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Werner J, Strobel K, Lehnick D, Rajan GP. Overall Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and SUV max of Nodal Metastases Predict Outcome in Head and Neck Cancer Before Chemoradiation. Front Oncol 2021; 11:679287. [PMID: 34692472 PMCID: PMC8534919 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.679287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study investigates the pretherapeutic neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with markers of tumor metabolism in 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) and their potential prognostic value in head and neck cancer patients prior to primary chemoradiation. Materials and Methods NLR and metabolic markers of primary tumor and nodal metastases including maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were retrospectively assessed in a consecutive cohort of head and neck squamous cell cancer patients undergoing primary chemoradiation. The main outcome measure was survival. Results The study included 90 patients of which 74 had lymph node metastases at diagnosis. Median follow-up time of nodal positive patients (n=74) was 26.5 months (IQR 18-44). The NLR correlated significantly with metabolic markers of the primary tumor (TLG: rs=0.47, P<0.001; MTV: rs=0.40, P<0.001; SUVmax: rs=0.34, P=0.003), but much less with FDG-PET/CT surrogate markers of metabolic activity in nodal metastases (TLG: rs=0.15, P=0.19; MTV: rs=0.25, P=0.034; SUVmax: rs=0.06, P=0.63). For nodal positive cancer patients, multivariate analysis showed that an increased NLR (HR=1.19, 95% CI=1.04-1.37, P=0.012) and SUVmax of lymph node metastasis (HR=1.09; 95% CI=0.99-1.19; P=0.081) are independently predictive of disease-specific survival. High NLR had a negative prognostic value for overall survival (HR=1.16, 95% CI=1.02-1.33, P=0.021). Conclusion NLR correlates positively with metabolic markers of the primary tumor, suggestive of an unspecific inflammatory response in the host as a possible reflection of increased metabolism of the primary tumor. SUVmax of lymph node metastases and the NLR, however, show no correlation and are independently predictive of disease-specific survival. Therefore, their addition could be used to improve survival prediction in nodal positive head and neck cancer patients undergoing primary chemoradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Werner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Klaus Strobel
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Dirk Lehnick
- Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, Biostatistics & Methodology, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Gunesh P Rajan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland.,Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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Shang S, Liu J, Verma V, Wu M, Welsh J, Yu J, Chen D. Combined treatment of non-small cell lung cancer using radiotherapy and immunotherapy: challenges and updates. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2021; 41:1086-1099. [PMID: 34658186 PMCID: PMC8626591 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of immunotherapy for advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unsatisfactory, as the majority of patients either do not experience an objective response or acquire secondary resistance. As a result, several methods to enhance the systemic efficacy of immunotherapy have been investigated, including a large area of active research by combining immunotherapy with radiation therapy (RT). Given the rapidly burgeoning concept of combining immunotherapy and RT for increasing therapeutic benefit, we review the progress in this field thus far and explore further avenues for enhancing this combination. This review commences with a discussion of the only two existing randomized trials (and a pooled analysis) showing that the addition of RT to immunotherapy improves the abscopal response rate, progression‐free survival, and overall survival in metastatic NSCLC patients. We then discussed factors and biomarkers that may be associated with a proportionally greater benefit to additional RT, such as low programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD‐L1) status, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and patient's immune function. Next, the implementation of RT to overcome immunotherapy resistance is discussed, including a mechanistic discussion and methods with which these mechanisms could be exploited. Lastly, the emerging role of low‐dose RT is discussed, which may help to overcome inhibitory signals in the tumor stroma that limit T‐cell infiltration. Taken together, given the current state of this rapidly expanding realm, these futuristic strategies may be reflected upon to further enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy for a wider group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Shang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, P. R. China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Laboratory of Radio-Immunology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, P. R. China
| | - Vivek Verma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, Texas, 77030, the United States of America
| | - Meng Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Laboratory of Radio-Immunology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, P. R. China
| | - James Welsh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, Texas, 77030, the United States of America
| | - Jinming Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, P. R. China.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Laboratory of Radio-Immunology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, P. R. China
| | - Dawei Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, P. R. China.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Laboratory of Radio-Immunology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, P. R. China
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53
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Braun C, Weichhart T. mTOR-dependent immunometabolism as Achilles' heel of anticancer therapy. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:3161-3175. [PMID: 34648202 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Immune cells are important constituents of the tumor microenvironment and essential in eradicating tumor cells during conventional therapies or novel immunotherapies. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway senses the intra- and extracellular nutrient status, growth factor supply, and cell stress-related changes to coordinate cellular metabolism and activation dictating effector and memory functions in mainly all hematopoietic immune cells. In addition, the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2 are frequently deregulated and become activated in cancer cells to drive cell transformation, survival, neovascularization, and invasion. In this review, we provide an overview of the influence of mTOR complexes on immune and cancer cell function and metabolism. We discuss how mTOR inhibitors aiming to target cancer cells will influence immunometabolic cell functions participating either in antitumor responses or favoring tumor cell progression in individual immune cells. We suggest immunometabolism as the weak spot of anticancer therapy and propose to evaluate patients according to their predominant immune cell subtype in the cancer tissue. Advances in metabolic drug development that hold promise for more effective treatments in different types of cancer will have to consider their effects on the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Braun
- Center of Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Clinical Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Weichhart
- Center of Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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54
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Masini C, Iotti C, De Giorgi U, Bellia RS, Buti S, Salaroli F, Zampiva I, Mazzarotto R, Mucciarini C, Vitale MG, Bruni A, Lohr F, Procopio G, Caffo O, Nole F, Morelli F, Baier S, Buttigliero C, Ciammella P, Timon G, Fantinel E, Carlinfante G, Berselli A, Pinto C. Nivolumab in Combination with Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in Pretreated Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma. Results of the Phase II NIVES Study. Eur Urol 2021; 81:274-282. [PMID: 34602312 DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2021.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nivolumab showed an overall survival (OS) benefit in pretreated metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). The role of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in mRCC remains to be defined. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SBRT in combination with nivolumab in second- and third-line mRCC patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The NIVES study was a phase II, single-arm, multicenter trial in patients with mRCC with measurable metastatic sites who progressed after antiangiogenic therapy, of whom at least one was suitable for SBRT. INTERVENTION The patients received SBRT to a lesion at a dose of 10 Gy in three fractions for 7 d from the first infusion of nivolumab. Nivolumab was given at an initial dose of 240 mg every 14 d for 6 mo and then 480 mg q4-weekly in responding patients. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS We hypothesized that nivolumab plus SBRT improves the objective response rate (ORR) compared with nivolumab alone from 25% (derived from historical controls) to 40%. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), OS, disease control rate (DCR) of irradiated and nonirradiated metastases, and safety. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Sixty-nine patients were enrolled from July 2017 to March 2019. The ORR was 17% and the DCR was 55%. The median PFS was 5.6 mo (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9-7.1) and median OS 20 mo (95% CI, 17-not reached). After 1.5 yr of follow-up, 23 patients died. The median time to treatment response was 2.8 mo and median duration of response was 14 mo. No new safety concerns arose. CONCLUSIONS We did not find sufficient evidence to suggest that nivolumab in combination with SBRT provides an added benefit in pretreated mRCC patients; it should however be evaluated in patients with oligometastatic or oligoprogressive disease. PATIENT SUMMARY Nivolumab in combination with stereotactic body radiotherapy does not provide evidence of increased outcomes in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients. However this approach was safe and showed a good response of the irradiated lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Masini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Clinical Cancer Centre, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Iotti
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Cancer Centre, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Ugo De Giorgi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Roberto Salvatore Bellia
- Radiotherapy Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Buti
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Zampiva
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital, AOUI Verona, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Alessio Bruni
- Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Frank Lohr
- Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Procopio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Orazio Caffo
- Oncology Unit, S. Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Franco Nole
- Medical Oncology Division of Urogenital and Head & Neck Tumors IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Franco Morelli
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Opera di Padre Pio, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Susanne Baier
- Oncologia Medica Ospedale Regionale, Bolzano Azienda Sanitaria Alto Adige, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Consuelo Buttigliero
- Department of Oncology, AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, University of Turin, Orbassano (Turin), Italy
| | - Patrizia Ciammella
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Cancer Centre, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giorgia Timon
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Cancer Centre, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Emanuela Fantinel
- Medical Oncology Unit, Clinical Cancer Centre, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Gabriele Carlinfante
- Pathology Unit, Clinical Cancer Centre, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Annalisa Berselli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Clinical Cancer Centre, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Carmine Pinto
- Medical Oncology Unit, Clinical Cancer Centre, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Chua KLM, Chu PL, Tng DJH, Soo KC, Chua MLK. Repurposing Proton Beam Therapy through Novel Insights into Tumour Radioresistance. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2021; 33:e469-e481. [PMID: 34509347 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2021.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Despite improvements in radiotherapy, radioresistance remains an important clinical challenge. Radioresistance can be mediated through enhanced DNA damage response mechanisms within the tumour or through selective pressures exerted by the tumour microenvironment (TME). The effects of the TME have in recent times gained increased attention, in part due to the success of immune modulating strategies, but also through improved understanding of the downstream effects of hypoxia and dysregulated wound healing processes on mediating radioresistance. Although we have a better appreciation of these molecular mechanisms, efforts to address them through novel combination approaches have been scarce, owing to limitations of photon therapy and concerns over toxicity. At the same time, proton beam therapy (PBT) represents an advancement in radiotherapy technologies. However, early clinical results have been mixed and the clinical strategies around optimal use and patient selection for PBT remain unclear. Here we highlight the role that PBT can play in addressing radioresistance, through better patient selection, and by providing an improved toxicity profile for integration with novel agents. We will also describe the developments around FLASH PBT. Through close examination of its normal tissue-sparing effects, we will highlight how FLASH PBT can facilitate combination strategies to tackle radioresistance by further improving toxicity profiles and by directly mediating the mechanisms of radioresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L M Chua
- Oncology Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - P L Chu
- Oncology Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - D J H Tng
- Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - K C Soo
- Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore; Division of Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - M L K Chua
- Oncology Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore; Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore.
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56
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Activated B Cells and Plasma Cells Are Resistant to Radiation Therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021; 112:514-528. [PMID: 34474108 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE B cells play a key role in outcomes of cancer patients and responses to checkpoint blockade immunotherapies. However, the effect of radiation therapy on B cell populations is poorly understood. Here we characterize the effects of radiation on the development, survival, and phenotype of physiological B-cell subsets. METHODS AND MATERIALS Naïve and immunized tumor bearing and nontumor bearing mice were treated with large-field or focal stereotactic radiation and distinct B-cell subsets of varying developmental stages were analyzed by flow cytometry and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS We first report that focal stereotactic radiation is highly superior to large-field radiation at inducing tumor infiltration of B cells, CD8+ T cells, and macrophages. We observed that radiation affects B cell development in the bone marrow, increasing frequencies of early pro-B cells and late pro-B cells while inducing upregulation of programmed cell death protein 1. We then demonstrate that class switched B cells and plasma cells are highly resistant to radiation therapy compared with naïve B cells and upregulate activation markers programmed cell death 1 ligand 2 and major histocompatibility complex class II) after radiation. Mechanistically, radiation upregulates Xbp1 and Bcl6 in plasma cells, conferring radioresistance. Furthermore, using an immunization approach, we demonstrate that radiation enhances activation-induced cytidine deaminase mediated class switching and somatic hypermutation in primed B cells. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that stereotactic radiation is superior to large-field radiation at inducing infiltration of immune cells into tumors and that plasma cells and class switched B cells are highly resistant to radiation therapy. These results represent the most comprehensive analysis of the effects of radiation on B cells to date and identify novel mechanisms by which radiation modulates immune cells within the tumor microenvironment.
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57
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Gu X, Shi Y, Dong M, Jiang L, Yang J, Liu Z. Exosomal transfer of tumor-associated macrophage-derived hsa_circ_0001610 reduces radiosensitivity in endometrial cancer. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:818. [PMID: 34462422 PMCID: PMC8405633 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04087-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of radioresistance is a clinical obstacle to endometrial cancer (EC) treatment and induces tumor relapse. In this study, we found that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) enriched in EC specimens were determined to present an M2-like phenotype. In vitro, the coculture of M2-polarized macrophages significantly downregulated the radiosensitivity of EC cells by releasing exosomes. Hsa_circ_0001610 was found to be abundant in exosomes derived from M2-polarized macrophages (EXOs), and hsa_circ_0001610 knockdown eliminated the reduction effect of EXOs on the radiosensitivity of EC cells. The following mechanism research revealed that hsa_circ_0001610 functioned as the competing endogenous RNA of miR-139-5p, thereby upregulating cyclin B1 expression, which is a vital pusher of radioresistance in several types of cancer by regulating the cell cycle. Hsa_circ_0001610 overexpression reduced the radiosensitivity of EC cells, which was then reversed by miR-139-5p overexpression. In vivo, the promotion effect of EXOs on xenograft tumor growth in nude mice treated with irradiation was further reinforced after hsa_circ_0001610 overexpression. In conclusion, TAM-derived exosomes transferred hsa_circ_0001610 to EC cells, and the overexpressed hsa_circ_0001610 in EC cells released cyclin B1 expression through adsorbing miR-139-5p, thereby weakening the radiosensitivity of EC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobin Gu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshe East Rd, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yonggang Shi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshe East Rd, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Meilian Dong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshe East Rd, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshe East Rd, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshe East Rd, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheyan Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshe East Rd, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, People's Republic of China
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Kim YJ, Kim K, Seo SY, Yu J, Kim IH, Kim HJ, Park CK, Lee KH, Choi J, Song MS, Kim JH. Time-sequential change in immune-related gene expression after irradiation in glioblastoma: next-generation sequencing analysis. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2021; 25:245-254. [PMID: 34408813 PMCID: PMC8366673 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2021.1954550] [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] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The time-sequential change in immune-related gene expression of the glioblastoma cell line after irradiation was evaluated to speculate the effect of combined immunotherapy with radiotherapy. The U373 MG glioblastoma cell line was irradiated with 6 Gy single dose. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) transcriptome data was generated before irradiation (control), and at 6, 24, and 48 h post-irradiation. Immune-related pathways were analyzed at each time period. The same analyses were also performed for A549 lung cancer and U87 MG glioblastoma cell lines. Western blotting confirmed the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression levels over time. In the U373 MG cell line, neutrophil-mediated immunity, type I interferon signaling, antigen cross-presentation to T cell, and interferon-γ signals began to increase significantly at 24 h and were upregulated until 48 h after irradiation. The results were similar to those of the A549 and U87 MG cell lines. Without T cell infiltration, PD-L1 did not increase even with upregulated interferon-γ signaling in cancer cells. In conclusions, in the glioblastoma cell line, immune-related signals were significantly upregulated at 24 and 48 h after irradiation. Therefore, the time interval between daily radiotherapy might not be enough to expect full immune responses by combined immune checkpoint inhibitors and newly infiltrating immune cells after irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Jun Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Institute of Convergence Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwangsoo Kim
- Transdisciplinary Department of Medicine & Advanced Technology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Yeon Seo
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Juyeon Yu
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Il Han Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Institute of Radiation Medicine, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hak Jae Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul-Kee Park
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kye Hwa Lee
- Department of Information Medicine, Asan Medical Center and University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Junjeong Choi
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Seon Song
- Department of Psychiatry, Keyo Hospital, Uiwang, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Ho Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Modulation of the tumor microenvironment (TME) by melatonin. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 907:174365. [PMID: 34302814 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) includes a number of non-cancerous cells that affect cancer cell survival. Although CD8+ T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells suppress tumor growth through induction of cell death in cancer cells, there are various immunosuppressive cells such as regulatory T cells (Tregs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), etc., which drive cancer cell proliferation. These cells may also support tumor growth and metastasis by stimulating angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and resistance to apoptosis. Interactions between cancer cells and other cells, as well as molecules released into EMT, play a key role in tumor growth and suppression of antitumoral immunity. Melatonin is a natural hormone that may be found in certain foods and is also available as a drug. Melatonin has been demonstrated to modulate cell activity and the release of cytokines and growth factors in TME. The purpose of this review is to explain the cellular and molecular mechanisms of cancer cell resistance as a result of interactions with TME. Next, we explain how melatonin affects cells and interactions within the TME.
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Vukadin S, Khaznadar F, Kizivat T, Vcev A, Smolic M. Molecular Mechanisms of Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Melanoma Treatment: An Update. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9070835. [PMID: 34356899 PMCID: PMC8301472 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment of advanced melanoma and ensured significant improvement in overall survival versus chemotherapy. ICI or targeted therapy are now the first line treatment in advanced melanoma, depending on the tumor v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) mutational status. While these new approaches have changed the outcomes for many patients, a significant proportion of them still experience lack of response, known as primary resistance. Mechanisms of primary drug resistance are not fully elucidated. However, many alterations have been found in ICI-resistant melanomas and possibly contribute to that outcome. Furthermore, some tumors which initially responded to ICI treatment ultimately developed mechanisms of acquired resistance and subsequent tumor progression. In this review, we give an overview of tumor primary and acquired resistance mechanisms to ICI and discuss future perspectives with regards to new molecular targets and combinatorial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Vukadin
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (S.V.); (F.K.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Farah Khaznadar
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (S.V.); (F.K.)
| | - Tomislav Kizivat
- Clinical Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Protection, University Hospital Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia;
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Aleksandar Vcev
- Department of Pathophysiology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia;
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Martina Smolic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (S.V.); (F.K.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Correspondence:
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61
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Chen S, Ben S, Xin J, Li S, Zheng R, Wang H, Fan L, Du M, Zhang Z, Wang M. The biogenesis and biological function of PIWI-interacting RNA in cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:93. [PMID: 34118972 PMCID: PMC8199808 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01104-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are vital regulators of biological activities, and aberrant levels of small ncRNAs are commonly found in precancerous lesions and cancer. PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a novel type of small ncRNA initially discovered in germ cells that have a specific length (24-31 nucleotides), bind to PIWI proteins, and show 2'-O-methyl modification at the 3'-end. Numerous studies have revealed that piRNAs can play important roles in tumorigenesis via multiple biological regulatory mechanisms, including silencing transcriptional and posttranscriptional gene processes and accelerating multiprotein interactions. piRNAs are emerging players in the malignant transformation of normal cells and participate in the regulation of cancer hallmarks. Most of the specific cancer hallmarks regulated by piRNAs are involved in sustaining proliferative signaling, resistance to cell death or apoptosis, and activation of invasion and metastasis. Additionally, piRNAs have been used as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis and have great potential for clinical utility. However, research on the underlying mechanisms of piRNAs in cancer is limited. Here, we systematically reviewed recent advances in the biogenesis and biological functions of piRNAs and relevant bioinformatics databases with the aim of providing insights into cancer diagnosis and clinical applications. We also focused on some cancer hallmarks rarely reported to be related to piRNAs, which can promote in-depth research of piRNAs in molecular biology and facilitate their clinical translation into cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silu Chen
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Environmental Genomics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Genetic Toxicology, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuai Ben
- Department of Environmental Genomics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Genetic Toxicology, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junyi Xin
- Department of Environmental Genomics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Genetic Toxicology, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuwei Li
- Department of Environmental Genomics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Genetic Toxicology, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Zheng
- Department of Environmental Genomics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Genetic Toxicology, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Environmental Genomics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Genetic Toxicology, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lulu Fan
- Department of Environmental Genomics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Genetic Toxicology, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mulong Du
- Department of Genetic Toxicology, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Biostatistics, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengdong Zhang
- Department of Environmental Genomics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Genetic Toxicology, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Meilin Wang
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Environmental Genomics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. .,Department of Genetic Toxicology, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. .,Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Nowosielska EM, Cheda A, Pociegiel M, Cheda L, Szymański P, Wiedlocha A. Effects of a Unique Combination of the Whole-Body Low Dose Radiotherapy with Inactivation of Two Immune Checkpoints and/or a Heat Shock Protein on the Transplantable Lung Cancer in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6309. [PMID: 34208396 PMCID: PMC8231142 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) continues to be the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Recently, targeting molecules whose functions are associated with tumorigenesis has become a game changing adjunct to standard anti-cancer therapy. As evidenced by the results of preclinical and clinical investigations, whole-body irradiations (WBI) with X-rays at less than 0.1-0.2 Gy per fraction can induce remissions of various neoplasms without inciting adverse side effects of conventional chemo- and radiotherapy. In the present study, a murine model of human NSCLC was employed to evaluate for the first time the anti-neoplastic efficacy of WBI combined with inactivation of CTLA-4, PD-1, and/or HSP90. The results indicate that WBI alone and in conjunction with the inhibition of the function of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor immune checkpoints (ICs) and/or heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) markedly reduced tumorigenesis in mice implanted by three different routes with the syngeneic Lewis lung cancer cells and suppressed clonogenic potential of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC1) cells in vitro. These results were associated with the relevant changes in the profile of pro- and anti-neoplastic immune cells recruited to the growing tumors and the circulating anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In contrast, inhibition of the tested molecular targets used either separately or in combination with each other did not exert notable anti-neoplastic effects. Moreover, no significant synergistic effects were detected when the inhibitors were applied concurrently with WBI. The obtained results supplemented with further mechanistic explanations provided by future investigations will help design the effective strategies of treatment of lung and other cancers based on inactivation of the immune checkpoint and/or heat shock molecules combined with low-dose radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa M. Nowosielska
- Department of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 4 Kozielska St., 01-163 Warsaw, Poland; (A.C.); (P.S.); (A.W.)
| | - Aneta Cheda
- Department of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 4 Kozielska St., 01-163 Warsaw, Poland; (A.C.); (P.S.); (A.W.)
| | - Mateusz Pociegiel
- National Centre for Nuclear Research Radioisotope Centre POLATOM, 7A Soltana St., 05-400 Otwock, Poland;
| | - Lukasz Cheda
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, 101 Żwirki i Wigury St., 02-089 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Paweł Szymański
- Department of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 4 Kozielska St., 01-163 Warsaw, Poland; (A.C.); (P.S.); (A.W.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analyses and Radiopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, 1 Muszyńskiego St., 90-151 Lodz, Poland
| | - Antoni Wiedlocha
- Department of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 4 Kozielska St., 01-163 Warsaw, Poland; (A.C.); (P.S.); (A.W.)
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Montebello, 0379 Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Reprograming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Montebello, 0379 Oslo, Norway
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63
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Nandi A, Chakrabarti R. The many facets of Notch signaling in breast cancer: toward overcoming therapeutic resistance. Genes Dev 2021; 34:1422-1438. [PMID: 33872192 PMCID: PMC7608750 DOI: 10.1101/gad.342287.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this review, Nandi et al. revisit the mechanisms by which Notch receptors and ligands contribute to normal mammary gland development and breast tumor progression. The authors also discuss combinatorial approaches aimed at disrupting Notch- and TME-mediated resistance that may improve prognosis in breast cancer patients. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women and is a complex disease with high intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity. Such heterogeneity is a major driving force behind failure of current therapies and development of resistance. Due to the limitations of conventional therapies and inevitable emergence of acquired drug resistance (chemo and endocrine) as well as radio resistance, it is essential to design novel therapeutic strategies to improve the prognosis for breast cancer patients. Deregulated Notch signaling within the breast tumor and its tumor microenvironment (TME) is linked to poor clinical outcomes in treatment of resistant breast cancer. Notch receptors and ligands are also important for normal mammary development, suggesting the potential for conserved signaling pathways between normal mammary gland development and breast cancer. In this review, we focus on mechanisms by which Notch receptors and ligands contribute to normal mammary gland development and breast tumor progression. We also discuss how complex interactions between cancer cells and the TME may reduce treatment efficacy and ultimately lead to acquired drug or radio resistance. Potential combinatorial approaches aimed at disrupting Notch- and TME-mediated resistance that may aid in achieving in an improved patient prognosis are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajeya Nandi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Rumela Chakrabarti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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64
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Chen C, Liu Y, Cui B. Effect of radiotherapy on T cell and PD-1 / PD-L1 blocking therapy in tumor microenvironment. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021; 17:1555-1567. [PMID: 33428533 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1840254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a worldwide problem that threatens human health. Radiotherapy plays an important role in a variety of cancer treatment methods. The administration of radiotherapy can alter the differentiation pathways and functions of T cells, which in turn improves the immune response of T cells. Radiotherapy can also induce up-regulation of PD-L1 expression, which means that it has great potential for enhancing the therapeutic effect of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and reducing the risk of drug resistance toward them. At present, the combination of radiotherapy and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors has shown significant therapeutic effects in clinical tumor research. This review focuses on the mechanism of radiotherapy on T cells reported in recent years, as well as related research progress in the application of PD-1/PD-L1 blockers. It will provide a theoretical basis for the rational clinical application of radiotherapy combined with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, P. R. China
| | - Yanlong Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, P. R. China
| | - Binbin Cui
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, P. R. China
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65
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Modi C, Berim L, Isserow L, Malhotra J, Patel M, Langenfeld J, Aisner J, Almeldin D, Jabbour SK. Combining radiation therapy and immunotherapy for lung cancers: a narrative review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 5. [PMID: 33521559 PMCID: PMC7842553 DOI: 10.21037/shc-20-66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide among both men and women. While surgical resection remains the standard of care for early stage NSCLC, chemoradiation has been a mainstay of treatment for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) patients for decades. Consolidation immunotherapy has improved survival in this subset of patients after conventional chemoradiation, and has emerged as the new standard. The synergy between immunotherapy and radiation, as well as ongoing research on the effects of radiation on the immune system, allows for the exploration of new avenues in the treatment of LA-NSCLC. In addition to the use of durvalumab as consolidative systemic therapy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy for Stage III NSCLC, other combination regimens have been shown to be effective in various disease stages in preclinical and clinical studies. These regimens include CTLA-4 and PD/PDL-1 checkpoint inhibitors combined with radiation treatment. While these combined regimens have demonstrated efficacy, they are not without toxicity, and require additional evaluation when combined with radiation. In this review, we have summarized the immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive effects of radiation therapy. We also evaluate the current evidence and ongoing research supporting the combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy across early to LA-NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chirag Modi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Lyudmyla Berim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Lauren Isserow
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Jyoti Malhotra
- Division of Medical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Malini Patel
- Division of Medical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - John Langenfeld
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Joseph Aisner
- Division of Medical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Doaa Almeldin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Salma K Jabbour
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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66
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Benavente S, Sánchez-García A, Naches S, LLeonart ME, Lorente J. Therapy-Induced Modulation of the Tumor Microenvironment: New Opportunities for Cancer Therapies. Front Oncol 2020; 10:582884. [PMID: 33194719 PMCID: PMC7645077 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.582884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in immunotherapy have achieved remarkable clinical outcomes in tumors with low curability, but their effects are limited, and increasing evidence has implicated tumoral and non-tumoral components of the tumor microenvironment as critical mediators of cancer progression. At the same time, the clinical successes achieved with minimally invasive and optically-guided surgery and image-guided and ablative radiation strategies have been successfully implemented in clinical care. More effective, localized and safer treatments have fueled strong research interest in radioimmunotherapy, which has shown the potential immunomodulatory effects of ionizing radiation. However, increasingly more observations suggest that immunosuppressive changes, metabolic remodeling, and angiogenic responses in the local tumor microenvironment play a central role in tumor recurrence. In this review, we address challenges to identify responders vs. non-responders to the immune checkpoint blockade, discuss recent developments in combinations of immunotherapy and radiotherapy for clinical evaluation, and consider the clinical impact of immunosuppressive changes in the tumor microenvironment in the context of surgery and radiation. Since the therapy-induced modulation of the tumor microenvironment presents a multiplicity of forms, we propose that overcoming microenvironment related resistance can become clinically relevant and represents a novel strategy to optimize treatment immunogenicity and improve patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Benavente
- Radiation Oncology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Almudena Sánchez-García
- Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Naches
- Otorhinolaryngology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Matilde Esther LLeonart
- Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Spanish Biomedical Research Network Centre in Oncology, CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Lorente
- Otorhinolaryngology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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67
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Single-cell derived tumor organoids display diversity in HLA class I peptide presentation. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5338. [PMID: 33087703 PMCID: PMC7577990 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19142-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity is a major cause of therapeutic resistance. Immunotherapy may exploit alternative vulnerabilities of drug-resistant cells, where tumor-specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) peptide ligands are promising leads to invoke targeted anti-tumor responses. Here, we investigate the variability in HLA class I peptide presentation between different clonal cells of the same colorectal cancer patient, using an organoid system. While clone-specific differences in HLA peptide presentation were observed, broad inter-clone variability was even more prevalent (15–25%). By coupling organoid proteomics and HLA peptide ligandomics, we also found that tumor-specific ligands from DNA damage control and tumor suppressor source proteins were prominently presented by tumor cells, coinciding likely with the silencing of such cytoprotective functions. Collectively, these data illustrate the heterogeneous HLA peptide presentation landscape even within one individual, and hint that a multi-peptide vaccination approach against highly conserved tumor suppressors may be a viable option in patients with low tumor-mutational burden. Immunotherapy may exploit alternative vulnerabilities of drug resistant cells. Here, the authors show that the HLA peptide presentation landscape is heterogeneous even within one individual, hinting that a multi-peptide vaccination approach against highly conserved tumor suppressors may be needed.
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Xia WY, Feng W, Zhang CC, Shen YJ, Zhang Q, Yu W, Cai XW, Fu XL. Radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer in the immunotherapy era: the opportunity and challenge-a narrative review. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2020; 9:2120-2136. [PMID: 33209631 PMCID: PMC7653139 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has radically changed the clinical management of patients with cancer in recent years. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) reversing the immunosuppressive effects of the tumor microenvironment are one type of immunotherapy, several of which are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as first-line treatments for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, response rates to ICIs are around 19–47% among patients with advanced NSCLC. As a result, the development of combined ICI and radiotherapy has begun with the aim of strengthening patients’ antitumor immunity. Radiotherapy with substantial technological improvements not only achieves local tumor control through the induction of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in irradiated regions, but also has the potential to mediate immunostimulatory effects that could result in tumor regression beyond irradiated regions. At present, numerous preclinical and clinical research are investigating the efficiency and safety of combining ICI with radiotherapy. The PACIFIC trial showed that combining chemoradiotherapy with ICI could improve clinical outcomes. In this review, we summarize the rationale for combining radiotherapy with immunotherapy. We also discuss the opportunities and challenges of combination therapy, including the timing of radiotherapy, optimal dose and fractionations, radiotherapy target and target volume, acquired resistance, patient selection, and radioimmunotherapy toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu-Yan Xia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Wen Feng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Chen-Chen Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yu-Jia Shen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Wen Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xu-Wei Cai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xiao-Long Fu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
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Targeting Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092626. [PMID: 32942545 PMCID: PMC7564060 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs) have been regarded as the main promoters of cancer development in recent years. They can protect tumor cells from being eliminated by neutralizing the anti-tumor response mediated by T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Therefore, different treatment methods targeting MDSCs, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, have been developed and proven to effectively inhibit tumor expansion. Herein, we summarize the immunosuppressive role of MDSCs in the tumor microenvironment and some effective treatments targeting MDSCs, and discuss the differences between different therapies. Abstract Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which are activated under pathological conditions, are a group of heterogeneous immature myeloid cells. MDSCs have potent capacities to support tumor growth via inhibition of the antitumoral immune response and/or the induction of immunosuppressive cells. In addition, multiple studies have demonstrated that MDSCs provide potential therapeutic targets for the elimination of immunosuppressive functions and the inhibition of tumor growth. The combination of targeting MDSCs and other therapeutic approaches has also demonstrated powerful antitumor effects. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of MDSCs in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and current strategies of cancer treatment by targeting MDSCs.
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Flavell RR, Evans MJ, Villanueva-Meyer JE, Yom SS. Understanding Response to Immunotherapy Using Standard of Care and Experimental Imaging Approaches. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2020; 108:242-257. [PMID: 32585333 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a standard of care in the treatment of a wide variety of malignancies, and it may be used in combination with other treatments including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. However, a patient's imaging response to immunotherapy can be confounded by a variety of factors, including the appearance of pseudoprogression or the development of immune-related adverse events. In these situations, the immune response itself can mimic disease progression, potentially causing confusion in assessment and determination of further treatment. To address these challenges, a variety of approaches have been proposed to improve response assessment. First, revised definitions of response criteria, accounting for the appearance of pseudoprogression, can improve specificity of assessment. Second, advanced image processing including radiomics and machine learning analysis can be used to further analyze standard of care imaging data. In addition, new molecular imaging techniques can be used to directly interrogate immune cell activity or study aspects of the tumor microenvironment. These approaches have promise for improving the understanding of the response to immunotherapy and improving patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert R Flavell
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
| | - Michael J Evans
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Javier E Villanueva-Meyer
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Sue S Yom
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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McBride S, Sherman E, Tsai CJ, Baxi S, Aghalar J, Eng J, Zhi WI, McFarland D, Michel LS, Young R, Lefkowitz R, Spielsinger D, Zhang Z, Flynn J, Dunn L, Ho A, Riaz N, Pfister D, Lee N. Randomized Phase II Trial of Nivolumab With Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Versus Nivolumab Alone in Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J Clin Oncol 2020; 39:30-37. [PMID: 32822275 DOI: 10.1200/jco.20.00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective response rate (ORR) for single-agent anti-programmed death receptor 1 (anti-PD-1) therapy is modest in patients with metastatic or recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We aimed to test whether radiotherapy may act synergistically with anti-PD-1 therapy to improve response through the abscopal effect. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a single-center, randomized, phase II trial of nivolumab (anti-PD-1 therapy) versus nivolumab plus stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in patients with metastatic HNSCC. Patients had at least two metastatic lesions: one that could be safely irradiated and one measurable by RECIST version 1.1. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1), stratified by human papillomavirus status, to nivolumab (3 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks) or nivolumab (same dose) plus SBRT (9 Gy × 3) to 1 lesion. The primary end point was ORR in nonirradiated lesions, which was assessed by RECIST in patients with at least one available set of on-treatment images; safety was assessed in a per-protocol population. RESULTS Between March 11, 2016, and June 22, 2018, 62 patients were randomly assigned to nivolumab (n = 30) or nivolumab plus SBRT (n = 32). There was no statistically significant ORR difference between arms (34.5% [95% CI, 19.9% to 52.7%] v 29.0% [95% CI, 16.1% to 46.6%]; P = .86). There was no significant difference in overall survival (P = .75), progression-free survival (P = .79), or response duration (P = .26). Grade 3-5 toxicities were similar (13.3% v 9.7%; P = .70). CONCLUSION We found no improvement in response and no evidence of an abscopal effect with the addition of SBRT to nivolumab in unselected patients with metastatic HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean McBride
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Eric Sherman
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - C Jillian Tsai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Shrujal Baxi
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Jahan Aghalar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Juliana Eng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Wanqing Iris Zhi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Daniel McFarland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Loren Scott Michel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Robert Young
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Robert Lefkowitz
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Daniel Spielsinger
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Zhigang Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Jessica Flynn
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Lara Dunn
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Alan Ho
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Nadeem Riaz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - David Pfister
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Nancy Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
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Halama N, Haberkorn U. The Unmet Needs of the Diagnosis, Staging, and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors. Semin Nucl Med 2020; 50:389-398. [PMID: 32768003 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
New scientific insights in cancer biology and immunobiology have changed the clinical practice of medical oncology in recent years. The molecular stratification of solid tumors has led to improved clinical outcomes and is a key part in the diagnostic workup. Beyond mutational spectra (like Rat sarcoma [RAS] mutations or tumor mutational burden), the investigation of the immunological microenvironment has attracted more efforts. Especially as immunotherapies have changed the standard treatment for some solid tumors dramatically and have become an important part of routine oncology, also for gastrointestinal tumors. Still only a subgroup of patients benefits from immunotherapy in gastrointestinal tumors with prominent examples from colorectal, pancreatic or gastric cancer. Not only microsatellite instability as a marker for response to immunotherapy has shown its utility, there plenty of other approaches currently being investigated to better stratify and understand the microenvironment. But these insights have not translated into clinical utility. Reasons for this are limited technical capabilities for stratification and for coping with heterogeneity of tumor cells and the microenvironment as such. So the situation for gastrointestinal tumors has shown mainly progress for a subgroup of immunotherapy-receptive tumors (eg, microsatellite instability), but advances for the remaining majority have been in the area of stratification and combinatorial therapies, including approaches without chemotherapy. Molecular stratification (eg, B-Rapidly Accelerated Fibrosarcoma [BRAF] V600E mutation in colorectal cancer or NRG1 fusions in Kirsten-rat sarcoma (KRAS) Wild-Type Pancreatic Cancer) has clearly improved the possibilities for directed therapies, but there is a plethora of clinical situations where further developments are needed to improve patient care. Finding these areas and identifying the technical approach to unravel the complexities is the next decisive step. Here the recent advances are summarized and an outlook on possible diagnostic and treatment options in areas of unmet need is given with the context of new molecular imaging possibilities and cutting edge advances in nuclear medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Halama
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Department of Translational Immunotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Translational Oncology Mainz (HI-TRON Mainz), Germany; Department of Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine VI, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany; Institute for Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, University Heidelberg.
| | - Uwe Haberkorn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
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73
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Lei Q, Wang D, Sun K, Wang L, Zhang Y. Resistance Mechanisms of Anti-PD1/PDL1 Therapy in Solid Tumors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:672. [PMID: 32793604 PMCID: PMC7385189 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In cancer-immunity cycle, the immune checkpoint PD1 and its ligand PDL1 act as accomplices to help tumors resist to immunity-induced apoptosis and promote tumor progression. Immunotherapy targeting PD1/PDL1 axis can effectively block its pro-tumor activity. Anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy has achieved great success in the past decade. However, only a subset of patients showed clinical responses. Most of the patients can not benefit from anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy. Furthermore, a large group of responders would develop acquired resistance after initial responses. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of resistance is necessary for improving anti-PD1/PDL1 efficacy. Currently, researchers have identified primary resistance mechanisms which include insufficient tumor immunogenicity, disfunction of MHCs, irreversible T cell exhaustion, primary resistance to IFN-γ signaling, and immunosuppressive microenvironment. Some oncogenic signaling pathways also contribute to the primary resistance. Under the pressure applied by anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy, tumors experience immunoediting and preserve beneficial mutations, upregulate the compensatory inhibitory signaling and induce re-exhaustion of T cells, all of which may attenuate the durability of the therapy. Here we explore the underlying mechanisms in detail, review biomarkers that help identifying responders among patients and discuss the strategies that may relieve the anti-PD1/PDL1 resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyang Lei
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kai Sun
- College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy, Zhengzhou, China
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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74
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Huang J, Li JJ. Multiple Dynamics in Tumor Microenvironment Under Radiotherapy. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1263:175-202. [PMID: 32588328 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-44518-8_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is an evolutionally low-level and embryonically featured tissue comprising heterogenic populations of malignant and stromal cells as well as noncellular components. Under radiotherapy (RT), the major modality for the treatment of malignant diseases [1], TME shows an adaptive response in multiple aspects that affect the efficacy of RT. With the potential clinical benefits, interests in RT combined with immunotherapy (IT) are intensified with a large scale of clinical trials underway for an array of cancer types. A better understanding of the multiple molecular aspects, especially the cross talks of RT-mediated energy reprogramming and immunoregulation in the irradiated TME (ITME), will be necessary for further enhancing the benefit of RT-IT modality. Coming studies should further reveal more mechanistic insights of radiation-induced instant or permanent consequence in tumor and stromal cells. Results from these studies will help to identify critical molecular pathways including cancer stem cell repopulation, metabolic rewiring, and specific communication between radioresistant cancer cells and the infiltrated immune active lymphocytes. In this chapter, we will focus on the following aspects: radiation-repopulated cancer stem cells (CSCs), hypoxia and re-oxygenation, reprogramming metabolism, and radiation-induced immune regulation, in which we summarize the current literature to illustrate an integrated image of the ITME. We hope that the contents in this chapter will be informative for physicians and translational researchers in cancer radiotherapy or immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jian Jian Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA. .,NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
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MiR-146b-5p suppresses the malignancy of GSC/MSC fusion cells by targeting SMARCA5. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:13647-13667. [PMID: 32632040 PMCID: PMC7377863 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have confirmed that both cancer-associated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs, MSCs) and glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) contribute to malignant progression of gliomas through their mutual interactions within the tumor microenvironment. However, the exact ways and relevant mechanisms involved in the actions of GSCs and MSCs within the glioma microenvironment are not fully understood. Using a dual-color fluorescence tracing model, our studies revealed that GSCs are able to spontaneously fuse with MSCs, yielding GSC/MSC fusion cells, which exhibited markedly enhanced proliferation and invasiveness. MiR-146b-5p was downregulated in the GSC/MSC fusion cells, and its overexpression suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion by the fusion cells. SMARCA5, which is highly expressed in high-grade gliomas, was a direct downstream target of miR-146b-5p in the GSC/MSC fusion cells. miR-146b-5p inhibited SMARCA5 expression and inactivated a TGF-β pathway, thereby decreasing GSC/MSC fusion cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that miR-146b-5p suppresses the malignant phenotype of GSC/MSC fusion cells in the glioma microenvironment by targeting a SMARCA5-regulated TGF-β pathway.
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Deciphering the Intricate Roles of Radiation Therapy and Complement Activation in Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2020; 108:46-55. [PMID: 32629082 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.06.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The complement system consists of a collection of serum proteins that act as the main frontline effector arm of the innate immune system. Activation of complement can occur through 3 individual induction pathways: the classical, mannose-binding lectin, and alternative pathways. Activation results in opsonization, recruitment of effector cells through potent immune mediators known as anaphylatoxins, and cell lysis via the formation of the membrane attack complex. Stringent regulation of complement is required to protect against inappropriate activation of the complement cascade. Complement activation within the tumor microenvironment does not increase antitumoral action; instead, it enhances tumor growth and disease progression. Radiation therapy (RT) is a staple in the treatment of malignancies and controls tumor growth through direct DNA damage and the influx of immune cells, reshaping the makeup of the tumor microenvironment. The relationship between RT and complement activity in the tumor microenvironment is uncertain at best. The following review will focus on the complex interaction of complement activation and the immune-modulating effects of RT and the overall effect on tumor progression. The clinical implications of complement activation in cancer and the use of therapeutics and potential biomarkers will also be covered.
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Liu S, Imani S, Deng Y, Pathak JL, Wen Q, Chen Y, Wu J. Targeting IFN/STAT1 Pathway as a Promising Strategy to Overcome Radioresistance. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:6037-6050. [PMID: 32606809 PMCID: PMC7321691 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s256708] [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: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The interferon (IFN)-mediated activation of the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling is crucial for cell sensitivity to ionizing radiation. Several preclinical studies have reported that the IFN/STAT1 pathway mediates radioresistance in the tumor microenvironment by shielding the immune responses and activating survival signaling pathways. This review focuses on the oncogenic function of the IFN/STAT1 pathway, emphasizing the major signaling pathway in radiation sensitization. Furthermore, it highlights the possibility of mediatory roles of the IFN/STAT1 pathway as a prognostic therapeutic target in the modulation of resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. MicroRNA involved in the regulation of the IFN/STAT1 pathway is also discussed. A better understanding of radiation-induced IFN/STAT1 signaling will open new opportunities for the development of novel therapeutic strategies, as well as define new approaches to enhance radio-immunotherapy efficacy in the treatment of various types of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuya Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Saber Imani
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Youcai Deng
- Institute of Materia Medica, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, People's Republic of China
| | - Janak L Pathak
- Key Laboratory of Oral Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Oral Disease, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510140, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinglian Wen
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingbo Wu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
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Oweida AJ, Darragh L, Phan A, Binder D, Bhatia S, Mueller A, Court BV, Milner D, Raben D, Woessner R, Heasley L, Nemenoff R, Clambey E, Karam SD. STAT3 Modulation of Regulatory T Cells in Response to Radiation Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 2020; 111:1339-1349. [PMID: 30863843 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djz036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radioresistance represents a major problem in the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. To improve response, understanding tumor microenvironmental factors that contribute to radiation resistance is important. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are enriched in numerous cancers and can dampen the response to radiation by creating an immune-inhibitory microenvironment. The purpose of this study was to investigate mechanisms of Treg modulation by radiation in HNC. METHODS We utilized an orthotopic mouse model of HNC. Anti-CD25 was used for Treg depletion. Image-guided radiation was delivered to a dose of 10 Gy. Flow cytometry was used to analyze abundance and function of intratumoral immune cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to assess secreted factors. For immune-modulating therapies, anti-PD-L1, anti-CTLA-4, and STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) were used. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Treatment with anti-CD25 and radiation led to tumor eradication (57.1%, n = 4 of 7 mice), enhanced T-cell cytotoxicity compared with RT alone (CD4 effector T cells [Teff]: RT group mean = 5.37 [ 0.58] vs RT + αCD25 group mean =10.71 [0.67], P = .005; CD8 Teff: RT group mean = 9.98 [0.81] vs RT + αCD25 group mean =16.88 [2.49], P = .01) and induced tumor antigen-specific memory response (100.0%, n = 4 mice). In contrast, radiation alone or when combined with anti-CTLA4 did not lead to durable tumor control (0.0%, n = 7 mice). STAT3 inhibition in combination with radiation, but not as a single agent, improved tumor growth delay, decreased Tregs, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and M2 macrophages and enhanced effector T cells and M1 macrophages. Experiments in nude mice inhibited the benefit of STAT3 ASO and radiation. CONCLUSION We propose that STAT3 inhibition is a viable and potent therapeutic target against Tregs. Our data support the design of clinical trials integrating STAT3 ASO in the standard of care for cancer patients receiving radiation.
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Chipurupalli S, Ganesan R, Dhanabal SP, Kumar MS, Robinson N. Pharmacological STING Activation Is a Potential Alternative to Overcome Drug-Resistance in Melanoma. Front Oncol 2020; 10:758. [PMID: 32477956 PMCID: PMC7241280 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer and resistance to the conventional chemotherapy is the major cause for its poor prognosis. Metabolic perturbations leading to increased production of reactive oxygen species activate NRF2-dependent anti-oxidative responses to survive oxidative stress. This protective function of NRF2 is the primary cause for therapy resistance in cancer as anti-cancer agents such as BRAF inhibitors also induce NRF2-dependent antioxidative response. We had reported that type I interferons produced upon activation of STING, abrogates NRF2 function. Therefore, we investigated if STING agonists such as the newly developed dimeric aminobenzimidazole (diABZI) could sensitize melanoma cells to the clinically used BRAF inhibitors. Our results reveal that pharmacological activation of STING by diABZI, down regulates NRF2-dependent anti-oxidative responses and potentiates cell-death in melanoma cells when used in combination with BRAF inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandhya Chipurupalli
- Cellular-Stress and Immune Response Laboratory, Center for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, India
| | - Raja Ganesan
- Cellular-Stress and Immune Response Laboratory, Center for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - S. P. Dhanabal
- TIFAC CORE in Herbal Drugs, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, India
| | - M. Suresh Kumar
- TIFAC CORE in Herbal Drugs, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, India
| | - Nirmal Robinson
- Cellular-Stress and Immune Response Laboratory, Center for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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DNA damage response signaling pathways and targets for radiotherapy sensitization in cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:60. [PMID: 32355263 PMCID: PMC7192953 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-0150-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 461] [Impact Index Per Article: 115.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is one of the most common countermeasures for treating a wide range of tumors. However, the radioresistance of cancer cells is still a major limitation for radiotherapy applications. Efforts are continuously ongoing to explore sensitizing targets and develop radiosensitizers for improving the outcomes of radiotherapy. DNA double-strand breaks are the most lethal lesions induced by ionizing radiation and can trigger a series of cellular DNA damage responses (DDRs), including those helping cells recover from radiation injuries, such as the activation of DNA damage sensing and early transduction pathways, cell cycle arrest, and DNA repair. Obviously, these protective DDRs confer tumor radioresistance. Targeting DDR signaling pathways has become an attractive strategy for overcoming tumor radioresistance, and some important advances and breakthroughs have already been achieved in recent years. On the basis of comprehensively reviewing the DDR signal pathways, we provide an update on the novel and promising druggable targets emerging from DDR pathways that can be exploited for radiosensitization. We further discuss recent advances identified from preclinical studies, current clinical trials, and clinical application of chemical inhibitors targeting key DDR proteins, including DNA-PKcs (DNA-dependent protein kinase, catalytic subunit), ATM/ATR (ataxia–telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related), the MRN (MRE11-RAD50-NBS1) complex, the PARP (poly[ADP-ribose] polymerase) family, MDC1, Wee1, LIG4 (ligase IV), CDK1, BRCA1 (BRCA1 C terminal), CHK1, and HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1). Challenges for ionizing radiation-induced signal transduction and targeted therapy are also discussed based on recent achievements in the biological field of radiotherapy.
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81
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Wu Q, Wang L, Wei H, Li B, Yang J, Wang Z, Xu J, Zhou YL, Zhang B. Integration of multiple key molecules in lung adenocarcinoma identifies prognostic and immunotherapeutic relevant gene signatures. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 83:106477. [PMID: 32278127 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although multiple key molecules in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) have been identified in recent years, the overall tumor microenvironment (TME) immune cell infiltration characterizations mediated by multiple key molecules remain little known. This study aimed to integrate the roles of multiple key molecules to evaluate patient prognosis and TME cell infiltration characterization as well as responses to immunotherapy. METHODS Using combined LUAD cancer cohorts with 228 normal samples and 913 tumor samples, we comprehensively dissected the differences of genomic and TME cell infiltration landscapes between normal lung tissues and tumor tissues. The single-sample gene-set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to quantify the relative abundance of 24 cell infiltration. The riskScore signature was constructed using a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression mode. RESULTS Seven novel key molecules with significantly up-regulated expression in LUAD were determined. Survival analyses revealed their important prognostic values. LUAD microenvironment presented a markedly decreased infiltration of immune cells compared to normal lung tissues. We found tumors with up-regulated expression of these key molecules exhibited a significantly decreased TME cell infiltration and increased immune checkpoint molecule expression. The high riskScore subtype was characterized by decreased innate and adaptive immune cell infiltration. Activation of p53 signaling pathway and regulator T cells were observed in the high riskScore subtype, which were regarded as T-cell suppressive and could be responsible for poorer prognosis in this subtype (HR 1.83(1.27-2.63)). Multivariate analyses demonstrated the riskScore was a robust and independent prognostic biomarker, and its value in predicting immunotherapeutic outcomes was also confirmed (HR 1.70(1.22-2.37)). CONCLUSIONS This study reveal a novel gene signature significantly related to patient prognosis and TME cell infiltration in LUAD. We demonstrated the integrated roles of multiple key molecules played a crucial role in shaping TME cell infiltration diversity and complexity. Evaluating the integrated characterization of multiple key molecules could contribute to predicting patients' response to immunotherapy and guiding more effective immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wu
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, PR China; Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, PR China
| | - Huagen Wei
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Ben Li
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Jiaming Yang
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Zilin Wang
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Jianfeng Xu
- Department of Imaging, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
| | - You Lang Zhou
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
| | - Bo Zhang
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, PR China; Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
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Li W, Zhan M, Quan YY, Wang H, Hua SN, Li Y, Zhang J, Lu L, Cui M. Modulating the tumor immune microenvironment with sunitinib malate supports the rationale for combined treatment with immunotherapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 81:106227. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Sherry AD, Newman NB, Anderson JL, Osmundson EC. Systemic inflammatory dynamics during chemoradiotherapy predict response, relapse, metastasis, and survival in esophageal carcinoma. J Surg Oncol 2020; 121:303-312. [PMID: 31799692 DOI: 10.1002/jso.25793] [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] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Lymphopenia associated with chemoradiotherapy predicts prognosis in esophageal carcinoma. The purpose of our study was to evaluate alterations in hematologic measures of inflammation during chemoradiation. METHODS We performed an observational study evaluating adults treated with chemoradiation in the neoadjuvant or definitive setting for stage II-III esophageal carcinoma. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated predictors of pathologic response. Survival was analyzed by time-varying multivariable Cox proportional hazards regressions. RESULTS A total of 94 patients were included with median follow-up of 1.6 years. Elevated neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was predictive of incomplete pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation (OR, 1.07; P = .0030) as well as shorter distant metastasis-free survival (HR, 1.01; P = .0369) and reduced overall survival (HR, 1.01; P = .0448). An NLR > 5.55 in week two of chemoradiation predicted shorter overall survival (P = .0070). Upon adjusted analysis, NLR was independently associated with reduced probability of complete pathologic response (OR, 0.80; P = .0291), as well as poor histologic response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation (OR, 1.05; P = .0303), shorter disease-free survival (HR, 1.02; P = .0077), and reduced overall survival (HR, 1.02; P = .0070). CONCLUSIONS Dynamic time-dependent changes in NLR during chemoradiation predict response, relapse, metastasis, and survival in esophageal carcinoma. Prospective validation is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Neil B Newman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Evan C Osmundson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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Camara Planek MI, Silver AJ, Volgman AS, Okwuosa TM. Exploratory Review of the Role of Statins, Colchicine, and Aspirin for the Prevention of Radiation-Associated Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality. J Am Heart Assoc 2020; 9:e014668. [PMID: 31960749 PMCID: PMC7033839 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.119.014668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam J Silver
- Rush Heart Center for Women Rush University Medical Center Chicago IL
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Vanmeerbeek I, Sprooten J, De Ruysscher D, Tejpar S, Vandenberghe P, Fucikova J, Spisek R, Zitvogel L, Kroemer G, Galluzzi L, Garg AD. Trial watch: chemotherapy-induced immunogenic cell death in immuno-oncology. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1703449. [PMID: 32002302 PMCID: PMC6959434 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1703449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The term ‘immunogenic cell death’ (ICD) denotes an immunologically unique type of regulated cell death that enables, rather than suppresses, T cell-driven immune responses that are specific for antigens derived from the dying cells. The ability of ICD to elicit adaptive immunity heavily relies on the immunogenicity of dying cells, implying that such cells must encode and present antigens not covered by central tolerance (antigenicity), and deliver immunostimulatory molecules such as damage-associated molecular patterns and cytokines (adjuvanticity). Moreover, the host immune system must be equipped to detect the antigenicity and adjuvanticity of dying cells. As cancer (but not normal) cells express several antigens not covered by central tolerance, they can be driven into ICD by some therapeutic agents, including (but not limited to) chemotherapeutics of the anthracycline family, oxaliplatin and bortezomib, as well as radiation therapy. In this Trial Watch, we describe current trends in the preclinical and clinical development of ICD-eliciting chemotherapy as partner for immunotherapy, with a focus on trials assessing efficacy in the context of immunomonitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaure Vanmeerbeek
- Cell Death Research & Therapy (CDRT) unit, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jenny Sprooten
- Cell Death Research & Therapy (CDRT) unit, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk De Ruysscher
- Maastricht University Medical Center, Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO Clinic), GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Sabine Tejpar
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Vandenberghe
- Department of Haematology, UZ Leuven, and Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jitka Fucikova
- Sotio, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Spisek
- Sotio, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Laurence Zitvogel
- Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France.,INSERM, U1015, Villejuif, France.,Center of Clinical Investigations in Biotherapies of Cancer (CICBT) 1428, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris Sud/Paris XI, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, INSERM U1138, Paris, France.,Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France.,Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France.,Suzhou Institute for Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Suzhou, China.,Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.,Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Abhishek D Garg
- Cell Death Research & Therapy (CDRT) unit, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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86
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Sun JR, Zhang X, Zhang Y. MiR-214 prevents the progression of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma by targeting PD-L1. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2019; 24:68. [PMID: 31844419 PMCID: PMC6894298 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-019-0190-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective We explored the role and mechanism of miR-214 involvement in the progression of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods The expression levels of miR-214 and PD-L1 in human DLBCL cell lines and in tissue samples from patients with DLBCL were determined using quantitative RT-PCR. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to determine the correlation between the expressions of miR-214 and PD-L1. Cell viability, invasiveness and apoptosis were respectively examined in cells of the DLBCL line OCI-Ly3 using CCK-8, transwell and flow cytometry assays. The expression level of PD-L1 was determined via immunoblotting. Inflammatory cytokine secretion was determined via enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). Results miR-214 was downregulated and PD-L1 was upregulated in DLBCL tissues and cell lines in comparison to normal adjacent tissues or normal B-cell. This indicates a negative correlation in the expression levels. Overexpression of miR-214 inhibited cell viability and invasion and induced apoptosis of OCI-Ly3 cells. Moreover, miR-214 was shown to target PD-L1 mRNA by binding to its 3′-untranslated region (UTR). Knockdown of PD-L1 attenuated the malignant phenotype of OCI-Ly3 cells. Overexpression of miR-214 inhibited tumor growth by targeting PD-L1 in vivo. Conclusion By targeting PD-L1, miR-214 regulates the progression of DLBCL in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Ran Sun
- Liaocheng Central Blood Station, 75 Huashan Road, Liaocheng, Shandong 25200 People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- 2Department of Clinical Laboratory, Liaocheng People's Hospital, 67 Dongchang West Road, Liaocheng, Shandong 25200 People's Republic of China
| | - Ya Zhang
- 3Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Liaocheng People's Hospital, 67 Dongchang West Road, Liaocheng, Shandong 25200 People's Republic of China
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87
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Karam SD, Raben D. Radioimmunotherapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer. Lancet Oncol 2019; 20:e404-e416. [DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(19)30306-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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88
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Portella L, Scala S. Ionizing radiation effects on the tumor microenvironment. Semin Oncol 2019; 46:254-260. [PMID: 31383368 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The broad use of radiotherapy (RT) in the management of solid human tumors is based on its ability to damage cellular macromolecules, particularly the DNA, effectively inducing growth arrest and cell death locally in irradiated tumor cells. However, bystander effects, such as the transmission of lethal signals between cells via gap junctions or the production of diffusible cytotoxic mediators, can also contribute to the local antineoplastic action of RT. Traditionally, RT has been considered to exert immunosuppressive effects on the host. This idea largely stems from the radiosensitivity of quiescent lymphocytes and on the use of total body irradiation as part of myeloablative conditioning regimens preceding hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Additionally, the occurrence of the so-called "abscopal effect," where nonirradiated distant lesions display effects of RT response, suggests that RT may also induce tumor immunization. Several RT-induced effects on cancer, immune and stromal cells, contribute to the abscopal effect: (1) induction of "immunogenic cell death", with release of tumor-associated antigens, (2) alterations of cancer cell immunophenotype, and (3) modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Damage and death of cancer cells leads to the surface exposure of immunogenic molecules as well as the release of damage associated molecular patterns such as adenosine triphosphate or High-Mobility-Group-Protein B1, and potentially tumor antigens that activate the innate and adaptive immune systems. Moreover, nuclear release and cytoplasmic sensing of altered nucleic acids via cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase/Stimulator of Interferon Genes is connected to the secretion of cytokines that support innate and adaptive antitumor immunity. As a result of the above, irradiated tumor cells may potentially act as an "in situ vaccine."
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Portella
- Functional Genomics, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Scala
- Functional Genomics, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Naples, Italy.
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89
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Park SM, Youn JI. Role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in cancer. Arch Pharm Res 2019; 42:560-566. [PMID: 31147902 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-019-01165-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has demonstrated improved therapeutic efficacy in a wide range of cancers. However, the benefits are restricted to a small population of patients. Therefore, studies on understanding the mechanisms resistant to ICI therapy and for finding predictive biomarkers for ICI therapy are being actively conducted. Recent studies have demonstrated that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) inhibit ICI therapy by various mechanisms, and that the response to ICI therapy can be improved by blocking MDSC activity. Moreover, low level of MDSC in patients with cancer has been shown to be correlated with their good prognosis after ICI treatment, thereby suggesting MDSC as a predictive biomarker in this regard. This review focuses on the roles of MDSC in ICI therapy and their relevant applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Myeong Park
- Yonsei Cancer Center, Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Je-In Youn
- Research Institute, ProGen Inc, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science & Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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