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Xing Z, Xu Y, Xu X, Yang K, Qin S, Jiao Y, Wang L. Identification and validation of a novel risk model based on cuproptosis‑associated m6A for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. BMC Med Genomics 2024; 17:137. [PMID: 38778403 PMCID: PMC11110395 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-024-01916-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a prevalent cancer with a poor survival rate due to anatomical limitations of the head and a lack of reliable biomarkers. Cuproptosis represents a novel cellular regulated death pathway, and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common internal RNA modification in mRNA. They are intricately connected to tumor formation, progression, and prognosis. This study aimed to construct a risk model for HNSCC using a set of mRNAs associated with m6A regulators and cuproptosis genes (mcrmRNA). METHODS RNA-seq and clinical data of HNSCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were analyzed to develop a risk model through the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis. Survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were performed for the high- and low-risk groups. Additionally, the model was validated using the GSE41613 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. GSEA and CIBERSORT were applied to investigate the immune microenvironment of HNSCC. RESULTS A risk model consisting of 32 mcrmRNA was developed using the LASSO analysis. The risk score of patients was confirmed to be an independent prognostic indicator by multivariate Cox analysis. The high-risk group exhibited a higher tumor mutation burden. Additionally, CIBERSORT analysis indicated varying levels of immune cell infiltration between the two groups. Significant disparities in drug sensitivity to common medications were also observed. Enrichment analysis further unveiled significant differences in metabolic pathways and RNA processing between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Our risk model can predict outcomes for HNSCC patients and offers valuable insights for personalized therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongxu Xing
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 21500, China
| | - Yijun Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 21500, China
| | - Xiaoyan Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 21500, China
| | - Kaiwen Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 21500, China
| | - Songbing Qin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 21500, China
| | - Yang Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 21500, China.
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2
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Rao Y, Qiu K, Song Y, Mao M, Feng L, Cheng D, Li J, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Shao X, Pang W, Wang Y, Chen X, Jiang C, Wu S, Yu S, Liu J, Wang H, Peng X, Yang L, Chen L, Mu X, Zheng Y, Xu W, Liu G, Chen F, Yu H, Zhao Y, Ren J. The diversity of inhibitory receptor co-expression patterns of exhausted CD8 + T cells in oropharyngeal carcinoma. iScience 2024; 27:109668. [PMID: 38655196 PMCID: PMC11035373 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Exhausted CD8+ T cells (Texs) are characterized by the expression of various inhibitory receptors (IRs), whereas the functional attributes of these co-expressed IRs remain limited. Here, we systematically characterized the diversity of IR co-expression patterns in Texs from both human oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) tissues and syngeneic OPSCC model. Nearly 60% of the Texs population co-expressed two or more IRs, and the number of co-expressed IRs was positively associated with superior exhaustion and cytotoxicity phenotypes. In OPSCC patients, programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) blockade significantly enhanced PDCD1-based co-expression with other IR genes, whereas dual blockades of PD-1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) significantly upregulated CTLA4-based co-expression with other IR genes. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that highly diverse IR co-expression is a leading feature of Texs and represents their functional states, which might provide essential clues for the rational selection of immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating OPSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufang Rao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ke Qiu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yao Song
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Minzi Mao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lan Feng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Danni Cheng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junhong Li
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ziyan Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuyang Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiuli Shao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wendu Pang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Research Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Research Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chuanhuan Jiang
- Research Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Sisi Wu
- Research Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuaishuai Yu
- Research Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Haiyang Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xingchen Peng
- Department of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lin Yang
- MinSheng Ear-Nose-Throat Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Li Chen
- MinSheng Ear-Nose-Throat Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaosong Mu
- Langzhong People’s Hospital, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Yongbo Zheng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Geoffrey Liu
- Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Haopeng Yu
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jianjun Ren
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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3
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Yonesi A, Tomihara K, Takatsuka D, Tachinami H, Yamazaki M, Jadidi ARY, Takaichi M, Imaue S, Fujiwara K, Yamada SI, Tanuma JI, Noguchi M. Rapamycin Induces Phenotypic Alterations in Oral Cancer Cells That May Facilitate Antitumor T Cell Responses. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1078. [PMID: 38791040 PMCID: PMC11117524 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In this study, we investigated the antitumor immunomodulatory effects of rapamycin in oral cancer. STUDY DESIGN We examined the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of cancer cells and investigated the cell surface expression levels of immune accessory molecules and T cell immune responses in vitro. We investigated the effect of in vivo administration of rapamycin on immune cell distribution and T cell immune responses in oral tumor-bearing mice. RESULTS Rapamycin treatment significantly inhibited OSCC cell proliferation and migration, increased apoptotic cell death, and upregulated cell surface expression of several immune accessory and adhesion molecules, including CD40, CD83, PD-L1, PD-L2, MHC class I, P-selectin, and VCAM-1. These cancer cells augmented T cell proliferation. In vivo rapamycin administration significantly attenuated mouse tumor growth with an increased proportion of immune cells, including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and dendritic cells (DCs); decreased the proportion of immune suppressive cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells; enhanced DC maturation and upregulated the surface expression of CD40, CD86, and ICAM-1. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the therapeutic effect of mTOR inhibition in oral cancer can cause direct antitumor and immunomodulatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirmoezz Yonesi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
| | - Kei Tomihara
- Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8514, Japan
| | - Danki Takatsuka
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
| | - Hidetake Tachinami
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
| | - Manabu Yamazaki
- Division of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8514, Japan (J.-I.T.)
| | - Amir Reza Younesi Jadidi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
| | - Mayu Takaichi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
| | - Shuichi Imaue
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
| | - Kumiko Fujiwara
- Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Takatsuki 569-8686, Japan;
| | - Shin-Ichi Yamada
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
| | - Jun-Ichi Tanuma
- Division of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8514, Japan (J.-I.T.)
| | - Makoto Noguchi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
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Kostecki KL, Iida M, Crossman BE, Salgia R, Harari PM, Bruce JY, Wheeler DL. Immune Escape Strategies in Head and Neck Cancer: Evade, Resist, Inhibit, Recruit. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:312. [PMID: 38254801 PMCID: PMC10814769 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancers (HNCs) arise from the mucosal lining of the aerodigestive tract and are often associated with alcohol use, tobacco use, and/or human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Over 600,000 new cases of HNC are diagnosed each year, making it the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Historically, treatments have included surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, and while these treatments are still the backbone of current therapy, several immunotherapies have recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in HNC. The role of the immune system in tumorigenesis and cancer progression has been explored since the early 20th century, eventually coalescing into the current three-phase model of cancer immunoediting. During each of the three phases-elimination, equilibrium, and escape-cancer cells develop and utilize multiple strategies to either reach or remain in the final phase, escape, at which point the tumor is able to grow and metastasize with little to no detrimental interference from the immune system. In this review, we summarize the many strategies used by HNC to escape the immune system, which include ways to evade immune detection, resist immune cell attacks, inhibit immune cell functions, and recruit pro-tumor immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kourtney L. Kostecki
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; (K.L.K.); (M.I.); (B.E.C.)
| | - Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; (K.L.K.); (M.I.); (B.E.C.)
| | - Bridget E. Crossman
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; (K.L.K.); (M.I.); (B.E.C.)
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
| | - Paul M. Harari
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; (K.L.K.); (M.I.); (B.E.C.)
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Justine Y. Bruce
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Deric L. Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; (K.L.K.); (M.I.); (B.E.C.)
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
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5
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Hofmann L, Harasymczuk M, Huber D, Szczepanski MJ, Dworacki G, Whiteside TL, Theodoraki MN. Arginase-1 in Plasma-Derived Exosomes as Marker of Metastasis in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5449. [PMID: 38001706 PMCID: PMC10670520 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15225449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunoregulatory Arginase-1 (Arg-1) is present in the tumor microenvironment of solid tumors. Its association to clinicopathology and its prognostic impact are inconsistent among different tumor types and biological fluids. This study evaluated Arg-1 protein levels in tumors and the circulation of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in relation to clinical stage and prognosis. Tumor Arg-1 expression was monitored via immunohistochemistry while plasma Arg-1 levels via ELISA in 37 HNSCC patients. Arg-1 presence in plasma-derived exosomes was assessed using Western blots in 20 HNSCC patients. High tumor Arg-1 expression correlated with favorable clinicopathology and longer recurrence-free survival (RFS), while high plasma Arg-1 levels were associated with unfavorable clinicopathology. All patients with low tumor and high plasma Arg-1 had nodal metastases and developed recurrence. This discrepancy was attributed to the presence of Arg-1-carrying exosomes. Arg-1 was found in plasma-derived exosomes from all HNSCC patients. High exosomal Arg-1 levels were associated with positive lymph nodes and short RFS. Circulating Arg-1+ exosomes represent a mechanism of active Arg-1 export from the tumor to the periphery. Exosomes reflected biologically relevant Arg-1 levels in metastatic HNSCC and emerged as potentially more accurate biomarkers of metastatic disease and RFS than tissue or plasma Arg-1 levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Hofmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Ulm, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Malgorzata Harasymczuk
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- Department of Clinical Immunology, University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
| | - Diana Huber
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Ulm, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Miroslaw J. Szczepanski
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Dworacki
- Department of Clinical Immunology, University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
| | - Theresa L. Whiteside
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Departments of Immunology and Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Marie-Nicole Theodoraki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Ulm, 89075 Ulm, Germany
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
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6
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You Y, Du Z, Xu G, Tian Z, Xiao M, Wang Y. Identification of Exosome-Related Genes Associated with Prognosis and Immune Infiltration Features in Head-Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Biomolecules 2023; 13:958. [PMID: 37371537 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The highly immunosuppressive nature of head-neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is not fully understood. Exosomes play crucial roles in the communication between cancer and non-cancer cells, but the clinical significance of the expression of exosome-related genes (ERGs) remains unclear in HNSCC. This study aimed to establish an HNSCC-ERGs model by using mass spectrometry (MS)-based label-free quantitative proteomics in combination with the TCGA primary HNSCC dataset. The study managed to classify the HNSCC patients into two subtypes based on the expression level of prognostic ERGs, which showed significant differences in prognosis and immune infiltration. LASSO regression algorithm was used to establish a risk prediction model based on seven risky genes (PYGL, ACTN2, TSPAN15, EXT2, PLAU, ITGA5), and the high-risk group was associated with poor survival prognosis and suppressive immune status. HPRT1 and PYGL were found to be independent prognostic factors through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Immune and ssGSEA analysis revealed that HPRT1 and PYGL were significantly related to immunosuppression, immune response, and critical signaling transduction pathways in HNSCC. Immunohistochemistry results further validated the expression level, clinical value, and immunosuppressive function of HPRT1 and PYGL in HNSCC patients. In conclusion, this study established molecular subtypes and a prediction risk model based on the ERGs. Furthermore, the findings suggested that HPRT1 and PYGL might play critical roles in reshaping the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhe You
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
- College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China
- National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Zhong Du
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
- College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China
- National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Guisong Xu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
- College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China
- National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Zhuowei Tian
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
- College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China
- National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Meng Xiao
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
- College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China
- National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Yanan Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
- College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China
- National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai 200011, China
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7
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Taverna C, Franchi A. Role of Surgical Pathologist for Detection of Immunooncologic Predictive Factors in Head and Neck Cancer. Adv Anat Pathol 2023; 30:167-173. [PMID: 36175939 DOI: 10.1097/pap.0000000000000374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has shown promising results in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancers. Antiprogrammed cell death (PD)-1 therapies have been recently approved in this setting and they are currently tested also in the treatment of locally advanced diseases and in the neoadjuvant setting. However, the clinical benefits of these treatments have been quite variable, hence the need to select those patients who may obtain the maximal efficacy through the identification of predictive biomarkers. Currently, PD-L1 immunohistochemical expression by tumor and immune cells is the most widely used predictive biomarker for immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Nevertheless, patients with PD-L1 - tumors may still respond to treatments, thereby emphasizing the need for the identification of other predictive biomarkers. In this review, we summarize the current data on histologic and molecular parameters that can be used to select patients with head and neck cancers for immunotherapy, with a focus on squamous cell carcinoma and salivary gland carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Taverna
- Department of Translational Research and of New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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8
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Saba NF, Pamulapati S, Patel B, Mody M, Strojan P, Takes R, Mäkitie AA, Cohen O, Pace-Asciak P, Vermorken JB, Bradford C, Forastiere A, Teng Y, Wieland A, Ferlito A. Novel Immunotherapeutic Approaches to Treating HPV-Related Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15071959. [PMID: 37046621 PMCID: PMC10092986 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15071959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the seventh most common malignancy, with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) accounting for a majority of cases in the western world. While HNC accounts for only 5% of all cancers in the United States, the incidence of a subset of OPSCC caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) is increasing rapidly. The treatment for OPSCC is multifaceted, with a recently emerging focus on immunotherapeutic approaches. With the increased incidence of HPV-related OPSCC and the approval of immunotherapy in the management of recurrent and metastatic HNC, there has been rising interest in exploring the role of immunotherapy in the treatment of HPV-related OPSCC specifically. The immune microenvironment in HPV-related disease is distinct from that in HPV-negative OPSCC, which has prompted further research into various immunotherapeutics. This review focuses on HPV-related OPSCC, its immune characteristics, and current challenges and future opportunities for immunotherapeutic applications in this virus-driven cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil F. Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Bhamini Patel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
| | - Mayur Mody
- Hematology and Oncology Program, AdventHealth Medical Group, Calhoun, GA 30701, USA
| | - Primož Strojan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Oncology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robert Takes
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Antti A. Mäkitie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Research Program in Systems Oncology, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Oded Cohen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Soroka Medical Center, Be’er Sheva 84-101, Israel
| | - Pia Pace-Asciak
- Department of Otolarynology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Jan B. Vermorken
- Department of Medical Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Carol Bradford
- Department of Otolaryngology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43212, USA
| | - Arlene Forastiere
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Yong Teng
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Andreas Wieland
- Department of Otolaryngology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43212, USA
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Alfio Ferlito
- Coordinator of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group, 35100 Padua, Italy
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9
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Xiang Y, Gong M, Deng Y, Wang H, Ye D. T cell effects and mechanisms in immunotherapy of head and neck tumors. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:49. [PMID: 36872320 PMCID: PMC9985928 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01070-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck tumors (HNCs) are a common tumor in otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery, accounting for 5% of all malignant tumors in the body and are the sixth most common malignant tumor worldwide. In the body, immune cells can recognize, kill, and remove HNCs. T cell-mediated antitumor immune activity is the most important antitumor response in the body. T cells have different effects on tumor cells, among which cytotoxic T cells and helper T cells play a major killing and regulating role. T cells recognize tumor cells, activate themselves, differentiate into effector cells, and activate other mechanisms to induce antitumor effects. In this review, the immune effects and antitumor mechanisms mediated by T cells are systematically described from the perspective of immunology, and the application of new immunotherapy methods related to T cells are discussed, with the objective of providing a theoretical basis for exploring and forming new antitumor treatment strategies. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhen Xiang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengdan Gong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongqin Deng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongli Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated People Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dong Ye
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China.
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10
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Tachinami H, Tomihara K, Yamada SI, Ikeda A, Imaue S, Hirai H, Nakai H, Sonoda T, Kurohara K, Yoshioka Y, Hasegawa T, Naruse T, Niiyama T, Shimane T, Ueda M, Yanamoto S, Akashi M, Umeda M, Kurita H, Miyazaki A, Arai N, Hayashi R, Noguchi M. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as an early marker of outcomes in patients with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab: a pilot study. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2023; 61:320-326. [PMID: 37061418 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2023.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), nivolumab, has revolutionised the treatment of recurrent and metastatic oral cancer. However, the response rate to ICIs remains low, and identifying predictors of nivolumab response is critical. Although the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been suggested as a predictive marker of nivolumab response in patients with various types of cancer, its utility in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been elucidated. In this retrospective multicentre cohort study, we evaluated the association between NLR and outcome of nivolumab treatment in 64 patients with OSCC treated between 2017 and 2020. The objective response and disease control rates were 25.1% and 32.9%, respectively. The rates for complete and partial responses were 15.7% (10/64) and 9.4% (6/64), respectively; stable and progressive disease rates were 7.8% (5/64) and 67.1% (43/64), respectively. Complete and partial responses were classified as responders, and stable and progressive diseases were classified as non-responders. The median (range) pre-treatment NLR among responders was 4.3 (2.8-8.0), which decreased to 4.0 (2.6-6.3) after nivolumab treatment, and the median (range) pre-treatment NLR among non-responders was 5.1 (2.7-7.9), which increased to 6.4 (4.0-14.0) with tumour growth. Moreover, overall survival was significantly worse in the group with a higher post-treatment NLR (≥5) than in the group with a lower NLR (<5). Patients with a post-treatment NLR of ≥6 had worse outcomes for salvage chemotherapy following nivolumab treatment. Thus, post-treatment NLR could be a useful marker for predicting the response to nivolumab treatment or salvage chemotherapy in patients with OSCC.
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11
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Wang J, Gong Z, Yu M. Bibliometric study on the knowledge graph of immunotherapy for head and neck cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:942777. [PMID: 36816940 PMCID: PMC9935675 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.942777] [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: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common malignant tumor with a significant mortality rate, especially in patients at locally advanced stage, or with recurrence and metastasis. Immunotherapy has shown remarkable breakthrough in the treatment of locally advanced cancer, recurrence and metastasis in recent years. During this time, a large number of HNSCC immunotherapy studies have been published. However, few studies employed bibliometric analysis. This work analyzes HNSCC immunotherapy trends and hotspots using bibliometric analysis to get better understanding of the current state and future direction of HNSCC immunotherapy. Methods Relevant articles and publications about immunotherapy of HNSCC were extracted from Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). Bibliometrics was used to study these publications in terms of countries/regions, institutions, authors (cited authors), journals (cited journals), references, and keywords, so as to identify research hotspots and to predict future research trends in this field. Results A total of 1377 English articles published between 2000 and 2022 were collected. It is found that the number of articles increases rapidly from 2016. The United States has the largest number of publications (n=538), followed by China (n=407) and Germany (n=175). The institute with the highest published papers is the University of Pittsburgh (n=67). In terms of author, Robert L Ferris ranks first among the top ten cited authors. Oral Oncology (impact factor (IF) (2021) = 5.972) is the most prolific academic journal in immunotherapy of HNSCC. According to the reference cluster analysis, the research hot topic has shifted from basic research on immunotherapy of head and neck cancer to the study of prognosis. Keywords analysis also reveals that the study of patients' prognoses is at the core of immunotherapy for HNSCC. Conclusion Currently, head and neck cancer research focus primarily on prognostic significance, cancer treatment, and poor prognosis. However, the researches on immunotherapy for head and neck malignancies is the growing trend in near future. Notably, United States has made significant contributions to this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China,Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhengpeng Gong
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China,Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China,*Correspondence: Ming Yu, ; Zhengpeng Gong,
| | - Ming Yu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China,*Correspondence: Ming Yu, ; Zhengpeng Gong,
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12
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Dhara V, Shetty SS, de Arruda JAA, Silva TA, Russo RC, Shetty NJ, Pidaparthi M, Wollenberg B, Rao VUS, Gopinath TPS. Decoding the influence of the immune system and immunotherapy targets on carcinomas: A hidden prism in oral cancer therapy. Dis Mon 2023; 69:101353. [PMID: 35311656 DOI: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2022.101353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, understanding tumorigenesis and the complex interaction between the host and the immune system has been the pillar for significant advances in anticancer therapy. Conventional anticancer therapy (e.g., cut, burn, and cytotoxic drugs) involves multiple targeting of tumor cells. However, the tumor tissue microenvironment can present a dysregulated, stimulating, or subverted immune response which, in turn, reveals pro-tumor activities favoring tumor expansion and progression. Recently, new potential targets have been identified based on immunomodulatory therapies, which are crafted to re-establish the host anti-tumoral immune response. Clinicians should fully understand the intricate interactions between carcinogens, the tumor milieu, the immune system, and traditional anticancer therapies in order to progress and to overcome the refractory/recurrent challenges and morbidity of the disease. Thus, in this article, we highlight the complex milieu of the oral cancer immune response, pointing out potential therapeutic immunotargets for oral squamous cell carcinomas. The impact of traditional anticancer therapy on the immune system is also outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasantha Dhara
- Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Sameep S Shetty
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, A constituent of MAHE, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
| | - José Alcides Almeida de Arruda
- Department of Oral Surgery, Pathology and Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Tarcília Aparecida Silva
- Department of Oral Surgery, Pathology and Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Remo Castro Russo
- Laboratory of Pulmonary Immunology and Mechanics, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Neetha J Shetty
- Department of Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, A constituent of MAHE, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Barbara Wollenberg
- Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Klinikum rechts der Isar der TU München, Ismaningerstraße 22, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Vishal U S Rao
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd., Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Thilak P S Gopinath
- Nitte (Deemed to be University) , AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences (ABSMIDS) , Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Mangalore, India
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13
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da Silva A, Silva ASE, Petroianu A. Immuno-oncology in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma - a narrative review. Braz J Med Biol Res 2023; 56:e12703. [PMID: 36946842 PMCID: PMC10021498 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x2023e12703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Immuno-oncology studies the immune system in cancer. In recent decades, immunotherapy has shown a good response to the treatment of various locally advanced and metastatic cancers. The main mechanisms of action include stimulation of the patient's own immune system to enhance immune responses acting in tumor escape pathways. This review examined the literature related to immune system mechanisms in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and their application in immunotherapy using biomarkers. The PUBMED, LILACS, MEDLINE, WHOLIS, and SCIELO databases were searched using the terms squamous cell carcinoma, head and neck, immuno-oncology, immunotherapy, and immunology. The main drugs currently available for clinical use in patients diagnosed with HNSCC include pembrolizumab and nivolumab, both classified as check-point inhibitors. These immunobiological agents improve patient survival and quality of life. Many authors and clinical trials point out that the recommendation of these agents is linked to the dose of PD-L1 (ligand expressed primarily by tumor cells), which proved to be an unreliable biomarker in the patient selection. Recommendation of immunotherapy depends on reliable biomarkers that must be identified in order to achieve good therapeutic results.
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Affiliation(s)
- A.T. da Silva
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - A.C. Simões e Silva
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - A. Petroianu
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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14
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Xu QS, Shen ZZ, Yuan LQ. Identification and validation of a novel cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature for prognosis and immunotherapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:968590. [DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.968590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly prevalent and heterogeneous malignancy with a dismal overall survival rate. Nevertheless, the effective biomarkers remain ambiguous and merit further investigation. Cuproptosis is a novel defined pathway of programmed cell death that contributes to the progression of cancers. Meanwhile, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in the biological process of tumors. Nevertheless, the prognostic value of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs in HNSCC is still obscure. This study aimed to develop a new cuproptosis-related lncRNAs (CRLs) signature to estimate survival and tumor immunity in patients with HNSCC. Herein, 620 cuproptosis-related lncRNAs were identified from The Cancer Genome Atlas database through the co-expression method. To construct a risk model and validate the accuracy of the results, the samples were divided into two cohorts randomly and equally. Subsequently, a prognostic model based on five CRLs was constructed by the Cox regression analysis with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm. In addition, the prognostic potential of the five-CRL signature was verified via Cox regression, survival analysis, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, nomogram, and clinicopathologic characteristics correlation analysis. Furthermore, we explored the associations between the signature risk score (RS) and immune landscape, somatic gene mutation, and drug sensitivity. Finally, we gathered six clinical samples and different HNSCC cell lines to validate our bioinformatics results. Overall, the proposed novel five-CRL signature can predict prognosis and assess the efficacy of immunotherapy and targeted therapies to prolong the survival of patients with HNSCC.
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15
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Crist M, Yaniv B, Palackdharry S, Lehn MA, Medvedovic M, Stone T, Gulati S, Karivedu V, Borchers M, Fuhrman B, Crago A, Curry J, Martinez-Outschoorn U, Takiar V, Wise-Draper TM. Metformin increases natural killer cell functions in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through CXCL1 inhibition. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-005632. [PMID: 36328378 PMCID: PMC9639146 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metformin slows tumor growth and progression in vitro, and in combination with chemoradiotherapy, resulted in high overall survival in patients with head and neck cancer squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in our phase 1 clinical trial (NCT02325401). Metformin is also postulated to activate an antitumor immune response. Here, we investigate immunologic effects of metformin on natural killer (NK) and natural killer T cells, including results from two phase I open-label studies in patients with HNSCC treated with metformin (NCT02325401, NCT02083692). METHODS Peripheral blood was collected before and after metformin treatment or from newly diagnosed patients with HNSCC. Peripheral immune cell phenotypes were evaluated using flow cytometry, cytokine expression by ELISA and/or IsoLight, and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity was determined with a flow-based NK cell cytotoxicity assay (NKCA). Patient tumor immune infiltration before and after metformin treatment was analyzed with immunofluorescence. NK cells were treated with either vehicle or metformin and analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). NK cells were then treated with inhibitors of significant pathways determined by RNA-seq and analyzed by NKCA, ELISA, and western blot analyses. RESULTS Increased peripheral NK cell activated populations were observed in patients treated with metformin. NK cell tumor infiltration was enhanced in patients with HNSCC treated with metformin preoperatively. Metformin increased antitumorigenic cytokines ex vivo, including significant increases in perforin. Metformin increased HNSCC NK cell cytotoxicity and inhibited the CXCL1 pathway while stimulating the STAT1 pathway within HNSCC NK cells. Exogenous CXCL1 prevented metformin-enhanced NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Metformin-mediated NK cell cytotoxicity was found to be AMP-activated protein kinase independent, but dependent on both mechanistic target of rapamycin and pSTAT1. CONCLUSIONS Our data identifies a new role for metformin-mediated immune antitumorigenic function through NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and downregulation of CXCL1 in HNSCC. These findings will inform future immunomodulating therapies in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- McKenzie Crist
- Department of Internal Medicine; Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Benyamin Yaniv
- Department of Medicine, UMass Memorial Medical Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarah Palackdharry
- University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Maria A Lehn
- Department of Internal Medicine; Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA,Division of Radiation Oncology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Mario Medvedovic
- Department of Environmental Health; Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Timothy Stone
- Department of Environmental Health; Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Shuchi Gulati
- Department of Internal Medicine; Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Vidhya Karivedu
- Department of Medical Oncology Head and Neck Oncology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Michael Borchers
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA,Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Bethany Fuhrman
- University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Audrey Crago
- University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Joseph Curry
- Department of Otolaryngology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Vinita Takiar
- Division of Radiation Oncology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA,Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Trisha M Wise-Draper
- Department of Internal Medicine; Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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16
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Baysal H, Siozopoulou V, Zaryouh H, Hermans C, Lau HW, Lambrechts H, Fransen E, De Pauw I, Jacobs J, Peeters M, Pauwels P, Vermorken JB, Smits E, Lardon F, De Waele J, Wouters A. The prognostic impact of the immune signature in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1001161. [PMID: 36268020 PMCID: PMC9576890 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1001161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous group of tumors that retain their poor prognosis despite recent advances in their standard of care. As the involvement of the immune system against HNSCC development is well-recognized, characterization of the immune signature and the complex interplay between HNSCC and the immune system could lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets that are required now more than ever. In this study, we investigated RNA sequencing data of 530 HNSCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for which the immune composition (CIBERSORT) was defined by the relative fractions of 10 immune-cell types and expression data of 45 immune checkpoint ligands were quantified. This initial investigation was followed by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for a curated selection of immune cell types and checkpoint ligands markers in tissue samples of 50 advanced stage HNSCC patients. The outcome of both analyses was correlated with clinicopathological parameters and patient overall survival. Our results indicated that HNSCC tumors are in close contact with both cytotoxic and immunosuppressive immune cells. TCGA data showed prognostic relevance of dendritic cells, M2 macrophages and neutrophils, while IHC analysis associated T cells and natural killer cells with better/worse prognostic outcome. HNSCC tumors in our TCGA cohort showed differential RNA over- and underexpression of 28 immune inhibitory and activating checkpoint ligands compared to healthy tissue. Of these, CD73, CD276 and CD155 gene expression were negative prognostic factors, while CD40L, CEACAM1 and Gal-9 expression were associated with significantly better outcomes. Our IHC analyses confirmed the relevance of CD155 and CD276 protein expression, and in addition PD-L1 expression, as independent negative prognostic factors, while HLA-E overexpression was associated with better outcomes. Lastly, the co-presence of both (i) CD155 positive cells with intratumoral NK cells; and (ii) PD-L1 expression with regulatory T cell infiltration may hold prognostic value for these cohorts. Based on our data, we propose that CD155 and CD276 are promising novel targets for HNSCC, possibly in combination with the current standard of care or novel immunotherapies to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Baysal
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Hasan Baysal,
| | - Vasiliki Siozopoulou
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hannah Zaryouh
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Christophe Hermans
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ho Wa Lau
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hilde Lambrechts
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Ines De Pauw
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Julie Jacobs
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marc Peeters
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Patrick Pauwels
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jan Baptist Vermorken
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Evelien Smits
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Filip Lardon
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jorrit De Waele
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - An Wouters
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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17
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Pereira D, Martins D, Mendes F. Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer When, How, and Why? Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092151. [PMID: 36140252 PMCID: PMC9495940 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Alcohol and tobacco consumption, besides viral infections, are the main risk factors associated with this cancer. When diagnosed in advanced stages, HNC patients present a higher probability of recurrence or metastasising. The complexity of therapeutic options and post-treatment surveillance is associated with poor prognosis and reduced overall survival (OS). This review aims to explore immunotherapy (immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), therapeutic vaccines, and oncolytic viruses) in HNC patients’ treatment, and to explore when, how, and why patients can benefit from it. The monotherapy with ICI or in combination with chemotherapy (QT) shows the most promising results. Compared to standard therapy, ICI are able to increase OS and patients’ quality of life. QT in combination with ICI demonstrates significant response rates and considerable long-term clinical benefits. However, the toxicity associated with this approach is still a hurdle to overcome. In parallel, the therapeutic vaccines directed to the Human Papilloma Virus are also efficient in increasing the antitumour response, inducing cellular and humoral immunity. Although these results demonstrate clinical benefits compared to standard therapy, it is also important to unravel the resistance mechanisms in order to predict the clinical benefit of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Pereira
- Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTeSC, UCPCBL, Rua 5 de Outubro–SM Bispo, Apartado 7006, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Diana Martins
- Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTeSC, UCPCBL, Rua 5 de Outubro–SM Bispo, Apartado 7006, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal
- Laboratório de Investigação em Ciências Aplicadas à Saúde (LabinSaúde), Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC, Rua 5 de Outubro–SM Bispo, Apartado 7006, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Biophysics Institute of Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fernando Mendes
- Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTeSC, UCPCBL, Rua 5 de Outubro–SM Bispo, Apartado 7006, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal
- Laboratório de Investigação em Ciências Aplicadas à Saúde (LabinSaúde), Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC, Rua 5 de Outubro–SM Bispo, Apartado 7006, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Biophysics Institute of Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
- European Association for Professions in Biomedical Sciences, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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18
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Yu C, Li Q, Zhang Y, Wen ZF, Dong H, Mou Y. Current status and perspective of tumor immunotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:941750. [PMID: 36092724 PMCID: PMC9458968 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.941750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have a high incidence and mortality rate, and investigating the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic strategies of HNSCC is required for further progress. Immunotherapy is a considerable therapeutic strategy for HNSCC due to its potential to produce a broad and long-lasting antitumor response. However, immune escape, which involves mechanisms including dyregulation of cytokines, perturbation of immune checkpoints, and recruitment of inhibitory cell populations, limit the efficacy of immunotherapy. Currently, multiple immunotherapy strategies for HNSCC have been exploited, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, costimulatory agonists, antigenic vaccines, oncolytic virus therapy, adoptive T cell transfer (ACT), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapy. Each of these strategies has unique advantages, and the appropriate application of these immunotherapies in HNSCC treatment has significant value for patients. Therefore, this review comprehensively summarizes the mechanisms of immune escape and the characteristics of different immunotherapy strategies in HNSCC to provide a foundation and consideration for the clinical treatment of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhang Yu
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi-Fa Wen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Heng Dong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongbin Mou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Shen Y, Zhou H, Dong S, Dong W, Zhang L. Smoking patients with laryngeal cancer screened with a novel immunogenomics-based prognostic signature. Front Genet 2022; 13:961764. [PMID: 35910213 PMCID: PMC9333188 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.961764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system greatly affects the prognosis of various malignancies. Studies on differentially expressed immune-related genes (IRGs) in the immune microenvironment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) have rarely been reported. In this paper, the prognostic potentials of IRGs were explored in LSCC patients with smoking use. The RNA-seq data containing IRGs and corresponding clinical information of smoking LSCC patients was obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Differentially expressed IRGs were identified and functional enrichment analysis was used to reveal the pathway of IRGs. Then, IRGs with prognostic potentials in smoking LSCC patients were screened out by univariate Cox regression analysis. Finally, multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted to assess the prognostic signature of 5 IRGs after adjustment of clinical factors and patients were classified into two subgroups based on different IRGs expression. The prognostic capacity of the model was verified by another independent cohort from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Nomogram including the prognostic signature was established and shown some clinical net benefit. These findings may contribute to the development of potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for the new-immunotherapy of LSCC patients with smoking use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Shen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Han Zhou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shikun Dong
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weida Dong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liqing Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Liqing Zhang,
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20
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Hadjigol S, Shah BA, O’Brien-Simpson NM. The ‘Danse Macabre’—Neutrophils the Interactive Partner Affecting Oral Cancer Outcomes. Front Immunol 2022; 13:894021. [PMID: 35784290 PMCID: PMC9243430 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.894021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, tremendous advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer have taken place. However for head and neck cancers, including oral cancer, the overall survival rate is below 50% and they remain the seventh most common malignancy worldwide. These cancers are, commonly, aggressive, genetically complex, and difficult to treat and the delay, which often occurs between early recognition of symptoms and diagnosis, and the start of treatment of these cancers, is associated with poor prognosis. Cancer development and progression occurs in concert with alterations in the surrounding stroma, with the immune system being an essential element in this process. Despite neutrophils having major roles in the pathology of many diseases, they were thought to have little impact on cancer development and progression. Recent studies are now challenging this notion and placing neutrophils as central interactive players with other immune and tumor cells in affecting cancer pathology. This review focuses on how neutrophils and their sub-phenotypes, N1, N2, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, both directly and indirectly affect the anti-tumor and pro-tumor immune responses. Emphasis is placed on what is currently known about the interaction of neutrophils with myeloid innate immune cells (such as dendritic cells and macrophages), innate lymphoid cells, natural killer cells, and fibroblasts to affect the tumor microenvironment and progression of oral cancer. A better understanding of this dialog will allow for improved therapeutics that concurrently target several components of the tumor microenvironment, increasing the possibility of constructive and positive outcomes for oral cancer patients. For this review, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for manuscripts using keywords and combinations thereof of “oral cancer, OSCC, neutrophils, TANs, MDSC, immune cells, head and neck cancer, and tumor microenvironment” with a focus on publications from 2018 to 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hadjigol
- *Correspondence: Neil M. O’Brien-Simpson, ; Sara Hadjigol,
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21
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Poulose JV, Kainickal CT. Immune checkpoint inhibitors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review of phase-3 clinical trials. World J Clin Oncol 2022; 13:388-411. [PMID: 35662989 PMCID: PMC9153072 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v13.i5.388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The outcomes of patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who are not candidates for local salvage therapy and of those diagnosed with recurrent or metastatic disease are dismal. A relatively new systemic therapy option that emerged in recent years in the treatment of advanced HNSCC is immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The safety profile and anti-tumor activity of these agents demonstrated in early phase clinical trials paved the way to the initiation of several promising phase-3 trials in the field.
AIM To evaluate the evidence on the effectiveness of ICIs in HNSCC, based on published phase-3 clinical trials.
METHODS We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus to identify published literature evaluating immunotherapy using ICIs in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC (R/M HNSCC) and locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC). We used a combination of standardized search terms and keywords including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, recurrent, metastatic, locally advanced, immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), cytotoxic T- lymphocyte associated protein-4 (CTLA-4), and phase-3 clinical trial. A sensitive search filter was used to limit our results to randomized controlled trials.
RESULTS Five phase-3 clinical trials have reported the data on the effectiveness of immunotherapy in HNSCC so far: Four in R/M HNSCC and one in LAHNSCC. In patients with R/M HNSCC, anti-PD-1 agents nivolumab and pembrolizumab demonstrated improved survival benefits in the second-line treatment setting compared to the standard of care (standard single-agent systemic therapy). While the net gain in overall survival (OS) with nivolumab was 2.4 mo [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.69, P = 0.01], that with pembrolizumab was 1.5 mo (HR = 0.80 nominal P = 0.0161). The anti-PD-L1 agent durvalumab with or without the anti-cytotoxic T- lymphocyte associated protein-4 agent tremelimumab did not result in any beneficial outcomes. In the first-line setting, in R/M HNSCC, pembrolizumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy resulted in significant improvement in survival with a net gain in OS of 2.3 mo (HR = 0.77, P = 0.0034) in the overall population and a net gain in OS of 4.2 mo in the PD-L1 positive (combined positive score > 20) population compared to standard of care (EXTREME regime). In patients with PD-L1 positive R/M HNSCC, monotherapy with pembrolizumab also demonstrated statistically significant improvement in survival compared to EXTREME. In LAHNSCC, immunotherapy using avelumab (an anti-PD-L1 agent) along with standard chemoradiation therapy did not result in improved outcomes compared to placebo plus chemoradiation therapy.
CONCLUSION Anti-PD-1 agents provide survival benefits in R/M HNSCC in the first and second-line settings, with acceptable toxicity profiles compared to standard therapy. There is no proven efficacy in the curative setting to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jissy Vijo Poulose
- National Fellowship in Palliative Medicine (Training Program), Institute of Palliative Medicine, Calicut 673008, Kerala, India
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22
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Kono M, Yamaki H, Komatsuda H, Kumai T, Hayashi R, Wakisaka R, Sato R, Ohara K, Kishibe K, Takahara M, Katada A, Hayashi T, Harabuchi Y. IL-2 complex recovers steroid-induced inhibition in immunochemotherapy for head and neck cancer. Transl Oncol 2022; 18:101358. [PMID: 35123188 PMCID: PMC8819385 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid diminished the antitumor effect of combination therapy with anti-PD-1 Ab and CDDP in an HNSCC mouse model by reducing the T cell proliferation and suppressing memory T cells. In vitro assessment using antigen-specific T cells demonstrated that steroid induced apoptosis, decreased proliferation, and reduced tumor cytotoxicity. IL-2 or IL-2 Cx restored steroid-induced immunosuppression of T cells by restoring the proliferation and function of T cells in vitro and in vivo.
Background: A combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and platinum-based chemotherapy has become the first-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC). Although steroids are often used as anti-emetic medications during chemotherapy, their adverse effects on immune-combined chemotherapy are unclear in HNSCC. Methods: The effects of dexamethasone on tumor growth and immune cell population were evaluated in a mouse HNSCC model treated with PD-1 blockade combined with cisplatin. The effect of various doses of dexamethasone on cell proliferation, survival, surface markers, IFN-γ production, and antitumor effects in antigen-specific T cells was examined in vitro. The recovery of T cell dysfunction by IL-2 was assessed in vitro and in vivo. Results: In a mouse HNSCC model, dexamethasone showed limited antitumor effects on immunochemotherapy. Dexamethasone decreased the number of T cells and inhibited T cell differentiation into effector and central memory T cells. In the in vitro assessment, dexamethasone induced cell death, limited proliferation, and reduced the reactivity against HNSCC cell lines of antigen-specific T cells in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of inhibitory receptors on T cells was not affected by steroids. This inhibition was recovered by IL-2 and IL-2/anti-IL-2 complexes (IL-2 Cx) in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Conclusion: Our preclinical data indicate that dexamethasone diminishes the antitumor effects of immunochemotherapy in patients with HNSCC. IL-2 Cx recovered the inhibition of antitumor immunity by steroids and might be a potent immune adjuvant for patients who require steroids during PD-1 blockade and chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michihisa Kono
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Hidekiyo Yamaki
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Hiroki Komatsuda
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Takumi Kumai
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; Department of Innovative Head and Neck Cancer Research and Treatment, Asahikawa Medical University, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Hayashi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Risa Wakisaka
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Sato
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Kenzo Ohara
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Kan Kishibe
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Miki Takahara
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Akihiro Katada
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Hayashi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; Department of Innovative Head and Neck Cancer Research and Treatment, Asahikawa Medical University, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Harabuchi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
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23
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Wondergem NE, Nijenhuis DNLM, Poell JB, Leemans CR, Brakenhoff RH, van de Ven R. At the Crossroads of Molecular Biology and Immunology: Molecular Pathways for Immunological Targeting of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2022; 2:647980. [PMID: 35047999 PMCID: PMC8757702 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2021.647980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Recent advances in immunotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have led to implementation of anti-programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) immunotherapy to standard of care for recurrent/metastatic HNSCC. However, the majority of tumors do not respond to these therapies, indicating that these tumors are not immunogenic or other immunosuppressive mechanisms might be at play. Aim: Given their role in carcinogenesis as well as in immune modulation, we discuss the relation between the STAT3, PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt signaling pathways to identify potential targets to empower the immune response against HNSCC. Results: We focused on three pathways. First, STAT3 is often overactivated in HNSCC and induces the secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines, thereby promoting recruitment of immune suppressive regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells to the tumor microenvironment (TME) while hampering the development of dendritic cells. Second, PI3K/AKT/mTOR mutational activation results in increased tumor proliferation but could also be important in HNSCC immune evasion due to the downregulation of components in the antigen-processing machinery. Third, canonical Wnt signaling is overactivated in >20% of HNSCC and could be an interesting pleotropic target since it is related to increased tumor cell proliferation and the development of an immunosuppressive HNSCC TME. Conclusion: The molecular pathology of HNSCC is complex and heterogeneous, varying between sites and disease etiology (i.e., HPV). The in HNSCC widely affected signaling pathways STAT3, PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt are implicated in some of the very mechanisms underlying immune evasion of HNSCC, thereby representing promising targets to possibly facilitate immunotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels E Wondergem
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dennis N L M Nijenhuis
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jos B Poell
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - C René Leemans
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ruud H Brakenhoff
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rieneke van de Ven
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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24
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Fan C, Wu J, Shen Y, Hu H, Wang Q, Mao Y, Ye B, Xiang M. Hypoxia promotes the tolerogenic phenotype of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Med 2021; 11:922-930. [PMID: 34964283 PMCID: PMC8855917 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective We aim to review the roles of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and explore the effects of hypoxia on the tolerogenic transformation of pDCs. Background pDCs, best known as professional type I interferon‐secreting cells, play key roles in immune surveillance and antitumor immunity. Recently, pDCs have been shown to be tolerogenic and correlate with poor prognosis in a variety of cancers, including HNSCC. However, it remains unclear what drives the tolerogenic transformation of pDCs in the HNSCC microenvironment. Hypoxia, a prominent hallmark of the tumor microenvironment (TME) of HNSCC, can interfere with multiple immune cells and establish an immunosuppressive TME. Methods In this review, we summarize the antitumor and protumor functions of pDCs, explore the effects of hypoxia on the migration and maturation of pDCs, and discuss related mechanisms in HNSCC. Conclusions pDCs mainly display protumor functions in HNSCC. The hypoxic TME in HNSCC can enhance the migration of pDCs and inhibit the differentiation and maturation of pDCs, promoting the tolerogenic phenotype of pDCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui Fan
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jichang Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yilin Shen
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haixia Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Quan Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yufeng Mao
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Ye
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingliang Xiang
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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25
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de Jong E, Lammerts MUPA, Genders RE, Bouwes Bavinck JN. Update of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 36 Suppl 1:6-10. [PMID: 34855246 PMCID: PMC9299882 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.17728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is rapidly increasing. A growing part of this patient group is formed by immunocompromised patients, for example organ-transplant recipients (OTR). Although over 90% of the cSCC show a relatively harmless clinical behaviour, there is also a chance of developing advanced cSCC and metastases. Locally advanced cSCC are defined as cSCC that have locally advanced progression and are no longer amenable to surgery or radiation therapy. Better understanding of the clinical behaviour of cSCC is essential to discriminate between low- and high-risk cSCC. Staging systems are important and have recently been improved. Genetic characterisation of SCC will likely become an important tool to help distinguish low and high-risk cSCC with an increased potential to metastasise in the near future. Available treatments for high-risk and advanced cSCC include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy with epidermal growth factor receptors inhibitors. Anti-PD-1 antibodies show promising results with response rates of up to 50% in both locally advanced and metastatic cSCC but, in its present form, is not suitable for OTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- E de Jong
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M U P A Lammerts
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R E Genders
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J N Bouwes Bavinck
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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26
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Sahu M, Suryawanshi H. Immunotherapy: The future of cancer treatment. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2021; 25:371. [PMID: 34703141 PMCID: PMC8491352 DOI: 10.4103/0973-029x.325257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are one of the most common cancers worldwide. A large number of patients are diagnosed with locally advanced disease and require multimodal treatment approaches. Standard treatment modalities ranging from surgery to chemotherapy and radiation are yielding mixed results. To overcome this hurdle, newer innovative approaches are required to reduce the morbidity and mortality of the patients. In the last few decades, immunotherapy has become an important part of treating some types of cancer. The immune system plays a key role in the development, establishment and progression of HNSCC. A greater understanding of the dysregulation and evasion of the immune system in the evolution and progression of HNSCC provides the basis for improved therapies and outcomes for patients. Newer types of immune treatments are now being studied, and they will impact how we treat cancer in the future. This article provides a brief overview of the current immunotherapeutic strategies for cancer with emphasis on HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Sahu
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Chhattisgarh Dental College and Research Institute, Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Hemakumari Suryawanshi
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Chhattisgarh Dental College and Research Institute, Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India
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27
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Cox JR, Blazeck J. Protein engineering: a driving force toward synthetic immunology. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 40:509-521. [PMID: 34627648 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The full application of the diverse toolkit of protein engineering has made it easier to control the immune system. In particular, synthetic cytokine variants and engineered immune receptor platforms have shown promise for the treatment of various indications with dysregulated immune function, particularly cancer. Here, we review recent advances in the control of immune cell signaling and therapeutic potency that have employed protein engineering strategies. We further discuss how safety concerns are driving the design of immunotherapeutics toward 'user-defined' control or requiring multiple distinct inputs before a functional response, highlighting emergent control strategies employed for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Cox
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - John Blazeck
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
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28
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Ebrahimi N, Akbari M, Ghanaatian M, Roozbahani Moghaddam P, Adelian S, Borjian Boroujeni M, Yazdani E, Ahmadi A, Hamblin MR. Development of neoantigens: from identification in cancer cells to application in cancer vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 21:941-955. [PMID: 34196590 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1951246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The discovery of neoantigens as mutated proteins specifically expressed in tumor cells but not in normal cells has led to improved cancer vaccines. Targeting neoantigens can induce anti-tumor T-cell responses to destroy tumors without damaging healthy cells. Extensive advances in genome sequencing technology and bioinformatics analysis have made it possible to discover and design effective neoantigens for use in therapeutic cancer vaccines. Neoantigens-based therapeutic personalized vaccines have shown promising results in cancer immunotherapy.Areas covered: We discuss the types of cancer neoantigens that can be recognized by the immune system in this review. We also summarize the detection, identification, and design of neoantigens and their appliction in developing cancer vaccines. Finally, clinical trials of neoantigen-based vaccines, their advantages, and their limitations are reviewed. From 2015 to 2020, the authors conducted a literature search of controlled randomized trials and laboratory investigations that that focused on neoantigens, their use in the design of various types of cancer vaccines.Expert opinion: Neoantigens are cancer cell-specific antigens, which their expression leads to the immune stimulation against tumor cells. The identification and delivery of specific neoantigens to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) with the help of anti-cancer vaccines promise novel and more effective cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Ebrahimi
- Division of Genetics, Department Cell, and Molecular Biology & Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Maryam Akbari
- Department of Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Ghanaatian
- Department of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University of Jahrom, Fars, Iran
| | | | - Samaneh Adelian
- Department of Genetics, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | | | - Elnaz Yazdani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University Of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Ahmadi
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Nano and Bio Science and Technology, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Michael R Hamblin
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, South Africa
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Current Aspects and Future Considerations of EGFR Inhibition in Locally Advanced and Recurrent Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143545. [PMID: 34298761 PMCID: PMC8306284 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is a debilitating disease that affects hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide and has a high mortality rate. Mainstay treatment largely consists of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy which has been met with significant morbidity. The epidermal growth factor receptor is one that which plays a major role in cell signaling and has been extensively studied in locally advanced (LA) and recurrent metastatic (RM) SCCHN. This review paper details the major roles of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), previous and current EGFR inhibition therapeutics, resistance mechanisms, and the possible integration of immunotherapy and EGFR inhibition in this disease process. Abstract Recurrent metastatic (RM) and locally advanced (LA) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) are devasting disease states with limited therapeutic options and poor overall survival. Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one area that has helped improve outcomes in this disease. Anti-EGFR based therapies have been shown to improve overall survival and mitigate the significant toxicities incurred from standard radiation, chemotherapy, and/or surgical options. Cetuximab, the most well-studied anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, has demonstrated a positive impact on outcomes for RM and LA SCCHN. However, the development of early resistance to cetuximab highlights the need for a wider arsenal of therapy for RM and LA diseases. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has recently transformed the treatment of recurrent SCCHN. Drugs such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab have demonstrated success in recent clinical trials and have been approved for the treatment of advanced disease. Given the positive results of both EGFR targeted agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors, ongoing trials are studying their synergistic effects.
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Liu K, Hu H, Jiang H, Zhang H, Gong S, Wei D, Yu Z. RUNX1 promotes MAPK signaling to increase tumor progression and metastasis via OPN in head and neck cancer. Carcinogenesis 2021; 42:414-422. [PMID: 33175152 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgaa116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor progression and metastasis are still major burdens for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) is involved in aggressive phenotypes in several cancers, while the molecular role of RUNX1 underlying cancer progression and metastasis of HNSCC remains largely unknown. In our study, RUNX1 expression was increased with disease progression in patients with HNSCC. The silencing of RUNX1 significantly decelerated the malignant progression of HNSCC cells, reduced osteopontin (OPN) expression in vitro and weakened the tumorigenicity of HNSCC cells in vivo. Moreover, we demonstrated that RUNX1 activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling by directly binding to the promoter of OPN in tumor progression and metastasis of HNSCC. Our results may provide new insight into the mechanisms underlying the role of RUNX1 in tumor progression and metastasis and reveal the potential therapeutic target in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Liu
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huiying Hu
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huanyu Jiang
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haidong Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shanchun Gong
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dongmin Wei
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, NHC Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology (Shandong University), Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhenkun Yu
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Leach DG, Dharmaraj N, Lopez-Silva TL, Venzor JR, Pogostin BH, Sikora AG, Hartgerink JD, Young S. Biomaterial-Facilitated Immunotherapy for Established Oral Cancers. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:415-421. [PMID: 33470801 PMCID: PMC8325389 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated a peptide-based immunotherapy termed SynerGel: an injectable, biomaterial-based platform for intratumoral drug delivery. A drug-mimicking peptide hydrogel named L-NIL-MDP was loaded with an antitumor cyclic dinucleotide (CDN) immunotherapy agonist. The biomaterial combines inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibition with controlled delivery of CDNs, demonstrating between 4- and 20-fold slower drug release than commercially available hydrogels. SynerGel allowed for immune-mediated elimination of established treatment-resistant oral tumors in a murine model, with a median survival of 67.5 days compared with 44 days in no-treatment control. This report details findings for a promising therapy showing improved efficacy over previous hydrogel systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G. Leach
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Neeraja Dharmaraj
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry, TX 77054, USA
| | - Tania L. Lopez-Silva
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Jose Rodriguez Venzor
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry, TX 77054, USA
| | - Brett H. Pogostin
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Andrew G. Sikora
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Hartgerink
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Simon Young
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry, TX 77054, USA
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Wickenhauser C, Bethmann D, Kappler M, Eckert AW, Steven A, Bukur J, Fox BA, Beer J, Seliger B. Tumor Microenvironment, HLA Class I and APM Expression in HPV-Negative Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040620. [PMID: 33557271 PMCID: PMC7914856 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Oral squamous cell carcinoma has developed different strategies to escape from T-cell-mediated immune surveillance, which is mediated by changes in the composition of cellular and soluble components of the tumor microenvironment as well as an impaired expression of molecules of the antigen processing machinery leading to a downregulation of HLA class I surface antigens. In depth characterization of these escape mechanisms might help to develop strategies to overcome this tolerance. In this study, human papilloma virus negative oral squamous cell carcinoma lesions were analyzed regarding the protein expression of major components of the HLA class I antigen processing/presentation pathway in correlation to the intra-tumoral immune cell composition, IFN-γ signaling and clinical parameters, which was further confirmed by bioinformatics analyses of datasets obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. This novel knowledge could be used for optimizing the design of immunotherapeutic approaches of this disease. Abstract Progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been associated with an escape of tumor cells from the host immune surveillance due to an increased knowledge of its underlying molecular mechanisms and its modulation by the tumor microenvironment and immune cell repertoire. In this study, the expression of HLA class I (HLA-I) antigens and of components of the antigen processing machinery (APM) was analyzed in 160 pathologically classified human papilloma virus (HPV)-negative OSCC lesions and correlated to the intra-tumoral immune cell response, IFN-γ signaling and to the patient’s outcome. A heterogeneous but predominantly lower constitutive protein expression of HLA-I APM components was found in OSCC sections when compared to non-neoplastic cells. Tumoral HLA-I APM component expression was further categorized into the three major phenotypes HLA-Ihigh/APMhigh, HLA-Ilow/APMlow and HLA-Idiscordant high/low/APMhigh. In the HLA-Ihigh/APMhigh group, the highest frequency of intra-tumoral CD8+ T cells and lowest number of CD8+ T cells close to FoxP3+ cells were found. Patients within this group presented the most unfavorable survival, which was significantly evident in stage T2 tumors. Despite a correlation with the number of intra-tumoral CD8+ T cells, tumoral JAK1 expression as a surrogate marker for IFN-γ signaling was not associated with HLA-I/APM expression. Thus, the presented findings strongly indicate the presence of additional factors involved in the immunomodulatory process of HPV-negative OSCC with a possible tumor-burden-dependent complex network of immune escape mechanisms beyond HLA-I/APM components and T cell infiltration in this tumor entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (C.W.); (D.B.); (J.B.)
| | - Daniel Bethmann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (C.W.); (D.B.); (J.B.)
| | - Matthias Kappler
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (M.K.); or (A.W.E.)
| | - Alexander Walter Eckert
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (M.K.); or (A.W.E.)
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Private Medical University of South Nuremberg, 90471 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - André Steven
- Institute of Medical Immunology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (A.S.); (J.B.)
| | - Jürgen Bukur
- Institute of Medical Immunology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (A.S.); (J.B.)
| | - Bernard Aloysius Fox
- Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Portland, OR 97213, USA;
| | - Jana Beer
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (C.W.); (D.B.); (J.B.)
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (A.S.); (J.B.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)-345-557-4054; Fax: +49-(0)-345-557-4055
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Zhang Z, Chen C, Fang Y, Li S, Wang X, Sun L, Zhou G, Ye J. Development of a prognostic signature for esophageal cancer based on nine immune related genes. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:113. [PMID: 33541291 PMCID: PMC7860013 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-07813-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Function of the immune system is correlated with the prognosis of the tumor. The effect of immune microenvironment on esophageal cancer (EC) development has not been fully investigated. Methods This study aimed to explore a prognostic model based on immune-related genes (IRGs) for EC. We obtained the RNA-seq dataset and clinical information of EC from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Results We identified 247 upregulated IRGs and 56 downregulated IRGs. Pathway analysis revealed that the most differentially expressed IRGs were enriched in Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. We further screened 13 survival-related IRGs and constructed regulatory networks involving related transcription factors (TFs). Finally, a prognostic model was constructed with 9 IRGs (HSPA6, S100A12, CACYBP, NOS2, DKK1, OSM, STC2, NGPTL3 and NR2F2) by multivariate Cox regression analysis. The patients were classified into two subgroups with different outcomes. When adjusted with clinical factors, this model was verified as an independent predictor, which performed accurately in prognostic prediction. Next, M0 and M2 macrophages and activated mast cells were significantly enriched in high-risk group, while CD8 T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) were significantly enriched in low-risk group. Conclusions Prognosis related IRGs were identified and a prognostic signature for esophageal cancer based on nine IRGs was developed. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-07813-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Zhang
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, 42 Bai Zi Ting Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, 42 Bai Zi Ting Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ying Fang
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, 42 Bai Zi Ting Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, 42 Bai Zi Ting Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaohua Wang
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, 42 Bai Zi Ting Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei Sun
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, 42 Bai Zi Ting Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guoren Zhou
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, 42 Bai Zi Ting Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jinjun Ye
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, 42 Bai Zi Ting Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China.
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Candiloro F, Borioli V, Borsellino G, Picozza M, Pellini R, Cereda E, Gargano F, Caraccia M, Nardi MT, Bellu L, Tondulli L, Imarisio I, Pozzi E, Pedrazzoli P, Caccialanza R, Battistini L. Influence of different lipid emulsions on specific immune cell functions in head and neck cancer patients receiving supplemental parenteral nutrition: An exploratory analysis. Nutrition 2021; 86:111178. [PMID: 33631618 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2021.111178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The effect of diet on immune responses is an area of intense investigation. Dietary lipids have been shown to differently influence and fine-tune the reactivity of immune cell subsets, thus potentially affecting clinical outcomes. Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma face malnutrition, due to swallowing impairment related to the tumor site or to treatment sequalae, and may need supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN) in addition to oral feeding when enteral nutrition is not feasible. Additionally, immune depression is a well-known complication in these patients. Parenteral nutrition (PN) bags contain amino acids, minerals, electrolytes and mostly lipids that provide calories in a concentrated form and are enriched with essential fatty acids. The aim of this study was to investigate multiple parameters of the immune responses in a cohort of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma undergoing supplemental PN with bags enriched in ω-3 or ω-9 and ω-6 fatty acids. METHODS To our knowledge, this was the first exploratory study to investigate the effects of two different PN lipid emulsions on specific immune cells function of patients with advanced head and neck squamous carcinoma. ω-3-enriched fish-oil-based- and ω-6- and ω-9-enriched olive-oil-basedSPN was administered to two groups of patients for 1 wk in the context of an observational multicentric study. Polychromatic flow cytometry was used to investigate multiple subsets of leukocytes, with a special focus on cellular populations endowed with antitumor activity. RESULTS Patients treated with olive-oil-based PN showed an increase in the function of the innate (natural killer cells and monocytes) and adaptive (both CD4 and CD8 cells) arms of the immune response. CONCLUSION An increase in the function of the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response may favor antitumoral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valeria Borioli
- Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Italy
| | | | - Mario Picozza
- Neuroimmunology Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Raul Pellini
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Italy
| | - Emanuele Cereda
- Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Italy
| | | | - Marilisa Caraccia
- Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Nardi
- Nutritional Support Unit and Department of Clinical & Experimental Oncology, Medical Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Italy
| | - Luisa Bellu
- Nutritional Support Unit and Department of Clinical & Experimental Oncology, Medical Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Italy
| | - Luca Tondulli
- Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata (AOUI), Italy
| | - Ilaria Imarisio
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Italy
| | - Emma Pozzi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Italy
| | - Paolo Pedrazzoli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Riccardo Caccialanza
- Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Italy
| | - Luca Battistini
- Neuroimmunology Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.
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Zhu SW, Wang S, Wu ZZ, Yang QC, Chen DR, Wan SC, Sun ZJ. Overexpression of CD168 is related to poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Dis 2021; 28:364-372. [PMID: 33386685 DOI: 10.1111/odi.13766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Receptor for hyaluronic acid (HA)-mediated motility (RHAMM) is also known as CD168. This study proposed to elucidate the prognostic and clinicopathological significance of CD168 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Immune staining of a human tissue microarray and Western blot were used to reveal the expression level of CD168 in OSCC. Correlations between clinicopathological indexes and CD168 expression in OSCC patients were assessed. RESULTS Increased expression of CD168 was detected in OSCC tissues. High expression of CD168 indicated worse survival of patients (p < .05). Furthermore, high expression of CD168 was related to pathological grade in OSCC (p < .05). CD168 expression was positively related to programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing protein 6 (CMTM6), B7 homology 4 protein (B7-H4), CD44, CD133, and Slug expression in OSCC. CONCLUSION This study revealed the overexpression of CD168 in OSCC and shed light on the prognostic significance of CD168 expression in OSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Wen Zhu
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-Zhong Wu
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qi-Chao Yang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - De-Run Chen
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu-Cheng Wan
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Sun
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Head Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Zhang Y, Lin A, Li Y, Ding W, Meng H, Luo P, Zhang J. Age and Mutations as Predictors of the Response to Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:608969. [PMID: 33363171 PMCID: PMC7755718 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.608969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment plays an essential role in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC). Compared to traditional chemoradiotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become increasingly important in HNSC therapy. Prior studies linked the efficacy of ICIs to PD-L1, microsatellite instability (MSI), HPV infection, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and tumor lymphocyte infiltration in patients with HNSC, but further verification is needed. Additional predictors are needed to recognize HNSC patients with a good response to ICIs. We collected the clinical information and mutation data of HNSC patients from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases to generate two clinical cohorts. The MSKCC cohort was used to recognize predictors related to the efficacy of ICIs, and the TCGA cohort was used to further examine the immune microenvironment features and signaling pathways that are significantly enriched in the subgroups of predictors. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that age (HR = 0.50, p = 0.014) and ARID1A (HR = 0.13, p = 0.048), PIK3CA (HR = 0.45, p = 0.021), and TP53 (HR = 1.82, p = 0.035) mutations were potential predictors for ICI efficacy in HNSC patients. Age > 65 years and ARID1A or PIK3CA mutations correlated with good overall survival (OS). TP53 mutant-type (MT) patients experienced a worse prognosis than TP53 wild-type (WT) patients. The subgroups associated with a good prognosis (age > 65 years, ARID1A-MT, and PIK3CA-MT) universally had a high TMB and increased expression of immune checkpoint molecules. Although TP53-MT was associated with a high TMB, the expression of most immune checkpoint molecules and immune-related genes was lower in TP53-MT patients than TP53-WT patients, which may reflect low immunogenicity. Pathways related to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment were mostly enriched in the subgroups associated with a poor prognosis (age ≤ 65 years, low TMB, ARID1A-WT, PIK3CA-WT, and TP53-MT). In conclusion, the factors age > 65 years, PIK3CA-MT, and ARID1A-MT predicted favorable efficacy for ICI treatment in HNSC patients, and TP53 mutation was a negative predictor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueming Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Anqi Lin
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yonghe Li
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weimin Ding
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Meng
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Guo XY, Zhang JY, Shi XZ, Wang Q, Shen WL, Zhu WW, Liu LK. Upregulation of CSF-1 is correlated with elevated TAM infiltration and poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:6235-6249. [PMID: 33194026 PMCID: PMC7653598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mounting lines of evidence indicated that the "colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1)/tumor-associated macrophage (TAM)" signature plays an important role in the progression, invasion and metastasis of multiple tumors. However, the potential role of CSF-1/TAM in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains largely unknown. In the present study, the expression of CSF-1 from 99 OSCC specimens and its correlation with clinicopathological features and patient outcomes were investigated. Meanwhile, the correlation between CSF-1 expression and TAM infiltration was also explored. To investigate the potential effect of CSF-1 on tumor growth, nude mice were subcutaneously injected with Cal27 cell line and a small molecule inhibitor of CSF-1 (BZL945). The results showed that the high expression rate of CSF-1 (52%) was found in OSCC, and the upregulation of CSF-1 was closely correlated with lymph node metastasis and clinical stage. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between a high CSF-1 level and elevated TAM infiltration. The xenograft model study showed that CSF-1 signal blockade inhibited tumor growth, with a significant synchronous decrease in CSF-1 expression and TAM infiltration. Overall, our findings indicated that CSF-1 plays a crucial role in TAMs-mediated OSCC tumor progression and invasion. The "CSF-1/TAM" signaling axis may serve as a prospective target for anti-tumor therapy of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yu Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Endodontics, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jia-Yi Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Basic Science of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin-Zhan Shi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Basic Science of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei-Li Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Basic Science of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei-Wen Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Basic Science of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lai-Kui Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Basic Science of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Efficient Delivery and Replication of Oncolytic Virus for Successful Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197073. [PMID: 32992948 PMCID: PMC7582277 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer has been treated by a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. In recent years, the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has made immunotherapy a new treatment method. Oncolytic virus (OV) therapy selectively infects tumor cells with a low-pathogenic virus, lyses tumor cells by the cytopathic effects of the virus, and induces anti-tumor immunity to destroy tumors by the action of immune cells. In OV therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), viruses, such as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), vaccinia virus, adenovirus, reovirus, measles virus, and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), are mainly used. As the combined use of mutant HSV-1 and ICI was successful for the treatment of melanoma, studies are underway to combine OV therapy with radiation, chemotherapy, and other types of immunotherapy. In such therapy, it is important for the virus to selectively replicate in tumor cells, and to express the viral gene and the introduced foreign gene in the tumor cells. In OV therapy for HNSCC, it may be useful to combine systemic and local treatments that improve the delivery and replication of the inoculated oncolytic virus in the tumor cells.
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Seliger B, Massa C, Yang B, Bethmann D, Kappler M, Eckert AW, Wickenhauser C. Immune Escape Mechanisms and Their Clinical Relevance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197032. [PMID: 32987799 PMCID: PMC7582858 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has been recently approved for the treatment of relapsed and metastatic human papilloma virus (HPV) positive and negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the response of patients is limited and the overall survival remains short with a low rate of long-term survivors. There exists growing evidence that complex and partially redundant immune escape mechanisms play an important role for the low efficacy of immunotherapies in this disease. These are caused by diverse complex processes characterized by (i) changes in the expression of immune modulatory molecules in tumor cells, (ii) alterations in the frequency, composition and clonal expansion of immune cell subpopulations in the tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood leading to reduced innate and adaptive immune responses, (iii) impaired homing of immune cells to the tumor site as well as (iv) the presence of immune suppressive soluble and physical factors in the tumor microenvironment. We here summarize the major immune escape strategies of HNSCC lesions, highlight pathways, and molecular targets that help to attenuate HNSCC-induced immune tolerance, affect the selection and success of immunotherapeutic approaches to overcome resistance to immunotherapy by targeting immune escape mechanisms and thus improve the HNSCC patients’ outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany; (C.M.); (B.Y.)
- Fraunhofer Institute of Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany; (C.M.); (B.Y.)
| | - Bo Yang
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany; (C.M.); (B.Y.)
| | - Daniel Bethmann
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany; (D.B.); (C.W.)
| | - Matthias Kappler
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (M.K.); (A.W.E.)
| | - Alexander Walter Eckert
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (M.K.); (A.W.E.)
- Klinik für Mund-, Kiefer- und Plastische Gesichtschirurgie, Universitätsklinik der Paracelsus Medizinischen Privatuniversität; 90471 Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany; (D.B.); (C.W.)
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Liu K, Hu H, Jiang H, Liu C, Zhang H, Gong S, Wei D, Yu Z. Upregulation of secreted phosphoprotein 1 affects malignant progression, prognosis, and resistance to cetuximab via the KRAS/MEK pathway in head and neck cancer. Mol Carcinog 2020; 59:1147-1158. [PMID: 32805066 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Acquired resistance is a barrier to cetuximab efficacy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) is involved in various biological processes, including immune responses, cancer progression, and prognosis in many cancers, while little is known in HNSCC. Bioinformatics methods were used to identify candidate genes and further in vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to examine and validate the function of SPP1. We found that SPP1 was upregulated and has been found to have an oncogenic role in HNSCC. We further confirmed that overexpression of SPP1 affected proliferation, migration, invasion, and survival, and inhibited apoptosis, whereas silencing of SPP1 yielded opposite results to those of SPP1 overexpression. In addition, activation of the KRAS/MEK pathway contributed to the SPP1-induced malignant progression of HNSCC and resistance to cetuximab. Furthermore, SPP1 knockdown or an MEK inhibitor overcame this cetuximab-resistance pattern. Taken together, our findings for the first time identify the role of SPP1 in tumor promotion, prognostic prediction, and potential therapeutic targeting, as well as resistance to cetuximab in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Liu
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Center of Yu Zhenkun Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huiying Hu
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Center of Yu Zhenkun Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huanyu Jiang
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Center of Yu Zhenkun Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chenglei Liu
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haidong Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Center of Yu Zhenkun Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shanchun Gong
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Center of Yu Zhenkun Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dongmin Wei
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, NHFPC (Shandong University), Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhenkun Yu
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Center of Yu Zhenkun Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Yang Y, Yang Y, Yang J, Zhao X, Wei X. Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer: Function and Therapeutic Strategy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:758. [PMID: 32850861 PMCID: PMC7431690 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of death in patients with gynecological malignancy. Despite optimal cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy, ovarian cancer disseminates and relapses frequently, with poor prognosis. Hence, it is urgent to find new targeted therapies for ovarian cancer. Recently, the tumor microenvironment has been reported to play a vital role in the tumorigenesis of ovarian cancer, especially with discoveries from genome-, transcriptome- and proteome-wide studies; thus tumor microenvironment may present potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. Here, we review the interactions between the tumor microenvironment and ovarian cancer and various therapies targeting the tumor environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfei Yang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xia Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Wondergem NE, Nauta IH, Muijlwijk T, Leemans CR, van de Ven R. The Immune Microenvironment in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: on Subsets and Subsites. Curr Oncol Rep 2020; 22:81. [PMID: 32602047 PMCID: PMC7324425 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-020-00938-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To understand why some patients respond to immunotherapy but many do not, a clear picture of the tumor microenvironment (TME) of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is key. Here we review the current understanding on the immune composition per HNSCC subsite, the importance of the tumor's etiology and the prognostic power of specific immune cells. RECENT FINDINGS Large cohort data are mostly based on deconvolution of transcriptional databases. Studies focusing on infiltrate localization often entail small cohorts, a mixture of HNSCC subsites, or focus on a single immune marker rather than the interaction between cells within the TME. Conclusions on the prognostic impact of specific immune cells in HNSCC are hampered by the use of heterogeneous or small cohorts. To move forward, the field should focus on deciphering the immune composition per HNSCC subsite, in powered cohorts and considering the molecular diversity in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels E Wondergem
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University medical center, De Boelelaan, 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Irene H Nauta
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University medical center, De Boelelaan, 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tara Muijlwijk
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University medical center, De Boelelaan, 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C René Leemans
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University medical center, De Boelelaan, 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rieneke van de Ven
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University medical center, De Boelelaan, 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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43
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Zhao Z, Li Y, Wu Y, Chen R. Deep learning-based model for predicting progression in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Biomark 2020; 27:19-28. [PMID: 31658045 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-190380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study endeavors to build a deep learning (DL)-based model for predicting disease progression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients by integrating multi-omics data. METHODS RNA sequencing, miRNA sequencing, and methylation data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used as input for autoencoder, a DL approach. An autoencoder-based prognosis model for PFS was built by SVM algorithm and tested in three confirmation sets. Predictive performance of the model was compared to two alternative approaches. Differential expression analysis for mRNAs, microRNAs (miRNA) and methylation was conducted. Moreover, functional annotation of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was achieved through function enrichment analysis. RESULT The DL-based prognosis model identified two subgroups of patients with significantly different PFS, and showcased a good model fitness (C-index = 0.73). The two identified PFS subtypes were successfully validated in three confirmation sets. The DL-based model was more accurate and efficient than principal component analysis (PCA) or individual Cox-PH-based models. There were 348 DEGs, 23 differentially expressed miRNAs and 55 differentially methylated genes between the two PFS subtypes. These genes were significantly involved in several immune-related biological processes and primary immunodeficiency, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), B cell receptor signaling and leukocyte transendothelial migration pathways. CONCLUSION The DL-based model introduced in this study is reliable and robust in predicting disease progression in HNSCC patients. A number of pathways and genes targets are unraveled to be implicated in cancer progression. Utility of this model would facilitate development of more individualized therapy for HNSCC patients and improve prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210006, China.,Department of Otolaryngology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210006, China
| | - Yingli Li
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The 960th Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, Jinan, Shandong 250000, China.,Department of Otolaryngology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210006, China
| | - Yuanqing Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210006, China
| | - Rongrong Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210006, China
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44
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Ma HF, Lv GX, Zhang DH. miR-381 Mediates the Development of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma via Targeting STC2. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:4485-4493. [PMID: 32547079 PMCID: PMC7247612 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s246289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective miR-381 is implicated in the occurrence and development of various cancers, yet its role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains largely unknown. This study sought to research the direct target of miR-381 in HNSCC and investigate their roles in cancer progression. Methods miRNA and mRNA expression files of HNSCC were accessed from TCGA database and then processed for differential analysis. Bioinformatics databases were employed to predict the target mRNAs of the potential miRNA. qRT-PCR was conducted to determine the expression levels of the target miRNA and mRNA. Then, a series of in vitro experiments like CCK-8, colony formation assay, wound healing assay and transwell assay were performed to detect cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was carried out for the further validation of the targeted relationship between the miRNA and mRNA. Results miR-381 was observed to be greatly down-regulated in HNSCC cells, and its overexpression could inhibit cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Besides, dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that STC2 was a direct target of miR-381, and their expression levels were reversely correlated. Moreover, rescue experiments demonstrated that overexpressing STC2 could rescue the inhibitory effect of miR-381 overexpression on cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Also, we verified that miR-381/STC2 exerted its function on HNSCC proliferation by mediating the FAK/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Conclusion miR-381 suppresses cell proliferation, migration and invasion in HNSCC through targeting STC2, and participates in HNSCC development probably via the FAK/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Feng Ma
- Department of Radiotherapy, Zhejiang Dongyang People's Hospital, Dongyang 322100, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Guo-Xiao Lv
- Department of Radiotherapy, Zhejiang Dongyang People's Hospital, Dongyang 322100, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Da-Hai Zhang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Zhejiang Dongyang People's Hospital, Dongyang 322100, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
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Bisheshar SK, De Ruiter EJ, Devriese LA, Willems SM. The prognostic role of NK cells and their ligands in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1747345. [PMID: 32363116 PMCID: PMC7185215 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1747345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background : Despite the improvement in therapeutic interventions, 5-year survival rates in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) are limited. HNSCC is an immunogenic cancer type for which molecular stratification markers are lacking. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have shown a favorable prognostic role in different cancer types. This study focused on the prognostic role of NK cells in HNSCC. Methods : A systematic search was conducted in Pubmed/Medline and Embase. Articles that correlated the presence of intratumoral NK cells, activating/inhibiting receptors, death receptors, or their ligands with clinicopathologic characteristics or survival were included. A meta-analysis was performed that assessed the association between CD56+ and CD57+ and overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and progression-free survival (PFS). Results : A pooled analysis indicated a favorable prognostic role of CD56+ and CD57+ NK cells for OS (HR 0.19 CI 0.11-0.35). NK cell markers NKp46 and Granzyme B (GrB) also have a favorable prognostic role. NK cell ligand Fas correlated with better survival and better characteristics. NK cell marker Fas-L, NK cell ligands CEACAM1, RCAS1, CD70 and TRAIL-R, and effector molecules of these ligands, FADD and FAP1, correlated to features of worse prognosis. Conclusion : A favorable prognostic role of NK cells in HNSCC was found in this review. Some studies implied the opposite, indicating the fine balance between pro- and anti-tumor functions of NK cells. Future studies using homogeneous patient cohorts regarding tumor subsite and treatment modality, are necessary to further provide insight into the prognostic role of NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeeta K. Bisheshar
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, CX Utrecht 3584, The Netherlands
| | - Emma J. De Ruiter
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, CX Utrecht 3584, The Netherlands
| | - Lot A. Devriese
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, CX Utrecht 3584, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan M. Willems
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, CX Utrecht 3584, The Netherlands
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46
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Nasser H, St. John MA. The promise of immunotherapy in the treatment of young adults with oral tongue cancer. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol 2020; 5:235-242. [PMID: 32337355 PMCID: PMC7178456 DOI: 10.1002/lio2.366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically considered a disease of the older male resulting from cumulative tobacco and alcohol use, more recently we have witnessed a rise in the global incidence of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma in younger adults, particularly those without any identifiable risk factor exposure. These patients appear to be at higher overall risk for locoregional treatment failure and often experience a more heterogeneous clinical course, with some afflicted with particularly aggressive, rapidly progressive disease. Recent research efforts have supported the idea that although this disease may be genomically similar in these groups, and molecular differences in the tumor immune microenvironment may account for biological differences between young and older patients, as well as patients with and without exposure to alcohol or tobacco. In this review, we seek to summarize current knowledge regarding pathogenesis of oral tongue carcinoma in the young adult patient and examine the potential role of the immune response in disease progression and as a target for novel immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Nasser
- UCLA Head and Neck Cancer ProgramRonald Reagan Medical CenterLos AngelesCalifornia
| | - Maie A. St. John
- UCLA Head and Neck Cancer ProgramRonald Reagan Medical CenterLos AngelesCalifornia
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47
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Immunotherapy in recurrent and or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Curr Opin Oncol 2020; 31:146-151. [PMID: 30893146 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000000522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) are revolutionizing the treatment of advanced cancers including recurrent and or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (RM-SCCHN). RECENT FINDINGS In this review, we will summarize the results of prospective trials evaluating CPI and particularly antiprogrammed death 1 (PD-1)/antiprogrammed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in RM-SCCHN. SUMMARY Nivolumab and Pembrolizumab, two anti-PD-1 CPI, were associated with longer overall survival than standard chemotherapy in pretreated RM-SCCHN in two randomized phase 3 trials (respectively CHECKMATE-141 and KEYNOTE-040). Both are now approved in this setting. In the KEYNOTE-048 trial, the pembrolizumab was also associated with a longer survival when compared with the EXTREME regimen in first-line RM-SCCHN patients whose tumors overexpressed PD-L1 (combined positive score ≥20%). This trial also showed a superiority of platinum-based chemotherapy and pembrolizumab vs. EXTREME regimen in unselected first-line RM-SCCHN. Pembrolizumab will probably be the next standard of care for first-line RM-SCCHN with high expression of PD-L1. Further evaluation of CPI combined with other antitumoral agents is ongoing in advanced and locally advanced SCCHN.
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48
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Xing L, Guo M, Zhang X, Zhang X, Liu F. A transcriptional metabolic gene-set based prognostic signature is associated with clinical and mutational features in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2020; 146:621-630. [DOI: 10.1007/s00432-020-03155-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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49
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KIR2DS4, KIR2DL2, and KIR2DS4del are linked with basaloid tumors, lymph node metastasis, advanced stage and metastatic risk in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Exp Mol Pathol 2020; 112:104345. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2019.104345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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50
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Perri F, Ionna F, Longo F, Della Vittoria Scarpati G, De Angelis C, Ottaiano A, Botti G, Caponigro F. Immune Response Against Head and Neck Cancer: Biological Mechanisms and Implication on Therapy. Transl Oncol 2020; 13:262-274. [PMID: 31869751 PMCID: PMC6931206 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2019.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck carcinoma (HNC) are diseases arising from several tracts of the aerodigestive ways. Most HNC are squamous cell carcinoma (SCCHN). Immunotherapy is a treatment strategy aimed to reinforce the immune system. Several types of immunotherapy are available in the clinical scenario. Checkpoint inhibitors were developed later in SCCHN; nivolumab and pembrolizumab have reached the clinical approval, having both drugs demonstrated to significantly improve the overall survival, if compared with the standard of treatment (according to the results of the CheckMate 141 and KEYNOTE-040 trials). Nevertheless, immunotherapy may fail because of the genetics of SCCHN. In fact, two genetically different types of SCCHN have been discovered, one virus-related (HPV) and the other mutagens-related. They seem to show in clinical trials very different responses to immunotherapy. Given the existence of a number of factors predictive of response to immunotherapy in SCCHN, a future clinical approach may be to characterize the genetic and immunologic feature of SCCHN and to perform a well-tailored immunotherapy. This review will summarize the main immunotherapy strategies available in SCCHN, discussing their real efficacy, highlighting also the ways to improve them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Perri
- Head and Neck Medical Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy.
| | - Franco Ionna
- Otolaryngology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Longo
- Otolaryngology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Carmine De Angelis
- University of Naples, Federico II, Department of Medical and Experimental Oncology, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ottaiano
- Division of Innovative Therapies for Abdominal Metastases, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Gerardo Botti
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Caponigro
- Head and Neck Medical Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
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