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Vanli S, Kurtoglu F, Alan BS, Akcakavak G, Ozdemir O. Investigation of the effects of Theranekron and Sorafenib treatments on carcinogenesis, apoptosis and biochemical profile in hepatocellular carcinoma in rats. Toxicol Mech Methods 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38577837 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2024.2332909] [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: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of Tarantula cubensis alcohol extract (TCAE, Theranekron) and Sorafenib (S) treatments on carcinogenesis, apoptosis and biochemical profile of rats with experimentally induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the presented study, 58 male rats were divided into 7 groups; Negative Control (NC, n = 6), NC + TCAE (NCT, n = 6), NC + Sorafenib (NCS, n = 6), Positive Control (PC, n = 10), Positive Control + TCAE (PCT, n = 10), Positive Control + Sorafenib (PCS, n = 10), Positive Control + TCAE + Sorafenib (PCTS, n = 10). The active ingredients Diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 120 mg/kg, single dose) and Nitrosomorpholine (NMOR, 50 ppm, 21 weeks orally) were used to induce HCC in rats. At the end of the experiment, the animals were euthanized under appropriate conditions and samples were collected for biochemical and pathological investigations. In the PC group, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels were higher (p < 0.001) and urea levels were lower (p < 0.001) compared to all other groups. Treatment groups reorganized the relevant markers (ALT, AST, GGT, and urea). A significant increase was detected in Caspase-10, Caspase-3 and Granzyme-B (GrzB) (p < 0.001) in blood and Caspase-10 and GrzB (p < 0.05) in liver tissue in PCT, PCS and PCTS groups compared to the PC group. Histopathological examination revealed that the PC group showed cancer morphology, and the treatment groups caused a decrease in tumor incidence and size. Our current findings suggest that the mechanism of action of TCAE in HCC is through the NKs/CTLs-GrzB-Casp10-Casp3 signaling pathway and can be used in combination with chemotherapy drugs for the development of future drug designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serdar Vanli
- Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ilgin District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Konya, Turkey
| | - Firuze Kurtoglu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Beyza S Alan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Akcakavak
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey
| | - Ozgur Ozdemir
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
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Chen J, Sun S, Li H, Cai X, Wan C. IL-22 signaling promotes sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma via STAT3/CD155 signaling axis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1373321. [PMID: 38596684 PMCID: PMC11003268 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1373321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sorafenib is currently the first-line treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, sorafenib resistance remains a huge challenge in the clinic. Therefore, it is urgent to elucidate the mechanisms underlying sorafenib resistance for developing novel treatment strategies for advanced HCC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role and mechanisms of interleukin-22 (IL-22) in sorafenib resistance in HCC. Methods The in vitro experiments using HCC cell lines and in vivo studies with a nude mouse model were used. Calcium staining, chromatin immunoprecipitation, lactate dehydrogenase release and luciferase reporter assays were employed to explore the expression and roles of IL-22, STAT3 and CD155 in sorafenib resistance. Results Our clinical results demonstrated a significant correlation between elevated IL-22 expression and poor prognosis in HCC. Analysis of transcriptomic data from the phase-3 STORM-trial (BIOSTORM) suggested that STAT3 signaling activation and natural killer (NK) cell infiltration may associate sorafenib responses. STAT3 signaling could be activated by IL-22 administration in HCC cells, and then enhanced sorafenib resistance in HCC cells by promoting cell proliferation and reducing apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Further, we found IL-22/STAT3 axis can transcriptionally upregulate CD155 expression in HCC cells, which could significantly reduce NK cell-mediated HCC cell lysis in a co-culture system. Conclusions Collectively, IL-22 could contribute to sorafenib resistance in HCC by activating STAT3/CD155 signaling axis to decrease the sensitivities of tumor cells to sorafenib-mediated direct cytotoxicity and NK cell-mediated lysis. These findings deepen the understanding of how sorafenib resistance develops in HCC in terms of IL-22/STAT3 signaling pathway, and provide potential targets to overcome sorafenib resistance in patients with advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junzhang Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shiran Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Tumor Center, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiong Cai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chidan Wan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Wang H, Huang H, Liu T, Chen Y, Li J, He M, Peng J, Liang E, Li J, Liu W. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets predict the efficacy of TACE with or without PD-1 inhibitors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective clinical study. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1325330. [PMID: 38404585 PMCID: PMC10884244 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1325330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Although peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets, particularly PD-1+ T cells, are promising prognostic indicators for patients with cancer. However, their clinical significance remains unclear. Methods We prospectively enrolled 157 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with or without PD-1 inhibitors. Twenty peripheral lymphocyte subsets and cytokines were analyzed. We analyzed the differences in PD-1+ T cells between patients treated with and without PD-1 inhibitors and their associations with tumor response, survival prognosis, and clinical features. Results We found that the baseline CD8+PD-1+ and CD4+PD-1+ T-cell frequencies in patients who had received PD-1 inhibitors were lower than those in patients who had not received PD-1 inhibitors (p < 0.001). In the former patients, there were no differences in PD-1+ T-cell frequencies between the responder and non-responder subgroups (p > 0.05), whereas in the latter patients, the levels of CD8+PD-1+ T cells, CD4+PD-1+ T cells, and CD8+PD-1+/CD4+PD-1+ ratio did not predict tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), or overall survival (OS) (p>0.05). Furthermore, in multivariate analysis of patients treated with or without PD-1 inhibitors revealed that the levels of CD8+CD38+ T cells (OR = 2.806, p = 0.006) were associated with tumor response, whereas those of CD8+CD28+ T cells (p = 0.038, p = 0.001) and natural killer (NK) cells (p = 0.001, p = 0.027) were associated with PFS and OS. Although, these independent prognostic factors were associated with progressive tumor characteristics (p<0.05), with the exception of CD8+CD28+ T cells, changes in these factors before and after treatment were unassociated with tumor response (p > 0.05). Conclusion Circulating CD8+CD38+ T cells, CD8+CD28+ T cells, and NK cells were identified as potential prognostic factors for tumor response and survival in patients with HCC. Contrastingly, although PD-1 inhibitors can effectively block the T cell PD-1 receptor, the baseline PD-1+ T-cell frequencies and changes in the frequency of these cells have limited prognostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Wang
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Refractory Chronic Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huijie Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaoming Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinwei Li
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianxin Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Enyu Liang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaping Li
- Department of Interventional Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wendao Liu
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Becht R, Kiełbowski K, Wasilewicz MP. New Opportunities in the Systemic Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Today and Tomorrow. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1456. [PMID: 38338736 PMCID: PMC10855889 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031456] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer. Liver cirrhosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease represent major risk factors of HCC. Multiple different treatment options are available, depending on the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) algorithm. Systemic treatment is reserved for certain patients in stages B and C, who will not benefit from regional treatment methods. In the last fifteen years, the arsenal of available therapeutics has largely expanded, which improved treatment outcomes. Nevertheless, not all patients respond to these agents and novel combinations and drugs are needed. In this review, we aim to summarize the pathway of trials investigating the safety and efficacy of targeted therapeutics and immunotherapies since the introduction of sorafenib. Furthermore, we discuss the current evidence regarding resistance mechanisms and potential novel targets in the treatment of advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Becht
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Chemotherapy and Cancer Immunotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland; (R.B.); (K.K.)
| | - Kajetan Kiełbowski
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Chemotherapy and Cancer Immunotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland; (R.B.); (K.K.)
| | - Michał P. Wasilewicz
- Liver Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland
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Lu Z, Chai X, Pan Y, Li S. The causality between CD8 +NKT cells and CD16 -CD56 on NK cells with hepatocellular carcinoma: a Mendelian randomization study. Infect Agent Cancer 2024; 19:3. [PMID: 38245747 PMCID: PMC10799464 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-024-00565-8] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is featured with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, is a primary malignant tumor of the liver. Recently, there is a wealth of supporting evidence revealing that NK cell-related immune traits are strongly associated with the development of HCC, but the causality between them has not been proven. METHODS Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed to probe the causal correlation between NK cell-related immune traits and HCC. Genetic variations in NK cell-related immune traits were extracted from recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of individuals with European blood lineage. HCC data were derived from the UK Biobank Consortium's GWAS summary count data, including a total of 372,184 female and male subjects, with 168 cases and 372,016 controls, all of whom are of European ancestry. Sensitivity analysis was mainly used for heterogeneity and pleiotropy testing. RESULTS Our research indicated the causality between NK cell-related immune traits and HCC. Importantly, CD8+NKT cells had protective causal effects on HCC (OR = 0.9996;95%CI,0.9993-0.9999; P = 0.0489). CD16-CD56 caused similar effects on NK cells (OR = 0.9997;95%CI,0.9996-0.9999; P = 0.0117) as CD8+NKT cells. Intercepts from Egger showed no pleiotropy and confounding factors. Furthermore, insufficient evidence was found to support the existence of heterogeneity by Cochran's Q test. CONCLUSION MR analysis suggested that low CD8+NKT cells and CD16-CD56 expression on NK cells were linked with a higher risk of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengmei Lu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhoushan, 316021, China
| | - Xiaowei Chai
- Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Yong Pan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhoushan, 316021, China
| | - Shibo Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhoushan, 316021, China.
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Nguyen T, Chen PC, Pham J, Kaur K, Raman SS, Jewett A, Chiang J. Current and Future States of Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Crit Rev Immunol 2024; 44:71-85. [PMID: 38618730 DOI: 10.1615/critrevimmunol.2024052486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that exhibit high levels of cytotoxicity against NK-specific targets. NK cells also produce various cytokines, and interact with T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells to effectively serve as frontliners of the innate immune system. Produce various cytokines, and interact with T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells to effectively serve as frontliners of the innate immune system. Moreover, NK cells constitute the second most common immune cell in the liver. These properties have drawn significant attention towards leveraging NK cells in treating liver cancer, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which accounts for 75% of all primary liver cancer and is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Notable anti-cancer functions of NK cells against HCC include activating antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC), facilitating Gasdermin E-mediated pyroptosis of HCC cells, and initiating an antitumor response via the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. In this review, we describe how these mechanisms work in the context of HCC. We will then discuss the existing preclinical and clinical studies that leverage NK cell activity to create single and combined immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tu Nguyen
- UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
| | - Po-Chun Chen
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Janet Pham
- Department of Radiology, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center of Reconstructive Biotechnology University of California School of Dentistry Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Steven S Raman
- Department of Radiology, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jason Chiang
- Department of Radiology, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Yang M, Vanderwert E, Kimchi ET, Staveley-O'Carroll KF, Li G. The Important Roles of Natural Killer Cells in Liver Fibrosis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051391. [PMID: 37239062 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis accompanies the development of various chronic liver diseases and promotes their progression. It is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins (ECM) and impaired ECM degradation. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major cellular source of ECM-producing myofibroblasts. If liver fibrosis is uncontrolled, it may lead to cirrhosis and even liver cancer, primarily hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Natural killer (NK) cells are a key component of innate immunity and have miscellaneous roles in liver health and disease. Accumulating evidence shows that NK cells play dual roles in the development and progression of liver fibrosis, including profibrotic and anti-fibrotic functions. Regulating NK cells can suppress the activation of HSCs and improve their cytotoxicity against activated HSCs or myofibroblasts to reverse liver fibrosis. Cells such as regulatory T cells (Tregs) and molecules such as prostaglandin E receptor 3 (EP3) can regulate the cytotoxic function of NK cells. In addition, treatments such as alcohol dehydrogenase 3 (ADH3) inhibitors, microRNAs, natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) activators, and natural products can enhance NK cell function to inhibit liver fibrosis. In this review, we summarized the cellular and molecular factors that affect the interaction of NK cells with HSCs, as well as the treatments that regulate NK cell function against liver fibrosis. Despite a lot of information about NK cells and their interaction with HSCs, our current knowledge is still insufficient to explain the complex crosstalk between these cells and hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, B cells, and T cells, as well as thrombocytes, regarding the development and progression of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- NextGen Precision Health Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Ethan Vanderwert
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- NextGen Precision Health Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Eric T Kimchi
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- NextGen Precision Health Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Kevin F Staveley-O'Carroll
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- NextGen Precision Health Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Guangfu Li
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- NextGen Precision Health Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
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Wei S, Wei F, Li M, Yang Y, Zhang J, Li C, Wang J. Target immune components to circumvent sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114798. [PMID: 37121146 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114798] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, has been approved for cancer treatment for decades, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although sorafenib produced substantial clinical benefits in the initial stage, a large proportion of cancer patients acquired drug resistance in subsequent treatment, which always disturbs clinical physicians. Cumulative evidence unraveled the underlying mechanism of sorafenib, but few reports focused on the role of immune subpopulations, since the immunological rationale of sorafenib resistance has not yet been defined. Here, we reviewed the immunoregulatory effects of sorafenib on the tumor microenvironment and emphasized the potential immunological mechanisms of therapeutic resistance to sorafenib. Moreover, we also summarized the clinical outcomes and ongoing trials in combination of sorafenib with immunotherapy, highlighted the immunotherapeutic strategies to improve sorafenib efficacy, and put forward several prospective questions aimed at guiding future research in overcoming sorafenib resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhua Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Fenghua Wei
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Mengyuan Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yuhan Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jingwen Zhang
- R & D Management Department, China National Biotec Group, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Chunxiao Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Junjie Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, PR China.
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Yao L, Zhao MM, Luo QW, Zhang YC, Liu TT, Yang Z, Liao M, Tu P, Zeng KW. Carbon Quantum Dots-Based Nanozyme from Coffee Induces Cancer Cell Ferroptosis to Activate Antitumor Immunity. ACS NANO 2022; 16:9228-9239. [PMID: 35622408 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c01619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) offer huge potential due to their enzymatic properties as compared to natural enzymes. Thus, discovery of CQDs-based nanozymes with low toxicity from natural resources, especially daily food, implies a promising direction for exploring treatment strategies for human diseases. Here, we report a CQDs-based biocompatible nanozyme prepared from chlorogenic acid (ChA), a major bioactive natural product from coffee. We found that ChA CQDs exhibited obvious GSH oxidase-like activities and subsequently promoted cancer cell ferroptosis by perturbation of GPX4-catalyzed lipid repair systems. In vivo, ChA CQDs dramatically suppressed the tumor growth in HepG2-tumor-bearing mice with negligible side toxicity. Particularly, in hepatoma H22-bearing mice, ChA CQDs recruited massive tumor-infiltrating immune cells including T cells, NK cells, and macrophages, thereby converting "cold" to "hot" tumors for activating systemic antitumor immune responses. Taken together, our study suggests that natural product-derived CQDs from coffee can serve as biologically safe nanozymes for anticancer therapeutics and may aid the development of nanotechnology-based immunotherapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Mei-Mei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qian-Wei Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yi-Chi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ting-Ting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhuo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Min Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Pengfei Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ke-Wu Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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Chen X, Li W, Wu X, Zhao F, Wang D, Wu H, Gu Y, Li X, Qian X, Hu J, Li C, Xia Y, Rao J, Dai X, Shao Q, Tang J, Li X, Shu Y. Safety and Efficacy of Sintilimab and Anlotinib as First Line Treatment for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (KEEP-G04): A Single-Arm Phase 2 Study. Front Oncol 2022; 12:909035. [PMID: 35712486 PMCID: PMC9197581 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.909035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Immune checkpoint inhibitors plus antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors may offer a first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this phase 2 trial [registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04052152)], we investigated the safety and efficacy of first-line anti-PD-1 antibody sintilimab plus antiangiogenic TKI anlotinib for advanced HCC. Methods and Materials Pathologically-proven advanced HCC patients received sintilimab (200 mg) on day 1 and anlotinib (12 mg) once daily on days 1 to 14 every 3 weeks, with a safety run-in for the first six participants to assess dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). The primary endpoints were safety and objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST v1.1. Results Twenty advanced HCC patients were enrolled. No DLTs occurred in the safety run-in. All patients had treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). Grade 3 TRAEs occurred in 8 (40.0%) patients, the most common being decreased platelet count (10.0%) and increased γ-glutamyl transferase (10.0%). No grade 4/5 TRAEs occurred. Five (25%) patients developed immune-related AEs. The ORR was 35.0% (95%CI 15.4%-59.2%) per RECIST v1.1 and 55.0% (95%CI 31.5%-76.9%) per modified RECIST. At data cutoff (March 31, 2021), the median progression-free survival was 12.2 months (95%CI, 3.8 to not reached). The median PFS was significantly longer in patients with lower LDH levels (not reached [NR], 95% CI, 8.7 to NR vs. higher LDH levels 5.2 months, 95% CI 3.4 to NR; P=0.020) and a CONUT score ≤2 (NR, 95% CI 5.1 to NR vs. CONUT score >2 6.2 months, 95% CI 1.8 to NR; P=0.020). Furthermore, patients showing tumor response had a significantly higher median proportion of CD16+CD56+ NK cells than patients who had stable or progressive disease (21.6% vs. 14.6%; P=0.026). Conclusion Sintilimab plus anlotinib showed promising clinical activities with manageable toxicity as first-line treatment of advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Chen
- Department of Oncology, Jiangsu Province Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Oncology, Pukou Branch of Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wu
- Hepatobiliary Center, Jiangsu Province Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fengjiao Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Huai’an Second People’s Hospital, The Affiliated Huai’an Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Huai’an, China
| | - Deqiang Wang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Oncology, Jiangsu Province Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanhong Gu
- Department of Oncology, Jiangsu Province Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Pathology, Jiangsu Province Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Qian
- Hepatobiliary Center, Jiangsu Province Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Hu
- Department of Oncology, Nanjing Red Cross Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Changxian Li
- Hepatobiliary Center, Jiangsu Province Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongxiang Xia
- Hepatobiliary Center, Jiangsu Province Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianhua Rao
- Hepatobiliary Center, Jiangsu Province Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinzheng Dai
- Hepatobiliary Center, Jiangsu Province Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianwen Shao
- Department of Oncology, Jiangsu Province Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Tang
- Department of Oncology, Liyang People’s Hospital, Liyang, China
| | - Xiangcheng Li
- Hepatobiliary Center, Jiangsu Province Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangcheng Li, ; Yongqian Shu,
| | - Yongqian Shu
- Department of Oncology, Jiangsu Province Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangcheng Li, ; Yongqian Shu,
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11
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Hosseinzadeh F, Ai J, Hajifathali A, Muhammadnejad S, Ebrahimi-Barough S, Seyhoun I, Komeili Movahed T, Shirian S, Hosseinzadeh F, Ahmadpour S, Alijani M, Verdi J. The effects of Sorafenib and Natural killer cell co-injection in combinational treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma; an in vivo approach. Pharmacol Rep 2022; 74:379-391. [PMID: 35089543 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00335-y] [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: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer cells (NKC) and Sorafenib (Sor) are two important agents for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Over the past decade, the interaction of Sor and NKC against HCC has been widely challenging. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of NKC & Sor for the treatment of HCC in vivo. METHODS Subcutaneous xenograft models of HCC were established in nude mice. For safety assessment of treatment, the kidney and liver functions were analyzed. Paraffin embedded tumor sections were histopathologically studied and immunohistochemistry (IHC) tests were done to evaluate the angiogenesis (CD34) and proliferation (Ki67) indexes. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed to identify the tumor cells undergoing apoptosis. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and expression levels of major inflammatory cytokines and cytoplasmic granules in xenograft HCC were quantified using real-time PCR. RESULTS NKC & Sor significantly inhibited necrosis and apoptosis in tumor cells and increased angiogenesis and proliferation of HCC compared to the monotherapy of NKC or Sor alone. The serum levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ as well as the expression levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, interleukins (ILs)-1, 6, 10, granzyme-B and perforin in the xenograft HCC tissues of the treated mice with NKC & Sor were significantly lower than those of treated with NKC or Sor alone. CONCLUSION Therapy with the specific dosage of NKC & Sor could not inhibit the HCC xenograft growth rate through a synergistic effect in a mouse model of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Hosseinzadeh
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Tissue Engineering, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran. .,Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
| | - Jafar Ai
- Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Hajifathali
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samad Muhammadnejad
- Gene Therapy Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Ebrahimi-Barough
- Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Iman Seyhoun
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Sadegh Shirian
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.,Shiraz Molecular Pathology Research Center, Dr. Daneshbod Path Lab, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Sajjad Ahmadpour
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Diseases Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Alijani
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.,Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Alanbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Verdi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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12
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Pan F, Cao S, Li XL, Jia YN, Wang RL, He Q, Zhu JQ. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Score and the Follow-Up Period Can Cause the Shift of Circulating Lymphocyte Subsets in Liver Transplant Recipients. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:779443. [PMID: 35047528 PMCID: PMC8761724 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.779443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the shift of lymphocytes under the condition of the model for end-stage liver disease score and the follow-up period. Then, we detected the peripheral blood from liver transplant recipients by flow cytometry and compared the results. The model for end-stage liver disease score affected the percentages of T-cell subsets and B cells during the short-term follow-up period, but failed to influence the lymphocyte subsets during the long-term follow-up period. In contrast, the follow-up period not only affected the absolute counts of T-cell subsets and natural killer (NK) cells in patients with the low model for end-stage liver disease scores, but also influenced the percentages and absolute counts of T-cell subsets in patients with the high model for end-stage liver disease scores. In the two-way ANOVA, we further revealed that the model for end-stage liver disease score was associated with the percentages of T cells and CD4+ T cells and the absolute numbers of T-cell subsets and B cells, while the follow-up period was associated with the percentages of T-cell subsets and the absolute numbers of lymphocyte subsets. Therefore, patients with either the low model for end-stage liver disease scores or the long-term follow-up period are in a relatively activated immune condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Pan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Medical Research Center, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Cao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Medical Research Center, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xian-Liang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Medical Research Center, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Nan Jia
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Medical Research Center, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruo-Lin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Medical Research Center, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang He
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Medical Research Center, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ji-Qiao Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Medical Research Center, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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13
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Liu C, Zhang G, Xiang K, Kim Y, Lavoie RR, Lucien F, Wen T. Targeting the immune checkpoint B7-H3 for next-generation cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 71:1549-1567. [PMID: 34739560 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03097-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) have become preferred treatment strategies for several advanced cancers. However, response rates for these treatments are limited, which encourages the search for new ICI candidates. Recent reports have underscored significant roles of B7 homolog 3 protein (B7-H3) in tumor immunity and disease progression. While its multifaceted roles are being elucidated, B7-H3 has already entered clinical trials as a therapeutic target. In this review, we overview the recent results of clinical trials evaluating the antitumor activity and safety of B7-H3 targeting drugs. On this basis, we also discuss the challenges and opportunities arising from the application of these drugs. Finally, we point out current gaps to address in the understanding of B7-H3 function and regulation in order to fully unleash the future clinical utility of B7-H3-based therapies for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Province Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, China
| | - Guangwei Zhang
- Smart Hospital Management Department, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Kanghui Xiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Province Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, China
| | - Yohan Kim
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Ti Wen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Liaoning Province Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Shenyang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, China.
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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14
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Song T, Li L, Wu S, Liu Y, Guo C, Wang W, Dai L, Zhang T, Wu H, Su B. Peripheral Blood Genetic Biomarkers for the Early Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:583714. [PMID: 33777736 PMCID: PMC7991745 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.583714] [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: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and has high mortality. Biomarkers related to HCC, such as alpha-fetoprotein, and imaging technology, such as ultrasound and computed tomography, have been used to screen and monitor HCC, but HCC is still difficult to diagnose effectively in the early stage due to the low sensitivity of the above mentioned traditional methods. There is an urgent need for noninvasive biomarkers to facilitate the screening and early diagnosis of HCC. With the advancement of next-generation sequencing, genetic biomarkers are becoming the core of cancer diagnosis. Genetic biomarkers such as peripheral blood circulating tumor DNA, microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, circular RNAs, and exosomes have become the focus of early HCC diagnostics. HCC genetic biomarkers have been implemented in clinical practice. In this review, we describe the available literature on peripheral blood genetic biomarkers in the diagnosis of early HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Medical Immunology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China.,Department of Hepatology, The Sixth People's Hospital of Qingdao, Qingdao, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Medical Immunology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Shaobo Wu
- Center of Transfusion-Transmitted Infectious Diseases, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Medical Immunology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Caiping Guo
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Medical Immunology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Medical Immunology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Dai
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Medical Immunology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Medical Immunology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Medical Immunology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Su
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Medical Immunology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
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15
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Corominas J, Sapena V, Sanduzzi-Zamparelli M, Millán C, Samper E, Llarch N, Iserte G, Torres F, Da Fonseca LG, Muñoz-Martínez S, Forner A, Bruix J, Boix L, Reig M. Activated Lymphocytes and Increased Risk of Dermatologic Adverse Events during Sorafenib Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030426. [PMID: 33498698 PMCID: PMC7865624 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma is the second cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Of those advanced-stage patients who are treated with sorafenib, those who develop early dermatologic adverse events have a better prognosis. These events are possibly immune-related. Therefore, we analyzed the phenotype of 52 sorafenib-treated patients’ circulating lymphocytes throughout treatment. We found that different co-stimulatory and immune exhaustion markers, such as Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and DNAX accessory molecule 1 (DNAM-1) amongst others, correlate with the probability of developing these adverse events, both before and during the treatment. We also compared the phenotype of those lymphocytes expressing DNAM-1 with those that do not, and while NK DNAM-1-expressing cells have a co-stimulatory phenotype, T DNAM-1-expressing cells are immune-suppressors. Overall, we set a rationale for the combination of sorafenib and immune-targeted therapies; and for the use of immune markers (such as DNAM-1) for patients’ prognosis evaluation. Abstract Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with sorafenib who develop early dermatologic adverse events (eDAEs) have a better prognosis. This may be linked to immune mechanisms, and thus, it is relevant to assess the association between peripheral immunity and the probability of developing eDAEs. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 52 HCC patients treated with sorafenib were analyzed at baseline and throughout the first eight weeks of therapy. T, B, Natural Killer cells, and their immune checkpoints expression data were characterized by flow cytometry. Cytokine release and immune-suppression assays were carried out ex vivo. Cox baseline and time-dependent regression models were applied to evaluate the probability of increased risk of eDAEs. DNAM-1, PD-1, CD69, and LAG-3 in T cells, plus CD16 and LAG-3 in NK cells, are significantly associated with the probability of developing eDAEs. While NK DNAM-1+ cells express activation markers, T DNAM-1+ cells induce immune suppression and show immune exhaustion. This is the first study to report an association between immune checkpoints expression in circulating immune cells and the increased incidence of eDAEs. Our results support the hypothesis for an off-target role of sorafenib in immune modulation. We also describe a novel association between DNAM-1 and immune exhaustion in T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Corominas
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.C.); (V.S.); (M.S.-Z.); (C.M.); (E.S.); (N.L.); (G.I.); (L.G.D.F.); (S.M.-M.); (A.F.); (J.B.)
- Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomèdica, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victor Sapena
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.C.); (V.S.); (M.S.-Z.); (C.M.); (E.S.); (N.L.); (G.I.); (L.G.D.F.); (S.M.-M.); (A.F.); (J.B.)
- Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomèdica, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marco Sanduzzi-Zamparelli
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.C.); (V.S.); (M.S.-Z.); (C.M.); (E.S.); (N.L.); (G.I.); (L.G.D.F.); (S.M.-M.); (A.F.); (J.B.)
- Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomèdica, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Millán
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.C.); (V.S.); (M.S.-Z.); (C.M.); (E.S.); (N.L.); (G.I.); (L.G.D.F.); (S.M.-M.); (A.F.); (J.B.)
- Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomèdica, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Samper
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.C.); (V.S.); (M.S.-Z.); (C.M.); (E.S.); (N.L.); (G.I.); (L.G.D.F.); (S.M.-M.); (A.F.); (J.B.)
- Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomèdica, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus Llarch
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.C.); (V.S.); (M.S.-Z.); (C.M.); (E.S.); (N.L.); (G.I.); (L.G.D.F.); (S.M.-M.); (A.F.); (J.B.)
- Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomèdica, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Iserte
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.C.); (V.S.); (M.S.-Z.); (C.M.); (E.S.); (N.L.); (G.I.); (L.G.D.F.); (S.M.-M.); (A.F.); (J.B.)
- Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomèdica, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ferràn Torres
- Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Span;
- Medical Statistics Core Facility, Clinical Pharmacology Department, IDIBAPS-Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leonardo G. Da Fonseca
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.C.); (V.S.); (M.S.-Z.); (C.M.); (E.S.); (N.L.); (G.I.); (L.G.D.F.); (S.M.-M.); (A.F.); (J.B.)
- Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomèdica, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergio Muñoz-Martínez
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.C.); (V.S.); (M.S.-Z.); (C.M.); (E.S.); (N.L.); (G.I.); (L.G.D.F.); (S.M.-M.); (A.F.); (J.B.)
- Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomèdica, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandro Forner
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.C.); (V.S.); (M.S.-Z.); (C.M.); (E.S.); (N.L.); (G.I.); (L.G.D.F.); (S.M.-M.); (A.F.); (J.B.)
- Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomèdica, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Bruix
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.C.); (V.S.); (M.S.-Z.); (C.M.); (E.S.); (N.L.); (G.I.); (L.G.D.F.); (S.M.-M.); (A.F.); (J.B.)
- Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomèdica, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28028 Madrid, Spain
| | - Loreto Boix
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.C.); (V.S.); (M.S.-Z.); (C.M.); (E.S.); (N.L.); (G.I.); (L.G.D.F.); (S.M.-M.); (A.F.); (J.B.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28028 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (L.B.); (M.R.)
| | - María Reig
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.C.); (V.S.); (M.S.-Z.); (C.M.); (E.S.); (N.L.); (G.I.); (L.G.D.F.); (S.M.-M.); (A.F.); (J.B.)
- Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomèdica, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28028 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (L.B.); (M.R.)
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16
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Wang H, Liu J. Exploration of Sorafenib Influences on Gene Expression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Genet 2020; 11:577000. [PMID: 33133165 PMCID: PMC7578401 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.577000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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17
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Chen F, Ni X, Chen L, Wang X, Xu J. miR-939-3p promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and may be used as a prognostic marker in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2020; 19:2727-2732. [PMID: 32218824 PMCID: PMC7068245 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide with a high morbidity and mortality rate. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) serve an important role in HCC. The present study investigated the role of miR-939-3p in HCC. It was demonstrated that miR-939-3p was upregulated in HCC cell lines and HCC tissues compared with normal liver cell lines and paired normal tissues, respectively. It was also found that upregulation of miR-939-3p expression levels in HCC tissues was associated with a less favorable prognosis. Moreover, the overexpression of miR-939-3p in LM3 cells enhanced the metastatic capacity of these cells and promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In contrast, miR-939-3p inhibition decreased the invasive capacity of HCC cells and EMT. Potential binding target of miR-939-3p to estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) were predicted using TargetScan. The expression levels of miR-939-3p were negatively associated with ESR1 in HCC tissues based on data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. A luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm ESR1 as a direct downstream target of miR-393-3p. The miR-939-3p/ESR1 axis may be a potential novel target for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Chen
- Department of Digestive Center, Tiantai Branch of Zhejiang Provincial Peoples' Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang 317200, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoying Ni
- Department of Digestive Center, Tiantai Branch of Zhejiang Provincial Peoples' Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang 317200, P.R. China
| | - Lingxiu Chen
- Department of Digestive Center, Tiantai Branch of Zhejiang Provincial Peoples' Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang 317200, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Digestive Center, Tiantai Branch of Zhejiang Provincial Peoples' Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang 317200, P.R. China
| | - Ji Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial Peoples' Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang, Peoples' Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China.,School of Clinical Medicine, Peoples' Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
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