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A SERPINE1-Based Immune Gene Signature Predicts Prognosis and Immunotherapy Response in Gastric Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15111401. [PMID: 36422531 PMCID: PMC9692477 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy has been successfully utilized in the treatment of multiple tumors, but only a fraction of patients with gastric cancer (GC) could greatly benefit from it. A recent study has shown that the tumor microenvironment (TME) can greatly affect the effect of immunotherapy in GC. In this study, we established a novel immune risk signature (IRS) for prognosis and predicting response to ICIs in GC based on the TCGA-STAD dataset. Characterization of the TME was explored and further validated to reveal the underlying survival mechanisms and the potential therapeutic targets of GC. The GC patients were stratified into high- and low-risk groups based on the IRS. Patients in the high-risk group, associated with poorer outcomes, were characterized by significantly higher immune function. Further analysis showed higher T cell immune dysfunction and probability of potential immune escape. In vivo, we detected the expressions of SERPINE1 by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)in tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues. In vitro, knockdown of SERPINE1 significantly attenuated malignant biological behaviors of tumor cells in GC. Our signature can effectively predict the prognosis and response to immunotherapy in patients with GC.
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Zhou Q, Yuan O, Cui H, Hu T, Xiao GG, Wei J, Zhang H, Wu C. Bioinformatic analysis identifies HPV-related tumor microenvironment remodeling prognostic biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1007950. [PMID: 36425786 PMCID: PMC9679011 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1007950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are highly aggressive tumors with rapid progression and poor prognosis. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been identified as one of the most important carcinogens for HNSCC. As an early event in HNSCC, infection with HPV leads to altered immune profiles in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME plays a key role in the progression and transformation of HNSCC. However, the TME in HNSCC is a complex and heterogeneous mix of tumor cells, fibroblasts, different types of infiltrating immune cells, and extracellular matrix. Biomarkers relevant to the TME, and the biological role of these biomarkers, remain poorly understood. To this end, we performed comprehensive analysis of the RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data from tumor tissue of 502 patients with HNSCC and healthy tissue of 44 control samples. In total, we identified 4,237 differentially expressed genes, including 2,062 upregulated and 2,175 downregulated genes. Further in-depth bioinformatic analysis suggested 19 HNSCC tumor tissue-specific genes. In the subsequent analysis, we focused on the biomarker candidates shown to be significantly associated with unfavorable patient survival: ITGA5, PLAU, PLAUR, SERPINE1, TGFB1, and VEGFC. We found that the expression of these genes was negatively regulated by DNA methylation. Strikingly, all of these potential biomarkers are profoundly involved in the activation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway in HNSCCs. In addition, these targets were found to be positively correlated with the immune invasion levels of CD4+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells, but negatively correlated with B-cell infiltration and CD8+ T-cell invasion. Notably, our data showed that the expression levels of ITGA5, PLAU, PLAUR, SERPINE1, and TGFB1 were significantly overexpressed in HPV-positive HNSCCs compared to normal controls, indicating the potential role of these biomarkers as transformation and/or malignant progression markers for HNSCCs in patients with HPV infection. Taken together, the results of our study propose ITGA5, PLAU, PLAUR, SERPINE1, and TGFB1 as potential prognostic biomarkers for HNSCCs, which might be involved in the HPV-related TME remodeling of HNSCC. Our findings provide important implications for the development and/or improvement of patient stratification and customized immunotherapies in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qimin Zhou
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ouyang Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongtu Cui
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Tao Hu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Gary Guishan Xiao
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Jiao Wei
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Honglei Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Air Force Medical Centre, People's Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
| | - Chengjun Wu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Samer S, Thomas Y, Araínga M, Carter C, Shirreff LM, Arif MS, Avita JM, Frank I, McRaven MD, Thuruthiyil CT, Heybeli VB, Anderson MR, Owen B, Gaisin A, Bose D, Simons LM, Hultquist JF, Arthos J, Cicala C, Sereti I, Santangelo PJ, Lorenzo-Redondo R, Hope TJ, Villinger FJ, Martinelli E. Blockade of TGF-β signaling reactivates HIV-1/SIV reservoirs and immune responses in vivo. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e162290. [PMID: 36125890 PMCID: PMC9675457 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.162290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
TGF-β plays a critical role in maintaining immune cells in a resting state by inhibiting cell activation and proliferation. Resting HIV-1 target cells represent the main cellular reservoir after long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART). We hypothesized that releasing cells from TGF-β-driven signaling would promote latency reversal. To test our hypothesis, we compared HIV-1 latency models with and without TGF-β and a TGF-β type 1 receptor inhibitor, galunisertib. We tested the effect of galunisertib in SIV-infected, ART-treated macaques by monitoring SIV-env expression via PET/CT using the 64Cu-DOTA-F(ab')2 p7D3 probe, along with plasma and tissue viral loads (VLs). Exogenous TGF-β reduced HIV-1 reactivation in U1 and ACH-2 models. Galunisertib increased HIV-1 latency reversal ex vivo and in PBMCs from HIV-1-infected, ART-treated, aviremic donors. In vivo, oral galunisertib promoted increased total standardized uptake values in PET/CT images in gut and lymph nodes of 5 out of 7 aviremic, long-term ART-treated, SIV-infected macaques. This increase correlated with an increase in SIV RNA in the gut. Two of the 7 animals also exhibited increases in plasma VLs. Higher anti-SIV T cell responses and antibody titers were detected after galunisertib treatment. In summary, our data suggest that blocking TGF-β signaling simultaneously increases retroviral reactivation events and enhances anti-SIV immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Samer
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Yanique Thomas
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mariluz Araínga
- New Iberia Research Center (NIRC), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Crystal Carter
- New Iberia Research Center (NIRC), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Lisa M. Shirreff
- New Iberia Research Center (NIRC), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Muhammad S. Arif
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Juan M. Avita
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ines Frank
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael D. McRaven
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Christopher T. Thuruthiyil
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Veli B. Heybeli
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Meegan R. Anderson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Benjamin Owen
- Integrated Molecular Structure Education and Research (IMSERC), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Arsen Gaisin
- Integrated Molecular Structure Education and Research (IMSERC), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Deepanwita Bose
- New Iberia Research Center (NIRC), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Lacy M. Simons
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Havey Institute for Global Health Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Judd F. Hultquist
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Havey Institute for Global Health Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - James Arthos
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Claudia Cicala
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Irini Sereti
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Philip J. Santangelo
- WH Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ramon Lorenzo-Redondo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Havey Institute for Global Health Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Thomas J. Hope
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Francois J. Villinger
- New Iberia Research Center (NIRC), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Elena Martinelli
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Immunoregulatory signal networks and tumor immune evasion mechanisms: insights into therapeutic targets and agents in clinical development. Biochem J 2022; 479:2219-2260. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Through activation of immune cells, the immune system is responsible for identifying and destroying infected or otherwise damaged cells including tumorigenic cells that can be recognized as foreign, thus maintaining homeostasis. However, tumor cells have evolved several mechanisms to avoid immune cell detection and killing, resulting in tumor growth and progression. In the tumor microenvironment, tumor infiltrating immune cells are inactivated by soluble factors or tumor promoting conditions and lose their effects on tumor cells. Analysis of signaling and crosstalk between immune cells and tumor cells have helped us to understand in more detail the mechanisms of tumor immune evasion and this forms basis for drug development strategies in the area of cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we will summarize the dominant signaling networks involved in immune escape and describe the status of development of therapeutic strategies to target tumor immune evasion mechanisms with focus on how the tumor microenvironment interacts with T cells.
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Ganjoo S, Puebla-Osorio N, Nanez S, Hsu E, Voss T, Barsoumian H, Duong LK, Welsh JW, Cortez MA. Bone morphogenetic proteins, activins, and growth and differentiation factors in tumor immunology and immunotherapy resistance. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1033642. [PMID: 36353620 PMCID: PMC9638036 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1033642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The TGF-β superfamily is a group of secreted polypeptides with key roles in exerting and regulating a variety of physiologic effects, especially those related to cell signaling, growth, development, and differentiation. Although its central member, TGF-β, has been extensively reviewed, other members of the family-namely bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), activins, and growth and differentiation factors (GDFs)-have not been as thoroughly investigated. Moreover, although the specific roles of TGF-β signaling in cancer immunology and immunotherapy resistance have been extensively reported, little is known of the roles of BMPs, activins, and GDFs in these domains. This review focuses on how these superfamily members influence key immune cells in cancer progression and resistance to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Maria Angelica Cortez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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Yi M, Niu M, Wu Y, Ge H, Jiao D, Zhu S, Zhang J, Yan Y, Zhou P, Chu Q, Wu K. Combination of oral STING agonist MSA-2 and anti-TGF-β/PD-L1 bispecific antibody YM101: a novel immune cocktail therapy for non-inflamed tumors. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:142. [PMID: 36209176 PMCID: PMC9548169 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01363-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-inflamed tumors, including immune-excluded and immune-desert tumors, are commonly resistant to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 (α-PD-1/PD-L1) therapy. Our previous study reported the potent antitumor activity of anti-TGF-β/PD-L1 bispecific antibody YM101 in immune-excluded tumors. However, YM101 had limited antitumor activity in immune-desert models. MSA-2 is a novel oral stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist, which activates the innate immune system and may synergize with YM101 in overcoming immunotherapy resistance. METHODS The dose-dependent effect of MSA-2 on STING signaling was determined by interferon-β level. The maturation and function of dendritic cell (DC) were measured by flow cytometry, RNA-seq, one-way mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), OVA peptide pulse, and cytokine/chemokine detection. The synergistic effect between MSA-2 and YM101 was assessed by one-way MLR. The macrophage activation was measured by flow cytometry and cytokine/chemokine detection. The in vivo antitumor activity of MSA-2 combined with YM101 was explored in syngeneic murine tumor models. After treatments, the alterations in the tumor microenvironment (TME) were detected by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry staining, immunofluorescence staining, RNA-seq, and single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq). RESULTS MSA-2 could promote the maturation and antigen presentation capability of murine DC. In the one-way MLR assay, MSA-2 synergized with YM101 in enhancing naive T cell activation. Moreover, MSA-2 stimulated the classical activation of macrophage, without significant influence on alternative activation. Further in vivo explorations showed that MSA-2 increased multiple proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the TME. MSA-2 combined with YM101 remarkedly retarded tumor growth in immune-excluded and immune-desert models, with superior antitumor activity to monotherapies. Flow cytometry, bulk RNA-seq, and scRNA-seq assays indicated that the combination therapy simultaneously boosted the innate and adaptive immunity, promoted antigen presentation, improved T cell migration and chemotaxis, and upregulated the numbers and activities of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that MSA-2 synergizes with YM101 in boosting antitumor immunity. This immune cocktail therapy effectively overcomes immunotherapy resistance in immune-excluded and immune-desert models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.,Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengke Niu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuze Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Ge
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, People's Republic of China
| | - Dechao Jiao
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuangli Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Wuhan YZY Biopharma Co., Ltd, C2-1, No.666 Gaoxin Road, Biolake, Wuhan, 430075, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongxiang Yan
- Wuhan YZY Biopharma Co., Ltd, C2-1, No.666 Gaoxin Road, Biolake, Wuhan, 430075, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengfei Zhou
- Wuhan YZY Biopharma Co., Ltd, C2-1, No.666 Gaoxin Road, Biolake, Wuhan, 430075, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Chu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, People's Republic of China.
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Zhang G, Li M, Zhou D, Yang X, Zhang W, Gao R. Loss of endothelial EMCN drives tumor lung metastasis through the premetastatic niche. J Transl Med 2022; 20:446. [PMID: 36184589 PMCID: PMC9528146 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03649-4] [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: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Metastasis is the primary cause of cancer-related mortality. Metastasis involves a complex multistep process during which individual tumor cells spread primarily through destruction of the endothelial barrier, entering the circulatory system to colonize distant organs. However, the role of the endothelial barrier as the rate-limiting process in tumor metastasis and how these processes affect the regulation of the host microenvironment at the molecular level are poorly understood. Methods Here, we analyzed differentially expressed genes in breast cancer and lung adenocarcinoma, including metastatic and recurrent specimens, using TCGA dataset. The effects of EMCN on endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo were analyzed by assessing angiogenesis and vascular permeability, respectively. We established a syngeneic mouse model of endothelial cell-specific knockout of EMCN (EMCNecko) to study the role of EMCN in tumor growth and metastasis. Transcriptome sequencing, Western blotting, qPCR and immunofluorescence confirmed important factors in the premetastatic niche. A mouse model of allograft tumor resection with lung metastasis was established to confirm the therapeutic effect of a notch inhibitor combined with an anti-TGF-β antibody. Results We found a strong correlation of EMCN deficiency with tumor recurrence and metastasis. Comparative experiments in WT and EMCNecko mice revealed that endothelial EMCN deficiency did not affect primary tumor growth significantly but strongly promoted spontaneous metastasis. EMCN deficiency was associated with gene profiles that regulate cell junctions in vitro and enhance vascular permeability in vivo. Mechanistically, EMCN deficiency mainly affected the host microenvironment and led to the formation of a lung premetastatic niche by recruiting Ly6G+ neutrophils and upregulating MMP9, S100A8/A9 and TGF-β expression. Anti-TGF-β antibody effectively eliminated TGF-β-induced neutrophil polarization, thereby reducing lung metastasis. Notably, the combination of a Notch inhibitor and an anti-TGF-β antibody effectively inhibited tumor growth and lung metastasis and prolonged the survival time of mice. Conclusions We present a new translational strategy of EMCN as a new key player in tumor lung metastasis by affecting the host microenvironment. These findings could provide a sound theoretical basis for clinical treatment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03649-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxin Zhang
- National Human Diseases Animal Model Resource Center, The Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Beijing, China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Mengyuan Li
- National Human Diseases Animal Model Resource Center, The Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Beijing, China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Dandan Zhou
- National Human Diseases Animal Model Resource Center, The Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Beijing, China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xingjiu Yang
- National Human Diseases Animal Model Resource Center, The Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Beijing, China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Wenlong Zhang
- National Human Diseases Animal Model Resource Center, The Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Beijing, China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Gao
- National Human Diseases Animal Model Resource Center, The Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China. .,NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Beijing, China. .,Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Beijing, China.
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Wang B, Bai J, Tian B, Chen H, Yang Q, Chen Y, Xu J, Zhang Y, Dai H, Ma Q, Fei Z, Wang H, Xu F, Zhou X, Wang C. Genetically Engineered Hematopoietic Stem Cells Deliver TGF-β Inhibitor to Enhance Bone Metastases Immunotherapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2201451. [PMID: 35948516 PMCID: PMC9534984 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202201451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Owing to the immune microenvironment of bones and low selectivity of the drug, patients with bone metastases often respond poorly to immunotherapy. In this study, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1)-expressing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are genetically engineered for bone-targeted delivery of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) small-molecule inhibitor SB-505124 (SB@HSCs-PD-1). Intriguingly, compared to anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies, as "living drugs", HSCs-PD-1 not only show great targeting ability to the bone marrow, but are also able to reduplicate themselves within the bone marrow niche and continuously express PD-1 molecules. The SB released from HSCs-PD-1 competitively bound to TGF-β receptors on CD4+ T cells and facilitate CD4+ T cell differentiation to helper T (TH )1 and TH 2 cells, thereby reprogramming the local immunosuppressive milieu of the bone marrow. Additionally, HSCs-PD-1 can block programmed death-ligand 1 on tumor and myeloid cells, resulting in reinvigorated anti-tumor immunity of T cells. In conclusion, in the present study, an alternative cell engineering strategy is delineated for immune checkpoint blockade therapy, to target bone metastasis using HSCs as a platform, which shows great promise in the treatment of bone metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beilei Wang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Jinyu Bai
- Department of OrthopedicsThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsu215004China
| | - Bo Tian
- Department of OrthopedicsThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsu215004China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of OrthopedicsThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsu215004China
| | - Qianyu Yang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Yitong Chen
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Jialu Xu
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Huaxing Dai
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Qingle Ma
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Ziying Fei
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Heng Wang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Fang Xu
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Xiaozhong Zhou
- Department of OrthopedicsThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsu215004China
| | - Chao Wang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
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Gao Y, Liu R, Chang C, Charyyev S, Zhou J, Bradley JD, Liu T, Yang X. A potential revolution in cancer treatment: A topical review of FLASH radiotherapy. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2022; 23:e13790. [PMID: 36168677 PMCID: PMC9588273 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.13790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
FLASH radiotherapy (RT) is a novel technique in which the ultrahigh dose rate (UHDR) (≥40 Gy/s) is delivered to the entire treatment volume. Recent outcomes of in vivo studies show that the UHDR RT has the potential to spare normal tissue without sacrificing tumor control. There is a growing interest in the application of FLASH RT, and the ultrahigh dose irradiation delivery has been achieved by a few experimental and modified linear accelerators. The underlying mechanism of FLASH effect is yet to be fully understood, but the oxygen depletion in normal tissue providing extra protection during FLASH irradiation is a hypothesis that attracts most attention currently. Monte Carlo simulation is playing an important role in FLASH, enabling the understanding of its dosimetry calculations and hardware design. More advanced Monte Carlo simulation tools are under development to fulfill the challenge of reproducing the radiolysis and radiobiology processes in FLASH irradiation. FLASH RT may become one of standard treatment modalities for tumor treatment in the future. This paper presents the history and status of FLASH RT studies with a focus on FLASH irradiation delivery modalities, underlying mechanism of FLASH effect, in vivo and vitro experiments, and simulation studies. Existing challenges and prospects of this novel technique are discussed in this manuscript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Winship Cancer InstituteEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Ruirui Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Winship Cancer InstituteEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Chih‐Wei Chang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Winship Cancer InstituteEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Serdar Charyyev
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Winship Cancer InstituteEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Winship Cancer InstituteEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Jeffrey D. Bradley
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Winship Cancer InstituteEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Tian Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Winship Cancer InstituteEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Winship Cancer InstituteEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
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60
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Yaping W, Zhe W, Zhuling C, Ruolei L, Pengyu F, Lili G, Cheng J, Bo Z, Liuyin L, Guangdong H, Yaoling W, Niuniu H, Rui L. The soldiers needed to be awakened: Tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Front Genet 2022; 13:988703. [PMID: 36246629 PMCID: PMC9558824 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.988703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the tumor microenvironment, tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) are a key component. Different types of TIICs play distinct roles. CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells could secrete soluble factors to hinder tumor cell growth, whereas regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) release inhibitory factors to promote tumor growth and progression. In the meantime, a growing body of evidence illustrates that the balance between pro- and anti-tumor responses of TIICs is associated with the prognosis in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, in order to boost anti-tumor response and improve the clinical outcome of tumor patients, a variety of anti-tumor strategies for targeting TIICs based on their respective functions have been developed and obtained good treatment benefits, including mainly immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), adoptive cell therapies (ACT), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, and various monoclonal antibodies. In recent years, the tumor-specific features of immune cells are further investigated by various methods, such as using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and the results indicate that these cells have diverse phenotypes in different types of tumors and emerge inconsistent therapeutic responses. Hence, we concluded the recent advances in tumor-infiltrating immune cells, including functions, prognostic values, and various immunotherapy strategies for each immune cell in different tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Yaping
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wang Zhe
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Chu Zhuling
- Department of General Surgery, Eastern Theater Air Force Hospital of PLA, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Ruolei
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Fan Pengyu
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Guo Lili
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Ji Cheng
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhang Bo
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Liu Liuyin
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Hou Guangdong
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wang Yaoling
- Department of Geriatrics, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hou Niuniu
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Department of General Surgery, Eastern Theater Air Force Hospital of PLA, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Hou Niuniu, ; Ling Rui,
| | - Ling Rui
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Hou Niuniu, ; Ling Rui,
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61
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Wei C, Ma Y, Wang F, Liao Y, Chen Y, Zhao B, Zhao Q, Wang D, Tang D. Igniting Hope for Tumor Immunotherapy: Promoting the "Hot and Cold" Tumor Transition. Clin Med Insights Oncol 2022; 16:11795549221120708. [PMID: 36147198 PMCID: PMC9486259 DOI: 10.1177/11795549221120708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has ushered a new era for immunotherapy against malignant tumors through the killing effects of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment (TME), resulting in long-lasting tumor suppression and regression. Nevertheless, given that ICIs are highly dependent on T cells in the TME and that most tumors lack T-cell infiltration, promoting the conversion of such immunosuppressive "cold" tumors to "hot" tumors is currently a key challenge in tumor immunotherapy. Herein, we systematically outlined the mechanisms underlying the formation of the immunosuppressive TME in cold tumors, including the role of immunosuppressive cells, impaired antigen presentation, transforming growth factor-β, STAT3 signaling, adenosine, and interferon-γ signaling. Moreover, therapeutic strategies for promoting cold tumors to hot tumors with adequate T-cell infiltration were also discussed. Finally, the prospects of therapeutic tools such as oncolytic viruses, nanoparticles, and photothermal therapy in restoring immune activity in cold tumors were thoroughly reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wei
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou
University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yichao Ma
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou
University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Clinical Medical College, Dalian
Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yiqun Liao
- Clinical Medical College, Dalian
Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yuji Chen
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou
University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Clinical Medical College, Dalian
Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou
University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Daorong Wang
- Department of General Surgery,
Institute of General Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Northern Jiangsu People’s
Hospital, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dong Tang
- Department of General Surgery,
Institute of General Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Northern Jiangsu People’s
Hospital, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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62
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Chen H, Fan L, Peng N, Yin Y, Mu D, Wang J, Meng R, Xie J. Galunisertib-Loaded Gelatin Methacryloyl Hydrogel Microneedle Patch for Cardiac Repair after Myocardial Infarction. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:40491-40500. [PMID: 36038135 PMCID: PMC9478946 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c05352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Uncontrolled and excessive fibrosis after myocardial infarction (MI) in the peri-infarct zone leads to left ventricular remodeling and deterioration of cardiac function. Inhibiting fibroblast activation during the mature phase of cardiac repair improves cardiac remodeling and function after MI. Here, we engineered a biocompatible microneedle (MN) patch using gelatin methacryloyl and loaded it with galunisertib, a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)-specific inhibitor, to treat excessive cardiac fibrosis after MI. The MN patch could sustainably release galunisertib for more than 2 weeks and provide mechanical support for the fragile ventricular wall. After being applied to a rat model of MI, the galunisertib-loaded MN patch improved long-term cardiac function and reduced cardiac fibrosis by effectively inhibiting TGF-β depending on fibroblast activation. This strategy shows the potential of the MN patch as an advanced platform to locally deliver direct antifibrotic drugs to prevent myocardial fibrosis for the treatment of MI and the promotion of cardiac repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiting Chen
- Department
of Cardiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital
of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing
University, No. 321 Zhongshan
Road, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Lu Fan
- State
Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and
Medical Engineering, Southeast University, No. 2, Sipailou, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Ningxin Peng
- Department
of Cardiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yong Yin
- Department
of Cardiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital
of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing
University, No. 321 Zhongshan
Road, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Dan Mu
- Department
of Radiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital
of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing
University, No. 321 Zhongshan
Road, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department
of Emergency, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital
of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing
University, No. 321 Zhongshan
Road, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Ran Meng
- Department
of Endocrinology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital
of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing
University, No. 321 Zhongshan
Road, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Jun Xie
- Department
of Cardiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital
of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing
University, No. 321 Zhongshan
Road, Nanjing 210008, China
- Department
of Cardiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing 210008, China
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63
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Han B, Fang T, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Gao J, Xue Y. Association of the TGFβ gene family with microenvironmental features of gastric cancer and prediction of response to immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:920599. [PMID: 36119489 PMCID: PMC9478444 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.920599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In the complex tumor microenvironment, TGFβ is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in regulating cellular processes such as cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis. TGFβ defines three subtypes (TGFβ1, TGFβ2, and TGFβ3), of which TGFβ is highly expressed in many cancers, especially those showing high dissemination potential. In addition, increased expression of TGFβ in multiple cancers is usually positively correlated with epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and coordinated with the expression of genes driving EMT-related genes. TGFβ signaling in the tumor microenvironment inhibits the antitumor function of multiple immune cell populations, including T cells and natural killer cells, and the resulting immunosuppression severely limits the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapeutic approaches. As a major pathway to enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy effects, the role of TGFβ signaling inhibitors have been evaluated in many clinical trials. However, the potential functions and mechanisms of TGFβ1, TGFβ2 and TGFβ3 in gastric cancer progression and tumor immunology are unclear. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed TGFβ1, TGFβ2 and TGFβ3 and gastric cancer microenvironmental features, including immune cell infiltration, EMT, hypoxia, mutation, immunotherapy and drug treatment, based on HMUCH sequencing data (GSE184336) and public databases. We also validated the protein expression levels of TGFβ in gastric cancer tissues as well as the role of TGFβ factor in cytology experiments. This report reveals the important role of the TGFβ gene family in gastric cancer and provides possible relationships and potential mechanisms of TGFβ in gastric cancer.
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64
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Xie Q, Zhang P, Wang Y, Mei W, Zeng C. Overcoming resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma: Challenges and opportunities. Front Oncol 2022; 12:958720. [PMID: 36119533 PMCID: PMC9478417 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.958720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality globally, and its incidence is increasing. Immune checkpoint therapy has revolutionized the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma over the past few years. However, only a limited proportion of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma respond to immunotherapy. Despite the significant breakthroughs, the molecular mechanisms that drive immune responses and evasion are largely unresolved. Predicting tumor response and resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors is a significant challenge. In this review, we focus on the current research progress of immune checkpoint inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma. Importantly, this review highlights the underlying mechanisms of resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors and summarizes potential strategies to overcome the resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Xie
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Wuxuan Mei
- Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Changchun Zeng
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Changchun Zeng,
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65
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Romesser PB, Smith JJ. Inhibiting TGF-β to increase response rates to chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer. Lancet Oncol 2022; 23:1116-1118. [PMID: 36055299 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(22)00504-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul B Romesser
- Colorectal Anal Cancer Service, Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Early Drug Development Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - J Joshua Smith
- Colorectal Cancer Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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66
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Das R, Giri J, K Paul P, Froelich N, Chinnadurai R, McCoy S, Bushman W, Galipeau J. A STAT5-Smad3 dyad regulates adipogenic plasticity of visceral adipose mesenchymal stromal cells during chronic inflammation. NPJ Regen Med 2022; 7:41. [PMID: 36045134 PMCID: PMC9433418 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-022-00244-5] [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: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Adipogenic differentiation of visceral adipose tissue-resident multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (VA-MSC) into adipocytes is metabolically protective. Under chronic inflammatory stress, this neoadipogenesis process is suppressed by various pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. However, the underlying mechanism(s) regulating VA-MSC plasticity remains largely unexplored. Using an adipogenic differentiation screen, we identified IFNγ and TGFβ as key inhibitors of primary human VA-MSC differentiation. Further studies using human and mouse VA-MSCs and a chronic high-fat diet-fed murine model revealed that IFNγ/JAK2-activated STAT5 transcription factor is a central regulator of VA-MSC differentiation under chronic inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, our results indicate that under such conditions, IFNγ-activated STAT5 and TGFβ-activated Smad3 physically interact via Smad4. This STAT5-Smad4-Smad3 complex plays a crucial role in preventing the early adipogenic commitment of VA-MSCs by suppressing key pro-adipogenic transcription factors, including CEBPδ, CEBPα, and PPARγ. Genetic or pharmacological disruption of IFNγ-TGFβ synergy by inhibiting either STAT5 or Smad3 rescued adipogenesis under chronic inflammatory stress. Overall, our study delineates a central mechanism of MSC plasticity regulation by the convergence of multiple inflammatory signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Das
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Jayeeta Giri
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Pradyut K Paul
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Nicole Froelich
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Raghavan Chinnadurai
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- School of Medicine, Mercer University, Savannah, GA, 31404, USA
| | - Sara McCoy
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Wade Bushman
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Jacques Galipeau
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
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67
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Zhang G, Chen X, Fang J, Tai P, Chen A, Cao K. Cuproptosis status affects treatment options about immunotherapy and targeted therapy for patients with kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:954440. [PMID: 36059510 PMCID: PMC9437301 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.954440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of immunotherapy has changed the treatment landscape of advanced kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), offering patients more treatment options. Cuproptosis, a novel cell death mode dependent on copper ions and mitochondrial respiration has not yet been studied in KIRC. We assembled a comprehensive cohort of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-KIRC and GSE29609, performed cluster analysis for typing twice using seven cuproptosis-promoting genes (CPGs) as a starting point, and assessed the differences in biological and clinicopathological characteristics between different subtypes. Furthermore, we explored the tumor immune infiltration landscape in KIRC using ESTIMATE and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and the potential molecular mechanisms of cuproptosis in KIRC using enrichment analysis. We constructed a cuproptosis score (CUS) using the Boruta algorithm combined with principal component analysis. We evaluated the impact of CUS on prognosis, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy in patients with KIRC using survival analysis, the predictions from the Cancer Immunome Atlas database, and targeted drug susceptibility analysis. We found that patients with high CUS levels show poor prognosis and efficacy against all four immune checkpoint inhibitors, and their immunosuppression may depend on TGFB1. However, the high-CUS group showed higher sensitivity to sunitinib, axitinib, and elesclomol. Sunitinib monotherapy may reverse the poor prognosis and result in higher progression free survival. Then, we identified two potential CPGs and verified their differential expression between the KIRC and the normal samples. Finally, we explored the effect of the key gene FDX1 on the proliferation of KIRC cells and confirmed the presence of cuproptosis in KIRC cells. We developed a targeted therapy and immunotherapy strategy for advanced KIRC based on CUS. Our findings provide new insights into the relationship among cuproptosis, metabolism, and immunity in KIRC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ke Cao
- *Correspondence: Ke Cao, ;
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68
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Lv B, Wang Y, Ma D, Cheng W, Liu J, Yong T, Chen H, Wang C. Immunotherapy: Reshape the Tumor Immune Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2022; 13:844142. [PMID: 35874717 PMCID: PMC9299092 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.844142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) include tumor cells, immune cells, cytokines, etc. The interactions between these components, which are divided into anti-tumor and pro-tumor, determine the trend of anti-tumor immunity. Although the immune system can eliminate tumor through the cancer-immune cycle, tumors appear to eventually evade from immune surveillance by shaping an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Immunotherapy reshapes the TIME and restores the tumor killing ability of anti-tumor immune cells. Herein, we review the function of immune cells within the TIME and discuss the contribution of current mainstream immunotherapeutic approaches to remolding the TIME. Changes in the immune microenvironment in different forms under the intervention of immunotherapy can shed light on better combination treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingzhe Lv
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yunpeng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Dongjiang Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Tao Yong
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
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69
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Zhou H, Wang Y, Xu H, Shen X, Zhang T, Zhou X, Zeng Y, Li K, Zhang L, Zhu H, Yang X, Li N, Yang Z, Liu Z. Noninvasive interrogation of CD8+ T cell effector function for monitoring tumor early responses to immunotherapy. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:161065. [PMID: 35788116 PMCID: PMC9374377 DOI: 10.1172/jci161065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurately identifying patients who respond to immunotherapy remains clinically challenging. A noninvasive method that can longitudinally capture information about immune cell function and assist in the early assessment of tumor responses is highly desirable for precision immunotherapy. Here, we show that PET imaging using a granzyme B–targeted radiotracer named 68Ga-grazytracer, could noninvasively and effectively predict tumor responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive T cell transfer therapy in multiple tumor models. 68Ga-grazytracer was designed and selected from several radiotracers based on non-aldehyde peptidomimetics, and exhibited excellent in vivo metabolic stability and favorable targeting efficiency to granzyme B secreted by effector CD8+ T cells during immune responses. 68Ga-grazytracer permitted more sensitive discrimination of responders and nonresponders than did 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, distinguishing between tumor pseudoprogression and true progression upon immune checkpoint blockade therapy in mouse models with varying immunogenicity. In a preliminary clinical trial with 5 patients, no adverse events were observed after 68Ga-grazytracer injection, and clinical responses in cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy were favorably correlated with 68Ga-grazytracer PET results. These results highlight the potential of 68Ga-grazytracer PET to enhance the clinical effectiveness of granzyme B secretion–related immunotherapies by supporting early response assessment and precise patient stratification in a noninvasive and longitudinal manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyi Zhou
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yanpu Wang
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hongchuang Xu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuling Shen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuwen Zeng
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Kui Li
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Peking University Cancer Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaofei Liu
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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70
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Xiang X, Niu YR, Wang ZH, Ye LL, Peng WB, Zhou Q. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Vital suppressors of the immune response in the tumor microenvironment. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 67:35-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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71
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Li Y, Wang H, Chen M, Ma X. The Immune Subtype Contributes to Distinct Overall Survival for Ovarian Cancer Patients With Platinum-Based Adjuvant Therapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:872991. [PMID: 35812434 PMCID: PMC9263722 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.872991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Nowadays, platinum-based therapy has been widely used as the first-line therapy of ovarian cancer. However, the effect of the tumor microenvironment on platinum-based therapy remains unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate the relationship between immune microenvironment subtypes and the prognosis of platinum-based therapy in ovarian cancer. Methods We integrated 565 ovarian cancer samples from two datasets and obtained the immune subtypes (ISs) by consistent clustering of 1190 immune-related gene expressions. The proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the relationship between ISs and the prognosis of platinum-based adjuvant therapy including progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The prognostic contribution of ISs was validated in three additional cohorts. Non-parametric tests were used to assess genomic characteristics, the proportion of immune cells, and immune-related signature differences among ISs. Results We identified and validated five ISs associated with different clinical outcomes of the platinum-based adjuvant therapy in ovarian cancer patients. These differences were only found in OS rather than PFS. An immune subtype had the worst OS. Those patients mainly derived from the mesenchymal subtype had the lowest tumor purity with a high leukocyte fraction as well as stromal fraction and had the highest TGF-β response signaling. By contrast, an immune subtype characterized by immunoreactive status with the highest CD8+T cell infiltration and elevated IFN-γ response signaling had the best prognosis. Other subtypes with more diverse immunologic features such as lowest macrophage regulation signaling showed intermediate prognoses. Notably, the contribution of ISs to OS was independent of the clinical response to platinum-based drugs. Conclusion Our analysis revealed the association between different immune characteristics and platinum-based adjuvant therapy, indicating the combination of ISs and chemotherapy could optimize the treatment strategy of OC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueyi Li
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hang Wang
- West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming Chen
- West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuelei Ma
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Xuelei Ma,
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72
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Chen B, Mu C, Zhang Z, He X, Liu X. The Love-Hate Relationship Between TGF-β Signaling and the Immune System During Development and Tumorigenesis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:891268. [PMID: 35720407 PMCID: PMC9204485 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.891268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Since TGF-β was recognized as an essential secreted cytokine in embryogenesis and adult tissue homeostasis a decade ago, our knowledge of the role of TGF-β in mammalian development and disease, particularly cancer, has constantly been updated. Mounting evidence has confirmed that TGF-β is the principal regulator of the immune system, as deprivation of TGF-β signaling completely abrogates adaptive immunity. However, enhancing TGF-β signaling constrains the immune response through multiple mechanisms, including boosting Treg cell differentiation and inducing CD8+ T-cell apoptosis in the disease context. The love-hate relationship between TGF-β signaling and the immune system makes it challenging to develop effective monotherapies targeting TGF-β, especially for cancer treatment. Nonetheless, recent work on combination therapies of TGF-β inhibition and immunotherapy have provide insights into the development of TGF-β-targeted therapies, with favorable outcomes in patients with advanced cancer. Hence, we summarize the entanglement between TGF-β and the immune system in the developmental and tumor contexts and recent progress on hijacking crucial TGF-β signaling pathways as an emerging area of cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baode Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chenglin Mu
- Institute for Intelligent Bio/Chem Manufacturing (iBCM), Zhejiang University (ZJU)-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiwei Zhang
- Institute for Intelligent Bio/Chem Manufacturing (iBCM), Zhejiang University (ZJU)-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuelin He
- Kidney Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Institute for Intelligent Bio/Chem Manufacturing (iBCM), Zhejiang University (ZJU)-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou, China
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73
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Breast Cancer Metastasis: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126806. [PMID: 35743249 PMCID: PMC9224686 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. Metastasis is the leading cause of high mortality in most cancers. Although predicting the early stage of breast cancer before metastasis can increase the survival rate, breast cancer is often discovered or diagnosed after metastasis has occurred. In general, breast cancer has a poor prognosis because it starts as a local disease and can spread to lymph nodes or distant organs, contributing to a significant impediment in breast cancer treatment. Metastatic breast cancer cells acquire aggressive characteristics from the tumor microenvironment (TME) through several mechanisms including epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and epigenetic regulation. Therefore, understanding the nature and mechanism of breast cancer metastasis can facilitate the development of targeted therapeutics focused on metastasis. This review discusses the mechanisms leading to metastasis and the current therapies to improve the early diagnosis and prognosis in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
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74
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Rana M, Kansal R, Chaib M, Teng B, Morrrison M, Hayes DN, Stanfill AG, Shibata D, Carson JA, Makowski L, Glazer ES. The pancreatic cancer immune tumor microenvironment is negatively remodeled by gemcitabine while TGF-β receptor plus dual checkpoint inhibition maintains antitumor immune cells. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:549-557. [PMID: 35319799 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) tumors have a highly immunosuppressive desmoplastic tumor microenvironment (TME) where immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) therapy has been exceptionally ineffective. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptor activation leads to cancer and immune cell proliferation and phenotype, and cytokine production leading to tumor progression and worse overall survival in PDA patients. We hypothesized that TGF-β receptor inhibition may alter PDA progression and antitumor immunity in the TME. Here, we used a syngeneic preclinical murine model of PDA to explore the impact of TGF-β pathway inhibitor galunisertib (GAL), dual checkpoint immunotherapy (anti-PD-L1 and CTLA-4), the chemotherapy gemcitabine (GEM), and their combinations on antitumor immune responses. Blockade of TGF-β and ICI in immune-competent mice bearing orthotopically injected murine PDA cells significantly inhibited tumor growth and was accompanied by antitumor M1 macrophage infiltration. In contrast, GEM treatment resulted in increased PDA tumor growth, decreased antitumor M1 macrophages, and decreased cytotoxic CD8+ T cell subpopulation compared to control mice. Together, these findings demonstrate the ability of TGF-β inhibition with GAL to prime antitumor immunity in the TME and the curative potential of combining GAL with dual ICI. These preclinical results indicate that targeted inhibition of TGF-β may enhance the efficacy of dual immunotherapy in PDA. Optimal manipulation of the immune TME with non-ICI therapy may enhance therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjul Rana
- Department of Surgery, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Rita Kansal
- Department of Surgery, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mehdi Chaib
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Bin Teng
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Michelle Morrrison
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - David Neil Hayes
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ansley G Stanfill
- Department of Nursing Science, College of Nursing, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - David Shibata
- Department of Surgery, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - James A Carson
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Liza Makowski
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Evan S Glazer
- Department of Surgery, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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75
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Han B, Fang T, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Xue Y. TGFβ2 is a Prognostic Biomarker for Gastric Cancer and is Associated With Methylation and Immunotherapy Responses. Front Genet 2022; 13:808041. [PMID: 35620459 PMCID: PMC9127534 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.808041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
TGFβ signaling plays a key role in cancer progression and by shaping tumor architecture and inhibiting the anti-tumor activity of immune cells. It was reported that high expression of TGFβ can promote the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells in a variety of tumors. However, there are few studies on TGFβ2 and its methylation in gastric cancer. We analyzed the Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital (HMUCH) sequencing data and used public data to explore the potential function and prognostic value of TGFβ2 and its methylation in gastric cancer. In this study, we used the ssGSEA algorithm to quantify 23 methylation sites related to TGFβ2. Survival analysis showed that high expression of TGFβ2 and hypomethylation levels of TGFβ2 were negative factors in the prognosis of gastric cancer. Functional enrichment analysis of methylation revealed that methylation of different TGFβ2 methylation scores was mainly involved in energy metabolism, extracellular matrix formation and cell cycle regulation. In the gastric cancer microenvironment TGFβ2 was associated with high levels of multiple immune cell infiltration and cytokine expression, and high TGFβ2 expression was significantly and positively correlated with stemness markers, stromalscore and EMT. Gene set enrichment analysis also revealed an important role of TGFβ2 in promoting EMT. In addition, we discussed the relationship between TGFβ2 and immunotherapy. The expression of PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA-4 was elevated in the TGFβ2 high expression group. Also when TGFβ2 was highly expressed, the responsiveness of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) was significantly enhanced. This indicates that TGFβ2 may become an indicator for predicting the efficacy of immunosuppressive agents and a potential target for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bangling Han
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Tianyi Fang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Yimin Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Yongle Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Yingwei Xue
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
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76
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Ma S, Wang F, Wang N, Jin J, Ba Y, Ji H, Du J, Hu S. Multiomics Data Analysis and Identification of Immune-Related Prognostic Signatures With Potential Implications in Prognosis and Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy of Glioblastoma. Front Neurol 2022; 13:886913. [PMID: 35669882 PMCID: PMC9165649 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.886913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has been a concern of many researchers, as it is one of the main drivers of cancer-related deaths worldwide. GBM in general usually does not responding well to immunotherapy due to its unique microenvironment. Methods To uncover any further informative immune-related prognostic signatures, we explored the immune-related distinction in the genetic or epigenetic features of the three types (expression profile, somatic mutation, and DNA methylation). Twenty eight immune-related hub genes were identified by Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). The findings showed that three genes (IL1R1, TNFSF12, and VDR) were identified to construct an immune-related prognostic model (IRPM) by lasso regression. Then, we used three hub genes to construct an IRPM for GBM and clarify the immunity, mutation, and methylation characteristics. Results Survival analysis of patients undergoing anti-program cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) therapy showed that overall survival was superior in the low-risk group than in the high-risk group. The high-risk group had an association with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), high immune cell infiltration, immune activation, a low mutation number, and high methylation, while the low-risk group was adverse status. Conclusions In conclusion, IRPM is a promising tool to distinguish the prognosis of patients and molecular and immune characteristics in GBM, and the IRPM risk score can be used to predict patient sensitivity to checkpoint inhibitor blockade therapy. Thus, three immune-related signatures will guide us in improving treatment strategies and developing objective diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emergency Medicine Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emergency Medicine Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiaqi Jin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emergency Medicine Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yixu Ba
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emergency Medicine Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hang Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emergency Medicine Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianyang Du
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- Jianyang Du
| | - Shaoshan Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emergency Medicine Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shaoshan Hu ;
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77
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Immunosuppressive cells in cancer: mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:61. [PMID: 35585567 PMCID: PMC9118588 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01282-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 77.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies like the adoptive transfer of gene-engineered T cells and immune checkpoint inhibitors are novel therapeutic modalities for advanced cancers. However, some patients are refractory or resistant to these therapies, and the mechanisms underlying tumor immune resistance have not been fully elucidated. Immunosuppressive cells such as myeloid-derived suppressive cells, tumor-associated macrophages, tumor-associated neutrophils, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and tumor-associated dendritic cells are critical factors correlated with immune resistance. In addition, cytokines and factors secreted by tumor cells or these immunosuppressive cells also mediate the tumor progression and immune escape of cancers. Thus, targeting these immunosuppressive cells and the related signals is the promising therapy to improve the efficacy of immunotherapies and reverse the immune resistance. However, even with certain success in preclinical studies or in some specific types of cancer, large perspectives are unknown for these immunosuppressive cells, and the related therapies have undesirable outcomes for clinical patients. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the phenotype, function, and potential therapeutic targets of these immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment.
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78
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Hu D, Li Z, Zheng B, Lin X, Pan Y, Gong P, Zhuo W, Hu Y, Chen C, Chen L, Zhou J, Wang L. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in breast cancer: Challenges and opportunities. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2022; 42:401-434. [PMID: 35481621 PMCID: PMC9118050 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is proposed to contribute substantially to the progression of cancers, including breast cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant components of the tumor microenvironment. Studies have revealed that CAFs in breast cancer originate from several types of cells and promote breast cancer malignancy by secreting factors, generating exosomes, releasing nutrients, reshaping the extracellular matrix, and suppressing the function of immune cells. CAFs are also becoming therapeutic targets for breast cancer due to their specific distribution in tumors and their unique biomarkers. Agents interrupting the effect of CAFs on surrounding cells have been developed and applied in clinical trials. Here, we reviewed studies examining the heterogeneity of CAFs in breast cancer and expression patterns of CAF markers in different subtypes of breast cancer. We hope that summarizing CAF-related studies from a historical perspective will help to accelerate the development of CAF-targeted therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dengdi Hu
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Zhaoqing Li
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Bin Zheng
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Xixi Lin
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Yuehong Pan
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Peirong Gong
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Wenying Zhuo
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China.,Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Yujie Hu
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Cong Chen
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Lini Chen
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Jichun Zhou
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Linbo Wang
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
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79
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Chen SY, Mamai O, Akhurst RJ. TGFβ: Signaling Blockade for Cancer Immunotherapy. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CANCER BIOLOGY 2022; 6:123-146. [PMID: 36382146 PMCID: PMC9645596 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cancerbio-070620-103554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Discovered over four decades ago, transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is a potent pleiotropic cytokine that has context-dependent effects on most cell types. It acts as a tumor suppressor in some cancers and/or supports tumor progression and metastasis through its effects on the tumor stroma and immune microenvironment. In TGFβ-responsive tumors it can promote invasion and metastasis through epithelial-mesenchymal transformation, the appearance of cancer stem cell features, and resistance to many drug classes, including checkpoint blockade immunotherapies. Here we consider the biological activities of TGFβ action on different cells of relevance toward improving immunotherapy outcomes for patients, with a focus on the adaptive immune system. We discuss recent advances in the development of drugs that target the TGFβ signaling pathway in a tumor-specific or cell type–specific manner to improve the therapeutic window between response rates and adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szu-Ying Chen
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ons Mamai
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Rosemary J. Akhurst
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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80
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Tewari D, Priya A, Bishayee A, Bishayee A. Targeting transforming growth factor-β signalling for cancer prevention and intervention: Recent advances in developing small molecules of natural origin. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e795. [PMID: 35384373 PMCID: PMC8982327 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is the world's second leading cause of death, but a significant advancement in cancer treatment has been achieved within the last few decades. However, major adverse effects and drug resistance associated with standard chemotherapy have led towards targeted treatment options. OBJECTIVES Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling plays a key role in cell proliferation, differentiation, morphogenesis, regeneration, and tissue homeostasis. The prime objective of this review is to decipher the role of TGF-β in oncogenesis and to evaluate the potential of various natural and synthetic agents to target this dysregulated pathway to confer cancer preventive and anticancer therapeutic effects. METHODS Various authentic and scholarly databases were explored to search and obtain primary literature for this study. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) criteria was followed for the review. RESULTS Here we provide a comprehensive and critical review of recent advances on our understanding of the effect of various bioactive natural molecules on the TGF-β signaling pathway to evaluate their full potential for cancer prevention and therapy. CONCLUSION Based on emerging evidence as presented in this work, TGF-β-targeting bioactive compounds from natural sources can serve as potential therapeutic agents for prevention and treatment of various human malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devesh Tewari
- Department of PharmacognosySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesLovely Professional UniversityPhagwaraPunjabIndia
| | - Anu Priya
- Department of PharmacologySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesLovely Professional UniversityPhagwaraPunjabIndia
| | | | - Anupam Bishayee
- College of Osteopathic MedicineLake Erie College of Osteopathic MedicineBradentonFloridaUSA
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81
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Birrer MJ, Fujiwara K, Oaknin A, Randall L, Ojalvo LS, Valencia C, Ray-Coquard I. The Changing Landscape of Systemic Treatment for Cervical Cancer: Rationale for Inhibition of the TGF-β and PD-L1 Pathways. Front Oncol 2022; 12:814169. [PMID: 35280818 PMCID: PMC8905681 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.814169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is one of the most common and lethal cancers among women worldwide. Treatment options are limited in patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer, with <20% of women living >5 years. Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been implicated in almost all cases of cervical cancer. HPV infection not only causes normal cervical cells to transform into cancer cells, but also creates an immunosuppressive environment for cancer cells to evade the immune system. Recent clinical trials of drugs targeting the PD-(L)1 pathway have demonstrated improvement in overall survival in patients with cervical cancer, but only 20% to 30% of patients show overall survival benefit beyond 2 years, and resistance to these treatments remains common. Therefore, novel treatment strategies targeting HPV infection-associated factors are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Bintrafusp alfa is a first-in-class bifunctional fusion protein composed of the extracellular domain of the TGF-βRII receptor (a TGF-β "trap") fused to a human immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody that blocks PD-L1. Early clinical trials of bintrafusp alfa have shown promising results in patients with advanced cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Birrer
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas Medical School, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Keiichi Fujiwara
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Ana Oaknin
- Gynaecological Cancer Program, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leslie Randall
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Laureen S Ojalvo
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA, United States
| | - Christian Valencia
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA, United States
| | - Isabelle Ray-Coquard
- GINECO Group & Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Leon Berard, University Claude Bernard Lyon, Lyon, France
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82
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The Bright and the Dark Side of TGF-β Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Mechanisms, Dysregulation, and Therapeutic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040940. [PMID: 35205692 PMCID: PMC8870127 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling is a preeminent regulator of diverse cellular and physiological processes. Frequent dysregulation of TGF-β signaling has been implicated in cancer. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent form of primary liver cancer, the autocrine and paracrine effects of TGF-β have paradoxical implications. While acting as a potent tumor suppressor pathway in the early stages of malignancy, TGF-β diverts to a promoter of tumor progression in the late stages, reflecting its bright and dark natures, respectively. Within this context, targeting TGF-β represents a promising therapeutic option for HCC treatment. We discuss here the molecular properties of TGF-β signaling in HCC, attempting to provide an overview of its effects on tumor cells and the stroma. We also seek to evaluate the dysregulation mechanisms that mediate the functional switch of TGF-β from a tumor suppressor to a pro-tumorigenic signal. Finally, we reconcile its biphasic nature with the therapeutic implications. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with genetic and nongenetic aberrations that impact multiple genes and pathways, including the frequently dysregulated transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathway. The regulatory cytokine TGF-β and its signaling effectors govern a broad spectrum of spatiotemporally regulated molecular and cellular responses, yet paradoxically have dual and opposing roles in HCC progression. In the early stages of tumorigenesis, TGF-β signaling enforces profound tumor-suppressive effects, primarily by inducing cell cycle arrest, cellular senescence, autophagy, and apoptosis. However, as the tumor advances in malignant progression, TGF-β functionally switches to a pro-tumorigenic signal, eliciting aggressive tumor traits, such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition, tumor microenvironment remodeling, and immune evasion of cancer cells. On this account, the inhibition of TGF-β signaling is recognized as a promising therapeutic strategy for advanced HCC. In this review, we evaluate the functions and mechanisms of TGF-β signaling and relate its complex and pleiotropic biology to HCC pathophysiology, attempting to provide a detailed perspective on the molecular determinants underlying its functional diversion. We also address the therapeutic implications of the dichotomous nature of TGF-β signaling and highlight the rationale for targeting this pathway for HCC treatment, alone or in combination with other agents.
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de los Reyes AA, Kim Y. Optimal regulation of tumour-associated neutrophils in cancer progression. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:210705. [PMID: 35127110 PMCID: PMC8808100 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In a tumour microenvironment, tumour-associated neutrophils could display two opposing differential phenotypes: anti-tumour (N1) and pro-tumour (N2) effector cells. Converting N2 to N1 neutrophils provides innovative therapies for cancer treatment. In this study, a mathematical model for N1-N2 dynamics describing the cancer survival and immune inhibition in response to TGF-β and IFN-β is considered. The effects of exogenous intervention of TGF-β inhibitor and IFN-β are examined in order to enhance N1 recruitment to combat tumour progression. Our approach employs optimal control theory to determine drug infusion protocols that could minimize tumour volume with least administration cost possible. Four optimal control scenarios corresponding to different therapeutic strategies are explored, namely, TGF-β inhibitor control only, IFN-β control only, concomitant TGF-β inhibitor and IFN-β controls, and alternating TGF-β inhibitor and IFN-β controls. For each scheme, different initial conditions are varied to depict different pathophysiological condition of a cancer patient, leading to adaptive treatment schedule. TGF-β inhibitor and IFN-β drug dosages, total drug amount, infusion times and relative cost of drug administrations are obtained under various circumstances. The control strategies achieved could guide in designing individualized therapeutic protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelio A. de los Reyes
- Biomedical Mathematics Group, Pioneer Research Center for Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Mathematics, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
| | - Yangjin Kim
- Department of Mathematics, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
- Mathematical Biosciences Institute, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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84
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Wu C, Duan Y, Gong S, Osterhoff G, Kallendrusch S, Schopow N. Identification of Tumor Antigens and Immune Subtypes for the Development of mRNA Vaccines and Individualized Immunotherapy in Soft Tissue Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:448. [PMID: 35053609 PMCID: PMC8774220 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a rare disease with high recurrence rates and poor prognosis. Missing therapy options together with the high heterogeneity of this tumor type gives impetus to the development of individualized treatment approaches. This study identifies potential tumor antigens for the development of mRNA tumor vaccines for STS and explores potential immune subtypes, stratifying patients for immunotherapy. RNA-sequencing data and clinical information were extracted from 189 STS samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and microarray data were extracted from 103 STS samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Potential tumor antigens were identified using cBioportal, the Oncomine database, and prognostic analyses. Consensus clustering was used to define immune subtypes and immune gene modules, and graph learning-based dimensionality reduction analysis was used to depict the immune landscape. Finally, four potential tumor antigens were identified, each related to prognosis and antigen-presenting cell infiltration in STS: HLTF, ITGA10, PLCG1, and TTC3. Six immune subtypes and six gene modules were defined and validated in an independent cohort. The different immune subtypes have different molecular, cellular, and clinical characteristics. The immune landscape of STS reveals the immunity-related distribution of patients and intra-cluster heterogeneity of immune subtypes. This study provides a theoretical framework for STS mRNA vaccine development and the selection of patients for vaccination, and provides a reference for promoting individualized immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changwu Wu
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (C.W.); (S.K.); (N.S.)
| | - Yingjuan Duan
- Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Siming Gong
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (C.W.); (S.K.); (N.S.)
| | - Georg Osterhoff
- Sarcoma Center, Department of Orthopedics, Trauma and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Sonja Kallendrusch
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (C.W.); (S.K.); (N.S.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Medical University Potsdam, 14471 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Nikolas Schopow
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (C.W.); (S.K.); (N.S.)
- Sarcoma Center, Department of Orthopedics, Trauma and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
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85
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Kumar N, Goel N. Recent development of imidazole derivatives as potential anticancer agents. PHYSICAL SCIENCES REVIEWS 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/psr-2021-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Cancer, one of the key health problems globally, is a group of related diseases that share a number of characteristics primarily the uncontrolled growth and invasive to surrounding tissues. Chemotherapy is one of the ways for the treatment of cancer which uses one or more anticancer agents as per chemotherapy regimen. Limitations of most anticancer drugs due to a variety of reasons such as serious side effects, drug resistance, lack of sensitivity and efficacy etc. generate the necessity towards the designing of novel anticancer lead molecules. In this regard, the synthesis of biologically active heterocyclic molecules is an appealing research area. Among heterocyclic compounds, nitrogen containing heterocyclic molecules has fascinated tremendous consideration due to broad range of pharmaceutical activity. Imidazoles, extensively present in natural products as well as synthetic molecules, have two nitrogen atoms, and are five membered heterocyclic rings. Because of their countless physiological and pharmacological characteristics, medicinal chemists are enthused to design and synthesize new imidazole derivatives with improved pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties. The aim of this present chapter is to discuss the synthesis, chemistry, pharmacological activity, and scope of imidazole-based molecules in anticancer drug development. Finally, we have discussed the current challenges and future perspectives of imidazole-based derivatives in anticancer drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naresh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering , Indian Institute of Technology Indore , Indore , Madhya Pradesh 453552 , India
| | - Nidhi Goel
- Department of Chemistry , Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University , Varanasi , Uttar Pradesh 221005 , India
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86
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Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signalling controls multiple cell fate decisions during development and tissue homeostasis; hence, dysregulation of this pathway can drive several diseases, including cancer. Here we discuss the influence that TGFβ exerts on the composition and behaviour of different cell populations present in the tumour immune microenvironment, and the context-dependent functions of this cytokine in suppressing or promoting cancer. During homeostasis, TGFβ controls inflammatory responses triggered by exposure to the outside milieu in barrier tissues. Lack of TGFβ exacerbates inflammation, leading to tissue damage and cellular transformation. In contrast, as tumours progress, they leverage TGFβ to drive an unrestrained wound-healing programme in cancer-associated fibroblasts, as well as to suppress the adaptive immune system and the innate immune system. In consonance with this key role in reprogramming the tumour microenvironment, emerging data demonstrate that TGFβ-inhibitory therapies can restore cancer immunity. Indeed, this approach can synergize with other immunotherapies - including immune checkpoint blockade - to unleash robust antitumour immune responses in preclinical cancer models. Despite initial challenges in clinical translation, these findings have sparked the development of multiple therapeutic strategies that inhibit the TGFβ pathway, many of which are currently in clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele V F Tauriello
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Elena Sancho
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Batlle
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain.
- Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
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87
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Wang X, Luo H, Zheng X, Ge H. FLASH radiotherapy: Research process from basic experimentation to clinical application. PRECISION RADIATION ONCOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pro6.1140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou China
| | - Hui Luo
- Department of Radiation Oncology Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou China
| | - Xiaoli Zheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou China
| | - Hong Ge
- Department of Radiation Oncology Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou China
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88
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Zhulai G, Oleinik E. Targeting regulatory T cells in anti-PD-1/PD-L1 cancer immunotherapy. Scand J Immunol 2021; 95:e13129. [PMID: 34936125 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The programmed death (PD)-1/PD-ligand (PD-L) pathway and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for the maintenance of immune tolerance. Their activation in the tumor microenvironment contributes to the evasion of the transformed cells from the immune surveillance and the suppression of an antitumor immune response. Therefore, PD-1/PD-L1 and Tregs are important targets for cancer immunotherapy. Our review focuses on the current role of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in Treg development and function in the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss combination therapy with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and Treg-modulating agents affecting the adenosinergic pathway, TGF-β signaling, immune checkpoints, and other approaches to downregulation of Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina Zhulai
- Institute of Biology, Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Petrozavodsk, Russian Federation
| | - Eugenia Oleinik
- Institute of Biology, Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Petrozavodsk, Russian Federation
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89
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Mollah F, Varamini P. Overcoming Therapy Resistance and Relapse in TNBC: Emerging Technologies to Target Breast Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1921. [PMID: 34944738 PMCID: PMC8698629 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of cancer mortality in women. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer. Often, TNBC is not effectively treated due to the lack of specificity of conventional therapies and results in relapse and metastasis. Breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (BCAFs) are the predominant cells that reside in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and regulate tumorigenesis, progression and metastasis, and therapy resistance. BCAFs secrete a wide range of factors, including growth factors, chemokines, and cytokines, some of which have been proved to lead to a poor prognosis and clinical outcomes. This TME component has been emerging as a promising target due to its crucial role in cancer progression and chemotherapy resistance. A number of therapeutic candidates are designed to effectively target BCAFs with a focus on their tumor-promoting properties and tumor immune response. This review explores various agents targeting BCAFs in TNBC, including small molecules, nucleic acid-based agents, antibodies, proteins, and finally, nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhana Mollah
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Pegah Varamini
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
- Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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90
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The Colorectal Cancer Tumor Microenvironment and Its Impact on Liver and Lung Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246206. [PMID: 34944826 PMCID: PMC8699466 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Metastasis to secondary organs, such as the liver and lungs, is a key driver of CRC-related mortality. The tumor microenvironment, which consists of the primary cancer cells, as well as associated support and immune cells, significantly affects the behavior of CRC cells at the primary tumor site, as well as in metastatic lesions. In this paper, we review the role of the individual components of the tumor microenvironment on tumor progression, immune evasion, and metastasis, and we discuss the implications of these components on antitumor therapies. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. A total of 20% of CRC patients present with distant metastases, most frequently to the liver and lung. In the primary tumor, as well as at each metastatic site, the cellular components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) contribute to tumor engraftment and metastasis. These include immune cells (macrophages, neutrophils, T lymphocytes, and dendritic cells) and stromal cells (cancer-associated fibroblasts and endothelial cells). In this review, we highlight how the TME influences tumor progression and invasion at the primary site and its function in fostering metastatic niches in the liver and lungs. We also discuss emerging clinical strategies to target the CRC TME.
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91
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Liu J, Wang X, Deng Y, Yu X, Wang H, Li Z. Research Progress on the Role of Regulatory T Cell in Tumor Microenvironment in the Treatment of Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:766248. [PMID: 34868991 PMCID: PMC8636122 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.766248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex ecosystem comprised of cancer cells, stromal cells, and immune cells. Analysis of the composition of TME is essential to assess the prognosis of patients with breast cancer (BC) and the efficacy of different regimes. Treg plays a crucial role in the microenvironment of breast cancer subtypes, and its function contributes to the development and progression of BC by suppressing anti-tumor immunity directly or indirectly through multiple mechanisms. In addition, conventional treatments, such as anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and neo-therapies, such as immune-checkpoint blockades, have a significant impact on the absence of Tregs in BC TME, thus gaining additional anti-tumor effect to some extent. Strikingly, Treg in BC TME revealed the predicted efficacy of some therapeutic strategies. All these results suggest that we can manipulate the abundance of Treg to achieve the ultimate effect of both conventional and novel treatments. In this review, we discuss new insights into the characteristics of Treg in BC TME, the impact of different regiments on Treg, and the possibilities of Treg as a predictive marker of efficacy for certain treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyu Liu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Xueying Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Yuhan Deng
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Hongbin Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Zhigao Li
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
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92
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Zhao H, Luo F, Xue J, Li S, Xu RH. Emerging immunological strategies: recent advances and future directions. Front Med 2021; 15:805-828. [PMID: 34874513 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-021-0886-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy plays a compelling role in cancer treatment and has already made remarkable progress. However, many patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors fail to achieve clinical benefits, and the response rates vary among tumor types. New approaches that promote anti-tumor immunity have recently been developed, such as small molecules, bispecific antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor T cell products, and cancer vaccines. Small molecule drugs include agonists and inhibitors that can reach the intracellular or extracellular targets of immune cells participating in innate or adaptive immune pathways. Bispecific antibodies, which bind two different antigens or one antigen with two different epitopes, are of great interest. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell products and cancer vaccines have also been investigated. This review explores the recent progress and challenges of different forms of immunotherapy agents and provides an insight into future immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyun Zhao
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Fan Luo
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jinhui Xue
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Su Li
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Rui-Hua Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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93
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Gulley JL, Schlom J, Barcellos-Hoff MH, Wang XJ, Seoane J, Audhuy F, Lan Y, Dussault I, Moustakas A. Dual inhibition of TGF-β and PD-L1: a novel approach to cancer treatment. Mol Oncol 2021; 16:2117-2134. [PMID: 34854206 PMCID: PMC9168966 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) initiate signaling pathways with complementary, nonredundant immunosuppressive functions in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In the TME, dysregulated TGF-β signaling suppresses antitumor immunity and promotes cancer fibrosis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis. Meanwhile, PD-L1 expression inactivates cytotoxic T cells and restricts immunosurveillance in the TME. Anti-PD-L1 therapies have been approved for the treatment of various cancers, but TGF-β signaling in the TME is associated with resistance to these therapies. In this Review, we discuss the importance of the TGF-β and PD-L1 pathways in cancer, as well as clinical strategies using combination therapies that block these pathways separately or approaches with dual-targeting agents (bispecific and bifunctional immunotherapies) that may block them simultaneously. Currently, the furthest developed dual-targeting agent is bintrafusp alfa. This drug is a first-in-class bifunctional fusion protein that consists of the extracellular domain of the TGF-βRII receptor (a TGF-β "trap") fused to a human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody blocking PD-L1. Given the immunosuppressive effects of the TGF-β and PD-L1 pathways within the TME, colocalized and simultaneous inhibition of these pathways may potentially improve clinical activity and reduce toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L Gulley
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Xiao-Jing Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Joan Seoane
- ICREA, Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Yan Lan
- EMD Serono, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Isabelle Dussault
- EMD Serono, Billerica, MA, USA.,Current affiliation: Fusion Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aristidis Moustakas
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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94
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Ledys F, Kalfeist L, Galland L, Limagne E, Ladoire S. Therapeutic Associations Comprising Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 in Breast Cancer: Clinical Challenges and Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5999. [PMID: 34885109 PMCID: PMC8656936 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite a few cases of long-responder patients, immunotherapy with anti-PD-(L)1 has so far proved rather disappointing in monotherapy in metastatic breast cancer, prompting the use of synergistic therapeutic combinations incorporating immunotherapy by immune-checkpoint inhibitors. In addition, a better understanding of both the mechanisms of sensitivity and resistance to immunotherapy, as well as the immunological effects of the usual treatments for breast cancer, make it possible to rationally consider this type of therapeutic combination. For several years, certain treatments, commonly used to treat patients with breast cancer, have shown that in addition to their direct cytotoxic effects, they may have an impact on the tumor immune microenvironment, by increasing the antigenicity and/or immunogenicity of a "cold" tumor, targeting the immunosuppressive microenvironment or counteracting the immune-exclusion profile. This review focuses on preclinical immunologic synergic mechanisms of various standard therapeutic approaches with anti-PD-(L)1, and discusses the potential clinical use of anti-PD-1/L1 combinations in metastatic or early breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Ledys
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges-François Leclerc Center, 21000 Dijon, France; (F.L.); (L.K.); (L.G.); (E.L.)
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Burgundy Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France
- UMR INSERM 1231, Lipides Nutrition Cancer, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Laura Kalfeist
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges-François Leclerc Center, 21000 Dijon, France; (F.L.); (L.K.); (L.G.); (E.L.)
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Burgundy Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France
- UMR INSERM 1231, Lipides Nutrition Cancer, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Loick Galland
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges-François Leclerc Center, 21000 Dijon, France; (F.L.); (L.K.); (L.G.); (E.L.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Georges-François Leclerc Center, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Emeric Limagne
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges-François Leclerc Center, 21000 Dijon, France; (F.L.); (L.K.); (L.G.); (E.L.)
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Burgundy Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France
- UMR INSERM 1231, Lipides Nutrition Cancer, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Sylvain Ladoire
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges-François Leclerc Center, 21000 Dijon, France; (F.L.); (L.K.); (L.G.); (E.L.)
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Burgundy Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France
- UMR INSERM 1231, Lipides Nutrition Cancer, 21000 Dijon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Georges-François Leclerc Center, 21000 Dijon, France
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Newnes HV, Armitage JD, Audsley KM, Bosco A, Waithman J. Directing the Future Breakthroughs in Immunotherapy: The Importance of a Holistic Approach to the Tumour Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13235911. [PMID: 34885021 PMCID: PMC8656826 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Immunotherapies have changed the way we treat cancer and, while some patients have benefitted greatly, there are still those that do not respond to therapy. Understanding why some patients respond to therapy and others do not is critical in developing new immunotherapeutic strategies. The increasing awareness of the importance of investigating the tumour in its entirety, including the surrounding tissue and role of various immune cells is helping to differentiate responders and non-responders. In addition, the resolution gained by the development of sophisticated bioinformatic technologies allows for a deeper understanding of the complex roles of individual cells in the tumour. This advancement will be critical for the development of novel therapies to treat cancer. Abstract Immunotherapy has revolutionised the treatment of cancers by exploiting the immune system to eliminate tumour cells. Despite the impressive response in a proportion of patients, clinical benefit has been limited thus far. A significant focus to date has been the identification of specific markers associated with response to immunotherapy. Unfortunately, the heterogeneity between patients and cancer types means identifying markers of response to therapy is inherently complex. There is a growing appreciation for the role of the tumour microenvironment (TME) in directing response to immunotherapy. The TME is highly heterogeneous and contains immune, stromal, vascular and tumour cells that all communicate and interact with one another to form solid tumours. This review analyses major cell populations present within the TME with a focus on their diverse and often contradictory roles in cancer and how this informs our understanding of immunotherapy. Furthermore, we discuss the role of integrated omics in providing a comprehensive view of the TME and demonstrate the potential of leveraging multi-omics to decipher the underlying mechanisms of anti-tumour immunity for the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies.
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96
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Molecular targets and therapeutics in chemoresistance of triple-negative breast cancer. Med Oncol 2021; 39:14. [PMID: 34812991 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-021-01610-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a specific subtype of breast cancer (BC), which shows immunohistochemically negative expression of hormone receptor i.e., Estrogen receptor and Progesterone receptor along with the absence of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER2/neu). In Indian scenario the prevalence of BC is 26.3%, whereas, in West Bengal the cases are of 18.4%. But the rate of TNBC has increased up to 31% and shows 27% of total BC. Conventional chemotherapy is effective only in the initial stages but with progression of the disease the effectivity gets reduced and shown almost no effect in later or advanced stages of TNBC. Thus, TNBC patients frequently develop resistance and metastasis, due to its peculiar triple-negative nature most of the hormonal therapies also fails. Development of chemoresistance may involve various factors, such as, TNBC heterogeneity, cancer stem cells (CSCs), signaling pathway deregulation, DNA repair mechanism, hypoxia, and other molecular factors. To overcome the challenges to treat TNBC various targets and molecules have been exploited including CSCs modulator, drug efflux transporters, hypoxic factors, apoptotic proteins, and regulatory signaling pathways. Moreover, to improve the targets and efficacy of treatments researchers are emphasizing on targeted therapy for TNBC. In this review, an effort has been made to focus on phenotypic and molecular variations in TNBC along with the role of conventional as well as newly identified pathways and strategies to overcome challenge of chemoresistance.
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97
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Velichinskii RA, Streltsova MA, Kust SA, Sapozhnikov AM, Kovalenko EI. The Biological Role and Therapeutic Potential of NK Cells in Hematological and Solid Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111385. [PMID: 34768814 PMCID: PMC8584101 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells are an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy due to their potent antitumor activity. The main advantage of using NK cells as cytotoxic effectors over T cells is a reduced risk of graft versus host disease. At present, several variants of NK-cell-based therapies are undergoing clinical trials and show considerable effectiveness for hematological tumors. In these types of cancers, the immune cells themselves often undergo malignant transformation, which determines the features of the disease. In contrast, the current use of NK cells as therapeutic agents for the treatment of solid tumors is much less promising. Most studies are at the stage of preclinical investigation, but few progress to clinical trials. Low efficiency of NK cell migration and functional activity in the tumor environment are currently considered the major barriers to NK cell anti-tumor therapies. Various therapeutic combinations, genetic engineering methods, alternative sources for obtaining NK cells, and other techniques are aiming at the development of promising NK cell anticancer therapies, regardless of tumorigenesis. In this review, we compare the role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of hematological and solid tumors and discuss current prospects of NK-cell-based therapy for hematological and solid tumors.
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98
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Mao X, Xu J, Wang W, Liang C, Hua J, Liu J, Zhang B, Meng Q, Yu X, Shi S. Crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment: new findings and future perspectives. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:131. [PMID: 34635121 PMCID: PMC8504100 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01428-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 840] [Impact Index Per Article: 280.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a stromal cell population with cell-of-origin, phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, are the most essential components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Through multiple pathways, activated CAFs can promote tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis, along with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and even chemoresistance. Numerous previous studies have confirmed the critical role of the interaction between CAFs and tumor cells in tumorigenesis and development. However, recently, the mutual effects of CAFs and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) have been identified as another key factor in promoting tumor progression. The TIME mainly consists of distinct immune cell populations in tumor islets and is highly associated with the antitumor immunological state in the TME. CAFs interact with tumor-infiltrating immune cells as well as other immune components within the TIME via the secretion of various cytokines, growth factors, chemokines, exosomes and other effector molecules, consequently shaping an immunosuppressive TME that enables cancer cells to evade surveillance of the immune system. In-depth studies of CAFs and immune microenvironment interactions, particularly the complicated mechanisms connecting CAFs with immune cells, might provide novel strategies for subsequent targeted immunotherapies. Herein, we shed light on recent advances regarding the direct and indirect crosstalk between CAFs and infiltrating immune cells and further summarize the possible immunoinhibitory mechanisms induced by CAFs in the TME. In addition, we present current related CAF-targeting immunotherapies and briefly describe some future perspectives on CAF research in the end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqi Mao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jie Hua
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qingcai Meng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Li X, Yang Y, Huang Q, Deng Y, Guo F, Wang G, Liu M. Crosstalk Between the Tumor Microenvironment and Cancer Cells: A Promising Predictive Biomarker for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:738373. [PMID: 34692696 PMCID: PMC8529050 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.738373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have changed the landscape of cancer treatment and are emerging as promising curative treatments in different type of cancers. However, only a small proportion of patients have benefited from ICIs and there is an urgent need to find robust biomarkers for individualized immunotherapy and to explore the causes of immunotherapy resistance. In this article, we review the roles of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and discuss the effects of ICIs on these cell populations. We discuss the potential of the functional interaction between the TME and cancer cells as a predictive biomarker for ICIs. Furthermore, we outline the potential personalized strategies to improve the effectiveness of ICIs with precision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Li
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yueyao Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Huang
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Deng
- School of Basic Medical Science, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fukun Guo
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Gang Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Sulaiman A, McGarry S, Chilumula SC, Kandunuri R, Vinod V. Clinically Translatable Approaches of Inhibiting TGF-β to Target Cancer Stem Cells in TNBC. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101386. [PMID: 34680503 PMCID: PMC8533357 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer that disproportionally accounts for the majority of breast cancer-related deaths due to the lack of specific targets for effective treatments. In this review, we highlight the complexity of the transforming growth factor-beta family (TGF-β) pathway and discuss how the dysregulation of the TGF-β pathway promotes oncogenic attributes in TNBC, which negatively affects patient prognosis. Moreover, we discuss recent findings highlighting TGF-β inhibition as a potent method to target mesenchymal (CD44+/CD24-) and epithelial (ALDHhigh) cancer stem cell (CSC) populations. CSCs are associated with tumorigenesis, metastasis, relapse, resistance, and diminished patient prognosis; however, due to differential signal pathway enrichment and plasticity, these populations remain difficult to target and persist as a major barrier barring successful therapy. This review highlights the importance of TGF-β as a driver of chemoresistance, radioresistance and reduced patient prognosis in breast cancer and highlights novel treatment strategies which modulate TGF-β, impede cancer progression and reduce the rate of resistance generation via targeting the CSC populations in TNBC and thus reducing tumorigenicity. Potential TGF-β inhibitors targeting based on clinical trials are summarized for further investigation, which may lead to the development of novel therapies to improve TNBC patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Sulaiman
- Department of Basic Science, Kansas City University, 1750 Independence Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA; (S.C.C.); (R.K.); (V.V.)
- Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-816-726-2293
| | - Sarah McGarry
- Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA;
| | - Sai Charan Chilumula
- Department of Basic Science, Kansas City University, 1750 Independence Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA; (S.C.C.); (R.K.); (V.V.)
| | - Rohith Kandunuri
- Department of Basic Science, Kansas City University, 1750 Independence Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA; (S.C.C.); (R.K.); (V.V.)
| | - Vishak Vinod
- Department of Basic Science, Kansas City University, 1750 Independence Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA; (S.C.C.); (R.K.); (V.V.)
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