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Wang L, Lynch C, Pitroda SP, Piffkó A, Yang K, Huser AK, Liang HL, Weichselbaum RR. Radiotherapy and immunology. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20232101. [PMID: 38771260 PMCID: PMC11110906 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20232101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The majority of cancer patients receive radiotherapy during the course of treatment, delivered with curative intent for local tumor control or as part of a multimodality regimen aimed at eliminating distant metastasis. A major focus of research has been DNA damage; however, in the past two decades, emphasis has shifted to the important role the immune system plays in radiotherapy-induced anti-tumor effects. Radiotherapy reprograms the tumor microenvironment, triggering DNA and RNA sensing cascades that activate innate immunity and ultimately enhance adaptive immunity. In opposition, radiotherapy also induces suppression of anti-tumor immunity, including recruitment of regulatory T cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and suppressive macrophages. The balance of pro- and anti-tumor immunity is regulated in part by radiotherapy-induced chemokines and cytokines. Microbiota can also influence radiotherapy outcomes and is under clinical investigation. Blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis and CTLA-4 has been extensively investigated in combination with radiotherapy; we include a review of clinical trials involving inhibition of these immune checkpoints and radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangliang Wang
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Connor Lynch
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sean P. Pitroda
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - András Piffkó
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kaiting Yang
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Amy K. Huser
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hua Laura Liang
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ralph R. Weichselbaum
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Colangelo NW, Gerber NK, Vatner RE, Cooper BT. Harnessing the cGAS-STING pathway to potentiate radiation therapy: current approaches and future directions. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1383000. [PMID: 38659582 PMCID: PMC11039815 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1383000] [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: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In this review, we cover the current understanding of how radiation therapy, which uses ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells, mediates an anti-tumor immune response through the cGAS-STING pathway, and how STING agonists might potentiate this. We examine how cGAS-STING signaling mediates the release of inflammatory cytokines in response to nuclear and mitochondrial DNA entering the cytoplasm. The significance of this in the context of cancer is explored, such as in response to cell-damaging therapies and genomic instability. The contribution of the immune and non-immune cells in the tumor microenvironment is considered. This review also discusses the burgeoning understanding of STING signaling that is independent of inflammatory cytokine release and the various mechanisms by which cancer cells can evade STING signaling. We review the available data on how ionizing radiation stimulates cGAS-STING signaling as well as how STING agonists may potentiate the anti-tumor immune response induced by ionizing radiation. There is also discussion of how novel radiation modalities may affect cGAS-STING signaling. We conclude with a discussion of ongoing and planned clinical trials combining radiation therapy with STING agonists, and provide insights to consider when planning future clinical trials combining these treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas W. Colangelo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Naamit K. Gerber
- Department of Radiation Oncology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ralph E. Vatner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Benjamin T. Cooper
- Department of Radiation Oncology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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Kumar V, Stewart JH. cGLRs Join Their Cousins of Pattern Recognition Receptor Family to Regulate Immune Homeostasis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1828. [PMID: 38339107 PMCID: PMC10855445 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recognize danger signals such as PAMPs/MAMPs and DAMPs to initiate a protective immune response. TLRs, NLRs, CLRs, and RLRs are well-characterized PRRs of the host immune system. cGLRs have been recently identified as PRRs. In humans, the cGAS/STING signaling pathway is a part of cGLRs. cGAS recognizes cytosolic dsDNA as a PAMP or DAMP to initiate the STING-dependent immune response comprising type 1 IFN release, NF-κB activation, autophagy, and cellular senescence. The present article discusses the emergence of cGLRs as critical PRRs and how they regulate immune responses. We examined the role of cGAS/STING signaling, a well-studied cGLR system, in the activation of the immune system. The following sections discuss the role of cGAS/STING dysregulation in disease and how immune cross-talk with other PRRs maintains immune homeostasis. This understanding will lead to the design of better vaccines and immunotherapeutics for various diseases, including infections, autoimmunity, and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA;
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Chen W, Lee GE, Jeung D, Byun J, Juan W, Cho YY. Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase in Cancer Prevention. J Cancer Prev 2023; 28:143-196. [PMID: 38205362 PMCID: PMC10774482 DOI: 10.15430/jcp.2023.28.4.143] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), synthesized by cGAMP synthase (cGAS), serves as a secondary messenger that modulates various cellular processes, including cell proliferation, cell death, immune response, and inflammation. cGAS is activated upon detecting cytoplasmic DNA, which may originate from damaged genomic and mitochondrial DNA or from viral and bacterial infections. The presence of DNA in the cytoplasm can trigger a substantial inflammatory reaction and cytokine production via the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Consequently, specific inhibitors targeting this pathway hold significant potential as chemopreventive agents. In this review, we explore the potential effectiveness of modulating cGAS activity. We discuss the role of cGAMP, the mechanism of action for distinguishing between self and foreign DNA, and the possible functions of cGAS within the nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weidong Chen
- BK21-Four, College of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea
- RCD Control Material Research Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Ga-Eun Lee
- BK21-Four, College of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea
- RCD Control Material Research Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Dohyun Jeung
- BK21-Four, College of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea
- RCD Control Material Research Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Jiin Byun
- BK21-Four, College of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea
- RCD Control Material Research Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Wu Juan
- BK21-Four, College of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea
- RCD Control Material Research Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Yong-Yeon Cho
- BK21-Four, College of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea
- RCD Control Material Research Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Korea
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