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Vilmar A, Dehlendorff C, Friis S, Jäättelä M, Tvingsholm S, Frederiksen H. Increased mortality in patients with hematologic malignancies treated with proton pump inhibitors: a nationwide cohort study. Leuk Lymphoma 2023; 64:1451-1457. [PMID: 37293759 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2023.2216324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Proton Pump inhibitors (PPIs) are frequently prescribed to cancer patients to prevent gastric mucosal damage. Post-diagnostic PPI use in patients with solid tumors may be associated with increased cancer mortality. However, the hazardous impact of PPIs in patients with hematologic malignancies remains unknown. This association was investigated in a large, retrospective cohort study using data from the Danish nationwide health registries. The outcomes were cancer-specific or non-cancer deaths. We identified 15,320 patients with hematologic malignancies and of these 1811 were identified as post-diagnostic PPI users. PPI users had significantly increased HRs for cancer-specific mortality (HR 1.31; 95% CI, 1.18-1.44) and 1-year cancer-specific mortality (HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.29-1.74) as compared to nonusers. The association between PPI use and increased cancer-specific mortality in Danish patients with hematologic malignancies supports the raised concerns regarding the frequent use of PPIs in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Vilmar
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Christian Dehlendorff
- Statistics and Data Analysis, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Friis
- Cancer Surveillance and Pharmacoepidemiology, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marja Jäättelä
- Cell Death and Metabolism, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Siri Tvingsholm
- Cell Death and Metabolism, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Frederiksen
- Department of Hematology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Demark, Odense, Denmark
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52
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Zhang X, Dai M, Li S, Li M, Cheng B, Ma T, Zhou Z. The emerging potential role of p62 in cancer treatment by regulating metabolism. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2023:S1043-2760(23)00106-6. [PMID: 37349161 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
p62 is an important multifunctional adaptor protein participating in autophagy and many other activities. Many studies have revealed that p62 is highly expressed in multiple cancers and decreasing its level can effectively lower the proliferation ability of cancer cells. Moreover, much research has highlighted the significant role of the regulation of cancer cell metabolism in helping to treat tumors. Recent reports demonstrate that p62 could regulate cancer cell metabolism through various mechanisms. However, the relationship between p62 and cancer cell metabolism as well as the related mechanisms has not been fully elucidated. In this review, we describe glucose, glutamine, and fatty acid metabolism in tumor cells and some signaling pathways that can regulate cancer metabolism and are mediated by p62.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochuan Zhang
- Department of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Mengge Dai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Shaotong Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Meng Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Bing Cheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ting Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Zheng Zhou
- Department of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
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53
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Razi S, Haghparast A, Chodari Khameneh S, Ebrahimi Sadrabadi A, Aziziyan F, Bakhtiyari M, Nabi-Afjadi M, Tarhriz V, Jalili A, Zalpoor H. The role of tumor microenvironment on cancer stem cell fate in solid tumors. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:143. [PMID: 37328876 PMCID: PMC10273768 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01129-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last few decades, the role of cancer stem cells in initiating tumors, metastasis, invasion, and resistance to therapies has been recognized as a potential target for tumor therapy. Understanding the mechanisms by which CSCs contribute to cancer progression can help to provide novel therapeutic approaches against solid tumors. In this line, the effects of mechanical forces on CSCs such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cellular plasticity, etc., the metabolism pathways of CSCs, players of the tumor microenvironment, and their influence on the regulating of CSCs can lead to cancer progression. This review focused on some of these mechanisms of CSCs, paving the way for a better understanding of their regulatory mechanisms and developing platforms for targeted therapies. While progress has been made in research, more studies will be required in the future to explore more aspects of how CSCs contribute to cancer progression. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Razi
- Vira Pioneers of Modern Science (VIPOMS), Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Amin Ebrahimi Sadrabadi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACER, Tehran, Iran
- Cytotech and Bioinformatics Research Group, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Aziziyan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Bakhtiyari
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahideh Tarhriz
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 5163639888, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Arsalan Jalili
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACER, Tehran, Iran.
- Parvaz Research Ideas Supporter Institute, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hamidreza Zalpoor
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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54
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Voutouri C, Mpekris F, Panagi M, Krolak C, Michael C, Martin JD, Averkiou MA, Stylianopoulos T. Ultrasound stiffness and perfusion markers correlate with tumor volume responses to immunotherapy. Acta Biomater 2023:S1742-7061(23)00332-X. [PMID: 37321529 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of dozens of cancers and became a standard of care for some tumor types. However, the majority of patients do not benefit from current immunotherapeutics and many develop severe toxicities. Therefore, the identification of biomarkers to classify patients as likely responders or non-responders to immunotherapy is a timely task. Here, we test ultrasound imaging markers of tumor stiffness and perfusion. Ultrasound imaging is non-invasive and clinically available and can be used both for stiffness and perfusion evaluation. In this study, we employed syngeneic orthotopic models of two breast cancers, a fibrosarcoma and melanoma, to demonstrate that ultrasound-derived measures of tumor stiffness and perfusion (i.e., blood volume) correlate with the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) in terms of changes in primary tumor volume. To modulate tumor stiffness and perfusion and thus, get a range of therapeutic outcomes, we employed the mechanotherapeutic tranilast. Mechanotherapeutics combined with ICI are advancing through clinical trials, but biomarkers of response have not been tested until now. We found the existence of linear correlations between tumor stiffness and perfusion imaging biomarkers as well as strong linear correlations between the stiffness and perfusion markers with ICI efficacy on primary tumor growth rates. Our findings set the basis for ultrasound imaging biomarkers predictive of ICI therapy in combination with mechanotherapeutics. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Hypothesis: Monitoring Tumor Microenvironment (TME) mechanical abnormalities can predict the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) and provide biomarkers predictive of response. Tumor stiffening and solid stress elevation are hallmarks of tumor patho-physiology in desmoplastic tumors. They induce hypo-perfusion and hypoxia by compressing tumor vessels, posing major barriers to immunotherapy. Mechanotherapeutics is a new class of drugs that target the TME to reduce stiffness and improve perfusion and oxygenation. In this study, we show that measures of stiffness and perfusion derived from ultrasound shear wave elastography and contrast enhanced ultrasound can provide biomarkers of tumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysovalantis Voutouri
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus
| | - Fotios Mpekris
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus
| | - Myrofora Panagi
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus
| | - Connor Krolak
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Christina Michael
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus
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Tan X, Qi C, Zhao X, Sun L, Wu M, Sun W, Gu L, Wang F, Feng H, Huang X, Xie B, Shi Z, Xie P, Wu M, Zhang Y, Chen G. ERK Inhibition Promotes Engraftment of Allografts by Reprogramming T-Cell Metabolism. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206768. [PMID: 37013935 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) signaling is a master regulator of cell behavior, life, and fate. Although ERK pathway is shown to be involved in T-cell activation, little is known about its role in the development of allograft rejection. Here, it is reported that ERK signaling pathway is activated in allograft-infiltrating T cells. On the basis of surface plasmon resonance technology, lycorine is identified as an ERK-specific inhibitor. ERK inhibition by lycorine significantly prolongs allograft survival in a stringent mouse cardiac allotransplant model. As compared to untreated mice, lycorine-treated mice show a decrease in the number and activation of allograft-infiltrated T cells. It is further confirmed that lycorine-treated mouse and human T cells are less responsive to stimulation in vitro, as indicated by their low proliferative rates and decreased cytokine production. Mechanistic studies reveal that T cells treated with lycorine exhibit mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in metabolic reprogramming upon stimulation. Transcriptome analysis of lycorine-treated T cells reveals an enrichment in a series of downregulated terms related to immune response, the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade, and metabolic processes. These findings offer new insights into the development of immunosuppressive agents by targeting the ERK pathway involved in T-cell activation and allograft rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosheng Tan
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Changxing Qi
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Xiangli Zhao
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Lingjuan Sun
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Mi Wu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Weiguang Sun
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Lianghu Gu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Fengqing Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Hao Feng
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Xia Huang
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Bin Xie
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Zhengyi Shi
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Peiling Xie
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Meng Wu
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Yonghui Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Gang Chen
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
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56
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Han J, Dong L, Wu M, Ma F. Dynamic polarization of tumor-associated macrophages and their interaction with intratumoral T cells in an inflamed tumor microenvironment: from mechanistic insights to therapeutic opportunities. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1160340. [PMID: 37251409 PMCID: PMC10219223 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1160340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has brought a paradigm shift in the treatment of tumors in recent decades. However, a significant proportion of patients remain unresponsive, largely due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play crucial roles in shaping the TME by exhibiting dual identities as both mediators and responders of inflammation. TAMs closely interact with intratumoral T cells, regulating their infiltration, activation, expansion, effector function, and exhaustion through multiple secretory and surface factors. Nevertheless, the heterogeneous and plastic nature of TAMs renders the targeting of any of these factors alone inadequate and poses significant challenges for mechanistic studies and clinical translation of corresponding therapies. In this review, we present a comprehensive summary of the mechanisms by which TAMs dynamically polarize to influence intratumoral T cells, with a focus on their interaction with other TME cells and metabolic competition. For each mechanism, we also discuss relevant therapeutic opportunities, including non-specific and targeted approaches in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and cellular therapies. Our ultimate goal is to develop macrophage-centered therapies that can fine-tune tumor inflammation and empower immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiashu Han
- 4+4 Medical Doctor Program, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng, Beijing, China
| | - Luochu Dong
- 4+4 Medical Doctor Program, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng, Beijing, China
| | - Mengwei Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (CAMS), Beijing, China
| | - Fei Ma
- Center for National Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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57
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Ganjoo S, Gupta P, Corbali HI, Nanez S, Riad TS, Duong LK, Barsoumian HB, Masrorpour F, Jiang H, Welsh JW, Cortez MA. The role of tumor metabolism in modulating T-Cell activity and in optimizing immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1172931. [PMID: 37180129 PMCID: PMC10169689 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1172931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment and revitalized efforts to harness the power of the immune system to combat a variety of cancer types more effectively. However, low clinical response rates and differences in outcomes due to variations in the immune landscape among patients with cancer continue to be major limitations to immunotherapy. Recent efforts to improve responses to immunotherapy have focused on targeting cellular metabolism, as the metabolic characteristics of cancer cells can directly influence the activity and metabolism of immune cells, particularly T cells. Although the metabolic pathways of various cancer cells and T cells have been extensively reviewed, the intersections among these pathways, and their potential use as targets for improving responses to immune-checkpoint blockade therapies, are not completely understood. This review focuses on the interplay between tumor metabolites and T-cell dysfunction as well as the relationship between several T-cell metabolic patterns and T-cell activity/function in tumor immunology. Understanding these relationships could offer new avenues for improving responses to immunotherapy on a metabolic basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shonik Ganjoo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Priti Gupta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Halil Ibrahim Corbali
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Selene Nanez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Thomas S. Riad
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Lisa K. Duong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Hampartsoum B. Barsoumian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Fatemeh Masrorpour
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - James W. Welsh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Maria Angelica Cortez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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58
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Kosaka A, Yajima Y, Yasuda S, Komatsuda H, Nagato T, Oikawa K, Kobayashi H, Ohkuri T. Celecoxib promotes the efficacy of STING-targeted therapy by increasing antitumor CD8 + T-cell functions via modulating glucose metabolism of CD11b + Ly6G + cells. Int J Cancer 2023; 152:1685-1697. [PMID: 36495276 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34394] [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: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that activation of the cGAS-STING pathway is a key process in antitumor immune responses and various kinds of STING agonists have been developed for cancer immunotherapy. Despite promising preclinical studies, preliminary clinical results have shown only a modest effect of STING agonists. There is therefore a need to develop more effective treatment strategies. Based on previous observations that COX-2 is frequently overexpressed not only in a variety of cancers but also in tumor myeloid cells and that it suppresses antitumor immunity and promotes tumor survival by producing PGE2, we investigated the antitumor effects of combination therapy with a STING agonist cGAMP and the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib in mouse models. Combination treatment with cGAMP and celecoxib inhibited tumor growth compared with either monotherapy, and the combination therapy induced both local and systemic antitumor immunity. cGAMP treatment decreased PD-1 expression on tumor-infiltrating T-cells and enhanced T-cell activation in tumor-draining lymph nodes regardless of the presence of celecoxib. Meanwhile, although celecoxib treatment did not alter the frequency of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T-cells, it enhanced the expression of costimulatory molecules and glycolysis-associated genes in tumor-infiltrating CD11b+ Ly6G+ cells. Moreover, we also found that celecoxib decreased lactate efflux and increased the frequency of IFN-γ- and TNF-α-producing CD8+ T-cells in the tumor microenvironment. Taken together, our findings suggest that combined treatment with celecoxib may be an effective strategy to improve the antitumor efficacy of STING agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akemi Kosaka
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Yuki Yajima
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Yasuda
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.,Respiratory and Breast Center, Asahikawa Medical University Hospital, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroki Komatsuda
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.,Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Nagato
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Kensuke Oikawa
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroya Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Takayuki Ohkuri
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
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59
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Peng JJ, Wang L, Li Z, Ku CL, Ho PC. Metabolic challenges and interventions in CAR T cell therapy. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eabq3016. [PMID: 37058548 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abq3016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have achieved true clinical success in treating hematological malignancy patients, laying the foundation of CAR T cells as a new pillar of cancer therapy. Although these promising effects have generated strong interest in expanding the treatment of CAR T cells to solid tumors, reproducible demonstration of clinical efficacy in the setting of solid tumors has remained challenging to date. Here, we review how metabolic stress and signaling in the tumor microenvironment, including intrinsic determinants of response to CAR T cell therapy and extrinsic obstacles, restrict the efficacy of CAR T cell therapy in cancer treatment. In addition, we discuss the use of novel approaches to target and rewire metabolic programming for CAR T cell manufacturing. Last, we summarize strategies that aim to improve the metabolic adaptability of CAR T cells to enhance their potency in mounting antitumor responses and survival within the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhan-Jie Peng
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Limei Wang
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Zhiyu Li
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, P.R. China
| | - Cheng-Lung Ku
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Chih Ho
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
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Alizadeh J, Kavoosi M, Singh N, Lorzadeh S, Ravandi A, Kidane B, Ahmed N, Mraiche F, Mowat MR, Ghavami S. Regulation of Autophagy via Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082195. [PMID: 37190124 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic changes are an important component of tumor cell progression. Tumor cells adapt to environmental stresses via changes to carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Autophagy, a physiological process in mammalian cells that digests damaged organelles and misfolded proteins via lysosomal degradation, is closely associated with metabolism in mammalian cells, acting as a meter of cellular ATP levels. In this review, we discuss the changes in glycolytic and lipid biosynthetic pathways in mammalian cells and their impact on carcinogenesis via the autophagy pathway. In addition, we discuss the impact of these metabolic pathways on autophagy in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Alizadeh
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada
| | - Mahboubeh Kavoosi
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada
| | - Navjit Singh
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada
| | - Shahrokh Lorzadeh
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada
| | - Amir Ravandi
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Albrechtsen Research Centre, St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Biniam Kidane
- Section of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Health Sciences Centre, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 6C5, Canada
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada
| | - Naseer Ahmed
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada
- Department of Radiology, Section of Radiation Oncology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Fatima Mraiche
- College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Michael R Mowat
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada
- Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine in Zabrze, Academia of Silesia, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
- Biology of Breathing Theme, Children Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5, Canada
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Lee YG, Yang N, Chun I, Porazzi P, Carturan A, Paruzzo L, Sauter CT, Guruprasad P, Pajarillo R, Ruella M. Apoptosis: a Janus bifrons in T-cell immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e005967. [PMID: 37055217 PMCID: PMC10106075 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005967] [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] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of cancer. In particular, immune checkpoint blockade, bispecific antibodies, and adoptive T-cell transfer have yielded unprecedented clinical results in hematological malignancies and solid cancers. While T cell-based immunotherapies have multiple mechanisms of action, their ultimate goal is achieving apoptosis of cancer cells. Unsurprisingly, apoptosis evasion is a key feature of cancer biology. Therefore, enhancing cancer cells' sensitivity to apoptosis represents a key strategy to improve clinical outcomes in cancer immunotherapy. Indeed, cancer cells are characterized by several intrinsic mechanisms to resist apoptosis, in addition to features to promote apoptosis in T cells and evade therapy. However, apoptosis is double-faced: when it occurs in T cells, it represents a critical mechanism of failure for immunotherapies. This review will summarize the recent efforts to enhance T cell-based immunotherapies by increasing apoptosis susceptibility in cancer cells and discuss the role of apoptosis in modulating the survival of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment and potential strategies to overcome this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Gu Lee
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Nicholas Yang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Inkook Chun
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Patrizia Porazzi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alberto Carturan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Luca Paruzzo
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Torino, Piemonte, Italy
| | - Christopher Tor Sauter
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Puneeth Guruprasad
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Raymone Pajarillo
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marco Ruella
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Lymphoma Program, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Kay EJ, Zanivan S. Bicarbonate transport as regulator of antitumour immunity in pancreatic cancer. Mol Oncol 2023; 17:541-544. [PMID: 36807529 PMCID: PMC10061281 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13400] [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: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Bicarbonate transport is a pre-existing mechanism of pH regulation in pancreatic ductal cells. In a recent study, Cappellesso et al. demonstrated that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma metabolic rewiring creates an acidic environment, enhanced by bicarbonate import into cancer cells via SLC4A4. This acidity favours protumourigenic immunosuppression. Targeting SLC4A4 neutralises environmental pH and restores antitumour immunity, sensitising tumours to immune checkpoint blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Zanivan
- Cancer Research UK Beatson InstituteGlasgowUK
- School of Cancer SciencesUniversity of GlasgowUK
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63
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Sharma V, Kaur J. Acidic environment could modulate the interferon-γ expression: Implication on modulation of cancer and immune cells' interactions. ASIAN BIOMED 2023; 17:72-83. [PMID: 37719323 PMCID: PMC10505064 DOI: 10.2478/abm-2023-0047] [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] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Background In rapidly growing solid tumors, insufficient vascularization and poor oxygen supply result in an acidic tumor microenvironment, which can alter immune response. Objective To investigate the role of the acidic microenvironment in immune response modulation along with cancer and immune cells' interactions. Method To mimic the tumor microenvironment conditions, T cells (Jurkat), macrophages (THP-1), and HeLa (cervical) cells were cultured under acidic conditions (pH 6.9, pH 6.5) and physiological pH (7.4). The HeLa cell culture medium was exploited as a tumor cell conditioned medium. Real-time PCR was carried out to quantify the mRNA levels, while flow cytometry and western blot hybridization was carried out to ascertain the levels of different proteins. Results The acidic microenvironment around the T cells (Jurkat) and macrophage cells (THP-1) could lead to the downregulation of the interferon gamma (IFN-γ). An increase in IFN-γ expression was observed when Jurkat and macrophage cells were cultured in HeLa cells conditioned medium (HCM) at low pH (pH 6.9, pH 6.5). The HeLa cells under acidic environment (pH 6.9, pH 6.5) upregulated interleukin 18 levels and secreted it as exosome anchored. Additionally, enhanced nuclear localization of NF-κB was observed in Jurkat and THP-1 cells cultured in HCM (pH 6.9, pH 6.5). Jurkat and THP-1 cultured in HCM revealed enhanced cytotoxicity against the HeLa cells upon reverting the pH of the medium from acidic to physiological pH (pH 7.4). Conclusion Collectively, these results suggest that the acidic microenvironment acted as a key barrier to cancer and immune cells' interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh160014, India
| | - Jagdeep Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh160014, India
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Andreucci E, Fioretto BS, Rosa I, Matucci-Cerinic M, Biagioni A, Romano E, Calorini L, Manetti M. Extracellular Lactic Acidosis of the Tumor Microenvironment Drives Adipocyte-to-Myofibroblast Transition Fueling the Generation of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060939. [PMID: 36980280 PMCID: PMC10046917 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060939] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactic acidosis characterizes the tumor microenvironment (TME) and is involved in the mechanisms leading to cancer progression and dissemination through the reprogramming of tumor and local host cells (e.g., endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells). Adipose tissue also represents a crucial component of the TME which is receiving increasing attention due to its pro-tumoral activity, however, to date, it is not known whether it could be affected by the acidic TME. Now, emerging evidence from chronic inflammatory and fibrotic diseases underlines that adipocytes may give rise to pathogenic myofibroblast-like cells through the adipocyte-to-myofibroblast transition (AMT). Thus, our study aimed to investigate whether extracellular acidosis could affect the AMT process, sustaining the acquisition by adipocytes of a cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-like phenotype with a pro-tumoral activity. To this purpose, human subcutaneous adipose-derived stem cells committed to adipocytes (acADSCs) were cultured under basal (pH 7.4) or lactic acidic (pH 6.7, 10 mM lactate) conditions, and AMT was evaluated with quantitative PCR, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence analyses. We observed that lactic acidosis significantly impaired the expression of adipocytic markers while inducing myofibroblastic, pro-fibrotic, and pro-inflammatory phenotypes in acADSCs, which are characteristic of AMT reprogramming. Interestingly, the conditioned medium of lactic acidosis-exposed acADSC cultures was able to induce myofibroblastic activation in normal fibroblasts and sustain the proliferation, migration, invasion, and therapy resistance of breast cancer cells in vitro. This study reveals a previously unrecognized relationship between lactic acidosis and the generation of a new CAF-like cell subpopulation from adipocytic precursor cells sustaining tumor malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Andreucci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessio Biagioni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Lido Calorini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
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Semeniuk-Wojtaś A, Poddębniak-Strama K, Modzelewska M, Baryła M, Dziąg-Dudek E, Syryło T, Górnicka B, Jakieła A, Stec R. Tumour microenvironment as a predictive factor for immunotherapy in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023:10.1007/s00262-023-03376-9. [PMID: 36928373 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03376-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC) can be divided into two subgroups depending on invasion of the muscular layer: non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Its aggressiveness is associated, inter alia, with genetic aberrations like losses of 1p, 6q, 9p, 9q and 13q; gain of 5p; or alterations in the p53 and p16 pathways. Moreover, there are reported metabolic disturbances connected with poor diagnosis-for example, enhanced aerobic glycolysis, gluconeogenesis or haem catabolism.Currently, the primary way of treatment method is transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TURBT) with adjuvant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy for NMIBC or radical cystectomy for MIBC combined with chemotherapy or immunotherapy. However, intravesical BCG immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are not efficient in every case, so appropriate biomarkers are needed in order to select the proper treatment options. It seems that the success of immunotherapy depends mainly on the tumour microenvironment (TME), which reflects the molecular disturbances in the tumour. TME consists of specific conditions like hypoxia or local acidosis and different populations of immune cells including tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, natural killer cells, neutrophils and B lymphocytes, which are responsible for shaping the response against tumour neoantigens and crucial pathways like the PD-L1/PD-1 axis.In this review, we summarise holistically the impact of the immune system, genetic alterations and metabolic changes that are key factors in immunotherapy success. These findings should enable better understanding of the TME complexity in case of NMIBC and causes of failures of current therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Tomasz Syryło
- Department of General, Active and Oncological Urology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Górnicka
- Pathomorphology Department, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Jakieła
- Oncology Department, 4 Military Clinical Hospital with a Polyclinic, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Stec
- Oncology Department, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Köseer AS, Di Gaetano S, Arndt C, Bachmann M, Dubrovska A. Immunotargeting of Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1608. [PMID: 36900399 PMCID: PMC10001158 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The generally accepted view is that CSCs hijack the signaling pathways attributed to normal stem cells that regulate the self-renewal and differentiation processes. Therefore, the development of selective targeting strategies for CSC, although clinically meaningful, is associated with significant challenges because CSC and normal stem cells share many important signaling mechanisms for their maintenance and survival. Furthermore, the efficacy of this therapy is opposed by tumor heterogeneity and CSC plasticity. While there have been considerable efforts to target CSC populations by the chemical inhibition of the developmental pathways such as Notch, Hedgehog (Hh), and Wnt/β-catenin, noticeably fewer attempts were focused on the stimulation of the immune response by CSC-specific antigens, including cell-surface targets. Cancer immunotherapies are based on triggering the anti-tumor immune response by specific activation and targeted redirecting of immune cells toward tumor cells. This review is focused on CSC-directed immunotherapeutic approaches such as bispecific antibodies and antibody-drug candidates, CSC-targeted cellular immunotherapies, and immune-based vaccines. We discuss the strategies to improve the safety and efficacy of the different immunotherapeutic approaches and describe the current state of their clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Sedef Köseer
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01307 Dresden, Germany
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01309 Dresden, Germany
| | - Simona Di Gaetano
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01309 Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01307 Dresden, Germany
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01309 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01328 Dresden, Germany
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Li LJ, Xuan JZ, Zheng HN. Correlation of 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters with the expression of immune biomarkers in the tumour microenvironment in lung adenocarcinoma. Clin Radiol 2023:S0009-9260(23)00075-2. [PMID: 36934052 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
AIM To explore the association between metabolic parameters evaluated by integrated 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) positron-emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and the expression of immune biomarkers in the tumour microenvironment in lung adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study included 134 patients. Metabolic parameters were obtained by PET/CT. Immunohistochemistry analysis was used for FOXP3-TILs (transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes), CD8-TILs, CD4-TILs, CD68-TAMs (tumour-associated macrophages) and galectin-1 (Gal-1) tumour expression. RESULTS There were significant positive associations between FDG PET metabolic parameters and the median percentage of immune reactive areas (IRA%) covered by FOXP3-TILs and CD68-TAMs. Negative associations with the median IRA% covered by CD4-TILs and CD8-TILs were observed: maximal standardised uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumour volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and IRA% for FOXP3-TILs (rho = 0.437, 0.400, 0.414; p<0.0001 for all parameters); SUVmax, MTV, TLG, and IRA% for CD68-TAMs (rho = 0.356, 0.355, 0.354; p<0.0001 for all parameters); SUVmax, MTV, TLG, and IRA% for CD4-TILs (rho = -0.164, -0.190, -0.191; p=0.059, 0.028, 0.027, respectively); SUVmax, MTV, TLG, and IRA% for CD8-TILs (rho = -0.305, -0.316, -0.322; p<0.0001 for all parameters). There were significant positive associations between tumour Gal-1 expression and the median IRA% covered by FOXP3-TILs and CD68-TAMs (rho = 0.379; p<0.0001; rho = 0.370; p<0.0001, respectively), and a significant negative association with the median IRA% covered by CD8-TILs (rho = -0.347; p<0.0001) was observed. Tumour stage (p=0.008), Gal-1 expression (p=0.008), and median IRA% covered by CD8-TILs (p=0.054) were independent risk factors for overall survival. CONCLUSION FDG PET may facilitate a comprehensive evaluation of the tumour microenvironment and predict response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- L-J Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 222 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, People's Republic of China
| | - J-Z Xuan
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 222 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, People's Republic of China
| | - H-N Zheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 222 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, People's Republic of China.
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Choudhary N, Osorio RC, Oh JY, Aghi MK. Metabolic Barriers to Glioblastoma Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1519. [PMID: 36900311 PMCID: PMC10000693 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor with a poor prognosis with the current standard of care treatment. To address the need for novel therapeutic options in GBM, immunotherapies which target cancer cells through stimulating an anti-tumoral immune response have been investigated in GBM. However, immunotherapies in GBM have not met with anywhere near the level of success they have encountered in other cancers. The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in GBM is thought to contribute significantly to resistance to immunotherapy. Metabolic alterations employed by cancer cells to promote their own growth and proliferation have been shown to impact the distribution and function of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. More recently, the diminished function of anti-tumoral effector immune cells and promotion of immunosuppressive populations resulting from metabolic alterations have been investigated as contributory to therapeutic resistance. The GBM tumor cell metabolism of four nutrients (glucose, glutamine, tryptophan, and lipids) has recently been described as contributory to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy resistance. Understanding metabolic mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy in GBM can provide insight into future directions targeting the anti-tumor immune response in combination with tumor metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Manish K. Aghi
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Response in Lip Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051478. [PMID: 36900270 PMCID: PMC10001350 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051478] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) play a significant role in cancer progression and prognosis of patients. The tumor microenvironment (TME) may affect the anti-tumor immune response. We examined the TIL and tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) density in the invading front and inner tumor stroma, and the lymphocyte subpopulation (CD8, CD4, FOXP3) density in 60 squamous cell carcinomas of the lip. Analysis was performed in parallel with markers of hypoxia (hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF1α), lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA)) and angiogenesis. Low TIL density in the invading tumor front was related with larger tumor size (p = 0.05), deep invasion (p = 0.01), high smooth-muscle actin (SMA) expression (p = 0.01), and high HIF1α and LDH5 expression (p = 0.04). FOXP3+ TILs infiltration and FOXP3+/CD8+ ratios were higher in inner tumor areas, linked with LDH5 expression, and higher MIB1 proliferation index (p = 0.03) and SMA expression (p = 0.001). Dense CD4+ lymphocytic infiltration in the invading front is related to high tumor-budding (TB) (p = 0.04) and angiogenesis (p = 0.04 and p = 0.006, respectively). Low CD8+ TIL density, high CD20+ B-cell density, high FOXP3+/CD8+ ratio and high CD68+ macrophage presence characterized tumors with local invasion (p = 0.02, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.006, respectively). High angiogenic activity was linked with high CD4+, FOXP3+, and low CD8+ TIL density (p = 0.05, 0.01 and 0.01, respectively), as well as high CD68+ macrophage presence (p = 0.003). LDH5 expression was linked with high CD4+ and FOXP3+ TIL density (p = 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). Further research is needed to explore the prognostic and therapeutic value of TME/TIL interactions.
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Tumor Vasculature as an Emerging Pharmacological Target to Promote Anti-Tumor Immunity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054422. [PMID: 36901858 PMCID: PMC10002465 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor vasculature abnormality creates a microenvironment that is not suitable for anti-tumor immune response and thereby induces resistance to immunotherapy. Remodeling of dysfunctional tumor blood vessels by anti-angiogenic approaches, known as vascular normalization, reshapes the tumor microenvironment toward an immune-favorable one and improves the effectiveness of immunotherapy. The tumor vasculature serves as a potential pharmacological target with the capacity of promoting an anti-tumor immune response. In this review, the molecular mechanisms involved in tumor vascular microenvironment-modulated immune reactions are summarized. In addition, the evidence of pre-clinical and clinical studies for the combined targeting of pro-angiogenic signaling and immune checkpoint molecules with therapeutic potential are highlighted. The heterogeneity of endothelial cells in tumors that regulate tissue-specific immune responses is also discussed. The crosstalk between tumor endothelial cells and immune cells in individual tissues is postulated to have a unique molecular signature and may be considered as a potential target for the development of new immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Jantz-Naeem N, Böttcher-Loschinski R, Borucki K, Mitchell-Flack M, Böttcher M, Schraven B, Mougiakakos D, Kahlfuss S. TIGIT signaling and its influence on T cell metabolism and immune cell function in the tumor microenvironment. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1060112. [PMID: 36874131 PMCID: PMC9982004 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1060112] [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: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the key challenges for successful cancer therapy is the capacity of tumors to evade immune surveillance. Tumor immune evasion can be accomplished through the induction of T cell exhaustion via the activation of various immune checkpoint molecules. The most prominent examples of immune checkpoints are PD-1 and CTLA-4. Meanwhile, several other immune checkpoint molecules have since been identified. One of these is the T cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT), which was first described in 2009. Interestingly, many studies have established a synergistic reciprocity between TIGIT and PD-1. TIGIT has also been described to interfere with the energy metabolism of T cells and thereby affect adaptive anti-tumor immunity. In this context, recent studies have reported a link between TIGIT and the hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF1-α), a master transcription factor sensing hypoxia in several tissues including tumors that among others regulates the expression of metabolically relevant genes. Furthermore, distinct cancer types were shown to inhibit glucose uptake and effector function by inducing TIGIT expression in CD8+ T cells, resulting in an impaired anti-tumor immunity. In addition, TIGIT was associated with adenosine receptor signaling in T cells and the kynurenine pathway in tumor cells, both altering the tumor microenvironment and T cell-mediated immunity against tumors. Here, we review the most recent literature on the reciprocal interaction of TIGIT and T cell metabolism and specifically how TIGIT affects anti-tumor immunity. We believe understanding this interaction may pave the way for improved immunotherapy to treat cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouria Jantz-Naeem
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Romy Böttcher-Loschinski
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Borucki
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Pathobiochemistry, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marisa Mitchell-Flack
- Department of Oncology, The Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Martin Böttcher
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GCI), Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Burkhart Schraven
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GCI), Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Mougiakakos
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GCI), Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sascha Kahlfuss
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GCI), Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Health and Medical Prevention (CHaMP), Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
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72
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Rao D, Stunnenberg JA, Lacroix R, Dimitriadis P, Kaplon J, Verburg F, van van Royen PT, Hoefsmit EP, Renner K, Blank CU, Peeper DS. Acidity-mediated induction of FoxP3 + regulatory T cells. Eur J Immunol 2023:e2250258. [PMID: 36788428 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250258] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Glucose limitation and increased lactic acid levels are consequences of the elevated glycolytic activity of tumor cells, and constitute a metabolic barrier for the function of tumor infiltrating effector immune cells. The immune-suppressive functions of regulatory T cells (Tregs) are unobstructed in lactic-acid rich environments. However, the impact of lactic acid on the induction of Tregs remains unknown. We observed increased TGFβ-mediated induction of Forkhead box P3+ (FoxP3+ ) cells in the presence of extracellular lactic acid, in a glycolysis-independent, acidity-dependent manner. These CD4+ FoxP3+ cells expressed Treg-associated markers, including increased expression of CD39, and were capable of exerting suppressive functions. Corroborating these results in vivo, we observed that neutralizing the tumor pH by systemic administration of sodium bicarbonate (NaBi) decreased Treg abundance. We conclude that acidity augments Treg induction and propose that therapeutic targeting of acidity in the tumor microenvironment (TME) might reduce Treg-mediated immune suppression within tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Disha Rao
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna A Stunnenberg
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben Lacroix
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Petros Dimitriadis
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joanna Kaplon
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Fabienne Verburg
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paula T van van Royen
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Esmée P Hoefsmit
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kathrin Renner
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christian U Blank
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel S Peeper
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, The Netherlands
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73
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Cheng H, Qiu Y, Xu Y, Chen L, Ma K, Tao M, Frankiw L, Yin H, Xie E, Pan X, Du J, Wang Z, Zhu W, Chen L, Zhang L, Li G. Extracellular acidosis restricts one-carbon metabolism and preserves T cell stemness. Nat Metab 2023; 5:314-330. [PMID: 36717749 PMCID: PMC9970874 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00730-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of acidic metabolic waste products within the tumor microenvironment inhibits effector functions of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). However, it remains unclear how an acidic environment affects T cell metabolism and differentiation. Here we show that prolonged exposure to acid reprograms T cell intracellular metabolism and mitochondrial fitness and preserves T cell stemness. Mechanistically, elevated extracellular acidosis impairs methionine uptake and metabolism via downregulation of SLC7A5, therefore altering H3K27me3 deposition at the promoters of key T cell stemness genes. These changes promote the maintenance of a 'stem-like memory' state and improve long-term in vivo persistence and anti-tumor efficacy in mice. Our findings not only reveal an unexpected capacity of extracellular acidosis to maintain the stem-like properties of T cells, but also advance our understanding of how methionine metabolism affects T cell stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongcheng Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Yajing Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Yue Xu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Li Chen
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Kaili Ma
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Mengyuan Tao
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Luke Frankiw
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hongli Yin
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Ermei Xie
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoli Pan
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Jing Du
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Wenjie Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Lianjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China.
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
| | - Guideng Li
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China.
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74
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Tang M, Deng H, Zheng K, He J, Yang J, Li Y. Ginsenoside 3β-O-Glc-DM (C3DM) suppressed glioma tumor growth by downregulating the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and modulating the tumor microenvironment. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 460:116378. [PMID: 36641037 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Ginsenosides are the main bioactive constituents of Panax ginseng, which have been broadly studied in cancer treatment. Our previous studies have demonstrated that 3β-O-Glc-DM (C3DM), a biosynthetic ginsenoside, exhibited antitumor effects in several cancer cell lines with anti-colon cancer activity superior to ginsenoside 20(R)-Rg3 in vivo. However, the efficacy of C3DM on glioma has not been proved yet. In this study, the antitumor activities and underlying mechanisms of C3DM on glioma were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Cell viability, apoptosis, migration, FCM, IHC, RT-qPCR, quantitative proteomics, and western blotting were conducted to evaluate the effect of C3DM on glioma cells. ADP-Glo™ kinase assay was used to validate the interaction between C3DM and EGFR. Co-cultured assays, lactic acid kit, and spatially resolved metabolomics were performed to study the function of C3DM in regulating glioma microenvironment. Both subcutaneously transplanted syngeneic models and orthotopic models of glioma were used to determine the effect of C3DM on tumor growth in vivo. We found that C3DM dose-dependently induced apoptosis, and inhibited the proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of glioma cells. C3DM significantly inhibited tumor growth in both subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse glioma models. Moreover, C3DM attenuated the acidified glioma microenvironment and enhanced T-cell function. Additionally, C3DM inhibited the kinase activity of EGFR and influenced the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in glioma. Overall, C3DM might be a promising candidate for glioma prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Tang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Drug Mechanisms and Pharmacological Evaluation Study, Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haidong Deng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Drug Mechanisms and Pharmacological Evaluation Study, Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Kailu Zheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Drug Mechanisms and Pharmacological Evaluation Study, Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiuming He
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jinling Yang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biosynthesis of Natural Products, Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Drug Mechanisms and Pharmacological Evaluation Study, Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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75
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Brummel K, Eerkens AL, de Bruyn M, Nijman HW. Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes: from prognosis to treatment selection. Br J Cancer 2023; 128:451-458. [PMID: 36564565 PMCID: PMC9938191 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-02119-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are considered crucial in anti-tumour immunity. Accordingly, the presence of TILs contains prognostic and predictive value. In 2011, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prognostic value of TILs across cancer types. Since then, the advent of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has renewed interest in the analysis of TILs. In this review, we first describe how our understanding of the prognostic value of TIL has changed over the last decade. New insights on novel TIL subsets are discussed and give a broader view on the prognostic effect of TILs in cancer. Apart from prognostic value, evidence on the predictive significance of TILs in the immune therapy era are discussed, as well as new techniques, such as machine learning that strive to incorporate these predictive capacities within clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen Brummel
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anneke L Eerkens
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marco de Bruyn
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans W Nijman
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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76
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Tumor lactic acid: a potential target for cancer therapy. Arch Pharm Res 2023; 46:90-110. [PMID: 36729274 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-023-01431-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Tumor development is influenced by circulating metabolites and most tumors are exposed to substantially elevated levels of lactic acid and low levels of nutrients, such as glucose and glutamine. Tumor-derived lactic acid, the major circulating carbon metabolite, regulates energy metabolism and cancer cell signaling pathways, while also acting as an energy source and signaling molecule. Recent studies have yielded new insights into the pro-tumorigenic action of lactic acid and its metabolism. These insights suggest an anti-tumor therapeutic strategy targeting the oncometabolite lactic acid, with the aim of improving the efficacy and clinical safety of tumor metabolism inhibitors. This review describes the current understanding of the multifunctional roles of tumor lactic acid, as well as therapeutic approaches targeting lactic acid metabolism, including lactate dehydrogenase and monocarboxylate transporters, for anti-cancer therapy.
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77
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Effect of Antacid Use on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Advanced Solid Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Immunother 2023; 46:43-55. [PMID: 36301729 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The influence of antacids use on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy remains unclear. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) on ICI efficacy in advanced solid cancer patients. A systematic literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science was performed to retrieve studies investigating the effect of antacid use on ICI efficacy. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and immune-related adverse events were measured using hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs). Thirty studies enrolling 16,147 advanced cancer patients receiving ICI treatment were included. The pooled analysis indicated that PPI use was associated with shorter OS (HR=1.40, 95% CI, 1.25-1.57) and PFS (HR=1.34, 95% CI, 1.19-1.52) in advanced cancer patients treated with ICIs. PPI use did not show effect on ORR or immune-related adverse event of advanced cancer patients receiving ICI treatment. OS, PFS, and ORR did not differ between H2RA users and non-H2RA users. In subgroup analyses, PPI use was associated with shorter OS and PFS in NSCLC and urothelial carcinoma patients and in patients treated with anti-programmed cell death 1 or anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 monotherapy. In addition, ICI efficacy was different in the antacid exposure time frame subgroups. In conclusion, PPI use has a negative effect on OS and PFS among advanced cancer patients receiving ICI treatment. PPIs should be cautiously administered among advanced cancer patients treated with ICI. The safety of H2RAs and the influence of H2RAs on ICI efficacy need further investigation.
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78
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Chelakkot C, Chelakkot VS, Shin Y, Song K. Modulating Glycolysis to Improve Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:2606. [PMID: 36768924 PMCID: PMC9916680 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells undergo metabolic reprogramming and switch to a 'glycolysis-dominant' metabolic profile to promote their survival and meet their requirements for energy and macromolecules. This phenomenon, also known as the 'Warburg effect,' provides a survival advantage to the cancer cells and make the tumor environment more pro-cancerous. Additionally, the increased glycolytic dependence also promotes chemo/radio resistance. A similar switch to a glycolytic metabolic profile is also shown by the immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, inducing a competition between the cancer cells and the tumor-infiltrating cells over nutrients. Several recent studies have shown that targeting the enhanced glycolysis in cancer cells is a promising strategy to make them more susceptible to treatment with other conventional treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, and photodynamic therapy. Although several targeting strategies have been developed and several of them are in different stages of pre-clinical and clinical evaluation, there is still a lack of effective strategies to specifically target cancer cell glycolysis to improve treatment efficacy. Herein, we have reviewed our current understanding of the role of metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells and how targeting this phenomenon could be a potential strategy to improve the efficacy of conventional cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vipin Shankar Chelakkot
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Youngkee Shin
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Genomics, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Department of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Song
- College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women’s University, Seoul 01366, Republic of Korea
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79
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Li R, Huang B, Tian H, Sun Z. Immune evasion in esophageal squamous cell cancer: From the perspective of tumor microenvironment. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1096717. [PMID: 36698392 PMCID: PMC9868934 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1096717] [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: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most life-threatening malignancies worldwide. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the dominant subtype, accounting for approximately 90% of new incident EC each year. Although multidisciplinary treatment strategies have advanced rapidly, patients with ESCC are often diagnosed at advanced stage and the long-term prognosis remains unsatisfactory. In recent decades, immunotherapy, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), tumor vaccines, and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, has been successfully used in clinical practice as a novel therapy for treating tumors, bringing new hope to ESCC patients. However, only a small fraction of patients achieved clinical benefits due to primary or acquired resistance. Immune evasion plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of ESCC. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the mechanisms by which ESCC cells escape from anti-tumor immunity is necessary for a more effective multidisciplinary treatment strategy. It has been widely recognized that immune evasion is closely associated with the crosstalk between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). TME is a dynamic complex and comprehensive system including not only cellular components but also non-cellular components, which influence hallmarks and fates of tumor cells from the outside. Novel immunotherapy targeting tumor-favorable TME represents a promising strategy to achieve better therapeutic responses for patients with ESCC. In this review, we provide an overview of immune evasion in ESCC, mainly focusing on the molecular mechanisms that underlie the role of TME in immune evasion of ESCC. In addition, we also discuss the challenges and opportunities of precision therapy for ESCC by targeting TME.
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80
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Acidosis significantly alters immune checkpoint expression profiles of T cells from oesophageal adenocarcinoma patients. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:55-71. [PMID: 35708739 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03228-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Tumour acidosis contributes to cancer progression by inhibiting anti-tumour immunity. However, the effect of acidosis on anti-tumour T cell phenotypes in oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) is unknown. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of acidosis on anti-tumour T cell profiles and if immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) could enhance anti-tumour T cell immunity under acidosis. Acidic conditions substantially altered immune checkpoint expression profiles of OAC patient-derived T cells, upregulating TIM-3, LAG-3 and CTLA-4. Severe acidosis (pH 5.5) significantly decreased the percentage of central memory CD4+ T cells, an effect that was attenuated by ICB treatment. ICB increased T cell production of IFN-γ under moderate acidosis (pH 6.6) but not severe acidosis (pH 5.5) and decreased IL-10 production by T cells under severe acidic conditions only. A link between lactate and metastasis was also depicted; patients with nodal metastasis had higher serum lactate levels (p = 0.07) which also positively correlated with circulating levels of pro-angiogenic factor Tie-2. Our findings establish that acidosis-induced upregulation of immune checkpoints on T cells may potentially contribute to immune evasion and disease progression in OAC. However, acidic conditions curtailed ICB efficacy, supporting a rationale for utilizing systemic oral buffers to neutralize tumour acidity to improve ICB efficacy. Study schematic-PBMCs were isolated from OAC patients (A) and expanded ex vivo for 7 days using anti-CD3/28 +IL-2 T cell activation protocol (B) and further cultured for 48 h under increasing acidic conditions in the absence or presence of immune checkpoint blockade (nivolumab, ipilimumab or dual nivolumab + ipilimumab) (C). Immunophenotyping was then carried out to assess immune checkpoint expression profiles and anti-tumour T cell phenotypes (D). Serum lactate was assessed in OAC patients (E-F) and levels were correlated with patient demographics (G) and the levels of circulating immune/pro-angiogenic cytokines that were determined by multiplex ELISA (H). Key Findings-severe acidic conditions upregulated multiple immune checkpoints on T cells (I). Efficacy of ICB was curtailed under severe acidic conditions (J). Circulating lactate levels positively correlated with circulating levels of pro-angiogenic factor tie-2 and higher serum lactate levels were found in patients who had nodal metastasis (K).
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81
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Giatromanolaki A, Chatzipantelis P, Contrafouris CA, Koukourakis MI. Tertiary Lymphoid Structures, Immune Response, and Prognostic Relevance in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancer Invest 2023; 41:48-57. [PMID: 36239379 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2022.2136684] [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: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
We assessed the presence of 'tertiary lymphoid structures' (TLS) in a series of surgically treated non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). The TLS-density in the tumor periphery (pTLS) ranged from 0 to 1.8 (median 0.45), while in inner tumor areas (iTLS) ranged from 0 to 1.0 (median 0); (p < 0.0001). High pTLS-density was linked with early stage of the disease. Glycolysis-related enzyme expression (MCT1, Hexokinase 2) was linked with high pTLS-density (p < 0.05). High pTLS and iTLS densities were linked with better postoperative prognosis (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). Assessment of TLS is a useful prognostic marker in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Giatromanolaki
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
| | - Paschalis Chatzipantelis
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
| | | | - Michael I Koukourakis
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Heuser C, Renner K, Kreutz M, Gattinoni L. Targeting lactate metabolism for cancer immunotherapy - a matter of precision. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 88:32-45. [PMID: 36496155 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive T cell therapies have been valuable additions to the toolbox in the fight against cancer. These treatments have profoundly increased the number of patients with a realistic perspective toward a return to a cancer-free life. Yet, in a number of patients and tumor entities, cancer immunotherapies have been ineffective so far. In solid tumors, immune exclusion and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment represent substantial roadblocks to successful therapeutic outcomes. A major contributing factor to the depressed anti-tumor activity of immune cells in tumors is the harsh metabolic environment. Hypoxia, nutrient competition with tumor and stromal cells, and accumulating noxious waste products, including lactic acid, pose massive constraints to anti-tumor immune cells. Numerous strategies are being developed to exploit the metabolic vulnerabilities of tumor cells in the hope that these would also alleviate metabolism-inflicted immune suppression. While promising in principle, especially in combination with immunotherapies, these strategies need to be scrutinized for their effect on tumor-fighting immune cells, which share some of their key metabolic properties with tumor cells. Here, we provide an overview of strategies that seek to tackle lactate metabolism in tumor or immune cells to unleash anti-tumor immune responses, thereby opening therapeutic options for patients whose tumors are currently not treatable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Heuser
- Division of Functional Immune Cell Modulation, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT), 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Kathrin Renner
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Marina Kreutz
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Group Immunometabolomics, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT), 93053 Regensburg, Germany; Center for Immunomedicine in Transplantation and Oncology (CITO), University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Luca Gattinoni
- Division of Functional Immune Cell Modulation, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT), 93053 Regensburg, Germany; Center for Immunomedicine in Transplantation and Oncology (CITO), University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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83
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Zhang L, Sun M, He Z, Sun J, Li H, Luo Q. Multi-functional extracellular vesicles: Potentials in cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Lett 2022; 551:215934. [PMID: 36191678 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215934] [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: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy (CIT) has revolutionized cancer treatment. However, the application of CIT is limited by low response rates and significant individual differences owing to a deficit in 1) immune recognition and 2) immune effector function. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles that mediate intercellular communication. The specific structure and content of EVs allows for multi-functional modulation of tumor immunity. Given their high biocompatibility, homologous targeting, and permeability across biological barriers, EVs have been evaluated as ideal carriers for promoting the efficacy and specificity of CIT. Herein, we first discuss the role of EVs in regulating tumor immunity and focus on the advantages of using EVs as a therapeutic tool for cancer treatment from a clinical perspective. Further, we outline the current progress in the development of biohybrid EVs for CIT and multi-functional EV-based strategies for overcoming the deficits in tumor immunity. Finally, we discuss the challenges associated with EV-based CIT and future perspectives in the context of ongoing clinical trials involving EV-based therapies, thus offering valuable insights into the future of multi-functional EVs in CIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, PR China; Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Research Institute, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, PR China
| | - Mengchi Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China
| | - Zhonggui He
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China
| | - Jin Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China
| | - Heran Li
- Department of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, PR China.
| | - Qiuhua Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, PR China; Department of Pharmacy, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, PR China.
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84
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Dong S, Li W, Li X, Wang Z, Chen Z, Shi H, He R, Chen C, Zhou W. Glucose metabolism and tumour microenvironment in pancreatic cancer: A key link in cancer progression. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1038650. [PMID: 36578477 PMCID: PMC9792100 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1038650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Early and accurate diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer (PC) remain challenging endeavors globally. Late diagnosis lag, high invasiveness, chemical resistance, and poor prognosis are unresolved issues of PC. The concept of metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer cells. Increasing evidence shows that PC cells alter metabolic processes such as glucose, amino acids, and lipids metabolism and require continuous nutrition for survival, proliferation, and invasion. Glucose metabolism, in particular, regulates the tumour microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, the link between glucose metabolism and TME also plays an important role in the targeted therapy, chemoresistance, radiotherapy ineffectiveness, and immunosuppression of PC. Altered metabolism with the TME has emerged as a key mechanism regulating PC progression. This review shed light on the relationship between TME, glucose metabolism, and various aspects of PC. The findings of this study provide a new direction in the development of PC therapy targeting the metabolism of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Dong
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wancheng Li
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xin Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhengfeng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhou Chen
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Huaqing Shi
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ru He
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chen Chen
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wence Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
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85
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Gaggero S, Martinez-Fabregas J, Cozzani A, Fyfe PK, Leprohon M, Yang J, Thomasen FE, Winkelmann H, Magnez R, Conti AG, Wilmes S, Pohler E, van Gijsel Bonnello M, Thuru X, Quesnel B, Soncin F, Piehler J, Lindorff-Larsen K, Roychoudhuri R, Moraga I, Mitra S. IL-2 is inactivated by the acidic pH environment of tumors enabling engineering of a pH-selective mutein. Sci Immunol 2022; 7:eade5686. [PMID: 36459543 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.ade5686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Cytokines interact with their receptors in the extracellular space to control immune responses. How the physicochemical properties of the extracellular space influence cytokine signaling is incompletely elucidated. Here, we show that the activity of interleukin-2 (IL-2), a cytokine critical to T cell immunity, is profoundly affected by pH, limiting IL-2 signaling within the acidic environment of tumors. Generation of lactic acid by tumors limits STAT5 activation, effector differentiation, and antitumor immunity by CD8+ T cells and renders high-dose IL-2 therapy poorly effective. Directed evolution enabled selection of a pH-selective IL-2 mutein (Switch-2). Switch-2 binds the IL-2 receptor subunit IL-2Rα with higher affinity, triggers STAT5 activation, and drives CD8+ T cell effector function more potently at acidic pH than at neutral pH. Consequently, high-dose Switch-2 therapy induces potent immune activation and tumor rejection with reduced on-target toxicity in normal tissues. Last, we show that sensitivity to pH is a generalizable property of a diverse range of cytokines with broad relevance to immunity and immunotherapy in healthy and diseased tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Gaggero
- Inserm UMR1277, CNRS UMR9020-CANTHER, Université de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | | | - Adeline Cozzani
- Inserm UMR1277, CNRS UMR9020-CANTHER, Université de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Paul K Fyfe
- Division of Cell Signaling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Malo Leprohon
- Inserm UMR1277, CNRS UMR9020-CANTHER, Université de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
- Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41 - UAR 2014 - PLBS, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - F Emil Thomasen
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hauke Winkelmann
- Department of Biology/Chemistry and Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics (CellNanOs), Osnabrück University, Barbarastr. 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Romain Magnez
- Inserm UMR1277, CNRS UMR9020-CANTHER, Université de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Alberto G Conti
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stephan Wilmes
- Division of Cell Signaling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Elizabeth Pohler
- Division of Cell Signaling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | - Xavier Thuru
- Inserm UMR1277, CNRS UMR9020-CANTHER, Université de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Bruno Quesnel
- Inserm UMR1277, CNRS UMR9020-CANTHER, Université de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Fabrice Soncin
- CNRS/IIS/Centre Oscar Lambret/Lille University SMMiL-E Project, CNRS Délégation Hauts-de-France, Lille, France
- CNRS IRL 2820; Laboratory for Integrated Micro Mechatronic Systems, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jacob Piehler
- Department of Biology/Chemistry and Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics (CellNanOs), Osnabrück University, Barbarastr. 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Kresten Lindorff-Larsen
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rahul Roychoudhuri
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ignacio Moraga
- Division of Cell Signaling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Suman Mitra
- Inserm UMR1277, CNRS UMR9020-CANTHER, Université de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
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86
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Dercle L, Ammari S, Roblin E, Bigorgne A, Champiat S, Taihi L, Plaian A, Hans S, Lakiss S, Tselikas L, Rouanne M, Deutsch E, Schwartz LH, Gönen M, Flynn J, Massard C, Soria JC, Robert C, Marabelle A. High serum LDH and liver metastases are the dominant predictors of primary cancer resistance to anti-PD(L)1 immunotherapy. Eur J Cancer 2022; 177:80-93. [PMID: 36332438 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
AIM Anti-PD-(L)1 immunotherapies improve survival in multiple cancers but remain ineffective for most patients. We applied machine-learning algorithms and multivariate analyses on baseline medical data to estimate their relative impact on overall survival (OS) upon anti-PD-(L)1 monotherapies. METHOD This prognostic/predictive study retrospectively analysed 33 baseline routine medical variables derived from computed tomography (CT) images, clinical and biological meta-data. 695 patients with a diagnosis of advanced cancer were treated in prospective clinical trials in a single tertiary cancer centre in 3 cohorts including systemic anti-PD-(L)1 (251, 235 patients) versus other systemic therapies (209 patients). A random forest model combined variables to identify the combination (signature) which best estimated OS in patients treated with immunotherapy. The performance for estimating OS [95%CI] was measured using Kaplan-Meier Analysis and Log-Rank test. RESULTS Elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDHhi) and presence of liver metastases (LM+) were dominant and independent predictors of short OS in independent cohorts of melanoma and non-melanoma solid tumours. Overall, LDHhiLM+ patients treated with anti-PD-(L)1 monotherapy had a poorer outcome (median OS: 3.1[2.4-7.8] months]) compared to LDHlowLM-patients (median OS: 15.3[8.9-NA] months; P < 0.0001). The OS of LDHlowLM-patients treated with immunotherapy was 28.8[17.9-NA] months (vs 13.1[10.8-18.5], P = 0.02) in the overall population and 30.3[19.93-NA] months (vs 14.1[8.69-NA], P = 0.0013) in patients with melanoma. CONCLUSION LDHhiLM+ status identifies patients who shall not benefit from anti-PD-(L)1 monotherapy. It could be used in clinical trials to stratify patients and eventually address this specific medical need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Dercle
- INSERM U1015 & CIC1428, Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France.
| | - Samy Ammari
- Département de Radiologie, Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France; BIOMAPS. UMR1281 INSERM. CEA. CNRS.Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Elvire Roblin
- Service de Biostatistique et D'Épidémiologie, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France; Oncostat U1018, INSERM, Université Paris-Saclay, Équipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Villejuif, France
| | - Amelie Bigorgne
- INSERM U1015 & CIC1428, Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France; INSERM U1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | | | - Lokmane Taihi
- Département de Radiologie, Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Athèna Plaian
- Département de Radiologie, Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Sophie Hans
- Département de Radiologie, Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Sara Lakiss
- Département de Radiologie, Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | | | - Mathieu Rouanne
- Hôpital Foch, UVSQ-Université Paris-Saclay, Suresnes, France; Departement D'Innovation Thérapeutique et des Essais Précoces (DITEP), Gustave Roussy, Universite Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Eric Deutsch
- Departement de Radiothérapie, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Lawrence H Schwartz
- Department of Radiology, NewYork-Presbyterian, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Mithat Gönen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jessica Flynn
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christophe Massard
- Departement D'Innovation Thérapeutique et des Essais Précoces (DITEP), Gustave Roussy, Universite Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Jean-Charles Soria
- Departement D'Innovation Thérapeutique et des Essais Précoces (DITEP), Gustave Roussy, Universite Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France; INSERM U981, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Caroline Robert
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Departement de Médecine Oncologique, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Aurélien Marabelle
- INSERM U1015 & CIC1428, Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France; Departement D'Innovation Thérapeutique et des Essais Précoces (DITEP), Gustave Roussy, Universite Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France.
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87
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Luo M, Zhu J, Ren J, Tong Y, Wang L, Ma S, Wang J. Lactate increases tumor malignancy by promoting tumor small extracellular vesicles production via the GPR81-cAMP-PKA-HIF-1α axis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1036543. [PMID: 36531060 PMCID: PMC9753130 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1036543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactate and tumor cell-derived extracellular vesicles (TEVs) both contribute to tumor progression. However, it is still unclear whether lactate can accelerate tumor development by directly promoting TEV production. Here, we show that lactate decreases intracellular cAMP levels and subsequent PKA activation via GPR81, which inhibits the PKA-induced ubiquitination of HIF-1α that causes degradation. Then, the HIF-1α-mediated transcription of Rab27a is enhanced, leading to increased TEV release. In this way, lactate promotes lung metastasis by murine melanoma. In addition, we show that serum lactate levels are positively correlated with serum EV levels and Rab27a and HIF-1α protein levels in the tumor tissues of lung cancer patients. Thus, our results reveal a novel mechanism underlying lactate-mediated tumor progression induced by TEVs and provide new strategies for tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Luo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junqi Zhu
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Ren
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuxiao Tong
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Limin Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shenglin Ma
- Department of Translation Medicine Center, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Centre, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiaoli Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Translation Medicine Center, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Centre, Hangzhou, China
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88
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Abstract
Significance: Cancer-associated tissue-specific lactic acidosis stimulates and mediates tumor invasion and metastasis and is druggable. Rarely, malignancy causes systemic lactic acidosis, the role of which is poorly understood. Recent Advances: The understanding of the role of lactate has shifted dramatically since its discovery. Long recognized as only a waste product, lactate has become known as an alternative metabolism substrate and a secreted nutrient that is exchanged between the tumor and the microenvironment. Tissue-specific lactic acidosis is targeted to improve the host body's anticancer defense and serves as a tool that allows the targeting of anticancer compounds. Systemic lactic acidosis is associated with poor survival. In patients with solid cancer, systemic lactic acidosis is associated with an extremely poor prognosis, as revealed by the analysis of 57 published cases in this study. Although it is considered a pathology worth treating, targeting systemic lactic acidosis in patients with solid cancer is usually inefficient. Critical Issues: Research gaps include simple questions, such as the unknown nuclear pH of the cancer cells and its effects on chemotherapy outcomes, pH sensitivity of glycosylation in cancer cells, in vivo mechanisms of response to acidosis in the absence of lactate, and overinterpretation of in vitro results that were obtained by using cells that were not preadapted to acidic environments. Future Directions: Numerous metabolism-targeting anticancer compounds induce lactatemia, lactic acidosis, or other types of acidosis. Their potential to induce acidic environments is largely overlooked, although the acidosis might contribute to a substantial portion of the observed clinical effects. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 1130-1152.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Heneberg
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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89
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Andreucci E, Peppicelli S, Ruzzolini J, Bianchini F, Calorini L. Physicochemical aspects of the tumour microenvironment as drivers of vasculogenic mimicry. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2022; 41:935-951. [PMID: 36224457 PMCID: PMC9758104 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-022-10067-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Tumour vascularisation is vital for cancer sustainment representing not only the main source of nutrients and oxygen supply but also an escape route for single or clustered cancer cells that, once detached from the primary mass, enter the blood circulation and disseminate to distant organs. Among the mechanisms identified to contribute to tumour vascularisation, vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is gaining increasing interest in the scientific community representing an intriguing target for cancer treatment. VM indeed associates with highly aggressive tumour phenotypes and strongly impairs patient outcomes. Differently from vessels of healthy tissues, tumour vasculature is extremely heterogeneous and tortuous, impeding efficient chemotherapy delivery, and at the meantime hyperpermeable and thus extremely accessible to metastasising cancer cells. Moreover, tumour vessel disorganisation creates a self-reinforcing vicious circle fuelling cancer malignancy and progression. Because of the inefficient oxygen delivery and metabolic waste removal from tumour vessels, many cells within the tumour mass indeed experience hypoxia and acidosis, now considered hallmarks of cancer. Being strong inducers of vascularisation, therapy resistance, inflammation and metastasis, hypoxia and acidosis create a permissive microenvironment for cancer progression and dissemination. Along with these considerations, we decided to focus our attention on the relationship between hypoxia/acidosis and VM. Indeed, besides tumour angiogenesis, VM is strongly influenced by both hypoxia and acidosis, which could potentiate each other and fuel this vicious circle. Thus, targeting hypoxia and acidosis may represent a potential target to treat VM to impair tumour perfusion and cancer cell sustainment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Andreucci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Peppicelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Jessica Ruzzolini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Bianchini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lido Calorini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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90
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Peritumoral scaffold neutralizes tumor pH for chemotherapy sensitization and metastasis inhibition. J Control Release 2022; 352:747-758. [PMID: 36356942 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The abnormal metabolism of rapidly growing tumors can create an acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) that renders cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy and further facilitates endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progress to promote metastasis. Here, we developed a combination strategy consisting of (1) peritumorally injected scaffold that alleviates TME acidosis, and (2) intravenously injected nanoparticles that delivers anti-cancer agents to tumor. Concurrent treatment with these two drug delivery systems profoundly delayed the growth of primary tumor and reduced the spontaneous metastasis to lung in an orthotopic breast cancer mouse model. Mechanism studies both in vitro and in vivo further revealed that neutralization of TME pH by the hydrogel scaffold sensitized cancer cells to nanoparticle-based chemotherapy, thereby strengthening the cytotoxicity against tumor growth; In parallel, reversal of tumor acidity downregulated various pro-metastatic proteins intratumorally to block the EMT progress, thereby reducing the metastatic potential of cancer cells. This work provided proof-of-concept demonstration that chemotherapy sensitization and EMT suppression could be synchronized by the modulation of TME pH, which may be potentially beneficial for simultaneous inhibition of tumor growth and cancer metastasis.
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91
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Cappellesso F, Orban MP, Shirgaonkar N, Berardi E, Serneels J, Neveu MA, Di Molfetta D, Piccapane F, Caroppo R, Debellis L, Ostyn T, Joudiou N, Mignion L, Richiardone E, Jordan BF, Gallez B, Corbet C, Roskams T, DasGupta R, Tejpar S, Di Matteo M, Taverna D, Reshkin SJ, Topal B, Virga F, Mazzone M. Targeting the bicarbonate transporter SLC4A4 overcomes immunosuppression and immunotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer. NATURE CANCER 2022; 3:1464-1483. [PMID: 36522548 PMCID: PMC9767871 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00470-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Solid tumors are generally characterized by an acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) that favors cancer progression, therapy resistance and immune evasion. By single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis in individuals with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), we reveal solute carrier family 4 member 4 (SLC4A4) as the most abundant bicarbonate transporter, predominantly expressed by epithelial ductal cells. Functionally, SLC4A4 inhibition in PDAC cancer cells mitigates the acidosis of the TME due to bicarbonate accumulation in the extracellular space and a decrease in lactate production by cancer cells as the result of reduced glycolysis. In PDAC-bearing mice, genetic or pharmacological SLC4A4 targeting improves T cell-mediated immune response and breaches macrophage-mediated immunosuppression, thus inhibiting tumor growth and metastases. In addition, Slc4a4 targeting in combination with immune checkpoint blockade is able to overcome immunotherapy resistance and prolong survival. Overall, our data propose SLC4A4 as a therapeutic target to unleash an antitumor immune response in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Cappellesso
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marie-Pauline Orban
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Niranjan Shirgaonkar
- Laboratory of Precision Oncology and Cancer Evolution, Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Emanuele Berardi
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jens Serneels
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marie-Aline Neveu
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daria Di Molfetta
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Piccapane
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Rosa Caroppo
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Lucantonio Debellis
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Tessa Ostyn
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Joudiou
- Nuclear and Electron Spin Technologies Platform (NEST), Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lionel Mignion
- Nuclear and Electron Spin Technologies Platform (NEST), Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elena Richiardone
- Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Institut de Recherche Expérmentale et Clinique (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bénédicte F Jordan
- Nuclear and Electron Spin Technologies Platform (NEST), Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bernard Gallez
- Nuclear and Electron Spin Technologies Platform (NEST), Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cyril Corbet
- Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Institut de Recherche Expérmentale et Clinique (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tania Roskams
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ramanuj DasGupta
- Laboratory of Precision Oncology and Cancer Evolution, Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sabine Tejpar
- Laboratory of Molecular Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mario Di Matteo
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniela Taverna
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Stephan J Reshkin
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Baki Topal
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospitals Gasthuisberg Leuven and KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Federico Virga
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Mazzone
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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92
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Gillies RJ, Ibrahim-Hashim A, Ordway B, Gatenby RA. Back to basic: Trials and tribulations of alkalizing agents in cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:981718. [PMID: 36452492 PMCID: PMC9702334 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.981718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED "Dysregulated" metabolism is a characteristic of the cancer cell phenotype. This includes persistent use of glycolytic metabolism in normoxic environments (Warburg effect) leading to increased acid production and accumulation of protons in the interstitial space. Although often thought to be disordered, altered cancer metabolism is the outcome of intense Darwinian selection and, thus, must have evolved to maximize cancer cell fitness. In an evolutionary context, cancer-induced acidification of the microenvironment represents a niche construction strategy to promote proliferation. Ecological advantages conferred on the cancer population included remodeling of the extracellular matrix to promote local invasion, suppression of potential competitive proliferation of fibroblasts, and suppression of host immune response. Preclinical data demonstrates that increasing the serum buffering capacity (through, for example, oral sodium bicarbonate and TRIS) can neutralize the acidic tumor microenvironment with inhibition local invasion and proliferation which can be synergistic with the effects of chemotherapy and immunotherapy agents. Here, we describe the proton dynamics in cancer and their influence on tumor progression and metastasis. Additionally, we will discuss targeting the tumor acidosis with alkalizing agents including our bicarbonate clinical trial results. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT01350583, NCT01198821 and NCT01846429.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Gillies
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
- Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Arig Ibrahim-Hashim
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Bryce Ordway
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Robert A. Gatenby
- Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
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93
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Kao KC, Vilbois S, Tsai CH, Ho PC. Metabolic communication in the tumour-immune microenvironment. Nat Cell Biol 2022; 24:1574-1583. [PMID: 36229606 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-01002-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The metabolically hostile tumour microenvironment imposes barriers to tumour-infiltrating immune cells and impedes durable clinical remission following immunotherapy. Metabolic communication between cancer cells and their neighbouring immune cells could determine the amplitude and type of immune responses, highlighting a potential involvement of metabolic crosstalk in immune surveillance and escape. In this Review, we explore tumour-immune metabolic crosstalk and discuss potential nutrient-limiting strategies that favour anti-tumour immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kung-Chi Kao
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Stefania Vilbois
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Chin-Hsien Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Ping-Chih Ho
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. .,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland.
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94
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Kandalaft LE, Dangaj Laniti D, Coukos G. Immunobiology of high-grade serous ovarian cancer: lessons for clinical translation. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:640-656. [PMID: 36109621 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-022-00503-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) remains challenging. Although HGSOC can potentially be responsive to immunotherapy owing to endogenous immunity at the molecular or T cell level, immunotherapy for this disease has fallen short of expectations to date. This Review proposes a working classification for HGSOC based on the presence or absence of intraepithelial T cells, and elaborates the putative mechanisms that give rise to such immunophenotypes. These differences might explain the failures of existing immunotherapies, and suggest that rational therapeutic approaches tailored to each immunophenotype might meet with improved success. In T cell-inflamed tumours, treatment could focus on mobilizing pre-existing immunity and strengthening the activation of T cells embedded in intraepithelial tumour myeloid niches. Conversely, in immune-excluded and immune-desert tumours, treatment could focus on restoring inflammation by reprogramming myeloid cells, stromal cells and vascular epithelial cells. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, low-dose radiotherapy, epigenetic drugs and anti-angiogenesis therapy are among the tools available to restore T cell infiltration in HGSOC tumours and could be implemented in combination with vaccines and redirected T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana E Kandalaft
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Denarda Dangaj Laniti
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - George Coukos
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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95
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Kim S, Koh J, Song SG, Yim J, Kim M, Keam B, Kim YT, Kim J, Chung DH, Jeon YK. High tumor hexokinase-2 expression promotes a pro-tumorigenic immune microenvironment by modulating CD8+/regulatory T-cell infiltration. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:1120. [PMID: 36320008 PMCID: PMC9628070 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10239-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Relationship between cancer cell glycolysis and the landscape of tumor immune microenvironment in human cancers was investigated. Methods Forty-one fresh lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) tissues were analyzed using flow cytometry for comprehensive immunoprofiling. Formalin-fixed tissues were immunostained for hexokinase-2 (HK2) to assess cancer cell glycolysis. For validation, formalin-fixed tissues from 375 lung ADC, 118 lung squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC), 338 colon ADC, and 78 lung cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy were immunostained for HK2, CD8, and FOXP3. Results Based on immunoprofiling of lung ADC, HK2 tumor expression was associated with the composition of lymphoid cells rather than myeloid cells. High HK2 tumor expression was associated with immunosuppressive/pro-tumorigenic features, especially decreased ratio of CD8 + T-cells to Tregs (rho = −0.415, P = 0.012). This correlation was also confirmed in four different cohorts including lung ADC and SqCC, colon ADC, and the immunotherapy cohort (rho = −0.175~-0.335, all P < 0.05). A low CD8 + T-cell to Treg ratio was associated with poor progression-free survival and overall survival in lung SqCC patients, and a shorter overall survival in the immunotherapy cohort (all, P < 0.05). Conclusion An increase in HK2 expression may contribute to shaping the immunosuppressive/pro-tumorigenic tumor microenvironment by modulating the CD8 + T-cell to Treg ratio. Targeting tumor HK2 expression might be a potential strategy for enhancing anti-tumor immunity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-10239-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sehui Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, 03080, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaemoon Koh
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, 03080, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Geun Song
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, 03080, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeemin Yim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, 03080, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Miso Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bhumsuk Keam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Tae Kim
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Seoul National University Cancer Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihun Kim
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Doo Hyun Chung
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, 03080, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Kyung Jeon
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, 03080, Seoul, Republic of Korea. .,Seoul National University Cancer Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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96
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Choi SYC, Ribeiro CF, Wang Y, Loda M, Plymate SR, Uo T. Druggable Metabolic Vulnerabilities Are Exposed and Masked during Progression to Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1590. [PMID: 36358940 PMCID: PMC9687810 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for exploring new actionable targets other than androgen receptor to improve outcome from lethal castration-resistant prostate cancer. Tumor metabolism has reemerged as a hallmark of cancer that drives and supports oncogenesis. In this regard, it is important to understand the relationship between distinctive metabolic features, androgen receptor signaling, genetic drivers in prostate cancer, and the tumor microenvironment (symbiotic and competitive metabolic interactions) to identify metabolic vulnerabilities. We explore the links between metabolism and gene regulation, and thus the unique metabolic signatures that define the malignant phenotypes at given stages of prostate tumor progression. We also provide an overview of current metabolism-based pharmacological strategies to be developed or repurposed for metabolism-based therapeutics for castration-resistant prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Y. C. Choi
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Caroline Fidalgo Ribeiro
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Massimo Loda
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10021, USA
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY 10013, USA
| | - Stephen R. Plymate
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican St., Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Takuma Uo
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican St., Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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Gupta G, Merhej G, Saravanan S, Chen H. Cancer resistance to immunotherapy: What is the role of cancer stem cells? CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2022; 5:981-994. [PMID: 36627890 PMCID: PMC9771758 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2022.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is an emerging form of cancer therapy that is associated with promising outcomes. However, most cancer patients either do not respond to immunotherapy or develop resistance to treatment. The resistance to immunotherapy is poorly understood compared to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Since immunotherapy targets cells within the tumor microenvironment, understanding the behavior and interactions of different cells within that environment is essential to adequately understand both therapy options and therapy resistance. This review focuses on reviewing and analyzing the special features of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which we believe may contribute to cancer resistance to immunotherapy. The mechanisms are classified into three main categories: mechanisms related to surface markers which are differentially expressed on CSCs and help CSCs escape from immune surveillance and immune cells killing; mechanisms related to CSC-released cytokines which can recruit immune cells and tame hostile immune responses; and mechanisms related to CSC metabolites which modulate the activities of infiltrated immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. This review also discusses progress made in targeting CSCs with immunotherapy and the prospect of developing novel cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hexin Chen
- Correspondence to: Dr. Hexin Chen, Department of Biological Science, University of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, PSC621, Columbia, SC 29205, USA. E-mail:
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98
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Boccalatte F, Mina R, Aroldi A, Leone S, Suryadevara CM, Placantonakis DG, Bruno B. Advances and Hurdles in CAR T Cell Immune Therapy for Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5108. [PMID: 36291891 PMCID: PMC9600451 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in solid tumors have so far yielded limited results, in terms of therapeutic effects, as compared to the dramatic results observed for hematological malignancies. Many factors involve both the tumor cells and the microenvironment. The lack of specific target antigens and severe, potentially fatal, toxicities caused by on-target off-tumor toxicities constitute major hurdles. Furthermore, the tumor microenvironment is usually characterized by chronic inflammation, the presence of immunosuppressive molecules, and immune cells that can reduce CAR T cell efficacy and facilitate antigen escape. Nonetheless, solid tumors are under investigation as possible targets despite their complexity, which represents a significant challenge. In preclinical mouse models, CAR T cells are able to efficiently recognize and kill several tumor xenografts. Overall, in the next few years, there will be intensive research into optimizing novel cell therapies to improve their effector functions and keep untoward effects in check. In this review, we provide an update on the state-of-the-art CAR T cell therapies in solid tumors, focusing on the preclinical studies and preliminary clinical findings aimed at developing optimal strategies to reduce toxicity and improve efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Boccalatte
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Roberto Mina
- Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, TO, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, TO, Italy
| | - Andrea Aroldi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Sarah Leone
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Carter M. Suryadevara
- Department of Neurosurgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Dimitris G. Placantonakis
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Brain and Spine Tumor Center/Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Benedetto Bruno
- Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, TO, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, TO, Italy
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99
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Certo M, Llibre A, Lee W, Mauro C. Understanding lactate sensing and signalling. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2022; 33:722-735. [PMID: 35999109 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Metabolites generated from cellular and tissue metabolism have been rediscovered in recent years as signalling molecules. They may act as cofactor of enzymes or be linked to proteins as post-translational modifiers. They also act as ligands for specific receptors, highlighting that their neglected functions have, in fact, a long standing in evolution. Lactate is one such metabolite that has been considered for long time a waste product of metabolism devoid of any biological function. However, in the past 10 years, lactate has gained much attention in several physio-pathological processes. Mechanisms of sensing and signalling have been discovered and implicated in a broad range of diseases, from cancer to inflammation and fibrosis, providing opportunities for novel therapeutic avenues. Here, we review some of the most recently discovered mechanisms of lactate sensing and signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelangelo Certo
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alba Llibre
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Claudio Mauro
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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100
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Proposal to Consider Chemical/Physical Microenvironment as a New Therapeutic Off-Target Approach. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102084. [PMID: 36297518 PMCID: PMC9611316 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular revolution could lead drug discovery from chance observation to the rational design of new classes of drugs that could simultaneously be more effective and less toxic. Unfortunately, we are witnessing some failure in this sense, and the causes of the crisis involve a wide range of epistemological and scientific aspects. In pharmacology, one key point is the crisis of the paradigm the “magic bullet”, which is to design therapies based on specific molecular targets. Drug repurposing is one of the proposed ways out of the crisis and is based on the off-target effects of known drugs. Here, we propose the microenvironment as the ideal place to direct the off-targeting of known drugs. While it has been extensively investigated in tumors, the generation of a harsh microenvironment is also a phenotype of the vast majority of chronic diseases. The hostile microenvironment, on the one hand, reduces the efficacy of both chemical and biological drugs; on the other hand, it dictates a sort of “Darwinian” selection of those cells armed to survive in such hostile conditions. This opens the way to the consideration of the microenvironment as a convenient target for pharmacological action, with a clear example in proton pump inhibitors.
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