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Hasterok S, Jankovskaja S, Miletic Dahlström R, Prgomet Z, Ohlsson L, Björklund S, Gustafsson A. Exploring the Surface: Sampling of Potential Skin Cancer Biomarkers Kynurenine and Tryptophan, Studied on 3D Melanocyte and Melanoma Models. Biomolecules 2024; 14:815. [PMID: 39062529 PMCID: PMC11274760 DOI: 10.3390/biom14070815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Early detection of cancer via biomarkers is vital for improving patient survival rates. In the case of skin cancers, low-molecular-weight biomarkers can penetrate the skin barrier, enabling non-invasive sampling at an early stage. This study focuses on detecting tryptophan (Trp) and kynurenine (Kyn) on the surface of reconstructed 3D melanoma and melanocyte models. This is examined in connection with IDO-1 and IL-6 expression in response to IFN-γ or UVB stimulation, both crucial factors of the melanoma tumor microenvironment (TME). Using a polystyrene scaffold, full-thickness human skin equivalents containing fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and melanocytes or melanoma cells were developed. The samples were stimulated with IFN-γ or UVB, and Trp and Kyn secretion was measured using HPLC-PDA and HPLC-MS. The expression of IDO-1 and IL-6 was measured using RT-qPCR. Increased Trp catabolism to Kyn was observed in IFN-γ-stimulated melanoma and melanocyte models, along with higher IDO-1 expression. UVB exposure led to significant changes in Kyn levels but only in the melanoma model. This study demonstrates the potential of skin surface Trp and Kyn monitoring to capture TME metabolic changes. It also lays the groundwork for future in vivo studies, aiding in understanding and monitoring skin cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Hasterok
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmo, Sweden; (S.J.); (R.M.D.); (Z.P.); (L.O.); (S.B.)
- Biofilms Research Center for Biointerfaces, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmo, Sweden
| | - Skaidre Jankovskaja
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmo, Sweden; (S.J.); (R.M.D.); (Z.P.); (L.O.); (S.B.)
- Biofilms Research Center for Biointerfaces, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmo, Sweden
| | - Ruzica Miletic Dahlström
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmo, Sweden; (S.J.); (R.M.D.); (Z.P.); (L.O.); (S.B.)
- Biofilms Research Center for Biointerfaces, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmo, Sweden
| | - Zdenka Prgomet
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmo, Sweden; (S.J.); (R.M.D.); (Z.P.); (L.O.); (S.B.)
- Biofilms Research Center for Biointerfaces, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmo, Sweden
- Section for Oral Biology and Pathology, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, 214 21 Malmo, Sweden
| | - Lars Ohlsson
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmo, Sweden; (S.J.); (R.M.D.); (Z.P.); (L.O.); (S.B.)
- Biofilms Research Center for Biointerfaces, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmo, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Björklund
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmo, Sweden; (S.J.); (R.M.D.); (Z.P.); (L.O.); (S.B.)
- Biofilms Research Center for Biointerfaces, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmo, Sweden
| | - Anna Gustafsson
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmo, Sweden; (S.J.); (R.M.D.); (Z.P.); (L.O.); (S.B.)
- Biofilms Research Center for Biointerfaces, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmo, Sweden
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Gerlini G, Susini P, Sestini S, Brandani P, Giannotti V, Borgognoni L. Langerhans Cells in Sentinel Lymph Nodes from Melanoma Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1890. [PMID: 38791968 PMCID: PMC11119378 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101890] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Langerhans cells (LCs) are professional Dendritic Cells (DCs) involved in immunoregulatory functions. At the skin level, LCs are immature. In response to tissue injuries, they migrate to regional Lymph Nodes (LNs), reaching a full maturation state. Then, they become effective antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that induce anti-cancer responses. Notably, melanoma patients present several DC alterations in the Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN), where primary antitumoral immunity is generated. LCs are the most represented DCs subset in melanoma SLNs and are expected to play a key role in the anti-melanoma response. With this paper, we aim to review the current knowledge and future perspectives regarding LCs and melanoma. METHODS A systematic review was carried out according to the PRISMA statement using the PubMed (MEDLINE) library from January 2004 to January 2024, searching for original studies discussing LC in melanoma. RESULTS The final synthesis included 15 articles. Several papers revealed significant LCs-melanoma interactions. CONCLUSIONS Melanoma immune escape mechanisms include SLN LC alterations, favoring LN metastasis arrival/homing and melanoma proliferation. The SLN LCs of melanoma patients are defective but not irreversibly, and their function may be restored by appropriate stimuli. Thus, LCs represent a promising target for future immunotherapeutic strategies and cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianni Gerlini
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Regional Melanoma Referral Center and Melanoma & Skin Cancer Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, 50012 Florence, Italy; (S.S.); (P.B.); (V.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Pietro Susini
- Plastic Surgery Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Serena Sestini
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Regional Melanoma Referral Center and Melanoma & Skin Cancer Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, 50012 Florence, Italy; (S.S.); (P.B.); (V.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Paola Brandani
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Regional Melanoma Referral Center and Melanoma & Skin Cancer Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, 50012 Florence, Italy; (S.S.); (P.B.); (V.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Vanni Giannotti
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Regional Melanoma Referral Center and Melanoma & Skin Cancer Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, 50012 Florence, Italy; (S.S.); (P.B.); (V.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Lorenzo Borgognoni
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Regional Melanoma Referral Center and Melanoma & Skin Cancer Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, 50012 Florence, Italy; (S.S.); (P.B.); (V.G.); (L.B.)
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Tassidis H, Jankovskaja S, Awad K, Ohlsson L, Gjörloff Wingren A, Gustafsson A. Investigation of tryptophan to kynurenine degradation in response to interferon-γ in melanoma cell lines. Biochem Biophys Rep 2024; 37:101612. [PMID: 38188364 PMCID: PMC10770592 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101612] [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: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and aim Melanoma is a fatal form of skin cancer that carries a grave prognosis if the cancer cells spread and form metastases. The Kynurenine (Kyn) pathway is activated by the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO-1) and has been shown to have a role in tumour progression. We have previously shown that interferon-γ (IFN-γ) acts as an inducer of tryptophan (Trp) degradation to Kyn in keratinocytes of the basal layer in a 3D epidermis model. Before extending our reconstructed human epidermis model to not only contain keratinocytes but also fibroblasts and melanocytes/melanoma cells, we have in this study set out to investigate possible differences between primary adult melanocytes and six melanoma cell lines regarding the expression of the immune checkpoint inhibitors IDO-1 and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) together with Kyn production. Methods The melanocytes and melanoma cells were stimulated with 1-20 ng/ml of IFN-γ and the levels of Trp to Kyn degradation were monitored with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). To analyze the viability of the cell types after IFN-γ treatment, an MTT assay was performed. mRNA quantity of IDO-1, PD-L1 and IFN-γ receptor (IFN-GR1) was analyzed with qPCR. Results After 24 h, only the metastatic cell line WM-266-4 was affected by all concentrations of IFN-γ, whereas at 48 h, the higher IFN-γ concentrations gave a more pronounced effect on the viability in all cell types. Trp was detected at various levels in the culture medium from all cell types before and after IFN-γ treatment. The degradation to Kyn was detected in primary melanocytes, Mel Juso, and Mel Ho cell lines after 24 h of treatment and low levels of IFN-γ. However, the higher concentration of IFN-γ, 20 ng/ml, induced Kyn to various degrees in all cell types after 24 h. The change in mRNA quantity of IDO-1 and PD-L1 was similar in all cell types. Conclusion To conclude, no significant difference in upregulation of the immune checkpoint inhibitors PD-L1 and IDO-1 was seen between primary tumour and metastatic melanoma. IFN-γ stimulation of melanocytes and different stages of melanoma cell lines resulted in an increased Kyn/Trp ratio in the more aggressive melanoma cells when a high concentration was used (20 ng/ml) but when a lower concentration of IFN-γ (5 ng/ml) was used an increased Kyn/Trp ratio were detected in media from primary melanocytes and early-stage melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Tassidis
- Department of Natural Science, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden
| | - Skaidre Jankovskaja
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
- Biofilms – Research Center for Biointerfaces, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Kassem Awad
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
- Biofilms – Research Center for Biointerfaces, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Lars Ohlsson
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
- Biofilms – Research Center for Biointerfaces, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Anette Gjörloff Wingren
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
- Biofilms – Research Center for Biointerfaces, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Anna Gustafsson
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
- Biofilms – Research Center for Biointerfaces, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
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Low V, Li Z, Blenis J. Metabolite activation of tumorigenic signaling pathways in the tumor microenvironment. Sci Signal 2022; 15:eabj4220. [DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abj4220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The role of metabolites exchanged in the tumor microenvironment is largely thought of as fuels to drive the increased biosynthetic and bioenergetic demands of growing tumors. However, this view is shifting as metabolites are increasingly shown to function as signaling molecules that directly regulate oncogenic pathways. Combined with our growing understanding of the essential role of stromal cells, this shift has led to increased interest in how the collective and interconnected metabolome of the tumor microenvironment can drive malignant transformation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, drug resistance, immune evasion, and metastasis. In this review, we discuss how metabolite exchange between tumors and various cell types in the tumor microenvironment—such as fibroblasts, adipocytes, and immune cells—can activate signaling pathways that drive cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Low
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Zhongchi Li
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - John Blenis
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Tolerogenic IDO1 +CD83 - Langerhans Cells in Sentinel Lymph Nodes of Patients with Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073441. [PMID: 35408802 PMCID: PMC8998685 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073441] [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: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Langerhans cells (LCs) are crucial regulators of anti-cancer immune responses. Cancer, however, can alter DCs functions leading to tolerance. The enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) plays a crucial role in this process. In sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) of patients with melanoma, LCs show phenotypical and functional alterations favoring tolerance. Herein we aimed to investigate IDO1 expression in SLN LCs from patients with melanoma. We showed by immunofluorescence analysis that a portion of Langerin+ LCs, located in the SLN T cell-rich area, displayed the typical dendritic morphology and expressed IDO1. There was no significant difference in the expression of IDO between SLN with or without metastases. Double IDO1/CD83 staining identified four LCs subsets: real mature IDO1−CD83+ LCs; real immature IDO1−CD83− LCs; tolerogenic mature IDO1+CD83+ LCs; tolerogenic immature IDO1+CD83− LCs. The latter subset was significantly increased in metastatic SLNs as compared to negative ones (p < 0.05), and in SLN LCs of patients with mitotic rate (MR) > 1 in primary melanoma, as compared to MR ≤ 1 (p < 0.05). Finally, immature SLN LCs, after in vitro stimulation by inflammatory cytokines, acquired a maturation profile by CD83 up-regulation. These results provide new input for immunotherapeutic approaches targeting in vivo LC of patients with melanoma.
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Mesenchymal-Stromal Cell-like Melanoma-Associated Fibroblasts Increase IL-10 Production by Macrophages in a Cyclooxygenase/Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase-Dependent Manner. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246173. [PMID: 34944793 PMCID: PMC8699649 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and the number of newly diagnosed cases is on the rise. In recent years, it has become evident that melanoma-associated fibroblasts (MAFs), which surround the melanoma cells, play a key role in tumor growth and its ability to evade immune attack. We found that MAFs resemble bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), and on the basis of this, we looked for effects that they might have on macrophages. Like MSCs, MAFs cause macrophages to produce IL-10, an anti-inflammatory agent. IL-10 contributes to cancer growth by suppressing natural anti-cancer immunity and can also interfere with anti-melanoma immunotherapies. Our findings may open new avenues for the development of anti-melanoma treatments based on MAF-macrophage interactions. Abstract Melanoma-associated fibroblasts (MAFs) are integral parts of melanoma, providing a protective network for melanoma cells. The phenotypical and functional similarities between MAFs and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) prompted us to investigate if, similarly to MSCs, MAFs are capable of modulating macrophage functions. Using immunohistochemistry, we showed that MAFs and macrophages are in intimate contact within the tumor stroma. We then demonstrated that MAFs indeed are potent inducers of IL-10 production in various macrophage types in vitro, and this process is greatly augmented by the presence of treatment-naïve and chemotherapy-treated melanoma cells. MAFs derived from thick melanomas appear to be more immunosuppressive than those cultured from thin melanomas. The IL-10 increasing effect is mediated, at least in part, by cyclooxygenase and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. Our data indicate that MAF-induced IL-10 production in macrophages may contribute to melanoma aggressiveness, and targeting the cyclooxygenase and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase pathways may abolish MAF–macrophage interactions.
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Lynch KT, Gradecki SE, Kwak M, Meneveau MO, Wages NA, Gru AA, Slingluff CL. IDO1 Expression in Melanoma Metastases Is Low and Associated With Improved Overall Survival. Am J Surg Pathol 2021; 45:787-795. [PMID: 33208630 PMCID: PMC8102301 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000001622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Indoleamine 2-3 dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) expression may contribute to immunologic escape by melanoma metastases. However, a recent clinical trial failed to identify any clinical benefits of IDO1 inhibition in patients with unresectable metastatic melanoma, and prior characterizations of IDO1 expression have predominately studied primary lesions and local metastases, generating uncertainty regarding IDO1 expression in distant metastases. We hypothesized that IDO1 expression in such lesions would be low and correlated with decreased overall survival (OS). Metastases from patients (n=96) with stage IIIb to IV melanoma underwent tissue microarray construction and immunohistochemical staining for IDO1. Th1-related gene expression was determined quantitatively. Associations between OS and IDO1 expression were assessed with multivariate models. Of 96 metastatic lesions, 28% were IDOpos, and 85% exhibited IDO1 expression in <10% of tumor cells. IDOpos lesions were associated with improved OS (28.9 vs. 10.5 mo, P=0.02) and expression of Th1-related genes. OS was not associated with IDO1 expression in a multivariate analysis of all patients; however, IDO1 expression (hazard ratio=0.25, P=0.01) and intratumoral CD8+ T-cell density (hazard ratio=0.99, P<0.01) were correlated with OS in patients who underwent metastasectomy with curative-intent. IDOpos metastases were less likely to recur after metastasectomy (54% vs. 16%, P=0.01). IDO1 expression was low in melanoma metastases and correlated with OS after metastasectomy with curative-intent. Intratumoral CD8+ T cells and Th1-related genes were correlated with IDO1 expression, as was tumor recurrence. These suggest that IDO1 expression may be a marker of immunologic tumor control, and may inform participant selection in future trials of IDO1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T. Lynch
- Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Sarah E. Gradecki
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Minyoung Kwak
- Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Max O. Meneveau
- Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Nolan A. Wages
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Alejandro A. Gru
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
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Lin DJ, Ng JCK, Huang L, Robinson M, O'Hara J, Wilson JA, Mellor AL. The immunotherapeutic role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review. Clin Otolaryngol 2021; 46:919-934. [PMID: 34053179 PMCID: PMC8600953 DOI: 10.1111/coa.13794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Novel cancer immunotherapy seeks to harness the body's own immune system and tip the balance in favour of antitumour activity. The intracellular enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a critical regulator of the tumour microenvironment (TME) via tryptophan metabolism. The potential immunotherapeutic role of IDO in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) requires further exploration. We aim to assess the evidence on IDO in HNSCC. METHODS A systematic review of literature and clinical trials databases. RESULTS We included 40 studies: seven involved cell lines: eight assessed tumour immunohistochemistry: ten measured IDO gene transcription: 15 reported on clinical trials. Increased cell line IDO expression was postulated to adversely affect tumour metabolism and apoptosis. Immunohistochemical IDO expression correlated with worse survival. Gene transcription studies associated IDO with positive PD-L1 and human papillomavirus (HPV) status. Phase I/II clinical trials showed (a) overall response (34%-55%) and disease control rates (62%-70%) for IDO1 inhibitor in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor, (b) similar safety profiles when both are used in combination therapy compared to each as monotherapies and (c) IDO gene expression as a predictive biomarker for response to PD-L1 therapy. CONCLUSIONS IDO expression is increased in the TME of HNSCC, which correlates with poor prognosis. However, the exact mechanism of IDO-driven immune modulation in the TME is an enigma. Future translational studies should map IDO activity during HNSCC treatment and elucidate its precise role in the TME, such research will underpin the development of clinical trials establishing the efficacy of IDO inhibitors in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Lin
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,ENT Department, Freeman Hospital, High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - James C K Ng
- ENT Department, Freeman Hospital, High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Lei Huang
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Max Robinson
- Centre for Oral Health Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - James O'Hara
- ENT Department, Freeman Hospital, High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Janet A Wilson
- ENT Department, Freeman Hospital, High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Andrew L Mellor
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Salmi S, Lin A, Hirschovits-Gerz B, Valkonen M, Aaltonen N, Sironen R, Siiskonen H, Pasonen-Seppänen S. The role of FoxP3+ regulatory T cells and IDO+ immune and tumor cells in malignant melanoma - an immunohistochemical study. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:641. [PMID: 34051744 PMCID: PMC8164759 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08385-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND FoxP3+ Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) participate in the formation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in malignant cutaneous melanoma (CM). Recent studies have reported that IDO expression correlates with poor prognosis and greater Breslow's depth, but results concerning the role of FoxP3+ Tregs in CM have been controversial. Furthermore, the correlation between IDO and Tregs has not been substantially studied in CM, although IDO is known to be an important regulator of Tregs activity. METHODS We investigated the associations of FoxP3+ Tregs, IDO+ tumor cells and IDO+ stromal immune cells with tumor stage, prognostic factors and survival in CM. FoxP3 and IDO were immunohistochemically stained from 29 benign and 29 dysplastic nevi, 18 in situ -melanomas, 48 superficial and 62 deep melanomas and 67 lymph node metastases (LNMs) of CM. The number of FoxP3+ Tregs and IDO+ stromal immune cells, and the coverage and intensity of IDO+ tumor cells were analysed. RESULTS The number of FoxP3+ Tregs and IDO+ stromal immune cells were significantly higher in malignant melanomas compared with benign lesions. The increased expression of IDO in melanoma cells was associated with poor prognostic factors, such as recurrence, nodular growth pattern and increased mitotic count. Furthermore, the expression of IDO in melanoma cells was associated with reduced recurrence-free survival. We further showed that there was a positive correlation between IDO+ tumor cells and FoxP3+ Tregs. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that IDO is strongly involved in melanoma progression. FoxP3+ Tregs also seems to contribute to the immunosuppressive TME in CM, but their significance in melanoma progression remains unclear. The positive association of FoxP3+ Tregs with IDO+ melanoma cells, but not with IDO+ stromal immune cells, indicates a complex interaction between IDO and Tregs in CM, which demands further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satu Salmi
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627 70211, Kuopio campus, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Anton Lin
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627 70211, Kuopio campus, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Benjamin Hirschovits-Gerz
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627 70211, Kuopio campus, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mari Valkonen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627 70211, Kuopio campus, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Niina Aaltonen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627 70211, Kuopio campus, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Reijo Sironen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine/ Clinical Pathology, University of Eastern Finland, 70029, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Kuopio University Hospital, 70029, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hanna Siiskonen
- Department of Dermatology, Kuopio University Hospital and University of Eastern Finland, 70029, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sanna Pasonen-Seppänen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627 70211, Kuopio campus, Kuopio, Finland
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Metabolic Interplay between the Immune System and Melanoma Cells: Therapeutic Implications. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9060607. [PMID: 34073463 PMCID: PMC8227307 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma represents the most fatal skin cancer due to its aggressive biological behavior and high metastatic potential. Treatment strategies for advanced disease have dramatically changed over the last years due to the introduction of BRAF/MEK inhibitors and immunotherapy. However, many patients either display primary (i.e., innate) or eventually develop secondary (i.e., acquired) resistance to systemic treatments. Treatment resistance depends on multiple mechanisms driven by a set of rewiring processes, which involve cancer metabolism, epigenetic, gene expression, and interactions within the tumor microenvironment. Prognostic and predictive biomarkers are needed to guide patients’ selection and treatment decisions. Indeed, there are no recognized clinical or biological characteristics that identify which patients will benefit more from available treatments, but several biomarkers have been studied with promising preliminary results. In this review, we will summarize novel tumor metabolic pathways and tumor-host metabolic crosstalk mechanisms leading to melanoma progression and drug resistance, with an overview on their translational potential as novel therapeutic targets.
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Hsu FT, Liu YC, Tsai CL, Yueh PF, Chang CH, Lan KL. Preclinical Evaluation of Recombinant Human IL15 Protein Fused with Albumin Binding Domain on Anti-PD-L1 Immunotherapy Efficiency and Anti-Tumor Immunity in Colon Cancer and Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081789. [PMID: 33918641 PMCID: PMC8070266 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081789] [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: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In this manuscript, we reported that a newly developed recombinant human IL15 fused with albumin binding domain (hIL15-ABD) showed superior biological half-life, pharmacokinetic and anti-tumor immunity than wild-type (WT) hIL15. Our hIL-15-ABD can effectively enhance anti-tumor efficacy of anti-PD-L1 on colon cancer and melanoma animal models. The anti-tumor potential of hIL-15-ABD was associated with tumor microenvironment (TME) regulation, including the activation of NK cells and CD8+ T cells, the reduction of immunosuppressive cells (MDSCs and Tregs) and the suppression of immunosuppressive factors (IDO, FOXP3 and VEGF). In conclusion, our new hIL15-ABD combined with anti-PD-L1 antibody increased the activity of anti-tumor effector cells involved in both innate and adaptive immunities, decreased the TME’s immunosuppressive cells, and showed greater anti-tumor effect than that of either monotherapy. We suggested hIL15-ABD as the potential complementary agent may effectively augment the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-L1 antibody in colon cancer and melanoma model. Abstract Anti-PD-L1 antibody monotherapy shows limited efficacy in a significant proportion of the patients. A common explanation for the inefficacy is a lack of anti-tumor effector cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recombinant human interleukin-15 (hIL15), a potent immune stimulant, has been investigated in clinical trial with encouraging results. However, hIL15 is constrained by the short half-life of hIL15 and a relatively unfavorable pharmacokinetics profile. We developed a recombinant fusion IL15 protein composed of human IL15 (hIL15) and albumin binding domain (hIL15-ABD) and explored the therapeutic efficacy and immune regulation of hIL-15, hIL15-ABD and/or combination with anti-PD-L1 on CT26 murine colon cancer (CC) and B16-F10 murine melanoma models. We demonstrated that hIL15-ABD has significant inhibitory effect on the CT26 and B16-F10 tumor growths as compared to hIL-15. hIL-15-ABD not only showed superior half-life and pharmacokinetics data than hIL-15, but also enhance anti-tumor efficacy of antibody against PD-L1 via suppressive effect on accumulation of Tregs and MDSCs and activation of NK and CD8+T cells. Immune suppressive factors including VEGF and IDO were also decreased by combination treatment. hIL15-ABD combined with anti-PD-L1 antibody increased the activity of anti-tumor effector cells involved in both innate and adaptive immunities, decreased the TME’s immunosuppressive cells, and showed greater anti-tumor effect than that of either monotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei-Ting Hsu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung 406, Taiwan; (F.-T.H.); (P.-F.Y.)
| | - Yu-Chang Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Lukang, Changhua 505, Taiwan;
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung 406, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Liang Tsai
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (C.-L.T.); (C.-H.C.)
| | - Po-Fu Yueh
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung 406, Taiwan; (F.-T.H.); (P.-F.Y.)
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hsien Chang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (C.-L.T.); (C.-H.C.)
- Isotope Application Division, Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Taoyuan 325, Taiwan
| | - Keng-Li Lan
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +886-2-2826-7000 (ext. 7121)
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12
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Yao Y, Liang H, Fang X, Zhang S, Xing Z, Shi L, Kuang C, Seliger B, Yang Q. What is the prospect of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 inhibition in cancer? Extrapolation from the past. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:60. [PMID: 33557876 PMCID: PMC7869231 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01847-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), a monomeric heme-containing enzyme, catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism, which plays an important role in immunity and neuronal function. Its implication in different pathophysiologic processes including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases has inspired the development of IDO1 inhibitors in the past decades. However, the negative results of the phase III clinical trial of the would-be first-in-class IDO1 inhibitor (epacadostat) in combination with an anti-PD1 antibody (pembrolizumab) in patients with advanced malignant melanoma call for a better understanding of the role of IDO1 inhibition. In this review, the current status of the clinical development of IDO1 inhibitors will be introduced and the key pre-clinical and clinical data of epacadostat will be summarized. Moreover, based on the cautionary notes obtained from the clinical readout of epacadostat, strategies for the identification of reliable predictive biomarkers and pharmacodynamic markers as well as for the selection of the tumor types to be treated with IDO1inhibitors will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, 200438, Shanghai, China
| | - Heng Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, 200438, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, 200438, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengnan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, 200438, Shanghai, China
| | - Zikang Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, 200438, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, 200438, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunxiang Kuang
- Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, 200092, Shanghai, China
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Qing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, 200438, Shanghai, China.
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13
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Simiczyjew A, Dratkiewicz E, Mazurkiewicz J, Ziętek M, Matkowski R, Nowak D. The Influence of Tumor Microenvironment on Immune Escape of Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8359. [PMID: 33171792 PMCID: PMC7664679 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The low efficiency of currently-used anti-cancer therapies poses a serious challenge, especially in the case of malignant melanoma, a cancer characterized by elevated invasiveness and relatively high mortality rate. The role of the tumor microenvironment in the progression of melanoma and its acquisition of resistance to treatment seems to be the main focus of recent studies. One of the factors that, in normal conditions, aids the organism in its fight against the cancer and, following the malignant transformation, adapts to facilitate the development of the tumor is the immune system. A variety of cell types, i.e., T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic and natural killer cells, as well as neutrophils, support the growth and invasiveness of melanoma cells, utilizing a plethora of mechanisms, including secretion of pro-inflammatory molecules, induction of inhibitory receptors expression, or depletion of essential nutrients. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the processes regulated by tumor-associated cells that promote the immune escape of melanoma cells. The described mechanisms offer potential new targets for anti-cancer treatment and should be further studied to improve currently-employed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Simiczyjew
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Ewelina Dratkiewicz
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Justyna Mazurkiewicz
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Marcin Ziętek
- Department of Oncology and Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (R.M.)
- Wroclaw Comprehensive Cancer Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Matkowski
- Department of Oncology and Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (R.M.)
- Wroclaw Comprehensive Cancer Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Nowak
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
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14
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Porcellato I, Brachelente C, Cappelli K, Menchetti L, Silvestri S, Sforna M, Mecocci S, Iussich S, Leonardi L, Mechelli L. FoxP3, CTLA-4, and IDO in Canine Melanocytic Tumors. Vet Pathol 2020; 58:42-52. [PMID: 33021155 DOI: 10.1177/0300985820960131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Despite promising immunotherapy strategies in human melanoma, there are few studies on the immune environment of canine melanocytic tumors. In humans, the activation of immunosuppressive cell subpopulations, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs) that express forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3), the engagement of immunosuppressive surface receptors like cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen (CTLA-4), and the secretion of molecules inhibiting lymphocyte activation, such as indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), are recognized as immunoescape mechanisms that allow tumor growth and progression. The aim of our study was to investigate the expression of these immunosuppression markers in canine melanocytic tumors and to postulate their possible role in melanoma biology and progression. Fifty-five formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded canine melanocytic tumors (25 oral melanomas; 20 cutaneous melanomas; 10 cutaneous melanocytomas) were selected to investigate the expression of FoxP3, CTLA-4, and IDO by immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR (real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction). All of the tested markers showed high gene and protein expression in oral melanomas and were differently expressed in cutaneous melanomas when compared to their benign counterpart. IDO expression was associated with an increased hazard of death both in univariable and multivariable analyses (P < .05). FoxP3 protein expression >6.9 cells/HPF (high-power field) was an independent predictor of death (P < .05). CTLA-4 gene and protein expressions were associated with a worse prognosis, but only in the univariable analysis (P < .05). FoxP3, CTLA-4, and IDO likely play a role in canine melanoma immunoescape. Their expression, if supported by future studies, could represent a prognostic tool in canine melanoma and pave the way to future immunotherapeutic approaches in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Laura Menchetti
- 9309University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.,Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna
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15
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Meireson A, Devos M, Brochez L. IDO Expression in Cancer: Different Compartment, Different Functionality? Front Immunol 2020; 11:531491. [PMID: 33072086 PMCID: PMC7541907 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.531491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is a cytosolic haem-containing enzyme involved in the degradation of tryptophan to kynurenine. Although initially thought to be solely implicated in the modulation of innate immune responses during infection, subsequent discoveries demonstrated IDO1 as a mechanism of acquired immune tolerance. In cancer, IDO1 expression/activity has been observed in tumor cells as well as in the tumor-surrounding stroma, which is composed of endothelial cells, immune cells, fibroblasts, and mesenchymal cells. IDO1 expression/activity has also been reported in the peripheral blood. This manuscript reviews available data on IDO1 expression, mechanisms of its induction, and its function in cancer for each of these compartments. In-depth study of the biological function of IDO1 according to the expressing (tumor) cell can help to understand if and when IDO1 inhibition can play a role in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel Meireson
- Department of Dermatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michael Devos
- Department of Dermatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lieve Brochez
- Department of Dermatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
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16
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Dissecting the immune landscape of tumor draining lymph nodes in melanoma with high-plex spatially resolved protein detection. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 70:475-483. [PMID: 32814992 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02698-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In melanoma patients, microscopic tumor in the sentinel lymph-node biopsy (SLN) increases the risk of distant metastases, but the transition from tumor in the SLN to metastatic disease remains poorly understood. METHODS Fluorescent staining for CD3, CD20, CD11c, and DNA was performed on SLN tissue and matching primary tumors. Regions of interest (ROI) were then chosen geometrically (e.g., tumor) or by fluorescent cell subset markers (e.g., CD11c). Each ROI was further analyzed using NanoString Digital Spatial Profiling high-resolution multiplex profiling. Digital counts for 59-panel immune-related proteins were collected and normalized to account for system variation and ROI area. RESULTS Tumor regions of SLNs had variable infiltration of CD3 cells among patients. The patient with overall survival (OS) > 8 years had the most CD11c- and CD3-expressing cells infiltrating the SLN tumor region. All patients had CD11c (dendritic cell, DC) infiltration into the SLN tumor region. Selecting ROI by specific cell subtype, we compared protein expression of CD11c cells between tumor and non-tumor/normal tissue SLN regions. Known markers of DC activation such as CD86, HLA-DR, and OX40L were lowest on CD11c cells within SLN tumor for the patient with OS < 1 year and highest on the patient with OS > 8 years. CONCLUSION We demonstrate the feasibility of profiling the protein expression of CD11c cells within the SLN tumor. Identifying early regulators of melanoma control when the disease is microscopically detected in the SLN is beneficial and requires follow-up studies in a larger cohort of patients.
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17
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Sandri S, Watanabe LRM, Oliveira EAD, Faião-Flores F, Migliorini S, Tiago M, Felipe-Silva A, Vazquez VDL, da Costa Souza P, Consolaro MEL, Campa A, Maria-Engler SS. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in melanoma progression and BRAF inhibitor resistance. Pharmacol Res 2020; 159:104998. [PMID: 32535222 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is associated with the progression of many types of tumors, including melanoma. However, there is limited information about IDO modulation on tumor cell itself and the effect of BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) treatment and resistance. Herein, IDO expression was analyzed in different stages of melanoma development and progression linked to BRAFi resistance. IDO expression was increased in primary and metastatic melanomas from patients' biopsies, especially in the immune cells infiltrate. Using a bioinformatics approach, we also identified an increase in the IDO mRNA in the vertical growth and metastatic phases of melanoma. Using in silico analyses, we found that IDO mRNA was increased in BRAFi resistance. In an in vitro model, IDO expression and activity induced by interferon-gamma (IFNγ) in sensitive melanoma cells was decreased by BRAFi treatment. However, cells that became resistant to BRAFi presented random IDO expression levels. Also, we identified that treatment with the IDO inhibitor, 1-methyltryptophan (1-MT), was able to reduce clonogenicity for parental and BRAFi-resistant cells. In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that the decreased IDO expression in tumor cells is one of the many additional outcomes contributing to the therapeutic effects of BRAFi. Still, the IDO production changeability by the BRAFi-resistant cells reiterates the complexity of the response arising from resistance, making it not possible, at this stage, to associate IDO expression in tumor cells with resistance. On the other hand, the maintenance of 1-MT off-target effect endorses its use as an adjuvant treatment of melanoma that has become BRAFi-resistant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Sandri
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luis R M Watanabe
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Erica Aparecida de Oliveira
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Faião-Flores
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silene Migliorini
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Manoela Tiago
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aloisio Felipe-Silva
- Department of Pathology, Faculdade de Medicina (FMUSP), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vinícius de Lima Vazquez
- Institute of Research and Education and Melanoma/Sarcoma Surgery, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ana Campa
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silvya Stuchi Maria-Engler
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Mainini F, Eccles MR. Lipid and Polymer-Based Nanoparticle siRNA Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy. Molecules 2020; 25:E2692. [PMID: 32532030 PMCID: PMC7321291 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25112692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) uses small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to mediate gene-silencing in cells and represents an emerging strategy for cancer therapy. Successful RNAi-mediated gene silencing requires overcoming multiple physiological barriers to achieve efficient delivery of siRNAs into cells in vivo, including into tumor and/or host cells in the tumor micro-environment (TME). Consequently, lipid and polymer-based nanoparticle siRNA delivery systems have been developed to surmount these physiological barriers. In this article, we review the strategies that have been developed to facilitate siRNA survival in the circulatory system, siRNA movement from the blood into tissues and the TME, targeted siRNA delivery to the tumor or specific cell types, cellular uptake, and escape from endosomal degradation. We also discuss the use of various types of lipid and polymer-based carriers for cancer therapy, including a section on anti-tumor nanovaccines enhanced by siRNAs. Finally, we review current and recent clinical trials using NPs loaded with siRNAs for cancer therapy. The siRNA cancer therapeutics field is rapidly evolving, and it is conceivable that precision cancer therapy could, in the relatively near future, benefit from the combined use of cancer therapies, for example immune checkpoint blockade together with gene-targeting siRNAs, personalized for enhancing and fine-tuning a patient's therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael R. Eccles
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand;
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19
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Iga N, Otsuka A, Hirata M, Kataoka TR, Irie H, Nakashima C, Matsushita S, Uchi H, Yamamoto Y, Funakoshi T, Fujisawa Y, Yoshino K, Fujimura T, Hata H, Ishida Y, Kabashima K. Variable indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression in acral/mucosal melanoma and its possible link to immunotherapy. Cancer Sci 2019; 110:3434-3441. [PMID: 31509303 PMCID: PMC6824999 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have improved the prognosis of advanced melanoma. Although anti-programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) is a well-studied biomarker for response to anti-programmed death-1 PD-1 therapy in melanoma, its clinical relevance remains unclear. It has been established that the high expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is correlated to a response to anti-CTLA-4 treatment in melanoma. However, it is still unknown whether the IDO expression is associated with response to anti-PD-1 therapy in advanced melanoma. In addition, acral and mucosal melanomas, which comprise a great proportion of all melanomas in Asians, are genetically different subtypes from cutaneous melanomas; however, they have not been independently analyzed due to their low frequency in Western countries. To evaluate the association of IDO and PD-L1 expression with response to anti-PD-1 antibody in acral and mucosal melanoma patients, we analyzed 32 Japanese patients with acral and mucosal melanomas treated with anti-PD-1 antibody from the perspective of IDO and PD-L1 expression levels by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Multivariate Cox regression models showed that the low expression of IDO in tumors was associated with poor progression-free survival (HR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.13-0.81, P = 0.016), whereas PD-L1 expression on tumors was not associated with progression-free survival. Significantly lower expression of IDO in tumors was found in non-responders compared to responders. Assessment of the IDO expression could be useful for the identification of suitable candidates for anti-PD-1 therapy among acral and mucosal melanomas patients. Further validation study is needed to estimate the clinical utility of our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuko Iga
- Department of DermatologyKyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Atsushi Otsuka
- Department of DermatologyKyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
- Translational Research Department for Skin and Brain DiseasesKyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Masahiro Hirata
- Department of Diagnostic PathologyKyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Tatsuki R. Kataoka
- Department of Diagnostic PathologyKyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Hiroyuki Irie
- Department of DermatologyKyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Chisa Nakashima
- Department of DermatologyKyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Shigeto Matsushita
- Department of Dermato‐Oncology/DermatologyNational Hospital Organization Kagoshima Medical CenterKagoshimaJapan
| | - Hiroshi Uchi
- Department of DermatologyKyusyu University Graduate School of MedicineFukuokaJapan
| | - Yuki Yamamoto
- Department of DermatologyWakayama Medical UniversityWakayamaJapan
| | - Takeru Funakoshi
- Department of DermatologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | | | - Koji Yoshino
- Department of DermatologyTokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome HospitalTokyoJapan
| | - Taku Fujimura
- Department of DermatologyTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Hiroo Hata
- Department of DermatologyHokkaido University Graduate School of MedicineSapporoJapan
| | - Yoshihiro Ishida
- Department of DermatologyKyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Kenji Kabashima
- Department of DermatologyKyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) and Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS)Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)SingaporeSingapore
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20
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Unraveling the crosstalk between melanoma and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 59:236-250. [PMID: 31404607 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is the most common skin cancer with an incidence that has been rapidly increasing in the past decades. Melanomas are among the most immunogenic tumors and, as such, have the greatest potential to respond favorably to immunotherapy. However, like many cancers, melanomas acquire various suppressive mechanisms, which generally act in concert, to escape innate and adaptive immune detection and destruction. Intense research into the cellular and molecular events associated with melanomagenesis, which ultimately lead to immune suppression, has resulted in the discovery of new therapeutic targets and synergistic combinations of immunotherapy, targeted therapy and chemotherapy. Tremendous effort to determine efficacy of single and combination therapies in pre-clinical and clinical phase I-III trials has led to FDA-approval of several immunotherapeutic agents that could potentially be beneficial for aggressive, highly refractory, advanced and metastatic melanomas. The increasing availability of approved combination therapies for melanoma and more rapid assessment of patient tumors has increased the feasibility of personalized treatment to overcome patient and tumor heterogeneity and to achieve greater clinical benefit. Here, we review the evolution of the immune system during melanomagenesis, mechanisms exploited by melanoma to suppress anti-tumor immunity and methods that have been developed to restore immunity. We emphasize that an effective therapeutic strategy will require coordinate activation of tumor-specific immunity as well as increased recognition and accessibility of melanoma cells in primary tumors and distal metastases. This review integrates available knowledge on melanoma-specific immunity, molecular signaling pathways and molecular targeting strategies that could be utilized to envision therapeutics with broader application and greater efficacy for early stage and advanced metastatic melanoma.
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21
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Ye Z, Yue L, Shi J, Shao M, Wu T. Role of IDO and TDO in Cancers and Related Diseases and the Therapeutic Implications. J Cancer 2019; 10:2771-2782. [PMID: 31258785 PMCID: PMC6584917 DOI: 10.7150/jca.31727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Kynurenine (Kyn) pathway is a significant metabolic pathway of tryptophan (Trp). The metabolites of the Kyn pathway are closely correlated with numerous diseases. Two main enzymes, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO or TDO2), regulate the first and rate-limiting step of the Kyn pathway. These enzymes are directly or indirectly involved in various diseases, including inflammatory diseases, cancer, diabetes, and mental disorders. Presently, an increasing number of potential mechanisms have been revealed. In the present review, we depict the structure of IDO and TDO and explicate their functions in various diseases to facilitate a better understanding of them and to indicate new therapeutic plans to target them. Moreover, we summarize the inhibitors of IDO/TDO that are currently under development and their efficacy in the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixiang Ye
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Linxiu Yue
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiachen Shi
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mingmei Shao
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Tao Wu
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
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22
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Nakamura Y. Biomarkers for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Mediated Tumor Response and Adverse Events. Front Med (Lausanne) 2019; 6:119. [PMID: 31192215 PMCID: PMC6549005 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2019.00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, inhibitors targeting immune checkpoint molecules such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) brought about a major paradigm shift in cancer treatment. These immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) improved the overall survival of a variety of cancer such as malignant melanoma and non-small lung cancer. In addition, numerous clinical trials for additional indication of ICIs including adjuvant and neo-adjuvant therapies are also currently ongoing. Therefore, more and more patients will receive ICIs in the future. However, despite the improved outcome of the cancer treatment by ICIs, the efficacy remains still limited and tumor regression have not been obtained in many cancer patients. In addition, treatment with ICIs is also associated with substantial toxicities, described as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Therefore, biomarkers to predict tumor response and occurrence of irAEs by the treatment with ICIs are required to avoid overtreatment of ICIs and minimize irAEs development. Whereas, numerous factors have been reported as potential biomarkers for tumor response to ICIs, factors for predicting irAE have been less reported. In this review, we show recent advances in the understanding of biomarkers for tumor response and occurrence of irAEs in cancer patients treated with ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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23
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Gide TN, Allanson BM, Menzies AM, Ferguson PM, Madore J, Saw RPM, Thompson JF, Long GV, Wilmott JS, Scolyer RA. Inter- and intrapatient heterogeneity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression in primary and metastatic melanoma cells and the tumour microenvironment. Histopathology 2019; 74:817-828. [PMID: 30589949 DOI: 10.1111/his.13814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an immunomodulatory enzyme, facilitates immune escape by tumours and promotes tumour progression. IDO inhibitors with and without additional anti-PD-1 therapy have been evaluated in recent and ongoing melanoma clinical trials, but IDO expression in melanoma tumours, and therefore its potential role as a predictive biomarker remains unknown. This study sought to evaluate IDO expression in immunotherapy-naive metastatic melanoma patients in order to determine patterns of expression in corresponding primary melanomas, locoregional metastases and distant metastases. METHODS AND RESULTS Here, we evaluated IDO expression using immunohistochemistry in 99 melanoma tumour samples from 43 immunotherapy-naive patients with metastatic melanoma to determine patterns of expression in primary melanomas (n = 29), locoregional metastases (n = 36) and distant metastases (n = 34). Thirty-seven per cent of patients demonstrated tumour IDO expression in at least one specimen. Twelve of 35 patients (34%) with longitudinal specimens (i.e. two or more separate specimens from different disease stages in the same patient) displayed heterogeneous IDO staining between samples. Tumour IDO expression positively correlated with tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) score as well as the number of IDO-expressing mononuclear cells in the primary melanoma (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0011, respectively) and nodal metastases (P = 0.049 and P = 0.037, respectively), but not in distant metastases. Furthermore, tumour IDO expression correlated positively with PD-L1 expression by melanoma cells among all specimens (P = 0.0073). CONCLUSIONS Therefore, while assessment of tumour IDO expression warrants evaluation in melanoma patient cohorts treated with IDO inhibitors dosed at levels proven to inhibit the target by pharmacodynamic assessment, its utility as a biomarker may be limited by intertumoral heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuba N Gide
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Benjamin M Allanson
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alexander M Menzies
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- Mater Hospital, North Sydney, Australia
| | - Peter M Ferguson
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jason Madore
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Robyn P M Saw
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Mater Hospital, North Sydney, Australia
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - John F Thompson
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Mater Hospital, North Sydney, Australia
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Georgina V Long
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- Mater Hospital, North Sydney, Australia
| | - James S Wilmott
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
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24
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O'Shaughnessy RFL. Targeting tryptophan transport and breakdown in basal cell carcinoma. Br J Dermatol 2019; 180:16-17. [PMID: 30604530 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.17316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R F L O'Shaughnessy
- Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, U.K
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25
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Ramspott JP, Bekkat F, Bod L, Favier M, Terris B, Salomon A, Djerroudi L, Zaenker KS, Richard Y, Molinier-Frenkel V, Castellano F, Avril MF, Prévost-Blondel A. Emerging Role of IL-4–Induced Gene 1 as a Prognostic Biomarker Affecting the Local T-Cell Response in Human Cutaneous Melanoma. J Invest Dermatol 2018; 138:2625-2634. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.06.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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26
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Koelblinger P, Emberger M, Drach M, Cheng P, Lang R, Levesque M, Bauer J, Dummer R. Increased tumour cellPD‐L1 expression, macrophage and dendritic cell infiltration characterise the tumour microenvironment of ulcerated primary melanomas. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2018; 33:667-675. [DOI: 10.1111/jdv.15302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. Koelblinger
- Department of Dermatology University Hospital of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
- Department of Dermatology Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg Austria
| | - M. Emberger
- Private Pathological Laboratory Salzburg Austria
| | - M. Drach
- Department of Dermatology University Hospital of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - P.F. Cheng
- Department of Dermatology University Hospital of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - R. Lang
- Department of Dermatology Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg Austria
| | - M.P. Levesque
- Department of Dermatology University Hospital of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - J.W. Bauer
- Department of Dermatology Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg Austria
| | - R. Dummer
- Department of Dermatology University Hospital of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
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27
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Li S, Han X, Lyu N, Xie Q, Deng H, Mu L, Pan T, Huang X, Wang X, Shi Y, Zhao M. Mechanism and prognostic value of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2018; 109:3726-3736. [PMID: 30264546 PMCID: PMC6272112 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is a tryptophan‐metabolizing enzyme that is widely distributed in normal or malignant tissues and contributes to immunologic tolerance and immune escape. However, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the characteristics and mechanism of IDO1 expression have not been well defined. In this study, IDO1 expression in tumor cells (T‐IDO1) was frequently detected (109/112) by immunohistochemistry in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded specimens from HCC patients, and the expression patterns were mostly focal (102/109). Expression of T‐IDO1 was significantly associated with the infiltration of CD8+ T cells (P = .043), as well as younger age (<50 years old, P = .02). It was also found that IDO1 had diffuse expression in inflammatory cells in all specimens, which were defined as antigen‐presenting cells. Significant correlations among IDO1,IFNG, and CD8A transcriptional levels were observed in freshly resected HCC specimens; moreover, no constitutive IDO1 expression was detected in HCC cell lines until stimulated by interferon‐γ through the JAK2‐STAT1 signaling pathway, but not type I interferon. Survival analyses showed that increased T‐IDO1 and CD8+ T cell infiltration were significantly associated with superior overall survival (OS) (T‐IDO1, P = .003; CD8+ T cells, P = .004), and T‐IDO1 expression is an independent prognosis factor in both OS and disease‐free survival (OS, P = .007; disease‐free survival, P = .044). These findings indicated that T‐IDO1 expression in HCC is common and is dominantly driven by the host antitumor immune response, which is a favorable prognostic factor in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaolong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Minimally Invasive Interventional Division, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue Han
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Minimally Invasive Interventional Division, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ning Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Minimally Invasive Interventional Division, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiankun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,VIP Region, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haijing Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Minimally Invasive Interventional Division, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luwen Mu
- Department of Vascular Interventional Radiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Pan
- Department of Vascular Interventional Radiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Hepatobilliary Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xia Wang
- Department of Pathology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Minimally Invasive Interventional Division, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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28
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Porcellato I, Brachelente C, De Paolis L, Menchetti L, Silvestri S, Sforna M, Vichi G, Iussich S, Mechelli L. FoxP3 and IDO in Canine Melanocytic Tumors. Vet Pathol 2018; 56:189-199. [DOI: 10.1177/0300985818808530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Human melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with poor prognosis and high resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The discovery of immunosuppressive mechanisms in the human melanoma microenvironment led to the use of new prognostic markers and to the development of immunotherapies targeting immune checkpoint molecules. Immunoescape mechanisms in canine melanoma have not yet been investigated, and no such immunotherapy has been tested. The aim of this study was to provide preliminary data on the expression of transcription factor forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in primary canine melanocytic tumors and to investigate their prognostic role. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples from 74 canine melanocytic tumors (26 oral melanomas, 23 cutaneous melanomas, and 25 cutaneous melanocytomas) were retrospectively evaluated by immunohistochemistry to explore the expression of FoxP3 and IDO. An increased risk of death due to melanoma was associated with a higher number of FoxP3+ cells per high-power field (FoxP3+/HPF), a higher percentage of CD3+ cells that were also FoxP3+ infiltrating and surrounding the tumor (%FoxP3), and a higher number of IDO+ cells/HPF (IDO+/HPF). A prognostic value for FoxP3 and IDO is suggested by our study, with optimal cutoffs of 14.7 FoxP3+ cells/HPF, 6.1 IDO+ cells/HPF, and 12.5% FoxP3+ cells. Both markers were also associated with tumor type. Multivariable analysis identified IDO+/HPF ( P < .001) as an independent prognostic marker. Even though stratification by diagnosis caused a loss of significance, results from the present study suggest a prognostic role for IDO and FoxP3, possibly related to the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Porcellato
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Chiara Brachelente
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Livia De Paolis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Laura Menchetti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Monica Sforna
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Gaia Vichi
- Laboratorio per Analisi Veterinarie Cimie, Macerata, Italy
| | - Selina Iussich
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Luca Mechelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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29
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Fujii T, Naing A, Rolfo C, Hajjar J. Biomarkers of response to immune checkpoint blockade in cancer treatment. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2018; 130:108-120. [PMID: 30196907 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2018.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPis) are emerging as the new corner stone of cancer treatment due to their ability to produce durable responses in patients with various cancers. But, objective responses to ICPis vary among each type of cancer. Further, treatment with ICPis is often associated with risk of developing immune-related adverse event, which are potentially life-threatening if untreated, indicating a need for patient selection. However, given the complexity of the tumor microenvironment and the dynamic interaction between tumor and immune cells, development of robust biomarkers to predict patients who are likely to respond to treatment with ICPis remains a challenge. In this review we present an overview of the immune monitoring strategies that are currently in use to enable appropriate patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeo Fujii
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Aung Naing
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Christian Rolfo
- Thoracic Medical Oncology, Early Clinical Trials, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC), Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Joud Hajjar
- Section of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.
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