The relationship between the efficacy of talazoparib and the functional toll-like receptors 3 and 9 in triple negative breast cancer

Pirarubicin combined with TLR3 or TLR4 agonists enhances anti-tumor efficiency

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is prone to relapse due to the lack of effective therapeutic targets. Macrophages are the most abundant immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of breast cancer. Targeting the cross-talk between macrophages and cancer cells provides a more efficient strategy for anti-tumor therapy. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important players involved in macrophage activation, and TLR agonists are known to play roles in cancer therapy. However, the combination strategy of TLR agonists with chemotherapy drugs is still not well characterized.

METHODS

RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of TLRs. The communication between breast cancer cells and macrophages were determined by co-culture in vitro. Tumor cells proliferation and migration were investigated by MTT assay and scratch wound assay. The effects of drug combinations and toxic side effects were assessed by immunohistochemistry and Hematoxylin & Eosin staining.

RESULTS

Expression of TLR3 and TLR4 were lower in breast tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Patients with higher TLR3 or TLR4 expression levels had a better prognosis than those with lower expression levels. TLR3/4 expression was significantly inhibited when breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 and E0771 were conditioned-cultured with macrophages in vitro and was also inhibited by pirarubicin (THP). However, the combination of TLR agonists and THP could reverse this response and inhibit the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells. Additionally, this combination significantly reduced the tumor volume and weight in the murine model, increased the expression of TLR3/4 in mouse breast tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide new ideas for the combination strategy of THP with TLR agonists which improves prognosis of breast cancer.

Immunoglobulin-binding protein and Toll-like receptors in immune landscape of breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is a complex disease exhibiting significant heterogeneity and encompassing various molecular subtypes. Among these, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) stands out as one of the most challenging types, characterized by its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. This review embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the immune landscape of BC, with a primary focus on the functional and structural characterization of immunoglobulin-binding protein (BiP) and its pivotal role in regulating the unfolded response (UPR) pathway of proteins. Moreover, we unravel the multifaceted functions of BiP in BC, with a special emphasis on the involvement of cell surface BiP in TNBC metastasis, drug resistance, and its contribution to the formation of the tumor microenvironment (TME). We also provide mechanistic insights into how ER-resident BiP mediates the sensitization of drug-resistant BC to different treatment strategies, thereby offering promising avenues for therapeutic intervention. We also delve into the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), shedding light on their diverse expression patterns across BC and their influence on modulating the tumor immune response. Understanding the interplay between BiP, TLRs, and the immune response, especially in TNBC, opens avenues for novel immunotherapies. Future research should focus on developing targeted therapies that activate ER-resident BiP or inhibit cell surface BiP, and modulate TLR signaling. Moreover, exploring BiP as a biomarker for TNBC diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response will be crucial for personalized medicine.

Nanoparticle-Mediated Immunotherapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with the worst prognosis and highest recurrence rates. The treatment choices are limited due to the scarcity of endocrine and HER2 targets, except for chemotherapy. However, the side effects of chemotherapy restrict its long-term usage. Immunotherapy shows potential as a promising therapeutic strategy, such as inducing immunogenic cell death, immune checkpoint therapy, and immune adjuvant therapy. Nanotechnology offers unique advantages in the field of immunotherapy, such as improved delivery and targeted release of immunotherapeutic agents and enhanced bioavailability of immunomodulators. As well as the potential for combination therapy synergistically enhanced by nanocarriers. Nanoparticles-based combined application of multiple immunotherapies is designed to take the tactics of enhancing immunogenicity and reversing immunosuppression. Moreover, the increasing abundance of biomedical materials holds more promise for the development of this field. This review summarizes the advances in the field of nanoparticle-mediated immunotherapy in terms of both immune strategies for treatment and the development of biomaterials and presents challenges and hopes for the future.

Toll-like receptors in health and disease

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are inflammatory triggers and belong to a family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that are central to the regulation of host protective adaptive immune responses. Activation of TLRs in innate immune myeloid cells directs lymphocytes to produce the most appropriate effector responses to eliminate infection and maintain homeostasis of the body's internal environment. Inappropriate TLR stimulation can lead to the development of general autoimmune diseases as well as chronic and acute inflammation, and even cancer. Therefore, TLRs are expected to be targets for therapeutic treatment of inflammation-related diseases, autoimmune diseases, microbial infections, and human cancers. This review summarizes the recent discoveries in the molecular and structural biology of TLRs. The role of different TLR signaling pathways in inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, digestive diseases, and even cancers (oral, gastric, breast, colorectal) is highlighted and summarizes new drugs and related clinical treatments in clinical trials, providing an overview of the potential and prospects of TLRs for the treatment of TLR-related diseases.

Emerging Targets for Modulation of Immune Response and Inflammation in Stroke

The inflammatory and immunological responses play a significant role after stroke. The innate immune activation stimulated by microglia during stroke results in the migration of macrophages and lymphocytes into the brain and are responsible for tissue damage. The immune response and inflammation following stroke have no defined targets, and the intricacies of the immunological and inflammatory processes are only partially understood. Innate immune cells enter the brain and meninges during the acute phase, which can cause ischemia damage. Activation of systemic immunity is caused by danger signals sent into the bloodstream by injured brain cells, which is followed by a significant immunodepression that encourages life-threatening infections. Neuropsychiatric sequelae, a major source of post-stroke morbidity, may be induced by an adaptive immune response that is initiated by antigen presentation during the chronic period and is directed against the brain. Thus, the current review discusses the role of immune response and inflammation in stroke pathogenesis, their role in the progression of injury during the stroke, and the emerging targets for the modulation of the mechanism of immune response and inflammation that may have possible therapeutic benefits against stroke.

Poly(I:C) transfection induces a pro-inflammatory cascade in murine mammary carcinoma and fibrosarcoma cells

Germline-encoded pattern recognition receptors [PRRs] in mammalian cells function in the detection of molecular patterns associated with pathogen invasion or cellular damage. A PRR subset is activated by the atypical presence and location of double-stranded RNA [dsRNA] or its synthetic analogue polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)], triggering pro-inflammatory signalling and death in many cell types. Poly(I:C) has been tested as a sole or combination cancer therapy in preclinical studies and clinical trials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of poly(I:C) transfection via electroporation on cell lines from a cancer of epithelial origin, 4T1 mammary carcinoma, and a cancer of mesenchymal origin, WEHI 164 fibrosarcoma. The effects of the poly(I:C) delivery on cell metabolism implicate the induction of cell death. A pro-inflammatory response was demonstrated by mRNA upregulation and the secretion of Type I interferon and several cytokines and chemokines. The mRNAs of dsRNA sensor DExD/H-box helicase 58/retinoic acid-inducible gene I protein [Ddx58/RIG-I] and sensor/co-sensor DEAH-box helicase 9 [Dhx9] were not regulated, but the mRNAs of RNA sensors toll-like receptor 3 [TLR3], interferon-induced with helicase C domain 1/melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 [Ifih1/MDA5] and Z-DNA binding protein 1 [Zbp1] and co-sensors DEAD (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp) box polypeptide 60 [Ddx60] and interferon-inducible protein 204 [Ifi204] were upregulated in both cell lines. The mRNAs encoding signalling pathways components were present or upregulated in both cell types. These data demonstrate that RNA sensing effects can be amplified by electroporation delivery, potentially expanding the practicality of this immunotherapeutic approach.