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Minaei E, Ranson M, Aghmesheh M, Sluyter R, Vine KL. Enhancing pancreatic cancer immunotherapy: Leveraging localized delivery strategies through the use of implantable devices and scaffolds. J Control Release 2024; 373:145-160. [PMID: 38996923 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.07.023] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains the predominant type of upper gastrointestinal tract cancer, associated with heightened morbidity and a survival rate below 12%. While immunotherapy has brought about transformative changes in the standards of care for most solid tumors, its application in PC is hindered by the ''cold tumor'' microenvironment, marked by the presence of immunosuppressive cells. Modest response rates in PC are attributed, in part to, the fibrotic stroma that obstructs the delivery of systemic immunotherapy. Furthermore, the occurrence of immune-related adverse events (iRAEs) often necessitates the use of sub-therapeutic doses or treatment discontinuation. In the pursuit of innovative approaches to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy for PC, implantable drug delivery devices and scaffolds emerge as promising strategies. These technologies offer the potential for sustained drug delivery directly to the tumor site, overcoming stromal barriers, immunosuppression, T cell exclusion, immunotherapy resistance, optimizing drug dosage, and mitigating systemic toxicity. This review offers a comprehensive exploration of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common and aggressive form of PC, accompanied by a critical analysis of the challenges the microenvironment presents to the development of successful combinational immunotherapy approaches. Despite efforts, these approaches have thus far fallen short in enhancing treatment outcomes for PDAC. The review will subsequently delve into the imperative need for refining delivery strategies, providing an examination of past and ongoing studies in the field of localized immunotherapy for PDAC. Addressing these issues will lay the groundwork for the development of effective new therapies, thereby enhancing treatment response, patient survival, and overall quality of life for individuals diagnosed with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Minaei
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
| | - M Ranson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - M Aghmesheh
- Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Bright Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - R Sluyter
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - K L Vine
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
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Liu J, He M. Construction and validation of a novel immunological model to predict prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 134:112266. [PMID: 38761784 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112266] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer, with limited treatment options. In this study, we investigated the role of immune cell infiltration in PDAC progression and constructed an immune-related predictive model for patients with PDAC based on the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) cohort. Related algorithms have been used to assess the immune microenvironment. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) Cox analysis was used to construct the model, and receiver operating characteristic and decision curve analysis analyses were conducted to evaluate its diagnostic and prognostic efficacy. The results demonstrated a correlation between high immune infiltration and better prognosis in PDAC. The immune-related prognostic model (IPM) identified four genes through LASSO Cox analysis, with the high IPM group being associated with a worse prognosis. Cox regression analysis confirmed that IPM is an independent risk factor for PDAC. Validation through analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort and our own individual tumor samples revealed a similar trend to that observed in the ICGC cohort. Finally, a nomogram incorporating age and IPM demonstrated efficacy in the prognostic evaluation of patients with PDAC. In conclusion, we developed a novel immune-related prognosis prediction model for PDAC that offers new possibilities for the measurement of immunotherapy and prognostic assessment of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Miao He
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China.
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Singh G, Kutcher D, Lally R, Rai V. Targeting Neoantigens in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2101. [PMID: 38893220 PMCID: PMC11171042 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112101] [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: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common type of pancreatic cancer and is currently the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States after lung and colon cancer. PDAC is estimated to be the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030. The diagnosis at a late stage is the underlying cause for higher mortality and poor prognosis after surgery. Treatment resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy results in recurrence after surgery and poor prognosis. Neoantigen burden and CD8+ T-cell infiltration are associated with clinical outcomes in PDAC and paucity of neoantigen-reactive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes may be the underlying cause for treatment resistance for immunotherapy. This suggests a need to identify additional neoantigens and therapies targeting these neoantigens to improve clinical outcomes in PDAC. In this review, we focus on describing the pathophysiology, current treatment strategies, and treatment resistance in PDAC followed by the need to target neoantigens in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vikrant Rai
- Department of Translational Research, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA; (G.S.); (D.K.); (R.L.)
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Labadie KP, Kreuser SA, Brempelis KJ, Daniel SK, Jiang X, Sullivan KM, Utria AF, Kenerson HL, Kim TS, Crane CA, Pillarisetty VG. Production of an interleukin-10 blocking antibody by genetically engineered macrophages increases cancer cell death in human gastrointestinal tumor slice cultures. Cancer Gene Ther 2023; 30:1227-1233. [PMID: 37296315 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00632-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although it can promote effector T-cell function, the summative effect of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) appears to be suppressive; therefore, blocking this critical regulatory cytokine has therapeutic potential to enhance antitumor immune function. As macrophages efficiently localize to the TME, we hypothesized that they could be used as a delivery vehicle for drugs designed to block this pathway. To test our hypothesis, we created and evaluated genetically engineered macrophages (GEMs) that produce an IL-10-blocking antibody (αIL-10). Healthy donor human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were differentiated and transduced with a novel lentivirus (LV) encoding BT-063, a humanized αIL-10 antibody. The efficacy of αIL-10 GEMs was assessed in human gastrointestinal tumor slice culture models developed from resected specimens of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma primary tumors and colorectal cancer liver metastases. LV transduction led to sustained production of BT-063 by αIL-10 GEMs for at least 21 days. Transduction did not alter GEM phenotype as evaluated by flow cytometry, but αIL-10 GEMs produced measurable quantities of BT-063 in the TME that was associated with an ~5-fold higher rate of tumor cell apoptosis than control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin P Labadie
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shannon A Kreuser
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Katherine J Brempelis
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sara K Daniel
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Xiuyun Jiang
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kevin M Sullivan
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alan F Utria
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Heidi L Kenerson
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Teresa S Kim
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Courtney A Crane
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Venu G Pillarisetty
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Huang X, Zhao C, Han Y, Li S. Establishment and validation of a prognostic signature for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma based on lactate metabolism-related genes. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1143073. [PMID: 37363401 PMCID: PMC10288859 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1143073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive and lethal malignancy with poor prognosis. To improve patient outcomes, it is necessary to gain a better understanding of the oncogenesis and progression of this disease. Metabolic reprogramming, particularly the regulation of lactate metabolism, is known to have a significant impact on tumor microenvironment and could provide valuable insights for the management of PDAC patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic potential of lactate metabolism-related genes (LMRGs). Methods: Transcriptomic data of patients with PDAC along with the clinical outcomes were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, and the expression data in normal pancreas from Genotype-Tissue Expression dataset were adopted as the normal control. By using Cox and LASSO regression models, we identified key genes that are differentially expressed in cancerous tissues and related to prognosis. To determine the prognostic value of LMRGs in PDAC, we evaluated their clinical significance and model performance using both the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration curves. In addition, we evaluated the drug sensitivity prediction and immune infiltration by using oncoPredict algorithm, single sample gene set enrichment analysis and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource. Results: A total of 123 LMRGs were identified through differential gene screening analysis, among which 7 LMRGs were identified to comprise a LMRGs signature that independently predict overall survival of these PDAC patient. The AUC values for the LMRGs signature were 0.786, 0.820, 0.837, and 0.816 for predicting 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year overall survival respectively. Furthermore, this prognostic signature was used to stratify patients into high-risk and low-risk groups, with the former having worse clinical outcomes. This observation was further validated through analysis of the International Cancer Genome Consortium database. In addition, lower sensitivity to gemcitabine and infiltration of immune effector cells were observed in the cancer tissue of patients in the high-risk group. Conclusion: In conclusion, our data suggests that a genomic signature comprised of these LMRGs may be a novel predictor of overall clinical outcomes and present therapeutic potential for PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Experimental Research, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chongyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Experimental Research, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanxia Han
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Experimental Research, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shengping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Experimental Research, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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Mi H, Sivagnanam S, Betts CB, Liudahl SM, Jaffee EM, Coussens LM, Popel AS. Quantitative Spatial Profiling of Immune Populations in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Reveals Tumor Microenvironment Heterogeneity and Prognostic Biomarkers. Cancer Res 2022; 82:4359-4372. [PMID: 36112643 PMCID: PMC9716253 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-1190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive disease with poor 5-year survival rates, necessitating identification of novel therapeutic targets. Elucidating the biology of the tumor immune microenvironment (TiME) can provide vital insights into mechanisms of tumor progression. In this study, we developed a quantitative image processing platform to analyze sequential multiplexed IHC data from archival PDAC tissue resection specimens. A 27-plex marker panel was employed to simultaneously phenotype cell populations and their functional states, followed by a computational workflow to interrogate the immune contextures of the TiME in search of potential biomarkers. The PDAC TiME reflected a low-immunogenic ecosystem with both high intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity. Spatial analysis revealed that the relative distance between IL10+ myelomonocytes, PD-1+ CD4+ T cells, and granzyme B+ CD8+ T cells correlated significantly with survival, from which a spatial proximity signature termed imRS was derived that correlated with PDAC patient survival. Furthermore, spatial enrichment of CD8+ T cells in lymphoid aggregates was also linked to improved survival. Altogether, these findings indicate that the PDAC TiME, generally considered immuno-dormant or immunosuppressive, is a spatially nuanced ecosystem orchestrated by ordered immune hierarchies. This new understanding of spatial complexity may guide novel treatment strategies for PDAC. SIGNIFICANCE Quantitative image analysis of PDAC specimens reveals intertumoral and intratumoral heterogeneity of immune populations and identifies spatial immune architectures that are significantly associated with disease prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyang Mi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Corresponding Authors: Haoyang Mi, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205. Phone: 410-528-3768; E-mail: ; and Lisa M. Coussens,
| | | | - Courtney B. Betts
- Department of Cell, Development, and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Shannon M. Liudahl
- Department of Cell, Development, and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Elizabeth M. Jaffee
- Skip Viragh Center for Pancreatic Cancer, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lisa M. Coussens
- Department of Cell, Development, and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon.,Corresponding Authors: Haoyang Mi, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205. Phone: 410-528-3768; E-mail: ; and Lisa M. Coussens,
| | - Aleksander S. Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Chen S, Guo S, Gou M, Pan Y, Fan M, Zhang N, Tan Z, Dai G. A composite indicator of derived neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio and lactate dehydrogenase correlates with outcomes in pancreatic carcinoma patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors. Front Oncol 2022; 12:951985. [DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.951985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThere are currently no established biomarkers that can predict whether advanced pancreatic carcinoma (PC) patients would benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Our study investigated whether the pretreatment composite biomarker of derived neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) can be used as a reliable prognostic factor for the survival of PC patients receiving PD-1 inhibitor therapy.MethodsPatients with advanced PC treated with PD-1 inhibitors at a single center from September 2015 to September 2020 were included. The high levels of dNLR (≥3) and LDH (≥250 U/L) were considered to be risk factors. Based on these two risk factors, patients in this study were categorized into two risk groups: the good dNLR-LDH group, without risk factors, and the intermediate/poor dNLR-LDH group, with one to two risk factors. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) served as this study’s primary and secondary endpoints. Cox regression models were used to identify independent prognostic factors for survival benefit.ResultsThere were 98 patients in our study. The good group included 61 (62.2%) patients and the intermediate/poor group included 37 (37.8%). The overall patients with PC who received immunotherapy had a median OS of 12.1 months, and the good dNLR-LDH group had a significantly longer OS compared with the intermediate/poor dNLR-LDH group (44.2 vs. 6.4 months; p < 0.010); median PFS was 3.7 and 2.5 months (p = 0.010). The number of metastatic sites >2 and immunotherapy as third-line or later was associated with worse PFS, and the line of immunotherapy and the dNLR-LDH indicator were independent prognostic factors for OS, according to multivariate analysis.ConclusionThe pretreatment composite biomarker of dNLR and LDH can be used as a prognostic biomarker in patients with advanced PC treated with PD-1 inhibitors.
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Cheng R, Jiang L, Gao H, Liu Z, Mäkilä E, Wang S, Saiding Q, Xiang L, Tang X, Shi M, Liu J, Pang L, Salonen J, Hirvonen J, Zhang H, Cui W, Shen B, Santos HA. A pH-Responsive Cluster Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticle for Enhanced Tumor Accumulation and Antitumor Effect. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2203915. [PMID: 35985348 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202203915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As a result of the deficient tumor-specific antigens, potential off-target effect, and influence of protein corona, metal-organic framework nanoparticles have inadequate accumulation in tumor tissues, limiting their therapeutic effects. In this work, a pH-responsive linker (L) is prepared by covalently modifying oleylamine (OA) with 3-(bromomethyl)-4-methyl-2,5-furandione (MMfu) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Then, the L is embedded into a solid lipid nanoshell to coat apilimod (Ap)-loaded zeolitic imidazolate framework (Ap-ZIF) to form Ap-ZIF@SLN#L. Under the tumor microenvironment, the hydrophilic PEG and MMfu are removed, exposing the hydrophobic OA on Ap-ZIF@SLN#L, increasing their uptake in cancer cells and accumulation in the tumor. The ZIF@SLN#L nanoparticle induces reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ap released from Ap-ZIF@SLN#L significantly promotes intracellular ROS and lactate dehydrogenase generation. Ap-ZIF@SLN#L inhibits tumor growth, increases the survival rate in mice, activates the tumor microenvironment, and improves the infiltration of macrophages and T cells in the tumor, as demonstrated in two different tumor-bearing mice after injections with Ap-ZIF@SLN#TL. Furthermore, mice show normal tissue structure of the main organs and the normal serum level in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase after treatment with the nanoparticles. Overall, this pH-responsive targeting strategy improves nanoparticle accumulation in tumors with enhanced therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyu Cheng
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, W.J. Korf Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science, University Medical Center Groningen/University of Groningen, Groningen, 9713 AV, The Netherlands
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Lingxi Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Han Gao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, W.J. Korf Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science, University Medical Center Groningen/University of Groningen, Groningen, 9713 AV, The Netherlands
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Zehua Liu
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Ermei Mäkilä
- Laboratory of Industrial Physics, Department of Physics, University of Turku, Turku, FI-20014, Finland
| | - Shiqi Wang
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Qimanguli Saiding
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Lei Xiang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Xiaomei Tang
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Minmin Shi
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Libin Pang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Jarno Salonen
- Laboratory of Industrial Physics, Department of Physics, University of Turku, Turku, FI-20014, Finland
| | - Jouni Hirvonen
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Hongbo Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, FI-20520, Finland
- Turku Biosciences Center, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, FI-20520, Finland
| | - Wenguo Cui
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Baiyong Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Hélder A Santos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, W.J. Korf Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science, University Medical Center Groningen/University of Groningen, Groningen, 9713 AV, The Netherlands
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
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Neoantigens and their clinical applications in human gastrointestinal cancers. World J Surg Oncol 2022; 20:321. [PMID: 36171610 PMCID: PMC9520945 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-022-02776-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tumor-specific neoantigens are ideal targets for cancer immunotherapy. As research findings have proved, neoantigen-specific T cell activity is immunotherapy’s most important determinant. Main text There is sufficient evidence showing the role of neoantigens in clinically successful immunotherapy, providing a justification for targeting. Because of the significance of the pre-existing anti-tumor immune response for the immune checkpoint inhibitor, it is believed that personalized neoantigen-based therapy may be an imperative approach for cancer therapy. Thus, intensive attention is given to strategies targeting neoantigens for the significant impact with other immunotherapies, such as the immune checkpoint inhibitor. Today, several algorithms are designed and optimized based on Next-Generation Sequencing and public databases, including dbPepNeo, TANTIGEN 2.0, Cancer Antigenic Peptide Database, NEPdb, and CEDAR databases for predicting neoantigens in silico that stimulates the development of T cell therapies, cancer vaccine, and other ongoing immunotherapy approaches. Conclusions In this review, we deliberated the current developments in understanding and recognition of the immunogenicity of newly found gastrointestinal neoantigens as well as their functions in immunotherapies and cancer detection. We also described how neoantigens are being developed and how they might be used in the treatment of GI malignancies.
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Keshavarz A, Salehi A, Khosravi S, Shariati Y, Nasrabadi N, Kahrizi MS, Maghsoodi S, Mardi A, Azizi R, Jamali S, Fotovat F. Recent findings on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered immune cell therapy in solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:482. [PMID: 36153626 PMCID: PMC9509604 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03163-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Advancements in adoptive cell therapy over the last four decades have revealed various new therapeutic strategies, such as chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which are dedicated immune cells that are engineered and administered to eliminate cancer cells. In this context, CAR T-cells have shown significant promise in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, many obstacles limit the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy in both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Consequently, CAR-NK and CAR-M cell therapies have recently emerged as novel therapeutic options for addressing the challenges associated with CAR T-cell therapies. Currently, many CAR immune cell trials are underway in various human malignancies around the world to improve antitumor activity and reduce the toxicity of CAR immune cell therapy. This review will describe the comprehensive literature of recent findings on CAR immune cell therapy in a wide range of human malignancies, as well as the challenges that have emerged in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Keshavarz
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Salehi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Islamic Azad University,, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Setareh Khosravi
- Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Yasaman Shariati
- Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Navid Nasrabadi
- Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | | | - Sairan Maghsoodi
- Department of Paramedical, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Mardi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramyar Azizi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Samira Jamali
- Department of Endodontics, College of Stomatology, Stomatological Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Farnoush Fotovat
- Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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11
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Guan X, Lu N, Zhang J. The combined prognostic model of copper-dependent to predict the prognosis of pancreatic cancer. Front Genet 2022; 13:978988. [PMID: 36035166 PMCID: PMC9399350 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.978988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To assess the prognostic value of copper-dependent genes, copper-dependent-related genes (CDRG), and CDRG-associated immune-infiltrating cells (CIC) for pancreatic cancer. Methods: CDRG were obtained by single-cell analysis of the GSE156405 dataset in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. In a ratio of 7:3, we randomly divided the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort into a training cohort and a test cohort. Tumor samples from the GSE62452 dataset were used as the validation cohort. CIBERSORT was used to obtain the immune cell infiltration. We identified the prognostic CDRG and CIC by Cox regression and the least absolute selection operator (LASSO) method. The clinical significance of these prognostic models was assessed using survival analysis, immunological microenvironment analysis, and drug sensitivity analysis. Results: 536 CDRG were obtained by single-cell sequencing analysis. We discovered that elevated LIPT1 expression was associated with a worse prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients. EPS8, CASC8, TATDN1, NT5E, and LDHA comprised the CDRG-based prognostic model. High infiltration of Macrophages.M2 in pancreatic cancer patients results in poor survival. The combined prognostic model showed great predictive performance, with the area under the curve (AUC) values being basically between 0.7 and 0.9 in all three cohorts. Conclusion: We found a cohort of CDRG and CIC in patients with pancreatic cancer. The combined prognostic model provided new insights into the prognosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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12
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Zhang Q, Yu X, Zhang S, Guo W, He Y. Molecular characteristics of novel immune subtypes of HCC based on lncRNAs related to immune disorders. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8905. [PMID: 35618810 PMCID: PMC9135727 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13013-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
As one of the most malignant cancers and despite various treatment breakthroughs, the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unsatisfactory. The immune status of the tumor microenvironment (TME) relates closely to HCC progression; however, the mechanism of immune cell infiltration in the TME remains unclear. In this study, we performed a new combination algorithm on lncRNA expression profile data from the TCGA-LIHC cohort to identify lncRNAs related to immune disorders. We identified 20 immune disorder-related lncRNAs and clustered HCC samples based on these lncRNAs. We identified four clusters with differences in immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint gene expression. We further analyzed differences between groups 1 and 3 and found that the poor prognosis of group 3 may be due to specific and non-specific immunosuppression of the TME, upregulation of immune checkpoint pathways, and activation of tumor proliferation and migration pathways in group 3. We also developed a prognostic model and verified that it has good stability, effectiveness, and prognostic power. This study provides a basis for further exploration of the immune cell infiltration mechanism in HCC, differential HCC prognosis, and improvement of the efficacy of ICIs for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyao Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Xiao Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Shuijun Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Wenzhi Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China. .,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China. .,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, 450052, China. .,Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
| | - Yuting He
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China. .,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China. .,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, 450052, China. .,Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
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13
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Nel AE, Mei KC, Liao YP, Lu X. Multifunctional Lipid Bilayer Nanocarriers for Cancer Immunotherapy in Heterogeneous Tumor Microenvironments, Combining Immunogenic Cell Death Stimuli with Immune Modulatory Drugs. ACS NANO 2022; 16:5184-5232. [PMID: 35348320 PMCID: PMC9519818 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c01252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In addition to the contribution of cancer cells, the solid tumor microenvironment (TME) has a critical role in determining tumor expansion, antitumor immunity, and the response to immunotherapy. Understanding the details of the complex interplay between cancer cells and components of the TME provides an unprecedented opportunity to explore combination therapy for intervening in the immune landscape to improve immunotherapy outcome. One approach is the introduction of multifunctional nanocarriers, capable of delivering drug combinations that provide immunogenic stimuli for improvement of tumor antigen presentation, contemporaneous with the delivery of coformulated drug or synthetic molecules that provide immune danger signals or interfere in immune-escape, immune-suppressive, and T-cell exclusion pathways. This forward-looking review will discuss the use of lipid-bilayer-encapsulated liposomes and mesoporous silica nanoparticles for combination immunotherapy of the heterogeneous immune landscapes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and triple-negative breast cancer. We describe how the combination of remote drug loading and lipid bilayer encapsulation is used for the synthesis of synergistic drug combinations that induce immunogenic cell death, interfere in the PD-1/PD-L1 axis, inhibit the indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO-1) immune metabolic pathway, restore spatial access to activated T-cells to the cancer site, or reduce the impact of immunosuppressive stromal components. We show how an integration of current knowledge and future discovery can be used for a rational approach to nanoenabled cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- André E. Nel
- Division of NanoMedicine, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Correspondence should be addressed to: André E. Nel, Division of NanoMedicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 52-175 CHS, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA. Phone: 310.825.6620;
| | - Kuo-Ching Mei
- Division of NanoMedicine, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Yu-Pei Liao
- Division of NanoMedicine, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Xiangsheng Lu
- Division of NanoMedicine, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
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14
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Jain A, Bhardwaj V. Therapeutic resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Current challenges and future opportunities. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:6527-6550. [PMID: 34754151 PMCID: PMC8554400 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i39.6527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Although chemotherapeutic regimens such as gemcitabine+ nab-paclitaxel and FOLFIRINOX (FOLinic acid, 5-Fluroruracil, IRINotecan, and Oxaliplatin) significantly improve patient survival, the prevalence of therapy resistance remains a major roadblock in the success of these agents. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms that play a crucial role in PDAC therapy resistance and how a better understanding of these mechanisms has shaped clinical trials for pancreatic cancer chemotherapy. Specifically, we have discussed the metabolic alterations and DNA repair mechanisms observed in PDAC and current approaches in targeting these mechanisms. Our discussion also includes the lessons learned following the failure of immunotherapy in PDAC and current approaches underway to improve tumor's immunological response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Jain
- The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States
| | - Vikas Bhardwaj
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jefferson College of Pharmacy, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States
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15
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Heumann T, Azad N. Next-generation immunotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: navigating pathways of immune resistance. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:837-862. [PMID: 34591243 PMCID: PMC9804001 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-021-09981-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
To date, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has proven largely ineffective in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. A combination of low tumor antigenicity, deficits in immune activation along with an exclusive and suppressive tumor microenvironment result in resistance to host defensives. However, a deepening understanding of these immune escape and suppressive mechanisms has led to the discovery of novel molecular targets and treatment strategies that may hold the key to a long-awaited therapeutic breakthrough. In this review, we describe the tumor-intrinsic and microenvironmental barriers to modern immunotherapy, examine novel immune-based and targeted modalities, summarize relevant pre-clinical findings and human experience, and, finally, discuss novel synergistic approaches to overcome immune-resistance in pancreatic cancer. Beyond checkpoint inhibition, immune agonists and anti-tumor vaccines represent promising strategies to stimulate host response via activation and expansion of anti-tumor immune effectors. Off-the-shelf natural killer cell therapies may offer an effective method for bypassing downregulated tumor antigen presentation. In parallel with this, sophisticated targeting of crosstalk between tumor and tumor-associated immune cells may lead to enhanced immune infiltration and survival of anti-tumor lymphocytes. A future multimodal treatment strategy involving immune priming/activation, tumor microenvironment reprogramming, and immune checkpoint blockade may help transform pancreatic cancer into an immunogenic tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thatcher Heumann
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nilofer Azad
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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16
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Hannes S, Karlowitz R, van Wijk SJL. The Smac mimetic BV6 cooperates with STING to induce necroptosis in apoptosis-resistant pancreatic carcinoma cells. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:816. [PMID: 34462421 PMCID: PMC8405653 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04014-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) still remains a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide and alternative treatments are urgently required. A common problem of PC is the development of resistance against apoptosis that limits therapeutic success. Here we demonstrate that the prototypical Smac mimetic BV6 cooperates with the stimulator of interferon (IFN) genes (STING) ligand 2',3'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (2'3'-cGAMP) to trigger necroptosis in apoptosis-deficient PC cells. Pharmacological inhibition of key components of necroptosis signaling, such as receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIPK1), RIPK3, and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), significantly rescues PC cells from 2'3'-cGAMP/BV6/zVAD.fmk-mediated cell death, suggesting the induction of necroptosis. Consistently, 2'3'-cGAMP/BV6 co-treatment promotes phosphorylation of MLKL. Furthermore, we show that 2'3'-cGAMP stimulates the production of type I IFNs, which cooperate with BV6 to trigger necroptosis in apoptosis-deficient settings. STING silencing via siRNA or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockout protects PC cells from 2'3'-cGAMP/BV6/zVAD.fmk-mediated cell death. Interestingly, we demonstrate that nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and IFN-regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) signaling are involved in triggering 2'3'-cGAMP/BV6/zVAD.fmk-induced necroptosis. In conclusion, we show that activated STING and BV6 act together to exert antitumor effects on PC cells with important implications for the design of new PC treatment concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Hannes
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
- General and Visceral Surgery, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rebekka Karlowitz
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sjoerd J L van Wijk
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany.
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17
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Zhang Q, Wang Z, Yu X, Zhang M, Zheng Q, He Y, Guo W. Immune Subtypes Based on Immune-Related lncRNA: Differential Prognostic Mechanism of Pancreatic Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:698296. [PMID: 34307375 PMCID: PMC8292792 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.698296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer consists one of tumors with the highest degree of malignancy and the worst prognosis. To date, immunotherapy has become an effective means to improve the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have also been associated with the immune response. However, the role of immune-related lncRNAs in the immune response of pancreatic cancer remains unclear. In this study, we identified immune-related lncRNA pairs through a new combinatorial algorithm, and then clustered and deeply analyzed the immune characteristics and functional differences between subtypes. Subsequently, the prognostic model of 3 candidate lncRNA pairs was determined by multivariate COX analysis. The results showed significant prognostic differences between the C1 and C2 subtypes, which may be due to the differential infiltration of CTL and NK cells and the activation of tumor-related pathways. The prognostic model of the 3 lncRNA pairs (AC244035.1_vs._AC063926.1, AC066612.1_vs._AC090124.1, and AC244035.1_vs._LINC01885) was established, which exhibits stable and effective prognostic prediction performance. These 3 lncRNA pairs may regulate the anti-tumor effect of immune cells through ion channel pathways. In conclusion, our research demonstrated the panoramic differences in immune characteristics between subtypes and stable prognostic models, and identified new potential targets for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyao Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhihui Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiao Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Menggang Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qingyuan Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuting He
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wenzhi Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, China
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18
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Li ZY, Sun XY. Recent progress in SRC targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2021; 29:621-627. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v29.i12.621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly lethal malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of only 10% and is extremely resistant to chemotherapy. Therefore, developing effective therapeutic drugs is urgently needed. SRC is a proto-oncogenic tyrosine protein kinase and highly expressed in more than 70% of PCs. SRC is involved in regulating the proliferation, infiltration, and metastasis of PC cells as well as tumor angiogenesis, thus representing one of the most promising molecular targets for developing novel drugs. Preclinical studies demonstrate that small-molecule SRC inhibitors display significant anti-cancer activities in vitro and in vivo, and have a synergistic effect with conventional chemotherapy drugs against PC. Some SRC inhibitors have been evaluated in clinical trials. This article analyzes the regulatory mechanism of SRC and the recent progress and problems in developing drugs targeting SRC for the treatment of PC. Unfortunately, up to date no SRC inhibitor or regiment containing SRC inhibitors has been approved for the clinical treatment of PC. In the authors' opinion, the introduction of precision medicine principles to carry out SRC inhibitor clinical trials, combination of immunotherapy and SRC inhibitors, seeking more selective and effective SRC inhibitors, and further exploration of the SRC regulatory network may be the future directions for developing SRC-targeted therapies against PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Yi Li
- Hepatosplenic Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Xue-Ying Sun
- Hepatosplenic Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
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19
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Liu H, Shi Y, Qian F. Opportunities and delusions regarding drug delivery targeting pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 172:37-51. [PMID: 33705881 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A dense desmoplastic stroma formed by abundant extracellular matrix and stromal cells, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and immune cells, is a feature of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the most lethal cancer types. As the dominant cellular component of the PDAC stroma, CAFs orchestrate intensive and biologically diverse crosstalk with pancreatic cancer cells and immune cells and contribute to a unique PDAC tumor microenvironment promoting cancer proliferation, metastasis, and resistance against both chemo- and immunotherapies. Therefore, CAFs and CAF-related mechanisms have emerged as promising targets for PDAC therapy. However, several clinical setbacks and accumulating knowledge of the PDAC stroma have revealed the heterogeneity and multifaceted biological roles of CAFs, and concerns regarding "what to deliver" and "how to deliver" have arisen when designing CAF-targeted drug delivery systems to specifically inhibit tumor-supporting CAFs without impairing tumor-restricting CAFs. In this review, we will discuss the complexity of CAFs in the PDAC stroma as well as the potential opportunities and common misconceptions regarding drug delivery efforts targeting PDAC CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiqin Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, and Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yu Shi
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Feng Qian
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, and Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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20
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Smithy JW, O'Reilly EM. Pancreas cancer: Therapeutic trials in metastatic disease. J Surg Oncol 2021; 123:1475-1488. [PMID: 33831245 PMCID: PMC8606164 DOI: 10.1002/jso.26359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality in 2021. Cytotoxic therapies are the therapeutic mainstay for PDAC. The recent approval of olaparib as maintenance therapy for germline BRCA1/2-mutated PDAC and pembrolizumab for mismatch repair deficient PDAC represent molecularly targeted approaches for this disease. Investigational therapeutic strategies include targeting the stroma, metabolism, tumor microenvironment, and the immune system, and selected approaches are reviewed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Smithy
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Eileen M O'Reilly
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York, USA
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21
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Role of targeted immunotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) treatment: An overview. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 95:107508. [PMID: 33725635 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest solid tumors with a high mortality rate and poor survival rate. Depending on the tumor stage, PDAC is either treated by resection surgery, chemotherapies, or radiotherapies. Various chemotherapeutic agents have been used to treat PDAC, alone or in combination. Despite the combinations, chemotherapy exhibits many side-effects leading to an increase in the toxicity profile amongst the PDAC patients. Additionally, these standard chemotherapeutic agents have only a modest impact on patient survival due to their limited efficacy. PDAC was previously considered as an immunologically silent malignancy, but recent findings have demonstrated that effective immune-mediated tumor cell death can be used for its treatment. PDAC is characterized by an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment accompanied by the major expression of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and M2 tumor-associated macrophages. In contrast, the expression of CD8+ T cells is significantly low. Additionally, infiltration of mast cells in PDAC correlates with the poor prognosis. Immunotherapeutic agents target the immunity mediators and empower them to suppress the tumor and effectively treat PDAC. Different targets are studied and exploited to induce an antitumor immune response in PDAC patients. In recent times, site-specific delivery of immunotherapeutics also gained attention among researchers to effectively treat PDAC. In the present review, existing immunotherapies for PDAC treatment along with their limitations are addressed in detail. The review also includes the pathophysiology, traditional strategies and significance of targeted immunotherapies to combat PDAC effectively. Separately, the identification of ideal targets for the targeted therapy of PDAC is also reviewed exhaustively. Additionally, the review also addresses the applications of targeted immunotherapeutics like checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive T-cell therapy etc.
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22
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Yang W, Zhang W, Wang X, Tan L, Li H, Wu J, Wu Q, Sun W, Chen J, Yin Y. HCA587 Protein Vaccine Induces Specific Antitumor Immunity Mediated by CD4 + T-cells Expressing Granzyme B in a Mouse Model of Melanoma. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 21:738-746. [PMID: 32723258 DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200728131951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The antigen HCA587 (also known as MAGE-C2), which is considered a cancer-testis antigen, exhibits upregulated expression in a wide range of malignant tumors with unique immunological properties, and may thus serve as a promising target for tumor immunotherapy. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to explore the antitumor effect of the HCA587 protein vaccine and the response of humoral and cell-mediated immunity. METHODS The HCA587 protein vaccine was formulated with adjuvants CpG and ISCOM. B16 melanoma cells were subcutaneously inoculated to C57BL/6 mice, followed by treatment with HCA587 protein vaccine subcutaneously. Mouse survival was monitored daily, and tumor volume was measured every 2 to 3 days. The tumor sizes, survival time and immune cells in tumor tissues were detected. And the vital immune cell subset and effector molecules were explored. RESULTS After treatment with HCA587 protein vaccine, the vaccination elicited significant immune responses, which delayed tumor growth and improved animal survival. The vaccination increased the proportion of CD4+ T cells expressing IFN-γ and granzyme B in tumor tissues. The depletion of CD4+T cells resulted in an almost complete abrogation of the antitumor effect of the vaccination, suggesting that the antitumor efficacy was mediated by CD4+ T cells. In addition, knockout of IFN-γ resulted in a decrease in granzyme B levels, which were secreted by CD4+ T cells, and the antitumor effect was also significantly attenuated. CONCLUSION The HCA587 protein vaccine may increase the levels of granzyme B expressed by CD4+ T cells, and this increase is dependent on IFN-γ, and the vaccine resulted in a specific tumor immune response and subsequent eradication of the tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiming Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Weiheng Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Xiaozhong Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Liming Tan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Hua Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Jiemin Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuyuan County People's Hospital, Wuyuan 333200, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Wanlei Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Juanjuan Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Yanhui Yin
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology of Ministry of Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
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23
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Shang J, Han X, Zha H, Tao H, Li X, Yuan F, Chen G, Wang L, Ma J, Hu Y. Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index and Changes of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio as Prognostic Biomarkers for Patients With Pancreatic Cancer Treated With Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Front Oncol 2021; 11:585271. [PMID: 33718140 PMCID: PMC7943876 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.585271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of current treatment regimens for pancreatic cancer (PC) remains unsatisfactory. In recent years, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has shown promising anti-tumor outcomes in many malignancies, including PC. Inexpensive and readily available biomarkers which predict therapeutic responses and prognosis are in critical need. Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are emerging predictors for prognosis of various tumors. We aim to investigate the prognostic significance of baseline SII, NLR, and their changes in PC patients treated with ICB. Our retrospective analysis included PC patients treated with ICB therapy in the Chinese PLA General Hospital. All demographic, biological, and clinical data were extracted from medical records. Relative changes of SII after two doses of ICB were defined as ΔSII% and calculated as (SIIafter 2 doses-SIIbaseline)/SIIbaseline, and so was the case for ΔNLR%. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared using Kaplan-Meier curves. The prognostic significance of baseline SII, NLR, and their changes was assessed in univariate and multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional hazard regression model. In total, 122 patients with PC treated with ICB were included in the present analysis. Elevated baseline SII (HR=3.28; 95% CI:1.98–5.27; P=0.03) and ΔNLR% (HR=2.21; 95% CI:1.03–4.74; P=0.04) were significantly correlated with an increased risk of death. For PC patients receiving ICB combined with chemotherapies or radiotherapies as the first-line treatment, increased baseline SII was a negative predictor for both OS (HR=8.06; 95% CI:1.71–37.86; P=0.01) and PFS (HR=2.84; 95%CI:1.37–10.38; P=0.04). Our study reveals the prognostic value of baseline SII and NLR changes in PC patients receiving ICB therapy. The clinical utility of these prognostic biomarkers needs to be further studied in prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Shang
- Department of Oncology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, People's Liberation Army School of Medicine, Beijing, China.,Department of Health Service, Guard Bureau of the Joint Staff Department, Central Military Commission of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Department of Oncology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, People's Liberation Army School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Haoran Zha
- Department of Oncology, People's Liberation Army Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Haitao Tao
- Department of Oncology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, People's Liberation Army School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Department of Oncology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, People's Liberation Army School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, People's Liberation Army School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guangying Chen
- Department of Oncology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, People's Liberation Army School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Lijie Wang
- Department of Oncology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, People's Liberation Army School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Junxun Ma
- Department of Oncology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, People's Liberation Army School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Hu
- Department of Oncology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, People's Liberation Army School of Medicine, Beijing, China
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24
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Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a tumor with a high degree of malignancy, morbidity, and mortality. Immunotherapy is another important treatment for pancreatic cancer in addition to surgery and chemotherapy, but its application in pancreatic cancer is very limited, which is related to the unique biological behavior of pancreatic cancer and the tumor microenvironment. The immunosuppressive microenvironment of pancreatic cancer is highly heterogeneous and presents challenges for immunotherapy. The transformation of tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment contributes to the response to tumor immunotherapy, such that the tumor undergoes functional reprogramming to change from immunologically "cold" to immunologically "hot." In this review, we summarized the research and progress in immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, adoptive T cell therapy, oncolytic viruses, and immunomodulators, and suggest that individualized, combination, and precise therapy should be the main direction of future immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jianting Cai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
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25
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Chen B, Hu C, Jiang L, Xiang Z, Zuo Z, Lin Y, Liu C. Exploring the significance of novel immune-related gene signatures in the prognosis and immune features of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 92:107359. [PMID: 33465729 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune-related genes (IRGs) are associated with the prognosis of different cancers and are helpful for the diagnosis and management of systematic treatment for cancer patients. However, there have been a few corresponding studies in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). METHODS The data of PAAD patients were obtained from the TCGA, GEO, and ICGC databases. Additionally, the expression profiles of the normal pancreas from the GTEx database were used to screen differentially expressed immune-related genes (DEIRGs). Cox regression analyses were used to explore overall survival (OS)- and progression-free survival (PFS)-related DEIRGs and to establish two nomograms for PAAD prognosis. Finally, transcription factor (TF), immune infiltration, and unsupervised consensus analyses were performed to understand the potential mechanisms. RESULTS An OS-prognostic signature based on seven DEIRGs and a PFS-prognostic signature based on seven DEIRGs were generated, and their robust prognostic ability was confirmed by ROC curves (OS: 0.736 ~ 0.774, PFS: 0.732 ~ 0.840). According to the risk score, the OS and PFS of the high-risk group were poorer than those of the low-risk group in the training set and four external validation sets. In addition, two nomograms based on the signatures and clinical variables also showed excellent discrimination. And two hub regulatory pathways were successfully validated in several independent datasets. Discernable patterns of DEIRGs in unsupervised consensus analysis showed that patients with low expression of immune checkpoints had a favorable prognosis. CONCLUSION Two DEIRG-based signatures can be used as independent tools for the prognostic prediction of PAAD and to provide potential novel immunotherapy targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Chen
- The First Clinical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chuan Hu
- Department of Joint Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Liqing Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhouxia Xiang
- The First Clinical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ziyi Zuo
- The First Clinical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yangjun Lin
- The First Clinical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chuan Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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26
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Knudsen ES, Kumarasamy V, Chung S, Ruiz A, Vail P, Tzetzo S, Wu J, Nambiar R, Seshadri M, Abrams SI, Wang J, Witkiewicz AK, Wang J, Witkiewicz AK. Targeting dual signalling pathways in concert with immune checkpoints for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Gut 2021; 70:127-138. [PMID: 32424005 PMCID: PMC7671951 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-321000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study exploits the intersection between molecular-targeted therapies and immune-checkpoint inhibition to define new means to treat pancreatic cancer. DESIGN Patient-derived cell lines and xenograft models were used to define the response to CDK4/6 and MEK inhibition in the tumour compartment. Impacts relative to immunotherapy were performed using subcutaneous and orthotopic syngeneic models. Single-cell RNA sequencing and multispectral imaging were employed to delineate effects on the immunological milieu in the tumour microenvironment. RESULTS We found that combination treatment with MEK and CDK4/6 inhibitors was effective across a broad range of PDX models in delaying tumour progression. These effects were associated with stable cell-cycle arrest, as well as the induction of multiple genes associated with interferon response and antigen presentation in an RB-dependent fashion. Using single-cell sequencing and complementary approaches, we found that the combination of CDK4/6 and MEK inhibition had a significant impact on increasing T-cell infiltration and altering myeloid populations, while potently cooperating with immune checkpoint inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS Together, these data indicate that there are canonical and non-canonical features of CDK4/6 and MEK inhibition that impact on the tumour and immune microenvironment. This combination-targeted treatment can promote robust tumour control in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik s Knudsen
- Center for Personalized Medicine, Roswell Park
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA,Molecular & Cellular Biology, Roswell Park
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Vishnu Kumarasamy
- Center for Personalized Medicine, Roswell Park
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA,Molecular & Cellular Biology, Roswell Park
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Sejin Chung
- Center for Personalized Medicine, Roswell Park
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA,Molecular & Cellular Biology, Roswell Park
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Amanda Ruiz
- Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona,
USA
| | - Paris Vail
- Center for Personalized Medicine, Roswell Park
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA,Molecular & Cellular Biology, Roswell Park
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Stephanie Tzetzo
- Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center,
Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Jin Wu
- Center for Personalized Medicine, Roswell Park
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Ram Nambiar
- Center for Personalized Medicine, Roswell Park
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Mukund Seshadri
- Oral Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center,
Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Scott I Abrams
- Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center,
Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park
comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Agnieszka K Witkiewicz
- Center for Personalized Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA .,Pathology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
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27
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Affandi AJ, Grabowska J, Olesek K, Lopez Venegas M, Barbaria A, Rodríguez E, Mulder PPG, Pijffers HJ, Ambrosini M, Kalay H, O'Toole T, Zwart ES, Kazemier G, Nazmi K, Bikker FJ, Stöckl J, van den Eertwegh AJM, de Gruijl TD, Storm G, van Kooyk Y, den Haan JMM. Selective tumor antigen vaccine delivery to human CD169 + antigen-presenting cells using ganglioside-liposomes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:27528-27539. [PMID: 33067394 PMCID: PMC7959579 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2006186117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Priming of CD8+ T cells by dendritic cells (DCs) is crucial for the generation of effective antitumor immune responses. Here, we describe a liposomal vaccine carrier that delivers tumor antigens to human CD169/Siglec-1+ antigen-presenting cells using gangliosides as targeting ligands. Ganglioside-liposomes specifically bound to CD169 and were internalized by in vitro-generated monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) and macrophages and by ex vivo-isolated splenic macrophages in a CD169-dependent manner. In blood, high-dimensional reduction analysis revealed that ganglioside-liposomes specifically targeted CD14+ CD169+ monocytes and Axl+ CD169+ DCs. Liposomal codelivery of tumor antigen and Toll-like receptor ligand to CD169+ moDCs and Axl+ CD169+ DCs led to cytokine production and robust cross-presentation and activation of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. Finally, Axl+ CD169+ DCs were present in cancer patients and efficiently captured ganglioside-liposomes. Our findings demonstrate a nanovaccine platform targeting CD169+ DCs to drive antitumor T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alsya J Affandi
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joanna Grabowska
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Katarzyna Olesek
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Miguel Lopez Venegas
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- DC4U, 3621 ZA Breukelen, The Netherlands
| | - Arnaud Barbaria
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ernesto Rodríguez
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick P G Mulder
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Helen J Pijffers
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martino Ambrosini
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hakan Kalay
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tom O'Toole
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eline S Zwart
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Geert Kazemier
- Department of Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kamran Nazmi
- Department of Oral Biochemistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and University of Amsterdam, 1081 LA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Floris J Bikker
- Department of Oral Biochemistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and University of Amsterdam, 1081 LA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes Stöckl
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alfons J M van den Eertwegh
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tanja D de Gruijl
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Storm
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Biomaterials, Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Yvette van Kooyk
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- DC4U, 3621 ZA Breukelen, The Netherlands
| | - Joke M M den Haan
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
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28
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Chen H, Yang G, Xiao J, Zheng L, You L, Zhang T. Neoantigen-based immunotherapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Cancer Lett 2020; 490:12-19. [PMID: 32590021 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neoantigens generated in neoplasms are a type of protein completely absent in healthy tissues. Therefore, anti-tumor immunity targeting neoantigens is highly specific, which provides an optional approach to boost tumor immunotherapy. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignancies in humans, with few efficient treatments to improve its prognosis. Therefore, immunotherapies reinforced by neoantigen-based strategies should be considered. In PDAC, the mutational burden is intermediate compared with other common malignancies, while the naturally formed tumor immunity is significantly inferior. Moreover, the high mutation load in PDAC correlates with a poor clinical prognosis, although the combination of a large mutation repertoire and competent T cell population is indispensable for long-term survival. In clinical practice, three strategies have been mainly used: peptide or tumor cell vaccines, neo-epitope-coding nucleotide vaccines, and dendritic cell vaccines. However, three major problems remain to be addressed, including (1) highly personalized protocols after sampling, (2) insufficient neoantigen quantity, and (3) ineffective immunotherapy of PDAC. In summary, neoantigen-based therapy of PDAC is increasing and the treatment methods are accompanied by great challenges. Currently, extensive development is needed for effective neoantigen-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, 1 Tsinghua Yuan Haidian District, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Gang Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Jianchun Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Lianfang Zheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Lei You
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Taiping Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Clinical Immunology Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
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29
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Hruban RH, Lillemoe KD. Screening for Pancreatic Cancer Gets a D, but the Student Is Improving. JAMA Surg 2020; 154:795-797. [PMID: 31386099 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2019.2832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ralph H Hruban
- Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Departments of Pathology and Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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30
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Huang X, He C, Hua X, Kan A, Mao Y, Sun S, Duan F, Wang J, Huang P, Li S. Oxidative stress induces monocyte-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation through p38 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Clin Transl Med 2020; 10:e41. [PMID: 32508052 PMCID: PMC7403727 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are among the most prominent cells during the desmoplastic reaction in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, CAFs are heterogeneous and the precise origins are not fully elucidated. This study aimed to explore whether monocytes can transdifferentiate into fibroblasts in PDAC and evaluate the clinical significance of this event. METHODS CD14+ monocytes were freshly isolated from human peripheral blood. Immunofluorescence, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, western blot, flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect the expression of αSMA, fibronectin, and other relevant molecules. In addition, latex beads with a mean particle size of 2.0 µm were used to assess the phagocytic capacity. Moreover, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to identify the differences induced by H2 O2 and the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS Immunofluorescence identified αSMA and fibroblast-specific protein 1 expression by tumor-associated macrophages in PDAC. The in vitro experiment revealed that oxidative stress (H2 O2 or radiation) induced monocyte-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation (MMT), as identified by upregulated αSMA expression at both the RNA and protein levels. In addition, compared with freshly isolated monocytes, human monocyte-derived macrophages increased fibronectin expression. RNA-seq analysis identified p53 activation and other signatures accompanying this transdifferentiation; however, the p53 stabilizer nutlin-3 induced αSMA expression through reactive oxygen species generation but not through the p53 transcription/mitochondria-dependent pathway, whereas the p38 inhibitor SB203580 could partially inhibit αSMA expression. Finally, MMT produced a unique subset of CAFs with reduced phagocytic capacity that could promote the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS Oxidative stress in the tumor microenvironment could induce MMT in PDAC, thus inducing reactive stroma, modulating immunosuppression, and promoting tumor progression. Reducing oxidative stress may be a promising future therapeutic regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Experimental ResearchSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Pancreatobiliary SurgerySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Chaobin He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Experimental ResearchSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Pancreatobiliary SurgerySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xin Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Experimental ResearchSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Medical OncologySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Anna Kan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Experimental ResearchSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Hepatic SurgerySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yize Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Experimental ResearchSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Pancreatobiliary SurgerySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Shuxin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Experimental ResearchSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Pancreatobiliary SurgerySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Fangting Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Experimental ResearchSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Pancreatobiliary SurgerySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Experimental ResearchSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Pancreatobiliary SurgerySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Peng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Experimental ResearchSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Shengping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Experimental ResearchSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Pancreatobiliary SurgerySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
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31
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Immunotherapy in gastrointestinal cancer: The current scenario and future perspectives. Cancer Treat Rev 2020; 88:102030. [PMID: 32505807 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2020.102030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal cancers include colorectal, gastric, oesophageal, pancreatic and liver cancers. They continue to be a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Current treatment strategies include chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and targeted therapies. Immunotherapy has recently been incorporated in treatment regimens for some gastrointestinal malignancies and research into different immune modifying treatments is being carried out in this context. Approaches to immune modulation such as vaccination, adoptive cell therapy and checkpoint inhibition have shown varying clinical benefit, with most of the benefit seen in checkpoint inhibition. This review summarises recent advances and future direction of immunotherapy in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies.
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Gautam SK, Kumar S, Dam V, Ghersi D, Jain M, Batra SK. MUCIN-4 (MUC4) is a novel tumor antigen in pancreatic cancer immunotherapy. Semin Immunol 2020; 47:101391. [PMID: 31952903 PMCID: PMC7160012 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2020.101391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly lethal malignancy with a dismal five-year survival rate. This is due to its asymptomatic nature, lack of reliable biomarkers, poor resectability, early metastasis, and high recurrence rate. Limited efficacies of current treatment modalities treatment-associated toxicity underscore the need for the development of immunotherapy-based approaches. For non-resectable, locally advanced metastatic PC, immunotherapy-based approaches including vaccines, antibody-targeted, immune checkpoint inhibition, CAR-T-cells, and adoptive T-cell transfer could be valuable additions to existing treatment modalities. Thus far, the vaccine candidates in PC have demonstrated modest immunological responses in different treatment modalities. The identification of tumor-associated antigens (TAA) and their successful implication in PC treatment is still a challenge. MUC4, a high molecular weight glycoprotein that functionally contributes to PC pathogenesis, is an attractive TAA. It is not detected in the normal pancreas; however, it is overexpressed in mouse and human pancreatic tumors. The recombinant MUC4 domain, as well as predicted immunogenic T-cell epitopes, elicited cellular and humoral anti-MUC4 response, suggesting its ulility as a vaccine candidate for PC therapy. Existence of PC-associated MUC4 splice variants, autoantibodies against overexpressed and aberrantly glycosylated MUC4 and presence of T-cell clones against the mutations present in MUC4 further reinforce its significance as a tumor antigen for vaccine development. Herein, we review the significance of MUC4 as a tumor antigen in PC immunotherapy and discuss both, the development and challenges associated with MUC4 based immunotherapy. Lastly, we will present our perspective on MUC4 antigenicity for the future development of MUC4-based PC immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailendra K Gautam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Vi Dam
- School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, University of Nebraska Omaha, NE, 68182, USA
| | - Dario Ghersi
- School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, University of Nebraska Omaha, NE, 68182, USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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33
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Farren MR, Sayegh L, Ware MB, Chen HR, Gong J, Liang Y, Krasinskas A, Maithel SK, Zaidi M, Sarmiento JM, Kooby D, Patel P, El-Rayes B, Shaib W, Lesinski GB. Immunologic alterations in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment of patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. JCI Insight 2020; 5:130362. [PMID: 31830001 PMCID: PMC7030821 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.130362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has dismal 5-year survival (<9%). We hypothesize that exposure of tumors to conventional therapies may preferentially modulate immune biomarkers in the tumor microenvironment in PDAC. PDAC patients who underwent upfront surgical resection or who received neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX with or without neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed by surgical resection were selected for study. Total expression of immunologically relevant transcripts and spatially resolved expression of immunologically relevant proteins was quantitated using multiplexed methods (NanoString nCounter and GeoMX platforms). This analysis identified numerous differentially expressed transcripts associated with the type of neoadjuvant therapy received. Moreover, we identified significant alterations in the expression and/or spatial distribution of immunologically relevant proteins in different regions (tumor cell rich, immune cell rich, stromal cell rich) of the tumor microenvironment. These data provide insight into the immunological effects of clinically relevant neoadjuvant therapy for resectable/borderline-resectable PDAC by describing significant differences in the expression of key immunologic biomarkers within the PDAC microenvironment that were associated with the type of treatment patients received prior to surgical resection. This represents a comprehensive analysis of numerous biomarkers conducted on the PDAC microenvironment. This work may guide strategic new combination therapies for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. Farren
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Layal Sayegh
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Michael Brandon Ware
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Hsiao-Rong Chen
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jingjing Gong
- Pathology Department, NanoString Inc., Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Yan Liang
- Pathology Department, NanoString Inc., Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Pretesh Patel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Bassel El-Rayes
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Walid Shaib
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Gregory B. Lesinski
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Guo F, Li J, Qi Y, Hou J, Chen H, Jiang SW. HE4 overexpression decreases pancreatic cancer Capan-1 cell sensitivity to paclitaxel via cell cycle regulation. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:163. [PMID: 32435154 PMCID: PMC7218645 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01248-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paclitaxel is a first-line chemotherapy drug for pancreatic, ovarian, endometrial cancers and other malignancies. However, its efficacy is often compromised by decreased cell sensitivity or the development of resistance. Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is highly expressed in gynecologic and pancreatic cancer tissues, and its serum levels are used for patient triage and assistant diagnosis of gynecologic cancers. Previous studies have shown that HE4 overexpression could promote cancer cell proliferation and the growth of tumor xenografts, which suggests its potential involvement in cancer chemosensitivity. METHODS Two pancreatic cancer cell lines, Capan-1 and Suit-2, were transiently transfected with an HE4 overexpression plasmid, and transfected cells were treated with paclitaxel. S-phase cells were labeled using BrdU, and cell positivity rates were determined by counting BrdU-positive cells. Following HE4 overexpression and/or drug treatment, a western blotting analysis was performed to determine the protein alterations of PCNA and p21, two important cell cycle regulators. RESULTS HE4 overexpression not only promoted the proliferation of the Capan-1 pancreatic cells, but also significantly decreased cell sensitivity to paclitaxel. Results from western blotting showed that paclitaxel inhibited cell proliferation by decreasing the expression of PCNA and increasing the expression of p21. Data analysis indicated interactive actions between HE4 function and paclitaxel effects, both converging to cell cycle regulation. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that HE4 could be a potential therapeutic target for the sensitization of pancreatic cancer cells to paclitaxel treatment. HE4 expression levels may be used to predict the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer patients to paclitaxel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengbiao Guo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041 Guangdong China
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214123 Jiangsu China
- Department of Biomedical Science, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404 USA
| | - Jinping Li
- Department of Biomedical Science, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404 USA
- Department of Surgery, Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Hospital University Medical Center, Savannah, GA 31404 USA
| | - Yaozhi Qi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Lianyungang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Lianyungang, 222005 Jiangsu China
| | - Jianqing Hou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qingdao University Medical College Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, 264000 Shandong China
| | - Haibin Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041 Guangdong China
| | - Shi-Wen Jiang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214123 Jiangsu China
- Department of Biomedical Science, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404 USA
- Department of Surgery, Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Hospital University Medical Center, Savannah, GA 31404 USA
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Zhang YB, Fei HX, Guo J, Zhang XJ, Wu SL, Zhong LL. Dauricine suppresses the growth of pancreatic cancer in vivo by modulating the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:4403-4414. [PMID: 31611949 PMCID: PMC6781764 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant cancer associated with high expression levels of sonic hedgehog signaling molecule (Shh), patched 1 (Ptch1), smoothened frizzled class receptor (Smo) and glioma-associated oncogene family zinc finger 1 (Gli1) in the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Inhibition of the Hh signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of dauricine in a pancreatic cancer BxPC-3 ×enograft animal model and examine the underlying molecular mechanisms through Hh signaling pathway. High-and low-dose dauricine treatment significantly suppressed tumor growth with no concomitant effect on the spleen index. In addition, dauricine induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in pancreatic cancer BxPC-3 cells. The inhibitory effects of dauricine on pancreatic cancer may be mediated by the suppression of the Hh signaling pathway, as indicated by the decreases in the gene and protein expression levels of Shh, Ptch1, Smo and Gli1. The effects of dauricine were similar to those of 5-fluorouracil. Dauricine, a naturally occurring alkaloid, may be a potential anticancer agent for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Bo Zhang
- Ultramicropathology Experimental Center, Pathology College, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161006, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Xin Fei
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Xinyu University, Xinyu, Jiangxi 338004, P.R. China
| | - Jia Guo
- Pathogenic Biology and Immunology Experimental Teaching Center, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161006, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Jie Zhang
- Ultramicropathology Experimental Center, Pathology College, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161006, P.R. China
| | - Shu-Liang Wu
- Department of Anatomy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Li-Li Zhong
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150040, P.R. China
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Parkin A, Man J, Timpson P, Pajic M. Targeting the complexity of Src signalling in the tumour microenvironment of pancreatic cancer: from mechanism to therapy. FEBS J 2019; 286:3510-3539. [PMID: 31330086 PMCID: PMC6771888 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer, a disease with extremely poor prognosis, has been notoriously resistant to virtually all forms of treatment. The dynamic crosstalk that occurs between tumour cells and the surrounding stroma, frequently mediated by intricate Src/FAK signalling, is increasingly recognised as a key player in pancreatic tumourigenesis, disease progression and therapeutic resistance. These important cues are fundamental for defining the invasive potential of pancreatic tumours, and several components of the Src and downstream effector signalling have been proposed as potent anticancer therapeutic targets. Consequently, numerous agents that block this complex network are being extensively investigated as potential antiinvasive and antimetastatic therapeutic agents for this disease. In this review, we will discuss the latest evidence of Src signalling in PDAC progression, fibrotic response and resistance to therapy. We will examine future opportunities for the development and implementation of more effective combination regimens, targeting key components of the oncogenic Src signalling axis, and in the context of a precision medicine-guided approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh Parkin
- The Kinghorn Cancer CentreThe Garvan Institute of Medical ResearchSydneyAustralia
| | - Jennifer Man
- The Kinghorn Cancer CentreThe Garvan Institute of Medical ResearchSydneyAustralia
| | - Paul Timpson
- The Kinghorn Cancer CentreThe Garvan Institute of Medical ResearchSydneyAustralia
- Faculty of MedicineSt Vincent's Clinical SchoolUniversity of NSWSydneyAustralia
| | - Marina Pajic
- The Kinghorn Cancer CentreThe Garvan Institute of Medical ResearchSydneyAustralia
- Faculty of MedicineSt Vincent's Clinical SchoolUniversity of NSWSydneyAustralia
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Patel K, Siraj S, Smith C, Nair M, Vishwanatha JK, Basha R. Pancreatic Cancer: An Emphasis on Current Perspectives in Immunotherapy. Crit Rev Oncog 2019; 24:105-118. [PMID: 31679206 PMCID: PMC8038975 DOI: 10.1615/critrevoncog.2019031417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer affects both male and female individuals with higher incidences and death rates among the male population. Detection of this malignancy is delayed due to the lack of symptoms in the early-stage cancer, which makes it extremely difficult to treat. Identifying effective strategies has been a challenge for improving the survival rates in pancreatic cancer patients. Resistance to chemotherapy is often developed in pancreatic cancer treatment. Although many strategies are under clinical trials to target certain markers associated with cancer, immunotherapeutic approaches are currently gaining importance. Immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer is in the limelight after preclinical research showed some promise. Immunotherapy approaches were tested along with other treatment options to enhance the treatment effect. Adoptive cell transfer and immune checkpoint inhibitors are currently in clinical trials. The Food and Drug Administration approved pembrolizumab in a fast-tracked review for advanced pancreatic cancer patients. Pembrolizumab blocks the checkpoint protein, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), on T cells to boost the response of the immune system against cancer cells, thereby shrinking tumors. The recent developments in immunotherapy and the early success in other cancers are encouraging to further test immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer. The combination of pembrolizumab and pelareorep, an isolate of human reovirus, is in phase II clinical study in metastatic disease. Depending on the results of current clinical trials and testing, the strategies in the pipeline are expected to increase the use of immunotherapy in the clinical testing setting. Success in immunotherapy is urgently needed to address the side-effects, treating patients with advanced disease and reducing metastasis for increasing the survival rate in pancreatic cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chloe Smith
- Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia 23529
| | - Maya Nair
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107
| | - Jamboor K. Vishwanatha
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107
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