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Rastin F, Javid H, Oryani MA, Rezagholinejad N, Afshari AR, Karimi-Shahri M. Immunotherapy for colorectal cancer: Rational strategies and novel therapeutic progress. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 126:111055. [PMID: 37992445 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111055] [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: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
There are increasing incidences and mortality rates for colorectal cancer in the world. It is common for chemotherapy and radiation given to patients with colorectal cancer to cause toxicities that limit their effectiveness and cause cancer cells to become resistant to these treatments. Additional targeted treatments are needed to improve patient's quality of life and outcomes. Immunotherapy has rapidly emerged as an incredibly exciting and promising avenue for cancer treatment in recent years. This innovative approach provides novel options for tackling solid tumors, effectively establishing itself as a new cornerstone in cancer treatment. Specifically, in the realm of colorectal cancer (CRC), there is great promise in developing new drugs that target immune checkpoints, offering a hopeful and potentially transformative solution. While immunotherapy of CRC has made significant advances, there are still obstacles and limitations. CRC patients have a poor response to treatment because of the immune-suppressing function of their tumor microenvironment (TME). In addition to blocking inhibitory immune checkpoints, checkpoint-blocking antibodies may also boost immune responses against tumors. The review summarizes recent advances in immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for CRC, including CTLA-4, PD-1, PD-L1, LAG-3, and TIM-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farangis Rastin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hossein Javid
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Varastegan Institute for Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Mahsa Akbari Oryani
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Amir-R Afshari
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Mehdi Karimi-Shahri
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
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2
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Jin M, Huo D, Sun J, Hu J, Liu S, Zhan M, Zhang BZ, Huang JD. Enhancing immune responses of ESC-based TAA cancer vaccines with a novel OMV delivery system. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:15. [PMID: 38166929 PMCID: PMC10763241 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02273-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived epitopes can act as therapeutic tumor vaccines against different types of tumors Jin (Adv Healthc Mater 2023). However, these epitopes have poor immunogenicity and stimulate insufficient CD8+ T cell responses, which motivated us to develop a new method to deliver and enhance their effectiveness. Bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) can serve as immunoadjuvants and act as a delivery vector for tumor antigens. In the current study, we engineered a new OMV platform for the co-delivery of ESC-derived tumor antigens and immune checkpoint inhibitors (PD-L1 antibody). An engineered Staphylococcal Protein A (SpA) was created to non-specifically bind to anti-PD-L1 antibody. SpyCatcher (SpC) and SpA were fused into the cell outer membrane protein OmpA to capture SpyTag-attached peptides and PD-L1 antibody, respectively. The modified OMV was able to efficiently conjugate with ESC-derived TAAs and PD-L1 antibody (SpC-OMVs + SpT-peptides + anti-PD-L1), increasing the residence time of TAAs in the body. The results showed that the combination therapy of ESC-based TAAs and PD-L1 antibody delivered by OMV had significant inhibitory effects in mouse tumor model. Specifically, it was effective in reducing tumor growth by enhancing IFN-γ-CD8+ T cell responses and increasing the number of CD8+ memory cells and antigen-specific T cells. Overall, the new OMV delivery system is a versatile platform that can enhance the immune responses of ESC-based TAA cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Jin
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Da Huo
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jingjing Sun
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Shuzhen Liu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mingshuo Zhan
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bao-Zhong Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian-Dong Huang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Li Ka Shing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Cancer Metastasis and Personalized Therapy, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
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3
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Martinis E, Ricci C, Trevisan C, Tomadini G, Tonon S. Cancer Vaccines: From the State of the Art to the Most Promising Frontiers in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1969. [PMID: 37514155 PMCID: PMC10383643 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer represents 10% of all new cancer cases each year and accounts for almost 10% of all cancer deaths. According to the WHO, by 2040 there will be a 60% increase in colorectal cancer cases. These data highlight the need to explore new therapeutic strategies. Classical interventions include surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which are invasive strategies that have many side effects on the patients and greatly affect their quality of life. A great advance in the treatment of this cancer type, as well as of all the others, could be the development of a vaccination strategy preventing the onset, the progression or the relapse of the pathology. In this review, we summarize the main vaccination strategies that are being studied for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) and finally explore the possibility of using B-cells for the development of a new type of vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Martinis
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Piazzale Kolbe 4 Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Carolina Ricci
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Piazzale Kolbe 4 Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Caterina Trevisan
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Piazzale Kolbe 4 Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Gaia Tomadini
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Piazzale Kolbe 4 Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Silvia Tonon
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Piazzale Kolbe 4 Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
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Hu LF, Lan HR, Huang D, Li XM, Jin KT. Personalized Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancers: Where Do We Stand? Front Oncol 2021; 11:769305. [PMID: 34888246 PMCID: PMC8649954 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.769305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the world. Immunotherapy using monoclonal antibodies, immune-checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell therapy, and cancer vaccines has raised great hopes for treating poor prognosis metastatic CRCs that are resistant to the conventional therapies. However, high inter-tumor and intra-tumor heterogeneity hinder the success of immunotherapy in CRC. Patients with a similar tumor phenotype respond differently to the same immunotherapy regimen. Mutation-based classification, molecular subtyping, and immunoscoring of CRCs facilitated the multi-aspect grouping of CRC patients and improved immunotherapy. Personalized immunotherapy using tumor-specific neoantigens provides the opportunity to consider each patient as an independent group deserving of individualized immunotherapy. In the recent decade, the development of sequencing and multi-omics techniques has helped us classify patients more precisely. The expansion of such advanced techniques along with the neoantigen-based immunotherapy could herald a new era in treating heterogeneous tumors such as CRC. In this review article, we provided the latest findings in immunotherapy of CRC. We elaborated on the heterogeneity of CRC patients as a bottleneck of CRC immunotherapy and reviewed the latest advances in personalized immunotherapy to overcome CRC heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Feng Hu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Shaoxing People’s Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine), Shaoxing, China
| | - Huan-Rong Lan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China
| | - Dong Huang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China
| | - Xue-Min Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China
| | - Ke-Tao Jin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China
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Schiferle EB, Cheon SY, Ham S, Son HG, Messerschmidt JL, Lawrence DP, Cohen JV, Flaherty KT, Moon JJ, Lian CG, Sullivan RJ, Demehri S. Rejection of benign melanocytic nevi by nevus-resident CD4 + T cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/26/eabg4498. [PMID: 34162549 PMCID: PMC8221625 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg4498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma and melanocytic nevi harbor shared lineage-specific antigens and oncogenic mutations. Yet, the relationship between the immune system and melanocytic nevi is unclear. Using a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model, we found that 81.8% of the transplanted nevi underwent spontaneous regression, while peripheral skin remained intact. Nevus-resident CD4+ T helper 1 cells, which exhibited a massive clonal expansion to melanocyte-specific antigens, were responsible for nevus rejection. Boosting regulatory T cell suppressive function with low-dose exogenous human interleukin-2 injection or treatment with a human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II-blocking antibody prevented nevus rejection. Notably, mice with rejected nevus PDXs were protected from melanoma tumor growth. We detected a parallel CD4+ T cell-dominant immunity in clinically regressing melanocytic nevi. These findings reveal a mechanistic explanation for spontaneous nevus regression in humans and posit the activation of nevus-resident CD4+ effector T cells as a novel strategy for melanoma immunoprevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik B Schiferle
- Center for Cancer Immunology and Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Se Yun Cheon
- Center for Cancer Immunology and Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Seokjin Ham
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Yuseong Gu, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Heehwa G Son
- Center for Cancer Immunology and Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jonathan L Messerschmidt
- Center for Cancer Immunology and Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Donald P Lawrence
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Justine V Cohen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Keith T Flaherty
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - James J Moon
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Christine G Lian
- Program in Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ryan J Sullivan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Shadmehr Demehri
- Center for Cancer Immunology and Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Li Y, Li ZX, Xie CY, Fan J, Lv J, Xu XJ, Lv J, Kuai WT, Jia YT. Gegen Qinlian decoction enhances immunity and protects intestinal barrier function in colorectal cancer patients via gut microbiota. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:7633-7651. [PMID: 33505141 PMCID: PMC7789057 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i48.7633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously showed, using the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database, that Gegen Qinlian decoction (GQD) had a direct antitumor effect, and was combined with programmed cell death protein (PD)-1 inhibitors to treat microsatellite stable (MSS) tumor-bearing mice. However, the effect of GQD on patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is not clear.
AIM To determine the therapeutic mechanism of GQD in improving immune function, reducing inflammation and protecting intestinal barrier function.
METHODS Seventy patients with CRC were included in this study: 37 in the control group and 33 in the treatment group. The proportions of CD4+ T, CD8+ T, natural killer (NK), NKT and T regulatory cells were measured by flow cytometry. Levels of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-10 and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) in serum were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of zonula occludens (ZO)-1, occludin, nuclear factor (NF)-κB and TNF-α in tumor and normal tissues was measured by immunohistochemistry. The composition of gut microbiota from patients in the treatment group was assessed using 16S rDNA analysis.
RESULTS There were no adverse events in the treatment group. The proportion of CD4+ T cells and NKT cells in the post-treatment group was significantly higher than that in the pre-treatment and control groups (P < 0.05). The level of TNF-α in the post-treatment group was significantly lower than that in the pre-treatment and control groups (P < 0.05). The concentration of 5-HT in the post-treatment group was significantly lower than that in the pre-treatment group (P < 0.05). The expression of ZO-1 and occludin in tumor tissues in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of ZO-1 in normal tissues of the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P = 0.010). Compared with the control group, expression of NF-κB and TNF-α in tumor tissues of the treatment group was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the pre-treatment group, GQD decreased the relative abundance of Megamonas and Veillonella. In addition, GQD increased the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Akkermansia and Prevotella.
CONCLUSION GQD enhances immunity and protects intestinal barrier function in patients with CRC by regulating the composition of gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Department of Oncology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050051, Hebei Province, China
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Zhong-Xin Li
- Second Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Chen-Yang Xie
- Second Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jing Fan
- Department of Oncology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050051, Hebei Province, China
| | - Ji Lv
- Department of Surgery, The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao 066000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Xin-Jian Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jian Lv
- Department of Emergency, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050051, Hebei Province, China
| | - Wen-Tao Kuai
- Department of Oncology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050051, Hebei Province, China
| | - Yi-Tao Jia
- Department of Oncology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050051, Hebei Province, China
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Johdi NA, Sukor NF. Colorectal Cancer Immunotherapy: Options and Strategies. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1624. [PMID: 33042104 PMCID: PMC7530194 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world with increasing incidence and mortality rates globally. Standard treatments for colorectal cancer have always been surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy which may be used in combination to treat patients. However, these treatments have many side effects due to their non-specificity and cytotoxicity toward any cells including normal cells that are growing and dividing. Furthermore, many patients succumb to relapse even after a series of treatments. Thus, it is crucial to have more alternative and effective treatments to treat CRC patients. Immunotherapy is one of the new alternatives in cancer treatment. The strategy is to utilize patients' own immune systems in combating the cancer cells. Cancer immunotherapy overcomes the issue of specificity which is the major problem in chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The normal cells with no cancer antigens are not affected. The outcomes of some cancer immunotherapy have been astonishing in some cases, but some which rely on the status of patients' own immune systems are not. Those patients who responded well to cancer immunotherapy have a better prognostic and better quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nor Adzimah Johdi
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), National University of Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Nur Fazilah Sukor
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), National University of Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia
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Scurr MJ, Greenshields-Watson A, Campbell E, Somerville MS, Chen Y, Hulin-Curtis SL, Burnell SEA, Davies JA, Davies MM, Hargest R, Phillips S, Christian AD, Ashelford KE, Andrews R, Parker AL, Stanton RJ, Gallimore A, Godkin A. Cancer Antigen Discovery Is Enabled by RNA Sequencing of Highly Purified Malignant and Nonmalignant Cells. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3360-3370. [PMID: 32122920 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-3087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Broadly expressed, highly differentiated tumor-associated antigens (TAA) can elicit antitumor immunity. However, vaccines targeting TAAs have demonstrated disappointing clinical results, reflecting poor antigen selection and/or immunosuppressive mechanisms. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Here, a panel of widely expressed, novel colorectal TAAs were identified by performing RNA sequencing of highly purified colorectal tumor cells in comparison with patient-matched colonic epithelial cells; tumor cell purification was essential to reveal these genes. Candidate TAA protein expression was confirmed by IHC, and preexisting T-cell immunogenicity toward these antigens tested. RESULTS The most promising candidate for further development is DNAJB7 [DnaJ heat shock protein family (Hsp40) member B7], identified here as a novel cancer-testis antigen. It is expressed in many tumors and is strongly immunogenic in patients with cancers originating from a variety of sites. DNAJB7-specific T cells were capable of killing colorectal tumor lines in vitro, and the IFNγ+ response was markedly magnified by control of immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide in patients with cancer. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights how prior methods that sequence whole tumor fractions (i.e., inclusive of alive/dead stromal cells) for antigen identification may have limitations. Through tumor cell purification and sequencing, novel candidate TAAs have been identified for future immunotherapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin J Scurr
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Henry Wellcome Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Alex Greenshields-Watson
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Henry Wellcome Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Campbell
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Henry Wellcome Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle S Somerville
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Henry Wellcome Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Yuan Chen
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Henry Wellcome Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah L Hulin-Curtis
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Henry Wellcome Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie E A Burnell
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Henry Wellcome Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - James A Davies
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Sir Geraint Evans Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Michael M Davies
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Hargest
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Phillips
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Adam D Christian
- Department of Histopathology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin E Ashelford
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Sir Geraint Evans Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Andrews
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Henry Wellcome Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Alan L Parker
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Sir Geraint Evans Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J Stanton
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Henry Wellcome Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Awen Gallimore
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Henry Wellcome Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
| | - Andrew Godkin
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Henry Wellcome Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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9
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Picard E, Verschoor CP, Ma GW, Pawelec G. Relationships Between Immune Landscapes, Genetic Subtypes and Responses to Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancer. Front Immunol 2020; 11:369. [PMID: 32210966 PMCID: PMC7068608 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 273] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is highly heterogeneous at the genetic and molecular level, which has major repercussions on the efficacy of immunotherapy. A small subset of CRCs exhibit microsatellite instability (MSI), a molecular indicator of defective DNA mismatch repair (MMR), but the majority are microsatellite-stable (MSS). The high tumor mutational burden (TMB) and neoantigen load in MSI tumors favors the infiltration of immune effector cells, and antitumor immune responses within these tumors are strong relative to their MSS counterparts. MSI has emerged as a major predictive marker for the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade over the last few years and nivolumab or pembrolizumab targeting PD-1 has been approved for patients with MSI refractory or metastatic CRC. However, some MSS tumors show DNA polymerase epsilon (POLE) mutations that also confer a very high TMB and may also be heavily infiltrated by immune cells making them amenable to respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). In this review we discuss the role of the different immune landscapes in CRC and their relationships with defined CRC genetic subtypes. We discuss potential reasons why immune checkpoint blockade has met with limited success for the majority of CRC patients, despite the finding that immune cell infiltration of primary non-metastatic tumors is a strong predictive, and prognostic factor for relapse and survival. We then consider in which ways CRC cells develop mechanisms to resist ICI. Finally, we address the latest advances in CRC vaccination and how a personalized neoantigen vaccine strategy might overcome the resistance of MSI and MSS tumors in patients for whom immune checkpoint blockade is not a treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Picard
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, ON, Canada
| | | | - Grace W Ma
- Department of Surgery, Health Sciences North, Sudbury, ON, Canada
| | - Graham Pawelec
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, ON, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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10
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MacLachlan BJ, Dolton G, Papakyriakou A, Greenshields-Watson A, Mason GH, Schauenburg A, Besneux M, Szomolay B, Elliott T, Sewell AK, Gallimore A, Rizkallah P, Cole DK, Godkin A. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II peptide flanking residues tune the immunogenicity of a human tumor-derived epitope. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:20246-20258. [PMID: 31619516 PMCID: PMC6937582 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.009437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T-cells recognize peptide antigens, in the context of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules (HLA-II), which through peptide-flanking residues (PFRs) can extend beyond the limits of the HLA binding. The role of the PFRs during antigen recognition is not fully understood; however, recent studies have indicated that these regions can influence T-cell receptor (TCR) affinity and pHLA-II stability. Here, using various biochemical approaches including peptide sensitivity ELISA and ELISpot assays, peptide-binding assays and HLA-II tetramer staining, we focused on CD4+ T-cell responses against a tumor antigen, 5T4 oncofetal trophoblast glycoprotein (5T4), which have been associated with improved control of colorectal cancer. Despite their weak TCR-binding affinity, we found that anti-5T4 CD4+ T-cells are polyfunctional and that their PFRs are essential for TCR recognition of the core bound nonamer. The high-resolution (1.95 Å) crystal structure of HLA-DR1 presenting the immunodominant 20-mer peptide 5T4111-130, combined with molecular dynamic simulations, revealed how PFRs explore the HLA-proximal space to contribute to antigen reactivity. These findings advance our understanding of what constitutes an HLA-II epitope and indicate that PFRs can tune weak affinity TCR-pHLA-II interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce J MacLachlan
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Garry Dolton
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Athanasios Papakyriakou
- Institute of Biosciences and Applications, NCSR "Demokritos," Agia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexander Greenshields-Watson
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Georgina H Mason
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Schauenburg
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Matthieu Besneux
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara Szomolay
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Elliott
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew K Sewell
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Awen Gallimore
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Pierre Rizkallah
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - David K Cole
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Godkin
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of Wales, CF14 4XN Cardiff, United Kingdom
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