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Yang Q, Meng D, Zhang Q, Wang J. Advances in research on the anti-tumor mechanism of Astragalus polysaccharides. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1334915. [PMID: 38515577 PMCID: PMC10955345 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1334915] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The dry root of the soybean plant Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge) Hsiao or A. membranaceus (Fisch) Bge, Astragali Radix (AR) has a long medicinal history. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), the natural macromolecule that exhibits immune regulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and other pharmacological activities, is an important active ingredient extracted from AR. Recently, APS has been increasingly used in cancer therapy owing to its anti-tumor ability as it prevents the progression of prostate, liver, cervical, ovarian, and non-small-cell lung cancer by suppressing tumor cell growth and invasion and enhancing apoptosis. In addition, APS enhances the sensitivity of tumors to antineoplastic agents and improves the body's immunity. This macromolecule has prospects for broad application in tumor therapy through various pathways. In this article, we present the latest progress in the research on the anti-tumor effects of APS and its underlying mechanisms, aiming to provide novel theoretical support and reference for its use in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Qinyuan Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jin Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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2
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Vajari MK, Sanaei MJ, Salari S, Rezvani A, Ravari MS, Bashash D. Breast cancer vaccination: Latest advances with an analytical focus on clinical trials. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 123:110696. [PMID: 37494841 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the main causes of cancer-related death worldwide. The heterogenicity of breast tumors and the presence of tumor resistance, metastasis, and disease recurrence make BC a challenging malignancy. A new age in cancer treatment is being ushered in by the enormous success of cancer immunotherapy, and therapeutic cancer vaccination is one such area of research. Nevertheless, it has been shown that the application of cancer vaccines in BC as monotherapy could not induce satisfying anti-tumor immunity. Indeed, the application of various vaccine platforms as well as combination therapies like immunotherapy could influence the clinical benefits of BC treatment. We analyzed the clinical trials of BC vaccination and revealed that the majority of trials were in phase I and II meaning that the BC vaccine studies lack favorable outcomes or they need more development. Furthermore, peptide- and cell-based vaccines are the major platforms utilized in clinical trials according to our analysis. Besides, some studies showed satisfying outcomes regarding carbohydrate-based vaccines in BC treatment. Recent advancements in therapeutic vaccines for breast cancer were promising strategies that could be accessible in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Kohansal Vajari
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Javad Sanaei
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Salari
- Department of Medical Oncology-Hematology, Taleghani Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Rezvani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mehrnaz Sadat Ravari
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Davood Bashash
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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3
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Tommasi C, Pellegrino B, Diana A, Palafox Sancez M, Orditura M, Scartozzi M, Musolino A, Solinas C. The Innate Immune Microenvironment in Metastatic Breast Cancer. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11205986. [PMID: 36294305 PMCID: PMC9604853 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11205986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system plays a fundamental role in neoplastic disease. In the era of immunotherapy, the adaptive immune response has been in the spotlight whereas the role of innate immunity in cancer development and progression is less known. The tumor microenvironment influences the terminal differentiation of innate immune cells, which can explicate their pro-tumor or anti-tumor effect. Different cells are able to recognize and eliminate no self and tumor cells: macrophages, natural killer cells, monocytes, dendritic cells, and neutrophils are, together with the elements of the complement system, the principal players of innate immunity in cancer development and evolution. Metastatic breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease from the stromal, immune, and biological point of view and requires deepened exploration to understand different patient outcomes. In this review, we summarize the evidence about the role of innate immunity in breast cancer metastatic sites and the potential targets for optimizing the innate response as a novel treatment opportunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Tommasi
- Medical Oncology and Breast Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- GOIRC (Gruppo Oncologico Italiano di Ricerca Clinica), 43126 Parma, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Benedetta Pellegrino
- Medical Oncology and Breast Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- GOIRC (Gruppo Oncologico Italiano di Ricerca Clinica), 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Anna Diana
- Medical Oncology Unit, Ospedale del Mare, 80147 Naples, Italy
| | - Marta Palafox Sancez
- Tumor Heterogeneity, Metastasis and Resistance Laboratory, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michele Orditura
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Scartozzi
- Medical Oncology Department, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonino Musolino
- Medical Oncology and Breast Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- GOIRC (Gruppo Oncologico Italiano di Ricerca Clinica), 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Cinzia Solinas
- Medical Oncology Department, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
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Wesseling-Rozendaal Y, van Doorn A, Willard-Gallo K, van de Stolpe A. Characterization of Immunoactive and Immunotolerant CD4+ T Cells in Breast Cancer by Measuring Activity of Signaling Pathways That Determine Immune Cell Function. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030490. [PMID: 35158758 PMCID: PMC8833374 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Immunotherapy enhances the immune response against cancer and is potentially curative. Unfortunately, few patients with breast cancer benefit from this therapy. It is not possible to predict which patients will benefit. A blood cell, called CD4+ T-cell, plays a role in the immune response and in resistance to immunotherapy. Its function is determined by activity of biochemical processes, called signal transduction pathways (STPs). We developed a new technology to measure activity of these STPs, which was used to investigate whether CD4+ T cells function abnormally in breast cancer patients. We show that in CD4+ T-cells from most of the investigated breast cancer patients a number of these STPs are overactive. The abnormal activity of a few notable STPs (Notch and TGFβ) suggests that CD4+ T-cells have changed into regulatory T-cells, which inhibit the immune response against cancer and have been associated with resistance to immunotherapy. We also provide evidence that this change in the CD4+ T- cells is caused by a factor produced by breast cancer cells. We conclude that this new technology can be used to measure STP activity in blood of patients with cancer and has the potential to better identify patients who will benefit from immunotherapy. Abstract Cancer immunotolerance may be reversed by checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy; however, only a subset of patients responds to immunotherapy. The prediction of clinical response in the individual patient remains a challenge. CD4+ T cells play a role in activating adaptive immune responses against cancer, while the conversion to immunosuppression is mainly caused by CD4+ regulatory T cell (Treg) cells. Signal transduction pathways (STPs) control the main functions of immune cells. A novel previously described assay technology enables the quantitative measurement of activity of multiple STPs in individual cell and tissue samples. The activities of the TGFβ, NFκB, PI3K-FOXO, JAK-STAT1/2, JAK-STAT3, and Notch STPs were measured in CD4+ T cell subsets and used to investigate cellular mechanisms underlying breast cancer-induced immunotolerance. Methods: STP activity scores were measured on Affymetrix expression microarray data of the following: (1) resting and immune-activated CD4+ T cells; (2) CD4+ T-helper 1 (Th1) and T-helper 2 (Th2) cells; (3) CD4+ Treg cells; (4) immune-activated CD4+ T cells incubated with breast cancer tissue supernatants; and (5) CD4+ T cells from blood, lymph nodes, and cancer tissue of 10 primary breast cancer patients. Results: CD4+ T cell activation induced PI3K, NFκB, JAK-STAT1/2, and JAK-STAT3 STP activities. Th1, Th2, and Treg cells each showed a typical pathway activity profile. The incubation of activated CD4+ T cells with cancer supernatants reduced the PI3K, NFκB, and JAK-STAT3 pathway activities and increased the TGFβ pathway activity, characteristic of an immunotolerant state. Immunosuppressive Treg cells were characterized by high NFκB, JAK-STAT3, TGFβ, and Notch pathway activity scores. An immunotolerant pathway activity profile was identified in CD4+ T cells from tumor infiltrate and blood of a subset of primary breast cancer patients, which was most similar to the pathway activity profile in immunosuppressive Treg cells. Conclusion: Signaling pathway assays can be used to quantitatively measure the functional immune response state of lymphocyte subsets in vitro and in vivo. Clinical results suggest that, in primary breast cancer, the adaptive immune response of CD4+ T cells may be frequently replaced by immunosuppressive Treg cells, potentially causing resistance to checkpoint inhibition. In vitro study results suggest that this is mediated by soluble factors from cancer tissue. Signaling pathway activity analysis on TIL and/or blood samples may improve response prediction and monitoring response to checkpoint inhibitors and may provide new therapeutic targets (e.g., the Notch pathway) to reduce resistance to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Karen Willard-Gallo
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Anja van de Stolpe
- Molecular Pathway Diagnostics, Philips, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-612784841
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5
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Pellegrino B, Tommasi C, Cursio OE, Musolino A, Migliori E, De Silva P, Senevirathne TH, Schena M, Scartozzi M, Farci D, Willard-Gallo K, Solinas C. A review of immune checkpoint blockade in breast cancer. Semin Oncol 2021; 48:208-225. [PMID: 34620502 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In the recent years characterized by the cancer immunotherapy revolution, attention has turned to how to potentially boost and/or generate an efficient anti-tumor immune response in breast cancer (BC). Clinical activity of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) targeting PD-1 or PD-L1 in BC has been more evident in the triple negative subtype and in earlier lines of the treatment. Remarkably, some responders to single agent ICB have achieved durable responses with metastatic disease, possibly as a result of treatment-induced immunological memory. However, most BC are immunologically quiescent and current research efforts developing ICB combinations are attempting to convert "cold" into "hot" tumors by manipulating the tumor microenvironment, expanding anti-tumor T cells improving efficient antigen presentation, and suppressing pro-tumor inhibitory cells. The aim of this review is to summarize existing data on the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockers as single agents and combination strategies in all BC subtypes, highlighting the BC subgroups that benefit most from ICB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Pellegrino
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy; Medical Oncology and Breast Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Italy.
| | - Chiara Tommasi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | | | - Antonino Musolino
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy; Medical Oncology and Breast Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Italy
| | - Edoardo Migliori
- Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, New York, NY, United States
| | - Pushpamali De Silva
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Marina Schena
- Regional Hospital of Aosta, Azienda USL Valle d'Aosta, Aosta, Italy
| | | | - Daniele Farci
- Medical Oncology, Casa di Cura Decimomannu, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Cinzia Solinas
- Medical Oncology, S. Francesco Hospital, Nuoro, Azienda Tutela della Salute della Sardegna, Italy.
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6
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Pellegrino B, Hlavata Z, Migali C, De Silva P, Aiello M, Willard-Gallo K, Musolino A, Solinas C. Luminal Breast Cancer: Risk of Recurrence and Tumor-Associated Immune Suppression. Mol Diagn Ther 2021; 25:409-424. [PMID: 33974235 PMCID: PMC8249273 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-021-00525-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hormone-receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC) (including the luminal A and the luminal B subtypes) is the most common type of tumor in women diagnosed with early-stage BC (EBC). It represents a highly heterogeneous subgroup that is characterized by different risks of relapse. The aim of this review is to discuss the possible role played by the immune response in predicting this risk, along with the most common clinical and pathological factors and molecular tools that have been developed and are already in use. As opposed to what has previously been observed in the most aggressive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtypes, a high proportion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs)-reflecting a spontaneous and pre-existing immune response to the tumor-has been linked to a worse prognosis in HR+ EBC. This work provides some immune biological rationale explaining these findings and provides the basics to understand the principal clinical trials that are testing immunotherapy in HR+ (luminal) BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Pellegrino
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Str. dell’Università, 12, 43121 Parma, PR Italy
- Medical Oncology and Breast Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Zuzana Hlavata
- Department of Medical Oncology, CHR Mons-Hainaut, Avenue Baudouin de Constantinople, n. 5, Mons, Hainaut Belgium
| | | | - Pushpamali De Silva
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Marco Aiello
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico San Marco, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Antonino Musolino
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Str. dell’Università, 12, 43121 Parma, PR Italy
- Medical Oncology and Breast Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Cinzia Solinas
- Azienda Tutela della Salute Sardegna, Ospedale A. Segni, Ozieri, Italy
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7
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Zhao Q, Jiang Y, Xiang S, Kaboli PJ, Shen J, Zhao Y, Wu X, Du F, Li M, Cho CH, Li J, Wen Q, Liu T, Yi T, Xiao Z. Engineered TCR-T Cell Immunotherapy in Anticancer Precision Medicine: Pros and Cons. Front Immunol 2021; 12:658753. [PMID: 33859650 PMCID: PMC8042275 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.658753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This review provides insight into the role of engineered T-cell receptors (TCRs) in immunotherapy. Novel approaches have been developed to boost anticancer immune system, including targeting new antigens, manufacturing new engineered or modified TCRs, and creating a safety switch for endo-suicide genes. In order to re-activate T cells against tumors, immune-mobilizing monoclonal TCRs against cancer (ImmTAC) have been developed as a novel class of manufactured molecules which are bispecific and recognize both cancer and T cells. The TCRs target special antigens such as NY-ESO-1, AHNAKS2580F or ERBB2H473Y to boost the efficacy of anticancer immunotherapy. The safety of genetically modified T cells is very important. Therefore, this review discusses pros and cons of different approaches, such as ImmTAC, Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK), and inducible caspase-9 in cancer immunotherapy. Clinical trials related to TCR-T cell therapy and monoclonal antibodies designed for overcoming immunosuppression, and recent advances made in understanding how TCRs are additionally examined. New approaches that can better detect antigens and drive an effective T cell response are discussed as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qijie Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China.,Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Shixin Xiang
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Parham Jabbarzadeh Kaboli
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Jing Shen
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Yueshui Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Xu Wu
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Fukuan Du
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Mingxing Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Chi Hin Cho
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Hospital (T.C.M.) Affiliated to Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qinglian Wen
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Oncology Rehabilitation, Shenzhen Luohu People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tao Yi
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Zhangang Xiao
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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8
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Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Pancreatic Injury: Imaging Findings and Literature Review. Target Oncol 2021; 15:25-35. [PMID: 31925647 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-019-00694-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The immunotherapy revolution in cancer treatment involves a variety of specialists, not only oncologists, but also internal medicine physicians, endocrinologists, dermatologists, gastroenterologists, rheumatologists, and radiologists, introducing new scenarios and novel challenges in the diagnosis and management of a number of novel immune-related adverse events. Among these, immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced pancreatic injury has been described (occurring in up to 4% of patients) and has been reported to be responsible for visits to the emergency departments in up to 1.9% of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. This side effect can be symptomatic or non-symptomatic, and can be associated with the development of long-term damage to the pancreas, requiring the involvement of different specialists, including radiologists and gastroenterologists in the multidisciplinary team that manages these patients. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a summary of the available literature related to immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced pancreatic injury including the epidemiology, the clinical findings, and the management algorithm for diagnosis with a detailed analysis of the differential diagnosis at imaging, and treatment. A more in-depth focus is dedicated to symptomatic acute pancreatitis with its peculiar findings at imaging (ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging).
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9
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van de Stolpe A, Verhaegh W, Blay JY, Ma CX, Pauwels P, Pegram M, Prenen H, De Ruysscher D, Saba NF, Slovin SF, Willard-Gallo K, Husain H. RNA Based Approaches to Profile Oncogenic Pathways From Low Quantity Samples to Drive Precision Oncology Strategies. Front Genet 2021; 11:598118. [PMID: 33613616 PMCID: PMC7893109 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.598118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Precision treatment of cancer requires knowledge on active tumor driving signal transduction pathways to select the optimal effective targeted treatment. Currently only a subset of patients derive clinical benefit from mutation based targeted treatment, due to intrinsic and acquired drug resistance mechanisms. Phenotypic assays to identify the tumor driving pathway based on protein analysis are difficult to multiplex on routine pathology samples. In contrast, the transcriptome contains information on signaling pathway activity and can complement genomic analyses. Here we present the validation and clinical application of a new knowledge-based mRNA-based diagnostic assay platform (OncoSignal) for measuring activity of relevant signaling pathways simultaneously and quantitatively with high resolution in tissue samples and circulating tumor cells, specifically with very small specimen quantities. The approach uses mRNA levels of a pathway's direct target genes, selected based on literature for multiple proof points, and used as evidence that a pathway is functionally activated. Using these validated target genes, a Bayesian network model has been built and calibrated on mRNA measurements of samples with known pathway status, which is used next to calculate a pathway activity score on individual test samples. Translation to RT-qPCR assays enables broad clinical diagnostic applications, including small analytes. A large number of cancer samples have been analyzed across a variety of cancer histologies and benchmarked across normal controls. Assays have been used to characterize cell types in the cancer cell microenvironment, including immune cells in which activated and immunotolerant states can be distinguished. Results support the expectation that the assays provide information on cancer driving signaling pathways which is difficult to derive from next generation DNA sequencing analysis. Current clinical oncology applications have been complementary to genomic mutation analysis to improve precision medicine: (1) prediction of response and resistance to various therapies, especially targeted therapy and immunotherapy; (2) assessment and monitoring of therapy efficacy; (3) prediction of invasive cancer cell behavior and prognosis; (4) measurement of circulating tumor cells. Preclinical oncology applications lie in a better understanding of cancer behavior across cancer types, and in development of a pathophysiology-based cancer classification for development of novel therapies and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jean-Yves Blay
- Medical Oncology, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Cynthia X. Ma
- Medicine, Division of Oncology, Section of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Patrick Pauwels
- Molecular Pathology, Centre for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mark Pegram
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Clinical Research, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Hans Prenen
- Oncology Department, Head of Phase I – Early Clinical Trials Unit, Clinical Trial Management Program, Oncology Department, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dirk De Ruysscher
- Oncology-Radiotherapy, Maastro/Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Nabil F. Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Head and Neck Medical Oncology Program, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | | | | | - Hatim Husain
- University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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10
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De Silva P, Aiello M, Gu-Trantien C, Migliori E, Willard-Gallo K, Solinas C. Targeting CTLA-4 in cancer: Is it the ideal companion for PD-1 blockade immunotherapy combinations? Int J Cancer 2020; 149:31-41. [PMID: 33252786 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy approaches boosting spontaneous and durable antitumor immune responses through immune checkpoint blockade are revolutionizing treatment and patient outcomes in solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Among the various inhibitory molecules employed by the immune system to regulate the adaptive immune responses, cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is the first successfully targeted immune checkpoint molecule in the clinic, giving rise to significant but selective benefit either when targeted alone or in combination with anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) antibodies (Abs). However, the use of anti-CTLA-4 Abs was associated with the incidence of autoimmune-like adverse events (AEs), which were particularly frequent and severe with the use of combinational strategies. Nevertheless, the higher incidence of AEs is associated with an improved clinical benefit indicating treatment response. A prompt recognition of AEs followed by early and adequate treatment with immunosuppressive agents allows the management of these potentially serious AEs. This narrative review aims to summarize CTLA-4 biology, the rationale for the use as a companion for anti-PD-1 Abs in humans with results from the most relevant Phase III clinical trials including anti-CTLA-4 Abs in combination with anti-PD-1 Abs in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pushpamali De Silva
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marco Aiello
- Medical Oncology Unit A.O.U. Policlinico, Vittorio Emanuele di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Chunyan Gu-Trantien
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Edoardo Migliori
- Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Cinzia Solinas
- Regional Hospital of Valle d'Aosta, Azienda U.S.L. Valle d'Aosta, Aosta, Italy
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11
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Solinas C, Aiello M, Rozali E, Lambertini M, Willard-Gallo K, Migliori E. Programmed cell death-ligand 2: A neglected but important target in the immune response to cancer? Transl Oncol 2020; 13:100811. [PMID: 32622310 PMCID: PMC7332529 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell death-ligand 2 (PD-L2) is one of the two ligands of the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) receptor, an inhibitory protein mainly expressed on activated immune cells that is targeted in the clinic, with successful and remarkable results. The PD-1/PD-Ls axis was shown to be one of the most relevant immunosuppressive pathways in the immune microenvironment, and blocking this interaction gave rise to an impressive clinical benefit in a broad variety of solid and hematological malignancies. Although PD-L2 has been historically considered a minor ligand, it binds to PD-1 with a two- to six-fold higher affinity as compared to PD-L1. PD-L2 can be expressed by immune, stromal, or tumor cells. The aims of this narrative review are to summarize PD-L2 biology in the physiological responses of the immune system and its role, expression, and clinical significance in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Solinas
- Azienda USL Valle d'Aosta, Regional Hospital of Valle d'Aosta, Aosta, Italy
| | - Marco Aiello
- Medical Oncology Unit, A.O.U. Policlinico San Marco, Catania, Italy
| | - Esdy Rozali
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Matteo Lambertini
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino and University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Edoardo Migliori
- Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, New York, NY, USA.
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Porcu M, Solinas C, Mannelli L, Micheletti G, Lambertini M, Willard-Gallo K, Neri E, Flanders AE, Saba L. Radiomics and "radi-…omics" in cancer immunotherapy: a guide for clinicians. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2020; 154:103068. [PMID: 32805498 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.103068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years the concept of precision medicine has become a popular topic particularly in medical oncology. Besides the identification of new molecular prognostic and predictive biomarkers and the development of new targeted and immunotherapeutic drugs, imaging has started to play a central role in this new era. Terms such as "radiomics", "radiogenomics" or "radi…-omics" are becoming increasingly common in the literature and soon they will represent an integral part of clinical practice. The use of artificial intelligence, imaging and "-omics" data can be used to develop models able to predict, for example, the features of the tumor immune microenvironment through imaging, and to monitor the therapeutic response beyond the standard radiological criteria. The aims of this narrative review are to provide a simplified guide for clinicians to these concepts, and to summarize the existing evidence on radiomics and "radi…-omics" in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Porcu
- Department of Radiology, AOU of Cagliari, University of Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Solinas
- Medical Oncology, Azienda Tutela Salute Sardegna, Hospital Antonio Segni, Ozieri, SS, Italy
| | | | - Giulio Micheletti
- Department of Radiology, AOU of Cagliari, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Matteo Lambertini
- Department of Medical Oncology, U.O.C. Clinica di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Adam E Flanders
- Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, AOU of Cagliari, University of Cagliari, Italy
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Aiello MM, Solinas C, Santoni M, Battelli N, Restuccia N, Latteri F, Paratore S, Verderame F, Albanese GV, Bruzzi P, Soto Parra HJ. Excision Repair Cross Complementation Group 1 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Nivolumab in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1167. [PMID: 32983959 PMCID: PMC7493643 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: We hypothesized that non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with a tumor positive for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the Excision Repair Cross Complementation Group 1 (ERCC-1) gene could be more genetically instable and consequently more responsive to a programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) blockade. Methods: We evaluated the T19007C and C8092A ERCC-1 SNPs by pyrosequencing assay, on tumor specimens from two independent cohorts of patients who relapsed after one or more prior systemic treatments for advanced NSCLC and who received nivolumab (3 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks) as part of the Italian Expanded Access Program. We aimed to assess the outcome of enrolled subjects according to the ERCC-1 SNPs status, to evaluate the role of these polymorphisms as putative biomarkers associated with a response/clinical benefit to anti-PD-1 therapies. Results: Of the 45 patients included in the final analysis, 21 (47%) and 16 (36%) were positive for the T19007C and C8092A polymorphic genotype (PG), respectively. In univariate analyses, overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were shorter in patients with the T19007C PG, but neither difference achieved statistical significance (P = 0.131 and P = 0.717, respectively). The presence of the C8092A PG was associated with a longer OS and PFS, although statistical significance was only reached for PFS (P = 0.112 and P = 0.025, respectively). These results were confirmed by multivariate analyses. The response rate was only significantly higher in patients with the C8092A PG vs. wild type ERCC-1 (62 vs. 7%, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Results from this hypothesis generating pilot study, provided suggestive evidence that a subgroup of NSCLC patients could benefit differently from nivolumab according to the C8092A ERCC-1 SNP status. However, these data warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Maria Aiello
- Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele, Catania, Italy
| | - Cinzia Solinas
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels, Belgium.,Azienda AUSL, Regional Hospital of Aosta, Aosta, Italy
| | | | | | - Nunzio Restuccia
- Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele, Catania, Italy
| | - Fiorenza Latteri
- Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele, Catania, Italy
| | - Sabrina Paratore
- Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele, Catania, Italy
| | - Francesco Verderame
- Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedali Riuniti Villa Sofia Cervello, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Bruzzi
- Clinical Epidemiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Hector Josè Soto Parra
- Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele, Catania, Italy
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PD-1/PD-L1 axis regulation in cancer therapy: The role of long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs. Life Sci 2020; 256:117899. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Breast cancer vaccines: Heeding the lessons of the past to guide a path forward. Cancer Treat Rev 2020; 84:101947. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2019.101947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Solinas C, De Silva P, Bron D, Willard-Gallo K, Sangiolo D. Significance of TIM3 expression in cancer: From biology to the clinic. Semin Oncol 2019; 46:372-379. [PMID: 31733828 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2019.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Targeting inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules has dramatically changed treatment paradigms in medical oncology. Understanding the best strategies to unleash a pre-existing immune response or to induce an efficient immune response against tumors has emerged as a research priority. In this work, we focus on a novel target for cancer immunotherapy, the inhibitory receptor T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM3). This narrative review describes TIM3 biology in different (tumor-infiltrating) immune cells, particularly in the immunosuppressive regulatory T cells and dysfunctional/exhausted cytotoxic T lymphocytes, but also in cells that confer innate immunity - natural killer and dendritic cells. We discuss the functional role of TIM3, its expression and its clinical significance in a variety of tumors, and confront the heterogeneous results emerging from different studies, including clinical trials of immunotherapy. Finally, this work summarizes the principal early-phase clinical trials exploring TIM3 blockade and discusses some future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Solinas
- Regional Hospital of Valle d'Aosta, Azienda USL Valle d'Aosta, Aosta, Italy; Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Universitè Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Pushpamali De Silva
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Universitè Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium; Clinical and Experimental Hematology, Institute Jules Bordet, Universitè Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Dominique Bron
- Clinical and Experimental Hematology, Institute Jules Bordet, Universitè Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Karen Willard-Gallo
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Universitè Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Dario Sangiolo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Torino, Italy.
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