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Dawidowicz M, Kot A, Mielcarska S, Psykała K, Kula A, Waniczek D, Świętochowska E. B7H4 Role in Solid Cancers: A Review of the Literature. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2519. [PMID: 39061159 PMCID: PMC11275172 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16142519] [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: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Anti-cancer immunotherapies entirely changed the therapeutic approach to oncological patients. However, despite the undeniable success of anti-PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 antibody treatments, their effectiveness is limited either by certain types of malignancies or by the arising problem of cancer resistance. B7H4 (aliases B7x, B7H4, B7S1, VTCN1) is a member of a B7 immune checkpoint family with a distinct expression pattern from classical immune checkpoint pathways. The growing amount of research results seem to support the thesis that B7H4 might be a very potent therapeutic target. B7H4 was demonstrated to promote tumour progression in immune "cold" tumours by promoting migration, proliferation of tumour cells, and cancer stem cell persistence. B7H4 suppresses T cell effector functions, including inflammatory cytokine production, cytolytic activity, proliferation of T cells, and promoting the polarisation of naïve CD4 T cells into induced Tregs. This review aimed to summarise the available information about B7H4, focusing in particular on clinical implications, immunological mechanisms, potential strategies for malignancy treatment, and ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Dawidowicz
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 41-808 Katowice, Poland
| | - Anna Kot
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 19 Jordana, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Sylwia Mielcarska
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 19 Jordana, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Psykała
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 19 Jordana, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kula
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 41-808 Katowice, Poland
| | - Dariusz Waniczek
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 41-808 Katowice, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Świętochowska
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 19 Jordana, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
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Dawidowicz M, Kula A, Mielcarska S, Świętochowska E, Waniczek D. Prognostic Value of B7H4 Expression in Patients with Solid Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5045. [PMID: 38732263 PMCID: PMC11084412 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25095045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
V-set domain-containing T-cell activation inhibitor 1 (aliases VTCN1, B7H4) participates in tumour immune escape by delivering inhibitory signals to T cells. The purpose of this article was to assess the B7H4 prognostic value in solid cancers. Three databases were searched for relevant articles. The main endpoints were overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), progression-free survival (PFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Appropriate hazard ratios (HRs) were pooled. The R studio software (version 4.0.3) was used for data analysis. Thirty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. High expression of B7H4 was associated with worse OS (HR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.37-1.68) but not with DSS (HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.49-2.63), RFS (HR = 1.77, 95% CI: 0.75-4.18), DFS (HR = 1.29, 95% CI: 0.8-2.09), or PFS (HR = 1.71, 95% CI: 0.91-3.2) in patients with solid cancers. High expression of B7H4 is associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with solid cancers. B7H4 is a promising prognostic biomarker and immunotherapeutic target for various solid cancers because of its activity in cancer immunity and tumourigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Dawidowicz
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 41-808 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Kula
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 41-808 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Sylwia Mielcarska
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland; (S.M.); (E.Ś.)
| | - Elżbieta Świętochowska
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland; (S.M.); (E.Ś.)
| | - Dariusz Waniczek
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 41-808 Katowice, Poland;
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Cordani M, Strippoli R, Trionfetti F, Barzegar Behrooz A, Rumio C, Velasco G, Ghavami S, Marcucci F. Immune checkpoints between epithelial-mesenchymal transition and autophagy: A conflicting triangle. Cancer Lett 2024; 585:216661. [PMID: 38309613 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Inhibitory immune checkpoint (ICP) molecules are pivotal in inhibiting innate and acquired antitumor immune responses, a mechanism frequently exploited by cancer cells to evade host immunity. These evasion strategies contribute to the complexity of cancer progression and therapeutic resistance. For this reason, ICP molecules have become targets for antitumor drugs, particularly monoclonal antibodies, collectively referred to as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), that counteract such cancer-associated immune suppression and restore antitumor immune responses. Over the last decade, however, it has become clear that tumor cell-associated ICPs can also induce tumor cell-intrinsic effects, in particular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and macroautophagy (hereafter autophagy). Both of these processes have profound implications for cancer metastasis and drug responsiveness. This article reviews the positive or negative cross-talk that tumor cell-associated ICPs undergo with autophagy and EMT. We discuss that tumor cell-associated ICPs are upregulated in response to the same stimuli that induce EMT. Moreover, ICPs themselves, when overexpressed, become an EMT-inducing stimulus. As regards the cross-talk with autophagy, ICPs have been shown to either stimulate or inhibit autophagy, while autophagy itself can either up- or downregulate the expression of ICPs. This dynamic equilibrium also extends to the autophagy-apoptosis axis, further emphasizing the complexities of cellular responses. Eventually, we delve into the intricate balance between autophagy and apoptosis, elucidating its role in the broader interplay of cellular dynamics influenced by ICPs. In the final part of this article, we speculate about the driving forces underlying the contradictory outcomes of the reciprocal, inhibitory, or stimulatory effects between ICPs, EMT, and autophagy. A conclusive identification of these driving forces may allow to achieve improved antitumor effects when using combinations of ICIs and compounds acting on EMT and/or autophagy. Prospectively, this may translate into increased and/or broadened therapeutic efficacy compared to what is currently achieved with ICI-based clinical protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cordani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Raffaele Strippoli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy; Department of Epidemiology, Preclinical Research and Advanced Diagnostics, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L., Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense, 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Trionfetti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy; Department of Epidemiology, Preclinical Research and Advanced Diagnostics, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L., Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense, 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Amir Barzegar Behrooz
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Cristiano Rumio
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Trentacoste 2, 20134 Milan, Italy
| | - Guillermo Velasco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada; Faculty of Medicine in Zabrze, University of Technology in Katowice, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland; Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, Cancer Care Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada.
| | - Fabrizio Marcucci
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Trentacoste 2, 20134 Milan, Italy.
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Mortezaee K, Majidpoor J. Alternative immune checkpoints in immunoregulatory profile of cancer stem cells. Heliyon 2023; 9:e23171. [PMID: 38144305 PMCID: PMC10746460 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23171] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-mediated bypass of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy with anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1), anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1, also called B7-H1 or CD274) or anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is a challenge of current years in the area of cancer immunotherapy. Alternative immune checkpoints (AICs) are molecules beyond the common PD-1, PD-L1 or CTLA-4, and are upregulated in patients who show low/no ICI responses. These are members of B7 family including B7-H2 (ICOS-L), B7-H3 (CD276), B7-H4 (B7x), V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA), B7-H6, HHLA2 (B7-H5/B7-H7) and catabolic enzymes like indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), and others that are also contributed to the regulation of tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). There is also strong evidence supporting the implication of AICs in regulation of cancer stemness and expanding the population of cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs display immunoregulatory capacity and represent multiple immune checkpoints either on their surface or inside. Besides, they are active promoters of resistance to the common ICIs. The aim of this review is to investigate interrelations between AICs with stemness and differentiation profile of cancer. The key message of this paper is that targeted checkpoints can be selected based on their impact on CSCs along with their effect on immune cells. Studies published so far mainly focused on immune cells as a target for anti-checkpoints. Ex vivo engineering of extracellular vesicles (EVs) equipped with CSC-targeted anti-checkpoint antibodies is without a doubt a key therapeutic target that can be under consideration in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Jamal Majidpoor
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
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Zhou L, Wu J, Ruan M, Xiao Y, Lan H, Wu Q, Yu CW, Zhang Q. The loss of B7-H4 expression in breast cancer cells escaping from T cell cytotoxicity contributes to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Breast Cancer Res 2023; 25:115. [PMID: 37794509 PMCID: PMC10548745 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-023-01721-5] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND B7 homology 4 (B7-H4), a potential target for cancer therapy, has been demonstrated to inhibit T cell cytotoxicity in the early stages of breast cancer. However, B7-H4 manipulating breast tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in the tumor progression remains unknown. METHODS We engineered T cells with B7-H4-specific chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and performed a T cell co-culture assay to characterize B7-H4 expression level in breast cancer cells escaping from T cell cytotoxicity. We generated B7-H4 knockout (KO) and overexpression (OE) breast cancer cells to determine the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness characteristics in vitro and in vivo, including tumor proliferation, migration, metastasis and chemoresistance. The Cancer Genome Atlas breast cancer database was accessed to investigate the correlation between B7-H4 expression levels and EMT characteristics in patients with breast cancer. RESULTS Our result found that B7-H4 expression level was significantly reduced in a subset of breast cancer cells that escaped from the cytotoxicity of B7-H4 CAR-T cells. Compared with wild type cells, B7-H4 KO cells prompt EMT and stemness characteristics, including migration, invasion and metastasis, and OE cells vice versa. The increase in H3K27me3 in KO cells confirmed the epigenetic reprogramming of cancer stem cells. The IC50 of doxorubicin or oxaliplatin significantly increased in KO cells, which was in agreement with a decrease in OE cells. Moreover, a trend of downregulated B7-H4 from stage I to stage II breast cancer patients indicates that the low-expressing B7-H4 breast cancer cells escaping from TIME have spread to nearby breast lymph nodes in the cancer progression. CONCLUSIONS Our study illuminates the novel role of renouncing B7-H4 in breast cancer cells through immune escape, which contributes to EMT processes and provides new insights for breast cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhou
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jichun Wu
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Mei Ruan
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yonglei Xiao
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hailin Lan
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qiongwen Wu
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chen-Wei Yu
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
- Department of Statistics and Information Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
| | - Qiuyu Zhang
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
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6
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Ichinose Y, Hasebe T, Hirasaki M, Sakakibara A, Yokogawa H, Nukui A, Hiratsuka M, Fujimoto A, Iso C, Wakui N, Shibasaki S, Kamada K, Suzuki N, Kamakura Y, Yasuda M, Aya A, Shimada H, Matsuura K, Ishiguro H, Osaki A, Saeki T. Vimentin-positive invasive breast carcinoma of no special type: A breast carcinoma with lethal biological characteristics. Pathol Int 2023; 73:413-433. [PMID: 37378453 DOI: 10.1111/pin.13350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Vimentin is a stable mesenchymal immunohistochemical marker and is widely recognized as a major marker of mesenchymal tumors. The purpose of the present study was to investigate if the vimentin expression status might serve as a significant predictor of outcomes in patients with invasive breast carcinoma of no special type (IBC-NST) and to investigate, by comprehensive RNA sequencing analyses, the mechanisms involved in the heightened malignant potential of vimentin-positive IBC-NSTs. This study, conducted using the data of 855 patients with IBC-NST, clearly identified vimentin expression status as a very important independent biological parameter for accurately predicting the outcomes in patients with IBC-NST. RNA sequence analyses clearly demonstrated significant upregulation of coding RNAs known to be closely associated with cell proliferation or cellular senescence, and significant downregulation of coding RNAs known to be closely associated with transmembrane transport in vimentin-positive IBC-NSTs. We conclude that vimentin-positive IBC-NSTs show heightened malignant biological characteristics, possibly attributable to the upregulation of RNAs closely associated with proliferative activity and cellular senescence, and downregulation of RNAs closely associated with transmembrane transport in IBC-NSTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Ichinose
- Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Takahiro Hasebe
- Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Masataka Hirasaki
- Department of Clinical Cancer Genomics, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Ayaka Sakakibara
- Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hideki Yokogawa
- Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Asami Nukui
- Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Miyuki Hiratsuka
- Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Akihiro Fujimoto
- Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Chihiro Iso
- Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Noriko Wakui
- Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Satomi Shibasaki
- Community Health Science Center, Saitama Medical University, Iruma, Saitama, Japan
| | - Koichi Kamada
- Department of Pathology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Suzuki
- Department of Pathology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yasuo Kamakura
- Department of Clinical Cancer Genomics, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Masanori Yasuda
- Department of Pathology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Asano Aya
- Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University, Iruma, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hiroko Shimada
- Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kazuo Matsuura
- Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ishiguro
- Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Akihiko Osaki
- Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Saeki
- Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka City, Saitama, Japan
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Kamali AN, Bautista JM, Eisenhut M, Hamedifar H. Immune checkpoints and cancer immunotherapies: insights into newly potential receptors and ligands. Ther Adv Vaccines Immunother 2023; 11:25151355231192043. [PMID: 37662491 PMCID: PMC10469281 DOI: 10.1177/25151355231192043] [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: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint markers and immune checkpoint inhibitors have been increasingly identified and developed as potential immunotherapeutic targets in various human cancers. Despite valuable efforts to discover novel immune checkpoints and their ligands, the precise roles of their therapeutic functions, as well as the broad identification of their counterpart receptors, remain to be addressed. In this context, it has been suggested that various putative checkpoint receptors can be induced upon activation. In the tumor microenvironment, T cells, as crucial immune response against malignant diseases as well as other immune central effector cells, such as natural killer cells, are regulated via co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory signals from immune or tumor cells. Studies have shown that exposure of T cells to tumor antigens upregulates the expression of inhibitory checkpoint receptors, leading to T-cell dysfunction or exhaustion. Although targeting immune checkpoint regulators has shown relative clinical efficacy in some tumor types, most trials in the field of cancer immunotherapies have revealed unsatisfactory results due to de novo or adaptive resistance in cancer patients. To overcome these obstacles, combinational therapies with newly discovered inhibitory molecules or combined blockage of several checkpoints provide a rationale for further research. Moreover, precise identification of their receptors counterparts at crucial checkpoints is likely to promise effective therapies. In this review, we examine the prospects for the application of newly emerging checkpoints, such as T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3, lymphocyte activation gene-3, T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), V-domain Ig suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA), new B7 family proteins, and B- and T-cell lymphocyte attenuator, in association with immunotherapy of malignancies. In addition, their clinical and biological significance is discussed, including their expression in various human cancers, along with their roles in T-cell-mediated immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali N. Kamali
- CinnaGen Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Simin Dasht Industrial Area, Karaj, Iran
- CinnaGen Research and Production Co., Alborz 3165933155, Iran
| | - José M. Bautista
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Michael Eisenhut
- Department of Pediatrics, Luton and Dunstable University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Luton, UK
| | - Haleh Hamedifar
- CinnaGen Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- CinnaGen Research and Production Co., Alborz, Iran
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Lu Y, Gu D, Zhao C, Sun Y, Li W, He L, Wang X, Kou Z, Su J, Guo F. Genomic landscape and expression profile of consensus molecular subtype four of colorectal cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1160052. [PMID: 37404825 PMCID: PMC10315486 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1160052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Compared to other subtypes, the CMS4 subtype is associated with lacking of effective treatments and poorer survival rates. Methods A total of 24 patients with CRC were included in this study. DNA and RNA sequencing were performed to acquire somatic mutations and gene expression, respectively. MATH was used to quantify intratumoral heterogeneity. PPI and survival analyses were performed to identify hub DEGs. Reactome and KEGG analyses were performed to analyze the pathways of mutated or DEGs. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis and Xcell were used to categorize the infiltration of immune cells. Results The CMS4 patients had a poorer PFS than CMS2/3. CTNNB1 and CCNE1 were common mutated genes in the CMS4 subtype, which were enriched in Wnt and cell cycle signaling pathways, respectively. The MATH score of CMS4 subtype was lower. SLC17A6 was a hub DEG. M2 macrophages were more infiltrated in the tumor microenvironment of CMS4 subtype. The CMS4 subtype tended to have an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Conclusion This study suggested new perspectives for exploring therapeutic strategies for the CMS4 subtype CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Lu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Dingyi Gu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chenyi Zhao
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ying Sun
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lulu He
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhongyang Kou
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiang Su
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
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9
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Yu L, Ji Kim H, Kim B, Jung Byun H, Minh Nguyen T, Ji Kim E, Huy Phùng H, Hyeon Kim Y, Rahman M, Yun Jang J, Bae Rho S, Jin Kang G, Lee H, Lee K, Kyung Han H, Kyung Park M, Hoon Lee C. Ethacrynic acid suppresses B7-H4 expression involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lung adenocarcinoma cells via inhibiting STAT3 pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 212:115537. [PMID: 37019184 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is characterized by high incidence and mortality. 90% of cancer deaths are caused by metastases. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in cancer cells is a prerequisite for the metastatic process. Ethacrynic acid (ECA) is a loop diuretic that inhibits the EMT process in lung cancer cells. EMT has been related to the tumour immunemicroenvironment. However, the effect of ECA on immune checkpoint molecules in the context of cancer has not been fully identified. In the present study, we found that sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) and TGF-β1, awell-known EMT inducer, induced the expression of B7-H4 in lung cancer cells. We also investigated the involvement of B7-H4 in the SPC-induced EMT process. Knockdown of B7-H4 suppressed SPC-induced EMT, while B7-H4 overexpression enhanced EMT of lung cancer cells. ECA inhibited SPC/TGF-β1-induced B7-H4 expression via suppression of STAT3 activation. Moreover, ECA inhibits the colonization of mice lung by tail vein-injected LLC1 cells. ECA-treated mice increased the CD4-positive T cells in lung tumour tissues. In summary, these results suggested that ECA inhibits B7-H4 expression via STAT3 inhibition, leading to SPC/TGF-β1-induced EMT. Therefore, ECA might be an immune oncological drug for B7-H4-positive cancer, especially lung cancer.
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Hwang C, Lee HJ, Na JY, Kim KH, Song YJ, Kim JY, Kim K, Shin DH, Park JY, Kim SY, Lee JH, Choi KU. The stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, cancer stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and B7-H4 expression in ovarian serous carcinoma. J Ovarian Res 2023; 16:3. [PMID: 36609273 PMCID: PMC9825048 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-022-01076-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND B7-H4 is expressed in various types of cancers and its expression inversely correlates with the degree of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Studies have shown the relationship between B7-H4, cancer stem cell (CSC) properties, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in various cancers. However, very few studies have investigated the relationship between B7-H4, TILs, cancer stemness, and EMT in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The present study aimed to elucidate whether B7-H4 is involved in immune evasion and examine whether B7-H4 is associated with cancer stemness or EMT in ovarian serous carcinoma, the most common type of EOC. The clinical significance of B7-H4 was also investigated to evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target. METHODS A total of 145 patients included in this study. The degree of stromal TILs was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides. Immunohistochemical analysis of B7-H4, CSC-related biomarkers (CD24, CD44s, CD133, and ALDH1), and EMT-related biomarkers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin) was performed using tissue microarray. qRT-PCR for VTCN1, CD24, CD44, PROM1, ALDH1, CDH1, CDH2, and VIM genes was performed on 38 frozen tissue samples. The mRNA expression levels were analyzed using Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) online analysis tool. RESULTS B7-H4 protein expression positively correlated with the degree of stromal TILs. CD24, CD44s, and CD133 expression showed a positive correlation with B7-H4 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels, but ALDH1 correlated only at the protein level. E-cadherin expression was positively correlated with B7-H4 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels. N-cadherin and vimentin expression was inversely related to B7-H4 expression only at the mRNA level. B7-H4 positive patients were associated with higher tumor grade and lower overall survival rate than B7-H4 negative patients, especially in ovarian serous carcinoma with low stromal TILs. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrates that B7-H4 may not be involved in the immune evasion mechanism, but is involved in cancer stemness and mesenchymal-epithelial transition. In addition, B7-H4 may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of ovarian serous carcinoma, especially with low stromal TILs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chungsu Hwang
- Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Lee
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Ju-Young Na
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Ki Hyung Kim
- grid.412588.20000 0000 8611 7824Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University Hospital, 179 Gudeok-Ro, Seo-Gu, Busan, 49241 South Korea
| | - Yong Jung Song
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Jee Yeon Kim
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Kyungbin Kim
- grid.262229.f0000 0001 0719 8572Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Hospital and Pusan National University School of Medicine, 179 Gudeok-Ro, Seo-Gu, Busan, 49241 South Korea
| | - Dong Hoon Shin
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Joon Young Park
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - So Young Kim
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Jung Hee Lee
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Kyung Un Choi
- grid.262229.f0000 0001 0719 8572Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Hospital and Pusan National University School of Medicine, 179 Gudeok-Ro, Seo-Gu, Busan, 49241 South Korea
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Emaldi M, Nunes-Xavier CE. B7-H4 Immune Checkpoint Protein Affects Viability and Targeted Therapy of Renal Cancer Cells. Cells 2022; 11:1448. [PMID: 35563753 PMCID: PMC9104196 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapy in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors has been recently implemented in advanced or metastatic renal cancer treatment. However, many treated patients either do not respond or develop resistance to therapy, making alternative immune checkpoint-based immunotherapies of potential clinical benefit for specific groups of patients. In this study, we analyzed the global expression of B7 immune checkpoint family members (PD-L1, PD-L2, B7-H2, B7-H3, B7-H4, B7-H5, B7-H6, and B7-H7) in human renal cancer cells (Caki-1, A-498, and 786-O cell lines) upon treatment with clinically relevant targeted drugs, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Axitinib, Cabozantinib, and Lenvatinib) and mTOR inhibitors (Everolimus and Temsirolimus). Gene expression analysis by quantitative PCR revealed differential expression patterns of the B7 family members in renal cancer cell lines upon targeted drug treatments. B7-H4 gene expression was upregulated after treatment with various targeted drugs in Caki-1 and 786-O renal cancer cells. Knocking down the expression of B7-H4 by RNA interference (RNAi) using small interfering RNA (siRNA) decreased renal cancer cell viability and increased drug sensitivity. Our results suggest that B7-H4 expression is induced upon targeted therapy in renal cancer cells and highlight B7-H4 as an actionable immune checkpoint protein in combination with targeted therapy in advanced renal cancer cases resistant to current treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite Emaldi
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Plaza de Cruces 12, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain;
| | - Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Plaza de Cruces 12, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain;
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, 0310 Oslo, Norway
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Marcucci F, Rumio C. Depleting Tumor Cells Expressing Immune Checkpoint Ligands-A New Approach to Combat Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:872. [PMID: 33921301 PMCID: PMC8069236 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies against inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules (ICPMs), referred to as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have gained a prominent place in cancer therapy. Several ICIs in clinical use have been engineered to be devoid of effector functions because of the fear that ICIs with preserved effector functions could deplete immune cells, thereby curtailing antitumor immune responses. ICPM ligands (ICPMLs), however, are often overexpressed on a sizeable fraction of tumor cells of many tumor types and these tumor cells display an aggressive phenotype with changes typical of tumor cells undergoing an epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Moreover, immune cells expressing ICPMLs are often endowed with immunosuppressive or immune-deviated functionalities. Taken together, these observations suggest that compounds with the potential of depleting cells expressing ICPMLs may become useful tools for tumor therapy. In this article, we summarize the current state of the art of these compounds, including avelumab, which is the only ICI targeting an ICPML with preserved effector functions that has gained approval so far. We also discuss approaches allowing to obtain compounds with enhanced tumor cell-depleting potential compared to native antibodies. Eventually, we propose treatment protocols that may be applied in order to optimize the therapeutic efficacy of compounds that deplete cells expressing ICPMLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Marcucci
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Trentacoste 2, 20134 Milan, Italy;
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