401
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Temps C, Lietha D, Webb ER, Li XF, Dawson JC, Muir M, Macleod KG, Valero T, Munro AF, Contreras-Montoya R, Luque-Ortega JR, Fraser C, Beetham H, Schoenherr C, Lopalco M, Arends MJ, Frame MC, Qian BZ, Brunton VG, Carragher NO, Unciti-Broceta A. A Conformation Selective Mode of Inhibiting SRC Improves Drug Efficacy and Tolerability. Cancer Res 2021; 81:5438-5450. [PMID: 34417202 PMCID: PMC7611940 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-0613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite the approval of several multikinase inhibitors that target SRC and the overwhelming evidence of the role of SRC in the progression and resistance mechanisms of many solid malignancies, inhibition of its kinase activity has thus far failed to improve patient outcomes. Here we report the small molecule eCF506 locks SRC in its native inactive conformation, thereby inhibiting both enzymatic and scaffolding functions that prevent phosphorylation and complex formation with its partner FAK. This mechanism of action resulted in highly potent and selective pathway inhibition in culture and in vivo. Treatment with eCF506 resulted in increased antitumor efficacy and tolerability in syngeneic murine cancer models, demonstrating significant therapeutic advantages over existing SRC/ABL inhibitors. Therefore, this mode of inhibiting SRC could lead to improved treatment of SRC-associated disorders. SIGNIFICANCE: Small molecule-mediated inhibition of SRC impairing both catalytic and scaffolding functions confers increased anticancer properties and tolerability compared with other SRC/ABL inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Temps
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Lietha
- Margarita Salas Center for Biological Research (CIB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Emily R Webb
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Xue-Feng Li
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - John C Dawson
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Morwenna Muir
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Kenneth G Macleod
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Teresa Valero
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alison F Munro
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Rafael Contreras-Montoya
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Juan R Luque-Ortega
- Margarita Salas Center for Biological Research (CIB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Craig Fraser
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Henry Beetham
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Christina Schoenherr
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Lopalco
- Edinburgh Innovations Ltd., Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J Arends
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret C Frame
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Bin-Zhi Qian
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Valerie G Brunton
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Neil O Carragher
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Asier Unciti-Broceta
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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402
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Han C, Ge M, Ho PC, Zhang L. Fueling T-cell Antitumor Immunity: Amino Acid Metabolism Revisited. Cancer Immunol Res 2021; 9:1373-1382. [PMID: 34716193 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
T cells are the key players in eliminating malignant tumors. Adoptive transfer of tumor antigen-specific T cells and immune checkpoint blockade has yielded durable antitumor responses in the clinic, but not all patients respond initially and some that do respond eventually have tumor progression. Thus, new approaches to enhance the utility of immunotherapy are needed. T-cell activation and differentiation status are tightly controlled at the transcriptional, epigenetic, and metabolic levels. Amino acids are involved in multiple steps of T-cell antitumor immunity, including T-cell activation, proliferation, effector function, memory formation as well as functional exhaustion. In this review, we briefly discuss how amino acid metabolism is linked to T-cell fate decisions and summarize how amino acid deprivation or accumulation of certain amino acid metabolites within the tumor microenvironment diminishes T-cell functionality. Furthermore, we discuss potential strategies for immunotherapy via modulating amino acid metabolism either in T cells intrinsically or extrinsically to achieve therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenfeng Han
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Elements, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Minmin Ge
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Elements, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Ping-Chih Ho
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. .,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lianjun Zhang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Elements, Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. .,Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
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403
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Scherer SD, Riggio AI, Haroun F, DeRose YS, Ekiz HA, Fujita M, Toner J, Zhao L, Li Z, Oesterreich S, Samatar AA, Welm AL. An immune-humanized patient-derived xenograft model of estrogen-independent, hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2021; 23:100. [PMID: 34717714 PMCID: PMC8556932 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-021-01476-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is incurable, with a 5-year survival rate of 28%. In the USA, more than 42,000 patients die from MBC every year. The most common type of breast cancer is estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), and more patients die from ER+ breast cancer than from any other subtype. ER+ tumors can be successfully treated with hormone therapy, but many tumors acquire endocrine resistance, at which point treatment options are limited. There is an urgent need for model systems that better represent human ER+ MBC in vivo, where tumors can metastasize. Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) made from MBC spontaneously metastasize, but the immunodeficient host is a caveat, given the known role of the immune system in tumor progression and response to therapy. Thus, we attempted to develop an immune-humanized PDX model of ER+ MBC. METHODS NSG-SGM3 mice were immune-humanized with CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells, followed by engraftment of human ER+ endocrine resistant MBC tumor fragments. Strategies for exogenous estrogen supplementation were compared, and immune-humanization in blood, bone marrow, spleen, and tumors was assessed by flow cytometry and tissue immunostaining. Characterization of the new model includes assessment of the human tumor microenvironment performed by immunostaining. RESULTS We describe the development of an immune-humanized PDX model of estrogen-independent endocrine resistant ER+ MBC. Importantly, our model harbors a naturally occurring ESR1 mutation, and immune-humanization recapitulates the lymphocyte-excluded and myeloid-rich tumor microenvironment of human ER+ breast tumors. CONCLUSION This model sets the stage for development of other clinically relevant models of human breast cancer and should allow future studies on mechanisms of endocrine resistance and tumor-immune interactions in an immune-humanized in vivo setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra D Scherer
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Alessandra I Riggio
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Fadi Haroun
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Yoko S DeRose
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - H Atakan Ekiz
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Maihi Fujita
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Jennifer Toner
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Ling Zhao
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Zheqi Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Women's Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Steffi Oesterreich
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Women's Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Ahmed A Samatar
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 10835 Road to the Cure, Suite 205, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Alana L Welm
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
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404
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Shin S, Lee J, Han J, Li F, Ling D, Park W. Tumor Microenvironment Modulating Functional Nanoparticles for Effective Cancer Treatments. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2021; 19:205-219. [PMID: 34674182 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-021-00403-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the major diseases that threaten human life worldwide. Despite advances in cancer treatment techniques, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, it is still difficult to cure cancer because of the resistance mechanism of cancer cells. Current understanding of tumor biology has revealed that resistance to these anticancer therapies is due to the tumor microenvironment (TME) represented by hypoxia, acidity, dense extracellular matrix, and immunosuppression. This review demonstrates the latest strategies for effective cancer treatment using functional nanoparticles that can modulate the TME. Indeed, preclinical studies have shown that functional nanoparticles can effectively modulate the TME to treat refractory cancer. This strategy of using TMEs with controllable functional nanoparticles is expected to maximize cancer treatment efficiency in the future by combining it with various modern cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungyong Shin
- Department of Biomedical-Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, 43 Jibong-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi, 14662, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, 43 Jibong-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi, 14662, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyoung Lee
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jieun Han
- Department of Biomedical-Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, 43 Jibong-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi, 14662, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, 43 Jibong-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi, 14662, Republic of Korea
| | - Fangyuan Li
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.,Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Daishun Ling
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.,National Center for Translational Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Wooram Park
- Department of Biomedical-Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, 43 Jibong-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi, 14662, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, 43 Jibong-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi, 14662, Republic of Korea.
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405
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Zhang C, Lei L, Yang X, Ma K, Zheng H, Su Y, Jiao A, Wang X, Liu H, Zou Y, Shi L, Zhou X, Sun C, Hou Y, Xiao Z, Zhang L, Zhang B. Single-cell sequencing reveals antitumor characteristics of intratumoral immune cells in old mice. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002809. [PMID: 34642245 PMCID: PMC8513495 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aging has long been thought to be a major risk factor for various types of cancers. However, accumulating evidence indicates increased resistance of old animals to tumor growth. An in-depth understanding of how old individuals defend against tumor invasion requires further investigations. Methods We revealed age-associated alterations in tumor-infiltrating immune cells between young and old mice using single-cell RNA and coupled T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing analysis. Multiple bioinformatics methods were adopted to analyze the characteristics of the transcriptome between two groups. To explore the impacts of young and old CD8+ T cells on tumor growth, mice were treated with anti-CD8 antibody every 3 days starting 7 days after tumor inoculation. Flow cytometry was used to validate the differences indicated by sequencing analysis between young and old mice. Results We found a higher proportion of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, naturally occurring Tregs, conventional dendritic cell (DC), and M1-like macrophages in tumors of old mice compared with a higher percentage of exhausted CD8+ T cells, induced Tregs, plasmacytoid DC, and M2-like macrophages in young mice. Importantly, TCR diversity analysis showed that top 10 TCR clones consisted primarily of exhausted CD8+ T cells in young mice whereas top clones were predominantly cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in old mice. Old mice had more CD8+ T cells with a ‘progenitor’ and less ‘terminally’ exhausted phenotypes than young mice. Consistently, trajectory inference demonstrated that CD8+ T cells preferentially differentiated into cytotoxic cells in old mice in contrast to exhausted cells in young mice. Importantly, elimination of CD8+ T cells in old mice during tumor growth significantly accelerated tumor development. Moreover, senescent features were demonstrated in exhausted but not cytotoxic CD8+ T cells regardless of young and old mice. Conclusions Our data revealed that a significantly higher proportion of effector immune cells in old mice defends against tumor progression, providing insights into understanding the altered kinetics of cancer development and the differential response to immunotherapeutic modulation in elderly patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cangang Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China
| | - Kaili Ma
- Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Huiqiang Zheng
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Yanhong Su
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Anjun Jiao
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Haiyan Liu
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Yujing Zou
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lin Shi
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhou
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Chenming Sun
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuzhu Hou
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhengtao Xiao
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Lianjun Zhang
- Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China .,Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China.,Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Baojun Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China .,Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China.,Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, China
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406
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Wang D, Zhang H, Xiang T, Wang G. Clinical Application of Adaptive Immune Therapy in MSS Colorectal Cancer Patients. Front Immunol 2021; 12:762341. [PMID: 34721435 PMCID: PMC8548603 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.762341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. However, the treatment outcomes of immunotherapy in microsatellite-stable (MSS) CRC remain unsatisfactory. As the majority of CRC cases display a molecular MSS/mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) profile, it is particularly meaningful to explore the clinical applications of adaptive immune therapy in MSS CRC patients. In this review, we summarized the therapeutic approaches of adoptive immune therapies, including cytokines, therapeutic cancer vaccines, adoptive T-cell therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors, in the treatment of MSS CRCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyang Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hangyu Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tao Xiang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Haiyan People’s Hospital, Jiaxing, China
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407
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Howard FM, Villamar D, He G, Pearson AT, Nanda R. The emerging role of immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of breast cancer. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2021; 31:531-548. [PMID: 34569400 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2022.1986002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Breast cancer has traditionally been viewed as immunogenically 'cold,' but two immune checkpoint inhibitors have been approved in combination with chemotherapy for PD-L1 positive advanced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and pembrolizumab was also recently approved for early stage TNBC. As the landscape is rapidly evolving, a comprehensive review of checkpoint inhibitors in breast cancer is needed to aid clinicians in selecting appropriate candidates for therapy, and to highlight ongoing promising studies in this area and topics in need of further investigation. AREA COVERED This review summarizes the latest evidence from completed and ongoing trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Ongoing studies were identified using a search of ClinicalTrials.gov with the term 'breast cancer' along with specific checkpoint inhibitor agents. EXPERT OPINION A number of novel combination strategies are under investigation to enhance response and overcome resistance to immunotherapy, with promising preliminary data from checkpoint inhibitors targeting TIGIT, combinations with small molecule inhibitors such as lenvatinib, and injectable agents directly influencing the immune microenvironment. As immunotherapy enters into the curative setting, biomarkers predictive of immunotherapy benefit are needed, as PD-L1 status has not been a helpful discriminator in completed trials in early-stage breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dario Villamar
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Gong He
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | | | - Rita Nanda
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
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408
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Zhan L, Zhang J, Zhu S, Liu X, Zhang J, Wang W, Fan Y, Sun S, Wei B, Cao Y. N 6-Methyladenosine RNA Modification: An Emerging Immunotherapeutic Approach to Turning Up Cold Tumors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:736298. [PMID: 34616742 PMCID: PMC8488118 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.736298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a novel clinical approach that has shown clinical efficacy in multiple cancers. However, only a fraction of patients respond well to immunotherapy. Immuno-oncological studies have identified the type of tumors that are sensitive to immunotherapy, the so-called hot tumors, while unresponsive tumors, known as “cold tumors,” have the potential to turn into hot ones. Therefore, the mechanisms underlying cold tumor formation must be elucidated, and efforts should be made to turn cold tumors into hot tumors. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification affects the maturation and function of immune cells by controlling mRNA immunogenicity and innate immune components in the tumor microenvironment (TME), suggesting its predominant role in the development of tumors and its potential use as a target to improve cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we first describe the TME, cold and hot tumors, and m6A RNA modification. Then, we focus on the role of m6A RNA modification in cold tumor formation and regulation. Finally, we discuss the potential clinical implications and immunotherapeutic approaches of m6A RNA modification in cancer patients. In conclusion, m6A RNA modification is involved in cold tumor formation by regulating immunity, tumor-cell-intrinsic pathways, soluble inhibitory mediators in the TME, increasing metabolic competition, and affecting the tumor mutational burden. Furthermore, m6A RNA modification regulators may potentially be used as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for different types of cancer. In addition, targeting m6A RNA modification may sensitize cancers to immunotherapy, making it a promising immunotherapeutic approach for turning cold tumors into hot ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Junhui Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Suding Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaojing Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wenyan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yijun Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shiying Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Bing Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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409
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Imlimthan S, Moon ES, Rathke H, Afshar-Oromieh A, Rösch F, Rominger A, Gourni E. New Frontiers in Cancer Imaging and Therapy Based on Radiolabeled Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitors: A Rational Review and Current Progress. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:1023. [PMID: 34681246 PMCID: PMC8540221 DOI: 10.3390/ph14101023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has become a new paradigm of cancer diagnosis and therapy due to its unique biological features, mainly the interconnection between cancer and stromal cells. Within the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) demonstrate as one of the most critical stromal cells that regulate tumor cell growth, progression, immunosuppression, and metastasis. CAFs are identified by various biomarkers that are expressed on their surfaces, such as fibroblast activation protein (FAP), which could be utilized as a useful target for diagnostic imaging and treatment. One of the advantages of targeting FAP-expressing CAFs is the absence of FAP expression in quiescent fibroblasts, leading to a controlled targetability of diagnostic and therapeutic compounds to the malignant tumor stromal area using radiolabeled FAP-based ligands. FAP-based radiopharmaceuticals have been investigated strenuously for the visualization of malignancies and delivery of theranostic radiopharmaceuticals to the TME. This review provides an overview of the state of the art in TME compositions, particularly CAFs and FAP, and their roles in cancer biology. Moreover, relevant reports on radiolabeled FAP inhibitors until the year 2021 are highlighted-as well as the current limitations, challenges, and requirements for those radiolabeled FAP inhibitors in clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surachet Imlimthan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland; (S.I.); (H.R.); (A.A.-O.); (A.R.)
| | - Euy Sung Moon
- Department of Chemistry—TRIGA Site, Johannes Gutenberg—University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (E.S.M.); (F.R.)
| | - Hendrik Rathke
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland; (S.I.); (H.R.); (A.A.-O.); (A.R.)
| | - Ali Afshar-Oromieh
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland; (S.I.); (H.R.); (A.A.-O.); (A.R.)
| | - Frank Rösch
- Department of Chemistry—TRIGA Site, Johannes Gutenberg—University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (E.S.M.); (F.R.)
| | - Axel Rominger
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland; (S.I.); (H.R.); (A.A.-O.); (A.R.)
| | - Eleni Gourni
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland; (S.I.); (H.R.); (A.A.-O.); (A.R.)
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410
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Yang Z, Deng Y, Cheng J, Wei S, Luo H, Liu L. Tumor-Infiltrating PD-1 hiCD8 +-T-Cell Signature as an Effective Biomarker for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy Response Across Multiple Cancers. Front Oncol 2021; 11:695006. [PMID: 34604032 PMCID: PMC8479164 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.695006] [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: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Stratification of patients who could benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is of much importance. PD-1hiCD8+ T cells represent a newly identified and effective biomarker for ICI therapy response biomarker in lung cancer. Accurately quantifying these T cells using commonly available RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data may extend their applications to more cancer types. Method We built a transcriptome signature of PD-1hiCD8+ T cells from bulk RNA-seq and single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. The signature was validated by flow cytometry and in independent datasets. The clinical applications of the signature were explored in non-small-cell lung cancer, melanoma, gastric cancer, urothelial cancer, and a mouse model of breast cancer samples treated with ICI, and systematically evaluated across 21 cancer types in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Its associations with other biomarkers were also determined. Results Signature scores could be used to identify the PD-1hiCD8+ T subset and were correlated with the fraction of PD-1hiCD8+ T cells in tumor tissue (Pearson correlation, R=0.76, p=0.0004). Furthermore, in the scRNA-seq dataset, we confirmed the capability of PD-1hiCD8+ T cells to secrete CXCL13, as well as their interactions with other immune cells. In 581 clinical samples and 204 mouse models treated with ICIs, high signature scores were associated with increased survival, and the signature achieved area under the receiver operating characteristic curve scores of 0.755 (ranging from 0.61 to 0.91) in predicting therapy response. In TCGA pan-cancer datasets, our signature scores were consistently correlated with therapy response (R=0.78, p<0.0001) and partially explained the diverse response rates among different cancer types. Finally, our signature generally outperformed other mRNA-based predictors and showed improved predictive performance when used in combination with tumor mutational burden (TMB). The signature score is available in the R package “PD1highCD8Tscore” (https://github.com/Liulab/PD1highCD8Tscore). Conclusion Through estimating the fraction of the PD-1hiCD8+ T cell, our signature could predict response to ICI therapy across multiple cancers and could serve as a complementary biomarker to TMB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Yang
- Institute of Thoracic Oncology and Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Western China Collaborative Innovation Center for Early Diagnosis and Multidisciplinary Therapy of Lung Cancer, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yulan Deng
- Institute of Thoracic Oncology and Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Western China Collaborative Innovation Center for Early Diagnosis and Multidisciplinary Therapy of Lung Cancer, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiahan Cheng
- Institute of Thoracic Oncology and Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Western China Collaborative Innovation Center for Early Diagnosis and Multidisciplinary Therapy of Lung Cancer, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shiyou Wei
- Institute of Thoracic Oncology and Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Western China Collaborative Innovation Center for Early Diagnosis and Multidisciplinary Therapy of Lung Cancer, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hao Luo
- Institute of Thoracic Oncology and Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Western China Collaborative Innovation Center for Early Diagnosis and Multidisciplinary Therapy of Lung Cancer, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lunxu Liu
- Institute of Thoracic Oncology and Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Western China Collaborative Innovation Center for Early Diagnosis and Multidisciplinary Therapy of Lung Cancer, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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411
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Tian S, Wang F, Zhang R, Chen G. Global Pattern of CD8 + T-Cell Infiltration and Exhaustion in Colorectal Cancer Predicts Cancer Immunotherapy Response. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:715721. [PMID: 34594218 PMCID: PMC8477790 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.715721] [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: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The MSI/MSS status does not fully explain cancer immunotherapy response in colorectal cancer. Thus, we developed a colorectal cancer-specific method that predicts cancer immunotherapy response. Methods: We used gene expression data of 454 samples (MSI = 131, MSI-L = 23, MSS = 284, and Unknown = 16) and developed a TMEPRE method that models signatures of CD8+ T-cell infiltration and CD8+ T-cell exhaustion states in the tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer. TMEPRE model was validated on three RNAseq datasets of melanoma patients who received pembrolizumab or nivolumab and one RNAseq dataset of purified CD8+ T cells in different exhaustion states. Results: TMEPRE showed predictive power in three datasets of anti-PD1-treated patients (p = 0.056, 0.115, 0.003). CD8+ T-cell exhaustion component of TMEPRE model correlates with anti-PD1 responding progenitor exhausted CD8+ T cells in both tumor and viral infection (p = 0.048, 0.001). The global pattern of TMEPRE on 454 colorectal cancer samples indicated that 10.6% of MSS patients and 67.2% of MSI patients show biological characteristics that can potentially benefit from anti-PD1 treatment. Within MSI nonresponders, approximately 50% showed insufficient tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells and 50% showed terminal exhaustion of CD8+ T cells. These terminally exhausted CD8+ T cells coexisted with signatures of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in colorectal cancer. Conclusion: TMEPRE is a colorectal cancer-specific method. It captures characteristics of CD8+ T-cell infiltration and CD8+ T-cell exhaustion state and predicts cancer immunotherapy response. A subset of MSS patients could potentially benefit from anti-PD1 treatment. Anti-PD1 resistance MSI patients with insufficient infiltration of CD8+ T cells or terminal exhaustion of CD8+ T cells need different treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Tian
- Carbon Logic Biotech (HK) Limited, Hongkong, China
| | - Fulong Wang
- StateKey Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rongxin Zhang
- StateKey Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gong Chen
- StateKey Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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412
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Tee YC, Blake SJ, Lynn DJ. OX40-targeted immune agonist antibodies induce potent antitumor immune responses without inducing liver damage in mice. FASEB Bioadv 2021; 3:829-840. [PMID: 34632317 PMCID: PMC8493970 DOI: 10.1096/fba.2021-00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite promising preclinical and clinical data demonstrating that immune agonist antibody immunotherapies (IAAs) such as αOX40 induce strong antitumor immune responses, clinical translation has been significantly hampered by the propensity of some IAAs to induce dose-limiting and sometimes life-threatening immunotoxicities such as cytokine release syndrome and hepatotoxicity. For example, in a recent study αOX40 was shown to induce significant liver damage in mice by inducing the pyroptosis of liver natural killer T cells (NKT) cells. Surprisingly; however, given these previous reports, αOX40 treatment in our hands did not induce NKT cell pyroptosis or liver damage. We investigated numerous potential confounding factors including age, sex, tumor burden, dosing strategy, and the gut microbiota, which could have explained this discrepancy with the previous study. In none of these experiments did we find that αOX40 induced any more than very mild inflammation in the liver. Our study therefore suggests that, preclinically, αOX40 is a safe and effective immunotherapy and further studies into the clinical benefit of αOX40 are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yee C. Tee
- Precision Medicine ThemeSouth Australian Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideSAAustralia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research InstituteFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSAAustralia
| | - Stephen J. Blake
- Precision Medicine ThemeSouth Australian Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - David J. Lynn
- Precision Medicine ThemeSouth Australian Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideSAAustralia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research InstituteFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSAAustralia
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413
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Walsh RJ, Tan DSP. The Role of Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Advanced Cervical Cancer: Current Status and Future Perspectives. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10194523. [PMID: 34640541 PMCID: PMC8509251 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10194523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer remains one of the most common cancers in women around the world however therapeutic options in the advanced and recurrent setting are limited. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have been considered an attractive option given the viral etiology of cervical cancer although the majority of patients do not benefit from their use. This review summarises current knowledge and use of immune checkpoint blockade in cervical cancer as well as discussing the challenges faced in their clinical application, namely, the role of biomarker-driven ICI use, potential mechanisms of resistance, strategies to overcome such resistance and additional immunotherapy options beyond ICI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Walsh
- National University Cancer Institute, Singapore 119074, Singapore;
| | - David S. P. Tan
- National University Cancer Institute, Singapore 119074, Singapore;
- Cancer Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Correspondence:
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414
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Pyroptosis Patterns Characterized by Distinct Tumor Microenvironment Infiltration Landscapes in Gastric Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101535. [PMID: 34680930 PMCID: PMC8535973 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The potential role of pyroptosis in tumor microenvironment (TME) reprogramming and immunotherapy has received increasing attention. As most studies have concentrated on a single TME cell type or a single pyroptosis regulator (PR), the overall TME cell-infiltrating characteristics mediated by the integrated roles of multiple PRs have not been comprehensively recognized. METHODS This study curated 33 PRs and conducted consensus clustering to identify distinct pyroptosis patterns in gastric cancer (GC) patients. A single-sample gene set enrichment analysis algorithm was used to quantify the infiltration density of TME immune cells and the enrichment scores of well-defined biological signatures. The pyroptosis patterns of individuals were quantified using a principal component analysis algorithm called the pyroptosis score (PS). RESULTS Three distinct pyroptosis patterns with significant survival differences were identified from 1422 GC samples; these patterns were closely associated with three TME cell-infiltrating landscapes-namely, the immune-inflamed, immune-excluded, and immune-desert phenotypes. The PS model generated on the basis of the pyroptosis pattern-related signature genes could accurately predict the TME status, existing molecular subtypes, genetic variation, therapeutic response, and clinical outcome; among which, a relatively high PS was highly consistent with immune activation, molecular subtypes with survival advantages, high tumor mutation burden, high microsatellite instability, and other favorable characteristics. In particular, from the Cancer Genome Atlas database, the PS model exhibited significant prognostic relevance in a pan-cancer analysis, and patients with a relatively high PS exhibited durable therapeutic advantages and better prognostic benefits in anti-PD1/L1 therapy. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that pyroptosis is prominently correlated with TME diversity and complexity, and quantification of the pyroptosis patterns of individuals will enhance our cognition of TME infiltration landscapes and help in formulating more effective immunotherapeutic strategies.
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415
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Køstner AH, Nielsen PS, Georgsen JB, Parner ET, Nielsen MB, Kersten C, Steiniche T. Systemic Inflammation Associates With a Myeloid Inflamed Tumor Microenvironment in Primary Resected Colon Cancer-May Cold Tumors Simply Be Too Hot? Front Immunol 2021; 12:716342. [PMID: 34531864 PMCID: PMC8438238 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.716342] [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: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic inflammation measured by the acute-phase protein CRP associates with poor outcome across cancer types. In contrast, local tumor-associated inflammation, primarily evaluated by T-lymphocytes, correlates with favorable prognosis. Yet, little is known whether these two responses are related or opposing processes and why elevated CRP in relation to cancer is detrimental for clinical outcome. As proof of concept, we developed a platform combining multiplexed IHC and digital imaging, enabling a virtual readout of both lymphoid and myeloid immune markers and their spatial patterns in the primary tumors of resected stage II and III colon cancer (CC) patients with and without accompanying systemic inflammation. Twenty-one patients with elevated CRP (>30 mg/l) and 15 patients with low CRP (<10 mg/l) were included in the analyses. Whole slides from the primary tumors were stained for markers of adaptive (CD8+, CD4+, foxp3 regulatory T cells, CD20+ B cells) and innate (CD68+ macrophages, CD66b+ neutrophils) immunity and the immune checkpoint molecule PD-L1. Associations between individual immune markers, preoperative CRP values, mismatch repair status (MMR), and risk of recurrence or death were assessed. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering was used to explore whether distinct immune phenotypes were present. Tumors from systemically inflamed patients (CRP >30 mg/l) displayed significantly more myeloid features in terms of higher densities of CD66b+neutrophils (p = 0.001) and CD68+macrophages (p = 0.04) and less lymphoid features (lower CD8 T cell, p = 0.03, and foxp3 regulatory T cell densities, p = 0.03) regardless of MMR status. Additionally, systemically inflamed patients harbored lower mean distances between neutrophils and tumor cells within the TME. Intriguingly, microsatellite instable (MSI) tumor status correlated with systemic inflammation. However, using a combinatorial approach, we found that regardless of an adaptive composite score (compounded CD4+ and CD8+ T cells), a high innate score (CD66b+ neutrophils and CD68+ macrophages) associated significantly with elevated CRP. In conclusion, tumor-associated systemic inflammation correlated with a myeloid-dominated TME in a small cohort of resectable CC patients. Our data highlight the importance of a comprehensive immune classification of tumors including players of innate immunity and support a role for CRP as an informative biomarker of the immune response taking place at the tumor site.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Erik Thorlund Parner
- Section for Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mette Bak Nielsen
- Department of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Christian Kersten
- Department of Oncology, Sorlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway.,Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen, Norway
| | - Torben Steiniche
- Department of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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416
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O'Donovan C, Davern M, Donlon NE, Lysaght J, Conroy MJ. Chemokine-targeted therapies: An opportunity to remodel immune profiles in gastro-oesophageal tumours. Cancer Lett 2021; 521:224-236. [PMID: 34506844 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapies are transforming outcomes for many cancer patients and are quickly becoming the fourth pillar of cancer therapy. However, their efficacy of only ∼25% in gastro-oesophageal cancer has been disappointing. This is attributed to factors such as insufficient patient stratification and the pro-tumourigenic immune landscape of gastro-oesophageal tumours. The chemokine profiles of solid tumours and the availability of effector immune cells greatly influence the immune infiltrate, producing 'cold' or 'immune-excluded' tumours in which immunotherapies are unable to reinvigorate the immune response. Other biological functions for chemokines have emerged, such as promoting cell survival, polarising T cell responses, and supporting several hallmarks of cancer. Therefore, chemokine networks may be exploited with therapeutic intent to mobilise and polarise anti-tumour immune cells, with further utility as combination treatments to augment the efficacy of current cancer immunotherapies. Few studies have demonstrated the clinical benefit of chemokine-targeted therapies as monotherapies, and this review proposes their consideration as combination treatments. Herein, we explore the anti-tumour and pro-tumour implications of chemokine signalling in gastro-oesophageal cancer and discuss their value as prognostic and predictive biomarkers in response to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cillian O'Donovan
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James's Hospital Campus, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Maria Davern
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James's Hospital Campus, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Noel E Donlon
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James's Hospital Campus, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Joanne Lysaght
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James's Hospital Campus, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Melissa J Conroy
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James's Hospital Campus, Dublin 8, Ireland; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
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417
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Vella G, Guelfi S, Bergers G. High Endothelial Venules: A Vascular Perspective on Tertiary Lymphoid Structures in Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:736670. [PMID: 34484246 PMCID: PMC8416033 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.736670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
High endothelial venules (HEVs) are specialized postcapillary venules composed of cuboidal blood endothelial cells that express high levels of sulfated sialomucins to bind L-Selectin/CD62L on lymphocytes, thereby facilitating their transmigration from the blood into the lymph nodes (LN) and other secondary lymphoid organs (SLO). HEVs have also been identified in human and murine tumors in predominantly CD3+T cell-enriched areas with fewer CD20+B-cell aggregates that are reminiscent of tertiary lymphoid-like structures (TLS). While HEV/TLS areas in human tumors are predominantly associated with increased survival, tumoral HEVs (TU-HEV) in mice have shown to foster lymphocyte-enriched immune centers and boost an immune response combined with different immunotherapies. Here, we discuss the current insight into TU-HEV formation, function, and regulation in tumors and elaborate on the functional implication, opportunities, and challenges of TU-HEV formation for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerlanda Vella
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Therapeutic Resistance, Department of Oncology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB)-Center for Cancer Biology, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sophie Guelfi
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Therapeutic Resistance, Department of Oncology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB)-Center for Cancer Biology, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gabriele Bergers
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Therapeutic Resistance, Department of Oncology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB)-Center for Cancer Biology, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurological Surgery, UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
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418
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Xu HZ, Li TF, Wang C, Ma Y, Liu Y, Zheng MY, Liu ZJY, Chen JB, Li K, Sun SK, Komatsu N, Xu YH, Zhao L, Chen X. Synergy of nanodiamond-doxorubicin conjugates and PD-L1 blockade effectively turns tumor-associated macrophages against tumor cells. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:268. [PMID: 34488792 PMCID: PMC8422639 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-01017-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment. Turning the TAMs against their host tumor cells is an intriguing therapeutic strategy particularly attractive for patients with immunologically “cold” tumors. This concept was mechanistically demonstrated on in vitro human and murine lung cancer cells and their corresponding TAM models through combinatorial use of nanodiamond-doxorubicin conjugates (Nano-DOX) and a PD-L1 blocking agent BMS-1. Nano-DOX are an agent previously proved to be able to stimulate tumor cells’ immunogenicity and thereby reactivate the TAMs into the anti-tumor M1 phenotype. Results Nano-DOX were first shown to stimulate the tumor cells and the TAMs to release the cytokine HMGB1 which, regardless of its source, acted through the RAGE/NF-κB pathway to induce PD-L1 in the tumor cells and PD-L1/PD-1 in the TAMs. Interestingly, Nano-DOX also induced NF-κB-dependent RAGE expression in the tumor cells and thus reinforced HMGB1’s action thereon. Then, BMS-1 was shown to enhance Nano-DOX-stimulated M1-type activation of TAMs both by blocking Nano-DOX-induced PD-L1 in the TAMs and by blocking tumor cell PD-L1 ligation with TAM PD-1. The TAMs with enhanced M1-type repolarization both killed the tumor cells and suppressed their growth. BMS-1 could also potentiate Nano-DOX’s action to suppress tumor cell growth via blocking of Nano-DOX-induced PD-L1 therein. Finally, Nano-DOX and BMS-1 achieved synergistic therapeutic efficacy against in vivo tumor grafts in a TAM-dependent manner. Conclusions PD-L1/PD-1 upregulation mediated by autocrine and paracrine activation of the HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB signaling is a key response of lung cancer cells and their TAMs to stress, which can be induced by Nano-DOX. Blockade of Nano-DOX-induced PD-L1, both in the cancer cells and the TAMs, achieves enhanced activation of TAM-mediated anti-tumor response. Graphic abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-021-01017-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Zhen Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Donghu Avenue No.185, Wuhan, 430072, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Tong-Fei Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Donghu Avenue No.185, Wuhan, 430072, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Taihe Hospital of Shiyan, Hubei University of Medicine, Renmin road No. 30, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Donghu Avenue No.185, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Donghu Avenue No.185, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Donghu Avenue No.185, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Mei-Yan Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Donghu Avenue No.185, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Zhang-Jun-Yan Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Donghu Avenue No.185, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Jin-Bo Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Donghu Avenue No.185, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Ke Li
- Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medicine Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Donghu Avenue No.185, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Shi-Kuan Sun
- School of Material Science and Energy Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Naoki Komatsu
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yong-Hong Xu
- Institute of Ophthalmological Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Li Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xiao Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Donghu Avenue No.185, Wuhan, 430072, China. .,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Fu J, Li Y, Li C, Tong Y, Li M, Cang S. A special prognostic indicator: tumor mutation burden combined with immune infiltrates in lung adenocarcinoma with TP53 mutation. Transl Cancer Res 2021; 10:3963-3978. [PMID: 35116695 PMCID: PMC8797931 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-21-565] [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: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND TP53 mutation (TP53 mut) is significantly associated with immunotherapy response in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), but not an ideal independent prognostic predictor for it. Here, we investigated a novel potential biomarker and constructed a model for prognostic prediction in LUAD TP53 mut patients. METHODS 469 LUAD samples retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas database were divided into TP53 wt (wild-type TP53) and TP53 mut groups. TMB values were calculated based on the number of variants/exon lengths, and high- and low-TMB groups were divided by the median value. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two TMB groups were identified using "limma" package, and functional analyses were performed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, Gene Ontology, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis. The infiltration ratio of 22 immune cells were calculated with the CIBERSORT algorithm. Survival analyses were estimated by Kaplan-Meier with the log-rank test. Finally a TMB prognostic index (TMBPI) with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed and calculated to evaluate the predictive value in TP53 mut LUAD. RESULTS There were diverse mutation types in 100% of TP53 mutants, while mutations were present in 86.5% of cases with TP53 wt. TP53 mut patients had higher TMB levels than TP53 wt patients. Overall survival in TP53 mut patients with low-TMB levels was significantly shorter than that in high-TMB TP53 mut patients. High-TMB patients had higher levels of CD8 T cell and effector B cell, while lower levels of resting memory CD4 T cells, monocytes, activated dendritic cells, etc. than low-TMB patients. Poor survival outcome in TP53 mut patients was correlated with lower effector B cell infiltration and higher activated dendritic cell. Survival risk analyses of 121 DEGs showed that good survival outcomes correlated positively with FBXO36 and KLHL35 expression levels, but correlated negatively with that of LINC0054. TMBPI analysis of the TP53 mut patients showed that high-TMBPI patients had worse survival outcomes than low-TMBPI patients. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the TMB value with immune infiltrates is a novel potential biomarker for prognostic prediction of TP53 mut patients. The TMBPI combined with detection of TP53 mutation can be used as a better predictor of prognosis in LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Fu
- Department of Oncology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaonan Li
- Department of Emergency, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Cuidan Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences & Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, China
| | - Yuyang Tong
- Department of Oncology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mengyuan Li
- Department of Oncology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shundong Cang
- Department of Oncology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
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Xiang X, Liu Z, Zhang C, Li Z, Gao J, Zhang C, Cao Q, Cheng J, Liu H, Chen D, Cheng Q, Zhang N, Xue R, Bai F, Zhu J. IDH Mutation Subgroup Status Associates with Intratumor Heterogeneity and the Tumor Microenvironment in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2101230. [PMID: 34250753 PMCID: PMC8425914 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202101230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is highly heterogeneous. Here, the authors perform exome sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing on 73 tumor regions from 14 ICC patients to portray the multi-faceted intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) landscape of ICC. The authors show that ITH is highly concordant across genomic, transcriptomic, and immune levels. Comparison of these data to 8 published datasets reveals significantly higher degrees of ITH in ICC than hepatocellular carcinoma. Remarkably, the authors find that high-ITH tumors highly overlap with the IDH (isocitrate dehydrogenase)-mutant subgroup (IDH-SG), comprising of IDH-mutated tumors and IDH-like tumors, that is, those IDH-wildtype tumors that exhibit similar molecular profiles to the IDH-mutated ones. Furthermore, IDH-SG exhibits less T cell infiltration and lower T cell cytotoxicity, indicating a colder tumor microenvironment (TME). The higher ITH and colder TME of IDH-SG are successfully validated by single-cell RNA sequencing on 17 503 cells from 4 patients. Collectively, the study shows that IDH mutant subgroup status, rather than IDH mutation alone, is associated with ITH and the TME of ICC tumors. The results highlight that IDH-like patients may also benefit from IDH targeted therapies and provide important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of ICC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Xiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's HospitalBeijing Key Surgical Basic Research Laboratory of Liver Cirrhosis and Liver CancerBeijing100044China
| | - Ziyang Liu
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), School of Life SciencesPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG)Peking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Chong Zhang
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), School of Life SciencesPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG)Peking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Zhao Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's HospitalBeijing Key Surgical Basic Research Laboratory of Liver Cirrhosis and Liver CancerBeijing100044China
| | - Jie Gao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's HospitalBeijing Key Surgical Basic Research Laboratory of Liver Cirrhosis and Liver CancerBeijing100044China
| | - Changkun Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's HospitalBeijing Key Surgical Basic Research Laboratory of Liver Cirrhosis and Liver CancerBeijing100044China
| | - Qi Cao
- Translational Cancer Research CenterPeking University First HospitalBeijing100034China
| | - Jinghui Cheng
- Translational Cancer Research CenterPeking University First HospitalBeijing100034China
| | - Hengkang Liu
- Translational Cancer Research CenterPeking University First HospitalBeijing100034China
| | - Dingbao Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's HospitalBeijing Key Surgical Basic Research Laboratory of Liver Cirrhosis and Liver CancerBeijing100044China
| | - Qian Cheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's HospitalBeijing Key Surgical Basic Research Laboratory of Liver Cirrhosis and Liver CancerBeijing100044China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Translational Cancer Research CenterPeking University First HospitalBeijing100034China
| | - Ruidong Xue
- Translational Cancer Research CenterPeking University First HospitalBeijing100034China
| | - Fan Bai
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), School of Life SciencesPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG)Peking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Jiye Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's HospitalBeijing Key Surgical Basic Research Laboratory of Liver Cirrhosis and Liver CancerBeijing100044China
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Cai Y, Ji W, Sun C, Xu R, Chen X, Deng Y, Pan J, Yang J, Zhu H, Mei J. Interferon-Induced Transmembrane Protein 3 Shapes an Inflamed Tumor Microenvironment and Identifies Immuno-Hot Tumors. Front Immunol 2021; 12:704965. [PMID: 34456915 PMCID: PMC8385493 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.704965] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is an interferon-induced membrane protein, which has been identified as a functional gene in multiple human cancers. The role of IFITM3 in cancer has been preliminarily summarized, but its relationship to antitumor immunity is still unclear. A pancancer analysis was conducted to investigate the expression pattern and immunological role of IFITM3 based on transcriptomic data downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Next, correlations between IFITM3 and immunological features in the bladder cancer (BLCA) tumor microenvironment (TME) were assessed. In addition, the role of IFITM3 in estimating the clinical characteristics and the response to various therapies in BLCA was also evaluated. These results were next confirmed in the IMvigor210 cohort and a recruited cohort. In addition, correlations between IFITM3 and emerging immunobiomarkers, such as microbiota and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) genes, were assessed. IFITM3 was enhanced in most tumor tissues in comparison with adjacent tissues. IFITM3 was positively correlated with immunomodulators, tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs), cancer immunity cycles, and inhibitory immune checkpoints. In addition, IFITM3 was associated with an inflamed phenotype and several established molecular subtypes. IFITM3 expression also predicted a notably higher response to chemotherapy, anti-EGFR therapy, and immunotherapy but a low response to anti-ERBB2, anti-ERBB4, and antiangiogenic therapy. In addition, IFITM3 was correlated with immune-related microbiota and m6A genes. In addition to BLCA, IFITM3 is expected to be a marker of high immunogenicity in most human cancers. In conclusion, IFITM3 expression can be used to identify immuno-hot tumors in most cancers, and IFITM3 may be a promising pancancer biomarker to estimate the immunological features of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Cai
- Department of Oncology, Nantong Third People's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Wenfei Ji
- Department of Oncology, Nantong Third People's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Chuan Sun
- Department of Geriatrics, Key Lab of Geriatrics & Geriatrics Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rui Xu
- Wuxi College of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuechun Chen
- College of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yifan Deng
- College of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiadong Pan
- Wuxi College of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiayue Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Hongjun Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Nantong Third People's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jie Mei
- Department of Oncology, Nantong Third People's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Wuxi College of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Pan Y, Song X, Wang Y, Wei J. Firing up the Tumor Microenvironment with Nanoparticle-Based Therapies. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13091338. [PMID: 34575414 PMCID: PMC8472427 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13091338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapies mobilizing host immunity against cancer cells have profoundly improved prognosis of cancer patients. However, efficacy of immunotherapies depends on local immune conditions. The "cold" tumor, which is characterized by lacking inflamed T cells, is insensitive to immunotherapy. Current strategies of improving the "cold" tumor microenvironment are far from satisfying. Nanoparticle-based therapies provide novel inspiration in firing up the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we presented progress and limitations of conventional immunotherapies. Then, we enumerate advantages of nanoparticle-based therapies in remodeling the "cold" tumor microenvironment. Finally, we discuss the prospect of nanoparticle-based therapies in clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfeng Pan
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; (Y.P.); (X.S.); (Y.W.)
| | - Xueru Song
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; (Y.P.); (X.S.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yue Wang
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; (Y.P.); (X.S.); (Y.W.)
| | - Jia Wei
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; (Y.P.); (X.S.); (Y.W.)
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
- Correspondence:
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Combination of Pembrolizumab with Electrochemotherapy in Cutaneous Metastases from Melanoma: A Comparative Retrospective Study from the InspECT and Slovenian Cancer Registry. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174289. [PMID: 34503099 PMCID: PMC8428335 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Electrochemotherapy (ECT) combines a cytotoxic agent with locally applied electric pulses to enhance its antitumor effect. Over the last 15 years, ECT has been safely applied to patients with skin metastases in combination with other oncologic treatments and, more recently, with systemic immunotherapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ECT in combination with pembrolizumab. We compared patient outcomes after the following treatments: (a) pembrolizumab, (b) pembrolizumab and ECT, and (c) ECT alone. The combined application of pembrolizumab and ECT was safe and more efficacious in preventing further growth of cutaneous metastases than pembrolizumab alone. The patients treated with pembrolizumab and ECT experienced lower disease progression rates and longer survival than those who received pembrolizumab. ECT may boost the effect of pembrolizumab by acting as an in situ vaccination against cancer cells. Further studies are required to confirm these findings. Abstract Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an effective locoregional therapy for cutaneous melanoma metastases and has been safely combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors in preliminary experiences. Since ECT is known to induce immunogenic cell death, its combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors might be beneficial. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ECT on cutaneous melanoma metastases in combination with pembrolizumab. We undertook a retrospective matched cohort analysis of stage IIIC–IV melanoma patients, included in the International Network for sharing practices of ECT (InspECT) and the Slovenian Cancer Registry. We compared the outcome of patients who received the following treatments: (a) pembrolizumab alone, (b) pembrolizumab plus ECT, and (c) ECT. The groups were matched for age, sex, performance status, and size of skin metastases. The local objective response rate (ORR) was higher in the pembrolizumab-ECT group than in the pembrolizumab group (78% and 39%, p < 0.001). The 1 year local progression-free survival (LPFS) rates were 86% and 51% (p < 0.001), and the 1 year systemic PFS rates were 64% and 39%, respectively (p = 0.034). The 1 year overall survival (OS) rates were 88% and 64%, respectively (p = 0.006). Our results suggest that skin-directed therapy with ECT improves superficial tumor control in melanoma patients treated with pembrolizumab. Interestingly, we observed longer PFS and OS in the pembrolizumab-ECT group than in the pembrolizumab group. These findings warrant prospective confirmation.
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424
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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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Szlosarek PW, Wimalasingham AG, Phillips MM, Hall PE, Chan PY, Conibear J, Lim L, Rashid S, Steele J, Wells P, Shiu CF, Kuo CL, Feng X, Johnston A, Bomalaski J, Ellis S, Grantham M, Sheaff M. Phase 1, pharmacogenomic, dose-expansion study of pegargiminase plus pemetrexed and cisplatin in patients with ASS1-deficient non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Med 2021; 10:6642-6652. [PMID: 34382365 PMCID: PMC8495293 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction We evaluated the arginine‐depleting enzyme pegargiminase (ADI‐PEG20; ADI) with pemetrexed (Pem) and cisplatin (Cis) (ADIPemCis) in ASS1‐deficient non‐squamous non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) via a phase 1 dose‐expansion trial with exploratory biomarker analysis. Methods Sixty‐seven chemonaïve patients with advanced non‐squamous NSCLC were screened, enrolling 21 ASS1‐deficient subjects from March 2015 to July 2017 onto weekly pegargiminase (36 mg/m2) with Pem (500 mg/m2) and Cis (75 mg/m2), every 3 weeks (four cycles maximum), with maintenance Pem or pegargiminase. Safety, pharmacodynamics, immunogenicity, and efficacy were determined; molecular biomarkers were annotated by next‐generation sequencing and PD‐L1 immunohistochemistry. Results ADIPemCis was well‐tolerated. Plasma arginine and citrulline were differentially modulated; pegargiminase antibodies plateaued by week 10. The disease control rate was 85.7% (n = 18/21; 95% CI 63.7%–97%), with a partial response rate of 47.6% (n = 10/21; 95% CI 25.7%–70.2%). The median progression‐free and overall survivals were 4.2 (95% CI 2.9–4.8) and 7.2 (95% CI 5.1–18.4) months, respectively. Two PD‐L1‐expressing (≥1%) patients are alive following subsequent pembrolizumab immunotherapy (9.5%). Tumoral ASS1 deficiency enriched for p53 (64.7%) mutations, and numerically worse median overall survival as compared to ASS1‐proficient disease (10.2 months; n = 29). There was no apparent increase in KRAS mutations (35.3%) and PD‐L1 (<1%) expression (55.6%). Re‐expression of tumoral ASS1 was detected in one patient at progression (n = 1/3). Conclusions ADIPemCis was safe and highly active in patients with ASS1‐deficient non‐squamous NSCLC, however, survival was poor overall. ASS1 loss was co‐associated with p53 mutations. Therapies incorporating pegargiminase merit further evaluation in ASS1‐deficient and treatment‐refractory NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter W Szlosarek
- Center for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute (BCI) - A Cancer Research UK Center of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Center, London, UK.,Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Health NHS Trust, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Akhila G Wimalasingham
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Health NHS Trust, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Melissa M Phillips
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Health NHS Trust, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Peter E Hall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Health NHS Trust, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Pui Ying Chan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Health NHS Trust, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - John Conibear
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Barts Health NHS Trust, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Louise Lim
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Health NHS Trust, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Sukaina Rashid
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Health NHS Trust, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Jeremy Steele
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Health NHS Trust, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Paula Wells
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Barts Health NHS Trust, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Chih-Ling Kuo
- Polaris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, California, USA
| | - Xiaoxing Feng
- Polaris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - John Bomalaski
- Polaris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, California, USA
| | - Stephen Ellis
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Barts Health NHS Trust, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Marianne Grantham
- Cytogenetics and Molecular Haematology, Pathology and Pharmacy Building, Barts Health NHS Trust, Royal London Hospital, London, UK
| | - Michael Sheaff
- Department of Histopathology, Pathology and Pharmacy Building, Barts Health NHS Trust, Royal London Hospital, London, UK
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426
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Ahluwalia P, Ahluwalia M, Mondal AK, Sahajpal NS, Kota V, Rojiani MV, Kolhe R. Natural Killer Cells and Dendritic Cells: Expanding Clinical Relevance in the Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164037. [PMID: 34439191 PMCID: PMC8394984 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164037] [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: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major subtype of lung cancer that accounts for almost 85% of lung cancer cases worldwide. Although recent advances in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy have helped in the clinical management of these patients, the survival rate in advanced stages remains dismal. Furthermore, there is a critical lack of accurate prognostic and stratification markers for emerging immunotherapies. To harness immune response modalities for therapeutic benefits, a detailed understanding of the immune cells in the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) is required. Among the diverse immune cells, natural killer (NK cells) and dendritic cells (DCs) have generated tremendous interest in the scientific community. NK cells play a critical role in tumor immunosurveillance by directly killing malignant cells. DCs link innate and adaptive immune systems by cross-presenting the antigens to T cells. The presence of an immunosuppressive milieu in tumors can lead to inactivation and poor functioning of NK cells and DCs, which results in an adverse outcome for many cancer patients, including those with NSCLC. Recently, clinical intervention using modified NK cells and DCs have shown encouraging response in advanced NSCLC patients. Herein, we will discuss prognostic and predictive aspects of NK cells and DC cells with an emphasis on NSCLC. Additionally, the discussion will extend to potential strategies that seek to enhance the anti-tumor functionality of NK cells and DCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Ahluwalia
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (A.K.M.); (N.S.S.)
| | - Meenakshi Ahluwalia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
| | - Ashis K. Mondal
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (A.K.M.); (N.S.S.)
| | - Nikhil S. Sahajpal
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (A.K.M.); (N.S.S.)
| | - Vamsi Kota
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
| | - Mumtaz V. Rojiani
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA;
| | - Ravindra Kolhe
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (A.K.M.); (N.S.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-706-721-2771; Fax: +1-706-434-6053
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427
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Laird DW, Penuela S. Pannexin biology and emerging linkages to cancer. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:1119-1131. [PMID: 34389277 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pannexins are a family of glycoproteins that comprises three members, PANX1, PANX2, and PANX3. The widely expressed and interrogated PANX1 forms heptameric membrane channels that primarily serve to connect the cytoplasm to the extracellular milieu by being selectively permeable to small signaling molecules when activated. Apart from notable exceptions, PANX1 in many tumor cells appears to facilitate tumor growth and metastasis, suggesting that pannexin-blocking therapeutics may have utility in cancer. Attenuation of PANX1 function must also consider the fact that PANX1 is found in stromal cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME), including immune cells. This review highlights the key discoveries of the past 5 years that suggest pannexins facilitate, or in some cases inhibit, tumor cell growth and metastasis via direct protein interactions and through the regulated efflux of signaling molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale W Laird
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, and Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Silvia Penuela
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; Department of Oncology, Divisions of Experimental Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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428
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Mauri D, Tsiouris S, Gkoura S, Gazouli I, Ntellas P, Amylidis A, Kampletsas L, Fotopoulos A. Is there a role for Gallium-67 SPECT in distinguishing progression and pseudoprogresion in oncologic patients receiving immunotherapy? Cancer Treat Res Commun 2021; 28:100441. [PMID: 34404012 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Immuno-oncology (IO) with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is the new landmark in cancer treatment. However, due to its economical-related burden and the possibility of tumor pseudoprogression with late response patterns, it is imperative to find new ways for early discrimination of patients with IO-sensitive versus IO-resistant disease. ICI-mediated antitumor responses depend on tumor immune infiltration by T-cells capable of recognizing and killing tumor cells. Nevertheless, patients may experience different responses to immunotherapy according to their tumor microenvironment and inflammatory infiltration. T-cell infiltrated tumors are referred to as 'hot' and are potential candidates for a good response to ICIs, whereas 'cold' are those tumors lacking T-cell infiltration and exhibit a narrow likelihood of response to IO therapy. Gallium-67 (67Ga) scintigraphy may hold potential for separating 'hot' from 'cold' tumors, thus providing an imaging tool to distinguish 'hot' ICI-induced pseudoprogression from real early 'cold' progression. Even so, various tumors (lymphomas, lung cancer, breast cancer, hepatoma, malignant melanoma) exhibit an inherent affinity for 67Ga that is independent of the ICI-induced immune infiltration, and this raises issues about false positivity. For that reason, future investigational studies to evaluate the prospective role of this radiotracer in the early prediction of ICI response should be confined to tumors with an inherently low 67Ga affinity (thyroid carcinoma, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract tumors). We describe our experience with a patient with recurrent metastatic lung adenocarcinoma under ICI therapy that was submitted to 67Ga scanning for a fever of unknown origin and we discuss the aforementioned topics, alongside current imaging trends and future perspectives in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Mauri
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Spyridon Tsiouris
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Stefania Gkoura
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Ioanna Gazouli
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Ntellas
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Annalea Amylidis
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Lefteris Kampletsas
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Andreas Fotopoulos
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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429
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Stoltzfus CR, Sivakumar R, Kunz L, Olin Pope BE, Menietti E, Speziale D, Adelfio R, Bacac M, Colombetti S, Perro M, Gerner MY. Multi-Parameter Quantitative Imaging of Tumor Microenvironments Reveals Perivascular Immune Niches Associated With Anti-Tumor Immunity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:726492. [PMID: 34421928 PMCID: PMC8375665 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.726492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors are populated by a multitude of immune cell types with varied phenotypic and functional properties, which can either promote or inhibit anti-tumor responses. Appropriate localization and function of these cells within tumors is critical for protective immunity, with CD8 T cell infiltration being a biomarker of disease outcome and therapeutic efficacy. Recent multiplexed imaging approaches have revealed highly complex patterns of localization for these immune cell subsets and the generation of distinct tumor microenvironments (TMEs), which can vary among cancer types, individuals, and within individual tumors. While it is recognized that TMEs play a pivotal role in disease progression, a better understanding of their composition, organization, and heterogeneity, as well as how distinct TMEs are reshaped with immunotherapy, is necessary. Here, we performed spatial analysis using multi-parameter confocal imaging, histocytometry, and CytoMAP to study the microanatomical organization of immune cells in two widely used preclinical cancer models, the MC38 colorectal and KPC pancreatic murine tumors engineered to express human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Immune responses were examined in either unperturbed tumors or after immunotherapy with a CEA T cell bispecific (CEA-TCB) surrogate antibody and anti-PD-L1 treatment. CEA-TCB mono and combination immunotherapy markedly enhanced intra-tumoral cellularity of CD8 T cells, dominantly driven by the expansion of TCF1-PD1+ effector T cells and with more minor increases in TCF1+PD1+ resource CD8 T cells. The majority of infiltrating T cells, particularly resource CD8 T cells, were colocalized with dendritic cells (DCs) or activated MHCII+ macrophages, but largely avoided the deeper tumor nest regions composed of cancer cells and non-activated macrophages. These myeloid cell - T cell aggregates were found in close proximity to tumor blood vessels, generating perivascular immune niches. This perivascular TME was present in untreated samples and markedly increased after CEA-TCB therapy, with its relative abundance positively associated with response to therapy. Together, these studies demonstrate the utility of advanced spatial analysis in cancer research by revealing that blood vessels are key organizational hubs of innate and adaptive immune cells within tumors, and suggesting the likely relevance of the perivascular immune TME in disease outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb R. Stoltzfus
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ramya Sivakumar
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Leo Kunz
- Pharmaceutical Research & Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Brandy E. Olin Pope
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Elena Menietti
- Pharmaceutical Research & Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Dario Speziale
- Pharmaceutical Research & Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Adelfio
- Pharmaceutical Research & Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Marina Bacac
- Pharmaceutical Research & Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Sara Colombetti
- Pharmaceutical Research & Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Mario Perro
- Pharmaceutical Research & Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Michael Y. Gerner
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
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430
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Lin X, Li H, Li X, Yang X, Shi W, Ding Z, Zhong D, Li Y, Yang W, Yu X, Xie S, Jiang X, Lu X. A Single-Chain Variable Fragment Antibody/Chemokine Fusion Protein Targeting Human Endoglin to Enhance the Anti-Tumor Activity of Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells. J Biomed Nanotechnol 2021; 17:1574-1583. [PMID: 34544535 DOI: 10.1166/jbn.2021.3140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Cytokine-induced killer cell immunotherapy is an ideal candidate for adoptive cell transfer therapy. However, therapeutic approaches to enhance the anti-tumor activity of cytokine-induced killer cells remain to be explored. Here, we described the successful development of a novel antibody-chemokine fusion protein containing the anti-human Endoglin antibody in the single-chain variable fragment format and human interferon-gamma-induced protein 10 (hENG scFv/hIP-10). Its anti-Endoglin immunoreactivity and chemotactic activity against the cytokine-induced killer cells were characterized in vitro. To evaluate the anti-tumor effect in vivo, cytokine-induced killer cells were intravenously injected into human hepatocellular carcinoma-bearing nude mice, together with intratumoral administration of the fusion protein hENG scFv/hIP-10 as an enhancer. The tumor volume and survival time of the mice were monitored, whilst the tumor-infiltrating cytokine-induced killer cells, serum levels of interferon-gamma, tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis were measured. The results demonstrated that hENG scFv/hIP-10 and cytokine-induced killer cells synergistically inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice. Moreover, the number of tumor-infiltrating cytokine-induced killer cells, serum levels of interferon-gamma, and tumor cell apoptosis were increased, accompanied with decreased tumor proliferation and angiogenesis. Thus, our study suggests that hENG scFv/hIP-10 could enhance the anti-tumor activity of cytokine-induced killer cells against human hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuandong Lin
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Haixia Li
- International Nanobody Research Center of Guangxi, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xi Li
- International Nanobody Research Center of Guangxi, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xiaomei Yang
- International Nanobody Research Center of Guangxi, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Wei Shi
- International Nanobody Research Center of Guangxi, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Ziqiang Ding
- International Nanobody Research Center of Guangxi, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Dani Zhong
- International Nanobody Research Center of Guangxi, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Yangzi Li
- International Nanobody Research Center of Guangxi, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Wenli Yang
- International Nanobody Research Center of Guangxi, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xia Yu
- National Center for International Research of Biological Targeting Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Shenxia Xie
- International Nanobody Research Center of Guangxi, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xiaobing Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xiaoling Lu
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
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431
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Chang CY, Wu KL, Chang YY, Tsai PH, Hung JY, Chang WA, Jian SF, Huang YC, Chong IW, Tsai YM, Hsu YL. Amine oxidase, copper containing 3 exerts anti‑mesenchymal transformation and enhances CD4 + T‑cell recruitment to prolong survival in lung cancer. Oncol Rep 2021; 46:203. [PMID: 34318901 PMCID: PMC8329917 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer remains notorious for its poor prognosis. Despite the advent of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors, the probability of curing the disease in lung cancer patients remains low. Novel mechanisms and treatment strategies are needed to provide hope to patients. Advanced strategies of next generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics were used to analyze normal and lung cancer tissues from lung cancer patients. Amine oxidases have been linked to leukocyte migration and tumorigenesis. However, the roles of amine oxidases in lung cancer are not well-understood. Our results indicated that amine oxidase, copper containing 3 (AOC3) was significantly decreased in the tumor tissue compared with the normal tissue, at both the mRNA and protein level, in the included lung cancer patients and public databases. Lower expression of AOC3 conferred a poorer survival probability across the different cohorts. Epigenetic silencing of AOC3 via miR-3691-5p caused tumor promotion and progression by increasing migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Furthermore, knockdown of AOC3 caused less CD4+ T-cell attachment onto lung cancer cells and reduced transendothelial migration in vitro, as well as reducing CD4+ T-cell trafficking to the lung in vivo. In conclusion, the present study revealed that downregulation of AOC3 mediated lung cancer promotion and progression, as well as decrease of immune cell recruitment. This novel finding could expand our understanding of the dysregulation of the tumor immune microenvironment and could help to develop a novel strategy for the treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Yuan Chang
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Kuan-Li Wu
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yung-Yun Chang
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Pei-Hsun Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Jen-Yu Hung
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wei-An Chang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Shu-Fang Jian
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yung-Chi Huang
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Inn-Wen Chong
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ying-Ming Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ya-Ling Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
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432
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Can Immune Suppression and Epigenome Regulation in Placenta Offer Novel Insights into Cancer Immune Evasion and Immunotherapy Resistance? EPIGENOMES 2021; 5:epigenomes5030016. [PMID: 34968365 PMCID: PMC8594685 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes5030016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the developed world. Cancer progression involves genetic and epigenetic alterations, accompanied by aggressive changes, such as increased immune evasion, onset of metastasis, and drug resistance. Similar to cancer, DNA hypomethylation, immune suppression, and invasive cell behaviours are also observed in the human placenta. Mechanisms that lead to the acquisition of invasive behaviour, immune evasion, and drug and immunotherapy resistance are presently under intense investigations to improve patient outcomes. Here, we review current knowledge regarding the similarities between immune suppression and epigenome regulation, including the expression of repetitive elements (REs), endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and transposable elements (TEs) in cells of the placenta and in cancer, which are associated with changes in immune regulation and invasiveness. We explore whether immune suppression and epigenome regulation in placenta offers novel insights into immunotherapy resistance in cancer, and we also discuss the implications and the knowledge gaps relevant to these findings, which are rapidly being accrued in these quite disparate research fields. Finally, we discuss potential linkages between TE, ERV and RE activation and expression, regarding mechanisms of immune regulation in placenta and cancer. A greater understanding of the role of immune suppression and associated epigenome regulation in placenta could help to elucidate some comparable mechanisms operating in cancer, and identify potential new therapeutic targets for treating cancer.
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433
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Natural Killer Cells in Cancer and Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancer Lett 2021; 520:233-242. [PMID: 34302920 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The detection and killing of neoplastic cells require coordination of a variety of antitumor effector cells. Natural killer (NK) cells of the innate immune system are at the forefront of the body's defense systems and evidence suggests that the infiltration and cytotoxicity of NK cells in the cancer tissue influence treatment efficacy and survival. As powerful effectors in the anticancer immune response, NK cells rapidly recognize and kill transformed cells with little reactivity against healthy self-tissues, which highlights their potential role in cancer immunotherapy. Modern immunotherapeutic approaches include immune checkpoint inhibitors to revitalize dysfunctional T cells and adoptive cell transfer using CD8+ T cells with chimeric antigen receptors to enhance their functionality. However, treatment responses may be short-lived and risk of discontinuation due to adverse effects necessitates the development of safer immuno-oncologic therapies with improved outcomes. To this end, novel combinatorial interventions using T cells and NK cells and strategies for overcoming associated challenges are currently being investigated. This review summarizes the advances in the research on NK cells in cancer and cancer immunotherapy and discusses the possible implications for future cancer treatment.
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434
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Miracco C, Toti P, Gelmi MC, Aversa S, Baldino G, Galluzzi P, De Francesco S, Petrelli F, Sorrentino E, Belmonte G, Galimberti D, Bracco S, Hadjistilianou T. Retinoblastoma Is Characterized by a Cold, CD8+ Cell Poor, PD-L1- Microenvironment, Which Turns Into Hot, CD8+ Cell Rich, PD-L1+ After Chemotherapy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:6. [PMID: 33538768 PMCID: PMC7862737 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.2.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the impact of chemotherapy (CHT) on human retinoblastoma (RB) tumor microenvironment (TME). Cases and Methods Ninety-four RBs were studied, including 44 primary RBs treated by upfront surgery (Group 1) and 50 primary RBs enucleated after CHT (CHT), either intra-arterial (IAC; Group 2, 33 cases) or systemic (S-CHT; Group 3, 17 cases). Conventional and multiplexed immunohistochemistry were performed to make quantitative comparisons among the three groups, for the following parameters: tumor-infiltrating inflammatory cells (TI-ICs); programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) positive TI-ICs; Ki67 proliferation index; gliosis; PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) protein expression; vessel number. We also correlated these TME factors with the presence of histological high-risk factors (HHRF+) and RB anaplasia grade (AG). Results After CHT, a decrease in both RB burden and Ki67 positivity was observed. In parallel, most subsets of TI-ICs, PD-1+ TI-ICs, gliosis, and PD-L1 protein expression significantly increased (P < 0.001, P = 0.02, P < 0.001, respectively). Vessel number did not significantly vary. Age, HHRFs+ and AG were significantly different between primary and chemoreduced RBs (P < 0.001, P = 0.006, P = 0.001, respectively) and were correlated with most TME factors. Conclusions CHT modulates host antitumor immunity by reorienting the RB TME from anergic into an active, CD8+, PD-L1+ hot state. Furthermore, some clinicopathological characteristics of RB correlate with several factors of TME. Our study adds data in favor of the possibility of a new therapeutic scenario in human RB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clelia Miracco
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Pathological Anatomy Section, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Toti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Pathological Anatomy Section, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Gelmi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Ophthalmology Unit, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Sara Aversa
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Pathological Anatomy Section, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Gennaro Baldino
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Galluzzi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Unit of Neuroimaging and Neurointervention, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Sonia De Francesco
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Ophthalmology Unit, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Federica Petrelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Pathological Anatomy Section, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Ester Sorrentino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Pathological Anatomy Section, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Belmonte
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Pathological Anatomy Section, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Daniela Galimberti
- Department of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Unit of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Sandra Bracco
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Unit of Neuroimaging and Neurointervention, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Theodora Hadjistilianou
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Ophthalmology Unit, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
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435
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Pan B, Yang M, Wei X, Li W, Wang K, Yang M, Lu D, Wang R, Cen B, Xu X. Interleukin-2 inducible T-cell kinase: a potential prognostic biomarker and tumor microenvironment remodeling indicator for hepatocellular carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:18620-18644. [PMID: 34282055 PMCID: PMC8351695 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: The heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME) contributes to poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, determining the modulation of TME during HCC progression remains a challenge. Methods: Herein, the stromal score and immune score of HCC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database were calculated using the ESTIMATE algorithm and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained. Key DEGs were identified based on a protein-protein interaction network and survival analysis. Immunohistochemistry was carried out using primary samples to evaluate key DEGs expression. The CIBERSORT algorithm was applied to evaluate immune components. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and correlation analysis were carried out to determine the relationship between key DEGs and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs). Results: The stromal score, immune score and estimate score correlated significantly with 1-year recurrence-free survival of patients with HCC. Interleukin-2 inducible T-cell kinase (ITK) was identified as the most prognostic DEG for patients with HCC. GSEA revealed that genes in the high ITK subgroup were enriched in inflammatory-immunological terms. CIBERSORT analysis identified nine TIC subsets that correlated with ITK expression. Conclusion: We identified ITK as a novel indicator for early post-surgery tumor recurrence and microenvironment remodeling in HCC, providing a potential therapeutic target to treat HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binhua Pan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Modan Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Xuyong Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Wangyao Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Mengfan Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Di Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Beini Cen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou 310058, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
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436
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Braun A, Anders HJ, Gudermann T, Mammadova-Bach E. Platelet-Cancer Interplay: Molecular Mechanisms and New Therapeutic Avenues. Front Oncol 2021; 11:665534. [PMID: 34322381 PMCID: PMC8311658 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.665534] [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: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although platelets are critically involved in thrombosis and hemostasis, experimental and clinical evidence indicate that platelets promote tumor progression and metastasis through a wide range of physical and functional interactions between platelets and cancer cells. Thrombotic and thromboembolic events are frequent complications in patients with solid tumors. Hence, cancer modulates platelet function by directly inducing platelet-tumor aggregates and triggering platelet granule release and altering platelet turnover. Also, platelets enhance tumor cell dissemination by activating endothelial cell function and recruiting immune cells to primary and metastatic tumor sites. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the complex interactions between platelets and tumor cells and the host microenvironment. We also critically discuss the potential of anti-platelet agents for cancer prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila Braun
- Walther-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Anders
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Gudermann
- Walther-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Elmina Mammadova-Bach
- Walther-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
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437
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Chen X, Qin L, Hu W, Adah D. The mechanisms of action of Plasmodium infection against cancer. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:74. [PMID: 34243757 PMCID: PMC8268363 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00748-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Our murine cancer model studies have demonstrated that Plasmodium infection activates the immune system that has been inhibited by cancer cells, counteracts tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment, inhibits tumor angiogenesis, inhibits tumor growth and metastasis, and prolongs the survival time of tumor-bearing mice. Based on these studies, three clinical trials of Plasmodium immunotherapy for advanced cancers have been approved and are ongoing in China. After comparing the mechanisms of action of Plasmodium immunotherapy with those of immune checkpoint blockade therapy, we propose the notion that cancer is an ecological disease and that Plasmodium immunotherapy is a systemic ecological counterattack therapy for this ecological disease, with limited side effects and without danger to public health based on the use of artesunate and other measures. Recent reports of tolerance to treatment and limitations in majority of patients associated with the use of checkpoint blockers further support this notion. We advocate further studies on the mechanisms of action of Plasmodium infection against cancer and investigations on Plasmodium-based combination therapy in the coming future. Video Abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Center of Infection and Immunity, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China. .,CAS-Lamvac Biotech Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
| | - Li Qin
- CAS-Lamvac Biotech Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Wen Hu
- CAS-Lamvac Biotech Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Dickson Adah
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Center of Infection and Immunity, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
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438
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ACT Up TIL Now: The Evolution of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Adoptive Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Solid Tumors. IMMUNO 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/immuno1030012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The past decades of cancer immunotherapy research have provided profound evidence that the immune system is capable of inducing durable tumor regression. Although many commercialized anti-cancer immunotherapies are available to patients, these treatment options only scrape the surface of the potential immune-related treatment possibilities for cancer. Additionally, many individuals are ineligible for established immunotherapies due to their cancer type. The adoptive cell transfer of autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has been used in humans for over 30 years to treat metastatic melanoma, and continued modifications are making it increasingly more effective against other types of cancer. This comprehensive review outlines this therapy from its infancy through to the present day, bringing to light modifications and optimizations to the traditional workflow, as well as highlighting the influence of new methods and technologies.
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439
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The Effect of Herpes Simplex Virus-Type-1 (HSV-1) Oncolytic Immunotherapy on the Tumor Microenvironment. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071200. [PMID: 34206677 PMCID: PMC8310320 DOI: 10.3390/v13071200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of cancer causes disruption of anti-tumor immunity required for surveillance and elimination of tumor cells. Immunotherapeutic strategies aim for the restoration or establishment of these anti-tumor immune responses. Cancer immunotherapies include immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), adoptive cellular therapy (ACT), cancer vaccines, and oncolytic virotherapy (OVT). The clinical success of some of these immunotherapeutic modalities, including herpes simplex virus type-1 derived OVT, resulted in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for use in treatment of human cancers. However, a significant proportion of patients do not respond or benefit equally from these immunotherapies. The creation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) represents an important barrier preventing success of many immunotherapeutic approaches. Mechanisms of immunosuppression in the TME are a major area of current research. In this review, we discuss how oncolytic HSV affects the tumor microenvironment to promote anti-tumor immune responses. Where possible we focus on oncolytic HSV strains for which clinical data is available, and discuss how these viruses alter the vasculature, extracellular matrix and immune responses in the tumor microenvironment.
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440
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Eltahir M, Isaksson J, Mattsson JSM, Kärre K, Botling J, Lord M, Mangsbo SM, Micke P. Plasma Proteomic Analysis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with PD-1/PD-L1 Blockade. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133116. [PMID: 34206510 PMCID: PMC8268315 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133116] [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: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Immunotherapy leads to highly variable responses in lung cancer patients. We assessed the value of a blood-based test to predict which patients would benefit from this new treatment modality. We determined that some patients have higher and lower levels of immune markers in their blood samples, and that this is related to better survival without tumor growth. The blood test has the potential to help select the optimal therapy for lung cancer patients. Abstract Checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, only a minority of patients demonstrate a durable clinical response. PD-L1 scoring is currently the only biomarker measure routinely used to select patients for immunotherapy, but its predictive accuracy is modest. The aim of our study was to evaluate a proteomic assay for the analysis of patient plasma in the context of immunotherapy. Pretreatment plasma samples from 43 NSCLC patients who received anti-PD-(L)1 therapy were analyzed using a proximity extension assay (PEA) to quantify 92 different immune oncology-related proteins. The plasma protein levels were associated with clinical and histopathological parameters, as well as therapy response and survival. Unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis revealed two patient groups with distinct protein profiles associated with high and low immune protein levels, designated as “hot” and “cold”. Further supervised cluster analysis based on T-cell activation markers showed that higher levels of T-cell activation markers were associated with longer progression-free survival (PFS) (p < 0.01). The analysis of single proteins revealed that high plasma levels of CXCL9 and CXCL10 and low ADA levels were associated with better response and prolonged PFS (p < 0.05). Moreover, in an explorative response prediction model, the combination of protein markers (CXCL9, CXCL10, IL-15, CASP8, and ADA) resulted in higher accuracy in predicting response than tumor PD-L1 expression or each protein assayed individually. Our findings demonstrate a proof of concept for the use of multiplex plasma protein levels as a tool for anti-PD-(L)1 response prediction in NSCLC. Additionally, we identified protein signatures that could predict the response to anti-PD-(L)1 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Eltahir
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.E.); (J.I.); (J.S.M.M.); (J.B.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.L.); (S.M.M.)
| | - Johan Isaksson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.E.); (J.I.); (J.S.M.M.); (J.B.)
- Centre for Research and Development, Uppsala University, Region Gävleborg, 801 88 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johanna Sofia Margareta Mattsson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.E.); (J.I.); (J.S.M.M.); (J.B.)
| | - Klas Kärre
- Department of Microbiology, Cell and Tumor Biology, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Johan Botling
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.E.); (J.I.); (J.S.M.M.); (J.B.)
| | - Martin Lord
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.L.); (S.M.M.)
| | - Sara M. Mangsbo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.L.); (S.M.M.)
| | - Patrick Micke
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.E.); (J.I.); (J.S.M.M.); (J.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-18-6112615
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441
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Sun X, Ni Y, He Y, Yang M, Tani T, Kitajima S, Barbie DA, Li J. Engineering the Immune Adaptor Protein STING as a Functional Carrier. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202100066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Sun
- Department of Bioengineering Northeastern University Boston MA 02115 USA
| | - Yun Ni
- Department of Bioengineering Northeastern University Boston MA 02115 USA
| | - Yanpu He
- Department of Bioengineering Northeastern University Boston MA 02115 USA
| | - Mengdi Yang
- Department of Bioengineering Northeastern University Boston MA 02115 USA
| | - Tetsuo Tani
- Department of Medical Oncology Dana–Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA 02215 USA
| | - Shunsuke Kitajima
- Department of Medical Oncology Dana–Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA 02215 USA
- Department of Cell Biology Cancer Institute Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research Tokyo 135‐8550Japan
| | - David A. Barbie
- Department of Medical Oncology Dana–Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA 02215 USA
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science Dana–Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA 02215USA
| | - Jiahe Li
- Department of Bioengineering Northeastern University Boston MA 02115 USA
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442
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Garcia-Peterson LM, Li X. Trending topics of SIRT1 in tumorigenicity. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2021; 1865:129952. [PMID: 34147543 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2021.129952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carcinogenesis is governed by a series of genetic alterations and epigenetic changes that lead to aberrant patterns in neoplastic cells. Sirtuin-1(SIRT1), an NAD+-dependent protein deacetylase, is capable of deacetylating histones and non-histone substrates that regulate various physiological activities during tumorigenesis. Recent studies have identified the role of SIRT1 in different stages of cancer, including genome instability, tumor initiation, proliferation, metabolism, and therapeutic response. However, the action of SIRT1 has been reported to be both oncogenic and tumor suppressive during carcinogenesis. Consequently, the biological functions of SIRT1 in cancer remain controversial. SCOPE OF REVIEW We highlight the most recent findings on SIRT1 in different stages of tumorigenesis, and update the current status of SIRT1 small molecule modulators in clinical application of cancer treatment. MAJOR CONCLUSION By targeting both tumor suppressors and oncogenic proteins, SIRT1 has a bifunctional role at different stages of tumorigenesis. The impact of SIRT1 on tumorigenesis is also distinct at different stages and is dependent on its dosages. SIRT1 suppresses tumor initiation through its functions in promoting DNA repair, increasing genome stability, and inhibiting inflammation at the pre-cancer stage. However, SIRT1 enhances tumor proliferation, survival, and drug resistance through its roles in anti-apoptosis, pro-tumor metabolism, and anti-inflammation (inhibition of anti-tumor immunity) at the stages of tumor progression, metastasis, and relapse. Consequently, both SIRT1 inhibitors and activators have been explored for cancer treatment. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Better understanding the dose- and stage-dependent roles of SIRT1 in each cancer type can provide new avenues of exploration for therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liz M Garcia-Peterson
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Xiaoling Li
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
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443
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Hongo T, Kuga R, Miyazaki M, Komune N, Nakano T, Yamamoto H, Koike K, Sato K, Kogo R, Nabeshima K, Oda Y, Nakagawa T. Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Expression and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Temporal Bone Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Laryngoscope 2021; 131:2674-2683. [PMID: 34143491 DOI: 10.1002/lary.29689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS The tumor immune microenvironment in temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (TBSCC), including the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), has not been established. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHODS We performed immunohistochemistry analyses to retrospectively analyze 123 TBSCC cases for PD-L1 expression and TILs and their prognostic significance. We also evaluated the prognostic correlations between these immunomarkers and the therapeutic responses to chemoradiotherapy (CRT). RESULTS PD-L1 expression (≥1%) was detected in 62 (50.4%) TBSCC cases and was significantly associated with worse prognosis: progression-free survival (PFS), P < .0001; overall survival (OS), P = .0009. A high density of CD8+ TILs was significantly associated with better prognosis (PFS, P = .0012; OS, P = .0120). In contrast, a high density of Foxp3+ TILs tended to be associated with an unfavorable prognosis (PFS, P = .0148; OS, P = .0850). With regard to the tumor microenvironment subtypes defined by CD8+ TILs and PD-L1 expression, the CD8low /PD-L1+ group showed significantly worse prognosis. Among the 36 neoadjuvant CRT-treated cases, PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with worse OS (P = .0132). Among the 32 CRT-treated cases without surgery, a high density of CD8+ TILs tended to be more highly associated with complete response to CRT compared to a low density of CD8+ TILs (P = .0702). CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that the evaluation of the tumor immune microenvironment may contribute to the prediction of prognoses and the selection of an individualized therapeutic strategy for patients with TBSCC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Hongo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Kuga
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masaru Miyazaki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fukuoka University Hospital and School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Noritaka Komune
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takafumi Nakano
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Yamamoto
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kensuke Koike
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kuniaki Sato
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryunosuke Kogo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kazuki Nabeshima
- Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University Hospital and School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshinao Oda
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakagawa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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444
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Wang H, Yung MMH, Ngan HYS, Chan KKL, Chan DW. The Impact of the Tumor Microenvironment on Macrophage Polarization in Cancer Metastatic Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126560. [PMID: 34207286 PMCID: PMC8235734 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rather than primary solid tumors, metastasis is one of the hallmarks of most cancer deaths. Metastasis is a multistage event in which cancer cells escape from the primary tumor survive in the circulation and disseminate to distant sites. According to Stephen Paget’s “Seed and Soil” hypothesis, metastatic capacity is determined not only by the internal oncogenic driving force but also by the external environment of tumor cells. Throughout the body, macrophages are required for maintaining tissue homeostasis, even in the tumor milieu. To fulfill these multiple functions, macrophages are polarized from the inflammation status (M1-like) to anti-inflammation status (M2-like) to maintain the balance between inflammation and regeneration. However, tumor cell-enforced tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) (a high M2/M1 ratio status) are associated with poor prognosis for most solid tumors, such as ovarian cancer. In fact, clinical evidence has verified that TAMs, representing up to 50% of the tumor mass, exert both protumor and immunosuppressive effects in promoting tumor metastasis through secretion of interleukin 10 (IL10), transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), and VEGF, expression of PD-1 and consumption of arginine to inhibit T cell anti-tumor function. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which the tumor microenvironment favors reprogramming of macrophages to TAMs to establish a premetastatic niche remain controversial. In this review, we examine the latest investigations of TAMs during tumor development, the microenvironmental factors involved in macrophage polarization, and the mechanisms of TAM-mediated tumor metastasis. We hope to dissect the critical roles of TAMs in tumor metastasis, and the potential applications of TAM-targeted therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment are discussed.
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445
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Pan-cancer characterization of lncRNA modifiers of immune microenvironment reveals clinically distinct de novo tumor subtypes. NPJ Genom Med 2021; 6:52. [PMID: 34140519 PMCID: PMC8211863 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-021-00215-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The emerging field of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-immunity has provided a new perspective on cancer immunity and immunotherapies. The lncRNA modifiers of infiltrating immune cells in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and their impact on tumor behavior and disease prognosis remain largely uncharacterized. In the present study, a systems immunology framework integrating the noncoding transcriptome and immunogenomics profiles of 9549 tumor samples across 30 solid cancer types was used, and 36 lncRNAs were identified as modifier candidates underlying immune cell infiltration in the TIME at the pan-cancer level. These TIME lncRNA modifiers (TIL-lncRNAs) were able to subclassify various tumors into three de novo pan-cancer subtypes characterized by distinct immunological features, biological behaviors, and disease prognoses. Finally, a TIL-lncRNA-derived immune state index (TISI) that was reflective of immunological and oncogenic states but also predictive of patients' prognosis was proposed. Furthermore, the TISI provided additional prognostic value for existing tumor immunological and molecular subtypes. By applying the TISI to tumors from different clinical immunotherapy cohorts, the TISI was found to be significantly negatively correlated with immune-checkpoint genes and to have the ability to predict the effectiveness of immunotherapy. In conclusion, the present study provided comprehensive resources and insights for future functional and mechanistic studies on lncRNA-mediated cancer immunity and highlighted the potential of the clinical application of lncRNA-based immunotherapeutic strategies in precision immunotherapy.
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446
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Alves E, Taifour S, Dolcetti R, Chee J, Nowak AK, Gaudieri S, Blancafort P. Reprogramming the anti-tumor immune response via CRISPR genetic and epigenetic editing. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 21:592-606. [PMID: 34095343 PMCID: PMC8142043 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.04.009] [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] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Precise clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-mediated genetic and epigenetic manipulation of the immune response has become a promising immunotherapeutic approach toward combating tumorigenesis and tumor progression. CRISPR-based immunologic reprograming in cancer therapy comprises the locus-specific enhancement of host immunity, the improvement of tumor immunogenicity, and the suppression of tumor immunoevasion. To date, the ex vivo re-engineering of immune cells directed to inhibit the expression of immune checkpoints or to express synthetic immune receptors (chimeric antigen receptor therapy) has shown success in some settings, such as in the treatment of melanoma, lymphoma, liver, and lung cancer. However, advancements in nuclease-deactivated CRISPR-associated nuclease-9 (dCas9)-mediated transcriptional activation or repression and Cas13-directed gene suppression present novel avenues for the development of tumor immunotherapies. In this review, the basis for development, mechanism of action, and outcomes from recently published Cas9-based clinical trial (genetic editing) and dCas9/Cas13-based pre-clinical (epigenetic editing) data are discussed. Lastly, we review cancer immunotherapy-specific considerations and barriers surrounding use of these approaches in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Alves
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Shahama Taifour
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Jonathan Chee
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Institute of Respiratory Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Anna K. Nowak
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Institute of Respiratory Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- The Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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447
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Gómez-Valenzuela F, Escobar E, Pérez-Tomás R, Montecinos VP. The Inflammatory Profile of the Tumor Microenvironment, Orchestrated by Cyclooxygenase-2, Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Front Oncol 2021; 11:686792. [PMID: 34178680 PMCID: PMC8222670 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.686792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) corresponds to a complex and dynamic interconnection between the extracellular matrix and malignant cells and their surrounding stroma composed of immune and mesenchymal cells. The TME has constant cellular communication through cytokines that sustain an inflammatory profile, which favors tumor progression, angiogenesis, cell invasion, and metastasis. Although the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) represents a relevant metastasis-initiating event that promotes an invasive phenotype in malignant epithelial cells, its relationship with the inflammatory profile of the TME is poorly understood. Previous evidence strongly suggests that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) overexpression, a pro-inflammatory enzyme related to chronic unresolved inflammation, is associated with common EMT-signaling pathways. This review article summarizes how COX-2 overexpression, within the context of the TME, orchestrates the EMT process and promotes initial metastatic-related events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernán Gómez-Valenzuela
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Enrico Escobar
- Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ricardo Pérez-Tomás
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapy - Bellvitge, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Viviana P Montecinos
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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448
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Metabolic Reprogramming of Colorectal Cancer Cells and the Microenvironment: Implication for Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126262. [PMID: 34200820 PMCID: PMC8230539 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed carcinomas and one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Metabolic reprogramming, a hallmark of cancer, is closely related to the initiation and progression of carcinomas, including CRC. Accumulating evidence shows that activation of oncogenic pathways and loss of tumor suppressor genes regulate the metabolic reprogramming that is mainly involved in glycolysis, glutaminolysis, one-carbon metabolism and lipid metabolism. The abnormal metabolic program provides tumor cells with abundant energy, nutrients and redox requirements to support their malignant growth and metastasis, which is accompanied by impaired metabolic flexibility in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. The metabolic crosstalk between the tumor cells, the components of the TME and the intestinal microbiota further facilitates CRC cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis and leads to therapy resistance. Hence, to target the dysregulated tumor metabolism, the TME and the gut microbiota, novel preventive and therapeutic applications are required. In this review, the dysregulation of metabolic programs, molecular pathways, the TME and the intestinal microbiota in CRC is addressed. Possible therapeutic strategies, including metabolic inhibition and immune therapy in CRC, as well as modulation of the aberrant intestinal microbiota, are discussed.
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Almasabi S, Ahmed AU, Boyd R, Williams BRG. A Potential Role for Integrin-Linked Kinase in Colorectal Cancer Growth and Progression via Regulating Senescence and Immunity. Front Genet 2021; 12:638558. [PMID: 34163519 PMCID: PMC8216764 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.638558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) has been implicated as a molecular driver and mediator in both inflammation and tumorigenesis of the colon. ILK functions as an adaptor and mediator protein linking the extracellular matrix with downstream signaling pathways. ILK is broadly expressed in many human tissues and cells. It is also overexpressed in many cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Inflammation, as evidenced by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is one of the highest risk factors for initiating CRC. This has led to the hypothesis that targeting ILK therapeutically could have potential in CRC, as it regulates different cellular processes associated with CRC development and progression as well as inflammation in the colon. A number of studies have indicated an ILK function in senescence, a cellular process that arrests the cell cycle while maintaining active metabolism and transcription. Senescent cells produce different secretions collectively known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The SASP secretions influence infiltration of different immune cells, either positively for clearing senescent cells or negatively for promoting tumor growth, reflecting the dual role of senescence in cancer. However, a role for ILK in senescence and immunity in CRC remains to be determined. In this review, we discuss the possible role for ILK in senescence and immunity, paying particular attention to the relevance of ILK in CRC. We also examine how activating Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and their agonists in CRC could trigger immune responses against cancer, as a combination therapy with ILK inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh Almasabi
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Cartherics, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Afsar U Ahmed
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Richard Boyd
- Cartherics, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Bryan R G Williams
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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Nenclares P, Gunn L, Soliman H, Bover M, Trinh A, Leslie I, Wong KH, Melcher A, Newbold K, Nutting CM, Ap Dafydd D, Bhide SA, Harrington K. On-treatment immune prognostic score for patients with relapsed and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e002718. [PMID: 34103355 PMCID: PMC8190047 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested that inflammatory markers (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and fibrinogen) are prognostic biomarkers in patients with a variety of solid cancers, including those treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We aimed to develop a model that predicts response and survival in patients with relapsed and/or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with immunotherapy. METHODS Analysis of 100 consecutive patients with unresectable R/M HNSCC who were treated with ICI. Baseline and on-treatment (day 28) NLR, fibrinogen and LDH were calculated and correlated with response, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) using univariate and multivariate analyses. The optimal cut-off values were derived using maximally selected log-rank statistics. RESULTS Low baseline NLR and fibrinogen levels were associated with response. There was a statistically significant correlation between on-treatment NLR and fibrinogen and best overall response. On-treatment high NLR and raised fibrinogen were significantly associated with poorer outcome. In multivariate analysis, on-treatment NLR (≥4) and on-treatment fibrinogen (≥4 ng/mL) showed a significant negative correlation with OS and PFS. Using these cut-off points, we generated an on-treatment score for OS and PFS (0-2 points). The derived scoring system shows appropriate discrimination and suitability for OS (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.7 to 3.4, p<0.0001, Harrell's C 0.67) and PFS (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.3, p<0.0001, Harrell's C 0.68). In the absence of an external validation cohort, results of fivefold cross-validation of the score and evaluation of median OS and PFS on the Kaplan-Meier survival distribution between trained and test data exhibited appropriate accuracy and concordance of the model. CONCLUSIONS NLR and fibrinogen levels are simple, inexpensive and readily available biomarkers that could be incorporated into an on-treatment scoring system and used to help predict survival and response to ICI in patients with R/M HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Nenclares
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Lucinda Gunn
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Heba Soliman
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Mateo Bover
- Head and Neck Unit, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Amy Trinh
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Isla Leslie
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Kee Howe Wong
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Alan Melcher
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Kate Newbold
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Chris M Nutting
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Derfel Ap Dafydd
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Shreerang A Bhide
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Kevin Harrington
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
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