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Hourani T, Eivazitork M, Balendran T, Mc Lee K, Hamilton JA, Zhu HJ, Iaria J, Morokoff AP, Luwor RB, Achuthan AA. Signaling pathways underlying TGF-β mediated suppression of IL-12A gene expression in monocytes. Mol Immunol 2024; 166:101-109. [PMID: 38278031 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2024.01.008] [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: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine essential for multiple biological processes, including the regulation of inflammatory and immune responses. One of the important functions of TGF-β is the suppression of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12), which is crucial for mounting an anti-tumorigenic response. Although the regulation of the IL-12p40 subunit (encoded by the IL-12B gene) of IL-12 has been extensively investigated, the knowledge of IL-12p35 (encoded by IL-12A gene) subunit regulation is relatively limited. This study investigates the molecular regulation of IL-12A by TGF-β-activated signaling pathways in THP-1 monocytes. Our study identifies a complex regulation of IL-12A gene expression by TGF-β, which involves multiple cellular signaling pathways, such as Smad2/3, NF-κB, p38 and JNK1/2. Pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB signaling decreased IL-12A expression, while blocking the Smad2/3 signaling pathway by overexpression of Smad7 and inhibiting JNK1/2 signaling with a pharmacological inhibitor, SP600125, increased its expression. The elucidated signaling pathways that regulate IL-12A gene expression potentially provide new therapeutic targets to increase IL-12 levels in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetiana Hourani
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Mahtab Eivazitork
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Thivya Balendran
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Kevin Mc Lee
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - John A Hamilton
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Hong-Jian Zhu
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Josephine Iaria
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew P Morokoff
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Rodney B Luwor
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia; Federation University, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
| | - Adrian A Achuthan
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
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2
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Palano MT, Gallazzi M, Cucchiara M, Dehò F, Capogrosso P, Bruno A, Mortara L. The tumor innate immune microenvironment in prostate cancer: an overview of soluble factors and cellular effectors. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2022; 3:694-718. [PMID: 36338516 PMCID: PMC9630328 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2022.00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) accounts as the most common non-cutaneous disease affecting males, and as the first cancer, for incidence, in male. With the introduction of the concept of immunoscore, PCa has been classified as a cold tumor, thus driving the attention in the development of strategies aimed at blocking the infiltration/activation of immunosuppressive cells, while favoring the infiltration/activation of anti-tumor immune cells. Even if immunotherapy has revolutionized the approaches to cancer therapy, there is still a window failure, due to the immune cell plasticity within PCa, that can acquire pro-tumor features, subsequent to the tumor microenvironment (TME) capability to polarize them. This review discussed selected relevant soluble factors [transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-23] and cellular components of the innate immunity, as drivers of tumor progression, immunosuppression, and angiogenesis within the PCa-TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa Palano
- Laboratory of Innate Immunity, Unit of Molecular Pathology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) MultiMedica, 20138 Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Gallazzi
- Laboratory of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Martina Cucchiara
- Laboratory of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Federico Dehò
- Unit of Urology, ASST-Sette Laghi, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Paolo Capogrosso
- Unit of Urology, ASST-Sette Laghi, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Antonino Bruno
- Laboratory of Innate Immunity, Unit of Molecular Pathology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) MultiMedica, 20138 Milan, Italy,Laboratory of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy,Correspondence: Antonino Bruno,
| | - Lorenzo Mortara
- Laboratory of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy,Lorenzo Mortara, . Laboratory of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
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3
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Nakamura M, Bax HJ, Scotto D, Souri EA, Sollie S, Harris RJ, Hammar N, Walldius G, Winship A, Ghosh S, Montes A, Spicer JF, Van Hemelrijck M, Josephs DH, Lacy KE, Tsoka S, Karagiannis SN. Immune mediator expression signatures are associated with improved outcome in ovarian carcinoma. Oncoimmunology 2019; 8:e1593811. [PMID: 31069161 PMCID: PMC6492968 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1593811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune and inflammatory cascades may play multiple roles in ovarian cancer. We aimed to identify relationships between expression of immune and inflammatory mediators and patient outcomes. We interrogated differential gene expression of 44 markers and marker combinations (n = 1,978) in 1,656 ovarian carcinoma patient tumors, alongside matched 5-year overall survival (OS) data in silico. Using machine learning methods, we investigated whether genomic expression of these 44 mediators can discriminate between malignant and non-malignant tissues in 839 ovarian cancer and 115 non-malignant ovary samples. We furthermore assessed inflammation markers in 289 ovarian cancer patients’ sera in the Swedish Apolipoprotein MOrtality-related RISk (AMORIS) cohort. Expression of the 44 mediators could discriminate between malignant and non-malignant tissues with at least 96% accuracy. Higher expression of classical Th1, Th2, Th17, anti-parasitic/infection and M1 macrophage mediator signatures were associated with better OS. Contrastingly, inflammatory and angiogenic mediators, CXCL-12, C-reactive protein (CRP) and platelet-derived growth factor subunit A (PDGFA) were negatively associated with OS. Of the serum inflammatory markers in the AMORIS cohort, women with ovarian cancer who had elevated levels of haptoglobin (≥1.4 g/L) had a higher risk of dying from ovarian cancer compared to those with haptoglobin levels <1.4 g/L (HR = 2.09, 95% CI:1.38–3.16). Our findings indicate that elevated “classical” immune mediators, associated with response to pathogen antigen challenge, may confer immunological advantage in ovarian cancer, while inflammatory markers appear to have negative prognostic value. These highlight associations between immune protection, inflammation and clinical outcomes, and offer opportunities for patient stratification based on secretome markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mano Nakamura
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Heather J Bax
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, UK.,School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Daniele Scotto
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Elmira Amiri Souri
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sam Sollie
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Translational Oncology & Urology Research (TOUR), London, UK
| | - Robert J Harris
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Niklas Hammar
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Goran Walldius
- Unit of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Winship
- Departments of Medical Oncology and Clinical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sharmistha Ghosh
- Departments of Medical Oncology and Clinical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ana Montes
- Departments of Medical Oncology and Clinical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - James F Spicer
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Mieke Van Hemelrijck
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Translational Oncology & Urology Research (TOUR), London, UK.,Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Debra H Josephs
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, UK.,School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Katie E Lacy
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sophia Tsoka
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sophia N Karagiannis
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, UK
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4
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Yan J, Smyth MJ, Teng MWL. Interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 and Their Conflicting Roles in Cancer. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2018; 10:a028530. [PMID: 28716888 PMCID: PMC6028064 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a028530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The balance of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 plays a key role in shaping the development of antitumor or protumor immunity. In this review, we discuss the role IL-12 and IL-23 plays in tumor biology from preclinical and clinical data. In particular, we discuss the mechanism by which IL-23 promotes tumor growth and metastases and how the IL-12/IL-23 axis of inflammation can be targeted for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juming Yan
- Cancer Immunoregulation and Immunotherapy Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston 4006, Queensland, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark J Smyth
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Queensland, Australia
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston 4006, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michele W L Teng
- Cancer Immunoregulation and Immunotherapy Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston 4006, Queensland, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Queensland, Australia
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5
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Richter C, Herrero San Juan M, Weigmann B, Bergis D, Dauber K, Muders MH, Baretton GB, Pfeilschifter JM, Bonig H, Brenner S, Radeke HH. Defective IL-23/IL-17 Axis Protects p47phox-/- Mice from Colon Cancer. Front Immunol 2017; 8:44. [PMID: 28191009 PMCID: PMC5271172 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the colon, a sophisticated balance between immune reaction and tolerance is absolutely required. Dysfunction may lead to pathologic phenotypes ranging from chronic inflammatory processes to cancer development. Two prominent modulators of colon inflammation are represented by the closely related cytokines interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23, which initiate adaptive Th1 and Th17 immune responses, respectively. In this study, we investigated the impact of the NADPH oxidase protein p47phox, which negatively regulates IL-12 in dendritic cells, on colon cancer development in a colitis-associated colon cancer model. Initially, we found that IL-12−/− mice developed less severe colitis but are highly susceptible to colon cancer. By contrast, p47phox−/− mice showed lower tumor scores and fewer high grade tumors than wild-type (WT) littermates. Treatment with toll-like receptor 9 ligand CpG2216 significantly enhanced colitis in p47phox−/− mice, whereas tumor growth was simultaneously reduced. In tumor tissue of p47phox−/− mice, the IL-23/IL-17 axis was crucially hampered. IL-23p19 protein expression in tumor tissue correlated with tumor stage. Reconstitution of WT mice with IL-23p19−/− bone marrow protected these mice from colon cancer, whereas transplantation of WT hematopoiesis into IL-23p19−/− mice increased the susceptibility to tumor growth. Our study strengthens the divergent role of IL-12 and IL-23 in colon cancer development. With the characterization of p47phox as a novel modulator of both cytokines our investigation introduces a promising new target for antitumor strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Richter
- Department of Pediatrics, University Clinic 'Carl Gustav Carus' Dresden, Dresden, Germany; pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Benno Weigmann
- I. Medical Clinic, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , Erlangen , Germany
| | - Dominik Bergis
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine 1, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Katrin Dauber
- Bristol-Myers Squibb GmbH & Co. KGaA , Munich , Germany
| | - Michael H Muders
- Department of Pathology, University Clinic 'Carl Gustav Carus' Dresden , Dresden , Germany
| | - Gustavo B Baretton
- Department of Pathology, University Clinic 'Carl Gustav Carus' Dresden , Dresden , Germany
| | | | - Halvard Bonig
- German Red Cross Blood Service, Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; Department of Medicine/Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sebastian Brenner
- Department of Pediatrics, University Clinic 'Carl Gustav Carus' Dresden , Dresden , Germany
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6
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Usó M, Jantus-Lewintre E, Calabuig-Fariñas S, Blasco A, García Del Olmo E, Guijarro R, Martorell M, Camps C, Sirera R. Analysis of the prognostic role of an immune checkpoint score in resected non-small cell lung cancer patients. Oncoimmunology 2016; 6:e1260214. [PMID: 28197383 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1260214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Revised: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors develop mechanisms to recruit tolerogenic immune cells and to induce the expression of molecules that act as immune checkpoints. This regulation of the immune microenvironment favors immune tolerance to the neoplastic cells. In this study, we have investigated the prognostic role of immune-checkpoint expression markers in a cohort of resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. RNA was isolated from fresh-frozen lung specimens (tumor and normal lung) (n = 178). RTqPCR was performed to analyze the relative expression of 20 immune-related genes that were normalized by the use of endogenous genes selected by GeNorm algorithm. Patients with higher expression levels of IL23A and LGALS2 presented better outcomes. In the clustering expression patterns, we observed that patients with higher expression of immunoregulatory genes had better survival rates. Additionally, these data were used to develop a gene expression score. Since CTLA4 and PD1 were associated with prognosis based on Cox regression analysis (Z-score > 1.5), a multivariate model including these two genes was created. Absolute regression coefficients from this analysis were used in order to calculate the immune-checkpoint score: (PD1×0.116) + (CTLA4×0.059) for each case. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with high immune-checkpoint score have longer overall survival (OS) [NR vs. 40.4 mo, p = 0.008] and longer relapse-free survival (RFS) [82.6 vs. 23 mo, p = 0.009]. Multivariate analysis in the entire cohort indicated that the immune-checkpoint score was an independent biomarker of prognosis for OS [HR: 0.308; 95% CI, 0.156-0.609; p = 0.001] and RFS [HR: 0.527; 95% CI, 0.298-0.933; p = 0.028] in early-stage NSCLC patients. In conclusion, this score provides relevant prognostic information for a better characterization of early stage NSCLS patients with strikingly different outcomes and who may be candidates for immune-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Usó
- Department of Medicine, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fundación Investigación, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eloísa Jantus-Lewintre
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fundación Investigación, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Department of Biotechnology, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain; Medical Oncology Department, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Silvia Calabuig-Fariñas
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fundación Investigación, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Medical Oncology Department, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Department of Pathology, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Blasco
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia , Valencia, Spain
| | - Eva García Del Olmo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia , Valencia, Spain
| | - Ricardo Guijarro
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia , Valencia, Spain
| | - Miguel Martorell
- Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Department of Pathology, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carlos Camps
- Department of Medicine, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fundación Investigación, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Medical Oncology Department, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rafael Sirera
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fundación Investigación, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Department of Biotechnology, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain; Medical Oncology Department, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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7
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Zhang Z, Zhou B, Zhang K, Song Y, Zhang L, Xi M. IL-27 suppresses SKOV3 cells proliferation by enhancing STAT3 and inhibiting the Akt signal pathway. Mol Immunol 2016; 78:155-163. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2016.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2016] [Revised: 07/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Overexpression of GPC6 and TMEM132D in Early Stage Ovarian Cancer Correlates with CD8+ T-Lymphocyte Infiltration and Increased Patient Survival. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:712438. [PMID: 26448945 PMCID: PMC4584051 DOI: 10.1155/2015/712438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Revised: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Infiltration of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes in ovarian cancer is a favorable prognostic factor. Employing a differential expression approach, we have recently identified a number of genes associated with CD8+ T-cell infiltration in early stage ovarian tumors. In the present study, we validated by qPCR the expression of two genes encoding the transmembrane proteins GPC6 and TMEM132D in a cohort of early stage ovarian cancer patients. The expression of both genes correlated positively with the mRNA levels of CD8A, a marker of T-lymphocyte infiltration [Pearson coefficient: 0.427 (p = 0.0067) and 0.861 (p < 0.0001), resp.]. GPC6 and TMEM132D expression was also documented in a variety of ovarian cancer cell lines. Importantly, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that high mRNA levels of GPC6 and/or TMEM132D correlated significantly with increased overall survival of early stage ovarian cancer patients (p = 0.032). Thus, GPC6 and TMEM132D may serve as predictors of CD8+ T-lymphocyte infiltration and as favorable prognostic markers in early stage ovarian cancer with important consequences for diagnosis, prognosis, and tumor immunobattling.
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9
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Kumar J, Ward AC. Role of the interleukin 6 receptor family in epithelial ovarian cancer and its clinical implications. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2014; 1845:117-25. [PMID: 24388871 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2013.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Revised: 12/08/2013] [Accepted: 12/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy, with few effective treatment options in most cases. Therefore, understanding the biology of ovarian cancer remains an important area of research in order to improve clinical outcomes. Cytokine receptor signaling through the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway is an essential component of normal development and homeostasis. However, numerous studies have implicated perturbation of this pathway in a range of cancers. In particular, members of the IL-6R family acting via the downstream STAT3 transcription factor play an important role in a number of solid tumors - including ovarian cancer - by altering the expression of target genes that impact on key phenotypes. This has led to the development of specific inhibitors of this pathway which are being used in combination with standard chemotherapeutic agents. This review focuses on the role of IL-6R family members in the etiology of epithelial ovarian cancer, and the application of therapies specifically targeting IL-6R signaling in this disease setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janani Kumar
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Strategic Research Centre in Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alister C Ward
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Strategic Research Centre in Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
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10
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Ngiow SF, Teng MWL, Smyth MJ. A balance of interleukin-12 and -23 in cancer. Trends Immunol 2013; 34:548-55. [PMID: 23954142 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2013.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2013] [Revised: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 share the IL-12p40 molecule. IL-12 promotes T helper (Th)1 immunity and IL-23 promotes Th17 immunity, and it has recently become apparent that the balance between IL-12 and IL-23 is important in carcinogenesis. A series of studies demonstrated that, where tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis are concerned, IL-12 may act independently of interferon (IFN)-γ, and IL-23 independently of IL-17A. This review explores the activity of IL-23 in carcinogenesis. In the context of the tumor-inhibitory effects of IL-12, and tumor-promoting effects of IL-23, we discuss the use of anti-IL-12p/23 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in autoimmune inflammatory disorders and the alternative specific neutralization of IL-23.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Foong Ngiow
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, 4006, Queensland, Australia
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11
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Anwer K, Kelly FJ, Chu C, Fewell JG, Lewis D, Alvarez RD. Phase I trial of a formulated IL-12 plasmid in combination with carboplatin and docetaxel chemotherapy in the treatment of platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2013; 131:169-73. [PMID: 23863356 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.07.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2013] [Revised: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of a formulated IL-12 plasmid administered intraperitoneally (IP) in conjunction with intravenous (IV) carboplatin/docetaxel in platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer patients. METHODS Escalating doses of IL-12 plasmid (phIL-12) formulated with the lipopolymer PEG-PEI-Cholesterol (PPC) were administered IP every 10-11 days for a total of four treatments and the highest dose was expanded to eight treatments. Patients also received IV carboplatin (AUC 5) and docetaxel (75 mg/m(2)) every 21 days. Patients were followed for safety, biological activity and antitumor activity after phIL-12/PPC treatment. RESULTS All 13 patients enrolled in the study received both phIL-12/PPC and chemotherapy treatment. There were 49 plasmid-associated adverse events (AEs). The most common AEs were abdominal pain, transient hypotension, low grade fever, catheter site pain, chills, dysgeusia, infusion-related reaction, and nausea. These AEs appeared to be plasmid dose related. Grade 3 AEs included manageable abdominal pain and cytokine release syndrome. There were no dose limiting toxicities and the plasmid treatment did not augment the chemotherapy-associated AEs. The best overall antitumor response (17% CR, 33% PR, 42% SD and 8% PD) was typical of the patient population enrolled for the study. Translational studies showed rise in IFN-γ and TNF-α concentrations in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS The escalating doses and cycles of intraperitoneal phIL-12/PPC when combined with carboplatin/docetaxel chemotherapy in recurrent ovarian cancer patients were well tolerated and did not appear to exacerbate the side effects or attenuate the efficacy of the chemotherapy treatment.
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12
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Zijlmans HJMAA, Punt S, Fleuren GJ, Trimbos JB, Kenter GG, Gorter A. Role of IL-12p40 in cervical carcinoma. Br J Cancer 2012; 107:1956-62. [PMID: 23099807 PMCID: PMC3516683 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2012.488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previously, we have shown that low IL-12p40 mRNA expression by cervical cancer cells is associated with a poor survival of cervical cancer patients. As IL-12p40 is both a subcomponent of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23, the aim of this study was to elucidate the role of IL-12p40 in cervical cancer. METHODS We have measured the expression of IL-23p19 mRNA, IL-12p35 mRNA and IL-12p40 mRNA using mRNA in situ hybridisation. The IL-1 and IL-6 were measured by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS As IL-23 is a component of the IL-17/IL-23 pathway, a pathway induced by IL-1 and IL-6 in humans, we have studied IL-1 and IL-6 expression. Only a high number of stromal IL-6-positive cells was shown to associate with poor disease-specific survival. The worst disease-specific survival was associated with a subgroup of patients that displayed a high number of IL-6-positive cells and low IL-12p40 expression (P<0.001). Both a high number of IL-6-positive cells and a high number of IL-6-positive cells, plus low IL-12p40 expression were shown to be clinicopathological parameters independent of lymph node metastasis, parametrial involvement and Sedlis score (P=0.009 and P=0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION Our results with IL-6 and IL-12p40 are in accordance with the hypothesis that the IL-17/IL-23 pathway has a suppressive role in cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J M A A Zijlmans
- Department of Gynecology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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IL-21 and IL-12 inhibit differentiation of Treg and TH17 cells and enhance cytotoxicity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with cervical cancer. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2012; 21:1672-8. [PMID: 22080897 DOI: 10.1097/igc.0b013e3182358955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Interleukin 21 (IL-21) and IL-12 have been known to be effective antitumor agents. In this study, we evaluated whether IL-21 in combination with IL-12 could enhance the cytotoxicity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III and cervical cancer. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III patients (n = 17) and cervical cancer patients (n = 18). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with IL-2 in low concentration as control group. Interleukin 2-stimulated PBMCs were cocultured with anti-human IL-21 neutralizing antibody, IL-21 alone, IL-12 alone, and IL-21 plus IL-12, respectively, as test groups. The cytotoxicity of PBMCs against SiHa tumor cells was examined by lactate dehydrogenase released assay. CD4CD25FOXP3 T regulatory (Treg) cells and CD4IL-17A T helper 17 (TH17) cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Proliferation and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 (cell counting kit 8) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS Compared with controls, IL-21 and IL-12 significantly elevated PBMC cytotoxicity against SiHa cells. Moreover, IL-21 plus IL-12 significantly elevated PBMC cytotoxicity in comparison to IL-21 alone and IL-12 alone. We also found that IL-21 plus IL-12 significantly decreased Treg and TH17 cell proportion in comparison to controls. Notably, IL-21 plus IL-12 significantly decreased TH17 cell proportion in comparison to IL-21 alone. Both IL-21 and IL-12 significantly decreased the apoptosis rate of PBMCs, whereas neither IL-21 nor IL-12 had significant effect on PBMC proliferation. CONCLUSIONS The combination of IL-21 and IL-12 could efficiently stimulate PBMCs with cytotoxicity against SiHa cells, and the possible mechanisms may be due to down-regulated Treg and TH17 cell differentiation.
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Ascierto ML, Giorgi VD, Liu Q, Bedognetti D, Spivey TL, Murtas D, Uccellini L, Ayotte BD, Stroncek DF, Chouchane L, Manjili MH, Wang E, Marincola FM. An immunologic portrait of cancer. J Transl Med 2011; 9:146. [PMID: 21875439 PMCID: PMC3175185 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-9-146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2011] [Accepted: 08/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of high-throughput technology challenges the traditional histopathological classification of cancer, and proposes new taxonomies derived from global transcriptional patterns. Although most of these molecular re-classifications did not endure the test of time, they provided bulk of new information that can reframe our understanding of human cancer biology. Here, we focus on an immunologic interpretation of cancer that segregates oncogenic processes independent from their tissue derivation into at least two categories of which one bears the footprints of immune activation. Several observations describe a cancer phenotype where the expression of interferon stimulated genes and immune effector mechanisms reflect patterns commonly observed during the inflammatory response against pathogens, which leads to elimination of infected cells. As these signatures are observed in growing cancers, they are not sufficient to entirely clear the organism of neoplastic cells but they sustain, as in chronic infections, a self-perpetuating inflammatory process. Yet, several studies determined an association between this inflammatory status and a favorable natural history of the disease or a better responsiveness to cancer immune therapy. Moreover, these signatures overlap with those observed during immune-mediated cancer rejection and, more broadly, immune-mediated tissue-specific destruction in other immune pathologies. Thus, a discussion concerning this cancer phenotype is warranted as it remains unknown why it occurs in immune competent hosts. It also remains uncertain whether a genetically determined response of the host to its own cancer, the genetic makeup of the neoplastic process or a combination of both drives the inflammatory process. Here we reflect on commonalities and discrepancies among studies and on the genetic or somatic conditions that may cause this schism in cancer behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Libera Ascierto
- Infectious Disease and Immunogenetics Section (IDIS), Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center and Trans-NIH Center for Human Immunology (CHI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), Genoa, Italy
| | - Valeria De Giorgi
- Infectious Disease and Immunogenetics Section (IDIS), Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center and Trans-NIH Center for Human Immunology (CHI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Qiuzhen Liu
- Infectious Disease and Immunogenetics Section (IDIS), Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center and Trans-NIH Center for Human Immunology (CHI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Davide Bedognetti
- Infectious Disease and Immunogenetics Section (IDIS), Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center and Trans-NIH Center for Human Immunology (CHI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), Genoa, Italy
- Department of Oncology, Biology and Genetics and National Cancer Research Institute of Genoa, Italy
| | - Tara L Spivey
- Infectious Disease and Immunogenetics Section (IDIS), Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center and Trans-NIH Center for Human Immunology (CHI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Daniela Murtas
- Infectious Disease and Immunogenetics Section (IDIS), Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center and Trans-NIH Center for Human Immunology (CHI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Lorenzo Uccellini
- Infectious Disease and Immunogenetics Section (IDIS), Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center and Trans-NIH Center for Human Immunology (CHI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Ben D Ayotte
- Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI 49855,USA
| | - David F Stroncek
- Infectious Disease and Immunogenetics Section (IDIS), Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center and Trans-NIH Center for Human Immunology (CHI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Lotfi Chouchane
- Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Education City, Doha Qatar Box 24144
| | - Masoud H Manjili
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Ena Wang
- Infectious Disease and Immunogenetics Section (IDIS), Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center and Trans-NIH Center for Human Immunology (CHI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Francesco M Marincola
- Infectious Disease and Immunogenetics Section (IDIS), Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center and Trans-NIH Center for Human Immunology (CHI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
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