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Li Z, Sun G, Sun G, Cheng Y, Wu L, Wang Q, Lv C, Zhou Y, Xia Y, Tang W. Various Uses of PD1/PD-L1 Inhibitor in Oncology: Opportunities and Challenges. Front Oncol 2021; 11:771335. [PMID: 34869005 PMCID: PMC8635629 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.771335] [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: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence and development of cancer are closely related to the immune escape of tumor cells and immune tolerance. Unlike previous surgical, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy, tumor immunotherapy is a therapeutic strategy that uses various means to stimulate and enhance the immune function of the body, and ultimately achieves the goal of controlling tumor cells.With the in-depth understanding of tumor immune escape mechanism and tumor microenvironment, and the in-depth study of tumor immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors represented by Programmed Death 1/Programmed cell Death-Ligand 1(PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors are becoming increasingly significant in cancer medication treatment. employ a variety of ways to avoid detection by the immune system, a single strategy is not more effective in overcoming tumor immune evasion and metastasis. Combining different immune agents or other drugs can effectively address situations where immunotherapy is not efficacious, thereby increasing the chances of success and alternative access to alternative immunotherapy. Immune combination therapies for cancer have become a hot topic in cancer treatment today. In this paper, several combination therapeutic modalities of PD1/PD-L1 inhibitors are systematically reviewed. Finally, an analysis and outlook are provided in the context of the recent advances in combination therapy with PD1/PD-L1 inhibitors and the pressing issues in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhitao Li
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guoqiang Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guangshun Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye Cheng
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liangliang Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Chengyu Lv
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yichan Zhou
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongxiang Xia
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiwei Tang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Pottoo FH, Iqubal A, Iqubal MK, Salahuddin M, Rahman JU, AlHajri N, Shehadeh M. miRNAs in the Regulation of Cancer Immune Response: Effect of miRNAs on Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6145. [PMID: 34885253 PMCID: PMC8656569 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last few decades, carcinogenesis has been extensively explored and substantial research has identified immunogenic involvement in various types of cancers. As a result, immune checkpoint blockers and other immune-based therapies were developed as novel immunotherapeutic strategies. However, despite being a promising therapeutic option, immunotherapy has significant constraints such as a high cost of treatment, unpredictable toxicity, and clinical outcomes. miRNAs are non-coding, small RNAs actively involved in modulating the immune system's multiple signalling pathways by binding to the 3'-UTR of target genes. miRNAs possess a unique advantage in modulating multiple targets of either the same or different signalling pathways. Therefore, miRNA follows a 'one drug multiple target' hypothesis. Attempts are made to explore the therapeutic promise of miRNAs in cancer so that it can be transported from bench to bedside for successful immunotherapeutic results. Therefore, in the current manuscript, we discussed, in detail, the mechanism and role of miRNAs in different types of cancers relating to the immune system, its diagnostic and therapeutic aspect, the effect on immune escape, immune-checkpoint molecules, and the tumour microenvironment. We have also discussed the existing limitations, clinical success and the prospective use of miRNAs in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faheem Hyder Pottoo
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ashif Iqubal
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India;
- Department of Pharmacology, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi 110017, India
| | - Mohammad Kashif Iqubal
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India;
- Product Development Department, Sentiss Research Centre, Sentiss Pharma Pvt Ltd., Gurugram 122001, India
| | - Mohammed Salahuddin
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Jawad Ur Rahman
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Noora AlHajri
- Mayo Clinic, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mustafa Shehadeh
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
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203
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Kong H, Yu W, Chen Z, Li H, Ye G, Hong J, Xie Z, Chen K, Wu Y, Shen H. CCR9 initiates epithelial-mesenchymal transition by activating Wnt/β-catenin pathways to promote osteosarcoma metastasis. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:648. [PMID: 34863167 PMCID: PMC8642956 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02320-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Osteosarcoma (OS) patients with lung metastasis have poor prognoses, and effective therapeutic strategies for delaying or inhibiting the spread of lung metastasis from the primary OS site are lacking. Hence, it is critical to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of OS metastasis and to identify additional new effective treatment strategies for patients. Methods Differential expression and functional analyses were performed to identify key genes and relevant signaling pathways associated with OS lung metastasis. The expression of CCR9 in OS cell lines and tissues was measured by RT-qPCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Cell migration and invasion were assessed by wound healing and Transwell Matrigel invasion assays, respectively. The regulatory relationship between CCR9 and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was further evaluated by rescue experiments. Results The expression of CCR9 was elevated in OS cell lines and patients with lung metastasis. CCR9 promoted MG63 and HOS cell migration and invasion by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Furthermore, knockdown of CCR9 repressed epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) by downregulating mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin and Vimentin) and EMT-associated transcription factors (twist and snail) and upregulating an epithelial marker (E-cadherin). Conclusions Our findings suggest that CCR9 promotes EMT by activating Wnt/β-catenin pathways to promote OS metastasis. CCR9 may be a promising therapeutic target to inhibit lung metastasis and serve as a novel prognostic marker for OS. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-02320-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Kong
- Department of Orthopedics, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenhui Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 3025, Shennan Middle Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518033, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuning Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Department of Orthopedics, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 3025, Shennan Middle Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518033, People's Republic of China
| | - Haonan Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 3025, Shennan Middle Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518033, People's Republic of China
| | - Guiwen Ye
- Department of Orthopedics, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 3025, Shennan Middle Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518033, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiacong Hong
- Department of Orthopedics, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 3025, Shennan Middle Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518033, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongyu Xie
- Department of Orthopedics, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 3025, Shennan Middle Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518033, People's Republic of China
| | - Keng Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 3025, Shennan Middle Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518033, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yanfeng Wu
- Center for Biotherapy, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 3025, Shennan Middle Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518033, People's Republic of China.
| | - Huiyong Shen
- Department of Orthopedics, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Orthopedics, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 3025, Shennan Middle Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518033, People's Republic of China.
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Suppression of MGAT3 expression and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition of lung cancer cells by miR-188-5p. Biomed J 2021; 44:678-685. [PMID: 35166206 PMCID: PMC8847825 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2020.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To investigate the effect of miR-188-5p overexpression on the invasion and migration of cultured lung cancer cells, and on related cellular mechanisms that underlie epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Methods Human lung cancer cell line 95D was transfected with miR-188-5p mimic. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were performed to quantify the expression levels of genes including E-cadherin, Snail, α-SMA, and MGAT3. Changes in cell motility, invasion and proliferation were studied using scratch migration assay, transwell invasion assay, and colony formation assay, respectively. The expression levels of EMT-related proteins and MGAT3 protein were also determined via immunofluorescent staining. The ability of miR-188-5p to regulate its target gene, MGAT3, was assessed using dual luciferase activity assay. Results Lung cancer cell line 95D showed the lowest miR-188-5p expression level thus was used in this study. Transfection with miR-188-5p mimic significantly suppressed migration, invasion and clonal formation potency of 95D cells. Dual luciferase activity assay implicated that miR-188-5p exerts its negative regulatory effect on MGAT3 expression through recognizing the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of the MGAT3 gene. Over-expression of miR-188-5p in 95D cells also remarkably increased E-cadherin protein expression and decreased the expression levels of Snail and α-SMA, which suppressed the EMT process. Conclusion MiR-188-5p reduces the expression of MGAT3 and inhibits the metastatic properties of a highly invasive lung cancer cell line, probably via targeted regulation of EMT process. Further research to explore the potential therapeutic value of miR-188-5p, both as a biomarker and as a drug candidate for the management of metastatic lung cancer may be warranted.
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Kelly AD, Murugesan K, Kuang Z, Montesion M, Ross JS, Albacker LA, Huang RSP, Lin DI, Demirci U, Creeden J. Pan-cancer landscape of CD274 (PD-L1) rearrangements in 283,050 patient samples, its correlation with PD-L1 protein expression, and immunotherapy response. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-003550. [PMID: 34815356 PMCID: PMC8611421 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003550] [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] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) benefit patients with multiple cancer types, however, additional predictive biomarkers of response are needed. CD274 (programmed cell death ligand-1, PD-L1) gene rearrangements are positively associated with PD-L1 expression and may confer benefit to ICI, thus a pan-cancer characterization of these alterations is needed. METHODS We analyzed 283,050 patient samples across multiple tumor types that underwent comprehensive genomic profiling for activating CD274 rearrangements and other alterations. The DAKO 22C3 Tumor Proportion Scoring (TPS) method was used for PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing in a small subset with available data (n=55,423). A retrospective deidentified real-world clinico-genomic database (CGDB) was examined for ICI treatment outcomes. We also report a detailed case of CD274-rearranged metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma. RESULTS We identified 145 samples with functional rearrangements in CD274. There were significant enrichments for PIK3CA, JAK2, PDCD1LG2, CREBBP, and PBRM1 co-mutations (ORs=2.1, 16.7, 17.8, 3.6, and 3.4, respectively, p<0.01). Genomic human papillomavirus (HPV)-16, Epstein-Barr virus, and mismatch repair genes also co-occurred (OR=6.2, 8.4, and 4.3, respectively, p<0.05). Median tumor mutational burden (TMB) was higher compared with CD274 wild-type samples (7.0 vs 3.5 mutations/Mb, p=1.7e-11), with disease-specific TMB enrichment in non-small cell lung, colorectal, unknown primary, and stomach cancers. PD-L1 IHC skewed toward positivity (N=39/43 samples with ≥1% positivity). Of eight patients from the CGDB, three remained on ICI treatment after 6 months. Separately, one patient with metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma experienced a pathologic complete response on chemoimmunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS CD274 gene rearrangements are associated with increased PD-L1 IHC scores, higher TMB, and potential clinical benefit in ICI-treated patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Kelly
- Department of Medical Oncology, Foundation Medicine Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Karthikeyan Murugesan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Foundation Medicine Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zheng Kuang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Foundation Medicine Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Meagan Montesion
- Department of Medical Oncology, Foundation Medicine Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Ross
- Department of Medical Oncology, Foundation Medicine Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pathology and Urology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Lee A Albacker
- Department of Medical Oncology, Foundation Medicine Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard S P Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Foundation Medicine Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Foundation Medicine Inc, Morrisville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Douglas I Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Foundation Medicine Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Umut Demirci
- Department of Medical Oncology, Memorial Ankara Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - James Creeden
- Department of Medical Oncology, Foundation Medicine Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Cavallari I, Ciccarese F, Sharova E, Urso L, Raimondi V, Silic-Benussi M, D’Agostino DM, Ciminale V. The miR-200 Family of microRNAs: Fine Tuners of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Circulating Cancer Biomarkers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5874. [PMID: 34884985 PMCID: PMC8656820 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The miR-200 family of microRNAs (miRNAs) includes miR-200a, miR-200b, miR-200c, miR-141 and miR-429, five evolutionarily conserved miRNAs that are encoded in two clusters of hairpin precursors located on human chromosome 1 (miR-200b, miR-200a and miR-429) and chromosome 12 (miR-200c and miR-141). The mature -3p products of the precursors are abundantly expressed in epithelial cells, where they contribute to maintaining the epithelial phenotype by repressing expression of factors that favor the process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a key hallmark of oncogenic transformation. Extensive studies of the expression and interactions of these miRNAs with cell signaling pathways indicate that they can exert both tumor suppressor- and pro-metastatic functions, and may serve as biomarkers of epithelial cancers. This review provides a summary of the role of miR-200 family members in EMT, factors that regulate their expression, and important targets for miR-200-mediated repression that are involved in EMT. The second part of the review discusses the potential utility of circulating miR-200 family members as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers for breast, colorectal, lung, ovarian, prostate and bladder cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Cavallari
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV–IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy; (I.C.); (F.C.); (E.S.); (L.U.); (V.R.); (M.S.-B.)
| | - Francesco Ciccarese
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV–IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy; (I.C.); (F.C.); (E.S.); (L.U.); (V.R.); (M.S.-B.)
| | - Evgeniya Sharova
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV–IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy; (I.C.); (F.C.); (E.S.); (L.U.); (V.R.); (M.S.-B.)
| | - Loredana Urso
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV–IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy; (I.C.); (F.C.); (E.S.); (L.U.); (V.R.); (M.S.-B.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Vittoria Raimondi
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV–IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy; (I.C.); (F.C.); (E.S.); (L.U.); (V.R.); (M.S.-B.)
| | - Micol Silic-Benussi
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV–IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy; (I.C.); (F.C.); (E.S.); (L.U.); (V.R.); (M.S.-B.)
| | - Donna M. D’Agostino
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV–IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy; (I.C.); (F.C.); (E.S.); (L.U.); (V.R.); (M.S.-B.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ciminale
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV–IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy; (I.C.); (F.C.); (E.S.); (L.U.); (V.R.); (M.S.-B.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy
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Gao Y, Sun Z, Gu J, Li Z, Xu X, Xue C, Li X, Zhao L, Zhou J, Bai C, Han Q, Zhao RC. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promote the Upregulation of PD-L1 Expression Through Akt Phosphorylation in Colorectal Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:748465. [PMID: 34868949 PMCID: PMC8640083 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.748465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Upregulation of immune checkpoint proteins is one of the main mechanisms for tumor immune escape. The expression of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in colorectal cancer (CRC) is higher than in normal colorectal epithelial tissue, and patients with higher PD-L1 expression have a poorer prognosis. Additionally, PD-L1 expression in CRC is affected by the tumor microenvironment (TME). As a major component of the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can act as immune regulators and generate an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Therefore, we speculated that CAFs may be related to the upregulation of PD-L1 in CRC, which leads to tumor immune escape. We found that CAFs upregulate PD-L1 expression in CRC cells through AKT phosphorylation, thereby reducing the killing of CRC cells by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The ratio of CAFs to CRC cells was positively correlated with AKT phosphorylation and the expression of PD-L1 in CRC in vitro. Consistent with the in vitro results, high CAF content and high expression of PD-L1 were negatively correlated with disease-free survival (DFS) of CRC patients. These results indicate that the upregulation of PD-L1 expression in CRC by CAFs through the activation of Akt is one of the molecular mechanisms of tumor immune escape. Thus, targeted anti-CAF therapy may help improve the efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- Department of Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhao Sun
- Department of Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Gu
- Department of Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuxiu Xu
- Department of Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chunling Xue
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xuechun Li
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianfeng Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chunmei Bai
- Department of Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qin Han
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Robert Chunhua Zhao
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
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Williams MM, Hafeez SA, Christenson JL, O’Neill KI, Hammond NG, Richer JK. Reversing an Oncogenic Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Program in Breast Cancer Reveals Actionable Immune Suppressive Pathways. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14111122. [PMID: 34832904 PMCID: PMC8622696 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Approval of checkpoint inhibitors for treatment of metastatic triple negative breast cancer (mTNBC) has opened the door for the use of immunotherapies against this disease. However, not all patients with mTNBC respond to current immunotherapy approaches such as checkpoint inhibitors. Recent evidence demonstrates that TNBC metastases are more immune suppressed than primary tumors, suggesting that combination or additional immunotherapy strategies may be required to activate an anti-tumor immune attack at metastatic sites. To identify other immune suppressive mechanisms utilized by mTNBC, our group and others manipulated oncogenic epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) programs in TNBC models to reveal differences between this breast cancer subtype and its more epithelial counterpart. This review will discuss how EMT modulation revealed several mechanisms, including tumor cell metabolism, cytokine milieu and secretion of additional immune modulators, by which mTNBC cells may suppress both the innate and adaptive anti-tumor immune responses. Many of these pathways/proteins are under preclinical or clinical investigation as therapeutic targets in mTNBC and other advanced cancers to enhance their response to chemotherapy and/or checkpoint inhibitors.
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209
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Garinet S, Didelot A, Denize T, Perrier A, Beinse G, Leclere JB, Oudart JB, Gibault L, Badoual C, Le Pimpec-Barthes F, Laurent-Puig P, Legras A, Blons H. Clinical assessment of the miR-34, miR-200, ZEB1 and SNAIL EMT regulation hub underlines the differential prognostic value of EMT miRs to drive mesenchymal transition and prognosis in resected NSCLC. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:1544-1551. [PMID: 34642464 PMCID: PMC8609001 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01568-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving curative surgery have a risk of relapse, and adjuvant treatments only translate into a 5% increase in 5-year survival. We assessed the clinical significance of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and explored its association with the [SNAIL/miR-34]:[ZEB/miR-200] regulation hub to refine prognostic information. METHODS We validated a 7-gene EMT score using a consecutive series of 176 resected NSCLC. We quantified EMT transcription factors, microRNAs (miRs) of the miR-200, miR-34 families and miR-200 promoter hypermethylation to identify outcome predictors. RESULTS Most tumours presented with an EMT-hybrid state and the EMT score was not predictive of outcome. Individually, all miR-200 were inversely associated with the EMT score, but only chromosome-1 miRs, miR-200a, b, 429, were associated with disease-free survival (p = 0.08, 0.05 and 0.025) and overall survival (p = 0.013, 0.003 and 0.006). We validated these associations on The Cancer Genome Atlas data. Tumour unsupervised clustering based on miR expression identified two good prognostic groups, unrelated to the EMT score, suggesting that miR profiling may have an important clinical value. CONCLUSION miR-200 family members do not have similar predictive value. Core EMT-miR, regulators and not EMT itself, identify NSCLC patients with a low risk of relapse after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Garinet
- Assistance publique-hôpitaux de Paris, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Department of Biochemistry, Pharmacogenetics and Molecular Oncology, Paris Cancer Institute CARPEM, Paris, France
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, CNRS SNC 5096, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Audrey Didelot
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, CNRS SNC 5096, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Denize
- Assistance publique-hôpitaux de Paris, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Department of Biochemistry, Pharmacogenetics and Molecular Oncology, Paris Cancer Institute CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Perrier
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, CNRS SNC 5096, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Beinse
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, CNRS SNC 5096, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Leclere
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Georges Pompidou European Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Oudart
- Assistance publique-hôpitaux de Paris, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Department of Biochemistry, Pharmacogenetics and Molecular Oncology, Paris Cancer Institute CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Laure Gibault
- Assistance publique-hôpitaux de Paris, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Department of Pathology, Paris Cancer Institute CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Cecile Badoual
- Assistance publique-hôpitaux de Paris, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Department of Pathology, Paris Cancer Institute CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Françoise Le Pimpec-Barthes
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Georges Pompidou European Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Laurent-Puig
- Assistance publique-hôpitaux de Paris, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Department of Biochemistry, Pharmacogenetics and Molecular Oncology, Paris Cancer Institute CARPEM, Paris, France
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, CNRS SNC 5096, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Antoine Legras
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, CNRS SNC 5096, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Georges Pompidou European Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Helene Blons
- Assistance publique-hôpitaux de Paris, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Department of Biochemistry, Pharmacogenetics and Molecular Oncology, Paris Cancer Institute CARPEM, Paris, France.
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, CNRS SNC 5096, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
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Stewart CA, Gay CM, Ramkumar K, Cargill KR, Cardnell RJ, Nilsson MB, Heeke S, Park EM, Kundu ST, Diao L, Wang Q, Shen L, Xi Y, Zhang B, Della Corte CM, Fan Y, Kundu K, Gao B, Avila K, Pickering CR, Johnson FM, Zhang J, Kadara H, Minna JD, Gibbons DL, Wang J, Heymach JV, Byers LA. Lung Cancer Models Reveal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2-Induced Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Contributes to Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pathophysiology. J Thorac Oncol 2021; 16:1821-1839. [PMID: 34274504 PMCID: PMC8282443 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Coronavirus disease 2019 is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which enters host cells through the cell surface proteins ACE2 and TMPRSS2. METHODS Using a variety of normal and malignant models and tissues from the aerodigestive and respiratory tracts, we investigated the expression and regulation of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. RESULTS We find that ACE2 expression is restricted to a select population of epithelial cells. Notably, infection with SARS-CoV-2 in cancer cell lines, bronchial organoids, and patient nasal epithelium induces metabolic and transcriptional changes consistent with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), including up-regulation of ZEB1 and AXL, resulting in an increased EMT score. In addition, a transcriptional loss of genes associated with tight junction function occurs with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The SARS-CoV-2 receptor, ACE2, is repressed by EMT through the transforming growth factor-β, ZEB1 overexpression, and onset of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance. This suggests a novel model of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis in which infected cells shift toward an increasingly mesenchymal state, associated with a loss of tight junction components with acute respiratory distress syndrome-protective effects. AXL inhibition and ZEB1 reduction, as with bemcentinib, offer a potential strategy to reverse this effect. CONCLUSIONS These observations highlight the use of aerodigestive and, especially, lung cancer model systems in exploring the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses and offer important insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the morbidity and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 in healthy patients and patients with cancer alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Allison Stewart
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Carl M Gay
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Kavya Ramkumar
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Kasey R Cargill
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Robert J Cardnell
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Monique B Nilsson
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Simon Heeke
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Elizabeth M Park
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Samrat T Kundu
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lixia Diao
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Yuanxin Xi
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Bingnan Zhang
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Carminia Maria Della Corte
- Oncology Division, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Youhong Fan
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Kiran Kundu
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Boning Gao
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology, Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Kimberley Avila
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology, Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Curtis R Pickering
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Faye M Johnson
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Humam Kadara
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - John D Minna
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology, Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Don L Gibbons
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - John V Heymach
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lauren Averett Byers
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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Li F, Li C, Cai X, Xie Z, Zhou L, Cheng B, Zhong R, Xiong S, Li J, Chen Z, Yu Z, He J, Liang W. The association between CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and the clinical outcome of cancer immunotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine 2021; 41:101134. [PMID: 34585125 PMCID: PMC8452798 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The responses of cancer patients to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) vary in success. CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) play a key role in killing tumor cells. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic role of CD8+ TILs in cancer patients treated with ICIs. METHODS We systematically searched all publications from PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library until 12 Jul 2021 without any restriction of language or article types. Studies assessing high versus low CD8+ TILs in predicting efficacy and survival of various cancer patients were included. The outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR). The study protocol is prospectively registered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42021233654). FINDINGS Findings: A total of 33 studies consisting of 2559 cancer patients were included. The result showed that high CD8+ TILs were significantly associated with better OS (HR, 0.52; 95% confidence interval: 0.41-0.67; p < 0.001), PFS (HR, 0.52; 95% confidence interval: 0.40-0.67; p < 0.001) and ORR (OR, 4.08; 95% confidence interval: 2.73-6.10; p < 0.001) in patients treated with ICIs. Subgroup analyses suggested that patients with high CD8+ TILs had a better clinical benefit, regardless of different treatments (ICI mono therapy, or combination therapy), cancer types (NSCLC, melanoma and others), and CD8+ T cells locations (intra-tumor, stroma, and invasive margin). The higher baseline circulating CD8+ T cells from peripheral blood did not contribute to the improved OS (HR, 0.93; 95% confidence interval: 0.67-1.29; p = 0.67) and PFS (HR, 0.89; 95% confidence interval: 0.60-1.32; p = 0.56) compared with the low baseline. INTERPRETATION Interpretation: Our results suggested that high intra-tumoral, stromal, or invasive marginal, but not circulating CD8+ T cells, can predict treatment outcomes in patients with ICIs therapy across different cancers, in either single-agent ICIs or combination with other therapies. FUNDING Funding: China National Science Foundation (Grant No. 82,022,048, 81,871,893), Key Project of Guangzhou Scientific Research Project (Grant No. 201,804,020,030), High-level university construction project of Guangzhou medical university (Grant No. 20,182,737, 201,721,007, 201,715,907, 2,017,160,107); National key R & D Program (Grant No. 2017YFC0907903 & 2017YFC0112704) and the Guangdong high level hospital construction "reaching peak" plan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease & National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Caichen Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease & National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiuyu Cai
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhanhong Xie
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease and National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liquan Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease & National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
- The First Clinical College, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Cheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease & National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ran Zhong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease & National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shan Xiong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease & National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianfu Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease & National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuxing Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease & National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziwen Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease & National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianxing He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease & National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenhua Liang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease & National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
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Zheng Y, Wang S, Cai J, Ke A, Fan J. The progress of immune checkpoint therapy in primary liver cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188638. [PMID: 34688805 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
After years of in-depth research on immune checkpoints, therapeutic reversal of immune-exhaustion with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPIs) has been shown to be effective in primary liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The clinical development of novel ICPIs continues at a rapid pace, with more than 200 clinical trials of immunotherapeutic agents registered as of July 2021 for the treatment of liver cancer. In this review, we discussed the immune tolerance mechanism of liver cancer and the biological basis of immune checkpoints, focusing on the current status of ICPIs' development and clinical application. In addition, ICPIs combined with local resection, radiofrequency ablation, chemoembolization, and other molecular targeted drug therapies have shown better efficacy. Combined therapy based on multidisciplinary cooperation is the future direction of treatment in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Zheng
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, PR China; Department of Liver Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Siwei Wang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Jiabin Cai
- Department of Liver Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Aiwu Ke
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, PR China.
| | - Jia Fan
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, PR China; Department of Liver Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China.
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213
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Sloane RAS, White MG, Witt RG, Banerjee A, Davies MA, Han G, Burton E, Ajami N, Simon JM, Bernatchez C, Haydu LE, Tawbi HA, Gershenwald JE, Keung E, Ross M, McQuade J, Amaria RN, Wani K, Lazar AJ, Woodman SE, Wang L, Andrews MC, Wargo JA. Identification of MicroRNA-mRNA Networks in Melanoma and Their Association with PD-1 Checkpoint Blockade Outcomes. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5301. [PMID: 34771465 PMCID: PMC8582574 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is a deadly malignancy with poor outcomes historically. Immuno-oncology (IO) agents, targeting immune checkpoint molecules such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), have revolutionized melanoma treatment and outcomes, achieving significant response rates and remarkable long-term survival. Despite these vast improvements, roughly half of melanoma patients do not achieve long-term clinical benefit from IO therapies and there is an urgent need to understand and mitigate mechanisms of resistance. MicroRNAs are key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression that regulate many aspects of cancer biology, including immune evasion. We used network analysis to define two core microRNA-mRNA networks in melanoma tissues and cell lines corresponding to 'MITF-low' and 'Keratin' transcriptomic subsets of melanoma. We then evaluated expression of these core microRNAs in pre-PD-1-inhibitor-treated melanoma patients and observed that higher expression of miR-100-5p and miR-125b-5p were associated with significantly improved overall survival. These findings suggest that miR-100-5p and 125b-5p are potential markers of response to PD-1 inhibitors, and further evaluation of these microRNA-mRNA interactions may yield further insight into melanoma resistance to PD-1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Szczepaniak Sloane
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.A.S.S.); (M.G.W.); (R.G.W.); (A.B.); (E.B.); (J.M.S.); (L.E.H.); (J.E.G.); (E.K.); (M.R.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Michael G. White
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.A.S.S.); (M.G.W.); (R.G.W.); (A.B.); (E.B.); (J.M.S.); (L.E.H.); (J.E.G.); (E.K.); (M.R.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Russell G. Witt
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.A.S.S.); (M.G.W.); (R.G.W.); (A.B.); (E.B.); (J.M.S.); (L.E.H.); (J.E.G.); (E.K.); (M.R.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Anik Banerjee
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.A.S.S.); (M.G.W.); (R.G.W.); (A.B.); (E.B.); (J.M.S.); (L.E.H.); (J.E.G.); (E.K.); (M.R.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Michael A. Davies
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.A.D.); (H.A.T.); (J.M.); (R.N.A.); (S.E.W.)
| | - Guangchun Han
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (G.H.); (N.A.); (K.W.); (A.J.L.); (L.W.)
| | - Elizabeth Burton
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.A.S.S.); (M.G.W.); (R.G.W.); (A.B.); (E.B.); (J.M.S.); (L.E.H.); (J.E.G.); (E.K.); (M.R.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Nadim Ajami
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (G.H.); (N.A.); (K.W.); (A.J.L.); (L.W.)
| | - Julie M. Simon
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.A.S.S.); (M.G.W.); (R.G.W.); (A.B.); (E.B.); (J.M.S.); (L.E.H.); (J.E.G.); (E.K.); (M.R.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Chantale Bernatchez
- Department of Biologics Development, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Lauren E. Haydu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.A.S.S.); (M.G.W.); (R.G.W.); (A.B.); (E.B.); (J.M.S.); (L.E.H.); (J.E.G.); (E.K.); (M.R.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Hussein A. Tawbi
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.A.D.); (H.A.T.); (J.M.); (R.N.A.); (S.E.W.)
| | - Jeffrey E. Gershenwald
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.A.S.S.); (M.G.W.); (R.G.W.); (A.B.); (E.B.); (J.M.S.); (L.E.H.); (J.E.G.); (E.K.); (M.R.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Emily Keung
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.A.S.S.); (M.G.W.); (R.G.W.); (A.B.); (E.B.); (J.M.S.); (L.E.H.); (J.E.G.); (E.K.); (M.R.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Merrick Ross
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.A.S.S.); (M.G.W.); (R.G.W.); (A.B.); (E.B.); (J.M.S.); (L.E.H.); (J.E.G.); (E.K.); (M.R.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Jennifer McQuade
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.A.D.); (H.A.T.); (J.M.); (R.N.A.); (S.E.W.)
| | - Rodabe N. Amaria
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.A.D.); (H.A.T.); (J.M.); (R.N.A.); (S.E.W.)
| | - Khalida Wani
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (G.H.); (N.A.); (K.W.); (A.J.L.); (L.W.)
| | - Alexander J. Lazar
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (G.H.); (N.A.); (K.W.); (A.J.L.); (L.W.)
| | - Scott E. Woodman
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.A.D.); (H.A.T.); (J.M.); (R.N.A.); (S.E.W.)
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (G.H.); (N.A.); (K.W.); (A.J.L.); (L.W.)
| | - Linghua Wang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (G.H.); (N.A.); (K.W.); (A.J.L.); (L.W.)
| | - Miles C. Andrews
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.A.S.S.); (M.G.W.); (R.G.W.); (A.B.); (E.B.); (J.M.S.); (L.E.H.); (J.E.G.); (E.K.); (M.R.); (M.C.A.)
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Jennifer A. Wargo
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.A.S.S.); (M.G.W.); (R.G.W.); (A.B.); (E.B.); (J.M.S.); (L.E.H.); (J.E.G.); (E.K.); (M.R.); (M.C.A.)
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (G.H.); (N.A.); (K.W.); (A.J.L.); (L.W.)
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Khadri FZ, Issac MSM, Gaboury LA. Impact of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition on the Immune Landscape in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5099. [PMID: 34680248 PMCID: PMC8533811 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signature on the immune infiltrate present in the breast cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) is still poorly understood. Since there is mounting interest in the use of immunotherapy for the treatment of subsets of breast cancer patients, it is of major importance to understand the fundamental tumor characteristics which dictate the inter-tumor heterogeneity in immune landscapes. We aimed to assess the impact of EMT-related markers on the nature and magnitude of the inflammatory infiltrate present in breast cancer TME and their association with the clinicopathological parameters. Tissue microarrays were constructed from 144 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded invasive breast cancer tumor samples. The protein expression patterns of Snail, Twist, ZEB1, N-cadherin, Vimentin, GRHL2, E-cadherin, and EpCAM were examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The inflammatory infiltrate in the TME was assessed semi-quantitatively on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained whole sections and was characterized using IHC. The inflammatory infiltrate was more intense in poorly differentiated carcinomas and triple-negative carcinomas in which the expression of E-cadherin and GRHL2 was reduced, while EpCAM was overexpressed. Most EMT-related markers correlated with plasma cell infiltration of the TME. Taken together, our findings reveal that the EMT signature might impact the immune response in the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima-Zohra Khadri
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (F.-Z.K.); (M.S.M.I.)
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Marianne Samir Makboul Issac
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (F.-Z.K.); (M.S.M.I.)
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 11956, Egypt
| | - Louis Arthur Gaboury
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (F.-Z.K.); (M.S.M.I.)
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
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Design and Rationale for a Phase III, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Neoadjuvant Durvalumab + Chemotherapy Followed by Adjuvant Durvalumab for the Treatment of Patients With Resectable Stages II and III non-small-cell Lung Cancer: The AEGEAN Trial. Clin Lung Cancer 2021; 23:e247-e251. [PMID: 34819266 DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2021.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
For patients with resectable, early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), surgery is the primary treatment; however, 5-year survival rates remain poor. Postoperative adjuvant platinum-doublet chemotherapy is associated with a statistically significant but modest improvement in survival of ∼5% at 5 years and is widely accepted as standard of care in patients with resectable, Stage II-III NSCLC. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been associated with similar improvements in overall survival to adjuvant therapy in this setting. Durvalumab, a high-affinity PD-L1 inhibitor, has become the standard of care for patients with unresectable, Stage III NSCLC following chemoradiotherapy based on improved progression-free and overall survival in the phase III PACIFIC trial. AEGEAN is a phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled, international study that will assess pathological and clinical outcomes of durvalumab plus chemotherapy prior to surgery, followed by durvalumab monotherapy after surgery in adults with resectable, Stage II-III NSCLC. Approximately 800 patients will be randomized (1:1) to receive durvalumab or placebo every 3 weeks (q3w) alongside platinum-based chemotherapy (≤4 cycles) prior to surgery, followed by durvalumab or placebo monotherapy q4w, for an additional 12 cycles post surgery, stratified by disease stage (IASLC 8th Edition, Stage II vs. Stage III) and PD-L1 tumor cell expression levels (<1% vs. ≥1%). Primary endpoints include pathological complete response and event-free survival for patients with wild-type EGFR and ALK. Key secondary efficacy endpoints include major pathologic response, disease-free survival and overall survival.
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216
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Jiang Y, Zhuo X, Wu Y, Fu X, Mao C. PAR2 blockade reverses osimertinib resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer cells via attenuating ERK-mediated EMT and PD-L1 expression. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1869:119144. [PMID: 34599981 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.119144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Osimertinib, as the third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), is a first-line molecularly targeted drug for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the emergence of therapeutic resistance to osimertinib markedly impairs its efficiency and efficacy, leading to the failure of clinical applications. Novel molecular targets and drugs are urgently needed for reversing osimertinib resistance in NSCLC. Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) that belongs to a subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors can stimulate the transactivation of EGFR to regulate multiple cellular signalling, actively participating in tumour progression. This study firstly discovered that PAR2 expression was notably enhanced when NSCLC cells became resistant to osimertinib. A PAR2 inhibitor facilitated osimertinib to attenuate EGFR transactivation, ERK phosphorylation, EMT and PD-L1 expression which were associated to osimertinib resistance. The combination of the PAR2 inhibitor and osimertinib also notably blocked cell viability, migration, 3D sphere formation and in vivo tumour growth whereas osimertinib itself lost such inhibitory effects in osimertinib-resistant NSCLC cells. Importantly, this reversal effect of PAR2 blockade was uncovered to depend on ERK-mediated EMT and PD-L1, since inhibition of β-arrestin or ERK, which could be modulated by PAR2, sensitized osimertinib to prevent EMT, PD-L1 expression and consequently overcame osimertinib resistance. Thus, this study demonstrated that PAR2 antagonism could limit ERK-mediated EMT and immune checkpoints, consequently attenuating EGFR transactivation and reactivate osimertinib. It suggested that PAR2 may be a novel drug target for osimertinib resistance, and PAR2 inhibition may be a promising strategy candidate for reversing EGFR-TKI resistance in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Jiang
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Xin Zhuo
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yue Wu
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Xiujuan Fu
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Canquan Mao
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
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217
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Sanceau J, Gougelet A. Epigenetic mechanisms of liver tumor resistance to immunotherapy. World J Hepatol 2021; 13:979-1002. [PMID: 34630870 PMCID: PMC8473495 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v13.i9.979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver tumor, which stands fourth in rank of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The incidence of HCC is constantly increasing in correlation with the epidemic in diabetes and obesity, arguing for an urgent need for new treatments for this lethal cancer refractory to conventional treatments. HCC is the paradigm of inflammation-associated cancer, since more than 80% of HCC emerge consecutively to cirrhosis associated with a vast remodeling of liver microenvironment. In the recent decade, immunomodulatory drugs have been developed and have given impressive results in melanoma and later in several other cancers. In the present review, we will discuss the recent advancements concerning the use of immunotherapies in HCC, in particular those targeting immune checkpoints, used alone or in combination with other anti-cancers agents. We will address why these drugs demonstrate unsatisfactory results in a high proportion of liver cancers and the mechanisms of resistance developed by HCC to evade immune response with a focus on the epigenetic-related mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Sanceau
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Université de Paris, Paris 75006, France
| | - Angélique Gougelet
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Université de Paris, Paris 75006, France
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Shadbad MA, Asadzadeh Z, Derakhshani A, Hosseinkhani N, Mokhtarzadeh A, Baghbanzadeh A, Hajiasgharzadeh K, Brunetti O, Argentiero A, Racanelli V, Silvestris N, Baradaran B. A scoping review on the potentiality of PD-L1-inhibiting microRNAs in treating colorectal cancer: Toward single-cell sequencing-guided biocompatible-based delivery. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 143:112213. [PMID: 34560556 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumoral programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) has been implicated in the immune evasion and development of colorectal cancer. Although monoclonal immune checkpoint inhibitors can exclusively improve the prognosis of patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) and tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) colorectal cancer, specific tumor-suppressive microRNAs (miRs) can regulate multiple oncogenic pathways and inhibit the de novo expression of oncoproteins, like PD-L1, both in microsatellite stable (MSS) and MSI-H colorectal cancer cells. This scoping review aimed to discuss the currently available evidence regarding the therapeutic potentiality of PD-L1-inhibiting miRs for colorectal cancer. For this purpose, the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases were systematically searched to obtain peer-reviewed studies published before 17 March 2021. We have found that miR-191-5p, miR-382-3p, miR-148a-3p, miR-93-5p, miR-200a-3p, miR-200c-3p, miR-138-5p, miR-140-3p, and miR-15b-5p can inhibit tumoral PD-L1 in colorectal cancer cells. Besides inhibiting PD-L1, miR-140-3p, miR-382-3p, miR-148a-3p, miR-93-5p, miR-200a-3p, miR-200c-3p, miR-138-5p, and miR-15b-5p can substantially reduce tumor migration, inhibit tumor development, stimulate anti-tumoral immune responses, decrease tumor viability, and enhance the chemosensitivity of colorectal cancer cells regardless of the microsatellite state. Concerning the specific, effective, and safe delivery of these miRs, the single-cell sequencing-guided biocompatible-based delivery of these miRs can increase the specificity of miR delivery, decrease the toxicity of traditional nanoparticles, transform the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment into the proinflammatory one, suppress tumor development, decrease tumor migration, and enhance the chemosensitivity of tumoral cells regardless of the microsatellite state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Abdoli Shadbad
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Zahra Asadzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Afshin Derakhshani
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Ahad Mokhtarzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Amir Baghbanzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | | | - Oronzo Brunetti
- Istituto Tumori BariGiovanni Paolo II, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori (IRCCS), Bari, Italy
| | - Antonella Argentiero
- Istituto Tumori BariGiovanni Paolo II, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori (IRCCS), Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Istituto Tumori BariGiovanni Paolo II, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori (IRCCS), Bari, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
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Immunological Markers, Prognostic Factors and Challenges Following Curative Treatments for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910271. [PMID: 34638613 PMCID: PMC8508906 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortalities worldwide. Patients with early-stage HCC are eligible for curative treatments, such as surgical resection, liver transplantation (LT) and percutaneous ablation. Although curative treatments provide excellent long-term survival, almost 70–80% of patients experience HCC recurrence after curative treatments. Tumor-related factors, including tumor size, number and differentiation, and underlying liver disease, are well-known risk factors for recurrence following curative therapies. Moreover, the tumor microenvironment (TME) also plays a key role in the recurrence of HCC. Many immunosuppressive mechanisms, such as an increase in regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells with a decrease in cytotoxic T cells, are implicated in HCC recurrence. These suppressive TMEs are also modulated by several factors and pathways, including mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, vascular endothelial growth factor, programmed cell death protein 1 and its ligand 1. Based on these mechanisms and the promising results of immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) in advanced HCC, there have been several ongoing adjuvant studies using a single or combination of ICB following curative treatments in HCC. In this review, we strive to provide biologic and immunological markers, prognostic factors, and challenges associated with clinical outcomes after curative treatments, including resection, LT and ablation.
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220
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Brabletz S, Schuhwerk H, Brabletz T, Stemmler MP. Dynamic EMT: a multi-tool for tumor progression. EMBO J 2021; 40:e108647. [PMID: 34459003 PMCID: PMC8441439 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 299] [Impact Index Per Article: 99.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is fundamental for embryonic morphogenesis. Cells undergoing it lose epithelial characteristics and integrity, acquire mesenchymal features, and become motile. In cancer, this program is hijacked to confer essential changes in morphology and motility that fuel invasion. In addition, EMT is increasingly understood to orchestrate a large variety of complementary cancer features, such as tumor cell stemness, tumorigenicity, resistance to therapy and adaptation to changes in the microenvironment. In this review, we summarize recent findings related to these various classical and non-classical functions, and introduce EMT as a true tumorigenic multi-tool, involved in many aspects of cancer. We suggest that therapeutic targeting of the EMT process will-if acknowledging these complexities-be a possibility to concurrently interfere with tumor progression on many levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1Nikolaus‐Fiebiger Center for Molecular MedicineFriedrich‐Alexander University of Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Harald Schuhwerk
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1Nikolaus‐Fiebiger Center for Molecular MedicineFriedrich‐Alexander University of Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1Nikolaus‐Fiebiger Center for Molecular MedicineFriedrich‐Alexander University of Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Marc P. Stemmler
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1Nikolaus‐Fiebiger Center for Molecular MedicineFriedrich‐Alexander University of Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
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Interplay of Immunometabolism and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189878. [PMID: 34576042 PMCID: PMC8466075 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells are the key hallmarks of tumor metastasis. Since the relationship between the two has been well studied, researchers have gained increasing interest in the interplay of cancer cell EMT and immune metabolic changes. Whether the mutual influences between them could provide novel explanations for immune surveillance during metastasis is worth understanding. Here, we review the role of immunometabolism in the regulatory loop between tumor-infiltrating immune cells and EMT. We also discuss the challenges and perspectives of targeting immunometabolism in cancer treatment.
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Chen B, Zhang G, Lai J, Xiao W, Li X, Li C, Mok H, Li K, Wang Y, Cao L, Jia M, Ren C, Wen L, Wei G, Lin J, Li Y, Zhang Y, Chen X, Wu X, Zhang H, Li M, Liu J, Balch CM, Liao N. Genetic and immune characteristics of sentinel lymph node metastases and multiple lymph node metastases compared to their matched primary breast tumours. EBioMedicine 2021; 71:103542. [PMID: 34454403 PMCID: PMC8399410 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with breast cancer presenting with single lymph node metastasis (from a sentinel node) experience prolonged survival compared to patients with multiple lymph node metastases (≥3). However, little information is available on the genetic and immunological characteristics of breast cancer metastases within the regional lymph nodes as they progress from the sentinel lymph node (SLN) downstream to multiple regional lymph nodes (MLNs). METHODS Genomic profiling was performed using a next-generation sequencing panel covering 520 cancer-related genes in the primary tumour and metastatic lymph nodes of 157 female patients with breast cancer. We included primary tumours, metastatic lymph nodes and adjacent clinically normal lymph nodes (20 patients from the SLN group and 28 patients from the MLNs group) in the whole transcriptome analysis. FINDINGS The downstream metastatic lymph nodes (P = 0.029) and the primary breast tumours (P = 0.011) had a higher frequency of PIK3CA mutations compared to the SLN metastasis. We identified a distinct group of 14 mutations from single sentinel node metastasis and a different group of 15 mutations from multiple nodal metastases. Only 4 distinct mutations (PIK3CA, CDK4, NFKBIA and CDKN1B) were conserved in metastases from both lymph node settings. The tumour mutational burden (TMB) was significantly lower in single nodal metastasis compared to the paired primary breast cancer (P = 0.0021), while the decline in TMB did not reach statistical significance in the MLNs group (P = 0.083). In the gene set enrichment analysis, we identified 4 upregulated signatures in both primary tumour and nodal metastases from the MLNs group, including 3 Epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) signatures and 1 angiogenesis signature. Both the CD8/Treg ratio and the CD8/EMT ratio were significantly higher in adjacent normal lymph nodes from patients with a single metastasis in the SLN compared with samples from the MLNs group (P = 0.045 and P = 0.023, respectively). This suggests that the immune defence from the MLNs patients might have a less favourable microenvironment, thus permitting multiple lymph nodes metastasis. INTERPRETATION Single lymph node metastases and multiple lymph node metastases have significant differences in their molecular profiles and immune profiles. The findings are associated with more aggressive tumour characteristics and less favourable immune charactoristics in patients with multiple nodal metastases compared to those with a single metastasis in the sentinel node. FUNDING This work was supported by funds from High-level Hospital Construction Project (DFJH201921), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81902828 and 82002928), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (y2syD2192230), and the Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province (B2019039).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Chen
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Guochun Zhang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China;; The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China;; Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianguo Lai
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weikai Xiao
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuerui Li
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Cheukfai Li
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hsiaopei Mok
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yulei Wang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Li Cao
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Minghan Jia
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chongyang Ren
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lingzhu Wen
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guangnan Wei
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiali Lin
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingzi Li
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuchen Zhang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoqing Chen
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Foshan Maternity and Children's Healthcare Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueying Wu
- Genecast Biotechnology Co., Ltd; Beijing, China
| | - Henghui Zhang
- Genecast Biotechnology Co., Ltd; Beijing, China;; Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Min Li
- Burning Rock Biotech, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Burning Rock Biotech, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Charles M Balch
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Ning Liao
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China;; The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China;; Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China.
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Integrated mRNA and miRNA Transcriptomic Analyses Reveals Divergent Mechanisms of Sunitinib Resistance in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC). Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174401. [PMID: 34503211 PMCID: PMC8430814 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174401] [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: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a frequent cancer that causes more than 100,000 deaths every year. Treatment with drugs that target enzymes that help tumours grow such as sunitinib have greatly improved the prospects for ccRCC patients, however a large proportion of patients become resistant. We created sunitinib resistant cell lines and identified consequent changes in gene (and miRNA) expression by microarray analyses. Using this approach, we identified different pathways of resistance suggesting that tumour cells have many ways to overcome sunitinib treatment. We were able to overcome resistance in cells by inhibiting a protein, PD-L1, that is targeted by many immunotherapeutics currently in use for ccRCC patients suggesting a combination of immunotherapy and sunitinib may benefit patients. In addition, we identified miRNAs that are common to multiple resistance mechanisms suggesting they may be useful targets for future studies. Abstract The anti-angiogenic therapy sunitinib remains the standard first-line treatment for meta static clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, acquired resistance develops in nearly all responsive patients and represents a major source of treatment failure. We used an integrated miRNA and mRNA transcriptomic approach to identify miRNA:target gene interactions involved in sunitinib resistance. Through the generation of stably resistant clones in three ccRCC cell lines (786-O, A498 and Caki-1), we identified non-overlapping miRNA:target gene networks, suggesting divergent mechanisms of sunitinib resistance. Surprisingly, even though the genes involved in these networks were different, they shared targeting by multiple members of the miR-17~92 cluster. In 786-O cells, targeted genes were related to hypoxia/angiogenic pathways, whereas, in Caki-1 cells, they were related to inflammatory/proliferation pathways. The immunotherapy target PD-L1 was consistently up-regulated in resistant cells, and we demonstrated that the silencing of this gene resulted in an increase in sensitivity to sunitinib treatment only in 786-O-resistant cells, suggesting that some ccRCC patients might benefit from combination therapy with PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors. In summary, we demonstrate that, although there are clearly divergent mechanisms of sunitinib resistance in ccRCC subtypes, the commonality of miRNAs in multiple pathways could be targeted to overcome sunitinib resistance.
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Kumar S, Sarthi P, Mani I, Ashraf MU, Kang MH, Kumar V, Bae YS. Epitranscriptomic Approach: To Improve the Efficacy of ICB Therapy by Co-Targeting Intracellular Checkpoint CISH. Cells 2021; 10:2250. [PMID: 34571899 PMCID: PMC8466810 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapy has recently emerged as a fourth pillar in cancer treatment co-joining surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Where, the discovery of immune checkpoint blockage or inhibition (ICB/ICI), anti-PD-1/PD-L1 and anti-CTLA4-based, therapy has revolutionized the class of cancer treatment at a different level. However, some cancer patients escape this immune surveillance mechanism and become resistant to ICB-therapy. Therefore, a more advanced or an alternative treatment is required urgently. Despite the functional importance of epitranscriptomics in diverse clinico-biological practices, its role in improving the efficacy of ICB therapeutics has been limited. Consequently, our study encapsulates the evidence, as a possible strategy, to improve the efficacy of ICB-therapy by co-targeting molecular checkpoints especially N6A-modification machineries which can be reformed into RNA modifying drugs (RMD). Here, we have explained the mechanism of individual RNA-modifiers (editor/writer, eraser/remover, and effector/reader) in overcoming the issues associated with high-dose antibody toxicities and drug-resistance. Moreover, we have shed light on the importance of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS/CISH) and microRNAs in improving the efficacy of ICB-therapy, with brief insight on the current monoclonal antibodies undergoing clinical trials or already approved against several solid tumor and metastatic cancers. We anticipate our investigation will encourage researchers and clinicians to further strengthen the efficacy of ICB-therapeutics by considering the importance of epitranscriptomics as a personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (M.U.A.); (M.-H.K.)
- Science Research Center (SRC) for Immune Research on Non-lymphoid Organ (CIRNO), Sungkyunkwan University, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Parth Sarthi
- University Department of Botany, M.Sc. Biotechnology, Ranchi University, Ranchi 834008, India;
| | - Indra Mani
- Department of Microbiology, Gargi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110049, India;
| | - Muhammad Umer Ashraf
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (M.U.A.); (M.-H.K.)
- Science Research Center (SRC) for Immune Research on Non-lymphoid Organ (CIRNO), Sungkyunkwan University, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Myeong-Ho Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (M.U.A.); (M.-H.K.)
- Science Research Center (SRC) for Immune Research on Non-lymphoid Organ (CIRNO), Sungkyunkwan University, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Vishal Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Dayananda Sagar University, Bengaluru 560078, India;
| | - Yong-Soo Bae
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (M.U.A.); (M.-H.K.)
- Science Research Center (SRC) for Immune Research on Non-lymphoid Organ (CIRNO), Sungkyunkwan University, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
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Patil K, Khan FB, Akhtar S, Ahmad A, Uddin S. The plasticity of pancreatic cancer stem cells: implications in therapeutic resistance. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:691-720. [PMID: 34453639 PMCID: PMC8556195 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-021-09979-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The ever-growing perception of cancer stem cells (CSCs) as a plastic state rather than a hardwired defined entity has evolved our understanding of the functional and biological plasticity of these elusive components in malignancies. Pancreatic cancer (PC), based on its biological features and clinical evolution, is a prototypical example of a CSC-driven disease. Since the discovery of pancreatic CSCs (PCSCs) in 2007, evidence has unraveled their control over many facets of the natural history of PC, including primary tumor growth, metastatic progression, disease recurrence, and acquired drug resistance. Consequently, the current near-ubiquitous treatment regimens for PC using aggressive cytotoxic agents, aimed at ‘‘tumor debulking’’ rather than eradication of CSCs, have proven ineffective in providing clinically convincing improvements in patients with this dreadful disease. Herein, we review the key hallmarks as well as the intrinsic and extrinsic resistance mechanisms of CSCs that mediate treatment failure in PC and enlist the potential CSC-targeting ‘natural agents’ that are gaining popularity in recent years. A better understanding of the molecular and functional landscape of PCSC-intrinsic evasion of chemotherapeutic drugs offers a facile opportunity for treating PC, an intractable cancer with a grim prognosis and in dire need of effective therapeutic advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalyani Patil
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Farheen B Khan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, The United Arab Emirates University, PO Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sabah Akhtar
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Aamir Ahmad
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar.,Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar. .,Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. .,Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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226
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Terry S, Dalban C, Rioux Leclercq N, Adam J, Meylan M, Buart S, Bougoüin A, Lespagnol A, Dugay F, Colina Moreno I, Lacroix G, Lorens JB, Gausdal G, Fridman WH, Mami-Chouaib F, Chaput N, Beuselinck B, Chabaud S, Barros Monteiro J, Vano Y, Escudier B, Sautes-Fridman C, Albiges L, Chouaib S. Association of AXL and PD-L1 expression with clinical outcomes in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma treated with PD-1 blockade. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:6749-6760. [PMID: 34407968 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-0972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE A minority of patients currently respond to single agent immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and strategies to increase response rates are urgently needed. AXL is receptor tyrosine kinase commonly associated with drug-resistance and poor prognosis in many cancer types including in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Recent experimental cues in breast, pancreatic and lung cancer models have linked AXL with immune suppression and resistance to antitumor immunity. However, its role in intrinsic and acquired resistance to ICB remains largely unexplored. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN In this study, tumoral expression of AXL was examined in ccRCC specimens from 316 metastatic patients receiving PD-1 inhibitor, nivolumab, in the GETUG AFU 26 NIVOREN trial after failure of anti-angiogenic therapy. We assessed associations between AXL and patient outcomes following PD-1 blockade, as well as the relationship with various markers including PD-L1, VEGFA, the immune markers CD3, CD8, CD163, CD20, and the mutational status of the tumor suppressor gene VHL Results: Our results show that high AXL expression levels in tumor cells is associated with lower response rates and a trend to shorter progression-free survival following anti-PD-1 treatment. AXL expression was strongly associated with tumor PD-L1 expression, especially in tumors with VHL inactivation. Moreover, patients with tumors displaying concomitant PD-L1 expression and high AXL expression had the worst overall survival. CONCLUSIONS Our findings propose AXL as candidate factor of resistance to PD-1 blockade, and provide compelling support for screening both AXL and PD-L1 expression in the management of advanced ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Maxime Meylan
- Inflammation, complement & cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers
| | | | - Antoine Bougoüin
- Inflammation, Complement and Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers
| | - Alexandra Lespagnol
- Department of Somatic Cancer Genetics, Pontchaillou Hospital, CHU de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | | | | | - Guillaume Lacroix
- Inflammation, Complement and Cancer, Cordeliers Research Center, INSERM UMRS 1138
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Catherine Sautes-Fridman
- Laboratoire Inflammation, complement et cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Inserm UMRS 1138
| | - Laurence Albiges
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Institut Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay
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227
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Llinàs-Arias P, Íñiguez-Muñoz S, McCann K, Voorwerk L, Orozco JIJ, Ensenyat-Mendez M, Sesé B, DiNome ML, Marzese DM. Epigenetic Regulation of Immunotherapy Response in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4139. [PMID: 34439290 PMCID: PMC8394958 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined by the absence of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression. This malignancy, representing 15-20% of breast cancers, is a clinical challenge due to the lack of targeted treatments, higher intrinsic aggressiveness, and worse outcomes than other breast cancer subtypes. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising efficacy for early-stage and advanced TNBC, but this seems limited to a subgroup of patients. Understanding the underlying mechanisms that determine immunotherapy efficiency is essential to identifying which TNBC patients will respond to immunotherapy-based treatments and help to develop new therapeutic strategies. Emerging evidence supports that epigenetic alterations, including aberrant chromatin architecture conformation and the modulation of gene regulatory elements, are critical mechanisms for immune escape. These alterations are particularly interesting since they can be reverted through the inhibition of epigenetic regulators. For that reason, several recent studies suggest that the combination of epigenetic drugs and immunotherapeutic agents can boost anticancer immune responses. In this review, we focused on the contribution of epigenetics to the crosstalk between immune and cancer cells, its relevance on immunotherapy response in TNBC, and the potential benefits of combined treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pere Llinàs-Arias
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain; (P.L.-A.); (S.Í.-M.); (M.E.-M.); (B.S.)
| | - Sandra Íñiguez-Muñoz
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain; (P.L.-A.); (S.Í.-M.); (M.E.-M.); (B.S.)
| | - Kelly McCann
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
| | - Leonie Voorwerk
- Division of Tumor Biology & Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Javier I. J. Orozco
- Saint John’s Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John’s Health Center, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA;
| | - Miquel Ensenyat-Mendez
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain; (P.L.-A.); (S.Í.-M.); (M.E.-M.); (B.S.)
| | - Borja Sesé
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain; (P.L.-A.); (S.Í.-M.); (M.E.-M.); (B.S.)
| | - Maggie L. DiNome
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA;
| | - Diego M. Marzese
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain; (P.L.-A.); (S.Í.-M.); (M.E.-M.); (B.S.)
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228
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Franc M, Císařová I, Veselý J. Enantioselective Synthesis of Spirothiazolones
via
Cooperative Catalysis. Adv Synth Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/adsc.202100571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Franc
- Department of Organic Chemistry Faculty of Science Charles University Hlavova 2030 128 43 Praha 2 Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Císařová
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry Faculty of Science Charles University Hlavova 2030 128 43 Praha 2 Czech Republic
| | - Jan Veselý
- Department of Organic Chemistry Faculty of Science Charles University Hlavova 2030 128 43 Praha 2 Czech Republic
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229
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Fratini L, Jaeger M, de Farias CB, Brunetto AT, Brunetto AL, Shaw L, Roesler R. Oncogenic functions of ZEB1 in pediatric solid cancers: interplays with microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs. Mol Cell Biochem 2021; 476:4107-4116. [PMID: 34292482 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-021-04226-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Zinc finger E-box binding 1 (ZEB1) displays a range of regulatory activities in cell function and embryonic development, including driving epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Several aspects of ZEB1 function can be regulated by its functional interactions with noncoding RNA types, namely microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Increasing evidence indicates that ZEB1 importantly influences cancer initiation, tumor progression, metastasis, and resistance to treatment. Cancer is the main disease-related cause of death in children and adolescents. Although the role of ZEB1 in pediatric cancer is still poorly understood, emerging findings have shown that it is expressed and regulates childhood solid tumors including osteosarcoma, retinoblastoma, neuroblastoma, and central nervous system tumors. Here, we review the evidence supporting a role for ZEB1, and its interplays with miRNAs and lncRNAs, in pediatric cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lívia Fratini
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil. .,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500 (ICBS, Campus Centro/UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
| | - Mariane Jaeger
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, 90620-110, Brazil
| | - Caroline Brunetto de Farias
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, 90620-110, Brazil
| | - André T Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, 90620-110, Brazil
| | - Algemir L Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, 90620-110, Brazil
| | - Lisa Shaw
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, Lancashire, UK
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil. .,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500 (ICBS, Campus Centro/UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
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230
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CD8 + T cells inhibit metastasis and CXCL4 regulates its function. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:176-189. [PMID: 33795809 PMCID: PMC8292398 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01338-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanism by which immune cells regulate metastasis is unclear. Understanding the role of immune cells in metastasis will guide the development of treatments improving patient survival. METHODS We used syngeneic orthotopic mouse tumour models (wild-type, NOD/scid and Nude), employed knockout (CD8 and CD4) models and administered CXCL4. Tumours and lungs were analysed for cancer cells by bioluminescence, and circulating tumour cells were isolated from blood. Immunohistochemistry on the mouse tumours was performed to confirm cell type, and on a tissue microarray with 180 TNBCs for human relevance. TCGA data from over 10,000 patients were analysed as well. RESULTS We reveal that intratumoral immune infiltration differs between metastatic and non-metastatic tumours. The non-metastatic tumours harbour high levels of CD8+ T cells and low levels of platelets, which is reverse in metastatic tumours. During tumour progression, platelets and CXCL4 induce differentiation of monocytes into myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which inhibit CD8+ T-cell function. TCGA pan-cancer data confirmed that CD8lowPlatelethigh patients have a significantly lower survival probability compared to CD8highPlateletlow. CONCLUSIONS CD8+ T cells inhibit metastasis. When the balance between CD8+ T cells and platelets is disrupted, platelets produce CXCL4, which induces MDSCs thereby inhibiting the CD8+ T-cell function.
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231
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Zheng H, Siddharth S, Parida S, Wu X, Sharma D. Tumor Microenvironment: Key Players in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Immunomodulation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133357. [PMID: 34283088 PMCID: PMC8269090 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complicated network composed of various cells, signaling molecules, and extra cellular matrix. TME plays a crucial role in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) immunomodulation and tumor progression, paradoxically, acting as an immunosuppressive as well as immunoreactive factor. Research regarding tumor immune microenvironment has contributed to a better understanding of TNBC subtype classification. Shall we treat patients precisely according to specific subtype classification? Moving beyond traditional chemotherapy, multiple clinical trials have recently implied the potential benefits of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy. In this review, we aimed to elucidate the paradoxical role of TME in TNBC immunomodulation, summarize the subtype classification methods for TNBC, and explore the synergistic mechanism of chemotherapy plus immunotherapy. Our study may provide a new direction for the development of combined treatment strategies for TNBC. Abstract Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease and is highly related to immunomodulation. As we know, the most effective approach to treat TNBC so far is still chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can induce immunogenic cell death, release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling; therefore, it will be interesting to investigate the relationship between chemotherapy-induced TME changes and TNBC immunomodulation. In this review, we focus on the immunosuppressive and immunoreactive role of TME in TNBC immunomodulation and the contribution of TME constituents to TNBC subtype classification. Further, we also discuss the role of chemotherapy-induced TME remodeling in modulating TNBC immune response and tumor progression with emphasis on DAMPs-associated molecules including high mobility group box1 (HMGB1), exosomes, and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1), which may provide us with new clues to explore effective combined treatment options for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Zheng
- Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Breast Cancer, Department of Breast Surgery, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430079, China
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; (S.S.); (S.P.); (D.S.)
- Correspondence: (H.Z.); (X.W.)
| | - Sumit Siddharth
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; (S.S.); (S.P.); (D.S.)
| | - Sheetal Parida
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; (S.S.); (S.P.); (D.S.)
| | - Xinhong Wu
- Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Breast Cancer, Department of Breast Surgery, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430079, China
- Correspondence: (H.Z.); (X.W.)
| | - Dipali Sharma
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; (S.S.); (S.P.); (D.S.)
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232
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Zhang SY, Ren XY, Wang CY, Chen XJ, Cao RY, Liu Q, Pan X, Zhou JY, Zhang WL, Tang XR, Cheng B, Wu T. Comprehensive Characterization of Immune Landscape Based on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Signature in OSCC: Implication for Prognosis and Immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:587862. [PMID: 34277389 PMCID: PMC8281347 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.587862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Current anatomic TNM stage classification fails to capture the immune heterogeneity of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Increasing evidence indicates the strong association between epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor immune response. In this study, we employed an EMT signature to classify OSCC patients into epithelial- (E-) and mesenchymal- (M-) phenotypes using TCGA and GSE41613 transcriptome data. The ESTIMATE and CIRBERSORT analyses implied that the EMT signature genes originated from the stroma of the bulk tissue. The M-subtype tumors were characterized as “immune-hot” with more immune cell infiltration than the E-subtype ones. The low infiltration of active immune cells, the high infiltration of inactive immune cells, and the high expressions of immune checkpoints demonstrated an immunosuppressive characteristic of the M-subtype tumors. Moreover, we developed and validated a novel prognostic classifier based on the EMT score, the expressions of seven immune checkpoints, and the TNM stages, which could improve the prediction efficiency of the current clinical parameter. Together, our findings provide a better understanding of the tumor immune heterogeneity and may aid guiding immunotherapy in OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yuan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xian-Yue Ren
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chun-Yang Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi-Juan Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruo-Yan Cao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qin Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue Pan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Ying Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Lin Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Ran Tang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Cheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tong Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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233
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Muranushi R, Araki K, Yokobori T, Chingunjav B, Hoshino K, Dolgormaa G, Hagiwara K, Yamanaka T, Ishii N, Tsukagoshi M, Igarashi T, Watanabe A, Kubo N, Harimoto N, Shimoda Y, Sano R, Oyama T, Saeki H, Shirabe K. High membrane expression of CMTM6 in hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with tumor recurrence. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:3314-3323. [PMID: 34080242 PMCID: PMC8353897 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing protein 6 (CMTM6) maintains membrane PD-L1 expression by controlling its endosomal recycling. However, in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the correlation among CMTM6, B7 family ligands, and CD8-positive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and the molecular function of CMTM6 in HCC have not been established. We performed immunohistochemistry to evaluate the relationships among CMTM6 expression, clinicopathological factors, B7 family ligands expression, and CTL infiltration in HCC samples. Moreover, we established CMTM6-knockout human HCC cell lines to evaluate the function of human CMTM6 in immune regulation and tumor viability. CMTM6 expression was positively associated with membrane B7 family ligands expression and CTL infiltration in HCC samples. High CMTM6 expression in HCC tissues was associated with the expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and shorter recurrence-free survival. In vitro analysis showed the downregulation of membrane B7 family ligands and proliferation potency in the CMTM6-knockout human HCC cell line. High membrane CMTM6 expression was associated with tumor recurrence and proliferation via the regulation of membranous B7 family ligands expression. Thus, CMTM6 might be a biomarker to predict the risk of HCC recurrence and a therapeutic target to suppress tumor growth and increase CTL activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Muranushi
- Department of General Surgical Science, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Araki
- Department of General Surgical Science, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Takehiko Yokobori
- Division of Integrated Oncology Research, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research (GIAR), Maebashi, Japan
| | - Batbayar Chingunjav
- Department of General Surgical Science, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Kouki Hoshino
- Department of General Surgical Science, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Gantumur Dolgormaa
- Department of General Surgical Science, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Kei Hagiwara
- Department of General Surgical Science, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Takahiro Yamanaka
- Department of General Surgical Science, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Norihiro Ishii
- Department of General Surgical Science, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Mariko Tsukagoshi
- Department of General Surgical Science, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.,Department of Innovative Cancer Immunotherapy, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Takamichi Igarashi
- Department of General Surgical Science, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Akira Watanabe
- Department of General Surgical Science, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Norio Kubo
- Department of General Surgical Science, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Norifumi Harimoto
- Department of General Surgical Science, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Yuki Shimoda
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Rie Sano
- Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Tetsunari Oyama
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Saeki
- Department of General Surgical Science, Division of Gastroenterological Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Ken Shirabe
- Department of General Surgical Science, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
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Huang X, Chen C, Xu Y, Shen L, Chen Y, Su H. Infiltrating T-cell abundance combined with EMT-related gene expression as a prognostic factor of colon cancer. Bioengineered 2021; 12:2688-2701. [PMID: 34180352 PMCID: PMC8806648 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1939618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
EMT-related gene expression reportedly exhibits correlation with the anti-tumor immunity of T cells. In the present study, we explored the factors that might affect the efficacy of immunotherapy in colon cancer with treatment. In this regard, RNA-seq and clinical data of 469 colon cancer samples derived from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were used to calculate infiltrating T-cell abundance (ITA), to illustrate a pathway enrichment analysis, and to construct Cox proportional hazards (CPH) regression models. Subsequently, the RNA-seq and clinical data of 177 colon cancer samples derived from the GSE17536 cohort were used to validate the CPH regression models. We found that ITA showed correlation with EMT-related gene expression, and that it was not an independent prognostic factor for colon cancer. However, upon comparison of two groups with the same ITA, higher EMT expression helped predicted a worse prognosis, whereas a higher ITA could help predict a better prognosis upon comparison of two groups with the same EMT. Additionally, seven genes were found to be statistically related to the prognosis of patients with colon cancer. These results suggest that the balance between ITA and EMT-related gene expression is conducive to the prognosis of patients with colon cancer, and TPM1 is necessary to further explore the common target genes of immune checkpoint blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chan Chen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yajing Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lanxiao Shen
- Department of Radiotherapy Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Huafang Su
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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235
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PD-L1 regulation revisited: impact on immunotherapeutic strategies. Trends Mol Med 2021; 27:868-881. [PMID: 34187739 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2021.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A particularly promising cancer treatment is the use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against immune checkpoints (i.e., immune checkpoint inhibitors; ICIs). However, many patients experience relapse and severe adverse events. To overcome these negative issues and improve efficiency, current approaches rely on combinatorial treatments, including some modulating the expression of programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoints directly. In this review, we examine the recently discovered pathways involved in PD-L1 expression and highlight the relevant druggable strategies that are being developed to both improve the response rate and avoid the onset of resistance. Altogether, these new strategies will pave the way for effective treatment combinations in future oncology clinical trials.
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236
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Miliotis C, Slack FJ. miR-105-5p regulates PD-L1 expression and tumor immunogenicity in gastric cancer. Cancer Lett 2021; 518:115-126. [PMID: 34098061 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies targeting the interaction between Programmed death 1 (PD-1) and Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) have recently been approved for the treatment of multiple cancer types, including gastric cancer. However, not all patients respond to these therapies, while some eventually acquire resistance. A partial predictive biomarker for positive response to PD-1/PD-L1 therapy is PD-L1 expression, which has been shown to be under strict post-transcriptional control in cancer. By fractionating the PD-L1 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) into multiple overlapping fragments, we identified a small 100-nucleotide-long cis-acting region as being necessary and sufficient for post-transcriptional repression of PD-L1 expression in gastric cancer. In parallel, we performed a correlation analysis between PD-L1 expression and all host miRNAs in stomach cancer patient samples. A single miRNA, miR-105-5p, was predicted to bind to the identified cis-acting 3'UTR region and to negatively correlate with PD-L1 expression. Overexpression of miR-105-5p in gastric cancer cell lines resulted in decreased expression of PD-L1, both at the total protein and surface expression levels, and induced CD8+ T cell activation in co-culture assays. Finally, we show that expression of miR-105-5p in gastric cancer is partly controlled by DNA methylation of a cancer- and germline-specific promoter of its host gene, GABRA3. Dysregulation of miR-105-5p is observed in many cancer types and this study shows the importance of this miRNA in controlling the immunogenicity of cancer cells, thus highlighting it as a potential biomarker for PD-1/PD-L1 therapy and target for combinatorial immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Miliotis
- Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine, Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Frank J Slack
- Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine, Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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237
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Jiang Q, Ghafoor A, Mian I, Rathkey D, Thomas A, Alewine C, Sengupta M, Ahlman MA, Zhang J, Morrow B, Steinberg SM, Pastan I, Hassan R. Enhanced efficacy of mesothelin-targeted immunotoxin LMB-100 and anti-PD-1 antibody in patients with mesothelioma and mouse tumor models. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/550/eaaz7252. [PMID: 32611684 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaz7252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
LMB-100 is an immunotoxin targeting the cell surface protein mesothelin, which is highly expressed in many cancers including mesothelioma. Having observed that patients receiving pembrolizumab off protocol after LMB-100 treatment had increased tumor responses; we characterized these responses and developed animal models to study whether LMB-100 made tumors more responsive to antibodies blocking programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). The overall objective tumor response in the 10 patients who received PD-1 inhibitor (pembrolizumab, 9; nivolumab, 1) after progression on LMB-100 was 40%, and the median overall survival was 11.9 months. Of the seven evaluable patients, four had objective tumor responses, including one complete response and three partial responses, and the overall survival for these patients was 39.0+, 27.7, 32.6+, and 13.8 months. When stratified with regard to programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, four of five patients with tumor PD-L1 expression had objective tumor response. Patients with positive tumor PD-L1 expression also had increased progression-free survival (11.3 versus 2.1 months, P = 0.0018) compared with those lacking PD-L1 expression. There was no statistically significant difference in overall survival (27.7 versus 6.8 months, P = 0.1). LMB-100 caused a systemic inflammatory response and recruitment of CD8+ T cells in patients' tumors. The enhanced antitumor effects with LMB-100 plus anti-PD-1 antibody were also observed in a human peripheral blood mononuclear cell-engrafted mesothelioma mouse model and a human mesothelin-expressing syngeneic lung adenocarcinoma mouse model. LMB-100 plus pembrolizumab is now being evaluated in a prospective clinical trial for patients with mesothelioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Jiang
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Azam Ghafoor
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Idrees Mian
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Daniel Rathkey
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anish Thomas
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Christine Alewine
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Manjistha Sengupta
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mark A Ahlman
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jingli Zhang
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Betsy Morrow
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Seth M Steinberg
- Biostatistics and Data Management Section, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ira Pastan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Raffit Hassan
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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238
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Xu W, Cui J, Wu L, He C, Chen G. The role of PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint in arsenic lung tumorigenesis. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2021; 426:115633. [PMID: 34166680 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to environmental arsenic promotes lung cancer. Emerging evidence indicates that compromised host immunity, particularly T cell anti-tumor immunity, may play a critical role in cancer development. However, there is a knowledge gap in terms of the effects of arsenic exposure on T cell anti-tumor immunity and how that may contribute to arsenic lung carcinogenicity. Immunosuppression has been known as a risk factor for many types of cancer, including lung cancer. The development of cancer indicates the success of immunosuppression and escape of cancer cells from host anti-tumor immunity in which T cells are the major component. The anti-tumor immunity is mainly executed by CD8 cytotoxic T cells through their anti-tumor effector function, which can be regulated by immune checkpoint pathways. Some inhibitory receptors on the T cell membrane and their ligands form these pathways, among which programmed death-1 (PD-1), a T cell inhibitory receptor, and its ligand, programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), are best characterized. A/J mice are naturally sensitive to pulmonary carcinogens, prone to develop spontaneous lung tumors later in life and have been frequently used as an animal model for lung tumorigenesis research. Chronic arsenic administration through drinking water has been shown to enhance tumor formation in the lungs of A/J mice. In the current study, using this mouse model we want to determine whether PD-1/PD-L1 plays a role in arsenic-enhanced lung tumorigenesis. The results showed that prolonged arsenic exposure up-regulated PD-1/PD-L1, increased regulatory T cells (Tregs), decreased CD8/Treg ratio, inhibited T cell antitumor function in the lungs and enhanced lung tumor formation, while inhibition of PD-1/PD-L1 restored CD8/Treg ratio and T cell anti-tumor effector function, and mitigated arsenic-enhanced lung tumorigenesis. In addition, inhibition of PD-1/PD-L1 could be a potential preventive strategy to mitigate the tumorigenic action of chronic arsenic exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Xu
- Department Pharmacology & Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Jiajun Cui
- Department Pharmacology & Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Yichun University, Yichun, Jiangxi 336000, China
| | - Linqing Wu
- Department Pharmacology & Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, FuZhou, Fujian 350003, China
| | - Caigu He
- Department Pharmacology & Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; Department of Histology and Embryology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 361000, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department Pharmacology & Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
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239
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Chakraborty P, Chen EL, McMullen I, Armstrong AJ, Kumar Jolly M, Somarelli JA. Analysis of immune subtypes across the epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity spectrum. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:3842-3851. [PMID: 34306571 PMCID: PMC8283019 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity plays a critical role in many solid tumor types as a mediator of metastatic dissemination and treatment resistance. In addition, there is also a growing appreciation that the epithelial/mesenchymal status of a tumor plays a role in immune evasion and immune suppression. A deeper understanding of the immunological features of different tumor types has been facilitated by the availability of large gene expression datasets and the development of methods to deconvolute bulk RNA-Seq data. These resources have generated powerful new ways of characterizing tumors, including classification of immune subtypes based on differential expression of immunological genes. In the present work, we combine scoring algorithms to quantify epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity with immune subtype analysis to understand the relationship between epithelial plasticity and immune subtype across cancers. We find heterogeneity of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) status both within and between cancer types, with greater heterogeneity in the expression of EMT-related factors than of MET-related factors. We also find that specific immune subtypes have associated EMT scores and differential expression of immune checkpoint markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Chakraborty
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | | | | | - Andrew J. Armstrong
- Department of Medicine, Durham, NC, United Kingdom
- Duke Cancer Institute Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers, Durham, NC, United Kingdom
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United Kingdom
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Jason A. Somarelli
- Department of Medicine, Durham, NC, United Kingdom
- Duke Cancer Institute Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers, Durham, NC, United Kingdom
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240
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MicroRNA-326 attenuates immune escape and prevents metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma by targeting PD-L1 and B7-H3. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:145. [PMID: 34131111 PMCID: PMC8206349 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00527-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating T cells are highly expressive of inhibitory receptor/immune checkpoint molecules that bind to ligand expressed by tumor cells and antigen-presenting cells, and eventually lead to T cell dysfunction. It is a hot topic to restore T cell function by targeting immune checkpoint. In recent years, immunotherapy of blocking immune checkpoint and its receptor, such as PD-L1/PD-1 targeted therapy, has made effective progress, which brings hope for patients with advanced malignant tumor. However, only a few patients benefit from directly targeting these checkpoints or their receptors by small compounds or antibodies. Since the complexity of the regulation of immune checkpoints in tumor cells, further research is needed to identify the novel endogenous regulators of immune checkpoints which can help for developing effective drug target to improve the effect of immunotherapy. Here, we verified that microRNA-326 (miR-326) repressed the gene expression of immune checkpoint molecules PD-L1 and B7-H3 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). We detected that the expression of miR-326 in LUAD tissue was negatively correlated with PD-L1/B7-H3. The repression of PD-L1 and B7-H3 expression through miR-326 overexpression leads to the modification the cytokine profile of CD8+ T cells and decreased migration capability of tumor cells. Meanwhile, the downregulation of miR-326 promoted tumor cell migration. Moreover, blocking PD-L1 and B7-H3 attenuated the tumor-promoting effect induced by miR-326 inhibitor. In tumor-bearing mice, the infiltration of CD8+ T cells was significantly increased and the expression of TNF-α, and IFN-γ was significantly enhanced which contributed to tumor progression after miR-326 overexpression. Collectively, miR-326 restrained tumor progression by downregulating PD-L1 and B7-H3 expression and increasing T cell cytotoxic function in LUAD. Our findings revealed a novel perspective on the complex regulation of immune checkpoint molecules. A new strategy of using miR-326 in tumor immunotherapy is proposed.
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241
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Zhang H, Dai Z, Wu W, Wang Z, Zhang N, Zhang L, Zeng WJ, Liu Z, Cheng Q. Regulatory mechanisms of immune checkpoints PD-L1 and CTLA-4 in cancer. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:184. [PMID: 34088360 PMCID: PMC8178863 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01987-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4)/B7 and programmed death 1 (PD-1)/ programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) are two most representative immune checkpoint pathways, which negatively regulate T cell immune function during different phases of T-cell activation. Inhibitors targeting CTLA-4/B7 and PD1/PD-L1 pathways have revolutionized immunotherapies for numerous cancer types. Although the combined anti-CTLA-4/B7 and anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapy has demonstrated promising clinical efficacy, only a small percentage of patients receiving anti-CTLA-4/B7 or anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapy experienced prolonged survival. Regulation of the expression of PD-L1 and CTLA-4 significantly impacts the treatment effect. Understanding the in-depth mechanisms and interplays of PD-L1 and CTLA-4 could help identify patients with better immunotherapy responses and promote their clinical care. In this review, regulation of PD-L1 and CTLA-4 is discussed at the levels of DNA, RNA, and proteins, as well as indirect regulation of biomarkers, localization within the cell, and drugs. Specifically, some potential drugs have been developed to regulate PD-L1 and CTLA-4 expressions with high efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ziyu Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wantao Wu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zeyu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- One-third Lab, College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Liyang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wen-Jing Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhixiong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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242
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Abstract
The epigenetic landscape, which in part includes DNA methylation, chromatin organization, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA regulation, greatly contributes to the heterogeneity that makes developing effective therapies for lung cancer challenging. This review will provide an overview of the epigenetic alterations that have been implicated in all aspects of cancer pathogenesis and progression as well as summarize clinical applications for targeting epigenetics in the treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne L Chao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA
| | - Chad V Pecot
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA
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243
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Tan J, Guo W, Yang S, Han D, Li H. The multiple roles and therapeutic potential of clusterin in non-small-cell lung cancer: a narrative review. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2021; 10:2683-2697. [PMID: 34295670 PMCID: PMC8264340 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-1298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Worldwide, lung cancer is the most common form of cancer, with an estimated 2.09 million new cases and 1.76 million of death cause in 2018. It is categorized into two subtypes, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although platinum-based chemotherapy or molecular targeted drugs is recommended for advanced stages of NSCLC patients, however, resistance to drug and chemotherapy are hindrances for patients to fully beneficial from these treatments. Clusterin (CLU), also known as apolipoprotein J, is a versatile chaperone molecule which produced by a wide array of tissues and found in most biologic fluids. There are studies reported high expression of CLU confers resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in different lung cancer cell lines. By silencing CLU using Custirsen (OGX-011), a second-generation antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that inhibits CLU production, not only could sensitized cells to chemo- and radiotherapy, also could decreased their metastatic potential. We will review here the extensive literature linking CLU to NSCLC, update the current state of research on CLU for better understanding of this unique protein and the development of more effective anti- CLU treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juofang Tan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Su Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dingpei Han
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hecheng Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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244
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Li M, Zhuang J, Kang D, Chen Y, Song W. Identification of circRNA circ-CSPP1 as a potent driver of colorectal cancer by directly targeting the miR-431/LASP1 axis. Open Life Sci 2021; 16:523-536. [PMID: 34124372 PMCID: PMC8165258 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2021-0053] [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: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy worldwide. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been implicated in cancer biology. The purpose of the current work is to investigate the precise parts of circRNA centrosome and spindle pole-associated protein 1 (circ-CSPP1) in the progression of CRC. Our data showed that circ-CSPP1 was significantly overexpressed in CRC tissues and cells. The knockdown of circ-CSPP1 attenuated cell proliferation, migration, invasion and promoted apoptosis in vitro and weakened tumor growth in vivo. circ-CSPP1 directly targeted miR-431, and circ-CSPP1 knockdown modulated CRC cell progression in vitro via upregulating miR-431. Moreover, LIM and SH3 protein 1 (LASP1) was a functional target of miR-431 in modulating CRC cell malignant progression. Furthermore, circ-CSPP1 in CRC cells functioned as a posttranscriptional regulator on LASP1 expression by targeting miR-431. Our present study identified the oncogenic role of circ-CSPP1 in CRC partially by the modulation of the miR-431/LASP1 axis, providing evidence for circ-CSPP1 as a promising biomarker for CRC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghao Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Anorectal Surgery, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, No. 83, Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Jianbin Zhuang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Anorectal Surgery, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, No. 83, Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Di Kang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Anorectal Surgery, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, No. 83, Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Yuzhuo Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Anorectal Surgery, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, No. 83, Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Weiliang Song
- Department of Gastrointestinal Anorectal Surgery, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, No. 83, Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China
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245
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Bornes L, Belthier G, van Rheenen J. Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in the Light of Plasticity and Hybrid E/M States. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10112403. [PMID: 34072345 PMCID: PMC8197992 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10112403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular program which leads to cells losing epithelial features, including cell polarity, cell-cell adhesion and attachment to the basement membrane, while gaining mesenchymal characteristics, such as invasive properties and stemness. This program is involved in embryogenesis, wound healing and cancer progression. Over the years, the role of EMT in cancer progression has been heavily debated, and the requirement of this process in metastasis even has been disputed. In this review, we discuss previous discrepancies in the light of recent findings on EMT, plasticity and hybrid E/M states. Moreover, we highlight various tumor microenvironmental cues and cell intrinsic signaling pathways that induce and sustain EMT programs, plasticity and hybrid E/M states. Lastly, we discuss how recent findings on plasticity, especially on those that enable cells to switch between hybrid E/M states, have changed our understanding on the role of EMT in cancer metastasis, stemness and therapy resistance.
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246
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Li Z, Jiang L, Zhao R, Huang J, Yang W, Wen Z, Zhang B, Du G. MiRNA-based model for predicting the TMB level in colon adenocarcinoma based on a LASSO logistic regression method. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e26068. [PMID: 34032736 PMCID: PMC8154456 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000026068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Some patients with advanced colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) are not sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and as such, immunotherapy has become the most popular option for these patients. However, different patients respond differently to immunotherapy. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) has been used as a predictor of the response of advanced COAD patients to immunotherapy. A high TMB typically indicates that the patient's immune system will respond well to immunotherapy. In addition, while microRNAs (miRNA) have been shown to play an important role in treatment responses associated with the immune system, the relationship between miRNA expression levels and TMB has not been clarified in COAD.We downloaded miRNA data and mutational files of COAD from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Differentially expressed miRNAs were screened in the training group, and miRNAs used to construct the model were further identified using the LASSO logistic regression method. After building the miRNA-based model, we explored the correlation between the model and TMB. The model was verified by a receiver operating characteristic curve, and the correlation between it and 3 widely used immune checkpoints (programmed death receptor-1, programmed death-ligand 1, and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4) was explored. Functional enrichment analysis of the selected miRNAs was performed, and these respective miRNA target genes were predicted using online tools.Our results showed that a total of 32 differentially expressed miRNAs were used in the construction of the model. The accuracies of the models of the 2 datasets (training and test sets) were 0.987 and 0.934, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that the correlation of the model with programmed death-ligand 1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4, as well as TMB, was high, but there was no correlation with programmed death receptor-1. The results of functional enrichment analysis indicated that these 32 miRNAs were involved in many immune-related biological processes and tumor-related pathways.Therefore, this study demonstrated that differentially expressed miRNAs can be used to predict the TMB level, which can help identify advanced COAD patients who will respond well to immunotherapy. The miRNA-based model may be used as a tool to predict the TMB level in patients with advanced COAD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lingling Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei
| | | | | | | | | | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics Trauma, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University
| | - Gang Du
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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247
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Williams MM, Christenson JL, O'Neill KI, Hafeez SA, Ihle CL, Spoelstra NS, Slansky JE, Richer JK. MicroRNA-200c restoration reveals a cytokine profile to enhance M1 macrophage polarization in breast cancer. NPJ Breast Cancer 2021; 7:64. [PMID: 34045467 PMCID: PMC8160264 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-021-00273-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Many immune suppressive mechanisms utilized by triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) are regulated by oncogenic epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). How TNBC EMT impacts innate immune cells is not fully understood. To determine how TNBC suppresses antitumor macrophages, we used microRNA-200c (miR-200c), a powerful repressor of EMT, to drive mesenchymal-like mouse mammary carcinoma and human TNBC cells toward a more epithelial state. MiR-200c restoration significantly decreased growth of mouse mammary carcinoma Met-1 cells in culture and in vivo. Cytokine profiling of Met-1 and human BT549 cells revealed that miR-200c upregulated cytokines, such as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), promoted M1 antitumor macrophage polarization. Cytokines upregulated by miR-200c correlated with an epithelial gene signature and M1 macrophage polarization in BC patients and predicted a more favorable overall survival for TNBC patients. Our findings demonstrate that immunogenic cytokines (e.g., GM-CSF) are suppressed in aggressive TNBC, warranting further investigation of cytokine-based therapies to limit disease recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Williams
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jessica L Christenson
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kathleen I O'Neill
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sabrina A Hafeez
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Claire L Ihle
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Nicole S Spoelstra
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jill E Slansky
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jennifer K Richer
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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248
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Lachat C, Peixoto P, Hervouet E. Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition History: From Embryonic Development to Cancers. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11060782. [PMID: 34067395 PMCID: PMC8224685 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process that allows epithelial cells to progressively acquire a reversible mesenchymal phenotype. Here, we recount the main events in the history of EMT. EMT was first studied during embryonic development. Nowadays, it is an important field in cancer research, studied all around the world by more and more scientists, because it was shown that EMT is involved in cancer aggressiveness in many different ways. The main features of EMT's involvement in embryonic development, fibrosis and cancers are briefly reviewed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lachat
- UMR 1098 RIGHT, University Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS-BFC, F-25000 Besançon, France; (P.P.); (E.H.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Paul Peixoto
- UMR 1098 RIGHT, University Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS-BFC, F-25000 Besançon, France; (P.P.); (E.H.)
- EPIgenetics and GENe EXPression Technical Platform (EPIGENExp), University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Eric Hervouet
- UMR 1098 RIGHT, University Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS-BFC, F-25000 Besançon, France; (P.P.); (E.H.)
- EPIgenetics and GENe EXPression Technical Platform (EPIGENExp), University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France
- DImaCell Platform, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France
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249
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Vathiotis IA, Gomatou G, Stravopodis DJ, Syrigos N. Programmed Death-Ligand 1 as a Regulator of Tumor Progression and Metastasis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105383. [PMID: 34065396 PMCID: PMC8160779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint has long been implicated in modeling antitumor immunity; PD-1/PD-L1 axis inhibitors exert their antitumor effects by relieving PD-L1-mediated suppression on tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes. However, recent studies have unveiled a distinct, tumor-intrinsic, potential role for PD-L1. In this review, we focus on tumor-intrinsic PD-L1 signaling and delve into preclinical evidence linking PD-L1 protein expression with features of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition program, cancer stemness and known oncogenic pathways. We further summarize data from studies supporting the prognostic significance of PD-L1 in different tumor types. We show that PD-L1 may indeed have oncogenic potential and act as a regulator of tumor progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis A. Vathiotis
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece; (G.G.); (N.S.)
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-69-4882-2683
| | - Georgia Gomatou
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece; (G.G.); (N.S.)
| | - Dimitrios J. Stravopodis
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece;
| | - Nikolaos Syrigos
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece; (G.G.); (N.S.)
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250
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De Las Rivas J, Brozovic A, Izraely S, Casas-Pais A, Witz IP, Figueroa A. Cancer drug resistance induced by EMT: novel therapeutic strategies. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:2279-2297. [PMID: 34003341 PMCID: PMC8241801 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03063-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decade, important clinical benefits have been achieved in cancer patients by using drug-targeting strategies. Nevertheless, drug resistance is still a major problem in most cancer therapies. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) and tumour microenvironment have been described as limiting factors for effective treatment in many cancer types. Moreover, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has also been associated with therapy resistance in many different preclinical models, although limited evidence has been obtained from clinical studies and clinical samples. In this review, we particularly deepen into the mechanisms of which intermediate epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) states and its interconnection to microenvironment influence therapy resistance. We also describe how the use of bioinformatics and pharmacogenomics will help to figure out the biological impact of the EMT on drug resistance and to develop novel pharmacological approaches in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier De Las Rivas
- Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics Group, Cancer Research Center (CiC-IBMCC, CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), University of Salamanca (USAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Anamaria Brozovic
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sivan Izraely
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Alba Casas-Pais
- Epithelial Plasticity and Metastasis Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Sergas, Spain.,Universidade da Coruña (UDC), Coruña, Spain
| | - Isaac P Witz
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Angélica Figueroa
- Epithelial Plasticity and Metastasis Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Sergas, Spain. .,Universidade da Coruña (UDC), Coruña, Spain.
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