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Chen S, Yao C, Tian N, Zhang C, Chen Y, Wang X, Jiang Y, Zhang T, Zeng T, Song Y. The interplay between persistent pathogen infections with tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy in cancer. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e70154. [PMID: 39240588 PMCID: PMC11378724 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.70154] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic infections by pathogenic microorganisms play a significant role in cancer development, disrupting the body's immune system and microenvironment. This interference impairs the body's ability to eliminate these microorganisms promptly, allowing them to persist by evading immune defenses. AIMS This study aimed to explore how chronic pathogenic infections influence the immune microenvironment, impacting tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and treatment strategies. Additionally, it seeks to investigate the effects of these infections on specific immune checkpoints and identify potential targets for immunotherapy. METHODS We conducted searches, readings, and detailed analyses of key terms in databases like PubMed and Web of Science to evaluate the impact of chronic infections by pathogenic microorganisms on the immune microenvironment. RESULTS Our analysis demonstrates a significant association between persistent chronic infections by pathogenic microorganisms and tumorigenesis. Notable impacts on the immune microenvironment include changes in immune cell function and the regulation of immune checkpoints, offering insights into potential targets for cancer immunotherapy. DISCUSSION This study highlights the complex relationship between chronic infections and cancer development, presenting new opportunities for cancer immunotherapy by understanding their effects on the immune microenvironment. The influence of these infections on immune checkpoints emphasizes the crucial role of the immune system in cancer treatment. CONCLUSION Chronic infections by pathogenic microorganisms greatly affect the immune microenvironment, tumorigenesis, and cancer treatment. Unraveling the underlying mechanisms can unveil potential targets for immunotherapy, improving our comprehension of the immune response to cancer and potentially leading to more effective cancer treatments in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University; Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine; Clinical Laboratory Medicine Research Center of West China Hospital, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Caihong Yao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University; Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine; Clinical Laboratory Medicine Research Center of West China Hospital, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Tian
- Anesthesiology Department, Qingdao Eighth People's Hospital, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunying Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University; Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine; Clinical Laboratory Medicine Research Center of West China Hospital, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuemei Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University; Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine; Clinical Laboratory Medicine Research Center of West China Hospital, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuting Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University; Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine; Clinical Laboratory Medicine Research Center of West China Hospital, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University; Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine; Clinical Laboratory Medicine Research Center of West China Hospital, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Tonghao Zhang
- Department of Statistics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Tingting Zeng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University; Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine; Clinical Laboratory Medicine Research Center of West China Hospital, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yali Song
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University; Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine; Clinical Laboratory Medicine Research Center of West China Hospital, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
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Yamada Y, Miyoshi H, Takeuchi M, Nakashima K, Yamada K, Kato T, Tanaka K, Kohno K, Imaizumi Y, Miyazaki Y, Ohshima K. TIGIT expression on neoplastic cells is a poor prognostic factor for adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma. Pathology 2024:S0031-3025(24)00187-9. [PMID: 39266421 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2024.06.003] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is an aggressive peripheral T-cell neoplasm with a poor prognosis. T-cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domains (TIGIT) is an immune checkpoint receptor expressed on T and natural killer cells. Although increased TIGIT expression in the tumour microenvironment is associated with poor prognosis in various neoplasms, its relevance in ATLL remains unknown. Herein, we investigated the clinicopathological impact of TIGIT expression on ATLL using immunohistochemistry. TIGIT expression was detected in 21 of 84 patients (25%). A partial association between the clinical features and immune checkpoint molecules and the expression of TIGIT was found including sIL-2R, CD86 and GITR. TIGIT-positive patients [median survival time (MST) 8.9 months, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.7-15.6] had inferior overall survival compared with TIGIT-negative patients (MST 18.7 months, 95% CI 12.0-36.4) (p=0.0124]. TIGIT expression maintained its prognostic value for overall survival in both univariate and multivariate analyses [hazard ratio (HR) 1.909; 95% CI 1.044-3.488; p=0.0356]. Further studies are required to clarify the clinical and biological significance of TIGIT expression in patients with ATLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Yamada
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan; Department of Hematology, Atomic Bomb Disease and Hibakusha Medicine Unit, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan; Department of Hematology, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Miyoshi
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan.
| | - Mai Takeuchi
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Nakashima
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Kyohei Yamada
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Takeharu Kato
- Department of Hematology, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Ken Tanaka
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Kei Kohno
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Imaizumi
- Department of Hematology, National Hospital Organization Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Yasushi Miyazaki
- Department of Hematology, Atomic Bomb Disease and Hibakusha Medicine Unit, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan; Department of Hematology, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan; Department of Hematology, Atomic Bomb Disease and Hibakusha Medicine Unit, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Koichi Ohshima
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
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3
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Sun W, Hu S, Wang X. Advances and clinical applications of immune checkpoint inhibitors in hematological malignancies. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2024. [PMID: 39073258 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoints are differentially expressed on various immune cells to regulate immune responses in tumor microenvironment. Tumor cells can activate the immune checkpoint pathway to establish an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and inhibit the anti-tumor immune response, which may lead to tumor progression by evading immune surveillance. Interrupting co-inhibitory signaling pathways with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) could reinvigorate the anti-tumor immune response and promote immune-mediated eradication of tumor cells. As a milestone in tumor treatment, ICIs have been firstly used in solid tumors and subsequently expanded to hematological malignancies, which are in their infancy. Currently, immune checkpoints have been investigated as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets in hematological malignancies, and novel immune checkpoints, such as signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha-inducible protein 8-like 2 (TIPE2), are constantly being discovered. Numerous ICIs have received clinical approval for clinical application in the treatment of hematological malignancies, especially when used in combination with other strategies, including oncolytic viruses (OVs), neoantigen vaccines, bispecific antibodies (bsAb), bio-nanomaterials, tumor vaccines, and cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells. Moreover, the proportion of individuals with hematological malignancies benefiting from ICIs remains lower than expected due to multiple mechanisms of drug resistance and immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Close monitoring and appropriate intervention are needed to mitigate irAEs while using ICIs. This review provided a comprehensive overview of immune checkpoints on different immune cells, the latest advances of ICIs and highlighted the clinical applications of immune checkpoints in hematological malignancies, including biomarkers, targets, combination of ICIs with other therapies, mechanisms of resistance to ICIs, and irAEs, which can provide novel insight into the future exploration of ICIs in tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyue Sun
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Shunfeng Hu
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
- Taishan Scholars Program of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
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Muto R, Miyoshi H, Nakashima K, Takeuchi M, Hamasaki M, Ohshima K. Clinicopathological features of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma with T-follicular helper phenotype. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e7050. [PMID: 38506241 PMCID: PMC10952016 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS T-follicular helper (TFH) cells are effector T-cells that are crucial for B-cell selection and differentiation. T-cell lymphomas derived from TFH cells have distinct characteristics. Additionally, in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification 5th edition, three lymphomas were introduced as independent disease entities with TFH cell origin. We aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) with a TFH phenotype (TFHP). METHODS AND RESULTS We performed TFH immunohistochemistry analysis of five biomarkers for the biopsy specimen, with TFHP being indicated by a positive result for more than two markers. Among 75 cases of ATLL, 37.3% of them showed TFHP. Compared with cases of ATLL without TFHP, cases of ATLL with TFHP showed higher C-reactive protein levels (p = 0.0219) and increased high endothelial venule proliferation (p = 0.024). However, there were no significant between-group differences in overall survival as well as other clinical and morphological findings. Furthermore, there was no significant between-group difference in TFH markers and FOXP3 expression. CONCLUSION Some patients with ATLL may present a TFHP, which should not preclude the diagnosis of ATLL. Although presenting a TFHP does not affect prognosis, it is important to identify cases of ATLL with a TFHP since it may inform future treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiji Muto
- Department of Pathology, National Hospital Organization (NHO)Kumamoto Medical CenterKumamotoJapan
- Department of PathologyKurume University School of MedicineKurumeJapan
- Department of PathologyFukuoka University School of MedicineFukuokaJapan
| | - Hiroaki Miyoshi
- Department of PathologyKurume University School of MedicineKurumeJapan
| | | | - Mai Takeuchi
- Department of PathologyKurume University School of MedicineKurumeJapan
| | - Makoto Hamasaki
- Department of PathologyFukuoka University School of MedicineFukuokaJapan
| | - Koichi Ohshima
- Department of PathologyKurume University School of MedicineKurumeJapan
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Zaitsu S, Yano M, Adachi S, Miwa M, Katoh T, Kawano Y, Yasuda M. Lymphocyte-activation gene 3 protein expression in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes is associated with a poor prognosis of ovarian clear cell carcinoma. J Ovarian Res 2023; 16:93. [PMID: 37179337 PMCID: PMC10182671 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-023-01179-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Histological analysis has revealed the need for new treatment techniques for epithelial ovarian cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors may be a new therapeutic strategy for ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC). Lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3), an immune checkpoint, is a poor prognostic factor and a new therapeutic target for several malignancies. In this study, we demonstrated the correlation between LAG-3 expression and the clinicopathological features of OCCC. We evaluated LAG-3 expression in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) via immunohistochemical analysis using tissue microarrays containing surgically resected specimens from 171 patients with OCCC. RESULTS The number of LAG-3-positive cases was 48 (28.1%), whereas the number of LAG-3-negative cases was 123 (71.9%). LAG-3 expression significantly increased in patients with advanced stages (P = 0.036) and recurrence (P = 0.012); however, its expression did not correlate with age (P = 0.613), residual tumor (P = 0.156), or death (P = 0.086). Using the Kaplan - Meier method, LAG-3 expression was found to be correlated with poor overall survival (P = 0.020) and progression-free survival (P = 0.019). Multivariate analysis revealed LAG-3 expression (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00 - 3.44, P = 0.049) and residual tumor (HR = 9.71; 95% CI, 5.13 - 18.52, P < 0.001) as independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that LAG-3 expression in patients with OCCC may be a useful biomarker for the prognosis of OCCC and could serve as a new therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumika Zaitsu
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Idaigaoka 1-1, Hasama-machi, Yufu-shi, Oita, 879-5593, Japan
| | - Mitsutake Yano
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Idaigaoka 1-1, Hasama-machi, Yufu-shi, Oita, 879-5593, Japan.
- Department of Pathology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Centre, Saitama, Japan.
| | - Sawako Adachi
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Idaigaoka 1-1, Hasama-machi, Yufu-shi, Oita, 879-5593, Japan
| | - Maiko Miwa
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Centre, Saitama, Japan
| | - Tomomi Katoh
- Department of Pathology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Centre, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yasushi Kawano
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Idaigaoka 1-1, Hasama-machi, Yufu-shi, Oita, 879-5593, Japan
| | - Masanori Yasuda
- Department of Pathology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Centre, Saitama, Japan
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Tan BJY, Sugata K, Ono M, Satou Y. HTLV-1 persistence and leukemogenesis: A game of hide-and-seek with the host immune system. Front Immunol 2022; 13:991928. [PMID: 36300109 PMCID: PMC9591123 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.991928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), a retrovirus which mainly infects CD4+ T cells and causes adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), is primarily transmitted via direct cell-to-cell transmission. This feature generates a wide variety of infected clones in hosts, which are maintained via clonal proliferation, resulting in the persistence and survival of the virus. The maintenance of the pool of infected cells is achieved by sculpting the immunophenotype of infected cells and modulating host immune responses to avoid immune surveillance. Here, we review the processes undertaken by HTLV-1 to modulate and subvert host immune responses which contributes to viral persistence and development of ATL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjy J. Y. Tan
- Division of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- *Correspondence: Benjy J. Y. Tan, ; Yorifumi Satou,
| | - Kenji Sugata
- Division of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ono
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yorifumi Satou
- Division of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- *Correspondence: Benjy J. Y. Tan, ; Yorifumi Satou,
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Yanagida E, Miyoshi H, Takeuchi M, Shimono J, Nakashima K, Yamada K, Kawamoto K, Moritsubo M, Shimasaki Y, Inoue K, Imamoto T, Furuta T, Kohno K, Ohshima K. Clinicopathological analysis of immunohistochemical expression of immune checkpoint molecules in follicular lymphoma. Hematol Oncol 2022; 40:530-540. [PMID: 35122292 DOI: 10.1002/hon.2972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Follicular lymphoma (FL) is characterized by an indolent clinical course and a high relapse rate, and often exhibits a diffuse pattern beyond the follicular area. Our group previously reported that immune checkpoint (ICP) pathways, such as programmed cell death (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), are poor prognostic factors for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.In this study, the association between the expression of multiple ICP molecules according to immunohistochemistry and clinicopathological features in FL was determined via immunostaining of 173 biopsy samples. Membrane and/or cytoplasm expression of CD86 (nCD86) and PD-L1 (nPD-L1) was found in tumor cells, whereas PD-1 (miPD-1), Galectin-9 (miGalectin-9), OX40 (miOX40), CTLA-4 (miCTLA-4), Tim-3 (miTim-3), OX40L (miOX40L), and LAG-3 (miLAG-3) were expressed in non-neoplastic stromal cells. MiPD-1 expression was significantly higher in the follicular area than in the diffuse area (p=0.0450). Expression of miOX40 and miCTLA-4 was significantly higher in the diffuse area than in the follicular area (respectively, p=0.0053 and p=0.0092). MiTim-3 tended to be higher in the diffuse area than in the follicular area (p=0.0616). MiTim-3 was significantly higher in relapse cases than in new-onset cases (p=0.0440); miLAG-3 tended to be higher in relapse cases than in new-onset cases (p=0.0622, not significant). The miOX40L-high FL group had a significantly worse overall survival than the miOX40L-low group (p=0.0320).The expression of multiple ICP molecules on several cells reflects activated anti-tumor immunity and the unique FL microenvironment. Further studies on gene expression or genomic abnormalities will reveal the clinical and biological significance of ICP molecules in FL. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eriko Yanagida
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Miyoshi
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Mai Takeuchi
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Joji Shimono
- Department of Hematology, Hokkaido University Faculty of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Nakashima
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kyohei Yamada
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keisuke Kawamoto
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Hematology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Mayuko Moritsubo
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yasumasa Shimasaki
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kanako Inoue
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Teppei Imamoto
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takuya Furuta
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kei Kohno
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Koichi Ohshima
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
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Prognostic implication of CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 expression in aggressive adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma. Ann Hematol 2022; 101:799-810. [PMID: 35032188 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-022-04760-8] [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: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The prognosis of patients with aggressive adult T cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATLL) is dismal even with intensive chemotherapy. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a promising option for patients with aggressive ATLL, but the posttransplant outcome remains unsatisfactory. Hence, to further improve clinical outcomes, novel therapeutic approaches are needed. The clinical significance of immune checkpoint protein expression has not been well-established in aggressive ATLL. This study aims to identify the association between the expression profile of immune checkpoint proteins on ATLL cells and clinical outcomes. This retrospective study cohort included 65 patients with aggressive ATLL diagnosed between 2001 and 2015 at the National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue was used to immunohistochemically determine the expression of immune checkpoint proteins and assess the impact of expression profile on the probability of overall survival from diagnosis or HSCT. The current analysis shows that cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), programmed death-1 (PD-1), and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expressions were adverse prognostic factors in patients with aggressive ATLL. Experiments that assess the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors are warranted to alleviate the adverse impacts associated with negative immune checkpoints.
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Sakamoto Y, Ishida T, Masaki A, Takeshita M, Iwasaki H, Yonekura K, Tashiro Y, Ito A, Kusumoto S, Iida S, Utsunomiya A, Ueda R, Inagaki H. Clinicopathological significance of CD28 overexpression in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Cancer Sci 2021; 113:349-361. [PMID: 34738707 PMCID: PMC8748252 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
CD28, one of the costimulatory molecules, has a pivotal role in T‐cell activation, and its expression is strictly regulated in normal T cells. Gain‐of‐function genetic alterations involving CD28 have been frequently observed in adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). These abnormalities, such as CD28 fusions and copy number variations, may not only confer continuous, prolonged, and enhanced CD28 signaling to downstream pathways but also induce overexpression of the CD28 protein. In this study, 120 ATLL cases were examined by immunohistochemistry for CD28 and its ligands CD80 and CD86, and their expression on tumor cells was semiquantitatively evaluated. CD28 was overexpressed in 55 (46%) cases, and CD80 or CD86 (CD80/CD86) was infrequently overexpressed in 12 (11%). Compared with non‐overexpressers, CD28 overexpressers showed a higher frequency of CD28 genetic alterations and had an increased number of CD80/CD86‐positive non‐neoplastic cells infiltrating tumor microenvironment. In the entire ATLL patient cohort, CD28 overexpressers showed a significantly poorer overall survival (OS) compared with non‐overexpressers (P = .001). The same was true for a subgroup who were treated with multidrug regimens with or without mogamulizumab. CD28 overexpression had no prognostic impact in the group who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the multivariate analysis for OS, CD28 overexpression was selected as an independent risk factor. These results suggest ATLL patients with CD28 overexpression have more aggressive clinical course and are more refractory to treatment with multidrug chemotherapy. CD28 overexpression appears to be a novel unfavorable prognostic marker in ATLL patients, and further prospective studies are warranted to establish its prognostic significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuma Sakamoto
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takashi Ishida
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ayako Masaki
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Morishige Takeshita
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiromi Iwasaki
- Department of Hematology, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kentaro Yonekura
- Department of Dermatology, Imamura General Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yukie Tashiro
- Department of Pathology, Imamura General Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Asahi Ito
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shigeru Kusumoto
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Iida
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Atae Utsunomiya
- Department of Hematology, Imamura General Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Ryuzo Ueda
- Department of Tumor Immunology, School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Inagaki
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
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Yoshie O. CCR4 as a Therapeutic Target for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215542. [PMID: 34771703 PMCID: PMC8583476 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary CCR4 is a chemokine receptor selectively expressed on normal T cell subsets such as type 2 helper T cells, skin-homing T cells and regulatory T cells, and on skin-associated T cell malignancies such as adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), which is etiologically associated with human T lymphocyte virus type 1 (HTLV-1), and cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCLs). Mogamulizumab is a fully humanized and glyco-engineered monoclonal anti-CCR4 antibody used for the treatment of refractory/relapsed ATLL and CTCLs, often resulting in complete remission. The clinical applications of Mogamulizumab are now being extended to solid tumors, exploring the therapeutic effect of regulatory T cell depletion. This review overviews the expression of CCR4 in various T cell subsets, HTLV-1-infected T cells, ATLL and CTCLs, and the clinical applications of Mogamulizumab. Abstract CCR4 is a chemokine receptor mainly expressed by T cells. It is the receptor for two CC chemokine ligands, CCL17 and CCL22. Originally, the expression of CCR4 was described as highly selective for helper T type 2 (Th2) cells. Later, its expression was extended to other T cell subsets such as regulatory T (Treg) cells and Th17 cells. CCR4 has long been regarded as a potential therapeutic target for allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma. Furthermore, the findings showing that CCR4 is strongly expressed by T cell malignancies such as adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCLs) have led to the development and clinical application of the fully humanized and glyco-engineered monoclonal anti-CCR4 Mogamulizumab in refractory/relapsed ATLL and CTCLs with remarkable successes. However, Mogamulizumab often induces severe adverse events in the skin possibly because of its efficient depletion of Treg cells. In particular, treatment with Mogamulizumab prior to allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), the only curative option of these T cell malignancies, often leads to severe glucocorticoid-refractory graft-versus-host diseases. The efficient depletion of Treg cells by Mogamulizumab has also led to its clinical trials in advanced solid tumors singly or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The main focus of this review is CCR4; its expression on normal and malignant T cells and its significance as a therapeutic target in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamu Yoshie
- Health and Kampo Institute, Sendai 981-3205, Japan;
- Kindai University, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
- Aoinosono-Sendai Izumi Long-Term Health Care Facility, Sendai 981-3126, Japan
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11
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Jalili-Nik M, Soltani A, Mashkani B, Rafatpanah H, Hashemy SI. PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors foster the progression of adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 98:107870. [PMID: 34153661 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy through immune checkpoints blockade and its subsequent clinical application has revolutionized the treatment of a spectrum of solid tumors. Blockade of Programmed cell death protein-1 and its ligand has shown promising results in clinical studies. The clinical trials that enrolled patients with different hematopoietic malignancies including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) showed that anti-PD-1 agents could have potential therapeutic effects in the patients. Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a non-Hodgkin T-cell Lymphoma that is developed in a minority of HTLV-1-infected individuals after a long latency period. The inhibition of PD-1 as a treatment option is currently being investigated in ATLL patients. In this review, we present a summary of the biology of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, the evidence in the literature to support anti-PD-1/PDL-1 application in the treatment of different lymphoid, myeloid, and virus-related hematological malignancies, and controversies related to PD-1/PD-L1 blocking in the management of ATLL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Jalili-Nik
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Arash Soltani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Baratali Mashkani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Houshang Rafatpanah
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Seyed Isaac Hashemy
- Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Takeuchi M, Miyoshi H, Ohshima K. Tumor microenvironment of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. J Clin Exp Hematop 2021; 61:202-209. [PMID: 34937829 PMCID: PMC8808106 DOI: 10.3960/jslrt.21007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a malignancy caused by the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1. Aggressive ATLL is refractory to conventional chemotherapy and has a poor prognosis. Better therapeutic approaches, including cancer immunotherapy, are required to improve survival and prognosis. The genetic landscape of ATLL reveals frequent genetic alterations in genes associated with immune surveillance, including major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, CD58 antigen, and programmed cell death ligand 1. Clinicopathological investigations also revealed tumor immunity mechanisms in ATLL, including immune checkpoint molecules, MHC molecules, tumor-associated macrophages, and chemokines. However, the tumor microenvironment of ATLL remains complex because ATLL itself originates from T-cells, usually expressing regulatory T-cell markers. In this review, we discuss the recent literature describing the tumor microenvironment of ATLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Takeuchi
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Miyoshi
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Koichi Ohshima
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
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13
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Menter T, Tzankov A, Dirnhofer S. The tumor microenvironment of lymphomas: Insights into the potential role and modes of actions of checkpoint inhibitors. Hematol Oncol 2020; 39:3-10. [PMID: 33105031 DOI: 10.1002/hon.2821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) - a term comprising non-neoplastic cells and extracellular matrix as well as various cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and other substances in the vicinity of tumor cells - is an integrative part of most tumors including lymphomas. Interactions between lymphoma cells and the TME are vital for survival and proliferation of the former. In addition, lymphoma cells often reprogram the TME to protect them from defense mechanisms of the host's immune system. In this review, we will introduce the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) for lymphoma cells looking at direct cell-cell interactions as well as cytokine-related communications. The immunomodulative/immunosuppressive role of the TME is more and more coming into the focus of potential new targeted therapies, and thus a special attention will be given to the interactions of immune checkpoints such as programed cell death protein 1 and L1 (PD-1/PD-L1), T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing protein-3 (TIM-3), lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3), and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA4) with the TME, as well as their expression by both lymphoma cells and cells of the TME. Aspects of the TME will be discussed for indolent and aggressive B-cell lymphomas, Hodgkin lymphomas, and T-cell lymphomas. In addition, the potential influence of other immunomodulators such as lenalidomide will be briefly touched. The complex role of the TME is in the focus of new therapeutic options. In order to exploit its full therapeutic potential, however, a thorough understanding of TME biology and interaction between lymphoma cells and the TME, as well as the host's immune system and the TME is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Menter
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandar Tzankov
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Dirnhofer
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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