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Lozac'hmeur A, Danek T, Yang Q, Rosasco MG, Welch JS, Go WY, Ng EW, Mardiros A, Maloney DG, Garon EB, Kirtane K, Simeone DM, Molina JR, Salahudeen AA, Stein MM, Hecht JR. Detecting HLA loss of heterozygosity within a standard diagnostic sequencing workflow for prognostic and therapeutic opportunities. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:174. [PMID: 39103508 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00665-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
To enable interrogation of tumor HLA LOH as a clinical diagnostic for precision oncology, we developed and validated an assay that detects HLA LOH within the context of an FDA-approved clinical diagnostic test, Tempus xT CDx. Validation was conducted via: (1) analytical evaluation of 17 archival patient samples and 42 cell line admixtures and (2) independent clinical evaluation of LOH prevalence in the HLA-A gene (HLA-A LOH) across 10,982 patients. To evaluate the prognostic relevance of HLA-A LOH we assessed 256 immunotherapy-treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. To determine the feasibility of prospectively identifying and enrolling HLA-A LOH patients into a clinical trial, we established BASECAMP-1 (NCT04981119). We observed a positive predictive agreement of 97% and a negative predictive agreement of 100% in samples with ≥ 40% tumor purity. We observed HLA-A LOH in 16.1% of patients (1771/10,982), comparable to previous reports. HLA-A LOH was associated with longer survival among NSCLC adenocarcinoma patients (HR = 0.60, 95% CI [0.37, 0.96], p = 0.032) with a trend towards shorter survival among squamous cell patients (HR = 1.64, 95% CI [0.80, 3.41], p = 0.183). In 20 months, we prospectively screened 1720 subjects using the Tempus AWARE program, identifying 26 HLA-A*02 LOH patients at 8 sites, with 14 (54%) enrolled into BASECAMP-1. In conclusion, we developed and validated an investigational assay that detects tumor HLA LOH within an FDA-approved clinical diagnostic test, enabling HLA LOH utilization in diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Eric W Ng
- A2 Biotherapeutics, Agoura Hills, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Edward B Garon
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Diane M Simeone
- Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego Health, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Ameen A Salahudeen
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Departments of Medicine, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - J Randolph Hecht
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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2
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Lautert-Dutra W, M Melo C, Chaves LP, Crozier C, P Saggioro F, B Dos Reis R, Bayani J, Bonatto SL, Squire JA. Loss of heterozygosity impacts MHC expression on the immune microenvironment in CDK12-mutated prostate cancer. Mol Cytogenet 2024; 17:11. [PMID: 38704603 PMCID: PMC11070094 DOI: 10.1186/s13039-024-00680-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In prostate cancer (PCa), well-established biomarkers such as MSI status, TMB high, and PDL1 expression serve as reliable indicators for favorable responses to immunotherapy. Recent studies have suggested a potential association between CDK12 mutations and immunotherapy response; however, the precise mechanisms through which CDK12 mutation may influence immune response remain unclear. A plausible explanation for immune evasion in this subset of CDK12-mutated PCa may be reduced MHC expression. RESULTS Using genomic data of CDK12-mutated PCa from 48 primary and 10 metastatic public domain samples and a retrospective cohort of 53 low-intermediate risk primary PCa, we investigated how variation in the expression of the MHC genes affected associated downstream pathways. We classified the patients based on gene expression quartiles of MHC-related genes and categorized the tumors into "High" and "Low" expression levels. CDK12-mutated tumors with higher MHC-expressed pathways were associated with the immune system and elevated PD-L1, IDO1, and TIM3 expression. Consistent with an inflamed tumor microenvironment (TME) phenotype, digital cytometric analyses identified increased CD8 + T cells, B cells, γδ T cells, and M1 Macrophages in this group. In contrast, CDK12-mutated tumors with lower MHC expression exhibited features consistent with an immune cold TME phenotype and immunoediting. Significantly, low MHC expression was also associated with chromosome 6 loss of heterozygosity (LOH) affecting the entire HLA gene cluster. These LOH events were observed in both major clonal and minor subclonal populations of tumor cells. In our retrospective study of 53 primary PCa cases from this Institute, we found a 4% (2/53) prevalence of CDK12 mutations, with the confirmation of this defect in one tumor through Sanger sequencing. In keeping with our analysis of public domain data this tumor exhibited low MHC expression at the RNA level. More extensive studies will be required to determine whether reduced HLA expression is generally associated with primary tumors or is a specific feature of CDK12 mutated PCa. CONCLUSIONS These data show that analysis of CDK12 alteration, in the context of MHC expression levels, and LOH status may offer improved predictive value for outcomes in this potentially actionable genomic subgroup of PCa. In addition, these findings highlight the need to explore novel therapeutic strategies to enhance MHC expression in CDK12-defective PCa to improve immunotherapy responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Lautert-Dutra
- Department of Genetics, Medical School of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo - USP, Ribeirão Prêto, SP, 14048-900, Brazil
| | - Camila M Melo
- Department of Genetics, Medical School of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo - USP, Ribeirão Prêto, SP, 14048-900, Brazil
| | - Luiz P Chaves
- Department of Genetics, Medical School of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo - USP, Ribeirão Prêto, SP, 14048-900, Brazil
| | - Cheryl Crozier
- Diagnostic Development, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Fabiano P Saggioro
- Department of Pathology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo - USP, Ribeirão Prêto, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo B Dos Reis
- Department of Pathology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo - USP, Ribeirão Prêto, Brazil
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Medical School of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo - USP, Ribeirão Prêto, Brazil
| | - Jane Bayani
- Diagnostic Development, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sandro L Bonatto
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande Do Sul - PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 668, Porto Alegre, RS, 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Jeremy A Squire
- Department of Genetics, Medical School of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo - USP, Ribeirão Prêto, SP, 14048-900, Brazil.
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L3N6, Canada.
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Ferreira Almeida C, Correia-da-Silva G, Teixeira N, Amaral C. Influence of tumor microenvironment on the different breast cancer subtypes and applied therapies. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116178. [PMID: 38561089 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116178] [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] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Despite the significant improvements made in breast cancer therapy during the last decades, this disease still has increasing incidence and mortality rates. Different targets involved in general processes, like cell proliferation and survival, have become alternative therapeutic options for this disease, with some of them already used in clinic, like the CDK4/6 inhibitors for luminal A tumors treatment. Nevertheless, there is a demand for novel therapeutic strategies focused not only on tumor cells, but also on their microenvironment. Tumor microenvironment (TME) is a very complex and dynamic system that, more than surrounding and supporting tumor cells, actively participates in tumor development and progression. During the last decades, it has become clear that the cellular and acellular components of TME differ between the various breast cancer subtypes and shape the differences regarding their severity and prognosis. The pivotal role of the TME in controlling tumor growth and influencing responses to therapy represents a potential source for novel targets and therapeutic strategies. In this review, we present a description of the multiple therapeutic options used for different breast cancer subtypes, as well as the influence that the TME may exert on the development of the disease and on the response to the distinct therapies, which in some cases may explain their failure by the occurrence of relapses and resistance. Furthermore, the ongoing studies focused on the use of TME components for developing potential cancer treatments are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Ferreira Almeida
- UCIBIO, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Georgina Correia-da-Silva
- UCIBIO, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Natércia Teixeira
- UCIBIO, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina Amaral
- UCIBIO, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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Hiscox MJ, Wasmuth A, Williams CL, Foot JN, Wiedermann GE, Fadda V, Boiani S, Cornforth TV, Wikiert KA, Bruton S, Cartwright N, Anderson VE, Barnes CS, Vieira JV, Birch-Machin I, Gerry AB, Miller K, Pumphrey NJ. Selection, engineering, and in vivo testing of a human leukocyte antigen-independent T-cell receptor recognizing human mesothelin. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301175. [PMID: 38574067 PMCID: PMC10994368 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canonical α/β T-cell receptors (TCRs) bind to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) displaying antigenic peptides to elicit T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. TCR-engineered T-cell immunotherapies targeting cancer-specific peptide-HLA complexes (pHLA) are generating exciting clinical responses, but owing to HLA restriction they are only able to target a subset of antigen-positive patients. More recently, evidence has been published indicating that naturally occurring α/β TCRs can target cell surface proteins other than pHLA, which would address the challenges of HLA restriction. In this proof-of-concept study, we sought to identify and engineer so-called HLA-independent TCRs (HiTs) against the tumor-associated antigen mesothelin. METHODS Using phage display, we identified a HiT that bound well to mesothelin, which when expressed in primary T cells, caused activation and cytotoxicity. We subsequently engineered this HiT to modulate the T-cell response to varying levels of mesothelin on the cell surface. RESULTS The isolated HiT shows cytotoxic activity and demonstrates killing of both mesothelin-expressing cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models. Additionally, we demonstrated that HiT-transduced T cells do not require CD4 or CD8 co-receptors and, unlike a TCR fusion construct, are not inhibited by soluble mesothelin. Finally, we showed that HiT-transduced T cells are highly efficacious in vivo, completely eradicating xenografted human solid tumors. CONCLUSION HiTs can be isolated from fully human TCR-displaying phage libraries against cell surface-expressed antigens. HiTs are able to fully activate primary T cells both in vivo and in vitro. HiTs may enable the efficacy seen with pHLA-targeting TCRs in solid tumors to be translated to cell surface antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jaelle N. Foot
- Research, Adaptimmune, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | | | - Valeria Fadda
- Research, Adaptimmune, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Boiani
- Research, Adaptimmune, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Shaun Bruton
- Research, Adaptimmune, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Cartwright
- Research, Adaptimmune, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Joao V. Vieira
- Research, Adaptimmune, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | | | - Andrew B. Gerry
- Research, Adaptimmune, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Miller
- Research, Adaptimmune, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
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Alotaibi F, Alshammari K, Alotaibi BA, Alsaab H. Destabilizing the genome as a therapeutic strategy to enhance response to immune checkpoint blockade: a systematic review of clinical trials evidence from solid and hematological tumors. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1280591. [PMID: 38264532 PMCID: PMC10803447 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1280591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Genomic instability is increased alterations in the genome during cell division and is common among most cancer cells. Genome instability enhances the risk of initial carcinogenic transformation, generating new clones of tumor cells, and increases tumor heterogeneity. Although genome instability contributes to malignancy, it is also an "Achilles' heel" that constitutes a therapeutically-exploitable weakness-when sufficiently advanced, it can intrinsically reduce tumor cell survival by creating DNA damage and mutation events that overwhelm the capacity of cancer cells to repair those lesions. Furthermore, it can contribute to extrinsic survival-reducing events by generating mutations that encode new immunogenic antigens capable of being recognized by the immune system, particularly when anti-tumor immunity is boosted by immunotherapy drugs. Here, we describe how genome-destabilization can induce immune activation in cancer patients and systematically review the induction of genome instability exploited clinically, in combination with immune checkpoint blockade. Methods: We performed a systematic review of clinical trials that exploited the combination approach to successfully treat cancers patients. We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinicaltrials.gov, and publication from the reference list of related articles. The most relevant inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed clinical trials published in English. Results: We identified 1,490 studies, among those 164 were clinical trials. A total of 37 clinical trials satisfied the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The main outcome measurements were overall survival and progression-free survival. The majority of the clinical trials (30 out of 37) showed a significant improvement in patient outcome. Conclusion: The majority of the included clinical trials reported the efficacy of the concept of targeting DNA repair pathway, in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, to create a "ring of synergy" to treat cancer with rational combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faizah Alotaibi
- College of Science and Health Professions, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kanaan Alshammari
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Oncology Department, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Badi A. Alotaibi
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hashem Alsaab
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
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Rodriguez GM, Yakubovich E, Murshed H, Maranda V, Galpin KJ, Cudmore A, Hanna AMR, Macdonald E, Ramesh S, Garson K, Vanderhyden BC. NLRC5 overexpression in ovarian tumors remodels the tumor microenvironment and increases T-cell reactivity toward autologous tumor-associated antigens. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1295208. [PMID: 38235131 PMCID: PMC10791902 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1295208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Epithelial ovarian cancer (OC) stands as one of the deadliest gynecologic malignancies, urgently necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. Approximately 60% of ovarian tumors exhibit reduced expression of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I), intensifying immune evasion mechanisms and rendering immunotherapies ineffective. NOD-like receptor CARD domain containing 5 (NLRC5) transcriptionally regulates MHC I genes and many antigen presentation machinery components. We therefore explored the therapeutic potential of NLRC5 in OC. Methods We generated OC cells overexpressing NLRC5 to rescue MHC I expression and antigen presentation and then assessed their capability to respond to PD-L1 blockade and an infected cell vaccine. Results Analysis of microarray datasets revealed a correlation between elevated NLRC5 expression and extended survival in OC patients; however, NLRC5 was scarcely detected in the OC tumor microenvironment. OC cells overexpressing NLRC5 exhibited slower tumor growth and resulted in higher recruitment of leukocytes in the TME with lower CD4/CD8 T-cell ratios and increased activation of T cells. Immune cells from peripheral blood, spleen, and ascites from these mice displayed heightened activation and interferon-gamma production when exposed to autologous tumor-associated antigens. Finally, as a proof of concept, NLRC5 overexpression within an infected cell vaccine platform enhanced responses and prolonged survival in comparison with control groups when challenged with parental tumors. Discussion These findings provide a compelling rationale for utilizing NLRC5 overexpression in "cold" tumor models to enhance tumor susceptibility to T-cell recognition and elimination by boosting the presentation of endogenous tumor antigens. This approach holds promise for improving antitumoral immune responses in OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galaxia M. Rodriguez
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Edward Yakubovich
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Humaira Murshed
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Vincent Maranda
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kristianne J.C. Galpin
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Alison Cudmore
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew M. R. Hanna
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Macdonald
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Shashankan Ramesh
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kenneth Garson
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Barbara C. Vanderhyden
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Robertson SE, Yasukawa M, Marchion DC, Xiong Y, Naqvi SMH, Gheit T, Tommasino M, Wenham RM, Giuliano AR, Lancaster JM, Shahzad MMK. Prevalence of viral DNA in high-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer and correlation with clinical outcomes. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294448. [PMID: 38039311 PMCID: PMC10691703 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Currently 11 infectious agents are classified as carcinogenic but the role of infectious agents on outcomes of epithelial ovarian cancer is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE To explore the association between infectious agents and ovarian cancer, we investigated the prevalence of viral DNA in primary ovarian cancer tumors and its association with clinical outcomes. METHODS Archived tumors from 98 patients diagnosed with high-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer were collected between 1/1/1994 and 12/31/2010. After DNA extraction, Luminex technology was utilized to identify polymerase chain reaction-amplified viral DNA for 113 specific viruses. Demographic data and disease characteristics were summarized using descriptive statistics. We used logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards model to assess associations between tumor viral status and disease outcome and between tumor viral presence and overall survival (OS), respectively. RESULTS Forty-six cases (45.9%) contained at least one virus. Six highly prevalent viruses were associated with clinical outcomes and considered viruses of interest (VOI; Epstein-Barr virus 1, Merkel cell polyomavirus, human herpes virus 6b, and human papillomaviruses 4, 16, and 23). Factors independently associated with OS were presence of VOI (HR 4.11, P = 0.0001) and platinum sensitivity (HR 0.21, P<0.0001). Median OS was significantly decreased when tumors showed VOI versus not having these viruses (22 vs 44 months, P<0.0001). Women <70 year old with VOI in tumors had significantly lower median OS versus age-matched women without VOI (20 vs 57 months, P = 0.0006); however, among women ≥70 years old, there was no difference in OS by tumor virus status. CONCLUSIONS The presence of a VOI was significantly associated with a lower OS. These findings may have implications for clinical management of ovarian cancer but require additional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon E. Robertson
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Maya Yasukawa
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Douglas C. Marchion
- Department of Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Yin Xiong
- Department of Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Syeda Mahrukh Hussnain Naqvi
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Tarik Gheit
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, Lyon, France
| | - Massimo Tommasino
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, Lyon, France
| | - Robert M. Wenham
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Anna R. Giuliano
- Risk Assessment, Detection and Intervention Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Johnathan M. Lancaster
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Mian M. K. Shahzad
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
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Savid-Frontera C, Viano ME, Baez NS, Lidon NL, Fontaine Q, Young HA, Vimeux L, Donnadieu E, Rodriguez-Galan MC. Exploring the immunomodulatory role of virtual memory CD8+ T cells: Role of IFN gamma in tumor growth control. Front Immunol 2022; 13:971001. [PMID: 36330506 PMCID: PMC9623162 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.971001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Virtual memory CD8+ T cells (TVM) have been described as cells with a memory-like phenotype but without previous antigen (Ag) exposure. TVM cells have the ability to respond better to innate stimuli rather than by TCR engagement, producing large amounts of interferon gamma (IFNγ) after stimulation with interleukin (IL)-12 plus IL-18. As a result of the phenotypic similarity, TVM cells have been erroneously included in the central memory T cell subset for many years. However, they can now be discriminated via the CD49d receptor, which is up-regulated only on conventional memory T cells (TMEM) and effector T cells (TEFF) after specific cognate Ag recognition by a TCR. In this work we show that systemic expression of IL-12 plus IL-18 induced an alteration in the normal TVM vs TMEM/TEFF distribution in secondary lymphoid organs and a preferential enrichment of TVM cells in the melanoma (B16) and the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (KPC) tumor models. Using our KPC bearing OT-I mouse model, we observed a significant increase in CD8+ T cell infiltrating the tumor islets after IL-12+IL-18 stimulation with a lower average speed when compared to those from control mice. This finding indicates a stronger interaction of T cells with tumor cells after cytokine stimulation. These results correlate with a significant reduction in tumor size in both tumor models in IL-12+IL-18-treated OT-I mice compared to control OT-I mice. Interestingly, the absence of IFNγ completely abolished the high antitumor capacity induced by IL-12+IL-18 expression, indicating an important role for these cytokines in early tumor growth control. Thus, our studies provide significant new information that indicates an important role of TVM cells in the immune response against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanza Savid-Frontera
- Inmunología CIBICI-CONICET Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Maria Estefania Viano
- Inmunología CIBICI-CONICET Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Natalia S. Baez
- Inmunología CIBICI-CONICET Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Nicolas L. Lidon
- Inmunología CIBICI-CONICET Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Quentin Fontaine
- Inmunología CIBICI-CONICET Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Howard A. Young
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Lene Vimeux
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Institut Cochin, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Donnadieu
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Institut Cochin, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Maria Cecilia Rodriguez-Galan
- Inmunología CIBICI-CONICET Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Maria Cecilia Rodriguez-Galan,
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Füchsl F, Krackhardt AM. Paving the Way to Solid Tumors: Challenges and Strategies for Adoptively Transferred Transgenic T Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4192. [PMID: 36077730 PMCID: PMC9454442 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells are important players in the antitumor immune response. Over the past few years, the adoptive transfer of genetically modified, autologous T cells-specifically redirected toward the tumor by expressing either a T cell receptor (TCR) or a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-has been adopted for use in the clinic. At the moment, the therapeutic application of CD19- and, increasingly, BCMA-targeting-engineered CAR-T cells have been approved and have yielded partly impressive results in hematologic malignancies. However, employing transgenic T cells for the treatment of solid tumors remains more troublesome, and numerous hurdles within the highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) need to be overcome to achieve tumor control. In this review, we focused on the challenges that these therapies must face on three different levels: infiltrating the tumor, exerting efficient antitumor activity, and overcoming T cell exhaustion and dysfunction. We aimed to discuss different options to pave the way for potent transgenic T cell-mediated tumor rejection by engineering either the TME or the transgenic T cell itself, which responds to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Füchsl
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin III, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Angela M. Krackhardt
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin III, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
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10
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Wang C, Wang Z, Yao T, Zhou J, Wang Z. The immune-related role of beta-2-microglobulin in melanoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:944722. [PMID: 36046045 PMCID: PMC9421255 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.944722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the remarkable success of immunotherapy in the treatment of melanoma, resistance to these agents still affects patient prognosis and response to therapies. Beta-2-microglobulin (β2M), an important subunit of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, has important biological functions and roles in tumor immunity. In recent years, increasing studies have shown that B2M gene deficiency can inhibit MHC class I antigen presentation and lead to cancer immune evasion by affecting β2M expression. Based on this, B2M gene defect and T cell-based immunotherapy can interact to affect the efficacy of melanoma treatment. Taking into account the many recent advances in B2M-related melanoma immunity, here we discuss the immune function of the B2M gene in tumors, its common genetic alteration in melanoma, and its impact on and related improvements in melanoma immunotherapy. Our comprehensive review of β2M biology and its role in tumor immunotherapy contributes to understanding the potential of B2M gene as a promising melanoma therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuqiao Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ophthalmic Tumor, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeqi Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ophthalmic Tumor, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tengteng Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jibo Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ophthalmic Tumor, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jibo Zhou, ; Zhaoyang Wang,
| | - Zhaoyang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jibo Zhou, ; Zhaoyang Wang,
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11
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Tumor Antigenicity and a Pre-Existing Adaptive Immune Response in Advanced BRAF Mutant Colorectal Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14163951. [PMID: 36010943 PMCID: PMC9405961 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14163951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary BRAF mutant metastatic CRCs (BRAF-mCRCs) are considered a unique clinical entity characterized by a dismal prognosis and that do not respond efficiently to both standard chemotherapy and to orally selective inhibitors of BRAFV600E. In this study, the gene expression profiles of 89 immunotherapy-naïve BRAF-CRCs were generated using the PanCancer IO 360 gene expression panel to improve the knowledge of the mechanisms involved in tumor-suppressive immune functions in BRAF-mCRCs. A significant fraction of BRAF-mCRCs shows a hot/inflamed profile and may be potential candidates for responding to immunotherapy. Only a partial overlap between these hot signatures and the presence of microsatellite instability (MSI) was observed, demonstrating that MSI tumors showed a not differential expression of MHC Class I antigen presentation pathway compared with microsatellite-stable tumors. The analysis of gene expression profiles is a promising strategy both for immune profiling of primary tumors before any treatment and for following the evolution of metastatic disease during therapy. Abstract The main hypothesis of this study is that gene expression profiles (GEPs) integrating both tumor antigenicity and a pre-existing adaptive immune response can be used to generate distinct immune-related signatures of BRAF mutant colorectal cancers (BRAF-CRCs) to identify actionable biomarkers predicting response to immunotherapy. GEPs of 89 immunotherapy-naïve BRAF-CRCs were generated using the Pan-Cancer IO 360 gene expression panel and the NanoString nCounter platform and were correlated with microsatellite instability (MSI) status and with CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) content. Hot/inflamed profiles were found in 52% of all cases, and high scores of Tumor Inflammation Signature were observed in 42% of the metastatic BRAF-CRCs. A subset of MSI tumors showed a cold profile. Antigen Processing Machinery (APM) signature was not differentially expressed in MSI tumors compared with MSS cases. By contrast, the APM signature was significantly upregulated in CD8+ BRAF-CRCs versus CD8− tumors. Our study demonstrates that a significant fraction of BRAF-CRCs may be a candidate for immunotherapy and that the simultaneous analysis of MSI status and CD8+ TIL content increases accuracy in identifying patients who can potentially benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors. GEPs may be very useful in expanding the spectrum of patients with BRAF-CRCs who can benefit from immune checkpoint blockade.
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12
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Understanding of Immune Escape Mechanisms and Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:8901326. [PMID: 35401745 PMCID: PMC8989557 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8901326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tumor immune escape has emerged as the most significant barrier to cancer therapy. A thorough understanding of tumor immune escape therapy mechanisms is critical for further improving clinical treatment strategies. Currently, research indicates that combining several immunotherapies can boost antitumor efficacy and encourage T cells to play a more active part in the immune assault. To generate a more substantial therapeutic impact, it can establish an ideal tumor microenvironment (TME), encourage T cells to play a role, prevent T cell immune function reversal, and minimize tumor immune tolerance. In this review, we will examine the mechanisms of tumor immune escape and the limits of tumor immune escape therapy, focusing on the current development of immunotherapy based on tumor immune escape mechanisms. Individualized tumor treatment is becoming increasingly apparent as future treatment strategies. In addition, we forecast the future research direction of cancer and the clinical approach for cancer immunotherapy. It will serve as a better reference for researchers working in cancer therapy research.
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13
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Navarro-Ocón A, Blaya-Cánovas JL, López-Tejada A, Blancas I, Sánchez-Martín RM, Garrido MJ, Griñán-Lisón C, Calahorra J, Cara FE, Ruiz-Cabello F, Marchal JA, Aptsiauri N, Granados-Principal S. Nanomedicine as a Promising Tool to Overcome Immune Escape in Breast Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030505. [PMID: 35335881 PMCID: PMC8950730 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common type of malignancy and leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Despite the current revolutionary advances in the field of cancer immunotherapy, clinical response in breast cancer is frequently below expectations, in part due to various mechanisms of cancer immune escape that produce tumor variants that are resistant to treatment. Thus, a further understanding of the molecular events underlying immune evasion in breast cancer may guarantee a significant improvement in the clinical success of immunotherapy. Furthermore, nanomedicine provides a promising opportunity to enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy by improving the delivery, retention and release of immunostimulatory agents in targeted cells and tumor tissues. Hence, it can be used to overcome tumor immune escape and increase tumor rejection in numerous malignancies, including breast cancer. In this review, we summarize the current status and emerging trends in nanomedicine-based strategies targeting cancer immune evasion and modulating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, including the inhibition of immunosuppressive cells in the tumor area, the activation of dendritic cells and the stimulation of the specific antitumor T-cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Navarro-Ocón
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016 Granada, Spain; (A.N.-O.); (J.L.B.-C.); (A.L.-T.); (R.M.S.-M.); (C.G.-L.); (J.C.); (F.E.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (I.B.); (F.R.-C.); (J.A.M.)
| | - Jose L. Blaya-Cánovas
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016 Granada, Spain; (A.N.-O.); (J.L.B.-C.); (A.L.-T.); (R.M.S.-M.); (C.G.-L.); (J.C.); (F.E.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (I.B.); (F.R.-C.); (J.A.M.)
- UGC de Oncología Médica, Complejo Hospitalario de Jaen, 23007 Jaen, Spain
| | - Araceli López-Tejada
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016 Granada, Spain; (A.N.-O.); (J.L.B.-C.); (A.L.-T.); (R.M.S.-M.); (C.G.-L.); (J.C.); (F.E.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (I.B.); (F.R.-C.); (J.A.M.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain
| | - Isabel Blancas
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (I.B.); (F.R.-C.); (J.A.M.)
- UGC de Oncología, Hospital Universitario “San Cecilio”, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Rosario M. Sánchez-Martín
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016 Granada, Spain; (A.N.-O.); (J.L.B.-C.); (A.L.-T.); (R.M.S.-M.); (C.G.-L.); (J.C.); (F.E.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (I.B.); (F.R.-C.); (J.A.M.)
| | - María J. Garrido
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, School of Pharmacy & Nutrition, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdisNA), University of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Carmen Griñán-Lisón
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016 Granada, Spain; (A.N.-O.); (J.L.B.-C.); (A.L.-T.); (R.M.S.-M.); (C.G.-L.); (J.C.); (F.E.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (I.B.); (F.R.-C.); (J.A.M.)
- UGC de Oncología Médica, Complejo Hospitalario de Jaen, 23007 Jaen, Spain
| | - Jesús Calahorra
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016 Granada, Spain; (A.N.-O.); (J.L.B.-C.); (A.L.-T.); (R.M.S.-M.); (C.G.-L.); (J.C.); (F.E.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (I.B.); (F.R.-C.); (J.A.M.)
- UGC de Oncología Médica, Complejo Hospitalario de Jaen, 23007 Jaen, Spain
| | - Francisca E. Cara
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016 Granada, Spain; (A.N.-O.); (J.L.B.-C.); (A.L.-T.); (R.M.S.-M.); (C.G.-L.); (J.C.); (F.E.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (I.B.); (F.R.-C.); (J.A.M.)
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Cabello
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (I.B.); (F.R.-C.); (J.A.M.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology 3 and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Juan A. Marchal
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (I.B.); (F.R.-C.); (J.A.M.)
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Natalia Aptsiauri
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (I.B.); (F.R.-C.); (J.A.M.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology 3 and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Correspondence: (N.A.); (S.G.-P.)
| | - Sergio Granados-Principal
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016 Granada, Spain; (A.N.-O.); (J.L.B.-C.); (A.L.-T.); (R.M.S.-M.); (C.G.-L.); (J.C.); (F.E.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (I.B.); (F.R.-C.); (J.A.M.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain
- Correspondence: (N.A.); (S.G.-P.)
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14
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Immune Regulatory Processes of the Tumor Microenvironment under Malignant Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413311. [PMID: 34948104 PMCID: PMC8706102 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a critical regulator of tumor growth, progression, and metastasis. Since immune cells represent a large fraction of the TME, they play a key role in mediating pro- and anti-tumor immune responses. Immune escape, which suppresses anti-tumor immunity, enables tumor cells to maintain their proliferation and growth. Numerous mechanisms, which have been intensively studied in recent years, are involved in this process and based on these findings, novel immunotherapies have been successfully developed. Here, we review the composition of the TME and the mechanisms by which immune evasive processes are regulated. In detail, we describe membrane-bound and soluble factors, their regulation, and their impact on immune cell activation in the TME. Furthermore, we give an overview of the tumor/antigen presentation and how it is influenced under malignant conditions. Finally, we summarize novel TME-targeting agents, which are already in clinical trials for different tumor entities.
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15
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Ye Y, Xu C, Chen F, Liu Q, Cheng N. Targeting Innate Immunity in Breast Cancer Therapy: A Narrative Review. Front Immunol 2021; 12:771201. [PMID: 34899721 PMCID: PMC8656691 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.771201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although breast cancer has been previously considered "cold" tumors, numerous studies are currently conducted to explore the great potentials of immunotherapies in improving breast cancer patient outcomes. In addition to the focus on stimulating adaptive immunity for antitumor responses, growing evidence showed the importance of triggering host innate immunity to eradicate established tumors and/or control tumor metastasis of breast cancer. In this review, we first briefly introduce the breast tumor immune microenvironment. We also discuss innate immune targets and pathways and mechanisms of their synergy with the adaptive antitumor response and other treatment strategies. Lastly, we review clinical trials targeting innate immune pathways for breast cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqi Ye
- Zenomics. Inc. Magnify at California NanoSystems Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Chun Xu
- School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Fengqian Chen
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Qi Liu
- School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ning Cheng
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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16
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Garrido MA, Perea F, Vilchez JR, Rodríguez T, Anderson P, Garrido F, Ruiz-Cabello F, Aptsiauri N. Copy Neutral LOH Affecting the Entire Chromosome 6 Is a Frequent Mechanism of HLA Class I Alterations in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205046. [PMID: 34680201 PMCID: PMC8534100 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Total or partial loss of HLA class I antigens reduce the recognition of specific tumor peptides by cytotoxic T lymphocytes favoring cancer immune escape during natural tumor evolution. These alterations can be caused by genomic defects, such as loss of heterozygosity at chromosomes 6 and 15 (LOH-6 and LOH-15), where HLA class I genes are located. There is growing evidence indicating that LOH in HLA contributes to the immune selection of HLA loss variants and influences the resistance to immunotherapy. Nevertheless, the incidence and the mechanism of this chromosomal aberration involving HLA genes has not been systematically assessed in different types of tumors and often remains underestimated. Here, we used SNP arrays to investigate the incidence and patterns of LOH-6 and LOH-15 in a number of human cancer cell lines and tissues of different histological types. We observed that LOH in HLA is a common event in cancer samples with a prevalence of a copy neutral type of LOH (CN-LOH) that affects entire chromosome 6 or 15 and involves chromosomal duplications. LOH-6 was observed more often and was associated with homozygous HLA genotype and partial HLA loss of expression. We also discuss the immunologic and clinical implications of LOH in HLA on tumor clonal expansion and association with the cancer recurrence after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonia Garrido
- Servicio de Radiología, UGC de Radiología, Hospital Virgen de la Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain;
| | - Francisco Perea
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC de Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain; (F.P.); (J.R.V.); (T.R.); (P.A.); (F.G.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS.GRANADA, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Jose Ramon Vilchez
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC de Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain; (F.P.); (J.R.V.); (T.R.); (P.A.); (F.G.)
| | - Teresa Rodríguez
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC de Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain; (F.P.); (J.R.V.); (T.R.); (P.A.); (F.G.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS.GRANADA, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Per Anderson
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC de Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain; (F.P.); (J.R.V.); (T.R.); (P.A.); (F.G.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS.GRANADA, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Federico Garrido
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC de Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain; (F.P.); (J.R.V.); (T.R.); (P.A.); (F.G.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS.GRANADA, 18014 Granada, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular III e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Cabello
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC de Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain; (F.P.); (J.R.V.); (T.R.); (P.A.); (F.G.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS.GRANADA, 18014 Granada, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular III e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.R.-C.); (N.A.)
| | - Natalia Aptsiauri
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS.GRANADA, 18014 Granada, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular III e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.R.-C.); (N.A.)
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17
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Tumor Escape Phenotype in Bladder Cancer Is Associated with Loss of HLA Class I Expression, T-Cell Exclusion and Stromal Changes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147248. [PMID: 34298868 PMCID: PMC8307653 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer eradication and clinical outcome of immunotherapy depend on tumor cell immunogenicity, including HLA class I (HLA-I) and PD-L1 expression on malignant cells, and on the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment, such as tumor immune infiltration and stromal reaction. Loss of tumor HLA-I is a common mechanism of immune escape from cytotoxic T lymphocytes and is linked to cancer progression and resistance to immunotherapy with the inhibitors of PD-L1/PD-1 signaling. Here we observed that HLA-I loss in bladder tumors is associated with T cell exclusion and tumor encapsulation with stromal elements rich in FAP-positive cells. In addition, PD-L1 upregulation in HLA-I negative tumors demonstrated a correlation with high tumor grade and worse overall- and cancer-specific survival of the patients. These changes define common immuno-morphological signatures compatible with cancer immune escape and acquired resistance to therapeutic interventions across different types of malignancy. They also may contribute to the search of new targets for cancer treatment, such as FAP-expressing cancer-associated fibroblasts, in refractory bladder tumors.
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18
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Roehle K, Qiang L, Ventre KS, Heid D, Ali LR, Lenehan P, Heckler M, Crowley SJ, Stump CT, Ro G, Godicelj A, Bhuiyan AM, Yang A, Quiles Del Rey M, Biary T, Luoma AM, Bruck PT, Tegethoff JF, Nopper SL, Li J, Byrne KT, Pelletier M, Wucherpfennig KW, Stanger BZ, Akin JJ, Mancias JD, Agudo J, Dougan M, Dougan SK. cIAP1/2 antagonism eliminates MHC class I-negative tumors through T cell-dependent reprogramming of mononuclear phagocytes. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabf5058. [PMID: 34011631 PMCID: PMC8406785 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abf5058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Loss of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) sensing are major causes of primary and acquired resistance to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. Thus, additional treatment options are needed for tumors that lose expression of MHC class I. The cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins 1 and 2 (cIAP1/2) regulate classical and alternative nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling. Induction of noncanonical NF-κB signaling with cIAP1/2 antagonists mimics costimulatory signaling, augmenting antitumor immunity. We show that induction of noncanonical NF-κB signaling induces T cell-dependent immune responses, even in β2-microglobulin (β2M)-deficient tumors, demonstrating that direct CD8 T cell recognition of tumor cell-expressed MHC class I is not required. Instead, T cell-produced lymphotoxin reprograms both mouse and human macrophages to be tumoricidal. In wild-type mice, but not mice incapable of antigen-specific T cell responses, cIAP1/2 antagonism reduces tumor burden by increasing phagocytosis of live tumor cells. Efficacy is augmented by combination with CD47 blockade. Thus, activation of noncanonical NF-κB stimulates a T cell-macrophage axis that curtails growth of tumors that are resistant to checkpoint blockade because of loss of MHC class I or IFN-γ sensing. These findings provide a potential mechanism for controlling checkpoint blockade refractory tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Roehle
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Li Qiang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Katherine S Ventre
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Daniel Heid
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lestat R Ali
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Patrick Lenehan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Max Heckler
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stephanie J Crowley
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Courtney T Stump
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Gabrielle Ro
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Anže Godicelj
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aladdin M Bhuiyan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Annan Yang
- Division of Radiation and Genome Stability, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Maria Quiles Del Rey
- Division of Radiation and Genome Stability, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Tamara Biary
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Adrienne M Luoma
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Patrick T Bruck
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jana F Tegethoff
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Svenja L Nopper
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jinyang Li
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Katelyn T Byrne
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marc Pelletier
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kai W Wucherpfennig
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ben Z Stanger
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - James J Akin
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Joseph D Mancias
- Division of Radiation and Genome Stability, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Judith Agudo
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael Dougan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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19
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Goldberg J, Pastorello RG, Vallius T, Davis J, Cui YX, Agudo J, Waks AG, Keenan T, McAllister SS, Tolaney SM, Mittendorf EA, Guerriero JL. The Immunology of Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:674192. [PMID: 34135901 PMCID: PMC8202289 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.674192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has revolutionized the treatment of cancer patients. The main focus of ICB has been on reinvigorating the adaptive immune response, namely, activating cytotoxic T cells. ICB has demonstrated only modest benefit against advanced breast cancer, as breast tumors typically establish an immune suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with infiltration of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and patients with TNBC have shown clinical responses to ICB. In contrast, hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer is characterized by low TIL infiltration and minimal response to ICB. Here we review how HR+ breast tumors establish a TME devoid of TILs, have low HLA class I expression, and recruit immune cells, other than T cells, which impact response to therapy. In addition, we review emerging technologies that have been employed to characterize components of the TME to reveal that tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundant in HR+ cancer, are highly immune-suppressive, associated with tumor progression, chemotherapy and ICB-resistance, metastasis and poor survival. We reveal novel therapeutic targets and possible combinations with ICB to enhance anti-tumor immune responses, which may have great potential in HR+ breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Goldberg
- Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ricardo G. Pastorello
- Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tuulia Vallius
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Janae Davis
- Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yvonne Xiaoyong Cui
- Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Judith Agudo
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Adrienne G. Waks
- Breast Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tanya Keenan
- Breast Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sandra S. McAllister
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Sara M. Tolaney
- Breast Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Mittendorf
- Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Breast Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Ludwig Center for Cancer Research at Harvard, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jennifer L. Guerriero
- Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Ludwig Center for Cancer Research at Harvard, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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20
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Ortiz-Aguirre JP, Velandia-Vargas EA, Rodríguez-Bohorquez OM, Amaya-Ramírez D, Bernal-Estévez D, Parra-López CA. Inmunoterapia personalizada contra el cáncer basada en neoantígenos. Revisión de la literatura. REVISTA DE LA FACULTAD DE MEDICINA 2021. [DOI: 10.15446/revfacmed.v69n3.81633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Introducción. Los avances que se han hecho en inmunoterapia contra el cáncer y la respuesta clínica de los pacientes que han recibido este tipo de terapia la han convertido en el cuarto pilar para el tratamiento del cáncer.
Objetivo. Describir brevemente el fundamento biológico de la inmunoterapia personalizada contra el cáncer basada en neoantígenos, las perspectivas actuales de su desarrollo y algunos resultados clínicos de esta terapia.
Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura en PubMed, Scopus y EBSCO utilizando la siguiente estrategia de búsqueda: tipo de artículos: estudios experimentales originales, ensayos clínicos y revisiones narrativas y sistemáticas sobre métodos de identificación de mutaciones generadas en los tumores y estrategias de inmunoterapia del cáncer con vacunas basadas en neoantígenos; población de estudio: humanos y modelos animales; periodo de publicación: enero 1989- diciembre 2019; idioma: inglés y español; términos de búsqueda: “Immunotherapy”, “Neoplasms”, “Mutation” y “Cancer Vaccines”.
Resultados. La búsqueda inicial arrojó 1344 registros; luego de remover duplicados (n=176), 780 fueron excluidos luego de leer su resumen y título, y se evaluó el texto completo de 338 para verificar cuáles cumplían con los criterios de inclusión, seleccionándose finalmente 73 estudios para análisis completo. Todos los artículos recuperados se publicaron en inglés, y fueron realizados principalmente en EE. UU. (43.83%) y Alemania (23.65%). En el caso de los estudios originales (n=43), 20 se realizaron únicamente en humanos, 9 solo en animales, 2 en ambos modelos, y 12 usaron metodología in silico.
Conclusión. La inmunoterapia personalizada contra el cáncer con vacunas basadas en neoantígenos tumorales se está convirtiendo de forma contundente en una nueva alternativa para tratar el cáncer. Sin embargo, para lograr su implementación adecuada, es necesario usarla en combinación con tratamientos convencionales, generar más conocimiento que contribuya a aclarar la inmunobiología del cáncer, y reducir los costos asociados con su producción.
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21
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Algarra I, Garrido F, Garcia-Lora AM. MHC heterogeneity and response of metastases to immunotherapy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:501-517. [PMID: 33860434 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-021-09964-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, immunotherapy has proven to be an effective treatment against cancer. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes perform an important role in this anti-tumor immune response, recognizing cancer cells as foreign, through the presentation of tumor antigens by MHC class I molecules. However, tumors and metastases develop escape mechanisms for evading this immunosurveillance and may lose the expression of these polymorphic molecules to become invisible to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. In other situations, they may maintain MHC class I expression and promote immunosuppression of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Therefore, the analysis of the expression of MHC class I molecules in tumors and metastases is important to elucidate these escape mechanisms. Moreover, it is necessary to determine the molecular mechanisms involved in these alterations to reverse them and recover the expression of MHC class I molecules on tumor cells. This review discusses the role and regulation of MHC class I expression in tumor progression. We focus on altered MHC class I phenotypes present in tumors and metastases, as well as the molecular mechanisms responsible for MHC-I alterations, emphasizing the mechanisms of recovery of the MHC class I molecules expression on cancer cells. The individualized study of the HLA class I phenotype of the tumor and the metastases of each patient will allow choosing the most appropriate immunotherapy treatment based on a personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Algarra
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Jaén, Jaén, Spain
| | - Federico Garrido
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Av. de las Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014, Granada, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular e Inmunología III, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Angel M Garcia-Lora
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Av. de las Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014, Granada, Spain. .,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain. .,Unidad de Biobanco, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.
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22
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Investigating T Cell Immunity in Cancer: Achievements and Prospects. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22062907. [PMID: 33809369 PMCID: PMC7999898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062907] [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: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells play a key role in tumour surveillance, both identifying and eliminating transformed cells. However, as tumours become established they form their own suppressive microenvironments capable of shutting down T cell function, and allowing tumours to persist and grow. To further understand the tumour microenvironment, including the interplay between different immune cells and their role in anti-tumour immune responses, a number of studies from mouse models to clinical trials have been performed. In this review, we examine mechanisms utilized by tumour cells to reduce their visibility to CD8+ Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), as well as therapeutic strategies trialled to overcome these tumour-evasion mechanisms. Next, we summarize recent advances in approaches to enhance CAR T cell activity and persistence over the past 10 years, including bispecific CAR T cell design and early evidence of efficacy. Lastly, we examine mechanisms of T cell infiltration and tumour regression, and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different strategies to investigate T cell function in murine tumour models.
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23
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Kumagai S, Koyama S, Nishikawa H. Antitumour immunity regulated by aberrant ERBB family signalling. Nat Rev Cancer 2021; 21:181-197. [PMID: 33462501 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-020-00322-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant signalling of ERBB family members plays an important role in tumorigenesis and in the escape from antitumour immunity in multiple malignancies. Molecular-targeted agents against these signalling pathways exhibit robust clinical efficacy, but patients inevitably experience acquired resistance to these molecular-targeted therapies. Although cancer immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have shown durable antitumour response in a subset of the treated patients in multiple cancer types, clinical efficacy is limited in cancers harbouring activating gene alterations of ERBB family members. In particular, ICI treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancers with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) alterations and breast cancers with HER2 alterations failed to show clinical benefits, suggesting that EGFR and HER2 signalling may have an essential role in inhibiting antitumour immune responses. Here, we discuss the mechanisms by which the signalling of ERBB family members affects not only autonomous cancer hallmarks, such as uncontrolled cell proliferation, but also antitumour immune responses in the tumour microenvironment and the potential application of immune-genome precision medicine into immunotherapy and molecular-targeted therapy focusing on the signalling of ERBB family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shogo Kumagai
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shohei Koyama
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan.
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan.
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24
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HLA class I loss in colorectal cancer: implications for immune escape and immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2021; 18:556-565. [PMID: 33473191 PMCID: PMC8027055 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00634-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell-mediated immune therapies have emerged as a promising treatment modality in different malignancies including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, only a fraction of patients currently respond to treatment. Understanding the lack of responses and finding biomarkers with predictive value is of great importance. There is evidence that CRC is a heterogeneous disease and several classification systems have been proposed that are based on genomic instability, immune cell infiltration, stromal content and molecular subtypes of gene expression. Human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I) plays a pivotal role in presenting processed antigens to T lymphocytes, including tumour antigens. These molecules are frequently lost in different types of cancers, including CRC, resulting in tumour immune escape from cytotoxic T lymphocytes during the natural history of cancer development. The aim of this review is to (i) summarize the prevalence and molecular mechanisms behind HLA-I loss in CRC, (ii) discuss HLA-I expression/loss in the context of the newly identified CRC molecular subtypes, (iii) analyze the HLA-I phenotypes of CRC metastases disseminated via blood or the lymphatic system, (iv) discuss strategies to recover/circumvent HLA-I expression/loss and finally (v) review the role of HLA class II (HLA-II) in CRC prognosis.
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25
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Robinson RA, McMurran C, McCully ML, Cole DK. Engineering soluble T-cell receptors for therapy. FEBS J 2021; 288:6159-6173. [PMID: 33624424 PMCID: PMC8596704 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15780] [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: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy approaches that target peptide-human leukocyte antigen (pHLA) complexes are becoming highly attractive because of their potential to access virtually all foreign and cellular proteins. For this reason, there has been considerable interest in the development of the natural ligand for pHLA, the T-cell receptor (TCR), as a soluble drug to target disease-associated pHLA presented at the cell surface. However, native TCR stability is suboptimal for soluble drug development, and natural TCRs generally have weak affinities for pHLAs, limiting their potential to reach efficacious receptor occupancy levels as soluble drugs. To overcome these limitations and make full use of the TCR as a soluble drug platform, several protein engineering solutions have been applied to TCRs to enhance both their stability and affinity, with a focus on retaining target specificity and selectivity. Here, we review these advances and look to the future for the next generation of soluble TCR-based therapies that can target monomorphic HLA-like proteins presenting both peptide and nonpeptide antigens.
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26
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Shukla A, Cloutier M, Appiya Santharam M, Ramanathan S, Ilangumaran S. The MHC Class-I Transactivator NLRC5: Implications to Cancer Immunology and Potential Applications to Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041964. [PMID: 33671123 PMCID: PMC7922096 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system constantly monitors the emergence of cancerous cells and eliminates them. CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which kill tumor cells and provide antitumor immunity, select their targets by recognizing tumor antigenic peptides presented by MHC class-I (MHC-I) molecules. Cancer cells circumvent immune surveillance using diverse strategies. A key mechanism of cancer immune evasion is downregulation of MHC-I and key proteins of the antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM). Even though impaired MHC-I expression in cancers is well-known, reversing the MHC-I defects remains the least advanced area of tumor immunology. The discoveries that NLRC5 is the key transcriptional activator of MHC-I and APM genes, and genetic lesions and epigenetic modifications of NLRC5 are the most common cause of MHC-I defects in cancers, have raised the hopes for restoring MHC-I expression. Here, we provide an overview of cancer immunity mediated by CD8+ T cells and the functions of NLRC5 in MHC-I antigen presentation pathways. We describe the impressive advances made in understanding the regulation of NLRC5 expression, the data supporting the antitumor functions of NLRC5 and a few reports that argue for a pro-tumorigenic role. Finally, we explore the possible avenues of exploiting NLRC5 for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhil Shukla
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; (A.S.); (M.C.); (M.A.S.); (S.R.)
| | - Maryse Cloutier
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; (A.S.); (M.C.); (M.A.S.); (S.R.)
| | - Madanraj Appiya Santharam
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; (A.S.); (M.C.); (M.A.S.); (S.R.)
| | - Sheela Ramanathan
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; (A.S.); (M.C.); (M.A.S.); (S.R.)
- CRCHUS, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H5N4, Canada
| | - Subburaj Ilangumaran
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; (A.S.); (M.C.); (M.A.S.); (S.R.)
- CRCHUS, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H5N4, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-819-346-1110 (ext. 14834)
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27
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Li PJ, Roose JP, Jablons DM, Kratz JR. Bioinformatic Approaches to Validation and Functional Analysis of 3D Lung Cancer Models. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040701. [PMID: 33572297 PMCID: PMC7915264 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
3D models of cancer have the potential to improve basic, translational, and clinical studies. Patient-derived xenografts, spheroids, and organoids are broad categories of 3D models of cancer, and to date, these 3D models of cancer have been established for a variety of cancer types. In lung cancer, for example, 3D models offer a promising new avenue to gain novel insights into lung tumor biology and improve outcomes for patients afflicted with the number one cancer killer worldwide. However, the adoption and utility of these 3D models of cancer vary, and demonstrating the fidelity of these models is a critical first step before seeking meaningful applications. Here, we review use cases of current 3D lung cancer models and bioinformatic approaches to assessing model fidelity. Bioinformatics approaches play a key role in both validating 3D lung cancer models and high dimensional functional analyses to support downstream applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Jonathan Li
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; (P.J.L.); (D.M.J.)
| | - Jeroen P. Roose
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA;
| | - David M. Jablons
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; (P.J.L.); (D.M.J.)
| | - Johannes R. Kratz
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; (P.J.L.); (D.M.J.)
- Correspondence:
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28
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NLRC5/CITA expression correlates with efficient response to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3258. [PMID: 33547395 PMCID: PMC7865024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82729-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint blockade-mediated immunotherapy is emerging as an effective treatment modality for multiple cancer types. However, cancer cells frequently evade the immune system, compromising the effectiveness of immunotherapy. It is crucial to develop screening methods to identify the patients who would most benefit from these therapies because of the risk of the side effects and the high cost of treatment. Here we show that expression of the MHC class I transactivator (CITA), NLRC5, is important for efficient responses to anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD1 checkpoint blockade therapies. Melanoma tumors derived from patients responding to immunotherapy exhibited significantly higher expression of NLRC5 and MHC class I-related genes compared to non-responding patients. In addition, multivariate analysis that included the number of tumor-associated non-synonymous mutations, predicted neo-antigen load and PD-L2 expression was capable of further stratifying responders and non-responders to anti-CTLA4 therapy. Moreover, expression or methylation of NLRC5 together with total somatic mutation number were significantly correlated with increased patient survival. These results suggest that NLRC5 tumor expression, alone or together with tumor mutation load constitutes a valuable predictive biomarker for both prognosis and response to anti-CTLA-4 and potentially anti-PD1 blockade immunotherapy in melanoma patients.
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29
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Holland CJ, Crean RM, Pentier JM, de Wet B, Lloyd A, Srikannathasan V, Lissin N, Lloyd KA, Blicher TH, Conroy PJ, Hock M, Pengelly RJ, Spinner TE, Cameron B, Potter EA, Jeyanthan A, Molloy PE, Sami M, Aleksic M, Liddy N, Robinson RA, Harper S, Lepore M, Pudney CR, van der Kamp MW, Rizkallah PJ, Jakobsen BK, Vuidepot A, Cole DK. Specificity of bispecific T cell receptors and antibodies targeting peptide-HLA. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:2673-2688. [PMID: 32310221 DOI: 10.1172/jci130562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated peptide-human leukocyte antigen complexes (pHLAs) represent the largest pool of cell surface-expressed cancer-specific epitopes, making them attractive targets for cancer therapies. Soluble bispecific molecules that incorporate an anti-CD3 effector function are being developed to redirect T cells against these targets using 2 different approaches. The first achieves pHLA recognition via affinity-enhanced versions of natural TCRs (e.g., immune-mobilizing monoclonal T cell receptors against cancer [ImmTAC] molecules), whereas the second harnesses an antibody-based format (TCR-mimic antibodies). For both classes of reagent, target specificity is vital, considering the vast universe of potential pHLA molecules that can be presented on healthy cells. Here, we made use of structural, biochemical, and computational approaches to investigate the molecular rules underpinning the reactivity patterns of pHLA-targeting bispecifics. We demonstrate that affinity-enhanced TCRs engage pHLA using a comparatively broad and balanced energetic footprint, with interactions distributed over several HLA and peptide side chains. As ImmTAC molecules, these TCRs also retained a greater degree of pHLA selectivity, with less off-target activity in cellular assays. Conversely, TCR-mimic antibodies tended to exhibit binding modes focused more toward hot spots on the HLA surface and exhibited a greater degree of crossreactivity. Our findings extend our understanding of the basic principles that underpin pHLA selectivity and exemplify a number of molecular approaches that can be used to probe the specificity of pHLA-targeting molecules, aiding the development of future reagents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rory M Crean
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry and.,Doctoral Training Centre in Sustainable Chemical Technologies, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ben de Wet
- Immunocore Ltd., Milton Park, Abingdon, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Katy A Lloyd
- Immunocore Ltd., Milton Park, Abingdon, United Kingdom
| | | | - Paul J Conroy
- Immunocore Ltd., Milton Park, Abingdon, United Kingdom
| | - Miriam Hock
- Immunocore Ltd., Milton Park, Abingdon, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Brian Cameron
- Immunocore Ltd., Milton Park, Abingdon, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Malkit Sami
- Immunocore Ltd., Milton Park, Abingdon, United Kingdom
| | - Milos Aleksic
- Immunocore Ltd., Milton Park, Abingdon, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Marco Lepore
- Immunocore Ltd., Milton Park, Abingdon, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Pierre J Rizkallah
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - David K Cole
- Immunocore Ltd., Milton Park, Abingdon, United Kingdom.,Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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30
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Pollack BP. EGFR inhibitors, MHC expression and immune responses : Can EGFR inhibitors be used as immune response modifiers? Oncoimmunology 2021; 1:71-74. [PMID: 22720215 DOI: 10.4161/onci.1.1.18073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A recent study from our laboratory demonstrated that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors (EGFRIs) augment the expression of class I and class II MHC molecules. This finding provides an additional mechanism through which EGFRIs may exert anti-tumor effects and supports the notion that EGFRIs may influence adaptive immune responses by altering immune gene expression.
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31
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Alotaibi F, Vincent M, Min WP, Koropatnick J. Reduced CD5 on CD8 + T Cells in Tumors but Not Lymphoid Organs Is Associated With Increased Activation and Effector Function. Front Immunol 2021; 11:584937. [PMID: 33584650 PMCID: PMC7876331 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.584937] [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: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CD5, a member of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich superfamily, is a marker for T cells and a subset of B cells (B1a). CD5 associates with T-cell and B-cell receptors and increased CD5 is an indication of B cell activation. In tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) isolated from lung cancer patients, CD5 levels were negatively correlated with anti-tumor activity and tumor‐mediated activation-induced T cell death, suggesting that CD5 could impair activation of anti-tumor T cells. We determined CD5 levels in T cell subsets in different organs in mice bearing syngeneic 4T1 breast tumor homografts and assessed the relationship between CD5 and increased T cell activation and effector function by flow cytometry. We report that T cell CD5 levels were higher in CD4+ T cells than in CD8+ T cells in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice, and that high CD5 levels on CD4+ T cells were maintained in peripheral organs (spleen and lymph nodes). However, both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells recruited to tumors had reduced CD5 compared to CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in peripheral organs. In addition, CD5high/CD4+ T cells and CD5high/CD8+ T cells from peripheral organs exhibited higher levels of activation and associated effector function compared to CD5low/CD4+ T cell and CD5low/CD8+ T cell from the same organs. Interestingly, CD8+ T cells among TILs and downregulated CD5 were activated to a higher level, with concomitantly increased effector function markers, than CD8+/CD5high TILs. Thus, differential CD5 levels among T cells in tumors and lymphoid organs can be associated with different levels of T cell activation and effector function, suggesting that CD5 may be a therapeutic target for immunotherapeutic activation in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faizah Alotaibi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Cancer Research Laboratory Program, London Regional Cancer Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Mark Vincent
- Department of Oncology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Wei-Ping Min
- Department of Oncology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - James Koropatnick
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Cancer Research Laboratory Program, London Regional Cancer Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Oncology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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32
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Johnson DK, Magoffin W, Myers SJ, Finnell JG, Hancock JC, Orton TS, Persaud SP, Christensen KA, Weber KS. CD4 Inhibits Helper T Cell Activation at Lower Affinity Threshold for Full-Length T Cell Receptors Than Single Chain Signaling Constructs. Front Immunol 2021; 11:561889. [PMID: 33542711 PMCID: PMC7851051 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.561889] [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: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells are crucial for effective repression and elimination of cancer cells. Despite a paucity of CD4+ T cell receptor (TCR) clinical studies, CD4+ T cells are primed to become important therapeutics as they help circumvent tumor antigen escape and guide multifactorial immune responses. However, because CD8+ T cells directly kill tumor cells, most research has focused on the attributes of CD8+ TCRs. Less is known about how TCR affinity and CD4 expression affect CD4+ T cell activation in full length TCR (flTCR) and TCR single chain signaling (TCR-SCS) formats. Here, we generated an affinity panel of TCRs from CD4+ T cells and expressed them in flTCR and three TCR-SCS formats modeled after chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to understand the contributions of TCR-pMHCII affinity, TCR format, and coreceptor CD4 interactions on CD4+ T cell activation. Strikingly, the coreceptor CD4 inhibited intermediate and high affinity TCR-construct activation by Lck-dependent and -independent mechanisms. These inhibition mechanisms had unique affinity thresholds dependent on the TCR format. Intracellular construct formats affected the tetramer staining for each TCR as well as IL-2 production. IL-2 production was promoted by increased TCR-pMHCII affinity and the flTCR format. Thus, CD4+ T cell therapy development should consider TCR affinity, CD4 expression, and construct format.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah K Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Wyatt Magoffin
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Sheldon J Myers
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Jordan G Finnell
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - John C Hancock
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Taylor S Orton
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Stephen P Persaud
- Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Kenneth A Christensen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - K Scott Weber
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
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33
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Full-length HLA sequencing in adult T cell leukemia-lymphoma uncovers multiple gene alterations. Leukemia 2021; 35:2998-3001. [PMID: 34518643 PMCID: PMC8478651 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01403-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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34
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George CN, Canuas-Landero V, Theodoulou E, Muthana M, Wilson C, Ottewell P. Oestrogen and zoledronic acid driven changes to the bone and immune environments: Potential mechanisms underlying the differential anti-tumour effects of zoledronic acid in pre- and post-menopausal conditions. J Bone Oncol 2020; 25:100317. [PMID: 32995253 PMCID: PMC7516134 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbo.2020.100317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Late stage breast cancer commonly metastasises to bone and patient survival averages 2-3 years following diagnosis of bone involvement. One of the most successful treatments for bone metastases is the bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid (ZOL). ZOL has been used in the advanced setting for many years where it has been shown to reduce skeletal complications associated with bone metastasis. More recently, several large adjuvant clinical trials have demonstrated that administration of ZOL can prevent recurrence and improve survival when given in early breast cancer. However, these promising effects were only observed in post-menopausal women with confirmed low concentrations of circulating ovarian hormones. In this review we focus on potential interactions between the ovarian hormone, oestrogen, and ZOL to establish credible hypotheses that could explain why anti-tumour effects are specific to post-menopausal women. Specifically, we discuss the molecular and immune cell driven mechanisms by which ZOL and oestrogen affect the tumour microenvironment to inhibit/induce tumour growth and how oestrogen can interact with zoledronic acid to inhibit its anti-tumour actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher N. George
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Victor Canuas-Landero
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Elizavet Theodoulou
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Munitta Muthana
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Wilson
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Penelope Ottewell
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
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35
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Zuazo M, Arasanz H, Bocanegra A, Fernandez G, Chocarro L, Vera R, Kochan G, Escors D. Systemic CD4 Immunity as a Key Contributor to PD-L1/PD-1 Blockade Immunotherapy Efficacy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:586907. [PMID: 33329566 PMCID: PMC7734243 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.586907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
PD-L1/PD-1 blockade immunotherapy has significantly improved treatment outcome for several cancer types compared to conventional cytotoxic therapies. However, the specific molecular and cellular mechanisms behind its efficacy are currently unclear. There is increasing evidence in murine models and in patients that unveil the key importance of systemic immunity to achieve clinical responses under several types of immunotherapy. Indeed, PD-L1/PD-1 blockade induces the expansion of systemic CD8+ PD-1+ T cell subpopulations which might be responsible for direct anti-tumor responses. However, the role of CD4+ T cells in PD-L1/PD-1 blockade-induced anti-tumor responses has been less documented. In this review we focus on the experimental data supporting the “often suspected” indispensable helper function of CD4 T cells towards CD8 effector anti-tumor responses in cancer; and particularly, we highlight the recently published studies uncovering the key contribution of systemic CD4 T cells to clinical efficacy in PD-L1/PD-1 blockade therapies. We conclude and propose that the presence of specific CD4 T cell memory subsets in peripheral blood before the initiation of treatments is a strong predictor of responses in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Therefore, development of new approaches to improve CD4 responses before PD-L1/PD-1 blockade therapy could be the solution to increase response rates and survival of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miren Zuazo
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Fundación Miguel Servet-Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-UPNA-IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Hugo Arasanz
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Fundación Miguel Servet-Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-UPNA-IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Bocanegra
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Fundación Miguel Servet-Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-UPNA-IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Fernandez
- Department of Oncology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Luisa Chocarro
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Fundación Miguel Servet-Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-UPNA-IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ruth Vera
- Department of Oncology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Grazyna Kochan
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Fundación Miguel Servet-Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-UPNA-IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - David Escors
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Fundación Miguel Servet-Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-UPNA-IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
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36
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Na HY, Park Y, Nam SK, Lee KS, Oh HK, Kim DW, Kang SB, Kim WH, Lee HS. Expression of human leukocyte antigen class I and β2-microglobulin in colorectal cancer and its prognostic impact. Cancer Sci 2020; 112:91-100. [PMID: 33159376 PMCID: PMC7780028 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Downregulation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I has been postulated to be a mechanism of adaptive immune escape in various tumors, especially microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we aimed to investigate HLA class I and β2-microglobulin (β2M) expression in MSI-H and microsatellite-stable (MSS) CRCs and determine its prognostic impact. The representative areas from the tumor center (TC) and tumor periphery (TP) from 300 CRCs, including 161 MSI-H and 139 MSS cases, were selected to construct a tissue microarray. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for HLA A/B/C, β2M, CD3, and CD8 was performed. Reduced HLA A/B/C expression was detected in 113 (70.2%) MSI-H and 54 (38.8%) MSS cases, while reduced β2M expression was observed in 69 (42.9%) MSI-H and 17 (12.2%) MSS cases. Although reduced β2M expression was associated with higher pathological tumor (pT) stage in MSI-H CRC with borderline significance, no association was found between HLA A/B/C and β2M expression and survival. Interestingly, reduced HLA A/B/C expression in MSS was associated with higher stage, and reduced HLA A/B/C and β2M expression was an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, reduced HLA A/B/C and β2M expression was frequently observed in immunotherapy-naive MSI-H CRC, suggesting the possibility of primary resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitor. Interestingly, downregulation of HLA A/B/C and β2M was associated with poor prognosis in MSS cancers. Overall, IHC for HLA A/B/C and β2M might be a feasible predictive or prognostic tool in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Young Na
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Yujun Park
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Soo Kyung Nam
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Kyu Sang Lee
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Heung-Kwon Oh
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Duck-Woo Kim
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Sung-Bum Kang
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Woo Ho Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Seung Lee
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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37
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French JD. Immunotherapy for advanced thyroid cancers - rationale, current advances and future strategies. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2020; 16:629-641. [PMID: 32839578 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-020-0398-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the past decade, the field of cancer immunotherapy has been revolutionized by immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) technologies. Success across a broad spectrum of cancers has led to a paradigm shift in therapy for patients with advanced cancer. Early data are now accumulating in progressive thyroid cancers treated with single-agent ICB therapies and combination approaches that incorporate ICB technologies. This Review discusses our current knowledge of the immune response in thyroid cancers, the latest and ongoing immune-based approaches, and the future of immunotherapies in thyroid cancer. Physiologically relevant preclinical mouse models and human correlative research studies will inform development of the next stage of immune-based therapies for patients with advanced thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jena D French
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
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38
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Thompson JC, Davis C, Deshpande C, Hwang WT, Jeffries S, Huang A, Mitchell TC, Langer CJ, Albelda SM. Gene signature of antigen processing and presentation machinery predicts response to checkpoint blockade in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:jitc-2020-000974. [PMID: 33028693 PMCID: PMC7542663 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Limited data exist on the role of alterations in HLA Class I antigen processing and presentation machinery in mediating response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzed transcriptional profiles from pre-treatment tumor samples of 51 chemotherapy-refractory advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and two independent melanoma cohorts treated with ICB. An antigen processing machinery (APM) score was generated utilizing eight genes associated with APM (B2M, CALR, NLRC5, PSMB9, PSME1, PSME3, RFX5, and HSP90AB1). Associations were made for therapeutic response, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results In NSCLC, the APM score was significantly higher in responders compared with non-responders (p=0.0001). An APM score above the median value for the cohort was associated with improved PFS (HR 0.34 (0.18 to 0.64), p=0.001) and OS (HR 0.44 (0.23 to 0.83), p=0.006). The APM score was correlated with an inflammation score based on the established T-cell-inflamed resistance gene expression profile (Pearson’s r=0.58, p<0.0001). However, the APM score better predicted response to ICB relative to the inflammation score with area under a receiving operating characteristics curve of 0.84 and 0.70 for PFS and OS, respectively. In a cohort of 14 high-risk resectable stage III/IV melanoma patients treated with neoadjuvant anti-PD1 ICB, a higher APM score was associated with improved disease-free survival (HR: 0.08 (0.01 to 0.50), p=0.0065). In an additional independent melanoma cohort of 27 metastatic patients treated with ICB, a higher APM score was associated with improved OS (HR 0.29 (0.09 to 0.89), p=0.044). Conclusion Our data demonstrate that defects in antigen presentation may be an important feature in predicting outcomes to ICB in both lung cancer and melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C Thompson
- Pulmonary and Critical Care, Thoracic Oncology Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christiana Davis
- Hematology/Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Charuhas Deshpande
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wei-Ting Hwang
- Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Seth Jeffries
- Hematology/Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alexander Huang
- Hematology/Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tara C Mitchell
- Hematology/Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Corey J Langer
- Hematology/Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Steven M Albelda
- Pulmonary and Critical Care, Thoracic Oncology Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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39
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Sabbatino F, Liguori L, Polcaro G, Salvato I, Caramori G, Salzano FA, Casolaro V, Stellato C, Dal Col J, Pepe S. Role of Human Leukocyte Antigen System as A Predictive Biomarker for Checkpoint-Based Immunotherapy in Cancer Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197295. [PMID: 33023239 PMCID: PMC7582904 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in cancer immunotherapy have clearly shown that checkpoint-based immunotherapy is effective in a small subgroup of cancer patients. However, no effective predictive biomarker has been identified so far. The major histocompatibility complex, better known in humans as human leukocyte antigen (HLA), is a very polymorphic gene complex consisting of more than 200 genes. It has a crucial role in activating an appropriate host immune response against pathogens and tumor cells by discriminating self and non-self peptides. Several lines of evidence have shown that down-regulation of expression of HLA class I antigen derived peptide complexes by cancer cells is a mechanism of tumor immune escape and is often associated to poor prognosis in cancer patients. In addition, it has also been shown that HLA class I and II antigen expression, as well as defects in the antigen processing machinery complex, may predict tumor responses in cancer immunotherapy. Nevertheless, the role of HLA in predicting tumor responses to checkpoint-based immunotherapy is still debated. In this review, firstly, we will describe the structure and function of the HLA system. Secondly, we will summarize the HLA defects and their clinical significance in cancer patients. Thirdly, we will review the potential role of the HLA as a predictive biomarker for checkpoint-based immunotherapy in cancer patients. Lastly, we will discuss the potential strategies that may restore HLA function to implement novel therapeutic strategies in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Sabbatino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
- Oncology Unit, AOU San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D’Aragona, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Luigi Liguori
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Polcaro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Ilaria Salvato
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
- Pulmonary Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry, Morphological and Functional Imaging (BIOMORF), University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Gaetano Caramori
- Pulmonary Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry, Morphological and Functional Imaging (BIOMORF), University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Francesco A. Salzano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Vincenzo Casolaro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Cristiana Stellato
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Jessica Dal Col
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-08996-5210
| | - Stefano Pepe
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
- Oncology Unit, AOU San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D’Aragona, 84131 Salerno, Italy
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Zhu L, Yang X, Zhong D, Xie S, Shi W, Li Y, Hou X, HuaYao, Zhou H, Zhao M, Ding Z, Zhao X, Mo F, Yin S, Liu A, Lu X. Single-Domain Antibody-Based TCR-Like CAR-T: A Potential Cancer Therapy. J Immunol Res 2020; 2020:2454907. [PMID: 32964055 PMCID: PMC7492946 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2454907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Retargeting the antigen-binding specificity of T cells to intracellular antigens that are degraded and presented on the tumor surface by engineering chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), also named TCR-like antibody CAR-T, remains limited. With the exception of the commercialized CD19 CAR-T for hematological malignancies and other CAR-T therapies aiming mostly at extracellular antigens achieving great success, the rareness and scarcity of TCR-like CAR-T therapies might be due to their current status and limitations. This review provides the probable optimized initiatives for improving TCR-like CAR-T reprogramming and discusses single-domain antibodies administered as an alternative to conventional scFvs and secreted by CAR-T cells, which might be of great value to the development of CAR-T immunotherapies for intracellular antigens.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Genetic Engineering
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Single-Chain Antibodies/immunology
- Single-Domain Antibodies/genetics
- Single-Domain Antibodies/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichen Zhu
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- School of Preclinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Xiaomei Yang
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- School of Preclinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Dani Zhong
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Department of Chemotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Shenxia Xie
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Wei Shi
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Yangzi Li
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Xiaoqiong Hou
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- School of Preclinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - HuaYao
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- School of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Huihui Zhou
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Minlong Zhao
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- School of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Ziqiang Ding
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Xinyue Zhao
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Fengzhen Mo
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Shihua Yin
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Aiqun Liu
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Xiaoling Lu
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- School of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
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41
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Balhorn R, Balhorn MC. Therapeutic applications of the selective high affinity ligand drug SH7139 extend beyond non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to many other types of solid cancers. Oncotarget 2020; 11:3315-3349. [PMID: 32934776 PMCID: PMC7476732 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
SH7139, the first of a series of selective high affinity ligand (SHAL) oncology drug candidates designed to target and bind to the HLA-DR proteins overexpressed by B-cell lymphomas, has demonstrated exceptional efficacy in the treatment of Burkitt lymphoma xenografts in mice and a safety profile that may prove to be unprecedented for an oncology drug. The aim of this study was to determine how frequently the HLA-DRs targeted by SH7139 are expressed by different subtypes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and by other solid cancers that have been reported to express HLA-DR. Binding studies conducted with SH7129, a biotinylated analog of SH7139, reveal that more than half of the biopsy sections obtained from patients with different types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma express the HLA-DRs targeted by SH7139. Similar analyses of tumor biopsy tissue obtained from patients diagnosed with eighteen other solid cancers show the majority of these tumors also express the HLA-DRs targeted by SH7139. Cervical, ovarian, colorectal and prostate cancers expressed the most HLA-DR. Only a few esophageal and head and neck tumors bound the diagnostic. Within an individual’s tumor, cell to cell differences in HLA-DR target expression varied by only 2 to 3-fold while the expression levels in tumors obtained from different patients varied as much as 10 to 100-fold. The high frequency with which SH7129 was observed to bind to these cancers suggests that many patients diagnosed with B-cell lymphomas, myelomas, and other non-hematological cancers should be considered potential candidates for new therapies such as SH7139 that target HLA-DR-expressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rod Balhorn
- SHAL Technologies Inc., Livermore, CA 94550, USA
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42
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Cho SX, Vijayan S, Yoo JS, Watanabe T, Ouda R, An N, Kobayashi KS. MHC class I transactivator NLRC5 in host immunity, cancer and beyond. Immunology 2020; 162:252-261. [PMID: 32633419 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The presentation of antigenic peptides by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II molecules is crucial for activation of the adaptive immune system. The nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat receptor family members CIITA and NLRC5 function as the major transcriptional activators of MHC class II and class I gene expression, respectively. Since the identification of NLRC5 as the master regulator of MHC class I and class-I-related genes, there have been major advances in understanding the function of NLRC5 in infectious diseases and cancer. Here, we discuss the biological significance and mechanism of NLRC5-dependent MHC class I expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven X Cho
- Department of Immunology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Saptha Vijayan
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ji-Seung Yoo
- Department of Immunology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Watanabe
- Department of Immunology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ryota Ouda
- Department of Immunology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ning An
- Department of Immunology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Koichi S Kobayashi
- Department of Immunology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.,Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX, USA
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43
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De Mattos-Arruda L, Vazquez M, Finotello F, Lepore R, Porta E, Hundal J, Amengual-Rigo P, Ng CKY, Valencia A, Carrillo J, Chan TA, Guallar V, McGranahan N, Blanco J, Griffith M. Neoantigen prediction and computational perspectives towards clinical benefit: recommendations from the ESMO Precision Medicine Working Group. Ann Oncol 2020; 31:978-990. [PMID: 32610166 PMCID: PMC7885309 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of next-generation sequencing technologies has enabled the rapid identification of non-synonymous somatic mutations in cancer cells. Neoantigens are mutated peptides derived from somatic mutations not present in normal tissues that may result in the presentation of tumour-specific peptides capable of eliciting antitumour T-cell responses. Personalised neoantigen-based cancer vaccines and adoptive T-cell therapies have been shown to prime host immunity against tumour cells and are under clinical trial development. However, the optimisation and standardisation of neoantigen identification, as well as its delivery as immunotherapy are needed to increase tumour-specific T-cell responses and, thus, the clinical efficacy of current cancer immunotherapies. METHODS In this recommendation article, launched by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), we outline and discuss the available framework for neoantigen prediction and present a systematic review of the current scientific evidence. RESULTS A number of computational pipelines for neoantigen prediction are available. Most of them provide peptide major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binding affinity predictions, but more recent approaches incorporate additional features like variant allele fraction, gene expression, and clonality of mutations. Neoantigens can be predicted in all cancer types with high and low tumour mutation burden, in part by exploiting tumour-specific aberrations derived from mutational frameshifts, splice variants, gene fusions, endogenous retroelements and other tumour-specific processes that could yield more potently immunogenic tumour neoantigens. Ongoing clinical trials will highlight those cancer types and combinations of immune therapies that would derive the most benefit from neoantigen-based immunotherapies. CONCLUSIONS Improved identification, selection and prioritisation of tumour-specific neoantigens are needed to increase the scope of benefit from cancer vaccines and adoptive T-cell therapies. Novel pipelines are being developed to resolve the challenges posed by high-throughput sequencing and to predict immunogenic neoantigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- L De Mattos-Arruda
- IrsiCaixa, Hospital Universitari Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain; Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain.
| | - M Vazquez
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Finotello
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - R Lepore
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Porta
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Barcelona, Spain; Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Spain
| | - J Hundal
- The McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, USA
| | | | - C K Y Ng
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - A Valencia
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Carrillo
- IrsiCaixa, Hospital Universitari Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain; Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - T A Chan
- Center for Immunotherapy and Precision-Immuno-Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, USA
| | - V Guallar
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - N McGranahan
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, University College, London, UK; Cancer Genome Evolution Research Group, University College London Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - J Blanco
- IrsiCaixa, Hospital Universitari Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain; Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain; Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC), Vic, Spain
| | - M Griffith
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
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Han XJ, Ma XL, Yang L, Wei YQ, Peng Y, Wei XW. Progress in Neoantigen Targeted Cancer Immunotherapies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:728. [PMID: 32850843 PMCID: PMC7406675 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies that harness the immune system to kill cancer cells have showed significant therapeutic efficacy in many human malignancies. A growing number of studies have highlighted the relevance of neoantigens in recognizing cancer cells by intrinsic T cells. Cancer neoantigens are a direct consequence of somatic mutations presenting on the surface of individual cancer cells. Neoantigens are fully cancer-specific and exempt from central tolerance. In addition, neoantigens are important targets for checkpoint blockade therapy. Recently, technological innovations have made neoantigen discovery possible in a variety of malignancies, thus providing an impetus to develop novel immunotherapies that selectively enhance T cell reactivity for the destruction of cancer cells while leaving normal tissues unharmed. In this review, we aim to introduce the methods of the identification of neoantigens, the mutational patterns of human cancers, related clinical trials, neoantigen burden and sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade. Moreover, we focus on relevant challenges of targeting neoantigens for cancer treatment.
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45
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Wang X, Waschke BC, Woolaver RA, Chen SMY, Chen Z, Wang JH. HDAC inhibitors overcome immunotherapy resistance in B-cell lymphoma. Protein Cell 2020; 11:472-482. [PMID: 32162275 PMCID: PMC7305292 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-020-00694-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has been applied successfully to treat B-cell lymphomas in preclinical models or clinical settings. However, immunotherapy resistance is a major challenge for B-cell lymphoma treatment. To overcome this issue, combinatorial therapeutic strategies have been pursued to achieve a better efficacy for treating B-cell lymphomas. One of such strategies is to combine immunotherapy with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. HDAC inhibitors can potentially increase tumor immunogenicity, promote anti-tumor immune responses, or reverse immunosuppressive tumor environments. Thus, the combination of HDAC inhibitors and immunotherapy has drawn much attention in current cancer treatment. However, not all HDAC inhibitors are created equal and their net effects are highly dependent on the specific inhibitors used and the HDACs they target. Hence, we suggest that optimal treatment efficacy requires personalized design and rational combination based on prognostic biomarkers and unique profiles of HDAC inhibitors. Here, we discuss the possible mechanisms by which B-cell lymphomas acquire immunotherapy resistance and the effects of HDAC inhibitors on tumor cells and immune cells that could help overcome immunotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoguang Wang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, 12800 E. 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8333, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Brittany C Waschke
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, 12800 E. 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8333, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Rachel A Woolaver
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, 12800 E. 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8333, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Samantha M Y Chen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, 12800 E. 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8333, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Zhangguo Chen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, 12800 E. 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8333, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Jing H Wang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, 12800 E. 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8333, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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Buller CW, Mathew PA, Mathew SO. Roles of NK Cell Receptors 2B4 (CD244), CS1 (CD319), and LLT1 (CLEC2D) in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071755. [PMID: 32630303 PMCID: PMC7409338 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in the immune system, especially in the recognition and clearance of cancer cells and infected cells. Their effector function is controlled by a delicate balance between the activating and inhibitory signals. We have identified 2B4 (CD244, SLAMF4) and CS1 (CD319, SLAMF7) as NK cell receptors regulating NK cell cytotoxicity. Lectin-like transcript 1 (LLT1), a member of the C-type lectin-like domain family 2 (CLEC2D), induced IFN-γ production but did not directly regulate cytolytic activity. Interestingly, LLT1 expressed on other cells acts as a ligand for an NK cell inhibitory receptor NKRP1A (CD161) and inhibits NK cytolytic function. Extensive research has been done on novel therapies that target these receptors to increase the effector function of NK cells. The 2B4 receptor is involved in the rejection of melanoma cells in mice. Empliciti, an FDA-approved monoclonal antibody, explicitly targets the CS1 receptor and enhances the NK cell cytotoxicity against multiple myeloma cells. Our studies revealed that LLT1 is expressed on prostate cancer and triple-negative breast cancer cells and allows them to evade NK-cell-mediated killing. In this review, we describe NK cell receptors 2B4, CS1, and LLT1 and their potential in targeting cancer cells for NK-cell-mediated immunotherapy. New cancer immunotherapies like chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) and NK (CAR-NK) cells are showing great promise in the treatment of cancer, and CAR cells specific to these receptors would be an attractive therapeutic option.
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47
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Shankar K, Capitini CM, Saha K. Genome engineering of induced pluripotent stem cells to manufacture natural killer cell therapies. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:234. [PMID: 32546200 PMCID: PMC7298853 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01741-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in host immunity by detecting cells that downregulate MHC class I presentation and upregulate stress ligands, as commonly seen in cancers. Current NK therapies using primary NK cells are prone to manufacturing issues related to expansion and storage. Alternative cell sources utilizing immortalized NK cell lines require irradiation and are dependent on systemic IL-2 administration, which has been associated with adverse effects. In contrast, NK cells differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-NK cells) offer an off-the-shelf alternative that may overcome these bottlenecks. The development of a serum-free and feeder-free differentiation protocol allows for the manufacturing of clinically adaptable iPSC-NK cells that are equally as effective as primary NK cells and the NK-92 cell line for many indications. Moreover, genetic modifications targeting NK-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity capabilities, cytotoxicity, and checkpoint inhibitors may increase the therapeutic potential of iPSC-NK products. This review will highlight the current sources for NK therapies and their respective constraints, discuss recent developments in the manufacturing and genetic engineering of iPSC-NK cells, and provide an overview of ongoing clinical trials using NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keerthana Shankar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Christian M Capitini
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Ave, WIMR 4137, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Krishanu Saha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 330 N Orchard St, WID 4164, Madison, WI, 53715, USA.
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Pulido M, Chamorro V, Romero I, Algarra I, S-Montalvo A, Collado A, Garrido F, Garcia-Lora AM. Restoration of MHC-I on Tumor Cells by Fhit Transfection Promotes Immune Rejection and Acts as an Individualized Immunotherapeutic Vaccine. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1563. [PMID: 32545680 PMCID: PMC7352176 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The capacity of cytotoxic-T lymphocytes to recognize and destroy tumor cells depends on the surface expression by tumor cells of MHC class I molecules loaded with tumor antigen peptides. Loss of MHC-I expression is the most frequent mechanism by which tumor cells evade the immune response. The restoration of MHC-I expression in cancer cells is crucial to enhance their immune destruction, especially in response to cancer immunotherapy. Using mouse models, we recovered MHC-I expression in the MHC-I negative tumor cell lines and analyzed their oncological and immunological profile. Fhit gene transfection induces the restoration of MHC-I expression in highly oncogenic MHC-I-negative murine tumor cell lines and genes of the IFN-γ transduction signal pathway are involved. Fhit-transfected tumor cells proved highly immunogenic, being rejected by a T lymphocyte-mediated immune response. Strikingly, this immune rejection was more frequent in females than in males. The immune response generated protected hosts against the tumor growth of non-transfected cells and against other tumor cells in our murine tumor model. Finally, we also observed a direct correlation between FHIT expression and HLA-I surface expression in human breast tumors. Recovery of Fhit expression on MHC class I negative tumor cells may be a useful immunotherapeutic strategy and may even act as an individualized immunotherapeutic vaccine.
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Grants
- 15-1166 Worldwide Cancer Research
- PI12/02031, PI14/01978, PI15/00528, PI17/00197, PI19/01179, PT13/0010/0039 and PT17/0015/0041 Instituto de Salud Carlos III
- Group CTS-143, CTS-3952, CVI-4740 grants Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo, Junta de Andalucía
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Affiliation(s)
- María Pulido
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Av. de las Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014 Granada, Spain; (M.P.); (V.C.); (A.S.-M.); (F.G.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Virginia Chamorro
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Av. de las Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014 Granada, Spain; (M.P.); (V.C.); (A.S.-M.); (F.G.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Irene Romero
- UGC Laboratorios, Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén, 23007 Jaén, Spain;
| | - Ignacio Algarra
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain;
| | - Alba S-Montalvo
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Av. de las Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014 Granada, Spain; (M.P.); (V.C.); (A.S.-M.); (F.G.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Antonia Collado
- Unidad de Biobanco, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain;
| | - Federico Garrido
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Av. de las Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014 Granada, Spain; (M.P.); (V.C.); (A.S.-M.); (F.G.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular e Inmunología III, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Angel M. Garcia-Lora
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Av. de las Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014 Granada, Spain; (M.P.); (V.C.); (A.S.-M.); (F.G.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
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MHC class I-independent activation of virtual memory CD8 T cells induced by chemotherapeutic agent-treated cancer cells. Cell Mol Immunol 2020; 18:723-734. [PMID: 32427883 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-0463-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells can evade immune recognition by losing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I. Hence, MHC class I-negative cancers represent the most challenging cancers to treat. Chemotherapeutic drugs not only directly kill tumors but also modulate the tumor immune microenvironment. However, it remains unknown whether chemotherapy-treated cancer cells can activate CD8 T cells independent of tumor-derived MHC class I and whether such MHC class I-independent CD8 T-cell activation can be exploited for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we showed that chemotherapy-treated cancer cells directly activated CD8 T cells in an MHC class I-independent manner and that these activated CD8 T cells exhibit virtual memory (VM) phenotypes. Consistently, in vivo chemotherapeutic treatment preferentially increased tumor-infiltrating VM CD8 T cells. Mechanistically, MHC class I-independent activation of CD8 T cells requires cell-cell contact and activation of the PI3K pathway. VM CD8 T cells contribute to a superior therapeutic effect on MHC class I-deficient tumors. Using humanized mouse models or primary human CD8 T cells, we also demonstrated that chemotherapy-treated human lymphomas activated VM CD8 T cells independent of tumor-derived MHC class I. In conclusion, CD8 T cells can be directly activated in an MHC class I-independent manner by chemotherapy-treated cancers, and these activated CD8 T cells may be exploited for developing new strategies to treat MHC class I-deficient cancers.
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Sznarkowska A, Mikac S, Pilch M. MHC Class I Regulation: The Origin Perspective. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051155. [PMID: 32375397 PMCID: PMC7281430 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral-derived elements and non-coding RNAs that build up “junk DNA” allow for flexible and context-dependent gene expression. They are extremely dense in the MHC region, accounting for flexible expression of the MHC I, II, and III genes and adjusting the level of immune response to the environmental stimuli. This review brings forward the viral-mediated aspects of the origin and evolution of adaptive immunity and aims to link this perspective with the MHC class I regulation. The complex regulatory network behind MHC expression is largely controlled by virus-derived elements, both as binding sites for immune transcription factors and as sources of regulatory non-coding RNAs. These regulatory RNAs are imbalanced in cancer and associate with different tumor types, making them promising targets for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
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