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Fassan M, Kuwata T, Matkowskyj KA, Röcken C, Rüschoff J. Claudin-18.2 Immunohistochemical Evaluation in Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinomas to Direct Targeted Therapy: A Practical Approach. Mod Pathol 2024; 37:100589. [PMID: 39098518 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100589] [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: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Claudin-18.2 (CLDN18.2) expression evaluated by immunohistochemistry is a new biomarker for gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas that will soon have market authorization for implementation into routine clinical practice. Despite successful testing in the setting of clinical trials, no specific practical testing guidelines have been proposed. Several preanalytical and analytical variables may interfere with adequate CLDN18.2 staining interpretation; thus, this article provides practical guidance on CLDN18.2 testing and scoring in gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas to identify patients who may respond to targeted therapy with monoclonal antibodies directed against CLDN18.2. Based on available data, moderate to strong (2+/3+) membrane staining in ≥75% of adenocarcinoma cells is the proposed cutoff for clinical use of monoclonal antibody anti-CLDN18.2 (zolbetuximab).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy; Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
| | - Takeshi Kuwata
- Department of Medical Genetics and Services, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Christoph Röcken
- Department of Pathology, University-Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Germany
| | - Josef Rüschoff
- Discovery Life Sciences Biomarker Services, Kassel, Germany
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Yang J, Peng Y, Ding Y, Liu Y, Wang Y, Liu Y, Liu C. The Clinicopathological and Molecular Characteristics of Endocervical Gastric-Type Adenocarcinoma and the Use of Claudin18.2 as a Potential Therapeutic Target. Mod Pathol 2024; 37:100569. [PMID: 39025403 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100569] [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: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Endocervical gastric-type adenocarcinoma (GAS) is an aggressive type of endocervical mucinous adenocarcinoma characterized as being unrelated to human papillomavirus (HPV) and resistant to chemo/radiotherapy. In this study, we investigated the histology, immunohistochemistry patterns, and molecular characteristics in a large cohort of GAS (n = 62). Histologically, the majority of GAS cases exhibited a distinct morphology resembling gastric glands, although 2 exceptional cases exhibited HPV-associated adenocarcinoma morphology while retaining the characteristic histology of GAS at the invasive front. By immunohistochemistry, Claudin18.2 emerged as a highly sensitive and specific marker for GAS. Additionally, the strong expression of Claudin18.2 in patients with GAS indicated the potential of anti-Claudin18.2 therapy in the treatment of GAS. Other immunohistochemistry markers, including Muc6, p16, p53, Pax8, ER, and PR, may provide additional diagnostic clues for GAS. Quantitative methylation analysis revealed that the overexpression of Claudin18.2 in GAS was governed by the hypomethylation of the CLDN18.2 promoter CpG islands. To further elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of GAS and its relationship with gastric adenocarcinoma, we performed whole exome sequencing on 11 GAS and 9 gastric adenocarcinomas. TP53, CDKN2A, STK11, and TTN emerged as the most frequently mutated genes in GAS. Mutations in these genes primarily affected cell growth, cell cycle regulation, senescence, and apoptosis. Intriguingly, these top mutated genes in GAS were also commonly mutated in gastric and pancreaticobiliary adenocarcinomas. Regarding germline variants, we identified a probably pathogenic variant in SPINK1, a gene linked to hereditary pancreatic cancer syndrome, in one GAS sample. This finding suggests a potential pathogenic link between pancreatic cancers and GAS. Overall, GAS exhibits molecular characteristics that resemble those observed in gastric and pancreaticobiliary adenocarcinomas, thereby lending support to the aggressive nature of GAS compared with HPV-associated adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Pathology, Third Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Peng
- Fourth Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Ding
- Department of Pathology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yueping Liu
- Department of Pathology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yuxiang Wang
- Department of Pathology, Third Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Pathology, Third Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Congrong Liu
- Department of Pathology, Third Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
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Nishibata T, Weng J, Omori K, Sato Y, Nakazawa T, Suzuki T, Yamada T, Nakajo I, Kinugasa F, Türeci Ö, Şahin U, Yoshida T. Effect of anti-claudin 18.2 monoclonal antibody zolbetuximab alone or combined with chemotherapy or programmed cell death-1 blockade in syngeneic and xenograft gastric cancer models. J Pharmacol Sci 2024; 155:84-93. [PMID: 38797537 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2024.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of targeted cancer therapies based on monoclonal antibodies against tumor-associated antigens has progressed markedly over recent decades. This approach is dependent on the identification of tumor-specific, normal tissue-sparing antigenic targets. The transmembrane protein claudin-18 splice variant 2 (CLDN18.2) is frequently and preferentially displayed on the surface of primary gastric adenocarcinomas, making it a promising monoclonal antibody target. Phase 3 studies of zolbetuximab, a chimeric immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody targeting CLDN18.2, combined with 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin plus oxaliplatin (modified FOLFOX6) or capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX) in advanced or metastatic first-line gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinoma have demonstrated favorable clinical results with zolbetuximab. In studies using xenograft or syngeneic models with gastric cancer cell lines, zolbetuximab mediated death of CLDN18.2-positive human cancer cell lines via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity in vitro and demonstrated anti-tumor efficacy as monotherapy and combined with chemotherapy in vivo. Mice treated with zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy displayed a significantly higher frequency of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells versus vehicle/isotype control-treated mice. Furthermore, zolbetuximab combined with an anti-mouse programmed cell death-1 antibody more potently inhibited tumor growth compared with either agent alone. These results support the potential of zolbetuximab as a novel treatment option for G/GEJ adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jane Weng
- Astellas Pharma, Inc., Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Yuji Sato
- Astellas Pharma, Inc., Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Özlem Türeci
- Formerly of Ganymed Pharmaceuticals AG, Mainz, Germany; Biontech SE, Mainz, Germany; Helmholtz Institute for Translational Oncology (HI-TRON) By DKFZ, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Uğur Şahin
- Formerly of Ganymed Pharmaceuticals AG, Mainz, Germany; Biontech SE, Mainz, Germany; Helmholtz Institute for Translational Oncology (HI-TRON) By DKFZ, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
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Wagner P, Gass P, Pöschke P, Eckstein M, Gloßner L, Hartmann A, Beckmann MW, Fasching PA, Ruebner M, Emons J, Erber R. Spatial expression of claudin 18.2 in matched primaries and metastases of tubo-ovarian carcinoma of all subtypes. Virchows Arch 2024; 485:63-74. [PMID: 38326579 PMCID: PMC11271439 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-024-03756-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Physiologically, claudin 18 splice variant 2 (CLDN18.2) expression is restricted to the gastric epithelium, but its expression has been detected in solid cancers. Zolbetuximab, a chimeric IgG1 antibody targeting CLDN18.2, has demonstrated promising effects in patients suffering from CLDN18.2-positive, HER2-negative locally advanced gastric cancer and is currently being studied further. To date, little is known about CLDN18.2 expression in other histological subtypes of tubo-ovarian carcinoma (TOC) and their matching metastases.Using a cohort of all histological TOC subtypes, we investigated the immunohistochemical (IHC) CLDN18.2 expression in both TOCs (n = 536), their matching metastatic tissue (n = 385) and in 93 metastases without primary. Tissue microarrays comprised both the tumor center and periphery. IHC positivity was defined as biomarker expression of ≥ 75% in tumor cells with moderate-to-strong membranous staining.Overall CLDN18.2 positivity was 4.1% (21/515) in the TOC centers and 3.6% (18/498) in their peripheries. In primaries of mucinous tubo-ovarian carcinoma (MTOC), CLDN18.2 positivity rates were 45% (18/40) and 36.6% (15/41), respectively. Positivity rates for the corresponding metastases were 33% (4/12, center) and 27% (3/11, periphery). The expression was relatively homogenous throughout all tumor sites. With no expression in 99.5% of nonmucinous tumors, CLDN18.2 positivity was almost exclusively seen in the mucinous subtype.In tubo-ovarian carcinoma, CLDN18.2 expression was, with rare exceptions, restricted to the mucinous subtype. Among them, 33% of metastasized MTOCs presented with CLDN18.2 positivity. Hence, CLDN18.2 might display a promising target for personalized therapy in patients with advanced MTOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Wagner
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Paul Gass
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Patrik Pöschke
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Eckstein
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Laura Gloßner
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Wilhelm Beckmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Andreas Fasching
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Ruebner
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julius Emons
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ramona Erber
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
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Jin WM, Zhu Y, Cai ZQ, He N, Yu ZQ, Li S, Yang JY. Progress of Clinical Studies Targeting Claudin18.2 for the Treatment of Gastric Cancer. Dig Dis Sci 2024; 69:2631-2647. [PMID: 38769225 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-024-08435-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Claudin18.2 is a tight junction protein, highly selective, generally expressed only in normal gastric mucosal epithelial cells, which can effectively maintain the polarity of epithelial and endothelial cells, thus effectively regulating the permeability and conductance of the paracellular pathway. Abnormal expression of Claudin18.2 can occur in various primary malignant tumors, especially gastrointestinal tumors, and even in metastatic foci. It regulates its expression by activating the aPKC/MAPK/AP-1 pathway, and therefore, the Claudin18.2 protein is a pan-cancer target expressed in primary and metastatic lesions in human cancer types. Zolbetuximab (IMAB362), an antibody specific for Claudin18.2, has been successfully tested in a phase III clinical trial, and the results of the study showed that combining Zolbetuximab with chemotherapy notably extends patients' survival and is expected to be a potential first-line treatment for patients with Claudin18.2(+)/HER-2(-) gastric cancer. Here, we systematically describe the biological properties and oncogenic effects of Claudin18.2, centering on its clinical-pathological aspects and the progress of drug studies in gastric cancer, which can help to further explore its clinical value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu-Mei Jin
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhu
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Cai
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Na He
- Department of General, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Qiong Yu
- Department of Respiratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji-Yuan Yang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, People's Republic of China.
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Wang R, Bai Z, Zhong W, Li C, Wang J, Xiang J, Du J, Jia B, Zhu Z. Synthesis, preclinical evaluation and pilot clinical translation of [ 68Ga]Ga-PMD22, a novel nanobody PET probe targeting CLDN18.2 of gastrointestinal cancer. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2024:10.1007/s00259-024-06808-5. [PMID: 38926162 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06808-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Claudin18.2 (CLDN18.2) is a novel target for diagnosis and therapy of gastrointestinal cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a novel CLDN18.2-targeted nanobody, PMD22, labeled with gallium-68 ([68Ga]Ga), for detecting CLDN18.2 expression in patients with gastrointestinal cancer using PET/CT imaging. METHODS [68Ga]Ga-PMD22 was synthesized based on the nanobody, and its cell binding properties were assayed. Preclinical pharmacokinetics were determined in CLDN18.2-positive xenografts using microPET/CT. Effective dosimetry of [68Ga]Ga-PMD22 was evaluated in 5 gastrointestinal cancer patients, and PET/CT imaging of [68Ga]Ga-PMD22 and [18F]FDG were performed head-to-head in 16 gastrointestinal cancer patients. Pathological tissues were obtained for CLDN18.2 immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and comparative analysis with PET/CT findings. RESULTS Cell binding assay showed that [68Ga]Ga-PMD22 had a higher binding ability to AGSCLDN18.2 and BGC823CLDN18.2 cells than to AGS and BGC823 cells (p < 0.001). MicroPET/CT images showed that [68Ga]Ga-PMD22 rapidly accumulated in AGSCLDN18.2 and BGC823CLDN18.2 tumors, and high contrast tumor to background imaging was clearly observed. In the pilot study, the effective dose of [68Ga]Ga-PMD22 was 1.68E-02 ± 1.45E-02 mSv/MBq, and the CLDN18.2 IHC staining result was highly correlated with the SUVmax/BKGstomach of [68Ga]Ga-PMD22 (rs = 0.848, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION A novel [68Ga]Ga-labeled nanobody probe targeting CLDN18.2, [68Ga]Ga-PMD22, was established and preliminarily proved to be safe and effective in revealing CLDN18.2-positive gastrointestinal cancer, providing a basis for the clinical translation of the agent. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION This study was registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05937919).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongxi Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhidong Bai
- Department of Radiation Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Wentao Zhong
- Medical Department of General Surgery, The 1st Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
- Department of General Surgery, The 7th Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100700, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Chenzhen Li
- Department of Radiation Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jiarou Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jialin Xiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Junfeng Du
- Medical Department of General Surgery, The 1st Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
- Department of General Surgery, The 7th Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100700, China.
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Bing Jia
- Department of Radiation Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Zhaohui Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Nakayama I, Qi C, Chen Y, Nakamura Y, Shen L, Shitara K. Claudin 18.2 as a novel therapeutic target. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:354-369. [PMID: 38503878 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-024-00874-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Claudin 18.2, a tight-junction molecule predominantly found in the nonmalignant gastric epithelium, becomes accessible on the tumour cell surface during malignant transformation, thereby providing an appealing target for cancer therapy. Data from two phase III trials testing the anti-claudin 18.2 antibody zolbetuximab have established claudin 18.2-positive advanced-stage gastric cancers as an independent therapeutic subset that derives benefit from the addition of this agent to chemotherapy. This development has substantially increased the percentage of patients eligible for targeted therapy. Furthermore, newer treatments, such as high-affinity monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor T cells and antibody-drug conjugates capable of bystander killing effects, have shown considerable promise in patients with claudin 18.2-expressing gastric cancers. This new development has resulted from drug developers moving beyond traditional targets, such as driver gene alterations or growth factors. In this Review, we highlight the biological rationale and explore the clinical activity of therapies that target claudin 18.2 in patients with advanced-stage gastric cancer and explore the potential for expansion of claudin 18.2-targeted therapies to patients with other claudin 18.2-positive solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izuma Nakayama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Changsong Qi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yoshiaki Nakamura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
- Translational Research Support Office, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
- International Research Promotion Office, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Lin Shen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China.
| | - Kohei Shitara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.
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Qi C, Chong X, Zhou T, Ma M, Gong J, Zhang M, Li J, Xiao J, Peng X, Liu Z, Li Z, Shen L, Zhang X. Clinicopathological significance and immunotherapeutic outcome of claudin 18.2 expression in advanced gastric cancer: A retrospective study. Chin J Cancer Res 2024; 36:78-89. [PMID: 38455365 PMCID: PMC10915633 DOI: 10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2024.01.08] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Immunotherapeutic outcomes and clinical characteristics of claudin 18 isoform 2 positive (CLDN18.2-positive) gastric cancer (GC) vary in different clinical studies, making it difficult to optimize anti-CLDN18.2 therapy. We conducted a retrospective analysis to explore the association of CLDN18.2 expression with clinicopathological characteristics and immunotherapeutic outcomes in GC. Methods A total of 536 advanced GC patients from 2019 to 2021 in the CT041-CG4006 and CT041-ST-01 clinical trials were included in the analysis. CLDN18.2 expression on ≥40% of tumor cells (2+, 40%) and CLDN18.2 expression on ≥70% of tumor cells (2+, 70%) were considered the two levels of positively expressed GC. The clinicopathological characteristics and immunotherapy outcomes of GC patients were analyzed according to CLDN18.2 expression status. Results CLDN18.2 was expressed in 57.6% (cut-off: 2+, 40%) and 48.9% (cut-off: 2+, 70%) of patients. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and CLDN18.2 were co-expressed in 19.8% [combined positive score (CPS)≥1, CLDN18.2 (cut-off: 2+, 40%)] and 17.2% [CPS≥5, CLDN18.2 (cut-off: 2+, 70%)] of patients. CLDN18.2 expression positively correlated with younger age, female sex, non-gastroesophageal junction (non-GEJ), and diffuse phenotype (P<0.001). HER2 and PD-L1 expression were significantly lower in CLDN18.2-positive GC (both P<0.05). Uterine adnexa metastasis (P<0.001) was more frequent and liver metastasis (P<0.001) was less common in CLDN18.2-positive GC. Overall survival and immunotherapy-related progression-free survival (irPFS) were inferior in the CLDN18.2-positive group. Conclusions CLDN18.2-positive GC is associated with poor prognosis and worse immunotherapeutic outcomes. The combination of anti-CLDN18.2 therapy, anti-PD-L1/PD-1 therapy, and chemotherapy for GC requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changsong Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Xiaoyi Chong
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Mingyang Ma
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Jifang Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Jian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Jun Xiao
- CARsgen Therapeutics Co., Ltd, Shanghai 200231, China
| | - Xiaohui Peng
- CARsgen Therapeutics Co., Ltd, Shanghai 200231, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- CARsgen Life Sciences Co., Ltd, Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Zonghai Li
- CARsgen Therapeutics Co., Ltd, Shanghai 200231, China
| | - Lin Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
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Mathias-Machado MC, de Jesus VHF, Jácome A, Donadio MD, Aruquipa MPS, Fogacci J, Cunha RG, da Silva LM, Peixoto RD. Claudin 18.2 as a New Biomarker in Gastric Cancer-What Should We Know? Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:679. [PMID: 38339430 PMCID: PMC10854563 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) remains a formidable global health challenge, ranking among the top-five causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The majority of patients face advanced stages at diagnosis, with a mere 6% five-year survival rate. First-line treatment for metastatic GC typically involves a fluoropyrimidine and platinum agent combination; yet, predictive molecular markers have proven elusive. This review navigates the evolving landscape of GC biomarkers, with a specific focus on Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) as an emerging and promising target. Recent phase III trials have unveiled the efficacy of Zolbetuximab, a CLDN18.2-targeting antibody, in combination with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for CLDN18.2-positive metastatic GC. As this novel therapeutic avenue unfolds, understanding the nuanced decision making regarding the selection of anti-CLDN18.2 therapies over other targeted agents in metastatic GC becomes crucial. This manuscript reviews the evolving role of CLDN18.2 as a biomarker in GC and explores the current status of CLDN18.2-targeting agents in clinical development. The aim is to provide concise insights into the potential of CLDN18.2 as a therapeutic target and guide future clinical decisions in the management of metastatic GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cecília Mathias-Machado
- Division of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Oncoclínicas, São Paulo 04538-132, Brazil; (M.D.D.); (M.P.S.A.); (R.D.P.)
| | | | - Alexandre Jácome
- Division of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Oncoclínicas, Belo Horizonte 30360-680, Brazil;
| | - Mauro Daniel Donadio
- Division of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Oncoclínicas, São Paulo 04538-132, Brazil; (M.D.D.); (M.P.S.A.); (R.D.P.)
| | | | - João Fogacci
- Division of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Oncoclínicas, Rio de Janeiro 22775-003, Brazil;
| | - Renato Guerino Cunha
- Cellular Therapy Program, Division of Hematology, Oncoclínicas, São Paulo 04538-132, Brazil;
| | | | - Renata D’Alpino Peixoto
- Division of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Oncoclínicas, São Paulo 04538-132, Brazil; (M.D.D.); (M.P.S.A.); (R.D.P.)
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10
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Angerilli V, Ghelardi F, Nappo F, Grillo F, Parente P, Lonardi S, Luchini C, Pietrantonio F, Ugolini C, Vanoli A, Fassan M. Claudin-18.2 testing and its impact in the therapeutic management of patients with gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas: A literature review with expert opinion. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 254:155145. [PMID: 38277741 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Claudin-18.2 (CLDN18.2) is a member of the tight junction protein family and is a highly selective biomarker with frequent abnormal expression during the occurrence and development of various primary malignant tumors, including gastric cancer (GC) and esophago-gastric junction adenocarcinomas (EGJA). For these reasons, CLDN18.2 has been investigated as a therapeutic target for GC/EGJA malignancies. Recently, zolbetuximab has been proposed as a new standard of care for patients with CLDN18.2-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced and metastatic GC/EGJA. The use of CLDN18 IHC assays to select patients who might benefit from anti-CLDN18.2 therapy is currently entering clinical practice. In this setting, pathologists play a central role in therapeutic decision-making. Accurate biomarker assessment is essential to ensure the best therapeutic option for patients. In the present review, we provide a comprehensive overview of available evidence on CLDN18.2 testing and its impact on the therapeutic management of patients with GC/EGJA, as well as some practical suggestions for CLDN18.2 staining interpretation and potential pitfalls in the real-world setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Angerilli
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology & Cytopathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Filippo Ghelardi
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Floriana Nappo
- Medical Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Federica Grillo
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy; Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genova, Italy.
| | - Paola Parente
- Unit of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy.
| | - Sara Lonardi
- Medical Oncology 3, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Claudio Luchini
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Filippo Pietrantonio
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Ugolini
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vanoli
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia and Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology & Cytopathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy; Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padua, Italy
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11
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Rogers JE, Ajani J. Evidence to Date on the Therapeutic Potential of Zolbetuximab in Advanced Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:769-777. [PMID: 38392051 PMCID: PMC10888045 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31020057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) continues to be a prevalent worldwide malignancy and a leading cause of cancer death, and it is frequently cited as incurable. Targeted therapy in GAC has lagged behind other solid tumors. The human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) represented the single target in GACs for many years, seen in approximately 20% of patients with advanced GAC. Recent advances in management now include the addition of immunotherapy checkpoint inhibition to select front-line advanced GACs. Unfortunately, outcomes remain poor for most patients. We anticipate finding a key to future discoveries in GACs in next-generation sequencing and more targeted approaches. Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) has emerged as a therapeutic target in GACs. CLDN18.2 is reportedly expressed in 14-87% of GACs, and CLDN18.2 is available for monoclonal antibody (mAb) binding as it is expressed on the outer cell membrane. Here, we review the exploration of CLDN18.2 as a target in GACs via the use of zolbetuximab (IMAB362). Zolbetuximab is now under priority FDA review for GACs, and we eagerly await the review outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane E. Rogers
- U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Pharmacy Clinical Programs, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Jaffer Ajani
- U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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12
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Kim IH. Emerging Targets for Systemic Treatment of Gastric Cancer: HER2 and Beyond. J Gastric Cancer 2024; 24:29-56. [PMID: 38225765 PMCID: PMC10774754 DOI: 10.5230/jgc.2024.24.e6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in the molecular profiling of gastric cancer. This progress has led to the development of various molecular classifications to uncover subtype-specific dependencies that can be targeted for therapeutic interventions. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a crucial biomarker for advanced gastric cancer. The recent promising results of novel approaches, including combination therapies or newer potent agents such as antibody-drug conjugates, have once again brought attention to anti-HER2 targeted treatments. In HER2-negative diseases, the combination of cytotoxic chemotherapy and programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors has become the established standard of care in first-line settings. In the context of gastric cancer, potential biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression, Epstein-Barr virus, microsatellite instability, and tumor mutational burden are being considered for immunotherapy. Recently, promising results have been reported in studies on anti-Claudin18.2 and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 treatments. Currently, many ongoing trials are aimed at identifying potential targets using novel approaches. Further investigations will be conducted to enhance the progress of these therapies, addressing challenges such as primary and acquired resistance, tumor heterogeneity, and clonal evolution. We believe that these efforts will improve patient prognoses. Herein, we discuss the current evidence of potential targets for systemic treatment, clinical considerations, and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Ho Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Gastric Cancer Centre, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea,.
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13
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Inamoto R, Takahashi N, Yamada Y. Claudin18.2 in Advanced Gastric Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5742. [PMID: 38136288 PMCID: PMC10741608 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, the fifth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality is gastric cancer (GC). Recent clinical trials on solid tumors enrolled patients who possess druggable genetic alterations, protein expression, and immune characteristics. In gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers, trastuzumab combined with first-line chemotherapy in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive patients and ramucirumab combined with second-line paclitaxel remarkably prolonged overall survival (OS) compared with chemotherapy alone, according to phase 3 trial results. Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy was approved as third- or later-line treatment. Chemotherapy plus ICIs as first-line treatment exhibited improved survival compared with chemotherapy alone in HER2-negative patients according to Checkmate 649 trial results. Conversely, systemic chemotherapy prognosis remains poor. although some patients may achieve durable response to treatment and prolonged survival in advanced GC. Recently, a first-in-class, chimeric immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody (zolbetuximab) that targets and binds to claudin 18 isoform 2 (CLDN18.2) has emerged as a new target therapy in GC treatment. Global phase Ⅲ trials revealed that the addition of zolbetuximab to first-line chemotherapy prolonged OS in CLDN18.2-positive and HER2-negative GC patients. This review summarizes recent clinical trials of CLDN18.2-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rin Inamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Saitama Cancer Center, 780 Komuro, Ina-machi, Kitaadachi-gun, Saitama 362-0806, Japan;
| | - Naoki Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Saitama Cancer Center, 780 Komuro, Ina-machi, Kitaadachi-gun, Saitama 362-0806, Japan;
| | - Yasuhide Yamada
- Department of Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan;
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14
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Kim HD, Choi E, Shin J, Lee IS, Ko CS, Ryu MH, Park YS. Clinicopathologic features and prognostic value of claudin 18.2 overexpression in patients with resectable gastric cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20047. [PMID: 37973935 PMCID: PMC10654731 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47178-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Claudin 18.2 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in gastric cancer based on phase 3 studies. However, clinicopathologic features associated with claudin 18.2 overexpression have not been comprehensively studied specifically for patients with resectable gastric cancer. This retrospective study included 299 patients with stage I-III resectable gastric cancer who underwent curative surgical resection. Possible associations between claudin 18.2 overexpression (moderate-to-strong expression in ≥ 75% by the 43-14A clone) and clinicopathologic features and survival outcomes were analyzed. There were 90 (30.1%), 96 (32.1%), and 113 (37.8%) patients with stage I, II, and III disease, respectively. Claudin 18.2 overexpression was noted in 139 out of 299 patients (46.5%). Claudin 18.2 overexpression was associated with a younger age, a lower invasion depth limited to the mucosa/submucosa, and less frequent lymphovascular invasion. Claudin 18.2 overexpression was also associated with Borrmann type 4 among patients with advanced gastric cancer and the diffuse histological type. Claudin 18.2 overexpression was not an independent factor for survival outcomes. In conclusion, claudin 18.2 was overexpressed in almost half of resectable gastric cancer patients. Claudin 18.2 overexpression was associated with some clinicopathological characteristics, but was not an independent prognostic factor in a localized setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung-Don Kim
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-Ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Eugene Choi
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-Ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinho Shin
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-Ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Seob Lee
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-Ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Seok Ko
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-Ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Hee Ryu
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-Ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea.
| | - Young Soo Park
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-Ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Derks S, van Laarhoven HWM. SPOTlight on GLOW. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101233. [PMID: 37852180 PMCID: PMC10591046 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The GLOW randomized double-blind phase 3 trial1 shows that Claudin-18.2 targeting antibody zolbetuximab combined with capecitabine and oxaliplatin improves outcome compared to placebo and chemotherapy as first-line treatment in Claudin-18.2-positive, HER2-negative gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Derks
- Amsterdam UMC location Free University, Medical Oncology, De Boelelaan 1118, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Treatment and Quality of Life, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Hanneke W M van Laarhoven
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Treatment and Quality of Life, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Medical Oncology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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16
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Shinozuka T, Kanda M, Kodera Y. Site-specific protein biomarkers in gastric cancer: a comprehensive review of novel biomarkers and clinical applications. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2023; 23:701-712. [PMID: 37395000 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2023.2232298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, thus representing a significant global health burden. Early detection and monitoring of GC are essential to improve patient outcomes. While traditional cancer biomarkers such as carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, and CA 72-4 are widely used, their limited sensitivity and specificity necessitate the exploration of alternative biomarkers. AREAS COVERED This review comprehensively analyzes the landscape of GC protein biomarkers identified from 2019 to 2022, with a focus on tissue, blood, urine, saliva, gastric juice, ascites, and exhaled breath as sample sources. We address the potential clinical applications of these biomarkers in early diagnosis, monitoring recurrence, and predicting survival and therapeutic response of GC patients. EXPERT OPINION The discovery of novel protein biomarkers holds great promise for improving the clinical management of GC. However, further validation in large, diverse cohorts is needed to establish the clinical utility of these biomarkers. Integrating these biomarkers with existing diagnostic and monitoring approaches will likely lead to improved personalized treatment plans and patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Shinozuka
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Mitsuro Kanda
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kodera
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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17
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Grizzi G, Venetis K, Denaro N, Bonomi M, Celotti A, Pagkali A, Hahne JC, Tomasello G, Petrelli F, Fusco N, Ghidini M. Anti-Claudin Treatments in Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma: Mainstream and Upcoming Strategies. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12082973. [PMID: 37109309 PMCID: PMC10142079 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12082973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Claudins (CLDNs) are a multigene family of proteins and the principal components of tight junctions (TJs), which normally mediate cell-cell adhesion and selectively allow the paracellular flux of ions and small molecules between cells. Downregulation of claudin proteins increases the paracellular permeability of nutrients and growth stimuli to malignant cells, which aids the epithelial transition. Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) was identified as a promising target for the treatment of advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEAC), with high levels found in almost 30% of metastatic cases. CLDN18.2 aberrations, enriched in the genomically stable subgroup of GEAC and the diffuse histological subtype, are ideal candidates for monoclonal antibodies and CAR-T cells. Zolbetuximab, a highly specific anti-CLDN18.2 monoclonal antibody, demonstrated efficacy in phase II studies and, more recently, in the phase III SPOTLIGHT trial, with improvements in both PFS and OS with respect to standard chemotherapy. Anti-CLDN18.2 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells showed a safety profile with a prevalence of hematologic toxicity in early phase clinical trials. The aim of this review is to present new findings in the treatment of CLDN18.2-positive GEAC, with a particular focus on the monoclonal antibody zolbetuximab and on the use of engineered anti-CLDN18.2 CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Grizzi
- Operative Unit of Oncology, ASST of Cremona, 26100 Cremona, Italy
| | - Kostantinos Venetis
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Nerina Denaro
- Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Bonomi
- Operative Unit of Oncology, ASST of Cremona, 26100 Cremona, Italy
| | - Andrea Celotti
- Department of Surgery, ASST of Cremona, 26100 Cremona, Italy
| | - Antonia Pagkali
- School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Jens Claus Hahne
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Gianluca Tomasello
- Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Fausto Petrelli
- Oncology Unit, Medical Sciences Department, ASST Bergamo Ovest, 24047 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Nicola Fusco
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Ghidini
- Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
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18
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Chen J, Xu Z, Hu C, Zhang S, Zi M, Yuan L, Cheng X. Targeting CLDN18.2 in cancers of the gastrointestinal tract: New drugs and new indications. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1132319. [PMID: 36969060 PMCID: PMC10036590 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1132319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract greatly contribute to the global cancer burden and cancer-related death. Claudin-18.2(CLDN18.2), a transmembrane protein, is a major component of tight junctions and plays an important role in the maintenance of barrier function. Its characteristic widespread expression in tumour tissues and its exposed extracellular loops make it an ideal target for researchers to develop targeted strategies and immunotherapies for cancers of the GI tract. In the present review, we focus on the expression pattern of CLDN18.2 and its clinical significance in GI cancer. We also discuss the tumour-promoting and/or tumour-inhibiting functions of CLDN18.2, the mechanisms regulating its expression, and the current progress regarding the development of drugs targeting CLDN18.2 in clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxia Chen
- Department of Gastric Surgery, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institutes of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiyuan Xu
- Department of Gastric Surgery, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institutes of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Key Lab of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Can Hu
- Department of Gastric Surgery, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institutes of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Key Lab of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shengjie Zhang
- Department of Gastric Surgery, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institutes of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Key Lab of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengli Zi
- Department of Gastric Surgery, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institutes of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Yuan
- Department of Gastric Surgery, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institutes of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Key Lab of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Li Yuan, ; Xiangdong Cheng,
| | - Xiangdong Cheng
- Department of Gastric Surgery, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institutes of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Key Lab of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Li Yuan, ; Xiangdong Cheng,
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19
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Kayikcioglu E, Yüceer RO, Cetin B, Yüceer K, Karahan N. Prognostic value of claudin 18.2 expression in gastric adenocarcinoma. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 15:343-351. [PMID: 36908327 PMCID: PMC9994048 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i2.343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) is a cell surface protein expressed by gastric cancer cells. The monoclonal antibody zolbetuximab binds CLDN18.2-positive cancer cells and causes cancer cell death. A few studies researched the prognostic effect of CLDN18.2 expression in metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma.
AIM To identify the prognostic value of CLDN18.2 expression in patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma.
METHODS This study was conducted with 65 patients over the age of 18 who were diagnosed with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma. We investigated the effect of CLDN18.2 expression on clinicopathological characteristics (age, sex, histological grade, Lauren classification, family history, metastatic site, HER2 expression) and prognosis for patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma.
RESULTS CLDN18.2 expression was positive in 73.8% (48) of the patients. During the median 17.7-mo follow-up period, 89.2% (58) of the patients died. Median progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were 6 mo (95% confidence interval: 1.6-10.4) and 12 mo (95% confidence interval: 7.5-16.5). There was no statistically significant correlation between CLDN18.2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of the patients. In univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis, there was no correlation between clinicopathological characteristics of patients and progression-free survival or OS.
CONCLUSION CLDN18.2 expression was quite high in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, identifying the proportion of the patients in whom zolbetuximab would be efficacious. There is no statistically significant correlation with clinicopathological characteristics and OS. CLDN18.2 is not a prognostic marker in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, although it is predictive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkan Kayikcioglu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta 32260, Turkey
| | | | - Bulent Cetin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Isparta 32360, Turkey
| | - Kamuran Yüceer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Isparta 32360, Turkey
| | - Nermin Karahan
- Department of Pathology, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta 32360, Turkey
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20
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Anti-Claudin18.2-IL-21 fusion protein bifunctional molecule has more powerful anti-tumor effect and better safety. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 115:109634. [PMID: 36584573 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109634] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Antibody or antibody-like protein drugs related to tumor immunotherapy are now widely used. Here, we describe an antibody-fusion protein drug IMAB362-mIL-21 with mouse IL-21 (mIL-21) fused into the C-terminal domain of IMAB362 (a clinical antibody drug against Claudin18.2), that we expect can achieve tumor targeting and activate local anti-tumor immune response more effectively, while reducing the systemic side effects of individual cytokines. In vitro assays comparing the fusion protein IMAB362-mIL-21 to IMAB362 and mIL-21, IMAB362-mIL-21 was able to recognize its cognate antigen Claudin18.2 and natural receptor mIL-21R with similar binding affinities, mediate equivalent ADCC activity and activate IL-21R-mediated downstream signal pathway. In in vivo assays, IMAB362-mIL-21 produced stronger anti-tumor effects compared with IMAB362 or mIL-21 or their combination at equimolar concentrations. Moreover, according to routine blood indicators, mIL-21-Fc and the combined treatment group had significant decreases (P < 0.01) in red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT), while the IMAB362-mIL-21 group did not. The above results have shown that IMAB362-mIL-21 can produce better anti-tumor effects without obvious hematological toxicity, which is sufficient to show that this kind of antibody-cytokine protein has better application value than IMAB362 or IL-21 as single drugs or in combination. Therefore, this bifunctional molecule combined tumor-targeting and immune activation effectively and has good application prospects.
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Wang F, Yang Y, Du X, Zhu X, Hu Y, Lu C, Sui L, Zhao H, Song K, Yao Q. Claudin18.2 as a potential therapeutic target for primary ovarian mucinous carcinomas and metastatic ovarian mucinous carcinomas from upper gastrointestinal primary tumours. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:44. [PMID: 36639622 PMCID: PMC9837907 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10533-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vast majority of ovarian mucinous carcinomas are metastatic tumours derived from nonovarian primary cancers, typically gastrointestinal neoplasms. Therapy targeting claudin18.2 might be used in gastric, gastroesophageal junction and pancreatic cancers with high expression of claudin18.2. In this study, we aimed to profile the expression of claudin18.2 in primary ovarian mucinous carcinoma (POMC) and metastatic gastrointestinal mucinous carcinoma (MGMC). METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to detect claudin 18.2 expression in whole tissue sections of ovarian mucinous carcinomas, including 32 POMCs and 44 MGMCs, 23 of which were derived from upper gastrointestinal primary tumours and 21 of which were derived from lower gastrointestinal primary tumours. Immunohistochemical studies for claudin18.2, SATB2, PAX8, CK7 and CK20 were performed in all 76 cases. RESULTS Among 76 primary and metastatic mucinous carcinomas, claudin18.2 was expressed in 56.6% (43/76) of cases. MGMCs from the upper gastrointestinal tract, including 22 derived from primary stomach tumours and one derived from a pancreas tumour, were positive for claudin 18.2 in 69.5% (16/23) of cases. MGMCs from the lower gastrointestinal tract, including 10 derived from primary appendiceal cancer and 11 derived from colorectal cancers, showed no claudin18.2 expression (0/21). The expression rate of claudin18.2 in primary ovarian mucinous neoplasms, including 22 primary ovarian mucinous carcinomas and 10 primary ovarian borderline mucinous tumours, was 84.4% (27/32). The common immunophenotypic characteristics of POMCs, upper gastrointestinal tract-derived MGMCs, and lower gastrointestinal tract-derived MGMCs were claudin18.2 + /PAX8 + /SATB2- (17/32), claudin18.2 + /PAX8-/SATB2- (16/23) and claudin18.2-/PAX8-/SATB2 + (19/21), respectively. CONCLUSION Claudin18.2 is highly expressed in POMCs and MGMCs derived from upper gastrointestinal tract primary tumours; therefore, claudin18.2-targeted therapy might serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for POMCs and MGMCs from the upper gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fujun Wang
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003 Shan Dong China ,Department of Gynecology, Junan County People’s Hospital, Junan, 276600 Shan Dong China
| | - Yao Yang
- grid.415468.a0000 0004 1761 4893Department of Gynecology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, 266011 Shan Dong China
| | - Xiuzhen Du
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003 Shan Dong China
| | - Xiaoying Zhu
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003 Shan Dong China
| | - Yanjiao Hu
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003 Shan Dong China
| | - Changyu Lu
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003 Shan Dong China
| | - Lei Sui
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003 Shan Dong China
| | - Han Zhao
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003 Shan Dong China
| | - Kejuan Song
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003 Shan Dong China
| | - Qin Yao
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003 Shan Dong China
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Röcken C. Predictive biomarkers in gastric cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:467-481. [PMID: 36260159 PMCID: PMC9889517 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04408-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Predictive biomarkers are the mainstay of precision medicine. This review summarizes the advancements in tissue-based diagnostic biomarkers for gastric cancer, which is considered the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. A disease seen in the elderly, it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, thereby limiting therapeutic options. In Western countries, neoadjuvant/perioperative (radio-)chemotherapy is administered, and adjuvant chemotherapy is administered in the East. The morpho-molecular classification of gastric cancer has opened novel avenues identifying Epstein-Barr-Virus (EBV)-positive, microsatellite instable, genomically stable and chromosomal instable gastric cancers. In chromosomal instable tumors, receptor tyrosine kinases (RKTs) (e.g., EGFR, FGFR2, HER2, and MET) are frequently overexpressed. Gastric cancers such as microsatellite instable and EBV-positive types often express immune checkpoint molecules, such as PD-L1 and VISTA. Genomically stable tumors show alterations in claudin 18.2. Next-generation sequencing is increasingly being used to search for druggable targets in advanced palliative settings. However, most tissue-based biomarkers of gastric cancer carry the risk of a sampling error due to intratumoral heterogeneity, and adequate tissue sampling is of paramount importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Röcken
- Department of Pathology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Haus 14, Haus U33, 24105 Kiel, Germany
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23
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Wang DW, Zhang WH, Danil G, Yang K, Hu JK. The role and mechanism of claudins in cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1051497. [PMID: 36620607 PMCID: PMC9818346 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1051497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Claudins are a tetraspan membrane protein multigene family that plays a structural and functional role in constructing tight junctions. Claudins perform crucial roles in maintaining cell polarity in epithelial and endothelial cell sheets and controlling paracellular permeability. In the last two decades, increasing evidence indicates that claudin proteins play a major role in controlling paracellular permeability and signaling inside cells. Several types of claudins are dysregulated in various cancers. Depending on where the tumor originated, claudin overexpression or underexpression has been shown to regulate cell proliferation, cell growth, metabolism, metastasis and cell stemness. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition is one of the most important functions of claudin proteins in disease progression. However, the exact molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that explain why claudin proteins are so important to tumorigenesis and progression have not been determined. In addition, claudins are currently being investigated as possible diagnostic and treatment targets. Here, we discuss how claudin-related signaling pathways affect tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and treatment sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Wen Wang
- Gastric Cancer Center and Laboratory of Gastric Cancer, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei-Han Zhang
- Gastric Cancer Center and Laboratory of Gastric Cancer, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Galiullin Danil
- Gastric Cancer Center and Laboratory of Gastric Cancer, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Central Research Laboratory, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russia
| | - Kun Yang
- Gastric Cancer Center and Laboratory of Gastric Cancer, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian-Kun Hu
- Gastric Cancer Center and Laboratory of Gastric Cancer, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Jian-Kun Hu,
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24
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Immunohistochemical Analysis of Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase Expression in Gastric and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma (AEG). GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/gidisord4040031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) represents a major component in cellular energy metabolism, which is also crucial for cancer cells that have elevated aerobic glycolysis; moreover, targeting the NAD salvage pathway by inhibition of NAMPT was shown effective in a subgroup of gastric cancer cell lines. In order to study the expression levels of NAMPT in adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction and stomach (AEG/S) we performed immunohistochemical analysis in a cohort of 296 tumor samples using tissue-microarrays (TMAs). In the present investigation, we saw a high expression of NAMPT in only a minority of our large AEG/S cohort. Although we did not find a correlation between NAMPT expression and survival, subgroup analysis showed that NAMPT expression was more frequent in older patients (>65 years, p = 0.049) and was associated with a numerical shorter survival that did not reach statistical significance within this age group. In conclusion, we did not find significance for any prognostic effect of NAMPT in our AEG/S cohort; however, the evaluation of other NAD metabolic enzymes is needed as molecular predictors of response to potential NAMPT inhibition in the treatment of patients with AEG/S.
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Konno H, Lin T, Wu R, Dai X, Li S, Wang G, Chen M, Li W, Wang L, Sun BC, Luo Z, Huang T, Chen Y, Zhang J, Ye Q, Bellovin D, Wan B, Kang L, Szeto C, Hsu K, Kabbarah O. ZL-1211 Exhibits Robust Antitumor Activity by Enhancing ADCC and Activating NK Cell-mediated Inflammation in CLDN18.2-High and -Low Expressing Gastric Cancer Models. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:937-950. [PMID: 36922936 PMCID: PMC10010325 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
CLDN18.2 (Claudin18.2)-targeting therapeutic antibodies have shown promising clinical efficacy in approximately 30% of gastric cancers expressing high levels of CLDN18.2 and less pronounced activity in low expressing malignancies. Here, we report that ZL-1211 is a mAb targeting CLDN18.2 engineered to promote enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) with the goal of achieving more potent activity in a wider spectrum of high- and low-CLDN18.2 expressing tumors. ZL-1211 demonstrated more robust in vitro ADCC activity than clinical benchmark not only in CLDN18.2-high but also CLDN18.2-low expressing gastric tumor cell lines. Greater antitumor efficacy was also observed in mouse xenograft models. Natural killer (NK) cell played critical roles in ZL-1211 efficacy and NK-cell depletion abrogated ZL-1211-mediated ADCC activity in vitro. ZL-1211 efficacy in vivo was also dependent on the presence of an NK compartment. Strikingly, NK cells strongly induced an inflammatory response in response to ZL-1211 treatment, including increased IFNγ, TNFα, and IL6 production, and were recruited into tumor microenvironment in patient-derived gastric tumors expressing CLDN18.2 upon ZL-1211 treatment to lyse the tumor cells. Taken together, our data suggest that ZL-1211 more effectively targets CLDN18.2-high gastric cancers as well as -low expressing malignancies that may not be eligible for treatment with the leading clinical benchmark by inducing enhanced ADCC response and activating NK cells with robust inflammation to enhance antitumor efficacy. Clinical activity of ZL-1211 is currently under evaluation in a phase I clinical trial (NCT05065710). Significance ZL-1211, anti-CLDN18.2 therapeutic antibody can target CLDN18.2-high as well as -low gastric cancers that may not be eligible for treatment with clinical benchmark. ZL-1211 treatment induces NK-cell activation with robust inflammation to further activate antitumor immunity in tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tracey Lin
- Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
| | - Renyi Wu
- Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
| | - Xinchuan Dai
- Zai Lab (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Pudong, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Shou Li
- Zai Lab (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Pudong, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Grace Wang
- Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
| | - Min Chen
- Zai Lab (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Pudong, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Wenying Li
- Zai Lab (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Pudong, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Lina Wang
- Zai Lab (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Pudong, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | | | - Zhen Luo
- Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
| | - Tom Huang
- Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
| | | | - John Zhang
- Zai Lab (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Pudong, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Qiuping Ye
- Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
| | | | - Bing Wan
- Zai Lab (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Pudong, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Lishan Kang
- Zai Lab (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Pudong, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | | | - Karl Hsu
- Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
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Jia K, Chen Y, Sun Y, Hu Y, Jiao L, Ma J, Yuan J, Qi C, Li Y, Gong J, Gao J, Zhang X, Li J, Zhang C, Shen L. Multiplex immunohistochemistry defines the tumor immune microenvironment and immunotherapeutic outcome in CLDN18.2-positive gastric cancer. BMC Med 2022; 20:223. [PMID: 35811317 PMCID: PMC9272556 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02421-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The FAST study identified claudin-18 (CLDN18.2) as a promising novel therapeutic target for gastric cancer (GC). However, the tumor immune microenvironment and clinicopathological features of CLDN18.2-positive GC are unclear, making it difficult to develop and optimize CLDN18.2-targeted treatments. METHODS This study included 80 GC patients, 60 of whom received anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment. CD4/CD8/CD20/CD66b/CD68/CD163/PD-1/PD-L1/TIM-3/LAG-3/FoxP3/CTLA-4/HLA-DR/STING, and CLDN18.2 were labeled using multiplex immunohistochemistry (m-IHC) to decipher the rate and spatial distribution of T cells, B cells, macrophages, and neutrophils in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissues isolated from these patients. Tumor immune-microenvironmental features and patient survival stratified by CLDN18.2 expression were analyzed using two independent-sample t-tests and log-rank tests, respectively. RESULTS We considered moderate-to-strong CLDN18.2 expression ≥ 40% of tumor cells as the cut-off for positivity. The proportion of CD8+PD-1-, CD8+LAG-3-, and CD8+TIM-3- T cells was significantly higher in CLDN18.2-positive tumors than in negative tumors (0.039 vs. 0.026, P = 0.009; 0.050 vs.0.035, P = 0.024; 0.045 vs. 0.032, P = 0.038, respectively). In addition, the number of neutrophils (CD66b+) was higher in the CLDN18.2-positive group than in the negative group (0.081 vs. 0.055, P = 0.031, respectively), while the rates of M1 (CD68+CD163-HLA-DR+), M2 macrophages (CD68+CD163+HLA-DR-), and B cells (CD20+) were comparable between the CLDN18.2-positive and negative groups. The average numbers of CD8+PD-1-, CD8+LAG-3-, and CD8+TIM-3-T cells surrounding tumor cells within a 20-μm range were higher in CLDN18.2-positive tumors than in the CLDN18.2-negative tumors (0.16 vs. 0.09, P = 0.011; 0.20 vs. 0.12, P = 0.029; 0.18 vs. 0.12, P = 0.047, respectively). In addition, in the CLDN18.2-positive group, tumor cells surrounded by CD8+PD-1-, CD8+LAG-3- T cells, or M1 macrophages within a 20-μm range accounted for a higher proportion of all tumor cells than those in the CLDN18.2-negative group (10.79% vs. 6.60%, P = 0.015; 12.68% vs. 8.70%, P = 0.049; 9.08% vs. 6.56%, P = 0.033, respectively). These findings suggest that CLDN18.2-positive GC harbors complex immune-microenvironmental features. Additionally, CLDN18.2-positive group had shorter OS and irOS than CLDN18.2-negative group (median OS: 23.33 vs.36.6 months, P < 0.001; median irOS: 10.03 vs. 20.13 months, P = 0.044, respectively). CONCLUSIONS CLDN18.2-positive GC displayed unique immune-microenvironmental characteristics, which is of great significance for the development of CLDN18.2-targeted therapies. However, the impact of CLDN18.2-related microenvironmental features on prognosis requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keren Jia
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yajie Hu
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Jiao
- Panovue Biotechnology (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Panovue Biotechnology (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Jiajia Yuan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Changsong Qi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yanyan Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jifang Gong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Gao
- National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China.
| | - Lin Shen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China.
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Cai M, Ni WJ, Wang YH, Wang JJ, Zhou H. Targeting TMEM88 as an Attractive Therapeutic Strategy in Malignant Tumors. Front Oncol 2022; 12:906372. [PMID: 35734592 PMCID: PMC9207468 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.906372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
According to authoritative surveys, the overall morbidity and mortality of malignant tumors show an upward trend, and it is predicted that this trend will not be well contained in the upcoming new period. Since the influencing factors, pathogenesis, and progression characteristics of malignant tumors have not been fully elucidated, the existing treatment strategies, mainly including surgical resection, ablation therapy and chemotherapy, cannot achieve satisfactory results. Therefore, exploring potential therapeutic targets and clarifying their functions and mechanisms in continuous research and practice will provide new ideas and possibilities for the treatment of malignant tumors. Recently, a double-transmembrane protein named transmembrane protein 88 (TMEM88) was reported to regulate changes in downstream effectors by mediating different signaling pathways and was confirmed to be widely involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and tumor progression. At present, abnormal changes in TMEM88 have been found in breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer and other malignant tumors, which has also attracted the attention of tumor research and attempted to clarify its function and mechanism. However, due to the lack of systematic generalization, comprehensive and detailed research results have not been comprehensively summarized. In view of this, this article will describe in detail the changes in TMEM88 in the occurrence and development of malignant tumors, comprehensively summarize the corresponding molecular mechanisms, and explore the potential of targeting TMEM88 in the treatment of malignant tumors to provide valuable candidate targets and promising intervention strategies for the diagnosis and cure of malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.,Anhui Acupuncture and Moxibustion Clinical Medicine Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Wei-Jian Ni
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Provincial Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ying-Hong Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Anhui Provincial Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jing-Ji Wang
- Anhui Acupuncture and Moxibustion Clinical Medicine Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Anhui Provincial Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Weidle UH, Sela T, Brinkmann U, Niewoehner J. Circular RNAs With Efficacy in Preclinical In Vitro and In Vivo Models of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2022; 19:283-298. [PMID: 35430563 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer is associated with a dismal prognosis. The armamentarium of approved drugs is focused on chemotherapy with modest therapeutic benefit. Recently, checkpoint inhibitory monoclonal antibody Pembrolizumab was approved. In order to identify new targets and modalities for the treatment of esophagus squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) we searched the literature for circRNAs involved in the pathogenesis of ESCC. We identified two down-regulated and 17 up-regulated circRNAs as well as a synthetic circRNA with efficacy in preclinical in vivo systems. Down-regulated circRNAs sponge microRNAs directed against tumor suppressor genes. Up-regulated circRNAs sponge microRNAs directed against mRNAs, which encode proteins with pro-tumoral functions. We discuss issues such as reconstitution of down-regulated circRNAs and inhibition of up-regulated circRNAs with short interfering RNA (siRNA)- related entities. Also, we address druggability issues of the identified targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich H Weidle
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Tatjana Sela
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Brinkmann
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Jens Niewoehner
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
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Treese C, Hartl K, Pötzsch M, Dahlmann M, von Winterfeld M, Berg E, Hummel M, Timm L, Rau B, Walther W, Daum S, Kobelt D, Stein U. S100A4 Is a Strong Negative Prognostic Marker and Potential Therapeutic Target in Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach and Esophagus. Cells 2022; 11:cells11061056. [PMID: 35326507 PMCID: PMC8947340 DOI: 10.3390/cells11061056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Deregulated Wnt-signaling is a key mechanism driving metastasis in adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction and stomach (AGE/S). The oncogene S100A4 was identified as a Wnt-signaling target gene and is known to promote metastasis. In this project, we illuminate the role of S100A4 for metastases development and disease prognosis of AGE/S. Five gastric cancer cell lines were assessed for S100A4 expression. Two cell lines with endogenous high S100A4 expression were used for functional phenotyping including analysis of proliferation and migration after stable S100A4 knock-down. The prognostic value of S100A4 was evaluated by analyzing the S100A4 expression of tissue microarrays with samples of 277 patients with AGE/S. S100A4 knock-down induced lower migration in FLO1 and NCI-N87 cells. Treatment with niclosamide in these cells led to partial inhibition of S100A4 and to reduced migration. Patients with high S100A4 expression showed lower 5-year overall and disease-specific survival. In addition, a larger share of patients in the S100A4 high expressing group suffered from metachronous metastasis. This study identifies S100A4 as a negative prognostic marker for patients with AGE/S. The strong correlation between S100A4 expression, metastases development and patient survival might open opportunities to use S100A4 to improve the prognosis of these patients and as a therapeutic target for intervention in this tumor entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Treese
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (C.T.); or (K.H.); (M.D.); (W.W.); (D.K.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (M.P.); (L.T.); (S.D.)
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kimberly Hartl
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (C.T.); or (K.H.); (M.D.); (W.W.); (D.K.)
- Medical Department, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michelle Pötzsch
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (M.P.); (L.T.); (S.D.)
| | - Matthias Dahlmann
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (C.T.); or (K.H.); (M.D.); (W.W.); (D.K.)
| | - Moritz von Winterfeld
- Institute of Pathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (M.v.W.); (E.B.); (M.H.)
| | - Erika Berg
- Institute of Pathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (M.v.W.); (E.B.); (M.H.)
| | - Michael Hummel
- Institute of Pathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (M.v.W.); (E.B.); (M.H.)
| | - Lena Timm
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (M.P.); (L.T.); (S.D.)
| | - Beate Rau
- Department of Surgery, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Mitte, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Wolfgang Walther
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (C.T.); or (K.H.); (M.D.); (W.W.); (D.K.)
| | - Severin Daum
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (M.P.); (L.T.); (S.D.)
| | - Dennis Kobelt
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (C.T.); or (K.H.); (M.D.); (W.W.); (D.K.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69126 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Stein
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (C.T.); or (K.H.); (M.D.); (W.W.); (D.K.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69126 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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30
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Kyuno D, Takasawa A, Takasawa K, Ono Y, Aoyama T, Magara K, Nakamori Y, Takemasa I, Osanai M. Claudin-18.2 as a therapeutic target in cancers: cumulative findings from basic research and clinical trials. Tissue Barriers 2022; 10:1967080. [PMID: 34486479 PMCID: PMC8794250 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2021.1967080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Claudins are major components of tight junctions that maintain cell polarity and intercellular adhesion. The dynamics of claudins in cancer cells have attracted attention as a therapeutic target. During carcinogenesis, claudin expression is generally downregulated; however, overexpression of claudin-18.2 has been observed in several types of cancers. Upregulated and mislocalized claudin-18.2 expression in cancer cells has been suggested as a therapeutic target. Research on claudin-18.2 has revealed its involvement in carcinogenesis. Clinical trials using zolbetuximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting claudin-18.2, for patients with advanced cancer yielded positive results with few high-grade adverse events; thus, it is expected to be a novel and effective therapeutic. Here, we review current insights into the role that claudin-18.2 plays in basic cancer research and clinical applications. A better understanding of these roles will facilitate the development of new treatment strategies for cancer patients with poor prognoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Kyuno
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Surgical Oncology and Science, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Akira Takasawa
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kumi Takasawa
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ono
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Aoyama
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kazufumi Magara
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuna Nakamori
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ichiro Takemasa
- Department of Surgery, Surgical Oncology and Science, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Makoto Osanai
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
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31
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Arpa G, Fassan M, Guerini C, Quaquarini E, Grillo F, Angerilli V, Guzzardo V, Lonardi S, Bergamo F, Lenti MV, Pedrazzoli P, Paulli M, Di Sabatino A, Vanoli A. Claudin-18 expression in small bowel adenocarcinoma: a clinico-pathologic study. Virchows Arch 2022; 481:853-863. [PMID: 35925388 PMCID: PMC9734203 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-022-03393-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Non-ampullary small bowel adenocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm with an ominous prognosis, whose incidence is higher in some chronic immuno-inflammatory conditions, such as coeliac and Crohn's disease. Recently, claudin 18.2, a transmembrane protein normally expressed in gastric mucosa, has been recognized as a novel pan-cancer therapeutic target, and several clinical trials with claudin-18-directed drugs have shown promising results on various gastrointestinal malignancies. This is the first study focusing on claudin-18 expression in small bowel adenocarcinomas. The immunohistochemical expression of claudin-18 (clone 43-14A) was assessed in 81 small bowel adenocarcinomas of diverse aetiologies and correlated with several clinico-pathologic features and patient survival. We found that 28% of adenocarcinomas were immunoreactive for claudin-18, with cutoff values of ≥1% at any intensity, while 6% of cancers showed immunoexpression of ≥75% with 2+/3+ score. Moreover, claudin-18 (≥1%) was positively associated with cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and MUC5AC expression, showing CK7+/MUC5AC+ carcinomas the highest rate of positive cases, whereas a negative correlation was found between claudin-18 and CDX2 expression. In addition, some cancer-adjacent dysplastic growths and foci of gastric-type metaplasia in Crohn's disease-associated cases showed claudin-18 immunoreactivity. Survival analysis showed a non-significant trend towards a worse cancer-specific survival for claudin-18-positive cases. A fraction of small bowel adenocarcinomas, mainly sporadic or Crohn's disease-associated, and often exhibiting a non-intestinal immunoprofile, expressed claudin-18, suggesting that claudin-18-directed targeted therapy is worth investigating in such cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Arpa
- grid.8982.b0000 0004 1762 5736Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Anatomic Pathology, University of Pavia, Via Carlo Forlanini 16-27100, Pavia, Italy ,grid.419425.f0000 0004 1760 3027Anatomic Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Medicine, DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy ,grid.419546.b0000 0004 1808 1697Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Camilla Guerini
- grid.8982.b0000 0004 1762 5736Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Anatomic Pathology, University of Pavia, Via Carlo Forlanini 16-27100, Pavia, Italy ,grid.419425.f0000 0004 1760 3027Anatomic Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy
| | - Erica Quaquarini
- Medical Oncology Unit, ICS Maugeri-IRCCS SpA SB, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Federica Grillo
- grid.5606.50000 0001 2151 3065Pathology Unit, Department of Surgical and Diagnostic Sciences (DISC), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy ,grid.410345.70000 0004 1756 7871IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valentina Angerilli
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Medicine, DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Vincenza Guzzardo
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Medicine, DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Sara Lonardi
- grid.419546.b0000 0004 1808 1697Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesca Bergamo
- grid.419546.b0000 0004 1808 1697Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Vincenzo Lenti
- grid.8982.b0000 0004 1762 5736First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Paolo Pedrazzoli
- grid.8982.b0000 0004 1762 5736First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy ,grid.419425.f0000 0004 1760 3027Oncology Unit, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Paulli
- grid.8982.b0000 0004 1762 5736Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Anatomic Pathology, University of Pavia, Via Carlo Forlanini 16-27100, Pavia, Italy ,grid.419425.f0000 0004 1760 3027Anatomic Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Sabatino
- grid.8982.b0000 0004 1762 5736First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vanoli
- grid.8982.b0000 0004 1762 5736Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Anatomic Pathology, University of Pavia, Via Carlo Forlanini 16-27100, Pavia, Italy ,grid.419425.f0000 0004 1760 3027Anatomic Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy
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32
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Pellino A, Brignola S, Riello E, Niero M, Murgioni S, Guido M, Nappo F, Businello G, Sbaraglia M, Bergamo F, Spolverato G, Pucciarelli S, Merigliano S, Pilati P, Cavallin F, Realdon S, Farinati F, Dei Tos AP, Zagonel V, Lonardi S, Loupakis F, Fassan M. Association of CLDN18 Protein Expression with Clinicopathological Features and Prognosis in Advanced Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinomas. J Pers Med 2021; 11:1095. [PMID: 34834447 PMCID: PMC8624955 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11111095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The tight junction protein claudin-18 (CLDN18), is often expressed in various cancer types including gastric (GC) and gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas (GECs). In the last years, the isoform CLDN18.2 emerged as a potential drug target in metastatic GCs, leading to the development of monoclonal antibodies against this protein. CLDN18.2 is the dominant isoform of CLDN18 in normal gastric and gastric cancer tissues. In this work, we evaluated the immunohistochemical (IHC) profile of CLDN18 and its correlation with clinical and histopathological features including p53, E-cadherin, MSH2, MSH6, MLH1, PMS2, HER2, EBER and PD-L1 combined positive score, in a large real-world and mono-institutional series of advanced GCs (n = 280) and GECs (n = 70). The association of IHC results with survival outcomes was also investigated. High membranous CLDN18 expression (2+ and 3+ intensity ≥75%) was found in 117/350 (33.4%) samples analyzed. CLDN18 expression correlated with age <70 (p = 0.0035), positive EBV status (p = 0.002), high stage (III, IV) at diagnosis (p = 0.003), peritoneal involvement (p < 0.001) and lower incidence of liver metastases (p = 0.013). CLDN18 did not correlate with overall survival. The predictive value of response of CLDN18 to targeted agents is under investigation in several clinical trials and further studies will be needed to select patients who could benefit from these therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Pellino
- Oncology Unit 1, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (F.N.); (F.B.); (V.Z.); (F.L.)
| | - Stefano Brignola
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (S.B.); (E.R.); (M.G.); (G.B.); (M.S.); (A.P.D.T.)
- Department of Pathology, Azienda ULSS 2 Marca Trevigiana, 31100 Treviso, Italy;
| | - Erika Riello
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (S.B.); (E.R.); (M.G.); (G.B.); (M.S.); (A.P.D.T.)
| | - Monia Niero
- Department of Pathology, Azienda ULSS 2 Marca Trevigiana, 31100 Treviso, Italy;
| | - Sabina Murgioni
- Oncology Unit 1, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (F.N.); (F.B.); (V.Z.); (F.L.)
| | - Maria Guido
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (S.B.); (E.R.); (M.G.); (G.B.); (M.S.); (A.P.D.T.)
- Department of Pathology, Azienda ULSS 2 Marca Trevigiana, 31100 Treviso, Italy;
| | - Floriana Nappo
- Oncology Unit 1, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (F.N.); (F.B.); (V.Z.); (F.L.)
| | - Gianluca Businello
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (S.B.); (E.R.); (M.G.); (G.B.); (M.S.); (A.P.D.T.)
| | - Marta Sbaraglia
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (S.B.); (E.R.); (M.G.); (G.B.); (M.S.); (A.P.D.T.)
| | - Francesca Bergamo
- Oncology Unit 1, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (F.N.); (F.B.); (V.Z.); (F.L.)
| | - Gaya Spolverato
- 1st Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Gastroenterological Sciences (DISCOG), University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (G.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Salvatore Pucciarelli
- 1st Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Gastroenterological Sciences (DISCOG), University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (G.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Stefano Merigliano
- 3rd Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy;
| | - Pierluigi Pilati
- Surgery Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 31033 Castelfranco Veneto, Italy;
| | | | - Stefano Realdon
- Gastroenterology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 35128 Padua, Italy;
| | - Fabio Farinati
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Gastroenterological Sciences (DISCOG), University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy;
| | - Angelo Paolo Dei Tos
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (S.B.); (E.R.); (M.G.); (G.B.); (M.S.); (A.P.D.T.)
| | - Vittorina Zagonel
- Oncology Unit 1, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (F.N.); (F.B.); (V.Z.); (F.L.)
| | - Sara Lonardi
- Oncology Unit 3, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 35128 Padua, Italy;
| | - Fotios Loupakis
- Oncology Unit 1, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (F.N.); (F.B.); (V.Z.); (F.L.)
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (S.B.); (E.R.); (M.G.); (G.B.); (M.S.); (A.P.D.T.)
- Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 35128 Padua, Italy
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33
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Li J. Targeting claudins in cancer: diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:3406-3424. [PMID: 34354852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has linked claudins to signal transduction and tumorigenesis. The expression of claudins is frequently dysregulated in the context of neoplastic transformation, suggesting their promise as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis or targets for treatment. Claudin binders (Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin and monoclonal antibody) have been tested in preclinical experiments, and some of them have progressed into clinical trials involving patients with certain cancers. However, the clinical development of many of these agents has not advanced to clinical applications. Herein, I review the current status of preclinical and clinical investigations of agents targeting claudins for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. I also discuss the potential of combining claudin binders with other currently approved therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Hospital of Mianyang, Sichuan Mental Health Center Mianyang 621000, Sichuan, China
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34
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Ungureanu BS, Lungulescu CV, Pirici D, Turcu-Stiolica A, Gheonea DI, Sacerdotianu VM, Liliac IM, Moraru E, Bende F, Saftoiu A. Clinicopathologic Relevance of Claudin 18.2 Expression in Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:643872. [PMID: 33747967 PMCID: PMC7969651 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.643872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of tumor markers have been discovered to have potential efficacy as diagnostic and prognostic tools in gastric cancer. We aimed to assess putative correlations between claudin 18.2 expression and pathological or prognosis features in patients with gastric cancer. MEDLINE, Web of Science, EBSCO, and ClinicalTrials.gov were used to search for relevant studies from their inception to 30 October 2020. Finally, a total of six articles were included in this meta-analysis. Review Manager 5 software was applied to examine the heterogeneity among the studies and to calculate the odds ratio with 95% CI by selecting corresponding models, in evaluating the strength of the relationship. Publication bias test was also conducted. No bias and no significant correlations were found between CLDN 18.2 and TNM stages, Lauren classification, HER2, grading, or overall survival. This meta-analysis expounded that the relationship with CLDN 18.2 and pathological features depends on the percentage of staining of tumor cells for which CLDN 18.2 is considered positive. Our pooled outcomes suggest that targeted therapy for CLDN 18.2 could be effective if certain criteria were established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Silviu Ungureanu
- Gastroenterology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
| | | | - Daniel Pirici
- Histology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
| | - Adina Turcu-Stiolica
- Pharmacoeconomics Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
| | - Dan Ionut Gheonea
- Gastroenterology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
| | | | - Ilona Mihaela Liliac
- Histology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
| | - Emil Moraru
- Surgical Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
| | - Felix Bende
- Gastroenterology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Adrian Saftoiu
- Gastroenterology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
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