Innate and adaptive immune cells in the tumor microenvironment

The prognostic marker KRT81 is involved in suppressing CD8 + T cells and predicts immunotherapy response for triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast Cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. Known for limited targeted therapies, it poses challenges and requires personalized treatment strategies. Differential analysis revealed a significant decrease in keratin 81 (KRT81) expression in non-TNBC samples and an increase in TNBC samples, lower KRT81 expression correlated with better TNBC patient outcomes. It emerged as an independent predictive factor for TNBC, with associations found between its expression and clinically relevant features. We further developed a nomogram for survival probability assessment based on Cox regression results, demonstrating its accuracy through calibration curves. Gene annotation analysis indicated that KRT81 is involved in immune-related pathways and tumor cell adhesion. KRT81 is associated with immune cell infiltration of Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) and CD8 + T cells, suggesting its potential impact on the immunological microenvironment. The study delved into KRT81's predictive value for immunotherapy responses, high expression of KRT81 was associated with greater potential for immune evasion. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis pinpointed KRT81 expression within a specific malignant subtype which was a risk factor for TNBC. Furthermore, KRT81 promoted TNBC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and adhesion was confirmed by gene knockout or overexpression assay. Co-culture experiments further indicated KRT81's potential role in inhibiting CD8 + T cells, and correlation analysis implied KRT81 was highly correlated with immune checkpoint CD276, providing insights into its involvement in the immune microenvironment via CD276. In conclusion, this comprehensive study positions KRT81 as a promising prognostic marker for predicting tumor progression and immunotherapy responses in TNBC.

USP9X inhibits metastasis in pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis and immune infiltration

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a highly invasive pulmonary malignancy with an extremely poor prognosis. The results of previous studies suggest that ubiquitin-specific peptidase 9X (USP9X) contributes to the progression of numerous types of cancer. Nevertheless, there is little knowledge about the molecular mechanisms and functions of USP9X in the metastasis of PSC.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to detect USP9X expression levels in PSC tissues and cells. Wound healing, transwell, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), tube formation, and aortic ring assays were used to examine the function and mechanism of USP9X in the metastasis of PSC.

RESULTS

Expression of USP9X was markedly decreased and significantly correlated with metastasis and prognosis of patients with PSC. Then we revealed that USP9X protein levels were negatively associated with the levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and the migration of PSC cells. It was confirmed that USP9X in PSC cells reduced VEGF secretion and inhibited tubule formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in vitro. USP9X was detected to downregulate MMP9. Meanwhile, MMP9 was positively related to EMT, angiogenesis and was negatively related to immune infiltration in the public databases. USP9X was significantly negatively associated with the expression of MMP9, EMT markers, CD31, and positively associated with CD4, and CD8 in PSC tissues.

CONCLUSION

The present study reveals the vital role of USP9X in regulating EMT, angiogenesis and immune infiltration and inhibiting metastasis of PSC via downregulating MMP9, which provides a new effective therapeutic target for PSC.

Exosomal long non-coding RNAs in cancer: Interplay, modulation, and therapeutic avenues

In the intricate field of cancer biology, researchers are increasingly intrigued by the emerging role of exosomal long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) due to their multifaceted interactions, complex modulation mechanisms, and potential therapeutic applications. These exosomal lncRNAs, carried within extracellular vesicles, play a vital partin tumorigenesis and disease progression by facilitating communication networks between tumor cells and their local microenvironment, making them an ideal candidates for use in a liquid biopsy approach. However, exosomal lncRNAs remain an understudied area, especially in cancer biology. Therefore this review aims to comprehensively explore the dynamic interplay between exosomal lncRNAs and various cellular components, including interactions with tumor-stroma, immune modulation, and drug resistance mechanisms. Understanding the regulatory functions of exosomal lncRNAs in these processes can potentially unveil novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for cancer. Additionally, the emergence of RNA-based therapeutics presents exciting opportunities for targeting exosomal lncRNAs, offering innovative strategies to combat cancer progression and improve treatment outcomes. Thus, this review provides insights into the current understanding of exosomal lncRNAs in cancer biology, highlighting their crucial roles, regulatory mechanisms, and the evolving landscape of therapeutic interventions. Furthermore, we have also discussed the advantage of exosomes as therapeutic carriers of lncRNAs for the development of personalized targeted therapy for cancer patients.

Comprehensive analysis of EphA2 in pan-cancer: A prognostic biomarker associated with cancer immunity

BACKGROUND

Several studies have reported a significant relationship between Ephrin receptor A2 (EphA2) and malignant progression in numerous cancers. However, there is a lack of comprehensive pan-cancer analysis on the prognostic value, mutation status, methylation landscape, and potential immunological function of EphA2.

METHOD

Using The Cancer Genome Atlas, Genotype Tissue Expression Database and GEO data, we analysed the differences in EphA2 expression between normal and tumour tissues and the effects of EphA2 on the prognosis of different tumours. Furthermore, using GSCALite, cBioPortal, TISDB, ULCLAN and TIMER 2.0 databases or platforms, we comprehensively analysed the potential oncogenic mechanisms or manifestations of EphA2 in 33 different tumour types, including tumour mutation status, DNA methylation status and immune cell infiltration. The correlation of EphA2 with immune checkpoints, tumour mutational burden, DNA microsatellite instability and DNA repair genes was also calculated. Finally, the effects of EphA2 inhibitors on the proliferation of human glioma and lung cancer cells were verified in cellular experiments.

RESULTS

EphA2 is differentially expressed in different tumours, and patients with overexpression have poorer overall survival. In addition, gene mutations, gene copy number variation and DNA/RNA methylation of EphA2 have been identified in various tumours. Moreover, EphA2 is positively associated with immune infiltration involving macrophages and CD8+ T cells. Further, EphA2 mRNA expression is significantly associated with immune checkpoint in various cancers, especially programmed death-ligand 1. Finally, the EphA2 inhibitor ALW-II-41-27 shows potent anti-tumour activity.

CONCLUSION

Our first pan-cancer study of EphA2 provides insight into the prognostic and immunological roles of EphA2 in different tumours, suggesting that EphA2 might be a potential biomarker for poor prognosis and immune infiltration in cancer.

A Novel Gene Signature Associated with Protein Post-translational Modification to Predict Clinical Outcomes and Therapeutic Responses of Colorectal Cancer

Accumulated evidence highlights the biological significance of diverse protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) in tumorigenicity and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, ten PTM patterns (ubiquitination, methylation, phosphorylation, glycosylation, acetylation, SUMOylation, citrullination, neddylation, palmitoylation, and ADP-ribosylation) were analyzed for model construction. A post-translational modification index (PTMI) with a 14-gene signature was established. CRC patients with high PTMI had a worse prognosis after validating in nine independent datasets. By incorporating PTMI with clinical features, a nomogram with excellent predictive performance was constructed. Two molecular subtypes of CRC with obvious difference in survival time were identified by unsupervised clustering. Furthermore, PTMI was related to known immunoregulators and key tumor microenvironment components. Low-PTMI patients responded better to fluorouracil-based chemotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade therapy compared to high-PTMI patients, which was validated in multiple independent datasets. However, patients with high PTMI might be sensitive to bevacizumab. In short, we established a novel PTMI model by comprehensively analyzing diverse post-translational modification patterns, which can accurately predict clinical prognosis and treatment response of CRC patients.

Prognostic value of the international association for the study of lung cancer grading system and its association with the tumor microenvironment in stage I EGFR-muted lung adenocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) grading system predicts early lung adenocarcinoma outcomes.

METHODS

The purpose of this study is to examine prognostic value of the IASLC grading system and its association with the tumor microenvironment (TME) in Stage I EGFR-muted lung adenocarcinoma. Based on the IASLC grading system, we compared the clinicopathological characteristics of EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma (n = 296). In addition, we examined the expression level of E-cadherin in tumor cells and counted the number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs; CD8, CD20, CD138, and Foxp3), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs; CD204), and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs; podoplanin) using semi-automatic digital pathology image analysis.

RESULTS

Recurrence-free survival (RFS) curve showed that survival of grade 3 was significantly shorter than that of grade 1 (P < 0.01) and grade 2 (P = 0.03). Multivariate analysis of RFS revealed the invasive size, lymphatic permeation, and grade 3 (P < 0.01) as independent poor prognostic factors. The number of CD204 +TAMs and PDPN+CAFs was significantly higher in grade 3 than in grade 1 or 2 (all P < 0.01). Among the intermediate grade by the predominant subtype based classification, cases classified as grade 3 by the new classification had higher number of CD204 +TAMs (P < 0.01) and PDPN+CAFs (P = 0.02) than those classified as grade 2.

CONCLUSION

The IASLC grading system correlated with the outcomes of EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma. Grade 3 was found to have the TME that most contributes to tumor progression, which probably explained their poor prognosis.

SOX12 Facilitates Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression and Metastasis through Promoting Regulatory T-Cells Infiltration and Immunosuppression

Despite the success of immunotherapy in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), HCC remains a severe threat to health. Here, a crucial transcription factor, SOX12, is revealed that induces the immunosuppression of liver tumor microenvironment. Overexpressing SOX12 in HCC syngeneic models increases intratumoral regulatory T-cell (Treg) infiltration, decreases CD8+T-cell infiltration, and hastens HCC metastasis. Hepatocyte-specific SOX12 knockout attenuates DEN/CCl4-induced HCC progression and metastasis, whereas hepatocyte-specific SOX12 knock-in accelerates these effects. Mechanistically, SOX12 transcriptionally activates C-C motif chemokine ligand 22 (CCL22) expression to promote the recruitment and suppressive activity of Tregs. Moreover, SOX12 transcriptionally upregulates CD274 expression to suppress CD8+T-cell infiltration. Either knockdown of CCL22 or PD-L1 dampens SOX12-mediated HCC metastasis. Blocking of CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4), a receptor for CCL22, by inhibitor C-021 or Treg-specific knockout of CCR4 inhibits SOX12-mediated HCC metastasis. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/TGFβR1-Smad2/3/4 is identified as a key upstream signaling for SOX12 overexpression in HCC cells. Combining C-021 or TGFβR1 inhibitor galunisertib with anti-PD-L1 exhibits an enhanced antitumor effect in two HCC models. Collectively, the findings demonstrate that SOX12 contributes to HCC immunosuppression through the CCL22/CCR4-Treg and PD-L1-CD8+T axes. Blocking of CCR4 or TGFβR1 improves the efficacy of anti-PD-L1 in SOX12-mediated HCC.

Cuproptosis, the novel type of oxidation-induced cell death in thoracic cancers: can it enhance the success of immunotherapy?

Copper is an important metal micronutrient, required for the balanced growth and normal physiological functions of human organism. Copper-related toxicity and dysbalanced metabolism were associated with the disruption of intracellular respiration and the development of various diseases, including cancer. Notably, copper-induced cell death was defined as cuproptosis which was also observed in malignant cells, representing an attractive anti-cancer instrument. Excess of intracellular copper leads to the aggregation of lipoylation proteins and toxic stress, ultimately resulting in the activation of cell death. Differential expression of cuproptosis-related genes was detected in normal and malignant tissues. Cuproptosis-related genes were also linked to the regulation of oxidative stress, immune cell responses, and composition of tumor microenvironment. Activation of cuproptosis was associated with increased expression of redox-metabolism-regulating genes, such as ferredoxin 1 (FDX1), lipoic acid synthetase (LIAS), lipoyltransferase 1 (LIPT1), dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD), drolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT), pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 subunit alpha 1 (PDHA1), and pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 subunit beta (PDHB)). Accordingly, copper-activated network was suggested as an attractive target in cancer therapy. Mechanisms of cuproptosis and regulation of cuproptosis-related genes in different cancers and tumor microenvironment are discussed in this study. The analysis of current findings indicates that therapeutic regulation of copper signaling, and activation of cuproptosis-related targets may provide an effective tool for the improvement of immunotherapy regimens.

Dual blockade immunotherapy targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 in lung cancer

Cancer immunotherapies, represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have reshaped the treatment paradigm for both advanced non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Programmed death receptor-1/programmed death receptor ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) are some of the most common and promising targets in ICIs. Compared to ICI monotherapy, which occasionally demonstrates treatment resistance and limited efficacy, the dual blockade immunotherapy targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 operates at different stages of T cell activation with synergistically enhancing immune responses against cancer cells. This emerging dual therapy heralds a new direction for cancer immunotherapy, which, however, may increase the risk of drug-related adverse reactions while improving efficacy. Previous clinical trials have explored combination therapy strategy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4 agents in lung cancer, yet its efficacy remains to be unclear with the inevitable incidence of immune-related adverse events. The recent advent of bispecific antibodies has made this sort of dual targeting more feasible, aiming to alleviate toxicity without compromising efficacy. Thus, this review highlights the role of dual blockade immunotherapy targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 in treating lung cancer, and further elucidates its pre-clinical mechanisms and current advancements in clinical trials. Besides, we also provide novel insights into the potential combinations of dual blockade therapies with other strategies to optimize the future treatment mode for lung cancer.

FXa-mediated PAR-2 promotes the efficacy of immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma through immune escape and anoikis resistance by inducing PD-L1 transcription

BACKGROUND

The high metastasis rate is one of the main reasons for the poor prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Coagulation factor Xa (FXa) and its receptor proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) proven to promote tumor metastasis in other forms of cancer. Here, we explore the role and mechanism of FXa in the regulation of resistance of anoikis and immune escape of HCC.

METHODS

In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to explore the role of FXa in HCC metastasis and its potential mechanism. The effects of FXa inhibitor rivaroxaban on HCC immunotherapy were evaluated using intrahepatic metastasis animal models and clinical trial (No. ChiCTR20000040540). We investigated the potential of FXa inhibition as a treatment for HCC.

RESULTS

FXa was highly expressed in HCC and promoted metastasis by activating PAR-2. Mechanistically, FXa-activated PAR-2 endows HCC cells with the ability of anoikis resistance to survive in the circulating blood by inhibiting the extrinsic apoptosis pathway. Furthermore, suspension stimulation-induced phosphorylation of STAT2, which promotes programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) transcription and inhibits the antitumor effects of immune cells by inhibiting the infiltration of CD8+T cells in tumors and the levels of secreted cytokines. In vivo inhibition of FXa with rivaroxaban reduced HCC metastasis by decreasing PD-L1 expression and exhausting tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Notably, the combination of rivaroxaban and anti-programmed death-1 monoclonal antibody (anti-PD-1) programmed Death-1 monoclonal antibody (anti-PD-1) induced synergistic antitumor effects in animal models. Most importantly, rivaroxaban improved the objective response rate of patients with HCC to immune checkpoint inhibitors and prolonged overall survival time.

CONCLUSIONS

FXa-activated PAR-2 promotes anoikis resistance and immune escape in HCC, suggesting the potential for combining coagulation inhibitors and PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of HCC.

Gut microbiota affects the activation of STING pathway and thus participates in the progression of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

More and more studies showed that gut microbiota was closely related to the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the specific pathway of gut microbiota regulating CRC development is still unknown.

METHODS

We collected fecal samples from 14 CRC patients and 20 normal volunteers for 16 S sequencing analysis. At the same time, 14 CRC patients' tumors and their adjacent tissues were collected for the detection of STING pathway related protein level. Mice were injected with azoxymethane (AOM) to establish an animal model of CRC, and antibiotics were given at the same time to evaluate the influence of gut microbiota on STING pathway and whether it was involved in regulating the tumor development of CRC mice.

RESULTS

The sequencing results showed that compared with the normal group, the gut microbiota gut microbiota of CRC patients changed significantly at different species classification levels. At the level of genus, Akkermansia, Ligilactobacillus and Subdoligranulum increased the most in CRC patients, while Bacteroides and Dialister decreased sharply. The expression of STING-related protein was significantly down-regulated in CRC tumor tissues. Antibiotic treatment of CRC mice can promote the development of tumor and inhibit the activation of STING pathway.

CONCLUSION

Gut microbiota participates in CRC progress by mediating STING pathway activation.

IRF8 deficiency-induced myeloid-derived suppressor cell promote immune evasion in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) have a low response rate to immune checkpoint blockade. It is highly important to explore the tumor immune escape mechanism of LUAD patients and expand the population of patients who may benefit from immunotherapy.

METHODS

Based on 954 bulk RNA-seq data of LUAD patients and 15 single-cell RNA-seq data, the relationships between tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) scores and survival prognosis in each patient were calculated and evaluated, and the immune escape mechanism affecting the independent prognosis of LUAD patients was identified. Functional enrichment analysis explored the antitumour immune response and biological behavior of tumor cells among different LUAD groups. Single-cell annotation and pseudotemporal analysis were used to explore the target molecules and immune escape mechanisms of LUAD.

RESULTS

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and IRF8 were identified as risk and protective factors for the independent prognosis of LUAD patients, respectively. In the tumor microenvironment of patients with high infiltration of MDSCs, the antitumor immune response is significantly suppressed, while tumor cell division, proliferation, and distant metastasis are significantly enhanced. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis revealed that IRF8 is an important regulator of MDSC differentiation in LUAD myeloid cells. In addition, IRF8 may regulate the differentiation of MDSCs through the IL6-JAK-STAT3 signalling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

IRF8 deficiency impairs the normal development of LUAD myeloid cells and induces their differentiation into MDSCs, thereby accelerating the immune escape of LUAD cells. IRF8-targeted activation to inhibit the formation of MDSCs may be a new target for immunotherapy in LUAD.

Orchestrating NK and T cells via tri-specific nano-antibodies for synergistic antitumor immunity

The functions of natural killer (NK) and T cells in innate and adaptive immunity, as well as their functions in tumor eradication, are complementary and intertwined. Here we show that utilization of multi-specific antibodies or nano-antibodies capable of simultaneously targeting both NK and T cells could be a valuable approach in cancer immunotherapy. Here, we introduce a tri-specific Nano-Antibody (Tri-NAb), generated by immobilizing three types of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), using an optimized albumin/polyester composite nanoparticle conjugated with anti-Fc antibody. This Tri-NAb, targeting PDL1, 4-1BB, and NKG2A (or TIGIT) simultaneously, effectively binds to NK and CD8+ T cells, triggering their activation and proliferation, while facilitating their interaction with tumor cells, thereby inducing efficient tumor killing. Importantly, the antitumor efficacy of Tri-NAb is validated in multiple models, including patient-derived tumor organoids and humanized mice, highlighting the translational potential of NK and T cell co-targeting.

Targeting the glucocorticoid receptor-CCR8 axis mediated bone marrow T cell sequestration enhances infiltration of anti-tumor T cells in intracranial cancers

Brain tumors such as glioblastomas are resistant to immune checkpoint blockade therapy, largely due to limited T cell infiltration in the tumors. Here, we show that mice bearing intracranial tumors exhibit systemic immunosuppression and T cell sequestration in bone marrow, leading to reduced T cell infiltration in brain tumors. Elevated plasma corticosterone drives the T cell sequestration via glucocorticoid receptors in tumor-bearing mice. Immunosuppression mediated by glucocorticoid-induced T cell dynamics and the subsequent tumor growth promotion can be abrogated by adrenalectomy, the administration of glucocorticoid activation inhibitors or glucocorticoid receptor antagonists, and in mice with T cell-specific deletion of glucocorticoid receptor. CCR8 expression in T cells is increased in tumor-bearing mice in a glucocorticoid receptor-dependent manner. Additionally, chemokines CCL1 and CCL8, the ligands for CCR8, are highly expressed in bone marrow immune cells in tumor-bearing mice to recruit T cells. These findings suggested that brain tumor-induced glucocorticoid surge and CCR8 upregulation in T cells lead to T cell sequestration in bone marrow, impairing the anti-tumor immune response. Targeting the glucocorticoid receptor-CCR8 axis may offer a promising immunotherapeutic approach for the treatment of intracranial tumors.

Technical considerations and strategies for generating and optimizing humanized mouse tumor models in immuno-oncology research

The field of cancer immunotherapy has experienced significant progress, resulting in the emergence of numerous biological drug candidates requiring in vivo efficacy testing and a better understanding of their mechanism of action (MOA). Humanized immune system (HIS) models are valuable tools in this regard. However, there is a lack of systematic guidance on HIS modeling. To address this issue, the present study aimed to establish and optimize a variety of HIS models for immune-oncology (IO) study, including genetically engineered mouse models and HIS models with human immune components reconstituted in severely immunocompromised mice. The efficacy and utility of these models were tested with several marketed or investigational IO drugs according to their MOA, followed by immunophenotypic analysis and efficacy evaluation. The results of the present study demonstrated that the HIS models responded to various IO drugs as expected and that each model had unique niches, utilities and limitations. Researchers should carefully choose the appropriate models based on the MOA and the targeted immune cell populations of the investigational drug. The present study provides valuable methodologies and actionable technical guidance on designing, generating or utilizing appropriate HIS models to address specific questions in translational IO.

Acetylation model predicts prognosis of patients and affects immune microenvironment infiltration in epithelial ovarian carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is a prevalent gynaecological malignancy. The prognosis of patients with EOC is related to acetylation modifications and immune responses in the tumour microenvironment (TME). However, the relationships between acetylation-related genes, patient prognosis, and the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) are not yet understood. Our research aims to investigate the link between acetylation and the tumour microenvironment, with the goal of identifying new biomarkers for estimating survival of patients with EOC.

METHODS

Using data downloaded from the tumour genome atlas (TCGA), genotypic tissue expression (GTEx), and gene expression master table (GEO), we comprehensively evaluated acetylation-related genes in 375 ovarian cancer specimens and identified molecular subtypes using unsupervised clustering. The prognosis, TIME, stem cell index and functional concentration analysis were compared among the three groups. A risk model based on differential expression of acetylation-related genes was established through minimum absolute contraction and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis, and the predictive validity of this feature was validated using GEO data sets. A nomogram is used to predict a patient's likelihood of survival. In addition, different EOC risk groups were evaluated for timing, tumour immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) score, stemness index, somatic mutation, and drug sensitivity.

RESULTS

We used the mRNA levels of the differentially expressed genes related to acetylation to classify them into three distinct clusters. Patients with increased immune cell infiltration and lower stemness scores in cluster 2 (C2) exhibited poorer prognosis. Immunity and tumourigenesis-related pathways were highly abundant in cluster 3 (C3). We developed a prognostic model for ten differentially expressed acetylation-related genes. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated significantly worse overall survival (OS) in high-risk patients. Furthermore, the TIME, tumour immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) score, stemness index, tumour mutation burden (TMB), immunotherapy response, and drug sensitivity all showed significant correlations with the risk scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated a complex regulatory mechanism of acetylation in EOC. The assessment of acetylation patterns could provide new therapeutic strategies for EOC immunotherapy to improve the prognosis of patients.

A novel signature constructed by cuproptosis-related RNA methylation regulators suggesting downregulation of YTHDC2 may induce cuproptosis resistance in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

A newly identified type of cell death due to intracellular copper accumulation is known as cuproptosis and RNA methylation is a post-transcriptional modification mechanism, both of which perform vital roles in the immune microenvironment of colorectal cancer (CRC), but the link between the two needs more research.

METHODS

TCGA database provided RNA-seq data and details clinically of CRC samples. Cuproptosis-related RNA methylation regulators (CRRMRs) were identified by correlation analysis. We screened 6 CRRMRs for prognostic model construction by employing LASSO-Cox regression analysis and calculated risk scores by CRRMRs (CuMS). GSE39582 and GSE38832 cohort were used as external validation sets. This research concentrated on the connection between the prognostic model and somatic mutation, anti-cancer drug sensitivity, immune infiltration, immune checkpoint expression. In addition, we investigated the differential expression of YTHDC2 in epithelial cell subpopulations by single-cell analysis with GSE166555, calculated cuproptosis scores and performed pathway enrichment. In vitro experiments were performed to explore the consequences of knockdown of YTHDC2 on CRC cell proliferation and migration, as well as changes in CRC cell viability in response to elesclomol after knockdown of YTHDC2. In vivo experiments, we constructed the cell line-derived xenograft model to further validate the results of the in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

The prognosis of CRC can be predicted by CuMS, which GSE39582 and GSE38832 confirmed. Two CuMS groups showed different tumor mutation burden (TMB) and immune infiltration. CuMS was connected to emerging immune checkpoints CD47 and PVR, therefore, it can be clinically complementary to TMB and microsatellite instability (MSI) status. In single-cell analysis, a subpopulation of epithelial cells with high YTHDC2 expression had a high cuproptosis score. In vitro experiments, knocking down YTHDC2 promoted cell proliferation and migration in CRC, and weaken the inhibitory effect of elesclomol and elesclomol-Cu on cell viability, which in vivo experiments validated.

CONCLUSION

We developed a prognostic model constructed by 6 CRRMRs to assess overall survival and immune microenvironment of CRC patients. YTHDC2 might regulate cuproptosis in multiple ways.

Immunological profiling for short-term predictive analysis in PD-1/PD-L1 therapy for lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and PD-1 ligand-1 (PD-L1) antibodies, have achieved breakthrough results in improving long-term survival rates in lung cancer. Although high levels of PD-L1 expression and tumor mutational burden have emerged as pivotal biomarkers, not all patients derive lasting benefits, and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade remains a prevalent issue. Comprehending the immunological intricacies of lung cancer is crucial for uncovering the mechanisms that govern responses and resistance to immunomodulatory treatments. This study aimed to explore the potential of peripheral immune markers in predicting treatment efficiency among lung cancer patients undergoing PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors.

METHODS

This study enrolled 71 lung cancer patients undergoing PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor therapy and 20 healthy controls. Immune cell subsets (CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, B cells, NK cells, and NKT cells), phenotypic analysis of T cells and B cells, and PMA/Ionomycin-stimulated lymphocyte function assay were conducted.

RESULTS

Lung cancer patients exhibited significant alterations in immune cell subsets, notably an increased percentage of Treg cells. Post-treatment, there were substantial increases in absolute numbers of CD3 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, and NKT cells, along with heightened HLA-DR expression on CD3 + T and CD8 + T cells. Comparison between complete remission and non-complete remission (NCR) groups showed higher Treg cell percentages and HLA-DR + CD4 + T cells in the NCR group.

CONCLUSION

The study findings suggest potential predictive roles for immune cell subsets and phenotypes, particularly Treg cells, HLA-DR + CD4 + T cells, and naïve CD4 + T cells, in evaluating short-term PD-1/PD-L1 therapy efficacy for lung cancer patients. These insights offer valuable prospects for personalized treatment strategies and underscore the importance of immune profiling in lung cancer immunotherapy.

Identification of RNMT as an immunotherapeutic and prognostic biomarker: From pan-cancer analysis to lung squamous cell carcinoma validation

BACKGROUND

Dysregulation of RNA guanine-7 methyltransferase (RNMT) plays a crucial role in the tumor progression and immune responses. However, the detailed role of RNMT in pan-cancer is still unknown.

METHODS

Bulk transcriptomic data of pan-cancer were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), and Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) databases. Single-cell transcriptomic and proteomics data of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) were analyzed in the Tumor Immune Single-cell Hub 2 (TISCH2) and Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) databases, respectively. The correlation between RNMT expression and cancer prognosis was analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses. The correlation of RNMT expression with common immunoregulators, tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), mismatch repair (MMR), and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) was analyzed. Additionally, the correlation between RNMT expression and immune infiltration level was evaluated. A total of 1287 machine learning combinations were used to construct prognostic models for LUSC. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to validate the bioinformatics findings of RNMT upregulation in LUSC.

RESULTS

RNMT was widely expressed across different cancers, with significant correlation to prognosis in cancers such as kidney chromophobe (KICH) (p = 0.0033, HR = 7.12), liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) (p = 0.01, HR = 1.41), and others. Notably, RNMT participates in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment. RNMT expression positively correlated with immune cell expression (Spearman's rank correlation, p < 0.05). Moreover, RNMT expression was strongly associated with immunoregulators, TMB, MSI, MMR, and DNMT in most cancer types. Notably, RNMT expression displayed excellent prognostic and immunological performance in LUSC. The expression of RNMT was mainly enriched in B cells of LUSC tissues. qRT-PCR and Western blot verified the high expression of RNMT in LUSC.

CONCLUSION

RNMT expression widely correlated with prognosis and immune infiltration in various tumors, especially LUSC. The RNMT detection may provide a new idea for future tumor immune studies and treatment strategies.

Enhancing the Antitumor Efficacy of Oncolytic Adenovirus Through Sonodynamic Therapy-Augmented Virus Replication

The therapeutic efficacy of oncolytic adenoviruses (OAs) relies on efficient viral transduction and replication. However, the limited expression of coxsackie-adenovirus receptors in many tumors, along with the intracellular antiviral signaling, poses significant obstacles to OA infection and oncolysis. Here, we present sonosensitizer-armed OAs (saOAs) that potentiate the antitumor efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy through sonodynamic therapy-augmented virus replication. The saOAs could not only efficiently infect tumor cells via transferrin receptor-mediated endocytosis but also exhibit enhanced viral replication and tumor oncolysis under ultrasound irradiation. We revealed that the sonosensitizer loaded on the viruses induced the generation of ROS within tumor cells, which triggered JNK-mediated autophagy, ultimately leading to the enhanced viral replication. In mouse models of malignant melanoma, the combination of saOAs and sonodynamic therapy elicited a robust antitumor immune response, resulting in significant inhibition of melanoma growth and improved host survival. This work highlights the potential of sonodynamic therapy in enhancing the effectiveness of OAs and provides a promising platform for fully exploiting the antitumor efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy.

A Virus-Inspired Inhalable Liponanogel Induces Potent Antitumor Immunity and Regression in Metastatic Lung Tumors

Pulmonary delivery of immunostimulatory agents such as poly(I:C) to activate double-stranded RNA sensors MDA5 and RIG-I within lung-resident antigen-presenting cells is a potential strategy to enhance antitumor immunity by promoting type I interferon secretion. Nevertheless, following pulmonary delivery, poly(I:C) suffers from rapid degradation and poor endosomal escape, thus limiting its potency. Inspired by the structure of a virus that utilizes internal viral proteins to tune the loading and cytosolic delivery of viral nucleic acids, we developed a liponanogel (LNG)-based platform to overcome the delivery challenges of poly(I:C). The LNG comprised an anionic polymer hyaluronic acid-based nanogel core coated by a lipid shell, which served as a protective layer to stabilize the nanogel core in the lungs. The nanogel core was protonated within acidic endosomes to enhance the endosomal membrane permeability and cytosolic delivery of poly(I:C). After pulmonary delivery, LNG-poly(I:C) induced 13.7-fold more IFNβ than poly(I:C) alone and two-fold more than poly(I:C) loaded in the state-of-art lipid nanoparticles [LNP-poly(I:C)]. Additionally, LNG-poly(I:C) induced more potent CD8+ T-cell immunity and stronger therapeutic effects than LNP-poly(I:C). The combination of LNG-poly(I:C) and PD-L1 targeting led to regression of established lung metastases. Due to the ease of manufacturing and the high biocompatibility of LNG, pulmonary delivery of LNG may be broadly applicable to the treatment of different lung tumors and may spur the development of innovative strategies for cancer immunotherapy. Significance: Pulmonary delivery of poly(I:C) with a virus-inspired inhalable liponanogel strongly activates cytosolic MDA5 and RIG-I and stimulates antitumor immunity, representing a promising strategy for safe and effective treatment of metastatic lung tumors.

MICAL1 promotes the proliferation in acute myeloid leukemia and is associated with clinical prognosis and immune infiltration

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most common hematopoietic malignancies that has a poor prognosis and a high rate of relapse. Dysregulated metabolism plays an important role in AML progression. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of MRGs using TCGA and GEO datasets and further explore the potential function of critical MRGs in AML progression. In this study, we identified 17 survival-related differentially expressed MRGs in AML using TCGA and GEO datasets. The 150 AML samples were divided into three molecular subtypes using 17 MRGs, and we found that three molecular subtypes exhibited a different association with ferroptosis, cuproptosis and m6A related genes. Moreover, a prognostic signature that comprised nine MRGs and had good predictive capacity was established by LASSO-Cox stepwise regression analysis. Among the 17 MRGs, our attention focused on MICAL1 which was highly expressed in many types of tumors, including AML and its overexpression was also confirmed in several AML cell lines. We also found that the expression of MICAL1 was associated with several immune cells. Moreover, functional experiments revealed that knockdown of MICAL1 distinctly suppressed the proliferation of AML cells. Overall, this study not only contributes to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AML but also provides potential targets and prognostic markers for AML treatment. These findings offer robust support for further research into therapeutic strategies and mechanisms related to AML, with the potential to improve the prognosis and quality of life for AML patients. Nevertheless, further research is needed to validate these findings and explore more in-depth molecular mechanisms.

The role of CD8 PET imaging in guiding cancer immunotherapy

Currently, immunotherapy is being widely used for treating cancers. However, the significant heterogeneity in patient responses is a major challenge for its successful application. CD8-positive T cells (CD8+ T cells) play a critical role in immunotherapy. Both their infiltration and functional status in tumors contribute to treatment outcomes. Therefore, accurate monitoring of CD8+ T cells, a potential biomarker, may improve therapeutic strategy. Positron emission tomography (PET) is an optimal option which can provide molecular imaging with enhanced specificity. This review summarizes the mechanism of action of CD8+ T cells in immunotherapy, and highlights the recent advancements in PET-based tracers that can visualize CD8+ T cells and discusses their clinical applications to elucidate their potential role in cancer immunotherapy.

Therapeutic liposomal combination to enhance chemotherapy response and immune activation of tumor microenvironment

Multiple oxaliplatin-resistance mechanisms have been proposed such as increase of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages and lack of cytotoxic T-cells. Thereby oxaliplatin chemotherapy promotes an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and inhibits anti-tumor efficacy. It has been shown that toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are capable of triggering broad inflammatory responses, which may potentially reduce oxaliplatin-resistance and improve the efficacy of chemotherapy. In this study, we established colorectal tumor-bearing zebrafish and mice, and investigated the effects of TLR agonists and oxaliplatin in macrophage function and anti-tumor T cell immunity as well as tumor growth control in vivo. To increase the potential of this strategy as well minimize side effects, neutral liposomes carrying oxaliplatin and cationic liposomes co-loaded with TLR agonists Poly I:C and R848 were employed for maximum immune activation. Both of two liposomal systems exhibited good physicochemical properties and excellent biological activities in vitro. The combination strategy delivered by liposomes showed more pronounced tumor regression and correlated with decreased M2 macrophage numbers in both zebrafish and mice. Increasing numbers of dendritic cells, DC maturation and T cell infiltration mediated via immunogenic cell death were observed in treated mice. Our study offers valuable insights into the potential of liposomal combination therapy to improve cancer treatment by reprogramming the tumor microenvironment and enhancing immune responses.

Metal-based nanoparticle in cancer treatment: lessons learned and challenges

Cancer, being one of the deadliest diseases, poses significant challenges despite the existence of traditional treatment approaches. This has led to a growing demand for innovative pharmaceutical agents that specifically target cancer cells for effective treatment. In recent years, the use of metal nanoparticles (NPs) as a promising alternative to conventional therapies has gained prominence in cancer research. Metal NPs exhibit unique properties that hold tremendous potential for various applications in cancer treatment. Studies have demonstrated that certain metals possess inherent or acquired anticancer capabilities through their surfaces. These properties make metal NPs an attractive focus for therapeutic development. In this review, we will investigate the applicability of several distinct classes of metal NPs for tumor targeting in cancer treatment. These classes may include gold, silver, iron oxide, and other metals with unique properties that can be exploited for therapeutic purposes. Additionally, we will provide a comprehensive summary of the risk factors associated with the therapeutic application of metal NPs. Understanding and addressing these factors will be crucial for successful clinical translation and to mitigate any potential challenges or failures in the translation of metal NP-based therapies. By exploring the therapeutic potential of metal NPs and identifying the associated risk factors, this review aims to contribute to the advancement of cancer treatment strategies. The anticipated outcome of this review is to provide valuable insights and pave the way for the advancement of effective and targeted therapies utilizing metal NPs specifically for cancer patients.

Causal relationship between immune cell phenotypes and risk of biliary tract cancer: evidence from Mendelian randomization analysis

Background

Biliary tract cancer stands as a prevalent illness, posing significant risks to human health, where immune cells are pivotal in both its development and recovery processes. Due to the diverse functionalities exhibited by different immune cell phenotypes within the organism, and the relatively limited research on their relationship with biliary tract cancer, this study employed Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore their potential association, thereby aiding in a better understanding of the causal link between immune cell phenotypes and biliary tract cancer.

Methods

In this study, the causative association of 731 immunophenotype with biliary tract cancer was established using publicly accessible genome-wide association study (GWAS) genetic data through two-sample MR analysis. Sensitivity analyses assess horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity of the study findings.

Results

Among the 731 immunophenotypes examined, a total of 26 immune cell phenotypes were found to exhibit positive results, indicating a significant association with the risk of biliary tract cancer. We confirmed that among these 26 types of immune cells, there are primarily 13 types of B cells; three types of classical dendritic cells (CDCs), including CD80 on myeloid DC, HLA DR on myeloid DC, and Myeloid DC %DC; one type of mature stage T cell,CD4RA on TD CD4+; six types of regulatory T cells; and three types of myeloid cells.

Intratumoral immune triads are required for immunotherapy-mediated elimination of solid tumors

Tumor-specific CD8+ T cells are frequently dysfunctional and unable to halt tumor growth. We investigated whether tumor-specific CD4+ T cells can be enlisted to overcome CD8+ T cell dysfunction within tumors. We find that the spatial positioning and interactions of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, but not their numbers, dictate anti-tumor responses in the context of adoptive T cell therapy as well as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB): CD4+ T cells must engage with CD8+ T cells on the same dendritic cell during the effector phase, forming a three-cell-type cluster (triad) to license CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity and cancer cell elimination. When intratumoral triad formation is disrupted, tumors progress despite equal numbers of tumor-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. In patients with pleural mesothelioma treated with ICB, triads are associated with clinical responses. Thus, CD4+ T cells and triads are required for CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity during the effector phase and tumor elimination.

Tumor immune microenvironment permissive to metastatic progression of ING4-deficient breast cancer

Deficiencies in the ING4 tumor suppressor are associated with advanced stage tumors and poor patient survival in cancer. ING4 was shown to inhibit NF-kB in several cancers. As NF-kB is a key mediator of immune response, the ING4/NF-kB axis is likely to manifest in tumor-immune modulation but has not been investigated. To characterize the tumor immune microenvironment associated with ING4-deficient tumors, three approaches were employed in this study: First, tissue microarrays composed of 246 primary breast tumors including 97 ING4-deficient tumors were evaluated for the presence of selective immune markers, CD68, CD4, CD8, and PD-1, using immunohistochemical staining. Second, an immune-competent mouse model of ING4-deficient breast cancer was devised utilizing CRISPR-mediated deletion of Ing4 in a Tp53 deletion-derived mammary tumor cell line; mammary tumors were evaluated for immune markers using flow cytometry. Lastly, the METABRIC gene expression dataset was evaluated for patient survival related to the immune markers associated with Ing4-deleted tumors. The results showed that CD68, CD4, CD8, or PD-1, was not significantly associated with ING4-deficient breast tumors, indicating no enrichment of macrophages, T cells, or exhausted T cell types. In mice, Ing4-deleted mammary tumors had a growth rate comparable to Ing4-intact tumors but showed increased tumor penetrance and metastasis. Immune marker analyses of Ing4-deleted tumors revealed a significant increase in tumor-associated macrophages (Gr-1loCD11b+F4/80+) and a decrease in granzyme B-positive (GzmB+) CD4+ T cells, indicating a suppressive and/or less tumoricidal immune microenvironment. The METABRIC data analyses showed that low expression of GZMB was significantly associated with poor patient survival, as was ING4-low expression, in the basal subtype of breast cancer. Patients with GZMB-low/ING4-low tumors had the worst survival outcomes (HR = 2.80, 95% CI 1.36-5.75, p = 0.0004), supportive of the idea that the GZMB-low immune environment contributes to ING4-deficient tumor progression. Collectively, the study results demonstrate that ING4-deficient tumors harbor a microenvironment that contributes to immune evasion and metastasis.

RBMS1 reflects a distinct microenvironment and promotes tumor progression in ocular melanoma

Ocular melanoma, including uveal melanoma (UM) and conjunctival melanoma (CM), is the most common ocular cancer among adults with a high rate of recurrence and poor prognosis. Loss of epigenetic homeostasis disturbed gene expression patterns, resulting in oncogenesis. Herein, we comprehensively analyzed the DNA methylation, transcriptome profiles, and corresponding clinical information of UM patients through multiple machine-learning algorithms, finding that a methylation-driven gene RBMS1 was correlated with poor clinical outcomes of UM patients. RNA-seq and single-cell RNA-seq analyses revealed that RBMS1 reflected diverse tumor microenvironments, where high RBMS1 expression marked an immune active TME. Furthermore, we found that tumor cells were identified to have the higher communication probability in RBMS1+ state. The functional enrichment analysis revealed that RBMS1 was associated with pigment granule and melanosome, participating in cell proliferation as well as apoptotic signaling pathway. Biological experiments were performed and demonstrated that the silencing of RBMS1 inhibited ocular melanoma proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Our study highlighted that RBMS1 reflects a distinct microenvironment and promotes tumor progression in ocular melanoma, contributing to the therapeutic customization and clinical decision-making.

Targeting LSD1 in cancer: Molecular elucidation and recent advances

Histones are the main components of chromatin, functioning as an instructive scaffold to maintain chromosome structure and regulate gene expression. The dysregulation of histone modification is associated with various pathological processes, especially cancer initiation and development, and histone methylation plays a critical role. However, the specific mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets of histone methylation in cancer are not elucidated. Lys-specific demethylase 1A (LSD1) was the first identified demethylase that specifically removes methyl groups from histone 3 at lysine 4 or lysine 9, acting as a repressor or activator of gene expression. Recent studies have shown that LSD1 promotes cancer progression in multiple epigenetic regulation or non-epigenetic manners. Notably, LSD1 dysfunction is correlated with repressive cancer immunity. Many LSD1 inhibitors have been developed and clinical trials are exploring their efficacy in monotherapy, or combined with other therapies. In this review, we summarize the oncogenic mechanisms of LSD1 and the current applications of LSD1 inhibitors. We highlight that LSD1 is a promising target for cancer treatment. This review will provide the latest theoretical references for further understanding the research progress of oncology and epigenetics, deepening the updated appreciation of epigenetics in cancer.

Advanced Strategies for Strengthening the Immune Activation Effect of Traditional Antitumor Therapies

The utilization of traditional therapies (TTS), such as chemotherapy, reactive oxygen species-based therapy, and thermotherapy, to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) in tumor cells has emerged as a promising strategy for the activation of the antitumor immune response. However, the limited effectiveness of most TTS in inducing the ICD effect of tumors hinders their applications in combination with immunotherapy. To address this challenge, various intelligent strategies have been proposed to strengthen the immune activation effect of these TTS, and then achieve synergistic antitumor efficacy with immunotherapy. These strategies primarily focus on augmenting the tumor ICD effect or facilitating the antigen (released by the ICD tumor cells) presentation process during TTS, and they are systematically summarized in this review. Finally, the existing bottlenecks and prospects of TTS in the application of tumor immune regulation are also discussed.

Integrated pan-cancer genomic analysis reveals the role of SLC30A5 in the proliferation, metastasis, and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: SLC30A5, a member of the solute transporter protein family, is implicated in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. This study aimed to explore the expression and prognostic significance of SLC30A family genes in pan-cancer, with a specific emphasis on SLC30A5 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Expression patterns and prognostic implications of SLC30A family genes were assessed across 33 cancer types, especially HCC. Co-expression analysis explored the relationship between SLC30A5 and immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoints, pathway molecules related to tumor angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The role of SLC30A5 in HCC was evaluated through in vitro and in vivo assays, including CCK8 viability assay, EdU cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, apoptosis assay, wound healing assay, transwell migration assay, and xenograft mouse model assay using Huh7 cells with targeted knockdown of SLC30A5. Results: SLC30A family genes exhibited overexpression in various tumors. In HCC, upregulation of SLC30A5 expression correlated with adverse prognosis. Significant associations were observed between SLC30A5 expression and immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoints, molecules involved in angiogenesis, and EMT. SLC30A5 overexpression was associated with advanced disease stages, higher histological grades, and vascular invasion. Single-cell RNA sequencing data (GSE112271) revealed notable SLC30A5 expression in malignant cells. In vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated that SLC30A5 knockdown in Huh7 cells reduced proliferation, migration, and invasion while promoting apoptosis. Conclusions: This study highlights the clinical relevance of SLC30A5 in HCC, emphasizing its role in cell proliferation and migration. SLC30A5 emerges as a promising candidate for a prognostic marker and a potential target in HCC.

Microenvironment M1/M2 macrophages and tumoral progression vary within C57BL/6 mice from same substrain in prostate cancer model

Cancer mice models are critical for immune-oncology research; they provide conditions to explore tumor immunoenviroment aiming to advance knowledge and treatment development. Often, research groups breed their own mice colonies. To assess the effect of C57BL/6 mice breeding nuclei in prostate cancer development and intratumoral macrophage populations, an isotransplantation experiment was performed. C57BL/6J mice from two breeding nuclei (nA and nB) were employed for prostate adenocarcinoma TRAMP-C1 cell implantation; tumor growth period and intratumoral macrophage profile were measured. BL/6nB mice (54%) showed tumor implantation after 69-day growth period while BL/6nA implantation reached 100% across tumor growth period (28 days). No difference in total macrophage populations was observed between groups within several tumoral regions; significantly higher M2 macrophage profile was observed in tumor microenvironments from both mice groups. Nevertheless, BL/6nB tumors showed around twice the population of M1 profile (11-27%) than BL6nA (4-15%) and less non-polarized macrophages. The M1:M2 average ratio was 1:8 for group A and 1:4 for B. Our results demonstrate different tumor progression and intratumoral macrophage populations among mice from the same substrain. Data obtained in this study shows the relevance of animal source renewal for better control of murine cancer model variables.

The tumor immune microenvironment remodeling and response to HER2-targeted therapy in HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer

Combination therapy with anti-HER2 agents and immunotherapy has demonstrated significant clinical benefits in gastric cancer (GC), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we used multiplex immunohistochemistry to assess the changes of the tumor microenvironment in 47 advanced GC patients receiving anti-HER2 therapy. Additionally, we performed single-cell transcriptional sequencing to investigate potential cell-to-cell communication and molecular mechanisms in four HER2-positive GC baseline samples. We observed that post-treated the infiltration of NK cells, CD8+ T cells, and B lymphocytes were significantly higher in patients who benefited from anti-HER2 treatment than baseline. Further spatial distribution analysis demonstrated that the interaction scores between NK cells and CD8+ T cells, B lymphocytes and M2 macrophages, B lymphocytes and Tregs were also significantly higher in benefited patients. Cell-cell communication analysis from scRNA sequencing showed that NK cells utilized CCL3/CCL4-CCR5 to recruit CD8+ T cell infiltration. B lymphocytes employed CD74-APP/COPA/MIF to interact with M2 macrophages, and utilized TNF-FAS/ICOS/TNFRSR1B to interact with Tregs. These cell-cell interactions contribute to inhibit the immune resistance of M2 macrophages and Tregs. Our research provides potential guidance for the use of anti-HER2 therapy in combination with immune therapy.

PRPS2-mediated modulation of the antitumor immune response in lung cancer through CCL2-mediated tumor-associated macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells

BACKGROUND

Phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase 2 (PRPS2) is known as an oncogene in many types of cancers, including lung cancer. However, its role in regulating tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) remains unclear. Our study aimed to explore the involvement of PRPS2 in TAM and MDSC regulation.

METHODS

Stable Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cell lines were established using a lentivirus system. These LLC lines were then used to establish tumor model in mice. The levels of target genes were determined using qPCR, western blotting, and ELISA assays. The percentage of different immune cell types was analyzed using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The chemotaxis ability of TAM and MDSC was evaluated using an in vitro transwell chemotaxis assay.

RESULTS

Notably, PRPS2 was found to regulate the chemotaxis of TAM and MDSC in tumor cells, as evidenced by the positive correlation of PRPS2 expression levels and abundance of TAM and MDSC populations. In addition, the expression of CCL2, mediated by PRPS2, was identified as a key factor in the chemotaxis of TAM and MDSC, as evidenced by a significant reduction in macrophages and MDSC numbers in the presence of the CCL2 antibody. Furthermore, in vivo experiments confirmed the involvement of PRPS2 in mediating CCL2 expression. PRPS2 was also found to regulate immune cell infiltration into tumors, whereas knockdown of CCL2 reversed the phenotype induced by PRPS2 overexpression. In tumor tissues from mice implanted with LLC-PRPS2-shCCL2 cells, a notable increase in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell percentages, alongside a marked decrease in TAMs, M-MDSC, and PMN-MDSC, was observed.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, PRPS2 plays a crucial role in modulating the antitumor immune response by reprogramming CCL2-mediated TAM and MDSC.

DOK1 and DOK2 regulate CD8 T cell signaling and memory formation without affecting tumor cell killing

Targeting intracellular inhibiting proteins has been revealed to be a promising strategy to improve CD8+ T cell anti-tumor efficacy. Here, we are focusing on intracellular inhibiting proteins specific to TCR signaling: DOK1 and DOK2 expressed in T cells. We hypothesized that depletion of intracellular inhibition checkpoint DOK1 and DOK2 could improve CD8+ T-cell based cancer therapies. To evaluate the role of DOK1 and DOK2 depletion in physiology and effector function of CD8+ T lymphocytes and in cancer progression, we established a transgenic T cell receptor mouse model specific to melanoma antigen hgp100 (pmel-1 TCR Tg) in WT and Dok1/Dok2 DKO (double KO) mice. We showed that both DOK1 and DOK2 depletion in CD8+ T cells after an in vitro pre-stimulation induced a higher percentage of effector memory T cells as well as an up regulation of TCR signaling cascade- induced by CD3 mAbs, including the increased levels of pAKT and pERK, two major phosphoproteins involved in T cell functions. Interestingly, this improved TCR signaling was not observed in naïve CD8+ T cells. Despite this enhanced TCR signaling essentially shown upon stimulation via CD3 mAbs, pre-stimulated Dok1/Dok2 DKO CD8+ T cells did not show any increase in their activation or cytotoxic capacities against melanoma cell line expressing hgp100 in vitro. Altogether we demonstrate here a novel aspect of the negative regulation by DOK1 and DOK2 proteins in CD8+ T cells. Indeed, our results allow us to conclude that DOK1 and DOK2 have an inhibitory role following long term T cell stimulations.

Increased tumor-infiltrating plasmacytoid dendritic cells express high levels of PD-L2 and affect CD8+ T lymphocyte infiltration in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

The infiltration and prognostic significance of tumor-infiltrating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (TI-pDC) have been elucidated in various human solid cancers. However, the infiltrating patterns and functional importance of TI-pDC in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remain unknown. In this study, flow cytometric analyses were conducted to characterize the infiltration of dendritic cells and T lymphocytes, along with their respective subgroups in tumor tissues (TT), para-carcinoma tissues (PT), and peripheral blood (PB) from LSCC patients. Immunohistochemical staining for CD4 and CD8, as well as immunofluorescence staining for CD123, were performed on serial tissue sections to investigate the co-localization of TI-pDC and tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TIL) within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Our results demonstrated significantly lower percentages of all three DC subsets in PB compared to TT and PT. Notably, the pDC percentage was markedly higher in TT than in PT. Moreover, TI-pDC percentage was significantly elevated in N+ stage patients compared to those with N0 stage. The results of survival analysis consistently demonstrated that high levels of TI-pDC infiltration were indicative of a poor prognosis. Further investigation revealed a significant negative correlation between TI-pDC and CD8+ TILs; notably, pDCs expressed an inhibitory surface molecule PD-L2 rather than PD-L1 within PT. Collectively, our findings suggest that increased TI-pDC is associated with adverse outcomes in LSCC patients while exhibiting an inhibitory phenotype that may play a crucial role in suppressing CD8+ TILs within LSCC tumors. These results highlight the potential therapeutic strategy targeting PD-L2+ pDCs for immunotherapies against LSCC.

Meaningful nomograms based on systemic immune inflammation index predicted survival in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study is to construct meaningful nomogram models according to the independent prognostic factor for metastatic pancreatic cancer receiving chemotherapy.

METHODS

This study is retrospective and consecutively included 143 patients from January 2013 to June 2021. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with the area under the curve (AUC) is utilized to determine the optimal cut-off value. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, univariate and multivariable Cox regression analysis are exploited to identify the correlation of inflammatory biomarkers and clinicopathological features with survival. R software are run to construct nomograms based on independent risk factors to visualize survival. Nomogram model is examined using calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

The best cut-off values of 966.71, 0.257, and 2.54 for the systemic immunological inflammation index (SII), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were obtained by ROC analysis. Cox proportional-hazards model revealed that baseline SII, history of drinking and metastasis sites were independent prognostic indices for survival. We established prognostic nomograms for primary endpoints of this study. The nomograms' predictive potential and clinical efficacy have been evaluated by calibration curves and DCA.

CONCLUSION

We constructed nomograms based on independent prognostic factors, these models have promising applications in clinical practice to assist clinicians in personalizing the management of patients.

Engineering Versatile Bacteria-Derived Outer Membrane Vesicles: An Adaptable Platform for Advancing Cancer Immunotherapy

In recent years, cancer immunotherapy has undergone a transformative shift toward personalized and targeted therapeutic strategies. Bacteria-derived outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) have emerged as a promising and adaptable platform for cancer immunotherapy due to their unique properties, including natural immunogenicity and the ability to be engineered for specific therapeutic purposes. In this review, a comprehensive overview is provided of state-of-the-art techniques and methodologies employed in the engineering of versatile OMVs for cancer immunotherapy. Beginning by exploring the biogenesis and composition of OMVs, unveiling their intrinsic immunogenic properties for therapeutic appeal. Subsequently, innovative approaches employed to engineer OMVs are delved into, ranging from the genetic engineering of parent bacteria to the incorporation of functional molecules. The importance of rational design strategies is highlighted to enhance the immunogenicity and specificity of OMVs, allowing tailoring for diverse cancer types. Furthermore, insights into clinical studies and potential challenges utilizing OMVs as cancer vaccines or adjuvants are also provided, offering a comprehensive assessment of the current landscape and future prospects. Overall, this review provides valuable insights for researchers involved in the rapidly evolving field of cancer immunotherapy, offering a roadmap for harnessing the full potential of OMVs as a versatile and adaptable platform for cancer treatment.

Engineering Microorganisms for Cancer Immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy presents a promising approach to fight against cancer by utilizing the immune system. Recently, engineered microorganisms have emerged as a potential strategy in cancer immunotherapy. These microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, can be designed and modified using synthetic biology and genetic engineering techniques to target cancer cells and modulate the immune system. This review delves into various microorganism-based therapies for cancer immunotherapy, encompassing strategies for enhancing efficacy while ensuring safety and ethical considerations. The development of these therapies holds immense potential in offering innovative personalized treatments for cancer.

Clinical significance and immune landscape of a novel immune cell infiltration-based prognostic model in lung adenocarcinoma

Tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) play a central role in the tumor microenvironment, which can reflect the host anti-tumor immune response. However, few studies have explored TICs in predicting the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In our study, we enrolled 2470 LUAD patients from TCGA and GEO databases, and the normalized enrichment scores for 65 immune cell types were quantified for each patient. An immune-related risk score (IRRS) was built on the basis of 17 selected TICs using LASSO regression analysis, and the results showed that high-risk patients were correlated with shorter survival time for the LUAD cohorts. Correlation analyses between IRRS and clinical characteristics were also evaluated to validate the clinical use of IRRS. In addition, we analyzed the differences in the distribution of immune cell infiltration and immunoregulatory gene expression, which may facilitate individual immunotherapy. Based on the above result, we conclude that IRRS can act as a powerful predictor for risk stratification and prognosis prediction, and may facilitate the decision-making process for LUAD patients.

Integration of STING activation and COX-2 inhibition via steric-hindrance effect tuned nanoreactors for cancer chemoimmunotherapy

Integrating immunotherapy with nanomaterials-based chemotherapy presents a promising avenue for amplifying antitumor outcomes. Nevertheless, the suppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and the upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) induced by chemotherapy can hinder the efficacy of the chemoimmunotherapy. This study presents a TIME-reshaping strategy by developing a steric-hindrance effect tuned zinc-based metal-organic framework (MOF), designated as CZFNPs. This nanoreactor is engineered by in situ loading of the COX-2 inhibitor, C-phycocyanin (CPC), into the framework building blocks, while simultaneously weakening the stability of the MOF. Consequently, CZFNPs achieve rapid pH-responsive release of zinc ions (Zn2+) and CPC upon specific transport to tumor cells overexpressing folate receptors. Accordingly, Zn2+ can induce reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated cytotoxicity therapy while synchronize with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) release, which stimulates mtDNA/cGAS-STING pathway-mediated innate immunity. The CPC suppresses the chemotherapy-induced overexpression of COX-2, thus cooperatively reprogramming the suppressive TIME and boosting the antitumor immune response. In xenograft tumor models, the CZFNPs system effectively modulates STING and COX-2 expression, converting "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors, thereby resulting in ≈ 4-fold tumor regression relative to ZIF-8 treatment alone. This approach offers a potent strategy for enhancing the efficacy of combined nanomaterial-based chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Auger emitter in combination with Olaparib suppresses tumor growth via promoting antitumor immune responses in pancreatic cancer

The present study aimed to clarify the hypothesis that auger emitter 125I particles in combination with PARP inhibitor Olaparib could inhibit pancreatic cancer progression by promoting antitumor immune response. Pancreatic cancer cell line (Panc02) and mice subcutaneously inoculated with Panc02 cells were employed for the in vitro and in vivo experiments, respectively, followed by 125I and Olaparib administrations. The apoptosis and CRT exposure of Panc02 cells were detected using flow cytometry assay. QRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemical analysis, and western blot were employed to examine mRNA and protein expression. Experimental results showed that 125I combined with Olaparib induced immunogenic cell death and affected antigen presentation in pancreatic cancer. 125I in combination with Olaparib influenced T cells and dendritic cells by up-regulating CD4, CD8, CD69, Caspase3, CD86, granzyme B, CD80, and type I interferon (IFN)-γ and down-regulating Ki67 in vivo. The combination also activated the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase stimulator of IFN genes (Sting) pathway in Panc02 cells. Moreover, Sting knockdown alleviated the effect of the combination of 125I and Olaparib on pancreatic cancer progression. In summary, 125I in combination with Olaparib inhibited pancreatic cancer progression through promoting antitumor immune responses, which may provide a potential treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Deciphering the tumor immune microenvironment from a multidimensional omics perspective: insight into next-generation CAR-T cell immunotherapy and beyond

Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) consists of intra-tumor immunological components and plays a significant role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and response to therapy. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell immunotherapy has revolutionized the cancer treatment paradigm. Although CAR-T cell immunotherapy has emerged as a successful treatment for hematologic malignancies, it remains a conundrum for solid tumors. The heterogeneity of TIME is responsible for poor outcomes in CAR-T cell immunotherapy against solid tumors. The advancement of highly sophisticated technology enhances our exploration in TIME from a multi-omics perspective. In the era of machine learning, multi-omics studies could reveal the characteristics of TIME and its immune resistance mechanism. Therefore, the clinical efficacy of CAR-T cell immunotherapy in solid tumors could be further improved with strategies that target unfavorable conditions in TIME. Herein, this review seeks to investigate the factors influencing TIME formation and propose strategies for improving the effectiveness of CAR-T cell immunotherapy through a multi-omics perspective, with the ultimate goal of developing personalized therapeutic approaches.

Mobilization and activation of tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells inhibits lymph node metastasis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) facilitates distant tumor colonization and leads to the high mortality in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). However, it remains elusive how ICC cells subvert immune surveillance within the primary tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and subsequently metastasize to lymph nodes (LNs). In this study, scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq analyses identified decreased infiltration of dendritic cells (DCs) into primary tumor sites of ICC with LNM, which was further validated via dual-color immunofluorescence staining of 219 surgically resected ICC samples. Tumor-infiltrating DCs correlated with increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and better prognoses in ICC patients. Mechanistically, β-catenin-mediated CXCL12 suppression accounted for the impaired DC recruitment in ICC with LNM. Two mouse ICC cell lines MuCCA1 and mIC-23 cells were established from AKT/NICD or AKT/YAP-induced murine ICCs respectively and were utilized to construct the footpad tumor LNM model. We found that expansion and activation of conventional DCs (cDCs) by combined Flt3L and poly(I:C) (FL-pIC) therapy markedly suppressed the metastasis of mIC-23 cells to popliteal LNs. Moreover, β-catenin inhibition restored the defective DC infiltration into primary tumor sites and reduced the incidence of LNM in ICC. Collectively, our findings identify tumor cell intrinsic β-catenin activation as a key mechanism for subverting DC-mediated anti-tumor immunity in ICC with LNM. FL-pIC therapy or β-catenin inhibitor could merit exploration as a potential regimen for mitigating ICC cell metastasis to LNs and achieving effective tumor immune control.

Shifting cold to hot tumors by nanoparticle-loaded drugs and products

Cold tumors lack antitumor immunity and are resistant to therapy, representing a major challenge in cancer medicine. Because of the immunosuppressive spirit of the tumor microenvironment (TME), this form of tumor has a low response to immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and also chemotherapy. Cold tumors have low infiltration of immune cells and a high expression of co-inhibitory molecules, such as immune checkpoints and immunosuppressive molecules. Therefore, targeting TME and remodeling immunity in cold tumors can improve the chance of tumor repression after therapy. However, tumor stroma prevents the infiltration of inflammatory cells and hinders the penetration of diverse molecules and drugs. Nanoparticles are an intriguing tool for the delivery of immune modulatory agents and shifting cold to hot tumors. In this review article, we discuss the mechanisms underlying the ability of nanoparticles loaded with different drugs and products to modulate TME and enhance immune cell infiltration. We also focus on newest progresses in the design and development of nanoparticle-based strategies for changing cold to hot tumors. These include the use of nanoparticles for targeted delivery of immunomodulatory agents, such as cytokines, small molecules, and checkpoint inhibitors, and for co-delivery of chemotherapy drugs and immunomodulatory agents. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of nanoparticles for enhancing the efficacy of cancer vaccines and cell therapy for overcoming resistance to treatment.

The Role and Clinical Relevance of Glycolysis-Associated Genes on Immune Infiltration in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a significant challenge with dismal survival rates, necessitating a deeper understanding of its molecular mechanisms and the development of improved therapies. Metabolic reprogramming, particularly heightened glycolysis, plays a crucial role in HCC progression. Glycolysis-associated genes (GAGs) emerge as key players in HCC pathogenesis, influencing the tumor microenvironment and immune responses. This study aims to investigate the intricate interplay between GAGs and the immune landscape within HCC, offering valuable insights into potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets to enhance treatment strategies and patient outcomes. Through the exploration of GAGs, we have identified two distinct molecular glycolytic subtypes in HCC patients, each exhibiting significant differences in both the immune microenvironment and prognosis. A risk model comprising five key GAGs was formulated and subsequently evaluated for their predictive accuracy. Our findings underscore the diverse tumor microenvironment and immune responses associated with the varying glycolytic subtypes observed in HCC. The identified key GAGs hold promise as prognostic indicators for evaluating HCC risk levels, predicting patient outcomes, and guiding clinical treatment decisions, particularly in the context of anticipating responses to immunotherapy drugs.

The tumor immune microenvironment and T-cell-related immunotherapies in colorectal cancer

The tumor microenvironment includes a complex network of immune T-cell subsets that play important roles in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and are key elements of CRC immunotherapy. T cells develop and migrate within tumors, recognizing tumor-specific antigens to regulate immune surveillance. Current immunotherapies are divided into the following main categories based on the regulatory role of T-cell subsets in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME): cytokines, monoclonal antibodies, peptide vaccines, CAR-T cells and more. This review describes the composition of the tumor immune microenvironment in colorectal cancer and the involvement of T cells in the pathogenesis and progression of CRC as well as current T-cell-related immunotherapies. Further studies on CRC-specific tumor antigens, the gene regulation of T cells, and the regulation of immune activity are needed.

Glioblastoma microenvironment-from biology to therapy

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive primary brain cancer. These tumors exhibit high intertumoral and intratumoral heterogeneity in neoplastic and nonneoplastic compartments, low lymphocyte infiltration, and high abundance of myeloid subsets that together create a highly protumorigenic immunosuppressive microenvironment. Moreover, heterogeneous GBM cells infiltrate adjacent brain tissue, remodeling the neural microenvironment to foster tumor electrochemical coupling with neurons and metabolic coupling with nonneoplastic astrocytes, thereby driving growth. Here, we review heterogeneity in the GBM microenvironment and its role in low-to-high-grade glioma transition, concluding with a discussion of the challenges of therapeutically targeting the tumor microenvironment and outlining future research opportunities.

Combination of tumor antigen drainage and immune activation to promote a cancer-immunity cycle against glioblastoma

While conventional cancer modalities, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, act through direct killing of tumor cells, cancer immunotherapy elicits potent anti-tumor immune responses thereby eliminating tumors. Nevertheless, promising outcomes have not been reported in patients with glioblastoma (GBM) likely due to the immune privileged status of the central nervous system and immunosuppressive micro-environment within GBM. In the past years, several exciting findings, such as the re-discovery of meningeal lymphatic vessels (MLVs), three-dimensional anatomical reconstruction of MLV networks, and the demonstration of the promotion of GBM immunosurveillance by lymphatic drainage enhancement, have revealed an intricate communication between the nervous and immune systems, and brought hope for the development of new GBM treatment. Based on conceptual framework of the updated cancer-immunity (CI) cycle, here we focus on GBM antigen drainage and immune activation, the early events in driving the CI cycle. We also discuss the implications of these findings for developing new therapeutic approaches in tackling fatal GBM in the future.