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Than MT, O'Hara M, Stanger BZ, Reiss KA. KRAS-Driven Tumorigenesis and KRAS-Driven Therapy in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:1378-1388. [PMID: 39118358 PMCID: PMC11444872 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and is projected to be the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths by 2030. Mutations in KRAS are found in the vast majority of PDAC cases and plays an important role in the development of the disease. KRAS drives tumor cell proliferation and survival through activating the MAPK pathway to drive cell cycle progression and to lead to MYC-driven cellular programs. Moreover, activated KRAS promotes a protumorigenic microenvironment through forming a desmoplastic stroma and by impairing antitumor immunity. Secretion of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and protumorigenic macrophages results in an immunosuppressive environment while secretion of secrete sonic hedgehog and TGFβ drive fibroblastic features characteristic of PDAC. Recent development of several small molecules to directly target KRAS marks an important milestone in precision medicine. Many molecules show promise in preclinical models of PDAC and in early phase clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the underlying cell intrinsic and extrinsic roles of KRAS in PDAC tumorigenesis, the pharmacologic development of KRAS inhibition, and therapeutic strategies to target KRAS in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh T Than
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Abramson Cancer Center and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Mark O'Hara
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Abramson Cancer Center and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ben Z Stanger
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Abramson Cancer Center and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kim A Reiss
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Abramson Cancer Center and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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2
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Basar E, Mead H, Shum B, Rauter I, Ay C, Skaletz-Rorowski A, Brockmeyer NH. Biological Barriers for Drug Delivery and Development of Innovative Therapeutic Approaches in HIV, Pancreatic Cancer, and Hemophilia A/B. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:1207. [PMID: 39339243 PMCID: PMC11435036 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16091207] [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: 07/26/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Biological barriers remain a major obstacle for the development of innovative therapeutics. Depending on a disease's pathophysiology, the involved tissues, cell populations, and cellular components, drugs often have to overcome several biological barriers to reach their target cells and become effective in a specific cellular compartment. Human biological barriers are incredibly diverse and include multiple layers of protection and obstruction. Importantly, biological barriers are not only found at the organ/tissue level, but also include cellular structures such as the outer plasma membrane, the endolysosomal machinery, and the nuclear envelope. Nowadays, clinicians have access to a broad arsenal of therapeutics ranging from chemically synthesized small molecules, biologicals including recombinant proteins (such as monoclonal antibodies and hormones), nucleic-acid-based therapeutics, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), to modern viral-vector-mediated gene therapy. In the past decade, the therapeutic landscape has been changing rapidly, giving rise to a multitude of innovative therapy approaches. In 2018, the FDA approval of patisiran paved the way for small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to become a novel class of nucleic-acid-based therapeutics, which-upon effective drug delivery to their target cells-allow to elegantly regulate the post-transcriptional gene expression. The recent approvals of valoctocogene roxaparvovec and etranacogene dezaparvovec for the treatment of hemophilia A and B, respectively, mark the breakthrough of viral-vector-based gene therapy as a new tool to cure disease. A multitude of highly innovative medicines and drug delivery methods including mRNA-based cancer vaccines and exosome-targeted therapy is on the verge of entering the market and changing the treatment landscape for a broad range of conditions. In this review, we provide insights into three different disease entities, which are clinically, scientifically, and socioeconomically impactful and have given rise to many technological advancements: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) as a predominant infectious disease, pancreatic carcinoma as one of the most lethal solid cancers, and hemophilia A/B as a hereditary genetic disorder. Our primary objective is to highlight the overarching principles of biological barriers that can be identified across different disease areas. Our second goal is to showcase which therapeutic approaches designed to cross disease-specific biological barriers have been promising in effectively treating disease. In this context, we will exemplify how the right selection of the drug category and delivery vehicle, mode of administration, and therapeutic target(s) can help overcome various biological barriers to prevent, treat, and cure disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Basar
- WIR—Walk In Ruhr, Center for Sexual Health & Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44787 Bochum, Germany;
| | | | - Bennett Shum
- GenePath LLC, Sydney, NSW 2067, Australia
- EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, School of Medical Sciences, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | | | - Cihan Ay
- Division of Haematology and Haemostaseology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Adriane Skaletz-Rorowski
- WIR—Walk In Ruhr, Center for Sexual Health & Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44787 Bochum, Germany;
| | - Norbert H. Brockmeyer
- WIR—Walk In Ruhr, Center for Sexual Health & Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44787 Bochum, Germany;
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3
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Oberstein PE, Dias Costa A, Kawaler EA, Cardot-Ruffino V, Rahma OE, Beri N, Singh H, Abrams TA, Biller LH, Cleary JM, Enzinger P, Huffman BM, McCleary NJ, Perez KJ, Rubinson DA, Schlechter BL, Surana R, Yurgelun MB, Wang SJ, Remland J, Brais LK, Bollenrucher N, Chang E, Ali LR, Lenehan PJ, Dolgalev I, Werba G, Lima C, Keheler CE, Sullivan KM, Dougan M, Hajdu C, Dajee M, Pelletier MR, Nazeer S, Squires M, Bar-Sagi D, Wolpin BM, Nowak JA, Simeone DM, Dougan SK. Blockade of IL1β and PD1 with Combination Chemotherapy Reduces Systemic Myeloid Suppression in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer with Heterogeneous Effects in the Tumor. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:1221-1235. [PMID: 38990554 PMCID: PMC11369625 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-23-1073] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Innate inflammation promotes tumor development, although the role of innate inflammatory cytokines in established human tumors is unclear. Herein, we report clinical and translational results from a phase Ib trial testing whether IL1β blockade in human pancreatic cancer would alleviate myeloid immunosuppression and reveal antitumor T-cell responses to PD1 blockade. Patients with treatment-naïve advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (n = 10) were treated with canakinumab, a high-affinity monoclonal human antiinterleukin-1β (IL1β), the PD1 blocking antibody spartalizumab, and gemcitabine/n(ab)paclitaxel. Analysis of paired peripheral blood from patients in the trial versus patients receiving multiagent chemotherapy showed a modest increase in HLA-DR+CD38+ activated CD8+ T cells and a decrease in circulating monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) by flow cytometry for patients in the trial but not in controls. Similarly, we used patient serum to differentiate monocytic MDSCs in vitro and showed that functional inhibition of T-cell proliferation was reduced when using on-treatment serum samples from patients in the trial but not when using serum from patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Within the tumor, we observed few changes in suppressive myeloid-cell populations or activated T cells as assessed by single-cell transcriptional profiling or multiplex immunofluorescence, although increases in CD8+ T cells suggest that improvements in the tumor immune microenvironment might be revealed by a larger study. Overall, the data indicate that exposure to PD1 and IL1β blockade induced a modest reactivation of peripheral CD8+ T cells and decreased circulating monocytic MDSCs; however, these changes did not lead to similarly uniform alterations in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E. Oberstein
- Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
| | - Andressa Dias Costa
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Emily A. Kawaler
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
- Department of Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
| | - Victoire Cardot-Ruffino
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Osama E. Rahma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Nina Beri
- Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
| | - Harshabad Singh
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Thomas A. Abrams
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Leah H. Biller
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - James M. Cleary
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Peter Enzinger
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Brandon M. Huffman
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Nadine J. McCleary
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Kimberly J. Perez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Douglas A. Rubinson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Benjamin L. Schlechter
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Rishi Surana
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Matthew B. Yurgelun
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - S. Jennifer Wang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Joshua Remland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Lauren K. Brais
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Naima Bollenrucher
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Eugena Chang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Lestat R. Ali
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Patrick J. Lenehan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Igor Dolgalev
- Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
| | - Gregor Werba
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
- Department of Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
| | - Cibelle Lima
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - C. Elizabeth Keheler
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Keri M. Sullivan
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Michael Dougan
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Cristina Hajdu
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
| | - Maya Dajee
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
| | - Marc R. Pelletier
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
| | | | | | - Dafna Bar-Sagi
- Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
| | - Brian M. Wolpin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Jonathan A. Nowak
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Diane M. Simeone
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
- Department of Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
| | - Stephanie K. Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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4
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Poyia F, Neophytou CM, Christodoulou MI, Papageorgis P. The Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer Immunotherapy: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9555. [PMID: 39273502 PMCID: PMC11395109 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179555] [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: 07/26/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer comprises different subtypes, where most cases include ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It is one of the deadliest tumor types, with a poor prognosis. In the majority of patients, the disease has already spread by the time of diagnosis, making full recovery unlikely and increasing mortality risk. Despite developments in its detection and management, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies as well as advances in immunotherapy, only in about 13% of PDAC patients does the overall survival exceed 5 years. This may be attributed, at least in part, to the highly desmoplastic tumor microenvironment (TME) that acts as a barrier limiting perfusion, drug delivery, and immune cell infiltration and contributes to the establishment of immunologically 'cold' conditions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to unravel the complexity of the TME that promotes PDAC progression and decipher the mechanisms of pancreatic tumors' resistance to immunotherapy. In this review, we provide an overview of the major cellular and non-cellular components of PDAC TME, as well as their biological interplays. We also discuss the current state of PDAC therapeutic treatments and focus on ongoing and future immunotherapy efforts and multimodal treatments aiming at remodeling the TME to improve therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fotini Poyia
- Tumor Microenvironment, Metastasis and Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
| | - Christiana M Neophytou
- Apoptosis and Cancer Chemoresistance Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
| | - Maria-Ioanna Christodoulou
- Tumor Immunology and Biomarkers Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
| | - Panagiotis Papageorgis
- Tumor Microenvironment, Metastasis and Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
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5
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Zhang XC, Zhou YW, Wei GX, Luo YQ, Qiu M. Locoregional therapies combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors for liver metastases. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:302. [PMID: 39217341 PMCID: PMC11365172 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03484-1] [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: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have achieved remarkable success in clinical research and practice. Notably, liver metastasis is not sensitive to ICIs. Liver locoregional therapies can cause irreversible damage to tumor cells and release tumor antigens, thereby providing a rationale for immunotherapy treatments in liver metastasis. The combination therapy of ICIs with locoregional therapies is a promising option for patients with liver metastasis. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that combining ICIs with locoregional therapies produces a significantly synergistic anti-tumor effect. However, the current evidence for the efficacy of ICIs combined with locoregional therapies remains insufficient. Therefore, we review the literature on the mechanisms of locoregional therapies in treating liver metastasis and the clinical research progress of their combination with ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Chen Zhang
- Department of Colorectal Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Xiang Street, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yu-Wen Zhou
- Department of Colorectal Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Xiang Street, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Gui-Xia Wei
- Department of Abdominal Cancer, Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi-Qiao Luo
- Department of Abdominal Cancer, Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Meng Qiu
- Department of Colorectal Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Xiang Street, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
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6
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Casacuberta-Serra S, González-Larreategui Í, Capitán-Leo D, Soucek L. MYC and KRAS cooperation: from historical challenges to therapeutic opportunities in cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:205. [PMID: 39164274 PMCID: PMC11336233 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01907-z] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
RAS and MYC rank amongst the most commonly altered oncogenes in cancer, with RAS being the most frequently mutated and MYC the most amplified. The cooperative interplay between RAS and MYC constitutes a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, profoundly influencing tumor development. Together and individually, these two oncogenes regulate most, if not all, hallmarks of cancer, including cell death escape, replicative immortality, tumor-associated angiogenesis, cell invasion and metastasis, metabolic adaptation, and immune evasion. Due to their frequent alteration and role in tumorigenesis, MYC and RAS emerge as highly appealing targets in cancer therapy. However, due to their complex nature, both oncogenes have been long considered "undruggable" and, until recently, no drugs directly targeting them had reached the clinic. This review aims to shed light on their complex partnership, with special attention to their active collaboration in fostering an immunosuppressive milieu and driving immunotherapeutic resistance in cancer. Within this review, we also present an update on the different inhibitors targeting RAS and MYC currently undergoing clinical trials, along with their clinical outcomes and the different combination strategies being explored to overcome drug resistance. This recent clinical development suggests a paradigm shift in the long-standing belief of RAS and MYC "undruggability", hinting at a new era in their therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Íñigo González-Larreategui
- Models of cancer therapies Laboratory, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Cellex Centre, Hospital University Vall d'Hebron Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Capitán-Leo
- Models of cancer therapies Laboratory, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Cellex Centre, Hospital University Vall d'Hebron Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Soucek
- Peptomyc S.L., Barcelona, Spain.
- Models of cancer therapies Laboratory, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Cellex Centre, Hospital University Vall d'Hebron Campus, Barcelona, Spain.
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
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Calderon-Espinosa E, De Ridder K, Benoot T, Jansen Y, Vanhonacker D, Heestermans R, De Becker A, Van Riet I, Decoster L, Goyvaerts C. The crosstalk between lung cancer and the bone marrow niche fuels emergency myelopoiesis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1397469. [PMID: 39148724 PMCID: PMC11324509 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1397469] [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: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Modest response rates to immunotherapy observed in advanced lung cancer patients underscore the need to identify reliable biomarkers and targets, enhancing both treatment decision-making and efficacy. Factors such as PD-L1 expression, tumor mutation burden, and a 'hot' tumor microenvironment with heightened effector T cell infiltration have consistently been associated with positive responses. In contrast, the predictive role of the abundantly present tumor-infiltrating myeloid cell (TIMs) fraction remains somewhat uncertain, partly explained by their towering variety in terms of ontogeny, phenotype, location, and function. Nevertheless, numerous preclinical and clinical studies established a clear link between lung cancer progression and alterations in intra- and extramedullary hematopoiesis, leading to emergency myelopoiesis at the expense of megakaryocyte/erythroid and lymphoid differentiation. These observations affirm that a continuous crosstalk between solid cancers such as lung cancer and the bone marrow niche (BMN) must take place. However, the BMN, encompassing hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, differentiated immune and stromal cells, remains inadequately explored in solid cancer patients. Subsequently, no clear consensus has been reached on the exact breadth of tumor installed hematopoiesis perturbing cues nor their predictive power for immunotherapy. As the current era of single-cell omics is reshaping our understanding of the hematopoietic process and the subcluster landscape of lung TIMs, we aim to present an updated overview of the hierarchical differentiation process of TIMs within the BMN of solid cancer bearing subjects. Our comprehensive overview underscores that lung cancer should be regarded as a systemic disease in which the cues governing the lung tumor-BMN crosstalk might bolster the definition of new biomarkers and druggable targets, potentially mitigating the high attrition rate of leading immunotherapies for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Calderon-Espinosa
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory for Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - Kirsten De Ridder
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory for Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thomas Benoot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory for Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yanina Jansen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Domien Vanhonacker
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robbe Heestermans
- Department of Hematology, Team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ann De Becker
- Department of Hematology, Team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ivan Van Riet
- Department of Hematology, Team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lore Decoster
- Department of Medical Oncology, Team Laboratory for Medical and Molecular Oncology (LMMO), Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cleo Goyvaerts
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory for Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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8
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Pratticò F, Garajová I. Focus on Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:4241-4260. [PMID: 39195299 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31080316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains one of the most lethal solid tumors due to its local aggressiveness and metastatic potential, with a 5-year survival rate of only 13%. A robust connection between pancreatic cancer microenvironment and tumor progression exists, as well as resistance to current anticancer treatments. Pancreatic cancer has a complex tumor microenvironment, characterized by an intricate crosstalk between cancer cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells. The complex composition of the tumor microenvironment is also reflected in the diversity of its acellular components, such as the extracellular matrix, cytokines, growth factors and secreted ligands involved in signaling pathways. Desmoplasia, the hallmark of the pancreatic cancer microenvironment, contributes by creating a dense and hypoxic environment that promotes further tumorigenesis, provides innate systemic resistance and suppresses anti-tumor immune invasion. We discuss the complex crosstalk among tumor microenvironment components and explore therapeutic strategies and opportunities in pancreatic cancer research. Better understanding of the tumor microenvironment and its influence on pancreatic cancer progression could lead to potential novel therapeutic options, such as integration of immunotherapy and cytokine-targeted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Pratticò
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy
| | - Ingrid Garajová
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy
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9
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Aliazis K, Yenyuwadee S, Phikulsod P, Boussiotis VA. Emergency myelopoiesis in solid cancers. Br J Haematol 2024. [PMID: 39044285 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19656] [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: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems are the progeny of haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). During steady-state myelopoiesis, HSPC undergo differentiation and proliferation but are called to respond directly and acutely to various signals that lead to emergency myelopoiesis, including bone marrow ablation, infections, and sterile inflammation. There is extensive evidence that many solid tumours have the potential to secrete classical myelopoiesis-promoting growth factors and other products able to mimic emergency haematopoiesis, and to aberrantly re-direct myeloid cell development into immunosuppressive cells with tumour promoting properties. Here, we summarize the current literature regarding the effects of solid cancers on HSPCs function and discuss how these effects might shape antitumour responses via a mechanism initiated at a site distal from the tumour microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Aliazis
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sasitorn Yenyuwadee
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ployploen Phikulsod
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Vassiliki A Boussiotis
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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10
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Mottini C, Auciello FR, Manni I, Pilarsky C, Caputo D, Caracciolo G, Rossetta A, Di Gennaro E, Budillon A, Blandino G, Roca MS, Piaggio G. The cross-talk between the macro and micro-environment in precursor lesions of pancreatic cancer leads to new and promising circulating biomarkers. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:198. [PMID: 39020414 PMCID: PMC11256648 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03117-5] [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: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a clinically challenging tumor to combat due to its advanced stage at diagnosis as well as its resistance to currently available therapies. The absence of early symptoms and known detectable biomarkers renders this disease incredibly difficult to detect/manage. Recent advances in the understanding of PC biology have highlighted the importance of cancer-immune cell interactions, not only in the tumor micro-environment but also in distant systemic sites, like the bone marrow, spleen and circulating immune cells, the so-called macro-environment. The response of the macro-environment is emerging as a determining factor in tumor development by contributing to the formation of an increasingly immunogenic micro-environment promoting tumor homeostasis and progression. We will summarize the key events associated with the feedback loop between the tumor immune micro-environment (TIME) and the tumor immune macroenvironment (TIMaE) in pancreatic precancerous lesions along with how it regulates disease development and progression. In addition, liquid biopsy biomarkers capable of diagnosing PC at an early stage of onset will also be discussed. A clearer understanding of the early crosstalk between micro-environment and macro-environment could contribute to identifying new molecular therapeutic targets and biomarkers, consequently improving early PC diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Mottini
- Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, UOSD SAFU, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Auciello
- UOC Translational Oncology Research, IRCSS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Manni
- Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, UOSD SAFU, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Giulio Caracciolo
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Molecolare Sapienza, Università Di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Elena Di Gennaro
- Experimental Pharmacology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Via M. Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Alfredo Budillon
- Scientific Directorate, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- UOC Translational Oncology Research, IRCSS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Serena Roca
- Experimental Pharmacology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Via M. Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Giulia Piaggio
- Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, UOSD SAFU, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
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11
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Li X, Hou W, Xiao C, Yang H, Zhao C, Cao D. Panoramic tumor microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024:10.1007/s13402-024-00970-6. [PMID: 39008192 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-024-00970-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is notorious for its resistance to various treatment modalities. The genetic heterogeneity of PDAC, coupled with the presence of a desmoplastic stroma within the tumor microenvironment (TME), contributes to an unfavorable prognosis. The mechanisms and consequences of interactions among different cell types, along with spatial variations influencing cellular function, potentially play a role in the pathogenesis of PDAC. Understanding the diverse compositions of the TME and elucidating the functions of microscopic neighborhoods may contribute to understanding the immune microenvironment status in pancreatic cancer. As we delve into the spatial biology of the microscopic neighborhoods within the TME, aiding in deciphering the factors that orchestrate this intricate ecosystem. This overview delineates the fundamental constituents and the structural arrangement of the PDAC microenvironment, highlighting their impact on cancer cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Li
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610017, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanting Hou
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610017, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoxin Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China HospitaL, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610017, People's Republic of China
| | - Heqi Yang
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610017, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengjian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China HospitaL, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610017, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Cao
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610017, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Foote JB, Mattox TE, Keeton AB, Chen X, Smith F, Berry KL, Holmes T, Wang J, Huang CH, Ward AB, Mitra AK, Ramirez-Alcantara V, Hardy C, Fleten KG, Flatmark K, Yoon KJ, Sarvesh S, Nagaraju GP, Maxuitenko Y, Valiyaveettil J, Carstens JL, Buchsbaum DJ, Yang J, Zhou G, Nurmemmedov E, Babic I, Gaponenko V, Abdelkarim H, Boyd MR, Gorman GS, Manne U, Bae S, El-Rayes BF, Piazza GA. A Novel Pan-RAS Inhibitor with a Unique Mechanism of Action Blocks Tumor Growth in Mouse Models of GI Cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.05.17.541233. [PMID: 38328254 PMCID: PMC10849544 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.17.541233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Here, we describe a novel pan-RAS inhibitor, ADT-007, that potently inhibited the growth of RAS mutant cancer cells irrespective of the RAS mutation or isozyme. RAS WT cancer cells with activated RAS from upstream mutations were equally sensitive. Conversely, cells from normal tissues or RAS WT cancer cells harboring downstream BRAF mutations were insensitive. Insensitivity to ADT-007 was attributed to low activated RAS levels and metabolic deactivation by UDP-glucuronosyltransferases expressed in normal cells but repressed in RAS mutant cancer cells. Cellular, biochemical, and biophysical experiments show ADT-007 binds nucleotide-free RAS to block GTP activation of RAS and MAPK/AKT signaling. Local administration of ADT-007 strongly inhibited tumor growth in syngeneic immune-competent and xenogeneic immune-deficient mouse models of colorectal and pancreatic cancer while activating innate and adaptive immunity in the tumor immune microenvironment. Oral administration of ADT-007 prodrug inhibited tumor growth, supporting further development of this novel class of pan-RAS inhibitors for treating RAS-driven cancers. SIGNIFICANCE ADT-007 is a 1 st -in-class pan-RAS inhibitor with ultra-high potency and unique selectivity for cancer cells with mutant or activated RAS capable of circumventing resistance and activating antitumor immunity. Further development of ADT-007 analogs or prodrugs with oral bioavailability as a generalizable monotherapy or combined with immunotherapy is warranted.
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13
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Farhangnia P, Khorramdelazad H, Nickho H, Delbandi AA. Current and future immunotherapeutic approaches in pancreatic cancer treatment. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:40. [PMID: 38835055 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01561-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death, but despondently, the outlook and prognosis for this resistant type of tumor have remained grim for a long time. Currently, it is extremely challenging to prevent or detect it early enough for effective treatment because patients rarely exhibit symptoms and there are no reliable indicators for detection. Most patients have advanced or spreading cancer that is difficult to treat, and treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can only slightly prolong their life by a few months. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of pancreatic cancer, yet its effectiveness is limited by the tumor's immunosuppressive and hard-to-reach microenvironment. First, this article explains the immunosuppressive microenvironment of pancreatic cancer and highlights a wide range of immunotherapy options, including therapies involving oncolytic viruses, modified T cells (T-cell receptor [TCR]-engineered and chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] T-cell therapy), CAR natural killer cell therapy, cytokine-induced killer cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors, immunomodulators, cancer vaccines, and strategies targeting myeloid cells in the context of contemporary knowledge and future trends. Lastly, it discusses the main challenges ahead of pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooya Farhangnia
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Khorramdelazad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Hamid Nickho
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali-Akbar Delbandi
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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14
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Vendramini-Costa DB, Francescone R, Franco-Barraza J, Luong T, Graves M, de Aquino AM, Steele N, Gardiner JC, Dos Santos SAA, Ogier C, Malloy E, Borghaei L, Martinez E, Zhigarev DI, Tan Y, Lee H, Zhou Y, Cai KQ, Klein-Szanto AJ, Wang H, Andrake M, Dunbrack RL, Campbell K, Cukierman E. Netrin G1 Ligand is a new stromal immunomodulator that promotes pancreatic cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.15.594354. [PMID: 38798370 PMCID: PMC11118300 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.15.594354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Understanding pancreatic cancer biology is fundamental for identifying new targets and for developing more effective therapies. In particular, the contribution of the stromal microenvironment to pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis requires further exploration. Here, we report the stromal roles of the synaptic protein Netrin G1 Ligand (NGL-1) in pancreatic cancer, uncovering its pro-tumor functions in cancer-associated fibroblasts and in immune cells. We observed that the stromal expression of NGL-1 inversely correlated with patients' overall survival. Moreover, germline knockout (KO) mice for NGL-1 presented decreased tumor burden, with a microenvironment that is less supportive of tumor growth. Of note, tumors from NGL-1 KO mice produced less immunosuppressive cytokines and displayed an increased percentage of CD8 + T cells than those from control mice, while preserving the physical structure of the tumor microenvironment. These effects were shown to be mediated by NGL-1 in both immune cells and in the local stroma, in a TGF-β-dependent manner. While myeloid cells lacking NGL-1 decreased the production of immunosuppressive cytokines, NGL-1 KO T cells showed increased proliferation rates and overall polyfunctionality compared to control T cells. CAFs lacking NGL-1 were less immunosuppressive than controls, with overall decreased production of pro-tumor cytokines and compromised ability to inhibit CD8 + T cells activation. Mechanistically, these CAFs downregulated components of the TGF-β pathway, AP-1 and NFAT transcription factor families, resulting in a less tumor-supportive phenotype. Finally, targeting NGL-1 genetically or using a functionally antagonistic small peptide phenocopied the effects of chemotherapy, while modulating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), rather than eliminating it. We propose NGL-1 as a new local stroma and immunomodulatory molecule, with pro-tumor roles in pancreatic cancer. Statement of Significance Here we uncovered the pro-tumor roles of the synaptic protein NGL-1 in the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer, defining a new target that simultaneously modulates tumor cell, fibroblast, and immune cell functions. This study reports a new pathway where NGL-1 controls TGF-β, AP-1 transcription factor members and NFAT1, modulating the immunosuppressive microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. Our findings highlight NGL-1 as a new stromal immunomodulator in pancreatic cancer.
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15
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Lin H, Liu C, Hu A, Zhang D, Yang H, Mao Y. Understanding the immunosuppressive microenvironment of glioma: mechanistic insights and clinical perspectives. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:31. [PMID: 38720342 PMCID: PMC11077829 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01544-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), the predominant and primary malignant intracranial tumor, poses a formidable challenge due to its immunosuppressive microenvironment, thereby confounding conventional therapeutic interventions. Despite the established treatment regimen comprising surgical intervention, radiotherapy, temozolomide administration, and the exploration of emerging modalities such as immunotherapy and integration of medicine and engineering technology therapy, the efficacy of these approaches remains constrained, resulting in suboptimal prognostic outcomes. In recent years, intensive scrutiny of the inhibitory and immunosuppressive milieu within GBM has underscored the significance of cellular constituents of the GBM microenvironment and their interactions with malignant cells and neurons. Novel immune and targeted therapy strategies have emerged, offering promising avenues for advancing GBM treatment. One pivotal mechanism orchestrating immunosuppression in GBM involves the aggregation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), glioma-associated macrophage/microglia (GAM), and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Among these, MDSCs, though constituting a minority (4-8%) of CD45+ cells in GBM, play a central component in fostering immune evasion and propelling tumor progression, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. MDSCs deploy intricate immunosuppressive mechanisms that adapt to the dynamic tumor microenvironment (TME). Understanding the interplay between GBM and MDSCs provides a compelling basis for therapeutic interventions. This review seeks to elucidate the immune regulatory mechanisms inherent in the GBM microenvironment, explore existing therapeutic targets, and consolidate recent insights into MDSC induction and their contribution to GBM immunosuppression. Additionally, the review comprehensively surveys ongoing clinical trials and potential treatment strategies, envisioning a future where targeting MDSCs could reshape the immune landscape of GBM. Through the synergistic integration of immunotherapy with other therapeutic modalities, this approach can establish a multidisciplinary, multi-target paradigm, ultimately improving the prognosis and quality of life in patients with GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaxian Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ankang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Duanwu Zhang
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ying Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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16
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Chang H, Chen H, Ma T, Ma K, Li Y, Suo L, Liang X, Jia K, Ma J, Li J, Sun D. Multi-omics pan-cancer study of SPTBN2 and its value as a potential therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9764. [PMID: 38684762 PMCID: PMC11059406 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60780-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
SPTBN2 is a protein-coding gene that is closely related to the development of malignant tumors. However, its prognostic value and biological function in pan-cancer, especially pancreatic cancer (PAAD), have not been reported. In the present study, a novel exploration of the value and potential mechanism of SPTBN2 in PAAD was conducted using multi-omics in the background of pan-cancer. Via various database analysis, up-regulated expression of SPTBN2 was detected in most of the tumor tissues examined. Overexpression of SPTBN2 in PAAD and kidney renal clear cell cancer patients potentially affected overall survival, disease-specific survival, and progression-free interval. In PAAD, SPTBN2 can be used as an independent factor affecting prognosis. Mutations and amplification of SPTBN2 were detected, with abnormal methylation of SPTBN2 affecting its expression and the survival outcome of PAAD patients. Immunoassay results demonstrate that SPTBN2 was a potential biomarker for predicting therapeutic response in PAAD, and may influence the immunotherapy efficacy of PAAD by regulating levels of CD8 + T cells and neutrophil infiltration. Results from an enrichment analysis indicated that SPTBN2 may regulate the development of PAAD via immune pathways. Thus, SPTBN2 is a potential prognostic biomarker and immunotherapy target based on its crucial role in the development of PAAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongliang Chang
- Division of Cholelithiasis Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, 116001, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Taiheng Ma
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Kexin Ma
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Yi Li
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Lida Suo
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Xiangnan Liang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Kunyu Jia
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Jiahong Ma
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Jing Li
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Deguang Sun
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116021, China.
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17
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Imran KM, Brock RM, Beitel-White N, Powar M, Orr K, Aycock KN, Alinezhadbalalami N, Salameh ZS, Eversole P, Tintera B, Markov Madanick J, Hendricks-Wenger A, Coutermarsh-Ott S, Davalos RV, Allen IC. Irreversible electroporation promotes a pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment and anti-tumor immunity in a mouse pancreatic cancer model. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1352821. [PMID: 38711517 PMCID: PMC11070574 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1352821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a significant cause of cancer-related mortality and often presents with limited treatment options. Pancreatic tumors are also notorious for their immunosuppressive microenvironment. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a non-thermal tumor ablation modality that employs high-voltage microsecond pulses to transiently permeabilize cell membranes, ultimately inducing cell death. However, the understanding of IRE's impact beyond the initiation of focal cell death in tumor tissue remains limited. In this study, we demonstrate that IRE triggers a unique mix of cell death pathways and orchestrates a shift in the local tumor microenvironment driven, in part, by reducing the myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) and regulatory T cell populations and increasing cytotoxic T lymphocytes and neutrophils. We further show that IRE drives induce cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase in vitro and promote inflammatory cell death pathways consistent with pyroptosis and programmed necrosis in vivo. IRE-treated mice exhibited a substantial extension in progression-free survival. However, within a span of 14 days, the tumor immune cell populations reverted to their pre-treatment composition, which resulted in an attenuation of the systemic immune response targeting contralateral tumors and ultimately resulting in tumor regrowth. Mechanistically, we show that IRE augments IFN- γ signaling, resulting in the up-regulation of the PD-L1 checkpoint in pancreatic cancer cells. Together, these findings shed light on potential mechanisms of tumor regrowth following IRE treatment and offer insights into co-therapeutic targets to improve treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khan Mohammad Imran
- Medicine and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Rebecca M. Brock
- Medicine and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Natalie Beitel-White
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Manali Powar
- Medicine and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Katie Orr
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Kenneth N. Aycock
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Nastaran Alinezhadbalalami
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Zaid S. Salameh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Paige Eversole
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Benjamin Tintera
- Department of Surgery, Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Justin Markov Madanick
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Alissa Hendricks-Wenger
- Medicine and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Sheryl Coutermarsh-Ott
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Rafael V. Davalos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Irving C. Allen
- Medicine and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Department of Basic Science Education, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
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18
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Silva LGDO, Lemos FFB, Luz MS, Rocha Pinheiro SL, Calmon MDS, Correa Santos GL, Rocha GR, de Melo FF. New avenues for the treatment of immunotherapy-resistant pancreatic cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:1134-1153. [PMID: 38660642 PMCID: PMC11037047 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i4.1134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is characterized by its extremely aggressive nature and ranks 14th in the number of new cancer cases worldwide. However, due to its complexity, it ranks 7th in the list of the most lethal cancers worldwide. The pathogenesis of PC involves several complex processes, including familial genetic factors associated with risk factors such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic pancreatitis, and smoking. Mutations in genes such as KRAS, TP53, and SMAD4 are linked to the appearance of malignant cells that generate pancreatic lesions and, consequently, cancer. In this context, some therapies are used for PC, one of which is immunotherapy, which is extremely promising in various other types of cancer but has shown little response in the treatment of PC due to various resistance mechanisms that contribute to a drop in immunotherapy efficiency. It is therefore clear that the tumor microenvironment (TME) has a huge impact on the resistance process, since cellular and non-cellular elements create an immunosuppressive environment, characterized by a dense desmoplastic stroma with cancer-associated fibroblasts, pancreatic stellate cells, extracellular matrix, and immunosuppressive cells. Linked to this are genetic mutations in TP53 and immunosuppressive factors that act on T cells, resulting in a shortage of CD8+ T cells and limited expression of activation markers such as interferon-gamma. In this way, finding new strategies that make it possible to manipulate resistance mechanisms is necessary. Thus, techniques such as the use of TME modulators that block receptors and stromal molecules that generate resistance, the use of genetic manipulation in specific regions, such as microRNAs, the modulation of extrinsic and intrinsic factors associated with T cells, and, above all, therapeutic models that combine these modulation techniques constitute the promising future of PC therapy. Thus, this study aims to elucidate the main mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy in PC and new ways of manipulating this process, resulting in a more efficient therapy for cancer patients and, consequently, a reduction in the lethality of this aggressive cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabian Fellipe Bueno Lemos
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Marcel Silva Luz
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Samuel Luca Rocha Pinheiro
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Mariana dos Santos Calmon
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Lima Correa Santos
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Reis Rocha
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Fabrício Freire de Melo
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
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Yang S, Yang X, Hou Z, Zhu L, Yao Z, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Teng J, Fang C, Chen S, Jia M, Liu Z, Kang S, Chen Y, Li G, Niu Y, Cai Q. Rationale for immune checkpoint inhibitors plus targeted therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29215. [PMID: 38623200 PMCID: PMC11016731 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29215] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a frequent urological malignancy characterized by a high rate of metastasis and lethality. The treatment strategy for advanced RCC has moved through multiple iterations over the past three decades. Initially, cytokine treatment was the only systemic treatment option for patients with RCC. With the development of medicine, antiangiogenic agents targeting vascular endothelial growth factor and mammalian target of rapamycin and immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged and received several achievements in the therapeutics of advanced RCC. However, ICIs have still not brought completely satisfactory results due to drug resistance and undesirable side effects. For the past years, the interests form researchers have been attracted by the combination of ICIs and targeted therapy for advanced RCC and the angiogenesis and immunogenic tumor microenvironmental variations in RCC. Therefore, we emphasize the potential principle and the clinical progress of ICIs combined with targeted treatment of advanced RCC, and summarize the future direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Yang
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xianrui Yang
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zekai Hou
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Liang Zhu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhili Yao
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | | | - Yanzhuo Chen
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Teng
- Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Cheng Fang
- Taihe County People's Hospital, Anhui, China
| | - Songmao Chen
- Department of Urology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian, China
- Provincial Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian, China
| | - Mingfei Jia
- Department of Urology, North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Hebei, China
| | - Zhifei Liu
- Department of Urology, Tangshan People's Hospital, Hebei, China
| | - Shaosan Kang
- Department of Urology, North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Hebei, China
| | - Yegang Chen
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuanjie Niu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiliang Cai
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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20
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Zhang B, Liu H, Wu F, Ding Y, Wu J, Lu L, Bajpai AK, Sang M, Wang X. Identification of hub genes and potential molecular mechanisms related to drug sensitivity in acute myeloid leukemia based on machine learning. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1359832. [PMID: 38650628 PMCID: PMC11033397 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1359832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common form of leukemia among adults and is characterized by uncontrolled proliferation and clonal expansion of hematopoietic cells. There has been a significant improvement in the treatment of younger patients, however, prognosis in the elderly AML patients remains poor. Methods: We used computational methods and machine learning (ML) techniques to identify and explore the differential high-risk genes (DHRGs) in AML. The DHRGs were explored through multiple in silico approaches including genomic and functional analysis, survival analysis, immune infiltration, miRNA co-expression and stemness features analyses to reveal their prognostic importance in AML. Furthermore, using different ML algorithms, prognostic models were constructed and validated using the DHRGs. At the end molecular docking studies were performed to identify potential drug candidates targeting the selected DHRGs. Results: We identified a total of 80 DHRGs by comparing the differentially expressed genes derived between AML patients and normal controls and high-risk AML genes identified by Cox regression. Genetic and epigenetic alteration analyses of the DHRGs revealed a significant association of their copy number variations and methylation status with overall survival (OS) of AML patients. Out of the 137 models constructed using different ML algorithms, the combination of Ridge and plsRcox maintained the highest mean C-index and was used to build the final model. When AML patients were classified into low- and high-risk groups based on DHRGs, the low-risk group had significantly longer OS in the AML training and validation cohorts. Furthermore, immune infiltration, miRNA coexpression, stemness feature and hallmark pathway analyses revealed significant differences in the prognosis of the low- and high-risk AML groups. Drug sensitivity and molecular docking studies revealed top 5 drugs, including carboplatin and austocystin-D that may significantly affect the DHRGs in AML. Conclusion: The findings from the current study identified a set of high-risk genes that may be used as prognostic and therapeutic markers for AML patients. In addition, significant use of the ML algorithms in constructing and validating the prognostic models in AML was demonstrated. Although our study used extensive bioinformatics and machine learning methods to identify the hub genes in AML, their experimental validations using knock-out/-in methods would strengthen our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyu Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haiyan Liu
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fengxia Wu
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuhong Ding
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiarun Wu
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Department of Genetics, Genomics, and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Akhilesh K. Bajpai
- Department of Genetics, Genomics, and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Mengmeng Sang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinfeng Wang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
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21
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Chen C, Park AK, Monroy I, Ren Y, Kim SI, Chaurasiya S, Priceman SJ, Fong Y. Using Oncolytic Virus to Retask CD19-Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells for Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer: Toward a Universal Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Strategy for Solid Tumor. J Am Coll Surg 2024; 238:436-447. [PMID: 38214445 DOI: 10.1097/xcs.0000000000000964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting the B-cell antigen CD19 are standard therapy for relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma and leukemia. CAR T cell therapy in solid tumors is limited due to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and a lack of tumor-restricted antigens. We recently engineered an oncolytic virus (CF33) with high solid tumor affinity and specificity to deliver a nonsignaling truncated CD19 antigen (CD19t), allowing targeting by CD19-CAR T cells. Here, we tested this combination against pancreatic cancer. STUDY DESIGN We engineered CF33 to express a CD19t (CF33-CD19t) target. Flow cytometry and ELISA were performed to quantify CD19t expression, immune activation, and killing by virus and CD19-CAR T cells against various pancreatic tumor cells. Subcutaneous pancreatic human xenograft tumor models were treated with virus, CAR T cells, or virus+CAR T cells. RESULTS In vitro, CF33-CD19t infection of tumor cells resulted in >90% CD19t cell-surface expression. Coculturing CD19-CAR T cells with infected cells resulted in interleukin-2 and interferon gamma secretion, upregulation of T-cell activation markers, and synergistic cell killing. Combination therapy of virus+CAR T cells caused significant tumor regression (day 13): control (n = 16, 485 ± 20 mm 3 ), virus alone (n = 20, 254 ± 23 mm 3 , p = 0.0001), CAR T cells alone (n = 18, 466 ± 25 mm 3 , p = NS), and virus+CAR T cells (n = 16, 128 ± 14 mm 3 , p < 0.0001 vs control; p = 0.0003 vs virus). CONCLUSIONS Engineered CF33-CD19t effectively infects and expresses CD19t in pancreatic tumors, triggering cell killing and increased immunogenic response by CD19-CAR T cells. Notably, CF33-CD19t can turn cold immunologic tumors hot, enabling solid tumors to be targetable by agents designed against liquid tumor antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Chen
- From the Departments of Surgery (Chen, Kim, Chaurasiya, Fong)
| | - Anthony K Park
- Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (Park, Monroy, Ren, Priceman)
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences (Park), City of Hope, Duarte, CA
| | - Isabel Monroy
- Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (Park, Monroy, Ren, Priceman)
| | - Yuwei Ren
- Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (Park, Monroy, Ren, Priceman)
| | - Sang-In Kim
- From the Departments of Surgery (Chen, Kim, Chaurasiya, Fong)
| | | | - Saul J Priceman
- Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (Park, Monroy, Ren, Priceman)
- Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute (Priceman)
| | - Yuman Fong
- From the Departments of Surgery (Chen, Kim, Chaurasiya, Fong)
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22
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Linehan A, O’Reilly M, McDermott R, O’Kane GM. Targeting KRAS mutations in pancreatic cancer: opportunities for future strategies. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1369136. [PMID: 38576709 PMCID: PMC10991798 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1369136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeting the RAS pathway remains the holy grail of precision oncology. In the case of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC), 90-92% harbor mutations in the oncogene KRAS, triggering canonical MAPK signaling. The smooth structure of the altered KRAS protein without a binding pocket and its affinity for GTP have, in the past, hampered drug development. The emergence of KRASG12C covalent inhibitors has provided renewed enthusiasm for targeting KRAS. The numerous pathways implicated in RAS activation do, however, lead to the development of early resistance. In addition, the dense stromal niche and immunosuppressive microenvironment dictated by oncogenic KRAS can influence treatment responses, highlighting the need for a combination-based approach. Given that mutations in KRAS occur early in PDAC tumorigenesis, an understanding of its pleiotropic effects is key to progress in this disease. Herein, we review current perspectives on targeting KRAS with a focus on PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Linehan
- Department of Medical Oncology, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary O’Reilly
- Department of Medical Oncology, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ray McDermott
- Department of Medical Oncology, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Grainne M. O’Kane
- Department of Medical Oncology, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
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23
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Rani D, Kaur S, Shahjahan, Dey JK, Dey SK. Engineering immune response to regulate cardiovascular disease and cancer. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2024; 140:381-417. [PMID: 38762276 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer are major contributors to global morbidity and mortality. This book chapter delves into the intricate relationship between the immune system and the pathogenesis of both cardiovascular and cancer diseases, exploring the roles of innate and adaptive immunities, immune regulation, and immunotherapy in these complex conditions. The innate immune system acts as the first line of defense against tissue damage and infection, with a significant impact on the initiation and progression of CVD and cancer. Endothelial dysfunction, a hallmark in CVD, shares commonalities with the tumor microenvironment in cancer, emphasizing the parallel involvement of the immune system in both conditions. The adaptive immune system, particularly T cells, contributes to prolonged inflammation in both CVD and cancer. Regulatory T cells and the intricate balance between different T cell subtypes influence disease progression, wound healing, and the outcomes of ischemic injury and cancer immunosurveillance. Dysregulation of immune homeostasis can lead to chronic inflammation, contributing to the development and progression of both CVD and cancer. Thus, immunotherapy emerged as a promising avenue for preventing and managing these diseases, with strategies targeting immune cell modulation, cytokine manipulation, immune checkpoint blockade, and tolerance induction. The impact of gut microbiota on CVD and cancer too is explored in this chapter, highlighting the role of gut leakiness, microbial metabolites, and the potential for microbiome-based interventions in cardiovascular and cancer immunotherapies. In conclusion, immunomodulatory strategies and immunotherapy hold promise in reshaping the landscape of cardiovascular and cancer health. Additionally, harnessing the gut microbiota for immune modulation presents a novel approach to prevent and manage these complex diseases, emphasizing the importance of personalized and precision medicine in healthcare. Ongoing research and clinical trials are expected to further elucidate the complex immunological underpinnings of CVD and cancer thereby refining these innovative approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diksha Rani
- Laboratory for Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Smaranjot Kaur
- Laboratory for Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Shahjahan
- Laboratory for Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Joy Kumar Dey
- Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Ministry of Ayush, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Sanjay Kumar Dey
- Laboratory for Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India.
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24
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Awasthi D, Sarode A. Neutrophils at the Crossroads: Unraveling the Multifaceted Role in the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2929. [PMID: 38474175 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052929] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, research has prominently established neutrophils as key contributors to the intricate landscape of tumor immune biology. As polymorphonuclear granulocytes within the innate immune system, neutrophils play a pivotal and abundant role, constituting approximately ∼70% of all peripheral leukocytes in humans and ∼10-20% in mice. This substantial presence positions them as the frontline defense against potential threats. Equipped with a diverse array of mechanisms, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, degranulation, phagocytosis, and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), neutrophils undeniably serve as indispensable components of the innate immune system. While these innate functions enable neutrophils to interact with adaptive immune cells such as T, B, and NK cells, influencing their functions, they also engage in dynamic interactions with rapidly dividing tumor cells. Consequently, neutrophils are emerging as crucial regulators in both pro- and anti-tumor immunity. This comprehensive review delves into recent research to illuminate the multifaceted roles of neutrophils. It explores their diverse functions within the tumor microenvironment, shedding light on their heterogeneity and their impact on tumor recruitment, progression, and modulation. Additionally, the review underscores their potential anti-tumoral capabilities. Finally, it provides valuable insights into clinical therapies targeting neutrophils, presenting a promising approach to leveraging innate immunity for enhanced cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepika Awasthi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Aditya Sarode
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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25
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Pratt HG, Ma L, Dziadowicz SA, Ott S, Whalley T, Szomolay B, Eubank TD, Hu G, Boone BA. Analysis of single nuclear chromatin accessibility reveals unique myeloid populations in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1595. [PMID: 38426634 PMCID: PMC10905544 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1595] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A better understanding of the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) immune microenvironment is critical to developing new treatments and improving outcomes. Myeloid cells are of particular importance for PDAC progression; however, the presence of heterogenous subsets with different ontogeny and impact, along with some fluidity between them, (infiltrating monocytes vs. tissue-resident macrophages; M1 vs. M2) makes characterisation of myeloid populations challenging. Recent advances in single cell sequencing technology provide tools for characterisation of immune cell infiltrates, and open chromatin provides source and function data for myeloid cells to assist in more comprehensive characterisation. Thus, we explore single nuclear assay for transposase accessible chromatin (ATAC) sequencing (snATAC-Seq), a method to analyse open gene promoters and transcription factor binding, as an important means for discerning the myeloid composition in human PDAC tumours. METHODS Frozen pancreatic tissues (benign or PDAC) were prepared for snATAC-Seq using 10× Chromium technology. Signac was used for preliminary analysis, clustering and differentially accessible chromatin region identification. The genes annotated in promoter regions were used for Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and cell type annotation. Gene signatures were used for survival analysis with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) dataset. RESULTS Myeloid cell transcription factor activities were higher in tumour than benign pancreatic samples, enabling us to further stratify tumour myeloid populations. Subcluster analysis revealed eight distinct myeloid populations. GO enrichment demonstrated unique functions for myeloid populations, including interleukin-1b signalling (recruited monocytes) and intracellular protein transport (dendritic cells). The identified gene signature for dendritic cells influenced survival (hazard ratio = .63, p = .03) in the TCGA-PAAD dataset, which was unique to PDAC. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest snATAC-Seq as a method for analysis of frozen human pancreatic tissues to distinguish myeloid populations. An improved understanding of myeloid cell heterogeneity and function is important for developing new treatment targets in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hillary G. Pratt
- Cancer Cell BiologyWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
- WVU Cancer InstituteWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Li Ma
- Department of MicrobiologyImmunology and Cell BiologyWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Sebastian A. Dziadowicz
- Department of MicrobiologyImmunology and Cell BiologyWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Sascha Ott
- Warwick Medical SchoolUniversity of WarwickCoventryUK
| | | | - Barbara Szomolay
- Division of Infection and Immunity & Systems Immunity Research InstituteCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Timothy D. Eubank
- Cancer Cell BiologyWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
- WVU Cancer InstituteWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
- Department of MicrobiologyImmunology and Cell BiologyWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
- In Vivo Multifunctional Magnetic Resonance CenterWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Gangqing Hu
- WVU Cancer InstituteWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
- Department of MicrobiologyImmunology and Cell BiologyWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Brian A. Boone
- Cancer Cell BiologyWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
- WVU Cancer InstituteWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
- Department of MicrobiologyImmunology and Cell BiologyWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
- Department of SurgeryWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
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26
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Li Y, Chang RB, Stone ML, Delman D, Markowitz K, Xue Y, Coho H, Herrera VM, Li JH, Zhang L, Choi-Bose S, Giannone M, Shin SM, Coyne EM, Hernandez A, Gross NE, Charmsaz S, Ho WJ, Lee JW, Beatty GL. Multimodal immune phenotyping reveals microbial-T cell interactions that shape pancreatic cancer. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101397. [PMID: 38307029 PMCID: PMC10897543 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Microbes are an integral component of the tumor microenvironment. However, determinants of microbial presence remain ill-defined. Here, using spatial-profiling technologies, we show that bacterial and immune cell heterogeneity are spatially coupled. Mouse models of pancreatic cancer recapitulate the immune-microbial spatial coupling seen in humans. Distinct intra-tumoral niches are defined by T cells, with T cell-enriched and T cell-poor regions displaying unique bacterial communities that are associated with immunologically active and quiescent phenotypes, respectively, but are independent of the gut microbiome. Depletion of intra-tumoral bacteria slows tumor growth in T cell-poor tumors and alters the phenotype and presence of myeloid and B cells in T cell-enriched tumors but does not affect T cell infiltration. In contrast, T cell depletion disrupts the immunological state of tumors and reduces intra-tumoral bacteria. Our results establish a coupling between microbes and T cells in cancer wherein spatially defined immune-microbial communities differentially influence tumor biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Renee B Chang
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Meredith L Stone
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Devora Delman
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kelly Markowitz
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yuqing Xue
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Heather Coho
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Veronica M Herrera
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joey H Li
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Liti Zhang
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shaanti Choi-Bose
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael Giannone
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sarah M Shin
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Erin M Coyne
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alexei Hernandez
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicole E Gross
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Soren Charmsaz
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Won Jin Ho
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Mass Cytometry Facility, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jae W Lee
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Gregory L Beatty
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Poulsen VV, Hadi A, Werge MP, Karstensen JG, Novovic S. Circulating Biomarkers Involved in the Development of and Progression to Chronic Pancreatitis-A Literature Review. Biomolecules 2024; 14:239. [PMID: 38397476 PMCID: PMC10887223 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is the end-stage of continuous inflammation and fibrosis in the pancreas evolving from acute- to recurrent acute-, early, and, finally, end-stage CP. Currently, prevention is the only way to reduce disease burden. In this setting, early detection is of great importance. Due to the anatomy and risks associated with direct sampling from pancreatic tissue, most of our information on the human pancreas arises from circulating biomarkers thought to be involved in pancreatic pathophysiology or injury. The present review provides the status of circulating biomarkers involved in the development of and progression to CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valborg Vang Poulsen
- Pancreatitis Center East, Gastrounit, Copenhagen University Hospital—Amager and Hvidovre, 2000 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.V.P.); (A.H.); (M.P.W.); (J.G.K.)
| | - Amer Hadi
- Pancreatitis Center East, Gastrounit, Copenhagen University Hospital—Amager and Hvidovre, 2000 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.V.P.); (A.H.); (M.P.W.); (J.G.K.)
| | - Mikkel Parsberg Werge
- Pancreatitis Center East, Gastrounit, Copenhagen University Hospital—Amager and Hvidovre, 2000 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.V.P.); (A.H.); (M.P.W.); (J.G.K.)
| | - John Gásdal Karstensen
- Pancreatitis Center East, Gastrounit, Copenhagen University Hospital—Amager and Hvidovre, 2000 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.V.P.); (A.H.); (M.P.W.); (J.G.K.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2000 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Srdan Novovic
- Pancreatitis Center East, Gastrounit, Copenhagen University Hospital—Amager and Hvidovre, 2000 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.V.P.); (A.H.); (M.P.W.); (J.G.K.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2000 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Wu Q, Zhang W, Lu Y, Li H, Yang Y, Geng F, Liu J, Lin L, Pan Y, Li C. Association between periodontitis and inflammatory comorbidities: The common role of innate immune cells, underlying mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 128:111558. [PMID: 38266446 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Periodontitis, which is related to various systemic diseases, is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by periodontal dysbiosis of the microbiota. Multiple factors can influence the interaction of periodontitis and associated inflammatory disorders, among which host immunity is an important contributor to this interaction. Innate immunity can be activated aberrantly because of the systemic inflammation induced by periodontitis. This aberrant activation not only exacerbates periodontal tissue damage but also impairs systemic health, triggering or aggravating inflammatory comorbidities. Therefore, innate immunity is a potential therapeutic target for periodontitis and associated inflammatory comorbidities. This review delineates analogous aberrations of innate immune cells in periodontitis and comorbid conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, and rheumatoid arthritis. The mechanisms behind these changes in innate immune cells are discussed, including trained immunity and clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), which can mediate the abnormal activation and myeloid-biased differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Besides, the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which have immunosuppressive and osteolytic effects on peripheral tissues, also contributes to the interaction between periodontitis and its inflammatory comorbidities. The potential treatment targets for relieving the risk of both periodontitis and systemic conditions are also elucidated, such as the modulation of innate immunity cells and mediators, the regulation of trained immunity and CHIP, as well as the inhibition of MDSCs' expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qibing Wu
- Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Weijia Zhang
- Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yaqiong Lu
- Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Hongxia Li
- Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Yaru Yang
- Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Fengxue Geng
- Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Jinwen Liu
- Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Li Lin
- Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yaping Pan
- Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China.
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Fan G, Yan Q, Chen Y, Han M, Wu Z, Ruan S, Zhuang H, Gou Q, Hou B. FLNB overexpression promotes tumor progression and associates with immune suppression, evasion and stemness in pancreatic cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:709-726. [PMID: 38455418 PMCID: PMC10915313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an immunosuppressive cancer. Immune-based therapies that enhance or recruit antitumor immune cells into the tumor microenvironment (TME) remain promising strategies for PC treatment. Consequently, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in PC immune suppression is critical for developing immune-based therapies to improve survival rates. In this study, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify Filamin B (FLNB) correlated with the infiltration of CD8+ T cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). The clinical significance and potential biological function of FLNB were evaluated using bioinformatic analysis. The oncogenic role of FLNB in PC was determined using in vitro and in vivo studies. We further analyzed possible associations between FLNB expression and tumor immunity using CIBERSORT, single sample gene set enrichment analysis, and ESTIMATE algorithms. We found FLNB was overexpressed in PC tissues and was correlated with poorer overall survival, tumor recurrence, larger tumor size, and higher histologic grade. Moreover, FLNB overexpression was associated with the mutation status and expression of driver genes, especially for KRAS and SMAD4. Functional enrichment analysis identified the role of FLNB in the regulation of cell cycle, focal adhesion, vascular formation, and immune regulation. Knockdown of FLNB expression inhibited cancer cell proliferation and migration in-vitro and suppressed tumor growth in-vivo. Furthermore, FLNB overexpression caused high infiltration of Treg cells, Th2 cells, and TAMs, but reduced infiltration of CD8+ T cells and Th1/Th2. Collectively, our findings suggest FLNB promotes PC progression and may be a novel biomarker for PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoyong Fan
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qian Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
- School of Medicine South China University of TechnologyGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yubin Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
- School of Medicine South China University of TechnologyGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingqian Han
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zelong Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shiye Ruan
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hongkai Zhuang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qing Gou
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Baohua Hou
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
- School of Medicine South China University of TechnologyGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Heyuan People’s HospitalHeyuan, Guangdong, China
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Tushoski-Alemán GW, Herremans KM, Underwood PW, Akki A, Riner AN, Trevino JG, Han S, Hughes SJ. Infiltration of CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in association with inflammation and survival in pancreatic cancer. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297325. [PMID: 38346068 PMCID: PMC10861089 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) have heterogeneous tumor microenvironments relatively devoid of infiltrating immune cells. We aimed to quantitatively assess infiltrating CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in a treatment-naïve patient cohort and assess associations with overall survival and microenvironment inflammatory proteins. METHODS Tissue microarrays were immunohistochemically stained for CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes and quantitatively assessed using QuPath. Levels of inflammation-associated proteins were quantified by multiplexed, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay panels on matching tumor and tissue samples. RESULTS Our findings revealed a significant increase in both CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes populations in PDAC compared with non-PDAC tissue, except when comparing CD8+ percentages in PDAC versus intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) (p = 0.5012). Patients with quantitatively assessed CD3+ low tumors (lower 50%) had shorter survival (median 273 days) compared to CD3+ high tumors (upper 50%) with a median overall survival of 642.5 days (p = 0.2184). Patients with quantitatively assessed CD8+ low tumors had significantly shorter survival (median 240 days) compared to CD8+ high tumors with a median overall survival of 1059 days (p = 0.0003). Of 41 proteins assessed in the inflammation assay, higher levels of IL-1B and IL-2 were significantly associated with decreased CD3+ infiltration (r = -0.3704, p = 0.0187, and r = -0.4275, p = 0.0074, respectively). Higher levels of IL-1B were also significantly associated with decreased CD8+ infiltration (r = -0.4299, p = 0.0045), but not IL-2 (r = -0.0078, p = 0.9616). Principal component analysis of the inflammatory analytes showed diverse inflammatory responses in PDAC. CONCLUSION In this work, we found a marked heterogeneity in infiltrating CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes and individual inflammatory responses in PDAC. Future mechanistic studies should explore personalized therapeutic strategies to target the immune and inflammatory components of the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerik W. Tushoski-Alemán
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kelly M. Herremans
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Patrick W. Underwood
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ashwin Akki
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Andrea N. Riner
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jose G. Trevino
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Song Han
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Steven J. Hughes
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
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Gao Z, Azar J, Zhu H, Williams-Perez S, Kang SW, Marginean C, Rubinstein MP, Makawita S, Lee HS, Camp ER. Translational and oncologic significance of tertiary lymphoid structures in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1324093. [PMID: 38361928 PMCID: PMC10867206 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1324093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive tumor with poor survival and limited treatment options. PDAC resistance to immunotherapeutic strategies is multifactorial, but partially owed to an immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TiME). However, the PDAC TiME is heterogeneous and harbors favorable tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) populations. Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) are organized aggregates of immune cells that develop within non-lymphoid tissue under chronic inflammation in multiple contexts, including cancers. Our current understanding of their role within the PDAC TiME remains limited; TLS are complex structures with multiple anatomic features such as location, density, and maturity that may impact clinical outcomes such as survival and therapy response in PDAC. Similarly, our understanding of methods to manipulate TLS is an actively developing field of research. TLS may function as anti-tumoral immune niches that can be leveraged as a therapeutic strategy to potentiate both existing chemotherapeutic regimens and potentiate future immune-based therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes. This review seeks to cover anatomy, relevant features, immune effects, translational significance, and future directions of understanding TLS within the context of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Gao
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Joseph Azar
- The Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Huili Zhu
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sophia Williams-Perez
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sung Wook Kang
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Systems Onco-Immunology Laboratory, David J. Sugarbaker Division of Thoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Celia Marginean
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mark P. Rubinstein
- The Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Shalini Makawita
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Hyun-Sung Lee
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Systems Onco-Immunology Laboratory, David J. Sugarbaker Division of Thoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - E. Ramsay Camp
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, United States
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Stanger BZ, Wahl GM. Cancer as a Disease of Development Gone Awry. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 19:397-421. [PMID: 37832945 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-031621-025610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
In the 160 years since Rudolf Virchow first postulated that neoplasia arises by the same law that regulates embryonic development, scientists have come to recognize the striking overlap between the molecular and cellular programs used by cancers and embryos. Advances in cancer biology and molecular techniques have further highlighted the similarities between carcinogenesis and embryogenesis, where cellular growth, differentiation, motility, and intercellular cross talk are mediated by common drivers and regulatory networks. This review highlights the many connections linking cancer biology and developmental biology to provide a deeper understanding of how a tissue's developmental history may both enable and constrain cancer cell evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Z Stanger
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;
| | - Geoffrey M Wahl
- Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA;
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Zheng Z, Lu X, Zhou D, Deng XF, Liu QX, Liu XB, Zhang J, Li YQ, Zheng H, Dai JG. A novel enemy of cancer: recent investigations into protozoan anti-tumor properties. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 13:1325144. [PMID: 38274735 PMCID: PMC10808745 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1325144] [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: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a significant global health issue, despite advances in screening and treatment. While existing tumor treatment protocols such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy have proven effective in enhancing the prognosis for some patients, these treatments do not benefit all patients. Consequently, certain types of cancer continue to exhibit a relatively low 5-year survival rate. Therefore, the pursuit of novel tumor intervention strategies may help improve the current effectiveness of tumor treatment. Over the past few decades, numerous species of protozoa and their components have exhibited anti-tumor potential via immune and non-immune mechanisms. This discovery introduces a new research direction for the development of new and effective cancer treatments. Through in vitro experiments and studies involving tumor-bearing mice, the anti-tumor ability of Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium, Trypanosoma cruzi, and other protozoa have unveiled diverse mechanisms by which protozoa combat cancer, demonstrating encouraging prospects for their application. In this review, we summarize the anti-tumor ability and anti-tumor mechanisms of various protozoa and explore the potential for their clinical development and application.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hong Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army (Third Military) Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ji-gang Dai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army (Third Military) Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Horvat NK, Karpovsky I, Phillips M, Wyatt MM, Hall MA, Herting CJ, Hammons J, Mahdi Z, Moffitt RA, Paulos CM, Lesinski GB. Clinically relevant orthotopic pancreatic cancer models for adoptive T cell transfer therapy. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008086. [PMID: 38191243 PMCID: PMC10806555 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008086] [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: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive tumor. Prognosis is poor and survival is low in patients diagnosed with this disease, with a survival rate of ~12% at 5 years. Immunotherapy, including adoptive T cell transfer therapy, has not impacted the outcomes in patients with PDAC, due in part to the hostile tumor microenvironment (TME) which limits T cell trafficking and persistence. We posit that murine models serve as useful tools to study the fate of T cell therapy. Currently, genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) for PDAC are considered a "gold-standard" as they recapitulate many aspects of human disease. However, these models have limitations, including marked tumor variability across individual mice and the cost of colony maintenance. METHODS Using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, we characterized the immunological features and trafficking patterns of adoptively transferred T cells in orthotopic PDAC (C57BL/6) models using two mouse cell lines, KPC-Luc and MT-5, isolated from C57BL/6 KPC-GEMM (KrasLSL-G12D/+p53-/- and KrasLSL-G12D/+p53LSL-R172H/+, respectively). RESULTS The MT-5 orthotopic model best recapitulates the cellular and stromal features of the TME in the PDAC GEMM. In contrast, far more host immune cells infiltrate the KPC-Luc tumors, which have less stroma, although CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were similarly detected in the MT-5 tumors compared with KPC-GEMM in mice. Interestingly, we found that chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells redirected to recognize mesothelin on these tumors that signal via CD3ζ and 41BB (Meso-41BBζ-CAR T cells) infiltrated the tumors of mice bearing stroma-devoid KPC-Luc orthotopic tumors, but not MT-5 tumors. CONCLUSIONS Our data establish for the first time a reproducible and realistic clinical system useful for modeling stroma-rich and stroma-devoid PDAC tumors. These models shall serve an indepth study of how to overcome barriers that limit antitumor activity of adoptively transferred T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie K Horvat
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Isaac Karpovsky
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Maggie Phillips
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Megan M Wyatt
- Department of Surgery, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Margaret A Hall
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Cameron J Herting
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jacklyn Hammons
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Zaid Mahdi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Richard A Moffitt
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Surgery, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Gregory B Lesinski
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Jia X, Xi J, Tian B, Zhang Y, Wang Z, Wang F, Li Z, Long J, Wang J, Fan GH, Li Q. The Tautomerase Activity of Tumor Exosomal MIF Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Progression by Modulating MDSC Differentiation. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:72-90. [PMID: 37956411 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-23-0205] [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: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease that is largely resistant to immunotherapy, in part because of the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Much evidence suggests that tumor-derived exosomes (TDE) contribute to the immunosuppressive activity mediated by myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) within the pancreatic cancer TME. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Herein, we report that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in TDEs has a key role in inducing MDSC formation in pancreatic cancer. We identified MIF in both human and murine pancreatic cancer-derived exosomes. Upon specific shRNA-mediated knockdown of MIF, the ability of pancreatic cancer-derived exosomes to promote MDSC differentiation was abrogated. This phenotype was rescued by reexpression of the wild-type form of MIF rather than a tautomerase-null mutant or a thiol-protein oxidoreductase-null mutant, indicating that both MIF enzyme activity sites play a role in exosome-induced MDSC formation in pancreatic cancer. RNA sequencing data indicated that MIF tautomerase regulated the expression of genes required for MDSC differentiation, recruitment, and activation. We therefore developed a MIF tautomerase inhibitor, IPG1576. The inhibitor effectively inhibited exosome-induced MDSC differentiation in vitro and reduced tumor growth in an orthotopic pancreatic cancer model, which was associated with decreased numbers of MDSCs and increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells in the TME. Collectively, our findings highlight a pivotal role for MIF in exosome-induced MDSC differentiation in pancreatic cancer and underscore the potential of MIF tautomerase inhibitors to reverse the immunosuppressive pancreatic cancer microenvironment, thereby augmenting anticancer immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuebing Jia
- Cancer Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Institute of Pancreatic Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianbei Xi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Immunophage Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Binle Tian
- Cancer Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Institute of Pancreatic Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Immunophage Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Zhilong Wang
- Department of Oncology, Immunophage Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Wang
- Cancer Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Autoimmune Disease, Immunophage Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Jiang Long
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - JianFei Wang
- Excecutive Office, Immunophage Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Laboratory Animal Research Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Guo-Huang Fan
- Excecutive Office, Immunophage Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Li
- Cancer Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Institute of Pancreatic Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Recouvreux MV, Grenier SF, Zhang Y, Esparza E, Lambies G, Galapate CM, Maganti S, Duong-Polk K, Bhullar D, Naeem R, Scott DA, Lowy AM, Tiriac H, Commisso C. Glutamine mimicry suppresses tumor progression through asparagine metabolism in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:100-113. [PMID: 37814011 PMCID: PMC10956382 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00649-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), glutamine is a critical nutrient that drives a wide array of metabolic and biosynthetic processes that support tumor growth. Here, we elucidate how 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON), a glutamine antagonist that broadly inhibits glutamine metabolism, blocks PDAC tumor growth and metastasis. We find that DON significantly reduces asparagine production by inhibiting asparagine synthetase (ASNS), and that the effects of DON are rescued by asparagine. As a metabolic adaptation, PDAC cells upregulate ASNS expression in response to DON, and we show that ASNS levels are inversely correlated with DON efficacy. We also show that L-asparaginase (ASNase) synergizes with DON to affect the viability of PDAC cells, and that DON and ASNase combination therapy has a significant impact on metastasis. These results shed light on the mechanisms that drive the effects of glutamine mimicry and point to the utility of cotargeting adaptive responses to control PDAC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Victoria Recouvreux
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shea F Grenier
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yijuan Zhang
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Edgar Esparza
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Guillem Lambies
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cheska Marie Galapate
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Swetha Maganti
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Karen Duong-Polk
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Deepika Bhullar
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Razia Naeem
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - David A Scott
- Cancer Metabolism Core Resource, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andrew M Lowy
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hervé Tiriac
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cosimo Commisso
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Bodac A, Mayet A, Rana S, Pascual J, Bowler AD, Roh V, Fournier N, Craciun L, Demetter P, Radtke F, Meylan E. Bcl-xL targeting eliminates ageing tumor-promoting neutrophils and inhibits lung tumor growth. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:158-184. [PMID: 38177532 PMCID: PMC10897164 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-023-00013-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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Elevated peripheral blood and tumor-infiltrating neutrophils are often associated with a poor patient prognosis. However, therapeutic strategies to target these cells are difficult to implement due to the life-threatening risk of neutropenia. In a genetically engineered mouse model of lung adenocarcinoma, tumor-associated neutrophils (TAN) demonstrate tumor-supportive capacities and have a prolonged lifespan compared to circulating neutrophils. Here, we show that tumor cell-derived GM-CSF triggers the expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL protein and enhances neutrophil survival through JAK/STAT signaling. Targeting Bcl-xL activity with a specific BH3 mimetic, A-1331852, blocked the induced neutrophil survival without impacting their normal lifespan. Specifically, oral administration with A-1331852 decreased TAN survival and abundance, and reduced tumor growth without causing neutropenia. We also show that G-CSF, a drug used to combat neutropenia in patients receiving chemotherapy, increased the proportion of young TANs and augmented the anti-tumor effect resulting from Bcl-xL blockade. Finally, our human tumor data indicate the same role for Bcl-xL on pro-tumoral neutrophil survival. These results altogether provide preclinical evidence for safe neutrophil targeting based on their aberrant intra-tumor longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Bodac
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Abdullah Mayet
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Molecular Biology, Université libre de Bruxelles, 6041, Gosselies, Belgium
- Lung Cancer and Immuno-Oncology laboratory, Bordet Cancer Research Laboratories, Institut Jules Bordet, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Université libre de Bruxelles, 1070, Bruxelles, Belgium
- ULB Cancer Research Center (U-CRC) and ULB Center for Research in Immunology (U-CRI), 1070, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Sarika Rana
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Molecular Biology, Université libre de Bruxelles, 6041, Gosselies, Belgium
- Lung Cancer and Immuno-Oncology laboratory, Bordet Cancer Research Laboratories, Institut Jules Bordet, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Université libre de Bruxelles, 1070, Bruxelles, Belgium
- ULB Cancer Research Center (U-CRC) and ULB Center for Research in Immunology (U-CRI), 1070, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Justine Pascual
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Amber D Bowler
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Roh
- Translational Data Science - Facility, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Agora Cancer Research Center, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Fournier
- Translational Data Science - Facility, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Agora Cancer Research Center, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ligia Craciun
- Department of Pathology, Institut Jules Bordet, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Université libre de Bruxelles, 1070, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Pieter Demetter
- Department of Pathology, Institut Jules Bordet, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Université libre de Bruxelles, 1070, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Freddy Radtke
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Etienne Meylan
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Molecular Biology, Université libre de Bruxelles, 6041, Gosselies, Belgium.
- Lung Cancer and Immuno-Oncology laboratory, Bordet Cancer Research Laboratories, Institut Jules Bordet, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Université libre de Bruxelles, 1070, Bruxelles, Belgium.
- ULB Cancer Research Center (U-CRC) and ULB Center for Research in Immunology (U-CRI), 1070, Bruxelles, Belgium.
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38
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Park Y, Chung C. Immune Evasion of G-CSF and GM-CSF in Lung Cancer. Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul) 2024; 87:22-30. [PMID: 37726942 PMCID: PMC10758314 DOI: 10.4046/trd.2023.0037] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor immune evasion is a complex process that involves various mechanisms, such as antigen recognition restriction, immune system suppression, and T cell exhaustion. The tumor microenvironment contains various immune cells involved in immune evasion. Recent studies have demonstrated that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) induce immune evasion in lung cancer by modulating neutrophils and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Here we describe the origin and function of G-CSF and GM-CSF, particularly their role in immune evasion in lung cancer. In addition, their effects on programmed death-ligand 1 expression and clinical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeonhee Park
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Daejeon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Chaeuk Chung
- Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Infection Control Convergence Research Center, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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39
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Denaro N, Nazzaro G, Murgia G, Scarfì F, Cauchi C, Carrera CG, Cattaneo A, Solinas C, Scartozzi M, Marzano AV, Garrone O, Passoni E. A Multidisciplinary Approach to Patients with Psoriasis and a History of Malignancies or On-Treatment for Solid Tumors: A Narrative Literature Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17540. [PMID: 38139369 PMCID: PMC10743950 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated disease that is linked to an increased risk of cancer. Although numerous studies have explored whether neoplasms are concurrent conditions or are induced by psoriasis, a definitive definition remains elusive. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive narrative literature review to offer practical guidance to oncologists and dermatologists regarding the initiation and discontinuation of biologics for psoriasis. The findings indicate that a customized approach is recommended for each patient, and that a history of malignancies does not constitute an absolute contraindication for biologics. Growing evidence supports the treatment of selected patients, emphasizing a nuanced assessment of benefits and risks. There is a lack of data specifying a safe timeframe to initiate biologics following a neoplasm diagnosis due to influences from cancer-related and patient-specific characteristics impacting prognosis. Some patients may continue anti-psoriasis therapy during cancer treatments. Enhanced comprehension of the biological mechanisms in cancer progression and the immune microenvironment of psoriasis holds promise for refining therapeutic strategies. In conclusion, a personalized treatment approach necessitates collaboration between oncologists and dermatologists, considering factors such as cancer prognosis, psoriasis clinical manifestations, patient characteristics, and preferences when making treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerina Denaro
- Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.C.); (O.G.)
| | - Gianluca Nazzaro
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (G.N.); (G.M.); (C.G.C.); (A.C.); (A.V.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Giulia Murgia
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (G.N.); (G.M.); (C.G.C.); (A.C.); (A.V.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Federica Scarfì
- UOSD Dermatology, USL Toscana Centro-Prato Hospital, 59100 Prato, Italy;
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Carolina Cauchi
- Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.C.); (O.G.)
| | - Carlo Giovanni Carrera
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (G.N.); (G.M.); (C.G.C.); (A.C.); (A.V.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Angelo Cattaneo
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (G.N.); (G.M.); (C.G.C.); (A.C.); (A.V.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Cinzia Solinas
- Medical Oncology Department, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (C.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Mario Scartozzi
- Medical Oncology Department, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (C.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Angelo Valerio Marzano
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (G.N.); (G.M.); (C.G.C.); (A.C.); (A.V.M.); (E.P.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Ornella Garrone
- Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.C.); (O.G.)
| | - Emanuela Passoni
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (G.N.); (G.M.); (C.G.C.); (A.C.); (A.V.M.); (E.P.)
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40
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Liu Z, Zhang Y, Wu C. Single-cell sequencing in pancreatic cancer research: A deeper understanding of heterogeneity and therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115664. [PMID: 37837881 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs), is a malignant tumor with characteristics of tumor-stroma interactions. Patients often have a poor prognosis and a poor long-term survival rate. In recent years, rapidly-developing single-cell sequencing techniques have been used to analyze cell populations at a single-cell resolution, so that it is now possible to have a more in-depth and clearer understanding of the genetic composition of pancreatic cancer. In this review, we provide an overview of the current single-cell sequencing techniques and their applications in the exploration of intratumoral heterogeneity, the tumor microenvironment, therapy resistance, and novel treatments. Our hope is to provide new insight into the potential of precision therapy, which will perhaps one day lead to significant advances in PDAC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuomiao Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yalin Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chunli Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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41
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Gulia S, Chandra P, Das A. The Prognosis of Cancer Depends on the Interplay of Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Anoikis within the Tumor Microenvironment. Cell Biochem Biophys 2023; 81:621-658. [PMID: 37787970 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-023-01179-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Within the tumor microenvironment, the fight between the immune system and cancer influences tumor transformation. Metastasis formation is an important stage in the progression of cancer. This process is aided by cellular detachment and resistance to anoikis, which are achieved by altering intercellular signaling. Autophagy, specifically pro-survival autophagy, aids cancer cells in developing treatment resistance. Numerous studies have shown that autophagy promotes tumor growth and resistance to anoikis. To regulate protective autophagy, cancer-related genes phosphorylate both pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins. Apoptosis, a type of controlled cell death, eliminates damaged or unwanted cells. Anoikis is a type of programmed cell death in which cells lose contact with the extracellular matrix. The dysregulation of these cellular pathways promotes tumor growth and spread. Apoptosis, anoikis, and autophagy interact meticulously and differently depending on the cellular circumstances. For instance, autophagy can protect cancer cells from apoptosis by removing cellular components that are damaged and might otherwise trigger apoptotic pathways. Similarly, anoikis dysregulation can trigger autophagy by causing cellular harm and metabolic stress. In order to prevent or treat metastatic disease, specifically, targeting these cellular mechanisms may present a promising prospect for cancer therapy. This review discourses the state of our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying tumor transformation and the establishment of metastatic tumors. To enhance the prognosis for cancer, we highlight and discuss potential therapeutic approaches that target these processes and genes involved in them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Gulia
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Prakash Chandra
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Asmita Das
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India.
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Liu X, Tang R, Xu J, Tan Z, Liang C, Meng Q, Lei Y, Hua J, Zhang Y, Liu J, Zhang B, Wang W, Yu X, Shi S. CRIP1 fosters MDSC trafficking and resets tumour microenvironment via facilitating NF-κB/p65 nuclear translocation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Gut 2023; 72:2329-2343. [PMID: 37541772 PMCID: PMC10715495 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-329349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most immunosuppressive tumour types. The tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) is largely driven by interactions between immune cells and heterogeneous tumour cells. Here, we aimed to investigate the mechanism of tumour cells in TIME formation and provide potential combination treatment strategies for PDAC patients based on genotypic heterogeneity. DESIGN Highly multiplexed imaging mass cytometry, RNA sequencing, mass cytometry by time of flight and multiplex immunofluorescence staining were performed to identify the pro-oncogenic proteins associated with low immune activation in PDAC. An in vitro coculture system, an orthotopic PDAC allograft tumour model, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry were used to explore the biological functions of cysteine-rich intestinal protein 1 (CRIP1) in tumour progression and TIME formation. RNA sequencing, mass spectrometry and chromatin immunoprecipitation were subsequently conducted to investigate the underlying mechanisms of CRIP1. RESULTS Our results showed that CRIP1 was frequently upregulated in PDAC tissues with low immune activation. Elevated CRIP1 expression induced high levels of myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) infiltration and fostered an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. Mechanistically, we primarily showed that CRIP1 bound to nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)/p65 and facilitated its nuclear translocation in an importin-dependent manner, leading to the transcriptional activation of CXCL1/5. PDAC-derived CXCL1/5 facilitated the chemotactic migration of MDSCs to drive immunosuppression. SX-682, an inhibitor of CXCR1/2, blocked tumour MDSC recruitment and enhanced T-cell activation. The combination of anti-PD-L1 therapy with SX-682 elicited increased CD8+T cell infiltration and potent antitumor activity in tumour-bearing mice with high CRIP1 expression. CONCLUSIONS The CRIP1/NF-κB/CXCL axis is critical for triggering immune evasion and TIME formation in PDAC. Blockade of this signalling pathway prevents MDSC trafficking and thereby sensitises PDAC to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomeng Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Tang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Tan
- Department of Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingcai Meng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yubin Lei
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Hua
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiyin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Mihalik NE, Steinberger KJ, Stevens AM, Bobko AA, Hoblitzell EH, Tseytlin O, Akhter H, Dziadowicz SA, Wang L, O’Connell RC, Monaghan KL, Hu G, Mo X, Khramtsov VV, Tseytlin M, Driesschaert B, Wan EC, Eubank TD. Dose-Specific Intratumoral GM-CSF Modulates Breast Tumor Oxygenation and Antitumor Immunity. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:1589-1604. [PMID: 37756529 PMCID: PMC10656117 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
GM-CSF has been employed as an adjuvant to cancer immunotherapy with mixed results based on dosage. We previously showed that GM-CSF regulated tumor angiogenesis by stimulating soluble vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-1 from monocytes/macrophages in a dose-dependent manner that neutralized free VEGF, and intratumoral injections of high-dose GM-CSF ablated blood vessels and worsened hypoxia in orthotopic polyoma middle T Ag (PyMT) triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In this study, we assessed both immunoregulatory and oxygen-regulatory components of low-dose versus high-dose GM-CSF to compare effects on tumor oxygen, vasculature, and antitumor immunity. We performed intratumoral injections of low-dose GM-CSF or saline controls for 3 wk in FVB/N PyMT TNBC. Low-dose GM-CSF uniquely reduced tumor hypoxia and normalized tumor vasculature by increasing NG2+ pericyte coverage on CD31+ endothelial cells. Priming of "cold," anti-PD1-resistant PyMT tumors with low-dose GM-CSF (hypoxia reduced) sensitized tumors to anti-PD1, whereas high-dose GM-CSF (hypoxia exacerbated) did not. Low-dose GM-CSF reduced hypoxic and inflammatory tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) transcriptional profiles; however, no phenotypic modulation of TAMs or tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were observed by flow cytometry. In contrast, high-dose GM-CSF priming increased infiltration of TAMs lacking the MHC class IIhi phenotype or immunostimulatory marker expression, indicating an immunosuppressive phenotype under hypoxia. However, in anti-PD1 (programmed cell death 1)-susceptible BALB/c 4T1 tumors (considered hot versus PyMT), high-dose GM-CSF increased MHC class IIhi TAMs and immunostimulatory molecules, suggesting disparate effects of high-dose GM-CSF across PyMT versus 4T1 TNBC models. Our data demonstrate a (to our knowledge) novel role for low-dose GM-CSF in reducing tumor hypoxia for synergy with anti-PD1 and highlight why dosage and setting of GM-CSF in cancer immunotherapy regimens require careful consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E. Mihalik
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505
| | - Kayla J. Steinberger
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505
| | - Alyson M. Stevens
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505
| | - Andrey A. Bobko
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- In vivo Multifunctional Magnetic Resonance (IMMR) center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - E. Hannah Hoblitzell
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Oxana Tseytlin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- In vivo Multifunctional Magnetic Resonance (IMMR) center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Halima Akhter
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Bioinformatics Core, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Sebastian A. Dziadowicz
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Bioinformatics Core, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Bioinformatics Core, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Ryan C. O’Connell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- In vivo Multifunctional Magnetic Resonance (IMMR) center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Kelly L. Monaghan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Gangqing Hu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Bioinformatics Core, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Xiaokui Mo
- Center for Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, 1585 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Valery V. Khramtsov
- West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown WV 26506
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- In vivo Multifunctional Magnetic Resonance (IMMR) center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Mark Tseytlin
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- In vivo Multifunctional Magnetic Resonance (IMMR) center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Benoit Driesschaert
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506
- West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown WV 26506
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505
- In vivo Multifunctional Magnetic Resonance (IMMR) center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- C. Eugene Bennet Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, United States
| | - Edwin C.K. Wan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505
| | - Timothy D. Eubank
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown WV 26506
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505
- In vivo Multifunctional Magnetic Resonance (IMMR) center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
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Li Y, Yang B, Miao H, Liu L, Wang Z, Jiang C, Yang Y, Qiu S, Li X, Geng Y, Zhang Y, Liu Y. Nicotinamide N -methyltransferase promotes M2 macrophage polarization by IL6 and MDSC conversion by GM-CSF in gallbladder carcinoma. Hepatology 2023; 78:1352-1367. [PMID: 36633260 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Nicotinamide N -methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme responsible for the methylation of nicotinamide, is involved in many metabolic pathways in adipose tissue and the liver. However, the role of NNMT in editing the tumor immune microenvironment is not well understood. APPROACH AND RESULTS Here, we identified that NNMT can promote IL6 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) expression by decreasing the tri-methyl-histone H3 levels on the promoters of IL6 and CSF2 (encoding GM-CSF) and CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein, an essential transcription factor for IL6 expression, thus promoting differentiation of macrophages into M2 type tumor-associated macrophages and generation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Treatment of xenografted tumor models overexpressing NNMT gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) cells with the NNMT inhibitor JBSNF-000088 resulted in compromised tumor development and decreased expression levels of IL6, GM-CSF, tumor-associated macrophage marker CD206, and myeloid-derived suppressor cell marker CD33 but increased expression levels of CD8. In addition, elevated expression of NNMT in tumors of patients with GBC was correlated with increased expression levels of CD206 and CD33 but with decreased levels of CD8 and survival of patients. CONCLUSIONS These data highlight the critical role of NNMT in GBC progression. Inhibition of NNMT by JBSNF-000088 is a potential molecular target for GBC immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Huijie Miao
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liguo Liu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengkai Jiang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shimei Qiu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Research Center of Biliary Tract Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuechuan Li
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yajun Geng
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yijian Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Research Center of Biliary Tract Disease, Shanghai, China
- Department of General Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingbin Liu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai, China
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45
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Cheng NC, Vonderheide RH. Immune vulnerabilities of mutant KRAS in pancreatic cancer. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:928-936. [PMID: 37524642 PMCID: PMC10592263 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
The 40-year desire to target the mutant Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) gene (mKRAS) therapeutically is being realized with more and more broadly applicable and tumor-specific small-molecule inhibitors. Immunologically, mKRAS has equal desirability as a target. Tumor KRAS signaling plays a large role in shaping the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment, especially in pancreatic cancer, leaving mKRAS inhibitors with potentially powerful immune modulatory capabilities that could be exploited in immunological-oncological combinations. mKRAS is itself an immunological antigen, a 'shared neoepitope' linked to the oncogenic process, validated biochemically and immunologically. Novel approaches in the clinic are taking advantage of the fact that mKRAS peptides are naturally processed and presented in tumors by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah C Cheng
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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46
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Bogut A, Stojanovic B, Jovanovic M, Dimitrijevic Stojanovic M, Gajovic N, Stojanovic BS, Balovic G, Jovanovic M, Lazovic A, Mirovic M, Jurisevic M, Jovanovic I, Mladenovic V. Galectin-1 in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Bridging Tumor Biology, Immune Evasion, and Therapeutic Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15500. [PMID: 37958483 PMCID: PMC10650903 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most challenging malignancies to treat, with a complex interplay of molecular pathways contributing to its aggressive nature. Galectin-1 (Gal-1), a member of the galectin family, has emerged as a pivotal player in the PDAC microenvironment, influencing various aspects from tumor growth and angiogenesis to immune modulation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted role of Galectin-1 in PDAC. We delve into its contributions to tumor stroma remodeling, angiogenesis, metabolic reprogramming, and potential implications for therapeutic interventions. The challenges associated with targeting Gal-1 are discussed, given its pleiotropic functions and complexities in different cellular conditions. Additionally, the promising prospects of Gal-1 inhibition, including the utilization of nanotechnology and theranostics, are highlighted. By integrating recent findings and shedding light on the intricacies of Gal-1's involvement in PDAC, this review aims to provide insights that could guide future research and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Bogut
- City Medical Emergency Department, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Bojan Stojanovic
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (B.S.); (G.B.)
- Department of General Surgery, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Marina Jovanovic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (M.J.); (V.M.)
| | | | - Nevena Gajovic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Bojana S. Stojanovic
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Goran Balovic
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (B.S.); (G.B.)
| | - Milan Jovanovic
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Military Medical Academy, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Aleksandar Lazovic
- Department of General Surgery, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Milos Mirovic
- Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Kotor, 85330 Kotor, Montenegro;
| | - Milena Jurisevic
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Ivan Jovanovic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Violeta Mladenovic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (M.J.); (V.M.)
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Ghorani E, Swanton C, Quezada SA. Cancer cell-intrinsic mechanisms driving acquired immune tolerance. Immunity 2023; 56:2270-2295. [PMID: 37820584 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Immune evasion is a hallmark of cancer, enabling tumors to survive contact with the host immune system and evade the cycle of immune recognition and destruction. Here, we review the current understanding of the cancer cell-intrinsic factors driving immune evasion. We focus on T cells as key effectors of anti-cancer immunity and argue that cancer cells evade immune destruction by gaining control over pathways that usually serve to maintain physiological tolerance to self. Using this framework, we place recent mechanistic advances in the understanding of cancer immune evasion into broad categories of control over T cell localization, antigen recognition, and acquisition of optimal effector function. We discuss the redundancy in the pathways involved and identify knowledge gaps that must be overcome to better target immune evasion, including the need for better, routinely available tools that incorporate the growing understanding of evasion mechanisms to stratify patients for therapy and trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Ghorani
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK; Department of Medical Oncology, Imperial College London Hospitals, London, UK.
| | - Charles Swanton
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK; Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Sergio A Quezada
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK; Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Hematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK.
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48
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Li O, Li L, Sheng Y, Ke K, Wu J, Mou Y, Liu M, Jin W. Biological characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Initiation to malignancy, intracellular to extracellular. Cancer Lett 2023; 574:216391. [PMID: 37714257 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly life-threatening tumour with a low early-detection rate, rapid progression and a tendency to develop resistance to chemotherapy. Therefore, understanding the regulatory mechanisms underlying the initiation, development and metastasis of pancreatic cancer is necessary for enhancing therapeutic effectiveness. In this review, we summarised single-gene mutations (including KRAS, CDKN2A, TP53, SMAD4 and some other less prevalent mutations), epigenetic changes (including DNA methylation, histone modifications and RNA interference) and large chromosome alterations (such as copy number variations, chromosome rearrangements and chromothripsis) associated with PDAC. In addition, we discussed variations in signalling pathways that act as intermediate oncogenic factors in PDAC, including PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK, Hippo and TGF-β signalling pathways. The focus of this review was to investigate alterations in the microenvironment of PDAC, particularly the role of immunosuppressive cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, lymphocytes, other para-cancerous cells and tumour extracellular matrix in tumour progression. Peripheral axons innervating the pancreas have been reported to play a crucial role in the development of cancer. In addition, tumour cells can influence the behaviour of neighbouring non-tumour cells by secreting certain factors, both locally and at a distance. In this review, we elucidated the alterations in intracellular molecules and the extracellular environment that occur during the progression of PDAC. Altogether, this review may enhance the understanding of the biological characteristics of PDAC and guide the development of more precise treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ou Li
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li Li
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunru Sheng
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kun Ke
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianzhang Wu
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yiping Mou
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mingyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, China; National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China; Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Weiwei Jin
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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49
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Globig AM, Zhao S, Roginsky J, Maltez VI, Guiza J, Avina-Ochoa N, Heeg M, Araujo Hoffmann F, Chaudhary O, Wang J, Senturk G, Chen D, O'Connor C, Pfaff S, Germain RN, Schalper KA, Emu B, Kaech SM. The β 1-adrenergic receptor links sympathetic nerves to T cell exhaustion. Nature 2023; 622:383-392. [PMID: 37731001 PMCID: PMC10871066 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06568-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are essential components of the immune response against viral infections and tumours, and are capable of eliminating infected and cancerous cells. However, when the antigen cannot be cleared, T cells enter a state known as exhaustion1. Although it is clear that chronic antigen contributes to CD8+ T cell exhaustion, less is known about how stress responses in tissues regulate T cell function. Here we show a new link between the stress-associated catecholamines and the progression of T cell exhaustion through the β1-adrenergic receptor ADRB1. We identify that exhausted CD8+ T cells increase ADRB1 expression and that exposure of ADRB1+ T cells to catecholamines suppresses their cytokine production and proliferation. Exhausted CD8+ T cells cluster around sympathetic nerves in an ADRB1-dependent manner. Ablation of β1-adrenergic signalling limits the progression of T cells towards the exhausted state in chronic infection and improves effector functions when combined with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in melanoma. In a pancreatic cancer model resistant to ICB, β-blockers and ICB synergize to boost CD8+ T cell responses and induce the development of tissue-resident memory-like T cells. Malignant disease is associated with increased catecholamine levels in patients2,3, and our results establish a connection between the sympathetic stress response, tissue innervation and T cell exhaustion. Here, we uncover a new mechanism by which blocking β-adrenergic signalling in CD8+ T cells rejuvenates anti-tumour functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Maria Globig
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Steven Zhao
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Roginsky
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Vivien I Maltez
- Lymphocyte Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Juan Guiza
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Natalia Avina-Ochoa
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Maximilian Heeg
- Division of Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Filipe Araujo Hoffmann
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Omkar Chaudhary
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gokhan Senturk
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dan Chen
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Carolyn O'Connor
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Samuel Pfaff
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ronald N Germain
- Lymphocyte Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kurt A Schalper
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brinda Emu
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Susan M Kaech
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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50
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Guo J, Wang S, Gao Q. An integrated overview of the immunosuppression features in the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1258538. [PMID: 37771596 PMCID: PMC10523014 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1258538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest malignancies. It is characterized by a complex and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which is primarily composed of tumor cells, stromal cells, immune cells, and acellular components. The cross-interactions and -regulations among various cell types in the TME have been recognized to profoundly shape the immunosuppression features that meaningfully affect PDAC biology and treatment outcomes. In this review, we first summarize five cellular composition modules by integrating the cellular (sub)types, phenotypes, and functions in PDAC TME. Then we discuss an integrated overview of the cross-module regulations as a determinant of the immunosuppressive TME in PDAC. We also briefly highlight TME-targeted strategies that potentially improve PDAC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglong Guo
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Siyue Wang
- Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Qi Gao
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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