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Zhang Y, Xiao B, Yuan S, Ding L, Pan Y, Jiang Y, Sun S, Ke X, Cai L, Jia L. Tryptanthrin targets GSTP1 to induce senescence and increases the susceptibility to apoptosis by senolytics in liver cancer cells. Redox Biol 2024; 76:103323. [PMID: 39180983 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeting senescence has emerged as a promising strategy for liver cancer treatment. However, the lack of a safe agent capable of inducing complete senescence and being combined with senolytics poses a limitation. Here, we screened a natural product library and identified tryptanthrin (TRYP) as a potent inducer of cellular senescence in liver cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1), a key regulator for redox homeostasis, was identified as a target protein for TRYP-induced senescence. TRYP directly bound to GSTP1 and inhibited its enzymatic activity, mediating reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, followed by DNA damage response (DDR), consequently contributing to initiating primary senescence. Furthermore, TRYP triggered DNA damage-dependent activation of NF-κB pathway, which evoked senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), thereby leading to senescence reinforcement. Importantly, TRYP exposed the vulnerability of tumor cells and sensitized senescent cells to apoptosis induced by senolytic agent ABT263, a Bcl2 inhibitor. Taken together, our findings reveal that TRYP induces cellular senescence via GSTP1/ROS/DDR/NF-κB/SASP axis, providing a novel potential application in synergizing with senolytic therapy in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Zhang
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Biying Xiao
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Shuying Yuan
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Lele Ding
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yongfu Pan
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yanyu Jiang
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Shenghao Sun
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xisong Ke
- Center for Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Lili Cai
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Lijun Jia
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.
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2
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Li T, Wu T, Li X, Qian C. Transcriptional switches in melanoma T Cells: Facilitating polarizing into regulatory T cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 137:112484. [PMID: 38885605 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is a malignant skin tumor with a high mortality rate. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are immune cells with immunosuppressive roles, however, the precise mechanisms governing Treg involvement in melanoma remain enigmatic. Experimental findings unveiled different transcription factor switches between normal and tumor T cell, with heightened FOXP3 and BATF in the latter. These factors induced immunosuppressive molecules and Treg maintenance genes, polarizing tumor T cells into Tregs. Spatial transcriptomics illuminated the preferential settlement of Tregs at the melanoma periphery. Within this context, FOXP3 in Tregs facilitated direct enhancement of specific ligand gene expression, fostering communication with neighboring cells. Novel functional molecules bound to FOXP3 or BATF in Tregs, such as SPOCK2, SH2D2A, and ligand molecules ITGB2, LTA, CLEC2C, CLEC2D, were discovered, which had not been previously reported in melanoma Treg studies. Furthermore, we validated our findings in a large number of clinical samples and identified the Melanoma Treg-Specific Regulatory Tag Set (Mel TregS). ELISA analysis showed that the protein levels of Mel TregS in melanoma Tregs were higher than in normal Tregs. We then utilized SERS technology to measure the signal values of Mel TregS in exosome, and successfully discriminated between healthy individuals and melanoma patients, as well as early and late-stage patients. This approach significantly enhanced detection sensitivity. In sum, our research elucidated fresh insights into the mechanisms governing Treg self-maintenance and communication with surrounding cells in melanoma. We also introduced an innovative method for clinical disease monitoring through SERS technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengda Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China.
| | - Tianqin Wu
- The 100th Hospital of PLA, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Cheng Qian
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200071, China.
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3
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Meng M, Wu J, Feng Y, Lin L, Chen J, Pang X, Li Y, Hao K, Tian H, Chen X. A Comprehensive Strategy Based on High Clinical Translational Nanosystem for Programmable Immunotherapy of Triple Negative Breast Cancer. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2314309. [PMID: 38520284 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202314309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBCs), known as an immunologically cold tumor, is difficult to completely eliminate with existing monotherapies, let alone metastasis and recurrence. It is urgent to design a rational combination of multiple therapies to programmatically reconstitute tumor microenvironment (TME) and reverse the immune "cold" into "hot" inflammatory tumors to improve the therapeutic effect. Hence, in this work, a multifunctional nanosystem (FeSH NPs) that integrates metal-polyphenol coordination complex as a photothermal agent and polyphenol, salvianolic acid B (SAB) as immunomodulator is designed and fabricated for synergistic photothermal-immunotherapy of TNBCs combined with anti-PD-L1 antibody. Guided by photothermal/photoacoustic dual-mode imaging, photothermal therapy (PTT) caused by FeSH NPs induces immunogenic cell death (ICD) under 808 nm laser irradiation. Subsequently, the loaded SAB is released with the addition of deferoxamine mesylate (DFO) to remodel TME, specifically TGF-β inhibition and PD-L1 upregulation, and eliminate the primary tumors. The combination of PTT and TME reprogramming by FeSH NPs further synergizes with anti-PD-L1 antibody to eradicate recurrence and inhibit metastasis of TNBCs concurrently. Given the biosafety of FeSH NPs throughout the lifecycle, this work provides a protocol with high clinical translational promise for comprehensive programmed therapeutics of immunologically cold tumors TNBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Meng
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Jiayan Wu
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Yuanji Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Lin Lin
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Xuan Pang
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Yanhui Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen, 361024, China
| | - Kai Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Huayu Tian
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
- Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Xuesi Chen
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
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4
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Chen J, Yang L, Ma Y, Zhang Y. Recent advances in understanding the immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1412328. [PMID: 38903506 PMCID: PMC11188340 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1412328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of ovarian cancer (OC) is a major factor in women's mortality rates. Despite progress in medical treatments, like new drugs targeting homologous recombination deficiency, survival rates for OC patients are still not ideal. The tumor microenvironment (TME) includes cancer cells, fibroblasts linked to cancer (CAFs), immune-inflammatory cells, and the substances these cells secrete, along with non-cellular components in the extracellular matrix (ECM). First, the TME mainly plays a role in inhibiting tumor growth and protecting normal cell survival. As tumors progress, the TME gradually becomes a place to promote tumor cell progression. Immune cells in the TME have attracted much attention as targets for immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has the potential to regulate the TME, suppressing factors that facilitate tumor advancement, reactivating immune cells, managing tumor growth, and extending the survival of patients with advanced cancer. This review presents an outline of current studies on the distinct cellular elements within the OC TME, detailing their main functions and possible signaling pathways. Additionally, we examine immunotherapy rechallenge in OC, with a specific emphasis on the biological reasons behind resistance to ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxin Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Yiming Ma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, China
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Pan Y, Zhu Q, Hong T, Cheng J, Tang X. Targeting PRKDC activates the efficacy of antitumor immunity while sensitizing to chemotherapy and targeted therapy in liver hepatocellular carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:9047-9071. [PMID: 38787389 PMCID: PMC11164487 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205855] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) ranks among the malignancies with the highest mortality rates, primarily due to chemoresistance culminating in treatment failure. Despite its impact, predictive models addressing disease progression, tumor microenvironment, and drug sensitivity remain elusive for LIHC patients. Recognizing the significant influence of various programmed cell death (PCD) modes on tumor evolution, this study investigates PCD genes to elucidate their implications on the prognosis and immune landscape of LIHC. METHODS To develop the classification and model, we employed a total of 17 genes associated with PCD patterns. To collect data, we acquired gene expression profiles, somatic mutation information, copy number variation data, and corresponding clinical data from the TCGA database, specifically from LIHC patients. Moreover, we obtained spatial transcriptome data and additional bulk datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to conduct further analysis. Various experiments were conducted to validate the role of the PCD gene PRKDC in proliferation, migration, invasion, EMT, cell cycle, therapeutic sensitivity, and antitumor immunity. RESULTS A novel LIHC classification based on these genes divided patients into two clusters, C1 and C2. The C2 cluster exhibited characteristics indicative of poor prognosis and an immune-activated microenvironment. This group showed greater response potential to immune checkpoint inhibitors, displaying higher levels of certain immune signatures and receptors. A programmed cell death index (PCDI) was constructed using 17 selected PCD genes. This index could effectively predict patient prognosis, with higher PCDI indicating poorer survival rates and a more pro-tumor microenvironment. Immune landscapes revealed varying interactions with PCDI, suggesting therapeutic targets and insights into treatment resistance. Moreover, experiments results suggested that PRKDC can augment the invasive nature and growth of malignant cells and it can serve as a potential target for therapy, offering hope for ameliorating the prognosis of LIHC patients. CONCLUSIONS The study uncovers the insights of programmed cell death in the prognosis and potential therapeutic interventions. And we found that PRKDC can serve as a target for enhancing the efficacy of antitumor immunity while sensitizing chemotherapy and targeted therapy in liver hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitong Pan
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University/Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qiyao Zhu
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University/Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Ting Hong
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University/Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Jun Cheng
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Xinhui Tang
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University/Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
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6
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Wang Z, Li M, Bi L, Hu X, Wang Y. Traditional Chinese Medicine in Regulating Tumor Microenvironment. Onco Targets Ther 2024; 17:313-325. [PMID: 38617090 PMCID: PMC11016250 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s444214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and integrated system containing a variety of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and stromal cells. They are closely connected with cancer cells and influence the development and progression of cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an important complementary therapy for cancer treatment in China. It mainly eliminates cancer cells by regulating TME. The aim of this review is to systematically summarize the crosstalk between tumor cells and TME, and to summarize the research progress of TCM in regulating TME. The review is of great significance in revealing the therapeutic mechanism of action of TCM, and provides an opportunity for the combined application of TCM and immunotherapy in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mengyao Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ling Bi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xueqing Hu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China
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7
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Zhang Y, Zuo C, Li Y, Liu L, Yang B, Xia J, Cui J, Xu K, Wu X, Gong W, Liu Y. Single-cell characterization of infiltrating T cells identifies novel targets for gallbladder cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Lett 2024; 586:216675. [PMID: 38280478 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216675] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is among the most common malignancies of biliary tract system due to its limited treatments. The immunotherapeutic targets for T cells are appealing, however, heterogeneity of T cells hinds its further development. We systematically construct T cell atlas by single-cell RNA sequencing; and utilized the identified gene signatures of high_CNV_T cells to predict molecular subtyping towards personalized therapeutic treatments for GBC. We identified 12 T cell subtypes, where exhausted CD8+ T cells, activated/exhausted CD8+ T cells, and regulatory T cells were predominant in tumors. There appeared to be an inverse relationship between Th17 and Treg populations with Th17 levels significantly reduced, whereas Tregs were concomitantly increased. Furthermore, we first established subtyping criterion to identify three subtypes of GBC based on their pro-tumorigenic microenvironments, e.g., the type 1 group shows more M2 macrophages infiltration, while the type 2 group is infiltrated by highly exhausted CD8+ T cells, B cells and Tregs with suppressive activities. Our study provides valuable insights into T cell heterogeneity and suggests that molecular subtyping based on T cells might provide a potential immunotherapeutic strategy to improve GBC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijian Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, 200092, China; Shanghai Research Center of Biliary Tract Disease, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Chunman Zuo
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China; Key Laboratory of Symbolic Computation and knowledge Engineering of Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130022, China.
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai, 200127, China; Shanghai Research Center of Biliary Tract Disease, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Liguo Liu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai, 200127, China; Shanghai Research Center of Biliary Tract Disease, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai, 200127, China; Shanghai Research Center of Biliary Tract Disease, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Junjie Xia
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Jiangnan Cui
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Keren Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Xiangsong Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, 200092, China; Shanghai Research Center of Biliary Tract Disease, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Wei Gong
- Department of General Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, 200092, China; Shanghai Research Center of Biliary Tract Disease, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Yingbin Liu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai, 200127, China; Shanghai Research Center of Biliary Tract Disease, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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Hu F, Huang J, Bing T, Mou W, Li D, Zhang H, Chen Y, Jin Q, Yu Y, Yang Z. Stimulus-Responsive Copper Complex Nanoparticles Induce Cuproptosis for Augmented Cancer Immunotherapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2309388. [PMID: 38269649 PMCID: PMC10987162 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Cuproptosis, an emerging form of programmed cell death, has received tremendous attention in cancer therapy. However, the efficacy of cuproptosis remains limited by the poor delivery efficiency of copper ion carriers. Herein, copper complex nanoparticles (denoted as Cu(I) NP) are developed that can efficiently deliver copper complex into cancer cells to induce cuproptosis. Cu(I) NP demonstrate stimulus-responsive release of copper complexes, which results in mitochondrial dysfunction and promotes the aggregation of lipoylated dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT), leading to cuproptosis. Notably, Cu(I) NP not only induce cuproptosis, but also elicit robust immune responses to suppress tumor growth. Overall, this study provides a promising strategy for cuproptosis-based cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuzhen Hu
- Department of ChemistryCapital Normal UniversityBeijing100048China
| | - Jia Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryChina−Japan Friendship HospitalBeijing100029China
| | - Tiejun Bing
- Immunology and Oncology CenterICE BioscienceBeijing100176China
| | - Wenlong Mou
- Department of ChemistryCapital Normal UniversityBeijing100048China
| | - Duo Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryChina−Japan Friendship HospitalBeijing100029China
| | - Hanchen Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesLaboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry Institute of ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
| | - Yang Chen
- Faculty of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic SurgeryThe First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General HospitalBeijing100039China
| | - Qionghua Jin
- Department of ChemistryCapital Normal UniversityBeijing100048China
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento‐Organic ChemistryNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
| | - Yingjie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic‐Inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical MaterialsBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijing100029China
| | - Zhiying Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryChina−Japan Friendship HospitalBeijing100029China
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Weng KQ, Liu JY, Li H, She LL, Qiu JL, Qi H, Qi HY, Li YS, Dai YB. Identification of Treg-related prognostic molecular subtypes and individualized characteristics in clear cell renal cell carcinoma through single-cell transcriptomes and bulk RNA sequencing. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 130:111746. [PMID: 38442575 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111746] [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: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), the role of Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) as prognostic and immunotherapy response predictors is not fully explored. METHODS Analyzing renal clear cell carcinoma datasets from TISCH, TCGA, and GEO, we focused on 8 prognostic Treg genes to study patient subtypes in ccRCC. We assessed Treg subtypes in relation to patient prognosis, tumor microenvironment, metabolism. Using Cox regression and principal component analysis, we devised Treg scores for individual patient characterization and explored the molecular role of C1QL1, a critical gene in the Treg model, through in vivo and in vitro studies. RESULTS Eight Treg-associated prognostic genes were identified, classifying ccRCC patients into cluster A and B. Cluster A patients showed poorer prognosis with distinct clinical and molecular profiles, potentially benefiting more from immunotherapy. Low Treg scores correlated with worse outcomes and clinical progression. Low scores also suggested that patients might respond better to immunotherapy and targeted therapies. In ccRCC, C1QL1 knockdown reduced tumor proliferation and invasion via NF-kb-EMT pathways and decreased Treg cell infiltration, enhancing immune efficacy. CONCLUSIONS The molecular subtype and Treg score in ccRCC, based on Treg cell marker genes, are crucial in personalizing ccRCC treatment and underscore C1QL1's potential as a tumor biomarker and target for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Qiang Weng
- Department of Urology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jin Yu Liu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, 999 DongZhen East Rd, Putian 351100, Fujian, China.
| | - Hu Li
- Department of Urology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
| | - Lin Lu She
- Department of Urology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jun Liang Qiu
- Department of Urology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
| | - Hao Qi
- Department of Urology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
| | - Hui Yue Qi
- Department of Urology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yong Sheng Li
- Department of Urology, Fujian Province, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Gulou District, 29 Xin-quan Road, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Ying Bo Dai
- Department of Urology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
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10
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Li Z, Wei R, Yao S, Meng F, Kong L. HIF-1A as a prognostic biomarker related to invasion, migration and immunosuppression of cervical cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24664. [PMID: 38298716 PMCID: PMC10828096 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The incidence of cervical cancer ranks second among malignant tumors in women, exerting a significant impact on their quality of life and overall well-being. The hypoxic microenvironment plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of tumorigenesis. The present study aims to investigate the fundamental genes and pathways associated with the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1A) in cervical cancer, aiming to identify potential downstream targets for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Methods We obtained dataset GSE63514 from the Comprehensive Gene Expression Database (GEO). The dataset comprised of 24 patients in the normal group and 28 patients in the tumor group. Gene set difference analysis (GSVA) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were used to identify the genes related to HIF-1A expression and the specific signaling pathways involved.The association between HIF-1A and tumor immune infiltration was examined in the TCGA dataset. The WGCAN network was constructed to identify key genes within the blue module, and subsequent gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted to determine the pathways and functional annotations associated with HIF-1A. The protein interaction network of the HIF-1A gene was obtained from the STRING database and visualized using Cytoscape in the meantime.The function of HIF-1A and its related gene expression were verified in vivo. Results HIF-1A was a risk factor in both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis of cervical cancer patients. A total of 344 genes significantly correlated with the expression of HIF-1A were identified through correlation analysis, and the genes exhibiting the strongest correlation were obtained. The major signaling pathways involved in HIF-1A encompass TNF-α/NF-κB, PI3K/AKT/MTOR, TGF-β, JAK-STAT, and various other signaling cascades. Reinforced by qRT-PCR, we identified Integrin beta-1 (ITGB1), C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), striatin 3 (STRN3), and endothelin-1 (EDN1) as pivotal downstream genes influenced by HIF-1A. HIF-1A is associated with immune infiltration of natural killer (NK) cells, mast cells, CD4+T cells, M0 macrophages, neutrophils, follicular helper T cells, CD8+T cells, and regulatory T cells (Treg). HIF-1A is associated with sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs. The identification of the HIF-1A pathway and its function primarily focuses on cytoplasmic translation, aerobic respiration, cellular respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, thermogenesis, among others. The results of in vivo experiments have confirmed that HIF-1A plays a crucial role in promoting the migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells. Moreover, the overexpression of HIF-1A led to an upregulation in the expressions of ITGB1, CCL2, STRN3, and EDN1. Conclusions The role of HIF-1A in cervical cancer was determined through a combination of bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. The genes potentially implicated in the tumorigenesis mechanism of HIF-1A were identified. These findings has the potential to enhance our comprehension of the progression of cervical cancer and offer promising therapeutic targets for its clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ran Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Shunyu Yao
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Fang Meng
- Department of Oncology &Hematology, Xishan People's Hospital of Wuxi City, Wuxi, China
| | - Lingsuo Kong
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Wang H, Yang J, Li X, Zhao H. Current state of immune checkpoints therapy for glioblastoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24729. [PMID: 38298707 PMCID: PMC10828821 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer, has limited treatment options. Recent years have witnessed the remarkable success of checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy across various cancer types. Against this backdrop, several clinical trials investigating checkpoint inhibitors for GBM are underway in multiple countries. Furthermore, the integration of immunotherapy with traditional treatment approaches is now emerging as a highly promising strategy. This review summarizes the latest advancements in checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy for GBM treatment. We provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of current GBM immunotherapy options. Additionally, this review underscores combination strategies and potential biomarkers for predicting response and resistance in GBM immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266005, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Emergency Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266005, China
| | - Xiangjun Li
- School of medicine, Department of Breast surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266000, China
| | - Hai Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266005, China
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Huang W, Yu M, Sun S, Yu L, Wen S, Liu Y, Peng Z, Hao H, Wang T, Wu M. Mitochondrial-Targeting Nanotrapper Captured Copper Ions to Alleviate Tumor Hypoxia for Amplified Photoimmunotherapy in Breast Cancer. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:2166-2179. [PMID: 38170968 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c17146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Hypoxia is a pervasive feature of solid tumors, which significantly limits the therapeutic effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and further influences the immunotherapy efficiency in breast cancer. However, the transient alleviation of tumor hypoxia fails to address the underlying issue of increased oxygen consumption, resulting from the rapid proliferation of tumor cells. At present, studies have found that the reduction of the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) by cytochrome C oxidase (COX) inhibition that induced oxidative phosphorylation (OXHPOS) suppression was able to solve the proposed problem. Herein, we developed a specific mitochondrial-targeting nanotrapper (I@MSN-Im-PEG), which exhibited good copper chelating ability to inhibit COX for reducing the OCR. The results proved that the nanotrapper significantly alleviated the hypoxic tumor microenvironment by copper chelation in mitochondria and enhanced the PDT effect in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, the nanotrapper improved photoimmunotherapy through both enhancing PDT-induced immunogenetic cell death (ICD) effects and reversing Treg-mediated immune suppression on 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. The mitochondrial-targeting nanotrapper provided a novel and efficacious strategy to enhance the PDT effect and amplify photoimmunotherapy in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxin Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, P.R. China
| | - Mian Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, P.R. China
| | - Shengjie Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, P.R. China
| | - Liu Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, P.R. China
| | - Simin Wen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, P.R. China
| | - Yuanqi Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, P.R. China
| | - Zhangwen Peng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, P.R. China
| | - Huisong Hao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, P.R. China
| | - Tianqi Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, P.R. China
| | - Meiying Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, P.R. China
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Zhang H, Hu Y, Wu T, Chen Y, Yang B, Xie T. Clinical characteristics and novel strategies of immune checkpoint inhibitor rechallenge therapy for non-small cell lung cancer: a comprehensive review. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1309055. [PMID: 38283354 PMCID: PMC10811167 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1309055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has entered the immunotherapy era, marked by significant survival improvements due to the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, owing to factors, such as disease progression, long-term use, and side effects, some patients discontinue immunotherapy, resulting in limited subsequent treatment option and a negative impact on their survival and quality of life. We have collected relevant data which reveal that ICI rechallenge may be an effective clinical strategy. However, many factors affect the efficacy of rechallenge, including patient characteristics, initial treatment drugs, treatment duration, efficacy, toxicity, and side effects. Additionally, the side effects of rechallenge and mechanisms of reversing drug resistance play crucial roles. Identifying suitable candidates, optimizing treatment plans and duration, enhancing treatment efficacy, and minimizing toxicity and adverse effects in rechallenges are pressing clinical needs. Addressing these issues can provide guidance for the clinical use of immunotherapy rechallenges to better serve patients. This review focuses on the clinical considerations and strategies for immune therapy rechallenges in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yujun Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Wu
- Department of Health Management, Hubei Cancer Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yeshan Chen
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tao Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Peng C, Xu Y, Wu J, Wu D, Zhou L, Xia X. TME-Related Biomimetic Strategies Against Cancer. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:109-135. [PMID: 38192633 PMCID: PMC10773252 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s441135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in various stages of tumor generation, metastasis, and evasion of immune monitoring and treatment. TME targeted therapy is based on TME components, related pathways or active molecules as therapeutic targets. Therefore, TME targeted therapy based on environmental differences between TME and normal cells has been widely studied. Biomimetic nanocarriers with low clearance, low immunogenicity, and high targeting have enormous potential in tumor treatment. This review introduces the composition and characteristics of TME, including cancer‑associated fibroblasts (CAFs), extracellular matrix (ECM), tumor blood vessels, non-tumor cells, and the latest research progress of biomimetic nanoparticles (NPs) based on TME. It also discusses the opportunities and challenges of clinical transformation of biomimetic nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yilin Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Donghai Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lili Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinhua Xia
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
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15
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He X, Peng Y, He G, Ye H, Liu L, Zhou Q, Shi J, Fu S, Wang J, Zhou Z, Li W. Increased co-expression of PD1 and TIM3 is associated with poor prognosis and immune microenvironment heterogeneity in gallbladder cancer. J Transl Med 2023; 21:717. [PMID: 37828574 PMCID: PMC10571407 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04589-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating gallbladder cancer (GBC) remains unsatisfactory. Recently, several new immune checkpoints have been identified. However, investigations exploring these immune checkpoints in GBC are limited. In this study, we aim to investigate the expression patterns and clinical implications of various immune checkpoints, and further characterize the spatial and quantitative heterogeneity of immune components in GBC. METHODS We employed single and multiplex immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expression of five immune checkpoint markers and four immune cell markers in the primary tumor core, hepatic invasion margin, and liver metastasis. Subsequently, we analyzed their interrelationships and their prognostic significance. RESULTS We observed a robust positive correlation between PD1/TIM3 expression in GBC (R = 0.614, P < 0.001). The co-expression of PD1/TIM3 exhibited a synergistic effect in predicting poor prognosis among postoperative GBC patients. Further analysis revealed that the prognostic significance of PD1/TIM3 was prominent in the subgroup with high infiltration of CD8 + T cells (P < 0.001). Multiplex immunohistochemistry reveals that PD1 + TIM3 + FOXP3 + cells constitute a significant proportion of FOXP3 + TILs in GBC tissue. Moreover, the co-high expression of PD1 and TIM3 is positively correlated with the accumulation of CD8 + TILs at the hepatic invasion margin. Lastly, our findings indicated reduced expression levels of immune checkpoints and diminished immune cell infiltration in liver metastases compared to primary tumors. CONCLUSIONS Increased co-expression of PD1/TIM3 is associated with poor prognosis in GBC patients and is related to the heterogeneity of immune microenvironment between GBC primary tumor and its hepatic invasion margin or liver metastases, which may be a potential target for future immunotherapy of GBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing He
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No.107 Yanjiang West Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaorong Peng
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No.107 Yanjiang West Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China
| | - Gui He
- Cellular & Molecular Diagnostics Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China
| | - Huilin Ye
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No.107 Yanjiang West Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China
| | - Liqiang Liu
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No.107 Yanjiang West Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China
| | - Qixian Zhou
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No.107 Yanjiang West Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China
| | - Juanyi Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China
| | - Sha Fu
- Cellular & Molecular Diagnostics Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenyu Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wenbin Li
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No.107 Yanjiang West Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China.
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