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Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors against Tumor Microenvironment. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113135. [PMID: 34831357 PMCID: PMC8619966 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting the hedgehog (HH) pathway to treat aggressive cancers of the brain, breast, pancreas, and prostate has been ongoing for decades. Gli gene amplifications have been long discovered within malignant glioma patients, and since then, inhibitors against HH pathway-associated molecules have successfully reached the clinical stage where several of them have been approved by the FDA. Albeit this success rate implies suitable progress, clinically used HH pathway inhibitors fail to treat patients with metastatic or recurrent disease. This is mainly due to heterogeneous tumor cells that have acquired resistance to the inhibitors along with the obstacle of effectively targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME). Severe side effects such as hyponatremia, diarrhea, fatigue, amenorrhea, nausea, hair loss, abnormal taste, and weight loss have also been reported. Furthermore, HH signaling is known to be involved in the regulation of immune cell maturation, angiogenesis, inflammation, and polarization of macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. It is critical to determine key mechanisms that can be targeted at different levels of tumor development and progression to address various clinical issues. Hence current research focus encompasses understanding how HH controls TME to develop TME altering and combinatorial targeting strategies. In this review, we aim to discuss the pros and cons of targeting HH signaling molecules, understand the mechanism involved in treatment resistance, reveal the role of the HH pathway in anti-tumor immune response, and explore the development of potential combination treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitors with HH pathway inhibitors to target HH-driven cancers.
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Bolandi N, Derakhshani A, Hemmat N, Baghbanzadeh A, Asadzadeh Z, Afrashteh Nour M, Brunetti O, Bernardini R, Silvestris N, Baradaran B. The Positive and Negative Immunoregulatory Role of B7 Family: Promising Novel Targets in Gastric Cancer Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910719. [PMID: 34639059 PMCID: PMC8509619 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC), with a heterogeneous nature, is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Over the past few decades, stable reductions in the incidence of GC have been observed. However, due to the poor response to common treatments and late diagnosis, this cancer is still considered one of the lethal cancers. Emerging methods such as immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the landscape of treatment for GC patients. There are presently eleven known members of the B7 family as immune checkpoint molecules: B7-1 (CD80), B7-2 (CD86), B7-H1 (PD-L1, CD274), B7-DC (PDCD1LG2, PD-L2, CD273), B7-H2 (B7RP1, ICOS-L, CD275), B7-H3 (CD276), B7-H4 (B7x, B7S1, Vtcn1), B7-H5 (VISTA, Gi24, DD1α, Dies1 SISP1), B7-H6 (NCR3LG1), B7-H7 (HHLA2), and Ig-like domain-containing receptor 2 (ILDR2). Interaction of the B7 family of immune-regulatory ligands with the corresponding receptors resulted in the induction and inhibition of T cell responses by sending co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory signals, respectively. Manipulation of the signals provided by the B7 family has significant potential in the management of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Bolandi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 516615731, Iran; (N.B.); (A.D.); (N.H.); (A.B.); (Z.A.); (M.A.N.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia 571478334, Iran
| | - Afshin Derakhshani
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 516615731, Iran; (N.B.); (A.D.); (N.H.); (A.B.); (Z.A.); (M.A.N.)
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Nima Hemmat
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 516615731, Iran; (N.B.); (A.D.); (N.H.); (A.B.); (Z.A.); (M.A.N.)
| | - Amir Baghbanzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 516615731, Iran; (N.B.); (A.D.); (N.H.); (A.B.); (Z.A.); (M.A.N.)
| | - Zahra Asadzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 516615731, Iran; (N.B.); (A.D.); (N.H.); (A.B.); (Z.A.); (M.A.N.)
| | - Mina Afrashteh Nour
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 516615731, Iran; (N.B.); (A.D.); (N.H.); (A.B.); (Z.A.); (M.A.N.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia 571478334, Iran
| | - Oronzo Brunetti
- Medical Oncology Unit—IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II” of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Renato Bernardini
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95100 Catania, Italy;
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology Unit—IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II” of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence: (N.S.); (B.B.); Tel.: +98-413-3371440 (B.B.); Fax: +98-413-3371311 (B.B.)
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 516615731, Iran; (N.B.); (A.D.); (N.H.); (A.B.); (Z.A.); (M.A.N.)
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 516615731, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Analysis Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 516615731, Iran
- Correspondence: (N.S.); (B.B.); Tel.: +98-413-3371440 (B.B.); Fax: +98-413-3371311 (B.B.)
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Kastner C, Hendricks A, Deinlein H, Hankir M, Germer CT, Schmidt S, Wiegering A. Organoid Models for Cancer Research-From Bed to Bench Side and Back. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4812. [PMID: 34638297 PMCID: PMC8507862 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Organoids are a new 3D ex vivo culture system that have been applied in various fields of biomedical research. First isolated from the murine small intestine, they have since been established from a wide range of organs and tissues, both in healthy and diseased states. Organoids genetically, functionally and phenotypically retain the characteristics of their tissue of origin even after multiple passages, making them a valuable tool in studying various physiologic and pathophysiologic processes. The finding that organoids can also be established from tumor tissue or can be engineered to recapitulate tumor tissue has dramatically increased their use in cancer research. In this review, we discuss the potential of organoids to close the gap between preclinical in vitro and in vivo models as well as clinical trials in cancer research focusing on drug investigation and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Kastner
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (C.K.); (A.H.); (H.D.); (M.H.); (C.-T.G.); (S.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre Mainfranken, University of Wuerzburg Medical Centre, Josef-Schneiderstr. 2, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Anne Hendricks
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (C.K.); (A.H.); (H.D.); (M.H.); (C.-T.G.); (S.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre Mainfranken, University of Wuerzburg Medical Centre, Josef-Schneiderstr. 2, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Deinlein
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (C.K.); (A.H.); (H.D.); (M.H.); (C.-T.G.); (S.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mohammed Hankir
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (C.K.); (A.H.); (H.D.); (M.H.); (C.-T.G.); (S.S.)
| | - Christoph-Thomas Germer
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (C.K.); (A.H.); (H.D.); (M.H.); (C.-T.G.); (S.S.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre Mainfranken, University of Wuerzburg Medical Centre, Josef-Schneiderstr. 2, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Schmidt
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (C.K.); (A.H.); (H.D.); (M.H.); (C.-T.G.); (S.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Armin Wiegering
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (C.K.); (A.H.); (H.D.); (M.H.); (C.-T.G.); (S.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre Mainfranken, University of Wuerzburg Medical Centre, Josef-Schneiderstr. 2, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
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Cherne MD, Sidar B, Sebrell TA, Sanchez HS, Heaton K, Kassama FJ, Roe MM, Gentry AB, Chang CB, Walk ST, Jutila M, Wilking JN, Bimczok D. A Synthetic Hydrogel, VitroGel ® ORGANOID-3, Improves Immune Cell-Epithelial Interactions in a Tissue Chip Co-Culture Model of Human Gastric Organoids and Dendritic Cells. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:707891. [PMID: 34552484 PMCID: PMC8450338 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.707891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunosurveillance of the gastrointestinal epithelium by mononuclear phagocytes (MNPs) is essential for maintaining gut health. However, studying the complex interplay between the human gastrointestinal epithelium and MNPs such as dendritic cells (DCs) is difficult, since traditional cell culture systems lack complexity, and animal models may not adequately represent human tissues. Microphysiological systems, or tissue chips, are an attractive alternative for these investigations, because they model functional features of specific tissues or organs using microscale culture platforms that recreate physiological tissue microenvironments. However, successful integration of multiple of tissue types on a tissue chip platform to reproduce physiological cell-cell interactions remains a challenge. We previously developed a tissue chip system, the gut organoid flow chip (GOFlowChip), for long term culture of 3-D pluripotent stem cell-derived human intestinal organoids. Here, we optimized the GOFlowChip platform to build a complex microphysiological immune-cell-epithelial cell co-culture model in order to study DC-epithelial interactions in human stomach. We first tested different tubing materials and chip configurations to optimize DC loading onto the GOFlowChip and demonstrated that DC culture on the GOFlowChip for up to 20 h did not impact DC activation status or viability. However, Transwell chemotaxis assays and live confocal imaging revealed that Matrigel, the extracellular matrix (ECM) material commonly used for organoid culture, prevented DC migration towards the organoids and the establishment of direct MNP-epithelial contacts. Therefore, we next evaluated DC chemotaxis through alternative ECM materials including Matrigel-collagen mixtures and synthetic hydrogels. A polysaccharide-based synthetic hydrogel, VitroGel®-ORGANOID-3 (V-ORG-3), enabled significantly increased DC chemotaxis through the matrix, supported organoid survival and growth, and did not significantly alter DC activation or viability. On the GOFlowChip, DCs that were flowed into the chip migrated rapidly through the V-ORG matrix and reached organoids embedded deep within the chip, with increased interactions between DCs and gastric organoids. The successful integration of DCs and V-ORG-3 embedded gastric organoids into the GOFlowChip platform now permits real-time imaging of MNP-epithelial interactions and other investigations of the complex interplay between gastrointestinal MNPs and epithelial cells in their response to pathogens, candidate drugs and mucosal vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle D Cherne
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Barkan Sidar
- Chemical and Biological Engineering Department and Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - T Andrew Sebrell
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Humberto S Sanchez
- Chemical and Biological Engineering Department and Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Kody Heaton
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Francis J Kassama
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME, United States
| | - Mandi M Roe
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Andrew B Gentry
- Bozeman GI Clinic, Deaconess Hospital, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Connie B Chang
- Chemical and Biological Engineering Department and Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Seth T Walk
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Mark Jutila
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - James N Wilking
- Chemical and Biological Engineering Department and Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Diane Bimczok
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
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Ando Y, Mariano C, Shen K. Engineered in vitro tumor models for cell-based immunotherapy. Acta Biomater 2021; 132:345-359. [PMID: 33857692 PMCID: PMC8434941 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.03.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Tumor immunotherapy is rapidly evolving as one of the major pillars of cancer treatment. Cell-based immunotherapies, which utilize patient's own immune cells to eliminate cancer cells, have shown great promise in treating a range of malignancies, especially those of hematopoietic origins. However, their performance on a broader spectrum of solid tumor types still fall short of expectations in the clinical stage despite promising preclinical assessments. In this review, we briefly introduce cell-based immunotherapies and the inhibitory mechanisms in tumor microenvironments that may have contributed to this discrepancy. Specifically, a major obstacle to the clinical translation of cell-based immunotherapies is in the lack of preclinical models that can accurately assess the efficacies and mechanisms of these therapies in a (patho-)physiologically relevant manner. Lately, tissue engineering and organ-on-a-chip tools and microphysiological models have allowed for more faithful recapitulation of the tumor microenvironments, by incorporating crucial tumor tissue features such as cellular phenotypes, tissue architecture, extracellular matrix, physical parameters, and their dynamic interactions. This review summarizes the existing engineered tumor models with a focus on tumor immunology and cell-based immunotherapy. We also discuss some key considerations for the future development of engineered tumor models for immunotherapeutics. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cell-based immunotherapies have shown great promise in treating hematological malignancies and some epithelial tumors. However, their performance on a broader spectrum of solid tumor types still fall short of expectations. Major obstacles include the inhibitory mechanisms in tumor microenvironments (TME) and the lack of preclinical models that can accurately assess the efficacies and mechanisms of cellular therapies in a (patho-)physiologically relevant manner. In this review, we introduce recent progress in tissue engineering and microphysiological models for more faithful recapitulation of TME for cell-based immunotherapies, and some key considerations for the future development of engineered tumor models. This overview will provide a better understanding on the role of engineered models in accelerating immunotherapeutic discoveries and clinical translations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Ando
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
| | - Chelsea Mariano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
| | - Keyue Shen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States; USC Stem Cell, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States.
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Chai JY, Sugumar V, Alshawsh MA, Wong WF, Arya A, Chong PP, Looi CY. The Role of Smoothened-Dependent and -Independent Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Tumorigenesis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1188. [PMID: 34572373 PMCID: PMC8466551 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh)-glioma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) signaling pathway is highly conserved among mammals, with crucial roles in regulating embryonic development as well as in cancer initiation and progression. The GLI transcription factors (GLI1, GLI2, and GLI3) are effectors of the Hh pathway and are regulated via Smoothened (SMO)-dependent and SMO-independent mechanisms. The SMO-dependent route involves the common Hh-PTCH-SMO axis, and mutations or transcriptional and epigenetic dysregulation at these levels lead to the constitutive activation of GLI transcription factors. Conversely, the SMO-independent route involves the SMO bypass regulation of GLI transcription factors by external signaling pathways and their interacting proteins or by epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of GLI transcription factors expression. Both routes of GLI activation, when dysregulated, have been heavily implicated in tumorigenesis of many known cancers, making them important targets for cancer treatment. Hence, this review describes the various SMO-dependent and SMO-independent routes of GLI regulation in the tumorigenesis of multiple cancers in order to provide a holistic view of the paradigms of hedgehog signaling networks involving GLI regulation. An in-depth understanding of the complex interplay between GLI and various signaling elements could help inspire new therapeutic breakthroughs for the treatment of Hh-GLI-dependent cancers in the future. Lastly, we have presented an up-to-date summary of the latest findings concerning the use of Hh inhibitors in clinical developmental studies and discussed the challenges, perspectives, and possible directions regarding the use of SMO/GLI inhibitors in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Yi Chai
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (J.Y.C.); (P.P.C.)
| | - Vaisnevee Sugumar
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia;
| | | | - Won Fen Wong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
| | - Aditya Arya
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Building 184, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Pei Pei Chong
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (J.Y.C.); (P.P.C.)
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Molecular Pharmacology (CDDMP), Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
| | - Chung Yeng Looi
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (J.Y.C.); (P.P.C.)
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Molecular Pharmacology (CDDMP), Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
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Peer E, Aichberger SK, Vilotic F, Gruber W, Parigger T, Grund-Gröschke S, Elmer DP, Rathje F, Ramspacher A, Zaja M, Michel S, Hamm S, Aberger F. Casein Kinase 1D Encodes a Novel Drug Target in Hedgehog-GLI-Driven Cancers and Tumor-Initiating Cells Resistant to SMO Inhibition. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164227. [PMID: 34439381 PMCID: PMC8394935 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164227] [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: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Uncontrolled activation of hedgehog (HH)—GLI signaling contributes to the development of several human malignancies. Targeted inhibition of the HH—GLI signaling cascade with small-molecule inhibitors can reduce cancer growth, but patient relapse is very common due to the development of drug resistance. Therefore, a high unmet medical need exists for new drug targets and inhibitors to achieve efficient and durable responses. In the current study, we identified CSNK1D as a novel drug target in the HH—GLI signaling pathway. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of CSNK1D activity leads to suppression of oncogenic HH—GLI signaling, even in cancer cells in which already approved HH inhibitors are no longer effective due to resistance mechanisms. Inhibition of CSNK1D function reduces the malignant properties of so-called tumor-initiating cells, thereby limiting cancer growth and presumably metastasis. The results of this study form the basis for the development of efficient CSNK1D inhibitors for the therapy of HH—GLI-associated cancers. Abstract (1) Background: Aberrant activation of the hedgehog (HH)—GLI pathway in stem-like tumor-initiating cells (TIC) is a frequent oncogenic driver signal in various human malignancies. Remarkable efficacy of anti-HH therapeutics led to the approval of HH inhibitors targeting the key pathway effector smoothened (SMO) in basal cell carcinoma and acute myeloid leukemia. However, frequent development of drug resistance and severe adverse effects of SMO inhibitors pose major challenges that require alternative treatment strategies targeting HH—GLI in TIC downstream of SMO. We therefore investigated members of the casein kinase 1 (CSNK1) family as novel drug targets in HH—GLI-driven malignancies. (2) Methods: We genetically and pharmacologically inhibited CSNK1D in HH-dependent cancer cells displaying either sensitivity or resistance to SMO inhibitors. To address the role of CSNK1D in oncogenic HH signaling and tumor growth and initiation, we quantitatively analyzed HH target gene expression, performed genetic and chemical perturbations of CSNK1D activity, and monitored the oncogenic transformation of TIC in vitro and in vivo using 3D clonogenic tumor spheroid assays and xenograft models. (3) Results: We show that CSNK1D plays a critical role in controlling oncogenic GLI activity downstream of SMO. We provide evidence that inhibition of CSNK1D interferes with oncogenic HH signaling in both SMO inhibitor-sensitive and -resistant tumor settings. Furthermore, genetic and pharmacologic perturbation of CSNK1D decreases the clonogenic growth of GLI-dependent TIC in vitro and in vivo. (4) Conclusions: Pharmacologic targeting of CSNK1D represents a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of both SMO inhibitor-sensitive and -resistant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Peer
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Sophie Karoline Aichberger
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Filip Vilotic
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Wolfgang Gruber
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Thomas Parigger
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
- Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, IIIrd Medical Department, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sandra Grund-Gröschke
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Dominik Patrick Elmer
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Florian Rathje
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Andrea Ramspacher
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Mirko Zaja
- 4SC AG, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152 Planegg, Germany; (M.Z.); (S.M.); (S.H.)
| | - Susanne Michel
- 4SC AG, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152 Planegg, Germany; (M.Z.); (S.M.); (S.H.)
| | - Svetlana Hamm
- 4SC AG, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152 Planegg, Germany; (M.Z.); (S.M.); (S.H.)
| | - Fritz Aberger
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-662-8044-5792
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Can the New and Old Drugs Exert an Immunomodulatory Effect in Acute Myeloid Leukemia? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164121. [PMID: 34439275 PMCID: PMC8393879 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164121] [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: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The advent of novel immunotherapeutic strategies has revealed the importance of immune dysregulation and of a tolerogenic microenvironment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) fitness. We reviewed the “off-target” effects on the immune system of different drugs used in the treatment of AML to explore the advantages of this unexpected interaction. Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is considered an immune-suppressive neoplasm capable of evading immune surveillance through cellular and environmental players. Increasing knowledge of the immune system (IS) status at diagnosis seems to suggest ever more attention of the crosstalk between the leukemic clone and its immunologic counterpart. During the last years, the advent of novel immunotherapeutic strategies has revealed the importance of immune dysregulation and suppression for leukemia fitness. Considering all these premises, we reviewed the “off-target” effects on the IS of different drugs used in the treatment of AML, focusing on the main advantages of this interaction. The data reported support the idea that a successful therapeutic strategy should consider tailored approaches for performing leukemia eradication by both direct blasts killing and the engagement of the IS.
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Iahtisham-Ul-Haq, Khan S, Awan KA, Iqbal MJ. Sulforaphane as a potential remedy against cancer: Comprehensive mechanistic review. J Food Biochem 2021; 46:e13886. [PMID: 34350614 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.13886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Sulforaphane belongs to the active class of isothiocyanates capable of delivering various biological benefits for health promotion and disease prevention. This compound is considered vital to curtail numerous metabolic disorders. Various studies have proven its beneficial effects against cancer prevention and its possible utilization as a therapeutic agent in cancer treatment. Understanding the mechanistic pathways and possible interactions at cellular and subcellular levels is key to design and develop cancer therapeutics for humans. In this respect, a number of mechanisms such as modulation of carcinogen metabolism & phase II enzymatic activities, cell cycle arrest, activation of Nrf2, cytotoxic, proapoptotic and apoptotic pathways have been reported to be involved in cancer prevention. This article provides sufficient information by critical analysis to understand the mechanisms involved in cancer prevention attributed to sulforaphane. Furthermore, various clinical studies have also been included for design and development of novel therapies for cancer prevention and cure. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Diet and dietary components are potential tools to address various lifestyle-related disorders. Due to plenty of environmental and cellular toxicants, the chances of cancer prevalence are quite large which are worsen by adopting unhealthy lifestyles. Cancer can be treated with various therapies but those are acquiring side effects causing the patients to suffer the treatment regime. Nutraceuticals and functional foods provide safer options to prevent or delay the onset of cancer. In this regard, sulforaphane is a pivotal compound to be targeted as a potential agent for cancer treatment both in preventive and therapeutic regimes. This article provides sufficient evidence via discussing the underlying mechanisms of positive effects of sulforaphane to further the research for developing anticancer drugs that will help assuage this lethal morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iahtisham-Ul-Haq
- School of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Minhaj University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sipper Khan
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Tropics and Subtropics Group, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Kanza Aziz Awan
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
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60
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Shen ZQ, Wang J, Tan WF, Huang TM. Berberine inhibits colorectal tumor growth by suppressing SHH secretion. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:1190-1194. [PMID: 32958873 PMCID: PMC8209003 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00514-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog plays an important role in a wide range of physiological and pathological conditions. Paracrine activation of Hedgehog pathway in stromal cells increases the expression of VEGF, which promotes neovascularization in colorectal cancer and ultimately the growth of colorectal cancer. Berberine (BBR) has anticancer activity. In this study we investigated whether BBR inhibited the growth of colon cancer through suppressing the paracrine sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling in vitro and in vivo. We showed that BBR (1-10 μM) dose-dependently inhibited the secretion and expression of SHH protein in HT-29 and SW480 cells. BBR did not influence the transcription of SHH, but promoted the degradation of SHH mRNA, thus decreased the SHH mRNA expression in the colorectal cancer cells. In nude mice bearing HT-29 xenograft, oral administration of BBR (100 mg · kg-1 · d-1) or a positive control drug GDC-0449 (100 mg · kg-1 · d-1) for 4 weeks markedly suppressed the growth of HT-29 tumor with BBR exhibiting a better antitumor efficacy. The tumor growth inhibition caused by BBR or GDC-0449 was comparable to their respective inhibitory effect on the mouse-specific Gli mRNA expression in the tumor. However, BBR (20 μM) did not affect the expression of human transcription factor Gli1 mRNA in HT-29 and SW480 cells. In conclusion, BBR promotes the degradation of SHH mRNA in colorectal cancer cells, interrupting the paracrine Hedgehog signaling pathway activity thus suppresses the colorectal cancer growth. This study reveals a novel molecular mechanism underlying the anticancer action of BBR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu-Qing Shen
- Department of Pharmacy, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wen-Fu Tan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Tao-Min Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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Xia T, Du W, Chen X, Zhang Y. Organoid models of the tumor microenvironment and their applications. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:5829-5841. [PMID: 34033245 PMCID: PMC8256354 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A small percentage of data obtained from animal/2D culture models can be translated to humans. Therefore, there is a need to using native tumour microenvironment mimicking models to improve preclinical screening and reduce this attrition rate. For this purpose, currently, the utilization of organoids is expanding. Tumour organoids can recapitulate tumour microenvironment that is including cancer cells and non-neoplastic host components. Indeed, tumour organoids, both phenotypically and genetically, resemble the tumour tissue that originated from it. The unique properties of the tumour microenvironment can significantly affect drug response and cancer progression. In this review, we will discuss about various organoid culture strategies for modelling the tumour immune microenvironment, their applications and advantages in cancer research such as testing cancer immunotherapeutics, developing novel approaches for personalized medicine, testing drug toxicity, drug screening, study cancer initiation and progression, and we will also review the limitations of organoid culture systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Xia
- Department of Gastrointestinal‐Pancreatic SurgeryZhejiang Provincial People’s HospitalPeople’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang ProvinceZhejiang Provincial People’s HospitalPeople’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouChina
| | - Wen‐Lin Du
- Department of Gastrointestinal‐Pancreatic SurgeryZhejiang Provincial People’s HospitalPeople’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang ProvinceZhejiang Provincial People’s HospitalPeople’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouChina
| | - Xiao‐Yi Chen
- Clinical Research InstituteZhejiang Provincial People’s HospitalPeople’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouChina
| | - You‐Ni Zhang
- Department of Laboratory MedicineTiantai People's HospitalTaizhouChina
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Koh V, Chakrabarti J, Torvund M, Steele N, Hawkins JA, Ito Y, Wang J, Helmrath MA, Merchant JL, Ahmed SA, Shabbir A, Yan So JB, Yong WP, Zavros Y. Hedgehog transcriptional effector GLI mediates mTOR-Induced PD-L1 expression in gastric cancer organoids. Cancer Lett 2021; 518:59-71. [PMID: 34126195 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Tumors evade immune surveillance by expressing Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1), subsequently inhibiting CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte function. Response of gastric cancer to immunotherapy is relatively low. Our laboratory has reported that Helicobacter pylori-induced PD-L1 expression within the gastric epithelium is mediated by the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is activated in gastric cancer and may have immunomodulatory potential. We hypothesize that Hh signaling mediates mTOR-induced PD-L1 expression. Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) were generated from gastric biopsies and resected tumor tissues. Autologous organoid/immune cell co-cultures were used to study the immunosuppressive function of MDSCs. NanoString Digital Spatial Profiling (DSP) of immune-related protein markers using FFPE slide-mounted tissues from gastric cancer patients was performed. DSP analysis showed infiltration of immunosuppressive MDSCs expressing Arg1, CD66b, VISTA and IDO1 within cancer tissues. Orthotopic transplantation of patient derived organoids (PDOs) resulted in the engraftment of organoids and the development of histology similar to that observed in the patient's tumor tissue. PDO/immune cell co-cultures revealed that PD-L1-expressing organoids were unresponsive to nivolumab in vitro in the presence of PMN-MDSCs. Depletion of PMN-MDSCs within these co-cultures sensitized the organoids to anti-PD-1/PD-L1-induced cancer cell death. Rapamycin decreased phosphorylated S6K, Gli2 and PD-L1 expression in PDO/immune cell co-cultures. Transcriptional regulation of PD-L1 by GLI1 and GLI2 was blocked by rapamycin. In conclusion, the PDO/immune cell co-cultures may be used to study immunosuppressive MDSC function within the gastric tumor microenvironment. The mTOR signaling pathway mediates GLI-induced PD-L1 expression in gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Koh
- National University Cancer Institute Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore; Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jayati Chakrabarti
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Meaghan Torvund
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Nina Steele
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jennifer A Hawkins
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yoshiaki Ito
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jiang Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Michael A Helmrath
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Juanita L Merchant
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Syed A Ahmed
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Asim Shabbir
- Department of Surgery, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - Jimmy Bok Yan So
- National University Cancer Institute Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore; Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wei Peng Yong
- National University Cancer Institute Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore; Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yana Zavros
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
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Guo JN, Xia BR, Deng SH, Yang C, Pi YN, Cui BB, Jin WL. Deubiquitinating Enzymes Orchestrate the Cancer Stem Cell-Immunosuppressive Niche Dialogue: New Perspectives and Therapeutic Potential. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:680100. [PMID: 34179009 PMCID: PMC8220152 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.680100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are sparks for igniting tumor recurrence and the instigators of low response to immunotherapy and drug resistance. As one of the important components of tumor microenvironment, the tumor associated immune microenvironment (TAIM) is driving force for the heterogeneity, plasticity and evolution of CSCs. CSCs create the inhibitory TAIM (ITAIM) mainly through four stemness-related signals (SRSs), including Notch-nuclear factor-κB axis, Hedgehog, Wnt and signal transducer and activator of transcription. Ubiquitination and deubiquitination in proteins related to the specific stemness of the CSCs have a profound impact on the regulation of ITAIM. In regulating the balance between ubiquitination and deubiquitination, it is crucial for deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) to cleave ubiquitin chains from substrates. Ubiquitin-specific peptidases (USPs) comprise the largest family of DUBs. Growing evidence suggests that they play novel functions in contribution of ITAIM, including regulating tumor immunogenicity, activating stem cell factors, upregulating the SRSs, stabilizing anti-inflammatory receptors, and regulating anti-inflammatory cytokines. These overactive or abnormal signaling may dampen antitumor immune responses. The inhibition of USPs could play a regulatory role in SRSs and reversing ITAIM, and also have great potential in improving immune killing ability against tumor cells, including CSCs. In this review, we focus on the USPs involved in CSCs signaling pathways and regulating ITAIM, which are promising therapeutic targets in antitumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Nan Guo
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Bai-Rong Xia
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Anhui Provincial Cancer Hospital, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Shen-Hui Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chang Yang
- Department of Gynecology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Ya-Nan Pi
- Department of Gynecology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Bin-Bin Cui
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Wei-Lin Jin
- Medical Frontier Innovation Research Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Institute of Cancer Neuroscience, The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Zhang H, Dai Z, Wu W, Wang Z, Zhang N, Zhang L, Zeng WJ, Liu Z, Cheng Q. Regulatory mechanisms of immune checkpoints PD-L1 and CTLA-4 in cancer. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:184. [PMID: 34088360 PMCID: PMC8178863 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01987-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4)/B7 and programmed death 1 (PD-1)/ programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) are two most representative immune checkpoint pathways, which negatively regulate T cell immune function during different phases of T-cell activation. Inhibitors targeting CTLA-4/B7 and PD1/PD-L1 pathways have revolutionized immunotherapies for numerous cancer types. Although the combined anti-CTLA-4/B7 and anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapy has demonstrated promising clinical efficacy, only a small percentage of patients receiving anti-CTLA-4/B7 or anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapy experienced prolonged survival. Regulation of the expression of PD-L1 and CTLA-4 significantly impacts the treatment effect. Understanding the in-depth mechanisms and interplays of PD-L1 and CTLA-4 could help identify patients with better immunotherapy responses and promote their clinical care. In this review, regulation of PD-L1 and CTLA-4 is discussed at the levels of DNA, RNA, and proteins, as well as indirect regulation of biomarkers, localization within the cell, and drugs. Specifically, some potential drugs have been developed to regulate PD-L1 and CTLA-4 expressions with high efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ziyu Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wantao Wu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zeyu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- One-third Lab, College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Liyang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wen-Jing Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhixiong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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65
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Wang Y, Chen H, Jiao X, Wu L, Yang Y, Zhang J, Wu L, Liu C, Zhuo N, Li S, Gong J, Li J, Zhang X, Wang X, Peng Z, Qi C, Wang Z, Li J, Li Y, Lu Z, Zhang H, Shen L. PTCH1 mutation promotes antitumor immunity and the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in colorectal cancer patients. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 71:111-120. [PMID: 34028566 PMCID: PMC8738454 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02966-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as an effective therapeutic strategy for various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC), but only a subset of MSI-H patients can benefit from such therapy. Patched1 (PTCH1) is a frequently altered gene in CRCs and its mutations contribute to unregulated Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. In the study, we evaluated the association of PTCH1 mutations with CRC immunity based on our single-center cohort and multiple cancer genomic datasets. Among 21 enrolled patients, six (28.6%) harbored a PTCH1 mutation based on WES analyses. In CRC patients, the PTCH1 mutation subgroup experienced a higher durable clinical benefit rate than the PTCH1 wild-type subgroup (100% vs. 40%, P = 0.017). In addition, patients with the PTCH1 mutation experienced greater progression-free survival (PFS, P = 0.037; HR, 0.208) and overall survival (OS, P = 0.045; HR, 0.185). A validation cohort from the MSKCC also confirmed the correlation between PTCH1 mutation and better prognosis (P = 0.022; HR, 0.290). Mechanically, diverse antitumor immune signatures were more highly enriched in PTCH1-mutated tumors than in PTCH1 wild-type tumors. Furthermore, PTCH1-mutated tumors had higher proportions of CD8 + T cells, activated NK cells, and M1 type macrophage infiltration, as well as elevated gene signatures of several steps in the cancer-immunity cycle. Notably, the PTCH1 mutation was correlated with tumor mutational burden (TMB), loss of heterozygosity score, and copy number variation burden. Our results show that the mutation of PTCH1 is a potential biomarker for predicting the response of CRC patients to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanni Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Huan Chen
- Genecast Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Wuxi, China
| | - Xi Jiao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Lihong Wu
- Genecast Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Wuxi, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Genecast Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Wuxi, China
| | - Jiao Zhang
- Genecast Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Wuxi, China
| | - Lijia Wu
- Genecast Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Wuxi, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Na Zhuo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Jifang Gong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Xicheng Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Zhi Peng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Changsong Qi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Zhenghang Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Zhihao Lu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China.
| | - Henghui Zhang
- Biomedical innovation center, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, and School of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Tieyi Road 10, Haidian District, Beijing, 100038, China.
| | - Lin Shen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng Road 52, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China.
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66
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Feng X, Xue F, He G, Huang S, Ni Q. Banxia Xiexin Decoction Inhibits the Expression of PD-L1 Through Multi-Target and Multi-Pathway Regulation of Major Oncogenes in Gastric Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 14:3297-3307. [PMID: 34040394 PMCID: PMC8141399 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s288442] [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: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Banxia xiexin decoction (BXXX) is a classical Chinese herbal compound for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Its ingredients are also considered helpful for cancer rehabilitation. Here, we will explore the regulatory mechanism of BXXX acting on PD-L1 in gastric cancer (GC). Methods GC samples and the general baseline data of the patients were collated. Immunohistochemical (IHC) detected the expression of programmed cell death-ligand 1(PD-L1), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), interferon-γ receptor (IFNGR) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). ELISA detected the expressions of EGF, IFNG and IL-6 in serum samples. Network tools were used to analyze the potential molecules of BXXX. In the cell experiment, CCK-8 detected the cell proliferation. Tunel detected the apoptosis. Western blot detected the expression of related proteins. In animal experiments, the tumor volume of GC-bearing mice was observed. Expression of EGF, IFNG and IL-6 in the serum of tumor-bearing GC mice were detected by ELISA. Western blot detected the expression of related proteins. Results The expressions of PD-L1, HIF-1, EGFR, IFNGR and TLR4 in the tissues of GC patients were significantly increased, and the expressions of EGF, IFNG and IL-6 in serum were increased. The molecular results of the network tools showed that BXXX and its main components have a targeting effect on the key molecules of each pathway in the PD-L1 regulatory network. Cell experiments showed that BXXX can inhibit the expression of PD-L1, HIF-1, EGFR and TLR4, but has no significant effect on the expression of IFNGR, thus inhibiting the proliferation and promoting the apoptosis of GC cells. The results were consistent with the animal experiments on tumor-bearing gastric cancer mice. Conclusion BXXX inhibited the expression of PD-L1 through multi-target and multi-pathway regulation of major oncogenes in GC, thus effect cell proliferation and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Feng
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Xue
- Department of Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Guihua He
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, People's Republic of China
| | - Suiping Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Ni
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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67
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Tissues and Tumor Microenvironment (TME) in 3D: Models to Shed Light on Immunosuppression in Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040831. [PMID: 33917037 PMCID: PMC8067689 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040831] [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: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunosuppression in cancer has emerged as a major hurdle to immunotherapy efforts. Immunosuppression can arise from oncogene-induced signaling within the tumor as well as from tumor-associated immune cells. Understanding various mechanisms by which the tumor can undermine and evade therapy is critical in improving current cancer immunotherapies. While mouse models have allowed for the characterization of key immune cell types and their role in tumor development, extrapolating these mechanisms to patients has been challenging. There is need for better models to unravel the effects of genetic alterations inherent in tumor cells and immune cells isolated from tumors on tumor growth and to investigate the feasibility of immunotherapy. Three-dimensional (3D) organoid model systems have developed rapidly over the past few years and allow for incorporation of components of the tumor microenvironment such as immune cells and the stroma. This bears great promise for derivation of patient-specific models in a dish for understanding and determining the impact on personalized immunotherapy. In this review, we will highlight the significance of current experimental models employed in the study of tumor immunosuppression and evaluate current tumor organoid-immune cell co-culture systems and their potential impact in shedding light on cancer immunosuppression.
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Wang JY, Xiu J, Baca Y, Arai H, Battaglin F, Kawanishi N, Soni S, Zhang W, Millstein J, Shields AF, Grothey A, Weinberg BA, Marshall JL, Lou E, Khushman M, Sohal DPS, Hall MJ, Oberley M, Spetzler D, Shen L, Korn WM, Lenz HJ. Distinct genomic landscapes of gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma depending on PD-L1 expression identify mutations in RAS-MAPK pathway and TP53 as potential predictors of immunotherapy efficacy. Ann Oncol 2021; 32:906-916. [PMID: 33798656 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.03.203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of molecular alterations on programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) combined positive score (CPS) is not well studied in gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas (GEAs). We aimed to characterize genomic features of tumors with different CPSs in GEAs. PATIENTS AND METHODS Genomic alterations of 2518 GEAs were compared in three groups (PD-L1 CPS ≥ 10, high; CPS = 1-9, intermediate; CPS < 1, low) using next-generation sequencing. We assessed the impact of gene mutations on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and tumor immune environment based on the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases. RESULTS High, intermediate, and low CPSs were seen in 18%, 54% and 28% of GEAs, respectively. PD-L1 positivity was less prevalent in women and in tissues derived from metastatic sites. PD-L1 CPS was positively associated with mismatch repair deficiency/microsatellite instability-high, but independent of tumor mutation burden distribution. Tumors with mutations in KRAS, TP53, and RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway were associated with higher PD-L1 CPSs in the mismatch repair proficiency and microsatellite stability (pMMR&MSS) subgroup. Patients with RAS-MAPK pathway alterations had longer overall survival (OS) from ICIs compared to wildtype (WT) patients [27 versus 13 months, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.19-0.7, P = 0.016] and a similar trend was observed in the MSS subgroup (P = 0.11). In contrast, patients with TP53 mutations had worse OS from ICIs compared to TP53-WT patients in the MSS subgroup (5 versus 21 months, HR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.24-4.61, P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS This is the largest study to investigate the distinct genomic landscapes of GEAs with different PD-L1 CPSs. Our data may provide novel insights for patient selection using mutations in TP53 and RAS-MAPK pathway and for the development of rational combination immunotherapies in GEAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Wang
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China; Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - J Xiu
- Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, USA
| | - Y Baca
- Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, USA
| | - H Arai
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - F Battaglin
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - N Kawanishi
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - S Soni
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - W Zhang
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - J Millstein
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - A F Shields
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, USA
| | - A Grothey
- GI Cancer Research, West Cancer Center and Research Institute, Germantown, USA
| | - B A Weinberg
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, USA
| | - J L Marshall
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, USA
| | - E Lou
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - M Khushman
- Department of Interdisciplinary Clinical Oncology, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, USA
| | - D P S Sohal
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, USA
| | - M J Hall
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | | | - L Shen
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - W M Korn
- Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, USA
| | - H J Lenz
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
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Grönholm M, Feodoroff M, Antignani G, Martins B, Hamdan F, Cerullo V. Patient-Derived Organoids for Precision Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancer Res 2021; 81:3149-3155. [PMID: 33687948 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-4026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized the way tumors are treated. Nevertheless, efficient and robust testing platforms are still missing, including clinically relevant human ex vivo tumor assays that allow pretreatment testing of cancer therapies and selection of the most efficient and safe therapy for a specific patient. In the case of immunotherapy, this testing platform would require not only cancer cells, but also the tumor microenvironment, including immune cells. Here, we discuss the applications of patient-derived tumor organoid cultures and the possibilities in using complex immune-organoid cultures to provide preclinical testing platforms for precision cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikaela Grönholm
- Laboratory of ImmunoViroTherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,TRIMM, Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michaela Feodoroff
- Laboratory of ImmunoViroTherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,TRIMM, Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,FIMM, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute for Life Sciences (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gabriella Antignani
- Laboratory of ImmunoViroTherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,TRIMM, Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Beatriz Martins
- Laboratory of ImmunoViroTherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,TRIMM, Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Firas Hamdan
- Laboratory of ImmunoViroTherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,TRIMM, Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Laboratory of ImmunoViroTherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. .,Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,TRIMM, Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology and CEINGE, Naples University Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Mehlman C, Takam Kamga P, Costantini A, Julié C, Dumenil C, Dumoulin J, Ouaknine J, Giraud V, Chinet T, Emile JF, Giroux Leprieur E. Baseline Hedgehog Pathway Activation and Increase of Plasma Wnt1 Protein Are Associated with Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051107. [PMID: 33807552 PMCID: PMC7962040 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051107] [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: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) and Wingless-type (Wnt) pathways are associated with resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in preclinical studies. This study aimed to assess the association between expression and activation levels of Wnt and Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) pathways and resistance to ICIs in advanced NSCLC patients treated with ICI. Hh and Wnt pathways activation was assessed by immunohistochemistry (Gli1 and beta-catenin) on corresponding tumor tissues, and by plasma concentrations of Shh and Wnt (Wnt1, Wnt2 and Wnt3) at ICI introduction and at the first clinical evaluation. Sixty-three patients were included, with 36 patients (57.1%) with available tissue. Response rate was lower in Gli1+ NSCLC (20.0%) compared to Gli1 negative (Gli-) NSCLC (55.6%) (p = 0.015). Rate of primary resistance was 69.8%, vs. 31.2%, respectively (p = 0.04), and median progression-free survival (PFS) was 1.9 months (interquartile range (IQR) 1.2-5.7) vs. 6.1 months (1.6-26.0), respectively (p = 0.08). Median PFS and overall survival were shorter in case of increase of Wnt1 concentration during ICI treatment compared to other patients: 3.9 months vs. 11.2 months (p = 0.008), and 15.3 months vs. not reached (p = 0.003). In conclusion, baseline activation of Hh pathway and increase of Wnt1 concentrations during ICI treatment were associated with poor outcome in NSCLC patients treated with ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Mehlman
- EA 4340 BECCOH, UVSQ, Université Paris-Saclay, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France; (C.M.); (P.T.K.); (A.C.); (C.J.); (T.C.); (J.-F.E.)
| | - Paul Takam Kamga
- EA 4340 BECCOH, UVSQ, Université Paris-Saclay, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France; (C.M.); (P.T.K.); (A.C.); (C.J.); (T.C.); (J.-F.E.)
| | - Adrien Costantini
- EA 4340 BECCOH, UVSQ, Université Paris-Saclay, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France; (C.M.); (P.T.K.); (A.C.); (C.J.); (T.C.); (J.-F.E.)
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Oncology, APHP—Hopital Ambroise Pare, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France; (C.D.); (J.D.); (J.O.); (V.G.)
| | - Catherine Julié
- EA 4340 BECCOH, UVSQ, Université Paris-Saclay, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France; (C.M.); (P.T.K.); (A.C.); (C.J.); (T.C.); (J.-F.E.)
- Department of Pathology, APHP—Hopital Ambroise Pare, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Coraline Dumenil
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Oncology, APHP—Hopital Ambroise Pare, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France; (C.D.); (J.D.); (J.O.); (V.G.)
| | - Jennifer Dumoulin
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Oncology, APHP—Hopital Ambroise Pare, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France; (C.D.); (J.D.); (J.O.); (V.G.)
| | - Julia Ouaknine
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Oncology, APHP—Hopital Ambroise Pare, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France; (C.D.); (J.D.); (J.O.); (V.G.)
| | - Violaine Giraud
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Oncology, APHP—Hopital Ambroise Pare, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France; (C.D.); (J.D.); (J.O.); (V.G.)
| | - Thierry Chinet
- EA 4340 BECCOH, UVSQ, Université Paris-Saclay, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France; (C.M.); (P.T.K.); (A.C.); (C.J.); (T.C.); (J.-F.E.)
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Oncology, APHP—Hopital Ambroise Pare, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France; (C.D.); (J.D.); (J.O.); (V.G.)
| | - Jean-François Emile
- EA 4340 BECCOH, UVSQ, Université Paris-Saclay, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France; (C.M.); (P.T.K.); (A.C.); (C.J.); (T.C.); (J.-F.E.)
- Department of Pathology, APHP—Hopital Ambroise Pare, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Etienne Giroux Leprieur
- EA 4340 BECCOH, UVSQ, Université Paris-Saclay, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France; (C.M.); (P.T.K.); (A.C.); (C.J.); (T.C.); (J.-F.E.)
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Oncology, APHP—Hopital Ambroise Pare, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France; (C.D.); (J.D.); (J.O.); (V.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-149-095-802; Fax: +33-149-095-806
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Zhang J, Fan J, Zeng X, Nie M, Luan J, Wang Y, Ju D, Yin K. Hedgehog signaling in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis and the gastrointestinal tumor microenvironment. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:609-620. [PMID: 33777671 PMCID: PMC7982428 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway plays important roles in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis and the gastrointestinal tumor microenvironment (TME). Aberrant HH signaling activation may accelerate the growth of gastrointestinal tumors and lead to tumor immune tolerance and drug resistance. The interaction between HH signaling and the TME is intimately involved in these processes, for example, tumor growth, tumor immune tolerance, inflammation, and drug resistance. Evidence indicates that inflammatory factors in the TME, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), macrophages, and T cell-dependent immune responses, play a vital role in tumor growth by affecting the HH signaling pathway. Moreover, inhibition of proliferating cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and inflammatory factors can normalize the TME by suppressing HH signaling. Furthermore, aberrant HH signaling activation is favorable to both the proliferation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the drug resistance of gastrointestinal tumors. This review discusses the current understanding of the role and mechanism of aberrant HH signaling activation in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis, the gastrointestinal TME, tumor immune tolerance and drug resistance and highlights the underlying therapeutic opportunities.
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Key Words
- 5-Fu, 5-fluorouracil
- ALK5, TGF-β receptor I kinase
- ATO, arsenic trioxide
- BCC, basal cell carcinoma
- BCL-2, B cell lymphoma 2
- BMI-1, B cell-specific moloney murine leukemia virus insertion region-1
- CAFs, cancer-associated fibroblasts
- CSCs, cancer stem cells
- Cancer stem cells
- Carcinogenesis
- DHH, Desert Hedgehog
- Drug resistance
- EGF, epidermal growth factor
- FOLFOX, oxaliplatin
- G protein coupled receptor kinase 2, HH
- Gastrointestinal cancer
- Hedgehog
- Hedgehog, HIF-1α
- IHH, Indian Hedgehog
- IL-10/6, interleukin 10/6
- ITCH, itchy E3 ubiquitin ligase
- MDSCs, myeloid-derived suppressor cells
- NK, natural killer
- NOX4, NADPH Oxidase 4
- PD-1, programmed cell death-1
- PD-L1, programmed cell death ligand-1
- PKA, protein kinase A
- PTCH, Patched
- ROS, reactive oxygen species
- SHH, Sonic Hedgehog
- SMAD3, mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3
- SMO, Smoothened
- SNF5, sucrose non-fermenting 5
- STAT3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3
- SUFU, Suppressor of Fused
- TAMs, tumor-related macrophages
- TGF-β, transforming growth factor β
- TME, tumor microenvironment
- Tumor microenvironment
- VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor
- WNT, Wingless/Integrated
- and leucovorin, GLI
- ch5E1, chimeric monoclonal antibody 5E1
- glioma-associated oncogene homologue, GRK2
- hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, IFN-γ: interferon-γ
- βArr2, β-arrestin2
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghui Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Department of Biological Medicines, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiajun Fan
- Department of Biological Medicines, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xian Zeng
- Department of Biological Medicines, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mingming Nie
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jingyun Luan
- Department of Biological Medicines, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yichen Wang
- Department of Biological Medicines, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Dianwen Ju
- Department of Biological Medicines, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Shanghai 201203, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel./fax: +86 21 65349106 (Kai Yin); Tel.: +86 21 5198 0037; Fax +86 21 5198 0036 (Dianwen Ju).
| | - Kai Yin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel./fax: +86 21 65349106 (Kai Yin); Tel.: +86 21 5198 0037; Fax +86 21 5198 0036 (Dianwen Ju).
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Kaymak I, Williams KS, Cantor JR, Jones RG. Immunometabolic Interplay in the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancer Cell 2021; 39:28-37. [PMID: 33125860 PMCID: PMC7837268 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Immune cells' metabolism influences their differentiation and function. Given that a complex interplay of environmental factors within the tumor microenvironment (TME) can have a profound impact on the metabolic activities of immune, stromal, and tumor cell types, there is emerging interest to advance understanding of these diverse metabolic phenotypes in the TME. Here, we discuss cell-extrinsic contributions to the metabolic activities of immune cells. Then, considering recent technical advances in experimental systems and metabolic profiling technologies, we propose future directions to better understand how immune cells meet their metabolic demands in the TME, which can be leveraged for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irem Kaymak
- Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Kelsey S Williams
- Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Jason R Cantor
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI 53715, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Russell G Jones
- Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
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Fitzgerald AA, Li E, Weiner LM. 3D Culture Systems for Exploring Cancer Immunology. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 13:cancers13010056. [PMID: 33379189 PMCID: PMC7795162 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary To study any disease, researchers need convenient and relevant disease models. In cancer, the most commonly used models are two-dimensional (2D) culture models, which grow cells on hard, rigid, plastic surfaces, and mouse models. Cancer immunology is especially difficult to model because the immune system is exceedingly complex; it contains multiple types of cells, and each cell type has several subtypes and a spectrum of activation states. These many immune cell types interact with cancer cells and other components of the tumor, ultimately influencing disease outcomes. 2D culture methods fail to recapitulate these complex cellular interactions. Mouse models also suffer because the murine and human immune systems vary significantly. Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems therefore provide an alternative method to study cancer immunology and can fill the current gaps in available models. This review will describe common 3D culture models and how those models have been used to advance our understanding of cancer immunology. Abstract Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, spurring extensive investigation into cancer immunology and how to exploit this biology for therapeutic benefit. Current methods to investigate cancer-immune cell interactions and develop novel drug therapies rely on either two-dimensional (2D) culture systems or murine models. However, three-dimensional (3D) culture systems provide a potentially superior alternative model to both 2D and murine approaches. As opposed to 2D models, 3D models are more physiologically relevant and better replicate tumor complexities. Compared to murine models, 3D models are cheaper, faster, and can study the human immune system. In this review, we discuss the most common 3D culture systems—spheroids, organoids, and microfluidic chips—and detail how these systems have advanced our understanding of cancer immunology.
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Porter RJ, Murray GI, McLean MH. Current concepts in tumour-derived organoids. Br J Cancer 2020; 123:1209-1218. [PMID: 32728094 PMCID: PMC7555542 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-0993-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer comprises a collection of highly proliferative and heterogeneous cells growing within an adaptive and evolving tumour microenvironment. Cancer survival rates have significantly improved following decades of cancer research. However, many experimental and preclinical studies do not translate to the bedside, reflecting the challenges of modelling the complexities and multicellular basis of human disease. Organoids are novel, complex, three-dimensional ex vivo tissue cultures that are derived from embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells or tissue-resident progenitor cells, and represent a near-physiological model for studying cancer. Organoids develop by self-organisation, and can accurately represent the diverse genetic, cellular and pathophysiological hallmarks of cancer. In addition, co-culture methods and the ability to genetically manipulate these organoids have widened their utility in cancer research. Organoids thus offer a new and exciting platform for studying cancer and directing personalised therapies. This review aims to highlight how organoids are shaping the future of cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross J Porter
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Graeme I Murray
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Mairi H McLean
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
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Yong H, Fu J, Gao G, Shi H, Zheng D, Zhou X. MiR-34a suppresses the proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer by modulating PDL1 in the immune microenvironment. Mol Cell Probes 2020; 53:101601. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2020.101601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Ochoa de Olza M, Navarro Rodrigo B, Zimmermann S, Coukos G. Turning up the heat on non-immunoreactive tumours: opportunities for clinical development. Lancet Oncol 2020; 21:e419-e430. [PMID: 32888471 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(20)30234-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Notable advances have been achieved in the treatment of cancer since the advent of immunotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown clinical benefit across a wide variety of tumour types. Nevertheless, most patients still progress on these treatments, highlighting the importance of unravelling the underlying mechanisms of primary resistance to immunotherapy. A well described biomarker of non-responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors is the absence or low presence of lymphocytes in the tumour microenvironment, so-called cold tumours. There are five mechanisms of action that have the potential to turn cold tumours into so-called hot and inflamed tumours, hence increasing the tumour's responsiveness to immunotherapy-increasing local inflammation, neutralising immunosuppression at the tumour site, modifying the tumour vasculature, targeting the tumour cells themselves, or increasing the frequency of tumour-specific T cells. In this Review, we discuss preclinical data that serves as the basis for ongoing immunotherapy clinical trials for the treatment of non-immunoreactive tumours, as well as reviewing clinical and translational data where available. We explain how improving our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of primary resistance to immunotherapy will help elucidate an increasingly granular view of the tumour microenvironment cellular composition, functional status, and cellular localisation, with the goal of further therapy refinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Ochoa de Olza
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Service of Immuno-Oncology, Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Blanca Navarro Rodrigo
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Service of Immuno-Oncology, Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Zimmermann
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Service of Immuno-Oncology, Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - George Coukos
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Service of Immuno-Oncology, Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Yuki K, Cheng N, Nakano M, Kuo CJ. Organoid Models of Tumor Immunology. Trends Immunol 2020; 41:652-664. [PMID: 32654925 PMCID: PMC7416500 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2020.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cellular interactions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly govern cancer progression and drug response. The efficacy of clinical immunotherapies has fostered an exponential interest in the tumor immune microenvironment, which in turn has engendered a pressing need for robust experimental systems modeling patient-specific tumor-immune interactions. Traditional 2D in vitro tumor immunotherapy models have reconstituted immortalized cancer cell lines with immune components, often from peripheral blood. However, newly developed 3D in vitro organoid culture methods now allow the routine culture of primary human tumor biopsies and increasingly incorporate immune components. Here, we present a viewpoint on recent advances, and propose translational applications of tumor organoids for immuno-oncology research, immunotherapy modeling, and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanako Yuki
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ning Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michitaka Nakano
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Calvin J Kuo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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78
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Grund-Gröschke S, Ortner D, Szenes-Nagy AB, Zaborsky N, Weiss R, Neureiter D, Wipplinger M, Risch A, Hammerl P, Greil R, Sibilia M, Gratz IK, Stoitzner P, Aberger F. Epidermal activation of Hedgehog signaling establishes an immunosuppressive microenvironment in basal cell carcinoma by modulating skin immunity. Mol Oncol 2020; 14:1930-1946. [PMID: 32615027 PMCID: PMC7463314 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic activation of hedgehog/glioma‐associated oncogene homolog (HH/GLI) signaling causes basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a very frequent nonmelanoma skin cancer. Small molecule targeting of the essential HH effector Smoothened (SMO) has proven an effective therapy of BCC, though the frequent development of drug resistance poses major challenges to anti‐HH treatments. In light of recent breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy, we analyzed the possible immunosuppressive mechanisms in HH/GLI‐induced BCC in detail. Using a genetic mouse model of BCC, we identified profound differences in the infiltration of BCC lesions with cells of the adaptive and innate immune system. Epidermal activation of Hh/Gli signaling led to an accumulation of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells, and to an increased expression of immune checkpoint molecules including programmed death (PD)‐1/PD‐ligand 1. Anti‐PD‐1 monotherapy, however, did not reduce tumor growth, presumably due to the lack of immunogenic mutations in common BCC mouse models, as shown by whole‐exome sequencing. BCC lesions also displayed a marked infiltration with neutrophils, the depletion of which unexpectedly promoted BCC growth. The study provides a comprehensive survey of and novel insights into the immune status of murine BCC and serves as a basis for the design of efficacious rational combination treatments. This study also underlines the need for predictive immunogenic mouse models of BCC to evaluate the efficacy of immunotherapeutic strategies in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Grund-Gröschke
- Department of Biosciences, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Daniela Ortner
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Allergology, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Antal B Szenes-Nagy
- Department of Biosciences, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Nadja Zaborsky
- IIIrd Medical Department, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute - Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Austria
| | - Richard Weiss
- Department of Biosciences, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Daniel Neureiter
- Institute of Pathology, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Austria
| | - Martin Wipplinger
- Department of Biosciences, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Angela Risch
- Department of Biosciences, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Peter Hammerl
- Department of Biosciences, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Richard Greil
- IIIrd Medical Department, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute - Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Austria
| | - Maria Sibilia
- Institute of Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Iris K Gratz
- Department of Biosciences, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Patrizia Stoitzner
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Allergology, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Fritz Aberger
- Department of Biosciences, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Austria
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79
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Zhang Z, Hao C, Zhang R, Pei X, Li J, Wang L. A Gli inhibitor GANT61 suppresses cell proliferation, promotes cell apoptosis and induces G1/G0 cycle retardation with a dose- and time-dependent manner through inhibiting Notch pathway in multiple myeloma. Cell Cycle 2020; 19:2063-2073. [PMID: 32677544 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2020.1792686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to explore the effect of GANT61 on regulating cell proliferation, cell apoptosis and cell cycle, and to investigate whether GANT61 would function in multiple myeloma (MM) via inhibiting Notch pathway. Methods: RPMI-8226 and U266 cells were treated by GANT61 (0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, 30.0, 40.0, 50.0 μmol/L) for 18, 24 and 36 hours (h), and cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit 8. Then these cells were treated by GANT61 at 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 μmol/L for 24 h or treated by 10.0 μmol/L GANT61 for 0, 18, 24 and 36 h, and cell apoptosis rate, apoptosis markers and cell cycle were detected by AV/PI, Western blot, and PI staining. Notch1, Jagged1, Jagged2 and Hes1 expressions were detected by qPCR and Western blot. Further rescue experiments were conducted by upregulating Notch1. Results: In RPMI-8226 and U266 cells, GANT61 inhibited cell proliferation, increased cell apoptosis rate and cell percentage of G1/G0 phase while decreased cell percentage of S phase in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Besides, GANT61 inhibited Notch1, Jagged1, Jagged2 and Hes1 expressions in a dose- and time-dependent manner as well. In rescue experiments, Notch1 upregulation attenuated the inhibition of cell proliferation, promotion of cell apoptosis, induction of G1/G0 cycle retardation and repression of Notch signaling pathway induced by GANT61 treatment in RPMI-8226 and U266 cells. Conclusions: GANT61 suppresses cell proliferation, promotes cell apoptosis and induces G1/G0 cycle retardation with a dose- and time-dependent manner through inhibiting Notch pathway in MM. ABBREVIATIONS MM: Multiple myeloma; Hh: Hedgehog; EMT: epithelial mesenchymal transition; AML: acute myeloid leukemia; GANT61: GLI antagonist; DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide; CCK-8: Cell Counting Kit 8; C-Caspase 3: Cleaved Caspase 3; Bcl-2: B-cell lymphoma-2; RT-qPCR: real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction; OD: optical density; PTCH1: Patched1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihua Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College , Chengde, Hebei, China
| | - Changlai Hao
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College , Chengde, Hebei, China
| | - Rongjuan Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College , Chengde, Hebei, China
| | - Xiaochuan Pei
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College , Chengde, Hebei, China
| | - Jundong Li
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College , Chengde, Hebei, China
| | - Lihong Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College , Chengde, Hebei, China
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80
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Sancakli Usta C, Altun E, Afsar S, Bulbul CB, Usta A, Adalı E. Overexpression of programmed cell death ligand 1 in patients with CIN and its correlation with human papillomavirus infection and CIN persistence. Infect Agent Cancer 2020; 15:47. [PMID: 32695218 PMCID: PMC7367318 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-020-00312-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Backround HPV causes specific cell-mediated immunity in the cervix. Mononuclear cells such as helper T cells (CD4+), cytotoxic T cells (CD8+), and dendritic cells play a critical role in the initiation of the HPV-specific immune response and destruction of virus-infected cervical epithelial cells. The programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) gene encodes an immune inhibitory receptor ligand and overexpression of PD-L1 inhibits T-cell activation and cytokine production. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of PD-L1 in cervical tissue and its correlation with clinicopathological findings. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a total of 94 women who were referred for colposcopy due to abnormal Papanicolaou (PAP) test results and/or HPV positivity were evaluated. The presence of HR-HPV-DNA was analyzed using type- and gene-specific primers along with commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction. The cervical examination was done with a colposcope. Cervical biopsies were obtained from the areas that were evaluated as abnormal during the colposcopy. Histopathological result of cervical biopsies were defined as no intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 0), mild CIN (CIN I), and moderate-to-high CIN (CIN II-III). All women were classified into four groups based on their HR-HPV positivity and cervical biopsy results: Group I (controls; n = 29), HR-HPV (-) CIN 0; Group II (n = 21), HR-HPV (+) CIN 0; Group III (n = 20), HR-HPV (+) CIN I; and Group IV (n = 24), HR-HPV (+) CIN II-III. A semi-quantitative scoring system was used to evaluate the degree of Ki-67, p16, and PD-L1 immunoreactivity in the cervical tissue samples. Results We found that PD-L1 expression in both mononuclear cells and in cervical epithelial cells gradually increases from the HR-HPV (-), CIN 0 group to the HR-HPV (+), CIN II-III group (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.0394, respectively) and mononuclear PD-L1 expression was correlated with HPV type, initial Pap test results, HPV persistence, and CIN persistence or recurrence (p = 0.0180, p = 0.0109, p = 0.0042, and p = 0.0189, respectively). Moreover, mononuclear PD-L1 expression was also correlated with Ki-67 and p16 immunoreactivity (p = 0.0432 and p = 0.0166, respectively). Epithelial PD-L1 expression was only correlated with HPV type and the presence of HPV persistence (p = 0.0122 and p = 0.0292, respectively). Conclusion During the initial evaluation of the cervical histology results, the assessment of PD-L1 expression-especially in mononuclear cells in cervical tissue samples-may provide more information on the progression of HR-HPV infection and its persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceyda Sancakli Usta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Balikesir University, Cagis Yerleskesi, Bigadic yolu 17. km pc:10345, Balikesir, Türkiye
| | - Eren Altun
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Balikesir University, Balikesir, Turkey
| | - Selim Afsar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Balikesir Ataturk State Hospital, Balikesir, Turkey
| | - Cagla Bahar Bulbul
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Balikesir University, Cagis Yerleskesi, Bigadic yolu 17. km pc:10345, Balikesir, Türkiye
| | - Akin Usta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Balikesir University, Cagis Yerleskesi, Bigadic yolu 17. km pc:10345, Balikesir, Türkiye
| | - Ertan Adalı
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Balikesir University, Cagis Yerleskesi, Bigadic yolu 17. km pc:10345, Balikesir, Türkiye
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Song N, Li P, Song P, Li Y, Zhou S, Su Q, Li X, Yu Y, Li P, Feng M, Zhang M, Lin W. MicroRNA-138-5p Suppresses Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells by Targeting PD-L1/PD-1 to Regulate Tumor Microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:540. [PMID: 32754587 PMCID: PMC7365935 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still challenging for treatment owing to immune tolerance and evasion. MicroRNA-138 (miR-138) not only acts as a tumor suppressor to inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration but also regulates immune response. The regulatory mechanism of miR-138 in NSCLC remains not very clear. Herein, we demonstrated that miR-138-5p treatment decreased the growth of tumor cells and increased the number of tumor-infiltrated DCs. miR-138-5p not only down-regulated the expression of cyclin D3 (CCND3), CCD20, Ki67, and MCM in A549/3LL cells, but also regulated the maturation of DCs in A549-bearing nude mice and the 3LL-bearing C57BL/6 mouse model, and DCs’ capability to enhance T cells to kill tumor cells. Furthermore, miR-138-5p was found to target PD-L1 to down-regulate PD-L1 on tumor cells to reduce the expression of Ki67 and MCM in tumor cells and decrease the tolerance effect on DCs. miR-138-5p also directly down-regulates the expression of PD-L1 and PD-1 on DCs and T cells. Similar results were obtained from isolated human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and DCs. Thus, miR-138-5p inhibits tumor growth and activates the immune system by down-regulating PD-1/PD-L1 and it is a promising therapeutic target for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Song
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical School, Jinan, China
| | - Peng Li
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical School, Jinan, China
| | - Pingping Song
- Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical School, Jinan, China
| | - Yintao Li
- Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical School, Jinan, China
| | - Shuping Zhou
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical School, Jinan, China
| | - Qinghong Su
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical School, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaofan Li
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical School, Jinan, China
| | - Yong Yu
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical School, Jinan, China
| | - Pengfei Li
- Departments of Medicine, Tibet Nationalities University, Xianyang, China
| | - Meng Feng
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical School, Jinan, China.,School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan University, Jinan, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Departments of Medicine, Tibet Nationalities University, Xianyang, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical School, Jinan, China
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82
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Lau HCH, Kranenburg O, Xiao H, Yu J. Organoid models of gastrointestinal cancers in basic and translational research. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 17:203-222. [PMID: 32099092 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-019-0255-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide. Gastrointestinal cancers account for approximately one-third of the total global cancer incidence and mortality. Historically, the mechanisms of tumour initiation and progression in the gastrointestinal tract have been studied using cancer cell lines in vitro and animal models. Traditional cell culture methods are associated with a strong selection of aberrant genomic variants that no longer reflect the original tumours in terms of their (metastatic) behaviour or response to therapy. Organoid technology has emerged as a powerful alternative method for culturing gastrointestinal tumours and the corresponding normal tissues in a manner that preserves their genetic, phenotypic and behavioural traits. Importantly, accumulating evidence suggests that organoid cultures have great value in predicting the outcome of therapy in individual patients. Herein, we review the current literature on organoid models of the most common gastrointestinal cancers, including colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, oesophageal cancer, liver cancer and pancreatic cancer, and their value in modelling tumour initiation, metastatic progression and therapy response. We also explore the limitations of current organoid models and discuss how they could be improved to maximally benefit basic and translational research in the future, especially in the fields of drug discovery and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Cheuk Hay Lau
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Onno Kranenburg
- UMC Utrecht Cancer Center, Utrecht Platform for Organoid Technology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Haipeng Xiao
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
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83
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Han Y, Liu D, Li L. PD-1/PD-L1 pathway: current researches in cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:727-742. [PMID: 32266087 PMCID: PMC7136921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has been accompanied by promising results over the past few years. Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1) plays a vital role in inhibiting immune responses and promoting self-tolerance through modulating the activity of T-cells, activating apoptosis of antigen-specific T cells and inhibiting apoptosis of regulatory T cells. Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a trans-membrane protein that is considered to be a co-inhibitory factor of the immune response, it can combine with PD-1 to reduce the proliferation of PD-1 positive cells, inhibit their cytokine secretion and induce apoptosis. PD-L1 also plays an important role in various malignancies where it can attenuate the host immune response to tumor cells. Based on these perspectives, PD-1/PD-L1 axis is responsible for cancer immune escape and makes a huge effect on cancer therapy. This review is aimed to summarize the role of PD-1 and PD-L1 in cancer, looking forward to improve the therapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Han
- Pathology Department of Dalian Medical UniversityLiaoning 116044, China
| | - Dandan Liu
- The Fourth Medical Center of The General Hospital of The Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyBeijing 100048, China
| | - Lianhong Li
- Pathology Department of Dalian Medical UniversityLiaoning 116044, China
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84
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Min S, Kim S, Cho SW. Gastrointestinal tract modeling using organoids engineered with cellular and microbiota niches. Exp Mol Med 2020; 52:227-237. [PMID: 32103122 PMCID: PMC7062772 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-020-0386-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent emergence of organoid technology has attracted great attention in gastroenterology because the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can be recapitulated in vitro using organoids, enabling disease modeling and mechanistic studies. However, to more precisely emulate the GI microenvironment in vivo, several neighboring cell types and types of microbiota need to be integrated into GI organoids. This article reviews the recent progress made in elucidating the crosstalk between GI organoids and components of their microenvironment. We outline the effects of stromal cells (such as fibroblasts, neural cells, immune cells, and vascular cells) on the gastric and intestinal epithelia of organoids. Because of the important roles that microbiota play in the physiology and function of the GI tract, we also highlight interactions between organoids and commensal, symbiotic, and pathogenic microorganisms and viruses. GI organoid models that contain niche components will provide new insight into gastroenterological pathophysiology and disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungjin Min
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Suran Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Woo Cho
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
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85
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Human Gastrointestinal Organoid Models for Studying Microbial Disease and Cancer. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2020; 430:55-75. [PMID: 32889597 DOI: 10.1007/82_2020_223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
One of the major discoveries in stem cell research in the past decade embraces the development of "organs in a dish," also known as "organoids." Organoids are three-dimensional cellular structures derived from primary stem cells of different organ-specific cell types which are capable of self-renewal and maintenance of the parental lineages. Researchers have developed in vitro organoid models to mimic in vivo host-microbial interactions and disease. In this review, we focus on the use of gastrointestinal organoids as models of microbial disease and cancer.
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86
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Grund-Gröschke S, Stockmaier G, Aberger F. Hedgehog/GLI signaling in tumor immunity - new therapeutic opportunities and clinical implications. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:172. [PMID: 31878932 PMCID: PMC6933925 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0459-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Uncontrolled activation of the Hedgehog/Glioma-associated oncogene (HH/GLI) pathway is a potent oncogenic driver signal promoting numerous cancer hallmarks such as proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, metastasis and metabolic rewiring. Several HH pathway inhibitors have already been approved for medical therapy of advanced and metastatic basal cell carcinoma and acute myeloid leukemia with partially impressive therapeutic activity. However, de novo and acquired resistance as well as severe side effects and unexplained lack of therapeutic efficacy are major challenges that urgently call for improved treatment options with more durable responses. The recent breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy have changed our current understanding of targeted therapy and opened up promising therapeutic opportunities including combinations of selective cancer pathway and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Although HH/GLI signaling has been intensely studied with respect to the classical hallmarks of cancer, its role in the modulation of the anti-tumoral immune response has only become evident in recent studies. These have uncovered HH/GLI regulated immunosuppressive mechanisms such as enhanced regulatory T-cell formation and production of immunosuppressive cytokines. In light of these exciting novel data on oncogenic HH/GLI signaling in immune cross-talk and modulation, we summarize and connect in this review the existing knowledge from different HH-related cancers and chronic inflammatory diseases. This is to provide a basis for the investigation and evaluation of novel treatments combining immunotherapeutic strategies with approved as well as next-generation HH/GLI inhibitors. Further, we also critically discuss recent studies demonstrating a possible negative impact of current HH/GLI pathway inhibitors on the anti-tumoral immune response, which may explain some of the disappointing results of several oncological trials with anti-HH drugs. Video abstract. (9500 kb)
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Grund-Gröschke
- Department of Biosciences, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse, 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Georg Stockmaier
- Department of Biosciences, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse, 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Fritz Aberger
- Department of Biosciences, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse, 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
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Abstract
Much of our knowledge regarding the interactions between epithelial tissues and the immune system has been gathered from animal models and co-cultures with cell lines. However, unique features of human cells cannot be modelled in mice, and cell lines are often transformed or genetically immortalized. Organoid technology has emerged as a powerful tool to maintain epithelial cells in a near-native state. In this Review, we discuss how organoids are being used in immunological research to understand the role of epithelial cell-immune cell interactions in tissue development and homeostasis, as well as in diseases such as cancer.
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88
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Jeon J, Cheong JH. Clinical Implementation of Precision Medicine in Gastric Cancer. J Gastric Cancer 2019; 19:235-253. [PMID: 31598369 PMCID: PMC6769368 DOI: 10.5230/jgc.2019.19.e25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the deadliest malignancies in the world. Currently, clinical treatment decisions are mostly made based on the extent of the tumor and its anatomy, such as tumor-node-metastasis staging. Recent advances in genome-wide molecular technology have enabled delineation of the molecular characteristics of GC. Based on this, efforts have been made to classify GC into molecular subtypes with distinct prognosis and therapeutic response. Simplified algorithms based on protein and RNA expressions have been proposed to reproduce the GC classification in the clinical field. Furthermore, a recent study established a single patient classifier (SPC) predicting the prognosis and chemotherapy response of resectable GC patients based on a 4-gene real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. GC patient stratification according to SPC will enable personalized therapeutic strategies in adjuvant settings. At the same time, patient-derived xenografts and patient-derived organoids are now emerging as novel preclinical models for the treatment of GC. These models recapitulate the complex features of the primary tumor, which is expected to facilitate both drug development and clinical therapeutic decision making. An integrated approach applying molecular patient stratification and patient-derived models in the clinical realm is considered a turning point in precision medicine in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaewook Jeon
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae-Ho Cheong
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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89
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Peer E, Tesanovic S, Aberger F. Next-Generation Hedgehog/GLI Pathway Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040538. [PMID: 30991683 PMCID: PMC6520835 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog/Glioma-associated oncogene homolog (HH/GLI) signaling pathway regulates self-renewal of rare and highly malignant cancer stem cells (CSC), which have been shown to account for the initiation and maintenance of tumor growth as well as for drug resistance, metastatic spread and relapse. Efficacious therapeutic approaches targeting CSC pathways, such as HH/GLI signaling in combination with chemo, radiation or immunotherapy are, therefore, of high medical need. Pharmacological inhibition of HH/GLI pathway activity represents a promising approach to eliminate malignant CSC. Clinically approved HH/GLI pathway inhibitors target the essential pathway effector Smoothened (SMO) with striking therapeutic efficacy in skin and brain cancer patients. However, multiple genetic and molecular mechanisms resulting in de novo and acquired resistance to SMO inhibitors pose major limitations to anti-HH/GLI therapies and, thus, the eradication of CSC. In this review, we summarize reasons for clinical failure of SMO inhibitors, including mechanisms caused by genetic alterations in HH pathway effectors or triggered by additional oncogenic signals activating GLI transcription factors in a noncanonical manner. We then discuss emerging novel and rationale-based approaches to overcome SMO-inhibitor resistance, focusing on pharmacological perturbations of enzymatic modifiers of GLI activity and on compounds either directly targeting oncogenic GLI factors or interfering with synergistic crosstalk signals known to boost the oncogenicity of HH/GLI signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Peer
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Suzana Tesanovic
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Fritz Aberger
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
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90
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Terao T, Minami Y. Targeting Hedgehog (Hh) Pathway for the Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment. Cells 2019; 8:cells8040312. [PMID: 30987263 PMCID: PMC6523210 DOI: 10.3390/cells8040312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway, containing the Patched (PTCH) and Smoothened (SMO) multitransmembrane proteins, is the main regulator of vertebrate embryonic development. A non-canonical Hh pathway was recently observed in numerous types of solid cancers and hematological malignancies. Although acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a common and lethal myeloid malignancy, the chemotherapy for AML has not changed in the last three decades. The Hh pathway and other intracellular signaling pathways are important for the tumor cells’ cycle or therapeutic resistance of AML cells. In this article, we will review the current trends in Hh pathway inhibitors for treating AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiki Terao
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan.
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kameda Medical Center, Kamogawa 296-8602, Japan.
| | - Yosuke Minami
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan.
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