The role of dendritic cells in cancer

Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Regulatory Mechanisms, Functions, and Therapeutic Implications

Treatment options for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), a highly malignant tumor with poor prognosis, are limited. Recent developments in immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have offered new hope for treating iCCA. However, several issues remain, including the identification of reliable biomarkers of response to ICIs and immune-based combinations. Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of these hepatobiliary tumors has been evaluated and is under assessment in this setting in order to boost the efficacy of ICIs and to convert these immunologically "cold" tumors to "hot" tumors. Herein, the review TIME of ICCA and its critical function in immunotherapy. Moreover, this paper also discusses potential avenues for future research, including novel targets for immunotherapy and emerging treatment plans aimed to increase the effectiveness of immunotherapy and survival rates for iCCA patients.

Trial watch: anticancer vaccination with dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are critical players at the intersection of innate and adaptive immunity, making them ideal candidates for anticancer vaccine development. DC-based immunotherapies typically involve isolating patient-derived DCs, pulsing them with tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) or tumor-specific antigens (TSAs), and utilizing maturation cocktails to ensure their effective activation. These matured DCs are then reinfused to elicit tumor-specific T-cell responses. While this approach has demonstrated the ability to generate potent immune responses, its clinical efficacy has been limited due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Recent efforts have focused on enhancing the immunogenicity of DC-based vaccines, particularly through combination therapies with T cell-targeting immunotherapies. This Trial Watch summarizes recent advances in DC-based cancer treatments, including the development of new preclinical and clinical strategies, and discusses the future potential of DC-based vaccines in the evolving landscape of immuno-oncology.

Causal Relationship Between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Immune Cell Traits: A Mendelian Randomization Study

INTRODUCTION

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychological disorder that occurs after exposure to catastrophic-level experiences. Although alterations in immune function have been identified in individuals with PTSD, the causal relationship between the two remains unclear.

METHODS

To investigate the causal relationship between PTSD and immune function, we conducted the forward and backward two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses, based on summary-level genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data on PTSD and immune cell traits.

RESULTS

For the forward MR analysis, PTSD was found to reduce the levels of CD62L- dendritic cell (DC) (beta = -0.254, FDR = 0.01), CD86+ myeloid DC (beta = -0.238, FDR = 0.014), CD62L- myeloid DC (beta = -0.26, FDR = 0.01), CD62L- CD86+ myeloid DC absolute count (beta = -0.264, FDR = 0.024), and CD62L- CD86+ myeloid DC (beta = -0.328, FDR = 0.002). In contrast, PTSD was observed to increase the level of CD28- CD8dim T-cell absolute count (beta = 0.27, FDR = 0.029). For the backward MR analysis, the odds ratio (OR) for CD33 on CD33dim HLA DR+ CD11b- in relation to PTSD risk was found to be 1.045 (95% CI = 1.021-1.069, FDR = 0.008). The OR for FSC-A on HLA DR+ CD8br was 1.048 (95% CI = 1.018-1.079, FDR = 0.039) and for CCR2 on CD14- CD16+ monocyte was 1.059 (95% CI = 1.027-1.092, FDR = 0.008). No significant pleiotropy was detected in both forward and backward MR analyses.

CONCLUSION

The bidirectional MR study shed light on the intricate interplay between immune function and PTSD. The identification of a bidirectional causal relationship between T cells and PTSD opens new avenues for considering innovative approaches to the prevention and early intervention of PTSD.

The cuproptosis-related gene UBE2D2 functions as an immunotherapeutic and prognostic biomarker in pan-cancer

BACKGROUND

Cuproptosis, as a unique modality of regulated cell death, requires the involvement of ubiquitin-binding enzyme UBE2D2. However, the prognostic and immunotherapeutic values of UBE2D2 in pan-cancer remain largely unknown.

METHODS

Using UCSC Xena, TIMER, Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC), and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) databases, we aimed to explore the differential expression pattern of UBE2D2 across multiple cancer types and to evaluate its association with patient prognosis, clinical features, and genetic variations. The association between UBE2D2 and immunotherapy response was assessed by gene set enrichment analysis, tumor microenvironment, immune gene co-expression and drug half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) analysis.

RESULTS

The mRNA and protein levels of UBE2D2 were markedly elevated in most cancer types, and UBE2D2 exhibited prognostic significance in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), kidney chromophobe (KICH), uveal melanomas (UVM), cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC), and kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP). UBE2D2 expression was correlated with clinical features, tumor mutation burden, microsatellite instability, and anti-tumor drug resistance in several tumor types. Gene enrichment analysis showed that UBE2D2 was significantly associated with immune-related pathways. The expression level of UBE2D2 was correlated with immune cell infiltration, including CD4 + T cells、Macrophages M2、CD8 + T cells in pan-cancer. PDCD1, CD274 and CTLA4 expression levels were positively correlated with UBE2D2 level in multiple cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

We comprehensively investigated the potential value of UBE2D2 as a prognostic and immunotherapeutic predictor for pan-cancer, providing a novel insight for cancer immunotherapy.

Metabolic crosstalk: Extracellular ATP and the tumor microenvironment in cancer progression and therapy

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) is a vital element in energy information. It plays a critical role in transmitting signals inside the body, which is necessary for controlling the life activities of all cells, including tumor cells [1]. Its significance extends from intracellular signaling pathways to tumor regression. Purinergic signaling, a form of extracellular paracrine signaling, relies on purine nucleotides. Extracellular ectonucleotidases convert these purine nucleotides to their respective di and mono-phosphate nucleoside forms, contributing significantly to immune biology, cancer biology, and inflammation studies. ATP functions as a mighty damage-linked molecular pattern when released outside the cell, accumulating in inflammatory areas. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), purinergic receptors such as ATP-gated ion channels P2X1-5 and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) (P2Y) interact with ATP and other nucleotides, influencing diverse immune cell activities. CD39 and CD73-mediated extracellular ATP degradation contributes to immunosuppression by diminishing ATP-dependent activation and generating adenosine (ADO), potentially hindering antitumor immunity and promoting tumor development. Unraveling the complexities of extracellular ATP (e-ATP) and ADO effects on the TME poses challenges in identifying optimal treatment targets, yet ongoing investigations aim to devise strategies combating e-ATP/ADO-induced immunosuppression, ultimately enhancing anti-tumor immunity. This review explores e-ATP metabolism, its purinergic signaling, and therapeutic strategies targeting associated receptors and enzymes.

Dendritic Cells: A Bridge between Tolerance Induction and Cancer Development in Transplantation Setting

Dendritic cells (DCs) are a heterogeneous group of antigen-presenting cells crucial for fostering allograft tolerance while simultaneously supporting host defense against infections and cancer. Within the tumor microenvironment, DCs can either mount an immune response against cancer cells or foster immunotolerance, presenting a dual role. In immunocompromised individuals, posttransplant malignancies pose a significant health concern, with DCs serving as vital players in immune responses against cancer cells. Both recipient- and donor-derived DCs play a critical role in the rejection process, infiltrating the transplanted organ and sustaining T-cell responses. The use of immunosuppressive drugs represents the predominant approach to control this immunological barrier in transplanted organs. Evidence has shed light on the immunopharmacology of these drugs and novel strategies for manipulating DCs to promote allograft survival. Therefore, comprehending the mechanisms underlying this intricate microenvironment and the effects of immunosuppressive therapy on DCs is crucial for developing targeted therapies to reduce graft failure rates. This review will delve into the fundamental immunobiology of DCs and provide a detailed exploration of their clinical significance concerning alloimmune responses and posttransplant malignancies.

Bioconjugate based on cisplatin and bacterial exopolysaccharide with reduced side effects: A novel proposal for cancer treatment

BACKGROUND

In the search for alternatives that attenuate the toxicity associated to oncologic treatment with cisplatin (CDDP) and considering the potential health-beneficial properties of exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by lactic acid bacteria, it was aimed on this study to evaluate the cytotoxic, toxicologic and antitumoral efficacy of a bioconjugate based on CDDP and EPS, on the experimental tumor of sarcoma 180.

METHODS

After the synthesis of the cis-[Pt(NH3)2(Cl)2] complex and of the conjugate containing Lactobacillus fermentum exopolysaccharide was tested both in vitro and in vivo for evaluating the acute toxicity.

RESULTS

The antitumoral study was performed using mice transplanted with sarcoma 180. The bioconjugate showed low to medium cytotoxicity for the cell lines tested, as well moderated acute toxicity. After determining the LD50, the following experimental groups were established for the antitumor assay: Control (NaCl 0,9%), CDDP (1 mg/kg), EPS and bioconjugate composition (200 mg/kg). The bioconjugate promoted a 38% regression in tumor mass when compared to the control, and a regression of 41% when compared to CDDP. Liver histopathological analysis revealed discrete alterations in animals treated with (CDDP + EPS) when compared to control. The bioconjugate also minimized changes in the renal parenchyma resulting from the tumor.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that when CDDP is associated with EPS, this composition was more biocompatible, showing itself as a potent chemotherapeutic agent and lower tissue toxicity.

mRNA delivery systems for cancer immunotherapy: Lipid nanoparticles and beyond

mRNA-based vaccines are emerging as a promising alternative to standard cancer treatments and the conventional vaccines. Moreover, the FDA-approval of three nucleic acid based therapeutics (Onpattro, BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273) has further increased the interest and trust on this type of therapeutics. In order to achieve a significant therapeutic efficacy, the mRNA needs from a drug delivery system. In the last years, several delivery platforms have been explored, being the lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) the most well characterized and studied. A better understanding on how mRNA-based therapeutics operate (both the mRNA itself and the drug delivery system) will help to further improve their efficacy and safety. In this review, we will provide an overview of what mRNA cancer vaccines are and their mode of action and we will highlight the advantages and challenges of the different delivery platforms that are under investigation.

Single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data jointly reveals VDAC2's impacts on prognosis and immune landscape of NSCLC

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is characterized by stronger metastatic ability and worse prognosis. In NSCLC, hypoxia is a major cause of invasion and metastasis through promoting angiogenesis. In present study, NSCLC cell clusters were extracted from single cell-sequencing dataset GSE131907, which were combined with hypoxia-related genes to group clusters. qRT-PCR and western blot were used to validate the expression of target gene. Nine NSCLC clusters were extracted, which were divided into two hypoxia-related subgroups, C1 and C2. Totally 101 differentially expressed prognostic genes were identified between subgroups. Of which, VDAC2 showed excellent prognostic value for NSCLC and was selected for further analysis. VDAC2 was upregulated in tumor samples in TCGA and was correlated with advanced stages. In vitro experiments validated this trend. Five crucial immune cells showed differential infiltration proportions between high and low VDAC2 expression groups. VDAC2 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation and invasion ability of NSCLC cells. Integrating single cell and bulk sequencing data as well as wet lab experiments, hypoxia-related VDAC2 exhibited important prognostic value and showed the promise of becoming immune-therapy target in NSCLC.

The role of dendritic cells in cancer immunity and therapeutic strategies

Dendritic cells (DCs) are asserted as the most potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that orchestrate both innate and adaptive immunity, being extremely effective in the induction of robust anti-cancer T cell responses. Hence, the modulation of DCs function represents an attractive target for improving cancer immunotherapy efficacy. A better understanding of the immunobiology of DCs, the interaction among DCs, immune effector cells and tumor cells in tumor microenvironment (TME) and the latest advances in biomedical engineering technology would be required for the design of optimal DC-based immunotherapy. In this review, we focus on elaborating the immunobiology of DCs in healthy and cancer environments, the recent advances in the development of enhancing endogenous DCs immunocompetence via immunomodulators as well as DC-based vaccines. The rapidly developing field of applying nanotechnology to improve DC-based immunotherapy is also highlighted.

ANGPTL4 regulates ovarian cancer progression by activating the ERK1/2 pathway

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer (OC) has the highest mortality rate among all gynecological malignancies. A hypoxic microenvironment is a common feature of solid tumors, including ovarian cancer, and an important driving factor of tumor cell survival and chemo- and radiotherapy resistance. Previous research identified the hypoxia-associated gene angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) as both a pro-angiogenic and pro-metastatic factor in tumors. Hence, this work aimed to further elucidate the contribution of ANGPTL4 to OC progression.

METHODS

The expression of hypoxia-associated ANGPTL4 in human ovarian cancer was examined by bioinformatics analysis of TCGA and GEO datasets. The CIBERSORT tool was used to analyze the distribution of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in ovarian cancer cases in TCGA. The effect of ANGPTL4 silencing and overexpression on the proliferation and migration of OVCAR3 and A2780 OC cells was studied in vitro, using CCK-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays, and in vivo, through subcutaneous tumorigenesis assays in nude mice. GO enrichment analysis and WGCNA were performed to explore biological processes and genetic networks associated with ANGPTL4. The results obtained were corroborated in OC cells in vitro by western blotting.

RESULTS

Screening of hypoxia-associated genes in OC-related TCGA and GEO datasets revealed a significant negative association between ANGPTL4 expression and patient survival. Based on CIBERSORT analysis, differential representation of 14 distinct tumor-infiltrating immune cell types was detected between low- and high-risk patient groups. Silencing of ANGPTL4 inhibited OVCAR3 and A2780 cell proliferation and migration in vitro and reduced the growth rate of xenografted OVCAR3 cells in vivo. Based on results from WGCNA and previous studies, western blot assays in cultured OC cells demonstrated that ANGPTL4 activates the Extracellular signal-related kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathway and this results in upregulation of c-Myc, Cyclin D1, and MMP2 expression. Suggesting that the above mechanism mediates the pro-oncogenic actions of ANGPTL4T in OC, the pro-survival effects of ANGPTL4 were largely abolished upon inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling with PD98059.

CONCLUSIONS

Our work suggests that the hypoxia-associated gene ANGPTL4 stimulates OC progression through activation of the ERK1/2 pathway. These findings may offer a new prospect for targeted therapies for the treatment of OC.

Anoikis-related signature predicts prognosis and characterizes immune landscape of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer (OV) is the most lethal gynecological malignancy worldwide, with high recurrence rates. Anoikis, a newly-acknowledged form of programmed cell death, plays an essential role in cancer progression, though studies focused on prognostic patterns of anoikis in OV are still lacking. We filtered 32 potential anoikis-related genes (ARGs) among the 6406 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the 180 normal controls and 376 TCGA-OV samples. Through the LASSO-Cox analysis, a 2-gene prognostic signature, namely AKT2, and DAPK1, was finally distinguished. We then demonstrated the promising prognostic value of the signature through the K-M survival analysis and time-dependent ROC curves (p-value < 0.05). Moreover, based on the signature and clinical features, we constructed and validated a nomogram model for 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival, with reliable prognostic values in both TCGA-OV training cohort (p-value < 0.001) and ICGC-OV validation cohort (p-value = 0.030). We evaluated the tumor immune landscape through the CIBERSORT algorithm, which indicated the upregulation of resting Myeloid Dendritic Cells (DCs), memory B cells, and naïve B cells and high expression of key immune checkpoint molecules (CD274 and PDCD1LG2) in the high-risk group. Interestingly, the high-risk group exhibited better sensitivity toward immunotherapy and less sensitivity toward chemotherapies, including Cisplatin and Bleomycin. Especially, based on the IHC of tissue microarrays among 125 OV patients at our institution, we reported that aberrant upregulation of DAPK1 was related to poor prognosis. Conclusively, the anoikis-related signature was a promising tool to evaluate prognosis and predict therapy responses, thus assisting decision-making in the realm of OV precision medicine.

A review of natural products targeting tumor immune microenvironments for the treatment of lung cancer

Lung cancer (LC) produces some of the most malignant tumors in the world, with high morbidity and mortality. Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), a component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), are critical in tumor development, immune escape, and drug resistance. The TIME is composed of various immune cells, immune cytokines, etc, which are important biological characteristics and determinants of tumor progression and outcomes. In this paper, we reviewed the recently published literature and discussed the potential uses of natural products in regulating TIME. We observed that a total of 37 natural compounds have been reported to exert anti-cancer effects by targeting the TIME. In different classes of natural products, terpenoids are the most frequently mentioned compounds. TAMs are one of the most investigated immune cells about therapies with natural products in TIME, with 9 natural products acting through it. 17 natural products exhibit anti-cancer properties in LC by modulating PD-1 and PD-L1 protein activity. These natural products have been extensively evaluated in animal and cellular LC models, but their clinical trials in LC patients are lacking. Based on the current review, we have revealed that the mechanisms of LC can be treated with natural products through TIME intervention, resulting in a new perspective and potential therapeutic drugs.

Nonclinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety assessment of a FLT3L-Fc molecule for cancer immunotherapy

FLT3L-Fc is a cytokine-Fc fusion agonizing receptor-type tyrosine-protein kinase FLT3 (fms-related tyrosine kinase 3; CD135). FLT3 is expressed on dendritic cells (DCs) as well as myeloid and lymphoid progenitors. Nonclinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of FLT3L-Fc were investigated in rats and cynomolgus monkeys. FLT3L-Fc induced robust pharmacodynamic responses, evidenced by marked expansion of peripheral blood cDC1s, cDC2s, and pDCs (up to 301-fold in rats and 378-fold in monkeys), peaking at 8-10 days after the first dose. FLT3L-Fc was well tolerated with no adverse findings at doses up to 10 mg/kg administered intravenously twice three weeks apart. In both species, major clinical pathology findings consisted of expansion of white blood cell (WBC) populations including lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, basophils, and large unstained cells, which were pronounced after the first dose. The WBC findings were associated microscopically with histiocytic and mononuclear cell infiltrates in multiple organs. Tissue immunohistochemistry in monkeys showed that the leukocyte infiltrates consisted of hematopoietic progenitor cells and histiocytes with a reactive morphology and were associated with a slight stimulation of regional T and B cell populations. Additional FLT3L-Fc-associated changes included decreases in red blood cell (RBC) mass, increases in RBC distribution width, variable changes in reticulocytes, and transient alterations in platelet counts (rats only). The RBC and WBC findings were associated microscopically with increased hematopoietic cellularity of the bone marrow in both species and increased splenic megakaryocytic extramedullary hematopoiesis in rats. The totality of nonclinical safety data support the clinical development of FLT3L-Fc.

Disulfidptosis-related prognostic signature correlates with immunotherapy response in colorectal cancer

Disulfidptosis (DSP), a form of cell death caused by disulphide stress, plays an important role in tumour progression. However, the mechanisms by which DSP regulates the tumour microenvironment remain unclear. Thus, we analysed the transcriptome profiles and clinical data, which were obtained from the TCGA database, of 540 patients with colorectal cancer. Compared with the patients with low DSP expression, those with high DSP expression exhibited significantly better survival outcomes; lower stromal and ESTIMATE scores; significantly higher numbers of CD4+ T cells, M2 macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils; higher expression of immune checkpoint-related genes; and lower Tregs and HLA-DQB2 levels. A prognostic signature established based on DSP-related genes demonstrated an increase in risk score with a higher clinical stage. Risk scores negatively correlated with dendritic cells, eosinophils, and CD4+ T cells and significantly positively correlated with Treg cells. Patients with higher risk scores experienced significantly worse survival outcomes and immunotherapy non-response. Our nomogram model, combining clinicopathological features and risk scores, exhibited robust prognostic and predictive power. In conclusion, DSP-related genes actively participated in regulating the tumour microenvironment. Thus, they can serve as biomarkers to provide targeted treatment for colorectal cancer.

TTC22 as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer: Insights into immune infiltration and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition

The mortality rate of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is high, and the effect of traditional treatment is unsatisfactory, thus novel biomarkers are required. Although the important role of tetratricopeptide repeat domain 22 (TTC22) in colon cancer is well established, its precise role in pancreatic cancer remains unclear and requires further investigation. Pan-cancer analysis and single-cell sequencing revealed TTC22 was differentially expressed in various tumors, especially in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Additionally, clinical data for pancreatic cancer showed a negative association between TTC22 expression and clinical parameters, including survival prognosis. The correlation between TTC22 and immune infiltration in pancreatic cancer was validated by functional enrichment analysis. ESTIMATE and single sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis algorithms were used to further analyze immune infiltration of TTC22 in pancreatic cancer, and the results suggested that TTC22 inhibited tumor immunity and was negatively correlated with plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR further confirmed the differential expression of TTC22 in pancreatic cancer cell lines. Wound healing, Transwell and colony formation assays showed that TTC22 affected the migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. These findings demonstrate that TTC22 may serve as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for the management of pancreatic cancer.

Research progress in nano-drug delivery systems based on the characteristics of the liver cancer microenvironment

The liver cancer has microenvironmental features such as low pH, M2 tumor-associated macrophage enrichment, low oxygen, rich blood supply and susceptibility to hematotropic metastasis, high chemokine expression, enzyme overexpression, high redox level, and strong immunosuppression, which not only promotes the progression of the disease, but also seriously affects the clinical effectiveness of traditional therapeutic approaches. However, nanotechnology, due to its unique advantages of size effect and functionalized modifiability, can be utilized to develop various responsive nano-drug delivery system (NDDS) by using these characteristic signals of the liver cancer microenvironment as a source of stimulation, which in turn can realize the intelligent release of the drug under the specific microenvironment, and significantly increase the concentration of the drug at the target site. Therefore, researchers have designed a series of stimuli-responsive NDDS based on the characteristics of the liver cancer microenvironment, such as hypoxia, weak acidity, and abnormal expression of proteases, and they have been widely investigated for improving anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy and reducing the related side effects. This paper provides a review of the current application and progress of NDDS developed based on the response and regulation of the microenvironment in the treatment of liver cancer, compares the effects of the microenvironment and the NDDS, and provides a reference for building more advanced NDDS.

A novel immune checkpoint-related signature for prognosis and immune analysis in breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most prevailing forms of cancer globally. Immunotherapy has demonstrated efficacy in improving the overall survival of breast cancer. The aim of us was to formulate a novel signature predicated on immune checkpoint-related genes (ICGs) that could anticipate the prognosis and further analyze the immune status of patients with breast cancer. After acquiring data, we pinpointed the definitive ICGs for constructing the prognostic model of breast cancer. We constructed a novel prognostic model and created a fresh risk score called Immune Checkpoint-related Risk Score in breast cancer (ICRSBC). The nomogram was constructed to evaluate the accuracy of the model, and the new web-based tool was created to be more intuitive for predicting prognosis. We also investigated immunotherapy responsiveness and analyzed the tumor mutational burden (TMB) in ICRSBC subgroups. The ICRSBC was found to have significant correlations with the immune environment, immunotherapy responsiveness, and TMB. The expression levels of the 9 ICGs that construct the prognostic model and their promoter methylation levels are significantly different between breast cancer and normal tissues. Furthermore, the mutation profiles, the copy number alterations, and the levels of protein expression also exhibit marked disparities among the 9 ICGs. We have identified and validated a novel signature related to ICGs that is strongly associated with breast cancer progression. This signature enables us to create a risk score for prognosticating the survival and assessing the immune status of individuals affected by breast cancer.

A novel immunogenic cell death-related genes signature for predicting prognosis, immune landscape and immunotherapy effect in hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) has emerged as a promising strategy to activate the adaptive immune response, modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) and enhance the efficacy of immune therapy. However, the relationship between ICD and TME reprogramming in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains poorly understood.

METHODS

Transcriptional profiles and clinical spectrum of 486 HCC patients were obtained from TCGA and GEO databases. We utilized consensus clustering analysis to construct two distinct molecular subtypes and established an ICD-based scoring system (named ICD score) via WGCNA and LASSO Cox regression to predict the prognosis of the HCC cohort. Then we employed CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE methods to analyze the immune landscape of ICD score in HCC. Subsequently, the immunophenoscore (IPS) and tumor immune dysfunction and rejection (TIDE) analyses were performed to determine whether the ICD score could influence the immune therapeutic effect. Based on the ICD scoring system, a novel nomogram was generated to provide a numerical probability of HCC patients' overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

We identified two independent ICD clusters (cluster A/B), and cluster B possessed a worse prognosis and higher immune cell infiltration. Using ICD scoring system, the HCC patients were divided into high- and low-ICD-score groups. Through integrative analyses, the high-ICD cohort owned advanced TNM stage, high pathologic grade and increased suppressive immune cell enrichment. We developed a nomogram containing the ICD score, demonstrating a high predictive accuracy with a C-index of 0.703. We further discovered that PSMD2 and PSMD14 could serve as ICD-associated prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in HCC.

CONCLUSION

The ICD score exhibits a high degree of reliability for predicting prognosis and may provide valuable guidance for the selection of immunotherapy for HCC patients. This novel scoring system enables the estimation of clinical immunotherapy response for HCC patients, offering new opportunities for personalized immunotherapy.

The cellular trajectories of tumor-associated macrophages decipher the heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer

Emerging evidence indicates that the interactions and dynamic changes among tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are pivotal in molding the tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby influencing diverse clinical outcomes. However, the potential clinical ramifications of these evolutionary shifts in tumor-associated macrophages within pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) remain largely unexamined. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data were retrieved from the Tumor Immune Single-cell Hub. The Seurat and Monocle algorithms were employed to elucidate the progression of TAMs, using non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) to determine molecular classifications. Subsequently, the prognosis, biological characteristics, genomic modifications, and immune landscape across various clusters were interpreted. Furthermore, the sensitivity of potential therapeutic drugs between subtypes was predicted. Cellular experiments were conducted to explore the function of the NR1H3 gene in pancreatic cancer. These experiments encompassed gene knockdown, proliferation assessment, clone formation evaluation, transwell examination, and apoptosis analysis. Trajectory gene expression analysis of tumor-associated macrophages identified three disparate clusters, each associated with different clinical outcomes Compared to clusters C1 and C2, cluster C3 is seemingly at a less advanced pathological stage and associates with a relatively favorable prognosis. Further investigation revealed pronounced genetic instability in cluster C2, whereas cluster C3 demonstrated notable genetic stability. Cluster C1, characterized as "immune-hot," exhibits an abundance of immune cells and elevated immune checkpoint expression, suggesting its suitability for immunotherapy. Furthermore, several potential therapeutic agents have been pinpointed, potentially facilitating the clinical application of these insights. Cell assays indicated that NR1H3 knockdown markedly induced apoptosis and suppressed clonogenesis, migration, and proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in the PTAU-8988 and PANC-1 cell lines. Overall, our study discerned three clusters with unique characteristics, defined by the evolution of TAMs. We propose customized therapeutic strategies for patients within these specific clusters to improve clinical outcomes and optimize clinical management.

An Activated Dendritic-Cell-Related Gene Signature Indicative of Disease Prognosis and Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Response in Colon Cancer Patients

Accumulating evidence has underscored the prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment of colon cancer (CC). In this retrospective study, based on publicly available transcriptome profiles and clinical data from the Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases, we derived and verified an activated dendritic cell (aDC)-related gene signature (aDCRS) for predicting the survival outcomes and chemotherapy and immunotherapy response of CC patients. We quantified the infiltration abundance of 22 immune cell subtypes via the "CIBERSORT" R script. Univariate Cox proportional hazards (PHs) regression was used to identify aDC as the most robust protective cell type for CC prognosis. After selecting differentially expressed genes (DEGs) significantly correlated with aDC infiltration, we performed univariate Cox-PH regression, LASSO regression, and stepwise multivariate Cox-PH regression successively to screen out prognosis-related genes from selected DEGs for constructing the aDCRS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis were employed to assess the discriminatory ability and risk-stratification capacity. The "oncoPredict" package, Cancer Treatment Response gene signature DataBase, and Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion algorithm were utilized to estimate the practicability of the aDCRS in predicting response to chemotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade. Gene set enrichment analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis were also implemented. Furthermore, an aDCRS-based nomogram was constructed and validated via ROC curves, calibration plots and decision curve analysis. In conclusion, aDCRS and an aDCRS-based nomogram will facilitate precise prognosis prediction and individualized therapeutic interventions, thus improving the survival outcomes of CC patients in the future.

Anaesthesia in Veterinary Oncology: The Effects of Surgery, Volatile and Intravenous Anaesthetics on the Immune System and Tumour Spread

Throughout the course of oncological disease, the majority of patients require surgical, anaesthetic and analgesic intervention. However, during the perioperative period, anaesthetic agents and techniques, surgical tissue trauma, adjuvant drugs for local pain and inflammation and other non-pharmacological factors, such as blood transfusions, hydration, temperature and nutrition, may influence the prognosis of the disease. These factors significantly impact the oncologic patient's immune response, which is the primary barrier to tumour progress, promoting a window of vulnerability for its dissemination and recurrence. More research is required to ascertain which anaesthetics and techniques have immunoprotective and anti-tumour effects, which will contribute to developing novel anaesthetic strategies in veterinary medicine.

Microenvironmental regulation in tumor progression: Interactions between cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells

The tumor microenvironment (TME), the "soil" on which tumor cells grow, has an important role in regulating the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells as well as their response to treatment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as the most abundant stromal cells of the TME, can not only directly alter the immunosuppressive effect of the TME through their own metabolism, but also influence the aggregation and function of immune cells by secreting a large number of cytokines and chemokines, reducing the body's immune surveillance of tumor cells and making them more prone to immune escape. Our study provides a comprehensive review of fibroblast chemotaxis, malignant transformation, metabolic characteristics, and interactions with immune cells. In addition, the current small molecule drugs targeting CAFs have been summarized, including both natural small molecules and targeted drugs for current clinical therapeutic applications. A complete review of the role of fibroblasts in TME from an immune perspective is presented, which has important implications in improving the efficiency of immunotherapy by targeting fibroblasts.

Integrative bioinformatics analysis of WDHD1: a potential biomarker for pan-cancer prognosis, diagnosis, and immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

Although WD repeat and high-mobility group box DNA binding protein 1 (WDHD1) played an essential role in DNA replication, chromosome stability, and DNA damage repair, the panoramic picture of WDHD1 in human tumors remains unclear. Hence, this study aims to comprehensively characterize WDHD1 across 33 human cancers.

METHODS

Based on publicly available databases such as TCGA, GTEx, and HPA, we used a bioinformatics approach to systematically explore the genomic features and biological functions of WDHD1 in pan-cancer.

RESULTS

WDHD1 mRNA levels were significantly increased in more than 20 types of tumor tissues. Elevated WDHD1 expression was associated with significantly shorter overall survival (OS) in 10 tumors. Furthermore, in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) and liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), WDHD1 expression was significantly associated with higher histological grades and pathological stages. In addition, WDHD1 had a high diagnostic value among 16 tumors (area under the ROC curve [AUC] > 0.9). Functional enrichment analyses suggested that WDHD1 probably participated in many oncogenic pathways such as E2F and MYC targets (false discovery rate [FDR] < 0.05), and it was involved in the processes of DNA replication and DNA damage repair (p.adjust < 0.05). WDHD1 expression also correlated with the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of rapamycin (4 out of 10 cancers) and paclitaxel (10 out of 10 cancers). Overall, WDHD1 was negatively associated with immune cell infiltration and might promote tumor immune escape. Our analysis of genomic alterations suggested that WDHD1 was altered in 1.5% of pan-cancer cohorts and the "mutation" was the predominant type of alteration. Finally, through correlation analysis, we found that WDHD1 might be closely associated with tumor heterogeneity, tumor stemness, mismatch repair (MMR), and RNA methylation modification, which were all processes associated with the tumor progression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our pan-cancer analysis of WDHD1 provides valuable insights into the genomic characterization and biological functions of WDHD1 in human cancers and offers some theoretical support for the future use of WDHD1-targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and chemotherapeutic combinations for the management of tumors.

Dendritic cell hybrid nanovaccine for mild heat inspired cancer immunotherapy

Cancer therapeutic vaccine can induce antigen-specific immune response, which has shown great potential in cancer immunotherapy. As the key factor of vaccine, antigen plays a central role in eliciting antitumor immunity. However, the insufficient antigen delivery and low efficiency of antigen presentation by dendritic cells (DCs) have greatly restricted the therapeutic efficiency of vaccine. Here we developed a kind of DC hybrid zinc phosphate nanoparticles to co-deliver antigenic peptide and photosensitive melanin. Owing to the chelating ability of Zn2+, the nanoparticles can co-encapsulate antigenic peptide and melanin with high efficiency. The nanovaccine showed good physiological stability with the hydration particle size was approximately 30 nm, and zeta potential was around - 10 mV. The nanovaccine showed homologous targeting effect to DCs in vivo and in vitro, efficiently delivering antigen to DCs. Meanwhile, the nanovaccine could effectively reflux to the tumor-draining lymph nodes. When combined with near-infrared irradiation, the nanovaccine induced effective mild heat in vitro and in vivo to promote antigen presentation. After administrating to MC38 tumor-bearing mice, the hybrid nanovaccine effectively promoted the maturation of DCs, the expansion of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and helper T cells, and the secretion of immunostimulatory cytokines, thereby significantly inhibiting tumor growth.

A Novel pyroptosis-related signature for predicting prognosis and evaluating tumor immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer (OV) is the most fatal gynecological malignant tumor worldwide, with high recurrence rates and great heterogeneity. Pyroptosis is a newly-acknowledged inflammatory form of cell death with an essential role in cancer progression, though studies focusing on prognostic patterns of pyroptosis in OV are still lacking. Our research filtered 106 potential pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) among the 6406 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the 376 TCGA-OV samples and 180 normal controls. Through the LASSO-Cox analysis, the 6-gene prognostic signature, namely CITED2, EXOC6B, MIA2, NRAS, SETBP1, and TRPV46, was finally distinguished. Then, the K-M survival analysis and time-dependent ROC curves demonstrated the promising prognostic value of the 6-gene signature (p-value < 0.0001). Furthermore, based on the signature and corresponding clinical features, we constructed and validated a nomogram model for 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year OV survival, with reliable prognostic values in TCGA-OV (p-value < 0.001) and ICGC-OV cohort (p-value = 0.040). Pathway analysis enriched several critical pathways in cancer, refer to the pyroptosis-related signature, while the m6A analysis indicated greater m6A level in high-risk group. We assessed tumor immune microenvironment through the CIBERSORT algorithm, which demonstrated the upregulation of M1 Macrophages and activated DCs and high expression of key immune checkpoint molecules (CTLA4, PDCD1LG2, and HAVCR2) in high-risk group. Interestingly, the high-risk group exhibited poor sensitivity towards immunotherapy and better sensitivity towards chemotherapies, including Vinblastine, Docetaxel, and Sorafenib. Briefly, the pyroptosis-related signature was a promising tool to predict prognosis and evaluate immune responses, in order to assist decision-making for OV patients in the realm of precision medicine.

Protective versus Pathogenic Type I Interferon Responses during Virus Infections

Following virus infections, type I interferons are synthesized to induce the expression of antiviral molecules and interfere with virus replication. The importance of early antiviral type I IFN response against virus invasion has been emphasized during COVID-19 as well as in studies on the microbiome. Further, type I IFNs can directly act on various immune cells to enhance protective host immune responses to viral infections. However, accumulating data indicate that IFN responses can be harmful to the host by instigating inflammatory responses or inducing T cell suppression during virus infections. Also, inhibition of lymphocyte and dendritic cell development can be caused by type I IFN, which is independent of the traditional signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 signaling. Additionally, IFNs were shown to impair airway epithelial cell proliferation, which may affect late-stage lung tissue recovery from the infection. As such, type I IFN-virus interaction research is diverse, including host antiviral innate immune mechanisms in cells, viral strategies of IFN evasion, protective immunity, excessive inflammation, immune suppression, and regulation of tissue repair. In this report, these IFN activities are summarized with an emphasis placed on the functions of type I IFNs recently observed during acute or chronic virus infections.

Exploring the crosstalk between endothelial cells, immune cells, and immune checkpoints in the tumor microenvironment: new insights and therapeutic implications

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a highly intricate milieu, comprising a multitude of components, including immune cells and stromal cells, that exert a profound influence on tumor initiation and progression. Within the TME, angiogenesis is predominantly orchestrated by endothelial cells (ECs), which foster the proliferation and metastasis of malignant cells. The interplay between tumor and immune cells with ECs is complex and can either bolster or hinder the immune system. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the intricate crosstalk between ECs and immune cells is essential to advance the development of immunotherapeutic interventions. Despite recent progress, the underlying molecular mechanisms that govern the interplay between ECs and immune cells remain elusive. Nevertheless, the immunomodulatory function of ECs has emerged as a pivotal determinant of the immune response. In light of this, the study of the relationship between ECs and immune checkpoints has garnered considerable attention in the field of immunotherapy. By targeting specific molecular pathways and signaling molecules associated with ECs in the TME, novel immunotherapeutic strategies may be devised to enhance the efficacy of current treatments. In this vein, we sought to elucidate the relationship between ECs, immune cells, and immune checkpoints in the TME, with the ultimate goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets and charting new avenues for immunotherapy.

Development of a CD8+ T cell-based molecular classification for predicting prognosis and heterogeneity in triple-negative breast cancer by integrated analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing

Background

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), although the most intractable subtype, is characterized by abundant immunogenicity, which enhances responsiveness to immunotherapeutic measures.

Methods

First, we identified CD8+ T cell core genes (TRCG) based on single-cell sequence and traditional transcriptome sequencing and then used this data to develop a first-of-its-kind classification system based on CD8+ T cells in patients with TNBC. Next, TRCG-related patterns were systematically analyzed, and their correlation with genomic features, immune activity (microenvironment associated with immune infiltration), and clinicopathological characteristics were assessed in the Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC), the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), GSE103091, GSE96058 databases. Additionally, a CD8+ T cell-related prognostic signature (TRPS) was developed to quantify a patient-specific TRCG pattern. What's more, the genes-related TRPS was validated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiment.

Results

This study, for the first time, distinguished two subsets in patients with TNBC based on the TRCG. The immune microenvironment and prognostic stratification between these have distinct heterogeneity. Furthermore, this study constructed a novel scoring system named TRPS, which we show to be a robust prognostic marker for TNBC that is related to the intensity of immune infiltration and immunotherapy. Moreover, the levels of genes related the TRPS were validated by quantitative Real-Time PCR.

Conclusions

Consequently, this study unraveled an association between the TRCG and the tumor microenvironment in TNBC. TRPS model represents an effective tool for survival prediction and treatment guidance in TNBC that can also help identify individual variations in TME and stratify patients who are sensitive to anticancer immunotherapy.

A novel autophagy-related gene signature associated with prognosis and immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer (OV), the most fatal gynecological malignance worldwide, has high recurrence rates and poor prognosis. Recently, emerging evidence supports that autophagy, a highly regulated multi-step self-digestive process, plays an essential role in OV progression. Accordingly, we filtered 52 potential autophagy-related genes (ATGs) among the 6197 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified in TCGA-OV samples (n = 372) and normal controls (n = 180). Based on the LASSO-Cox analysis, we distinguished a 2-gene prognostic signature, namely FOXO1 and CASP8, with promising prognostic value (p-value < 0.001). Together with corresponding clinical features, we constructed a nomogram model for 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival, which was validated in both in training (TCGA-OV, p-value < 0.001) and validation (ICGC-OV, p-value = 0.030) cohorts. Interestingly, we evaluated the immune infiltration landscape through the CIBERSORT algorithm, which indicated the upregulation of 5 immune cells, including CD8 + T cells, Tregs, and Macrophages M2, and high expression of critical immune checkpoints (CTLA4, HAVCR2, PDCD1LG2, and TIGIT) in high-risk group. Stepwise, high-risk group exhibited better sensitivity towards chemotherapies of Bleomycin, Sorafenib, Veliparib, and Vinblastine, though less sensitive to immunotherapy. Especially, based on the IHC of tissue microarrays among 125 patients in our institution, we demonstrated that aberrant upregulation of FOXO1 in OV was related to metastasis and poor prognosis. Moreover, FOXO1 could significantly promote tumor invasiveness, migration, and proliferation in OV cell lines, which was assessed through the Transwell, wound-healing, and CCK-8 assay, respectively. Briefly, the autophagy-related signature was a reliable tool to evaluate immune responses and predict prognosis in the realm of OV precision medicine.

Pan-Cancer Analysis Reveals PPRC1 as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker in Ovarian Cancer and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background and Objectives: As is well understood, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma cofactor-related 1 (PPRC1) plays a central role in the transcriptional control of the mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) process, yet its critical role in pan-cancer remains unclear. Materials and Methods: In this paper, the expression levels of PPRC1 in different tumor tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues were analyzed based on four databases: The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER). Meanwhile, the prognostic value of PPRC1 was inferred using Kaplan-Meier plotter and forest-plot studies. In addition, the correlation between PPRC1 expression and tumor immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoints, and the tumor-stemness index was analyzed using TCGA and TIMER databases. Results: According to our findings, the expression level of PPRC1 was found to be different in different cancer types and there was a positive correlation between PPRC1 expression and prognosis in several tumor types. In addition, PPRC1 expression was found to be significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoints, and the tumor-stemness index in both ovarian and hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusions: PPRC1 demonstrated promising potential as a novel biomarker in pan-cancer due to its potential association with immune cell infiltration, expression of immune checkpoints, and the tumor-stemness index.

Beta glucan as an immune stimulant in tumor microenvironment - Insight into lessons and promises from past decade

Cancer is characterized by a perturbed immune landscape. Inside tumor microenvironment, immune system is reprogrammed to facilitate tumor growth and survival rather than eliminating it. This immune evasive mechanism needs to be reversed to normal for effective anticancer therapeutic strategy. Immunotherapy has emerged as a novel strategy for redeployment of immune cells against cancer. However, they suffer in their efficacy, response rate and side effects. This necessitated us to turn toward natural repertoires which can act as a substitute to conventional immunotherapeutics. Beta glucan, a polysaccharide derived from mushroom, serves the role of immunomodulator inside tumor microenvironment. It acts as pathogen associated molecular pattern and bind to various pattern recognition receptors expressed on surface of immune cells thereby facilitating their activation and crosstalk. This result in resurgence of suppressed immune surveillance in the tumor milieu. In this review, we highlight in brief the advances and limitation of cancer immunotherapy. Alongside, we have discussed the detailed mechanistic principle and recent advances underlying restoration of immune functionality by beta glucan.

Machine learning algorithm to construct cuproptosis- and immune-related prognosis prediction model for colon cancer

BACKGROUND

Over the past few years, research into the pathogenesis of colon cancer has progressed rapidly, and cuproptosis is an emerging mode of cellular apoptosis. Exploring the relationship between colon cancer and cuproptosis benefits in identifying novel biomarkers and even improving the outcome of the disease.

AIM

To look at the prognostic relationship between colon cancer and the genes associated with cuproptosis and the immune system in patients. The main purpose was to assess whether reasonable induction of these biomarkers reduces mortality among patients with colon cancers.

METHOD

Data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus and the Genotype-Tissue Expression were used in differential analysis to explore differential expression genes associated with cuproptosis and immune activation. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and Cox regression algorithm was applied to build a cuproptosis- and immune-related combination model, and the model was utilized for principal component analysis and survival analysis to observe the survival and prognosis of the patients. A series of statistically meaningful transcriptional analysis results demonstrated an intrinsic relationship between cuproptosis and the micro-environment of colon cancer.

RESULTS

Once prognostic characteristics were obtained, the CDKN2A and DLAT genes related to cuproptosis were strongly linked to colon cancer: The first was a risk factor, whereas the second was a protective factor. The finding of the validation analysis showed that the comprehensive model associated with cuproptosis and immunity was statistically significant. Within the component expressions, the expressions of HSPA1A, CDKN2A, and UCN3 differed markedly. Transcription analysis primarily reflects the differential activation of related immune cells and pathways. Furthermore, genes linked to immune checkpoint inhibitors were expressed differently between the subgroups, which may reveal the mechanism of worse prognosis and the different sensitivities of chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The prognosis of the high-risk group evaluated in the combined model was poorer, and cuproptosis was highly correlated with the prognosis of colon cancer. It is possible that we may be able to improve patients’ prognosis by regulating the gene expression to intervene the risk score.

CAFs orchestrates tumor immune microenvironment—A new target in cancer therapy?

Cancer immunotherapy has opened a new landscape in cancer treatment, however, the poor specificity and resistance of most targeted therapeutics have limited their therapeutic efficacy. In recent years, the role of CAFs in immune regulation has been increasingly noted as more evidence has been uncovered regarding the link between cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and the evolutionary process of tumor progression. CAFs interact with immune cells to shape the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) that favors malignant tumor progression, a crosstalk process that leads to the failure of cancer immunotherapies. In this review, we outline recent advances in the immunosuppressive function of CAFs, highlight the mechanisms of CAFs-immune cell interactions, and discuss current CAF-targeted therapeutic strategies for future study.

Identification of Immunogenic Cell-Death-Related Subtypes and Development of a Prognostic Signature in Gastric Cancer

Background: Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is considered a promising type of regulated cell death and exerts effects by activating the adaptive immune response, reshaping the tumor environment (TME) and improving therapeutic efficacy. However, the potential roles and prognostic value of ICD-associated genes in gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. Methods: The RNA expression data and clinical information of 1090 GC patients from six cohorts were collected. Consensus clustering was used to identify three distinct molecular subtypes. Then, a robust prognostic ICD_score for predicting prognosis was built via WGCNA and LASSO Cox regression according to the TCGA cohort, and the predictive capability of the ICD_score in GC patients was validated in the other cohorts. ICD-related immune features were analyzed using a CIBERSORT method and verified by immunofluorescence. Results: We found that ICD-related gene variations were correlated with clinical outcomes, tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) characteristics and treatment response. We then constructed an ICD signature that classifies cases as low- and high-ICD_score groups. The high-ICD_score group indicates unfavorable OS, a more advanced TNM stage, and presents an immune-suppressed phenotype, which has more infiltrations of pro-tumor immune cells, such as macrophages, which was verified by immunofluorescence. In addition, a nomogram containing the ICD_score showed a high predictive accuracy with AUCs of 0.715, 0.731 and 0.8 on Years 1, 3, and 5. Conclusion: We performed the first and synthesis ICD analysis in GC and built a clinical application tool based on the ICD signature, which paved a new path for assessing prognosis and guiding individual treatment.

Multifunctional Mesoporous Silica-Coated Gold Nanorods Mediate Mild Photothermal Heating-Enhanced Gene/Immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. It is urgent to search for safe and effective therapies to address the CRC crisis. The siRNA-based RNA interference targeted silencing of PD-L1 has extensive potential in CRC treatment but is limited by the lack of efficient delivery vectors. In this work, the novel cytosine-phosphate-guanine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs)/siPD-L1 co-delivery vectors AuNRs@MS/CpG ODN@PEG-bPEI (ASCP) were successfully prepared by two-step surface modification of CpG ODNs-loading and polyethylene glycol-branched polyethyleneimine-coating around mesoporous silica-coated gold nanorods. ASCP promoted dendritic cells (DCs) maturation by delivering CpG ODNs, exhibiting excellent biosafety. Next, mild photothermal therapy (MPTT) mediated by ASCP killed tumor cells and released tumor-associated antigens, further promoting DC maturation. Furthermore, ASCP exhibited mild photothermal heating-enhanced performance as gene vectors, resulting in an increased PD-L1 gene silencing effect. Enhanced DCs maturity and enhanced PD-L1 gene silencing significantly promoted the anti-tumor immune response. Finally, the combination of MPTT and mild photothermal heating-enhanced gene/immunotherapy effectively killed MC38 cells, leading to strong inhibition of CRC. Overall, this work provided new insights into the design of mild photothermal/gene/immune synergies for tumor therapy and may contribute to translational nanomedicine for CRC treatment.

CD39/CD73/A2AR pathway and cancer immunotherapy

Cancer development is closely associated with immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that attenuates antitumor immune responses and promotes tumor cell immunologic escape. The sequential conversion of extracellular ATP into adenosine by two important cell-surface ectonucleosidases CD39 and CD73 play critical roles in reshaping an immunosuppressive TME. The accumulated extracellular adenosine mediates its regulatory functions by binding to one of four adenosine receptors (A1R, A2AR, A2BR and A3R). The A2AR elicits its profound immunosuppressive function via regulating cAMP signaling. The increasing evidence suggests that CD39, CD73 and A2AR could be used as novel therapeutic targets for manipulating the antitumor immunity. In recent years, monoclonal antibodies or small molecule inhibitors targeting the CD39/CD73/A2AR pathway have been investigated in clinical trials as single agents or in combination with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies. In this review, we provide an updated summary about the pathophysiological function of the adenosinergic pathway in cancer development, metastasis and drug resistance. The targeting of one or more components of the adenosinergic pathway for cancer therapy and circumvention of immunotherapy resistance are also discussed. Emerging biomarkers that may be used to guide the selection of CD39/CD73/A2AR-targeting treatment strategies for individual cancer patients is also deliberated.

Interplay between plasmacytoid dendritic cells and tumor-specific T cells in peripheral blood influences long-term survival in non-small cell lung carcinoma

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) represent a subset of antigen-presenting cells that play an ambivalent role in cancer immunity. Here, we investigated the clinical significance of circulating pDCs and their interaction with tumor-specific T cell responses in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, n = 126) . The relation between intratumoral pDC signature and immune checkpoint inhibitors efficacy was also evaluated. Patients with NSCLC had low level but activated phenotype pDC compared to healthy donors. In overall population, patients with high level of pDC (pDC^high) had improved overall survival (OS) compared to patients with pDC^low, median OS 30.4 versus 20.7 months (P = 0.013). This clinical benefit was only observed in stage I to III patients, but not in metastatic disease. We showed that patients harboring pDC^high profile had high amount of Th1-diffentiation cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12) in blood and had functional T cells directed against a broad range of tumor antigens. Furthermore, a high pDC signature in the tumor microenvironment was associated with improved clinical outcome in patients treated with anti-PD-(L)1 therapy. Overall, this study showed that circulating pDC^high is associated with long-term OS in NSCLC and highlighted the predictive value of intratumor pDC signature in the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Aberrant Dendritic Cell Subsets in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis and Related Clinical Features

INTRODUCTION

Dendritic cells (DCs) play critical roles in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis (MG), and a series of DC-based experimental strategies for MG have recently been developed. However, the definite roles of different DC subsets in the mechanism of MG have scarcely been covered by previous studies. The present study aimed to investigate the levels of three main DC subsets, plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) (CD303 positive) and two distinct subsets of conventional DCs (cDCs), namely CD1c+ cDCs and CD141+ cDCs, in MG patients and analyze related clinical features.

METHODS

From January 2016 to December 2020, 160 newly diagnosed MG patients and matched healthy controls (n = 160) were included in the study, and their clinical data were collected. The blood samples from MG patients before treatment and controls were collected for flow cytometry analysis. A total of 14 MG thymoma, 24 control thymoma, and 3 thymic cysts were used to immunostain the DC subsets.

RESULTS

The flow cytometry analysis showed a significantly higher frequency of circulating pDCs, CD1c+ cDCs, and CD141+ cDCs in MG patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.001 for all). Patients with early-onset MG (<50 years old) had a lower frequency of circulating pDCs but a higher frequency of circulating CD1c+ cDCs than those with late-onset MG (≥50 years old) (p = 0.014 and p = 0.025, respectively). The frequency of circulating pDCs was positively associated with the clinical severity of late-onset MG patients (r = 0.613, p < 0.001). 64.3% (9/14) of MG thymoma is of type B2 under the World Health Organization classification, which is higher than that in control thymoma (33.3%, 8/24) (p = 0.019). For type B2 thymoma, there were significantly more pDCs but fewer CD1c+ cDCs in MG thymoma than in the controls.

CONCLUSION

The distribution of aberrant pDCs, CD1c+ cDCs, and CD141+ cDCs in MG patients displayed age- and thymoma-related differences, which may contribute to the impaired immune tolerance and lead to the onset of MG.

An Overview: Genetic Tumor Markers for Early Detection and Current Gene Therapy Strategies

Genomic instability is considered a fundamental factor involved in any neoplastic disease. Consequently, the genetically unstable cells contribute to intratumoral genetic heterogeneity and phenotypic diversity of cancer. These genetic alterations can be detected by several diagnostic techniques of molecular biology and the detection of alteration in genomic integrity may serve as reliable genetic molecular markers for the early detection of cancer or cancer-related abnormal changes in the body cells. These genetic molecular markers can detect cancer earlier than any other method of cancer diagnosis, once a tumor is diagnosed, then replacement or therapeutic manipulation of these cancer-related abnormal genetic changes can be possible, which leads toward effective and target-specific cancer treatment and in many cases, personalized treatment of cancer could be performed without the adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In this review, we describe how these genetic molecular markers can be detected and the possible ways for the application of this gene diagnosis for gene therapy that can attack cancerous cells, directly or indirectly, which lead to overall improved management and quality of life for a cancer patient.

Cancer-associated fibroblast related gene signature in Helicobacter pylori-based subtypes of gastric carcinoma for prognosis and tumor microenvironment estimation in silico analysis

Introduction

Gastric cancer (GC) remains the major constituent of cancer-related deaths and a global public health challenge with a high incidence rate. Helicobacter pylori (HP) plays an essential role in promoting the occurrence and progression of GC. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are regarded as a significant component in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which is related to the metastasis of GC. However, the regulation mechanisms of CAFs in HP-related GC are not elucidated thoroughly.

Methods

HP-related genes (HRGs) were downloaded from the GSE84437 and TCGA-GC databases. The two databases were combined into one cohort for training. Furthermore, the consensus unsupervised clustering analysis was obtained to sort the training cohort into different groups for the identification of differential expression genes (DEGs). Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to verify the correlation between the DEGs and cancer-associated fibroblasts which were key components in the tumor microenvironment. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was executed to find cancer-associated fibroblast-related differential expression genes (CDEGs) for the further establishment of a prognostic model.

Results and discussion

In this study, 52 HP-related genes (HRGs) were screened out based on the GSE84437 and TCGA-GC databases. A total of 804 GC samples were analyzed, respectively, and clustered into two HP-related subtypes. The DEGs identified from the two subtypes were proved to have a relationship with TME. After WGCNA and LASSO, the CAFs-related module was identified, from which 21 gene signatures were confirmed. Then, a CDEGs-Score was constructed and its prediction efficiency in GC patients was conducted for validation. Overall, a highly precise nomogram was established for enhancing the adaptability of the CDEGs-Score. Furthermore, our findings revealed the applicability of CDEGs-Score in the sensitivity of chemotherapeutic drugs. In general, our research provided brand-new possibilities for comprehending HP-related GC, evaluating survival, and more efficient therapeutic strategies.

The Tumor Microenvironment in Tumorigenesis and Therapy Resistance Revisited

Tumorigenesis is a complex and dynamic process involving cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions that allow tumor cell growth, drug resistance and metastasis. This review provides an updated summary of the role played by the tumor microenvironment (TME) components and hypoxia in tumorigenesis, and highlight various ways through which tumor cells reprogram normal cells into phenotypes that are pro-tumorigenic, including cancer associated- fibroblasts, -macrophages and -endothelial cells. Tumor cells secrete numerous factors leading to the transformation of a previously anti-tumorigenic environment into a pro-tumorigenic environment. Once formed, solid tumors continue to interact with various stromal cells, including local and infiltrating fibroblasts, macrophages, mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial cells, pericytes, and secreted factors and the ECM within the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME is key to tumorigenesis, drug response and treatment outcome. Importantly, stromal cells and secreted factors can initially be anti-tumorigenic, but over time promote tumorigenesis and induce therapy resistance. To counter hypoxia, increased angiogenesis leads to the formation of new vascular networks in order to actively promote and sustain tumor growth via the supply of oxygen and nutrients, whilst removing metabolic waste. Angiogenic vascular network formation aid in tumor cell metastatic dissemination. Successful tumor treatment and novel drug development require the identification and therapeutic targeting of pro-tumorigenic components of the TME including cancer-associated- fibroblasts (CAFs) and -macrophages (CAMs), hypoxia, blocking ECM-receptor interactions, in addition to the targeting of tumor cells. The reprogramming of stromal cells and the immune response to be anti-tumorigenic is key to therapeutic success. Lastly, this review highlights potential TME- and hypoxia-centered therapies under investigation.

Construction and validation of a novel ferroptosis-related signature for evaluating prognosis and immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer (OV) is the most lethal form of gynecological malignancy worldwide, with limited therapeutic options and high recurrence rates. However, research focusing on prognostic patterns of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in ovarian cancer is still lacking. From the 6,406 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between TCGA-OV (n = 376) and GTEx cohort (n = 180), we identified 63 potential ferroptosis-related genes. Through the LASSO-penalized Cox analysis, 3 prognostic genes, SLC7A11, ZFP36, and TTBK2, were finally distinguished. The time-dependent ROC curves and K-M survival analysis performed powerful prognostic ability of the 3-gene signature. Stepwise, we constructed and validated the nomogram based on the 3-gene signature and clinical features, with promising prognostic value in both TCGA (p-value < .0001) and ICGC cohort (p-value = .0064). Gene Set Enrichment Analysis elucidated several potential pathways between the groups stratified by 3-gene signature, while the m6A gene analysis implied higher m6A level in the high-risk group. We applied the CIBERSORT algorithm to distinct tumor immune microenvironment between two groups, with less activated dendritic cells (DCs) and plasma cells, more M0 macrophages infiltration, and higher expression of key immune checkpoint molecules (CD274, CTLA4, HAVCR2, and PDCD1LG2) in the high-risk group. In addition, the low-risk group exhibited more favorable immunotherapy and chemotherapy responses. Collectively, our findings provided new prospects in the role of ferroptosis-related genes, as a promising prediction tool for prognosis and immune responses, in order to assist personalized treatment decision-making among ovarian cancer patients.

COLEC12 Promotes Tumor Progression and Is Correlated With Poor Prognosis in Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE

Collectin subfamily member 12, a transmembrane scavenger receptor C-type lectin, is aberrantly expressed in various cancers. However, its physiological role in gastric cancer remains somewhat unclear. This study aimed to investigate the Collectin subfamily member 12 expression pattern in human gastric cancer and its role in gastric cancer progression.

METHODS

The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify independent predictors for progression-free survival and overall survival. The effects of Collectin subfamily member 12 on gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were detected through the cell counting kit-8 assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Additionally, the correlation between Collectin subfamily member 12 expression and immune cell infiltration was analyzed through bioinformatics.

RESULTS

Collectin subfamily member 12 was highly expressed in advanced gastric cancer (T3-T4, pathologic stage III-IV). High Collectin subfamily member 12 expression was correlated with a worse progression-free survival and overall survival in the gastric cancer patients. In vitro, cell line studies revealed that Collectin subfamily member 12 promoted gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and inhibited gastric cancer cell apoptosis. The bioinformatics analysis further demonstrated that the Collectin subfamily member 12 expression level positively correlated with infiltration of several immune cells, such as M2 macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and regulatory T cells, suggesting that Collectin subfamily member 12 may also play a role in suppressing tumor immune response in gastric cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectin subfamily member 12 was identified as a novel predictive marker and target for the clinical treatment of gastric cancer.

Research progress on the immunomodulatory mechanism of acupuncture in tumor immune microenvironment

With the constantly deeper understanding of individualized precision therapy, immunotherapy is increasingly developed and personalized. The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) mainly consists of infiltrating immune cells, neuroendocrine cells, extracellular matrix, lymphatic vessel network, etc. It is the internal environment basis for the survival and development of tumor cells. As a characteristic treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has shown potentially beneficial impacts on TIME. The currently available information demonstrated that acupuncture could regulate the state of immunosuppression through a range of pathways. An effective way to understand the mechanisms of action of acupuncture was to analyze the response following treatment of the immune system. This research reviewed the mechanisms of acupuncture regulating tumor immunological status based on innate and adaptive immunity.

Chemotherapy to potentiate the radiation-induced immune response

Chemoradiation (CRT) is a conventional therapy used in local cancers, especially when they are locally advanced. Studies have shown that CRT induces strong anti-tumor responses involving several immune effects in pre-clinical models and humans. In this review, we have described the various immune effects involved in CRT efficacy. Indeed, effects such as immunological cell death, activation and maturation of antigen-presenting cells, and activation of an adaptive anti-tumor immune response are attributed to CRT. As often described in other therapies, various immunosuppressive mechanisms mediated, in particular, by Treg and myeloid populations may reduce the CRT efficacy. We have therefore discussed the relevance of combining CRT with other therapies to potentiate the CRT-induced anti-tumor effects.

Targeting CD70 in combination with chemotherapy to enhance the anti-tumor immune effects in non-small cell lung cancer

Despite the recent emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors, clinical outcomes of metastatic NSCLC patients remain poor, pointing out the unmet need to develop novel therapies to enhance the anti-tumor immune response in NSCLC. In this regard, aberrant expression of the immune checkpoint molecule CD70 has been reported on many cancer types, including NSCLC. In this study, the cytotoxic and immune stimulatory potential of an antibody-based anti-CD70 (aCD70) therapy was explored as single agent and in combination with docetaxel and cisplatin in NSCLC in vitro and in vivo. Anti-CD70 therapy resulted in NK-mediated killing of NSCLC cells and increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by NK cells in vitro. The combination of chemotherapy and anti-CD70 therapy further enhanced NSCLC cell killing. Moreover, in vivo findings showed that the sequential treatment of chemo-immunotherapy resulted in a significant improved survival and delayed tumor growth compared to single agents in Lewis Lung carcinoma-bearing mice. The immunogenic potential of the chemotherapeutic regimen was further highlighted by increased numbers of dendritic cells in the tumor-draining lymph nodes in these tumor-bearing mice after treatment. The sequential combination therapy resulted in enhanced intratumoral infiltration of both T and NK cells, as well as an increase in the ratio of CD8+ T cells over Tregs. The superior effect of the sequential combination therapy on survival was further confirmed in a NCI-H1975-bearing humanized IL15-NSG-CD34+ mouse model. These novel preclinical data demonstrate the potential of combining chemotherapy and aCD70 therapy to enhance anti-tumor immune responses in NSCLC patients.

Construction of Pyroptosis-Related Prognostic and Immune Infiltration Signature in Bladder Cancer

Pyroptosis is a kind of programmed cell death related to inflammation, which is closely related to cancer. The goal of this study is to establish and verify pyroptosis-related gene signature to predict the prognosis of patients with bladder cancer (BLCA) and explore its relationship with immunity. Somatic mutation, copy number variation, correlation, and expression of 33 pyroptosis-related genes were evaluated based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. BLCA cases were divided into two clusters by consistent clustering and found that pyroptosis-related genes were related to the overall survival (OS) of BLCA. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression was used to construct the signature (including 7 pyroptosis-realated genes). Survival analysis curve and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) showed that this signature could predict the prognosis of BLCA patients. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis showed the independent prognostic value of this model. Immune infiltration analysis showed that the six types of immune cells have significantly different infiltrations. The effect of immunotherapy is better in the low-risk group. In summary, our effort indicated the potential role of pyroptosis-related genes in BLCA and provided new perspectives on the prognosis of BLCA and new ideas for immunotherapy.

Nanovaccines: Merits, and diverse roles in boosting antitumor immune responses

An attractive type of cancer immunotherapy is cancer therapeutic vaccines that induce antitumor immunity effectively. Although supportive results in the recent vaccine studies, there are still numerous drawbacks, such as poor stability, weak immunogenicity and strong toxicity, to be tackled for promoting the potency and durability of antitumor efficacy. NPs (Nanoparticles)-based vaccines offer unique opportunities to breakthrough the current bottleneck. As a rule, nanovaccines are new the generations of vaccines that use NPs as carriers and/or adjuvants. Several advantages of nanovaccines are constantly explored, including optimal nanometer size, high stability, plenty of antigen loading, enhanced immunogenicity, tunable antigen presentation, more retention in lymph nodes and promote patient compliance by a lower frequency of dosing. Here, we summarized the merits and highlight the diverse role nanovaccines play in improving antitumor responses.

Downregulation of zinc finger protein 71 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissues and its potential molecular mechanism and clinical significance: a study based on immunohistochemistry staining and data mining

Background

The molecular mechanism of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is not completely clear, which leads to poor prognosis and treatment difficulties for LSCC patients. To date, no study has reported the exact expression level of zinc finger protein 71 (ZNF71) and its molecular mechanism in LSCC.

Methods

In-house immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining (33 LSCC samples and 29 non-LSCC samples) was utilized in analyzing the protein expression level of ZNF71 in LSCC. Gene chips and high-throughput sequencing data collected from multiple public resources (313 LSCC samples and 192 non-LSCC samples) were utilized in analyzing the exact mRNA expression level of ZNF71 in LSCC. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data was used to explore the expression status of ZNF71 in different LSCC subpopulations. Enrichment analysis of ZNF71, its positively and differentially co-expressed genes (PDCEGs), and its downstream target genes was employed to detect the potential molecular mechanism of ZNF71 in LSCC. Moreover, we conducted correlation analysis between ZNF71 expression and immune infiltration.

Results

ZNF71 was downregulated at the protein level (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.93, p < 0.0001) and the mRNA level (AUC = 0.71, p = 0.023) in LSCC tissues. Patients with nodal metastasis had lower protein expression level of ZNF71 than patients without nodal metastasis (p < 0.05), and male LSCC patients had lower mRNA expression level of ZNF71 than female LSCC patients (p < 0.01). ZNF71 was absent in different LSCC subpopulations, including cancer cells, plasma cells, and tumor-infiltrated immune cells, based on scRNA-seq analysis. Enrichment analysis showed that ZNF71 and its PDCEGs may influence the progression of LSCC by regulating downstream target genes of ZNF71. These downstream target genes of ZNF71 were mainly enriched in tight junctions. Moreover, downregulation of ZNF71 may influence the development and even therapy of LSCC by reducing immune infiltration.

Conclusion

Downregulation of ZNF71 may promote the progression of LSCC by reducing tight junctions and immune infiltration; this requires further study.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-022-02823-8.