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Chattopadhyay S, Hazra R, Mallick A, Gayen S, Roy S. Small-molecule in cancer immunotherapy: Revolutionizing cancer treatment with transformative, game-changing breakthroughs. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189170. [PMID: 39127244 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer management, with antibody-based treatments leading the charge due to their superior pharmacodynamics, including enhanced effectiveness and specificity. However, these therapies are hampered by limitations such as prolonged half-lives, poor tissue and tumor penetration, and minimal oral bioavailability. Additionally, their immunogenic nature can cause adverse effects. Consequently, the focus is shifting towards small-molecule-based immunotherapies, which potentially overcome these drawbacks. Emerging as a promising alternative, small molecules offer the benefits of therapeutic antibodies and immunomodulators, often yielding synergistic effects when combined. Recent advancements in small-molecule cancer immunotherapy are notable, featuring inhibitors, agonists, and degraders that act as immunomodulators. This article delves into the current landscape of small-molecule immunotherapy in cancer treatment, highlighting novel agents targeting key pathways such as Toll-like receptors (TLR), PD-1/PD-L1, chemokine receptors, and stimulators of interferon genes (STING). The review emphasizes newly discovered molecular entities and their modulatory roles in tumorigenesis, many of which have progressed to clinical trials, that aims to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the evolving frontier in cancer treatment, driven by small-molecule immunomodulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumyadeep Chattopadhyay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata-Group of Institutions, Kolkata, West Bengal 700053, India
| | - Rudradeep Hazra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata-Group of Institutions, Kolkata, West Bengal 700053, India
| | - Arijit Mallick
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata-Group of Institutions, Kolkata, West Bengal 700053, India
| | - Sakuntala Gayen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata-Group of Institutions, Kolkata, West Bengal 700053, India
| | - Souvik Roy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata-Group of Institutions, Kolkata, West Bengal 700053, India.
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2
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Giammona A, De Vellis C, Crivaro E, Maresca L, Amoriello R, Ricci F, Anichini G, Pietrobono S, Pease DR, Fernandez-Zapico ME, Ballerini C, Stecca B. Tumor-derived GLI1 promotes remodeling of the immune tumor microenvironment in melanoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:214. [PMID: 39090759 PMCID: PMC11295348 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03138-0] [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: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma progression is based on a close interaction between cancer cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Thus, a better understanding of the mechanisms controlling TME dynamics and composition will help improve the management of this dismal disease. Work from our and other groups has reported the requirement of an active Hedgehog-GLI (HH-GLI) signaling for melanoma growth and stemness. However, the role of the downstream GLI1 transcription factor in melanoma TME remains largely unexplored. METHODS The immune-modulatory activity of GLI1 was evaluated in a syngeneic B16F10 melanoma mouse model assessing immune populations by flow cytometry. Murine polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) were differentiated from bone marrow cells and their immunosuppressive ability was assessed by inhibition of T cells. Conditioned media (CM) from GLI1-overexpressing mouse melanoma cells was used to culture PMN-MDSCs, and the effects of CM were evaluated by Transwell invasion assay and T cell inhibition. Cytokine array analysis, qPCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed to explore the regulation of CX3CL1 expression by GLI1. Human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) were cultured in CM from GLI1-silenced patient-derived melanoma cells to assess their activation and recruitment. Blocking antibodies anti-CX3CL1, anti-CCL7 and anti-CXCL8 were used for in vitro functional assays. RESULTS Melanoma cell-intrinsic activation of GLI1 promotes changes in the infiltration of immune cells, leading to accumulation of immunosuppressive PMN-MDSCs and regulatory T cells, and to decreased infiltration of dendric cells (DCs), CD8 + and CD4 + T cells in the TME. In addition, we show that ectopic expression of GLI1 in melanoma cells enables PMN-MDSC expansion and recruitment, and increases their ability to inhibit T cells. The chemokine CX3CL1, a direct transcriptional target of GLI1, contributes to PMN-MDSC expansion and recruitment. Finally, silencing of GLI1 in patient-derived melanoma cells promotes the activation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs), increasing cytoskeleton remodeling and invasion ability. This phenotype is partially prevented by blocking the chemokine CCL7, but not CXCL8. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the relevance of tumor-derived GLI1 in promoting an immune-suppressive TME, which allows melanoma cells to evade the immune system, and pave the way for the design of new combination treatments targeting GLI1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Giammona
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara De Vellis
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Enrica Crivaro
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Luisa Maresca
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Roberta Amoriello
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Federica Ricci
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Anichini
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Pietrobono
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - David R Pease
- Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Martin E Fernandez-Zapico
- Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Clara Ballerini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Barbara Stecca
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
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Manica D, da Silva GB, de Lima J, Cassol J, Dallagnol P, Narzetti RA, Moreno M, Bagatini MD. Caffeine reduces viability, induces apoptosis, inhibits migration and modulates the CD39/CD73 axis in metastatic cutaneous melanoma cells. Purinergic Signal 2024; 20:385-397. [PMID: 37768408 PMCID: PMC11303616 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-023-09967-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the effect of caffeine on viability, apoptosis, migration, redox profile and modulatory effect of the purinergic system of cutaneous melanoma cells. The melanoma cells SK-MEL-28 and non-tumoural CCD-1059sk cells were treated for 24 h with different concentrations of caffeine. Cell viability was evaluated by a biochemical assay and fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry assessed apoptosis induction. A wound-healing assay assessed cell migration. The redox profile was evaluated by the levels of markers of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NOx), total thiols (PSH) and non-protein thiols (NPSH). RT-qPCR and flow cytometry assessed the expression of CD39 and CD73. ATPase/ADPase and AMPase enzyme activities were evaluated by hydrolysis of ATP, ADP and AMP nucleotides. A bioluminescent assay assessed extracellular ATP levels. Caffeine significantly reduced melanoma cell viability and migration and did not affect non-tumoural cells. Caffeine increased ROS levels and improved PSH levels in melanoma cells. Furthermore, caffeine reduced CD39 and CD73 expression, decreased ATP, ADP and AMP nucleotide hydrolysis and increased extracellular ATP levels. We have shown that caffeine reduces metastatic cutaneous melanoma cell viability and migration, induces ROS generation and improves PSH levels. In an unprecedented manner, we also showed that caffeine reduces the expression of CD39 and CD73 and, consequently, ATPase/ADPase/AMPase hydrolytic activity of ectonucleotidases, thus displacing the CD39/CD73 axis and increasing extracellular ATP levels. Therefore, caffeine may be an interesting compound for clinical trials with the CD39/CD73 axis as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiane Manica
- Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Gilnei Bruno da Silva
- Multicentric Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State University of Santa Catarina, Lages, SC, Brazil
| | - Jussara de Lima
- Postgraduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, Brazil
| | - Joana Cassol
- Postgraduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, Brazil
| | - Paula Dallagnol
- Postgraduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, Brazil
| | - Rafael Antônio Narzetti
- Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Moreno
- Postgraduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, Brazil.
| | - Margarete Dulce Bagatini
- Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
- Postgraduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, Brazil.
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Jiang B, Tang M, Shi S, Xie H, Pan S, Zhang L, Sheng J. Effects of abnormal expression of CD73 on malignant phenotype of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. J Mol Histol 2023; 54:633-644. [PMID: 37874500 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-023-10165-2] [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: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Cluster of differentiation (CD) 73, encoded by the NT5E gene, plays important enzymatic and non-enzymatic roles in cells. There is growing evidence show that CD73 is a key regulator in the development of tumor. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most common cancers in east and southeast Asia. It is urgent to know more about the mechanism of NPC development and find diagnostic markers for the patients. In this research, we carried out western blot, immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR to investigate the expression level of CD73 and found that NPC tissues had higher level of CD73 than normal tissues. We also detected the relationship between its expression level with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of NPC patients. The results showed that CD73 expression was related to the clinical stages, lymph node metastasis and survival state of NPC patients. More importantly, patients with higher expression of CD73 had poorer prognosis. Then, CD73 was knocked down in NPC cells (CNE2 and CNE1), and its effects on cell proliferation and migration were investigated by CCK8, colony formation, Transwell and wound-healing assays. We found that knocking down the expression of CD73 in NPC cells could inhibit cells malignant phenotype. Collectively, CD73 plays important roles in NPC malignant behavior and might act as a novel target for the diagnosis and treatment of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Jiang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Nantong Tumor Hospital, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Mingming Tang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Nantong Tumor Hospital, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck surgery, Affiliated Hospital and Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Haijing Xie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck surgery, Affiliated Hospital and Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Si Pan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck surgery, Affiliated Hospital and Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Haimen People's Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Juping Sheng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck surgery, Affiliated Hospital and Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Wang N, Li J, Hu Z, Ngowi EE, Yan B, Qiao A. Exosomes: New Insights into the Pathogenesis of Metabolic Syndrome. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1480. [PMID: 38132306 PMCID: PMC10740970 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Exosomes are a subtype of extracellular vesicles (EVs) with a diameter of 30~150 nm (averaging ~100 nm) that are primarily produced through the endosomal pathway, and carry various components such as lipids, proteins, RNA, and other small molecular substances. Exosomes can mediate intercellular communication through the bioactive substances they carry, thus participating in different physiological activities. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a disease caused by disturbances in the body's metabolism, mainly including insulin resistance (IR), diabetes, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis (AS). Recent studies have shown that exosomes are closely related to the occurrence and development of MS. Exosomes can act as messengers to mediate signaling transductions between metabolic cells in the organism and play a bidirectional regulatory role in the MS process. This paper mainly reviews the components, biogenesis, biological functions and potential applications of exosomes, and exosomes involved in the pathogenesis of MS as well as their clinical significance in MS diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Wang
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, China; (N.W.); (J.L.); (Z.H.); (E.E.N.)
| | - Jing Li
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, China; (N.W.); (J.L.); (Z.H.); (E.E.N.)
| | - Zixuan Hu
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, China; (N.W.); (J.L.); (Z.H.); (E.E.N.)
| | - Ebenezeri Erasto Ngowi
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, China; (N.W.); (J.L.); (Z.H.); (E.E.N.)
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dar es Salaam University College of Education, Dar es Salaam 2329, Tanzania
| | - Baolong Yan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China;
| | - Aijun Qiao
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, China; (N.W.); (J.L.); (Z.H.); (E.E.N.)
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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Colombani T, Rogers ZJ, Bhatt K, Sinoimeri J, Gerbereux L, Hamrangsekachaee M, Bencherif SA. Hypoxia-inducing cryogels uncover key cancer-immune cell interactions in an oxygen-deficient tumor microenvironment. Bioact Mater 2023; 29:279-295. [PMID: 37600932 PMCID: PMC10432785 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is a major factor shaping the immune landscape, and several cancer models have been developed to emulate hypoxic tumors. However, to date, they still have several limitations, such as the lack of reproducibility, inadequate biophysical cues, limited immune cell infiltration, and poor oxygen (O2) control, leading to non-pathophysiological tumor responses. Therefore, it is essential to develop better cancer models that mimic key features of the tumor extracellular matrix and recreate tumor-associated hypoxia while allowing cell infiltration and cancer-immune cell interactions. Herein, hypoxia-inducing cryogels (HICs) have been engineered using hyaluronic acid (HA) to fabricate three-dimensional microtissues and model a hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Specifically, tumor cell-laden HICs have been designed to deplete O2 locally and induce long-standing hypoxia. HICs promoted changes in hypoxia-responsive gene expression and phenotype, a metabolic adaptation to anaerobic glycolysis, and chemotherapy resistance. Additionally, HIC-supported tumor models induced dendritic cell (DC) inhibition, revealing a phenotypic change in the plasmacytoid DC (pDC) subset and an impaired conventional DC (cDC) response in hypoxia. Lastly, our HIC-based melanoma model induced CD8+ T cell inhibition, a condition associated with the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, increased expression of immunomodulatory factors, and decreased degranulation and cytotoxic capacity of T cells. Overall, these data suggest that HICs can be used as a tool to model solid-like tumor microenvironments and has great potential to deepen our understanding of cancer-immune cell relationship in low O2 conditions and may pave the way for developing more effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Colombani
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Zachary J. Rogers
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Khushbu Bhatt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - James Sinoimeri
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Lauren Gerbereux
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | | | - Sidi A. Bencherif
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States
- Biomechanics and Bioengineering (BMBI), UTC CNRS UMR 7338, University of Technology of Compiègne, Sorbonne University, 60203 Compiègne, France
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Giraulo C, Turiello R, Orlando L, Leonardelli S, Landsberg J, Belvedere R, Rolshoven G, Müller CE, Hölzel M, Morello S. The CD73 is induced by TGF-β1 triggered by nutrient deprivation and highly expressed in dedifferentiated human melanoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115225. [PMID: 37517292 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115225] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
CD73 is the key enzyme in the generation of extracellular adenosine, a mediator involved in tumor progression, tumor immune escape and resistance to anti-cancer therapeutics. Microenvironmental conditions influence the expression of CD73 in tumor cells. However how CD73 expression and activity is regulated in a stress condition of lower nutrient availability are largely unknown. Our results indicate that serum starvation leads to a marked up-regulation of CD73 expression on A375 melanoma cells in a time-dependent manner. The cell-surface expression of CD73 is associated with an increased release of TGF-β1 by starved cells. Blockade of TGF-β1 receptors or TGFβ/SMAD3 signaling pathway significantly reduce the expression of CD73 induced by starvation. Treatment of cells with rTGF-β1 up-regulates the expression of CD73 in a concentration-dependent manner, confirming the role of this pathway in regulating CD73 in melanoma A375 cells. The increased expression of CD73 is associated with enhanced AMPase activity, which is selectively reduced by inhibitors of CD73 activity, APCP and PSB-12489. Pharmacological blockade of CD73 significantly inhibits invasion of melanoma cells in a transwell system. Furthermore, using multiplex immunofluorescence imaging we found that, within human melanoma metastases, tumor cells at the dedifferentiated stage show the highest CD73 protein expression. In summary, our data provide new insights into the mechanism regulating the expression/activity of CD73 in melanoma cells in a condition of lower availability of nutrients, which is a common feature of the tumor microenvironment. Within human metastatic melanoma tissues elevated protein expression of CD73 is associated with an invasive-like phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Giraulo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Roberta Turiello
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lavinia Orlando
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy; PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Sonia Leonardelli
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jennifer Landsberg
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Georg Rolshoven
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christa E Müller
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Silvana Morello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy.
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Bendell J, LoRusso P, Overman M, Noonan AM, Kim DW, Strickler JH, Kim SW, Clarke S, George TJ, Grimison PS, Barve M, Amin M, Desai J, Wise-Draper T, Eck S, Jiang Y, Khan AA, Wu Y, Martin P, Cooper ZA, Elgeioushi N, Mueller N, Kumar R, Patel SP. First-in-human study of oleclumab, a potent, selective anti-CD73 monoclonal antibody, alone or in combination with durvalumab in patients with advanced solid tumors. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:2443-2458. [PMID: 37016126 PMCID: PMC10264501 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03430-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD73 upregulation in tumors leads to local immunosuppression. This phase I, first-in-human study evaluated oleclumab (MEDI9447), an anti-CD73 human IgG1λ monoclonal antibody, alone or with durvalumab in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), or epidermal growth factor receptor-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS Patients received oleclumab 5-40 mg/kg (dose-escalation) or 40 mg/kg (dose-expansion) intravenously every 2 weeks (Q2W), alone (escalation only) or with durvalumab 10 mg/kg intravenously Q2W. RESULTS 192 patients were enrolled, 66 during escalation and 126 (42 CRC, 42 PDAC, 42 NSCLC) during expansion. No dose-limiting toxicities occurred during escalation. In the monotherapy and combination therapy escalation cohorts, treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 55 and 54%, respectively, the most common being fatigue (17 and 25%). In the CRC, PDAC, and NSCLC expansion cohorts, 60, 57, and 45% of patients had TRAEs, respectively; the most common were fatigue (15%), diarrhea (9%), and rash (7%). Free soluble CD73 and CD73 expression on peripheral T cells and tumor cells showed sustained decreases, accompanied by reduced CD73 enzymatic activity in tumor cells. Objective response rate during escalation was 0%. Response rates in the CRC, PDAC, and NSCLC expansion cohorts were 2.4% (1 complete response [CR]), 4.8% (1 CR, 1 partial response [PR]), and 9.5% (4 PRs), respectively; 6-month progression-free survival rates were 5.4, 13.2, and 16.0%. CONCLUSIONS Oleclumab ± durvalumab had a manageable safety profile, with pharmacodynamic activity reflecting oleclumab's mechanism of action. Evidence of antitumor activity was observed in tumor types that are generally immunotherapy resistant. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02503774; date of registration, July 17, 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Bendell
- Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland.
| | | | - Michael Overman
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anne M Noonan
- Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Dong-Wan Kim
- Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | | | - Stephen Clarke
- Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas J George
- University of Florida Health Cancer Center, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Minal Barve
- Mary Crowley Cancer Research, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Manik Amin
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Jayesh Desai
- Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | - Yu Jiang
- AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sandip Pravin Patel
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
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9
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Gonzalez-Melero L, Hernandez RM, Santos-Vizcaino E, Igartua M. Tumour-derived extracellular vesicle based vaccines for melanoma treatment. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2023; 13:1520-1542. [PMID: 37022605 PMCID: PMC10102154 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01328-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
The interest of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cancer immunotherapy is increasing every day. EVs are lipid bilayer vesicles released by most cells, which contain the molecular signature of their parent cell. Melanoma-derived EVs present antigens specific to this aggressive type of cancer, but they also exert immunomodulatory and pro-metastatic activity. Until now, most reviews focus on the immunoevasive characteristics of tumour-derived EVs, but do not help to overcome the issues related to them. In this review, we describe isolation methods of EVs from melanoma patients and most interesting markers to oversee their effect if they are used as antigen carriers. We also discuss the methods developed so far to overcome the lack of immunogenicity of melanoma-derived EVs, which includes EV modification or adjuvant co-administration. In summary, we conclude that EVs can be an interesting antigen source for immunotherapy development once EV obtaining is optimised and the understanding of the mechanisms behind their multiple effects is further understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Gonzalez-Melero
- NanoBioCel Research Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Rosa Maria Hernandez
- NanoBioCel Research Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Edorta Santos-Vizcaino
- NanoBioCel Research Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - Manoli Igartua
- NanoBioCel Research Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
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10
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Bemidinezhad A, Mirzavi F, Gholamhosseinian H, Gheybi F, Soukhtanloo M. Gold-containing liposomes and glucose-coated gold nanoparticles enhances the radiosensitivity of B16F0 melanoma cells via increasing apoptosis and ROS production. Life Sci 2023; 318:121495. [PMID: 36780937 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121495] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
AIM To increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy, metals with high Z number are used as radiosensitizers. In this regard, the effectiveness of various gold nanoparticles as radiosensitizer has been proven. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of liposomes containing gold ions (Gold-Lips) and glucose-coated gold nanoparticles (Glu-GNPs) on radiation sensitivity of B16F0 melanoma cells. MAIN METHODS Naked GNPs, Glu-GNPs and Gold-Lips were synthesized and their physicochemical properties were evaluated using DLS. The cytotoxicity and sensitivity of the nanoparticles to radiation were evaluated using MTT and colony formation assay, respectively. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the apoptotic effect of nanoparticles on B16F0 cells. The intracellular ROS levels and mRNA expression of Bax, Bcl-2, p53, Caspase-3, and Caspase-7 genes were also evaluated. Finally, caspase 3/7 activity was determined using a luminescence assay kit. KEY FINDINGS The results revealed that GNPs, Glu-GNPs, and Gold-Lips had a desired size and zeta potential. Results from the colony assay showed that the all non-toxic concentrations of Gold-Lips significantly increased cell death in B16F0 cells compared with the Glu-GNPs (p > 0.05). Flow cytometry and Caspase-3/-7 activity confirmed the results of the colony assay and showed that increasing the sensitivity of cells to radiation increases apoptosis. Moreover, we found that Gold-Lips increased the mRNA expression of p53, Bax, and Caspase-3/-7, and decreased the Bcl-2 mRNA expression. SIGNIFICANCE Overall, both Gold-Lips and Glu-GNPs enhanced the radiosensitivity of B16F0 cells, however, Gold-Lips had better effects, which could make them a promising tools in cancer radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abolfazl Bemidinezhad
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farshad Mirzavi
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Gheybi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Soukhtanloo
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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11
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Liu W, Yu X, Yuan Y, Feng Y, Wu C, Huang C, Xie P, Li S, Li X, Wang Z, Qi L, Chen Y, Shi L, Li MJ, Huang Z, Tang B, Chang A, Hao J. CD73, a Promising Therapeutic Target of Diclofenac, Promotes Metastasis of Pancreatic Cancer through a Nucleotidase Independent Mechanism. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206335. [PMID: 36563135 PMCID: PMC9951332 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
CD73, a cell surface-bound nucleotidase, facilitates extracellular adenosine formation by hydrolyzing 5'-AMP to adenosine. Several studies have shown that CD73 plays an essential role in immune escape, cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis, making it an attractive target for cancer therapies. However, there are limited clinical benefits associated with the mainstream enzymatic inhibitors of CD73, suggesting that the mechanism underlying the role of CD73 in tumor progression is more complex than anticipated, and further investigation is necessary. In this study, CD73 is found to overexpress in the cytoplasm of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells and promotes metastasis in a nucleotidase-independent manner, which cannot be restrained by the CD73 monoclonal antibodies or small-molecule enzymatic inhibitors. Furthermore, CD73 promotes the metastasis of PDAC by binding to the E3 ligase TRIM21, competing with the Snail for its binding site. Additionally, a CD73 transcriptional inhibitor, diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is more effective than the CD73 blocking antibody for the treatment of PDAC metastasis. Diclofenac also enhances the therapeutic efficacy of gemcitabine in the spontaneous KPC (LSL-KrasG12D/+ , LSL-Trp53R172H/+ , and Pdx-1-Cre) pancreatic cancer model. Therefore, diclofenac may be an effective anti-CD73 therapy, when used alone or in combination with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy regimen, for metastatic PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weishuai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
| | - Xiaozhou Yu
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
| | - Yudong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
| | - Yixing Feng
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
| | - Chao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
| | - Chongbiao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
| | - Peng Xie
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
| | - Shengnan Li
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
| | - Ziyang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
| | - Lisha Qi
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
| | - Yanan Chen
- School of MedicineNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
| | - Lei Shi
- Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin300070China
| | | | - Zhiyong Huang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology Chinese Academy of SciencesTianjin300308China
| | - Bo Tang
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
| | - Antao Chang
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
| | - Jihui Hao
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
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12
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Colombani T, Rogers ZJ, Bhatt K, Sinoimeri J, Gerbereux L, Hamrangsekachaee M, Bencherif SA. Hypoxia-inducing cryogels uncover key cancer-immune cell interactions in an oxygen-deficient tumor microenvironment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.10.523477. [PMID: 36711715 PMCID: PMC9882080 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.10.523477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia, an important feature of solid tumors, is a major factor shaping the immune landscape, and several cancer models have been developed to emulate hypoxic tumors. However, to date, they still have several limitations, such as the lack of reproducibility, inadequate biophysical cues, limited immune cell infiltration, and poor oxygen (O 2 ) control, leading to non-pathophysiological tumor responses. As a result, it is essential to develop new and improved cancer models that mimic key features of the tumor extracellular matrix and recreate tumor-associated hypoxia while allowing cell infiltration and cancer-immune cell interactions. Herein, hypoxia-inducing cryogels (HICs) have been engineered using hyaluronic acid (HA) as macroporous scaffolds to fabricate three-dimensional microtissues and model a hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Specifically, tumor cell-laden HICs have been designed to deplete O 2 locally and induce long-standing hypoxia. This state of low oxygen tension, leading to HIF-1α stabilization in tumor cells, resulted in changes in hypoxia-responsive gene expression and phenotype, a metabolic adaptation to anaerobic glycolysis, and chemotherapy resistance. Additionally, HIC-supported tumor models induced dendritic cell (DC) inhibition, revealing a phenotypic change in plasmacytoid B220 + DC (pDC) subset and an impaired conventional B220 - DC (cDC) response in hypoxia. Lastly, our HIC-based melanoma model induced CD8+ T cell inhibition, a condition associated with the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, increased expression of immunomodulatory factors, and decreased degranulation and cytotoxic capacity of T cells. Overall, these data suggest that HICs can be used as a tool to model solid-like tumor microenvironments and identify a phenotypic transition from cDC to pDC in hypoxia and the key contribution of HA in retaining cDC phenotype and inducing their hypoxia-mediated immunosuppression. This technology has great potential to deepen our understanding of the complex relationships between cancer and immune cells in low O 2 conditions and may pave the way for developing more effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Colombani
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Zachary J. Rogers
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Khushbu Bhatt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - James Sinoimeri
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Lauren Gerbereux
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Mohammad Hamrangsekachaee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Sidi A. Bencherif
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States of America
- Biomechanics and Bioengineering (BMBI), UTC CNRS UMR 7338, University of Technology of Compiègne, Sorbonne University, 60203 Compiègne, France
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13
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Wu Y, Yang Z, Cheng K, Bi H, Chen J. Small molecule-based immunomodulators for cancer therapy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:4287-4308. [PMID: 36562003 PMCID: PMC9764074 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has led to a paradigm shift in the treatment of cancer. Current cancer immunotherapies are mostly antibody-based, thus possessing advantages in regard to pharmacodynamics (e.g., specificity and efficacy). However, they have limitations in terms of pharmacokinetics including long half-lives, poor tissue/tumor penetration, and little/no oral bioavailability. In addition, therapeutic antibodies are immunogenic, thus may cause unwanted adverse effects. Therefore, researchers have shifted their efforts towards the development of small molecule-based cancer immunotherapy, as small molecules may overcome the above disadvantages associated with antibodies. Further, small molecule-based immunomodulators and therapeutic antibodies are complementary modalities for cancer treatment, and may be combined to elicit synergistic effects. Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of small molecule-based cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we describe the current progress in small molecule-based immunomodulators (inhibitors/agonists/degraders) for cancer therapy, including those targeting PD-1/PD-L1, chemokine receptors, stimulator of interferon genes (STING), Toll-like receptor (TLR), etc. The tumorigenesis mechanism of various targets and their respective modulators that have entered clinical trials are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kui Cheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Huichang Bi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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14
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Guo S, Han F, Zhu W. CD39 - A bright target for cancer immunotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 151:113066. [PMID: 35550530 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The ATP-adenosine pathway functions as a key modulator of innate and adaptive immunity within the tumor microenvironment, and cancer immune evasion largely involves the generation of high amounts of immunosuppressive extracellular adenosine (eADO). Consequently, inhibition of eADO-generating enzymes and/or eADO receptors can effectively restore the antitumor immunity of multiple immune cells. With several clinical strategies currently being explored to modulating the eADO pathway in patients with cancer, recent clinical data with antagonists targeting CD73 and A2A receptor have demonstrated a promising therapeutic potential in cancer. Recent findings reveal that the ectonucleotidase CD39, the limiting enzyme been viewed as "immunological switch", converts ATP-driven pro-inflammatory milieu to an anti-inflammatory state mediated by adenosine. Owing to its superior feature of CD39 antagonism that rely not only on preventing the accumulation of adenosine but also on the stabilization of extracellular ATP to restore antitumor immunity, several inhibitors and clinical trials based on CD39 are being evaluated. Consequently, there is currently a focus on understanding the role of CD39 in governing immunity and how therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway alter the antitumor potential. We herein review the impact of CD39 on tumor microenvironment with a focus on treatment preference. Additionally, we also discuss the implication for rational combination therapies, molecular regulation, as well as potential limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwei Guo
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fengfeng Han
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.
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15
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Soleimani A, Mirzavi F, Nikoofal-Sahlabadi S, Nikpoor AR, Taghizadeh B, Barati M, Soukhtanloo M, Jaafari MR. CD73 downregulation by EGFR-targeted liposomal CD73 siRNA potentiates antitumor effect of liposomal doxorubicin in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10423. [PMID: 35729230 PMCID: PMC9213518 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14392-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Blocking CD73 ectonucleotidase has been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. The present study aimed to investigate the antitumor effect of a novel EGFR-Targeted liposomal CD73 siRNA formulation in combination therapy with liposomal doxorubicin in the 4T1 mouse model. CD73 siRNA was encapsulated into nanoliposomes by the ethanol injection method. After preparation, characterization, morphology, and stability evaluation of formulations, the toxicity was measured by MTT assay. Uptake assay and efficiency of the liposomal formulations were investigated on the 4T1 cell line. The liposomal formulation containing CD73 siRNA was targeted with GE11 peptide for in vivo evaluations. Following biodistribution analysis, the antitumor activity of prepared formulations in combination with liposomal doxorubicin was studied in mice bearing 4T1 metastatic breast cancer cells. Finally, the induction of immune response of formulations in concomitant treatment with liposomal doxorubicin was evaluated in the tumor microenvironment of a mouse model of breast cancer. The size of prepared liposomal formulations at N/P = 16 for the liposomal CD73 siRNA and GE11-liposomal CD73 siRNA groups were 89 nm ± 4.4 and 95 nm ± 6.6, respectively. The nanoparticle's PDI was less than 0.3 and their surface charge was below 10 mV. The results demonstrated that N/P = 16 yielded the best encapsulation efficiency which was 94% ± 3.3. AFM results showed that the liposomes were spherical in shape and were less than 100 nm in size. The results of the MTT assay showed significant toxicity of the liposomes containing CD73 siRNA during the 48-h cell culture. Real-time PCR and flow cytometry results showed that liposomes containing CD73 siRNA could effectively downregulate CD73 expression. Liposomal formulations were able to significantly downregulate CD73 gene expression, in vivo. However, CD73 downregulation efficiency was significantly higher for the targeted form compared to the non-targeted formulation (P value < 0.01). The combination showed maximum tumor growth delay with remarkable survival improvement compared to the control group. Studying the immune responses in the treatment groups which received doxorubicin, showed decreased number of lymphocytes in the tumor environment. However, this decrease was lower in the combination therapy group. Finally, our results clearly showed that CD73 downregulation increases the activity of CD8+ lymphocytes (IFN-ℽ production) and also significantly decreases the Foxp3 in the CD25+ lymphocytes compared to the control group. GE11-Lipo CD73 siRNA formulation can efficiently knockdown CD73 ectonucleotidase. Also, the efficacy of liposomal doxorubicin is significantly enhanced via the downregulation of CD73 ectonucleotidase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anvar Soleimani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farshad Mirzavi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sara Nikoofal-Sahlabadi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Amin Reza Nikpoor
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Bita Taghizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Barati
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Soukhtanloo
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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16
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Wildner NH, Walker A, Brauneck F, Ditt V, Peine S, Huber S, Haag F, Beisel C, Timm J, Schulze zur Wiesch J. Transcriptional Pattern Analysis of Virus-Specific CD8+ T Cells in Hepatitis C Infection: Increased Expression of TOX and Eomesodermin During and After Persistent Antigen Recognition. Front Immunol 2022; 13:886646. [PMID: 35734162 PMCID: PMC9207347 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.886646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box (TOX) has been described to be a key regulator in the formation of CD8+ T cell exhaustion. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with different lengths of antigen exposure in acute, chronic, and after resolution of HCV infection is the ideal immunological model to study the expression of TOX in HCV-specific CD8+ T cells with different exposure to antigen. HCV-specific CD8+ T cells from 35 HLA-A*01:01, HLA-A*02:01, and HLA-A*24:02 positive patients were analyzed with a 16-color FACS-panel evaluating the surface expression of lineage markers (CD3, CD8), ectoenzymes (CD39, CD73), markers of differentiation (CD45RO, CCR7, CD127), and markers of exhaustion and activation (TIGIT, PD-1, KLRG1, CD226) and transcription factors (TOX, Eomesodermin, T-bet). Here, we defined on-target T cells as T cells against epitopes without escape mutations and off-target T cells as those against a "historical" antigen mutated in the autologous sequence. TOX+HCV-specific CD8+ T cells from patients with chronic HCV and on-target T cells displayed co-expression of Eomesodermin and were associated with the formation of terminally exhausted CD127-PD1hi, CD39hi, CD73low CD8+ T cells. In contrast, TOX+HCV-specific CD8+ T cells in patients with off-target T cells represented a progenitor memory Tex phenotype characterized by CD127hi expression and a CD39low and CD73hi phenotype. TOX+HCV-specified CD8+ T cells in patients with a sustained virologic response were characterized by a memory phenotype (CD127+, CD73hi) and co-expression of immune checkpoints and Eomesodermin, indicating a key structure in priming of HCV-specific CD8+ T cells in the chronic stage, which persisted as a residual after therapy. Overall, the occurrence of TOX+HCV-specific CD8+ T cells was revealed at each disease stage, which impacted the development of progenitor Tex, intermediate Tex, and terminally exhausted T cell through an individual molecular footprint. In sum, TOX is induced early during acute infection but is modulated by changes in viral sequence and antigen recognition. In the case of antigen persistence, the interaction with Eomesodermin leads to the formation of terminally exhausted virus-specific CD8+ T cells, and there was a direct correlation of the co-expression of TOX and Eomes and terminally exhausted phenotype of virus-specific CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils H. Wildner
- I. Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Walker
- Institute of Virology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Franziska Brauneck
- II. Department of Medicine, Center for Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Vanessa Ditt
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Peine
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Samuel Huber
- I. Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Friedrich Haag
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Diagnostics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Beisel
- I. Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joerg Timm
- Institute of Virology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julian Schulze zur Wiesch
- I. Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
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17
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Understanding Molecular Mechanisms of Phenotype Switching and Crosstalk with TME to Reveal New Vulnerabilities of Melanoma. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071157. [PMID: 35406721 PMCID: PMC8997563 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma cells are notorious for their high plasticity and ability to switch back and forth between various melanoma cell states, enabling the adaptation to sub-optimal conditions and therapeutics. This phenotypic plasticity, which has gained more attention in cancer research, is proposed as a new paradigm for melanoma progression. In this review, we provide a detailed and deep comprehensive recapitulation of the complex spectrum of phenotype switching in melanoma, the key regulator factors, the various and new melanoma states, and corresponding signatures. We also present an extensive description of the role of epigenetic modifications (chromatin remodeling, methylation, and activities of long non-coding RNAs/miRNAs) and metabolic rewiring in the dynamic switch. Furthermore, we elucidate the main role of the crosstalk between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and oxidative stress in the regulation of the phenotype switching. Finally, we discuss in detail several rational therapeutic approaches, such as exploiting phenotype-specific and metabolic vulnerabilities and targeting components and signals of the TME, to improve the response of melanoma patients to treatments.
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18
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Colombani T, Eggermont LJ, Hatfield SM, Rogers ZJ, Rezaeeyazdi M, Memic A, Sitkovsky MV, Bencherif SA. Oxygen-Generating Cryogels Restore T Cell Mediated Cytotoxicity in Hypoxic Tumors. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2021; 31:2102234. [PMID: 37745940 PMCID: PMC10516343 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202102234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Solid tumors are protected from antitumor immune responses due to their hypoxic microenvironments. Weakening hypoxia-driven immunosuppression by hyperoxic breathing of 60% oxygen has shown to be effective in unleashing antitumor immune cells against solid tumors. However, efficacy of systemic oxygenation is limited against solid tumors outside of lungs and has been associated with unwanted side effects. As a result, it is essential to develop targeted oxygenation alternatives to weaken tumor hypoxia as novel approaches to restore immune responses against cancer. Herein, we report on injectable oxygen-generating cryogels (O2-cryogels) to reverse tumor-induced hypoxia. These macroporous biomaterials were designed to locally deliver oxygen, inhibit the expression of hypoxia-inducible genes in hypoxic melanoma cells, and reduce the accumulation of immunosuppressive extracellular adenosine. Our data show that O2-cryogels enhance T cell-mediated secretion of cytotoxic proteins, restoring the killing ability of tumor-specific CTLs, both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, O2-cryogels provide a unique and safe platform to supply oxygen as a co-adjuvant in hypoxic tumors and have the potential to improve cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Colombani
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Loek J. Eggermont
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stephen M. Hatfield
- New England Inflammation and Tissue Protection Institute, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zachary J. Rogers
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Adnan Memic
- Center of Nanotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Makkah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Michail V. Sitkovsky
- New England Inflammation and Tissue Protection Institute, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sidi A. Bencherif
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Biomechanics and Bioengineering (BMBI), UTC CNRS UMR 7338, University of Technology of Compiègne, Sorbonne University, 60203 Compiègne, France
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Brauneck F, Haag F, Woost R, Wildner N, Tolosa E, Rissiek A, Vohwinkel G, Wellbrock J, Bokemeyer C, Schulze zur Wiesch J, Ackermann C, Fiedler W. Increased frequency of TIGIT +CD73-CD8 + T cells with a TOX + TCF-1low profile in patients with newly diagnosed and relapsed AML. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1930391. [PMID: 34211801 PMCID: PMC8218695 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.1930391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The inhibitory receptor TIGIT, as well as theectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 constitute potential exhaustion markers for T cells. Detailed analysis of these markers can shed light into dysregulation of the T-cell response in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and will help to identify potential therapeutic targets. The phenotype and expression of transcription factors was assessed on different T-cell populations derived from peripheral blood (PB, n = 38) and bone marrow (BM, n = 43). PB and BM from patients with AML diagnosis, in remission and at relapse were compared with PB from healthy volunteers (HD) (n = 12) using multiparameter flow cytometry. An increased frequency of terminally differentiated (CD45R-CCR7-)CD8+ T cells was detected in PB and BM regardless of the disease state. Moreover, we detected an increased frequency of two distinct T-cell populations characterized by the co-expression of PD-1 or CD39 on TIGIT+CD73-CD8+ T cells in newly diagnosed and relapsed AML in comparison to HDs. In contrast to the PD-1+TIGIT+CD73-CD8+ T-cell population, the frequency of CD39+TIGIT+CD73-CD8+ T cells was normalized in remission. PD-1+- and CD39+TIGIT+CD73-CD8+ T cells exhibited additional features of exhaustion by decreased expression of CD127 and TCF-1 and increased intracellular expression of the transcription factor TOX. CD8+ T cells in AML exhibit a key signature of two subpopulations, PD-1+TOX+TIGIT+CD73-CD8+- and CD39+TOX+TIGIT+CD73-CD8+ T cells that were increased at different stages of the disease. These results provide a rationale to analyze TIGIT blockade in combination with inhibition of the purinergic signaling and depletion of TOX to improve T-cell mediated cytotoxicity in AML. Abbreviations: AML: Acute myeloid leukemia; pAML: newly diagnosed AML; rAML: relapse AML; lrAML: AML in remission; HD: healthy donor; PB: peripheral blood; BM: bone marrow; TIGIT: T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains; PD-1: Programmed cell death protein 1; CD73: ecto-5'-nucleotidase; CD39: ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1; ATP: adenosine triphosphate; ADO: adenosine; CD127: interleukin-7 receptor; CAR-T cell: chimeric antigen receptor T cell; TCF-1: transcription factor T-cell factor 1; TOX: Thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box protein; NFAT: nuclear factor of activated T cells; NA: Naïve; CM: Central Memory; EM Effector Memory; EMRA: Terminal Effector Memory cells; FMO: Fluorescence minus one; PVR: poliovirus receptor; PVRL2: poliovirus receptor-related 2; IFN-γ: Interferon-γ; IL-2: interleukin-2; MCF: multiparametric flow cytometry; TNFα: Tumornekrosefaktor α; RT: room temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Brauneck
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - F Haag
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - R. Woost
- Infectious Diseases Unit, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - N. Wildner
- Infectious Diseases Unit, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - E. Tolosa
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - A. Rissiek
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - G. Vohwinkel
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - J. Wellbrock
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - C. Bokemeyer
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - J. Schulze zur Wiesch
- Infectious Diseases Unit, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - C. Ackermann
- Infectious Diseases Unit, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - W. Fiedler
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Mirzavi F, Barati M, Soleimani A, Vakili-Ghartavol R, Jaafari MR, Soukhtanloo M. A review on liposome-based therapeutic approaches against malignant melanoma. Int J Pharm 2021; 599:120413. [PMID: 33667562 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is a highly aggressive form of skin cancer with a very poor prognosis and excessive resistance to current conventional treatments. Recently, the application of the liposomal delivery system in the management of skin melanoma has been widely investigated. Liposomal nanocarriers are biocompatible and less toxic to host cells, enabling the efficient and safe delivery of different therapeutic agents into the tumor site and further promoting their antitumor activities. Therefore, the liposomal delivery system effectively increases the success of current melanoma therapies and overcomes resistance. In this review, we present an overview of liposome-based targeted drug delivery methods and highlight recent advances towards the development of liposome-based carriers for therapeutic genes. We also discuss the new insights regarding the efficacy and clinical significance of combinatorial treatment of liposomal formulations with immunotherapy and conventional therapies in melanoma patients for a better understanding and successfully managing cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farshad Mirzavi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mehdi Barati
- Department of Medical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Anvar Soleimani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Roghayyeh Vakili-Ghartavol
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Soukhtanloo
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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