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Huang Y, Chen S, Yao N, Lin S, Zhang J, Xu C, Wu C, Chen G, Zhou D. Molecular mechanism of PARP inhibitor resistance. Oncoscience 2024; 11:69-91. [PMID: 39318358 PMCID: PMC11420906 DOI: 10.18632/oncoscience.610] [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: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi) are the first-approved anticancer drug designed to exploit synthetic lethality. PARPi selectively kill cancer cells with homologous recombination repair deficiency (HRD), as a result, PARPi are widely employed to treated BRCA1/2-mutant ovarian, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers. Currently, four PARPi including Olaparib, Rucaparib, Niraparib, and Talazoparib have been developed and greatly improved clinical outcomes in cancer patients. However, accumulating evidences suggest that required or de novo resistance emerged. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms leading to PARPi resistances and review the potential strategies to overcome PARPi resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Huang
- School of Biopharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
- Equal contribution
| | - Simin Chen
- School of Biopharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
- Equal contribution
| | - Nan Yao
- School of Biopharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
- Equal contribution
| | - Shikai Lin
- School of Biopharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Junyi Zhang
- School of Biopharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Chengrui Xu
- School of Biopharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Chenxuan Wu
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, P.R. China
| | - Guo Chen
- School of Biopharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Danyang Zhou
- Department of Respiratory, Nanjing First Hospital, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210012, Jiangsu, P.R. China
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Reese-Petersen AL, Breisnes HW, Gabor D, Rønnow SR, Manoel B, Bajaj M, Arenstorff CSV, Aighobahi E, Vestermark R, Karsdal MA. Biomarker-guided drug development provides value for patients, payers and drug developers: lessons learned from 25 years in the biomarker industry. Biomarkers 2024; 29:222-232. [PMID: 38606909 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2024.2342016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is an urgent, persistent, need for better biomarkers in clinical drug development. More informative biomarkers can increase the likelihood of drug advancement or approval, and implementing biomarkers increases the success rate in drug development. Biomarkers may guide decisions and allow resources to be directed to the projects most likely to succeed. However, biomarkers that are validated to high standards are needed, reflecting biological and pathological processes accurately. Such biomarkers are needed to develop treatments faster, and to improve and guide clinical trial design by selecting and de-selecting patients. METHODS In this review based on the authors' previous published experience and interaction with pharmaceutical- and biomarker stakeholders, we highlight the use and value of biomarkers in clinical development according to the BEST guidelines. We highlight the value of 3 types of biomarkers that may provide optimal value to stakeholders: diagnostic, prognostic and pharmacodynamic biomarkers. RESULTS A more appropriate clinical trial design, increasing the ratio between benefits and side effects, may come from a more tailored biomarker-approach identifying suitable molecular endotypes of patients to treat. DISCUSSION Biomarkers may guide drug developers in selecting the optimal projects to progress, when designing clinical studies and development paths. Biomarkers may aid in the diagnosis and prognostic assessment of patients and assist in matching the molecular endotype to the selected treatment, which improves the success rate of clinical development progression. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive ideation framework for how to utilize biomarkers in clinical development, with a focus on utility for patients, payers and drug developers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel Gabor
- Research and Development, Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Sarah R Rønnow
- Research and Development, Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Bruna Manoel
- Research and Development, Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mayuur Bajaj
- Research and Development, Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Elijah Aighobahi
- Research and Development, Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Rune Vestermark
- Research and Development, Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Morten A Karsdal
- Research and Development, Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
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Zhuang JY, Huang ZN, Weng ZJ, Liu MM, Huang XQ, He D, Shao CK, Dong M. Expression and clinical significance of hypoxia-induced long non-coding RNA TCONS_I2_00001955 in breast cancer. Breast Cancer 2024; 31:317-328. [PMID: 38310620 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-023-01540-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to play important roles in occurrence, development, and metastasis of various tumors. We aimed to screen long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that promote invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells under hypoxia, and investigate the relationship between lncRNA expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis in invasive breast cancer. METHODS LncRNA microarray was used to screen the differentially expressed lncRNAs in MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and SKBR3 breast cancer cell lines cultured under normoxia and hypoxia, respectively. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to verify the microarray results. CCK8 and Transwell experiments were performed to identify the lncRNA that promote proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer cells. Expression of the lncRNA and HIF-1α in invasive breast cancer was detected by RNAscope and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Correlation between the lncRNA expression and baseline characteristics was analyzed. Prognostic value of the lncRNA was evaluated using univariate and multivariate Cox regression. RESULTS Expression of lncRNA TCONS_I2_00001955 in all the three breast cancer cells was increased under hypoxia. Overexpression of TCONS_I2_00001955 significantly enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion of SKBR3 cells. Positive expression of TCONS_I2_00001955 was associated with recurrence, metastasis, and high expression of HIF-1α (P < 0.05), and it was an independent risk factor for poor disease-free survival of breast cancer. CONCLUSION Hypoxia-induced lncRNA TCONS_I2_00001955 was associated with aggressive feature and poor prognosis of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie-Yin Zhuang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Ze-Nan Huang
- Breast Cancer Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zi-Jin Weng
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meng-Meng Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiang-Qi Huang
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dan He
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chun-Kui Shao
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Dong
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
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Liu B, Huang J, Xiao J, Xu W, Zhang H, Yuan Y, Yin Y, Zhang X. The Streptococcus virulence protein PepO triggers anti-tumor immune responses by reprograming tumor-associated macrophages in a mouse triple negative breast cancer model. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:198. [PMID: 37925462 PMCID: PMC10625220 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01153-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy of current surgery and chemotherapy for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is limited due to heterogenous and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), which are regarded as an M2 tumor-promoting phenotype, are crucial in the development of the immunosuppressive TME. Targeting TAM reprograming is a promising strategy in anti-tumor therapy since reprogramming techniques provide the opportunity to actively enhance the antitumor immunological activity of TAM in addition to eliminating their tumor-supportive roles, which is rarely applied in TNBC clinically. However, how to drive M2 macrophages reprogramming into M1 with high potency remains a challenge and the molecular mechanisms how M2 macrophages polarized into M1 are poorly understood. Here, we identified a new immunoregulatory molecular PepO that was served as an immunoregulatory molecule governed the transformation of tumor-promoting M2 to tumor-inhibitory M1 cells and represented an effective anti-tumor property. RESULTS At the present study, we identified a new immunoregulatory molecular PepO, as a harmless immunoregulatory molecule, governed the transformation of tumor-promoting M2 to tumor-inhibitory M1 cells efficiently. PepO-primed M2 macrophages decreased the expression of tumor-supportive molecules like Arg-1, Tgfb, Vegfa and IL-10, and increased the expression of iNOS, Cxcl9, Cxcl10, TNF-α and IL-6 to inhibit TNBC growth. Moreover, PepO enhanced the functions of macrophages related to cell killing, phagocytosis and nitric oxide biosynthetic process, thereby inhibiting the development of tumors in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, PepO reprogramed TAMs toward M1 by activating PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway via TLR4 and suppressed the function of M2 by inhibiting JAK2-STAT3 pathway via TLR2. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 abrogated the role of PepO in switching M2 macrophages into M1 and in inhibiting TNBC growth in vivo. And PepO failed to govern the M2 macrophages to reprogram into M1 macrophages and inhibit TNBC when TLR2 or TLR4 was deficient. Moreover, PepO enhanced the antitumor activity of doxorubicin and the combination exerted a synergistic effect on TNBC suppression. CONCLUSIONS Our research identified a possible macrophage-based TNBC immunotherapeutic approach and suggested a novel anticancer immunoregulatory molecular called PepO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bichen Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jun Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jiangming Xiao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Wenlong Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Translational Medicine Research Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yibing Yin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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Tufail M. Unlocking the potential of the tumor microenvironment for cancer therapy. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 251:154846. [PMID: 37837860 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) holds a crucial role in the progression of cancer. Epithelial-derived tumors share common traits in shaping the TME. The Warburg effect is a notable phenomenon wherein tumor cells exhibit resistance to apoptosis and an increased reliance on anaerobic glycolysis for energy production. Recognizing the pivotal role of the TME in controlling tumor growth and influencing responses to chemotherapy, researchers have focused on developing potential cancer treatment strategies. A wide array of therapies, including immunotherapies, antiangiogenic agents, interventions targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), and therapies directed at the extracellular matrix, have been under investigation and have demonstrated efficacy. Additionally, innovative techniques such as tumor tissue explants, "tumor-on-a-chip" models, and multicellular tumor spheres have been explored in laboratory research. This comprehensive review aims to provide insights into the intricate cross-talk between cancer-associated signaling pathways and the TME in cancer progression, current therapeutic approaches targeting the TME, the immune landscape within solid tumors, the role of the viral TME, and cancer cell metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tufail
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
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Tajaldini M, Poorkhani A, Amiriani T, Amiriani A, Javid H, Aref P, Ahmadi F, Sadani S, Khori V. Strategy of targeting the tumor microenvironment via inhibition of fibroblast/fibrosis remodeling new era to cancer chemo-immunotherapy resistance. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 957:175991. [PMID: 37619785 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The use of repurposing drugs that may have neoplastic and anticancer effects increases the efficiency and decrease resistance to chemotherapy drugs through a biochemical and mechanical transduction mechanisms through modulation of fibroblast/fibrosis remodeling in tumor microenvironment (TME). Interestingly, fibroblast/fibrosis remodeling plays a vital role in mediating cancer metastasis and drug resistance after immune chemotherapy. The most essential hypothesis for induction of chemo-immunotherapy resistance is via activation of fibroblast/fibrosis remodeling and preventing the infiltration of T cells after is mainly due to the interference between cytoskeleton, mechanical, biochemical, metabolic, vascular, and remodeling signaling pathways in TME. The structural components of the tumor that can be targeted in the fibroblast/fibrosis remodeling include the depletion of the TME components, targeting the cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor associated macrophages, alleviating the mechanical stress within the ECM, and normalizing the blood vessels. It has also been found that during immune-chemotherapy, TME injury and fibroblast/fibrosis remodeling causes the up-regulation of inhibitory signals and down-regulation of activated signals, which results in immune escape or chemo-resistance of the tumor. In this regard, repurposing or neo-adjuvant drugs with various transduction signaling mechanisms, including anti-fibrotic effects, are used to target the TME and fibroblast/fibrosis signaling pathway such as angiotensin 2, transforming growth factor-beta, physical barriers of the TME, cytokines and metabolic factors which finally led to the reverse of the chemo-resistance. Consistent to many repurposing drugs such as pirfenidone, metformin, losartan, tranilast, dexamethasone and pentoxifylline are used to decrease immune-suppression by abrogation of TME inhibitory signal that stimulates the immune system and increases efficiency and reduces resistance to chemotherapy drugs. To overcome immunosuppression based on fibroblast/fibrosis remodeling, in this review, we focus on inhibitory signal transduction, which is the physical barrier, alleviates mechanical stress and prevents mechano-metabolic activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboubeh Tajaldini
- Ischemic Disorder Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Amirhoushang Poorkhani
- Ischemic Disorder Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Taghi Amiriani
- Ischemic Disorder Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Amiriani
- Ischemic Disorder Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Hossein Javid
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciencess, Catastega Institue of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Parham Aref
- Ischemic Disorder Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Farahnazsadat Ahmadi
- Ischemic Disorder Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Somayeh Sadani
- Ischemic Disorder Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
| | - Vahid Khori
- Ischemic Disorder Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
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Thorlacius‐Ussing J, Kristensen SR, Karsdal MA, Willumsen N, Pedersen S. Preliminary investigation of elevated collagen and blood-clotting markers as potential noninvasive biomarkers for small cell lung cancer. Thorac Cancer 2023; 14:2830-2838. [PMID: 37596821 PMCID: PMC10542464 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.15066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is highly aggressive with limited therapeutic options and a poor prognosis. Moreover, noninvasive biomarker tools for detecting disease and monitoring treatment response are lacking. To address this, we evaluated serum biomarkers of extracellular matrix proteins not previously explored in SCLC. METHODS We measured biomarkers in the serum of 16 patients with SCLC before and after chemotherapy as well as in the serum of 11 healthy individuals. RESULTS Our findings demonstrated that SCLC serum had higher levels of collagen type I degradation, collagen type III formation, and collagen type XI formation than healthy controls. In addition, we observed higher levels of type XIX and XXII collagens, fibrinogen, and von Willebrand factor A formation in SCLC serum. The formation of type I collagen did not exhibit any discernible variation. However, we observed a decrease in the degradation of type I collagen following chemotherapy. CONCLUSION Overall, our findings revealed elevated levels of collagen and blood-clotting markers in the serum of SCLC patients, indicating the potential of ECM proteins as noninvasive biomarkers for SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Søren Risom Kristensen
- Department of Clinical MedicineAalborg UniversityAalborgDenmark
- Department of Clinical BiochemistryAalborg University HospitalAalborgDenmark
| | | | | | - Shona Pedersen
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU HealthQatar UniversityDohaQatar
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Hasselbalch HC, Junker P, Skov V, Kjær L, Knudsen TA, Larsen MK, Holmström MO, Andersen MH, Jensen C, Karsdal MA, Willumsen N. Revisiting Circulating Extracellular Matrix Fragments as Disease Markers in Myelofibrosis and Related Neoplasms. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4323. [PMID: 37686599 PMCID: PMC10486581 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Philadelphia chromosome-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) arise due to acquired somatic driver mutations in stem cells and develop over 10-30 years from the earliest cancer stages (essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera) towards the advanced myelofibrosis stage with bone marrow failure. The JAK2V617F mutation is the most prevalent driver mutation. Chronic inflammation is considered to be a major pathogenetic player, both as a trigger of MPN development and as a driver of disease progression. Chronic inflammation in MPNs is characterized by persistent connective tissue remodeling, which leads to organ dysfunction and ultimately, organ failure, due to excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Considering that MPNs are acquired clonal stem cell diseases developing in an inflammatory microenvironment in which the hematopoietic cell populations are progressively replaced by stromal proliferation-"a wound that never heals"-we herein aim to provide a comprehensive review of previous promising research in the field of circulating ECM fragments in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of MPNs. We address the rationales and highlight new perspectives for the use of circulating ECM protein fragments as biologically plausible, noninvasive disease markers in the management of MPNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Carl Hasselbalch
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; (V.S.); (L.K.); (T.A.K.); (M.K.L.)
| | - Peter Junker
- Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark;
| | - Vibe Skov
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; (V.S.); (L.K.); (T.A.K.); (M.K.L.)
| | - Lasse Kjær
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; (V.S.); (L.K.); (T.A.K.); (M.K.L.)
| | - Trine A. Knudsen
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; (V.S.); (L.K.); (T.A.K.); (M.K.L.)
| | - Morten Kranker Larsen
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; (V.S.); (L.K.); (T.A.K.); (M.K.L.)
| | - Morten Orebo Holmström
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Herlev Hospital, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.O.H.); (M.H.A.)
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Herlev Hospital, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.O.H.); (M.H.A.)
| | - Christina Jensen
- Nordic Bioscience A/S, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (C.J.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
| | - Morten A. Karsdal
- Nordic Bioscience A/S, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (C.J.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
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Flies DB, Langermann S, Jensen C, Karsdal MA, Willumsen N. Regulation of tumor immunity and immunotherapy by the tumor collagen extracellular matrix. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1199513. [PMID: 37662958 PMCID: PMC10470046 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1199513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been known for decades that the tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) is dysfunctional leading to loss of tissue architecture and promotion of tumor growth. The altered ECM and tumor fibrogenesis leads to tissue stiffness that act as a physical barrier to immune cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment (TME). It is becoming increasingly clear that the ECM plays important roles in tumor immune responses. A growing body of data now indicates that ECM components also play a more active role in immune regulation when dysregulated ECM components act as ligands to interact with receptors on immune cells to inhibit immune cell subpopulations in the TME. In addition, immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors that are approved to treat cancer are often hindered by ECM changes. In this review we highlight the ways by which ECM alterations affect and regulate immunity in cancer. More specifically, how collagens and major ECM components, suppress immunity in the complex TME. Finally, we will review how our increased understanding of immune and immunotherapy regulation by the ECM is leading towards novel disruptive strategies to overcome immune suppression.
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Samuel T, Rapic S, O’Brien C, Edson M, Zhong Y, DaCosta RS. Quantitative intravital imaging for real-time monitoring of pancreatic tumor cell hypoxia and stroma in an orthotopic mouse model. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade8672. [PMID: 37285434 PMCID: PMC10246908 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade8672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease with few successful treatment options. Recent evidence demonstrates that tumor hypoxia promotes pancreatic tumor invasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance. However, little is known about the complex relationship between hypoxia and the pancreatic tumor microenvironment (TME). In this study, we developed a novel intravital fluorescence microscopy platform with an orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer to study tumor cell hypoxia within the TME in vivo, at cellular resolution, over time. Using a fluorescent BxPC3-DsRed tumor cell line with a hypoxia-response element (HRE)/green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter, we showed that HRE/GFP is a reliable biomarker of pancreatic tumor hypoxia, responding dynamically and reversibly to changing oxygen concentrations within the TME. We also characterized the spatial relationships between tumor hypoxia, microvasculature, and tumor-associated collagen structures using in vivo second harmonic generation microscopy. This quantitative multimodal imaging platform enables the unprecedented study of hypoxia within the pancreatic TME in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Samuel
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sara Rapic
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cristiana O’Brien
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael Edson
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yuan Zhong
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ralph S. DaCosta
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Chen R, Luo H, Chen Q, Wang C. Identification of a cuproptosis-related lncRNA prognostic signature in lung adenocarcinoma. Clin Transl Oncol 2023; 25:1617-1628. [PMID: 36609650 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-022-03057-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cuproptosis-related long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) diseases are associated with the occurrence and development of tumors. This study aimed to investigate whether cuproptosis-related lncRNA can predict the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). METHODS Cuproptosis-related lncRNA prognosis (CLPS) model was successfully constructed through cox regression and lasso regression analyses. Then, the prognostic value of CLPS model was tested through the survival analysis, the ROC curve and the nomogram. Finally, the correlation of CLPS model with tumor immunity and tumor mutation burden was analyzed, and the potential susceptibility of drugs for LUAD were predicted. RESULTS CLPS model for LUAD (AC090948.1, CRIM1-DT, AC026356.2, AC004832.5, AL161431.1) was successfully constructed, which has an independent prognostic value. Furthermore, the risk score of CLPS model was correlated with tumor immune characteristics and immune escape, which can predict the sensitivity of drugs including Cisplatin, Etoposide, Gemcitabine, and Erlotinib. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, it was found that CLPS model was associated with tumor immunity and tumor mutation load, which also predicted four potentially sensitive drugs for LUAD patients at different risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Chen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, 441000, China
| | - Haichao Luo
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, 441000, China
| | - Qitian Chen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, 441000, China.
| | - Changying Wang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, 441000, China.
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Ren Q, Zhang P, Zhang X, Feng Y, Li L, Lin H, Yu Y. A fibroblast-associated signature predicts prognosis and immunotherapy in esophageal squamous cell cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1199040. [PMID: 37313409 PMCID: PMC10258351 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1199040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Current paradigms of anti-tumor therapies are not qualified to evacuate the malignancy ascribing to cancer stroma's functions in accelerating tumor relapse and therapeutic resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) has been identified significantly correlated with tumor progression and therapy resistance. Thus, we aimed to probe into the CAFs characteristics in esophageal squamous cancer (ESCC) and construct a risk signature based on CAFs to predict the prognosis of ESCC patients. Methods The GEO database provided the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. The GEO and TCGA databases were used to obtain bulk RNA-seq data and microarray data of ESCC, respectively. CAF clusters were identified from the scRNA-seq data using the Seurat R package. CAF-related prognostic genes were subsequently identified using univariate Cox regression analysis. A risk signature based on CAF-related prognostic genes was constructed using Lasso regression. Then, a nomogram model based on clinicopathological characteristics and the risk signature was developed. Consensus clustering was conducted to explore the heterogeneity of ESCC. Finally, PCR was utilized to validate the functions that hub genes play on ESCC. Results Six CAF clusters were identified in ESCC based on scRNA-seq data, three of which had prognostic associations. A total of 642 genes were found to be significantly correlated with CAF clusters from a pool of 17080 DEGs, and 9 genes were selected to generate a risk signature, which were mainly involved in 10 pathways such as NRF1, MYC, and TGF-Beta. The risk signature was significantly correlated with stromal and immune scores, as well as some immune cells. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the risk signature was an independent prognostic factor for ESCC, and its potential in predicting immunotherapeutic outcomes was confirmed. A novel nomogram integrating the CAF-based risk signature and clinical stage was developed, which exhibited favorable predictability and reliability for ESCC prognosis prediction. The consensus clustering analysis further confirmed the heterogeneity of ESCC. Conclusion The prognosis of ESCC can be effectively predicted by CAF-based risk signatures, and a comprehensive characterization of the CAF signature of ESCC may aid in interpreting the response of ESCC to immunotherapy and offer new strategies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianhe Ren
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pengpeng Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanlong Feng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Long Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Gaochun People’s Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Haoran Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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13
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Nissen NI, Johansen AZ, Chen IM, Jensen C, Madsen EA, Hansen CP, Thorlacius-Ussing J, Karsdal M, Johansen JS, Diab HMH, Jørgensen LN, Willumsen N. High serum levels of the C-propetide of type V collagen (PRO-C5) are prognostic for short overall survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1158058. [PMID: 36968276 PMCID: PMC10036831 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1158058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a pronounced fibrotic tumor microenvironment, which impairs treatment response. Type I and V collagens are responsible for the densely packed fibrils in the tumor fibrosis environment. While the role of the major type I collagen in cancer is well described, less is known about the minor type V collagen. Quantifying collagen propeptides in serum has been shown to have prognostic and predictive value. In this study, we evaluated the clinical utility of measuring the propeptide of type V collagen (PRO-C5) in serum from a discovery cohort and a validation cohort of patients with PDAC as well as in non-pancreatic solid tumor types to explore the relevance of the PRO-C5 biomarker in cancer.Methods: Serum PRO-C5 was measured in three cohorts: a discovery cohort (19 healthy controls, 12 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 33 patients with PDAC (stage I-IV)), a validation cohort (800 patients with PDAC (stage I-IV)), and a non-pancreatic solid tumor type cohort of 33 healthy controls and 200 patients with 10 different non-pancreatic solid tumor types. The levels of serum PRO-C5 in patients with cancer were compared to levels in healthy controls. The association between PRO-C5 levels and overall survival (OS) was evaluated in patients with PDAC after adjusting for established prognostic factors.Results: PRO-C5 was significantly increased in serum from patients with PDAC compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001). High PRO-C5 levels were significantly associated with short OS in both the discovery- and the validation cohort, especially in early stages of PDAC (validation cohort stage II, HR = 2.0, 95%CI1.2-3.4). The association was independent of other prognostic parameters including stage, performance status and CA19-9. Furthermore, serum levels of PRO-C5 were significantly increased in serum from patients with other non-pancreatic solid tumor types compared to healthy controls.Conclusion: High levels of serum PRO-C5 is prognostic for short OS in patients with PDAC and may provide clinical value in many other tumor types beyond PDAC. This underlines the importance of type V collagen in tumor fibrosis. PRO-C5 could have the potential to be used in several aspects within drug discovery, patient stratification and drug efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neel I. Nissen
- Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Neel I. Nissen,
| | - Astrid Z. Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Inna M. Chen
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Gentofte, Denmark
| | | | | | - Carsten P. Hansen
- Department of Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital – Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Julia S. Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Gentofte, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Hadi M. H. Diab
- Digestive Disease Center, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars N. Jørgensen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Digestive Disease Center, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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14
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Choi H, Kim K. Theranostics for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13020272. [PMID: 36673082 PMCID: PMC9857659 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13020272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with poor prognosis. Current endocrine therapy or anti HER-2 therapy is not available for these patients. Chemotherapeutic treatment response varies among patients due to the disease heterogeneity. To overcome these challenges, theranostics for treating TNBC have been widely investigated. Anticancer material conjugated nanoparticles with target-binding ligand and tracer agents enable simultaneous drug delivery and visualization of the lesion with minimal off-target toxicity. In this review, we summarize recently FDA-approved targeted therapies for TNBC, such as poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, check point inhibitors, and antibody-drug conjugates. Particularly, novel theranostic approaches including lipid-based, polymer-based, and carbon-based nanocarriers are discussed, which can provide basic overview of nano-therapeutic modalities in TNBC diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeryeon Choi
- Department of Surgery, Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine, Seoul 01830, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwangsoon Kim
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence:
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15
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Xue XM, Liu YY, Chen XM, Tao BY, Liu P, Zhou HW, Zhang C, Wang L, Jiang YK, Ding ZW, Shen WD, Zhang J, Yang SM, Wang FY. Pan-cancer analysis identifies NT5E as a novel prognostic biomarker on cancer-associated fibroblasts associated with unique tumor microenvironment. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1064032. [PMID: 36569293 PMCID: PMC9768042 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1064032] [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: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Ecto-5'-nucleotidase (NT5E) encodes the cluster of differentiation 73 (CD73), whose overexpression contributes to the formation of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and is related to exacerbated prognosis, increased risk of metastasis and resistance to immunotherapy of various tumors. However, the prognostic significance of NT5E in pan-cancer is obscure so far. Methods: We explored the expression level of NT5E in cancers and adjacent tissues and revealed the relationship between the NT5E expression level and clinical outcomes in pan-cancer by utilizing the UCSC Xena database. Then, correlation analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between NT5E expression and immune infiltration level via EPIC, MCP-counter and CIBERSORT methods, and the enrichment analysis were employed to identify NT5E-interacting molecules and functional pathways. Furthermore, we conducted single-cell analysis to explore the potential role of NT5E on single-cell level based on the CancerSEA database. Meanwhile, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) in single-cell level was also conducted in TISCH database and single-cell signature explorer was utilized to evaluate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) level in each cell type. Results: The expression level of NT5E was aberrant in almost all cancer types, and was correlated with worse prognosis in several cancers. Notably, NT5E overexpression was related to worse overall survival (OS) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), mesothelioma (MESO), stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD), uveal melanoma (UVM) and cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC) (p < 0.01). NT5E-related immune microenvironment analysis revealed that NT5E is associated positively with the degree of infiltration of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and endothelial cells in most cancers. Enrichment analysis of cellular component (CC) demonstrated the critical part of NT5E played in cell-substrate junction, cell-substrate adherens junction, focal adhesion and external side of plasma membrane. Finally, single-cell analysis of NT5E illuminated that EMT function of CAFs was elevated in basal cell carcinoma (BCC), skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), HNSC and PAAD. Conclusion: NT5E could serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for cancers. The potential mechanism may be related to the upregulated EMT function of CAFs, which provides novel inspiration for immunotherapy by targeting CAFs with high NT5E expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-miao Xue
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China,Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-yang Liu
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China,Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-min Chen
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China,Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Bing-yan Tao
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China,Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China,Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Han-wen Zhou
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China,Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China,The Zhantansi Outpatient Department of Central Medical Branch of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital Beijing, China
| | - Li Wang
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China,Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-ke Jiang
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China,Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-wei Ding
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China,Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-dong Shen
- Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Jun Zhang, ; Shi-ming Yang, ; Fang-yuan Wang,
| | - Shi-ming Yang
- Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Jun Zhang, ; Shi-ming Yang, ; Fang-yuan Wang,
| | - Fang-yuan Wang
- Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Jun Zhang, ; Shi-ming Yang, ; Fang-yuan Wang,
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16
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de Rossi J, Arefeayne Y, Robinson A, Segatori L. Emerging technologies for genetic control systems in cellular therapies. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 78:102833. [PMID: 36334445 PMCID: PMC10091305 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Progress in synthetic biology has enabled the construction of designer cells that sense biological inputs, and, in response, activate user-defined biomolecular programs. Such engineered cells provide unique opportunities for treating a wide variety of diseases. Current strategies mostly rely on cell-surface receptor systems engineered to convert binding interactions into activation of a transcriptional program. Genetic control systems are emerging as an appealing alternative to receptor-based sensors as they overcome the need for receptor engineering and result in cellular behaviors that operate over therapeutically relevant timescales. Genetic control systems include synthetic gene networks, RNA-based sensors, and post-translational tools. These technologies present fundamental challenges, including the requirement for precise integration with innate pathways, the need for parts orthogonal to existing circuitries, and the metabolic burden induced by such complex cell engineering endeavors. This review discusses the challenges in the design of genetic control systems for cellular therapies and their translational applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo de Rossi
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Yafet Arefeayne
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Ashley Robinson
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Laura Segatori
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, United States; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, United States; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, United States; Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, United States.
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17
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Type XXII Collagen Complements Fibrillar Collagens in the Serological Assessment of Tumor Fibrosis and the Outcome in Pancreatic Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233763. [PMID: 36497023 PMCID: PMC9738409 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating fragments of type III collagen, measured by PRO-C3, has shown promising results as a tumor fibrosis biomarker. However, the fibrotic tumor microenvironment consists of many other collagens with diverse functions and unexplored biomarker potential. One example hereof is type XXII collagen (COL22). In this study, we investigated the biomarker potential of COL22 by measuring this in serum. An ELISA, named PRO-C22, was developed and measured in two serum cohorts consisting of patients with various solid tumors (n = 220) and healthy subjects (n = 33) (Cohort 1), and patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) (n = 34), and healthy subjects (n = 20) (Cohort 2). In Cohort 1, PRO-C22 was elevated in the serum from patients with solid tumors, compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.01 to p < 0.0001), and the diagnostic accuracy (AUROC) ranged from 0.87 to 0.98, p < 0.0001. In Cohort 2, the high levels of PRO-C22, in patients with PDAC, were predictive of a worse overall survival (HR = 4.52, 95% CI 1.90−10.7, p = 0.0006) and this remained significant after adjusting for PRO-C3 (HR = 4.27, 95% CI 1.24−10.4, p = 0.0013). In conclusion, PRO-C22 has diagnostic biomarker potential in various solid tumor types and prognostic biomarker potential in PDAC. Furthermore, PRO-C22 complemented PRO-C3 in predicting mortality, suggesting an additive prognostic value when quantifying different collagens.
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18
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Faraj JA, Al-Athari AJH, Mohie SED, Kadhim IK, Jawad NM, Abbas WJ, Jalil AT. Reprogramming the tumor microenvironment to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 39:239. [PMID: 36175691 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01842-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The immunotherapeutic approaches based on checkpoint inhibitors, tumor vaccination, immune cell-based therapy, and cytokines were developed to engage the patient's immune system against cancer and better survival of them. While potent, however, preclinical and clinical data have identified that abnormalities in the tumor microenvironment (TME) can affect the efficacy of immunotherapies in some cancers. It is therefore imperative to develop new therapeutic interventions that will enable to overcome tumor-supportive TME and restrain anti-tumor immunity in patients that acquire resistance to current immunotherapies. Therefore, recognition of the essential nature of the tolerogenic TME may lead to a shift from the immune-suppressive TME to an immune-stimulating phenotype. Here, we review the composition of the TME and its effect on tumor immunoediting and then present how targeted monotherapy or combination therapies can be employed for reprogramming educated TME to improve current immunotherapies outcomes or elucidate potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jabar A Faraj
- Department of Pharmacy, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Hilla, Babylon, 51001, Iraq
| | | | - Sharaf El Din Mohie
- Department of Pharmacy, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Hilla, Babylon, 51001, Iraq
| | - Iman Kareem Kadhim
- Department of Pharmacy, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Hilla, Babylon, 51001, Iraq
| | - Noor Muhsen Jawad
- Department of Pharmacy, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Hilla, Babylon, 51001, Iraq
| | - Weaam J Abbas
- Department of Pharmacy, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Hilla, Babylon, 51001, Iraq
| | - Abduladheem Turki Jalil
- Medical Laboratories Techniques Department, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Hilla, Babylon, 51001, Iraq.
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Bartolucci D, Montemurro L, Raieli S, Lampis S, Pession A, Hrelia P, Tonelli R. MYCN Impact on High-Risk Neuroblastoma: From Diagnosis and Prognosis to Targeted Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4421. [PMID: 36139583 PMCID: PMC9496712 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Among childhood cancers, neuroblastoma is the most diffuse solid tumor and the deadliest in children. While to date, the pathology has become progressively manageable with a significant increase in 5-year survival for its less aggressive form, high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB) remains a major issue with poor outcome and little survivability of patients. The staging system has also been improved to better fit patient needs and to administer therapies in a more focused manner in consideration of pathology features. New and improved therapies have been developed; nevertheless, low efficacy and high toxicity remain a staple feature of current high-risk neuroblastoma treatment. For this reason, more specific procedures are required, and new therapeutic targets are also needed for a precise medicine approach. In this scenario, MYCN is certainly one of the most interesting targets. Indeed, MYCN is one of the most relevant hallmarks of HR-NB, and many studies has been carried out in recent years to discover potent and specific inhibitors to block its activities and any related oncogenic function. N-Myc protein has been considered an undruggable target for a long time. Thus, many new indirect and direct approaches have been discovered and preclinically evaluated for the interaction with MYCN and its pathways; a few of the most promising approaches are nearing clinical application for the investigation in HR-NB.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Montemurro
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Pession
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Hrelia
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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20
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VandenHeuvel SN, Farris HA, Noltensmeyer DA, Roy S, Donehoo DA, Kopetz S, Haricharan S, Walsh AJ, Raghavan S. Decellularized organ biomatrices facilitate quantifiable in vitro 3D cancer metastasis models. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:5791-5806. [PMID: 35894795 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01796a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic cancers are chemoresistant, involving complex interplay between disseminated cancer cell aggregates and the distant organ microenvironment (extracellular matrix and stromal cells). Conventional metastasis surrogates (scratch/wound healing, Transwell migration assays) lack 3D architecture and ECM presence. Metastasis studies can therefore significantly benefit from biomimetic 3D in vitro models recapitulating the complex cascade of distant organ invasion and colonization by collective clusters of cells. We aimed to engineer reproducible and quantifiable 3D models of highly therapy-resistant cancer processes: (i) colorectal cancer liver metastasis; and (ii) breast cancer lung metastasis. Metastatic seeds are engineered using 3D tumor spheroids to recapitulate the 3D aggregation of cancer cells both in the tumor and in circulation throughout the metastatic cascade of many cancers. Metastatic soil was engineered by decellularizing porcine livers and lungs to generate biomatrix scaffolds, followed by extensive materials characterization. HCT116 colorectal and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer spheroids were generated on hanging drop arrays to initiate clustered metastatic seeding into liver and lung biomatrix scaffolds, respectively. Between days 3-7, biomatrix cellular colonization was apparent with increased metabolic activity and the presence of cellular nests evaluated via multiphoton microscopy. HCT116 and MDA-MB-231 cells colonized liver and lung biomatrices, and at least 15% of the cells invaded more than 20 μm from the surface. Engineered metastases also expressed increased signatures of genes associated with the metastatic epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Importantly, inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-9 inhibited metastatic invasion into the biomatrix. Furthermore, metastatic nests were significantly more chemoresistant (>3 times) to the anti-cancer drug oxaliplatin, compared to 3D spheroids. Together, our data indicated that HCT116 and MDA-MB-231 spheroids invade, colonize, and proliferate in livers and lungs establishing metastatic nests in 3D settings in vitro. The metastatic nature of these cells was confirmed with functional readouts regarding EMT and chemoresistance. Modeling the dynamic metastatic cascade in vitro has potential to identify therapeutic targets to treat or prevent metastatic progression in chemoresistant metastatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Heather A Farris
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Dillon A Noltensmeyer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Sanjana Roy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Del A Donehoo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Scott Kopetz
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Svasti Haricharan
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alex J Walsh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Shreya Raghavan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA.
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Willumsen N, Jensen C, Green G, Nissen NI, Neely J, Nelson DM, Pedersen RS, Frederiksen P, Chen IM, Boisen MK, Johansen AZ, Madsen DH, Svane IM, Lipton A, Leitzel K, Ali SM, Erler JT, Hurkmans DP, Mathijssen RHJ, Aerts J, Eslam M, George J, Christiansen C, Bissel MJ, Karsdal MA. Fibrotic activity quantified in serum by measurements of type III collagen pro-peptides can be used for prognosis across different solid tumor types. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:204. [PMID: 35332383 PMCID: PMC8948122 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04226-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Due to activation of fibroblast into cancer-associated fibroblasts, there is often an increased deposition of extracellular matrix and fibrillar collagens, e.g. type III collagen, in the tumor microenvironment (TME) that leads to tumor fibrosis (desmoplasia). Tumor fibrosis is closely associated with treatment response and poor prognosis for patients with solid tumors. To assure that the best possible treatment option is provided for patients, there is medical need for identifying patients with high (or low) fibrotic activity in the TME. Measuring unique collagen fragments such as the pro-peptides released into the bloodstream during fibrillar collagen deposition in the TME can provide a non-invasive measure of the fibrotic activity. Based on data from 8 previously published cohorts, this review provides insight into the prognostic value of quantifying tumor fibrosis by measuring the pro-peptide of type III collagen in serum of a total of 1692 patients with different solid tumor types and discusses the importance of tumor fibrosis for understanding prognosis and for potentially guiding future drug development efforts that aim at overcoming the poor outcome associated with a fibrotic TME.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christina Jensen
- Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Neel I Nissen
- Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Inna M Chen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mogens K Boisen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Astrid Z Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Daniel H Madsen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Allan Lipton
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Kim Leitzel
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | | | - Janine T Erler
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daan P Hurkmans
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ron H J Mathijssen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joachim Aerts
- Department of Pulmonology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mohammed Eslam
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jacob George
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Mina J Bissel
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Morten A Karsdal
- Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
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22
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Rømer AMA, Thorseth ML, Madsen DH. Immune Modulatory Properties of Collagen in Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:791453. [PMID: 34956223 PMCID: PMC8692250 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.791453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
During tumor growth the extracellular matrix (ECM) undergoes dramatic remodeling. The normal ECM is degraded and substituted with a tumor-specific ECM, which is often of higher collagen density and increased stiffness. The structure and collagen density of the tumor-specific ECM has been associated with poor prognosis in several types of cancer. However, the reason for this association is still largely unknown. Collagen can promote cancer cell growth and migration, but recent studies have shown that collagens can also affect the function and phenotype of various types of tumor-infiltrating immune cells such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and T cells. This suggests that tumor-associated collagen could have important immune modulatory functions within the tumor microenvironment, affecting cancer progression as well as the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. The effects of tumor-associated collagen on immune cells could help explain why a high collagen density in tumors is often correlated with a poor prognosis. Knowledge about immune modulatory functions of collagen could potentially identify targets for improving current cancer therapies or for development of new treatments. In this review, the current knowledge about the ability of collagen to influence T cell activity will be summarized. This includes direct interactions with T cells as well as induction of immune suppressive activity in other immune cells such as macrophages. Additionally, the potential effects of collagen on the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Mette Askehøj Rømer
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Marie-Louise Thorseth
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel Hargbøl Madsen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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23
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Therapeutic Potential of Thymoquinone in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Prevention and Progression through the Modulation of the Tumor Microenvironment. Nutrients 2021; 14:nu14010079. [PMID: 35010954 PMCID: PMC8746460 DOI: 10.3390/nu14010079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has gained considerable attention in various areas of cancer research due to its role in driving a loss of immune surveillance and enabling rapid advanced tumor development and progression. The TME plays an integral role in driving advanced aggressive breast cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a pivotal mediator for tumor cells to communicate with the surrounding cells via lymphatic and circulatory systems. Furthermore, the TME plays a significant role in all steps and stages of carcinogenesis by promoting and stimulating uncontrolled cell proliferation and protecting tumor cells from the immune system. Various cellular components of the TME work together to drive cancer processes, some of which include tumor-associated adipocytes, fibroblasts, macrophages, and neutrophils which sustain perpetual amplification and release of pro-inflammatory molecules such as cytokines. Thymoquinone (TQ), a natural chemical component from black cumin seed, is widely used traditionally and now in clinical trials for the treatment/prevention of multiple types of cancer, showing a potential to mitigate components of TME at various stages by various pathways. In this review, we focus on the role of TME in TNBC cancer progression and the effect of TQ on the TME, emphasizing their anticipated role in the prevention and treatment of TNBC. It was concluded from this review that the multiple components of the TME serve as a critical part of TNBC tumor promotion and stimulation of uncontrolled cell proliferation. Meanwhile, TQ could be a crucial compound in the prevention and progression of TNBC therapy through the modulation of the TME.
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24
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Abd El-Aziz YS, Gillson J, Jansson PJ, Sahni S. Autophagy: A promising target for triple negative breast cancers. Pharmacol Res 2021; 175:106006. [PMID: 34843961 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.106006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive type of breast cancers which constitutes about 15% of all breast cancer cases and characterized by negative expression of hormonal receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Thus, endocrine and HER2 targeted therapies are not effective toward TNBCs, and they mainly rely on chemotherapy and surgery for treatment. Despite recent advances in chemotherapy, 40% of TNBC patients develop a metastatic relapse and recurrence. Therefore, understanding the molecular profile of TNBC is warranted to identify targets that can be selected for the development of a new and effective therapeutic approach. Autophagy is an internal defensive mechanism that allows the cells to survive under different stressors. It has been well known that autophagy exerts a crucial role in cancer progression. The critical role of autophagy in TNBC progression is emerging in recent years. This review will discuss autophagic pathway, how autophagy affects TNBC progression and recent therapeutic approaches that can target autophagy as a new treatment modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yomna S Abd El-Aziz
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, NSW, Australia; Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Josef Gillson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
| | - Patric J Jansson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, NSW, Australia; Cancer Drug Resistance and Stem Cell Program, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Sumit Sahni
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, NSW, Australia.
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25
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Liu YL, Bager CL, Willumsen N, Ramchandani D, Kornhauser N, Ling L, Cobham M, Andreopoulou E, Cigler T, Moore A, LaPolla D, Fitzpatrick V, Ward M, Warren JD, Fischbach C, Mittal V, Vahdat LT. Tetrathiomolybdate (TM)-associated copper depletion influences collagen remodeling and immune response in the pre-metastatic niche of breast cancer. NPJ Breast Cancer 2021; 7:108. [PMID: 34426581 PMCID: PMC8382701 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-021-00313-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tetrathiomolybdate (TM) is a novel, copper-depleting compound associated with promising survival in a phase II study of patients with high-risk and triple-negative breast cancer. We sought to elucidate the mechanism of TM by exploring its effects on collagen processing and immune function in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Using an exploratory cohort, we identified markers of collagen processing (LOXL2, PRO-C3, C6M, and C1M) that differed between those with breast cancer versus controls. We measured these collagen biomarkers in TM-treated patients on the phase II study and detected evidence of decreased collagen cross-linking and increased degradation over formation in those without disease compared to those who experienced disease progression. Preclinical studies revealed decreased collagen deposition, lower levels of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and higher CD4+ T-cell infiltration in TM-treated mice compared with controls. This study reveals novel mechanisms of TM targeting the TME and immune response with potential applications across cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying L Liu
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Lu Ling
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Anne Moore
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Claudia Fischbach
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Linda T Vahdat
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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26
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Combinatorial therapy in tumor microenvironment: Where do we stand? Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188585. [PMID: 34224836 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in tumor initiation and progression by creating a dynamic interaction with cancer cells. The tumor microenvironment consists of various cellular components, including endothelial cells, fibroblasts, pericytes, adipocytes, immune cells, cancer stem cells and vasculature, which provide a sustained environment for cancer cell proliferation. Currently, targeting tumor microenvironment is increasingly being explored as a novel approach to improve cancer therapeutics, as it influences the growth and expansion of malignant cells in various ways. Despite continuous advancements in targeted therapies for cancer treatment, drug resistance, toxicity and immune escape mechanisms are the basis of treatment failure and cancer escape. Targeting tumor microenvironment efficiently with approved drugs and combination therapy is the solution to this enduring challenge that involves combining more than one treatment modality such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and nanotherapy that can effectively and synergistically target the critical pathways associated with disease pathogenesis. This review shed light on the composition of the tumor microenvironment, interaction of different components within tumor microenvironment with tumor cells and associated hallmarks, the current status of combinatorial therapies being developed, and various growing advancements. Furthermore, computational tools can also be used to monitor the significance and outcome of therapies being developed. We addressed the perceived barriers and regulatory hurdles in developing a combinatorial regimen and evaluated the present status of these therapies in the clinic. The accumulating depth of knowledge about the tumor microenvironment in cancer may facilitate further development of effective treatment modalities. This review presents the tumor microenvironment as a sweeping landscape for developing novel cancer therapies.
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27
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Zhao X, Cong S, Guo Q, Cheng Y, Liang T, Wang J, Zhang G. Combination of Immune-Related Genomic Alterations Reveals Immune Characterization and Prediction of Different Prognostic Risks in Ovarian Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:653357. [PMID: 33968933 PMCID: PMC8102990 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.653357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
With the highest case-fatality rate among women, the molecular pathological alterations of ovarian cancer (OV) are complex, depending on the diversity of genomic alterations. Increasing evidence supports that immune infiltration in tumors is associated with prognosis. Therefore, we aim to assess infiltration in OV using multiple methods to capture genomic signatures regulating immune events to identify reliable predictions of different outcomes. A dataset of 309 ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma patients with overall survival >90 days from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was analyzed. Multiple estimations and clustering methods identified and verified two immune clusters with component differences. Functional analyses pointed out immune-related alterations underlying internal genomic variables potentially. After extracting immune genes from a public database, the LASSO Cox regression model with 10-fold cross-validation was used for selecting genes associated with overall survival rate significantly, and a risk score model was then constructed. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses among cohorts were performed systematically to evaluate prognostic efficiency among the risk score model and other clinical pathological parameters, establishing a predictive ability independently. Furthermore, this risk score model was compared among identified signatures in previous studies and applied to two external cohorts, showing better prediction performance and generalization ability, and also validated as robust in association with immune cell infiltration in bulk tissues. Besides, a transcription factor regulation network suggested upper regulatory mechanisms in OV. Our immune risk score model may provide gyneco-oncologists with predictive values for the prognosis and treatment management of patients with OV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Guangmei Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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28
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Nissen NI, Kehlet S, Boisen MK, Liljefors M, Jensen C, Johansen AZ, Johansen JS, Erler JT, Karsdal M, Mortensen JH, Høye A, Willumsen N. Prognostic value of blood-based fibrosis biomarkers in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy and bevacizumab. Sci Rep 2021; 11:865. [PMID: 33441622 PMCID: PMC7806753 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79608-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A desmoplastic colorectal cancer stroma, characterized by excess turnover of the cancer-associated fibroblast derived collagens type III and VI, can lead to reduced drug-uptake and poor treatment response. We investigated the association between biomarkers of collagen type III and VI and overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Serum samples were collected from 252 patients with mCRC prior to treatment with bevacizumab and chemotherapy. Serum concentrations of biomarkers reflecting formation of collagen type III (PRO-C3) and VI (PRO-C6) and degradation of collagen type VI (C6M and C6Mα3) were determined by ELISA. The biomarkers were evaluated for associations with OS, individually, combined, and after adjusting for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and performance status (PS). High baseline levels (> median) of each collagen biomarker were significantly associated with shorter OS (PRO-C3: HR = 2.0, 95%CI = 1.54-2.63; PRO-C6: HR = 1.6, 95%CI = 1.24-2.11; C6M: HR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.05-1.78; C6Mα3: HR = 1.6, 95%CI = 1.16-2.07). PRO-C3 and PRO-C6 remained significant after adjustment for CEA, LDH and PS. Weak correlations were seen between the collagen biomarkers (r = 0.03-0.59) and combining all improved prognostic capacity (HR = 3.6, 95%CI = 2.30-5.76). Collagen biomarkers were predictive of shorter OS in patients with mCRC. This supports that collagen- and CAF biology is important in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neel I Nissen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Biomarkers and Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark.
| | - Stephanie Kehlet
- Biomarkers and Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mogens K Boisen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Liljefors
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christina Jensen
- Biomarkers and Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Astrid Z Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julia S Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Medicine, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Janine T Erler
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Karsdal
- Biomarkers and Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Joachim H Mortensen
- Biomarkers and Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Anette Høye
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nicholas Willumsen
- Biomarkers and Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
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29
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Petersen EV, Chudakova DA, Skorova EY, Anikin V, Reshetov IV, Mynbaev OA. The Extracellular Matrix-Derived Biomarkers for Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Personalized Therapy of Malignant Tumors. Front Oncol 2020; 10:575569. [PMID: 33425730 PMCID: PMC7793707 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.575569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor biomarkers already have proven clinical value and have become an integral part in cancer management and modern translational oncology. The tumor tissue microenvironment (TME), which includes extracellular matrix (ECM), signaling molecules, immune and stromal cells, and adjacent non-tumorous tissue, contributes to cancer pathogenesis. Thus, TME-derived biomarkers have many clinical applications. This review is predominately based on the most recent publications (manuscripts published in a last 5 years, or seminal publications published earlier) and fills a gap in the current literature on the cancer biomarkers derived from the TME, with particular attention given to the ECM and products of its processing and degradation, ECM-associated extracellular vesicles (EVs), biomechanical characteristics of ECM, and ECM-derived biomarkers predicting response to the immunotherapy. We discuss the clinical utility of the TME-incorporating three-dimensional in vitro and ex vivo cell culture models for personalized therapy. We conclude that ECM is a critical driver of malignancies and ECM-derived biomarkers should be included in diagnostics and prognostics panels of markers in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V. Petersen
- Department of Molecular and Bio Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Daria A. Chudakova
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ekaterina Yu. Skorova
- Department of Molecular and Bio Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Vladimir Anikin
- Harefield Hospital, The Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Harefield, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery, Sechenov Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor V. Reshetov
- Department of Molecular and Bio Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Department of Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery, Sechenov Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ospan A. Mynbaev
- Department of Molecular and Bio Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
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30
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Jensen C, Sinkeviciute D, Madsen DH, Önnerfjord P, Hansen M, Schmidt H, Karsdal MA, Svane IM, Willumsen N. Granzyme B Degraded Type IV Collagen Products in Serum Identify Melanoma Patients Responding to Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102786. [PMID: 32998446 PMCID: PMC7601429 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Novel biomarkers that can identify melanoma patients responding to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy are urgently needed. As high T-cell infiltration and low fibrotic activity are associated with response, we aimed to examine the serum biomarker potential of granzyme B degraded type IV collagen (C4G) products in combination with the fibrosis biomarker PRO-C3. We found that high C4G combined with low PRO-C3 has the potential to identify patients responding to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy suggesting that these biomarkers may provide a non-invasive tool for patient selection and therapeutic decision-making in the future. Abstract A T-cell permissive tumor microenvironment, characterized by the presence of activated T cells and low fibrotic activity is crucial for response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Granzyme B has been shown to promote T-cell migration through the basement membrane by the degradation of type IV collagen. In this study, we evaluated the biomarker potential of measuring granzyme B-mediated degradation of type IV collagen (C4G) in combination with a fibroblast activation biomarker (PRO-C3) non-invasively for identifying metastatic melanoma patients responding to the ICI ipilimumab. A monoclonal antibody was generated against C4G and used to develop a competitive electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay. C4G and PRO-C3 were measured in pretreatment serum from metastatic melanoma patients (n = 54). The C4G assay was found specific for a granzyme B-generated neo-epitope on type IV collagen. The objective response rate (ORR) was 2.6-fold higher (18% vs. 7%) in patients with high C4G levels (>25th percentile) vs. low levels (≤25th percentile). Likewise, high C4G levels at baseline were associated with longer overall survival (OS) (log-rank, p = 0.040, and hazard ratio (HR) = 0.48, 95%CI: 0.24–0.98, p = 0.045). Combining high C4G with low PRO-C3 correlated with improved OS with a median OS of 796 days vs. 273 days (p = 0.0003) and an HR of 0.30 (95%CI: 0.15–0.60, p = 0.0006). In conclusion, these results suggest that high granzyme B degraded type IV collagen (C4G) combined with low PRO-C3 quantified non-invasively has the potential to identify the responders to ICI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Jensen
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (D.S.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence:
| | - Dovile Sinkeviciute
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (D.S.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden;
| | - Daniel Hargbøl Madsen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (D.H.M.); (M.H.); (I.M.S.)
| | - Patrik Önnerfjord
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden;
| | - Morten Hansen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (D.H.M.); (M.H.); (I.M.S.)
| | - Henrik Schmidt
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark;
| | - Morten Asser Karsdal
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (D.S.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (D.H.M.); (M.H.); (I.M.S.)
| | - Nicholas Willumsen
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (D.S.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
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31
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Joshi S. Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment in Neuroblastoma: Recent Advances and Future Directions. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2057. [PMID: 32722460 PMCID: PMC7465822 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common pediatric tumor malignancy that originates from the neural crest and accounts for more than 15% of all the childhood deaths from cancer. The neuroblastoma cancer research has long been focused on the role of MYCN oncogene amplification and the contribution of other genetic alterations in the progression of this malignancy. However, it is now widely accepted that, not only tumor cells, but the components of tumor microenvironment (TME), including extracellular matrix, stromal cells and immune cells, also contribute to tumor progression in neuroblastoma. The complexity of different components of tumor stroma and their resemblance with surrounding normal tissues pose huge challenges for therapies targeting tumor microenvironment in NB. Hence, the detailed understanding of the composition of the TME of NB is crucial to improve existing and future potential immunotherapeutic approaches against this childhood cancer. In this review article, I will discuss different components of the TME of NB and the recent advances in the strategies, which are used to target the tumor microenvironment in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Joshi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0815, USA
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32
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Malla RR, Deepak K, Merchant N, Dasari VR. Breast Tumor Microenvironment: Emerging target of therapeutic phytochemicals. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 70:153227. [PMID: 32339885 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and challenging form of breast cancers. Tumor microenvironment (TME) of TNBC is associated with induction of metastasis, immune system suppression, escaping immune detection and drug resistance. TME is highly complex and heterogeneous, consists of tumor cells, stromal cells and immune cells. The rapid expansion of tumors induce hypoxia, which concerns the reprogramming of TME components. The reciprocal communication of tumor cells and TME cells predisposes cancer cells to metastasis by modulation of developmental pathways, Wnt, notch, hedgehog and their related mechanisms in TME. Dietary phytochemicals are non-toxic and associated with various human health benefits and remarkable spectrum of biological activities. The phytochemicals serve as vital resources for drug discovery and also as a source for breast cancer therapy. The novel properties of dietary phytochemicals propose platform for modulation of tumor signaling, overcoming drug resistance, and targeting TME. Therefore, TME could serve as promising target for the treatment of TNBC. This review presents current status and implications of experimentally evaluated therapeutic phytochemicals as potential targeting agents of TME, potential nanosystems for targeted delivery of phytochemicals and their current challenges and future implications in TNBC treatment. The dietary phytochemicals especially curcumin with significant delivery system could prevent TNBC development as it is considered safe and well tolerated in phase II clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rama Rao Malla
- Cancer Biology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Institute of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, 530045, India.
| | - Kgk Deepak
- Cancer Biology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Institute of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, 530045, India
| | - Neha Merchant
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Venkata Ramesh Dasari
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Geisinger Clinic, 100 Academy Ave, Danville, PA, 17822, USA
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Deepak KGK, Vempati R, Nagaraju GP, Dasari VR, S N, Rao DN, Malla RR. Tumor microenvironment: Challenges and opportunities in targeting metastasis of triple negative breast cancer. Pharmacol Res 2020; 153:104683. [PMID: 32050092 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 277] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is most aggressive subtype of breast cancers with high probability of metastasis as well as lack of specific targets and targeted therapeutics. TNBC is characterized with unique tumor microenvironment (TME), which differs from other subtypes. TME is associated with induction of proliferation, angiogenesis, inhibition of apoptosis and immune system suppression, and drug resistance. Exosomes are promising nanovesicles, which orchestrate the TME by communicating with different cells within TME. The components of TME including transformed ECM, soluble factors, immune suppressive cells, epigenetic modifications and re-programmed fibroblasts together hamper antitumor response and helps progression and metastasis of TNBCs. Therefore, TME could be a therapeutic target of TNBC. The current review presents latest updates on the role of exosomes in modulation of TME, approaches for targeting TME and combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and target chemotherapeutics. Finally, we also discussed various phytochemicals that alter genetic, transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of TME along with current challenges and future implications. Thus, as TME is associated with the hallmarks of TNBC, the understanding of the impact of different components can improve the clinical benefits of TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- K G K Deepak
- Cancer Biology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Institute of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, 530045, India
| | - Rahul Vempati
- Cancer Biology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Institute of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, 530045, India
| | - Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Venkata Ramesh Dasari
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Geisinger Clinic, 100 N. Academy Ave, Danville, PA, 17822, USA
| | - Nagini S
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, 608 002, India
| | - D N Rao
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi, India
| | - Rama Rao Malla
- Cancer Biology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Institute of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, 530045, India.
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Henke E, Nandigama R, Ergün S. Extracellular Matrix in the Tumor Microenvironment and Its Impact on Cancer Therapy. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 6:160. [PMID: 32118030 PMCID: PMC7025524 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 553] [Impact Index Per Article: 138.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Solid tumors are complex organ-like structures that consist not only of tumor cells but also of vasculature, extracellular matrix (ECM), stromal, and immune cells. Often, this tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises the larger part of the overall tumor mass. Like the other components of the TME, the ECM in solid tumors differs significantly from that in normal organs. Intratumoral signaling, transport mechanisms, metabolisms, oxygenation, and immunogenicity are strongly affected if not controlled by the ECM. Exerting this regulatory control, the ECM does not only influence malignancy and growth of the tumor but also its response toward therapy. Understanding the particularities of the ECM in solid tumor is necessary to develop approaches to interfere with its negative effect. In this review, we will also highlight the current understanding of the physical, cellular, and molecular mechanisms by which the pathological tumor ECM affects the efficiency of radio-, chemo-, and immunotherapy. Finally, we will discuss the various strategies to target and modify the tumor ECM and how they could be utilized to improve response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Henke
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rajender Nandigama
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Süleyman Ergün
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Targeting Tumor Microenvironment for Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20040840. [PMID: 30781344 PMCID: PMC6413095 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20040840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 738] [Impact Index Per Article: 147.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer development is highly associated to the physiological state of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Despite the existing heterogeneity of tumors from the same or from different anatomical locations, common features can be found in the TME maturation of epithelial-derived tumors. Genetic alterations in tumor cells result in hyperplasia, uncontrolled growth, resistance to apoptosis, and metabolic shift towards anaerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect). These events create hypoxia, oxidative stress and acidosis within the TME triggering an adjustment of the extracellular matrix (ECM), a response from neighbor stromal cells (e.g., fibroblasts) and immune cells (lymphocytes and macrophages), inducing angiogenesis and, ultimately, resulting in metastasis. Exosomes secreted by TME cells are central players in all these events. The TME profile is preponderant on prognosis and impacts efficacy of anti-cancer therapies. Hence, a big effort has been made to develop new therapeutic strategies towards a more efficient targeting of TME. These efforts focus on: (i) therapeutic strategies targeting TME components, extending from conventional therapeutics, to combined therapies and nanomedicines; and (ii) the development of models that accurately resemble the TME for bench investigations, including tumor-tissue explants, “tumor on a chip” or multicellular tumor-spheroids.
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Jensen C, Madsen DH, Hansen M, Schmidt H, Svane IM, Karsdal MA, Willumsen N. Non-invasive biomarkers derived from the extracellular matrix associate with response to immune checkpoint blockade (anti-CTLA-4) in metastatic melanoma patients. J Immunother Cancer 2018; 6:152. [PMID: 30567561 PMCID: PMC6300009 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-018-0474-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and a reactive stroma can affect T-cell infiltration and T-cell activity in the tumor and hereby influence response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). In the pursuit of finding biomarkers that predict treatment response, we evaluated the association between serum biomarkers of collagen and vimentin turnover and outcomes in metastatic melanoma patients treated with the anti-CTLA-4 antibody ipilimumab (IPI). Methods Type III collagen formation (PRO-C3), MMP-degraded type I, type III and type IV collagens (C1M, C3M and C4M), and citrullinated and MMP-degraded vimentin (VICM) were measured with ELISAs in serum from metastatic melanoma patients before (n = 66) and 3 weeks after (n = 52) initiation of IPI treatment. Biomarker levels were associated with Disease Control Rate (DCR) and survival outcomes. Results We found that baseline levels of PRO-C3 (p = 0.011), C1M (p = 0.003), C3M (p = 0.013) and C4M (p = 0.027) were significantly elevated in patients with progressive disease (PD). Univariate Cox regression analysis identified high PRO-C3 (p = 0.021) and C4M (p = 0.008) as predictors of poor overall survival (OS) and the biomarkers remained significant when evaluated with other covariates (PRO-C3 (p = 0.049) and C4M (p = 0.046)). Multivariate analysis identified VICM as a predictor of longer OS (p = 0.026). Similarly, a high C3M/PRO-C3 ratio predicted for increased OS (p = 0.034). Only C3M (p = 0.003) and VICM (p < 0.0001) increased 3 weeks after treatment. Conclusions ECM and tissue remodeling quantified in pre-treatment serum were associated with response and survival outcomes in metastatic melanoma patients treated with IPI. This highlights the importance of addressing the ECM and stromal component non-invasively in future ICI studies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40425-018-0474-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Jensen
- Biomarkers and Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark. .,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark.
| | - Daniel Hargbøl Madsen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Haematology and Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Morten Hansen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Haematology and Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Henrik Schmidt
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Haematology and Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Morten Asser Karsdal
- Biomarkers and Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Nicholas Willumsen
- Biomarkers and Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
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