51
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Li Y, Xiang S, Pan W, Wang J, Zhan H, Liu S. Targeting tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment for pancreatic cancer immunotherapy: Current research and future perspective. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1166860. [PMID: 37064113 PMCID: PMC10090519 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1166860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant tumors with increased incidence rate. The effect of surgery combined with chemoradiotherapy on survival of patients is unsatisfactory. New treatment strategy such as immunotherapy need to be investigated. The accumulation of desmoplastic stroma, infiltration of immunosuppressive cells including myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and regulatory T cells (Tregs), as well as tumor associated cytokine such as TGF-β, IL-10, IL-35, CCL5 and CXCL12 construct an immunosuppressive microenvironment of pancreatic cancer, which presents challenges for immunotherapy. In this review article, we explore the roles and mechanism of immunosuppressive cells and lymphocytes in establishing an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. In addition, immunotherapy strategies for pancreatic cancer based on tumor microenvironment including immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeting extracellular matrix (ECM), interfering with stromal cells or cytokines in TME, cancer vaccines and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are also discussed. It is necessary to identify an approach of immunotherapy in combination with other modalities to produce a synergistic effect with increased response rates in pancreatic cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Department of Blood Transfusion, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shuai Xiang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wenjun Pan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Operating Room, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hanxiang Zhan
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- *Correspondence: Shanglong Liu, ; Hanxiang Zhan,
| | - Shanglong Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Shanglong Liu, ; Hanxiang Zhan,
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52
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Shi ZD, Pang K, Wu ZX, Dong Y, Hao L, Qin JX, Wang W, Chen ZS, Han CH. Tumor cell plasticity in targeted therapy-induced resistance: mechanisms and new strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:113. [PMID: 36906600 PMCID: PMC10008648 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01383-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the success of targeted therapies in cancer treatment, therapy-induced resistance remains a major obstacle to a complete cure. Tumor cells evade treatments and relapse via phenotypic switching driven by intrinsic or induced cell plasticity. Several reversible mechanisms have been proposed to circumvent tumor cell plasticity, including epigenetic modifications, regulation of transcription factors, activation or suppression of key signaling pathways, as well as modification of the tumor environment. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, tumor cell and cancer stem cell formation also serve as roads towards tumor cell plasticity. Corresponding treatment strategies have recently been developed that either target plasticity-related mechanisms or employ combination treatments. In this review, we delineate the formation of tumor cell plasticity and its manipulation of tumor evasion from targeted therapy. We discuss the non-genetic mechanisms of targeted drug-induced tumor cell plasticity in various types of tumors and provide insights into the contribution of tumor cell plasticity to acquired drug resistance. New therapeutic strategies such as inhibition or reversal of tumor cell plasticity are also presented. We also discuss the multitude of clinical trials that are ongoing worldwide with the intention of improving clinical outcomes. These advances provide a direction for developing novel therapeutic strategies and combination therapy regimens that target tumor cell plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Duo Shi
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.,School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Kun Pang
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhuo-Xun Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Yang Dong
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lin Hao
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jia-Xin Qin
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
| | - Cong-Hui Han
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China. .,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China. .,School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Jiangsu, China. .,Department of Urology, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Heilongjiang, China.
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53
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Ali S, Rehman MU, Yatoo AM, Arafah A, Khan A, Rashid S, Majid S, Ali A, Ali MN. TGF-β signaling pathway: Therapeutic targeting and potential for anti-cancer immunity. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 947:175678. [PMID: 36990262 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is a pleiotropic secretory cytokine exhibiting both cancer-inhibitory and promoting properties. It transmits its signals via Suppressor of Mother against Decapentaplegic (SMAD) and non-SMAD pathways and regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis. In non-cancer and early-stage cancer cells, TGFβ signaling suppresses cancer progression via inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, or anti-proliferation, and promoting cell differentiation. On the other hand, TGFβ may also act as an oncogene in advanced stages of tumors, wherein it develops immune-suppressive tumor microenvironments and induces the proliferation of cancer cells, invasion, angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. Higher TGFβ expression leads to the instigation and development of cancer. Therefore, suppressing TGFβ signals may present a potential treatment option for inhibiting tumorigenesis and metastasis. Different inhibitory molecules, including ligand traps, anti-sense oligo-nucleotides, small molecule receptor-kinase inhibitors, small molecule inhibitors, and vaccines, have been developed and clinically trialed for blocking the TGFβ signaling pathway. These molecules are not pro-oncogenic response-specific but block all signaling effects induced by TGFβ. Nonetheless, targeting the activation of TGFβ signaling with maximized specificity and minimized toxicity can enhance the efficacy of therapeutic approaches against this signaling pathway. The molecules that are used to target TGFβ are non-cytotoxic to cancer cells but designed to curtail the over-activation of invasion and metastasis driving TGFβ signaling in stromal and cancer cells. Here, we discussed the critical role of TGFβ in tumorigenesis, and metastasis, as well as the outcome and the promising achievement of TGFβ inhibitory molecules in the treatment of cancer.
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54
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Zhang Q, Wang Y, Liu F. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Versatile mediators in remodeling the tumor microenvironment. Cell Signal 2023; 103:110567. [PMID: 36538999 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Current cancer therapeutic strategies are generally not sufficient to eradicate malignancy, as cancer stroma cells contribute to tumor evasion and therapeutic resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) constitute a largely heterogeneous type of stromal cell population and are important components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). CAFs are the most abundant stromal cell type and are actively involved in tumor progression through complex mechanisms involving effects on other cell types. Research conducted in recent years has emphasized an emerging function of CAFs in the remodeling of the TME that promotes tumor progression with effects on response to treatment by various molecular mechanisms. A comprehensive mechanism of tumor-promoting activities of CAFs could facilitate the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. In this review, the biological characterization of CAFs and the mechanisms of their effects on TME remodeling are summarized. Furthermore, we also highlight currently available therapeutic strategies targeting CAF in the context of optimizing the success of immunotherapies and briefly discuss possible future perspectives and challenges related to CAF studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.
| | - Fusheng Liu
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing 100070, China.
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55
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Rahavi H, Alizadeh-Navaei R, Tehrani M. Efficacy of therapies targeting TGF-β in solid tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Immunotherapy 2023; 15:283-292. [PMID: 36789642 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2022-0079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims: A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted to explore the efficacy of TGF-β blockade therapies in solid tumors. Patients & methods: Results of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), time to progression (TTP) and overall response rate (ORR) with their 95% CI were calculated. Also, subgroup analyses were conducted according to the categories of TGF-β blocker alone or combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Results: Overall OS, PFS, TTP and ORR were 10.5 months (95% CI: 7.76-13.25), 2.54 months (95% CI: 1.66-3.43), 4.69 months (95% CI: 3.18-6.21) and 0.83% (95% CI: 0.82-0.85), respectively. Conclusion: Collectively, TGF-β blockade combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy showed more favorable clinical outcomes than monotherapy using TGF-β blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Rahavi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, 48471-91971, Iran
| | - Reza Alizadeh-Navaei
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, 48471-91971, Iran
| | - Mohsen Tehrani
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, 48471-91971, Iran.,Molecular & Cell Biology Research Center (MCBRC), Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, 48471-91971, Iran
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56
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Shetu SA, James N, Rivera G, Bandyopadhyay D. Molecular Research in Pancreatic Cancer: Small Molecule Inhibitors, Their Mechanistic Pathways and Beyond. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:1914-1949. [PMID: 36975494 PMCID: PMC10047141 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45030124] [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: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic enzymes assist metabolic digestion, and hormones like insulin and glucagon play a critical role in maintaining our blood sugar levels. A malignant pancreas is incapable of doing its regular functions, which results in a health catastrophe. To date, there is no effective biomarker to detect early-stage pancreatic cancer, which makes pancreatic cancer the cancer with the highest mortality rate of all cancer types. Primarily, mutations of the KRAS, CDKN2A, TP53, and SMAD4 genes are responsible for pancreatic cancer, of which mutations of the KRAS gene are present in more than 80% of pancreatic cancer cases. Accordingly, there is a desperate need to develop effective inhibitors of the proteins that are responsible for the proliferation, propagation, regulation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. This article discusses the effectiveness and mode of action at the molecular level of a wide range of small molecule inhibitors that include pharmaceutically privileged molecules, compounds under clinical trials, and commercial drugs. Both natural and synthetic small molecule inhibitors have been counted. Anti-pancreatic cancer activity and related benefits of using single and combined therapy have been discussed separately. This article sheds light on the scenario, constraints, and future aspects of various small molecule inhibitors for treating pancreatic cancer-the most dreadful cancer so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaila A. Shetu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201 West University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA
| | - Nneoma James
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201 West University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA
| | - Gildardo Rivera
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Debasish Bandyopadhyay
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201 West University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA
- School of Earth Environment & Marine Sciences (SEEMS), The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201 West University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA
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57
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Establishment and Molecular Characterization of Two Patient-Derived Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines as Preclinical Models for Treatment Response. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040587. [PMID: 36831254 PMCID: PMC9954561 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is exceedingly poor. Although surgical resection is the only curative treatment option, multimodal treatment is of the utmost importance, as only about 20% of tumors are primarily resectable at the time of diagnosis. The choice of chemotherapeutic treatment regimens involving gemcitabine and FOLFIRINOX is currently solely based on the patient's performance status, but, ideally, it should be based on the tumors' individual biology. We established two novel patient-derived primary cell lines from surgical PDAC specimens. LuPanc-1 and LuPanc-2 were derived from a pT3, pN1, G2 and a pT3, pN2, G3 tumor, respectively, and the clinical follow-up was fully annotated. STR-genotyping revealed a unique profile for both cell lines. The population doubling time of LuPanc-2 was substantially longer than that of LuPanc-1 (84 vs. 44 h). Both cell lines exhibited a typical epithelial morphology and expressed moderate levels of CK7 and E-cadherin. LuPanc-1, but not LuPanc-2, co-expressed E-cadherin and vimentin at the single-cell level, suggesting a mixed epithelial-mesenchymal differentiation. LuPanc-1 had a missense mutation (p.R282W) and LuPanc-2 had a frameshift deletion (p.P89X) in TP53. BRCA2 was nonsense-mutated (p.Q780*) and CREBBP was missense-mutated (p.P279R) in LuPanc-1. CDKN2A was missense-mutated (p.H83Y) in LuPanc-2. Notably, only LuPanc-2 harbored a partial or complete deletion of DPC4. LuPanc-1 cells exhibited high basal and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced migratory activity in real-time cell migration assays, while LuPanc-2 was refractory. Both LuPanc-1 and LuPanc-2 cells responded to treatment with TGF-β1 with the activation of SMAD2; however, only LuPanc-1 cells were able to induce TGF-β1 target genes, which is consistent with the absence of DPC4 in LuPanc-2 cells. Both cell lines were able to form spheres in a semi-solid medium and in cell viability assays, LuPanc-1 cells were more sensitive than LuPanc-2 cells to treatment with gemcitabine and FOLFIRINOX. In summary, both patient-derived cell lines show distinct molecular phenotypes reflecting their individual tumor biology, with a unique clinical annotation of the respective patients. These preclinical ex vivo models can be further explored for potential new treatment strategies and might help in developing personalized (targeted) therapy regimens.
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58
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Dai X, Zhu K. Cold atmospheric plasma: Novel opportunities for tumor microenvironment targeting. Cancer Med 2023; 12:7189-7206. [PMID: 36762766 PMCID: PMC10067048 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5491] [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: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
With mounting preclinical and clinical evidences on the prominent roles of the tumor microenvironment (TME) played during carcinogenesis, the TME has been recognized and used as an important onco-therapeutic target during the past decade. Delineating our current knowledge on TME components and their functionalities can help us recognize novel onco-therapeutic opportunities and establish treatment modalities towards desirable anti-cancer outcome. By identifying and focusing on primary cellular components in the TME, that is, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, tumor-associated macrophages, cancer-associated fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells, we decomposed their primary functionalities during carcinogenesis, categorized current therapeutic approaches utilizing traits of these components, and forecasted possible benefits that cold atmospheric plasma, a redox modulating tool with selectivity against cancer cells, may convey by targeting the TME. Our insights may open a novel therapeutic avenue for cancer control taking advantages of redox homeostasis and immunostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Dai
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Kaiyuan Zhu
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
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59
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Liu X, Iovanna J, Santofimia-Castaño P. Stroma-targeting strategies in pancreatic cancer: a double-edged sword. J Physiol Biochem 2023; 79:213-222. [PMID: 36580230 DOI: 10.1007/s13105-022-00941-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a type of cancer with limited treatment options and terrible long-term survival, and it is expected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030. One reason why this cancer is so aggressive and resistant is the formation of dense stroma that surrounds the neoplastic epithelium, which promotes tumor progression, invasion, metastasis, and resistance. The three major components of PDAC stroma are extracellular matrix (ECM), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and vasculature. The dense ECM acts as a natural physical barrier, impeding drug penetration to PDAC tumor cells. Consequently, the method that combines stroma-targeting with anticancer therapy may be a viable alternative for increasing drug penetration. Additionally, blood vessels are key entities of the tumor stroma, serving as a pathway for nutrition as well as the only way for chemical medicines and immune cells to act. Finally, PDAC CAFs and tumor cells have crosstalk effects in the tumor microenvironment, where they are responsible for enhanced matrix deposition. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of our current comprehension of the three key components of PDAC stroma and the new promising therapeutic targets for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Liu
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), UMR 7258, INSERM U1068, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique Et Technologique de Luminy, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288, Marseille, France
| | - Juan Iovanna
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), UMR 7258, INSERM U1068, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique Et Technologique de Luminy, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288, Marseille, France
| | - Patricia Santofimia-Castaño
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), UMR 7258, INSERM U1068, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique Et Technologique de Luminy, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288, Marseille, France.
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60
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Iwanaga T, Chiba T, Nakamura M, Kaneko T, Ao J, Qiang N, Ma Y, Zhang J, Kogure T, Yumita S, Ishino T, Ogawa K, Kan M, Nakagawa M, Fujiwara K, Fujita N, Sakuma T, Kanzaki H, Koroki K, Kusakabe Y, Inoue M, Kobayashi K, Kanogawa N, Kiyono S, Kondo T, Nakagawa R, Ogasawara S, Nakamoto S, Muroyama R, Kato J, Kanda T, Maruyama H, Mimura N, Honda T, Murayama T, Nakamura H, Kato N. Miglustat, a glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor, mitigates liver fibrosis through TGF-β/Smad pathway suppression in hepatic stellate cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 642:192-200. [PMID: 36586187 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, a condition characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagen in response to chronic inflammation. It has been reported that ceramide regulates collagen production through TGF-β/Smad pathway activation. In this study, we examined whether miglustat, an inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthase, can suppress liver fibrosis by reducing TGF-β/Smad pathway activity. Human hepatic stellate cells (HHSteCs) were cultured with TGF-β and multiple miglustat concentrations to examine dose-dependent effects on the expression levels of ECM-related genes and Smad proteins. To evaluate the efficacy of miglustat for fibrosis mitigation, C57BL/6 mice were treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 4 weeks to induce liver fibrosis, followed by combined CCl4 plus miglustat for a further 2 weeks. To examine if miglustat can also prevent fibrosis, mice were treated with CCl4 for 2 weeks, followed by CCl4 plus miglustat for 2 weeks. Miglustat dose-dependently downregulated expression of α-smooth muscle actin and ECM components in TGF-β-treated HHSteCs. Both phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad2 and Smad3 were also suppressed by miglustat treatment. Sirius-Red staining and hydroxyproline assays of model mouse liver samples revealed that miglustat reduced fibrosis, an effect accompanied by decreased expression of ECM. Our findings suggest that miglustat can both prevent and reverse liver fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β/Smad pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terunao Iwanaga
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tetsuhiro Chiba
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Masato Nakamura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Junjie Ao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Na Qiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yaojia Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jiaqi Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tadayoshi Kogure
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Sae Yumita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takamasa Ishino
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Keita Ogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Motoyasu Kan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Miyuki Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kisako Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoto Fujita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takafumi Sakuma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kanzaki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Keisuke Koroki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuko Kusakabe
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masanori Inoue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazufumi Kobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoya Kanogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Soichiro Kiyono
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kondo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Sadahisa Ogasawara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shingo Nakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Muroyama
- Department of Molecular Virology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jun Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Kanda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Maruyama
- Department of Gastroenterology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoya Mimura
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takuya Honda
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Murayama
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nakamura
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoya Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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61
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Siegel JB, Nasarre P, Hsu L, Mukherjee R, Gormley M, Richardson B, Khan I, Morningstar JE, Hilliard E, O’Bryan JP, Helke KL, Spruill L, Dolloff NG, Klauber-DeMore N. Secreted frizzled related-protein 2 is prognostic for human pancreatic cancer patient survival and is associated with fibrosis. Cancer Biomark 2023; 38:287-300. [PMID: 37955079 PMCID: PMC10977449 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-220044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers, with five-year survival rates of 9%. We hypothesized that secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2) may influence stromal growth in pancreatic cancer, since it increases fibrosis and collagen production in non-neoplastic pathologies. We assessed SFRP2 value as a biomarker and assessed its function in PDAC. SFRP2 gene expression in patients with PDAC was analyzed using TCGA data. Disease free survival (DFS) was analyzed using Kaplan Meier test. The effect of KRAS inhibition on SFRP2 expression in PDAC cells was assessed. The associations of stromal content with SFPR2 mRNA and protein with fibrosis were analyzed. The role of SFRP2 in mesenchymal transformation was assessed by western blot in fibroblasts. Of all cancers in TCGA, SFRP2 levels were highest in PDAC, and higher in PDAC than normal tissues (n= 234, p= 0.0003). High SFRP2 levels correlated with decreased DFS (p= 0.0097). KRAS inhibition reduced SFRP2 levels. Spearman correlation was 0.81 between stromal RNA and SFRP2 in human PDAC, and 0.75 between fibrosis and SFRP2 levels in PDAC tumors. SFRP2-treated fibroblasts displayed mesenchymal characteristics. SFRP2 is prognostic for PDAC survival, regulated by KRAS, and associated with PDAC fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie B. Siegel
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Patrick Nasarre
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Lillian Hsu
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Rupak Mukherjee
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Meghan Gormley
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Bailey Richardson
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Imran Khan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jordan E. Morningstar
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC, USA
| | - Eleanor Hilliard
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - John P. O’Bryan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kristi L. Helke
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Laura Spruill
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Nathan G. Dolloff
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Nancy Klauber-DeMore
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Chi X, Luo S, Ye P, Hwang WL, Cha JH, Yan X, Yang WH. T-cell exhaustion and stemness in antitumor immunity: Characteristics, mechanisms, and implications. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1104771. [PMID: 36891319 PMCID: PMC9986432 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1104771] [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: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells play a crucial role in the regulation of immune response and are integral to the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Because immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment for cancer, increasing attention has been focused on the differentiation and function of T cells in immune response. In this review, we describe the research progress on T-cell exhaustion and stemness in the field of cancer immunotherapy and summarize advances in potential strategies to intervene and treat chronic infection and cancer by reversing T-cell exhaustion and maintaining and increasing T-cell stemness. Moreover, we discuss therapeutic strategies to overcome T-cell immunodeficiency in the tumor microenvironment and promote continuous breakthroughs in the anticancer activity of T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Chi
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute and Key Laboratory for Cell Homeostasis and Cancer Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shahang Luo
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute and Key Laboratory for Cell Homeostasis and Cancer Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Peng Ye
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei-Lun Hwang
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Cancer Progression Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jong-Ho Cha
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, and Program in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Xiuwen Yan
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute and Key Laboratory for Cell Homeostasis and Cancer Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen-Hao Yang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Diversity Shapes Tumor Metabolism in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010061. [PMID: 36612058 PMCID: PMC9817728 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive research, the 5-year survival rate of pancreatic cancer (PDAC) patients remains at only 9%. Patients often show poor treatment response, due partly to a highly complex tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) heterogeneity is characteristic of the pancreatic TME, where several CAF subpopulations have been identified, such as myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs), inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs), and antigen presenting CAFs (apCAFs). In PDAC, cancer cells continuously adapt their metabolism (metabolic switch) to environmental changes in pH, oxygenation, and nutrient availability. Recent advances show that these environmental alterations are all heavily driven by stromal CAFs. CAFs and cancer cells exchange cytokines and metabolites, engaging in a tight bidirectional crosstalk, which promotes tumor aggressiveness and allows constant adaptation to external stress, such as chemotherapy. In this review, we summarize CAF diversity and CAF-mediated metabolic rewiring, in a PDAC-specific context. First, we recapitulate the most recently identified CAF subtypes, focusing on the cell of origin, activation mechanism, species-dependent markers, and functions. Next, we describe in detail the metabolic crosstalk between CAFs and tumor cells. Additionally, we elucidate how CAF-driven paracrine signaling, desmoplasia, and acidosis orchestrate cancer cell metabolism. Finally, we highlight how the CAF/cancer cell crosstalk could pave the way for new therapeutic strategies.
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64
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Tie Y, Tang F, Peng D, Zhang Y, Shi H. TGF-beta signal transduction: biology, function and therapy for diseases. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:45. [PMID: 36534225 PMCID: PMC9761655 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00109-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a crucial cytokine that get increasing concern in recent years to treat human diseases. This signal controls multiple cellular responses during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis through canonical and/or noncanonical signaling pathways. Dysregulated TGF-β signal plays an essential role in contributing to fibrosis via promoting the extracellular matrix deposition, and tumor progression via inducing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, immunosuppression, and neovascularization at the advanced stage of cancer. Besides, the dysregulation of TGF-beta signal also involves in other human diseases including anemia, inflammatory disease, wound healing and cardiovascular disease et al. Therefore, this signal is proposed to be a promising therapeutic target in these diseases. Recently, multiple strategies targeting TGF-β signals including neutralizing antibodies, ligand traps, small-molecule receptor kinase inhibitors targeting ligand-receptor signaling pathways, antisense oligonucleotides to disrupt the production of TGF-β at the transcriptional level, and vaccine are under evaluation of safety and efficacy for the forementioned diseases in clinical trials. Here, in this review, we firstly summarized the biology and function of TGF-β in physiological and pathological conditions, elaborated TGF-β associated signal transduction. And then, we analyzed the current advances in preclinical studies and clinical strategies targeting TGF-β signal transduction to treat diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Tie
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Fan Tang
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041 China ,grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Orthopaedic Research Institute, Department of Orthopaedics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dandan Peng
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Ye Zhang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021 China
| | - Huashan Shi
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041 China
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65
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Yi M, Li T, Niu M, Wu Y, Zhao Z, Wu K. TGF-β: A novel predictor and target for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1061394. [PMID: 36601124 PMCID: PMC9807229 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1061394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling regulates multiple physiological processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, immune homeostasis, and wound healing. Besides, TGF-β plays a vital role in diseases, including cancer. Accumulating evidence indicates that TGF-β controls the composition and behavior of immune components in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Advanced cancers leverage TGF-β to reshape the TME and escape immune surveillance. TGF-β-mediated immune evasion is an unfavorable factor for cancer immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Numerous preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that hyperactive TGF-β signaling is closely associated with ICI resistance. It has been validated that TGF-β blockade synergizes with ICI and overcomes treatment resistance. TGF-β-targeted therapies, including trap and bispecific antibodies, have shown immense potential for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we summarized the predictive value of TGF-β signaling and the prospects of TGF-β-targeted therapies for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tianye Li
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengke Niu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuze Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhenyu Zhao
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Kongming Wu, ; Zhenyu Zhao,
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Kongming Wu, ; Zhenyu Zhao,
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66
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Pancreatic Cancer: Beyond Brca Mutations. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12122076. [PMID: 36556296 PMCID: PMC9787452 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12122076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer remain unsatisfactory. In the current review, we summarize the genetic and epigenetic architecture of metastatic pancreatic cancer beyond the BRCA mutations, focusing on the genetic alterations and the molecular pathology in pancreatic cancer. This review focuses on the molecular targets for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, with a correlation to future treatments. The potential approach addressed in this review may lead to the identification of a subset of patients with specific biological behaviors and treatment responses.
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67
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Perez-Penco M, Weis-Banke SE, Schina A, Siersbæk M, Hübbe ML, Jørgensen MA, Lecoq I, Lara de la Torre L, Bendtsen SK, Martinenaite E, Holmström MO, Madsen DH, Donia M, Ødum N, Grøntved L, Andersen MH. TGFβ-derived immune modulatory vaccine: targeting the immunosuppressive and fibrotic tumor microenvironment in a murine model of pancreatic cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-005491. [PMID: 36600556 PMCID: PMC9730419 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with very poor survival, making it the third and fourth leading cause of all cancer-related deaths in the USA and European Union, respectively. The tumor microenvironment (TME) in PDAC is highly immunosuppressive and desmoplastic, which could explain the limited therapeutic effect of immunotherapy in PDAC. One of the key molecules that contributes to immunosuppression and fibrosis is transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ). The aim of this study was to target the immunosuppressive and fibrotic TME in PDAC using a novel immune modulatory vaccine with TGFβ-derived peptides in a murine model of pancreatic cancer. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneously inoculated with Pan02 PDAC cells. Mice were treated with TGFβ1-derived peptides (major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and MHC-II-restricted) adjuvanted with Montanide ISA 51VG. The presence of treatment-induced TGFβ-specific T cells was assessed by ELISpot (enzyme-linked immunospot). Changes in the immune infiltration and gene expression profile in tumor samples were characterized by flow cytometry, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and bulk RNA sequencing. RESULTS Treatment with immunogenic TGFβ-derived peptides was safe and controlled tumor growth in Pan02 tumor-bearing mice. Enlargement of tumor-draining lymph nodes in vaccinated mice positively correlated to the control of tumor growth. Analysis of immune infiltration and gene expression in Pan02 tumors revealed that TGFβ-derived peptide vaccine increased the infiltration of CD8+ T cells and the intratumoral M1/M2 macrophage ratio, it increased the expression of genes involved in immune activation and immune response to tumors, and it reduced the expression of myofibroblast-like cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-related genes and genes encoding fibroblast-derived collagens. Finally, we confirmed that TGFβ-derived peptide vaccine actively modulated the TME, as the ability of T cells to proliferate was restored when exposed to tumor-conditioned media from vaccinated mice compared with media from untreated mice. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the antitumor activity of TGFβ-derived multipeptide vaccination in a murine tumor model of PDAC. The data suggest that the vaccine targets immunosuppression and fibrosis in the TME by polarizing the cellular composition towards a more pro-inflammatory phenotype. Our findings support the feasibility and potential of TGFβ-derived peptide vaccination as a novel immunotherapeutic approach to target immunosuppression in the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Perez-Penco
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Stine Emilie Weis-Banke
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Aimilia Schina
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Majken Siersbæk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mie Linder Hübbe
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mia Aaboe Jørgensen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Inés Lecoq
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark,IO Biotech ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lucia Lara de la Torre
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Simone Kloch Bendtsen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Evelina Martinenaite
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark,IO Biotech ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Orebo Holmström
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Daniel Hargbøl Madsen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marco Donia
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Niels Ødum
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Grøntved
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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68
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Metropulos AE, Munshi HG, Principe DR. The difficulty in translating the preclinical success of combined TGFβ and immune checkpoint inhibition to clinical trial. EBioMedicine 2022; 86:104380. [PMID: 36455409 PMCID: PMC9706619 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the treatment paradigm for solid tumors. However, even in cancers generally considered ICI-sensitive, responses can vary significantly. Thus, there is an ever-increasing interest in identifying novel means of improving therapeutic responses, both for cancers in which ICIs are indicated and those for which they have yet to show significant anti-tumor activity. To this end, Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) signaling is emerging as an important barrier to the efficacy of ICIs. Accordingly, several preclinical studies now support the use of combined TGFβ and immune checkpoint blockade, with near-uniform positive results across a wide range of tumor types. However, as these approaches have started to emerge in clinical trials, the addition of TGFβ inhibitors has often failed to show a meaningful benefit beyond the current generation of ICIs alone. Here, we summarize landmark clinical studies exploring combined TGFβ and immune checkpoint blockade. These studies not only reinforce the difficulty in translating results from rodents to clinical trials in immune-oncology but also underscore the need to re-evaluate the design of trials exploring this approach, incorporating both mechanism-driven combination strategies and novel, predictive biomarkers to identify the patients most likely to derive clinical benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hidayatullah G Munshi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
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69
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Fang Z, Meng Q, Xu J, Wang W, Zhang B, Liu J, Liang C, Hua J, Zhao Y, Yu X, Shi S. Signaling pathways in cancer-associated fibroblasts: recent advances and future perspectives. CANCER COMMUNICATIONS (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 43:3-41. [PMID: 36424360 PMCID: PMC9859735 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
As a critical component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play important roles in cancer initiation and progression. Well-known signaling pathways, including the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), Hedgehog (Hh), Notch, Wnt, Hippo, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways, as well as transcription factors, including hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1), P53, Snail, and Twist, constitute complex regulatory networks in the TME to modulate the formation, activation, heterogeneity, metabolic characteristics and malignant phenotype of CAFs. Activated CAFs remodel the TME and influence the malignant biological processes of cancer cells by altering the transcriptional and secretory characteristics, and this modulation partially depends on the regulation of signaling cascades. The results of preclinical and clinical trials indicated that therapies targeting signaling pathways in CAFs demonstrated promising efficacy but were also accompanied by some failures (e.g., NCT01130142 and NCT01064622). Hence, a comprehensive understanding of the signaling cascades in CAFs might help us better understand the roles of CAFs and the TME in cancer progression and may facilitate the development of more efficient and safer stroma-targeted cancer therapies. Here, we review recent advances in studies of signaling pathways in CAFs and briefly discuss some future perspectives on CAF research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengli Fang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Qingcai Meng
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Chen Liang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Jie Hua
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Yingjun Zhao
- Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Institutes of Biomedical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
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70
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Pre-Existing and Acquired Resistance to PARP Inhibitor-Induced Synthetic Lethality. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235795. [PMID: 36497275 PMCID: PMC9741207 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The advanced development of synthetic lethality has opened the doors for specific anti-cancer medications of personalized medicine and efficient therapies against cancers. One of the most popular approaches being investigated is targeting DNA repair pathways as the implementation of the PARP inhibitor (PARPi) into individual or combinational therapeutic schemes. Such treatment has been effectively employed against homologous recombination-defective solid tumors as well as hematopoietic malignancies. However, the resistance to PARPi has been observed in both preclinical research and clinical treatment. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms responsible for the resistance to PARPi is pivotal for the further success of this intervention. Apart from mechanisms of acquired resistance, the bone marrow microenvironment provides a pre-existing mechanism to induce the inefficiency of PARPi in leukemic cells. Here, we describe the pre-existing and acquired mechanisms of the resistance to PARPi-induced synthetic lethality. We also discuss the potential rationales for developing effective therapies to prevent/repress the PARPi resistance in cancer cells.
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Samer S, Thomas Y, Araínga M, Carter C, Shirreff LM, Arif MS, Avita JM, Frank I, McRaven MD, Thuruthiyil CT, Heybeli VB, Anderson MR, Owen B, Gaisin A, Bose D, Simons LM, Hultquist JF, Arthos J, Cicala C, Sereti I, Santangelo PJ, Lorenzo-Redondo R, Hope TJ, Villinger FJ, Martinelli E. Blockade of TGF-β signaling reactivates HIV-1/SIV reservoirs and immune responses in vivo. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e162290. [PMID: 36125890 PMCID: PMC9675457 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.162290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
TGF-β plays a critical role in maintaining immune cells in a resting state by inhibiting cell activation and proliferation. Resting HIV-1 target cells represent the main cellular reservoir after long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART). We hypothesized that releasing cells from TGF-β-driven signaling would promote latency reversal. To test our hypothesis, we compared HIV-1 latency models with and without TGF-β and a TGF-β type 1 receptor inhibitor, galunisertib. We tested the effect of galunisertib in SIV-infected, ART-treated macaques by monitoring SIV-env expression via PET/CT using the 64Cu-DOTA-F(ab')2 p7D3 probe, along with plasma and tissue viral loads (VLs). Exogenous TGF-β reduced HIV-1 reactivation in U1 and ACH-2 models. Galunisertib increased HIV-1 latency reversal ex vivo and in PBMCs from HIV-1-infected, ART-treated, aviremic donors. In vivo, oral galunisertib promoted increased total standardized uptake values in PET/CT images in gut and lymph nodes of 5 out of 7 aviremic, long-term ART-treated, SIV-infected macaques. This increase correlated with an increase in SIV RNA in the gut. Two of the 7 animals also exhibited increases in plasma VLs. Higher anti-SIV T cell responses and antibody titers were detected after galunisertib treatment. In summary, our data suggest that blocking TGF-β signaling simultaneously increases retroviral reactivation events and enhances anti-SIV immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Samer
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Yanique Thomas
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mariluz Araínga
- New Iberia Research Center (NIRC), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Crystal Carter
- New Iberia Research Center (NIRC), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Lisa M. Shirreff
- New Iberia Research Center (NIRC), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Muhammad S. Arif
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Juan M. Avita
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ines Frank
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael D. McRaven
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Christopher T. Thuruthiyil
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Veli B. Heybeli
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Meegan R. Anderson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Benjamin Owen
- Integrated Molecular Structure Education and Research (IMSERC), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Arsen Gaisin
- Integrated Molecular Structure Education and Research (IMSERC), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Deepanwita Bose
- New Iberia Research Center (NIRC), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Lacy M. Simons
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Havey Institute for Global Health Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Judd F. Hultquist
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Havey Institute for Global Health Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - James Arthos
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Claudia Cicala
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Irini Sereti
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Philip J. Santangelo
- WH Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ramon Lorenzo-Redondo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Havey Institute for Global Health Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Thomas J. Hope
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Francois J. Villinger
- New Iberia Research Center (NIRC), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Elena Martinelli
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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72
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Xu M, Zhang T, Xia R, Wei Y, Wei X. Targeting the tumor stroma for cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:208. [PMID: 36324128 PMCID: PMC9628074 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01670-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors are comprised of both cancer cells and surrounding stromal components. As an essential part of the tumor microenvironment, the tumor stroma is highly dynamic, heterogeneous and commonly tumor-type specific, and it mainly includes noncellular compositions such as the extracellular matrix and the unique cancer-associated vascular system as well as a wide variety of cellular components including activated cancer-associated fibroblasts, mesenchymal stromal cells, pericytes. All these elements operate with each other in a coordinated fashion and collectively promote cancer initiation, progression, metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Over the past few decades, numerous studies have been conducted to study the interaction and crosstalk between stromal components and neoplastic cells. Meanwhile, we have also witnessed an exponential increase in the investigation and recognition of the critical roles of tumor stroma in solid tumors. A series of clinical trials targeting the tumor stroma have been launched continually. In this review, we introduce and discuss current advances in the understanding of various stromal elements and their roles in cancers. We also elaborate on potential novel approaches for tumor-stroma-based therapeutic targeting, with the aim to promote the leap from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maosen Xu
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Ruolan Xia
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
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73
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Bockorny B, Grossman JE, Hidalgo M. Facts and Hopes in Immunotherapy of Pancreatic Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:4606-4617. [PMID: 35775964 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-3452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat. For patients with advanced and metastatic disease, chemotherapy has yielded only modest incremental benefits, which are not durable. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of other solid tumors by leading to cures where none existed only a decade ago, yet it has made few inroads with PDAC. A host of trials with promising preclinical data have failed, except for in a small minority of patients with selected biomarkers. There is, however, a glimmer of hope, which we seek to cultivate. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the understanding of the uniquely immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in PDAC, learnings from completed trials of checkpoint inhibitors, TME modifiers, cellular and vaccine therapies, oncolytic viruses, and other novel approaches. We go on to discuss our expectations for improved preclinical models of immunotherapy in PDAC, new approaches to modifying the TME including the myeloid compartment, and emerging biomarkers to better select patients who may benefit from immunotherapy. We also discuss improvements in clinical trial design specific to immunotherapy that will help us better measure success when we find it. Finally, we discuss the urgent imperative to better design and execute bold, but rational, combination trials of novel agents designed to cure patients with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Bockorny
- Division of Medical Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Manuel Hidalgo
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
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74
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Bhatia R, Bhyravbhatla N, Kisling A, Li X, Batra SK, Kumar S. Cytokines chattering in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tumor microenvironment. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:499-510. [PMID: 35346801 PMCID: PMC9510605 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of multiple cell types interspersed by dense fibrous stroma. These cells communicate through low molecular weight signaling molecules called cytokines. The cytokines, through their receptors, facilitate PDAC initiation, progression, metastasis, and distant colonization of malignant cells. These signaling mediators secreted from tumor-associated macrophages, and cancer-associated fibroblasts in conjunction with oncogenic Kras mutation initiate acinar to ductal metaplasia (ADM), resulting in the appearance of early preneoplastic lesions. Further, M1- and M2-polarized macrophages provide proinflammatory conditions and promote deposition of extracellular matrix, whereas myofibroblasts and T-lymphocytes, such as Th17 and T-regulatory cells, create a fibroinflammatory and immunosuppressive environment with a significantly reduced cytotoxic T-cell population. During PDAC progression, cytokines regulate the expression of various oncogenic regulators such as NFκB, c-myc, growth factor receptors, and mucins resulting in the formation of high-grade PanIN lesions, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, invasion, and extravasation of malignant cells, and metastasis. During metastasis, PDAC cells colonize at the premetastatic niche created in the liver, and lung, an organotropic function primarily executed by cytokines in circulation or loaded in the exosomes from the primary tumor cells. The indispensable contribution of these cytokines at every stage of PDAC tumorigenesis makes them exciting candidates in combination with immune-, chemo- and targeted radiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Bhatia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Namita Bhyravbhatla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Andrew Kisling
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Xiaoqi Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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75
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Seufferlein T, Mayerle J, Böck S, Brunner T, Ettrich TJ, Grenacher L, Gress TM, Hackert T, Heinemann V, Kestler A, Sinn M, Tannapfel A, Wedding U, Uhl W. S3-Leitlinie zum exokrinen Pankreaskarzinom – Langversion 2.0 – Dezember 2021 – AWMF-Registernummer: 032/010OL. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2022; 60:e812-e909. [PMID: 36368658 DOI: 10.1055/a-1856-7346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stefan Böck
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, Universitätsklinikum München, Germany
| | - Thomas Brunner
- Universitätsklinik für Strahlentherapie-Radioonkologie, Medizinische Universität Graz, Austria
| | | | | | - Thomas Mathias Gress
- Klinik für Gastroenterologie und Endokrinologie, Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg, Germany
| | - Thilo Hackert
- Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Transplantationschirurgie Universitätsklinikum, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Volker Heinemann
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, Klinikum der Universität München-Campus Grosshadern, München, Germany
| | | | - Marianne Sinn
- Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II Onkologie Hämatologie, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Waldemar Uhl
- Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie, St Josef-Hospital, Bochum, Germany
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76
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Zhang T, Ren Y, Yang P, Wang J, Zhou H. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:897. [PMID: 36284087 PMCID: PMC9596464 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05351-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal cancer with a prominent extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and poor prognosis. High levels of ECM proteins derived from tumour cells reduce the efficacy of conventional cancer treatment paradigms and contribute to tumour progression and metastasis. As abundant tumour-promoting cells in the ECM, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are promising targets for novel anti-tumour interventions. Nonetheless, related clinical trials are hampered by the lack of specific markers and elusive differences between CAF subtypes. Here, we review the origins and functional diversity of CAFs and show how they create a tumour-promoting milieu, focusing on the crosstalk between CAFs, tumour cells, and immune cells in the tumour microenvironment. Furthermore, relevant clinical advances and potential therapeutic strategies relating to CAFs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Zhang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yanxian Ren
- grid.412643.60000 0004 1757 2902Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Yang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jufang Wang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Heng Zhou
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
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PD-L1-directed PlGF/VEGF blockade synergizes with chemotherapy by targeting CD141 + cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic cancer. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6292. [PMID: 36272973 PMCID: PMC9588060 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33991-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor 5-year overall survival rate. Patients with PDAC display limited benefits after undergoing chemotherapy or immunotherapy modalities. Herein, we reveal that chemotherapy upregulates placental growth factor (PlGF), which directly activates cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to induce fibrosis-associated collagen deposition in PDAC. Patients with poor prognosis have high PIGF/VEGF expression and an increased number of PIGF/VEGF receptor-expressing CAFs, associated with enhanced collagen deposition. We also develop a multi-paratopic VEGF decoy receptor (Ate-Grab) by fusing the single-chain Fv of atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1) to VEGF-Grab to target PD-L1-expressing CAFs. Ate-Grab exerts anti-tumor and anti-fibrotic effects in PDAC models via the PD-L1-directed PlGF/VEGF blockade. Furthermore, Ate-Grab synergizes with gemcitabine by relieving desmoplasia. Single-cell RNA sequencing identifies that a CD141+ CAF population is reduced upon Ate-Grab and gemcitabine combination treatment. Overall, our results elucidate the mechanism underlying chemotherapy-induced fibrosis in PDAC and highlight a combinatorial therapeutic strategy for desmoplastic cancers.
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78
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Jiang W, Li X, Xiang C, Zhou W. Neutrophils in pancreatic cancer: Potential therapeutic targets. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1025805. [PMID: 36324574 PMCID: PMC9618950 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1025805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a digestive system malignancy and poses a high mortality worldwide. Traditionally, neutrophils have been thought to play a role in acute inflammation. In contrast, their importance during tumor diseases has been less well studied. Generally, neutrophils are recruited into the tumor microenvironment and exert inflammation and tumor-promoting effects. As an essential part of the tumor microenvironment, neutrophils play diverse roles in pancreatic cancer, such as angiogenesis, progression, metastasis and immunosuppression. Additionally, neutrophils can be a new potential therapeutic target in cancer. Inhibitors of cytokines, chemokines and neutrophil extracellular traps can exert antitumor effects. In this review, we describe the role of neutrophils in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer, discuss their potential as therapeutic targets, and aim to provide ideas for improving the prognosis of patients with this malignant tumor disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenkai Jiang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xin Li
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Caifei Xiang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wence Zhou
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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79
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Hsu SK, Jadhao M, Liao WT, Chang WT, Hung CT, Chiu CC. Culprits of PDAC resistance to gemcitabine and immune checkpoint inhibitor: Tumour microenvironment components. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1020888. [PMID: 36299300 PMCID: PMC9589289 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1020888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive and lethal cancer with a dismal five-year survival rate of 11%. Despite remarkable advancements in cancer therapeutics, PDAC patients rarely benefit from it due to insurmountable treatment resistance. Notably, PDAC is pathologically characterized by an extensive desmoplastic reaction and an extremely immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME). The PDAC TME consists of cell components (e.g., tumour, immune and stromal cells) and noncellular components (e.g., extracellular matrix), exhibiting high complexity and their interplay resulting in resistance to chemotherapeutics and immune checkpoint inhibitors. In our review, we shed light on how crosstalk of complex environmental components modulates PDAC drug resistance, and we summarize related clinical trials. Moreover, we extend our discussion on TME exploration and exosome analysis, providing new insights into clinical applications, including personalized medicine, disease monitoring and drug carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Kai Hsu
- Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Mahendra Jadhao
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Wei-Ting Liao
- Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Tsan Chang
- Division of General and Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Tzu Hung
- Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chih Chiu
- Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Taipei, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Chien-Chih Chiu,
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80
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Litak J, Czyżewski W, Szymoniuk M, Sakwa L, Pasierb B, Litak J, Hoffman Z, Kamieniak P, Roliński J. Biological and Clinical Aspects of Metastatic Spinal Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194599. [PMID: 36230523 PMCID: PMC9559304 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Spine metastases are a common life-threatening complication of advanced-stage malignancies and often result in poor prognosis. Symptomatic spine metastases develop in the course of about 10% of malignant neoplasms. Therefore, it is essential for contemporary medicine to understand metastatic processes in order to find appropriate, targeted therapeutic options. Our literature review aimed to describe the up-to-date knowledge about the molecular pathways and biomarkers engaged in the spine’s metastatic processes. Moreover, we described current data regarding bone-targeted treatment, the emerging targeted therapies, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy used for the treatment of spine metastases. We hope that knowledge comprehensively presented in our review will contribute to the development of novel drugs targeting specific biomarkers and pathways. The more we learn about the molecular aspects of cancer metastasis, the easier it will be to look for treatment methods that will allow us to precisely kill tumor cells. Abstract Spine metastases are a common life-threatening complication of advanced-stage malignancies and often result in poor prognosis. Symptomatic spine metastases develop in the course of about 10% of malignant neoplasms. Therefore, it is essential for contemporary medicine to understand metastatic processes in order to find appropriate, targeted therapeutic options. Thanks to continuous research, there appears more and more detailed knowledge about cancer and metastasis, but these transformations are extremely complicated, e.g., due to the complexity of reactions, the variety of places where they occur, or the participation of both tumor cells and host cells in these transitions. The right target points in tumor metastasis mechanisms are still being researched; that will help us in the proper diagnosis as well as in finding the right treatment. In this literature review, we described the current knowledge about the molecular pathways and biomarkers engaged in metastatic processes involving the spine. We also presented a current bone-targeted treatment for spine metastases and the emerging therapies targeting the discussed molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Litak
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4A, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Wojciech Czyżewski
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
- Department of Didactics and Medical Simulation, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Michał Szymoniuk
- Student Scientific Association at the Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Leon Sakwa
- Student Scientific Society, Kazimierz Pulaski University of Technologies and Humanities in Radom, Chrobrego 27, 26-600 Radom, Poland
| | - Barbara Pasierb
- Department of Dermatology, Radom Specialist Hospital, Lekarska 4, 26-600 Radom, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Joanna Litak
- St. John’s Cancer Center in Lublin, Jaczewskiego 7, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Zofia Hoffman
- Student Scientific Society, Medical University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Piotr Kamieniak
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Roliński
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4A, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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Wei C, Ma Y, Wang F, Liao Y, Chen Y, Zhao B, Zhao Q, Wang D, Tang D. Igniting Hope for Tumor Immunotherapy: Promoting the "Hot and Cold" Tumor Transition. Clin Med Insights Oncol 2022; 16:11795549221120708. [PMID: 36147198 PMCID: PMC9486259 DOI: 10.1177/11795549221120708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has ushered a new era for immunotherapy against malignant tumors through the killing effects of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment (TME), resulting in long-lasting tumor suppression and regression. Nevertheless, given that ICIs are highly dependent on T cells in the TME and that most tumors lack T-cell infiltration, promoting the conversion of such immunosuppressive "cold" tumors to "hot" tumors is currently a key challenge in tumor immunotherapy. Herein, we systematically outlined the mechanisms underlying the formation of the immunosuppressive TME in cold tumors, including the role of immunosuppressive cells, impaired antigen presentation, transforming growth factor-β, STAT3 signaling, adenosine, and interferon-γ signaling. Moreover, therapeutic strategies for promoting cold tumors to hot tumors with adequate T-cell infiltration were also discussed. Finally, the prospects of therapeutic tools such as oncolytic viruses, nanoparticles, and photothermal therapy in restoring immune activity in cold tumors were thoroughly reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wei
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou
University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yichao Ma
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou
University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Clinical Medical College, Dalian
Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yiqun Liao
- Clinical Medical College, Dalian
Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yuji Chen
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou
University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Clinical Medical College, Dalian
Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou
University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Daorong Wang
- Department of General Surgery,
Institute of General Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Northern Jiangsu People’s
Hospital, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dong Tang
- Department of General Surgery,
Institute of General Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Northern Jiangsu People’s
Hospital, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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Rudloff U. Emerging kinase inhibitors for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2022; 27:345-368. [PMID: 36250721 PMCID: PMC9793333 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2022.2134346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest solid organ cancers. In the absence of specific warning symptoms pancreatic cancer is diagnosed notoriously late. Current systemic chemotherapy regimens extend survival by a mere few months. With the advances in genetic, proteomic, and immunological profiling there is strong rationale to test kinase inhibitors to improve outcome. AREAS COVERED This review article provides a comprehensive summary of approved treatments and past, present, and future developments of kinase inhibitors in pancreatic cancer. Emerging roles of protein kinase inhibitors are discussed in the context of the unique stroma, the lack of high-prevalence therapeutic targets and rapid emergence of acquired resistance, novel immuno-oncology kinase targets, and recent medicinal chemistry advances. EXPERT OPINION Due to the to-date frequent failure of protein kinase inhibitors indiscriminately administered to unselected pancreatic cancer patients, there is a shift toward the development of these agents in molecularly defined subgroups which are more likely to respond. The development of accurate biomarkers to select patients who are the best candidates based on a detailed understanding of mechanism of action, pro-survival roles, and mediation of resistance of targeted kinases will be critical for the future development of protein kinase inhibitors in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udo Rudloff
- Rare Tumor Initiative, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
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83
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Gössling GCL, Zhen DB, Pillarisetty VG, Chiorean EG. Combination immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer: challenges and future considerations. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2022; 18:1173-1186. [PMID: 36045547 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2022.2120471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have not yielded significant efficacy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), despite the role of the innate and adaptive immune systems on progression and survival. However, recently identified pathways have identified new targets and generated promising clinical investigations into promoting an effective immune-mediated antitumor response in PDA. AREAS COVERED : We review biological mechanisms associated with immunotherapy resistance and outline strategies for therapeutic combinations with established and novel therapies in PDA. EXPERT OPINION : Pancreatic cancers rarely benefits from treatment with ICI due to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). New understandings of factors associated with the suppressive TME, include low and poor quality neoantigens, constrained effector T cells infiltration, and the presence of a dense, suppressive myeloid cell population. These findings have been translated into new clinical investigations evaluating novel therapies in combination with ICI and/or standard systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The epithelial, immune, and stromal compartments are intricately related in PDA, and the framework for successful targeting of this disease requires a comprehensive and personalized approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David B Zhen
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.,Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Venu G Pillarisetty
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.,Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - E Gabriela Chiorean
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.,Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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84
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Noubissi Nzeteu GA, Gibbs BF, Kotnik N, Troja A, Bockhorn M, Meyer NH. Nanoparticle-based immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:948898. [PMID: 36106025 PMCID: PMC9465485 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.948898] [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: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a complex and unique tumor microenvironment (TME). Due to the physical barrier formed by the desmoplastic stroma, the delivery of drugs to the tumor tissue is limited. The TME also contributes to resistance to various immunotherapies such as cancer vaccines, chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Overcoming and/or modulating the TME is therefore one of the greatest challenges in developing new therapeutic strategies for PC. Nanoparticles have been successfully used as drug carriers and delivery systems in cancer therapy. Recent experimental and engineering developments in nanotechnology have resulted in increased drug delivery and improved immunotherapy for PC. In this review we discuss and analyze the current nanoparticle-based immunotherapy approaches that are at the verge of clinical application. Particularly, we focus on nanoparticle-based delivery systems that improve the effectiveness of PC immunotherapy. We also highlight current clinical research that will help to develop new therapeutic strategies for PC and especially targeted immunotherapies based on immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetan Aime Noubissi Nzeteu
- University Hospital of General and Visceral Surgery, Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg and Klinikum Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: N. Helge Meyer, ; Gaetan Aime Noubissi Nzeteu,
| | - Bernhard F. Gibbs
- Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Nika Kotnik
- Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Achim Troja
- University Hospital of General and Visceral Surgery, Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg and Klinikum Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Bockhorn
- University Hospital of General and Visceral Surgery, Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg and Klinikum Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - N. Helge Meyer
- University Hospital of General and Visceral Surgery, Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg and Klinikum Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: N. Helge Meyer, ; Gaetan Aime Noubissi Nzeteu,
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85
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Thind AS, Ashford B, Strbenac D, Mitchell J, Lee J, Mueller SA, Minaei E, Perry JR, Ch’ng S, Iyer NG, Clark JR, Gupta R, Ranson M. Whole genome analysis reveals the genomic complexity in metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:919118. [PMID: 35982973 PMCID: PMC9379253 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.919118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a highly morbid disease requiring radical surgery and adjuvant therapy, which is associated with a poor prognosis. Yet, compared to other advanced malignancies, relatively little is known of the genomic landscape of metastatic CSCC. We have previously reported the mutational signatures and mutational patterns of CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) regions in metastatic CSCC. However, many other genomic components (indel signatures, non-coding drivers, and structural variants) of metastatic CSCC have not been reported. To this end, we performed whole genome sequencing on lymph node metastases and blood DNA from 25 CSCC patients with regional metastases of the head and neck. We designed a multifaceted computational analysis at the whole genome level to provide a more comprehensive perspective of the genomic landscape of metastatic CSCC. In the non-coding genome, 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) regions of EVC (48% of specimens), PPP1R1A (48% of specimens), and ABCA4 (20% of specimens) along with the tumor-suppressing long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) LINC01003 (64% of specimens) were significantly functionally altered (Q-value < 0.05) and represent potential non-coding biomarkers of CSCC. Recurrent copy number loss in the tumor suppressor gene PTPRD was observed. Gene amplification was much less frequent, and few genes were recurrently amplified. Single nucleotide variants driver analyses from three tools confirmed TP53 and CDKN2A as recurrently mutated genes but also identified C9 as a potential novel driver in this disease. Furthermore, indel signature analysis highlighted the dominance of ID signature 13 (ID13) followed by ID8 and ID9. ID9 has previously been shown to have no association with skin melanoma, unlike ID13 and ID8, suggesting a novel pattern of indel variation in metastatic CSCC. The enrichment analysis of various genetically altered candidates shows enrichment of “TGF-beta regulation of extracellular matrix” and “cell cycle G1 to S check points.” These enriched terms are associated with genetic instability, cell proliferation, and migration as mechanisms of genomic drivers of metastatic CSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amarinder Singh Thind
- School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Bruce Ashford
- School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Bruce Ashford,
| | - Dario Strbenac
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jenny Mitchell
- Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Jenny Lee
- Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon A. Mueller
- Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Zurich University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elahe Minaei
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Jay R. Perry
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Sydney Ch’ng
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - N. Gopalakrishna Iyer
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jonathan R. Clark
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Royal Prince Alfred Institute of Academic Surgery, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ruta Gupta
- Anatomical Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marie Ranson
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
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Xiang X, Niu YR, Wang ZH, Ye LL, Peng WB, Zhou Q. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Vital suppressors of the immune response in the tumor microenvironment. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 67:35-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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TGF-β, to target or not to target; to prevent thyroid cancer progression? Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188752. [PMID: 35728736 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188752] [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: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer (TC) is a common endocrine cancer with a rising incidence. Current treatment fails to eliminate aggressive thyroid tumours, prompting an investigation into the processes that cause disease progression. In this review, we provide insight into TGF-β driven epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), summarizing the current literature surrounding thyroid carcinogenesis, and discuss the potential for therapeutic strategies targeting the TGF-β signalling pathway. Understanding the underlying mechanisms that regulate cancer stem cell (CSC) growth and TGF-β signalling may provide novel therapeutic approaches for highly resistant TCs.
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88
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Ursodeoxycholic acid reduces antitumor immunosuppression by inducing CHIP-mediated TGF-β degradation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3419. [PMID: 35701426 PMCID: PMC9198048 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31141-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
TGF-β is essential for inducing systemic tumor immunosuppression; thus, blocking TGF-β can greatly enhance antitumor immunity. However, there are still no effective TGF-β inhibitors in clinical use. Here, we show that the clinically approved compound ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), by degrading TGF-β, enhances antitumor immunity through restraining Treg cell differentiation and activation in tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, UDCA synergizes with anti-PD-1 to enhance antitumor immunity and tumor-specific immune memory in tumor-bearing mice. UDCA phosphorylates TGF-β at T282 site via TGR5-cAMP-PKA axis, causing increased binding of TGF-β to carboxyl terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP). Then, CHIP ubiquitinates TGF-β at the K315 site, initiating p62-dependent autophagic sorting and subsequent degradation of TGF-β. Notably, results of retrospective analysis shows that combination therapy with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 and UDCA has better efficacy in tumor patients than anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 alone. Thus, our results show a mechanism for TGF-β regulation and implicate UDCA as a potential TGF-β inhibitor to enhance antitumor immunity.
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89
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Rana M, Kansal R, Chaib M, Teng B, Morrrison M, Hayes DN, Stanfill AG, Shibata D, Carson JA, Makowski L, Glazer ES. The pancreatic cancer immune tumor microenvironment is negatively remodeled by gemcitabine while TGF-β receptor plus dual checkpoint inhibition maintains antitumor immune cells. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:549-557. [PMID: 35319799 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) tumors have a highly immunosuppressive desmoplastic tumor microenvironment (TME) where immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) therapy has been exceptionally ineffective. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptor activation leads to cancer and immune cell proliferation and phenotype, and cytokine production leading to tumor progression and worse overall survival in PDA patients. We hypothesized that TGF-β receptor inhibition may alter PDA progression and antitumor immunity in the TME. Here, we used a syngeneic preclinical murine model of PDA to explore the impact of TGF-β pathway inhibitor galunisertib (GAL), dual checkpoint immunotherapy (anti-PD-L1 and CTLA-4), the chemotherapy gemcitabine (GEM), and their combinations on antitumor immune responses. Blockade of TGF-β and ICI in immune-competent mice bearing orthotopically injected murine PDA cells significantly inhibited tumor growth and was accompanied by antitumor M1 macrophage infiltration. In contrast, GEM treatment resulted in increased PDA tumor growth, decreased antitumor M1 macrophages, and decreased cytotoxic CD8+ T cell subpopulation compared to control mice. Together, these findings demonstrate the ability of TGF-β inhibition with GAL to prime antitumor immunity in the TME and the curative potential of combining GAL with dual ICI. These preclinical results indicate that targeted inhibition of TGF-β may enhance the efficacy of dual immunotherapy in PDA. Optimal manipulation of the immune TME with non-ICI therapy may enhance therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjul Rana
- Department of Surgery, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Rita Kansal
- Department of Surgery, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mehdi Chaib
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Bin Teng
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Michelle Morrrison
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - David Neil Hayes
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ansley G Stanfill
- Department of Nursing Science, College of Nursing, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - David Shibata
- Department of Surgery, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - James A Carson
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Liza Makowski
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Evan S Glazer
- Department of Surgery, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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Hypoxia Selectively Increases a SMAD3 Signaling Axis to Promote Cancer Cell Invasion. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112751. [PMID: 35681731 PMCID: PMC9179584 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) plays a paradoxical role in cancer, first inhibiting then promoting its progression, a duality that poses a real challenge for the development of effective TGFβ-targeted therapies. The major TGFβ downstream effectors, SMAD2 and SMAD3, display both distinct and overlapping functions and accumulating evidence suggests that their activation ratio may contribute to the dual effect of TGFβ. However, the mechanisms responsible for their selective activation remain poorly understood. Here, we provide experimental evidence that hypoxia induces the pro-invasive arm of TGFβ signaling through a selective increase in SMAD3 interaction with SMAD-Anchor for Receptor Activation (SARA). This event relies on HDAC6-dependent SMAD3 bioavailability, as well as increased SARA recruitment to EEA1+ endosomes. A motility gene expression study indicated that SMAD3 selectively increased the expression of ITGB2 and VIM, two genes that were found to be implicated in hypoxia-induced cell invasion and associated with tumor progression and metastasis in cohorts of cancer patients. Furthermore, CAM xenograft assays show the significant benefit of selective inhibition of the SMAD3 signaling pathway as opposed to global TGFβ inhibition in preventing tumor progression. Overall, these results suggest that fine-tuning of the pro-invasive HDAC6-SARA-SMAD3 axis could be a better strategy towards effective cancer treatments.
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Di Federico A, Mosca M, Pagani R, Carloni R, Frega G, De Giglio A, Rizzo A, Ricci D, Tavolari S, Di Marco M, Palloni A, Brandi G. Immunotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer: Why Do We Keep Failing? A Focus on Tumor Immune Microenvironment, Predictive Biomarkers and Treatment Outcomes. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102429. [PMID: 35626033 PMCID: PMC9139656 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In pancreatic cancer, immunotherapy and targeted therapies have not brought about the therapeutic revolution that has been observed in other malignancies. Among the reasons to explain this difference is the possibly crucial role played by the pancreatic tumor microenvironment, which has unique features and is different from that of other neoplasms. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the distinctive tumor immune microenvironment of pancreatic cancer and to summarize existing data about the use of immunotherapy and immune biomarkers in this cancer. Abstract The advent of immunotherapy and targeted therapies has dramatically changed the outcomes of patients affected by many malignancies. Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains one the few tumors that is not treated with new generation therapies, as chemotherapy still represents the only effective therapeutic strategy in advanced-stage disease. Agents aiming to reactivate the host immune system against cancer cells, such as those targeting immune checkpoints, failed to demonstrate significant activity, despite the success of these treatments in other tumors. In many cases, the proportion of patients who derived benefits in early-phase trials was too small and unpredictable to justify larger studies. The population of PC patients with high microsatellite instability/mismatch repair deficiency is currently the only population that may benefit from immunotherapy; nevertheless, the prevalence of these alterations is too low to determine a real change in the treatment scenario of this tumor. The reasons for the unsuccess of immunotherapy may lie in the extremely peculiar tumor microenvironment, including distinctive immune composition and cross talk between different cells. These unique features may also explain why the biomarkers commonly used to predict immunotherapy efficacy in other tumors seem to be useless in PC. In the current paper, we provide a comprehensive and up-to-date review of immunotherapy in PC, from the analysis of the tumor immune microenvironment to immune biomarkers and treatment outcomes, with the aim to highlight that simply transferring the knowledge acquired on immunotherapy in other tumors might not be a successful strategy in patients affected by PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Di Federico
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.); (A.D.G.); (M.D.M.); (A.P.); (G.B.)
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti, 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Mirta Mosca
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.); (A.D.G.); (M.D.M.); (A.P.); (G.B.)
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti, 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Rachele Pagani
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.); (A.D.G.); (M.D.M.); (A.P.); (G.B.)
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti, 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Riccardo Carloni
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.); (A.D.G.); (M.D.M.); (A.P.); (G.B.)
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti, 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Giorgio Frega
- Osteoncology, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas, and Innovative Therapies, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Andrea De Giglio
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.); (A.D.G.); (M.D.M.); (A.P.); (G.B.)
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti, 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Rizzo
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale di Oncologia Medica per la Presa in Carico Globale del Paziente Oncologico “Don Tonino Bello”, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Viale Orazio Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Dalia Ricci
- Departmental Unit of Medical Oncology, ASL BA, 20142 Milan, Italy;
| | - Simona Tavolari
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti, 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Mariacristina Di Marco
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.); (A.D.G.); (M.D.M.); (A.P.); (G.B.)
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti, 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Andrea Palloni
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.); (A.D.G.); (M.D.M.); (A.P.); (G.B.)
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti, 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Brandi
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.); (A.D.G.); (M.D.M.); (A.P.); (G.B.)
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti, 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
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Tewari D, Priya A, Bishayee A, Bishayee A. Targeting transforming growth factor-β signalling for cancer prevention and intervention: Recent advances in developing small molecules of natural origin. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e795. [PMID: 35384373 PMCID: PMC8982327 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is the world's second leading cause of death, but a significant advancement in cancer treatment has been achieved within the last few decades. However, major adverse effects and drug resistance associated with standard chemotherapy have led towards targeted treatment options. OBJECTIVES Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling plays a key role in cell proliferation, differentiation, morphogenesis, regeneration, and tissue homeostasis. The prime objective of this review is to decipher the role of TGF-β in oncogenesis and to evaluate the potential of various natural and synthetic agents to target this dysregulated pathway to confer cancer preventive and anticancer therapeutic effects. METHODS Various authentic and scholarly databases were explored to search and obtain primary literature for this study. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) criteria was followed for the review. RESULTS Here we provide a comprehensive and critical review of recent advances on our understanding of the effect of various bioactive natural molecules on the TGF-β signaling pathway to evaluate their full potential for cancer prevention and therapy. CONCLUSION Based on emerging evidence as presented in this work, TGF-β-targeting bioactive compounds from natural sources can serve as potential therapeutic agents for prevention and treatment of various human malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devesh Tewari
- Department of PharmacognosySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesLovely Professional UniversityPhagwaraPunjabIndia
| | - Anu Priya
- Department of PharmacologySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesLovely Professional UniversityPhagwaraPunjabIndia
| | | | - Anupam Bishayee
- College of Osteopathic MedicineLake Erie College of Osteopathic MedicineBradentonFloridaUSA
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93
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Timmins MA, Ringshausen I. Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Orchestrates Tumour and Bystander Cells in B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1772. [PMID: 35406544 PMCID: PMC8996985 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) is a critical regulator of normal haematopoiesis. Dysregulation of the TGFB pathway is associated with numerous haematological malignancies including myelofibrosis, acute myeloid leukaemia, and lymphoid disorders. TGFB has classically been seen as a negative regulator of proliferation in haematopoiesis whilst stimulating differentiation and apoptosis, as required to maintain homeostasis. Tumours frequently develop intrinsic resistant mechanisms to homeostatic TGFB signalling to antagonise its tumour-suppressive functions. Furthermore, elevated levels of TGFB enhance pathogenesis through modulation of the immune system and tumour microenvironment. Here, we review recent advances in the understanding of TGFB signalling in B-cell malignancies with a focus on the tumour microenvironment. Malignant B-cells harbour subtype-specific alterations in TGFB signalling elements including downregulation of surface receptors, modulation of SMAD signalling proteins, as well as genetic and epigenetic aberrations. Microenvironmental TGFB generates a protumoural niche reprogramming stromal, natural killer (NK), and T-cells. Increasingly, evidence points to complex bi-directional cross-talk between cells of the microenvironment and malignant B-cells. A greater understanding of intercellular communication and the context-specific nature of TGFB signalling may provide further insight into disease pathogenesis and future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A. Timmins
- Wellcome Trust/MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK;
- Department of Haematology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Ingo Ringshausen
- Wellcome Trust/MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK;
- Department of Haematology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK
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94
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Sun C, Ma S, Chen Y, Kim NH, Kailas S, Wang Y, Gu W, Chen Y, Tuason JPW, Bhan C, Manem N, Huang Y, Cheng C, Zhou Z, Zhou Q, Zhu Y. Diagnostic Value, Prognostic Value, and Immune Infiltration of LOX Family Members in Liver Cancer: Bioinformatic Analysis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:843880. [PMID: 35311155 PMCID: PMC8931681 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.843880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Liver cancer (LC) is well known for its prevalence as well as its poor prognosis. The aberrant expression of lysyl oxidase (LOX) family is associated with liver cancer, but their function and prognostic value in LC remain largely unclear. This study aimed to explore the function and prognostic value of LOX family in LC through bioinformatics analysis and meta-analysis. Results The expression levels of all LOX family members were significantly increased in LC. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of LOXL2 was 0.946 with positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.994. LOX and LOXL3 were correlated with worse prognosis. Meta-analysis also validated effect of LOX on prognosis. Nomogram of these two genes and other predictors was also plotted. There was insufficient data from original studies to conduct meta-analysis on LOXL3. The functions of LOX family members in LC were mostly involved in extracellular and functions and structures. The expressions of LOX family members strongly correlated with various immune infiltrating cells and immunomodulators in LC. Conclusions For LC patients, LOXL2 may be a potential diagnostic biomarker, while LOX and LOXL3 have potential prognostic and therapeutic values. Positive correlation between LOX family and infiltration of various immune cells and immunomodulators suggests the need for exploration of their roles in the tumor microenvironment and for potential immunotherapeutic to target LOX family proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Sun
- AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Shaodi Ma
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yue Chen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of the First Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Na Hyun Kim
- AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Sujatha Kailas
- Gastroenterology, AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Yichen Wang
- Mercy Internal Medicine Service, Trinity Health of New England, Springfield, MA, United States
| | - Wenchao Gu
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Yisheng Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Chandur Bhan
- AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Nikitha Manem
- AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Yuting Huang
- University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ce Cheng
- College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Banner-University Medical Center South, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Zhen Zhou
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Qin Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Yanzhe Zhu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Yanzhe Zhu,
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95
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Connor AA, Gallinger S. Pancreatic cancer evolution and heterogeneity: integrating omics and clinical data. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:131-142. [PMID: 34789870 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00418-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), already among the deadliest epithelial malignancies, is rising in both incidence and contribution to overall cancer deaths. Decades of research have improved our understanding of PDAC carcinogenesis, including characterizing germline predisposition, the cell of origin, precursor lesions, the sequence of genetic alterations, including simple and structural alterations, transcriptional changes and subtypes, tumour heterogeneity, metastatic progression and the tumour microenvironment. These fundamental advances inform contemporary translational efforts in primary prevention, screening and early detection, multidisciplinary management and survivorship, as prospective clinical trials begin to adopt molecular-based selection criteria to guide targeted therapies. Genomic and transcriptomic data on PDAC were also included in the international pan-cancer analysis of approximately 2,600 cancers, a milestone in cancer research that allows further insight through comparison with other tumour types. Thus, this is an ideal time to review our current knowledge of PDAC evolution and heterogeneity, gained from the study of preclinical models and patient biospecimens, and to propose a model of PDAC evolution that takes into consideration findings from varied sources, with a particular focus on the genomics of human PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashton A Connor
- Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Steven Gallinger
- Hepatobiliary/Pancreatic Surgical Oncology Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Wallace McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Ontario Pancreas Cancer Study, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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96
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Beeghly GF, Amofa KY, Fischbach C, Kumar S. Regulation of Tumor Invasion by the Physical Microenvironment: Lessons from Breast and Brain Cancer. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 2022; 24:29-59. [PMID: 35119915 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-110220-115419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The success of anticancer therapies is often limited by heterogeneity within and between tumors. While much attention has been devoted to understanding the intrinsic molecular diversity of tumor cells, the surrounding tissue microenvironment is also highly complex and coevolves with tumor cells to drive clinical outcomes. Here, we propose that diverse types of solid tumors share common physical motifs that change in time and space, serving as universal regulators of malignancy. We use breast cancer and glioblastoma as instructive examples and highlight how invasion in both diseases is driven by the appropriation of structural guidance cues, contact-dependent heterotypic interactions with stromal cells, and elevated interstitial fluid pressure and flow. We discuss how engineering strategies show increasing value for measuring and modeling these physical properties for mechanistic studies. Moreover, engineered systems offer great promise for developing and testing novel therapies that improve patient prognosis by normalizing the physical tumor microenvironment. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering, Volume 24 is June 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett F Beeghly
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA;
| | - Kwasi Y Amofa
- University of California, Berkeley-University of California, San Francisco Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Berkeley, California, USA; .,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Claudia Fischbach
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA; .,Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- University of California, Berkeley-University of California, San Francisco Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Berkeley, California, USA; .,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA.,Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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97
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Sethakorn N, Heninger E, Sánchez-de-Diego C, Ding AB, Yada RC, Kerr SC, Kosoff D, Beebe DJ, Lang JM. Advancing Treatment of Bone Metastases through Novel Translational Approaches Targeting the Bone Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:757. [PMID: 35159026 PMCID: PMC8833657 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone metastases represent a lethal condition that frequently occurs in solid tumors such as prostate, breast, lung, and renal cell carcinomas, and increase the risk of skeletal-related events (SREs) including pain, pathologic fractures, and spinal cord compression. This unique metastatic niche consists of a multicellular complex that cancer cells co-opt to engender bone remodeling, immune suppression, and stromal-mediated therapeutic resistance. This review comprehensively discusses clinical challenges of bone metastases, novel preclinical models of the bone and bone marrow microenviroment, and crucial signaling pathways active in bone homeostasis and metastatic niche. These studies establish the context to summarize the current state of investigational agents targeting BM, and approaches to improve BM-targeting therapies. Finally, we discuss opportunities to advance research in bone and bone marrow microenvironments by increasing complexity of humanized preclinical models and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations to translational research in this challenging metastatic niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Sethakorn
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (N.S.); (E.H.); (C.S.-d.-D.); (A.B.D.); (S.C.K.); (D.K.); (D.J.B.)
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Erika Heninger
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (N.S.); (E.H.); (C.S.-d.-D.); (A.B.D.); (S.C.K.); (D.K.); (D.J.B.)
| | - Cristina Sánchez-de-Diego
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (N.S.); (E.H.); (C.S.-d.-D.); (A.B.D.); (S.C.K.); (D.K.); (D.J.B.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Adeline B. Ding
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (N.S.); (E.H.); (C.S.-d.-D.); (A.B.D.); (S.C.K.); (D.K.); (D.J.B.)
| | - Ravi Chandra Yada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Sheena C. Kerr
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (N.S.); (E.H.); (C.S.-d.-D.); (A.B.D.); (S.C.K.); (D.K.); (D.J.B.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - David Kosoff
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (N.S.); (E.H.); (C.S.-d.-D.); (A.B.D.); (S.C.K.); (D.K.); (D.J.B.)
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - David J. Beebe
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (N.S.); (E.H.); (C.S.-d.-D.); (A.B.D.); (S.C.K.); (D.K.); (D.J.B.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Joshua M. Lang
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (N.S.); (E.H.); (C.S.-d.-D.); (A.B.D.); (S.C.K.); (D.K.); (D.J.B.)
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705, USA
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98
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Diverse and precision therapies open new horizons for patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2022; 21:10-24. [PMID: 34538570 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2021.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a common cause of cancer-related death, and most patients are with advanced disease when diagnosed. At present, despite a variety of treatments have been developed for PDAC, few effective treatment options are available; on the other hand, PDAC shows significant resistance to chemoradiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy due to its heterogeneous genetic profile, molecular signaling pathways, and complex tumor immune microenvironment. Nevertheless, over the past decades, there have been many new advances in the key theory and understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms and complexity of molecular biology and molecular immunology in pancreatic cancer, based on which more and more diverse new means and reasonable combination strategies for PDAC treatment have been developed and preliminary breakthroughs have been made. With the continuous exploration, from surgical local treatment to comprehensive medical management, the research-diagnosis-management system of pancreatic cancer is improving. This review focused on the variety of treatments for advanced PDAC, including traditional chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, microenvironment matrix regulation as well as the treatment targeting epigenetics, metabolism and cancer stem cells. We pointed out the current research bottlenecks and future exploration directions.
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99
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Principe DR, Underwood PW, Kumar S, Timbers KE, Koch RM, Trevino JG, Munshi HG, Rana A. Loss of SMAD4 Is Associated With Poor Tumor Immunogenicity and Reduced PD-L1 Expression in Pancreatic Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:806963. [PMID: 35155243 PMCID: PMC8832494 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.806963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) is a key mediator of immune evasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and the addition of TGFβ inhibitors in select immunotherapy regimens shows early promise. Though the TGFβ target SMAD4 is deleted in approximately 55% of PDAC tumors, the effects of SMAD4 loss on tumor immunity have yet to be fully explored. Using a combination of genomic databases and PDAC specimens, we found that tumors with loss of SMAD4 have a comparatively poor T-cell infiltrate. SMAD4 loss was also associated with a reduction in several chemokines with known roles in T-cell recruitment, which was recapitulated using knockdown of SMAD4 in PDAC cell lines. Accordingly, JURKAT T-cells were poorly attracted to conditioned media from PDAC cells with knockdown of SMAD4 and lost their ability to produce IFNγ. However, while exogenous TGFβ modestly reduced PD-L1 expression in SMAD4-intact cell lines, SMAD4 and PD-L1 positively correlated in human PDAC samples. PD-L1 status was closely related to tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, particularly IFNγ-producing T-cells, which were more abundant in SMAD4-expressing tumors. Low concentrations of IFNγ upregulated PD-L1 in tumor cells in vitro, even when administered alongside high concentrations of TGFβ. Hence, while SMAD4 may have a modest inhibitory effect on PD-L1 in tumor cells, SMAD4 indirectly promotes PD-L1 expression in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment by enhancing T-cell infiltration and IFNγ biosynthesis. These data suggest that pancreatic cancers with loss of SMAD4 represent a poorly immunogenic disease subtype, and SMAD4 status warrants further exploration as a predictive biomarker for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R. Principe
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Ajay Rana, ; Daniel R. Principe,
| | - Patrick W. Underwood
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Kaytlin E. Timbers
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Regina M. Koch
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jose G. Trevino
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Hidayatullah G. Munshi
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Ajay Rana
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Ajay Rana, ; Daniel R. Principe,
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100
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Yap TA, Vieito M, Baldini C, Sepúlveda-Sánchez JM, Kondo S, Simonelli M, Cosman R, van der Westhuizen A, Atkinson V, Carpentier AF, Löhr M, Redman R, Mason W, Cervantes A, Le Rhun E, Ochsenreither S, Warren L, Zhao Y, Callies S, Estrem ST, Man M, Gandhi L, Avsar E, Melisi D. First-In-Human Phase I Study of a Next-Generation, Oral, TGFβ Receptor 1 Inhibitor, LY3200882, in Patients with Advanced Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:6666-6676. [PMID: 34548321 PMCID: PMC9414273 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-1504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE A novel, selective, next-generation transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) receptor type-1 small molecule inhibitor, LY3200882, demonstrated promising preclinical data. This first-in-human trial evaluated safety, tolerability, recommended phase II dose (RP2D), pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary antitumor activity of LY3200882 as monotherapy or with other anticancer agents in patients with advanced cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS This phase I multicenter study of oral LY3200882 (NCT02937272) comprised dose escalation, monotherapy expansion in grade 4 glioma, and combination therapy in solid tumors (LY3200882 and PD-L1 inhibitor LY3300054), pancreatic cancer (LY3200882, gemcitabine, and nab-paclitaxel), and head and neck squamous cell cancer (LY3200882, cisplatin, and radiation). RESULTS Overall, 139 patients with advanced cancer were treated. The majority (93.5%) of patients experienced ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE), with 39.6% LY3200882-related. Grade 3 LY3200882-related toxicities were only observed in combination therapy arms. One patient in the pancreatic cancer arm experienced cardiovascular toxicity. The LY3200882 monotherapy RP2Ds were established in two schedules: 50 mg twice a day 2-weeks-on/2-weeks-off and 35 mg twice a day 3-weeks-on/1-week-off. Four patients with grade 4 glioma had durable Revised Assessment in Neuro Oncology (RANO) partial responses (PR) with LY3200882 monotherapy (n = 3) or LY3200882-LY3300054 combination therapy (n = 1). In treatment-naïve patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, 6 of 12 patients achieved Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1 PR and 3 of 12 patients demonstrated stable disease, for an overall 75% disease-control rate with the combination of LY3200882, gemcitabine, and nab-paclitaxel. CONCLUSIONS LY3200882 as monotherapy and combination therapy was safe and well tolerated with preliminary antitumor activity observed in pancreatic cancer. Further studies to evaluate the efficacy of LY3200882 with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel in advanced pancreatic cancer are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A. Yap
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Corresponding Author: Timothy A. Yap, Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Program), University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 455, Faculty Center 8th Floor, Houston, TX 77030. Phone: 713-839-5458; E-mail:
| | - Maria Vieito
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Capucine Baldini
- Drug Development Department, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | | | | | - Matteo Simonelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy.,IRCCS Humanitas Cancer Center, Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Rasha Cosman
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, St Vincent's Hospital, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Victoria Atkinson
- Greenslopes Private Hospital, Ramsay Health Care, Greenslopes, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Mario Löhr
- Tumor Laboratory, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Warren Mason
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andres Cervantes
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.,CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilie Le Rhun
- University of Lille, Inserm, Lille, France.,CHU Lille, Lille, France.,Oscar Lambret Center, Lille, France
| | | | | | - Yumin Zhao
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | | | - Michael Man
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Emin Avsar
- Eli Lilly and Company, New York, New York
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