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Nössing C, Herek P, Shariat SF, Berger W, Englinger B. Advances in preclinical assessment of therapeutic targets for bladder cancer precision medicine. Curr Opin Urol 2024; 34:251-257. [PMID: 38602053 PMCID: PMC11155291 DOI: 10.1097/mou.0000000000001177] [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] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Bladder cancer incidence is on the rise, and until recently, there has been little to no change in treatment regimens over the last 40 years. Hence, it is imperative to work on strategies and approaches to untangle the complexity of intra- and inter-tumour heterogeneity of bladder cancer with the aim of improving patient-specific care and treatment outcomes. The focus of this review is therefore to highlight novel targets, advances, and therapy approaches for bladder cancer patients. RECENT FINDINGS The success of combining an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) with immunotherapy has been recently hailed as a game changer in treating bladder cancer patients. Hence, interest in other ADCs as a treatment option is also rife. Furthermore, strategies to overcome chemoresistance to standard therapy have been described recently. In addition, other studies showed that targeting genomic alterations (e.g. mutations in FGFR3 , DNA damage repair genes and loss of the Y chromosome) could also be helpful as prognostic and treatment stratification biomarkers. The use of single-cell RNA sequencing approaches has allowed better characterisation of the tumour microenvironment and subsequent identification of novel targets. Functional precision medicine could be another avenue to improve and guide personalized treatment options. SUMMARY Several novel preclinical targets and treatment options have been described recently. The validation of these advances will lead to the development and implementation of robust personalized treatment regimens for bladder cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula Herek
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Shahrokh F. Shariat
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Urology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute for Urology, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- Research center for Evidence Medicine, Urology Department, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Karl Landsteiner Institute of Urology and Andrology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Walter Berger
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Englinger
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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2
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Gong Y, Germeraad WTV, Zhang X, Wu N, Li B, Janssen L, He Z, Gijbels MJJ, Wu B, Gijsbers BLMG, Olieslagers TI, Bos GMJ, Zheng L, Klein Wolterink RGJ. NKG2A genetic deletion promotes human primary NK cell anti-tumor responses better than an anti-NKG2A monoclonal antibody. Mol Ther 2024:S1525-0016(24)00424-6. [PMID: 38943249 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells eliminate infected or cancer cells via their cytotoxic capacity. NKG2A is an inhibitory receptor on NK cells and cancer cells often overexpress its ligand HLA-E to evade NK cell surveillance. Given the successes of immune checkpoint blockade in cancer therapy, NKG2A is an interesting novel target. However, anti-NKG2A antibodies have shown limited clinical response. In the pursuit of enhancing NK cell-mediated anti-tumor responses, we devised a Cas9-based strategy to delete KLRC1, encoding NKG2A, in human primary NK cells. Our approach involved electroporation of KLRC1-targeting Cas9 ribonucleoprotein resulting in effective ablation of NKG2A expression. Compared with anti-NKG2A antibody blockade, NKG2AKO NK cells exhibited enhanced activation, reduced suppressive signaling, and elevated expression of key transcription factors. NKG2AKO NK cells overcame inhibition from HLA-E, significantly boosting NK cell activity against solid and hematologic cancer cells. We validated this efficacy across multiple cell lines, a xenograft mouse model, and primary human leukemic cells. Combining NKG2A knockout with antibody coating of tumor cells further enhanced cytotoxicity through ADCC. Thus, we provide a comprehensive comparison of inhibition of the NKG2A pathway using genetic ablation and antibodies and provide novel insight in the observed differences in molecular mechanisms, which can be translated to enhance adoptive NK cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Wilfred T V Germeraad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; CiMaas BV, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Xulin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Nisha Wu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China
| | - Lynn Janssen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Zongzhong He
- Department of Transfusion Medicine of General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China
| | - Marion J J Gijbels
- GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Experimental Vascular Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bodeng Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China
| | - Birgit L M G Gijsbers
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Timo I Olieslagers
- GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Transplantation Immunology, Tissue Typing Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard M J Bos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; CiMaas BV, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China.
| | - Roel G J Klein Wolterink
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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3
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Wen M, He L, Guo C, Zhao D, Hou Y, Yang X, Meng H. Expression and clinical significance of NKG2A and HLA-E in advanced laryngeal carcinoma. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 260:155383. [PMID: 38924853 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose was to detected features of the expression levels of NKG2A and its ligand HLA-E, a new member of the immune checkpoints, in advanced laryngeal carcinoma and their clinicopathologic significance. MATERIAL AND METHODS We analyzed the expression levels of HLA-E and NKG2A in multiple types of tumors utilizing the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database and immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR analysis of paraffin embedded tissue samples to reveal the correlations of the clinicopathological factors with the expression of these two proteins in advanced laryngeal carcinoma as well as their prognostic significance. RESULTS KLRC1 (the coding gene of NKG2A) and HLA-E are substantially overexpressed in various human cancers than normal tissues. HNSCC is also included. KLRC1 is differentially expressed in different HPV subgroups of patients, with higher expression in the HPV-positive group. Consistent with this, immunohistochemical results also revealed the high expression of these two proteins in tumor tissue. In addition, immunohistochemical staining also displayed a preference for the distribution of NKG2A-positive cells in tumor tissue. Clinicopathological analyses also displayed that the density of NKG2A-positive cells of the HPV-positive group infiltrating laryngeal carcinoma tissue was larger than that in the HPV-negative group. Prognostic analyses indicated that the expression of this immune checkpoint does not affect the overall survival length of patients, but the highly expressed HLA-E is significantly correlated with local recurrence in the patients. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that the expression levels of HLA-E and NKG2A is upregulated in advanced laryngeal carcinoma. The NKG2A-positive cells infiltrating the tumor are mainly distributed in the cancer nest, while infiltrating cell number may be regulated by HPV. The highly expressed HLA-E may promote local recurrence in patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meina Wen
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Lin He
- Department of Stomatology, Nangang Hospital, Heilongjiang Province Hospital, China
| | - Chenxu Guo
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Di Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Yunjing Hou
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Xinxin Yang
- Precision Medicine Center, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China.
| | - Hongxue Meng
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China; Precision Medicine Center, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China.
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Wang L, Izadmehr S, Sfakianos JP, Tran M, Beaumont KG, Brody R, Cordon-Cardo C, Horowitz A, Sebra R, Oh WK, Bhardwaj N, Galsky MD, Zhu J. Single-cell transcriptomic-informed deconvolution of bulk data identifies immune checkpoint blockade resistance in urothelial cancer. iScience 2024; 27:109928. [PMID: 38812546 PMCID: PMC11133924 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly influence tumor progression and treatment responses. While single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial genomics facilitate TME exploration, many clinical cohorts are assessed at the bulk tissue level. Integrating scRNA-seq and bulk tissue RNA-seq data through computational deconvolution is essential for obtaining clinically relevant insights. Our method, ProM, enables the examination of major and minor cell types. Through evaluation against existing methods using paired single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing of human urothelial cancer (UC) samples, ProM demonstrates superiority. Application to UC cohorts treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors reveals pre-treatment cellular features associated with poor outcomes, such as elevated SPP1 expression in macrophage/monocytes (MM). Our deconvolution method and paired single-cell and bulk tissue RNA-seq dataset contribute novel insights into TME heterogeneity and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Department of Precision Medicine, Aitia, Somerville, MA 02143, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Sudeh Izadmehr
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - John P. Sfakianos
- Department of Urology; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Michelle Tran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Kristin G. Beaumont
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Rachel Brody
- Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Carlos Cordon-Cardo
- Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Amir Horowitz
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Robert Sebra
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - William K. Oh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Nina Bhardwaj
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Matthew D. Galsky
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jun Zhu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10029, USA
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5
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Verhaar ER, Gan J, Buhl S, Li Z, Horowitz A, Ploegh HL. A monoclonal antibody that recognizes a unique 13-residue epitope in the cytoplasmic tail of HLA-E. Mol Immunol 2024; 172:56-67. [PMID: 38901180 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2024.06.004] [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: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
The Class I MHC molecule (MHC-I) HLA-E presents peptides that are derived from the signal sequences, either those of other MHC-I products, or of viral type I membrane glycoproteins. Monoclonal antibodies with proven specificity for HLA-E, and with no cross-reactions with other MHC-I products, have yet to be described. To obtain anti-HLA-E-specific antibodies suitable for a range of applications, we generated monoclonal antibodies against a unique feature of HLA-E: its cytoplasmic tail. We created an immunogen by performing an enzymatically catalyzed transpeptidation reaction to obtain a fusion of the cytoplasmic tail of HLA-E with a nanobody that recognizes murine Class II MHC (MHC-II) products. We obtained a mouse monoclonal antibody that recognizes a 13-residue stretch in the HLA-E cytoplasmic tail. We cloned the genes that encode this antibody in expression vectors to place an LPETG sortase recognition motif at the C-terminus of the heavy and light chains. This arrangement allows the site-specific installation of fluorophores or biotin at these C-termini. The resulting immunoglobulin preparations, labeled with 4 equivalents of a fluorescent or biotinylated payload of choice, can then be used for direct immunofluorescence or detection of the tag by fluorescence or by streptavidin-based methods. We also show that the 13-residue sequence can serve as an epitope tag, independent of the site of its placement within a protein's sequence. The antibody can be used diagnostically to stain for HLA-E on patient tumor samples, it can be used as an antibody-epitope tag for extracellular proteins, and it enables research into the unique role of the cytoplasmic tail of HLA-E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisha R Verhaar
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jin Gan
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Susan Buhl
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ziao Li
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amir Horowitz
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hidde L Ploegh
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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6
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Riva E, Carboni S, di Berardino-Besson W, Moyat M, Belnoue E, Devy-Dimanche L, Rossi M. Bimodal Effect of NKG2A Blockade on Intratumoral and Systemic CD8 T Cell Response Induced by Cancer Vaccine. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2036. [PMID: 38893156 PMCID: PMC11171001 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112036] [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: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune check-point blockade (ICB) has revitalized cancer immunotherapy, showing unprecedented efficacy despite only a narrow number of indications and with limited long-term protection. Cancer vaccines are promising combination partners for ICB to widen the patient population profiting from these treatments. Therapeutic heterologous prime-boost vaccination with KISIMATM protein vaccine and VSV-GP-TAg oncolytic virus was shown to inflame the tumor microenvironment, promoting significant infiltration of antigen-specific CD8 T cells resulting in robust antitumoral efficacy in mouse tumor models, and clinical trials are currently ongoing. Here, we report the impact of NKG2A blockade on antitumoral CD8 T cell immune response elicited by KISIMA-VSV-GP-TAg vaccination in tumor mouse models. Combination therapy significantly reduced the amount of vaccine-induced exhausted CD8 T cells infiltrating the tumor, resulting in short-term improved tumor growth control and prolonged mouse survival, while it also influenced the establishment of systemic effector memory CD8 T cell response. Taken together, these data show a compartment-dependent effect of NKG2A blockade on cancer vaccine-induced T cell immunity, increasing intratumoral T cell efficacy and attenuating the development of peripheral effector memory CD8 T cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Riva
- Amal Therapeutics, Fondation Pour Recherches Médicales, Avenue de la Roseraie 64, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Susanna Carboni
- Amal Therapeutics, Fondation Pour Recherches Médicales, Avenue de la Roseraie 64, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Wilma di Berardino-Besson
- Amal Therapeutics, Fondation Pour Recherches Médicales, Avenue de la Roseraie 64, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Mati Moyat
- Amal Therapeutics, Fondation Pour Recherches Médicales, Avenue de la Roseraie 64, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Elodie Belnoue
- Amal Therapeutics, Fondation Pour Recherches Médicales, Avenue de la Roseraie 64, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Laetitia Devy-Dimanche
- Amal Therapeutics, Fondation Pour Recherches Médicales, Avenue de la Roseraie 64, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Matteo Rossi
- Amal Therapeutics, Fondation Pour Recherches Médicales, Avenue de la Roseraie 64, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
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7
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Yao Z, Yang L, Yang X, Liu F, Fu B, Xiong J. Stimulator of interferon genes mediated immune senescence reveals the immune microenvironment and prognostic characteristics of bladder cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28803. [PMID: 38707337 PMCID: PMC11066586 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have shown that the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is critical in tumorigenesis, and development. This study aimed to investigate the immune profile and prognostic significance of STING-mediated immune senescence in bladder cancer (BLCA). Methods We identified differential genes between tumor and normal tissue based on the Cancer Genome Atlas database, and used consensus clustering to identify BLCA subtypes. The genes most associated with overall survival were screened by further analysis and used to construct risk models. Then, comparing the immune microenvironment, tumor mutational load (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI) scores between different risk groups. Eventually, a nomogram was constructed based on clinical information and risk scores. The model was validated using receiver operating curves (ROC) and calibration plots. Results We identified 160 differential genes, including 13 genes most associated with prognosis. Three subtypes of bladder cancer with different clinical and immunological features were identified. Immunotherapy was more likely to benefit the low-risk group, which had higher TMB and MSI scores. The nomogram was found to be highly predictive based on ROC analysis and calibration plots. Conclusion The risk model and nomogram not only predict the prognosis of BLCA patients but also can guide the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Yao
- Department of Urology, Hengyang Central Hospital, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Xiaorong Yang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Bin Fu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Jing Xiong
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
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8
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Scimeca M, Bischof J, Bonfiglio R, Nale E, Iacovelli V, Carilli M, Vittori M, Agostini M, Rovella V, Servadei F, Giacobbi E, Candi E, Shi Y, Melino G, Mauriello A, Bove P. Molecular profiling of a bladder cancer with very high tumour mutational burden. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:202. [PMID: 38688924 PMCID: PMC11061316 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01883-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing incidence of urothelial bladder cancer is a notable global concern, as evidenced by the epidemiological data in terms of frequency, distribution, as well as mortality rates. Although numerous molecular alterations have been linked to the occurrence and progression of bladder cancer, currently there is a limited knowledge on the molecular signature able of accurately predicting clinical outcomes. In this report, we present a case of a pT3b high-grade infiltrating urothelial carcinoma with areas of squamous differentiation characterized by very high tumor mutational burden (TMB), with up-regulations of immune checkpoints. The high TMB, along with elevated expressions of PD-L1, PD-L2, and PD1, underscores the rationale for developing a personalized immunotherapy focused on the use of immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Additionally, molecular analysis revealed somatic mutations in several other cancer-related genes, including TP53, TP63 and NOTCH3. Mutations of TP53 and TP63 genes provide mechanistic insights on the molecular mechanisms underlying disease development and progression. Notably, the above-mentioned mutations and the elevated hypoxia score make the targeting of p53 and/or hypoxia related pathways a plausible personalized medicine option for this bladder cancer, particularly in combination with immunotherapy. Our data suggest a requirement for molecular profiling in bladder cancer to possibly select appropriate immune-checkpoint therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Scimeca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Julia Bischof
- Indivumed GmbH, Falkenried, 88 Building D, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rita Bonfiglio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Nale
- Indivumed GmbH, Falkenried, 88 Building D, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Valerio Iacovelli
- Urology Unit San Carlo di Nancy Hospital, GVM Care, 00100, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Carilli
- Urology Unit San Carlo di Nancy Hospital, GVM Care, 00100, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Vittori
- Urology Unit San Carlo di Nancy Hospital, GVM Care, 00100, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Agostini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Rovella
- Department of System Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Servadei
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Erica Giacobbi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Candi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Yufang Shi
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institutes for Translational Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mauriello
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Pierluigi Bove
- Urology Unit San Carlo di Nancy Hospital, GVM Care, 00100, Rome, Italy.
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9
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Martin KE, Hammer Q, Perica K, Sadelain M, Malmberg KJ. Engineering immune-evasive allogeneic cellular immunotherapies. Nat Rev Immunol 2024:10.1038/s41577-024-01022-8. [PMID: 38658708 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-024-01022-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Allogeneic cellular immunotherapies hold a great promise for cancer treatment owing to their potential cost-effectiveness, scalability and on-demand availability. However, immune rejection of adoptively transferred allogeneic T and natural killer (NK) cells is a substantial obstacle to achieving clinical responses that are comparable to responses obtained with current autologous chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies. In this Perspective, we discuss strategies to confer cell-intrinsic, immune-evasive properties to allogeneic T cells and NK cells in order to prevent or delay their immune rejection, thereby widening the therapeutic window. We discuss how common viral and cancer immune escape mechanisms can serve as a blueprint for improving the persistence of off-the-shelf allogeneic cell therapies. The prospects of harnessing genome editing and synthetic biology to design cell-based precision immunotherapies extend beyond programming target specificities and require careful consideration of innate and adaptive responses in the recipient that may curtail the biodistribution, in vivo expansion and persistence of cellular therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E Martin
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance, The University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Quirin Hammer
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karlo Perica
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Cell Therapy Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michel Sadelain
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karl-Johan Malmberg
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance, The University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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10
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Tang H, Chen L, Liu X, Zeng S, Tan H, Chen G. Pan-cancer dissection of vasculogenic mimicry characteristic to provide potential therapeutic targets. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1346719. [PMID: 38694917 PMCID: PMC11061449 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1346719] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) represents a novel form of tumor angiogenesis that is associated with tumor invasiveness and drug resistance. However, the VM landscape across cancer types remains poorly understood. In this study, we elucidate the characterizations of VM across cancers based on multi-omics data and provide potential targeted therapeutic strategies. Methods Multi-omics data from The Cancer Genome Atlas was used to conduct comprehensive analyses of the characteristics of VM related genes (VRGs) across cancer types. Pan-cancer vasculogenic mimicry score was established to provide a depiction of the VM landscape across cancer types. The correlation between VM and cancer phenotypes was conducted to explore potential regulatory mechanisms of VM. We further systematically examined the relationship between VM and both tumor immunity and tumor microenvironment (TME). In addition, cell communication analysis based on single-cell transcriptome data was used to investigate the interactions between VM cells and TME. Finally, transcriptional and drug response data from the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer database were utilized to identify potential therapeutic targets and drugs. The impact of VM on immunotherapy was also further clarified. Results Our study revealed that VRGs were dysregulated in tumor and regulated by multiple mechanisms. Then, VM level was found to be heterogeneous among different tumors and correlated with tumor invasiveness, metastatic potential, malignancy, and prognosis. VM was found to be strongly associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Further analyses revealed cancer-associated fibroblasts can promote EMT and VM formation. Furthermore, the immune-suppressive state is associated with a microenvironment characterized by high levels of VM. VM score can be used as an indicator to predict the effect of immunotherapy. Finally, seven potential drugs targeting VM were identified. Conclusion In conclusion, we elucidate the characteristics and key regulatory mechanisms of VM across various cancer types, underscoring the pivotal role of CAFs in VM. VM was further found to be associated with the immunosuppressive TME. We also provide clues for the research of drugs targeting VM. Our study provides an initial overview and reference point for future research on VM, opening up new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibin Tang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liuxun Chen
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xvdong Liu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shengjie Zeng
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hao Tan
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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11
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Zheng K, Hai Y, Chen H, Zhang Y, Hu X, Ni K. Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion subtypes in bladder cancer and pan-cancer: a novel molecular subtyping strategy and immunotherapeutic prediction model. J Transl Med 2024; 22:365. [PMID: 38632658 PMCID: PMC11025237 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05186-8] [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: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Molecular subtyping is expected to enable precise treatment. However, reliable subtyping strategies for clinical application remains defective and controversial. Given the significance of tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE), we aimed to develop a novel TIDE-based subtyping strategy to guide personalized immunotherapy in the bladder cancer (BC). METHODS Transcriptome data of BC was used to evaluate the heterogeneity and the status of TIDE patterns. Subsequently, consensus clustering was applied to classify BC patients based on TIDE marker-genes. Patients' clinicopathological, molecular features and signaling pathways of the different TIDE subtypes were well characterized. We also utilize the deconvolution algorithms to analyze the tumor microenvironment, and further explore the sensitivity and mechanisms of each subtype to immunotherapy. Furthermore, BC patient clinical information, real-world BC samples and urine samples were collected for the validation of our findings, which were used for RNA-seq analysis, H&E staining, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, we also explored the conservation of our novel TIDE subtypes in pan-cancers. RESULTS We identified 69 TIDE biomarker genes and classified BC samples into three subtypes using consensus clustering. Subtype I showed the lowest TIDE status and malignancy with the best prognosis and highest sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) treatment, which was enriched of metabolic related signaling pathways. Subtype III represented the highest TIDE status and malignancy with the poorest prognosis and resistance to ICB treatment, resulting from its inhibitory immune microenvironment and T cell terminal exhaustion. Subtype II was in a transitional state with intermediate TIDE level, malignancy, and prognosis. We further confirmed the existence and characteristics of our novel TIDE subtypes using real-world BC samples and collected patient clinical data. This subtyping method was proved to be more efficient than previous known methods in identifying non-responders to immunotherapy. We also propose that combining our TIDE subtypes with known biomarkers can potentially improve the sensitivity and specificity of these biomarkers. Moreover, besides guiding ICB treatment, this classification approach can assist in selecting the frontline or recommended drugs. Finally, we confirmed that the TIDE subtypes are conserved across the pan-tumors. CONCLUSIONS Our novel TIDE-based subtyping method can serve as a powerful clinical tool for BC and pan-cancer patients, and potentially guiding personalized therapy decisions for selecting potential beneficiaries and excluding resistant patients of ICB therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Zheng
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Youlong Hai
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Hongqi Chen
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Jiangsu Shengze Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215200, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yukun Zhang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine East Hospital, Zaozhuang Hospital, Zaozhuang, 277000, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoyong Hu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
| | - Kai Ni
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
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12
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Degagné É, Donohoue PD, Roy S, Scherer J, Fowler TW, Davis RT, Reyes GA, Kwong G, Stanaway M, Larroca Vicena V, Mutha D, Guo R, Edwards L, Schilling B, Shaw M, Smith SC, Kohrs B, Kufeldt HJ, Churchward G, Ruan F, Nyer DB, McSweeney K, Irby MJ, Fuller CK, Banh L, Toh MS, Thompson M, Owen AL, An Z, Gradia S, Skoble J, Bryan M, Garner E, Kanner SB. High-Specificity CRISPR-Mediated Genome Engineering in Anti-BCMA Allogeneic CAR T Cells Suppresses Allograft Rejection in Preclinical Models. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:462-477. [PMID: 38345397 PMCID: PMC10985478 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-23-0679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies hold the potential to overcome many of the challenges associated with patient-derived (autologous) CAR T cells. Key considerations in the development of allogeneic CAR T cell therapies include prevention of graft-vs-host disease (GvHD) and suppression of allograft rejection. Here, we describe preclinical data supporting the ongoing first-in-human clinical study, the CaMMouflage trial (NCT05722418), evaluating CB-011 in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. CB-011 is a hypoimmunogenic, allogeneic anti-B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) CAR T cell therapy candidate. CB-011 cells feature 4 genomic alterations and were engineered from healthy donor-derived T cells using a Cas12a CRISPR hybrid RNA-DNA (chRDNA) genome-editing technology platform. To address allograft rejection, CAR T cells were engineered to prevent endogenous HLA class I complex expression and overexpress a single-chain polyprotein complex composed of beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) tethered to HLA-E. In addition, T-cell receptor (TCR) expression was disrupted at the TCR alpha constant locus in combination with the site-specific insertion of a humanized BCMA-specific CAR. CB-011 cells exhibited robust plasmablast cytotoxicity in vitro in a mixed lymphocyte reaction in cell cocultures derived from patients with multiple myeloma. In addition, CB-011 cells demonstrated suppressed recognition by and cytotoxicity from HLA-mismatched T cells. CB-011 cells were protected from natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo due to endogenous promoter-driven expression of B2M-HLA-E. Potent antitumor efficacy, when combined with an immune-cloaking armoring strategy to dampen allograft rejection, offers optimized therapeutic potential in multiple myeloma. See related Spotlight by Caimi and Melenhorst, p. 385.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Suparna Roy
- Caribou Biosciences, Inc., Berkeley, California
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Devin Mutha
- Caribou Biosciences, Inc., Berkeley, California
| | - Raymond Guo
- Caribou Biosciences, Inc., Berkeley, California
| | | | | | - McKay Shaw
- Caribou Biosciences, Inc., Berkeley, California
| | | | - Bryan Kohrs
- Caribou Biosciences, Inc., Berkeley, California
| | | | | | - Finey Ruan
- Caribou Biosciences, Inc., Berkeley, California
| | | | | | | | | | - Lynda Banh
- Caribou Biosciences, Inc., Berkeley, California
| | | | | | | | - Zili An
- Caribou Biosciences, Inc., Berkeley, California
| | | | | | - Mara Bryan
- Caribou Biosciences, Inc., Berkeley, California
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13
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MacLachlan BJ, Sullivan LC, Brooks AG, Rossjohn J, Vivian JP. Structure of the murine CD94-NKG2A receptor in complex with Qa-1 b presenting an MHC-I leader peptide. FEBS J 2024; 291:1530-1544. [PMID: 38158698 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17050] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The heterodimeric natural killer cells antigen CD94 (CD94)-NKG2-A/NKG2-B type II integral membrane protein (NKG2A) receptor family expressed on human and mouse natural killer (NK) cells monitors global major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I cell surface expression levels through binding to MHC class Ia-derived leader sequence peptides presented by HLA class I histocompatibility antigen, alpha chain E (HLA-E; in humans) or H-2 class I histocompatibility antigen, D-37 (Qa-1b; in mice). Although the molecular basis underpinning human CD94-NKG2A recognition of HLA-E is known, the equivalent interaction in the murine setting is not. By determining the high-resolution crystal structure of murine CD94-NKG2A in complex with Qa-1b presenting the Qa-1 determinant modifier peptide (QDM), we resolved the mode of binding. Compared to the human homologue, the murine CD94-NKG2A-Qa-1b-QDM displayed alterations in the distribution of interactions across CD94 and NKG2A subunits that coincide with differences in electrostatic complementarity of the ternary complex and the lack of cross-species reactivity. Nevertheless, we show that Qa-1b could be modified through W65R + N73I mutations to mimic HLA-E, facilitating binding with both human and murine CD94-NKG2A. These data underscore human and murine CD94-NKG2A cross-species heterogeneity and provide a foundation for humanising Qa-1b in immune system models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce J MacLachlan
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Lucy C Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Andrew G Brooks
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Julian P Vivian
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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14
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Zhang X, Wang J, Wang M, Du M, Chen J, Wang L, Wu J. IFN-β Pretreatment Alleviates Allogeneic Renal Tubular Epithelial Cell-Induced NK Cell Responses via the IRF7/HLA-E/NKG2A Axis. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 212:715-722. [PMID: 38149913 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint molecules are promising targets for suppressing the immune response but have received little attention in immune tolerance induction in organ transplantation. In this study, we found that IFN-β could induce the expression of HLA-E as well as PD-L1 on human renal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 and renal tissue of the C57BL/6 mouse. The JAK/STAT2 pathway was necessary for this process. Upregulation of both HLA-E and PD-L1 was fully abrogated by the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib. Signaling pathway molecules, including STAT1, STAT2, mTOR, Tyk2, and p38 MAPK, were involved in HLA-E and PD-L1 upregulation. IRF7 is the key transcription factor responsible for the activation of HLA-E and PD-L1 promoters. Through screening an epigenetic regulation library, we found a natural compound, bisdemethoxycurcumin, enhanced IFN-β-induced HLA-E and PD-L1 expression in vitro and in vivo. In PBMC-derived CD56+ NK cells, we found that NKG2A but not PD1 was constitutively expressed, indicating HLA-E/NKG2A as a more potent target to induce tolerance to innate immune cells. Pretreating HK-2 cells by IFN-β significantly attenuated the degranulation of their coincubated NK cells and protected cells from NK-mediated lysis. In conclusion, IFN-β pretreatment could activate HLA-E and PD-L1 transcription through the JAK/STAT/IRF7 pathway and then could protect renal tubular epithelial cells from allogeneic immune attack mediated by NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junni Wang
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mowang Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengbao Du
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianghua Chen
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Limengmeng Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianyong Wu
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urinary System Disease, Hangzhou, China
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15
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Taylor BC, Sun X, Gonzalez-Ericsson PI, Sanchez V, Sanders ME, Wescott EC, Opalenik SR, Hanna A, Chou ST, Van Kaer L, Gomez H, Isaacs C, Ballinger TJ, Santa-Maria CA, Shah PD, Dees EC, Lehmann BD, Abramson VG, Pietenpol JA, Balko JM. NKG2A Is a Therapeutic Vulnerability in Immunotherapy Resistant MHC-I Heterogeneous Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:290-307. [PMID: 37791898 PMCID: PMC10850946 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite the success of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) in treating cancer, patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) often develop resistance to therapy, and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. MHC-I expression is essential for antigen presentation and T-cell-directed immunotherapy responses. This study demonstrates that TNBC patients display intratumor heterogeneity in regional MHC-I expression. In murine models, loss of MHC-I negates antitumor immunity and ICI response, whereas intratumor MHC-I heterogeneity leads to increased infiltration of natural killer (NK) cells in an IFNγ-dependent manner. Using spatial technologies, MHC-I heterogeneity is associated with clinical resistance to anti-programmed death (PD) L1 therapy and increased NK:T-cell ratios in human breast tumors. MHC-I heterogeneous tumors require NKG2A to suppress NK-cell function. Combining anti-NKG2A and anti-PD-L1 therapies restores complete response in heterogeneous MHC-I murine models, dependent on the presence of activated, tumor-infiltrating NK and CD8+ T cells. These results suggest that similar strategies may enhance patient benefit in clinical trials. SIGNIFICANCE Clinical resistance to immunotherapy is common in breast cancer, and many patients will likely require combination therapy to maximize immunotherapeutic benefit. This study demonstrates that heterogeneous MHC-I expression drives resistance to anti-PD-L1 therapy and exposes NKG2A on NK cells as a target to overcome resistance. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 201.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiaopeng Sun
- Cancer Biology Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Paula I. Gonzalez-Ericsson
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Violeta Sanchez
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Melinda E. Sanders
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Elizabeth C. Wescott
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Susan R. Opalenik
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Ann Hanna
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Shu-Ting Chou
- Cancer Biology Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Luc Van Kaer
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Henry Gomez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas, Lima, Perú
| | - Claudine Isaacs
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Tarah J. Ballinger
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Payal D. Shah
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Elizabeth C. Dees
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Brian D. Lehmann
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Vandana G. Abramson
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jennifer A. Pietenpol
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Justin M. Balko
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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16
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Qiu Y, Liu L, Jiang W, Xu Z, Wang J, Dai S, Guo J, Xu J. NKG2A +CD8 + T cells infiltration determines immunosuppressive contexture and inferior response to immunotherapy in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008368. [PMID: 38262706 PMCID: PMC10824007 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008368] [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] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunotherapy is gaining momentum, but current treatments have limitations in terms of beneficiaries. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) harbors the highest expression of human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E), ligand of NKG2A, among all solid tumors. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of NKG2A+CD8+ T cells in tumor microenvironment and its potential as a novel target in ccRCC. METHODS This study included four independent cohorts, including 234 patients from Zhongshan cohort (ZSHC) who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy at Zhongshan Hospital, and 117 metastatic patients from metastatic Zhongshan cohort (ZSHC-metastatic renal cell carcinoma) who were treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor or tyrosine kinase inhibitor alone. We also incorporated a cohort of 530 patients diagnosed with ccRCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (referred to as TCGA-kidney renal clear cell carcinoma) and 311 patients from CheckMate cohort for bioinformatics exploration and hypothesis validation. Fresh surgical specimens from 15 patients who underwent ccRCC surgery at Zhongshan Hospital were collected for flow cytometry analysis. Another 10 fresh surgical specimens were used to investigate the therapeutic potential of NKG2A blockade after in vitro intervention. The infiltration of NKG2A+CD8+ T cells was assessed using immunohistochemical staining, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining in ZSHC cohort. RESULTS Patients with higher infiltration of NKG2A+CD8+ T cells in ccRCC exhibited shorter overall survival and resistance to immunotherapy. NKG2A+CD8+ T cells expressed upregulated checkpoint molecules and displayed impaired effector functions, along with tissue-residency characteristics. Combination of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) blockade and NKG2A blockade demonstrated an enhanced capability in reactivating CD8+ T cells effector functions. CONCLUSION Intense infiltration of NKG2A+CD8+ T cells were associated with poorer prognosis and response to immunotherapy. NKG2A blockade combined with current immunotherapy exhibited a robust ability to reactivate CD8+ T cells effector functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youqi Qiu
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenbin Jiang
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziyang Xu
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiahao Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Siyuan Dai
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianming Guo
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiejie Xu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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17
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Liu J, Gao Y, Song C, Liao W, Meng L, Yang S, Xiong Y. Immunotherapeutic prospects and progress in bladder cancer. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18101. [PMID: 38165009 PMCID: PMC10902563 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours of the urogenital system, with high morbidity and mortality. In most cases, surgery is considered the first choice of treatment, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the 5-year recurrence rate is still as high as 65% in patients with non-invasive or in situ tumours and up to 73% in patients with slightly more advanced disease at initial diagnosis. Various treatment methods for bladder cancer have been developed, and hundreds of new immunotherapies are being tested. To date, only a small percentage of people have had success with new treatments, though studies have suggested that the combination of immunotherapy with other therapies improves treatment efficiency and positive outcomes for individuals, with great hopes for the future. In this article, we summarize the origins, therapeutic mechanisms and current status of research on immunotherapeutic agents for bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junwei Liu
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yue Gao
- Department of Party and Administration, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Chao Song
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wenbiao Liao
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lingchao Meng
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Sixing Yang
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yunhe Xiong
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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18
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Yi M, Li T, Niu M, Mei Q, Zhao B, Chu Q, Dai Z, Wu K. Exploiting innate immunity for cancer immunotherapy. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:187. [PMID: 38008741 PMCID: PMC10680233 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01885-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment paradigms of various types of cancers. However, most of these immunomodulatory strategies focus on harnessing adaptive immunity, mainly by inhibiting immunosuppressive signaling with immune checkpoint blockade, or enhancing immunostimulatory signaling with bispecific T cell engager and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell. Although these agents have already achieved great success, only a tiny percentage of patients could benefit from immunotherapies. Actually, immunotherapy efficacy is determined by multiple components in the tumor microenvironment beyond adaptive immunity. Cells from the innate arm of the immune system, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and unconventional T cells, also participate in cancer immune evasion and surveillance. Considering that the innate arm is the cornerstone of the antitumor immune response, utilizing innate immunity provides potential therapeutic options for cancer control. Up to now, strategies exploiting innate immunity, such as agonists of stimulator of interferon genes, CAR-macrophage or -natural killer cell therapies, metabolic regulators, and novel immune checkpoint blockade, have exhibited potent antitumor activities in preclinical and clinical studies. Here, we summarize the latest insights into the potential roles of innate cells in antitumor immunity and discuss the advances in innate arm-targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yi
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Breast Surgery, College of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianye Li
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengke Niu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Mei
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Department of Breast Surgery, College of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Chu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhijun Dai
- Department of Breast Surgery, College of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Kongming Wu
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
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19
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Chen M, Bie L, Ying J. Cancer cell-intrinsic PD-1: Its role in malignant progression and immunotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115514. [PMID: 37716115 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), also called CD279, is coded by the PDCD1 gene and is constitutively expressed on the surface of immune cells. As a receptor and immune checkpoint, PD-1 can bind to programmed death ligand-1/programmed death ligand-2 (PD-L1/PD-L2) in tumor cells, leading to tumor immune evasion. Anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 are important components in tumor immune therapy. PD-1 is also expressed as an intrinsic variant (iPD-1) in cancer cells where it plays important roles in malignant progression as proposed by recent studies. However, iPD-1 has received much less attention compared to PD-1 expressed on immune cells although there is an unmet medical need for fully elucidating the mechanisms of actions to achieve the best response in tumor immunotherapy. iPD-1 suppresses tumorigenesis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colon cancer, whereas it promotes tumorigenesis in melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), thyroid cancer (TC), glioblastoma (GBM), and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In this review, we focus on the role of iPD-1 in tumorigenesis and development and its molecular mechanisms. We also deeply discuss nivolumab-based combined therapy in common tumor therapy. iPD-1 may explain the different therapeutic effects of anti-PD-1 treatment and provide critical information for use in combined anti-tumor approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhua Chen
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary & Gastric Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
| | - Lei Bie
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Wuhan No.1 Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Jieer Ying
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary & Gastric Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
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20
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Borgeaud M, Sandoval J, Obeid M, Banna G, Michielin O, Addeo A, Friedlaender A. Novel targets for immune-checkpoint inhibition in cancer. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 120:102614. [PMID: 37603905 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Immune-checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer therapy, yet many patients either do not derive any benefit from treatment or develop a resistance to checkpoint inhibitors. Intrinsic resistance can result from neoantigen depletion, defective antigen presentation, PD-L1 downregulation, immune-checkpoint ligand upregulation, immunosuppression, and tumor cell phenotypic changes. On the other hand, extrinsic resistance involves acquired upregulation of inhibitory immune-checkpoints, leading to T-cell exhaustion. Current data suggest that PD-1, CTLA-4, and LAG-3 upregulation limits the efficacy of single-agent immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Ongoing clinical trials are investigating novel immune-checkpoint targets to avoid or overcome resistance. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the evolving landscape of potentially targetable immune-checkpoints in cancer. We highlight their biology, emphasizing the current understanding of resistance mechanisms and focusing on promising strategies that are under investigation. We also summarize current results and ongoing clinical trials in this crucial field that could once again revolutionize outcomes for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michel Obeid
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppe Banna
- Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK
| | | | | | - Alex Friedlaender
- Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland; Clinique Générale Beaulieu, Geneva, Switzerland.
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21
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Li Z, Guo M, Lin W, Huang P. Machine Learning-Based Integration Develops a Macrophage-Related Index for Predicting Prognosis and Immunotherapy Response in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Arch Med Res 2023; 54:102897. [PMID: 37865004 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2023.102897] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Macrophages play a critical role in tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) formation and cancer progression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, few studies have comprehensively and systematically described the characteristics of macrophages in LUAD. METHODS This study identified macrophage-related markers with single-cell RNA sequencing data from the GSE189487 dataset. An integrative machine learning-based procedure based on 10 algorithms was developed to construct a macrophage-related index (MRI) in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), GSE30219, GSE31210, and GSE72094 datasets. Several algorithms were used to evaluate the associations of MRI with TIME and immunotherapy-related biomarkers. The role of MRI in predicting the immunotherapy response was evaluated with the GSE91061 dataset. RESULTS The optimal MRI constructed by the combination of the Lasso algorithm and plsRCox was an independent risk factor in LUAD and showed a stable and powerful performance in predicting the overall survival rate of patients with LUAD. Those with low MRI scores had a higher TIME score, a higher level of immune cells, a higher immunophenoscore, and a lower Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) score, indicating a better response to immunotherapy. The IC50 value of common drugs for chemotherapy and target therapy with low MRI scores was higher compared to high MRI scores. Moreover, the survival prediction nomogram, developed from MRI, had good potential for clinical application in predicting the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rate of LUAD. CONCLUSION Our study constructed for the first time a consensus MRI for LUAD with 10 machine learning algorithms. The MRI could be helpful for risk stratification, prognosis, and selection of treatment approach in LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuwei Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Institute of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Minzhang Guo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Institute of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wanli Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gaozhou People's Hospital, Maoming, China
| | - Peiyuan Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Gaozhou People's Hospital, Maoming, China.
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22
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Momayyezi P, Bilev E, Ljunggren HG, Hammer Q. Viral escape from NK-cell-mediated immunosurveillance: A lesson for cancer immunotherapy? Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2350465. [PMID: 37526136 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350465] [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: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that participate in immune responses against virus-infected cells and tumors. As a countermeasure, viruses and tumors employ strategies to evade NK-cell-mediated immunosurveillance. In this review, we examine immune evasion strategies employed by viruses, focusing on examples from human CMV and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We explore selected viral evasion mechanisms categorized into three classes: (1) providing ligands for the inhibitory receptor NKG2A, (2) downregulating ligands for the activating receptor NKG2D, and (3) inducing the immunosuppressive cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. For each class, we draw parallels between immune evasion by viruses and tumors, reviewing potential opportunities for overcoming evasion in cancer therapy. We suggest that in-depth investigations of host-pathogen interactions between viruses and NK cells will not only deepen our understanding of viral immune evasion but also shed light on how NK cells counter such evasion attempts. Thus, due to the parallels of immune evasion by viruses and tumors, we propose that insights gained from antiviral NK-cell responses may serve as valuable lessons that can be leveraged for designing future cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pouria Momayyezi
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eleni Bilev
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Quirin Hammer
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
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23
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Cerella C, Dicato M, Diederich M. Enhancing personalized immune checkpoint therapy by immune archetyping and pharmacological targeting. Pharmacol Res 2023; 196:106914. [PMID: 37714393 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are an expanding class of immunotherapeutic agents with the potential to cure cancer. Despite the outstanding clinical response in patient subsets, most individuals become refractory or develop resistance. Patient stratification and personalized immunotherapies are limited by the absence of predictive response markers. Recent findings show that dominant patterns of immune cell composition, T-cell status and heterogeneity, and spatiotemporal distribution of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) are becoming essential determinants of prognosis and therapeutic response. In this context, ICIs also function as investigational tools and proof of concept, allowing the validation of the identified mechanisms. After reviewing the current state of ICIs, this article will explore new comprehensive predictive markers for ICIs based on recent discoveries. We will discuss the recent establishment of a classification of TMEs into immune archetypes as a tool for personalized immune profiling, allowing patient stratification before ICI treatment. We will discuss the developing comprehension of T-cell diversity and its role in shaping the immune profile of patients. We describe the potential of strategies that score the mutual spatiotemporal modulation between T-cells and other cellular components of the TME. Additionally, we will provide an overview of a range of synthetic and naturally occurring or derived small molecules. We will compare compounds that were recently identified by in silico prediction to wet lab-validated drug candidates with the potential to function as ICIs and/or modulators of the cellular components of the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Cerella
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du Cancer (LBMCC), Fondation Recherche sur le Cancer et les Maladies du Sang, Pavillon 2, 6A rue Barblé, L-1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Mario Dicato
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du Cancer (LBMCC), Fondation Recherche sur le Cancer et les Maladies du Sang, Pavillon 2, 6A rue Barblé, L-1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Marc Diederich
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea.
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24
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Zhi L, Wang X, Gao Q, He W, Shang C, Guo C, Niu Z, Zhu W, Zhang X. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors determining natural killer cell fate: Phenotype and function. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115136. [PMID: 37453199 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are derived from hematopoietic stem cells. They belong to the innate lymphoid cell family, which is an important part of innate immunity. This family plays a role in the body mainly through the release of perforin, granzyme, and various cytokines and is involved in cytotoxicity and cytokine-mediated immune regulation. NK cells involved in normal immune regulation and the tumor microenvironment (TME) can exhibit completely different states. Here, we discuss the growth, development, and function of NK cells in regard to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors are those that influence NK cells to promote cell maturation and exert their effector functions under the control of internal metabolism and self-related genes. Extrinsic factors include the metabolism of the TME and the influence of related proteins on the "fate" of NK cells. This review targets the potential of NK cell metabolism, cellular molecules, regulatory genes, and other mechanisms involved in immune regulation. We further discuss immune-mediated tumor therapy, which is the trend of current research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingtong Zhi
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Innovation for Synthetic Biology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, PR China
| | - Xing Wang
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Innovation for Synthetic Biology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, PR China
| | - Qing Gao
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Innovation for Synthetic Biology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, PR China
| | - Wenhui He
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Innovation for Synthetic Biology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, PR China
| | - Chongye Shang
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Innovation for Synthetic Biology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, PR China
| | - Changjiang Guo
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Innovation for Synthetic Biology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, PR China
| | - Zhiyuan Niu
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Innovation for Synthetic Biology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, PR China
| | - Wuling Zhu
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Innovation for Synthetic Biology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, PR China.
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, PR China.
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25
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Wong JL, Smith P, Angulo-Lozano J, Ranti D, Bochner BH, Sfakianos JP, Horowitz A, Ravetch JV, Knorr DA. IL-15 synergizes with CD40 agonist antibodies to induce durable immunity against bladder cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2306782120. [PMID: 37607227 PMCID: PMC10467355 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306782120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
CD40 is a central costimulatory receptor implicated in productive antitumor immune responses across multiple cancers, including bladder cancer. Despite strong preclinical rationale, systemic administration of therapeutic agonistic antibodies targeting the CD40 pathway has demonstrated dose-limiting toxicities with minimal clinical activity, emphasizing an important need for optimized CD40-targeted approaches, including rational combination therapy strategies. Here, we describe a role for the endogenous IL-15 pathway in contributing to the therapeutic activity of CD40 agonism in orthotopic bladder tumors, with upregulation of transpresented IL-15/IL-15Rα surface complexes, particularly by cross-presenting conventional type 1 DCs (Dendritic Cells), and associated enrichment of activated CD8 T cells. In bladder cancer patient samples, we identify DCs as the primary source of IL-15, although they lack high levels of IL-15Rα at baseline. Using humanized immunocompetent orthotopic bladder tumor models, we demonstrate the ability to therapeutically augment this interaction through combined treatment with anti-CD40 agonist antibodies and exogenous IL-15, including the fully-human Fc-optimized antibody 2141-V11 currently in clinical development for the treatment of bladder cancer. Collectively, these data reveal an important role for IL-15 in mediating antitumor CD40 agonist responses in bladder cancer and provide key proof-of-concept for combined use of Fc-optimized anti-CD40 agonist antibodies and agents targeting the IL-15 pathway. These data support expansion of ongoing clinical studies evaluating anti-CD40 agonist antibodies and IL-15-based approaches to develop combinations of these promising therapeutics for the treatment of patients with bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L. Wong
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY10065
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY10065
| | - Patrick Smith
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY10065
| | - Juan Angulo-Lozano
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY10065
| | - Daniel Ranti
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Bernard H. Bochner
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY10065
| | - John P. Sfakianos
- Department of Urology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Amir Horowitz
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Jeffrey V. Ravetch
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY10065
| | - David A. Knorr
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY10065
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY10065
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26
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Wang W, Zhang X, Jiang S, Xu P, Chen K, Li K, Wang F, Le X, Zhang K. A novel signature constructed by differential genes of muscle-invasive and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer for the prediction of prognosis in bladder cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1187286. [PMID: 37691944 PMCID: PMC10483405 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1187286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bladder cancer (BCa) is a malignant tumor that usually forms cancer cells in the inner lining of the bladder. Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide have BCa diagnosed each year. The purpose of this study was to construct a prognostic model by differential expression of genes between muscular and non-muscular invasive BCa, and to investigate the prognosis of BCa patients. Methods The data of BCa patients was sourced from the GEO and TCGA database. Single-cell sequencing data was obtained from three patients in the GSE135337 database, and microarray data for verification was obtained from GSE32894. Univariate, Lasso and multivariate cox regression analyses were performed to construct the prognostic model. The prognostic features, immune features and drug sensitivity of the model were further evaluated. Single-cell data and microarray data were used to validate the differential expression of model genes between muscle-invasive and non-muscle-invasive BCa. The invasion and migration of BCa cells were evaluated using the transwell assay and wound-healing assay. The cell proliferation capacity was simultaneously evaluated using Colony formation experiments. The protein expression of the specific gene was detected by western blot analysis. Results We identified 183 differentially expressed muscle-invasive-related differential genes (MIRDGs), among which four were selected to establish a prognostic model. Based on our signature, patients in different groups displayed varying levels of immune infiltration and immunotherapy profiles. Single-cell sequencing data and microarray data confirmed that four invasion-related genes were expressed at higher levels in muscle-invasive BCa. Given the critical role of S100A9 in the progression of BCa, we performed further analysis. The results showed that protein expression of S100A9 was high in muscle-invasive BCa, and S100A9 knockdown could inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of BCa. Conclusion These findings demonstrated that the prognostic model for BCa patients was reasonably accurate and valid, and it may prove to be of considerable value for the treatment and prognosis of BCa patients in the future. S100A9 may become a better prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target to further guide clinical treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhuo Wang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Urology, Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Silin Jiang
- Department of Urology, Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Department of Urology, Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kang Chen
- Department of Urology, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiang Le
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
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27
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Yang L, Wang X, Liu J, Liu X, Li S, Zheng F, Dong Q, Xu S, Xiong J, Fu B. Prognostic and tumor microenvironmental feature of clear cell renal cell carcinoma revealed by m6A and lactylation modification-related genes. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1225023. [PMID: 37638005 PMCID: PMC10450969 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1225023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Both lactylation and m6A modification have important implications for the development of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and we aimed to use crosstalk genes of both to reveal the prognostic and immunological features of ccRCC. Methods Our first step was to look for lactylation-related genes that differed between normal and tumor tissues, and then by correlation analysis, we found the genes associated with M6A. Following that, ccRCC subtypes will be identified and risk models will be constructed to compare the prognosis and tumor microenvironment among different subgroups. A nomogram was constructed to predict the prognosis of ccRCC, and in vitro, experiments were conducted to validate the expression and function of key genes. Results We screened 100 crosstalk genes and identified 2 ccRCC subtypes. A total of 11 prognostic genes were screened for building a risk model. we observed higher immune scores, elevated tumor mutational burden, and microsatellite instability scores in the high-risk group. Therefore, individuals classified as high-risk would derive greater benefits from immunotherapy. The nomogram's ability to predict overall survival with a 1-year AUC of 0.863 demonstrates its significant practical utility. In addition, HIBCH was identified as a potential therapeutic target and its expression and function were verified by in vitro experiments. Conclusion In addition to developing a precise prognostic nomogram for patients with ccRCC, our study also discovered the potential of HIBCH as a biomarker for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Songhui Xu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jing Xiong
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bin Fu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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28
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Lee J, Keam B, Park HR, Park JE, Kim S, Kim M, Kim TM, Kim DW, Heo DS. Monalizumab efficacy correlates with HLA-E surface expression and NK cell activity in head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:5705-5715. [PMID: 36547689 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04532-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE NKG2A, an inhibitory receptor expressed on NK cells and T cells, leads to immune evasion by binding to HLA-E expressed on cancer cells. Here, we investigated the relationship between HLA-E surface expression on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and the efficacy of monalizumab, an NKG2A inhibitor, in promoting NK cell activity. METHODS Six HNSCC cell lines were used as target cells. After exposure to IFN- γ, HLA-E surface expression on HNSCC cell lines was measured by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors and isolated NK cells were used as effector cells. NK cells were stimulated by treatment with IL-2 and IL-15 for 5 days, and NK cell-induced cytotoxicity was analyzed by CD107a degranulation and 51Cr release assays. RESULTS We confirmed that HLA-E expression was increased by IFN-γ secreted by NK cells and that HLA-E expression was different for each cell line upon exposure to IFN-γ. Cell lines with high HLA-E expression showed stronger inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity, and efficacy of monalizumab was high. Combination with cetuximab increased the efficacy of monalizumab. In addition, stimulation of isolated NK cells with IL-2 and IL-15 increased the efficacy of monalizumab, even in the HLA-E low groups. CONCLUSION Monalizumab efficacy was correlated with HLA-E surface expression and was enhanced when NK cell activity was increased by cetuximab or cytokines. These results suggest that monalizumab may be potent against HLA-E-positive tumors and that monalizumab efficacy could be improved by promoting NK cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongjae Lee
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Integrated Major in Innovative Medical Science, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bhumsuk Keam
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ha-Ram Park
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Eun Park
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyeon Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Integrated Major in Innovative Medical Science, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Miso Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Min Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Wan Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Integrated Major in Innovative Medical Science, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Seog Heo
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
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29
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Bernson E, Huhn O, Karlsson V, Hawkes D, Lycke M, Cazzetta V, Mikulak J, Hall J, Piskorz AM, Portuesi R, Vitobello D, Fiamengo B, Siesto G, Horowitz A, Ghadially H, Mavilio D, Brenton JD, Sundfeldt K, Colucci F. Identification of Tissue-Resident Natural Killer and T Lymphocytes with Anti-Tumor Properties in Ascites of Ovarian Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3362. [PMID: 37444472 PMCID: PMC10340516 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Women with ovarian cancer have limited therapy options, with immunotherapy being unsatisfactory for a large group of patients. Tumor cells spread from the ovary or the fallopian tube into the abdominal cavity, which is commonly accompanied with massive ascites production. The ascites represents a unique peritoneal liquid tumor microenvironment with the presence of both tumor and immune cells, including cytotoxic lymphocytes. We characterized lymphocytes in ascites from patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Our data reveal the presence of NK and CD8+ T lymphocytes expressing CD103 and CD49a, which are markers of tissue residency. Moreover, these cells express high levels of the inhibitory NKG2A receptor, with the highest expression level detected on tissue-resident NK cells. Lymphocytes with these features were also present at the primary tumor site. Functional assays showed that tissue-resident NK cells in ascites are highly responsive towards ovarian tumor cells. Similar results were observed in an in vivo mouse model, in which tissue-resident NK and CD8+ T cells were detected in the peritoneal fluid upon tumor growth. Together, our data reveal the presence of highly functional lymphocyte populations that may be targeted to improve immunotherapy for patients with ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin Bernson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke’s Hosptial, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Oisín Huhn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke’s Hosptial, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Veronika Karlsson
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Delia Hawkes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke’s Hosptial, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Maria Lycke
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Valentina Cazzetta
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Joanna Mikulak
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - James Hall
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
| | - Anna M. Piskorz
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
| | - Rosalba Portuesi
- Unit of Gynecology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Domenico Vitobello
- Unit of Gynecology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Barbara Fiamengo
- Unit of Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siesto
- Unit of Gynecology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Amir Horowitz
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Hormas Ghadially
- AstraZeneca, Oncology R&D, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GP, UK
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Oral Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Blantyre Private Bag 360, Malawi
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - James D. Brenton
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
| | - Karin Sundfeldt
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Francesco Colucci
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke’s Hosptial, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
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30
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Koti M, Bivalacqua T, Black PC, Cathomen T, Galsky MD, Gulley JL, Ingersoll MA, Kamat AM, Kassouf W, Siemens DR, Gao J. Adaptive Immunity in Genitourinary Cancers. Eur Urol Oncol 2023; 6:263-272. [PMID: 37069029 DOI: 10.1016/j.euo.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT While urothelial and renal cell cancers have exhibited modest responses to novel immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed death ligand 1 and its receptor, response rates in patients with prostate cancer have remained poor. The factors underlying suboptimal outcomes observed in patients treated with novel immunotherapies are still to be resolved. OBJECTIVE To review the literature and describe the key adaptive immune physiological events associated with cancer progression and therapeutic response in genitourinary (GU) cancers. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We performed a nonsystematic, collaborative narrative review to highlight recent advancements leading to the current state of knowledge on the critical mediators of antitumor adaptive immunity to GU cancers. Further, we discuss the findings on the pre- and post-treatment immunological events that either are unique to each of the three cancer types or exhibit overlapping clinical associations. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Aging-associated immune function decline is a major factor underlying poor outcomes observed in patients treated with both conventional and novel immunotherapies. Other cancer immunobiological aspects associated with suboptimal responses in GU cancers include the overall tumor mutational burden, mutations in specific tumor suppressor/DNA damage repair genes (KDM6A, PTEN, STAG2, TP53, ATM, and BRCA2), and abundance of multiple functional states of adaptive immune cells and their spatiotemporal localization within the tumor immune microenvironment. Understanding these mechanisms may potentially lead to the development of prognostic and predictive biomarkers such as immune cell infiltration profiles and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) that associate with variable clinical outcomes depending on the nature of the novel immunotherapeutic approach. Implementation of newer immune-monitoring technologies and improved preclinical modeling systems will augment our understanding of the host and tumor intrinsic factors contributing to the variability of responses to immunotherapies. CONCLUSIONS Despite the tremendous progress made in the understanding of dynamic and static adaptive immune elements within the tumor immune landscape, several knowledge gaps remain. A comprehensive knowledge thus gained will lead to precision immunotherapy, improved drug sequencing, and a therapeutic response. PATIENT SUMMARY We performed a collaborative review by a diverse group of experts in the field to examine our understanding of the events and crosstalk between cancer cells and the patient's immune system that are associated with responses to novel immunotherapies. An evolving understanding of tumor-intrinsic and host-related immune alterations, both before and after therapy, will aid in the discovery of promising markers of responses to immunotherapy as well as the development of unique therapeutic approaches for the management of genitourinary cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhuri Koti
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
| | - Trinity Bivalacqua
- Department of Urology, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Peter C Black
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Toni Cathomen
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Faculty of Medicine & Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthew D Galsky
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - James L Gulley
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Molly A Ingersoll
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, 75014, France; Mucosal Inflammation and Immunity, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Ashish M Kamat
- Department of Urology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wassim Kassouf
- Division of Urology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - D Robert Siemens
- Department of Urology, Queen's University School of Medicine, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Jianjun Gao
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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31
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Pan S, Guan J, Xianyu B, Tan Y, Li T, Xu H. A Nanotherapeutic Strategy to Reverse NK Cell Exhaustion. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2211370. [PMID: 36917826 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202211370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
As a specialized immune effector cell, natural killer (NK) cells play a very important role in immunotherapy, but tumor immunosuppression caused by abnormal expression of cancer cells seriously weakens its therapeutic effect and leads to exhaustion. Here, self-assembled selenium-containing nanoparticles (NPs) composed of cetuximab, C5SeSeC5, and inhibitor LY345899 are developed to reverse NK cell exhaustion. The obtained NPs can target epidermal growth factor receptor on the surface of cancer cells and locate it in mitochondria. The released LY345899 can inhibit the activity of methylene tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 and produce excessive reactive oxygen species, leading to the formation of seleninic acid, further reducing the expression of human leukocyte antigen E , which is responsible for the NKG2A-related NK cell inhibition. As a result, the enhanced NK-cell-mediated immunotherapy in conjunction with the cetuximab-mediated antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity effect can not only effectively inhibit the growth of xenograft tumors, but also significantly suppress the growth of untreated distant tumors via the abscopal effect. This work, the combination of seleninic acid, LY345899, and cetuximab, provides a new strategy for reversing NK cell exhaustion and has great potential for use in the treatment of metastatic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuojiong Pan
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jun Guan
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Banruo Xianyu
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yizheng Tan
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Tianyu Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Huaping Xu
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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32
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Benavente S. Remodeling the tumor microenvironment to overcome treatment resistance in HPV-negative head and neck cancer. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2023; 6:291-313. [PMID: 37457128 PMCID: PMC10344731 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2022.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Despite intensive efforts and refined techniques, overall survival in HPV-negative head and neck cancer remains poor. Robust immune priming is required to elicit a strong and durable antitumor immune response in immunologically cold and excluded tumors like HPV-negative head and neck cancer. This review highlights how the tumor microenvironment could be affected by different immune and stromal cell types, weighs the need to integrate metabolic regulation of the tumor microenvironment into cancer treatment strategies and summarizes the emerging clinical applicability of personalized immunotherapeutic strategies in HPV-negative head and neck cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Benavente
- Correspondence to: Dr. Sergi Benavente, Department of Radiation Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119, Barcelona 08035, Spain. E-mail:
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33
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Levy R, Alter Regev T, Paes W, Gumpert N, Cohen Shvefel S, Bartok O, Dayan-Rubinov M, Alon M, Shmueli M, Levin Y, Merbl Y, Ternette N, Samuels Y. Large-Scale Immuno-Peptidome Analysis Reveals Recurrent Post-Translational Splicing of Cancer and Immune-Associated Genes. Mol Cell Proteomics 2023; 22:100519. [PMID: 36828127 PMCID: PMC10119686 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-translational spliced peptides (PTSPs) are a unique class of peptides that have been found to be presented by HLA-class-I molecules in cancer (1). Thus far, no consensus has been reached on the proportion of PTSPs in the immunopeptidome, with estimates ranging from 2% to as high as 45% and stirring significant debate (2-8). Furthermore, the role of the HLA-class-II pathway in PTSP presentation has been studied only in diabetes (9). Here, we exploit our large-scale cancer peptidomics database and our newly devised pipeline for filtering spliced peptide predictions to identify recurring spliced peptides, both for HLA-class-I and -II complexes. Our results indicate that HLA-class-I spliced peptides account for a low percentage of the immunopeptidome (less than 3.1%), yet are larger in number relative to other types of identified aberrant peptides. Therefore, spliced peptides significantly contribute to the repertoire of presented peptides in cancer cells. In addition, we identified HLA-class-II-bound spliced peptides, but to a lower extent (less than 0.5%). The identified spliced peptides include cancer- and immune-associated genes, such as the MITF oncogene, DAPK1 tumor suppressor and HLA-E, which were validated using synthetic peptides. The potential immunogenicity of the DAPK1- and HLA-E-derived PTSPs was also confirmed. In addition, a reanalysis of our published mouse single-cell clone immunopeptidome dataset showed that most of the spliced peptides were found repeatedly in a large number of the single-cell clones. Establishing a novel search-scheme for the discovery and evaluation of recurring PTSPs among cancer patients may assist in identifying potential novel targets for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronen Levy
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tal Alter Regev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Wayne Paes
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nofar Gumpert
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sapir Cohen Shvefel
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Osnat Bartok
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Maria Dayan-Rubinov
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Michal Alon
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - MeravD Shmueli
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yishai Levin
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yifat Merbl
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nicola Ternette
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yardena Samuels
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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34
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Koh JY, Kim DU, Moon BH, Shin EC. Human CD8 + T-Cell Populations That Express Natural Killer Receptors. Immune Netw 2023; 23:e8. [PMID: 36911797 PMCID: PMC9995994 DOI: 10.4110/in.2023.23.e8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are activated by TCRs that recognize specific cognate Ags, while NK-cell activation is regulated by a balance between signals from germline-encoded activating and inhibitory NK receptors. Through these different processes of Ag recognition, CD8+ T cells and NK cells play distinct roles as adaptive and innate immune cells, respectively. However, some human CD8+ T cells have been found to express activating or inhibitory NK receptors. CD8+ T-cell populations expressing NK receptors straddle the innate-adaptive boundary with their innate-like features. Recent breakthrough technical advances in multi-omics analysis have enabled elucidation of the unique immunologic characteristics of these populations. However, studies have not yet fully clarified the heterogeneity and immunological characteristics of each CD8+ T-cell population expressing NK receptors. Here we aimed to review the current knowledge of various CD8+ T-cell populations expressing NK receptors, and to pave the way for delineating the landscape and identifying the various roles of these T-cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- June-Young Koh
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea.,Genome Insight, Inc., Daejeon 34051, Korea
| | - Dong-Uk Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Bae-Hyeon Moon
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Eui-Cheol Shin
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea.,The Center for Viral Immunology, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34126, Korea
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35
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Walker RR, Rentia Z, Chiappinelli KB. Epigenetically programmed resistance to chemo- and immuno-therapies. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 158:41-71. [PMID: 36990538 PMCID: PMC10184181 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.12.001] [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] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to cancer treatments remains a major barrier in developing cancer cures. While promising combination chemotherapy treatments and novel immunotherapies have improved patient outcomes, resistance to these treatments remains poorly understood. New insights into the dysregulation of the epigenome show how it promotes tumor growth and resistance to therapy. By altering control of gene expression, tumor cells can evade immune cell recognition, ignore apoptotic cues, and reverse DNA damage induced by chemotherapies. In this chapter, we summarize the data on epigenetic remodeling during cancer progression and treatment that enable cancer cell survival and describe how these epigenetic changes are being targeted clinically to overcome resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reddick R Walker
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, United States; Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Zainab Rentia
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, United States
| | - Katherine B Chiappinelli
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, United States; Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States.
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36
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Ingersoll MA. Does immune cell exhaustion lie at the heart of BCG-unresponsive disease? Nat Rev Urol 2022; 20:201-202. [PMID: 36456853 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-022-00687-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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37
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Fisher JG, Doyle ADP, Graham LV, Khakoo SI, Blunt MD. Disruption of the NKG2A:HLA-E Immune Checkpoint Axis to Enhance NK Cell Activation against Cancer. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1993. [PMID: 36560403 PMCID: PMC9783329 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10121993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ligation of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A by its ligand HLA-E negatively regulates the activation of natural killer (NK) cells, as well as subsets of CD8+ T cells and innate T cell populations. NKG2A has recently become a novel immune checkpoint target for the treatment of cancer and direct antibody mediated blockade of NKG2A function is currently under assessment in two phase 3 clinical trials. In addition to direct targeting, the NKG2A:HLA-E axis can also be disrupted indirectly via multiple different targeted cancer agents that were not previously recognised to possess immunomodulatory properties. Increased understanding of immune cell modulation by targeted cancer therapies will allow for the design of rational and more efficacious drug combination strategies to improve cancer patient outcomes. In this review, we summarise and discuss the various strategies currently in development which either directly or indirectly disrupt the NKG2A:HLA-E interaction to enhance NK cell activation against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Matthew D. Blunt
- School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
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