Immune cells as anti-cancer therapeutic targets and tools

The relationship between pre-operative lymphocyte to monocyte ratio and serum cancer antigen-125 among women with epithelial ovarian cancer in Lagos, Nigeria

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the second most common genital cancer worldwide, and the most lethal of all genital cancers. The role of inflammation and markers of systemic inflammation such as neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes in cancer biology have been investigated and reported in many studies. Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is currently in use as an adjunct to diagnosis, prognostication and monitoring of epithelial OC (EOC). This test is not readily available in many centres in sub-Saharan Africa, creating a need to identify alternative markers that are available and affordable. This study aimed to determine the relationship between pre-operative serum lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) and CA-125 in EOC. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study among 70 women, diagnosed with EOC in Lagos University Teaching Hospital from January 2013 to December 2019. Data were extracted from the case notes of the patients. LMR was calculated as the absolute lymphocyte count divided by the absolute monocyte count and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. The correlation between LMR and CA-125 was determined using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The mean age of the patients was 48.57 ± 13.97 years. Serous adenocarcinoma was the most common subtype of EOC making up 94.3% of the cases. The median serum CA-125 was 393.5 (215.00–765.67) U/mL. The median LMR was 6.77 (1.28–43.0). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between CA-125 and LMR, r = −0.28, p = 0.02. LMR was negatively associated with CA-125 in women with EOC. LMR may be considered as a simple, affordable alternative marker to CA-125 in the management of EOC.

Dietary phytochemicals in breast cancer research: anticancer effects and potential utility for effective chemoprevention

Cancerous tissue transformation developing usually over years or even decades of life is a highly complex process involving strong stressors damaging DNA, chronic inflammation, comprehensive interaction between relevant molecular pathways, and cellular cross-talk within the neighboring tissues. Only the minor part of all cancer cases are caused by inborn predisposition; the absolute majority carry a sporadic character based on modifiable risk factors which play a central role in cancer prevention. Amongst most promising candidates for dietary supplements are bioactive phytochemicals demonstrating strong anticancer effects. Abundant evidence has been collected for beneficial effects of flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acids, and organosulfur compounds affecting a number of cancer-related pathways. Phytochemicals may positively affect processes of cell signaling, cell cycle regulation, oxidative stress response, and inflammation. They can modulate non-coding RNAs, upregulate tumor suppressive miRNAs, and downregulate oncogenic miRNAs that synergically inhibits cancer cell growth and cancer stem cell self-renewal. Potential clinical utility of the phytochemicals is discussed providing examples for chemoprevention against and therapy for human breast cancer. Expert recommendations are provided in the context of preventive medicine.

Tumors arise from the excessive repair of damaged stem cells

Although many hypotheses for tumorigenesis have been proposed, none can explain the occurrence and development of tumors comprehensively until now. We put forward a new hypothesis: tumors arise from the excessive repair of damaged stem cells. There are stem cells in all tissues and organs, and the stem cells have perfect damage repair mechanisms, including damage repair systems and repair-inhibiting systems. Tumors arise from the excessive repair of damaged stem cells, i.e., carcinogens induce stem cell damage, leading to overexpression of damage repair systems, and simultaneous inactivation of repair-inhibiting systems through genetic or non-genetic mechanisms, finally forming tumors. The outcome (forming clinically significant tumors or death) and development (tumor recurrence, metastasis or spontaneous healing) of the tumor cells depends on whether the injury and the excessive repair persists, whether immune surveillance function is normal and the tumor microenvironment is appropriate. This hypothesis not only addresses the issues of where tumor cells arise from, how tumors form and where they go, but also provides a reasonable explanation for many unresolved issues in tumor occurrence, development, metastasis or healing. In addition, this hypothesis could guide the early diagnosis, reasonable treatment and effective prevention of tumors.

Crohn's disease and skin

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease potentially involving any segment of the gastrointestinal tract. Extra-intestinal manifestations may occur in 6%-40% of patients, and disorders of the skin are among the most common. This manuscript will review skin manifestations associated to Crohn's disease, with a particular focus on lesions associated to anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy.

Inflammation and breast cancer

SUMMARY The relationship between breast cancer (BC) and inflammation remains unclear. Some risk factors, such as age, obesity and postmenopausal status, are also associated with increased levels of circulating proinflammatory cytokines and systemic inflammation. The role of T lymphocytes during BC development has been the subject of great debate, with improved survival reported when CD8+ and CD3+ T-lymphocytic infiltrates are present. Studies of B-lymphocytic infiltrates and prognosis have yielded conflicting results, but the extent of infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages is associated with reduced relapse-free and overall survival. There is consistent evidence that increased levels of proinflammatory factors, such as IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α, and inflammatory chemokines, such as CCL2 and CCL5, are associated with increased risk of BC and poorer prognosis. However, it is not known whether this actually plays a role in tumor development. Substantially more work is needed to achieve a basis for effective anticancer therapy.

Drug testing with angiogenesis models

BACKGROUND

The possibility to treat cancers and several angiogenesis- dependent diseases with non-toxic, antiangiogenic agents has revolutionized the therapeutic capabilities in the fields of oncology and ophthalmology, whereas therapeutic angiogenesis, governed by angiogenesis stimulators, is about to enter clinical medicine.

OBJECTIVE

To describe and critically evaluate the advantages and limitations of the most important and most frequently used preclinical in vivo angiogenesis assays as well as to appraise the preclinical models that are most widely used for studying antiangiogenic effects in tumors.

METHODS

Up-to-date literature survey.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

Only few angiogenesis and tumor models appear to meet realistic standards fully in terms of biological relevance. Improvement of the biological pertinence and sensitivity of such models would apparently facilitate the translatability of preclinical data into clinical practice.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell 1

Sepsis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units. There is no gold standard for diagnosing sepsis because clinical and laboratory signs are neither sensitive nor specific enough and microbiological studies often show negative results. The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell 1 (TREM-1) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. Its expression is upregulated on phagocytic cells in the presence of bacteria or fungi. This article reports on the potential usefulness of the assessment of the soluble form of TREM-1 in biologic fluids in the diagnosis of infection.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 as a new therapeutic target during inflammatory diseases

The Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells (TREM)-1 is a recently identified molecule involved in monocytic activation and inflammatory response. It belongs to a family related to Natural Killer cell-receptors and is expressed on neutrophils, mature monocytes and macrophages. The engagement of TREM-1 synergizes with several Toll Like Receptors (TLR) and/or NOD Like Receptors (NLR) activation in amplifying the inflammatory response mediated by microbial components or danger signals. The implication of TREM-1 during experimental models of acute or chronic inflammatory conditions, as well as during cancer, begins to understand. Furthermore, the modulation of the TREM-1 signaling pathway by the use of small synthetic peptides derived from its extracellular moiety confers interesting survival advantages during experimental murine septic shock and protects from organ damage during other inflammatory diseases. This review summarizes the recent advances on TREM-1 biology and highlights the promises of its therapeutic modulation.

Inflammation and oncogenesis: a vicious connection

Epidemiological and experimental data suggest a close connection between inflammation and tumorigenesis. Solid tumors are typically infiltrated with immune cells and inflammation impacts most, if not all, stages of tumorigenesis. Molecular and cellular pathways, which connect inflammation and cancer, have emerged as attractive targets for prevention and therapy. In this review we discuss general mechanisms and concepts of cancer promoting inflammation.

The effect of shark liver oil on the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and cytokine pattern in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Shark Liver Oil (SLO) is a traditional medicine that has been widely used in Scandinavian folk to augment the immune response in some immune-related diseases, especially as an anti-cancer agent.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The object of this project was to confirm the anti-cancer effect of SLO and the possible involving mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response in normal mice, the optimal dose for stimulation of cellular immunity was obtained and injected intraperitoneally to the tumor-bearing mice. Cytokine pattern of splenic MNCs was tested by ELISA. The percentage of CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) lymphocytes in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was determined by flow cytometry. Also the rate of increase in tumor volume measured.

RESULTS

Our findings indicated that SLO highly augments delayed-type hypersensitivity response against sheep Red Blood Cell (sRBC) in mice. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of SLO to tumor-bearing mice could increase T-cell infiltration into the tumor and lower the increasing rate of tumor's volume. Also, it changes the cytokine pattern of the splenic Mononuclear cells (MNCs) to Th1.

CONCLUSION

Increase in IFN-gamma (resulting in enhanced cellular immunity) and increase in especially CD(8)(+) lymphocytes accompanied by a decrease in tumor size are among the signs of its anti-tumor effect. Accordingly, we suppose that SLO is a good candidate for further studies in cancer therapy.

Mononuclear phagocytes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The head and neck squamous cell carcinoma microenvironments contain many immune cells and their secretory products. Many of these cells belong to the mononuclear phagocyte system. The aim of this review is to study the interactions between mononuclear phagocytes and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissue. The role of inflammation in tumours and the cytokine interleukin-6 will be highlighted. Future therapy strategies in the treatment of head and neck cancer might be directed towards mononuclear phagocytes and their cytokine production.

T-cell metagene predicts a favorable prognosis in estrogen receptor-negative and HER2-positive breast cancers

INTRODUCTION

Lymphocyte infiltration (LI) is often seen in breast cancer but its importance remains controversial. A positive correlation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) amplification and LI has been described, which was associated with a more favorable outcome. However, specific lymphocytes might also promote tumor progression by shifting the cytokine milieu in the tumor.

METHODS

Affymetrix HG-U133A microarray data of 1,781 primary breast cancer samples from 12 datasets were included. The correlation of immune system-related metagenes with different immune cells, clinical parameters, and survival was analyzed.

RESULTS

A large cluster of nearly 600 genes with functions in immune cells was consistently obtained in all datasets. Seven robust metagenes from this cluster can act as surrogate markers for the amount of different immune cell types in the breast cancer sample. An IgG metagene as a marker for B cells had no significant prognostic value. In contrast, a strong positive prognostic value for the T-cell surrogate marker (lymphocyte-specific kinase (LCK) metagene) was observed among all estrogen receptor (ER)-negative tumors and those ER-positive tumors with a HER2 overexpression. Moreover ER-negative tumors with high expression of both IgG and LCK metagenes seem to respond better to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Precise definitions of the specific subtypes of immune cells in the tumor can be accomplished from microarray data. These surrogate markers define subgroups of tumors with different prognosis. Importantly, all known prognostic gene signatures uniformly assign poor prognosis to all ER-negative tumors. In contrast, the LCK metagene actually separates the ER-negative group into better or worse prognosis.

Polarized immune responses differentially regulate cancer development

Tumor-associated immune responses assert varied responses toward developing neoplasms that can either act to eradicate malignant cells via engagement of potent cytotoxic programs or alternatively enhance tumor growth through release of multifunctional pro-tumor mediators. Seemingly paradoxical, these disparate activities reflect a continuum of polarization (or activation) states possible for distinct leukocyte subsets that demonstrate tissue, organ, and tumor selectivity. Herein, we review clinical and experimental studies investigating cellular and molecular mechanisms utilized by neoplastic tissues to alternatively polarize immune responses that favor either pro- or anti-tumor immunity.

Inflammation and breast cancer. Balancing immune response: crosstalk between adaptive and innate immune cells during breast cancer progression

Recent insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cancer development have revealed that immune cells functionally regulate epithelial cancer development and progression. Moreover, accumulated clinical and experimental data indicate that the outcome of an immune response toward an evolving breast neoplasm is largely determined by the type of immune response elicited. Acute tumor-directed immune responses involving cytolytic T lymphocytes appear to protect against tumor development, whereas immune responses involving chronic activation of humoral immunity, infiltration by Th2 cells, and protumor-polarized innate inflammatory cells result in the promotion of tumor development and disease progression. Herein we review this body of literature and summarize important new findings revealing the paradoxical role of innate and adaptive leukocytes as regulators of breast carcinogenesis.