Clinical evaluation of systemic and local immune responses in cancer: time for integration

A Tandem-Locked Chemiluminescent Probe for Imaging of Tumor-Associated Macrophage Polarization

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a role in both pro- and anti-tumor functions; and the targeted polarization from M2 to M1 TAMs has become an effective therapy option. Although detection of M1 TAMs is imperative to assess cancer immunotherapeutic efficacy, existing optical probes suffer from shallow tissue penetration depth and poor specificity toward M1 TAMs. Herein, we report a tandem-locked NIR chemiluminescent (CL) probe for specific detection of M1 TAMs. Through a combined molecular engineering approach via both atomic alternation and introduction of electron-withdrawing groups, near-infrared (NIR) chemiluminophores are screened out to possess record-long emission (over 800 nm), record-high CL quantum yield (2.7 % einstein/mol), and prolonged half-life (7.7 h). Based on an ideal chemiluminophore, the tandem-locked probe (DPDGN) is developed to only activate CL signal in the presence of both tumour (γ-glutamyl transpeptidase) and M1 macrophage biomarkers (nitric oxide). Such a tandem-lock design ensures its high specificity towards M1 macrophages in the tumor microenvironment over those in normal tissues or peripheral blood. Thus, DPDGN permits noninvasive imaging and tracking of M1 TAM in the tumor of living mice during R837 treatment, showing a good correlation with ex vivo methods. This study not only reports a new molecular approach towards highly efficient chemiluminophores but also reveals the first tandem-locked CL probes for enhanced imaging specificity.

The association between calreticulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 expressions with prognostic factors in high-grade gliomas

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to present the expressions of Calreticulin (CALR) and Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in high-grade gliomas and to further show the relation between the levels of these molecules and Ki-67 index, presence of Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-1 mutation, and tumor grade.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 43 patients who underwent surgical resection due to high-grade gliomas (HGG) (grades III and IV) were included. The control group comprised 27 people who showed no gross pathology in the brain during the autopsy procedures. Adequately sized tumor samples were removed from each patient during surgery, and cerebral tissues were removed from the control subjects during the autopsy procedures. Each sample was stored at -80°C as rapidly as possible until the enzyme assay.

RESULTS

Patients with high-grade gliomas showed significantly higher levels of CALR and significantly lower levels of GLP-1 when compared to control subjects (P = 0.001). CALR levels were significantly higher, GLP-1 levels were significantly lower in grade IV gliomas than those in grade III gliomas (P = 0.001). Gliomas with negative IDH-1 mutations had significantly higher CALR expressions and gliomas with positive IDH-1 mutations showed significantly higher GLP-1 expressions (P = 0.01). A positive correlation between Ki-67 and CALR and a negative correlation between Ki-67 and GLP-1 expressions were observed in grade IV gliomas (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that higher CALR and lower GLP-1 expressions are found in HGGs compared to normal cerebral tissues.

Activatable near-infrared probes for the detection of specific populations of tumour-infiltrating leukocytes in vivo and in urine

Tracking the immune microenvironment of tumours is essential for understanding the mechanisms behind the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies. Molecular imaging of tumour-infiltrating leukocytes (TILs) can be used to non-invasively monitor the tumour immune microenvironment, but current imaging agents do not distinguish TILs from leukocytes resident in other tissues. Here we report a library of activatable molecular probes for the imaging, via near-infrared fluorescence, of specific TILs (including M1 macrophages, cytotoxic T lymphocytes and neutrophils) in vivo in real time and also via excreted urine, owing to the probes' renal clearance. The fluorescence of the probes is activated only in the presence of both tumour and leukocyte biomarkers, which allows for the imaging of populations of specific TILs in mouse models of cancers with sensitivities and specificities similar to those achieved via flow-cytometric analyses of biopsied tumour tissues. We also show that the probes enable the non-invasive evaluation of the immunogenicity of different tumours, the dynamic monitoring of responses to immunotherapies and the accurate prediction of tumour growth under various treatments.

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Populations Correlate with Outcome in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Local tumor-associated immune cells hold prognostic and predictive value in various forms of malignancy. The role of systemic, circulating leukocytes is, however, not well-characterized. In this prospective and explorative study, we aim to delineate the clinical relevance of a broad panel of circulating immune cells in 32 patients with newly diagnosed metastatic breast cancer (MBC) before the start of systemic treatment. Freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were analyzed by flow cytometry and evaluated for potential associations to clinicopathological variables and patient outcome. We show that the levels of specific circulating leukocyte populations are associated with clinical parameters such as hormone receptor status, histological subtype, number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and metastatic burden. Importantly, high levels of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are significantly linked to improved overall survival (OS). In patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive primary tumors, high levels of circulating CTLs and non-classical (CD14+CD16++) monocytes were associated with improved OS, whereas in patients with ER-negative tumors low levels of circulating natural killer (NK) cells potentially associate with improved OS. We propose that the levels of specific circulating immune cell populations, such as CD8+ CTLs, may be used to predict clinical outcomes in MBC patients. Thus, larger studies are warranted to validate these findings.

Preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio behaves as an independent prognostic factor even in patients with postoperative complications after curative resection for gastric cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine if the prognostic value of the preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) could be modified by the presence of postoperative complications (POC) and their severity in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma resected with curative intent.

METHODS

A retrospective study based on a prospective database of patients with resectable gastric adenocarcinoma treated with radical intention (R0) between January 1998 and February 2012. The primary endpoint was overall survival according to preoperative peripheral blood NLR and postoperative complications. Clinicopathological variables, preoperative blood tests, POC and its severity (Clavien-Dindo classification), type of POC (infectious or not infectious) and mortality were registered. A univariate and multivariate analysis (step forward Cox regression) was performed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess overall survival.

RESULTS

The 147 patients with gastric cancer who had undergone radical resection were included from an initial cohort of 209 patients. Univariant analysis: type of surgery, pT, pN, postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3) and preoperative NLR ≥ 2.4 were significantly associated with survival (p < 0.05). Patients with POC showed worse long-term survival (p = 0.000), with no difference (p = 0.867) between infectious or non-infectious POC. NLR ≥ 2.4 was associated with infectious POC (p < 0.001). Patients with preoperative NLR ≥ 2.4 (p = 0.02) had a worse prognosis. Multivariate analysis: pN (p < 0.001), postoperative complications (p < 0.001) (HR 3.04; 95% CI: 1.97-4.70) and NLR ≥ 2.4 (p = 0.04) (HR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.02-2.3) were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

The preoperative inflammatory state of patients with gastric cancer measured by NLR behaves as an independent prognostic factor, even in patients with POC.

Assessing the Efficacy of a Tumor Nanovaccine and Artificial Antigen Presenting Cell-Based System as a Combination Therapy in a Mouse Model of Melanoma

Tumor cell lysate (TCL)-based vaccines contain a large number of tumor-specific and related antigens, albeit at low levels, that require active transfer and presentation by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in vivo, which stimulate a weak immune response. The artificial APC (aAPC) system presented herein is a cell-based therapeutic system that can significantly enhance the immune response compared to TCL-based vaccines. This study combines these two treatment strategies to assess their in vitro and in vivo effects. We successfully prepared TCL-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-PEI (TPP) and demonstrated that it was phagocytosed by the APCs and enhanced the maturation of DCs in vitro. The use of TPP in combination with the aAPCs resulted in better antitumor effects compared to the individual therapies. The combination therapy induced a higher proportion of CD4+ T, CD8+ T, and TRP2180–188-specific CD8+ T cells in comparison with the individual therapies. Additionally, the combination therapy enhanced the in vitro proliferation activity; greater inhibited regulatory T cells; and promoted inflammatory cytokine secretion, while reduced the production of inhibitory cytokines. In conclusion, the combination therapy consisting of the TPP tumor nanovaccine and the aAPC system enabled a broader immune response and achieve better antitumor effects compared to treatment with the individual therapies.

Spatial variation in gene expression of Tasmanian devil facial tumors despite minimal host transcriptomic response to infection

BACKGROUND

Transmissible cancers lie at the intersection of oncology and infectious disease, two traditionally divergent fields for which gene expression studies are particularly useful for identifying the molecular basis of phenotypic variation. In oncology, transcriptomics studies, which characterize the expression of thousands of genes, have identified processes leading to heterogeneity in cancer phenotypes and individual prognoses. More generally, transcriptomics studies of infectious diseases characterize interactions between host, pathogen, and environment to better predict population-level outcomes. Tasmanian devils have been impacted dramatically by a transmissible cancer (devil facial tumor disease; DFTD) that has led to widespread population declines. Despite initial predictions of extinction, populations have persisted at low levels, due in part to heterogeneity in host responses, particularly between sexes. However, the processes underlying this variation remain unknown.

RESULTS

We sequenced transcriptomes from healthy and DFTD-infected devils, as well as DFTD tumors, to characterize host responses to DFTD infection, identify differing host-tumor molecular interactions between sexes, and investigate the extent to which tumor gene expression varies among host populations. We found minimal variation in gene expression of devil lip tissues, either with respect to DFTD infection status or sex. However, 4088 genes were differentially expressed in tumors among our sampling localities. Pathways that were up- or downregulated in DFTD tumors relative to normal tissues exhibited the same patterns of expression with greater intensity in tumors from localities that experienced DFTD for longer. No mRNA sequence variants were associated with expression variation.

CONCLUSIONS

Expression variation among localities may reflect morphological differences in tumors that alter ratios of normal-to-tumor cells within biopsies. Phenotypic variation in tumors may arise from environmental variation or differences in host immune response that were undetectable in lip biopsies, potentially reflecting variation in host-tumor coevolutionary relationships among sites that differ in the time since DFTD arrival.

Serum IgG level is a predicting factor for the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background

Despite the established oncological benefits of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell cancer, not all cases demonstrate benefit. Hence, predicting the response to chemotherapy before treatment is desirable. Some reports have shown that immune factors are related to the chemotherapy response. This study aimed to investigate the utility of serum IgG levels for predicting chemotherapy response.

Methods

Among the patients who underwent esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy at Nagoya City University Hospital between December 2012 and June 2019, 130 cases were included in this study. Response to chemotherapy and pretreatment serum IgG levels were examined in 77 cases. FP (5-fluorouracil and cisplatin) therapy or DCF (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-FU) therapy was performed as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. DCF therapy was selected for patients aged <75 years, who could be safely administered chemotherapy based on their medical history.

Results

This study divided cases into two groups: the effective response group (PR) and ineffective response group (SD and PD). We classified 1, 37, and 39 cases as PD, PR, and SD, respectively. None of the cases were classified as CR. The effective response group had significantly lower serum IgG levels than the ineffective response group (p < 0.001). The cutoff serum IgG value was determined to be 1087 mg/dL. The low IgG group had significantly more cases who had effective response to chemotherapy compared with the high IgG group (odds ratio [OR] = 9.009; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.974–30.157; p < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed serum IgG level to be an independent predictor for response to chemotherapy (p = 0.001). Furthermore, cases with effective pathological response had significantly lower pretreatment serum IgG levels than those who did not (p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Our finding showed that serum IgG levels can be an independent predictor of the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Trial registration

This retrospective study was approved by the review board of Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences (reception number: 60-18-0008).

Natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes are required to clear solid tumor in a patient-derived xenograft

Existing patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models of solid tumors lack a fully tumor donor-matched, syngeneic, and functional immune system. We developed a model that overcomes these limitations by engrafting lymphopenic recipient mice with a fresh, undisrupted piece of solid tumor, whereby tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) persisted in the recipient mice for several weeks. Successful tumor engraftment was achieved in 83% to 89% of TIL-PDX mice, and these were seen to harbor exhausted immuno-effector as well as functional immunoregulatory cells persisting for at least 6 months postengraftment. Combined treatment with interleukin-15 stimulation and immune checkpoint inhibition resulted in complete or partial tumor response in this model. Further, depletion of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and/or natural killer cells before combined immunotherapy revealed that both cell types were required for maximal tumor regression. Our TIL-PDX model provides a valuable resource for powerful mechanistic and therapeutic studies in solid tumors.

Systemic immune responses are associated with molecular characteristics of circulating tumor cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Systemic immunity mediated by circulating immune cells may affect clinical features, as well as the characteristics of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The present study aimed to analyze the influence of circulating immune cells, using their markers, on clinical features to investigate the association between systemic immunity and the molecular characteristics of CTCs. Circulating immune-cell markers were associated with disease progression and clinical outcomes in patients with HNSCC. Meanwhile, there was no significant association between the presence of CTCs and systemic immune-related markers. Moreover, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit a expression in CTCs was significantly associated with higher lymphocyte counts (P=0.035) and an increased prognostic nutrition index (P=0.0157). Patients with CTCs expressing CD47 exhibited significantly higher neutrophil (P=0.0031) and monocyte (P=0.0016) counts. Patients with CTCs expressing programmed cell death 1 ligand 2 exhibited lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (P=0.0271) and a decreased CRP/albumin ratio (P=0.0207). The current results suggested that the interaction between CTCs and circulating immune cells may provide survival advantages via molecular alterations to CTCs.

In vitro assessment of antitumor immune responses using tumor antigen proteins produced by transgenic silkworms

The evaluation of antitumor immune responses is essential for immune monitoring to predict clinical outcomes as well as treatment efficacies in cancer patients. In this study, we produced two tumor antigen (TA) proteins, melanoma antigen family A4 and wild type p53, using TG silkworm systems and evaluated anti-TA-specific immune responses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assays in patients with head and neck cancer. Eleven (61.1%) of 18 patients showed significant IFN-γ production in response to at least one TA; however, the presence of TA-specific immune responses did not significantly contribute to better prognosis (overall survival, p = 0.1768; progression-free survival, p = 0.4507). Further studies will need to be performed on a larger scale to better assess the clinical significance of these systems. The production of multiple TA proteins may provide new avenues for the development of immunotherapeutic strategies to stimulate a potent and specific immune response against tumor cells as well as precise assessment of antitumor immune responses in cancer patients.

Natural Killer Cell Interactions With Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment and Implications for Cancer Immunotherapy

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and heterogeneous environment composed of cancer cells, tumor stroma, a mixture of tissue-resident and infiltrating immune cells, secreted factors, and extracellular matrix proteins. Natural killer (NK) cells play a vital role in fighting tumors, but chronic stimulation and immunosuppression in the TME lead to NK cell exhaustion and limited antitumor functions. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous group of myeloid cells with potent immunosuppressive activity that gradually accumulate in tumor tissues. MDSCs interact with innate and adaptive immune cells and play a crucial role in negatively regulating the immune response to tumors. This review discusses MDSC-mediated NK cell regulation within the TME, focusing on critical cellular and molecular interactions. We review current strategies that target MDSC-mediated immunosuppression to enhance NK cell cytotoxic antitumor activity. We also speculate on how NK cell-based antitumor immunotherapy could be improved.

Circulating Immune Cell Composition and Cancer Risk: A Prospective Study Using Epigenetic Cell Count Measures

Although ample evidence indicates that immune cell homeostasis is an important prognostic outcome determinant in patients with cancer, few studies have examined whether it also determines cancer risk among initially healthy individuals. We performed a case-cohort study including incident cases of breast (n = 207), colorectal (n = 111), lung (n = 70), and prostate (n = 201) cancer as well as a subcohort (n = 465) within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Heidelberg cohort. Relative counts of neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocyte sublineages were measured by qRT-PCR. HRs and 95% confidence intervals were used to measure the associations between relative counts of immune cell and cancer risks. When relative counts of immune cell types were taken individually, a significant positive association was observed between relative counts of FOXP3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and lung cancer risk, and significant inverse associations were observed between relative CD8⁺ counts and risks of lung and breast cancer (overall and ER+ subtype). Multivariable models with mutual adjustments across immune markers showed further significant positive associations between higher relative FOXP3⁺ T-cell counts and increased risks of colorectal and breast cancer (overall and ER- subtype). No associations were found between immune cell composition and prostate cancer risk. These results affirm the relevance of elevated FOXP3⁺ Tregs and lower levels of cytotoxic (CD8⁺) T cells as risk factors for tumor development. SIGNIFICANCE: This epidemiologic study supports a role for both regulatory and cytotoxic T cells in determining cancer risk among healthy individuals.See related commentary by Song and Tworoger, p. 1801.

Prognostic value of peripheral blood natural killer cells in colorectal cancer

Background

The association between natural killer (NK) cells and survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients remains controversial. This study aimed to clarify the prognostic value of peripheral blood NK cells in CRC patients.

Methods

A total of 447 CRC patients who underwent radical surgery and chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. Cox regression analyses were used to identify independent prognostic indicators. Correlation between NK cell percentage and other clinicopathological features (gender, age, histological grade, tumor stage, immune cells, and inflammatory indicators) was analyzed. The prognostic values of the combinations of NK cell percentage and other clinicopathological features were also determined.

Results

Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that NK cell percentage in the peripheral blood was an independent prognostic indicator in CRC patients. A higher percentage of NK cells indicated a longer survival time than a lower percentage. NK cell percentage was positively correlated to the T and B lymphocyte counts and negatively correlated to the patients’ age and albumin levels. With an area of 0.741 under a receiver operating characteristic curve, NK cells have a moderate predictive value for 3rd-year survival in CRC. This area increased to 0.851 by combining NK cell percentage with the B lymphocyte count. Elderly patients and those at an advanced clinical stage presented a lower percentage of NK cells than younger patients and those at an early clinical stage.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that NK cells in the blood were an independent predictor of survival in CRC patients, and the combined count of NK cells and B lymphocytes could increase the prognostic value.

Clinical Relevance of Immune Checkpoints on Circulating Tumor Cells in Breast Cancer

The role of CD47 and PD-L1 expression on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) remains unclear, and it is currently unknown whether their distribution varies between the blood and tumor tissue in breast cancer (BC). In this study, CD47 and PD-L1 expression was investigated a) on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cytospins from early (n = 100) and metastatic (n = 98) BC patients, by triple immunofluorescence for CD47/PD-L1/Cytokeratins, and b) on matched primary and/or metastatic tumor tissue from CTC-positive patients using immunohistochemistry. CD47+and/orPD-L1+ CTCs were detected in 11%, 16.9%, and 29.6% of early, recurrent, and de novo metastatic patients (p = 0.016). In metastatic disease, CD47^highand/orPD-L1^high CTCs were associated with disease progression (p = 0.005) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.010), and independently predicted for an increased risk of relapse (HR: 2.719; p = 0.008) and death (HR: 2.398; p = 0.034). PD-L1 expression rates differed between CTCs and tissue tumor cells and between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) (positive concordance of 3.8% and 4%, respectively). CD47 expression also differed between CTCs and tumor cells (positive concordance of 11.5%). In conclusion, CTCs expressing CD47 and PD-L1 have independent poor prognostic implications in metastatic BC, indicating a potential role of innate and adaptive immune evasion mechanisms in their metastatic potential. The clinical value of the parallel assessment of the peripheral and local immune response merits further evaluation in BC.

Baseline Lymphopenia: A Predictor Of Poor Outcomes In HER2 positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Treated With Trastuzumab

Purpose

Despite selection based on human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression, not all HER2-positive patients benefit from trastuzumab therapy. Recent reports indicate that trastuzumab treatment failure may be associated with immune system dysfunction. We examined the prognostic relevance of the absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who received trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy.

Methods

Baseline ALC and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) data from trastuzumab-treated patients with MBC were studied retrospectively, and associations between baseline ALC and clinical characteristics evaluated. Kaplan–Meier analysis and the Cox regression hazard model were applied to assess effects on outcomes.

Results

Of a total of 68 patients, 19.1% (13/68) had baseline ALCs ≤ 1 G/L. Baseline lymphopenia was correlated with increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and higher NLR. In univariate analysis, higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was associated with inferior overall survival (OS) (P = 0.001); higher LDH was associated with inferior progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.045) and OS (P = 0.010). We did not observe any differences in objective response rate or disease control rate between patients with lymphopenia and those with normal ALC. Importantly, patients with baseline lymphopenia had inferior PFS (0.60 years vs 1.17 years, P = 0.000009) and OS (1.88 years vs 3.80 years, P = 0.0003). In multivariable analysis, significance of ALCs was retained for lymphopenia (PFS: P = 0.0005; OS: P = 0.016).

Conclusion

Our data indicate that baseline ALC value of ≤1 G/L is a predictor of poor outcomes, but not of response, in patients with MBC treated with trastuzumab.

Associations between absolute neutrophil count and lymphocyte-predominant breast cancer

INTRODUCTION

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) might be associated with host-cell mediated immunity, which could be partly reflected by peripheral blood cell counts. In addition, lymphocyte-predominant breast cancer (LPBC), which was defined as tumors having high TIL levels, showed a favorable prognosis among triple-negative breast cancer or HER2-positive breast cancer. We aimed to investigate whether peripheral blood cell counts are associated with LPBC.

METHODS

We evaluated the percentage of stromal TILs in breast cancer patients who underwent primary surgery, using the standardized methodology proposed by the international TIL Working Group. Lymphocyte-predominant breast cancer (LPBC) was defined as tumors having high TIL levels (≥50%). Peripheral blood cell counts including absolute neutrophil counts (ANC), absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was obtained from pretreatment laboratory data.

RESULT

Of the 810 patients, 132 (16.3%) had LPBC, and 678 (83.7%) had non-LBPC. In a comparison of 3 markers of peripheral blood counts, LPBC had a significantly lower mean ANC than non-LPBC (3,304 vs. 3,564; P = 0.023), but the other means were not different. In multivariable analysis, each 1K increment in ANC corresponded to an odds ratio of 0.790 (95% CI, 0.642 to 0.971) for LPBC. In the ER-negative and high-Ki67 subgroups identified by interaction tests, significant inverse correlations between continuous ANC and TILs were noted.

CONCLUSION

Low peripheral ANC could be linked with LPBC, supporting the hypothesis that systemic immune cell counts might be associated with the tumor-immune microenvironment.

Immune correlates of the differing pathological and therapeutic effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate immune responses paralleling the pathological and therapeutic effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in the tumor microenvironment of breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

38 patients with stages II and III breast cancer received NAC followed by surgery in 2012-2018. Peripheral natural killer (pNK) cell activity, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and levels of tumor microenvironmental factors were assessed before and after NAC.

RESULTS

In univariate analysis, grade 2 (G2) and better therapeutic effects were significantly associated with high post-NAC levels of NK cells and interleukin-6, and tended to be associated with higher CD4, CD8 and CTLA-4 transcripts. Disappearance of axillary lymph node metastasis (Ax+) was significantly associated with 1) increased NK and pNK levels, 2) decreased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) transcripts after NAC, 3) the presence of ≥5% TILs, and tended to be associated with higher CTLA-4 levels before NAC. Multivariate analysis showed that G2 and better therapeutic effects were significantly associated with higher NK levels after NAC (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 1.00-1.14; p = 0.0255), and that disappearance of Ax+ was significantly associated with the presence of ≥5% pre-NAC TILs (OR = 19.87, 95% CI 2.24-175.80; p = 0.0072).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased NK cells after NAC, together with increased CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cells, and decreased CTLA-4+ T cells and VEGF correlate with beneficial therapeutic effects. Systemic activation of pNK cell activity and the presence of pre-NAC TILs may improve the elimination of Ax + together with decreased immunosuppression by VEGF in tumors.

Prognostic Value of Combined Analysis of CTLA-4 and PLR in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) Patients

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) expression level and the platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) level in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients.

Methods

84 ESCC patients who received surgical treatment in our hospital were enrolled in the study. The correlation of each biomarker's level with ESCC patients' clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival (OS) was assessed.

Results

The elevated expression rate of T-CTLA-4 (tumor cell CTLA-4) and I-CTLA-4 (interstitial lymphocyte CTLA-4) was 48.8% and 44.0%, respectively. The number of enrolled patients with a higher PLR level (≥119) was 48. The prognostic value of T-CTLA-4, I-CTLA-4, and PLR in ESCC patients was not detected. However, patients with both a low T-CTLA-4 expression level and a low PLR level that had longer OS (p = 0.023) were found. The prognostic role of T-CTLA-4(-) +PLR (-) status in ESCC patients was also confirmed in multivariate analyses (p = 0.027).

Conclusion

These results demonstrated the potential prognostic value of combined analysis of CTLA-4 and PLR in ESCC patients.

Vaccinations for Colorectal Cancer: Progress, Strategies, and Novel Adjuvants

Although cancer is a leading cause of death, significant breakthroughs have been made in its treatment in recent years. In particular, increasingly effective cancer vaccines are being developed, including some for colorectal cancer. There are also currently a variety of compounds that can act as adjuvants, such as signalling molecules called cytokines. Other adjuvants target and inhibit the specific mechanisms by which cancers evade the immune system. One of them is a galectin inhibitor, which targets galectins—proteins produced by cancer cells that can cause the death of immune cells. Likewise, immune checkpoint inhibitors affect immune checkpoints—natural host proteins that usually control inflammation but can be exploited by cancers to weaken the body’s defences. Equally, regulatory T cells may contribute to the progression of cancer by inhibiting the functions of other T cells. The main advantages of cancer vaccines include their low toxicity and their ability to strengthen the immune system. Nevertheless, significant limitations include their slow effects and their inability to treat cancer at times due to immunosuppression. Ultimately, ongoing trials provide hope for the development of more effective methods of immunotherapeutic inoculation that can target a greater variety of cancers.

Chitosan/poly(γ-glutamic acid) nanoparticles incorporating IFN-γ for immune response modulation in the context of colorectal cancer

IFN-γ therapy has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of chronic granulomatous disease and severe malignant osteopetrosis. Despite the promising IFN-γ-based therapeutic applications, its limited success in clinical trials is related with limitations inherent to its molecular properties and with the difficulties to deliver it locally or with adequate periodicity to achieve a therapeutic effect. We have previously shown that chitosan (Ch)/poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) nanoparticles (NPs) are immunostimulatory, impairing colorectal cancer cell invasion. Ch is a biocompatible cationic polysaccharide extensively studied and already approved for biomedical applications while γ-PGA is a poly(amino acid), biodegradable and negatively charged. Here, we evaluated the potential of Ch/γ-PGA NPs as vehicles for IFN-γ and their ability to modulate immune cells' phenotype. In this study, Ch/IFN-γ/γ-PGA nanoparticles (IFN-γ-NPs) prepared by a co-acervation method, presenting a size of approximately 180 nm and a low polydispersity index, were tested for their immunomodulatory activity. These IFN-γ-NPs induced an immunostimulatory profile on dendritic cells (DCs) with increased cell surface costimulatory molecules and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-12p40 and TNF-α. IFN-γ-NPs also modulated the IL-10-stimulated macrophage profile, increasing their ability to secrete the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-12p40 and TNF-α. Concomitantly, these phenotypic alterations enhanced T cell proliferation. In addition, the ability of DCs and macrophages to induce colorectal cancer cell invasion was hampered in the presence of IFN-γ-NPs. Although the major observations were mediated by Ch/γ-PGA NPs, the incorporation of IFN-γ into NPs potentiated the expression of CD40 and CD86, and the impairment of colorectal cancer cell invasion. This work bridges the previously reported immunostimulatory capacity of Ch/γ-PGA NPs with their potential as carriers for immunomodulatory molecules, like IFN-γ, opening new avenues for their use in clinical settings.

Correlation Between Natural Killer Cell Activity and Treatment Effect in Patients with Disseminated Cancer

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the present study was to analyze the possible correlation between Natural Killer (NK) cell activity as measured by the NK Vue assay and treatment efficacy in patients with disseminated cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included four trials encompassing palliative treatment, i.e. one trial on prostate- and ovarian cancer, respectively, and two trials on colorectal cancer. The current results are based on 93 patients with mature data on treatment effect. Blood samples were collected at baseline and prior to each treatment cycle into NK Vue. Following 24 hours of stimulation the level of interferon-gamma (IFNγ) in the plasma was measured as a surrogate for NK cell activity.

RESULTS

The relationship between NK cell activity and treatment response was similar across tumor types and treatment. The IFNγ either remained at or dropped to an abnormal level (<200 pg/mL) during treatment in group 1 (n = 35). In group 2 (n = 30) the level remained within a normal range (>200 pg/mL), while in group 3 (n = 28) it increased from an abnormal to a normal level. The response rate was 14%, 47%, and 82%, respectively, P < .001. The median progression free survival was 2.6 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1-3.9), 10.0 months (95% CI 6.5-11.1), and 8.3 months (95% CI 6.5-8.7), respectively, P < .001 (log-rank).

CONCLUSION

Patients lacking the ability to mount an immune response during the first 2 months of treatment have a poor prognosis, and their clinical benefit of the treatment is questionable.

Diagnostic value of peripheral blood immune profiling in colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

Little is known about the clinical value of peripheral blood immune profiling. Here, we aimed to identify colorectal cancer (CRC)-related peripheral blood immune cells and develop liquid biopsy-based immune profiling models for CRC diagnosis.

METHODS

Peripheral blood from 131 preoperative patients with CRC and 174 healthy controls was analyzed by flow cytometry and automated hematology. CRC-related immune factors were identified by comparing the mean values of immune cell percentages and counts. Subsequently, CRC diagnostic algorithms were constructed using binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed in percentages and counts of white blood cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, regulatory T cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) of patients and controls. The neutrophil/lymphocyte and Th1/Th2 ratios were also significantly different. Likewise, the percentages and counts of peripheral blood programed death 1, cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4, B-and T-lymphocyte attenuator, and lymphocyte activation gene-3 were higher in patients with CRC. The binary logistic regression model included 12 variables, age, CD3+%, NK%, CD4+CD279+%, CD4+CD25+%, CD4+CD152+%, CD3+CD366+%, CD3+CD272+%, CD3+CD223+%, CD158b-CD314+CD3-CD56+%, Th2%, and MDSCs cells/µL, for the prediction of cancer. Results of retrospective and prospective evaluation of the area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.980 and 0.940, 91.53% and 85.80%, and 93.50% and 86.20%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Peripheral blood immune profiling may be valuable in evaluating the immunity of CRC patients. Our liquid biopsy-based immune diagnostic method and its algorithms may serve as a novel tool for CRC diagnosis. Future largescale studies are needed for better characterization of its diagnostic value and potential for clinical application.

Association between natural killer cell activity and the risk of colorectal neoplasia

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Low activity of natural killer (NK) cells is known to be associated with higher risk of cancer, especially with poor prognosis and the presence of colorectal cancer (CRC). We investigated whether NK cells activity differs between subjects with and without colorectal neoplasia (CRN).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed on 1818 asymptomatic examinees aged ≥ 30 years who underwent NK cell activity test (which quantitates the amount of interferon-γ secreted into the plasma by NK cells) and a colonoscopy as part of a health checkup.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study population was 41.4 years. The proportion of overall CRN and advanced CRN was 13.5% (n = 246) and 0.7% (n = 13), respectively. Only one subject was diagnosed with CRC. The median level of NK cell activity was lower in subjects with CRN than in those without CRN (1205 vs 1515 pg/mL, P = 0.009). It was also lower in subjects with non-advanced CRN than in those without CRN (1221 vs 1515 pg/mL; P = 0.036). Moreover, it was lower in subjects with advanced CRN than in those with non-advanced CRN (480 vs 1221 pg/mL; P = 0.028). Subjects with low levels of NK cell activity (< 250 pg/mL) had a higher prevalence of overall CRN (19.0% vs 12.9%, P = 0.024) and advanced CRN (3.4% vs 0.4%, P = 0.001) than those who demonstrated higher level (≥ 250 pg/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

Natural killer cell activity seemed to decrease along with CRC progression toward the later stages in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Its activity may be depressed in relation to progression of neoplasia, even at precancerous stage.

Informatics for cancer immunotherapy

The rapid development of immunomodulatory cancer therapies has led to a concurrent increase in the application of informatics techniques to the analysis of tumors, the tumor microenvironment, and measures of systemic immunity. In this review, the use of tumors to gather genetic and expression data will first be explored. Next, techniques to assess tumor immunity are reviewed, including HLA status, predicted neoantigens, immune microenvironment deconvolution, and T-cell receptor sequencing. Attempts to integrate these data are in early stages of development and are discussed in this review. Finally, we review the application of these informatics strategies to therapy development, with a focus on vaccines, adoptive cell transfer, and checkpoint blockade therapies.

Pro-inflammatory chitosan/poly(γ-glutamic acid) nanoparticles modulate human antigen-presenting cells phenotype and revert their pro-invasive capacity

Anticancer immune responses depend on efficient presentation of tumor antigens and co-stimulatory signals provided by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). However, it is described that immature dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages at the tumor site may have an immunosuppressive profile, which limits the activity of effector T cells and supports tumor progression. Therapeutic targeting of these innate immune cells, either aiming at their elimination or re-polarization towards an immunostimulatory profile, has been pointed as an attractive approach to control tumor progression. In the present work, we assessed the potential of Chitosan (Ch)/Poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) nanoparticles (NPs) to modulate macrophages and DCs inflammatory profile and to impair their ability to promote cancer cell invasion. Interestingly, Ch/γ-PGA NPs, prepared by co-acervation method, induced an immunostimulatory DCs phenotype, enhancing the expression of the co-stimulatory molecules CD86, CD40 and HLA-DR, and the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-12p40 and IL-6. Furthermore, Ch/γ-PGA NPs re-educated IL-10-stimulated macrophages towards a pro-inflammatory profile, decreasing the expression of CD163 and promoting the secretion of IL-12p40 and TNF-α. These alterations in the immune cells phenotype promoted CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell activation/proliferation and partially inhibited APCs' ability to induce colorectal cancer cell invasion. Overall, our findings open new perspectives on the use of Ch/γ-PGA NPs as an immunomodulatory therapy for antigen-presenting cells reprogramming, providing a new tool for anticancer therapies.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The immune system is responsible to detect and destroy abnormal cells preventing the development of cancer. However, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment can compromise the immune response favoring tumor progression. Thus, immune system modulation towards an immunostimulatory profile can improve anticancer therapies. This research focus on the development of chitosan/poly(γ-glutamic acid) nanoparticles (NPs) to modulate human antigen-presenting cells (APCs) phenotype and to counteract their pro-invasive capacity. Interestingly, Ch/γ-PGA NPs had a prominent effect in inducing macrophages and dendritic cells immunostimulatory phenotype, thus favoring T cell proliferation and inhibiting colorectal cancer cell invasion. We propose that their combination with other immunomodulatory drugs or conventional anticancer therapies can improve patients' outcome.

Association Between Natural Killer Cell Activity and Colorectal Cancer in High-Risk Subjects Undergoing Colonoscopy

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Low activity of natural killer (NK) cells has been associated with increased risk of cancer and has been reported in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Activity of NK cells can be measured in a small volume of whole blood by a commercially available test. We investigated whether this test could be used to identify patients with CRC, using findings from colonoscopy as a reference standard.

METHODS

We performed an open-label, prospective, cross-sectional study of 872 high-risk subjects (more than 40 years old) screened for CRC by colonoscopy at a university hospital in Montreal, Canada from October 2014 through January 2016. Blood samples were collected on the day of colonoscopy, prior to the procedure. The test involves stimulation of whole blood with cytokine that induces NK cells to secrete interferon gamma (IFNG), which is quantified by an ELISA. Tissue samples were taken from lesions during the colonoscopy and analyzed histologically; subjects were classified as having no evidence of disease, adenomatous polyps of less than 10 mm, of 10 mm or more, or CRC. We used the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test to compare NK cell activity between subjects with no evidence of CRC and subjects found to have CRC. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the ability of the test to identify individuals with CRC. The primary objective was to determine the difference in NK cell activity between subjects with vs without CRC. The secondary objective was the test performance, based on receiver operating characteristic analysis, and cut-off value that most accurately identified individuals with CRC.

RESULTS

We found a significant difference in NK cell activity between the 23 subjects with CRC (based on pathology analysis) and the 849 subjects without CRC: subjects found to have CRC by colonoscopy had a median level of 86.0 pg IFNG/mL (inter-quartile range, 43.3-151.0 pg IFNG/mL), whereas subjects without CRC had a median level of 298.1 pg IFNG/mL (inter-quartile range, 100.4-920.2 pg IFNG/mL) (P = .0002). The cut-off value that most accurately identified subjects with CRC was 181 pg/mL. The NK cell activity test identified subjects with CRC with 87.0% sensitivity, 60.8% specificity, a positive predictive value of 5.7%, and a negative predictive value of 99.4%. The odds ratio for detection of CRC in subjects with low NK cell activity vs subjects with higher NK cell activity was 10.3 (95% CI, 3.03-34.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Using colonoscopy as the reference standard, a test for NK cell activity in whole blood samples identified patients with CRC with 87.0% sensitivity and a negative predictive value of 99.4%. Subjects with low NK cell activity had a 10-fold higher risk of CRC compared with subjects with high NK cell activity. This test might be used in clinical practice to assess patients for risk of CRC. Clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT02291198.

Prognostic significance of tumour infiltrating B lymphocytes in breast ductal carcinoma in situ

AIMS

Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are an important component of the immune response to cancer and have a prognostic value in breast cancer. Although several studies have investigated the role of T lymphocytes in breast cancer, the role of B lymphocytes (TIL-Bs) in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) remains uncertain. This study aimed to assess the role of TIL-Bs in DCIS.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eighty DCIS cases (36 pure DCIS and 44 mixed with invasive cancer) were stained immunohistochemically for B lineage markers CD19, CD20 and the plasma cell marker CD138. TIL-Bs density and localization were assessed, including relation to the in-situ and invasive components. An association with clinicopathological data and patient outcome was performed. Pure DCIS showed a higher number of TIL-Bs and lymphoid aggregates than DCIS associated with invasion. In pure DCIS, a higher number of peri- and paratumoral TIL-Bs was associated significantly with large tumour size (P = 0.016), hormone receptor (ER/PR) negative (P = 0.008) and HER2⁺ status (P = 0.010). In tumours with mixed DCIS and invasive components, cases with high-density B lymphocytes, irrespective of their location or topographic distribution, were associated significantly with variables of poor prognosis, including larger size, high grade, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastases, ER/PR-negative and HER2⁺ status. Outcome analysis showed that pure DCIS associated with higher numbers of B lymphocytes had shorter recurrence-free interval (P = 0.04); however, the association was not significant with the CD138⁺ plasma cell count (P = 0.07).

CONCLUSION

Assessment of TIL-B cells based on location and topographic distribution can provide prognostic information. Validation in a larger cohort is warranted.

White blood cell counts and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in the diagnosis of testicular cancer: a simple secondary serum tumor marker

Purpose

The aim of the study was to investigate white blood cell counts and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as markers of systemic inflammation in the diagnosis of localized testicular cancer as a malignancy with initially low volume.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-six patients with localized testicular cancer with a mean age of 34.22±14.89 years and 36 healthy controls with a mean age of 26.67±2.89 years were enrolled in the study. White blood cell counts and NLR were calculated from complete blood cell counts.

Results

White blood cell counts and NLR were statistically significantly higher in patients with testicular cancer compared with the control group (p<0.0001 for all).

Conclusions

Both white blood cell counts and NLR can be used as a simple test in the diagnosis of testicular cancer besides the well-known accurate serum tumor markers as AFP (alpha fetoprotein), hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase).

Targeting Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Cancer

Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) represent only a minor fraction of circulating blood cells but play an important role in tumor formation and progression. They are a heterogeneous group of cells that influence the tumor microenvironment by depletion of amino acids, oxidative stress, decreased trafficking of antitumor effector cells, and increased regulatory T and regulatory dendritic cell responses. Investigational treatment strategies targeting MDSCs have attempted to inhibit MDSC development and expansion (stem cell factor blockade, modulate of cell signaling, and target MDSC migration and recruitment), inhibit MDSC function (nitric oxide inhibition and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species inhibition), differentiate MDSCs into more mature cells (Vitamins A and D, all-trans retinoic acid, interleukin-2, toll-like receptor 9 inhibitors, taxanes, beta-glucan particles, tumor-derived exosome inhibition, and very small size proteoliposomes), and destroy MDSCs (cytotoxic agents, ephrin A2 degradation, anti-interleukin 13, and histamine blockers). To date, there are no Food and Drug Administration approved therapies selectively targeting MDSCs, but such therapies are likely to be implemented in the future, due to the key role of MDSCs in antitumor immunity.

The prognostic effects of tumor infiltrating regulatory T cells and myeloid derived suppressor cells assessed by multicolor flow cytometry in gastric cancer patients

The prognostic effects of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), especially regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid derived suppressing cells (MDSCs) are inconclusive in gastric cancers. We investigated the frequencies of TILs including CD8+ T cells, CD45+CD4+CD25± FOXP3+ Tregs, CD45+CD11b+ CD14+ HLA−DR− MDSCs in 28 gastric cancer tissues by using multicolor flow cytometry. In gastric cancer tissue, the percentage of Tregs among the CD4+ T cell subset was substantially increased compared to that of Tregs among peripheral blood CD4+ T cells from the controls. High frequency of CD8+ T cells among CD3+ T cells correlated with increased overall survival (OS) (p = 0.005). High frequency of Tregs among CD4+ T cells correlated with increased OS (p < 0.001), and disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.039) and was an independent prognostic factor in OS (Hazard ratio: 0.047; 95% confidence interval, 0.006-0.372; p = 0.004). High frequency of MDSCs among total examined cells correlated with decreased OS (p = 0.027) and was an independent prognostic factor in OS (Hazard ratio 8.601; 95% confidence interval, 1.240-59.678; p = 0.029). We have demonstrated that high levels of Tregs among tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cells were favorable, but an increased proportion of MDSCs was an adverse independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer. Our results may provide important insights for future immunotherapy in gastric cancer.

The postoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and changes in this ratio predict survival after the complete resection of stage I non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose

Although numerous studies have demonstrated associations between the preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and long-term outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the prognostic significance of postoperative NLR and change in NLR (ΔNLR) is unknown for patients who underwent complete resection of stage I NSCLC. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of postoperative NLR and ΔNLR in 123 patients with stage I NSCLC.

Patients and methods

This retrospective study included preoperative and postoperative data of 123 patients who underwent surgical resection for stage I NSCLC. The relationship between disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and clinicopathological factors, including NLR, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and their changes, was analyzed using both univariate Kaplan–Meier and multivariate Cox regression methods.

Results

The 5-year DFS and OS rates in our cohort were 60.16% and 67.48%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that age (P=0.045), smoking status (P=0.033), preoperative NLR (P=0.032), postoperative NLR (P<0.001), ΔNLR (P=0.004), and change in LMR (ΔLMR) (P=0.025) were significant predictors of DFS and that age (P=0.039), smoking status (P=0.042), postoperative NLR (P<0.001), ΔNLR (P=0.004), and ΔLMR (P=0.011) were independent predictors of OS. Multivariate analysis confirmed that postoperative NLR (hazard ratio [HR] =2.435, P=0.001) and ΔNLR (HR =2.103, P=0.012) were independent predictors of DFS and that postoperative NLR (HR =2.747, P=0.001) and ΔNLR (HR =2.052, P=0.018) were significant prognostic factors of OS.

Conclusion

Our study reported for the first time that postoperative NLR and ΔNLR – but not preoperative NLR – were independent prognostic factors of DFS and OS in patients with stage I NSCLC who underwent complete resection. This easily available biomarker might be helpful in individual risk assessment.

Prognostic significance of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood of gallbladder carcinoma patients

BACKGROUND

The role of the interaction between tumor cells and inflammatory cells in gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is unclear. Inflammatory cells exist in both the tumor immune microenvironment and the host peripheral blood circulatory system. In the current study, we examined the prognostic value of inflammatory cells in the tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood in patients with GBC.

METHODS

98 patients with GBC were recruited in this retrospective study. Using immunohistochemistry, we examined tumor-infiltrating CD3+ generic T-cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells, CD45RO+ memory T-cells, and CD15+ neutrophils. Peripheral venous blood samples were also collected, and absolute neutrophil count (ANC), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were measured. The relationships between these variables and patient outcome were evaluated.

RESULTS

Survival analysis revealed that the density of CD3+ cell infiltrates in the tumor microenvironment was positively correlated with overall survival (OS) and the density of CD15+ cell infiltrates was negatively correlated with the OS. The combined analysis showed that a high density of CD3+ cell infiltrates combined with a low density of CD15+ cell infiltrates was an independent prognostic factor for GBC. In peripheral blood, survival analysis suggested that ANC and NLR were negatively correlated, while ALC was positively correlated with OS. Multivariate survival analysis showed that NLR was an independent prognostic factor for gallbladder cancer prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the combination of high density of CD3+ cell infiltrates combined with a low density of CD15+ cell infiltrates in tumor samples and pretreatment peripheral blood NLR were independent prognostic factors in patients with GBC.

The effect of perioperative analgesic drugs omnopon and dexketoprofen on the functional activity of immune cells in murine model of tumor surgery

We aimed to investigate the effect of perioperative analgesia with nonselective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor dexketoprofen and opioid drug omnopon on the functional activity of immune cells in tumor excision murine model. Lewis lung carcinoma cells were transplanted into hind paw of C57/black mice. On the 23th day tumor was removed. Analgesic drugs were injected 30 min before and once a day for 3 days after the surgery. Biological material was obtained a day before, 1 day and 3 days after the tumor removal. IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β mRNA levels in splenic cells were assessed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Cytotoxic activity of splenocytes was estimated by flow cytometry. We found that in splenocytes of mice received opioid analgesia IL-10 mRNA level was increased 2.3 times on day one after the surgery compared to preoperative level (P < 0.05), while in dexketoprofen group this parameter did not change. IFN-γ gene expression level on day 3 after tumor removal was 40% higher in splenocytes of dexketoprofen treated mice as compared with omnopon treated animals (P < 0.05). Cytotoxic activity of splenocytes on day 3 postsurgery was (62.2 ± 2.4)% in dexketoprofen against (50.2 ± 3.3)% in omnopon group. In conclusion, perioperative analgesia with cyclooxygenase inhibitor dexketoprofen in contrast to opioid analgesia with omnopon preserves higher functional activity of murine immune cells in the experimental model of tumor surgery.

CD57 in human natural killer cells and T-lymphocytes

The CD57 antigen (alternatively HNK-1, LEU-7, or L2) is routinely used to identify terminally differentiated 'senescent' cells with reduced proliferative capacity and altered functional properties. In this article, we review current understanding of the attributes of CD57-expressing T-cells and NK cells in both health and disease and discuss how this marker can inform researchers about their likely functions in human blood and tissues in vivo. While CD57 expression on human lymphocytes indicates an inability to proliferate, these cells also display high cytotoxic potential, and CD57(pos) NK cells exhibit both memory-like features and potent effector functions. Accordingly, frequencies of CD57-expressing cells in blood and tissues have been correlated with clinical prognosis in chronic infections or various cancers and with human aging. Functional modulation of senescent CD57(pos) T-cells and mature CD57(pos) NK cells may therefore represent innovative strategies for protection against human immunological aging and/or various chronic diseases.

Cancer-Associated Myeloid Regulatory Cells

Myeloid cells are critically involved in the pathophysiology of cancers. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), they comprise tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), neutrophils (TANs), dendritic cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, which are further subdivided into a monocytic subset and a granulocytic subset. Some of these myeloid cells, in particular TAMs and TANs, are divided into type 1 or type 2 cells, according to the paradigm of T helper type 1 or type 2 cells. Type 1-activated cells are generally characterized as cells that aid tumor rejection, while all other myeloid cells are shown to favor tumor progression. Moreover, these cells are often at the basis of resistance to various therapies. Much research has been devoted to study the biology of myeloid cells. This endeavor has proven to be challenging, as the markers used to categorize myeloid cells in the TME are not restricted to particular subsets. Also from a functional and metabolic point of view, myeloid cells share many features. Finally, myeloid cells are endowed with a certain level of plasticity, which further complicates studying them outside their environment. In this article, we challenge the exclusive use of cell markers to unambiguously identify myeloid cell subsets in the TME. We further propose to divide myeloid cells into myeloid regulatory or stimulatory cells according to their pro- or antitumor function, because we contend that for therapeutic purposes it is not targeting the cell subsets but rather targeting their protumor traits; hence, myeloid regulatory cells will push antitumor immunotherapy to the next level.

Acute inflammation induces immunomodulatory effects on myeloid cells associated with anti-tumor responses in a tumor mouse model

Given the self nature of cancer, anti-tumor immune response is weak. As such, acute inflammation induced by microbial products can induce signals that result in initiation of an inflammatory cascade that helps activation of immune cells. We aimed to compare the nature and magnitude of acute inflammation induced by toll-like receptor ligands (TLRLs) on the tumor growth and the associated inflammatory immune responses. To induce acute inflammation in tumor-bearing host, CD1 mice were inoculated with intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) (5 × 10(5) cells/mouse), and then treated with i.p. injection on day 1, day 7 or days 1 + 7 with: (1) polyinosinic:polycytidylic (poly(I:C)) (TLR3L); (2) Poly-ICLC (clinical grade of TLR3L); (3) Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) (coding for TLR9L); (4) Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) (coding for TLR9L); and (5) Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant (IFA). Treatment with poly(I:C), Poly-ICLC, BCG, CFA, or IFA induced anti-tumor activities as measured by 79.1%, 75.94%, 73.94%, 71.88% and 47.75% decreases, respectively in the total number of tumor cells collected 7 days after tumor challenge. Among the tested TLRLs, both poly(I:C) (TLR3L) and BCG (contain TLR9L) showed the highest anti-tumor effects as reflected by the decrease in the number of EAc cells. These effects were associated with a 2-fold increase in the numbers of inflammatory cells expressing the myeloid markers CD11b(+)Ly6G(+), CD11b(+)Ly6G(-), and CD11b(+)Ly6G(-). We concluded that Provision of the proper inflammatory signal with optimally defined magnitude and duration during tumor growth can induce inflammatory immune cells with potent anti-tumor responses without vaccination.

Primary glioblastoma multiforme tumors and recurrence : Comparative analysis of the danger signals HMGB1, HSP70, and calreticulin

PURPOSE

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive brain tumor. Despite improved multimodal therapies, the tumor recurs in most cases. Diverging patient survival suggests great tumor heterogeneity and different therapy responses. Danger signals such as high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), and calreticulin (CRT) are biomarker candidates, due to their association with tumor progression versus induction of antitumor immune responses. Overexpression of these danger signals has been reported for various types of tumors; however, their role in GBM is still elusive. A direct comparison of their expression in the primary tumor versus the corresponding relapse is still lacking for most tumor entities.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We therefore performed an expression analysis by immunohistochemistry of the danger signals HMGB1, HSP70, and CRT in primary tumors and the corresponding relapses of 9 patients with de novo GBM.

RESULTS

HMGB1 was highly expressed in primary tumors with a significant reduction in the respective relapse. The extracellular HSP70 expression was significantly increased in the relapse compared to the primary tumor. CRT was generally highly expressed in the primary tumor, with a slight increase in the relapse.

CONCLUSION

The combination of a decreased expression of HMGB1, an increased expression of extracellular HSP70, and an increased expression of CRT in the relapse seems to be beneficial for patient survival. HMGB1, extracellular HSP70, and CRT could be taken into concerted consideration as potential biomarkers for the prognosis of patients with GBM.

The thyroid status reprograms T cell lymphoma growth and modulates immune cell frequencies

In spite of considerable evidence on the regulation of immunity by thyroid hormones, the impact of the thyroid status in tumor immunity is poorly understood. Here, we evaluated the antitumor immune responses evoked in mice with different thyroid status (euthyroid, hyperthyroid, and hypothyroid) that developed solid tumors or metastases after inoculation of syngeneic T lymphoma cells. Hyperthyroid mice showed increased tumor growth along with increased expression of cell cycle regulators compared to hypothyroid and control tumor-bearing mice. However, hypothyroid mice showed a higher frequency of metastases than the other groups. Hyperthyroid mice bearing tumors displayed a lower number of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes, lower percentage of functional IFN-γ-producing CD8(+) T cells, and higher percentage of CD19(+) B cells than euthyroid tumor-bearing mice. However, no differences were found in the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations in tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) or spleens among different experimental groups. Interestingly, hypothyroid TDLN showed an increased percentage of regulatory T (Treg) cells, while hyperthyroid mice displayed increased number and activity of splenic NK cells, which frequency declined in spleens from hypothyroid mice. Moreover, a decreased number of splenic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were found in tumor-bearing hyperthyroid mice as compared to hypothyroid or euthyroid mice. Additionally, hyperthyroid mice showed increased cytotoxic activity, which declined in hypothyroid mice. Thus, low levels of intratumoral cytotoxic activity would favor tumor local growth in hyperthyroid mice, while regional and systemic antitumor response may contribute to tumor dissemination in hypothyroid animals. Our results highlight the importance of monitoring the thyroid status in patients with T cell lymphomas.

KEY MESSAGES

T cell lymphoma phenotype is paradoxically influenced by thyroid status. Hyperthyroidism favors tumor growth and hypothyroidism rises tumor dissemination. Thyroid status affects the distribution of immune cell types in the tumor milieu. Thyroid status also modifies the nature of local and systemic immune responses.

Evaluation of immune cell markers in tumor tissue treated with radioimmunotherapy in an immunocompetent rat colon carcinoma model

BACKGROUND

Immune cells within the tumor can act either to promote growth or rejection of tumor cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate immune cell markers (number and localization) within the tumor before and during rejection due to radioimmunotherapy, to determine whether there is a change in markers related to rejection and/or tolerance of the tumor cells.

METHODS

Thirty immunocompetent rats were inoculated with syngeneic rat colon carcinoma cells and 13-14 days later 21 of these rats were treated with 400 MBq/kg of (177)Lu-DOTA-BR96 monoclonal antibodies. The treated animals were sacrificed and dissected 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 days post-injection in groups of three animals per day (6 animals on day 8); while the nine untreated animals were sacrificed and dissected on day 0. Paraffin sections were used for immunohistochemical staining of CD2, CD3, CD8α, CD68, and CD163 antigens. Positive cells were counted within: vital tumor cell areas, necrotic areas, granulation tissue surrounding and between the tumor cell areas. The change in the number of positive cells over time in tumors treated with radioimmunotherapy in the same location was evaluated with linear regression models. The number of positive cells in various locations and the number of various antigen-positive cells within the same location were also evaluated over time using box plots.

RESULTS

There were a higher number of cells expressing immune cell markers in granulation tissue compared with vital tumor cell areas. Cells expressing markers decreased during radioimmunotherapy, and T-cell markers decreased more than macrophage markers in tumors treated with radioimmunotherapy. The expression of CD8α was higher than that of the other T-cell markers evaluated (CD3 and CD2), which could be explained by the additional expression of CD8α by natural killer (NK) cells and a subset of dendritic cells (DCs). The expression of CD68 (all macrophages, DCs, and neutrophils) tended to be higher than that of CD163 (pro-tumor macrophages).

CONCLUSIONS

In this model, we demonstrated a higher number of positive cells for immune cell markers related to augmenting the immune rejection than immune tolerance of tumor cells in tumors and a decrease in markers during radioimmunotherapy.

Antibody fusions with immunomodulatory proteins for cancer therapy

The potential of immunomodulatory proteins, in particular cytokines, for cancer therapy is well recognized, but hampered by the toxicity associated with their systemic application. In order to address this problem, targeted delivery by antibody fusion proteins has been early proposed and their development intensively pursued over the last decade. Here, factors influencing the selection and modification of cytokines and antibody formats for this approach are being discussed, indicating current developments and translational advances in the field.

Combined Tumor Cell-Based Vaccination and Interleukin-12 Gene Therapy Polarizes the Tumor Microenvironment in Mice

Tumor progression depends on tumor milieu, which influences neovasculature formation and immunosuppression. Combining immunotherapy with antiangiogenic/antivascular therapy might be an effective therapeutic approach. The aim of our study was to elaborate an anticancer therapeutic strategy based on the induction of immune response which leads to polarization of tumor milieu. To achieve this, we developed a tumor cell-based vaccine. CAMEL peptide was used as a B16-F10 cell death-inducing agent. The lysates were used as a vaccine to immunize mice bearing B16-F10 melanoma tumors. To further improve the therapeutic effect of the vaccine, we combined it with interleukin (IL)-12 gene therapy. IL-12, a cytokine with antiangiogenic properties, activates nonspecific and specific immune responses. We observed that combined therapy is significantly more effective (as compared with monotherapies) in inhibiting tumor growth. Furthermore, the tested combination polarizes the tumor microenvironment, which results in a switch from a proangiogenic/immunosuppressive to an antiangiogenic/immunostimulatory one. The switch manifests itself as a decreased number of tumor blood vessels, increased levels of tumor-infiltrating CD4⁺, CD8⁺ and NK cells, as well as lower level of suppressor lymphocytes (Treg). Our results suggest that polarizing tumor milieu by such combined therapy does inhibit tumor growth and seems to be a promising therapeutic strategy.

Inflammation and prostate cancer: friends or foe?

INTRODUCTION

Prostate cancer is the most common non-cutaneous malignancy diagnosed in men. Moving from histological observations since a long time, it has been recognized that innate and adaptive immunity actively participates in the pathogenesis, surveillance, and progression of prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A PubMed and Web of Science databases search was performed for studies providing evidence on the roles of the innate and adaptive immunity during the development and progression of prostate cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

There are growing evidences that chronic inflammation is involved in the regulation of cellular events in prostate carcinogenesis, including disruption of the immune response and regulation of the tumor microenvironment. This review discusses the role played by the innate and adaptive immune system in the local progression of prostate cancer, and the prognostic information that we can currently understand and exploit.

Randomized controlled phase III trial of adjuvant chemo-immunotherapy with activated killer T cells and dendritic cells in patients with resected primary lung cancer

Purpose

We conducted a phase III randomized controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the efficacy of postsurgical adjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy. The immunotherapy targets were residual micrometastases and clones resistant to chemotherapy.

Patients and methods

Between April 2007 and July 2012, 103 postsurgical non-small cell lung cancer patients were randomly assigned to receive either chemo-immunotherapy (group A) or chemotherapy (group B). The immunotherapy consisted of the adoptive transfer of autologous activated killer T cells and dendritic cells obtained from the lung cancer patients’ own regional lymph nodes.

Results

The 2-year overall survival rates in groups A and B were 93.4 and 66.0 %, and the 5-year rates were 81.4 and 48.3 %, respectively. The differences were statistically significantly better in group A. The hazard ratio (HR) was 0.229 (p = 0.0013). The 2- and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 68.5, 41.4 and 56.8, 26.2 % in groups A and B, respectively. Those differences were also statistically significant (log-rank test p = 0.0020). The HR was 0.423 (p = 0.0027) in favor of group A. As for adverse reactions to immunotherapy, of a total of 762 courses, 52 (6.8 %) were accompanied with chills and shivering, and 47 (6.2 %), with fever (>38 °C).

Conclusions

Immunotherapy has the potential to improve the postsurgical prognosis of lung cancer patients, but a large-scale multi-institutional RCT is awaited for further confirmation of this study.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00262-014-1613-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Myeloid regulatory cells in tumor spreading and metastasis

Development of metastasis is determined by both the accretion of essential changes in cancerous cells and by their communications with different stromal elements in the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, inflammatory response and emergence of immune regulatory cells, such and myeloid regulatory cells (macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, myeloid-derived suppressor cells) and lymphoid regulatory cells (regulatory T, B and NK cells) to the tumor site have been reported to support tumor growth in addition to spreading and metastasis. Every phase of tumor progression, from its initiation through metastatic expansion, is endorsed by interaction between malignant and immune cells mediated by a number of growth factors, cytokines, proteases and other molecules that modify the tumor microenvironment. Invasion and metastasis depend on intratumoral vascularization, alterations of the basement membrane and degradation of the extracellular matrix for tumor cell spreading, invasion and extravasation into the blood and lymphatic vessels. The consequent dissemination of cancerous cells to distant tissues and organs necessitates a trafficking through the vasculature, which is promoted by further interactions with cells of the immune system, including myeloid regulatory cells. Moreover, the formation of the pre-metastatic niche and specific metastasis organ tropism is also regulated and controlled by bone marrow-derived hematopoietic immune progenitor cells, immature myeloid cells and certain cytokines, chemokines and growth factors derived from tumor and immune cells, which amend the local microenvironment of the organ or tissue to promote adhesion and survival of circulating cancerous cells. Although the potential role for myeloid regulatory cells in tumor spreading and development of pre-metastatic niche has been suggested, the concept still requires further supportive experimental and clinical data, as well as data related to specific factors and mechanisms responsible for myeloid regulatory cell functioning at malignant sites.

Wilms' tumor gene 1 immunotherapy in pelvic gynecological malignancies

Pelvic gynecological malignancies account for 6% of all cancers. In the relapsed state, classical treatments are limited. There is an urgent need for new and personalized treatment. Wilms' tumor gene 1 (WT1) is the most important tumor-associated antigen. Although highly present in gynecological tumors, active immunotherapy against it is still underexplored. This review gives an insight into the importance of WT1 in pelvic gynecological malignancies and the first taken steps into the world of WT1 immunotherapy.