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Cui Q, Li W, Wang D, Wang S, Yu J. Prognostic significance of blood-based PD-L1 analysis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Surg Oncol 2023; 21:318. [PMID: 37821941 PMCID: PMC10566159 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-023-03215-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The main types of PD-L1 in the blood include soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1), exosomal PD-L1 (exoPD-L1), and PD-L1 in circulating tumor cells (CTCs). However, the predictive and prognostic values of these three indicators in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy are unclear, warranting a systematic meta-analysis. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) values were extracted from the included studies to investigate the correlation between the three PD-L1 indicators and overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS). The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to examine the quality of the included studies. Subgroup analyses were employed to investigate the heterogeneity. The publication bias of the included studies was assessed using Begg's and Egger's tests. P < 0.05 was regarded as significantly different. RESULTS The pooled results revealed that high pre-treatment sPD-L1 levels were significantly associated with inferior OS (HR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.68-3.18, P < 0.001) and PFS (HR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.72-3.68, P < 0.001). However, dynamic changes in sPD-L1 after immunotherapy were not statistically significant for OS (HR = 1.46, 95% CI = 0.65-3.26, P > 0.05) or PFS (HR = 1.62, 95% CI = 0.92-2.86, P > 0.05). Meanwhile, the upregulated pre-treatment exoPD-L1 levels were significantly associated with poor PFS (HR = 4.44, 95% CI = 2.87-6.89, P < 0.001), whereas the post-treatment dynamic upregulation of exoPD-L1 was significantly correlated with superior PFS (HR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.24-0.54, P < 0.001) and OS (HR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.07-0.53, P < 0.001). For PD-L1 in CTCs, the pooled results indicated that PD-L1 expression in CTCs was not significantly correlated with OS (HR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.49-1.13, P = 0.170) and PFS (HR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.59-1.06, P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS Blood-based PD-L1 analysis is a potential strategy for predicting treatment efficacy and prognosis in patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Cui
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Wentao Li
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuangcui Wang
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianchun Yu
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China.
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2
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Marcos Rubio A, Everaert C, Van Damme E, De Preter K, Vermaelen K. Circulating immune cell dynamics as outcome predictors for immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007023. [PMID: 37536935 PMCID: PMC10401220 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007023] [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: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) continues to transform the therapeutic landscape of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with these drugs now being evaluated at every stage of the disease. In contrast to these advances, little progress has been made with respect to reliable predictive biomarkers that can inform clinicians on therapeutic efficacy. All current biomarkers for outcome prediction, including PD-L1, tumor mutational burden or complex immune gene expression signatures, require access to tumor tissue. Besides the invasive nature of the sampling procedure, other disadvantages of tumor tissue biopsies are the inability to capture the complete spatial heterogeneity of the tumor and the difficulty to perform longitudinal follow-up on treatment. A concept emerges in which systemic immune events developing at a distance from the tumor reflect local response or resistance to immunotherapy. The importance of this cancer 'macroenvironment', which can be deciphered by comprehensive analysis of peripheral blood immune cell subsets, has been demonstrated in several cutting-edge preclinical reports, and is corroborated by intriguing data emerging from ICI-treated patients. In this review, we will provide the biological rationale underlying the potential of blood immune cell-based biomarkers in guiding treatment decision in immunotherapy-eligible NSCLC patients. Finally, we will describe new techniques that will facilitate the discovery of more immune cell subpopulations with potential to become predictive biomarkers, and reflect on ways and the remaining challenges to bring this type of analysis to the routine clinical care in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Marcos Rubio
- VIB UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Celine Everaert
- VIB UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Eufra Van Damme
- VIB UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Katleen De Preter
- VIB UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Karim Vermaelen
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
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3
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Zhou S, Yang H. Immunotherapy resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer: From mechanism to clinical strategies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1129465. [PMID: 37090727 PMCID: PMC10115980 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1129465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The high primary resistance incidence and unavoidable secondary resistance are the major clinical obstacle to lasting long-term benefits in Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with immunotherapy. The mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance in NSCLC are complex, mainly involving tumor cells and tumor microenvironment (TME) infiltrating immune cells, including TAMs, B cells, NK cells, and T cells. The selection of clinical strategies for NSCLC progression after immunotherapy resistance should depend on the progressive mode. The progression pattern of NSCLC patients after immunotherapy resistance can be divided into oligo-progression and systemic/multiple progression, which should be considered for further treatment selection. In the future, it needs to explore how to optimize the combined therapy and explore strategies to reprogram infiltrating immune cells under various genetic backgrounds of tumor cells and timely reshape TME during antitumor treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suna Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology of Taizhou, Radiation Oncology Institute of Enze Medical Health Academy, Department of Radiation Oncology, Taizhou Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Xi’an No. 3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Haihua Yang
- Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology of Taizhou, Radiation Oncology Institute of Enze Medical Health Academy, Department of Radiation Oncology, Taizhou Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
- *Correspondence: Haihua Yang,
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4
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Zhang J, Hong Y, Wang L, Hu W, Tian G, Wu D, Wang Y, Dai L, Zhang Z, Yang Y, Fang J. Aneuploid subtypes of circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor-derived endothelial cells predict the overall survival of advanced lung cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:829054. [PMID: 37213309 PMCID: PMC10196356 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.829054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor-derived endothelial cells (CTECs) in patients with advanced lung cancer, for describing the distribution characteristics of CTC and CTEC subtypes, exploring the correlation between CTC/CTEC subtypes and novel prognostic biomarkers. Methods A total of 52 patients with advanced lung cancer were enrolled in this study. Using the subtraction enrichment-immunofluorescence in situ hybridization (SE-iFISH) system, CTCs and CTECs derived from these patients were identified. Results Based on cell size, there were 49.3% small and 50.7% large CTCs, and 23.0% small and 77.0% large CTECs. Triploidy, tetraploidy, and multiploidy varied in the small and large CTCs/CTECs. Besides these three aneuploid subtypes, monoploidy was found in the small and large CTECs. Triploid and multiploid small CTCs and tetraploid large CTCs were associated with shorter overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced lung cancer. However, none of the CTECs subtypes showed a significant correlation with patient prognosis. In addition, we found strong positive correlations (P<0.0001) in the four groups including triploid small cell size CTCs and multiploid small cell size CTECs, and multiploid small cell size CTCs and monoploid small cell size CTECs. Furthermore, combined detection of the specific subtypes, including triploid small CTC and monoploid small CTEC, triploid small CTC and triploid small CTEC, and multiploid small CTC and monoploid small CTEC, were associated with poor prognosis in advanced lung cancer. Conclusions Aneuploid small CTCs are associated with the outcome of patients with advanced lung cancer. In particular, the combined detection of triploid small CTCs and monoploid small CTECs, triploid small CTCs and triploid small CTECs, and multiploid small CTCs and monoploid small CTECs has clinical significance for predicting prognosis in patients with advanced lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Hong
- Department of Anesthesiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Peking University China-Japan Friendship School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Weiheng Hu
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Guangming Tian
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Dai
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ziran Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Fang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Jian Fang,
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5
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Mino-Kenudson M, Schalper K, Cooper W, Dacic S, Hirsch FR, Jain D, Lopez-Rios F, Tsao MS, Yatabe Y, Beasley MB, Yu H, Sholl LM, Brambilla E, Chou TY, Connolly C, Wistuba I, Kerr KM, Lantuejoul S. Predictive Biomarkers for Immunotherapy in Lung Cancer: Perspective From the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Pathology Committee. J Thorac Oncol 2022; 17:1335-1354. [PMID: 36184066 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2022.09.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has become the backbone of treatment for most lung cancers with advanced or metastatic disease. In addition, they have increasingly been used for early stage tumors in neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. Unfortunately, however, only a subset of patients experiences meaningful response to ICIs. Although programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) has played a role as the principal predictive biomarker for immunotherapy, its performance may not be optimal, and it suffers multiple practical issues with different companion diagnostic assays approved. Similarly, tumor mutational burden (TMB) has multiple technical issues as a predictive biomarker for ICIs. Now, ongoing research on tumor- and host immune-specific factors has identified immunotherapy biomarkers that may provide better response and prognosis prediction, in particular in a multimodal approach. This review by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Pathology Committee provides an overview of various immunotherapy biomarkers, including updated data on PD-L1 IHC and TMB, and assessments of neoantigens, genetic and epigenetic signatures, immune microenvironment by IHC and transcriptomics, and microbiome and pathologic response to neoadjuvant immunotherapies. The aim of this review is to underline the efficacy of new individual or combined predictive biomarkers beyond PD-L1 IHC and TMB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Mino-Kenudson
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kurt Schalper
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Wendy Cooper
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW Health Pathology and University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Sanja Dacic
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Fred R Hirsch
- Center for Thoracic Oncology, The Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, New York; Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, New York
| | - Deepali Jain
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Fernando Lopez-Rios
- Department of Pathology, "Doce de Octubre" University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ming Sound Tsao
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Mary Beth Beasley
- Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, New York
| | - Hui Yu
- Center for Thoracic Oncology, The Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, New York; Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, New York
| | - Lynette M Sholl
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Casey Connolly
- International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, Denver, Colorado
| | - Ignacio Wistuba
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Keith M Kerr
- Department of Pathology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Sylvie Lantuejoul
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France; Centre Léon Bérard Unicancer, Lyon, France.
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6
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Rekulapelli A, E. Flausino L, Iyer G, Balkrishnan R. Effectiveness of immunological agents in non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2022; 6:e1739. [PMID: 36289059 PMCID: PMC9981233 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1739] [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: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) continues to claim millions of lives worldwide. Although its poor prognosis is largely attributed to the lack of adequate and precise detection technologies, cancer cells' suppression of the immune system adds on to the difficulty of identifying abnormal NSCLC tumors in their early stages. Therefore, cancer immunotherapy, which activates the immune system and helps it fight tumors, has recently become the most sought-after technique, especially in the advanced stages of NSCLC, where surgery or chemotherapy may or may not bring about the desired survival benefits in patients. METHODS This review focuses on the various immunotherapeutic interventions and their efficacy in advanced NSCLC clinical trials. Monoclonal antibodies like anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies, cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses and adoptive T cell therapy have been discussed in brief. Furthermore, the effects of gender, age, and race on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and suggest plausible future approaches in the realm of immuno-oncology. RESULTS Immunotherapy is used alone or in combination either with other immunological agents or with chemotherapy. However, the efficacy of these strategies depends extensively on various demographic variables, as some patients respond perfectly well to immunotherapy, while others do not benefit at all or experience disease progression. By targeting a "hallmark" of cancer (immune evasion), immunotherapy has transformed NSCLC management, though several barriers prevent its complete effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS All these immunological strategies should be interpreted in the current setting of synergistic treatment, in which these agents can be combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and, or surgery following patient and tumor characteristics to proportionate the best-individualized treatment and achieve superior results. To better pursue this goal, further investigations on cost-effectiveness and sex-gender, race, and age differences in immunotherapy are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhil Rekulapelli
- Department of Public Health SciencesUniversity of Virginia School of MedicineCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA
| | - Lucas E. Flausino
- Department of Public Health SciencesUniversity of Virginia School of MedicineCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA,Faculdade de MedicinaUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Gayatri Iyer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and TechnologyInstitute of Chemical TechnologyMumbaiIndia
| | - Rajesh Balkrishnan
- Department of Public Health SciencesUniversity of Virginia School of MedicineCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA
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Greisen SR, Aspari M, Deleuran B. Co-Inhibitory Molecules – Their Role in Health and Autoimmunity; Highlighted by Immune Related Adverse Events. Front Immunol 2022; 13:883733. [PMID: 35784333 PMCID: PMC9243421 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.883733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint receptors are key players in regulating the immune response. They are responsible for both generating an immune response sufficient to kill invading pathogens, balancing the same response, and protecting against tissue destruction or the development of autoimmune events. The central role of the co-inhibitory receptors also referred to as inhibitory immune checkpoints, including PD-1 and CTLA-4 has become especially evident with the cancer treatments targeting these receptors. Blocking these pathways enhances the immune activity, resulting in both an increased chance of cancer clearance, at the same time induction of immune-related adverse events (irAE). Some of these irAE progress into actual autoimmune diseases with autoantibodies and symptoms, undistinguished from the naturally occurring diseases. This review will take advantage of the lessons learned from immune checkpoint blockade and relate this knowledge to our understanding of the same pathways in naturally occurring autoimmune diseases, mainly focusing on rheumatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stinne R. Greisen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Stinne R. Greisen,
| | - Maithri Aspari
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bent Deleuran
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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8
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Affolter A, Kern J, Bieback K, Scherl C, Rotter N, Lammert A. Biomarkers and 3D models predicting response to immune checkpoint blockade in head and neck cancer (Review). Int J Oncol 2022; 61:88. [PMID: 35642667 PMCID: PMC9183766 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has evolved into a powerful tool in the fight against a number of types of cancer, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Although checkpoint inhibition (CPI) has definitely enriched the treatment options for advanced stage HNSCC during the past decade, the percentage of patients responding to treatment is widely varying between 14-32% in second-line setting in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with a sporadic durability. Clinical response and, consecutively, treatment success remain unpredictable in most of the cases. One potential factor is the expression of target molecules of the tumor allowing cancer cells to acquire therapy resistance mechanisms. Accordingly, analyzing and modeling the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is key to i) stratify subgroups of patients most likely to respond to CPI and ii) to define new combinatorial treatment regimens. Particularly in a heterogeneous disease such as HNSCC, thoroughly studying the interactions and crosstalking between tumor and TME cells is one of the biggest challenges. Sophisticated 3D models are therefore urgently needed to be able to validate such basic science hypotheses and to test novel immuno-oncologic treatment regimens in consideration of the individual biology of each tumor. The present review will first summarize recent findings on immunotherapy, predictive biomarkers, the role of the TME and signaling cascades eliciting during CPI. Second, it will highlight the significance of current promising approaches to establish HNSCC 3D models for new immunotherapies. The results are encouraging and indicate that data obtained from patient-specific tumors in a dish might be finally translated into personalized immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Affolter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Johann Kern
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Karen Bieback
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, German Red Cross Blood Donor Service Baden‑Württemberg‑Hessen, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Claudia Scherl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nicole Rotter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anne Lammert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
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Wang T, Denman D, Bacot SM, Feldman GM. Challenges and the Evolving Landscape of Assessing Blood-Based PD-L1 Expression as a Biomarker for Anti-PD-(L)1 Immunotherapy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1181. [PMID: 35625917 PMCID: PMC9138337 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
While promising, PD-L1 expression on tumor tissues as assessed by immunohistochemistry has been shown to be an imperfect biomarker that only applies to a limited number of cancers, whereas many patients with PD-L1-negative tumors still respond to anti-PD-(L)1 immunotherapy. Recent studies using patient blood samples to assess immunotherapeutic responsiveness suggests a promising approach to the identification of novel and/or improved biomarkers for anti-PD-(L)1 immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the advances in our evolving understanding of the regulation and function of PD-L1 expression, which is the foundation for developing blood-based PD-L1 as a biomarker for anti-PD-(L)1 immunotherapy. We further discuss current knowledge and clinical study results for biomarker identification using PD-L1 expression on tumor and immune cells, exosomes, and soluble forms of PD-L1 in the peripheral blood. Finally, we discuss key challenges for the successful development of the potential use of blood-based PD-L1 as a biomarker for anti-PD-(L)1 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Office of Biotechnology Products, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA; (D.D.); (S.M.B.); (G.M.F.)
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10
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Duchemann B, Naigeon M, Auclin E, Ferrara R, Cassard L, Jouniaux JM, Boselli L, Grivel J, Desnoyer A, Danlos FX, Mezquita L, Caramella C, Marabelle A, Besse B, Chaput N. CD8 +PD-1 + to CD4 +PD-1 + ratio (PERLS) is associated with prognosis of patients with advanced NSCLC treated with PD-(L)1 blockers. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-004012. [PMID: 35131864 PMCID: PMC8823243 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) expression has been associated with activation and exhaustion of both the CD4 and CD8 populations in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC). Nevertheless, the impact of the balance between circulating CD8+PD-1+ and CD4+PD-1+ in patients treated with immune checkpoint blockers (ICB) is unknown. Methods The CD8+PD-1+ to CD4+PD-1+ ratio (PD-1-Expressing Ratio on Lymphocytes in a Systemic blood sample, or ‘PERLS’) was determined by cytometry in fresh whole blood from patients with aNSCLC before treatment with single-agent ICB targeting PD-1 or programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1 (discovery cohort). A PERLS cut-off was identified by log-rank maximization. Patients treated with ICB (validation cohort) or polychemotherapy (control cohort) were classified as PERLS+/− (above/below cut-off). Circulating immune cell phenotype and function were correlated with PERLS. A composite score (good, intermediate and poor) was determined using the combination of PERLS and senescent immune phenotype as previously described in aNSCLC. Results In the discovery cohort (N=75), the PERLS cut-off was 1.91, and 11% of patients were PERLS+. PERLS + correlated significantly with median progression-free survival (PFS) of 9.63 months (95% CI 7.82 to not reached (NR)) versus 2.69 months (95% CI 1.81 to 5.52; p=0.03). In an independent validation cohort (N=36), median PFS was NR (95% CI 7.9 to NR) versus 2.00 months (95% CI 1.3 to 4.5; p=0.04) for PERLS + and PERLS−, respectively; overall survival (OS) followed a similar but non-significant trend. In the pooled cohort (N=111), PERLS + correlated significantly with PFS and OS. PERLS did not correlate with outcome in the polychemotherapy cohort. PERLS did not correlate with clinical characteristics but was significantly associated with baseline circulating naïve CD4+ T cells and the increase of memory T cells post-ICB treatment. Accumulation of memory T cells during treatment was linked to CD4+ T cell polyfunctionality. The composite score was evaluated in the pooled cohort (N=68). The median OS for good, intermediate and poor composite scores was NR (95% CI NR to NR), 8.54 months (95% CI 4.96 to NR) and 2.42 months (95% CI 1.97 to 15.5; p=0.001), respectively. The median PFS was 12.60 months (95% CI 9.63 to NR), 2.58 months (95% CI 1.74 to 7.29) and 1.76 months (95% CI 1.31 to 4.57; p<0.0001), respectively. Conclusions Elevated PERLS, determined from a blood sample before immunotherapy, was correlated with benefit from PD-(L)1 blockers in aNSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Duchemann
- Laboratoire d'Immunomonitoring en Oncologie, INSERM US23, CNRS UMS 3655, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, Île-de-France, France.,Faculté de medecine, Université Paris-Saclay, Saint-Aubin, Île-de-France, France
| | - Marie Naigeon
- Laboratoire d'Immunomonitoring en Oncologie, INSERM US23, CNRS UMS 3655, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, Île-de-France, France.,Faculte de Pharmacie, Universite Paris-Saclay, Chatenay-Malabry, Île-de-France, France
| | - Edouard Auclin
- Department of Oncology, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou Cancérologie, Paris, France
| | - Roberto Ferrara
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thoracic Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Lydie Cassard
- Laboratoire d'Immunomonitoring en Oncologie, INSERM US23, CNRS UMS 3655, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, Île-de-France, France
| | - Jean-Mehdi Jouniaux
- Laboratoire d'Immunomonitoring en Oncologie, INSERM US23, CNRS UMS 3655, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, Île-de-France, France
| | - Lisa Boselli
- Laboratoire d'Immunomonitoring en Oncologie, INSERM US23, CNRS UMS 3655, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, Île-de-France, France
| | - Jonathan Grivel
- Laboratoire d'Immunomonitoring en Oncologie, INSERM US23, CNRS UMS 3655, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, Île-de-France, France
| | - Aude Desnoyer
- Laboratoire d'Immunomonitoring en Oncologie, INSERM US23, CNRS UMS 3655, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, Île-de-France, France
| | - François-Xavier Danlos
- LRTI, INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.,Département Innovations Thérapeutiques Essais Précoces, Institut Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Laura Mezquita
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Caroline Caramella
- Department of Radiology, Groupe hospitalier Paris Saint-Joseph, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Aurelien Marabelle
- LRTI, INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, Île-de-France, France.,Département Innovations Thérapeutiques Essais Précoces, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, Île-de-France, France
| | - Benjamin Besse
- Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, Île-de-France, France.,Comité de pathologie thoracique, Gustave Roussy Institute, Villejuif, Île-de-France, France
| | - Nathalie Chaput
- Laboratoire d'Immunomonitoring en Oncologie, INSERM US23, CNRS UMS 3655, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, Île-de-France, France .,Faculte de Pharmacie, Universite Paris-Saclay, Chatenay-Malabry, Île-de-France, France
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11
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Healey Bird B, Nally K, Ronan K, Clarke G, Amu S, Almeida AS, Flavin R, Finn S. Cancer Immunotherapy with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors-Biomarkers of Response and Toxicity; Current Limitations and Future Promise. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:124. [PMID: 35054292 PMCID: PMC8775044 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12010124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are monoclonal antibodies that are used to treat over one in three cancer patients. While they have changed the natural history of disease, prolonging life and preserving quality of life, they are highly active in less than 40% of patients, even in the most responsive malignancies such as melanoma, and cause significant autoimmune side effects. Licenced biomarkers include tumour Programmed Death Ligand 1 expression by immunohistochemistry, microsatellite instability, and tumour mutational burden, none of which are particularly sensitive or specific. Emerging tumour and immune tissue biomarkers such as novel immunohistochemistry scores, tumour, stromal and immune cell gene expression profiling, and liquid biomarkers such as systemic inflammatory markers, kynurenine/tryptophan ratio, circulating immune cells, cytokines and DNA are discussed in this review. We also examine the influence of the faecal microbiome on treatment outcome and its use as a biomarker of response and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Healey Bird
- School of Medicine, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
- Bon Secours Hospital, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
| | - Ken Nally
- School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland;
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland; (G.C.); (A.S.A.)
| | - Karine Ronan
- Department of Oncology, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, D04 T6F4 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Gerard Clarke
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland; (G.C.); (A.S.A.)
- Department of Psychiatry, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
| | - Sylvie Amu
- Cancer Research at UCC, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland;
| | - Ana S. Almeida
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland; (G.C.); (A.S.A.)
| | - Richard Flavin
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, D08 NHY1 Dublin, Ireland; (R.F.); (S.F.)
- St. James’s Hospital Dublin, D08 NHY1 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stephen Finn
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, D08 NHY1 Dublin, Ireland; (R.F.); (S.F.)
- St. James’s Hospital Dublin, D08 NHY1 Dublin, Ireland
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12
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Cheng Y, Wang C, Wang Y, Dai L. Soluble PD-L1 as a predictive biomarker in lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Future Oncol 2021; 18:261-273. [PMID: 34874185 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2021-0641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the association between soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1) and survival outcomes and treatment response in lung cancer. Methods & methods: Eligible studies were obtained by searching PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Pooled effect estimates were calculated for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR). Results: Twelve eligible studies with 1188 lung cancer patients were included. High sPD-L1 was significantly associated with worse OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.59-3.05; p < 0.001) and PFS (HR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.72-3.42; p < 0.001) in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Meanwhile, high sPD-L1 predicted worse OS (HR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.31-1.96; p < 0.001) and lower ORR (odds ratio = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.35-0.80; p = 0.002) in patients treated with non-ICI therapies. Conclusion: sPD-L1 is a potential predictive biomarker of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Cheng
- Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, The Fourth Medical College of Peking University, Beijing 100035, China
| | - Chong Wang
- Minimally Invasive Treatment Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Beijing 101149, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, The Fourth Medical College of Peking University, Beijing 100035, China
| | - Li Dai
- Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, The Fourth Medical College of Peking University, Beijing 100035, China
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13
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van der Leest P, Hiddinga B, Miedema A, Aguirre Azpurua ML, Rifaela N, ter Elst A, Timens W, Groen HJM, van Kempen LC, Hiltermann TJN, Schuuring E. Circulating tumor DNA as a biomarker for monitoring early treatment responses of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:2910-2922. [PMID: 34449963 PMCID: PMC8564646 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy for metastasized non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can show long-lasting clinical responses. Selection of patients based on programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression shows limited predictive value for durable clinical benefit (DCB). We investigated whether early treatment effects as measured by a change in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) level is a proxy of early tumor response to immunotherapy according to response evaluation criteria in solid tumors v1.1 criteria, progression-free survival (PFS), DCB, and overall survival (OS). To this aim, blood tubes were collected from advanced-stage lung adenocarcinoma patients (n = 100) receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) at baseline (t0 ) and prior to first treatment evaluation (4-6 weeks; t1 ). Nontargetable (driver) mutations detected in the pretreatment tumor biopsy were used to quantify tumor-specific ctDNA levels using droplet digital PCR. We found that changes in ctDNA levels were strongly associated with tumor response. A > 30% decrease in ctDNA at t1 correlated with a longer PFS and OS. In total, 80% of patients with a DCB of ≥ 26 weeks displayed a > 30% decrease in ctDNA levels. For patients with a PD-L1 tumor proportion score of ≥ 1%, decreasing ctDNA levels were associated with a higher frequency a DCB (80%) and a prolonged median PFS (85 weeks) and OS (101 weeks) compared with patients with no decrease in ctDNA (34%; 11 and 39 weeks, respectively). This study shows that monitoring of ctDNA dynamics is an easy-to-use and promising tool for assessing PFS, DCB, and OS for ICI-treated NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul van der Leest
- Department of PathologyUniversity of GroningenUniversity Medical Center GroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Birgitta Hiddinga
- Department of Pulmonary DiseasesUniversity of GroningenUniversity Medical Center GroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Anneke Miedema
- Department of PathologyUniversity of GroningenUniversity Medical Center GroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Maria L. Aguirre Azpurua
- Department of PathologyUniversity of GroningenUniversity Medical Center GroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Naomi Rifaela
- Department of PathologyUniversity of GroningenUniversity Medical Center GroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Arja ter Elst
- Department of PathologyUniversity of GroningenUniversity Medical Center GroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Wim Timens
- Department of PathologyUniversity of GroningenUniversity Medical Center GroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Harry J. M. Groen
- Department of Pulmonary DiseasesUniversity of GroningenUniversity Medical Center GroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Léon C. van Kempen
- Department of PathologyUniversity of GroningenUniversity Medical Center GroningenThe Netherlands
| | - T. Jeroen N. Hiltermann
- Department of Pulmonary DiseasesUniversity of GroningenUniversity Medical Center GroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Ed Schuuring
- Department of PathologyUniversity of GroningenUniversity Medical Center GroningenThe Netherlands
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14
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Akhtar M, Rashid S, Al-Bozom IA. PD-L1 immunostaining: what pathologists need to know. Diagn Pathol 2021; 16:94. [PMID: 34689789 PMCID: PMC8543866 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-021-01151-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint proteins, especially PD-L1 and PD-1, play a crucial role in controlling the intensity and duration of the immune response, thus preventing the development of autoimmunity. These proteins play a vital role in enabling cancer cells to escape immunity, proliferate and progress. METHODS This brief review highlights essential points related to testing for immune checkpoint therapy that histopathologists need to know. RESULTS In recent years, several inhibitors of these proteins have been used to reactivate the immune system to fight cancer. Selection of patients for such therapy requires demonstration of PD-L1 activation on the tumor cells, best done by immunohistochemical staining of the tumor and immune cells using various antibodies with predetermined thresholds. CONCLUSIONS Immune checkpoint therapy appears to be promising and is rapidly expanding to include a large variety of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Akhtar
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sameera Rashid
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Issam A Al-Bozom
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
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15
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Cortinovis D, Malapelle U, Pagni F, Russo A, Banna GL, Sala E, Rolfo C. Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer: a literature review. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2021; 10:3385-3400. [PMID: 34430374 PMCID: PMC8350105 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-1067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Objective This review aims to summarize the possibilities of recently discovered molecular diagnostic techniques in lung cancer, by evaluating their impact on diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis in oligometastatic disease. Background Oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (OM-NSCLC) is currently defined based on morphological rather than biological features. Major advances in the detection of molecular biomarkers in cell-free tumoral DNA and the models of oncogene addiction make as feasible an early diagnosis and guide the therapeutic decision-making progress to improve the prognosis. Methods This narrative review EXAMINES current approaches of diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis of OM-NSCLC and describes the fast-evolving therapeutic scenario of this disease. We provide an overview of the powerful capability of liquid biopsy techniques applied to blood and fluid and we focus on the technological advancement of circulant biomolecular factors in OM NSCLC pathology, starting from apparently simpler models such as oncogene addicted tumors to evaluate themselves in the light of treatment with immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Conclusions A better understanding of spatial and temporal evolution of oligometastatic diseases would contribute to a more accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment. Data from prospective clinical trials in the early stage of disease, coupled with knowledge of genetic characteristics of lung tumors, are warranted. These efforts would lead to improving the possibility to eradicate the residual disease in these low burden tumoral settings, thus enhancing the definitive cure perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Cortinovis
- SC Medical Oncology/SS Lung Unit, ASST-Monza San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Umberto Malapelle
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Pagni
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Luigi Banna
- Department of Oncology, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Elisa Sala
- SC Medical Oncology/SS Lung Unit, ASST-Monza San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Christian Rolfo
- Marlene and Stewart Greenbaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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16
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Bailly C, Thuru X, Quesnel B. Soluble Programmed Death Ligand-1 (sPD-L1): A Pool of Circulating Proteins Implicated in Health and Diseases. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3034. [PMID: 34204509 PMCID: PMC8233757 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon T-cell receptor stimulation, the Programmed cell Death-1 receptor (PD-1) expressed on T-cells can interact with its ligand PD-L1 expressed at the surface of cancer cells or antigen-presenting cells. Monoclonal antibodies targeting PD-1 or PD-L1 are routinely used for the treatment of cancers, but their clinical efficacy varies largely across the variety of tumor types. A part of the variability is linked to the existence of several forms of PD-L1, either expressed on the plasma membrane (mPD-L1), at the surface of secreted cellular exosomes (exoPD-L1), in cell nuclei (nPD-L1), or as a circulating, soluble protein (sPD-L1). Here, we have reviewed the different origins and roles of sPD-L1 in humans to highlight the biochemical and functional heterogeneity of the soluble protein. sPD-L1 isoforms can be generated essentially by two non-exclusive processes: (i) proteolysis of m/exoPD-L1 by metalloproteases, such as metalloproteinases (MMP) and A disintegrin and metalloproteases (ADAM), which are capable of shedding membrane PD-L1 to release an active soluble form, and (ii) the alternative splicing of PD-L1 pre-mRNA, leading in some cases to the release of sPD-L1 protein isoforms lacking the transmembrane domain. The expression and secretion of sPD-L1 have been observed in a large variety of pathologies, well beyond cancer, notably in different pulmonary diseases, chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, and viral diseases. The expression and role of sPD-L1 during pregnancy are also evoked. The structural heterogeneity of sPD-L1 proteins, and associated functional/cellular plurality, should be kept in mind when considering sPD-L1 as a biomarker or as a drug target. The membrane, exosomal and soluble forms of PD-L1 are all integral parts of the highly dynamic PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway, essential for immune-tolerance or immune-escape.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xavier Thuru
- Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, UMR9020-UMR1277-Canther-Cancer Heterogeneity, CHU Lille, Inserm, CNRS, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France; (X.T.); (B.Q.)
| | - Bruno Quesnel
- Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, UMR9020-UMR1277-Canther-Cancer Heterogeneity, CHU Lille, Inserm, CNRS, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France; (X.T.); (B.Q.)
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17
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Mandarano M, Orecchini E, Bellezza G, Vannucci J, Ludovini V, Baglivo S, Tofanetti FR, Chiari R, Loreti E, Puma F, Sidoni A, Belladonna ML. Kynurenine/Tryptophan Ratio as a Potential Blood-Based Biomarker in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094403. [PMID: 33922388 PMCID: PMC8122814 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) degrade tryptophan (Trp) into kynurenine (Kyn) at the initial step of an enzymatic pathway affecting T cell proliferation. IDO1 is highly expressed in various cancer types and associated with poor prognosis. Nevertheless, the serum Kyn/Trp concentration ratio has been suggested as a marker of cancer-associated immune suppression. We measured Kyn and Trp in blood samples of a wide cohort of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, before they underwent surgery, and analyzed possible correlations of the Kyn/Trp ratio with either IDO1 expression or clinical–pathological parameters. Low Kyn/Trp significantly correlated with low IDO1 expression and never-smoker patients; while high Kyn/Trp was significantly associated with older (≥68 years) patients, advanced tumor stage, and squamous cell carcinoma (Sqcc), rather than the adenocarcinoma (Adc) histotype. Moreover, high Kyn/Trp was associated, among the Adc group, with higher tumor stages (II and III), and, among the Sqcc group, with a high density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. A trend correlating the high Kyn/Trp ratio with the probability of recurrences from NSCLC was also found. In conclusion, high serum Kyn/Trp ratio, associated with clinical and histopathological parameters, may serve as a serum biomarker to optimize risk stratification and therapy of NSCLC patients.
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MESH Headings
- Adenocarcinoma of Lung/blood
- Adenocarcinoma of Lung/pathology
- Adenocarcinoma of Lung/surgery
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism
- Biomarkers, Tumor/blood
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/blood
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/surgery
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/blood
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/metabolism
- Kynurenine/blood
- Lung Neoplasms/blood
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Lung Neoplasms/surgery
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/blood
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/surgery
- Prognosis
- Survival Rate
- Tryptophan/blood
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Mandarano
- Section of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy; (M.M.); (G.B.); (E.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Elena Orecchini
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Guido Bellezza
- Section of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy; (M.M.); (G.B.); (E.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Jacopo Vannucci
- Section of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy; (J.V.); (F.P.)
| | - Vienna Ludovini
- Medical Oncology Division, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (V.L.); (S.B.); (F.R.T.)
| | - Sara Baglivo
- Medical Oncology Division, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (V.L.); (S.B.); (F.R.T.)
| | - Francesca Romana Tofanetti
- Medical Oncology Division, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (V.L.); (S.B.); (F.R.T.)
| | - Rita Chiari
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ospedali Riuniti Padova Sud, 35043 Monselice, Italy;
| | - Elisabetta Loreti
- Section of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy; (M.M.); (G.B.); (E.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Francesco Puma
- Section of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy; (J.V.); (F.P.)
| | - Angelo Sidoni
- Section of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy; (M.M.); (G.B.); (E.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Maria Laura Belladonna
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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18
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Identification and Validation of a Tumor Microenvironment-Related Gene Signature for Prognostic Prediction in Advanced-Stage Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:8864436. [PMID: 33860055 PMCID: PMC8028741 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8864436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The development of immunotherapy has greatly changed the advanced-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment landscape. The complexity and heterogeneity of tumor microenvironment (TME) lead to discrepant immunotherapy effects among patients at the same pathologic stages. This study is aimed at exploring potential biomarkers of immunotherapy and accurately predicting the prognosis for advanced NSCLC patients. RNA-seq data and clinical information on stage III/IV NSCLC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). In TCGA-NSCLC with stage III/IV (n = 192), immune scores and stromal scores were calculated by using the ESTIMATE algorithms. Univariate, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to screen prognostic TME-related genes (TMERGs) and constructed a gene signature risk score model. It was validated in external dataset including GSE41271 (n = 91) and GSE81089 (n = 36). Additionally, a nomogram incorporating TMERG signature risk score and clinical characteristics was established. Further, we accessed the proportion of 22 types of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIIC) from the CIBERSORT website and analyzed the difference between two risk groups. OS of patients with high immune/stromal scores were higher (log-rank P = 0.044/log-rank P = 0.048). Multivariate Cox regression identified six prognostic TMERGs, including CD200, CHI3L2, CNTN1, CTSL, FYB1, and SLC52A1. We developed a six-gene risk score model, which was validated as an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR: 3.32, 95% CI: 2.16-5.09). Time-ROC curves showed useful discrimination for TCGA-NSCLC cohort (1-, 2-, and 3-year AUCs were 0.718, 0.761, and 0.750). The predictive robustness was validated in the external dataset. The C-index and 1-, 2-, and 3-year AUCs of nomogram were the largest, which demonstrated the nomogram had the greatest predictive accuracy and effectiveness and could be used for clinical guidance. Besides, the increased infiltration of T cells regulatory (Tregs) and macrophages M2 in the high-risk group suggested that chronic inflammation may reduce survival probability in patients with advanced NSCLC. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the tumor microenvironment and identified the TMERG signature, which could predict prognosis accurately and provide a reference for the personalized immunotherapy for advanced NSCLC patients.
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Expression of ADAM Proteases in Bladder Cancer Patients with BCG Failure: A Pilot Study. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10040764. [PMID: 33672843 PMCID: PMC7917772 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10040764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Although Bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG) remains a mainstay of adjuvant treatment in high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, BCG failure occurs in up to 40% of patients, with radical cystectomy (RC) as the inevitable therapeutic consequence. Current data suggest that PD-L1 immunosuppressive signaling is responsible for BCG failure, supporting the therapeutic rationale of combining checkpoint inhibitors with BCG. To address the immune cascade in 19 RC specimens obtained after BCG failure, we applied a small immunohistochemical (IHC) panel consisting of selected markers (PD-L1, GATA-3, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) proteases, IL-10/IL-10R). A modified quick score was used for IHC semi-quantification of these markers in tumor cells (TC) and immune cells (IC) within two different regions: muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and primary/concurrent carcinoma in situ (CIS). Contrary to expectation, PD-L1 was consistently low, irrespective of tumor region and cell type. Intriguingly, expression of ADAM17, which has been reported to release membrane-bound PD-L1, was high in both tumor regions and cell types. Moreover, expression of GATA3, IL-10, and IL-10R was also increased, indicative of a generally immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in BCG failure. ADAM10 expression was associated with advanced tumor disease at RC. Our findings raise the possibility that ADAM proteases may cleave PD-L1 from the surface of bladder TC and possibly also from IC. Therefore, IHC assessment of PD-L1 expression seems to be insufficient and should be supplemented by ADAM10/17 in patients with BCG failure.
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