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Dong L, Liu C, Sun H, Wang M, Sun M, Zheng J, Yu X, Shi R, Wang B, Zhou Q, Chen Z, Xing B, Wang Y, Yao X, Mei M, Ren Y, Zhou X. Targeting STAT3 potentiates CDK4/6 inhibitors therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 593:216956. [PMID: 38735381 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216956] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Anti-CDK4/6 therapy has been employed for the treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with CDK4/6 hyperactivation, but the response rate is relatively low. In this study, we first showed that CDK4 and CDK6 was over-expressed and conferred poor prognosis in HNSCC. Moreover, in RB-positive HNSCC, STAT3 signaling was activated induced by CDK4/6 inhibition and STAT3 promotes RB deficiency by upregulation of MYC. Thirdly, the combination of Stattic and CDK4/6 inhibitor results in striking anti-tumor effect in vitro and in Cal27 derived animal models. Additionally, phospho-STAT3 level negatively correlates with RB expression and predicts poor prognosis in patients with HNSCC. Taken together, our findings suggest an unrecognized function of STAT3 confers to CDK4/6 inhibitors resistance and presenting a promising combination strategy for patients with HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Dong
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngological Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; National Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngological Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; National Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Haoyang Sun
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Mo Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Mengyu Sun
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngological Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; National Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Jianwei Zheng
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xiaoxue Yu
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Rong Shi
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngological Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; National Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Qianqian Zhou
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngological Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; National Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Zhiqiang Chen
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngological Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; National Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Bofan Xing
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngological Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; National Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngological Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; National Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Xiaofeng Yao
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngological Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; National Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Mei Mei
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
| | - Yu Ren
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; National Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin, 300060, China; Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngological Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China; National Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin, 300060, China.
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Lin WP, Li H, Sun ZJ. T cell exhaustion initiates tertiary lymphoid structures and turbocharges cancer-immunity cycle. EBioMedicine 2024; 104:105154. [PMID: 38749300 PMCID: PMC11108856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune therapies represented by immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) have significantly transformed cancer treatment. However, the effectiveness of these treatments depends on the status of T cells. T cell exhaustion, characterized by diminished effector function, increased expression of co-inhibitory receptors, and clonal deletion, emerges as a hypofunctional state resulting from chronic exposure to antigens, posing an obstacle to ICB therapy. Several studies have deeply explored T cell exhaustion, providing innovative insights and correlating T cell exhaustion with tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) formation. TLS, lymphocyte aggregates formed in non-lymphoid tissues amid chronic inflammation, serve as pivotal reservoirs for anti-tumour immunity. Here, we underscore the pivotal role of T cell exhaustion as a signalling mechanism in reinvigorating anti-tumour immunity by turbocharging cancer-immunity (CI) cycle, particularly when tumour becomes unmanageable. Building upon this concept, we summarize emerging immunotherapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing the response rate to ICB therapy and improving patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ping Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Hao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China; Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China.
| | - Zhi-Jun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China; Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China.
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Li S, Feng T, Liu Y, Yang Q, Song A, Wang S, Xie J, Zhang J, Yuan B, Sun Z. m 1A inhibition fuels oncolytic virus-elicited antitumor immunity via downregulating MYC/PD-L1 signaling. Int J Oral Sci 2024; 16:36. [PMID: 38730256 PMCID: PMC11087574 DOI: 10.1038/s41368-024-00304-0] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
N1-methyladenosine (m1A) RNA methylation is critical for regulating mRNA translation; however, its role in the development, progression, and immunotherapy response of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains largely unknown. Using Tgfbr1 and Pten conditional knockout (2cKO) mice, we found the neoplastic transformation of oral mucosa was accompanied by increased m1A modification levels. Analysis of m1A-associated genes identified TRMT61A as a key m1A writer linked to cancer progression and poor prognosis. Mechanistically, TRMT61A-mediated tRNA-m1A modification promotes MYC protein synthesis, upregulating programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Moreover, m1A modification levels were also elevated in tumors treated with oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV), contributing to reactive PD-L1 upregulation. Therapeutic m1A inhibition sustained oHSV-induced antitumor immunity and reduced tumor growth, representing a promising strategy to alleviate resistance. These findings indicate that m1A inhibition can prevent immune escape after oHSV therapy by reducing PD-L1 expression, providing a mutually reinforcing combination immunotherapy approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tian Feng
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuantong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qichao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - An Song
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junjie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bifeng Yuan
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhijun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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4
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You X, Koop K, Weigert A. Heterogeneity of tertiary lymphoid structures in cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1286850. [PMID: 38111571 PMCID: PMC10725932 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1286850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The success of immunotherapy approaches, such as immune checkpoint blockade and cellular immunotherapy with genetically modified lymphocytes, has firmly embedded the immune system in the roadmap for combating cancer. Unfortunately, the majority of cancer patients do not yet benefit from these therapeutic approaches, even when the prognostic relevance of the immune response in their tumor entity has been demonstrated. Therefore, there is a justified need to explore new strategies for inducing anti-tumor immunity. The recent connection between the formation of ectopic lymphoid aggregates at tumor sites and patient prognosis, along with an effective anti-tumor response, suggests that manipulating the occurrence of these tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) may play a critical role in activating the immune system against a growing tumor. However, mechanisms governing TLS formation and a clear understanding of their substantial heterogeneity are still lacking. Here, we briefly summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the mechanisms driving TLS development, outline the impact of TLS heterogeneity on clinical outcomes in cancer patients, and discuss appropriate systems for modeling TLS heterogeneity that may help identify new strategies for inducing protective TLS formation in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin You
- Goethe-University Frankfurt, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kristina Koop
- First Department of Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Weigert
- Goethe-University Frankfurt, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany
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Liu J, Lin WP, Xiao Y, Yang QC, Bushabu Fidele N, Yu HJ, Sun ZJ. VISTA blockade alleviates immunosuppression of MDSCs in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 125:111128. [PMID: 37907049 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111128] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
V-domain Ig suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) is a novel immune checkpoint regulator that can inhibit T cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Although the use of anti-VISTA monoclonal antibody has demonstrated encouraging outcomes in the therapy of various malignancies, its specific impact and underlying mechanisms in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain to be explored. In this work, we analyzed human OSCC tissue microarrays, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and immunocompetent transgenic mouse models to investigate the relationship between high VISTA expression and markers of myeloid-derived immunosuppressive cells (MDSCs; CD11b, CD33, Arginase-1), tumor-associated macrophages (CD68, CD163, CD206), and T cell function (CD8, PD-L1, Granzyme B). In OSCC, we discovered that VISTA was highly expressed and stably expressed in MDSCs. Furthermore, we established a mouse OSCC orthotopic xenograft tumor model to investigate the impact of VISTA blockade on the tumor microenvironment. We found that VISTA blockade reduces the immunosuppressive microenvironment and delays tumor growth. This is achieved by suppressing the quantity and function of MDSCs while boosting the function of tumor-infiltrating T cells. Our research indicated that VISTA expressed by MDSCs has a crucial function in the progression of OSCC and that VISTA blockade therapy is a promising immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Wen-Ping Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Yao Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Qi-Chao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Nyimi Bushabu Fidele
- The National Key Laboratory of Basic Science of Stomatology of Kinshasa University, School of Dental Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa B.P. 834 KIN XI, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Hai-Jun Yu
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Hubei Province Cancer Clinical Study Center, Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China.
| | - Zhi-Jun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China; Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China.
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