJ, Brennan E, Jongmans MCJ, Weijers DD, Kuiper RP, de Voer RM, Hoogerbrugge N, Schreibelt G, de Vries IJM. Challenges of Neoantigen Targeting in Lynch Syndrome and Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency Syndrome. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2345. [PMID: 34067951 PMCID: PMC8152233 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lynch syndrome (LS) and constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD) are hereditary disorders characterised by a highly increased risk of cancer development. This is due to germline aberrations in the mismatch repair (MMR) genes, which results in a high mutational load in tumours of these patients, including insertions and deletions in genes bearing microsatellites. This generates microsatellite instability and cause reading frameshifts in coding regions that could lead to the generation of neoantigens and opens up avenues for neoantigen targeting immune therapies prophylactically and therapeutically. However, major obstacles need to be overcome, such as the heterogeneity in tumour formation within and between LS and CMMRD patients, which results in considerable variability in the genes targeted by mutations, hence challenging the choice of suitable neoantigens. The machine-learning methods such as NetMHC and MHCflurry that predict neoantigen- human leukocyte antigen (HLA) binding affinity provide little information on other aspects of neoantigen presentation. Immune escape mechanisms that allow MMR-deficient cells to evade surveillance combined with the resistance to immune checkpoint therapy make the neoantigen targeting regimen challenging. Studies to delineate shared neoantigen profiles across patient cohorts, precise HLA binding algorithms, additional therapies to counter immune evasion and evaluation of biomarkers that predict the response of these patients to immune checkpoint therapy are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asima Abidi
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (A.A.); (M.A.J.G.); (E.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Mark A. J. Gorris
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (A.A.); (M.A.J.G.); (E.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Evan Brennan
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (A.A.); (M.A.J.G.); (E.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Marjolijn C. J. Jongmans
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.C.J.J.); (D.D.W.); (R.P.K.)
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dilys D. Weijers
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.C.J.J.); (D.D.W.); (R.P.K.)
| | - Roland P. Kuiper
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.C.J.J.); (D.D.W.); (R.P.K.)
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Richarda M. de Voer
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (R.M.d.V.); (N.H.)
| | - Nicoline Hoogerbrugge
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (R.M.d.V.); (N.H.)
| | - Gerty Schreibelt
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (A.A.); (M.A.J.G.); (E.B.); (G.S.)
| | - I. Jolanda M. de Vries
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (A.A.); (M.A.J.G.); (E.B.); (G.S.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
92
|
Liang J, Zhao X. Nanomaterial-based delivery vehicles for therapeutic cancer vaccine development. Cancer Biol Med 2021; 18:j.issn.2095-3941.2021.0004. [PMID: 33979069 PMCID: PMC8185868 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2021.0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanomaterial-based delivery vehicles such as lipid-based, polymer-based, inorganics-based, and bio-inspired vehicles often carry distinct and attractive advantages in the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines. Based on various delivery vehicles, specifically designed nanomaterials-based vaccines are highly advantageous in boosting therapeutic and prophylactic antitumor immunities. Specifically, therapeutic vaccines featuring unique properties have made major contributions to the enhancement of antigen immunogenicity, encapsulation efficiency, biocompatibility, and stability, as well as promoting antigen cross-presentation and specific CD8+ T cell responses. However, for clinical applications, tumor-associated antigen-derived vaccines could be an obstacle, involving immune tolerance and deficiency of tumor specificities, in achieving maximum therapeutic indices. However, when using bioinformatics predictions with emerging innovations of in silico tools, neoantigen-based therapeutic vaccines might become potent personalized vaccines for tumor treatments. In this review, we summarize the development of preclinical therapeutic cancer vaccines and the advancements of nanomaterial-based delivery vehicles for cancer immunotherapies, which provide the basis for a personalized vaccine delivery platform. Moreover, we review the existing challenges and future perspectives of nanomaterial-based personalized vaccines for novel tumor immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety & CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiao Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety & CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
93
|
Abstract
The immunoprevention of cancer and cancer recurrence is an important area of concern for the scientific community and society as a whole. Researchers have been working for decades to develop vaccines with the potential to alleviate these health care and economic burdens. So far, vaccines have made more progress in preventing cancer than in eliminating already established cancer. In particular, vaccines targeting oncogenic viruses, such as the human papillomavirus and the hepatitis B virus, are exceptional examples of successful prevention of virus-associated cancers, such as cervical cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer-preventive vaccines targeting nonviral antigens, such as tumor-associated antigens and neoantigens, are also being extensively tested. Here, we review the currently approved preventive cancer vaccines; discuss the challenges in this field by covering ongoing preclinical and clinical human trials in various cancers; and address various issues related to maximizing cancer vaccine benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Enokida
- Department of Medicine, Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alvaro Moreira
- Department of Medicine, Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- The Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nina Bhardwaj
- Department of Medicine, Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- The Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Extramural member of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
94
|
Abstract
Tumor metastasis is a singularly important determinant of survival in most cancers. Historically, radiation therapy (RT) directed at a primary tumor mass was associated infrequently with remission of metastasis outside the field of irradiation. This away-from-target or "abscopal effect" received fringe attention because of its rarity. With the advent of immunotherapy, there are now increasing reports of abscopal effects upon RT in combination with immune checkpoint inhibition. This sparked investigation into underlying mechanisms and clinical trials aimed at enhancement of this effect. While these studies clearly attribute the abscopal effect to an antitumor immune response, the initial molecular triggers for its onset and specificity remain enigmatic. Here, we propose that DNA damage-induced inflammation coupled with neoantigen generation is essential during this intriguing phenomenon of systemic tumor regression and discuss the implications of this model for treatment aimed at triggering the abscopal effect in metastatic cancer.
Collapse
|
95
|
Becker JP, Helm D, Rettel M, Stein F, Hernandez-Sanchez A, Urban K, Gebert J, Kloor M, Neu-Yilik G, von Knebel Doeberitz M, Hentze MW, Kulozik AE. NMD inhibition by 5-azacytidine augments presentation of immunogenic frameshift-derived neoepitopes. iScience 2021; 24:102389. [PMID: 33981976 PMCID: PMC8082087 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Frameshifted protein sequences elicit tumor-specific T cell-mediated immune responses in microsatellite-unstable (MSI) cancers if presented by HLA class I molecules. However, their expression and presentation are limited by nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD). We employed an unbiased immunopeptidomics workflow to analyze MSI HCT-116 cells and identified >10,000 HLA class I-presented peptides including five frameshift-derived InDel neoepitopes. Notably, pharmacological NMD inhibition with 5-azacytidine stabilizes frameshift-bearing transcripts and increases the HLA class I-mediated presentation of InDel neoepitopes. The frameshift mutation underlying one of the identified InDel neoepitopes is highly recurrent in MSI colorectal cancer cell lines and primary patient samples, and immunization with the corresponding neoepitope induces strong CD8+ T cell responses in an HLA-A∗02:01 transgenic mouse model. Our data show directly that pharmacological NMD inhibition augments HLA class I-mediated presentation of immunogenic frameshift-derived InDel neoepitopes thus highlighting the clinical potential of NMD inhibition in anti-cancer immunotherapy strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas P. Becker
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dominic Helm
- Genomics and Proteomics Core Facility, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mandy Rettel
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Stein
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alejandro Hernandez-Sanchez
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Applied Tumor Biology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Collaboration Unit Applied Tumor Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Urban
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Applied Tumor Biology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Collaboration Unit Applied Tumor Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Gebert
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Applied Tumor Biology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Collaboration Unit Applied Tumor Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Kloor
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Applied Tumor Biology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Collaboration Unit Applied Tumor Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gabriele Neu-Yilik
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Magnus von Knebel Doeberitz
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Applied Tumor Biology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Collaboration Unit Applied Tumor Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias W. Hentze
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas E. Kulozik
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
96
|
Wang Y, Shi T, Song X, Liu B, Wei J. Gene fusion neoantigens: Emerging targets for cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Lett 2021; 506:45-54. [PMID: 33675984 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Tumor neoantigens play an important role in current cancer immunotherapies. The most commonly studied class of tumor neoantigens contains those derived from single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and insertions or deletions (Indels). However, gene fusions are also ideal sources of tumor neoantigens, as they can form new open reading frames (ORFs). Compared with SNV and Indel (SNV&Indel) neoantigens, fusion gene neoantigens tend to be more immunogenic, have more targets per mutation, and are more broadly shared across different cancer types. As a result, they are an important class of tumor neoantigens and emerging targets for cancer immunotherapies, with uses as prognostic biomarkers of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and in the development of tumor vaccines, adoptive cell therapies and tumor immune microenvironment modulation. In this review, we introduce the chromosomal basis and characteristics of gene fusions. Then, we summarize the predictive tools, mutation burden and immunogenicity of gene fusion neoantigens. Further, we discuss applications and future improvements of gene fusion neoantigens with respect to current cancer immunotherapies and novel developments in cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Tao Shi
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Xueru Song
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Baorui Liu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Jia Wei
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| |
Collapse
|
97
|
Thol K, McGranahan N. Potential Use of Shared Frameshift Mutations in 'Off-the-Shelf' Neoantigen Vaccines. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:175-177. [PMID: 33500225 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Neoantigens derived from frameshift mutations in microsatellite unstable tumours are more commonly shared between different patients' cancers compared with neoantigens arising from missense mutations. A recent study by Roudko et al. evaluates the immunogenicity of shared frameshift neoantigens, which could potentially be used in 'off-the-shelf' neoantigen vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Thol
- Cancer Genome Evolution Research Group, University College London Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, 72 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, 72 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Nicholas McGranahan
- Cancer Genome Evolution Research Group, University College London Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, 72 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, 72 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
98
|
Olsen HE, Lynn GM, Valdes PA, Cerecedo Lopez CD, Ishizuka AS, Arnaout O, Bi WL, Peruzzi PP, Chiocca EA, Friedman GK, Bernstock JD. Therapeutic cancer vaccines for pediatric malignancies: advances, challenges, and emerging technologies. Neurooncol Adv 2021; 3:vdab027. [PMID: 33860227 PMCID: PMC8034661 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdab027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Though outcomes for pediatric cancer patients have significantly improved over the past several decades, too many children still experience poor outcomes and survivors suffer lifelong, debilitating late effects after conventional chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical treatment. Consequently, there has been a renewed focus on developing novel targeted therapies to improve survival outcomes. Cancer vaccines are a promising type of immunotherapy that leverage the immune system to mediate targeted, tumor-specific killing through recognition of tumor antigens, thereby minimizing off-target toxicity. As such, cancer vaccines are orthogonal to conventional cancer treatments and can therefore be used alone or in combination with other therapeutic modalities to maximize efficacy. To date, cancer vaccination has remained largely understudied in the pediatric population. In this review, we discuss the different types of tumor antigens and vaccine technologies (dendritic cells, peptides, nucleic acids, and viral vectors) evaluated in clinical trials, with a focus on those used in children. We conclude with perspectives on how advances in combination therapies, tumor antigen (eg, neoantigen) selection, and vaccine platform optimization can be translated into clinical practice to improve outcomes for children with cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E Olsen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Pablo A Valdes
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christian D Cerecedo Lopez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Omar Arnaout
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - W Linda Bi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pier Paolo Peruzzi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - E Antonio Chiocca
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gregory K Friedman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Joshua D Bernstock
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Avidea Technologies, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
99
|
A novel cancer immunotherapy using tumor-infiltrating B cells in the APCmin/+ mouse model. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245608. [PMID: 33465122 PMCID: PMC7815094 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has suggested a correlation of tumor infiltrating B cells (TiBcs) and a good prognosis of cancer diseases. In some cases, TiBcs appear to have experienced antigen stimulation since they have undergone class-switching and somatic hypermutation and formed tertiary lymphoid structures around tumors together with T cells. Assuming TiBcs include those that recognize some tumor antigens, we sought to investigate their possible usefulness for cell-mediated immunotherapies. To expand usually small number of TiBcs in vitro, we modified our B cell culture system: we transduced B cells with ERT2-Bach2 so that they grow unlimitedly provided with tamoxifen, IL-21 and our original feeder cells. Such cells differentiate into plasma cells and produce antibodies upon withdrawal of tamoxifen, and further by addition of a Bach2-inhibitor in vitro. As a preliminary experiment, thus expanded splenic B cells expressing a transgenic antigen receptor/antibody against hen egg lysozyme were intravenously injected into mice pre-implanted with B16 melanoma cells expressing membrane-bound HEL in the skin, which resulted in suppression of the growth of B16 tumors and prolonged survival of the recipient mice. To test the usefulness of TiBcs for the immunotherapy, we next used APCmin/+ mice as a model that spontaneously develop intestinal tumors. We cultured TiBcs separated from the tumors of APCmin/+ mice as above and confirmed that the antibodies they produce recognize the APCmin/+ tumor. Repeated injection of such TiBcs into adult APCmin/+ mice resulted in suppression of intestinal tumor growth and elongation of the survival of the recipient mice. Serum antibody from the TiBc-recipient mice selectively bound to an antigen expressed in the tumor of APCmin/+ mice. These data suggest a possibility of the novel individualized cancer immunotherapy, in which TiBcs from surgically excised tumor tissues are expanded and infused into the donor patients.
Collapse
|
100
|
Esprit A, de Mey W, Bahadur Shahi R, Thielemans K, Franceschini L, Breckpot K. Neo-Antigen mRNA Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E776. [PMID: 33353155 PMCID: PMC7766040 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The interest in therapeutic cancer vaccines has caught enormous attention in recent years due to several breakthroughs in cancer research, among which the finding that successful checkpoint blockade treatments reinvigorate neo-antigen-specific T cells and that successful adoptive cell therapies are directed towards neo-antigens. Neo-antigens are cancer-specific antigens, which develop from somatic mutations in the cancer cell genome that can be highly immunogenic and are not subjected to central tolerance. As the majority of neo-antigens are unique to each patient's cancer, a vaccine technology that is flexible and potent is required to develop personalized neo-antigen vaccines. In vitro transcribed mRNA is such a technology platform and has been evaluated for delivery of neo-antigens to professional antigen-presenting cells both ex vivo and in vivo. In addition, strategies that support the activity of T cells in the tumor microenvironment have been developed. These represent a unique opportunity to ensure durable T cell activity upon vaccination. Here, we comprehensively review recent progress in mRNA-based neo-antigen vaccines, summarizing critical milestones that made it possible to bring the promise of therapeutic cancer vaccines within reach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.E.); (W.d.M.); (R.B.S.); (K.T.); (L.F.)
| |
Collapse
|