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Farhangnia P, Khorramdelazad H, Nickho H, Delbandi AA. Current and future immunotherapeutic approaches in pancreatic cancer treatment. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:40. [PMID: 38835055 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01561-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death, but despondently, the outlook and prognosis for this resistant type of tumor have remained grim for a long time. Currently, it is extremely challenging to prevent or detect it early enough for effective treatment because patients rarely exhibit symptoms and there are no reliable indicators for detection. Most patients have advanced or spreading cancer that is difficult to treat, and treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can only slightly prolong their life by a few months. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of pancreatic cancer, yet its effectiveness is limited by the tumor's immunosuppressive and hard-to-reach microenvironment. First, this article explains the immunosuppressive microenvironment of pancreatic cancer and highlights a wide range of immunotherapy options, including therapies involving oncolytic viruses, modified T cells (T-cell receptor [TCR]-engineered and chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] T-cell therapy), CAR natural killer cell therapy, cytokine-induced killer cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors, immunomodulators, cancer vaccines, and strategies targeting myeloid cells in the context of contemporary knowledge and future trends. Lastly, it discusses the main challenges ahead of pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooya Farhangnia
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Khorramdelazad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Hamid Nickho
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali-Akbar Delbandi
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Toledo B, Deiana C, Scianò F, Brandi G, Marchal JA, Perán M, Giovannetti E. Treatment resistance in pancreatic and biliary tract cancer: molecular and clinical pharmacology perspectives. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2024; 17:323-347. [PMID: 38413373 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2024.2319340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Treatment resistance poses a significant obstacle in oncology, especially in biliary tract cancer (BTC) and pancreatic cancer (PC). Current therapeutic options include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Resistance to these treatments may arise due to diverse molecular mechanisms, such as genetic and epigenetic modifications, altered drug metabolism and efflux, and changes in the tumor microenvironment. Identifying and overcoming these mechanisms is a major focus of research: strategies being explored include combination therapies, modulation of the tumor microenvironment, and personalized approaches. AREAS COVERED We provide a current overview and discussion of the most relevant mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy, target therapy, and immunotherapy in both BTC and PC. Furthermore, we compare the different strategies that are being implemented to overcome these obstacles. EXPERT OPINION So far there is no unified theory on drug resistance and progress is limited. To overcome this issue, individualized patient approaches, possibly through liquid biopsies or single-cell transcriptome studies, are suggested, along with the potential use of artificial intelligence, to guide effective treatment strategies. Furthermore, we provide insights into what we consider the most promising areas of research, and we speculate on the future of managing treatment resistance to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Toledo
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chiara Deiana
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Scianò
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Lumobiotics GmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Giovanni Brandi
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Juan Antonio Marchal
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Hospitales Universitarios de Granada-Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Macarena Perán
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Pisa, Italy
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC) Start-Up Unit, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Amaral MJ, Freitas J, Amaral M, Serôdio M, Oliveira RC, Donato P, Tralhão JG. Clinical Impact of Preoperative Biliary Drainage in Patients with Ductal Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreatic Head. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13071281. [PMID: 37046501 PMCID: PMC10093239 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13071281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Our aim was to study the association between preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) and morbidity following cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy (CPD) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and its prognostic impact, which is still controversial in the literature. A retrospective study was conducted, which included 128 patients who underwent CPD for PDAC, divided into two groups: those who underwent PBD (group 1) and those who did not undergo this procedure (group 2). Group 1 was subdivided according to the drainage route: endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), group 1.1, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC), group 1.2. 34.4% of patients underwent PBD, and 47.7% developed PBD-related complications, with 37% in group 1.1 and 64.7% in group 1.2 (p = 0.074). There was a significant difference between group 1 and 2 regarding bacterial colonization of the bile (45.5% vs. 3.6%, p < 0.001), but no difference was found in the colonization by multidrug-resistant bacteria, the development of Clavien–Dindo ≥ III complications, clinically relevant pancreatic fistula and delayed gastric emptying (DGE), intra-abdominal abscess, hemorrhage, superficial surgical site infection (SSI), and readmission. Between groups 1.1 and 1.2, there was a significant difference in clinically relevant DGE (44.4% vs. 5.9%, p = 0.014) and Clavien–Dindo ≥ III complications (59.3% vs. 88.2%, p = 0.040). There were no significant differences in median overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) between groups 1 and 2. Groups 1.1 and 1.2 had a significant difference in DFS (10 vs. 5 months, p = 0.017). In this group of patients, PBD was associated with increased bacterial colonization of the bile, without a significant increase in postoperative complications or influence in survival. ERCP seems to contribute to the development of clinically significant DGE. Patients undergoing PTC appear to have an early recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Amaral
- General Surgey Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - João Freitas
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Mariana Amaral
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marco Serôdio
- General Surgey Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Caetano Oliveira
- Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment, Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paulo Donato
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Radiology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Guilherme Tralhão
- General Surgey Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment, Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Radiology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
- Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
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Bockorny B, Grossman JE, Hidalgo M. Facts and Hopes in Immunotherapy of Pancreatic Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:4606-4617. [PMID: 35775964 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-3452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat. For patients with advanced and metastatic disease, chemotherapy has yielded only modest incremental benefits, which are not durable. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of other solid tumors by leading to cures where none existed only a decade ago, yet it has made few inroads with PDAC. A host of trials with promising preclinical data have failed, except for in a small minority of patients with selected biomarkers. There is, however, a glimmer of hope, which we seek to cultivate. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the understanding of the uniquely immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in PDAC, learnings from completed trials of checkpoint inhibitors, TME modifiers, cellular and vaccine therapies, oncolytic viruses, and other novel approaches. We go on to discuss our expectations for improved preclinical models of immunotherapy in PDAC, new approaches to modifying the TME including the myeloid compartment, and emerging biomarkers to better select patients who may benefit from immunotherapy. We also discuss improvements in clinical trial design specific to immunotherapy that will help us better measure success when we find it. Finally, we discuss the urgent imperative to better design and execute bold, but rational, combination trials of novel agents designed to cure patients with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Bockorny
- Division of Medical Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Manuel Hidalgo
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
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Gössling GCL, Zhen DB, Pillarisetty VG, Chiorean EG. Combination immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer: challenges and future considerations. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2022; 18:1173-1186. [PMID: 36045547 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2022.2120471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have not yielded significant efficacy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), despite the role of the innate and adaptive immune systems on progression and survival. However, recently identified pathways have identified new targets and generated promising clinical investigations into promoting an effective immune-mediated antitumor response in PDA. AREAS COVERED : We review biological mechanisms associated with immunotherapy resistance and outline strategies for therapeutic combinations with established and novel therapies in PDA. EXPERT OPINION : Pancreatic cancers rarely benefits from treatment with ICI due to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). New understandings of factors associated with the suppressive TME, include low and poor quality neoantigens, constrained effector T cells infiltration, and the presence of a dense, suppressive myeloid cell population. These findings have been translated into new clinical investigations evaluating novel therapies in combination with ICI and/or standard systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The epithelial, immune, and stromal compartments are intricately related in PDA, and the framework for successful targeting of this disease requires a comprehensive and personalized approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David B Zhen
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.,Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Venu G Pillarisetty
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.,Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - E Gabriela Chiorean
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.,Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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Wood LD, Canto MI, Jaffee EM, Simeone DM. Pancreatic Cancer: Pathogenesis, Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Gastroenterology 2022; 163:386-402.e1. [PMID: 35398344 PMCID: PMC9516440 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.03.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 135.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a clinically challenging cancer, due to both its late stage at diagnosis and its resistance to chemotherapy. However, recent advances in our understanding of the biology of PDAC have revealed new opportunities for early detection and targeted therapy of PDAC. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis of PDAC, including molecular alterations in tumor cells, cellular alterations in the tumor microenvironment, and population-level risk factors. We review the current status of surveillance and early detection of PDAC, including populations at high risk and screening approaches. We outline the diagnostic approach to PDAC and highlight key treatment considerations, including how therapeutic approaches change with disease stage and targetable subtypes of PDAC. Recent years have seen significant improvements in our approaches to detect and treat PDAC, but large-scale, coordinated efforts will be needed to maximize the clinical impact for patients and improve overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura D Wood
- Departments of Pathology and Oncology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Marcia Irene Canto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elizabeth M Jaffee
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Skip Viragh Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research and Clinical Care, Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Diane M Simeone
- Departments of Surgery and Pathology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York
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Magouliotis DE, Lafazanis K, Koutsougianni F, Sakellaridis N, Ioannou M, Zacharoulis D, Dimas K. Establishment of Patient-derived Orthotopic Xenografts (PDX) as Models for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. In Vivo 2022; 36:1114-1119. [PMID: 35478141 PMCID: PMC9087066 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.12809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. The purpose of the present study was to establish a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft model (PDOX) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), thus providing a tumor microenvironment resembling that of the human pancreas to identify novel potential biomarkers and treatment regimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS PDAC tissue samples were received from 35 patients, following informed consent, and three mouse strains were implemented. RESULTS Successful PDOX engraftment was performed in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) and NOD/SCID gamma (NSG) mice. Nonetheless, we found a higher rate of successful engraftment and tumor growth in NSG compared to NOD/SCID mice, possibly owning to the different level of immunosuppression and more specifically of the natural killer cells presence. CONCLUSION Our suggested PDOX model represents a preclinical cancer research model with a high affinity for the patient's tumor microenvironment, thus enabling the acceleration of PDAC research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kostas Lafazanis
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Larissa, Greece
| | - Fani Koutsougianni
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Larissa, Greece
| | - Nikos Sakellaridis
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Larissa, Greece
| | - Maria Ioannou
- Department of Pathology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Larissa, Greece
| | | | - Konstantinos Dimas
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Larissa, Greece;
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Chen Y, Liu Y, Wang M. Identification of a Pyroptosis-Related Gene Signature and Effect of Silencing the CHMP4C and CASP4 in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Int J Gen Med 2022; 15:3199-3213. [PMID: 35342302 PMCID: PMC8943832 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s353849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a highly malignant tumor with an extremely poor prognosis. Pyroptosis has been demonstrated to play an important role in tumor prognosis. However, the expression of pyroptosis-related genes in PAAD and their correlations with prognosis remains unclear. Methods In this study, the 36 pyroptosis-related genes that were differentially expressed between normal pancreatic tissues and PAAD tissues were identified via the “limma” R package. Based on these differentially expressed genes (DEGs), a five-gene signature was established by applying the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression in the TCGA cohort and was validated in the GEO cohort. The Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses of DEGs based on the risk model indicated that immune-associated biological processes and pathways were enriched. In vivo, we detected the expressions of CASP4 and CHMP4C by immunohistochemistry in tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues. In vitro, we silenced CASP4 and CHMP4C to explore their effects on pancreatic cancer cells. Results PAAD patients in the low-risk group showed significantly higher survival possibilities than those in the high-risk group. The expressions of CASP4 and CHMP4C in tumor tissue were higher than those in the adjacent normal tissues in vivo. The knockdown of CASP4 significantly inhibited the invasion and migration but not the proliferation of PANC-1 cells. The knockdown of CHMP4C obviously inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of PANC-1 cells. Conclusion Pyroptosis-related genes play important roles in predicting the prognosis of PAAD, and CASP4 and CHMP4C affect the metastasis of PAAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yiming Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Menghao Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Menghao Wang; Yiming Liu, Email ;
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