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Tan L, Yin T, Xiang H, Wang L, Mudgal P, Chen J, Ding Y, Wang G, Lim BJW, Huang Y, Huang D, Liang Y, Alexander PB, Xiang K, Wang E, Yan C, Ma Z, Tan M, Li QJ, Wang XF. Aberrant cytoplasmic expression of UHRF1 restrains the MHC-I-mediated anti-tumor immune response. Nat Commun 2024; 15:8569. [PMID: 39362877 PMCID: PMC11450162 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52902-5] [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: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/24/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy successfully complements traditional cancer treatment. However, primary and acquired resistance might limit efficacy. Reduced antigen presentation by MHC-I has been identified as potential resistance factor. Here we show that the epigenetic regulator ubiquitin-like with PHD and ring finger domains 1 (UHRF1), exhibits altered expression and aberrant cytosolic localization in cancerous tissues, where it promotes MHC-I ubiquitination and degradation. Cytoplasmic translocation of UHRF1 is induced by its phosphorylation on a specific serine in response to signals provided by factors present in the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as TGF-β, enabling UHRF1 to bind MHC-I. Downregulation of MHC-I results in suppression of the antigen presentation pathway to establish an immune hostile TME. UHRF1 inactivation by genetic deletion synergizes with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) treatment and induces an anti-tumour memory response by evoking low-affinity T cells. Our study adds to the understanding of UHRF1 in cancer immune evasion and provides a potential target to synergize with immunotherapy and overcome immunotherapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianmei Tan
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tao Yin
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Handan Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Liuyang Wang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Junying Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yi Ding
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Guoping Wang
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Bryan Jian Wei Lim
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yuqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - De Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yaosi Liang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Peter B Alexander
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kun Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ergang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Chengsong Yan
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Zhehao Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Minjia Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi-Jing Li
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Xiao-Fan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Its high recurrence rate and lack of effective control drugs result in a 5-year survival rate of only about 10%. HCC is a tumor regulated by the immune system. Significant breakthroughs have occurred in treating solid tumors with immunotherapy in recent years. Various immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including combination therapies, have demonstrated promising therapeutic effects in both clinical applications and research. Other immunotherapies, such as adoptive cell therapies and oncolytic viruses, are also emerging, offering hope for addressing long-term survival issues in HCC. This article reviews current commonly used immunotherapy strategies and the latest research findings for reference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University
| | - Jun Lu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University
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Niu HQ, Zheng BY, Zou MX, Zheng BW. Complex immune microenvironment of chordoma: a road map for future treatment. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e009313. [PMID: 38908855 PMCID: PMC11328617 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2024-009313] [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] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chordoma, a rare bone tumor, presents limited treatment options and patients typically exhibit poor survival outcomes. While immunotherapy has shown promising results in treating various tumors, research on the immune microenvironment of chordomas is still in its early stages. Therefore, understanding how the immune microenvironment of chordomas influences the outcomes of immunotherapy is crucial. METHODS We employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), bulk RNA-seq, CellChat, gene set variation analysis, as well as calculation of immune features to further dissect the complex immune microenvironment of chordoma. RESULTS Previous research by van Oost et al argued that compared with other sarcomas, chordomas typically exhibit an immunologically "hot" microenvironment, a conclusion with which we concur based on their research findings. Additionally, the authors suggest that T cell-mediated immunotherapy is feasible for the majority of chordomas. However, we are inclined to categorize them as an immune-excluded phenotype according to the latest classification methods, rather than persisting with the concepts of "cold" and "hot". Unlike them, we explored immune infiltration scores (IS), T lymphocyte scoring (TLS), and human leucocyte antigen class I (HLA-I) using Bulk RNA-seq data from 126 chordoma patients and found that higher IS, TLS, and higher HLA-I expression were associated with poorer patient prognosis. Additionally, CellChat analysis of scRNA-seq results from six chordoma patients revealed no direct interaction between T cells and tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggested that the efficacy of T cell-based immunotherapy may be limited or even ineffective for patients with chordoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Qing Niu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Bo-Yv Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, General Hospital of the Central Theater Command, Wuhan, China
| | - Ming-Xiang Zou
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Bo-Wen Zheng
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
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4
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Wei H, Dong C, Li X. Treatment Options for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Immunotherapy: Present and Future. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2024; 12:389-405. [PMID: 38638377 PMCID: PMC11022065 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2023.00462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer, and the body's immune responses greatly affect its progression and the prognosis of patients. Immunological suppression and the maintenance of self-tolerance in the tumor microenvironment are essential responses, and these form part of the theoretical foundations of immunotherapy. In this review, we first discuss the tumor microenvironment of HCC, describe immunosuppression in HCC, and review the major biomarkers used to track HCC progression and response to treatment. We then examine antibody-based therapies, with a focus on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), monoclonal antibodies that target key proteins in the immune response (programmed cell death protein 1, anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4, and programmed death-ligand 1) which have transformed the treatment of HCC and other cancers. ICIs may be used alone or in conjunction with various targeted therapies for patients with advanced HCC who are receiving first-line treatments or subsequent treatments. We also discuss the use of different cellular immunotherapies, including T cell receptor (TCR) T cell therapy and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. We then review the use of HCC vaccines, adjuvant immunotherapy, and oncolytic virotherapy, and describe the goals of future research in the development of treatments for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbin Wei
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Chunlu Dong
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xun Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Key Laboratory Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center of Lanzhou University School of Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Institute of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Clinical Research Center for General Surgery of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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Zhou J, Li L, Wu B, Feng Z, Lu Y, Wang Z. MST1/2: Important regulators of Hippo pathway in immune system associated diseases. Cancer Lett 2024; 587:216736. [PMID: 38369002 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216736] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The Hippo signaling pathway is first found in Drosophila and is highly conserved in evolution. Previous studies on this pathway in mammals have revealed its key role in cell proliferation and differentiation, organ size control, and carcinogenesis. Apart from these, recent findings indicate that mammalian Ste20-like kinases 1 and 2 (MST1/2) have significant effects on immune regulation. In this review, we summarize the updated understanding of how MST1/2 affect the regulation of the immune system and the specific mechanism. The effect of MST1/2 on immune cells and its role in the tumor immune microenvironment can alter the body's response to tumor cells. The relationship between MST1/2 and the immune system suggests new directions in the manipulation of immune responses for clinical immunotherapy, especially for tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital and Department of Anatomy and Histoembrvology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lanfang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital and Department of Anatomy and Histoembrvology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Baojin Wu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Wulumuqi Zhong Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Zhen Feng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital and Department of Anatomy and Histoembrvology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ying Lu
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Zuoyun Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital and Department of Anatomy and Histoembrvology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Cattaneo G, Ventin M, Arya S, Kontos F, Michelakos T, Sekigami Y, Cai L, Villani V, Sabbatino F, Chen F, Sadagopan A, Deshpande V, Moore PA, Ting DT, Bardeesy N, Wang X, Ferrone S, Ferrone CR. Interplay between B7-H3 and HLA class I in the clinical course of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 587:216713. [PMID: 38364961 PMCID: PMC11146152 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216713] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I defects are associated with cancer progression. However, their prognostic significance is controversial and may be modulated by immune checkpoints. Here, we investigated whether the checkpoint B7-H3 modulates the relationship between HLA class I and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) prognosis. PDAC tumors were analyzed for the expression of B7-H3, HLA class I, HLA class II molecules, and for the presence of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. We observed defective HLA class I and HLA class II expressions in 75% and 59% of PDAC samples, respectively. HLA class I and B7-H3 expression were positively related at mRNA and protein level, potentially because of shared regulation by RELA, a sub-unit of NF-kB. High B7-H3 expression and low CD8+ T cell density were indicators of poor survival, while HLA class I was not. Defective HLA class I expression was associated with unfavorable survival only in patients with low B7-H3 expression. Favorable survival was observed only when HLA class I expression was high and B7-H3 expression low. Our results provide the rationale for targeting B7-H3 in patients with PDAC tumors displaying high HLA class I levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Cattaneo
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States. https://twitter.com/GCattaneoPhD
| | - Marco Ventin
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Shahrzad Arya
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Filippos Kontos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Theodoros Michelakos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yurie Sekigami
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lei Cai
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Vincenzo Villani
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Francesco Sabbatino
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Ananthan Sadagopan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Vikram Deshpande
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - David T Ting
- MassGeneral Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nabeel Bardeesy
- MassGeneral Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xinhui Wang
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Cristina R Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
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7
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Jiang Y, Liu J, Chen L, Qian Z, Zhang Y. A promising target for breast cancer: B7-H3. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:182. [PMID: 38326735 PMCID: PMC10848367 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-11933-3] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the second-leading factor of mortality for women globally and is brought on by a variety of genetic and environmental causes. The conventional treatments for this disease have limitations, making it difficult to improve the lifespan of breast cancer patients. As a result, extensive research has been conducted over the past decade to find innovative solutions to these challenges. Targeting of the antitumor immune response through the immunomodulatory checkpoint protein B7 family has revolutionized cancer treatment and led to intermittent patient responses. B7-H3 has recently received attention because of its significant demodulation and its immunomodulatory effects in many cancers. Uncontrolled B7-H3 expression and a bad outlook are strongly associated, according to a substantial body of cancer research. Numerous studies have shown that BC has significant B7-H3 expression, and B7-H3 induces an immune evasion phenotype, consequently enhancing the survival, proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance of BC cells. Thus, an innovative target for immunotherapy against BC may be the B7-H3 checkpoint.In this review, we discuss the structure and regulation of B7-H3 and its double costimulatory/coinhibitory function within the framework of cancer and normal physiology. Then we expound the malignant behavior of B7-H3 in BC and its role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and finally focus on targeted drugs against B7-H3 that have opened new therapeutic opportunities in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Jiang
- Department of Oncology, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214002, China
| | - Jiayu Liu
- Department of Oncology, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214002, China
| | - Lingyan Chen
- Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Zhiwen Qian
- Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214002, China.
- Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214000, China.
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8
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Shen HY, Xu JL, Zhu Z, Xu HP, Liang MX, Xu D, Chen WQ, Tang JH, Fang Z, Zhang J. Integration of bioinformatics and machine learning strategies identifies APM-related gene signatures to predict clinical outcomes and therapeutic responses for breast cancer patients. Neoplasia 2023; 45:100942. [PMID: 37839160 PMCID: PMC10587768 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2023.100942] [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: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor antigenicity and efficiency of antigen presentation jointly influence tumor immunogenicity, which largely determines the effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). However, the role of altered antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM) in breast cancer (BRCA) has not been fully elucidated. METHODS A series of bioinformatic analyses and machine learning strategies were performed to construct APM-related gene signatures to guide personalized treatment for BRCA patients. A single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithm and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were combined to screen for BRCA-specific APM-related genes. The non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm was used to divide the cohort into different clusters and the fgsea algorithm was applied to investigate the altered signaling pathways. Random survival forest (RSF) and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) Cox regression analysis were combined to construct an APM-related risk score (APMrs) signature to predict overall survival. Furthermore, a nomogram and decision tree were generated to improve predictive accuracy and risk stratification for individual patients. Based on Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) method, random forest (RF) and Lasso logistic regression model were combined to establish an APM-related immunotherapeutic response score (APMis). Finally, immune infiltration, immunomodulators, mutational patterns, and potentially applicable drugs were comprehensively analyzed in different APM-related risk groups. IHC staining was used to assess the expression of APM-related genes in clinical samples. RESULTS In this study, APMrs and APMis showed favorable performances in risk stratification and therapeutic prediction for BRCA patients. APMrs exhibited more powerful prognostic capacity and accurate survival prediction compared to conventional clinicopathological features. APMrs was closely associated with distinct mutational patterns, immune cell infiltration and immunomodulators expression. Furthermore, the two APM-related gene signatures were independently validated in external cohorts with prognosis or immunotherapeutic responses. Potential applicable drugs and targets were mined in the APMrs-high group. APM-related genes were further validated in our in-house samples. CONCLUSION The APM-related gene signatures established in our study could improve the personalized assessment of survival risk and guide ICB decision-making for BRCA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yu Shen
- Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jia-Lin Xu
- Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhen Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hai-Ping Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming-Xing Liang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Di Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wen-Quan Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jin-Hai Tang
- Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Zheng Fang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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9
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Xiao G, Zhao Y, Wang X, Zeng C, Luo F, Jing J. Photothermally sensitive gold nanocage augments the antitumor efficiency of immune checkpoint blockade in immune "cold" tumors. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1279221. [PMID: 37942337 PMCID: PMC10628457 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1279221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has revolutionized the therapy landscape of malignancy melanoma. However, the clinical benefits from this regimen remain limited, especially in tumors lacking infiltrated T cells (known as "cold" tumors). Nanoparticle-mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) has demonstrated improved outcomes in the ablation of solid tumors by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) and reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment. Therefore, the combination of PTT and ICB is a promising regimen for patients with "cold" tumors. Methods A second near-infrared (NIR-II) light-activated gold nanocomposite AuNC@SiO2@HA with AuNC as a kernel, silica as shell, and hyaluronic acid (HA) polymer as a targeting molecule, was synthesized for PTT. The fabricated AuNC@SiO2@HA nanocomposites underwent various in vitro studies to characterize their physicochemical properties, light absorption spectra, photothermal conversion ability, cellular uptake ability, and bioactivities. The synergistic effect of AuNC@SiO2@HA-mediated PTT and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy was evaluated using a mouse model of immune "cold" melanoma. The tumor-infiltrating T cells were assessed by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. Furthermore, the mechanism of AuNC@SiO2@HA-induced T-cell infiltration was investigated through immunochemistry staining of the ICD-related markers, including HSP70, CRT, and HMGB1. Finally, the safety of AuNC@SiO2@HA nanocomposites was evaluated in vivo. Results The AuNC@SiO2@HA nanocomposite with absorption covering 1064 nm was successfully synthesized. The nano-system can be effectively delivered into tumor cells, transform the optical energy into thermal energy upon laser irradiation, and induce tumor cell apoptosis in vitro. In an in vivo mouse melanoma model, AuNC@SiO2@HA nanocomposites significantly induced ICD and T-cell infiltration. The combination of AuNC@SiO2@HA and anti-PD-1 antibody synergistically inhibited tumor growth via stimulating robust T lymphocyte immune responses. Discussion The combination of AuNC@SiO2@HA-mediated PTT and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy proposed a neoteric strategy for oncotherapy, which efficiently convert the immune "cold" tumors into "hot" ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guixiu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Institute for Breast Health Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yujie Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Institute for Breast Health Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xueyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Institute for Breast Health Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chuan Zeng
- Radiology Department, Sichuan Jianzhu Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Feng Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Institute for Breast Health Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Ferrari V, Lo Cascio A, Melacarne A, Tanasković N, Mozzarelli AM, Tiraboschi L, Lizier M, Salvi M, Braga D, Algieri F, Penna G, Rescigno M. Sensitizing cancer cells to immune checkpoint inhibitors by microbiota-mediated upregulation of HLA class I. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:1717-1730.e4. [PMID: 37738976 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Recent data have shown that gut microbiota has a major impact on the clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the context of solid tumors. ICI-based therapy acts by unlocking cognate cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) effector responses, and increased sensitivity to ICIs is due to an enhancement of patients' tumor antigen (TA)-specific CTL responses. Cancer clearance by TA-specific CTL requires expression of relevant TAs on cancer cells' HLA class I molecules, and reduced HLA class I expression is a common mechanism used by cancer cells to evade the immune system. Here, we show that metabolites released by bacteria, in particular, phytosphingosine, can upregulate HLA class I expression on cancer cells, sensitizing them to TA-specific CTL lysis in vitro and in vivo, in combination with immunotherapy. This effect is mediated by postbiotic-induced upregulation of NLRC5 in response to upstream MYD88-NF-κB activation, thus significantly controlling tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Ferrari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonino Lo Cascio
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Melacarne
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro M Mozzarelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy; IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Tiraboschi
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Lizier
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Salvi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy; IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Braga
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Penna
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Postbiotica S.r.l, Milan 20123, Italy
| | - Maria Rescigno
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy; IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
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11
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Sooi K, Walsh R, Kumarakulasinghe N, Wong A, Ngoi N. A review of strategies to overcome immune resistance in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2023; 6:656-673. [PMID: 37842236 PMCID: PMC10571060 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has become integral in cancer therapeutics over the past two decades and is now part of standard-of-care treatment in multiple cancer types. While various biomarkers and pathway alterations such as dMMR, CDK12, and AR-V7 have been identified in advanced prostate cancer to predict immunotherapy responsiveness, the vast majority of prostate cancer remain intrinsically immune-resistant, as evidenced by low response rates to anti-PD(L)1 monotherapy. Since regulatory approval of the vaccine therapy sipuleucel-T in the biomarker-unselected population, there has not been much success with immunotherapy treatment in advanced prostate cancer. Researchers have looked at various strategies to overcome immune resistance, including the identification of more biomarkers and the combination of immunotherapy with existing effective prostate cancer treatments. On the horizon, novel drugs using bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) and chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) technology are being explored and have shown promising early efficacy in this disease. Here we discuss the features of the tumour microenvironment that predispose to immune resistance and rational strategies to enhance antitumour responsiveness in advanced prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Natalie Ngoi
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore 119228, Singapore
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12
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Ventin M, Cattaneo G, Maggs L, Jia J, Arya S, Ferrone S, Wang X, Ferrone CR. B7-H3-targeted CAR T cell activity is enhanced by radiotherapy in solid cancers. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1193963. [PMID: 37483496 PMCID: PMC10361748 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1193963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy utilizing T cells genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) has demonstrated promising clinical results in hematological malignancies. However, solid cancers have not seen a similar success due to multiple obstacles. Investigating these escape mechanisms and designing strategies to counteract such limitations is crucial and timely. Growing evidence in the literature supports the hypothesis that radiotherapy has the potential to enhance the susceptibility of solid tumors to CAR T cell therapy, by overcoming mechanisms of resistance. Radiation treatment can increase the susceptibility of different types of solid cancers (TNBC, HNSCC, PDAC) to B7-H3 CAR T cell-mediated eradication. Multiple mechanisms, including reduced cancer cell proliferation, upregulation of the targeted antigen, modulation of apoptotic molecules may contribute to this signal. The information in the literature and the results we describesupport the ability of radiotherapy to improve the efficacy of CAR T cell therapy in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Ventin
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Giulia Cattaneo
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Luke Maggs
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jingyu Jia
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Shahrzad Arya
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xinhui Wang
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Cristina R. Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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13
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Nanodrug enhances post-ablation immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma via promoting dendritic cell maturation and antigen presentation. Bioact Mater 2023; 21:57-68. [PMID: 36017073 PMCID: PMC9399385 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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14
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Ghasemi Darestani N, Gilmanova AI, Al-Gazally ME, Zekiy AO, Ansari MJ, Zabibah RS, Jawad MA, Al-Shalah SAJ, Rizaev JA, Alnassar YS, Mohammed NM, Mustafa YF, Darvishi M, Akhavan-Sigari R. Mesenchymal stem cell-released oncolytic virus: an innovative strategy for cancer treatment. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:43. [PMID: 36829187 PMCID: PMC9960453 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-01012-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) infect, multiply, and finally remove tumor cells selectively, causing no damage to normal cells in the process. Because of their specific features, such as, the ability to induce immunogenic cell death and to contain curative transgenes in their genomes, OVs have attracted attention as candidates to be utilized in cooperation with immunotherapies for cancer treatment. This treatment takes advantage of most tumor cells' inherent tendency to be infected by certain OVs and both innate and adaptive immune responses are elicited by OV infection and oncolysis. OVs can also modulate tumor microenvironment and boost anti-tumor immune responses. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are gathering interest as promising anti-cancer treatments with the ability to address a wide range of cancers. MSCs exhibit tumor-trophic migration characteristics, allowing them to be used as delivery vehicles for successful, targeted treatment of isolated tumors and metastatic malignancies. Preclinical and clinical research were reviewed in this study to discuss using MSC-released OVs as a novel method for the treatment of cancer. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna I Gilmanova
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry of the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation
| | | | - Angelina O Zekiy
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry of the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Mohammad Javed Ansari
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rahman S Zabibah
- Medical Laboratory Technology Department, College of Medical Technology, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
| | | | - Saif A J Al-Shalah
- Medical Laboratories Techniques Department, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Babylon, Iraq
| | - Jasur Alimdjanovich Rizaev
- Department of Public Health and Healthcare Management, Rector, Samarkand State Medical University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
| | | | | | - Yasser Fakri Mustafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul, 41001, Iraq
| | - Mohammad Darvishi
- Department of Aerospace and Subaquatic Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center (IDTMRC), AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Reza Akhavan-Sigari
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center, Tuebingen, Germany.,Department of Health Care Management and Clinical Research, Collegium Humanum Warsaw Management University, Warsaw, Poland
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15
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Chen C, Wang Z, Ding Y, Qin Y. Tumor microenvironment-mediated immune evasion in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1133308. [PMID: 36845131 PMCID: PMC9950271 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1133308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and is the third leading cause of tumor-related mortality worldwide. In recent years, the emergency of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) has revolutionized the management of HCC. Especially, the combination of atezolizumab (anti-PD1) and bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) has been approved by the FDA as the first-line treatment for advanced HCC. Despite great breakthrough in systemic therapy, HCC continues to portend a poor prognosis owing to drug resistance and frequent recurrence. The tumor microenvironment (TME) of HCC is a complex and structured mixture characterized by abnormal angiogenesis, chronic inflammation, and dysregulated extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, collectively contributing to the immunosuppressive milieu that in turn prompts HCC proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. The tumor microenvironment coexists and interacts with various immune cells to maintain the development of HCC. It is widely accepted that a dysfunctional tumor-immune ecosystem can lead to the failure of immune surveillance. The immunosuppressive TME is an external cause for immune evasion in HCC consisting of 1) immunosuppressive cells; 2) co-inhibitory signals; 3) soluble cytokines and signaling cascades; 4) metabolically hostile tumor microenvironment; 5) the gut microbiota that affects the immune microenvironment. Importantly, the effectiveness of immunotherapy largely depends on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Also, the gut microbiota and metabolism profoundly affect the immune microenvironment. Understanding how TME affects HCC development and progression will contribute to better preventing HCC-specific immune evasion and overcoming resistance to already developed therapies. In this review, we mainly introduce immune evasion of HCC underlying the role of immune microenvironment, describe the dynamic interaction of immune microenvironment with dysfunctional metabolism and the gut microbiome, and propose therapeutic strategies to manipulate the TME in favor of more effective immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yanru Qin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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16
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Jiang N, Yu Y, Wu D, Wang S, Fang Y, Miao H, Ma P, Huang H, Zhang M, Zhang Y, Tang Y, Li N. HLA and tumour immunology: immune escape, immunotherapy and immune-related adverse events. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:737-747. [PMID: 36662304 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04493-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE As molecules responsible for presenting antigens to T lymphocytes, leukocytes antigens (HLAs) play a vital role in cancer immunology. This review aims to provide current understanding of HLAs in tumour immunology. METHODS Perspectives on how HLA alterations may contribute to the immune escape of cancer cells and resistance to immunotherapy, and potential methods to overcome HLA defects were summarized. In addition, we discussed the potential association between HLA and immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which has not been reviewed elsewhere. RESULTS Downregulation, loss of heterogeneity and entire loss of HLAs are responsible for the immune escape of tumour cells. The strategies to overcome the HLA defects can be effective therapies of cancer. Compared with classical HLA-I, non-classical HLA-I molecules, such as HLA-E and HLA-G, appear to be more reliable predictors of prognosis, as they tend to play immunosuppressive roles in antitumor response. Relative diversified or high expression of classical HLA-I are potential predictors of favourable response of immunotherapy. Certain HLA types may be associated to enhanced affinity to self-antigen-mimicked tumour-antigens, thus may positively correlated to irAEs triggered by checkpoint inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS Further studies exploring the relationship between HLAs and cancer may not only lead to the development of novel therapies but also bring about better management of irAEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Jiang
- Department of Clinical Trials Center, Clinical Cancer Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 17, Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yue Yu
- Department of Clinical Trials Center, Clinical Cancer Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 17, Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Dawei Wu
- Department of Clinical Trials Center, Clinical Cancer Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 17, Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Shuhang Wang
- Department of Clinical Trials Center, Clinical Cancer Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 17, Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yuan Fang
- Department of Clinical Trials Center, Clinical Cancer Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 17, Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Huilei Miao
- Department of Clinical Trials Center, Clinical Cancer Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 17, Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Peiwen Ma
- Department of Clinical Trials Center, Clinical Cancer Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 17, Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Huiyao Huang
- Department of Clinical Trials Center, Clinical Cancer Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 17, Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | | | - Yu Zhang
- Renke Beijing Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Tang
- Department of Clinical Trials Center, Clinical Cancer Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 17, Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Clinical Trials Center, Clinical Cancer Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 17, Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China.
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17
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Beelen NA, Ehlers FAI, Kooreman LFS, Bos GMJ, Wieten L. An in vitro model to monitor natural killer cell effector functions against breast cancer cells derived from human tumor tissue. Methods Cell Biol 2023; 173:133-153. [PMID: 36653080 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy poses a promising treatment approach in cancer. Despite minimal toxicities associated with NK cell infusion, the potential of NK cell therapy is inhibited by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Multiple approaches to improve anti-cancer NK cell effector functions are being investigated. While much of this preclinical research is currently performed with commercially available tumor cell lines, this approach lacks the influence of the TME and heterogeneity of the primary tumor in patients. Here, we describe a comprehensive protocol for NK cell cytotoxicity- and degranulation assays against tumor cells derived from primary breast cancer tissue. Treatments to boost NK cell anti-tumor effector functions can be implemented in this model. Moreover, by using culture supernatants in follow up assays or by including additional cell types in the co-culture system, other NK cell effector mechanisms that further orchestrate innate and adaptive immunity could be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky A Beelen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; GROW-School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Transplantation Immunology, Tissue Typing Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Femke A I Ehlers
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; GROW-School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Transplantation Immunology, Tissue Typing Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Loes F S Kooreman
- GROW-School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard M J Bos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; GROW-School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lotte Wieten
- GROW-School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Transplantation Immunology, Tissue Typing Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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18
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de la Torre M, Sangro P, D Avola D, Sangro B. Immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE ENFERMEDADES DIGESTIVAS 2022; 114:663-670. [PMID: 35704367 DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8876/2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is a highly prevalent tumor worldwide and when it reaches an advanced stage, few systemic treatments are available to improve the survival of these patients. However, greater knowledge about the tumor microenvironment and the role of the immune system in the control of tumor progression has allowed the development of treatments targeting immune checkpoints, which result in encouraging tumor response rates and prolonged survival. Although most of these treatments are well tolerated, up to 20 % of patients may experience side effects derived from non-specific stimulation of the immune system. In the cirrhotic patient, the early diagnosis and treatment of such adverse events is particularly challenging. Therefore, the ongoing investigation on the use of these new therapies will allow us to better understand the profile of the patients who will benefit most.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bruno Sangro
- Hepatología, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, España
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19
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Integrated Antitumor Activities of Cellular Immunotherapy with CIK Lymphocytes and Interferons against KIT/PDGFRA Wild Type GIST. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810368. [PMID: 36142281 PMCID: PMC9499671 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare, mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by either KIT or PDGFRA mutation in about 85% of cases. KIT/PDGFRA wild type gastrointestinal stromal tumors (wtGIST) account for the remaining 15% of GIST and represent an unmet medical need: their prevalence and potential medical vulnerabilities are not completely defined, and effective therapeutic strategies are still lacking. In this study we set a patient-derived preclinical model of wtGIST to investigate their phenotypic features, along with their susceptibility to cellular immunotherapy with cytokine-induced killer lymphocytes (CIK) and interferons (IFN). We generated 11 wtGIST primary cell lines (wtGISTc). The main CIK ligands (MIC A/B; ULBPs), along with PD-L1/2, were expressed by wtGISTc and the expression of HLA-I molecules was preserved. Patient-derived CIK were capable of intense killing in vitro against wtGISTc resistant to both imatinib and sunitinib. We found that CIK produce a high level of granzyme B, IFNα and IFNγ. CIK-conditioned supernatant was responsible for part of the observed tumoricidal effect, along with positive bystander modulatory activities enhancing the expression of PD-L1/2 and HLA-I molecules. IFNα, but not In, had direct antitumor effects on 50% (4/8) of TKI-resistant wtGISTc, positively correlated with the tumor expression of IFN receptors. wtGIST cells that survived IFNα were still sensitive to CIK immunotherapy. Our data support the exploration of CIK immunotherapy in clinical studies for TKI-resistant wtGIST, proposing reevaluation for IFNα within this challenging setting.
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20
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Ascierto PA, Agarwala SS, Blank C, Caracò C, Carvajal RD, Ernstoff MS, Ferrone S, Fox BA, Gajewski TF, Garbe C, Grob JJ, Hamid O, Krogsgaard M, Lo RS, Lund AW, Madonna G, Michielin O, Neyns B, Osman I, Peters S, Poulikakos PI, Quezada SA, Reinfeld B, Zitvogel L, Puzanov I, Thurin M. Perspectives in Melanoma: meeting report from the Melanoma Bridge (December 2nd - 4th, 2021, Italy). J Transl Med 2022; 20:391. [PMID: 36058945 PMCID: PMC9440864 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03592-4] [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: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in immune checkpoint and combination therapy have led to improvement in overall survival for patients with advanced melanoma. Improved understanding of the tumor, tumor microenvironment and tumor immune-evasion mechanisms has resulted in new approaches to targeting and harnessing the host immune response. Combination modalities with other immunotherapy agents, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, electrochemotherapy are also being explored to overcome resistance and to potentiate the immune response. In addition, novel approaches such as adoptive cell therapy, oncogenic viruses, vaccines and different strategies of drug administration including sequential, or combination treatment are being tested. Despite the progress in diagnosis of melanocytic lesions, correct classification of patients, selection of appropriate adjuvant and systemic theràapies, and prediction of response to therapy remain real challenges in melanoma. Improved understanding of the tumor microenvironment, tumor immunity and response to therapy has prompted extensive translational and clinical research in melanoma. There is a growing evidence that genomic and immune features of pre-treatment tumor biopsies may correlate with response in patients with melanoma and other cancers, but they have yet to be fully characterized and implemented clinically. Development of novel biomarker platforms may help to improve diagnostics and predictive accuracy for selection of patients for specific treatment. Overall, the future research efforts in melanoma therapeutics and translational research should focus on several aspects including: (a) developing robust biomarkers to predict efficacy of therapeutic modalities to guide clinical decision-making and optimize treatment regimens, (b) identifying mechanisms of therapeutic resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors that are potentially actionable, (c) identifying biomarkers to predict therapy-induced adverse events, and (d) studying mechanism of actions of therapeutic agents and developing algorithms to optimize combination treatments. During the Melanoma Bridge meeting (December 2nd-4th, 2021, Naples, Italy) discussions focused on the currently approved systemic and local therapies for advanced melanoma and discussed novel biomarker strategies and advances in precision medicine as well as the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on management of melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo A Ascierto
- Department of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy, Istituto Nazionale Tumor IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", Naples, Italy.
| | - Sanjiv S Agarwala
- Hematology & Oncology, Temple University and Cancer Expert Now, Bethlehem, PA, USA
| | | | - Corrado Caracò
- Division of Surgery of Melanoma and Skin Cancer, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione Pascale" IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Richard D Carvajal
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marc S Ernstoff
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer Therapy & Diagnosis, NCI, Bethesda, NIHMD, USA
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bernard A Fox
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Thomas F Gajewski
- Department of Pathology and Department of Medicine (Section of Hematology/Oncology), University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Claus Garbe
- Center for Dermato-Oncology, University-Department of Dermatology, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jean-Jacques Grob
- Dermatology Department, Hopital de La Timone, Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Omid Hamid
- Medical Oncology, The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute, a Cedar-Sinai Affiliate, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Krogsgaard
- New York Grossman School of Medicine, New York University Langone, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roger S Lo
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Amanda W Lund
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gabriele Madonna
- Department of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Olivier Michielin
- Precision Oncology Center and Melanoma Clinic, Oncology Department, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bart Neyns
- Medical Oncology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Iman Osman
- New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Solange Peters
- UNIL, Medical Oncology Department European Thoracic Oncology Platform (ETOP), Specialized Thoracic Tumor Consultation, Oncology Department UNIL CHUV Thoracic Tumor Center, Lausanne University ESMO President, Scientific Coordinator, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Poulikos I Poulikakos
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Department of Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, The Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sergio A Quezada
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Hematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Bradley Reinfeld
- Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Laurence Zitvogel
- Tumour Immunology and Immunotherapy of Cancer, European Academy of Tumor Immunology, Gustave Roussy, University Paris Saclay, INSERM, Villejuif Grand-Paris, France
| | - Igor Puzanov
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Magdalena Thurin
- Cancer Diagnosis Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, NCI, Rockville, NIHMD, USA
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21
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NAD/NAMPT and mTOR Pathways in Melanoma: Drivers of Drug Resistance and Prospective Therapeutic Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179985. [PMID: 36077374 PMCID: PMC9456568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma represents the most fatal skin cancer due to its aggressive behavior and high metastatic potential. The introduction of BRAF/MEK inhibitors and immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the clinic has dramatically improved patient survival over the last decade. However, many patients either display primary (i.e., innate) or develop secondary (i.e., acquired) resistance to systemic treatments. Therapeutic resistance relies on the rewiring of multiple processes, including cancer metabolism, epigenetics, gene expression, and interactions with the tumor microenvironment that are only partially understood. Therefore, reliable biomarkers of resistance or response, capable of facilitating the choice of the best treatment option for each patient, are currently missing. Recently, activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) metabolism and, in particular, of its rate-limiting enzyme nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) have been identified as key drivers of targeted therapy resistance and melanoma progression. Another major player in this context is the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which plays key roles in the regulation of melanoma cell anabolic functions and energy metabolism at the switch between sensitivity and resistance to targeted therapy. In this review, we summarize known resistance mechanisms to ICIs and targeted therapy, focusing on metabolic adaptation as one main mechanism of drug resistance. In particular, we highlight the roles of NAD/NAMPT and mTOR signaling axes in this context and overview data in support of their inhibition as a promising strategy to overcome treatment resistance.
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Mitochondrial fission induces immunoescape in solid tumors through decreasing MHC-I surface expression. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3882. [PMID: 35794100 PMCID: PMC9259736 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31417-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractMitochondrial dynamics can regulate Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)-I antigen expression by cancer cells and their immunogenicity in mice and in patients with malignancies. A crucial role in the mitochondrial fragmentation connection with immunogenicity is played by the IRE1α-XBP-1s axis. XBP-1s is a transcription factor for aminopeptidase TPP2, which inhibits MHC-I complex cell surface expression likely by degrading tumor antigen peptides. Mitochondrial fission inhibition with Mdivi-1 upregulates MHC-I expression on cancer cells and enhances the efficacy of adoptive T cell therapy in patient-derived tumor models. Therefore mitochondrial fission inhibition might provide an approach to enhance the efficacy of T cell-based immunotherapy.
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Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, which is the second after heart diseases. Adenoviruses (Ads) have become the promise of new therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. The objective of this review is to discuss current advances in the applications of adenoviral vectors in cancer therapy. Adenoviral vectors can be engineered in different ways so as to change the tumor microenvironment from cold tumor to hot tumor, including; 1. by modifying Ads to deliver transgenes that codes for tumor suppressor gene (p53) and other proteins whose expression result in cell cycle arrest 2. Ads can also be modified to express tumor specific antigens, cytokines, and other immune-modulatory molecules. The other strategy to use Ads in cancer therapy is to use oncolytic adenoviruses, which directly kills tumor cells. Gendicine and Advexin are replication-defective recombinant human p53 adenoviral vectors that have been shown to be effective against several types of cancer. Gendicine was approved for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck by the Chinese Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agency in 2003 as a first-ever gene therapy product. Oncorine and ONYX-015 are oncolytic adenoviral vectors that have been shown to be effective against some types of cancer. The Chiness FDA agency has also approved Oncorin for the treatment of head and neck cancer. Ads that were engineered to express immune-stimulatory cytokines and other immune-modulatory molecules such as TNF-α, IL-2, BiTE, CD40L, 4-1BBL, GM-CSF, and IFN have shown promising outcome in treatment of cancer. Ads can also improve therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapy (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells). In addition, different replication-deficient adenoviral vectors (Ad5-CEA, Ad5-PSA, Ad-E6E7, ChAdOx1-MVA and Ad-transduced Dendritic cells) that were tested as anticancer vaccines have been demonstrated to induce strong antitumor immune response. However, the use of adenoviral vectors in gene therapy is limited by several factors such as pre-existing immunity to adenoviral vectors and high immunogenicity of the viruses. Thus, innovative strategies must be continually developed so as to overcome the obstacles of using adenoviral vectors in gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sintayehu Tsegaye Tseha
- Lecturer of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
- Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Ladányi A, Hegyi B, Balatoni T, Liszkay G, Rohregger R, Waldnig C, Dudás J, Ferrone S. HLA Class I Downregulation in Progressing Metastases of Melanoma Patients Treated With Ipilimumab. Pathol Oncol Res 2022; 28:1610297. [PMID: 35531074 PMCID: PMC9073691 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2022.1610297] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Characterization of the molecular mechanisms underlying antitumor immune responses and immune escape mechanisms has resulted in the development of more effective immunotherapeutic strategies, including immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. ICIs can induce durable responses in patients with advanced cancer in a wide range of cancer types, however, the majority of the patients fail to respond to this therapy or develop resistance in the course of the treatment. Information about the molecular mechanisms underlying primary and acquired resistance is limited. Although HLA class I molecules are crucial in the recognition of tumor antigens by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, only a few studies have investigated the role of their expression level on malignant cells in ICI resistance. To address this topic, utilizing immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) we analyzed HLA class I expression level in pre-treatment and post-treatment tumor samples from melanoma patients treated with ipilimumab. Twenty-nine metastases removed from six patients were available for the study, including 18 pre-treatment and 11 post-treatment lesions. Compared to metastases excised before ipilimumab therapy, post-treatment lesions displayed a significantly lower HLA class I expression level on melanoma cells; HLA class I downregulation was most marked in progressing metastases from nonresponding patients. We also evaluated the level of infiltration by CD8+ T cells and NK cells but did not find consistent changes between pre- and post-treatment samples. Our results indicate the potential role of HLA class I downregulation as a mechanism of ICI resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ladányi
- Department of Surgical and Molecular Pathology, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Barbara Hegyi
- Department of Thoracic and Abdominal Tumors and Clinical Pharmacology, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary.,Doctoral School of Pathological Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tímea Balatoni
- Department of Oncodermatology, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Liszkay
- Department of Oncodermatology, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Raphael Rohregger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Waldnig
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - József Dudás
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Tímár J, Ladányi A. Molecular Pathology of Skin Melanoma: Epidemiology, Differential Diagnostics, Prognosis and Therapy Prediction. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5384. [PMID: 35628196 PMCID: PMC9140388 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Similar to other malignancies, TCGA network efforts identified the detailed genomic picture of skin melanoma, laying down the basis of molecular classification. On the other hand, genome-wide association studies discovered the genetic background of the hereditary melanomas and the susceptibility genes. These genetic studies helped to fine-tune the differential diagnostics of malignant melanocytic lesions, using either FISH tests or the myPath gene expression signature. Although the original genomic studies on skin melanoma were mostly based on primary tumors, data started to accumulate on the genetic diversity of the progressing disease. The prognostication of skin melanoma is still based on staging but can be completed with gene expression analysis (DecisionDx). Meanwhile, this genetic knowledge base of skin melanoma did not turn to the expected wide array of target therapies, except the BRAF inhibitors. The major breakthrough of melanoma therapy was the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors, which showed outstanding efficacy in skin melanoma, probably due to their high immunogenicity. Unfortunately, beyond BRAF, KIT mutations and tumor mutation burden, no clinically validated predictive markers exist in melanoma, although several promising biomarkers have been described, such as the expression of immune-related genes or mutations in the IFN-signaling pathway. After the initial success of either target or immunotherapies, sooner or later, relapses occur in the majority of patients, due to various induced genetic alterations, the diagnosis of which could be developed to novel predictive genetic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- József Tímár
- 2nd Department of Pathology, Semmelweis University, 1191 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrea Ladányi
- Department of Surgical and Molecular Pathology and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, 1122 Budapest, Hungary;
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Michelakos T, Kontos F, Kurokawa T, Cai L, Sadagopan A, Krijgsman D, Weichert W, Durrant LG, Kuppen PJK, R Ferrone C, Ferrone S. Differential role of HLA-A and HLA-B, C expression levels as prognostic markers in colon and rectal cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-004115. [PMID: 35277460 PMCID: PMC8919449 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The association of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I expression levels with the clinical course of many malignancies reflects their crucial role in the recognition and elimination of malignant cells by cognate T cells and NK cells. In colorectal cancer, results regarding this association are conflicting. The potential pathogenetic and therapeutic implications of this association prompted us to perform a large patient-level pooled analysis assessing the role of the expression level of HLA class I loci gene products in colon and rectal cancer. Experimental design Included studies provided patient-level data on HLA class I expression levels determined by immunohistochemistry on surgical specimens. Expression levels of the HLA class I loci gene products (HLA-A, HLA-B/C) were correlated with common genetic events and survival. Results Data from 5 studies including 2863 patients were used. In the 1620 colon cancer patients, lower HLA-A, HLA-B/C and total HLA class I expression levels were associated with microsatellite instability (p=0.044, p=0.008 and p=0.022, respectively), higher frequency of BRAF mutations (p<0.001, p=0.021 and p<0.001, respectively) and lower frequency of KRAS mutations (p=0.001, ns and p=0.002, respectively). In the 1243 rectal cancer patients, HLA-A expression was higher in tumors treated with neoadjuvant radiation (p=0.024). High HLA-B/C, but not HLA-A, expression level was an independent predictor of favorable overall survival in colon (p=0.006) and rectal (p<0.001) cancer. Conclusions T-cells and HLA-B/C antigens, rather than NK cells and HLA-A antigens, likely play an important role in controlling colon/rectal cancer growth. Colon/rectal cancer patients may benefit from strategies that upregulate HLA-B/C and trigger or enhance T cell immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodoros Michelakos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Filippos Kontos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tomohiro Kurokawa
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lei Cai
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ananthan Sadagopan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Danielle Krijgsman
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Wilko Weichert
- Institute of Pathology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Lindy G Durrant
- Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Nottingham, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK
| | - Peter J K Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cristina R Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Sadagopan A, Michelakos T, Boyiadzis G, Ferrone C, Ferrone S. Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I Antigen-Processing Machinery Upregulation by Anticancer Therapies in the Era of Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Review. JAMA Oncol 2022; 8:462-473. [PMID: 34940799 PMCID: PMC8930447 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.5970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Although typically impressive, objective responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) occur in only 12.5% of patients with advanced cancer. The majority of patients do not respond due to cell-intrinsic resistance mechanisms, including human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigen-processing machinery (APM) defects. The APM defects, which have a negative effect on neoantigen presentation to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), are present in the majority of malignant tumors. These defects are caused by gene variations in less than 25% of cases and by dysregulated signaling and/or epigenetic changes in most of the remaining cases, making them frequently correctable. This narrative review summarizes the growing clinical evidence that chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and, to a lesser extent, radiotherapy can correct HLA class I APM defects in cancer cells and improve responses to ICIs. OBSERVATIONS Most chemotherapeutics enhance HLA class I APM component expression and function in cancer cells, tumor CTL infiltration, and responses to ICIs in preclinical and clinical models. Despite preclinical evidence, radiotherapy does not appear to upregulate HLA class I expression in patients and does not enhance the efficacy of ICIs in clinical settings. The latter findings underscore the need to optimize the dose and schedule of radiation and timing of ICI administration to maximize their immunogenic synergy. By increasing DNA and chromatin accessibility, epigenetic agents (histone deacetylase inhibitors, DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, and EZH2 inhibitors) enhance HLA class I APM component expression and function in many cancer types, a crucial contributor to their synergy with ICIs in patients. Furthermore, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors and BRAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitors are effective at upregulating HLA class I expression in EGFR- and BRAF-variant tumors, respectively; these changes may contribute to the clinical responses induced by these inhibitors in combination with ICIs. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This narrative review summarizes evidence indicating that chemotherapy and targeted therapies are effective at enhancing HLA class I APM component expression and function in cancer cells. The resulting increased immunogenicity and recognition and elimination of cancer cells by cognate CTLs contributes to the antitumor activity of these therapies as well as to their synergy with ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananthan Sadagopan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Theodoros Michelakos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriella Boyiadzis
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cristina Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Jin Y, Deng J, Luo B, Zhong Y, Yu S. Construction and validation of an immune-related genes prognostic index (IRGPI) model in colon cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:963382. [PMID: 36440228 PMCID: PMC9682206 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.963382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Though immunotherapy has become one of the standard therapies for colon cancer, the overall effective rate of immunotherapy is very low. Constructing an immune-related genes prognostic index (IRGPI) model may help to predict the response to immunotherapy and clinical outcomes. METHODS Differentially expressed immune-related genes (DEIRGs) between normal tissues and colon cancer tissues were identified and used to construct the co-expression network. Genes in the module with the most significant differences were further analyzed. Independent prognostic immune-related genes (IRGs) were identified by univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis. Independent prognostic IRGs were used to construct the IRGPI model using the multivariate cox proportional hazards regression model, and the IRGPI model was validated by independent dataset. ROC curves were plotted and AUCs were calculated to estimate the predictive power of the IRGPI model to prognosis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to screen the enriched KEGG pathways in the high-risk and low-risk phenotype. Correlations between IRGPI and clinical characteristic, immune checkpoint expression, TMB, immune cell infiltration, immune function, immune dysfunction, immune exclusion, immune subtype were analyzed. RESULTS Totally 680 DEIRGs were identified. Three independent IRGs,NR5A2, PPARGC1A and LGALS4, were independently related to survival. NR5A2, PPARGC1A and LGALS4 were used to establish the IRGPI model. Survival analysis showed that patients with high-risk showed worse survival than patients in the low-risk group. The AUC of the IRGPI model for 1-year, 3-year and 5-year were 0.584, 0.608 and 0.697, respectively. Univariate analysis and multivariate cox regression analysis indicated that IRGPI were independent prognostic factors for survival. Stratified survival analysis showed that patients with IRGPI low-risk and low TMB had the best survival, which suggested that combination of TMB and IRGPI can better predict clinical outcome. Immune cell infiltration, immune function, immune checkpoint expression and immune exclusion were different between IRGPI high-risk and low-risk patients. CONCLUSION An immune-related genes prognostic index (IRGPI) was constructed and validated in the current study and the IRGPI maybe a potential biomarker for evaluating response to immunotherapy and clinical outcome for colon cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yabin Jin
- Institute of Clinical Research, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Jianzhong Deng
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Bing Luo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Yubo Zhong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Si Yu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Si Yu,
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Maggs L, Sadagopan A, Moghaddam AS, Ferrone S. HLA class I antigen processing machinery defects in antitumor immunity and immunotherapy. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:1089-1101. [PMID: 34489208 PMCID: PMC8651070 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigen-processing machinery (APM) plays a crucial role in the synthesis and expression of HLA class I tumor antigen-derived peptide complexes; the latter mediate the recognition and elimination of malignant cells by cognate T cells. Defects in HLA class I APM component expression and/or function are frequently found in cancer cells, providing them with an immune escape mechanism that has relevance in the clinical course of the disease and in the response to T-cell-based immunotherapy. The majority of HLA class I APM defects (>75%) are caused by epigenetic mechanisms or dysregulated signaling and therefore can be corrected by strategies that counteract the underlying mechanisms. Their application in oncology is likely to improve responses to T-cell-based immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Maggs
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ananthan Sadagopan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ali Sanjari Moghaddam
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Chu PY, Chan SH. Cure the Incurable? Recent Breakthroughs in Immune Checkpoint Blockade for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5295. [PMID: 34771459 PMCID: PMC8582442 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
HCC usually arises from a chronic inflammation background, driven by several factors including fatty liver, HBV/HCV viral infection and metabolic syndrome. Systemic treatment for advanced HCC remains disappointing due to its strong resistance to chemotherapy and even to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Recently, the use of ICI therapy has revolutionized the systemic treatment of advanced HCC. For the first time, clinical trials testing ICIs, anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD1/PDL1 reported a survival benefit in patients with sorafenib resistance. However, it took four more years to find the right combination regimen to use ICI in combination with the anti-angiogenic agent bevacizumab to substantially prolong overall survival (OS) of patients with advanced HCC after sorafenib. This review provides a comprehensive history of ICI therapy in HCC, up-to-date information on the latest ICI clinical trials, and discusses the recent development of novel ICIs that would potentially lead to a new checkpoint blockade therapy for advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yi Chu
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
- College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei 242, Taiwan
- Department of Health Food, Chung Chou University of Science and Technology, Changhua 510, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Hsuan Chan
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medial University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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Kim EE, Youn H, Kang KW. Imaging in Tumor Immunology. Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2021; 55:225-236. [PMID: 34721715 PMCID: PMC8517056 DOI: 10.1007/s13139-021-00706-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in immune modulation have made impressive progress in cancer immunotherapy. Because dynamic nature of the immune response often makes it difficult to evaluate therapeutic outcomes, innovative imaging technologies have been developed to enable non-invasive visualization of immune cells and tumors in their microenvironment. This review summarizes the current tumor immunology and describes new innovative imaging methods with great potential to obtain non-invasive real-time insights into the complex functions of the immune system and into the management of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euishin Edmund Kim
- Department of Radiological Sciences, UCI Medical Center, Orange County, CA USA
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyewon Youn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Keon Wook Kang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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Ladányi A, Papp E, Mohos A, Balatoni T, Liszkay G, Oláh J, Varga A, Lengyel Z, Emri G, Ferrone S. Role of the anatomic site in the association of HLA class I antigen expression level in metastases with clinical response to ipilimumab therapy in patients with melanoma. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2019-000209. [PMID: 32554608 PMCID: PMC7304850 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2019-000209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in only part of the treated patients, in conjunction with the potentially serious side effects associated with this type of therapy, has emphasized the need to identify biomarkers to select patients who may benefit from ICI treatment. The aim of our study was to test human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II expression in melanoma metastases as potential biomarkers of response to ipilimumab and survival in patients with metastatic melanoma, since these molecules play a crucial role in the interactions of malignant cells with host’s immune system. Materials and methods HLA class I and II antigen expression level in pretreatment surgical tissue samples (50 lymph node and 35 cutaneous or subcutaneous metastases) from 30 patients was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies. Expression levels were correlated to intratumoral density of lymphocytes expressing cluster of differentiation (CD)8, CD45RO, CD4, forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) and/or programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), to clinical response to treatment, and to patients’ survival. Results HLA class I antigen expression level in lymph node metastases, but not in cutaneous or subcutaneous metastases was significantly correlated to density of CD8+ and CD45RO+ T cells and of lymphocytes expressing PD-1, as well as to clinical response and to patients’ survival. Conclusions Our results corroborate the role of HLA class I expression level (alone or in combination with T-cell density values) as a predictive biomarker of response to ipilimumab in patients with melanoma. In addition, our results show that this association is influenced by the anatomic site of the metastasis used to measure the HLA class I antigen expression level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ladányi
- Department of Surgical and Molecular Pathology, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Papp
- Department of Surgical and Molecular Pathology, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anita Mohos
- 1st Institute of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tímea Balatoni
- Department of Oncodermatology, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Liszkay
- Department of Oncodermatology, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Judit Oláh
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anita Varga
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Lengyel
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Oncodermatology, University of Pécs Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Emri
- Department of Dermatology, University of Debrecen Medical School and Health Science Center, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent disease with a progression that is modulated by the immune system. Systemic therapy is used in the advanced stage and until 2017 consisted only of antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has shown strong anti-tumour activity in a subset of patients and the combination of the anti-PDL1 antibody atezolizumab and the VEGF-neutralizing antibody bevacizumab has or will soon become the standard of care as a first-line therapy for HCC, whereas the anti-PD1 agents nivolumab and pembrolizumab are used after TKIs in several regions. Other immune strategies such as adoptive T-cell transfer, vaccination or virotherapy have not yet demonstrated consistent clinical activity. Major unmet challenges in HCC checkpoint immunotherapy are the discovery and validation of predictive biomarkers, advancing treatment to earlier stages of the disease, applying the treatment to patients with liver dysfunction and the discovery of more effective combinatorial or sequential approaches. Combinations with other systemic or local treatments are perceived as the most promising opportunities in HCC and some are already under evaluation in large-scale clinical trials. This Review provides up-to-date information on the best use of currently available immunotherapies in HCC and the therapeutic strategies under development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Sangro
- Liver Unit and HPB Oncology Area, Clinica Universidad de Navarra-IDISNA and CIBEREHD, Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Pablo Sarobe
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA de la Universidad de Navarra, IDISNA and CIBEREHD, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sandra Hervás-Stubbs
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA de la Universidad de Navarra, IDISNA and CIBEREHD, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA de la Universidad de Navarra, IDISNA and CIBEREHD, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Clinica Universidad de Navarra-IDISNA and CIBERONC, Pamplona, Spain
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Patel SS, Nota SP, Sabbatino F, Nielsen GP, Deshpande V, Wang X, Ferrone S, Schwab JH. Defective HLA Class I Expression and Patterns of Lymphocyte Infiltration in Chordoma Tumors. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2021; 479:1373-1382. [PMID: 33273248 PMCID: PMC8133041 DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000001587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are no effective systemic therapies for chordoma. The recent successes of immunotherapeutic strategies in other cancers have resulted in a resurgence of interest in using immunotherapy in chordoma. These approaches rely on a functional interaction between the host's immune system and the expression of tumor peptides via the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class I antigen. It is not known whether chordoma cells express the HLA Class I antigen. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES (1) Do chordoma tumors exhibit defects in HLA Class I antigen expression? (2) What is the pattern of lymphocyte infiltration in chordoma tumors? METHODS Patients with chordoma treated at Massachusetts General Hospital between 1989 and 2009 were identified with permission from the institutional review board. Of the 75 patients who were identified, 24 human chordoma tumors were selected from 24 distinct patients based on tissue availability. Histology slides from these 24 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded chordoma tissue samples were deparaffinized using xylene and ethanol and underwent heat-induced antigen retrieval in a citrate buffer. Samples were incubated with monoclonal antibodies directed against HLA Class I antigen processing machinery components. Antibody binding was detected via immunohistochemical staining. Staining intensity (negative, weakly positive, strongly positive) was assessed semiquantitatively and the percentage of chordoma cells stained for HLA Class I antigen subunits was assessed quantitatively. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained histology slides from the same 24 chordoma samples were assessed qualitatively for the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and histologic location of these lymphocytes. Immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies directed against CD4 and CD8 was performed in a quantitative manner to identify the lymphocyte subtype present in chordoma tumors. All results were scored independently by two investigators and were confirmed by a senior bone and soft tissue pathologist. RESULTS Seven of 24 chordoma samples exhibited no staining by the anti-HLA-A heavy chain monoclonal antibody HC-A2, two had weak staining intensity, and eight had a heterogeneous staining pattern, with fewer than 60% of chordoma cells exhibiting positive staining results. Four of 24 samples tested were not stained by the anti-HLA-B/C heavy chain monoclonal antibody HC-10, five had weak staining intensity, and 11 displayed a heterogeneous staining pattern. For the anti-β-2-microglobulin monoclonal antibody NAMB-1, staining was detected in all samples, but 11 had weak staining intensity and four displayed a heterogeneous staining pattern. Twenty-one of 24 samples tested had decreased expression in at least one subunit of HLA Class I antigens. No tumors were negative for all three subunits. Lymphocytic infiltration was found in 21 of 24 samples. Lymphocytes were primarily found in the fibrous septae between chordoma lobules but also within the tumor lobules and within the fibrous septae and tumor lobules. Twenty-one of 24 tumors had CD4+ T cells and 11 had CD8+ T cells. CONCLUSION In chordoma tissue samples, HLA Class I antigen defects commonly were present, suggesting a mechanism for escape from host immunosurveillance. Additionally, nearly half of the tested samples had cytotoxic CD8+ T cells present in chordoma tumors, suggesting that the host may be capable of mounting an immune response against chordoma tumors. The resulting selective pressure imposed on chordoma tumors may lead to the outgrowth of chordoma cell subpopulations that can evade the host's immune system. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These findings have implications in the design of immunotherapeutic strategies for chordoma treatment. T cell recognition of tumor cells requires HLA Class I antigen expression on the targeted tumor cells. Defects in HLA Class I expression may play a role in the clinical course of chordoma and may account for the limited or lack of efficacy of T cell-based immunity triggered by vaccines and/or checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalin S Patel
- S. S. Patel, Orthopaedic Spine Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- S. S. Patel, S. P. Nota, S. Ferrone, J. H. Schwab, Orthopaedic Oncology Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- F. Sabbatino, X. Wang, S. Ferrone, Surgical Oncology Service, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- G. P. Nielsen, V. Deshpande, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sjoerd P Nota
- S. S. Patel, Orthopaedic Spine Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- S. S. Patel, S. P. Nota, S. Ferrone, J. H. Schwab, Orthopaedic Oncology Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- F. Sabbatino, X. Wang, S. Ferrone, Surgical Oncology Service, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- G. P. Nielsen, V. Deshpande, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francesco Sabbatino
- S. S. Patel, Orthopaedic Spine Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- S. S. Patel, S. P. Nota, S. Ferrone, J. H. Schwab, Orthopaedic Oncology Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- F. Sabbatino, X. Wang, S. Ferrone, Surgical Oncology Service, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- G. P. Nielsen, V. Deshpande, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - G Petur Nielsen
- S. S. Patel, Orthopaedic Spine Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- S. S. Patel, S. P. Nota, S. Ferrone, J. H. Schwab, Orthopaedic Oncology Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- F. Sabbatino, X. Wang, S. Ferrone, Surgical Oncology Service, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- G. P. Nielsen, V. Deshpande, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vikram Deshpande
- S. S. Patel, Orthopaedic Spine Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- S. S. Patel, S. P. Nota, S. Ferrone, J. H. Schwab, Orthopaedic Oncology Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- F. Sabbatino, X. Wang, S. Ferrone, Surgical Oncology Service, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- G. P. Nielsen, V. Deshpande, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xinhui Wang
- S. S. Patel, Orthopaedic Spine Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- S. S. Patel, S. P. Nota, S. Ferrone, J. H. Schwab, Orthopaedic Oncology Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- F. Sabbatino, X. Wang, S. Ferrone, Surgical Oncology Service, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- G. P. Nielsen, V. Deshpande, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- S. S. Patel, Orthopaedic Spine Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- S. S. Patel, S. P. Nota, S. Ferrone, J. H. Schwab, Orthopaedic Oncology Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- F. Sabbatino, X. Wang, S. Ferrone, Surgical Oncology Service, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- G. P. Nielsen, V. Deshpande, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph H Schwab
- S. S. Patel, Orthopaedic Spine Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- S. S. Patel, S. P. Nota, S. Ferrone, J. H. Schwab, Orthopaedic Oncology Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- F. Sabbatino, X. Wang, S. Ferrone, Surgical Oncology Service, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- G. P. Nielsen, V. Deshpande, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Choong WK, Sung TY. Somatic mutation subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma in East Asian reveal divergent biological characteristics and therapeutic vulnerabilities. iScience 2021; 24:102522. [PMID: 34142036 PMCID: PMC8188494 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102522] [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: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients in East Asia predominantly harbor oncogenic EGFR mutations. However, there remains a limited understanding of the biological characteristics and therapeutic vulnerabilities of the concurrent mutations of EGFR and other genes in LUAD. Here, we performed comprehensive bioinformatics analyses on 88 treatment-naïve East Asian LUAD patients. Based on somatic mutation clustering, we identified three somatic mutation subtypes: EGFR + TP53 co-mutation, EGFR mutation, and multiple-gene mutation. A proteogenomic analysis among subtypes revealed varying degrees of dysregulation in cell-cycle-related and immune-related processes. An immune-characteristic analysis revealed higher PDL1 protein expression in the EGFR + TP53 co-mutation subtype than in the EGFR mutation subtype, which may affect the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-L1 therapy. Moreover, integrating known and potential therapeutic target analysis reveals therapeutic vulnerabilities of specific subtypes and nominates candidate biomarkers for therapeutic intervention. This study provides new biological insight and therapeutic opportunities with respect to EGFR-mutant LUAD subtypes. Comprehensive clustering analysis reveals three somatic mutation subtypes Prognosis of EGFRmut/TP53mut subtype is worse than EGFRmut subtype EGFRmut/TP53mut subtype shows IFN signaling and antigen processing pathway signatures Proteome analysis identifies druggable proteins and candidates for drug repositioning
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai-Kok Choong
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Yi Sung
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
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Nota SPFT, Al-Sukaini A, Patel SS, Sabbatino F, Nielsen GP, Deshpande V, Yearley JH, Ferrone S, Wang X, Schwab JH. High TIL, HLA, and Immune Checkpoint Expression in Conventional High-Grade and Dedifferentiated Chondrosarcoma and Poor Clinical Course of the Disease. Front Oncol 2021; 11:598001. [PMID: 33912442 PMCID: PMC8071983 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.598001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to characterize chondrosarcoma tumor infiltration by immune cells and the expression of immunologically relevant molecules. This information may contribute to our understanding of the role of immunological events in the pathogenesis of chondrosarcoma and to the rational design of immunotherapeutic strategies. Patients and Methods A tissue microarray (TMA) containing 52 conventional and 24 dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma specimens was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining for the expression of parameters associated with tumor antigen-specific immune responses, namely, CD4+ and CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and the expression of HLA class I heavy chain, beta-2 microglobulin (β2m), HLA class II and immune checkpoint molecules, B7-H3 and PD-1/PD-L1. The results were correlated with histopathological characteristics and the clinical course of the disease. Results CD8+ TILs were present in 21% of the conventional and 90% of the dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma tumors tested. B7-H3 was expressed in 69% of the conventional and 96% of the dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma tumors tested. PD-1 and PD-L1 were expressed 53% and 33% respectively of the dedifferentiated tumors tested. PD-L1 expression was associated with shorter time to metastasis. Conclusion The tumor infiltration by lymphocytes suggests that chondrosarcoma is immunogenic. Defects in HLA class I antigen and expression of the checkpoint molecules B7-H3 and PD-1/PD-L1 suggest that tumor cells utilize escape mechanisms to avoid immune recognition and destruction. This data implies that chondrosarcoma will benefit from strategies that enhance the immunogenicity of tumor antigens and/or counteract the escape mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjoerd P F T Nota
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ahmad Al-Sukaini
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Shalin S Patel
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Francesco Sabbatino
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - G Petur Nielsen
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Vikram Deshpande
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jennifer H Yearley
- Department of Translational Medicine, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, United States
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xinhui Wang
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Joseph H Schwab
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Dhatchinamoorthy K, Colbert JD, Rock KL. Cancer Immune Evasion Through Loss of MHC Class I Antigen Presentation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:636568. [PMID: 33767702 PMCID: PMC7986854 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.636568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 422] [Impact Index Per Article: 140.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility class I (MHC I) molecules bind peptides derived from a cell's expressed genes and then transport and display this antigenic information on the cell surface. This allows CD8 T cells to identify pathological cells that are synthesizing abnormal proteins, such as cancers that are expressing mutated proteins. In order for many cancers to arise and progress, they need to evolve mechanisms to avoid elimination by CD8 T cells. MHC I molecules are not essential for cell survival and therefore one mechanism by which cancers can evade immune control is by losing MHC I antigen presentation machinery (APM). Not only will this impair the ability of natural immune responses to control cancers, but also frustrate immunotherapies that work by re-invigorating anti-tumor CD8 T cells, such as checkpoint blockade. Here we review the evidence that loss of MHC I antigen presentation is a frequent occurrence in many cancers. We discuss new insights into some common underlying mechanisms through which some cancers inactivate the MHC I pathway and consider some possible strategies to overcome this limitation in ways that could restore immune control of tumors and improve immunotherapy.
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Zhang B, Wang X, Cheng P. Remodeling of Tumor Immune Microenvironment by Oncolytic Viruses. Front Oncol 2021; 10:561372. [PMID: 33680911 PMCID: PMC7934618 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.561372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are potential antitumor agents with unique therapeutic mechanisms. They possess the ability of direct oncolysis and the induction of antitumor immunity. OV can be genetically engineered to potentiate antitumor efficacy by remodeling the tumor immune microenvironment. The present mini review mainly describes the effect of OVs on remodeling of the tumor immune microenvironment and explores the mechanism of regulation of the host immune system and the promotion of the immune cells to destroy carcinoma cells by OVs. Furthermore, this article focuses on the utilization of OVs as vectors for the delivery of immunomodulatory cytokines or antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xilei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ping Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Datar IJ, Hauc SC, Desai S, Gianino N, Henick B, Liu Y, Syrigos K, Rimm DL, Kavathas P, Ferrone S, Schalper KA. Spatial Analysis and Clinical Significance of HLA Class-I and Class-II Subunit Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:2837-2847. [PMID: 33602682 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-3655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To analyze the distribution, associated immune contexture, and clinical significance of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class-I and HLA class-II subunits in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Using spatially resolved and quantitative multiplexed immunofluorescence we studied the tumor/stromal tissue distribution, cancer cell-specific defects, and clinicopathologic/survival associations of β2 microglobulin (β2M), HLA-A, and HLA-B,-C heavy chains, as well as HLA class-II β chain in >700 immunotherapy-naïve NSCLCs from four independent cohorts. Genomic analysis of HLA genes in NSCLC was performed using two publicly available cohorts. RESULTS Cancer cell-specific downregulation of HLA markers was identified in 30.4% of cases. β2M was downregulated in 9.8% (70/714), HLA-A in 9% (65/722), HLA-B,-C in 12.1% (87/719), and HLA class-II in 17.7% (127/717) of evaluable samples. Concurrent downregulation of β2M, HLA-B,-C, and HLA class-II was commonly identified. Deleterious mutations in HLA genes were detected in <5% of lung malignancies. Tumors with cancer cell-specific β2M downregulation displayed reduced T cells and increased natural killer (NK)-cell infiltration. Samples with cancer cell HLA-A downregulation displayed modest increase in CD8+ T cells and NK-cell infiltration. Samples with cancer cell-selective HLA-B,-C or HLA class-II downregulation displayed reduced T cells and NK-cell infiltration. There was limited association of the markers with clinicopathologic variables and KRAS/EGFR mutations. Cancer cell-selective downregulation of the HLA subunits was associated with shorter overall survival. CONCLUSIONS Our results reveal frequent and differential defects in HLA class-I and HLA class-II protein subunit expression in immunotherapy-naïve NSCLCs associated with distinct tumor microenvironment composition and patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ila J Datar
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Sacha C Hauc
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Shruti Desai
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Nicole Gianino
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Brian Henick
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Medical Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Yuting Liu
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Kostas Syrigos
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, Athens University, Athens, Greece
| | - David L Rimm
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Paula Kavathas
- Laboratory Medicine and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kurt A Schalper
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
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Wickenhauser C, Bethmann D, Kappler M, Eckert AW, Steven A, Bukur J, Fox BA, Beer J, Seliger B. Tumor Microenvironment, HLA Class I and APM Expression in HPV-Negative Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040620. [PMID: 33557271 PMCID: PMC7914856 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Oral squamous cell carcinoma has developed different strategies to escape from T-cell-mediated immune surveillance, which is mediated by changes in the composition of cellular and soluble components of the tumor microenvironment as well as an impaired expression of molecules of the antigen processing machinery leading to a downregulation of HLA class I surface antigens. In depth characterization of these escape mechanisms might help to develop strategies to overcome this tolerance. In this study, human papilloma virus negative oral squamous cell carcinoma lesions were analyzed regarding the protein expression of major components of the HLA class I antigen processing/presentation pathway in correlation to the intra-tumoral immune cell composition, IFN-γ signaling and clinical parameters, which was further confirmed by bioinformatics analyses of datasets obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. This novel knowledge could be used for optimizing the design of immunotherapeutic approaches of this disease. Abstract Progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been associated with an escape of tumor cells from the host immune surveillance due to an increased knowledge of its underlying molecular mechanisms and its modulation by the tumor microenvironment and immune cell repertoire. In this study, the expression of HLA class I (HLA-I) antigens and of components of the antigen processing machinery (APM) was analyzed in 160 pathologically classified human papilloma virus (HPV)-negative OSCC lesions and correlated to the intra-tumoral immune cell response, IFN-γ signaling and to the patient’s outcome. A heterogeneous but predominantly lower constitutive protein expression of HLA-I APM components was found in OSCC sections when compared to non-neoplastic cells. Tumoral HLA-I APM component expression was further categorized into the three major phenotypes HLA-Ihigh/APMhigh, HLA-Ilow/APMlow and HLA-Idiscordant high/low/APMhigh. In the HLA-Ihigh/APMhigh group, the highest frequency of intra-tumoral CD8+ T cells and lowest number of CD8+ T cells close to FoxP3+ cells were found. Patients within this group presented the most unfavorable survival, which was significantly evident in stage T2 tumors. Despite a correlation with the number of intra-tumoral CD8+ T cells, tumoral JAK1 expression as a surrogate marker for IFN-γ signaling was not associated with HLA-I/APM expression. Thus, the presented findings strongly indicate the presence of additional factors involved in the immunomodulatory process of HPV-negative OSCC with a possible tumor-burden-dependent complex network of immune escape mechanisms beyond HLA-I/APM components and T cell infiltration in this tumor entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (C.W.); (D.B.); (J.B.)
| | - Daniel Bethmann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (C.W.); (D.B.); (J.B.)
| | - Matthias Kappler
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (M.K.); or (A.W.E.)
| | - Alexander Walter Eckert
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (M.K.); or (A.W.E.)
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Private Medical University of South Nuremberg, 90471 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - André Steven
- Institute of Medical Immunology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (A.S.); (J.B.)
| | - Jürgen Bukur
- Institute of Medical Immunology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (A.S.); (J.B.)
| | - Bernard Aloysius Fox
- Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Portland, OR 97213, USA;
| | - Jana Beer
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (C.W.); (D.B.); (J.B.)
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (A.S.); (J.B.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)-345-557-4054; Fax: +49-(0)-345-557-4055
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Wei Y, Xiao X, Lao XM, Zheng L, Kuang DM. Immune landscape and therapeutic strategies: new insights into PD-L1 in tumors. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:867-887. [PMID: 32940722 PMCID: PMC11072479 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03637-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PD-1/PD-L1 axis represents an important target for renormalizing and resetting anti-tumor immunity in cancer patients. Currently, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy has been applied in a broad spectrum of tumors and has yielded durable remission in patients. However, how to further broaden the application, guide personalized therapeutic strategies, and improve clinical responses remains a vital task. At present, PD-L1 expression is an important parameter of clinical indications for immune checkpoint blockade in many types of cancers, a strategy based on the supposition that positive PD-L1 expression reflects local T cell response. Recent studies have revealed that PD-L1 expression is regulated by multiple layers of complicated factors, during which the host immune microenvironment exerts a pivotal role and determines the clinical efficacy of the therapy. In this review, we will summarize recent findings on PD-1/PD-L1 in cancer, focusing on how local immune landscape participates in the regulation of PD-L1 expression and modification. Importantly, we will also discuss these topics in the context of clinical treatment and analyze how these fundamental principles might inspire our efforts to develop more precise and effective immune therapeutics for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wei
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Xiang-Ming Lao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Limin Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Dong-Ming Kuang
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
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Pietrowska M, Zebrowska A, Gawin M, Marczak L, Sharma P, Mondal S, Mika J, Polańska J, Ferrone S, Kirkwood JM, Widlak P, Whiteside TL. Proteomic profile of melanoma cell-derived small extracellular vesicles in patients' plasma: a potential correlate of melanoma progression. J Extracell Vesicles 2021; 10:e12063. [PMID: 33613873 PMCID: PMC7876545 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular profiling of small extracellular vesicles (sEV) isolated from plasma of cancer patients emerges as promising strategy for biomarkers discovery. We investigated the proteomic profiles of sEV immunoselected using anti-CSPG4 antibodies from 15 melanoma patients' plasma. The proteomes of sEV separated into melanoma cell-derived (MTEX) and non-malignant cell-derived (NMTEX) were compared using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Paired analysis identified the MTEX-associated profile of 16 proteins that discriminated MTEX from NMETEX. We also identified the MTEX profile that discriminated between seven patients with no evidence of melanoma (NED) after therapy and eight with progressive disease (PD). Among 75 MTEX proteins overexpressed in PD patients, PDCD6IP (ALIX) had the highest discriminating value, while CNTN1 (contactin-1) was upregulated only in MTEX of NED patients. This is the first report documenting that proteomes of tumour-derived sEV in patients' plasma discriminate cancer from non-cancer and identify proteins with potential to serve as prognostic biomarkers in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Pietrowska
- Maria Sklodowska‐Curie National Research Institute of OncologyGliwicePoland
| | - Aneta Zebrowska
- Maria Sklodowska‐Curie National Research Institute of OncologyGliwicePoland
| | - Marta Gawin
- Maria Sklodowska‐Curie National Research Institute of OncologyGliwicePoland
| | - Lukasz Marczak
- European Center for Bioinformatics and GenomicsInstitute of Bioorganic Chemistry PASPoznanPoland
| | - Priyanka Sharma
- UPMC Hillman Cancer CenterUniversity of Pittsburgh Cancer InstitutePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Sujan Mondal
- UPMC Hillman Cancer CenterUniversity of Pittsburgh Cancer InstitutePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Justyna Mika
- Department of Data Science and Engineering, Silesian University of TechnologyGliwicePoland
| | - Joanna Polańska
- Department of Data Science and Engineering, Silesian University of TechnologyGliwicePoland
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of SurgeryHarvard Medical School, Massachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - John M. Kirkwood
- UPMC Hillman Cancer CenterUniversity of Pittsburgh Cancer InstitutePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA,Department of MedicineUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Piotr Widlak
- Maria Sklodowska‐Curie National Research Institute of OncologyGliwicePoland
| | - Theresa L. Whiteside
- UPMC Hillman Cancer CenterUniversity of Pittsburgh Cancer InstitutePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA,Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
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Bansal D, Reimers MA, Knoche EM, Pachynski RK. Immunotherapy and Immunotherapy Combinations in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020334. [PMID: 33477569 PMCID: PMC7831137 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although most prostate cancers are localized, and the majority are curable, recurrences occur in approximately 35% of men. Among patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence and PSA doubling time (PSADT) less than 15 months after radical prostatectomy, prostate cancer accounted for approximately 90% of the deaths by 15 years after recurrence. An immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and impaired cellular immunity are likely largely responsible for the limited utility of checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) in advanced prostate cancer compared with other tumor types. Thus, for immunologically "cold" malignancies such as prostate cancer, clinical trial development has pivoted towards novel approaches to enhance immune responses. Numerous clinical trials are currently evaluating combination immunomodulatory strategies incorporating vaccine-based therapies, checkpoint inhibitors, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Other trials evaluate the efficacy and safety of these immunomodulatory agents' combinations with standard approaches such as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), taxane-based chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. Here, we will review promising immunotherapies in development and ongoing trials for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). These novel trials will build on past experiences and promise to usher a new era to treat patients with mCRPC.
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44
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Sangro B, Sarobe P, Hervás-Stubbs S, Melero I. Advances in immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 18:525-543. [PMID: 33850328 PMCID: PMC8042636 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-021-00438-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 657] [Impact Index Per Article: 219.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent disease with a progression that is modulated by the immune system. Systemic therapy is used in the advanced stage and until 2017 consisted only of antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has shown strong anti-tumour activity in a subset of patients and the combination of the anti-PDL1 antibody atezolizumab and the VEGF-neutralizing antibody bevacizumab has or will soon become the standard of care as a first-line therapy for HCC, whereas the anti-PD1 agents nivolumab and pembrolizumab are used after TKIs in several regions. Other immune strategies such as adoptive T-cell transfer, vaccination or virotherapy have not yet demonstrated consistent clinical activity. Major unmet challenges in HCC checkpoint immunotherapy are the discovery and validation of predictive biomarkers, advancing treatment to earlier stages of the disease, applying the treatment to patients with liver dysfunction and the discovery of more effective combinatorial or sequential approaches. Combinations with other systemic or local treatments are perceived as the most promising opportunities in HCC and some are already under evaluation in large-scale clinical trials. This Review provides up-to-date information on the best use of currently available immunotherapies in HCC and the therapeutic strategies under development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Sangro
- grid.411730.00000 0001 2191 685XLiver Unit and HPB Oncology Area, Clinica Universidad de Navarra-IDISNA and CIBEREHD, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pablo Sarobe
- grid.5924.a0000000419370271Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA de la Universidad de Navarra, IDISNA and CIBEREHD, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sandra Hervás-Stubbs
- grid.5924.a0000000419370271Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA de la Universidad de Navarra, IDISNA and CIBEREHD, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- grid.5924.a0000000419370271Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA de la Universidad de Navarra, IDISNA and CIBEREHD, Pamplona, Spain ,grid.411730.00000 0001 2191 685XDepartment of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Clinica Universidad de Navarra-IDISNA and CIBERONC, Pamplona, Spain
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45
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Kontos F, Michelakos T, Kurokawa T, Sadagopan A, Schwab JH, Ferrone CR, Ferrone S. B7-H3: An Attractive Target for Antibody-based Immunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 27:1227-1235. [PMID: 33051306 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-2584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The recent impressive clinical responses to antibody-based immunotherapy have prompted the identification of clinically relevant tumor antigens that can serve as targets in solid tumors. Among them, B7-H3, a member of the B7 ligand family, represents an attractive target for antibody-based immunotherapy, it is overexpressed on differentiated malignant cells and cancer-initiating cells, with limited heterogeneity, and high frequency (60% of 25,000 tumor samples) in many different cancer types, but has a limited expression at low level in normal tissues. In nonmalignant tissues, B7-H3 has a predominantly inhibitory role in adaptive immunity, suppressing T-cell activation and proliferation. In malignant tissues, B7-H3 inhibits tumor antigen-specific immune responses, leading to a protumorigenic effect. B7-H3 also has nonimmunologic protumorigenic functions, such as promoting migration and invasion, angiogenesis, chemoresistance, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, as well as affecting tumor cell metabolism. As a result, B7-H3 expression in tumors is associated with poor prognosis. Although experimental B7-H3 silencing reduces cancer cell malignant potential, there has been limited emphasis on the development of B7-H3-blocking antibodies, most likely because the B7-H3 receptor remains unknown. Instead, many antibody-based strategies utilizing distinct effector mechanisms to target B7-H3-expressing cancer cells have been developed. These strategies have demonstrated potent antitumor activity and acceptable safety profiles in preclinical models. Ongoing clinical trials are assessing their safety and efficacy in patients. Identification of the B7-H3 receptor will improve our understanding of its role in tumor immunity, and will suggest rational strategies to develop blocking antibodies, which may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippos Kontos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Theodoros Michelakos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tomohiro Kurokawa
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ananthan Sadagopan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph H Schwab
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Cristina R Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Thompson JC, Davis C, Deshpande C, Hwang WT, Jeffries S, Huang A, Mitchell TC, Langer CJ, Albelda SM. Gene signature of antigen processing and presentation machinery predicts response to checkpoint blockade in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:jitc-2020-000974. [PMID: 33028693 PMCID: PMC7542663 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Limited data exist on the role of alterations in HLA Class I antigen processing and presentation machinery in mediating response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzed transcriptional profiles from pre-treatment tumor samples of 51 chemotherapy-refractory advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and two independent melanoma cohorts treated with ICB. An antigen processing machinery (APM) score was generated utilizing eight genes associated with APM (B2M, CALR, NLRC5, PSMB9, PSME1, PSME3, RFX5, and HSP90AB1). Associations were made for therapeutic response, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results In NSCLC, the APM score was significantly higher in responders compared with non-responders (p=0.0001). An APM score above the median value for the cohort was associated with improved PFS (HR 0.34 (0.18 to 0.64), p=0.001) and OS (HR 0.44 (0.23 to 0.83), p=0.006). The APM score was correlated with an inflammation score based on the established T-cell-inflamed resistance gene expression profile (Pearson’s r=0.58, p<0.0001). However, the APM score better predicted response to ICB relative to the inflammation score with area under a receiving operating characteristics curve of 0.84 and 0.70 for PFS and OS, respectively. In a cohort of 14 high-risk resectable stage III/IV melanoma patients treated with neoadjuvant anti-PD1 ICB, a higher APM score was associated with improved disease-free survival (HR: 0.08 (0.01 to 0.50), p=0.0065). In an additional independent melanoma cohort of 27 metastatic patients treated with ICB, a higher APM score was associated with improved OS (HR 0.29 (0.09 to 0.89), p=0.044). Conclusion Our data demonstrate that defects in antigen presentation may be an important feature in predicting outcomes to ICB in both lung cancer and melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C Thompson
- Pulmonary and Critical Care, Thoracic Oncology Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christiana Davis
- Hematology/Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Charuhas Deshpande
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wei-Ting Hwang
- Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Seth Jeffries
- Hematology/Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alexander Huang
- Hematology/Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tara C Mitchell
- Hematology/Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Corey J Langer
- Hematology/Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Steven M Albelda
- Pulmonary and Critical Care, Thoracic Oncology Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Sabbatino F, Liguori L, Polcaro G, Salvato I, Caramori G, Salzano FA, Casolaro V, Stellato C, Dal Col J, Pepe S. Role of Human Leukocyte Antigen System as A Predictive Biomarker for Checkpoint-Based Immunotherapy in Cancer Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197295. [PMID: 33023239 PMCID: PMC7582904 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in cancer immunotherapy have clearly shown that checkpoint-based immunotherapy is effective in a small subgroup of cancer patients. However, no effective predictive biomarker has been identified so far. The major histocompatibility complex, better known in humans as human leukocyte antigen (HLA), is a very polymorphic gene complex consisting of more than 200 genes. It has a crucial role in activating an appropriate host immune response against pathogens and tumor cells by discriminating self and non-self peptides. Several lines of evidence have shown that down-regulation of expression of HLA class I antigen derived peptide complexes by cancer cells is a mechanism of tumor immune escape and is often associated to poor prognosis in cancer patients. In addition, it has also been shown that HLA class I and II antigen expression, as well as defects in the antigen processing machinery complex, may predict tumor responses in cancer immunotherapy. Nevertheless, the role of HLA in predicting tumor responses to checkpoint-based immunotherapy is still debated. In this review, firstly, we will describe the structure and function of the HLA system. Secondly, we will summarize the HLA defects and their clinical significance in cancer patients. Thirdly, we will review the potential role of the HLA as a predictive biomarker for checkpoint-based immunotherapy in cancer patients. Lastly, we will discuss the potential strategies that may restore HLA function to implement novel therapeutic strategies in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Sabbatino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
- Oncology Unit, AOU San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D’Aragona, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Luigi Liguori
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Polcaro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Ilaria Salvato
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
- Pulmonary Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry, Morphological and Functional Imaging (BIOMORF), University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Gaetano Caramori
- Pulmonary Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry, Morphological and Functional Imaging (BIOMORF), University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Francesco A. Salzano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Vincenzo Casolaro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Cristiana Stellato
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Jessica Dal Col
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-08996-5210
| | - Stefano Pepe
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
- Oncology Unit, AOU San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D’Aragona, 84131 Salerno, Italy
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The HDAC Inhibitor Domatinostat Promotes Cell-Cycle Arrest, Induces Apoptosis, and Increases Immunogenicity of Merkel Cell Carcinoma Cells. J Invest Dermatol 2020; 141:903-912.e4. [PMID: 33002502 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, highly aggressive skin cancer for which immune modulation by immune checkpoint inhibitors shows remarkable response rates. However, primary or secondary resistance to immunotherapy prevents benefits in a significant proportion of patients. For MCC, one immune escape mechanism is insufficient for recognition by T cells owing to the downregulation of major histocompatibility complex I surface expression. Histone deacetylase inhibitors have been demonstrated to epigenetically reverse the low major histocompatibility complex I expression caused by the downregulation of the antigen-processing machinery. Domatinostat, an orally available small-molecule inhibitor targeting histone deacetylase class I, is currently in clinical evaluation to overcome resistance to immunotherapy. In this study, we present preclinical data on domatinostat's efficacy and mode of action in MCC. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed a distinct gene expression signature of antigen processing and presentation, cell-cycle arrest, and execution phase of apoptosis on treatment. Accordingly, functional assays showed that domatinostat induced G2M arrest and apoptosis. In the surviving cells, antigen-processing machinery component gene transcription and translation were upregulated, consequently resulting in increased major histocompatibility complex I surface expression. Altogether, domatinostat not only exerts direct antitumoral effects but also restores HLA class I surface expression on MCC cells, therefore, restoring surviving MCC cells' susceptibility to recognition and elimination by cognate cytotoxic T cells.
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49
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Polprasert C, Takeuchi Y, Makishima H, Wudhikarn K, Kakiuchi N, Tangnuntachai N, Assanasen T, Sitthi W, Muhamad H, Lawasut P, Kongkiatkamon S, Bunworasate U, Izutsu K, Shiraishi Y, Chiba K, Tanaka H, Miyano S, Ogawa S, Yoshida K, Rojnuckarin P. Frequent mutations in HLA and related genes in extranodal NK/T cell lymphomas. Leuk Lymphoma 2020; 62:95-103. [PMID: 32964767 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2020.1821011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Extranodal NK/T cell lymphomas (ENKTCLs) are aggressive Epstein-Barr virus-associated T/NK neoplasms that predominantly affect Asians. To explore the causative somatic events, we conducted a comprehensive genetic analysis of 19 ENKTCL patients by whole-genome (N = 2), whole-exome (N = 16), and targeted sequencing (N = 15). Commonly deregulated gene pathways in ENKTCLs included epigenetic modifiers (58%, 11/19) followed by human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) and related genes including HLA-A, B2M, TAP1, CD274, and PDCD1LG2 (32%, 6/19), and JAK-STAT pathway (26%, 5/19). Conspicuously, loss-of-function mutations in HLA-A were recurrently identified in ENKTCLs (16%, 3/19). HLA protein expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in 16 patients and lower expression was associated with advanced stages at presentation (p = .007). In conclusion, the defective antigen presenting pathway is common and related to disease progression, suggesting immune escape as a pathogenic mechanism of ENKTCLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantana Polprasert
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.,Research Unit in Translational Hematology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yasuhide Takeuchi
- Department of Pathology and Tumor Biology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.,Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hideki Makishima
- Department of Pathology and Tumor Biology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kitsada Wudhikarn
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.,Research Unit in Translational Hematology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nobuyuki Kakiuchi
- Department of Pathology and Tumor Biology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nichthida Tangnuntachai
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thamathorn Assanasen
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wimonmas Sitthi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Hamidah Muhamad
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Panisinee Lawasut
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.,Research Unit in Translational Hematology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sunisa Kongkiatkamon
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.,Research Unit in Translational Hematology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Udomsak Bunworasate
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.,Research Unit in Translational Hematology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Koji Izutsu
- Department of Hematology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichi Shiraishi
- Laboratory of DNA Information Analysis, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenichi Chiba
- Laboratory of DNA Information Analysis, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroko Tanaka
- Laboratory of DNA Information Analysis, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Miyano
- Laboratory of DNA Information Analysis, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seishi Ogawa
- Department of Pathology and Tumor Biology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Medicine, Centre for Haematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kenichi Yoshida
- Department of Pathology and Tumor Biology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ponlapat Rojnuckarin
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.,Research Unit in Translational Hematology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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50
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Faridi P, Woods K, Ostrouska S, Deceneux C, Aranha R, Duscharla D, Wong SQ, Chen W, Ramarathinam SH, Lim Kam Sian TCC, Croft NP, Li C, Ayala R, Cebon JS, Purcell AW, Schittenhelm RB, Behren A. Spliced Peptides and Cytokine-Driven Changes in the Immunopeptidome of Melanoma. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 8:1322-1334. [PMID: 32938616 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-19-0894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Antigen recognition by CD8+ T cells is governed by the pool of peptide antigens presented on the cell surface in the context of HLA class I complexes. Studies have shown not only a high degree of plasticity in the immunopeptidome, but also that a considerable fraction of all presented peptides is generated through proteasome-mediated splicing of noncontiguous regions of proteins to form novel peptide antigens. Here, we used high-resolution mass spectrometry combined with new bioinformatic approaches to characterize the immunopeptidome of melanoma cells in the presence or absence of IFNγ. In total, we identified more than 60,000 peptides from a single patient-derived cell line (LM-MEL-44) and demonstrated that IFNγ induced changes in the peptidome, with an overlap of only approximately 50% between basal and treated cells. Around 6% to 8% of the peptides were identified as cis-spliced peptides, and 2,213 peptides (1,827 linear and 386 cis-spliced peptides) were derived from known melanoma-associated antigens. These peptide antigens were equally distributed between the constitutive- and IFNγ-induced peptidome. We next examined additional HLA-matched patient-derived cell lines to investigate how frequently these peptides were identified and found that a high proportion of both linear and spliced peptides was conserved between individual patient tumors, drawing on data amassing to more than 100,000 peptide sequences. Several of these peptides showed in vitro immunogenicity across multiple patients with melanoma. These observations highlight the breadth and complexity of the repertoire of immunogenic peptides that can be exploited therapeutically and suggest that spliced peptides are a major class of tumor antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pouya Faridi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katherine Woods
- Cancer Immunobiology, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simone Ostrouska
- Cancer Immunobiology, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cyril Deceneux
- Cancer Immunobiology, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ritchlynn Aranha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Divya Duscharla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen Q Wong
- Division of Cancer Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Pathology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Weisan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sri H Ramarathinam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Terry C C Lim Kam Sian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nathan P Croft
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rochelle Ayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jonathan S Cebon
- Cancer Immunobiology, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthony W Purcell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Ralf B Schittenhelm
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. .,Monash Proteomics & Metabolomics Facility, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andreas Behren
- Cancer Immunobiology, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia. .,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
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