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Zhang W, He Z, Liang F, Gong J, Tan L, Yang J, Song S, Xie L, Lu Y. Albendazole induces an anti-tumor effect and potentiates PD-L1 blockade immunotherapy. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:16763-16778. [PMID: 37730912 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05415-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previously, albendazole (ABZ) has been reported as an anti-parasitic drug rather than anti-tumor drug. Our study aim to investigate whether ABZ also has a potential anti-tumor effect by shaping the tumor immune microenvironment and interrogate whether ABZ could synergize with the PD-L1 blockade. METHODS C57BL/6 mice (C57) were intravenously injected with B16F10-luciferase (B16-luc) cells to establish a lung metastatic melanoma model and subcutaneously inoculated with B16-luc cells to establish a subcutaneous tumor model. The tumor volume and tumor metastasis loci of the mice were measured by a vernier caliper and in vivo imaging. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze the different genes and pathways of immune cells in the tumors. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were used to analyze the different subsets of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. RESULTS The results suggested that ABZ significantly inhibited lung melanoma metastasis with decreased fluorescence intensity and nodule score and mediated the regression of subcutaneous melanoma in mice with decreased tumor volume. Moreover, RNA sequencing results showed that ABZ regulated the gene expression levels and pathways of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Meanwhile, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence showed that the number and percentage of CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and TH1 cells were enhanced in tumors after ABZ treatment. Furthermore, the combination of ABZ and anti-PD-L1 treatment significantly potentiated anti-tumor efficacy in both lung metastasis and subcutaneous melanoma models and mediated an increase in the percentage of CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and TH1 cells as compared to the control group. CONCLUSION ABZ inhibits melanoma growth and metastasis. Moreover, ABZ synergized with PD-L1 blockade mediates tumor regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weinan Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Army Medical Center of PLA, Amy Medical University, No. 10, Daping Changjiang Branch Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhiqiang He
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Chongqing Contemporary Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Fucheng Liang
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Army Medical Center of PLA, Amy Medical University, No. 10, Daping Changjiang Branch Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Gong
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liuchang Tan
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Army Medical Center of PLA, Amy Medical University, No. 10, Daping Changjiang Branch Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Juan Yang
- Department of Digestion, The 535th Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, Huaihua, Hunan, China
| | - Siji Song
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Luoyingzi Xie
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, 118 Xingguang Avenue, Liangjiang New District, Yubei District, Chongqing, China.
| | - Yuangang Lu
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Army Medical Center of PLA, Amy Medical University, No. 10, Daping Changjiang Branch Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China.
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Mohammadi A, Najafi S, Amini M, Baradaran B, Firouzamandi M. B7H6 silencing increases chemosensitivity to dacarbazine and suppresses cell survival and migration in cutaneous melanoma. Melanoma Res 2023; 33:173-183. [PMID: 37053079 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a highly metastatic cancer whose incidence rate is heightening worldwide. B7H6, as one of the co-stimulatory ligands of the B7 family, is expressed in malignant cells, involved in tumorigenesis. This study aimed to investigate the significance of B7H6 in CM cell chemosensitivity and metastatic ability. A375 CM cells were transfected with B7H6-siRNA and treated with dacarbazine individually or combined. The MTT assay to estimate half-maximal inhibitory concentration of dacarbazine and cell viability, the apoptotic induction using Annexin V/PI, cell cycle progression via flow cytometry, and wound healing assay for determining the migration ability of cells and assessing the clonogenic potential of A375 cells were executed. Functional analyses were performed to evaluate changes in A375 cells. The results illustrated that B7H6 suppression significantly increased the chemosensitivity of A375 cells to dacarbazine. Apoptosis induction by dacarbazine was enhanced after B7H6 knockdown through modulating Caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 mRNA levels. Western blotting indicated enhancement of cleaved caspase-3 protein expression in treatment groups. A375 cells were arrested at the sub-G1 and S phases when using B7H6-siRNA and dacarbazine. B7H6 suppression combined with dacarbazine restrained cell migration through suppression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, including MMP2, MMP3, and MMP9. In addition, the clonogenic ability of A375 cells was decreased by downregulating Sox2, Nanog, and CD44 mRNA levels. A visible decrement in STAT3 protein expression was observed in the combination group. Hence, our findings revealed that B7H6 knockdown with dacarbazine could be a promising treatment approach for cutaneous melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaleh Mohammadi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz
- Immunology Research Center
| | | | | | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Transcriptome Profiling of the Liver in Nellore Cattle Phenotypically Divergent for RFI in Two Genetic Groups. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030359. [PMID: 36766249 PMCID: PMC9913155 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030359] [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: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The identification and selection of genetically superior animals for residual feed intake (RFI) could enhance productivity and minimize environmental impacts. The aim of this study was to use RNA-seq data to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), known non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), specific biomarkers and enriched biological processes associated with RFI of the liver in Nellore cattle in two genetic groups. In genetic group 1 (G1), 24 extreme RFI animals (12 low RFI (LRFI) versus 12 high RFI (HRFI)) were selected from a population of 60 Nellore bulls. The RNA-seq of the samples from their liver tissues was performed using an Illumina HiSeq 2000. In genetic group 2 (G2), 20 samples of liver tissue of Nellore bulls divergent for RFI (LRFI, n = 10 versus HRFI, n = 10) were selected from 83 animals. The raw data of the G2 were chosen from the ENA repository. A total of 1811 DEGs were found for the G1 and 2054 for the G2 (p-value ≤ 0.05). We detected 88 common genes in both genetic groups, of which 33 were involved in the immune response and in blocking oxidative stress. In addition, seven (B2M, ADSS, SNX2, TUBA4A, ARHGAP18, MECR, and ABCF3) possible gene biomarkers were identified through a receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC) considering an AUC > 0.70. The B2M gene was overexpressed in the LRFI group. This gene regulates the lipid metabolism protein turnover and inhibits cell death. We also found non-coding RNAs in both groups. MIR25 was up-regulated and SNORD16 was down-regulated in the LRFI for G1. For G2, up-regulated RNase_MRP and SCARNA10 were found. We highlight MIR25 as being able to act by blocking cytotoxicity and oxidative stress and RMRP as a blocker of mitochondrial damage. The biological pathways associated with RFI of the liver in Nellore cattle in the two genetic groups were for energy metabolism, protein turnover, redox homeostasis and the immune response. The common transcripts, biomarkers and metabolic pathways found in the two genetic groups make this unprecedented work even more relevant, since the results are valid for different herds raised in different ways. The results reinforce the biological importance of these known processes but also reveal new insights into the complexity of the liver tissue transcriptome of Nellore cattle.
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Zhao J, Li D, Xie S, Deng X, Wen X, Li J, Wu Z, Yang X, Li M, Tang Y, Zhang X, Ding Y. Nomogram for predicting prognosis of patients with metastatic melanoma after immunotherapy: A Chinese population-based analysis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1083840. [PMID: 36618343 PMCID: PMC9815596 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1083840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies indicated the evidence that baseline levels of thyroid antibodies, thyroid status, and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and M stage may influence the prognosis of patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors that targets programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) or programmed death ligand 1, which reported that dramatic improvements in survival rates were observed; however, the presence of controversy has prevented consensus from being reached. Study objectives were to develop a nomogram to identify several prognostic factors in Chinese patients with metastatic melanoma receiving immunotherapy. Methods This retrospective study included 231 patients from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, and patients were split into internal cohort (n = 165) and external validation cohort (n = 66). We developed a nomogram for the prediction of response and prognosis on the basis of the levels of serum thyroid peroxidase antibody (A-TPO), free T3 (FT3), and LDH and M stage that were measured at the baseline of anti-PD-1 infusion. In addition, the follow-up lasted at least until 5 years after the treatment or mortality. RECIST v1.1 was used to classify treatment responses. Results Chi-square test showed that PD-1 antibody was more effective in patients with melanoma with high level baseline FT4 or earlier M stage. A multivariate Cox analysis showed that baseline FT3 (P = 0.009), baseline A-TPO (P = 0.016), and LDH (P = 0.013) levels and M stage (P < 0.001) independently predicted overall survival (OS) in patients with melanoma. The above factors are integrated, and a prediction model is established, i.e., nomogram. Survival probability area-under-the-curve values of 1, 2, and 3 years in the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts showed the prognostic accuracy and clinical applicability of nomogram (training: 0.714, 0.757, and 0.764; internal validation: 0.7171963, 0.756549, and 0.7651486; external validation: 0.748, 0.710, and 0.856). In addition, the OS of low-risk (total score ≤ 142.65) versus high-risk (total score > 142.65) patients varied significantly in both training group (P < 0.0001) and external validation cohort (P = 0.0012). Conclusions According to this study, baseline biomarkers are associated with response to immunotherapy and prognosis among patients with metastatic melanoma. Treatment regimens can be tailor-made on the basis of these biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zhao
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dandan Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Songzuo Xie
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinpei Deng
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xizhi Wen
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengrong Wu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinyi Yang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minxing Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Tang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Ya Ding, ; Xiaoshi Zhang, ; Yan Tang,
| | - Xiaoshi Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Ya Ding, ; Xiaoshi Zhang, ; Yan Tang,
| | - Ya Ding
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Ya Ding, ; Xiaoshi Zhang, ; Yan Tang,
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Gajón JA, Juarez-Flores A, De León Rodríguez SG, Aguilar Flores C, Mantilla A, Fuentes-Pananá EM, Bonifaz LC. Immunotherapy Options for Acral Melanoma, A fast-growing but Neglected Malignancy. Arch Med Res 2022; 53:794-806. [PMID: 36460547 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It is classified as cutaneous and non-cutaneous, with the former characterized by developing in sun-exposed areas of the skin, UV-light radiation being its most important risk factor and ordinarily affecting fair skin populations. In recent years, the incidence of melanoma has been increasing in populations with darker complexion, for example, Hispanics, in which acral melanoma is highly prevalent. The WHO estimates that the incidence and mortality of melanoma will increase by more than 60% by 2040, particularly in low/medium income countries. Acral melanoma appears in the palms, soles and nails, and because of these occult locations, it is often considered different from other cutaneous melanomas even though it also originates in the skin. Acral melanoma is very rare in Caucasian populations and is often not included from genetic analysis and clinical trials. In this review, we present the worldwide epidemiology of acral melanoma; we summarize its genetic characterization and point out important signaling pathways for targeted therapy. We also discuss how genetic analyses have shown that acral melanoma carries a sufficient mutational load and neoantigen formation to be targeted by the immune system, arguing for a potential benefit with novel immunotherapeutic strategies, alone or combined with targeted therapy. This is important because chemotherapy remains the first-line treatment in non-developed nations despite a disheartening response. In summary, the increased incidence and mortality of acral melanoma in low/medium income countries calls for increasing our knowledge about its nature and therapeutic options and leveling off the asymmetric research conducted primarily on Caucasian populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian A Gajón
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México; Posgrado en Ciencias Bioquímicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Angel Juarez-Flores
- Unidad de Investigación en Virología y Cáncer, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Saraí G De León Rodríguez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México; Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Cristina Aguilar Flores
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunología Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Alejandra Mantilla
- Servicio de Patología, Hospital de Oncología Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Ezequiel M Fuentes-Pananá
- Unidad de Investigación en Virología y Cáncer, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Ciudad de México, México.
| | - Laura C Bonifaz
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México; Coordinación de Investigación en Salud, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México
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León-Letelier RA, Katayama H, Hanash S. Mining the Immunopeptidome for Antigenic Peptides in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14204968. [PMID: 36291752 PMCID: PMC9599891 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14204968] [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: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The immunopeptidome of cancer cells is a treasure trove of neoantigens bound to MHC molecules, thus a great source for mining immunopeptides for immunotherapy applications, including cancer vaccines. Immunopeptides may encompass post-translational modifications that are overlooked by genomic and transcriptomic tools. We review post-translational modifications that have been uncovered, and how this information could be harnessed for cancer vaccines. Abstract Although harnessing the immune system for cancer therapy has shown success, response to immunotherapy has been limited. The immunopeptidome of cancer cells presents an opportunity to discover novel antigens for immunotherapy applications. These neoantigens bind to MHC class I and class II molecules. Remarkably, the immunopeptidome encompasses protein post-translation modifications (PTMs) that may not be evident from genome or transcriptome profiling. A case in point is citrullination, which has been demonstrated to induce a strong immune response. In this review, we cover how the immunopeptidome, with a special focus on PTMs, can be utilized to identify cancer-specific antigens for immunotherapeutic applications.
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El-Helbawy NF, El Zowalaty AE. Identification of Age-Associated Transcriptomic Changes Linked to Immunotherapy Response in Primary Melanoma. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:4118-4131. [PMID: 36135194 PMCID: PMC9497511 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44090282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a lethal form of skin cancer. Immunotherapeutic agents such as anti-PD-1 (pembrolizumab and nivolumab) and anti-CTLA-4 (ipilimumab) have revolutionized melanoma treatment; however, drug resistance is rapidly acquired. Several studies have reported an increase in melanoma rates in older patients. Thus, the impact of ageing on transcriptional profiles of melanoma and response to immunotherapy is essential to understand. In this study, the bioinformatic analysis of RNA seq data of old and young melanoma patients receiving immunotherapy identifies the significant upregulation of extra-cellular matrix and cellular adhesion genes in young cohorts, while genes involved in cell proliferation, inflammation, non-canonical Wnt signaling and tyrosine kinase receptor ROR2 are significantly upregulated in the old cohort. Several Treg signature genes as well as transcription factors that are associated with dysfunctional T cell tumor infiltration are differentially expressed. The differential expression of several genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis and glutamine metabolism is also observed. Taken together, this study provides novel findings on the impact of ageing on transcriptional changes in melanoma, and novel therapeutic targets for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehal Farid El-Helbawy
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31111, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Ezat El Zowalaty
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
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Peña-Romero AC, Orenes-Piñero E. Dual Effect of Immune Cells within Tumour Microenvironment: Pro- and Anti-Tumour Effects and Their Triggers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1681. [PMID: 35406451 PMCID: PMC8996887 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Our body is constantly exposed to pathogens or external threats, but with the immune response that our body can develop, we can fight off and defeat possible attacks or infections. Nevertheless, sometimes this threat comes from an internal factor. Situations such as the existence of a tumour also cause our immune system (IS) to be put on alert. Indeed, the link between immunology and cancer is evident these days, with IS being used as one of the important targets for treating cancer. Our IS is able to eliminate those abnormal or damaged cells found in our body, preventing the uncontrolled proliferation of tumour cells that can lead to cancer. However, in several cases, tumour cells can escape from the IS. It has been observed that immune cells, the extracellular matrix, blood vessels, fat cells and various molecules could support tumour growth and development. Thus, the developing tumour receives structural support, irrigation and energy, among other resources, making its survival and progression possible. All these components that accompany and help the tumour to survive and to grow are called the tumour microenvironment (TME). Given the importance of its presence in the tumour development process, this review will focus on one of the components of the TME: immune cells. Immune cells can support anti-tumour immune response protecting us against tumour cells; nevertheless, they can also behave as pro-tumoural cells, thus promoting tumour progression and survival. In this review, the anti-tumour and pro-tumour immunity of several immune cells will be discussed. In addition, the TME influence on this dual effect will be also analysed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Esteban Orenes-Piñero
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-A, University of Murcia, 30120 Murcia, Spain;
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Roufas C, Georgakopoulos-Soares I, Zaravinos A. Distinct genomic features across cytolytic subgroups in skin melanoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:3137-3154. [PMID: 33779796 PMCID: PMC8505325 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02918-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin melanoma is a highly immunogenic cancer. The intratumoral immune cytolytic activity (CYT) reflects the ability of cytotoxic T and NK cells to eliminate cancer cells, and is associated with improved patient survival. Despite the enthusiastic clinical results seen in advanced-stage metastatic melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, a subgroup of them will later relapse and develop acquired resistance. We questioned whether CYT associates with different genomic profiles and thus, patient outcome, in skin melanoma. METHODS We explored the TCGA-SKCM dataset and stratified patients to distinct subgroups of cytolytic activity. The tumor immune contexture, somatic mutations and recurrent copy number aberrations were calculated using quanTIseq, MutSigCV and GISTIC2. Chromothriptic events were explored using CTLPScanner and cancer neoepitopes were predicted with antigen garnish. Each tumor's immunophenoscore was calculated using Immunophenogram. Mutational signatures and kataegis were explored using SigProfiler and compared to the known single or doublet base substitution signatures from COSMIC. RESULTS Metastatic skin melanomas had significantly higher CYT levels compared to primary tumors. We assessed enrichment for immune-related gene sets within CYT-high tumors, whereas, CYT-low tumors were enriched for non-immune related gene sets. In addition, distinct mutational and neoantigen loads, primarily composed of C > T transitions, along with specific types of copy number aberrations, characterized each cytolytic subgroup. We found a broader pattern of chromothripsis across CYT-low tumors, where chromosomal regions harboring chromothriptic events, contained a higher number of cancer genes. SBS7a/b, SBS5 and SBS1 were the most prevalent mutational signatures across both cytolytic subgroups, but SBS1 differed significantly between them. SBS7a/b was mutually exclusive with SBS5 and SBS1 in both CYT subgroups. CYT-high patients had markedly higher immunophenoscore, suggesting that they should display a clinical benefit upon treatment with immune checkpoint inhibition therapy, compared to CYT-low patients. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our data highlight the existence of distinct genomic features across cytolytic subgroups in skin melanoma, which might affect the patients' relapse rate or their acquisition of resistance to immune checkpoint inhibition therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos Roufas
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, 1516 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Ilias Georgakopoulos-Soares
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143 USA
| | - Apostolos Zaravinos
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Member of QU Health, Qatar University, 2713 Doha, Qatar
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Verkhovskaia S, Di Pietro FR, Mastroeni S, Carbone ML, Abeni D, Morese R, Morelli FM, D'Atri S, Marchetti P, De Galitiis F, Failla CM, Fortes C. Vitiligo-like leukoderma as an indicator of clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in late-stage melanoma patients. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 148:2529-2538. [PMID: 34595541 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03811-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although development of immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma, more than a half of treated patients experience disease progression during therapy. Cases of spontaneous vitiligo-like leukoderma have been described in melanoma patients and have been associated with a favorable outcome. This vitiligo-like leukoderma can also appear in melanoma patients undergoing immune therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, no consensus exists about the relationship between vitiligo-like leukoderma onset and improved overall survival. Our study investigates the possible association between the onset of vitiligo-like leukoderma during immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment and a better prognosis. METHODS A non-concurrent cohort study was conducted by identifying retrospectively 280 patients who had inoperable or metastatic melanoma and had undergone immune therapy with checkpoint inhibitors in any line of treatment. Toxicities developed during therapy were evaluated. RESULTS Among the 280 study participants, 50% developed at least one type of toxicity, and vitiligo-like leukoderma was observed in 43 patients (15.4%). In the multivariate Cox model, a protective effect for mortality was observed for patients with vitiligo-like leukoderma development (HR : 0.23; 95% CI 0.11-0.44, p < 0.0001). In a sub-group analysis comprising only cutaneous melanoma in first line of treatment (N = 153), occurrence of vitiligo-like leukoderma was also an independent predictor factor for duration of clinical benefits measured by time to the next treatment (HR: 0.17; 95% CI 0.06-0.44). CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that onset of vitiligo-like leukoderma during melanoma treatment could be a marker of favorable outcome in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Verkhovskaia
- Department of Oncology and Dermatological Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Maria Luigia Carbone
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, IDI-IRCCS, via Monti di Creta 104, 00167, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Morese
- Department of Oncology and Dermatological Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Paolo Marchetti
- Oncology Unit, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,Medical Oncology Unit B, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Maria Failla
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, IDI-IRCCS, via Monti di Creta 104, 00167, Rome, Italy.
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Suárez-Arriaga MC, Méndez-Tenorio A, Pérez-Koldenkova V, Fuentes-Pananá EM. Claudin-Low Breast Cancer Inflammatory Signatures Support Polarization of M1-Like Macrophages with Protumoral Activity. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2248. [PMID: 34067089 PMCID: PMC8125772 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that triple-negative breast cancer (BRCA) cells overexpress the cytokines GM-CSF, G-CSF, MCP-1, and RANTES, and when monocytes were 3-D co-cultured with them, M1-like macrophages were generated with the ability to induce aggressive features in luminal BRCA cell lines. These include upregulation of mesenchymal and stemness markers and invasion. In this study, we stimulated peripheral blood monocytes with the four cytokines and confirmed their capacity to generate protumoral M1-like macrophages. Using the METABRIC BRCA database, we observed that GM-CSF, MCP-1, and RANTES are associated with triple-negative BRCA and reduced overall survival, particularly in patients under 55 years of age. We propose an extended M1-like macrophage proinflammatory signature connected with these three cytokines. We found that the extended M1-like macrophage signature coexists with monocyte/macrophage, Th1 immune response, and immunosuppressive signatures, and all are enriched in claudin-low BRCA samples, and correlate with reduced patient overall survival. Furthermore, we observed that all these signatures are also present in mesenchymal carcinomas of the colon (COAD) and bladder (BLCA). The claudin-low tumor subtype has an adverse clinical outcome and remains poorly understood. This study places M1 macrophages as potential protumoral drivers in already established cancers, and as potential contributors to claudin-low aggressiveness and poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra Cecilia Suárez-Arriaga
- Unidad de Investigación en Virología y Cáncer, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, Mexico;
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología y Bioinformática Genómica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico;
| | - Alfonso Méndez-Tenorio
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología y Bioinformática Genómica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico;
| | - Vadim Pérez-Koldenkova
- Laboratorio Nacional de Microscopía Avanzada, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico;
| | - Ezequiel M. Fuentes-Pananá
- Unidad de Investigación en Virología y Cáncer, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, Mexico;
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12
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León-Letelier RA, Castro-Medina DI, Badillo-Godinez O, Tepale-Segura A, Huanosta-Murillo E, Aguilar-Flores C, De León-Rodríguez SG, Mantilla A, Fuentes-Pananá EM, López-Macías C, Bonifaz LC. Induction of Progenitor Exhausted Tissue-Resident Memory CD8 + T Cells Upon Salmonella Typhi Porins Adjuvant Immunization Correlates With Melanoma Control and Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy Cooperation. Front Immunol 2020; 11:583382. [PMID: 33240271 PMCID: PMC7682137 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.583382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has improved the clinical response in melanoma patients, although a relevant percentage of patients still cannot be salvaged. The search for the immune populations that provide the best tumor control and that can be coaxed by immunotherapy strategies is a hot topic in cancer research nowadays. Tumor-infiltrating TCF-1+ progenitor exhausted CD8+ T cells seem to grant the best melanoma prognosis and also efficiently respond to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, giving rise to a TIM-3+ terminally exhausted population with heightened effector activity. We tested Porins from Salmonella Typhi as a pathogen associated molecular pattern adjuvant of natural or model antigen in prophylactic and therapeutic immunization approaches against murine melanoma. Porins induced protection against melanomas, even upon re-challenging of tumor-free mice. Porins efficiently expanded IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T cells and induced central and effector memory in lymph nodes and tissue-resident (Trm) T cells in the skin and tumors. Porins induced TCF-1+ PD-1+ CD8+ Trm T cells in the tumor stroma and the presence of this population correlated with melanoma growth protection in mice. Porins immunization also cooperated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy to hamper melanoma growth. Importantly, the potentially protective Trm populations induced by Porins in the murine model were also observed in melanoma patients in which their presence also correlated with disease control. Our data support the use of cancer vaccination to sculpt the tumor stroma with efficient and lasting Trm T cells with effector activities, highlighting the use of Porins as an adjuvant. Furthermore, our data place CD8+ Trm T cells with a progenitor exhausted phenotype as an important population for melanoma control, either independently or in cooperation with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A León-Letelier
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico.,Posgrado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniel I Castro-Medina
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Oscar Badillo-Godinez
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Araceli Tepale-Segura
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Enrique Huanosta-Murillo
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Cristina Aguilar-Flores
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Saraí G De León-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico.,Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Mantilla
- Servicio de Patología, Hospital de Oncología, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ezequiel M Fuentes-Pananá
- Unidad de Investigación en Virología y Cáncer, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Constantino López-Macías
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura C Bonifaz
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
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13
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Kang K, Xie F, Mao J, Bai Y, Wang X. Significance of Tumor Mutation Burden in Immune Infiltration and Prognosis in Cutaneous Melanoma. Front Oncol 2020; 10:573141. [PMID: 33072607 PMCID: PMC7531222 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.573141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Melanoma is highly immunogenic and therefore suitable for immunotherapy, but the efficacy is limited by response rate. In several types of tumor, tumor mutation burden (TMB) and immune infiltration have been reported to predict the response to immunotherapy, although each has its limitations. In the current study, we aimed to explore the association of TMB with immune infiltration and prognosis in cutaneous melanoma. Methods: The data of cutaneous melanoma used for analyses was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The mutation data was sorted using "maftools" R package. TMB was estimated and then patients were divided into two groups based on TMB. The association of TMB with prognosis and clinical characteristics was explored. Differential analysis between two TMB groups was performed using "DESeq2" R package to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The function enrichment analyses of DEGs were conducted to screen critical pathways. Besides, DEGs were further filtered to identify two hub genes, based on which a risk score model and nomogram for predicting prognosis were conducted, and the validation was performed using three datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Finally, CIBERSORT algorithm and TIMER database were used to assess the effect of TMB and hub genes on immune infiltration. Results: The most common mutation was C > T, and the top three frequently mutated genes were TTN, MUC16, and BRAF. Higher TMB indicated better survival outcomes and lower pathological stages. 735 DEGs were identified and mainly involved in immune-related and adhesion-related pathways. The risk score model and nomogram were validated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calibration curves, and exhibited relatively high predictive capability. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess clinical benefit. As for immune infiltration, the proportion was higher for macrophages M1 and M2 in the high-TMB group, while lower for memory B cells and regulatory T cells. Conclusions: In cutaneous melanoma, TMB was positively correlated with prognosis. The risk score model and nomogram can be conveniently used to predict prognosis. The association of TMB with immune infiltration can help improve the predicting methods for the response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Kang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fucun Xie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinzhu Mao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Bai
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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14
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Di Leo L, Bodemeyer V, De Zio D. The Complex Role of Autophagy in Melanoma Evolution: New Perspectives From Mouse Models. Front Oncol 2020; 9:1506. [PMID: 31998652 PMCID: PMC6966767 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite tremendous efforts in the last decade to improve treatments, melanoma still represents a major therapeutic challenge and overall survival of patients remains poor. Therefore, identifying new targets to counteract melanoma is needed. In this scenario, autophagy, the “self-eating” process of the cell, has recently arisen as new potential candidate in melanoma. Alongside its role as a recycling mechanism for dysfunctional and damaged cell components, autophagy also clearly sits at a crossroad with metabolism, thereby orchestrating cell proliferation, bioenergetics and metabolic rewiring, all hallmarks of cancer cells. In this regard, autophagy, both in tumor and host, has been flagged as an essential player in melanomagenesis and progression. To pave the way to a better understanding of such a complex interplay, the use of genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs), as well as syngeneic mouse models, has been undoubtedly crucial. Herein, we will explore the latest discoveries in the field, with particular focus on the potential of these models in unraveling the contribution of autophagy in melanoma, along with the therapeutic advantages that may arise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Di Leo
- Cell Stress and Survival Unit, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease (CARD), Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Valérie Bodemeyer
- Cell Stress and Survival Unit, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease (CARD), Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniela De Zio
- Cell Stress and Survival Unit, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease (CARD), Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
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15
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Role of cell surface proteoglycans in cancer immunotherapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 62:48-67. [PMID: 31336150 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Over the past few decades, understanding how tumor cells evade the immune system and their communication with their tumor microenvironment, has been the subject of intense investigation, with the aim of developing new cancer immunotherapies. The current therapies against cancer such as monoclonal antibodies against checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive T-cell transfer, cytokines, vaccines, and oncolytic viruses have managed to improve the clinical outcome of the patients. However, in some tumor entities, the response is limited and could benefit from the identification of novel therapeutic targets. It is known that tumor-extracellular matrix interplay and matrix remodeling are necessary for anti-tumor and pro-tumoral immune responses. Proteoglycans are dominant components of the extracellular matrix and are a highly heterogeneous group of proteins characterized by the covalent attachment of a specific linear carbohydrate chain of the glycosaminoglycan type. At cell surfaces, these molecules modulate the expression and activity of cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, adhesion molecules, and function as signaling co-receptors. By these mechanisms, proteoglycans influence the behavior of cancer cells and their microenvironment during the progression of solid tumors and hematopoietic malignancies. In this review, we discuss why cell surface proteoglycans are attractive pharmacological targets in cancer, and we present current and recent developments in cancer immunology and immunotherapy utilizing proteoglycan-targeted strategies.
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