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Hoke ATK, Takahashi Y, Padget MR, Gomez J, Amit M, Burks J, Bell D, Xie T, Soon-Shiong P, Hodge JW, Hanna EY, London NR. Targeting sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma with a combinatory immunotherapy approach. Transl Oncol 2024; 44:101943. [PMID: 38593586 PMCID: PMC11024348 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.101943] [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: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a rare, aggressive malignancy of the sinonasal cavity with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. To investigate the potential for SNUC sensitivity to combinatory immunotherapy, we performed in vitro studies with SNUC cell lines and used multi-spectral immunofluorescence to characterize the in vivo patient SNUC tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Human-derived SNUC cell lines were used for in vitro studies of tumor cell susceptibility to natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies. Tumor samples from 14 treatment naïve SNUC patients were examined via multi-spectral immunofluorescence and clinical correlations assessed. RESULTS Anti-PD-L1 blockade enhanced NK cell lysis of SNUC cell lines ∼5.4 fold (P ≤ 0.0001). This effect was blocked by a CD16 neutralizing antibody demonstrating activity through an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated pathway. ADCC-dependent lysis of SNUC cells was further enhanced by upregulation of PD-L1 on tumor cells by exogenous interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) administration or interleukin-15 (IL-15) stimulated IFN-γ release from NK cells. Combination treatment with anti-PD-L1 blockade and IL-15 superagonism enhanced NK-cell killing of SNUC cells 9.6-fold (P ≤ 0.0001). Untreated SNUC patient tumor samples were found to have an NK cell infiltrate and PD-L1+ tumor cells at a median of 5.4 cells per mm2. A striking 55.7-fold increase in CKlow tumor cell/NK cell interactions was observed in patients without disease recurrence after treatment (P = 0.022). Patients with higher CD3+CD8+ in the stroma had a significantly improved 5-year overall survival (P = 0.0029) and a significant increase in CKlow tumor cell/CD8+ cytotoxic T cell interactions was noted in long-term survivors (P = 0.0225). CONCLUSION These data provide the pre-clinical rationale for ongoing investigation into combinatory immunotherapy approaches for SNUC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin T K Hoke
- Sinonasal and Skull Base Tumor Program, Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Yoko Takahashi
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Michelle R Padget
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Javier Gomez
- Department of Leukemia, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Moran Amit
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jared Burks
- Department of Leukemia, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Diana Bell
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Tongxin Xie
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - James W Hodge
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Ehab Y Hanna
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Nyall R London
- Sinonasal and Skull Base Tumor Program, Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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Vahidi S, Zabeti Touchaei A, Samadani AA. IL-15 as a key regulator in NK cell-mediated immunotherapy for cancer: From bench to bedside. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 133:112156. [PMID: 38669950 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112156] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Interleukin 15 (IL-15) has emerged as a crucial factor in the relationship between natural killer (NK) cells and immunotherapy for cancer. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of IL-15 in NK cell-mediated immunotherapy. First, the key role of IL-15 signaling in NK cell immunity is discussed, highlighting its regulation of NK cell functions and antitumor properties. Furthermore, the use of IL-15 or its analogs in clinical trials as a therapeutic strategy for various cancers, including the genetic modification of NK cells to produce IL-15, has been explored. The potential of IL-15-based therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T and NK cell infusion along with IL-15 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and other treatments, has been examined. This review also addresses the challenges and advantages of incorporating IL-15 in cell-based immunotherapy. Additionally, unresolved questions regarding the detection and biological significance of the soluble IL-15/IL-15Rα complex, as well as the potential role of IL-15/IL-15Rα in human cancer and the immunological consequences of prolonged exposure to soluble IL-15 for NK cells, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sogand Vahidi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | | | - Ali Akbar Samadani
- Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Trauma Institute, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
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Liu Z, Ding M, Qiu P, Pan K, Guo Q. Natural killer cell-related prognostic risk model predicts prognosis and treatment outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1200282. [PMID: 37520534 PMCID: PMC10373504 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1200282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial to the emergence, identification, and prognosis of cancers. The roles of NK cell-related genes in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and immunotherapy treatment are unclear. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive malignant tumor. Hence, this study was conducted to develop a reliable risk model related to NK cells and provide a novel system for predicting the prognosis of TNBC. Methods NK cell-related genes were collected from previous studies. Based on TCGA and GEO database, univariate and LASSO cox regression analysis were used to establish the NK cell-related gene signature. The patients with TNBC were separated to high-risk and low-risk groups. After that, survival analysis was conducted and the responses to immunotherapies were evaluated on the basis of the signature. Moreover, the drug sensitivity of some traditional chemotherapeutic drugs was assessed by using the "oncoPredict" R package. In addition, the expression levels of the genes involved in the signature were validated by using qRT-PCR in TNBC cell lines. Results The patients with TNBC were divided into high- and low-risk groups according to the median risk score of the 5-NK cell-related gene signature. The low-risk group was associated with a better clinical outcome. Besides, the differentially expressed genes between the different risk groups were enriched in the biological activities associated with immunity. The tumor immune cells were found to be highly infiltrated in the low-risk groups. In accordance with the TIDE score and immune checkpoint-related gene expression analysis, TNBC patients in the low-risk groups were suggested to have better responses to immunotherapies. Eventually, some classical anti-tumor drugs were shown to be less effective in high-risk groups than in low-risk groups. Conclusion The 5-NK cell-related gene signature exhibit outstanding predictive performance and provide fresh viewpoints for evaluating the success of immunotherapy. It will provide new insights to achieve precision and integrated treatment for TNBC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zundong Liu
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Mingji Ding
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Pengjun Qiu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Kelun Pan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Qiaonan Guo
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
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Therapeutic Vaccination in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma—A Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030634. [PMID: 36992219 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic vaccination is one of the most effective immunotherapeutic approaches, second only to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which have already been approved for clinical use. Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are heterogenous epithelial tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract, and a significant proportion of these tumors tend to exhibit unfavorable therapeutic responses to the existing treatment options. Comprehending the immunopathology of these tumors and choosing an appropriate immunotherapeutic maneuver seems to be a promising avenue for solving this problem. The current review provides a detailed overview of the strategies, targets, and candidates for therapeutic vaccination in HNSCC. The classical principle of inducing a potent, antigen-specific, cell-mediated cytotoxicity targeting a specific tumor antigen seems to be the most effective mechanism of therapeutic vaccination, particularly against the human papilloma virus positive subset of HNSCC. However, approaches such as countering the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment of HNSCC and immune co-stimulatory mechanisms have also been explored recently, with encouraging results.
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Novel Insights of Anti-EGFR Therapy in HNSCC: Combined with Immunotherapy or Not? Curr Oncol Rep 2023; 25:93-105. [PMID: 36585960 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-022-01349-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The efficacy of anti-EGFR therapy is still unfavorable in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Disorder of antitumor immunity and aberrantly expressed checkpoint biomarkers had been validated to involve anti-EGFR therapy tolerance and efficacy. Here we review the immunomodulation of anti-EGFR therapy in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of HNSCC and assist clinicians in finding the potential strategies to rescue anti-EGFR tolerance therapy in the era of immunotherapy for HNSCC. RECENT FINDINGS Anti-EGFR therapy, especially cetuximab, was validated to induce the innate and adaptive immune responses of HNSCC patients. It is mainly through inducing natural killer (NK) cells mediating antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), recruiting multiple tumor-infiltrating immune cells, and finally remodeling the TIME. Moreover, mountains of preclinical models and clinical trials revealed that combining anti-EGFR agents with immunotherapy could enhance the antitumor effectiveness in HNSCC. Anti-EGFR therapy may usher in another dawn in the treatment of patients with HNSCC through combination with immunotherapy. We offer an overview of the ongoing efforts to make out the immunomodulation of the EGFR pathway in both innate and adaptive immune responses; update the constant preclinical models and clinical trials for the combination of anti-EGFR and immunotherapy in HNSCC; and finally evaluate the efficacy and advantages of the combination therapeutic strategies in clinical use.
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Ghazvinian Z, Abdolahi S, Tokhanbigli S, Tarzemani S, Piccin A, Reza Zali M, Verdi J, Baghaei K. Contribution of natural killer cells in innate immunity against colorectal cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1077053. [PMID: 36686835 PMCID: PMC9846259 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1077053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells are members of the innate immune system and promote cytotoxic activity against tumor or infected cells independently from MHC recognition. NK cells are modulated by the expression of activator/inhibitory receptors. The ratio of this activator/inhibitory receptors is responsible for the cytotoxic activity of NK cells toward the target cells. Owing to the potent anti-tumor properties of NK cells, they are considered as interesting approach in tumor treatment. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of death in the world and the incidence is about 2 million new cases per year. Metastatic CRC is accompanied by a poor prognosis with less than three years of overall survival. Chemotherapy and surgery are the most adopted treatments. Besides, targeted therapy and immune checkpoint blockade are novel approach to CRC treatment. In these patients, circulating NK cells are a prognostic marker. The main target of CRC immune cell therapy is to improve the tumor cell's recognition and elimination by immune cells. Adaptive NK cell therapy is the milestone to achieve the purpose. Allogeneic NK cell therapy has been widely investigated within clinical trials. In this review, we focus on the NK related approaches including CAR NK cells, cell-based vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and immunomodulatory drugs against CRC tumoral cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Ghazvinian
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahrokh Abdolahi
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samaneh Tokhanbigli
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shadi Tarzemani
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Andrea Piccin
- Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service, Belfast, United Kingdom
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Verdi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kaveh Baghaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Antosova Z, Podzimkova N, Tomala J, Augustynkova K, Sajnerova K, Nedvedova E, Sirova M, de Martynoff G, Bechard D, Moebius U, Kovar M, Spisek R, Adkins I. SOT101 induces NK cell cytotoxicity and potentiates antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity and anti-tumor activity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:989895. [PMID: 36300122 PMCID: PMC9590108 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.989895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
SOT101 is a superagonist fusion protein of interleukin (IL)-15 and the IL-15 receptor α (IL-15Rα) sushi+ domain, representing a promising clinical candidate for the treatment of cancer. SOT101 among other immune cells specifically stimulates natural killer (NK) cells and memory CD8+ T cells with no significant expansion or activation of the regulatory T cell compartment. In this study, we showed that SOT101 induced expression of cytotoxic receptors NKp30, DNAM-1 and NKG2D on human NK cells. SOT101 stimulated dose-dependent proliferation and the relative expansion of both major subsets of human NK cells, CD56brightCD16- and CD56dimCD16+, and these displayed an enhanced cytotoxicity in vitro. Using human PBMCs and isolated NK cells, we showed that SOT101 added concomitantly or used for immune cell pre-stimulation potentiated clinically approved monoclonal antibodies Cetuximab, Daratumumab and Obinutuzumab in killing of tumor cells in vitro. The anti-tumor efficacy of SOT101 in combination with Daratumumab was assessed in a solid multiple myeloma xenograft in CB17 SCID mouse model testing several combination schedules of administration in the early and late therapeutic setting of established tumors in vivo. SOT101 and Daratumumab monotherapies decreased with various efficacy tumor growth in vivo in dependence on the advancement of the tumor development. The combination of both drugs showed the strongest anti-tumor efficacy. Specifically, the sequencing of both drugs did not matter in the early therapeutic setting where a complete tumor regression was observed in all animals. In the late therapeutic treatment of established tumors Daratumumab followed by SOT101 administration or a concomitant administration of both drugs showed a significant anti-tumor efficacy over the respective monotherapies. These results suggest that SOT101 might significantly augment the anti-tumor activity of therapeutic antibodies by increasing NK cell-mediated activity in patients. These results support the evaluation of SOT101 in combination with Daratumumab in clinical studies and present a rationale for an optimal clinical dosing schedule selection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nada Podzimkova
- Preclinical Department, SOTIO Biotech a.s, Prague, Czechia
- Department of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jakub Tomala
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | | | | | - Eva Nedvedova
- Preclinical Department, SOTIO Biotech a.s, Prague, Czechia
| | - Milada Sirova
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | | | | | - Ulrich Moebius
- Preclinical Department, SOTIO Biotech a.s, Prague, Czechia
| | - Marek Kovar
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Radek Spisek
- Preclinical Department, SOTIO Biotech a.s, Prague, Czechia
- Department of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Irena Adkins
- Preclinical Department, SOTIO Biotech a.s, Prague, Czechia
- Department of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Irena Adkins,
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Chi H, Xie X, Yan Y, Peng G, Strohmer DF, Lai G, Zhao S, Xia Z, Tian G. Natural killer cell-related prognosis signature characterizes immune landscape and predicts prognosis of HNSCC. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1018685. [PMID: 36263048 PMCID: PMC9575041 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1018685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the most common head and neck cancer, is highly aggressive and heterogeneous, resulting in variable prognoses and immunotherapeutic outcomes. Natural killer (NK) cells play essential roles in malignancies’ development, diagnosis, and prognosis. The purpose of this study was to establish a reliable signature based on genes related to NK cells (NRGs), thus providing a new perspective for assessing immunotherapy response and prognosis of HNSCC patients. Methods In this study, NRGs were used to classify HNSCC from the TCGA-HNSCC and GEO cohorts. The genes were evaluated using univariate cox regression analysis based on the differential analysis of normal and tumor samples in TCGA-HNSCC conducted using the “limma” R package. Thereafter, we built prognostic gene signatures using LASSO-COX analysis. External validation was carried out in the GSE41613 cohort. Immunity analysis based on NRGs was performed via several methods, such as CIBERSORT, and immunotherapy response was evaluated by TIP portal website. Results With the TCGA-HNSCC data, we established a nomogram based on the 17-NRGs signature and a variety of clinicopathological characteristics. The low-risk group exhibited a better effect when it came to immunotherapy. Conclusions 17-NRGs signature and nomograms demonstrate excellent predictive performance and offer new perspectives for assessing pre-immune efficacy, which will facilitate future precision immuno-oncology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chi
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xixi Xie
- School of Stomatology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yingjie Yan
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Gaoge Peng
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Dorothee Franziska Strohmer
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Guichuan Lai
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Songyun Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Zhijia Xia
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- *Correspondence: Zhijia Xia, ; Gang Tian,
| | - Gang Tian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhijia Xia, ; Gang Tian,
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Baysal H, De Pauw I, Zaryouh H, Peeters M, Vermorken JB, Lardon F, De Waele J, Wouters A. The Right Partner in Crime: Unlocking the Potential of the Anti-EGFR Antibody Cetuximab via Combination With Natural Killer Cell Chartering Immunotherapeutic Strategies. Front Immunol 2021; 12:737311. [PMID: 34557197 PMCID: PMC8453198 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.737311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cetuximab has an established role in the treatment of patients with recurrent/metastatic colorectal cancer and head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). However, the long-term effectiveness of cetuximab has been limited by the development of acquired resistance, leading to tumor relapse. By contrast, immunotherapies can elicit long-term tumor regression, but the overall response rates are much more limited. In addition to epidermal growth factor (EGFR) inhibition, cetuximab can activate natural killer (NK) cells to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). In view of the above, there is an unmet need for the majority of patients that are treated with both monotherapy cetuximab and immunotherapy. Accumulated evidence from (pre-)clinical studies suggests that targeted therapies can have synergistic antitumor effects through combination with immunotherapy. However, further optimizations, aimed towards illuminating the multifaceted interplay, are required to avoid toxicity and to achieve better therapeutic effectiveness. The current review summarizes existing (pre-)clinical evidence to provide a rationale supporting the use of combined cetuximab and immunotherapy approaches in patients with different types of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Baysal
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ines De Pauw
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hannah Zaryouh
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marc Peeters
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Medical Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Jan Baptist Vermorken
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Medical Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Filip Lardon
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jorrit De Waele
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - An Wouters
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Natural Killer Cells and Type 1 Innate Lymphoid Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22169044. [PMID: 34445750 PMCID: PMC8396475 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22169044] [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: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells and type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1) are specific innate lymphoid cell subsets that are key for the detection and elimination of pathogens and cancer cells. In liver, while they share a number of characteristics, they differ in many features. These include their developmental pathways, tissue distribution, phenotype and functions. NK cells and ILC1 contribute to organ homeostasis through the production of key cytokines and chemokines and the elimination of potential harmful bacteria and viruses. In addition, they are equipped with a wide range of receptors, allowing them to detect “stressed cells’ such as cancer cells. Our understanding of the role of innate lymphoid cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is growing owing to the development of mouse models, the progress in immunotherapeutic treatment and the recent use of scRNA sequencing analyses. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of NK cells and ILC1 in hepatocellular carcinoma and discuss future strategies to take advantage of these innate immune cells in anti-tumor immunity. Immunotherapies hold great promise in HCC, and a better understanding of the role and function of NK cells and ILC1 in liver cancer could pave the way for new NK cell and/or ILC1-targeted treatment.
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Ozaniak A, Vachtenheim J, Lischke R, Bartunkova J, Strizova Z. Novel Insights into the Immunotherapy of Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Do We Need a Change of Perspective? Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9080935. [PMID: 34440139 PMCID: PMC8393686 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9080935] [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: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are rare mesenchymal tumors. With more than 80 histological subtypes of STSs, data regarding novel biomarkers of strong prognostic and therapeutic value are very limited. To date, the most important prognostic factor is the tumor grade, and approximately 50% of patients that are diagnosed with high-grade STSs die of metastatic disease within five years. Systemic chemotherapy represents the mainstay of metastatic STSs treatment for decades but induces response in only 15–35% of the patients, irrespective of the histological subtype. In the era of immunotherapy, deciphering the immune cell signatures within the STSs tumors may discriminate immunotherapy responders from non-responders and different immunotherapeutic approaches could be combined based on the predominant cell subpopulations infiltrating the STS tumors. Furthermore, understanding the immune diversity of the STS tumor microenvironment (TME) in different histological subtypes may provide a rationale for stratifying patients according to the TME immune parameters. In this review, we introduce the most important immune cell types infiltrating the STSs tumors and discuss different immunotherapies, as well as promising clinical trials, that would target these immune cells to enhance the antitumor immune responses and improve the prognosis of metastatic STSs patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrej Ozaniak
- Third Department of Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic; (A.O.); (J.V.J.); (R.L.)
| | - Jiri Vachtenheim
- Third Department of Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic; (A.O.); (J.V.J.); (R.L.)
| | - Robert Lischke
- Third Department of Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic; (A.O.); (J.V.J.); (R.L.)
| | - Jirina Bartunkova
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Zuzana Strizova
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-604712471
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Rosser CJ, Tikhonenkov S, Nix JW, Chan OTM, Ianculescu I, Reddy S, Soon-Shiong P. Safety, Tolerability, and Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of an IL-15 analogue (N-803) Admixed with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) for the Treatment of Bladder Cancer. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1912885. [PMID: 33996264 PMCID: PMC8096327 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.1912885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Intravesical BCG is active against non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), but bladder cancer will recur and even progress in a significant number of patients. To improve the response rate, N-803, an IL-15 superagonist was administered in combination with BCG. To evaluate the safety and efficacy associated with the use of intravesical N-803 and BCG in patients with BCG-naïve NMIBC. This phase 1b clinical trial used a 3 + 3 dose-escalation design. Participants were enrolled from July 2014 and July 2015, with follow-up and analyses through January 15, 2021. Eligibility criteria included histologically confirmed non-muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma of intermediate or high risk who had not received prior treatment with intravesical BCG (ie, BCG-naïve). All 9 participants met the eligibility criteria, received treatment according to the protocol, and were included in all analyses. Treatment was done once weekly for 6 consecutive weeks with bladder infusion of the standard dose of BCG, 50 mg/instillation, in combination with increasing doses of N-803 (100, 200, or 400 µg N-803 per instillation). No DLTs were noted in any of the dose cohorts. All adverse events (AEs) were manageable and less than grade 3. During the 2-year follow-up, all 9 participants were disease free. Furthermore, 6 y after treatment, all 9 participants (100%) were disease free with no evidence of disease progression and an intact bladder. This phase 1b trial found the combination of intravesical N-803 and BCG to be associated with modest toxic effects, low immunogenicity, and substantial prolonged antitumoral activity; phase 2 trials are in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles J Rosser
- Clinical & Translational Research Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center,Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Sergei Tikhonenkov
- Clinical & Translational Research Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center,Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Jeffrey W Nix
- Department of Urology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Owen T M Chan
- Clinical & Translational Research Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center,Honolulu, Hawaii
| | | | - Sandeep Reddy
- NantHealth Inc, Culver City, California.,ImmunityBio, Inc., Culver City, California
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IL15RA and SMAD3 Genetic Variants Predict Overall Survival in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated with FOLFIRI Therapy: A New Paradigm. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071705. [PMID: 33916844 PMCID: PMC8038482 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071705] [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: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary There is an increasing scientific interest in the study of the interaction between the immune system and drugs in cancer that can affect the efficacy of an anti-cancer treatment. This study was undertaken to better understand if the genetic characteristic of a cancer patient’s immune system can predict the tumor response to the treatment and the duration of survival. The topic was studied on 335 metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with a first-line chemotherapy (FOLFIRI regimen, irinotecan-5-fluorouracil-leucovorin). The research highlighted two markers, IL15RA-rs7910212 and SMAD3-rs7179840, significantly associated with the patient’s survival. When considering IL15RA-rs7910212 and SMAD3-rs7179840 in combination with other two genetic markers previously investigated (NR1I2-rs1054190, VDR-rs7299460), we built up a highly predictive genetic score of survival. The herein identified markers must be further validated, but still represent good candidates to understand how much a patient with a metastatic colorectal cancer can benefit from a chemotherapy with FOLFIRI regimen. Abstract A new paradigm in cancer chemotherapy derives from the interaction between chemotherapeutics, including irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and the immune system. The patient’s immune response can modulate chemotherapy effectiveness, and, on the other hand, chemotherapeutic agents can foster tumor cell immunogenicity. On these grounds, the analysis of the cancer patients’ immunogenetic characteristics and their effect on survival after chemotherapy represent a new frontier. This study aims to identify genetic determinants in the immuno-related pathways predictive of overall survival (OS) after FOLFIRI (irinotecan, 5-FU, leucovorin) therapy. Two independent cohorts comprising a total of 335 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) homogeneously treated with first-line FOLFIRI were included in the study. The prognostic effect of 192 tagging genetic polymorphisms in 34 immune-related genes was evaluated using the bead array technology. The IL15RA rs7910212-C allele was associated with worse OS in both discovery (HR: 1.57, p = 0.0327, Bootstrap p-value = 0.0280) and replication (HR: 1.71, p = 0.0411) cohorts. Conversely, SMAD3 rs7179840-C allele was associated with better OS in both discovery (HR: 0.65, p = 0.0202, Bootstrap p-value = 0.0203) and replication (HR: 0.61, p = 0.0216) cohorts. A genetic prognostic score was generated integrating IL15RA-rs7910212 and SMAD3-rs7179840 markers with inflammation-related prognostic polymorphisms we previously identified in the same study population (i.e., PXR [NR1I2]-rs1054190, VDR-rs7299460). The calculated genetic score successfully discriminated patients with different survival probabilities (p < 0.0001 log-rank test). These findings provide new insight on the prognostic value of genetic determinants, such as IL15RA and SMAD3 markers, and could offer a new decision tool to improve the clinical management of patients with mCRC receiving FOLFIRI.
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Wang G, Zhang M, Cheng M, Wang X, Li K, Chen J, Chen Z, Chen S, Chen J, Xiong G, Xu X, Wang C, Chen D. Tumor microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Functions and regulatory mechanisms. Cancer Lett 2021; 507:55-69. [PMID: 33741424 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment has been recently reported to play a pivotal role in sustaining tumor cells survival and protecting them from immunotherapy and chemotherapy-induced death. It remains largely unknown how the specific signaling pathway exerts the tumor microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma though previous studies have elucidated the regulatory mechanisms involve in tumor immune microenvironment, stromal cells, tumor angiogenesis and cancer stem cell. These components are responsible for tumor progression as well as anti-cancer therapy resistance, leading to rapid tumor growth and treatment failure. In this review, we focus on discussing the interaction between tumor cells and the surrounding components for better understanding of anti-cancer treatment ineffectiveness and its underlying molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganping Wang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510030, China
| | - Maosheng Cheng
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Kang Li
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jianwen Chen
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Shuang Chen
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Gan Xiong
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510030, China
| | - Xiuyun Xu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510030, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510030, China
| | - Demeng Chen
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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Juusola M, Kuuliala K, Kuuliala A, Mustonen H, Vähä-Koskela M, Puolakkainen P, Seppänen H. Pancreatic cancer is associated with aberrant monocyte function and successive differentiation into macrophages with inferior anti-tumour characteristics. Pancreatology 2021; 21:397-405. [PMID: 33461933 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2020.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Inflammation is related to the development and progression of pancreatic cancer (PC). Locally, anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2), and systemically, high levels of certain inflammation-modulating cytokines associate with poor prognosis in PC. The detailed effects of systemic inflammation on circulating monocytes and macrophage polarisation remain unknown. We aimed to find out how intracellular signalling of peripheral blood monocytes is affected by the systemic inflammatory state in PC patients and how it affects their differentiation into macrophages. METHODS Monocytes were isolated from 50 consenting PC patients and 20 healthy controls (HC). The phosphorylation status of the signalling molecules was assessed by flow cytometry both from unstimulated and appropriately stimulated monocytes. Monocytes derived from HC and PC patients were co-cultured with cancer cells (MIA PaCa-2 and HPAF-II) in media supplemented with autologous serum, and the CD marker expression of the obtained macrophages was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS Phosphorylation levels of unstimulated STAT2, STAT3 and STAT6 were higher (p < 0.05) and those of stimulated NF-kB (p = 0.004) and STAT5 (p = 0.006) were lower in patients than in controls. The expression of CD86, a proinflammatory (M1) marker, was higher in control- than patient-derived co-cultured macrophages (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS Circulating monocytes from PC patients showed constitutive phosphorylation and weaker response to stimuli, indicating aberrant activation and immune suppression. When co-culturing the patient-derived monocytes with cancer cells, they differentiated into macrophages with reduced levels of M1 macrophage marker CD86, suggesting compromised anti-tumour features. The results highlight the need for global management of tumour-associated immune aberrations in PC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilda Juusola
- Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Krista Kuuliala
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Antti Kuuliala
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Harri Mustonen
- Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Pauli Puolakkainen
- Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna Seppänen
- Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Li J, Li Y, Zhou X, Wei L, Zhang J, Zhu S, Zhang H, Gao X, Sharifu LM, Wang S, Xi L, Feng L. Upregulation of IL-15 in the placenta alters trophoblasts behavior contributing to gestational diabetes mellitus. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:33. [PMID: 33557944 PMCID: PMC7869487 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00533-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Interleukin-15 (IL-15), a member of the ‘four α-helix bundle’ cytokine family, has been associated with many inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Abnormal expression of IL-15 has been linked to the occurrence and development of obesity and diabetes. However, there is a paucity of research on the involvement of IL-15 in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). This study aims at investigating the role of IL-15 in the pathogenesis of GDM. Results IL-15 was consistently expressed in the placenta throughout pregnancy and dynamically changed with pregnancy progress. Trophoblasts have been identified as the major source of IL-15 in the placenta. Expression of IL-15 was significantly increased in the placenta of GDM and in the trophoblasts cultured with high glucose (HG). In our study, expression of IL-15 in the placenta was positively correlated with blood glucose concentration of 75 g Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), and was inversely correlated with weight of newborns. Further investigations in vitro showed that exogenous addition of IL-15 promoted trophoblasts proliferation, improved invasion and tube formation ability by activating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, which be blocked by JAK inhibitors. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that IL-15 expression in the placenta was dynamically changing during pregnancy, and it was upregulated in the placenta of GDM patients. Furthermore, IL-15 altered the biological behavior of trophoblasts through JAK/STAT signaling pathway in vitro, and may contributed to the placental pathology of GDM. Our findings provide a new direction for studying the pathophysiological changes of placenta in GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Li
- National Clinical Research Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Yuan Li
- National Clinical Research Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- National Clinical Research Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Lijie Wei
- National Clinical Research Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Jingyi Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Shenglan Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Huiting Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Xuan Gao
- National Clinical Research Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Lali Mwamaka Sharifu
- National Clinical Research Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Shaoshuai Wang
- National Clinical Research Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Ling Xi
- National Clinical Research Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Ling Feng
- National Clinical Research Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
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17
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Riggan L, Shah S, O’Sullivan TE. Arrested development: suppression of NK cell function in the tumor microenvironment. Clin Transl Immunology 2021; 10:e1238. [PMID: 33456775 PMCID: PMC7797224 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic innate lymphocytes that protect against viral infection and tumor metastasis. Despite their inherent ability to kill a broad range of virally infected, stressed and transformed cells, low numbers of dysfunctional NK cells are often observed in many advanced solid human cancers. Here, we review the potential mechanisms that influence suboptimal mature NK cell recruitment and function in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid tumors. We further highlight current immunotherapy approaches aimed to circumvent NK cell dysfunction and discuss next-generation strategies to enhance adoptive NK cell therapy through targeting intrinsic and extrinsic checkpoints the regulate NK cell functionality in the TME. Understanding the mechanisms that drive NK cell dysfunction in the TME will lead to novel immunotherapeutic approaches in the fight against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Riggan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular GeneticsDavid Geffen School of Medicine at UCLALos AngelesCAUSA
- Molecular Biology InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Siya Shah
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular GeneticsDavid Geffen School of Medicine at UCLALos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Timothy E O’Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular GeneticsDavid Geffen School of Medicine at UCLALos AngelesCAUSA
- Molecular Biology InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
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Zhang S, Zhao J, Bai X, Handley M, Shan F. Biological effects of IL-15 on immune cells and its potential for the treatment of cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 91:107318. [PMID: 33383444 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-15 (IL-15) has recently emerged as a novel immunomodulatory cytokine in cancer immunotherapy. IL-15 has the potential to reject and destroy cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment by expanding and activating natural killer (NK), natural killer T (NKT), and memory (m) CD8+T cells. Due to the feasible outcomes obtained from preclinical studies and phase 1/2 clinical trials, IL-15-based therapy, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell or CAR NK cell infusion following in vitro expansion in the presence of IL-15, used in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and other therapy may extend to clinical practice in the future. It is also important to understand the biological characteristics of IL-15 to ensure the maximal benefit of therapeutic strategies. Here, we summarize the current development of IL-15 in the following areas: anti-tumor mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment, advances in IL-15-based therapy itself or in combination with other methods, including biological agents, monoclonal antibodies, and adoptive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuling Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Jianzhu Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Xueli Bai
- Department of Gynecology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Mike Handley
- Cytocm lnc, 3001 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792, USA
| | - Fengping Shan
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
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Zhao Z, Xing Y, Liu Y, Jing S. Lung cancer‑associated transcript 1 facilitates tumorigenesis in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma through the targeted inhibition of miR‑493. Mol Med Rep 2020; 23:59. [PMID: 33215214 PMCID: PMC7705996 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve important roles in the tumorigenesis of a diverse range of cancer types. The lung cancer-associated transcript 1 (LUCAT1), has been reported to promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. However, the exact role of LUCAT1 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remains to fully understood. The present study aimed to interrogate the role and modulatory mechanism of LUCAT1 in LSCC. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting were used to investigate the expression of LUCAT1 and miR-493, as well as the protein expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 2, cyclin E1, p21, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2, MMP9, vascular endothelial growth factor-C, Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and procaspase-3. Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry, wound healing and Transwell assays were performed to analyze the proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis levels, and the migratory and invasive abilities, respectively, of the LSCC AMC-HN-8 cell line. In addition, dual-luciferase reporter and ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation assays were used to investigate the binding between LUCAT1 and microRNA (miR)-493. The results of the present study revealed that the expression levels of LUCAT1 were upregulated in AMC-HN-8 cells. The genetic knockdown of LUCAT1 expression levels significantly suppressed the cell proliferation, alongside downregulating the expression levels of CDK2 and cyclin E1 and upregulating p21 expression levels. In addition, the knockdown of LUCAT1 inhibited cell migration and invasion, as demonstrated using the wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. Moreover, LUCAT1 knockdown promoted cell apoptosis and upregulated the expression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3, whilst downregulating the expression levels of Bcl-2. Furthermore, LUCAT1 was discovered to directly bind to and inhibit the well-known tumor suppressor, miR-493. Notably, the specific inhibition of miR-493 partly blocked the anticancer effects of LUCAT1 knockdown in AMC-HN-8 cells. In conclusion, these results suggested that LUCAT1 may facilitate tumorigenesis in LSCC through the targeted inhibition of miR-493, which provides evidence for a novel target for the treatment of LSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China
| | - Yan Xing
- The Third Department of Rehabilitation, Shijiazhuang No. 1 Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China
| | - Shanghua Jing
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China
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Van der Meer JMR, Maas RJA, Guldevall K, Klarenaar K, de Jonge PKJD, Evert JSHV, van der Waart AB, Cany J, Safrit JT, Lee JH, Wagena E, Friedl P, Önfelt B, Massuger LF, Schaap NPM, Jansen JH, Hobo W, Dolstra H. IL-15 superagonist N-803 improves IFNγ production and killing of leukemia and ovarian cancer cells by CD34 + progenitor-derived NK cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 70:1305-1321. [PMID: 33140189 PMCID: PMC8053152 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02749-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell transfer is a potential immunotherapy to eliminate and control cancer. A promising source are CD34 + hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), since large numbers of cytotoxic NK cells can be generated. Effective boosting of NK cell function can be achieved by interleukin (IL)-15. However, its in vivo half-life is short and potent trans-presentation by IL-15 receptor α (IL-15Rα) is absent. Therefore, ImmunityBio developed IL-15 superagonist N-803, which combines IL-15 with an activating mutation, an IL-15Rα sushi domain for trans-presentation, and IgG1-Fc for increased half-life. Here, we investigated whether and how N-803 improves HPC-NK cell functionality in leukemia and ovarian cancer (OC) models in vitro and in vivo in OC-bearing immunodeficient mice. We used flow cytometry-based assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, microscopy-based serial killing assays, and bioluminescence imaging, for in vitro and in vivo experiments. N-803 increased HPC-NK cell proliferation and interferon (IFN)γ production. On leukemia cells, co-culture with HPC-NK cells and N-803 increased ICAM-1 expression. Furthermore, N-803 improved HPC-NK cell-mediated (serial) leukemia killing. Treating OC spheroids with HPC-NK cells and N-803 increased IFNγ-induced CXCL10 secretion, and target killing after prolonged exposure. In immunodeficient mice bearing human OC, N-803 supported HPC-NK cell persistence in combination with total human immunoglobulins to prevent Fc-mediated HPC-NK cell depletion. Moreover, this combination treatment decreased tumor growth. In conclusion, N-803 is a promising IL-15-based compound that boosts HPC-NK cell expansion and functionality in vitro and in vivo. Adding N-803 to HPC-NK cell therapy could improve cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M R Van der Meer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - R J A Maas
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - K Guldevall
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - K Klarenaar
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - P K J D de Jonge
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - J S Hoogstad-van Evert
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - A B van der Waart
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - J Cany
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - J H Lee
- ImmunityBio, Culver City, CA, USA
| | - E Wagena
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - P Friedl
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- David H. Koch Center for Applied Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Cancer Genomics Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - B Önfelt
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - L F Massuger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - N P M Schaap
- Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - J H Jansen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - W Hobo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - H Dolstra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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21
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Pfefferle A, Jacobs B, Haroun-Izquierdo A, Kveberg L, Sohlberg E, Malmberg KJ. Deciphering Natural Killer Cell Homeostasis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:812. [PMID: 32477340 PMCID: PMC7235169 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have a central role within the innate immune system, eliminating virally infected, foreign and transformed cells through their natural cytotoxic capacity. Release of their cytotoxic granules is tightly controlled through the balance of a large repertoire of inhibitory and activating receptors, and it is the unique combination of these receptors expressed by individual cells that confers immense diversity both in phenotype and functionality. The diverse, yet unique, NK cell repertoire within an individual is surprisingly stable over time considering the constant renewal of these cells at steady state. Here we give an overview of NK cell differentiation and discuss metabolic requirements, intra-lineage plasticity and transcriptional reprogramming during IL-15-driven homeostatic proliferation. New insights into the regulation of NK cell differentiation and homeostasis could pave the way for the successful implementation of NK cell-based immunotherapy against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Pfefferle
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Benedikt Jacobs
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,The KG Jebsen Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alvaro Haroun-Izquierdo
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lise Kveberg
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,The KG Jebsen Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ebba Sohlberg
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karl-Johan Malmberg
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,The KG Jebsen Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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22
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Mechanisms of Resistance to NK Cell Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040893. [PMID: 32272610 PMCID: PMC7226138 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has recently been a major breakthrough in cancer treatment. Natural killer (NK) cells are suitable targets for immunotherapy owing to their potent cytotoxic activity that may target cancer cells in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and antigen-unrestricted manner. Current therapies targeting NK cells include monoclonal antibodies that promote NK cell antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the adoptive transfer of NK cells, the redirection of NK cells using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells and the use of cytokines and immunostimulatory drugs to boost the anti-tumor activity of NK cells. Despite some encouraging clinical results, patients receiving these therapies frequently develop resistance, and a myriad of mechanisms of resistance affecting both the immune system and cancer cells have been reported. A first contributing factor that modulates the efficacy of the NK cell therapy is the genetic profile of the individual, which regulates all aspects of NK cell biology. Additionally, the resistance of cancer cells to apoptosis and the immunoediting of cancer cells, a process that decreases their immunogenicity and promotes immunosuppression, are major determinants of the resistance to NK cell therapy. Consequently, the efficacy of NK cell anti-tumor therapy is specific to each patient and disease. The elucidation of such immunosubversive mechanisms is crucial to developing new procedures and therapeutic strategies to fully harness the anti-tumor potential of NK cells.
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23
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Knudson KM, Hodge JW, Schlom J, Gameiro SR. Rationale for IL-15 superagonists in cancer immunotherapy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020; 20:705-709. [PMID: 32159390 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1738379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Karin M Knudson
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James W Hodge
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sofia R Gameiro
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD, USA
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24
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Ben-Shmuel A, Biber G, Barda-Saad M. Unleashing Natural Killer Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment-The Next Generation of Immunotherapy? Front Immunol 2020; 11:275. [PMID: 32153582 PMCID: PMC7046808 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of immunotherapy for cancer treatment bears considerable clinical promise. Nevertheless, many patients remain unresponsive, acquire resistance, or suffer dose-limiting toxicities. Immune-editing of tumors assists their escape from the immune system, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) induces immune suppression through multiple mechanisms. Immunotherapy aims to bolster the activity of immune cells against cancer by targeting these suppressive immunomodulatory processes. Natural Killer (NK) cells are a heterogeneous subset of immune cells, which express a diverse array of activating and inhibitory germline-encoded receptors, and are thus capable of directly targeting and killing cancer cells without the need for MHC specificity. Furthermore, they play a critical role in triggering the adaptive immune response. Enhancing the function of NK cells in the context of cancer is therefore a promising avenue for immunotherapy. Different NK-based therapies have been evaluated in clinical trials, and some have demonstrated clinical benefits, especially in the context of hematological malignancies. Solid tumors remain much more difficult to treat, and the time point and means of intervention of current NK-based treatments still require optimization to achieve long term effects. Here, we review recently described mechanisms of cancer evasion from NK cell immune surveillance, and the therapeutic approaches that aim to potentiate NK function. Specific focus is placed on the use of specialized monoclonal antibodies against moieties on the cancer cell, or on both the tumor and the NK cell. In addition, we highlight newly identified mechanisms that inhibit NK cell activity in the TME, and describe how biochemical modifications of the TME can synergize with current treatments and increase susceptibility to NK cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aviad Ben-Shmuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Guy Biber
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Mira Barda-Saad
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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