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Tojjari A, Yu J, Saeed A. Immunotherapy and Radiation Therapy Combinatorial Approaches in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1058. [PMID: 38473415 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16051058] [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: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a prevalent and often fatal liver cancer, presents significant treatment challenges, especially in its advanced stages. This article delves into the promising approach of combining immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, with radiation therapy, a cornerstone of HCC management. Our review synthesizes current preclinical and clinical research, highlighting the potential synergistic effects of this combinational treatment. Emerging evidence suggests that this synergy enhances tumor control and improves patient survival rates. The combination leverages the localized, tumor-targeting ability of radiation therapy and the systemic, immune-boosting effects of immunotherapy, potentially overcoming the limitations inherent in each treatment modality when used separately. This integrative approach is especially promising in addressing the complex tumor microenvironment of HCC. However, the treatment landscape is nuanced, with challenges such as patient-specific response variability and potential resistance to therapies. Future research directions should focus on refining these combination strategies, tailoring them to individual patient profiles, and understanding the underlying mechanisms that govern the interaction between immunotherapy and radiation therapy. Such advancements could significantly improve HCC management, setting new standards for patient care and treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Tojjari
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - James Yu
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Anwaar Saeed
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
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Tomaciello M, Conte M, Montinaro FR, Sabatini A, Cunicella G, Di Giammarco F, Tini P, Gravina GL, Cortesi E, Minniti G, De Vincentis G, Frantellizzi V, Marampon F. Abscopal Effect on Bone Metastases from Solid Tumors: A Systematic Review and Retrospective Analysis of Challenge within a Challenge. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041157. [PMID: 37189775 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041157] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abscopal effect (AE) describes the ability of radiotherapy (RT) to induce immune-mediated responses in nonirradiated distant metastasis. Bone represents the third most frequent site of metastasis and an immunologically favorable environment for the proliferation of cancer cells. We revised the literature, searching documented cases of AE involving bone metastases (BMs) and evaluated the incidence of AE involving BMs in patients requiring palliative RT on BMs or non-BMs treated at our department. METHODS Articles published in the PubMed/MEDLINE database were selected using the following search criteria: ((abscopal effect)) AND ((metastases)). Patients with BMs, who underwent performed bone scintigraphy before and at least 2-3 months after RT, were selected and screened between January 2015 and July 2022. AE was defined as an objective response according to the scan bone index for at least one nonirradiated metastasis at a distance > 10 cm from the irradiated lesion. The primary endpoint was the rate of AE on BMs. RESULTS Ten cases experiencing AE of BMs were identified from the literature and eight among our patients. CONCLUSIONS The analysis performed here suggests the use of hypofractionated radiotherapy as the only triggering factor for AE of BMs through the activation of the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Tomaciello
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Radiotherapy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Miriam Conte
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Montinaro
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Radiotherapy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Sabatini
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Cunicella
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Radiotherapy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Di Giammarco
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Radiotherapy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Tini
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Enrico Cortesi
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Minniti
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Radiotherapy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Vincentis
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Frantellizzi
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Radiotherapy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
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3
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Combined Loco-Regional and Systemic Treatment Strategies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Basics to New Developments. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2023; 46:175-186. [PMID: 36478027 DOI: 10.1007/s00270-022-03327-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in systemic therapeutic options have led to improved survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. In order to optimize patient outcomes across different disease stages, attempts are being made at exploiting combinations of loco-regional treatments and systemic therapeutic regimens. The possibilities of a beneficial synergistic effect are strongly supported by biological evidence of changes in tumor microenvironment and systemic immunity. With the advent of newer interventional technologies and newer biological and immunological drugs, these possibilities keep on gaining interest and expectations, yet many questions remain unanswered as to how to best manipulate and combine the two therapeutic approaches.This review aims at providing a general overview of biological foundations, preliminary clinical applications, critical issues and future directions of this constantly growing field.
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Hatten SJ, Lehrer EJ, Liao J, Sha CM, Trifiletti DM, Siva S, McBride SM, Palma D, Holder SL, Zaorsky NG. A Patient-Level Data Meta-analysis of the Abscopal Effect. Adv Radiat Oncol 2022; 7:100909. [PMID: 35372719 PMCID: PMC8971834 DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2022.100909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The abscopal effect is defined when a form of local therapy causes tumor regression of both the target lesion and any untreated tumors. Herein cases of the abscopal effect were systematically reviewed and a patient-level data analysis was performed for clinical predictors of both duration of response and survival. Methods and Materials The Population, Intervention, Control, Outcome, Study (PICOS) design approach, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) literature selection process, and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) were used to find articles published before September 2019 in MEDLINE/PubMed and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria were (1) population: patients with reported abscopal response; (2) intervention: documented treatment(s); (3) control: none; (4) outcomes: overall and progression-free survival; and (5) setting: retrospective case reports. Time from treatment until abscopal response and time from abscopal response until progression/death were calculated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted for survival outcomes. Results Fifty studies (n = 55 patients) were included. Median age was 65 years (interquartile range [IQR], 58-70) and 62% were male. Fifty-four (98%) patients received radiation therapy, 34 (62%) received radiation therapy alone, 5 (9.1%) underwent surgery, 4 (7.3%) received chemotherapy, and 11 (20%) received immunotherapy. Median total dose was 32 Gy (IQR, 25.5-48 Gy) and median dose per fraction was 3 Gy (IQR, 2-7.2). Median time until abscopal response was 4 months (IQR, 1-5; min 0.5, max 24). At 5 years, overall survival was 63% and distant progression-free survival was 45%. No variables had statistical significance in predicting duration of response or survival. Conclusions Almost all reported cases of the abscopal response are after radiation therapy; however, there are no known predictors of duration of response or survival in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J. Hatten
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Eric J. Lehrer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Jenn Liao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Congzhou M. Sha
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Shankar Siva
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sean M. McBride
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - David Palma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sheldon L. Holder
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Brown University Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Nicholas G. Zaorsky
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
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Curry L, Limaye W, Ramjeesingh R. Spontaneous regression of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma following 3 weeks of lenvatinib. BMJ Case Rep 2022; 15:e247212. [PMID: 35140091 PMCID: PMC8830208 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-247212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality and is associated with a poor prognosis. Rarely, there is spontaneous regression of the tumour. We present a case of a middle-aged male with presumed metastatic HCC who experienced enduring regression following 3 weeks of lenvatinib, which was discontinued due to side effects. While this could represent an unusually successful response to therapy, spontaneous tumour regression or an alternative diagnosis should be considered. We discuss possible mechanisms that might explain this unusual case and advocate for tissue confirmation in select cases, where there is diagnostic doubt or when the disease pattern does not clearly follow the recognised natural history. Therefore, if regression occurs-whether spontaneous or in response to treatment-it can be better understood and subsequent therapies recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Curry
- Department of Medicine, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Warda Limaye
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Ravi Ramjeesingh
- Department of Medicine, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Division of Medical Oncology, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Link B, Torres Crigna A, Hölzel M, Giordano FA, Golubnitschaja O. Abscopal Effects in Metastatic Cancer: Is a Predictive Approach Possible to Improve Individual Outcomes? J Clin Med 2021; 10:5124. [PMID: 34768644 PMCID: PMC8584726 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10215124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with metastatic cancers often require radiotherapy (RT) as a palliative therapy for cancer pain. RT can, however, also induce systemic antitumor effects outside of the irradiated field (abscopal effects) in various cancer entities. The occurrence of the abscopal effect is associated with a specific immunological activation in response to RT-induced cell death, which is mainly seen under concomitant immune checkpoint blockade. Even if the number of reported apscopal effects has increased since the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibition, its occurrence is still considered rare and unpredictable. The cases reported so far may nevertheless allow for identifying first biomarkers and clinical patterns. We here review biomarkers that may be helpful to predict the occurrence of abscopal effects and hence to optimize therapy for patients with metastatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Link
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (B.L.); (A.T.C.); (F.A.G.)
| | - Adriana Torres Crigna
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (B.L.); (A.T.C.); (F.A.G.)
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Frank A. Giordano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (B.L.); (A.T.C.); (F.A.G.)
| | - Olga Golubnitschaja
- Predictive, Preventive, Personalised (3P) Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Kim JW, Lee IJ. Exploring the mythical abscopal effect: Radiation and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade for hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Mol Hepatol 2021; 27:103-106. [PMID: 33317257 PMCID: PMC7820204 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2020.0297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Won Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ik Jae Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Craciun L, de Wind R, Demetter P, Lucidi V, Bohlok A, Michiels S, Bouazza F, Vouche M, Tancredi I, Verset G, Garaud S, Naveaux C, Galdon MG, Gallo KW, Hendlisz A, Derijckere ID, Flamen P, Larsimont D, Donckier V. Retrospective analysis of the immunogenic effects of intra-arterial locoregional therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma: a rationale for combining selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) and immunotherapy. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:135. [PMID: 32075608 PMCID: PMC7032008 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-6613-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Immunotherapy represents a promising option for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients but its efficacy is currently inconsistent and unpredictable. Locoregional therapies inducing immunogenic cell death, such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), have the potential to act synergistically with immunotherapy. For the development of new approaches combining locoregional treatments with immunotherapy, a better understanding of the respective effects of TACE and SIRT on recruitment and activation of immune cells in HCC is needed. To address this question, we compared intra-tumor immune infiltrates in resected HCC after preoperative treatment with TACE or SIRT. Methods Data fromr patients undergoing partial hepatectomy for HCC, without preoperative treatment (SURG, n = 32), after preoperative TACE (TACE, n = 16), or preoperative SIRT (n = 12) were analyzed. Clinicopathological factors, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and granzyme B (GZB) expression in resected HCC, and postoperative overall and progression-free survival were compared between the three groups. Results Clinicopathological and surgical characteristics were similar in the three groups. A significant increase in TILs, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and GZB expression was observed in resected HCC in SIRT as compared to TACE and SURG groups. No difference in immune infiltrates was observed between TACE and SURG patients. Within the SIRT group, the dose of irradiation affected the type of immune infiltrate. A significantly higher ratio of CD3+ cells was observed in the peri-tumoral area in patients receiving < 100 Gy, whereas a higher ratio of intra-tumoral CD4+ cells was observed in patients receiving > 100 Gy. Postoperative outcomes were similar in all groups. Irrespective of the preoperative treatment, the type and extent of immune infiltrates did not influence postoperative survival. Conclusions SIRT significantly promotes recruitment/activation of intra-tumor effector-type immune cells compared to TACE or no preoperative treatment. These results suggest that SIRT is a better candidate than TACE to be combined with immunotherapy for treatment of HCC. Evaluation of the optimal doses for SIRT for producing an immunogenic effect and the type of immunotherapy to be used require further evaluation in prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ligia Craciun
- Pathology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Roland de Wind
- Pathology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Pieter Demetter
- Pathology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium.,Pathology, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Valerio Lucidi
- Abdominal Surgery, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Ali Bohlok
- Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Rue Héger-Bordet, 1, B-1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Michiels
- Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Rue Héger-Bordet, 1, B-1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fikri Bouazza
- Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Rue Héger-Bordet, 1, B-1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michael Vouche
- Radiology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Ilario Tancredi
- Radiology, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Gontran Verset
- Gastroenterology and Medical Oncology, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Soizic Garaud
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Céline Naveaux
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Maria Gomez Galdon
- Pathology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Karen Willard Gallo
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Alain Hendlisz
- Medical Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Ivan Duran Derijckere
- Nuclear Medicine, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Patrick Flamen
- Nuclear Medicine, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Denis Larsimont
- Pathology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Vincent Donckier
- Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Rue Héger-Bordet, 1, B-1000, Brussels, Belgium.
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Hendrickson PG, Olson M, Luetkens T, Weston S, Han T, Atanackovic D, Fine GC. The promise of adoptive cellular immunotherapies in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncoimmunology 2019; 9:1673129. [PMID: 32002284 PMCID: PMC6959455 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1673129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Current systemic therapies result only in modest benefits and new therapeutic options are critically needed. Some patients show promising clinical responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors, however, additional immunotherapeutic approaches, such as adoptive cell therapies (ACT), need to be developed. This review summarizes recent ACT studies and discusses the promise and obstacles of this approach. We further discuss ways of improving the efficacy of ACT in HCC including the use of combination therapies and locoregional delivery methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter G. Hendrickson
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Michael Olson
- Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, University of Utah/Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Tim Luetkens
- Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, University of Utah/Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Siani Weston
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Tiffany Han
- Department of Radiology, Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, CT, USA
| | - Djordje Atanackovic
- Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, University of Utah/Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Gabriel C. Fine
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Chen X, Zhang N. Downregulation of lncRNA NEAT1_2 radiosensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells through regulation of miR-101-3p/WEE1 axis. Cell Biol Int 2019; 43:44-55. [PMID: 30488993 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Radioresistance is a major obstacle in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) radiotherapy. Aberrant expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has been postulated to be implicated in the development of HCC radioresistance. We investigated the role of lncRNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1_2 (NEAT1_2) in radioresistance of HCC and its molecular mechanism in this study. We found that NEAT1_2 and WEE1 were upregulated, and miR-101-3p was downregulated in HCC tissues, as well as HCC cell lines. Downregulation of WEE1 sensitized the radiosensitivity of HCC cells, as evidenced by decreased survival fractions of Huh7 and PLC5 cells and increased percentage of apoptotic cells. Also, knockdown of NEAT1_2 exerted a reinforcing effect on the radiosensitivity of HCC cells. In addition, WEE1 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-101-3p. Upregulation of miR-101-3p obviously decreased the mRNA and protein levels of WEE1 compared with that in the miR-NC group, while transfection of anta-miR-101-3p presented the opposite effects. In parallel, NEAT1_2 was identified to interact with miR-101-3p, and NEAT1_2 upregulated the expression of WEE1 in Huh7 cells through sponging miR-101-3p. Besides, the reinforcing effect of NEAT1_2 silencing could be attenuated by downregulation of miR-101-3p. To conclude, our results support the concept that downregulation of lncRNA NEAT1_2 radiosensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells through regulation of miR-101-3p/WEE1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1 Minde Road, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, P. R. China
| | - Nuobei Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1 Minde Road, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, P. R. China
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