1
|
Suzuki Y, Sato T, Sugimori M, Kanemaru Y, Onodera S, Tsuchiya H, Nakamori Y, Tsuyuki S, Ikeda A, Ikeda R, Goda Y, Kaneko H, Irie K, Sue S, Maeda S. Activation of STING in pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts exerts an antitumor effect by enhancing tumor immunity. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17071. [PMID: 39048609 PMCID: PMC11269671 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68061-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a high mortality rate; therefore, the development of effective treatments is a priority. The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway enhances tumor immunity by inducing the production of type 1 interferon (IFN) and proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and promoting the infiltration of cytotoxic T cells. To assess the function of STING on pancreatic tumorigenesis, Ptf1aER-Cre/+ LSL-KrasG12D/+ p53loxP/loxP mice (KPC mice) and Ptf1aER-Cre/+ LSL-KrasG12D/+ p53loxP/loxP/STING-/- mice (KPCS mice) were generated. However, STING deletion did not affect pancreatic tumorigenesis in mice. Because STING is expressed not only in immune cells but also in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), we evaluated the STING function in PDAC CAFs. A mouse STING agonist 5,6-Dimethyl-9-oxo-9H-xanthene-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) was administered to KPC mice and CAFs from KPC mice and the resulting immune response was evaluated. DMXAA activated STING in PDAC CAFs in KPC mice, promoting cytotoxic T cell infiltration by secreting proinflammatory cytokines and enhancing tumor immunity. We next generated STING-deficient PDAC cells and subcutaneous tumors in which STING was expressed only in CAFs by performing bone marrow transplantation and assessed the antitumor effect of STING-activated CAFs. The administration of DMXAA to subcutaneous tumors expressing STING only in CAFs sustained the antitumor effect of DMXAA. About half of human PDACs lacked STING expression in the cancer stroma, suggesting that STING activation in PDAC CAFs exerts an antitumor effect, and STING agonists can be more effective in tumors with high than in those with low STING expression in the stroma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshimasa Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9, Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Takeshi Sato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9, Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Makoto Sugimori
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yushi Kanemaru
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9, Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Sho Onodera
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9, Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hiromi Tsuchiya
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Nakamori
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Sho Tsuyuki
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Aya Ikeda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9, Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Ikeda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9, Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Goda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9, Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9, Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Kuniyasu Irie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9, Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Soichiro Sue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9, Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Shin Maeda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9, Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Malli Cetinbas N, Monnell T, Soomer-James J, Shaw P, Lancaster K, Catcott KC, Dolan M, Mosher R, Routhier C, Chin CN, Toader D, Duvall J, Bukhalid R, Lowinger TB, Damelin M. Tumor cell-directed STING agonist antibody-drug conjugates induce type III interferons and anti-tumor innate immune responses. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5842. [PMID: 38992037 PMCID: PMC11239908 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49932-4] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Activating interferon responses with STING agonists (STINGa) is a current cancer immunotherapy strategy, and therapeutic modalities that enable tumor-targeted delivery via systemic administration could be beneficial. Here we demonstrate that tumor cell-directed STING agonist antibody-drug-conjugates (STINGa ADCs) activate STING in tumor cells and myeloid cells and induce anti-tumor innate immune responses in in vitro, in vivo (in female mice), and ex vivo tumor models. We show that the tumor cell-directed STINGa ADCs are internalized into myeloid cells by Fcγ-receptor-I in a tumor antigen-dependent manner. Systemic administration of STINGa ADCs in mice leads to STING activation in tumors, with increased anti-tumor activity and reduced serum cytokine elevations compared to a free STING agonist. Furthermore, STINGa ADCs induce type III interferons, which contribute to the anti-tumor activity by upregulating type I interferon and other key chemokines/cytokines. These findings reveal an important role for type III interferons in the anti-tumor activity elicited by STING agonism and provide rationale for the clinical development of tumor cell-directed STINGa ADCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pamela Shaw
- Mersana Therapeutics Inc. Cambridge MA, Cambridge, USA
| | | | | | - Melissa Dolan
- Mersana Therapeutics Inc. Cambridge MA, Cambridge, USA
| | | | | | - Chen-Ni Chin
- Mersana Therapeutics Inc. Cambridge MA, Cambridge, USA
| | - Dorin Toader
- Mersana Therapeutics Inc. Cambridge MA, Cambridge, USA
| | - Jeremy Duvall
- Mersana Therapeutics Inc. Cambridge MA, Cambridge, USA
| | | | | | - Marc Damelin
- Mersana Therapeutics Inc. Cambridge MA, Cambridge, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Farhangnia P, Khorramdelazad H, Nickho H, Delbandi AA. Current and future immunotherapeutic approaches in pancreatic cancer treatment. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:40. [PMID: 38835055 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01561-6] [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: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death, but despondently, the outlook and prognosis for this resistant type of tumor have remained grim for a long time. Currently, it is extremely challenging to prevent or detect it early enough for effective treatment because patients rarely exhibit symptoms and there are no reliable indicators for detection. Most patients have advanced or spreading cancer that is difficult to treat, and treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can only slightly prolong their life by a few months. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of pancreatic cancer, yet its effectiveness is limited by the tumor's immunosuppressive and hard-to-reach microenvironment. First, this article explains the immunosuppressive microenvironment of pancreatic cancer and highlights a wide range of immunotherapy options, including therapies involving oncolytic viruses, modified T cells (T-cell receptor [TCR]-engineered and chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] T-cell therapy), CAR natural killer cell therapy, cytokine-induced killer cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors, immunomodulators, cancer vaccines, and strategies targeting myeloid cells in the context of contemporary knowledge and future trends. Lastly, it discusses the main challenges ahead of pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pooya Farhangnia
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Khorramdelazad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Hamid Nickho
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali-Akbar Delbandi
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhou S, Wang Z, Zhao D, Fu Y, Zhang S, Wang Z, Zou X. HHLA2 deficiency inhibits pancreatic cancer progression and THP-1 macrophage M2 polarization via EGFR/MAPK/ERK and mTOR/AKT pathway. World J Surg Oncol 2024; 22:133. [PMID: 38762741 PMCID: PMC11102221 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-024-03409-2] [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: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human endogenous retrovirus subfamily H long terminal repeat associating protein 2, (HHLA2), a member of B7 family, exhibits heightened expression in various malignant tumors. However, the exact functions of HHLA2 in pancreatic cancer (PC) remain incompletely elucidated. METHODS We initially conducted an analysis of the B7 family members' expression pattern in pancreatic tumor samples and adjacent normal tissues using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Subsequently, immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR and western blot methods were used to assess HHLA2 expression levels in PC tissues and cell lines. Furthermore, after silencing HHLA2 in PC cell lines, cell migration and proliferation of PC cells were detected by wound healing and CCK-8 assays, and cell invasion of PC cells was detected by transwell assays. We also investigated the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and levels of EGFR, MEK, ERK1/2, mTOR and AKT via western blot analysis. Finally, the correlation between HHLA2 expression and immune infiltration was further explored. RESULTS Silencing of HHLA2 resulted in the inhibition of PC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, potentially through the suppression of the EGFR/MAPK/ERK and mTOR/AKT signaling pathway. Additionally, silencing HHLA2 led to the inhibition of M2-type polarization of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs). CONCLUSION The knockdown of HHLA2 was observed to inhibit the migration and invasion of PC cells through the regulation of the EMT process and EGFR/MAPK/ERK and mTOR/AKT pathway. Furthermore, silencing HHLA2 was found to modulate M2 polarization of TAMs. These finding suggest that HHLA2 could be a promising therapeutic target for Pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Jiangsu University, No.321, Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Zhangding Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Dian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yao Fu
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Jiangsu University, No.321, Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China.
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Zhiping Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, No.99, Huaihai West Road, Xuzhou, 221000, China.
| | - Xiaoping Zou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Jiangsu University, No.321, Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China.
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wei H, Ren H. Precision treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 585:216636. [PMID: 38278471 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216636] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly heterogeneous tumor comprising pancreatic cancer cells, fibroblasts, immune cells, vascular epithelial cells, and other cells in the mesenchymal tissue. PDAC is difficult to treat because of the complexity of the tissue components; therefore, achieving therapeutic effects with a single therapeutic method or target is problematic. Recently, precision therapy has provided new directions and opportunities for treating PDAC using genetic information from an individual's disease to guide treatment. It selects and applies appropriate therapeutic methods for each patient, with an aim to minimize medical damage and costs, while maximizing patient benefits. Molecular targeted therapy is effective in most clinical studies; however, it has been ineffective in large-scale randomized controlled trials of PDAC, mainly because the enrolled populations were not stratified on a molecular basis. Molecular stratification allows the identification of the PDAC population being treated, optimizing therapeutic effect. However, a systematic review of precision therapies for patients with highly heterogeneous PDAC backgrounds has not been conducted. Here, we review the molecular background and current potential therapeutic targets related to PDAC and provide new directions for PDAC precision therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyun Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266003, China; Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Center of Tumor Immunology and Cytotherapy, Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266003, China.
| | - He Ren
- Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Center of Tumor Immunology and Cytotherapy, Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266003, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Moshnikova A, DuPont M, Iraca M, Klumpp C, Visca H, Allababidi D, Pelzer P, Engelman DM, Andreev OA, Reshetnyak YK. Targeted intracellular delivery of dimeric STINGa by two pHLIP peptides for treatment of solid tumors. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1346756. [PMID: 38495104 PMCID: PMC10940318 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1346756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: We have developed a delivery approach that uses two pHLIP peptides that collaborate in the targeted intracellular delivery of a single payload, dimeric STINGa (dMSA). Methods: dMSA was conjugated with two pHLIP peptides via S-S cleavable self-immolating linkers to form 2pHLIP-dMSA. Results: Biophysical studies were carried out to confirm pH-triggered interactions of the 2pHLIP-dMSA with membrane lipid bilayers. The kinetics of linker self-immolation and dMSA release, the pharmacokinetics, the binding to plasma proteins, the stability of the agent in plasma, the targeting and resulting cytokine activation in tumors, and the biodistribution of the construct was investigated. This is the first study demonstrating that combining the energy of the membrane-associated folding of two pHLIPs can be utilized to enhance the targeted intracellular delivery of large therapeutic cargo payloads. Discussion: Linking two pHLIPs to the cargo extends blood half-life, and targeted delivery of dimeric STINGa induces tumor eradication and the development of robust anti-cancer immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Moshnikova
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Michael DuPont
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Marissa Iraca
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Craig Klumpp
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Hannah Visca
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Dana Allababidi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Phoebe Pelzer
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Donald M. Engelman
- Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry Department, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Oleg A. Andreev
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Yana K. Reshetnyak
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jiang Y, Chen H, Lin T, Zhang C, Shen J, Chen J, Zhao Y, Xu W, Wang G, Huang P. Ultrasound-activated prodrug-loaded liposome for efficient cancer targeting therapy without chemotherapy-induced side effects. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:2. [PMID: 38169390 PMCID: PMC10763105 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02195-5] [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: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Off-targeted distribution of chemotherapeutic drugs causes severe side effects, further leading to poor prognosis and patient compliance. Ligand/receptor-mediated targeted drug delivery can improve drug accumulation in the tumor but it always attenuated by protein corona barriers. RESULTS To address these problems, a radically different strategy is proposed that can leave the off-targeted drugs inactive but activate the tumor-distributed drugs for cancer-targeting therapy in a tumor microenvironment-independent manner. The feasibility and effectiveness of this strategy is demonstrated by developing an ultrasound (US)-activated prodrug-loaded liposome (CPBSN38L) comprising the sonosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6)-modified lipids and the prodrug of pinacol boronic ester-conjugated SN38 (PBSN38). Once CPBSN38L is accumulated in the tumor and internalized into the cancer cells, under US irradiation, the sonosensitizer Ce6 rapidly induces extensive production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby initiating a cascade amplified ROS-responsive activation of PBSN38 to release the active SN38 for inducing cell apoptosis. If some of the injected CPBSN38L is distributed into normal tissues, the inactive PBSN38 exerts no pharmacological activity on normal cells. CPBSN38L exhibited strong anticancer activity in multiple murine tumor models of colon adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma with no chemotherapy-induced side effects, compared with the standard first-line anticancer drugs irinotecan and topotecan. CONCLUSIONS This study established a side-effect-evitable, universal, and feasible strategy for cancer-targeting therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Jiang
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Hongjian Chen
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center for Life Science and Human Health, Binjiang Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Tao Lin
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Jiaxin Shen
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Jifan Chen
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yanan Zhao
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Wen Xu
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Guowei Wang
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Research Center of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
| | - Pintong Huang
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Research Center of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Research Center for Life Science and Human Health, Binjiang Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jiang Z, Zheng X, Li M, Liu M. Improving the prognosis of pancreatic cancer: insights from epidemiology, genomic alterations, and therapeutic challenges. Front Med 2023; 17:1135-1169. [PMID: 38151666 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-1050-6] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer, notorious for its late diagnosis and aggressive progression, poses a substantial challenge owing to scarce treatment alternatives. This review endeavors to furnish a holistic insight into pancreatic cancer, encompassing its epidemiology, genomic characterization, risk factors, diagnosis, therapeutic strategies, and treatment resistance mechanisms. We delve into identifying risk factors, including genetic predisposition and environmental exposures, and explore recent research advancements in precursor lesions and molecular subtypes of pancreatic cancer. Additionally, we highlight the development and application of multi-omics approaches in pancreatic cancer research and discuss the latest combinations of pancreatic cancer biomarkers and their efficacy. We also dissect the primary mechanisms underlying treatment resistance in this malignancy, illustrating the latest therapeutic options and advancements in the field. Conclusively, we accentuate the urgent demand for more extensive research to enhance the prognosis for pancreatic cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhichen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Gastroenterology and Pancreas, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Xiaohao Zheng
- Department of Pancreatic and Gastric Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
| | - Mingyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Li O, Li L, Sheng Y, Ke K, Wu J, Mou Y, Liu M, Jin W. Biological characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Initiation to malignancy, intracellular to extracellular. Cancer Lett 2023; 574:216391. [PMID: 37714257 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216391] [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: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly life-threatening tumour with a low early-detection rate, rapid progression and a tendency to develop resistance to chemotherapy. Therefore, understanding the regulatory mechanisms underlying the initiation, development and metastasis of pancreatic cancer is necessary for enhancing therapeutic effectiveness. In this review, we summarised single-gene mutations (including KRAS, CDKN2A, TP53, SMAD4 and some other less prevalent mutations), epigenetic changes (including DNA methylation, histone modifications and RNA interference) and large chromosome alterations (such as copy number variations, chromosome rearrangements and chromothripsis) associated with PDAC. In addition, we discussed variations in signalling pathways that act as intermediate oncogenic factors in PDAC, including PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK, Hippo and TGF-β signalling pathways. The focus of this review was to investigate alterations in the microenvironment of PDAC, particularly the role of immunosuppressive cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, lymphocytes, other para-cancerous cells and tumour extracellular matrix in tumour progression. Peripheral axons innervating the pancreas have been reported to play a crucial role in the development of cancer. In addition, tumour cells can influence the behaviour of neighbouring non-tumour cells by secreting certain factors, both locally and at a distance. In this review, we elucidated the alterations in intracellular molecules and the extracellular environment that occur during the progression of PDAC. Altogether, this review may enhance the understanding of the biological characteristics of PDAC and guide the development of more precise treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ou Li
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li Li
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunru Sheng
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kun Ke
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianzhang Wu
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yiping Mou
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mingyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, China; National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China; Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Weiwei Jin
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wang J, Zhang T, Li P, Gai J, Chen S, Espinoza G, Kung HC, Zhang R, Fujiwara K, Fu J, Yu J, Zheng L. Engineered TCR T-cell therapy targeting mass spectrometry-identified natural epitope in PDAC. Cancer Lett 2023; 573:216366. [PMID: 37640197 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216366] [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: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Tumor antigens are crucial targets for T-cell-based therapy to induce tumor-specific rejection. However, identifying pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-specific T-cell epitopes has been challenging. Using advanced mass spectrometry (MS) analysis, we previously identified cancer-associated, class I MHC-bound epitopes shared by multiple PDAC patients with different HLA-A types. Here, we investigated one of these epitopes, LAMC2203-211, a naturally occurring nonmutated epitope on the LAMC2 protein. Following stimulation with the LAMC2203-211 peptide, we cloned T-cell receptors (TCRs) and transduced them into the Jurkat human T-cell line using a lentiviral vector. We found that Jurkat cells expressing LAMC2203-211-specific TCRs resulted in potent, LAMC2 specific, in vitro cytotoxic effects on PDAC cells. Furthermore, in mice that harbored either subcutaneously or orthotopically implanted tumors originating from both HLA-A allele-matched and unmatched PDAC patients, tumor growth was suppressed in a LAMC2-dependent manner following the infusion of LAMC2-targeting T cells. We have therefore developed a LAMC2-specific TCR-based T-cell therapy strategy likely suitable for many PDAC patients. This is the first study to adopt MS analysis to identify natural CD8+ T-cell epitopes in PDAC that could potentially serve as targets for PDAC immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianxin Wang
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Skip Viragh Pancreatic Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tengyi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Skip Viragh Pancreatic Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Pan Li
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Skip Viragh Pancreatic Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jessica Gai
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Skip Viragh Pancreatic Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Sophia Chen
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Skip Viragh Pancreatic Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Gigi Espinoza
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Skip Viragh Pancreatic Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Heng-Chung Kung
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Skip Viragh Pancreatic Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Skip Viragh Pancreatic Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Kenji Fujiwara
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Skip Viragh Pancreatic Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; Department of Surgery, Kimura Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Juan Fu
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Skip Viragh Pancreatic Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Jun Yu
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Skip Viragh Pancreatic Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Skip Viragh Pancreatic Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ghukasyan R, Liang K, Chau K, Li L, Chan C, Abt ER, Le T, Park JY, Wu N, Premji A, Damoiseaux R, Luu T, Labora A, Rashid K, Link JM, Radu CG, Donahue TR. MEK Inhibition Sensitizes Pancreatic Cancer to STING Agonism by Tumor Cell-intrinsic Amplification of Type I IFN Signaling. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:3130-3141. [PMID: 37195712 PMCID: PMC10865884 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-3322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonists are currently in development for treatment of solid tumors, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Response rates to STING agonists alone have been promising yet modest, and combination therapies will likely be required to elicit their full potency. We sought to identify combination therapies and mechanisms that augment the tumor cell-intrinsic effect of therapeutically relevant STING agonists apart from their known effects on tumor immunity. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We screened 430 kinase inhibitors to identify synergistic effectors of tumor cell death with diABZI, an intravenously administered and systemically available STING agonist. We deciphered the mechanisms of synergy with STING agonism that cause tumor cell death in vitro and tumor regression in vivo. RESULTS We found that MEK inhibitors caused the greatest synergy with diABZI and that this effect was most pronounced in cells with high STING expression. MEK inhibition enhanced the ability of STING agonism to induce type I IFN-dependent cell death in vitro and tumor regression in vivo. We parsed NFκB-dependent and NFκB-independent mechanisms that mediate STING-driven type I IFN production and show that MEK signaling inhibits this effect by suppressing NFκB activation. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the cytotoxic effects of STING agonism on PDAC cells that are independent of tumor immunity and that these therapeutic benefits of STING agonism can be synergistically enhanced by MEK inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Razmik Ghukasyan
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Keke Liang
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of General Surgery/Pancreatic and Thyroid Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Kevin Chau
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Luyi Li
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Charlotte Chan
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Evan R. Abt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Thuc Le
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Joon Y. Park
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Nanping Wu
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Alykhan Premji
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Robert Damoiseaux
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Tony Luu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Amanda Labora
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Khalid Rashid
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jason M. Link
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Caius G. Radu
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Timothy R. Donahue
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Taffoni C, Schüssler M, Vila IK, Laguette N. Harnessing the cooperation between DNA-PK and cGAS in cancer therapies: The cooperation between DNA-PK and cGAS shapes tumour immunogenicity. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2300045. [PMID: 37147791 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300045] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway is central for the initiation of anti-tumoural immune responses. Enormous effort has been made to optimise the design and administration of STING agonists to stimulate tumour immunogenicity. However, in certain contexts the cGAS-STING axis fuels tumourigenesis. Here, we review recent findings on the regulation of cGAS expression and activity. We particularly focus our attention on the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) complex, that recently emerged as an activator of inflammatory responses in tumour cells. We propose that stratification analyses on cGAS and DNA-PK expression/activation status should be carried out to predict treatment efficacy. We herein also provide insights into non-canonical functions borne by cGAS and cGAMP, highlighting how they may influence tumourigenesis. All these parameters should be taken into consideration concertedly to choose strategies aiming to effectively boost tumour immunogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Taffoni
- IGMM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Benkhaled S, Peters C, Jullian N, Arsenijevic T, Navez J, Van Gestel D, Moretti L, Van Laethem JL, Bouchart C. Combination, Modulation and Interplay of Modern Radiotherapy with the Tumor Microenvironment and Targeted Therapies in Pancreatic Cancer: Which Candidates to Boost Radiotherapy? Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030768. [PMID: 36765726 PMCID: PMC9913158 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer (PDAC) is a highly diverse disease with low tumor immunogenicity. PDAC is also one of the deadliest solid tumor and will remain a common cause of cancer death in the future. Treatment options are limited, and tumors frequently develop resistance to current treatment modalities. Since PDAC patients do not respond well to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), novel methods for overcoming resistance are being explored. Compared to other solid tumors, the PDAC's tumor microenvironment (TME) is unique and complex and prevents systemic agents from effectively penetrating and killing tumor cells. Radiotherapy (RT) has the potential to modulate the TME (e.g., by exposing tumor-specific antigens, recruiting, and infiltrating immune cells) and, therefore, enhance the effectiveness of targeted systemic therapies. Interestingly, combining ICI with RT and/or chemotherapy has yielded promising preclinical results which were not successful when translated into clinical trials. In this context, current standards of care need to be challenged and transformed with modern treatment techniques and novel therapeutic combinations. One way to reconcile these findings is to abandon the concept that the TME is a well-compartmented population with spatial, temporal, physical, and chemical elements acting independently. This review will focus on the most interesting advancements of RT and describe the main components of the TME and their known modulation after RT in PDAC. Furthermore, we will provide a summary of current clinical data for combinations of RT/targeted therapy (tRT) and give an overview of the most promising future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofian Benkhaled
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B.), Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Rue Meylenmeersch 90, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UNIL-CHUV, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cedric Peters
- Department of Radiation Oncology, AZ Turnhout, Rubensstraat 166, 2300 Turnhout, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Jullian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B.), Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Rue Meylenmeersch 90, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tatjana Arsenijevic
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Digestive Oncology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles H.U.B. CUB Hopital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Julie Navez
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles H.U.B. CUB Hopital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dirk Van Gestel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B.), Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Rue Meylenmeersch 90, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luigi Moretti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B.), Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Rue Meylenmeersch 90, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Luc Van Laethem
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Digestive Oncology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles H.U.B. CUB Hopital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christelle Bouchart
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B.), Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Rue Meylenmeersch 90, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-25-413-800
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Taffoni C, Marines J, Chamma H, Guha S, Saccas M, Bouzid A, Valadao ALC, Maghe C, Jardine J, Park MK, Polak K, De Martino M, Vanpouille-Box C, Del Rio M, Gongora C, Gavard J, Bidère N, Song MS, Pineau D, Hugnot JP, Kissa K, Fontenille L, Blanchet FP, Vila IK, Laguette N. DNA damage repair kinase DNA-PK and cGAS synergize to induce cancer-related inflammation in glioblastoma. EMBO J 2022; 42:e111961. [PMID: 36574362 PMCID: PMC10068334 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022111961] [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: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytosolic DNA promotes inflammatory responses upon detection by the cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS). It has been suggested that cGAS downregulation is an immune escape strategy harnessed by tumor cells. Here, we used glioblastoma cells that show undetectable cGAS levels to address if alternative DNA detection pathways can promote pro-inflammatory signaling. We show that the DNA-PK DNA repair complex (i) drives cGAS-independent IRF3-mediated type I Interferon responses and (ii) that its catalytic activity is required for cGAS-dependent cGAMP production and optimal downstream signaling. We further show that the cooperation between DNA-PK and cGAS favors the expression of chemokines that promote macrophage recruitment in the tumor microenvironment in a glioblastoma model, a process that impairs early tumorigenesis but correlates with poor outcome in glioblastoma patients. Thus, our study supports that cGAS-dependent signaling is acquired during tumorigenesis and that cGAS and DNA-PK activities should be analyzed concertedly to predict the impact of strategies aiming to boost tumor immunogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Taffoni
- IGH, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Johanna Marines
- IGH, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France.,Azelead©, Montpellier, France
| | - Hanane Chamma
- IGH, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Amel Bouzid
- IGH, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Clément Maghe
- Team SOAP, CRCI2NA, Nantes Université, Inserm, CNRS, Université d'Angers, Nantes, France.,Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Jane Jardine
- Team SOAP, CRCI2NA, Nantes Université, Inserm, CNRS, Université d'Angers, Nantes, France.,Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Mi Kyung Park
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Mara De Martino
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Maguy Del Rio
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), INSERM, Université de Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | - Celine Gongora
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), INSERM, Université de Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | - Julie Gavard
- Team SOAP, CRCI2NA, Nantes Université, Inserm, CNRS, Université d'Angers, Nantes, France.,Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Paris, France.,Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest (ICO), Saint-Herblain, France
| | - Nicolas Bidère
- Team SOAP, CRCI2NA, Nantes Université, Inserm, CNRS, Université d'Angers, Nantes, France.,Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Min Sup Song
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Donovan Pineau
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Hugnot
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Karima Kissa
- Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5235, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Fabien P Blanchet
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Liu XS, Liu C, Zeng J, Zeng DB, Chen YJ, Tan F, Gao Y, Liu XY, Zhang Y, Zhang YH, Pei ZJ. Nucleophosmin 1 is a prognostic marker of gastrointestinal cancer and is associated with m6A and cuproptosis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1010879. [PMID: 36188614 PMCID: PMC9515486 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1010879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: NPM1 is highly expressed in a variety of solid tumors and promotes tumor development. However, there are few comprehensive studies on NPM1 analysis in gastrointestinal cancer. Methods: We used bioinformatics tools to study the expression difference of NPM1 between gastrointestinal cancer and control group, and analyzed the relationship between its expression level and the diagnosis, prognosis, functional signaling pathway, immune infiltration, m6A and cuproptosis related genes of gastrointestinal cancer. At the same time, the expression difference of NPM1 between esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) samples and control samples was verified by in vitro experiments. Results: NPM1 was overexpressed in gastrointestinal cancer. In vitro experiments confirmed that the expression of NPM1 in ESCA samples was higher than that in normal samples. The expression of NPM1 has high accuracy in predicting the outcome of gastrointestinal cancer. The expression of NPM1 is closely related to the prognosis of multiple gastrointestinal cancers. Go and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that NPM1 co-expressed genes involved in a variety of biological functions. NPM1 expression is potentially associated with a variety of immune cell infiltration, m6A and cuproptosis related genes in gastrointestinal cancers. Conclusion: NPM1 can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of gastrointestinal cancer, which is related to the immune cell infiltration and the regulation of m6A and cuproptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Sheng Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- *Correspondence: Xu-Sheng Liu, ; Zhi-Jun Pei,
| | - Chao Liu
- Medical Imaging Center, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Jing Zeng
- Department of Infection Control, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Dao-Bing Zeng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Yi-Jia Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Fan Tan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Yao-Hua Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Pei
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Cancer, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- *Correspondence: Xu-Sheng Liu, ; Zhi-Jun Pei,
| |
Collapse
|