1
|
Montauti E, Oh DY, Fong L. CD4 + T cells in antitumor immunity. Trends Cancer 2024; 10:969-985. [PMID: 39242276 PMCID: PMC11464182 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
Advances in cancer immunotherapy have transformed cancer care and realized unprecedented responses in many patients. The growing arsenal of novel therapeutics - including immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI), adoptive T cell therapies (ACTs), and cancer vaccines - reflects the success of cancer immunotherapy. The therapeutic benefits of these treatment modalities are generally attributed to the enhanced quantity and quality of antitumor CD8+ T cell responses. Nevertheless, CD4+ T cells are now recognized to play key roles in both the priming and effector phases of the antitumor immune response. In addition to providing T cell help through co-stimulation and cytokine production, CD4+ T cells can also possess cytotoxicity either directly on MHC class II-expressing tumor cells or to other cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). The presence of specific populations of CD4+ T cells, and their intrinsic plasticity, within the TME can represent an important determinant of clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies. Understanding how the antitumor functions of specific CD4+ T cell types are induced while limiting their protumorigenic attributes will enable more successful immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Montauti
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David Y Oh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lawrence Fong
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchison Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu J, Zhou Q, Meng K, Yang X, Ma B, Su C, Duan X. Aspirin Inhibits Colorectal Cancer via the TIGIT-BCL2-BAX pathway in T Cells. Int J Med Sci 2024; 21:1990-1999. [PMID: 39113892 PMCID: PMC11302567 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.98343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The T cell immunoglobulin and ITAM domain (TIGIT) is a recently discovered synergistic co-suppressor molecule that plays an important role in immune response and tumor immune escape in the context of cancer. Importantly, CD155 acts as a receptor for TIGIT, and CD155 signaling to immune cells is mediated through interactions with the co-stimulatory immune receptor CD226 (DNAM-1) and the inhibitory checkpoint receptors TIGIT and CD96. Aspirin (ASA) has been shown to reduce the growth and survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, but the immunological mechanisms involved have not been sufficiently elucidated. In the present study the effects of aspirin on CRC in mice and on Jurkat cells were investigated. Aspirin may suppress the expression of TIGIT on T cells and Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and inhibit T cell viability, and therefore induce tumor cell apoptosis. TIGIT is expressed at higher levels on infiltrating lymphocytes within CRC tumor tissue than adjacent. Further, aspirin could inhibit Jurkat cell proliferation and induce apoptosis via downregulation of TIGIT expression and the anti-apoptosis B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) protein and upregulation of BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) expression. The present study suggests that aspirin can inhibit specific aspects of T cell function by reducing interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β1 secretion via the TIGIT-BCL2-BAX signaling pathway, resulting in improved effector T cell function that inhibits tumor progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Liu
- School of Inspection, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Qiunan Zhou
- People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Kai Meng
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Xiaojuan Yang
- School of Inspection, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Bin Ma
- Department of Oncology Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Yinchuan, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Chunxia Su
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Xiangguo Duan
- School of Inspection, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Majid U, Bergsland CH, Sveen A, Bruun J, Eilertsen IA, Bækkevold ES, Nesbakken A, Yaqub S, Jahnsen FL, Lothe RA. The prognostic effect of tumor-associated macrophages in stage I-III colorectal cancer depends on T cell infiltration. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024; 47:1267-1276. [PMID: 38407700 PMCID: PMC11322253 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-024-00926-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are associated with unfavorable patient prognosis in many cancer types. However, TAMs are a heterogeneous cell population and subsets have been shown to activate tumor-infiltrating T cells and confer a good patient prognosis. Data on the prognostic value of TAMs in colorectal cancer are conflicting. We investigated the prognostic effect of TAMs in relation to tumor-infiltrating T cells in colorectal cancers. METHODS The TAM markers CD68 and CD163 were analyzed by multiplex fluorescence immunohistochemistry and digital image analysis on tissue microarrays of 1720 primary colorectal cancers. TAM density in the tumor stroma was scored in relation to T cell density (stromal CD3+ and epithelial CD8+ cells) and analyzed in Cox proportional hazards models of 5-year relapse-free survival. Multivariable survival models included clinicopathological factors, MSI status and BRAFV600E mutation status. RESULTS High TAM density was associated with a favorable 5-year relapse-free survival in a multivariable model of patients with stage I-III tumors (p = 0.004, hazard ratio 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.90-0.98). However, the prognostic effect was dependent on tumoral T-cell density. High TAM density was associated with a good prognosis in patients who also had high T-cell levels in their tumors, while high TAM density was associated with poorer prognosis in patients with low T-cell levels (pinteraction = 0.0006). This prognostic heterogeneity was found for microsatellite stable tumors separately. CONCLUSIONS This study supported a phenotypic heterogeneity of TAMs in colorectal cancer, and showed that combined tumor immunophenotyping of multiple immune cell types improved the prediction of patient prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Umair Majid
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christian Holst Bergsland
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anita Sveen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jarle Bruun
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ina Andrassy Eilertsen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Espen S Bækkevold
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Oral Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arild Nesbakken
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sheraz Yaqub
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Frode L Jahnsen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild A Lothe
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Saris J, Bootsma S, Verhoeff J, Tuynman JB, Wildenberg ME, Rijnstra ESV, Lenos KJ, Garcia Vallejo JJ, Vermeulen L, Grootjans J. T-cell responses in colorectal peritoneal metastases are recapitulated in a humanized immune system mouse model. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1415457. [PMID: 39044825 PMCID: PMC11263213 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1415457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The occurrence of peritoneal metastasis (PM) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) has a dismal prognosis. There is often limited response to systemic- and immunotherapy, even in microsatellite unstable (MSI) CRC. To overcome therapy resistance, it is critical to understand local immune environment in the peritoneal cavity, and to develop models to study anti-tumor immune responses. Here, we defined the peritoneal immune system (PerIS) in PM-CRC patients and evaluate the pre-clinical potential of a humanized immune system (HIS) mouse model for PM-CRC. Methods We studied the human PerIS in PM-CRC patients (n=20; MSS 19/20; 95%) and in healthy controls (n=3). HIS mice (NODscid gamma background; n=18) were generated, followed by intraperitoneal injection of either saline (HIS control; n=3) or human MSS/MSI CRC cell lines HUTU80, MDST8 and HCT116 (HIS-PM, n=15). Immune cells in peritoneal fluid and peritoneal tumors were analyzed using cytometry by time of flight (CyTOF). Results The human and HIS mouse homeostatic PerIS was equally populated by NK cells and CD4+- and CD8+ T cells, however differences were observed in macrophage and B cell abundance. In HIS mice, successful peritoneal engraftment of both MSI and MSS tumors was observed (15/15; 100%). Both in human PM-CRC and in the HIS mouse PM-CRC model, we observed that MSS PM-CRC triggered a CD4+ Treg response in the PerIS, while MSI PM-CRC drives CD8+ TEMs responses. Conclusion In conclusion, T cell responses in PM-CRC in HIS mice mirror those in human PM-CRC, making this model suitable to study antitumor T cell responses in PM-CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Job Saris
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sanne Bootsma
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jan Verhoeff
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jurriaan B. Tuynman
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Manon E. Wildenberg
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Kristiaan J. Lenos
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Juan J. Garcia Vallejo
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Louis Vermeulen
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joep Grootjans
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kumagai S, Itahashi K, Nishikawa H. Regulatory T cell-mediated immunosuppression orchestrated by cancer: towards an immuno-genomic paradigm for precision medicine. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:337-353. [PMID: 38424196 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-024-00870-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that aberrant signalling stemming from genetic abnormalities in cancer cells has a fundamental role in their evasion of antitumour immunity. Immune escape mechanisms include enhanced expression of immunosuppressive molecules, such as immune-checkpoint proteins, and the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells, including regulatory T (Treg) cells, in the tumour microenvironment. Therefore, Treg cells are key targets for cancer immunotherapy. Given that therapies targeting molecules predominantly expressed by Treg cells, such as CD25 or GITR, have thus far had limited antitumour efficacy, elucidating how certain characteristics of cancer, particularly genetic abnormalities, influence Treg cells is necessary to develop novel immunotherapeutic strategies. Hence, Treg cell-targeted strategies based on the particular characteristics of cancer in each patient, such as the combination of immune-checkpoint inhibitors with molecularly targeted agents that disrupt the immunosuppressive networks mediating Treg cell recruitment and/or activation, could become a new paradigm of cancer therapy. In this Review, we discuss new insights on the mechanisms by which cancers generate immunosuppressive networks that attenuate antitumour immunity and how these networks confer resistance to cancer immunotherapy, with a focus on Treg cells. These insights lead us to propose the concept of 'immuno-genomic precision medicine' based on specific characteristics of cancer, especially genetic profiles, that correlate with particular mechanisms of tumour immune escape and might, therefore, inform the optimal choice of immunotherapy for individual patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shogo Kumagai
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
- Division of Cellular Signalling, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kota Itahashi
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan.
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan.
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dorjkhorloo G, Erkhem-Ochir B, Shiraishi T, Sohda M, Okami H, Yamaguchi A, Shioi I, Komine C, Nakazawa N, Ozawa N, Shibasaki Y, Okada T, Osone K, Sano A, Sakai M, Ogawa H, Yokobori T, Shirabe K, Saeki H. Prognostic value of a modified‑immune scoring system in patients with pathological T4 colorectal cancer. Oncol Lett 2024; 27:104. [PMID: 38298428 PMCID: PMC10829066 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2024.14237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating immune cells, such as lymphocytes and macrophages, have been associated with tumor aggressiveness, prognosis and treatment response in colorectal cancer (CRC). An immune scoring system, Immunoscore (IS), based on tumor-infiltrating T cells in stage I-III CRC, was used to predict prognosis. An alternative immune scoring signature of immune activation (SIA) reflects the balance between anti- and pro-tumoral immune components. The present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of modified IS (mIS) and modified SIA (mSIA) in locally advanced pathological T4 (pT4) CRC, including stage IV CRC. Immunohistochemical staining for immune cell markers, such as CD3 (pan-T cell marker), CD8 (anti-tumoral cytotoxic T cell marker) and CD163 (tumor-supportive macrophage marker), in specimens from patients with radically resected pT4 CRC at stages II-IV was performed. mIS levels in the T4 CRC cohort were not associated with prognosis. However, low mSIA levels were associated with low survival. Furthermore, low mSIA was an independent predictor of recurrence in patients with radically resected pT4 CRC. In patients with CRC who did not receive postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, low mSIA was a major poor prognostic factor; however, this was not observed in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Evaluation of the tumor-infiltrating immune cell population could serve as a valuable marker of recurrence and poor prognosis in patients with locally advanced CRC. mSIA assessment after radical CRC resection may be promising for identifying high-risk patients with pT4 CRC who require aggressive adjuvant chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gendensuren Dorjkhorloo
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Bilguun Erkhem-Ochir
- Division of Integrated Oncology Research, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Takuya Shiraishi
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Makoto Sohda
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Haruka Okami
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Arisa Yamaguchi
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Ikuma Shioi
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Chika Komine
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nakazawa
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Naoya Ozawa
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Yuta Shibasaki
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Takuhisa Okada
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Katsuya Osone
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Akihiko Sano
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Makoto Sakai
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hiroomi Ogawa
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Takehiko Yokobori
- Division of Integrated Oncology Research, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Ken Shirabe
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Saeki
- Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Attias M, Piccirillo CA. The impact of Foxp3 + regulatory T-cells on CD8 + T-cell dysfunction in tumour microenvironments and responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38325330 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been a breakthrough in cancer therapy, inducing durable remissions in responding patients. However, they are associated with variable outcomes, spanning from disease hyperprogression to complete responses with the onset of immune-related adverse events. The consequences of checkpoint inhibition on Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg ) cells remain unclear but could provide key insights into these variable outcomes. In this review, we first cover the mechanisms that underlie the development of hot and cold tumour microenvironments, which determine the efficacy of immunotherapy. We then outline how differences in tumour-intrinsic immunogenicity, T-cell trafficking, local metabolic environments and inhibitory checkpoint signalling differentially impair CD8+ T-cell function in tumour microenvironments, all the while promoting Treg -cell suppressive activity. Finally, we focus on the mechanisms that enable the induction of polyfunctional CD8+ T-cells upon checkpoint blockade and discuss the role of ICI-induced Treg -cell reactivation in acquired resistance to treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mikhaël Attias
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ciriaco A Piccirillo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gholamalizadeh H, Zafari N, Velayati M, Fiuji H, Maftooh M, Ghorbani E, Hassanian SM, Khazaei M, Ferns GA, Nazari E, Avan A. Prognostic value of primary tumor location in colorectal cancer: an updated meta-analysis. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:4369-4383. [PMID: 37405571 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01120-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
The clinical, histological, and molecular differences between right-sided colon cancer (RCC) and left-sided colon cancer (RCC) have received considerable attention. Over the past decade, many articles have been published concerning the association between primary tumor location (PTL) of colorectal cancer and survival outcomes. Therefore, there is a growing need for an updated meta-analysis integrating the outcomes of recent studies to determine the prognostic role of right vs left-sidedness of PTL in patients with colorectal cancer. We conducted a comprehensive database review using PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane library databases from February 2016 to March 2023 for prospective or retrospective studies reporting data on overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of RCC compared with LCC. A total of 60 cohort studies comprising 1,494,445 patients were included in the meta-analysis. We demonstrated that RCC is associated with a significantly increased risk of death compared with LCC by 25% (hazard ratio (HR), 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19-1.31; I2 = 78.4%; Z = 43.68). Results showed that patients with RCC have a worse OS compared with LCC only in advanced stages (Stage III: HR, 1.275; 95% CI 1.16-1.4; P = 0.0002; I2 = 85.8%; Stage IV: HR, 1.34; 95% CI 1.25-1.44; P < 0.0001; I2 = 69.2%) but not in primary stages (Stage I/II: HR, 1.275; 95% CI 1.16-1.4; P = 0.0002; I2 = 85.8%). Moreover, a meta-analysis of 13 studies including 812,644 patients revealed that there is no significant difference in CSS between RCC and LCC (HR, 1.121; 95% CI 0.97-1.3; P = 0.112). Findings from the present meta-analysis highlight the importance of PTL in clinical decision-making for patients with CRC, especially in advanced stages. We provide further evidence supporting the hypothesis that RCC and LCC are distinct disease entities that should be managed differently.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanieh Gholamalizadeh
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Nima Zafari
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahla Velayati
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamid Fiuji
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mina Maftooh
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Elnaz Ghorbani
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Majid Khazaei
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Gordon A Ferns
- Division of Medical Education, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex, BN1 9PH, UK
| | - Elham Nazari
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- College of Medicine, University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa, Karbala, Iraq.
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George St, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia.
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Fang G, Xu D, Zhang T, Qiu L, Gao X, Wang G, Miao Y. Effects of hsa_circ_0074854 on colorectal cancer progression, construction of a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network, and analysis of immune infiltration. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:15439-15456. [PMID: 37644235 PMCID: PMC10620273 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05315-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Circular RNAs have been demonstrated to be closely associated with the onset and metastasis of colorectal cancer. However, the roles and clinical diagnostic value of most circRNAs in colorectal cancer remain unclear. METHODS We detected the differential expression of circRNAs in CRC tissues and cells and investigated their relationship in conjunction with clinical pathological features. Additionally, we performed cellular functional experiments in CRC cell lines to explore the functions of circRNAs. To further validate the potential ceRNA network, qPCR was performed to assess the expression of miRNA and mRNA in CRC cells after differential expression of circRNAs knockdown. Furthermore, database analysis was utilized to explore the relationship between the predicted mRNAs and immune infiltration in CRC. RESULTS Our research findings indicate a positive correlation between hsa_circ_0074854 expression and advanced clinical pathological features, as well as an unfavorable prognosis. Knockdown of hsa_circ_0074854 was observed to inhibit proliferation and migration capabilities of colorectal cancer cells, affecting the cell cycle progression, and simultaneously promoting apoptosis. A competing endogenous RNA mechanism may exist among circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs. Furthermore, the expression of target genes displayed correlations with the abundance of certain immune cells. CONCLUSION We propose a novel ceRNA network and evaluate the interplay between target genes and immune cells, providing novel insights for the diagnosis and targeted therapy of CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guida Fang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Clinical College of Lianyungang Second People's Hospital, Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, 222002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dalai Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Clinical College of Lianyungang Second People's Hospital, Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, 222002, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, 222002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Clinical College of Lianyungang Second People's Hospital, Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, 222002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei Qiu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Clinical College of Lianyungang Second People's Hospital, Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, 222002, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, 222002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuzhu Gao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, 222002, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Clinical Oncology, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City (Cancer Hospital of Lianyungang), Lianyungang, 222002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Clinical College of Lianyungang Second People's Hospital, Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, 222002, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, 222002, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yongchang Miao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Clinical College of Lianyungang Second People's Hospital, Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, 222002, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, 222002, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cohn DE, Forder A, Marshall EA, Vucic EA, Stewart GL, Noureddine K, Lockwood WW, MacAulay CE, Guillaud M, Lam WL. Delineating spatial cell-cell interactions in the solid tumour microenvironment through the lens of highly multiplexed imaging. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1275890. [PMID: 37936700 PMCID: PMC10627006 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1275890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The growth and metastasis of solid tumours is known to be facilitated by the tumour microenvironment (TME), which is composed of a highly diverse collection of cell types that interact and communicate with one another extensively. Many of these interactions involve the immune cell population within the TME, referred to as the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME). These non-cell autonomous interactions exert substantial influence over cell behaviour and contribute to the reprogramming of immune and stromal cells into numerous pro-tumourigenic phenotypes. The study of some of these interactions, such as the PD-1/PD-L1 axis that induces CD8+ T cell exhaustion, has led to the development of breakthrough therapeutic advances. Yet many common analyses of the TME either do not retain the spatial data necessary to assess cell-cell interactions, or interrogate few (<10) markers, limiting the capacity for cell phenotyping. Recently developed digital pathology technologies, together with sophisticated bioimage analysis programs, now enable the high-resolution, highly-multiplexed analysis of diverse immune and stromal cell markers within the TME of clinical specimens. In this article, we review the tumour-promoting non-cell autonomous interactions in the TME and their impact on tumour behaviour. We additionally survey commonly used image analysis programs and highly-multiplexed spatial imaging technologies, and we discuss their relative advantages and limitations. The spatial organization of the TME varies enormously between patients, and so leveraging these technologies in future studies to further characterize how non-cell autonomous interactions impact tumour behaviour may inform the personalization of cancer treatment..
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David E. Cohn
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Aisling Forder
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Erin A. Marshall
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Emily A. Vucic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University (NYU) Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Greg L. Stewart
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kouther Noureddine
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - William W. Lockwood
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Calum E. MacAulay
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Martial Guillaud
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Wan L. Lam
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Alterations in Natural Killer Cells in Colorectal Cancer Patients with Stroma AReactive Invasion Front Areas (SARIFA). Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030994. [PMID: 36765951 PMCID: PMC9913252 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, our group introduced Stroma AReactive Invasion Front Areas (SARIFA) as an independent prognostic predictor for a poorer outcome in colon cancer patients, which is probably based on immunologic alterations combined with a direct tumor-adipocyte interaction: the two together reflecting a distinct tumor biology. Considering it is already known that peripheral immune cells are altered in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, this study aims to investigate the changes in lymphocyte subsets in SARIFA-positive cases and correlate these changes with the local immune response. METHODS Flow cytometry was performed to analyze B, T, and natural killer (NK) cells in the peripheral blood (PB) of 45 CRC patients. Consecutively, lymphocytes in PB, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and CD56+ and CD57+ lymphocytes at the invasion front and the tumor center were compared between patients with SARIFA-positive and SARIFA-negative CRCs. RESULTS Whereas no differences could be observed regarding most PB lymphocyte populations as well as TILs, NK cells were dramatically reduced in the PB of SARIFA-positive cases. Moreover, CD56 and CD57 immunohistochemistry suggested SARIFA-status-dependent changes regarding NK cells and NK-like lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment. CONCLUSION This study proves that our newly introduced biomarker, SARIFA, comes along with distinct immunologic alterations, especially regarding NK cells.
Collapse
|