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Yu VZ, So SS, Lung BCC, Hou GZ, Wong CWY, Chow LKY, Chung MKY, Wong IYH, Wong CLY, Chan DKK, Chan FSY, Law BTT, Xu K, Tan ZZ, Lam KO, Lo AWI, Lam AKY, Kwong DLW, Ko JMY, Dai W, Law S, Lung ML. ΔNp63-restricted viral mimicry response impedes cancer cell viability and remodels tumor microenvironment in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 595:216999. [PMID: 38823762 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Tumor protein p63 isoform ΔNp63 plays roles in the squamous epithelium and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), including esophageal SCC (ESCC). By integrating data from cell lines and our latest patient-derived organoid cultures, derived xenograft models, and clinical sample transcriptomic analyses, we identified a novel and robust oncogenic role of ΔNp63 in ESCC. We showed that ΔNp63 maintains the repression of cancer cell endogenous retrotransposon expression and cellular double-stranded RNA sensing. These subsequently lead to a restricted cancer cell viral mimicry response and suppressed induction of tumor-suppressive type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling through the regulations of Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1, Interferon regulatory factor 1, and cGAS-STING pathway. The cancer cell ΔNp63/IFN-I signaling axis affects both the cancer cell and tumor-infiltrating immune cell (TIIC) compartments. In cancer cells, depletion of ΔNp63 resulted in reduced cell viability. ΔNp63 expression is negatively associated with the anticancer responses to viral mimicry booster treatments targeting cancer cells. In the tumor microenvironment, cancer cell TP63 expression negatively correlates with multiple TIIC signatures in ESCC clinical samples. ΔNp63 depletion leads to increased cancer cell antigen presentation molecule expression and enhanced recruitment and reprogramming of tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells. Similar IFN-I signaling and TIIC signature association with ΔNp63 were also observed in lung SCC. These results support the potential application of ΔNp63 as a therapeutic target and a biomarker to guide candidate anticancer treatments exploring viral mimicry responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valen Zhuoyou Yu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Shan Shan So
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Bryan Chee-Chad Lung
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - George Zhaozheng Hou
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Carissa Wing-Yan Wong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Larry Ka-Yue Chow
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Michael King-Yung Chung
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Ian Yu-Hong Wong
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Claudia Lai-Yin Wong
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Desmond Kwan-Kit Chan
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Fion Siu-Yin Chan
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Betty Tsz-Ting Law
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Kaiyan Xu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Zack Zhen Tan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Ka-On Lam
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Anthony Wing-Ip Lo
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Alfred King-Yin Lam
- Divsion of Cancer Molecular Pathology, School of Medicine and Dentistry and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Dora Lai-Wan Kwong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Josephine Mun-Yee Ko
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Simon Law
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Maria Li Lung
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
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Wen YF, Huang WJ, Chen XL, Cai HT, Zhang YB, Song XL, Xie CB, Peng HH, Yu HW, Chen CC, Wei LQ, Zhou TC, Cai S, Wang F, Lin XD. Predictive value of CXCL1 +_FAP + phenotype in CAFs for distant metastasis and its correlation with PD-L1 expression in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Oral Oncol 2024; 157:106963. [PMID: 39032343 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2024.106963] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There is a lack of effective biomarkers for predicting the distant metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We aimed to explore the expression of FAP+Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) derived CXCL1 in NPC and its predictive values for distant metastasis and correlation with PD-L1 expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 345 patients with locoregionally advanced NPC were retrospectively enrolled (the training cohort: the validation cohort = 160:185). Co-expression of CXCL1 and FAP and the expression of PD-L1 were detected by multi-immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The primary end-point was distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess prognostic risk factors. RESULTS A novel CXCL1+_FAP+ phenotype in CAFs was identified in NPC and then used to divide patients into low and high risk groups. Both in the training cohort and validation cohort, patients in the high risk group had poorer DMFS, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS) than patients in the low risk group. Multivariate analysis revealed CXCL1+_FAP+ phenotype was an independent prognostic factor for DMFS, OS, PFS and LRFS. Further results showed patients in the high risk group had higher PD-L1 expression than those in the low risk group. CONCLUSION Our study showed CXCL1+_FAP+ phenotype in CAFs could effectively classified locoregionally advanced NPC patients into different risk groups for distant metastasis and might be a potential biomarker for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Feng Wen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Province, China.
| | - Wen-Jin Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Province, China.
| | - Xiao-Long Chen
- Department of Spinal and Spinal Cord Rehabilitation, Guangdong Province Work Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, Guangzhou Province, China.
| | - Hui-Tang Cai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Province, China.
| | - Yi-Bin Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Province, China.
| | - Xian-Lu Song
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Province, China.
| | - Chang-Bin Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Province, China.
| | - Hai-Hua Peng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Province, China.
| | - Hong-Wei Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Province, China.
| | - Cheng-Cong Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Province, China.
| | - Li-Qiu Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Province, China.
| | - Tong-Chong Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Province, China.
| | - Shuang Cai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Province, China.
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Province, China.
| | - Xiao-Dan Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Province, China.
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Yang Y, Chen X, Pan J, Ning H, Zhang Y, Bo Y, Ren X, Li J, Qin S, Wang D, Chen MM, Zhang Z. Pan-cancer single-cell dissection reveals phenotypically distinct B cell subtypes. Cell 2024:S0092-8674(24)00712-8. [PMID: 39047727 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Characterizing the compositional and phenotypic characteristics of tumor-infiltrating B cells (TIBs) is important for advancing our understanding of their role in cancer development. Here, we establish a comprehensive resource of human B cells by integrating single-cell RNA sequencing data of B cells from 649 patients across 19 major cancer types. We demonstrate substantial heterogeneity in their total abundance and subtype composition and observe immunoglobulin G (IgG)-skewness of antibody-secreting cell isotypes. Moreover, we identify stress-response memory B cells and tumor-associated atypical B cells (TAABs), two tumor-enriched subpopulations with prognostic potential, shared in a pan-cancer manner. In particular, TAABs, characterized by a high clonal expansion level and proliferative capacity as well as by close interactions with activated CD4 T cells in tumors, are predictive of immunotherapy response. Our integrative resource depicts distinct clinically relevant TIB subsets, laying a foundation for further exploration of functional commonality and diversity of B cells in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yang
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xueyan Chen
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jieying Pan
- Institute of Cancer Research, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
| | - Huiheng Ning
- Institute of Cancer Research, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
| | - Yaojun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yufei Bo
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xianwen Ren
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jiesheng Li
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shishang Qin
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Dongfang Wang
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Min-Min Chen
- Institute of Cancer Research, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China.
| | - Zemin Zhang
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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Tie CW, Dong X, Zhu JQ, Wang K, Liu XD, Liu YM, Wang GQ, Zhang Y, Ni XG. Narrow band imaging-based radiogenomics for predicting radiosensitivity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Eur J Radiol Open 2024; 12:100563. [PMID: 38681663 PMCID: PMC11046065 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejro.2024.100563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aims to assess the efficacy of narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy in utilizing radiomics for predicting radiosensitivity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and to explore the associated molecular mechanisms. Materials The study included 57 NPC patients who were pathologically diagnosed and underwent RNA sequencing. They were categorized into complete response (CR) and partial response (PR) groups after receiving radical concurrent chemoradiotherapy. We analyzed 267 NBI images using ResNet50 for feature extraction, obtaining 2048 radiomic features per image. Using Python for deep learning and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator for feature selection, we identified differentially expressed genes associated with radiomic features. Subsequently, we conducted enrichment analysis on these genes and validated their roles in the tumor immune microenvironment through single-cell RNA sequencing. Results After feature selection, 54 radiomic features were obtained. The machine learning algorithm constructed from these features showed that the random forest algorithm had the highest average accuracy rate of 0.909 and an area under the curve of 0.961. Correlation analysis identified 30 differential genes most closely associated with the radiomic features. Enrichment and immune infiltration analysis indicated that tumor-associated macrophages are closely related to treatment responses. Three key NBI differentially expressed immune genes (NBI-DEIGs), namely CCL8, SLC11A1, and PTGS2, were identified as regulators influencing treatment responses through macrophages. Conclusion NBI-based radiomics models introduce a novel and effective method for predicting radiosensitivity in NPC. The molecular mechanisms may involve the functional states of macrophages, as reflected by key regulatory genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Wei Tie
- Department of Endoscopy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Dong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ji-Qing Zhu
- Department of Endoscopy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xu-Dong Liu
- Department of Endoscopy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Meng Liu
- Department of Endoscopy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Gui-Qi Wang
- Department of Endoscopy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Radiotherapy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Guang Ni
- Department of Endoscopy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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5
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Tan Y, Zhou J, Liu K, Liu R, Zhou J, Wu Z, Li L, Zeng J, Feng X, Dong B, Du J. Novel prognostic biomarkers in nasopharyngeal carcinoma unveiled by mega-data bioinformatics analysis. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1354940. [PMID: 38854728 PMCID: PMC11157084 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1354940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is commonly diagnosed at an advanced stage with a high incidence rate in Southeast Asia and Southeast China. However, the limited availability of NPC patient survival data in public databases has resulted in less rigorous studies examining the prediction of NPC survival through construction of Kaplan-Meier curves. These studies have primarily relied on small samples of NPC patients with progression-free survival (PFS) information or data from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) studies almost without NPC patients. Thus, we coanalyzed RNA expression profiles in eleven datasets (46 normal (control) vs 160 tumor (NPC)) downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and survival data provided by Jun Ma from Sun Yat-sen University. Then, differential analysis, gene ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and network analysis were performed using STRING database. After that, 2142 upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 3857 downregulated DEGs were screened. Twenty-five of them were identified as hub genes, which were enriched in several pathways (cilium movement, extracellular matrix structural constituent, homologous recombination and cell cycle). Utilizing the comprehensive dataset we amassed from GEO database, we conducted a survival analysis of DEGs and subsequently constructed survival models. Seven DEGs (RASGRP2, MOCOS, TTC9, ARHGAP4, DPM3, CD37, and CD72) were identified and closely related to the survival prognosis of NPC. Finally, qRT-PCR, WB and IHC were performed to confirm the elevated expression of RASGRP2 and the decreased expression of TTC9, CD37, DPM3 and ARHGAP4, consistent with the DEG analysis. Conclusively, our findings provide insights into the novel prognostic biomarkers of NPC by mega-data bioinformatics analysis, which suggests that they may serve special targets in the treatment of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishuai Tan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiao Zhou
- Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kai Liu
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruowu Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhenru Wu
- Institute of Clinical Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Linke Li
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaqi Zeng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuxian Feng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Biao Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jintao Du
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Yao Y, Wang H, Xu Y, Zhang L, Liu R. scRNA+TCR+BCR-seq revealed the proportions and gene expression patterns of dual receptor T and B lymphocytes in NPC and NLH. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 709:149820. [PMID: 38547605 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
While the relationship between single receptor lymphocytes and cancer has been deeply researched, the origin and biological roles of dual receptor lymphocytes in tumor microenvironment (TME) remain largely unknown. And since nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a type of cancer closely associated with immune infiltration, studying the TME of NPC holds particular significance. Utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing combined with T cell receptor (TCR) and B cell receptor (BCR) sequencing (scRNA + TCR + BCR-seq), we analyzed data from 7 patients with NPC and 3 patients with nasopharyngeal lymphatic hyperplasia (NLH). In our research, it was firstly found that the presence of dual receptor lymphocytes in both the TME of NPC and the inflammatory environment of NLH. We also confirmed their clonal expansion, suggesting their potential involvement in the immune response. Subsequently, we further discovered the lineage and the pairing characteristics. It was found that the dual receptor lymphocytes in NPC and NLH mainly originate from memory cells, and the predominant pairing type for dual TCR was β+α1+α2 and dual BCR was heavy+κ+λ. By further analyzing their gene expression, we compared the function of dual receptor cells with single receptor cells in the context of both NPC and NLH. This groundbreaking research has enhanced our comprehension of the features of dual-receptor cells and has contributed to a better understanding of the TME in NPC. By comparing with NLH, it illuminates part of the alterations in the process of malignant transformation in NPC. These findings present the potential to acquire improved diagnostic markers and treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanning Yao
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hengyu Wang
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Li Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Renping Liu
- Department of Immunology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
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Ma J, Wu Y, Ma L, Yang X, Zhang T, Song G, Li T, Gao K, Shen X, Lin J, Chen Y, Liu X, Fu Y, Gu X, Chen Z, Jiang S, Rao D, Pan J, Zhang S, Zhou J, Huang C, Shi S, Fan J, Guo G, Zhang X, Gao Q. A blueprint for tumor-infiltrating B cells across human cancers. Science 2024; 384:eadj4857. [PMID: 38696569 DOI: 10.1126/science.adj4857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
B lymphocytes are essential mediators of humoral immunity and play multiple roles in human cancer. To decode the functions of tumor-infiltrating B cells, we generated a B cell blueprint encompassing single-cell transcriptome, B cell-receptor repertoire, and chromatin accessibility data across 20 different cancer types (477 samples, 269 patients). B cells harbored extraordinary heterogeneity and comprised 15 subsets, which could be grouped into two independent developmental paths (extrafollicular versus germinal center). Tumor types grouped into the extrafollicular pathway were linked with worse clinical outcomes and resistance to immunotherapy. The dysfunctional extrafollicular program was associated with glutamine-derived metabolites through epigenetic-metabolic cross-talk, which promoted a T cell-driven immunosuppressive program. These data suggest an intratumor B cell balance between extrafollicular and germinal-center responses and suggest that humoral immunity could possibly be harnessed for B cell-targeting immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqiang Ma
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yingcheng Wu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lifeng Ma
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Stem Cell Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xupeng Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Tiancheng Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Guohe Song
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Teng Li
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ke Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xia Shen
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jian Lin
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yamin Chen
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xiaoshan Liu
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yuting Fu
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Stem Cell Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xixi Gu
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zechuan Chen
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Shan Jiang
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Dongning Rao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiaomeng Pan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chen Huang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jia Fan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Guoji Guo
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Stem Cell Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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Flippot R, Teixeira M, Rey-Cardenas M, Carril-Ajuria L, Rainho L, Naoun N, Jouniaux JM, Boselli L, Naigeon M, Danlos FX, Escudier B, Scoazec JY, Cassard L, Albiges L, Chaput N. B cells and the coordination of immune checkpoint inhibitor response in patients with solid tumors. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008636. [PMID: 38631710 PMCID: PMC11029261 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008636] [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: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy profoundly changed the landscape of cancer therapy by providing long-lasting responses in subsets of patients and is now the standard of care in several solid tumor types. However, immunotherapy activity beyond conventional immune checkpoint inhibition is plateauing, and biomarkers are overall lacking to guide treatment selection. Most studies have focused on T cell engagement and response, but there is a growing evidence that B cells may be key players in the establishment of an organized immune response, notably through tertiary lymphoid structures. Mechanisms of B cell response include antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and phagocytosis, promotion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation, maintenance of antitumor immune memory. In several solid tumor types, higher levels of B cells, specific B cell subpopulations, or the presence of tertiary lymphoid structures have been associated with improved outcomes on immune checkpoint inhibitors. The fate of B cell subpopulations may be widely influenced by the cytokine milieu, with versatile roles for B-specific cytokines B cell activating factor and B cell attracting chemokine-1/CXCL13, and a master regulatory role for IL-10. Roles of B cell-specific immune checkpoints such as TIM-1 are emerging and could represent potential therapeutic targets. Overall, the expanding field of B cells in solid tumors of holds promise for the improvement of current immunotherapy strategies and patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronan Flippot
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Immunomonitoring Laboratory, CNRS3655 & INSERM US23, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Marcus Teixeira
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Immunomonitoring Laboratory, CNRS3655 & INSERM US23, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Macarena Rey-Cardenas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Immunomonitoring Laboratory, CNRS3655 & INSERM US23, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Lucia Carril-Ajuria
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Immunomonitoring Laboratory, CNRS3655 & INSERM US23, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Medical Oncology, CHU Brugmann, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Larissa Rainho
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Immunomonitoring Laboratory, CNRS3655 & INSERM US23, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Natacha Naoun
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Jean-Mehdi Jouniaux
- Immunomonitoring Laboratory, CNRS3655 & INSERM US23, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Lisa Boselli
- Immunomonitoring Laboratory, CNRS3655 & INSERM US23, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Marie Naigeon
- Immunomonitoring Laboratory, CNRS3655 & INSERM US23, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Francois-Xavier Danlos
- LRTI, INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Drug Development Department, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Bernard Escudier
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Lydie Cassard
- Immunomonitoring Laboratory, CNRS3655 & INSERM US23, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Laurence Albiges
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Immunomonitoring Laboratory, CNRS3655 & INSERM US23, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Nathalie Chaput
- Immunomonitoring Laboratory, CNRS3655 & INSERM US23, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
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9
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Fay M, Clavijo PE, Allen CT. Heterogeneous characterization of neutrophilic cells in head and neck cancers. Head Neck 2024. [PMID: 38622975 DOI: 10.1002/hed.27774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neutrophilic cells are among the most abundant immune populations within the head and neck tumor microenvironment (TME) and harbor multiple mechanisms of immunosuppression. Despite these important features, neutrophilic cells may be underrepresented in contemporary studies that aim to comprehensively characterize the immune landscape of the TME due to discrepancies in tissue processing and analysis techniques. Here, we review the role of pathologically activated neutrophilic cells within the TME and pitfalls of various approaches used to study their frequency and function in clinical samples. METHODS The literature was identified by searching PubMed for "immune landscape" and "tumor immune microenvironment" in combination with keywords describing solid tumor malignancies. Key publications that assessed the immune composition of solid tumors derived from human specimens were included. The tumor and blood processing methodologies in each study were reviewed in depth and correlated with the reported abundance of neutrophilic cells. RESULTS Neutrophilic cells do not survive cryopreservation, and many studies fail to identify and study neutrophilic cell populations due to cryopreservation of clinical samples for practical reasons. Additional single-cell transcriptomic studies filter out neutrophilic cells due to low transcriptional counts. CONCLUSIONS This report can help readers critically interpret studies aiming to comprehensively study the immune TME that fail to identify and characterize neutrophilic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Fay
- Surgical Oncology Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Paul E Clavijo
- Surgical Oncology Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Clint T Allen
- Surgical Oncology Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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10
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Wang L, Li S, Li X, Zhuo G, Zhang Q, Liu G, Pan Y. Single cell analysis unveils the commonality and heterogeneity between nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal carcinoma. Neoplasia 2024; 50:100980. [PMID: 38382442 PMCID: PMC10891337 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2024.100980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) are subtypes of head and neck cancer with different treatment effects due to the heterogeneity of tumor microenvironments. This study was to investigate the distinctive tumor microenvironments of NPC and OPC. Analyzing single-cell data from 10 cases of each subtype, we reveal significant differences in cellular composition, with NPC microenvironment dominated by T/NK and B cells, and OPC characterized by prevalent epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Dynamic transitions of CD8 T cells are observed in both tumor types, involving shifts from naivety to cytotoxicity, proliferation, and eventual exhaustion/exhausted states. Additionally, Tregs exhibit heightened proliferative abilities in later developmental stages, concomitant with exhaustion. These highly proliferative T cells and Tregs manifest elevated glycolysis and lactate metabolism activities. Furthermore, we explore intercellular communication between glycolytic malignant epithelial cells and these proliferative T cells. These findings offer comprehensive insights into the heterogeneity of tumor microenvironments and provide a solid foundation for future therapeutic strategies and targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Xinran Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Guangzheng Zhuo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Guohong Liu
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China.
| | - Yunbao Pan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China.
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11
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Guo Z, Yu J, Chen Z, Chen S, Wang L. Immunological Mechanisms behind Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Blockade: Intratumoral Reinvigoration or Systemic Induction? Biomedicines 2024; 12:764. [PMID: 38672120 PMCID: PMC11048152 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040764] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has been widely used to treat many types of cancer. It is well established that PD-L1 expressing cancer cells could directly inhibit the cytotoxicity of PD-1+ T cells via PD-L1-PD-1 interaction. However, histological quantification of intratumoral PD-L1 expression provides limited predictive value and PD-L1 negative patients could still benefit from ICB treatment. Therefore, the current major clinical challenges are low objective response rate and unclear immunological mechanisms behind responding vs. non-responding patients. Here, we review recent studies highlighting the importance of longitudinal pre- and post-ICB treatment on patients with various types of solid tumor to elucidate the mechanisms behind ICB treatment. On one hand, ICB induces changes in the tumor microenvironment by reinvigorating intratumoral PD-1+ exhausted T cells ("releasing the brakes"). On the other hand, ICB can also affect systemic antitumor immunity in the tumor-draining lymph node to induce priming/activation of cancer specific T cells, which is evident by T cell clonal expansion/replacement in peripheral blood. These studies reveal that ICB treatment not only acts on the tumor microenvironment ("battlefield") but also acts on immune organs ("training camp") of patients with solid tumors. A deeper understanding of the immunological mechanisms behind ICB treatment will pave the way for further improvements in clinical response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Lei Wang
- International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518054, China; (Z.G.); (J.Y.); (Z.C.); (S.C.)
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12
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Li S, Dai W, Kam NW, Zhang J, Lee VHF, Ren X, Kwong DLW. The Role of Natural Killer Cells in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment of EBV-Associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1312. [PMID: 38610990 PMCID: PMC11011204 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071312] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Endemic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is closely associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which contributes to tumor development and influences the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in NPC. Natural killer (NK) cells, as part of the innate immune system, play a crucial role in responding to viral infections and malignant cell transformations. Notably, NK cells possess a unique ability to target tumor cells independent of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) expression. This means that MHC I-deficient tumor cells, which can escape from effective T cell attack, are susceptible to NK-cell-mediated killing. The activation of NK cells is determined by the signals generated through inhibitory and activating receptors expressed on their surface. Understanding the role of NK cells in the complex TIME of EBV+ NPC is of utmost importance. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the current understanding of NK cells in NPC, focusing on their subpopulations, interactions, and cytotoxicity within the TIME. Moreover, we discuss the potential translational therapeutic applications of NK cells in NPC. This review aims to enhance our knowledge of the role of NK cells in NPC and provide valuable insights for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhan Li
- Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; (S.L.); (J.Z.)
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China; (W.D.); (N.-W.K.); (V.H.F.L.)
| | - Ngar-Woon Kam
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China; (W.D.); (N.-W.K.); (V.H.F.L.)
- Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Hong Kong Science Park, New Territories, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Jiali Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; (S.L.); (J.Z.)
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Victor H. F. Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China; (W.D.); (N.-W.K.); (V.H.F.L.)
- Clinical Oncology Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
| | - Xiubao Ren
- Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; (S.L.); (J.Z.)
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Dora Lai-Wan Kwong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China; (W.D.); (N.-W.K.); (V.H.F.L.)
- Clinical Oncology Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
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13
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Ma H, Yan QZ, Ma JR, Li DF, Yang JL. Overview of the immunological mechanisms in hepatitis B virus reactivation: Implications for disease progression and management strategies. World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30:1295-1312. [PMID: 38596493 PMCID: PMC11000084 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i10.1295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation is a clinically significant challenge in disease management. This review explores the immunological mechanisms underlying HBV reactivation, emphasizing disease progression and management. It delves into host immune responses and reactivation's delicate balance, spanning innate and adaptive immunity. Viral factors' disruption of this balance, as are interactions between viral antigens, immune cells, cytokine networks, and immune checkpoint pathways, are examined. Notably, the roles of T cells, natural killer cells, and antigen-presenting cells are discussed, highlighting their influence on disease progression. HBV reactivation's impact on disease severity, hepatic flares, liver fibrosis progression, and hepatocellular carcinoma is detailed. Management strategies, including anti-viral and immunomodulatory approaches, are critically analyzed. The role of prophylactic anti-viral therapy during immunosuppressive treatments is explored alongside novel immunotherapeutic interventions to restore immune control and prevent reactivation. In conclusion, this comprehensive review furnishes a holistic view of the immunological mechanisms that propel HBV reactivation. With a dedicated focus on understanding its implications for disease progression and the prospects of efficient management strategies, this article contributes significantly to the knowledge base. The more profound insights into the intricate interactions between viral elements and the immune system will inform evidence-based approaches, ultimately enhancing disease management and elevating patient outcomes. The dynamic landscape of management strategies is critically scrutinized, spanning anti-viral and immunomodulatory approaches. The role of prophylactic anti-viral therapy in preventing reactivation during immunosuppressive treatments and the potential of innovative immunotherapeutic interventions to restore immune control and proactively deter reactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
| | - Qing-Zhu Yan
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
| | - Jing-Ru Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
| | - Dong-Fu Li
- Digestive Diseases Center, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Medicine, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
| | - Jun-Ling Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
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14
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Lyu M, Xu G, Zhou J, Reboud J, Wang Y, Lai H, Chen Y, Zhou Y, Zhu G, Cooper JM, Ying B. Single-Cell Sequencing Reveals Functional Alterations in Tuberculosis. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305592. [PMID: 38192178 PMCID: PMC10953544 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Despite its importance, the functional heterogeneity surrounding the dynamics of interactions between mycobacterium tuberculosis and human immune cells in determining host immune strength and tuberculosis (TB) outcomes, remains far from understood. This work now describes the development of a new technological platform to elucidate the immune function differences in individuals with TB, integrating single-cell RNA sequencing and cell surface antibody sequencing to provide both genomic and phenotypic information from the same samples. Single-cell analysis of 23 990 peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a new cohort of primary TB patients and healthy controls enables to not only show four distinct immune phenotypes (TB, myeloid, and natural killer (NK) cells), but also determine the dynamic changes in cell population abundance, gene expression, developmental trajectory, transcriptomic regulation, and cell-cell signaling. In doing so, TB-related changes in immune cell functions demonstrate that the immune response is mediated through host T cells, myeloid cells, and NK cells, with TB patients showing decreased naive, cytotoxicity, and memory functions of T cells, rather than their immunoregulatory function. The platform also has the potential to identify new targets for immunotherapeutic treatment strategies to restore T cells from dysfunctional or exhausted states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Lyu
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041P. R. China
| | - Gaolian Xu
- School of Biomedical Engineering/Med‐X Research InstituteShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200030P. R. China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041P. R. China
| | - Julien Reboud
- Division of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowG12 8LTUnited Kingdom
| | - Yili Wang
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041P. R. China
| | - Hongli Lai
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041P. R. China
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041P. R. China
| | - Yanbing Zhou
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041P. R. China
| | - Guiying Zhu
- School of Biomedical Engineering/Med‐X Research InstituteShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200030P. R. China
| | - Jonathan M. Cooper
- Division of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowG12 8LTUnited Kingdom
| | - Binwu Ying
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041P. R. China
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15
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Chak PT, Kam NW, Choi TH, Dai W, Kwong DLW. Unfolding the Complexity of Exosome-Cellular Interactions on Tumour Immunity and Their Clinical Prospects in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:919. [PMID: 38473281 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial malignancy situated in the posterolateral nasopharynx. NPC poses grave concerns in Southeast Asia due to its late diagnosis. Together with resistance to standard treatment combining chemo- and radiotherapy, NPC presents high metastatic rates and common recurrence. Despite advancements in immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and cytotoxic-T-lymphocytes (CTLs)-based cellular therapy, the exhaustive T cell profile and other signs of immunosuppression within the NPC tumour microenvironment (TME) remain as concerns to immunotherapy response. Exosomes, extracellular vesicles of 30-150 nm in diameter, are increasingly studied and linked to tumourigenesis in oncology. These bilipid-membrane-bound vesicles are packaged with a variety of signalling molecules, mediating cell-cell communications. Within the TME, exosomes can originate from tumour, immune, or stromal cells. Although there are studies on tumour-derived exosomes (TEX) in NPC and their effects on tumour processes like angiogenesis, metastasis, therapeutic resistance, there is a lack of research on their involvement in immune evasion. In this review, we aim to enhance the comprehension of how NPC TEX contribute to cellular immunosuppression. Furthermore, considering the detectability of TEX in bodily fluids, we will also discuss the potential development of TEX-related biomarkers for liquid biopsy in NPC as this could facilitate early diagnosis and prognostication of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paak-Ting Chak
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Ngar-Woon Kam
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Hong Kong Science Park, New Territories, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Tsz-Ho Choi
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Clinical Oncology Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
| | - Dora Lai-Wan Kwong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Clinical Oncology Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
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16
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Tang KW, Tian Y, Xie G, Bäckerholm A, Holmqvist I, Vracar D, Lin J, Carlsten J, Abrahamsson S, Liu Z, Huang Y, Shair K. Landscape of Epstein-Barr virus gene expression and perturbations in cancer. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3911441. [PMID: 38352479 PMCID: PMC10862949 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3911441/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the causative agent for multiple neoplastic diseases of epithelial and lymphocytic origin1-3. The heterogeneity of the viral elements expressed and the mechanisms by which these coding and non-coding genes maintain cancer cell properties in vivo remain elusive4,5. Here we conducted a multi-modal transcriptomic analysis of EBV-associated neoplasms and identified that the ubiquitously expressed RPMS1 non-coding RNAs support cancer cell properties by disruption of the interferon response. Our map of EBV expression shows a variable, but pervasive expression of BNLF2 discerned from the overlapping LMP1 RNA in bulk sequencing data. Using long-read single-molecule sequencing, we identified three new viral elements within the RPMS1 gene. Furthermore, single-cell sequencing datasets allowed for the separation of cancer cells and healthy cells from the same tissue biopsy and the characterization of a microenvironment containing interferon gamma excreted by EBV-stimulated T-lymphocytes. In comparison with healthy epithelium, EBV-transformed cancer cells exhibited increased proliferation and inhibited immune response induced by the RPMS1-encoded microRNAs. Our atlas of EBV expression shows that the EBV-transformed cancer cells express high levels of non-coding RNAs originating from RPMS1 and that the oncogenic properties are maintained by RPMS1 microRNAs. Through bioinformatic disentanglement of single cells from cancer tissues we identified a positive feedback loop where EBV-activated immune cells stimulate cancer cells to proliferate, which in turn undergo viral reactivation and trigger an immune response.
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Kam NW, Laczka O, Li X, Wilkinson J, Hung D, Lai SPH, Wu KC, Tsao SW, Dai W, Che CM, Lee VHF, Kwong DLW. ENOX2 inhibition enhances infiltration of effector memory T-cell and mediates response to chemotherapy in immune-quiescent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. J Adv Res 2024; 56:69-86. [PMID: 37061217 PMCID: PMC10834794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment is a major barrier for chemotherapy. Different chemosensitization approaches to reinstate immunological surveillance for cancers that are immune quiescent at the outset, have thus been devised. Cancer-specific ENOX2 expression is correlated with abnormal cell growth and has been proposed as a cellular target for anti-cancer activity. However, the potential effects of ENOX2 on the interaction between immune system and tumor cells remain elusive. OBJECTIVES To understand the mechanisms by which tumor-intrinsic ENOX2-mediated alterations in anti-tumor activity of T-cells and response to chemotherapy. METHODS In situ multiplexed immunohistochemistry with single cell and bulk RNA sequencing data from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) human tissues were used to define tumor phenotypes. Two NPC cell lines, with distinct ENOX2 expression, were used in a co-culture platform to study tumor-immune interactions between cancer cells/spheroids and T-cells. The effect of cisplatin treatment with ENOX2 inhibition by idronoxil (IDX) were tested in vitro and in vivo. Multi-parametric flow cytometry was used to characterize T-cell infiltrates in an NPC tumor humanized mouse model treated with combined treatment. RESULTS NPC predominantly displayed an immune-excluded profile. This "cold-phenotype" was shown to exhibit higher ENOX2 expression and was associate with poorer progression-free survival (PFS). The therapeutic combination of IDX with cisplatin was effective in promoting CD8+ effector memory T cell (Tem) differentiation and mobilization. This Tem signature was highly cytotoxic, with Tem-mediated preferential lysis of higher ENOX2-expressing NPC cells. A combination-treated humanized mouse model showing dramatic shrinkage in tumors, were intra-tumoral Tem-enriched. CONCLUSION Tumor-intrinsic ENOX2 expression is associated with tumor phenotype and PFS in NPC. Targeting ENOX2 with IDX and cisplatin impose qualitative control of T-cell response by preferentially increasing immune cells infiltration, Tem differentiation and tumor suppression. We suggest that ENOX2 inhibition may be a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance the effects of chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngar-Woon Kam
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Hong Kong, China
| | - Olivier Laczka
- Noxopharm Limited, Level 20, Tower A, The Zenith, 821 Pacific Highway, CHATSWOOD NSW 2067, Australia
| | - Xiang Li
- Noxopharm Limited, Level 20, Tower A, The Zenith, 821 Pacific Highway, CHATSWOOD NSW 2067, Australia
| | - John Wilkinson
- Noxopharm Limited, Level 20, Tower A, The Zenith, 821 Pacific Highway, CHATSWOOD NSW 2067, Australia
| | - Desmond Hung
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Syrus Pak Hei Lai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka Chun Wu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sai Wa Tsao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chi Ming Che
- Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Hong Kong, China; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Victor Ho-Fun Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Clinical Oncology Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dora Lai-Wan Kwong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Clinical Oncology Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
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18
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Gu C, Wang X, Wang K, Xie F, Chen L, Ji H, Sun J. Cryoablation triggers type I interferon-dependent antitumor immunity and potentiates immunotherapy efficacy in lung cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008386. [PMID: 38272564 PMCID: PMC10824009 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008386] [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: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryoablation is a minimally invasive option for patients with medically inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and can trigger abscopal immune-regulatory effects. However, it remains unclear how cryoablation affects the host-level immune response in NSCLC. In this study, we investigated the local and systemic immunological effects of cryoablation and the potential of combining cryoablation with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade to boost immunotherapy efficacy in NSCLC. METHODS We first investigated systemic immunological effects induced by cryoablation in patients with early-stage NSCLC. Subsequently, we explored cryoablation-induced antitumor immunity and the underlying biological mechanisms using KP (Kras G12D/+, Tp53 -/-) mutant lung cancer cell allograft mouse models. Moreover, the synergistic efficacy of cryoablation and PD-1 blockade was explored in both mouse models and patients with unresectable NSCLC. RESULTS We found that cryoablation significantly increased circulating CD8+ T cell subpopulations and proinflammatory cytokines in patients with early-stage NSCLC. In lung cancer cell allograft mouse models, we demonstrated that cryoablation resulted in abscopal growth inhibition of contralateral, non-ablated tumors. Integrated analysis of bulk, single-cell RNA and T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing data revealed that cryoablation reprogrammed the intratumoral immune microenvironment and increased CD8+ T cell infiltration with higher effector signature, interferon (IFN) response, and cytolytic activity. Mechanistically, cryoablation promoted antitumor effect through the STING-dependent type I IFN signaling pathway, and type I IFN signaling blockade attenuated this antitumor effect. We also found that the combination of PD-1 blockade with cryoablation further inhibited tumor growth compared with either treatment alone in an allograft mouse model. Moreover, the combination therapy induced notable tumor suppression and CD8+ T cell infiltration in patients with unresectable NSCLC. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide mechanistic insights into how cryoablation triggers the antitumor immune effect in lung cancer, thereby potentiating programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1)/PD-1 blockade efficacy in the clinical treatment of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjia Gu
- Department of Respiratory Endoscopy, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Respiratory Endoscopy, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Kaiyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fangfang Xie
- Department of Respiratory Endoscopy, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Respiratory Endoscopy, Shanghai, China
| | - Luonan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Guangdong Institute of Intelligence Science and Technology, Hengqin, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Hongbin Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiayuan Sun
- Department of Respiratory Endoscopy, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Respiratory Endoscopy, Shanghai, China
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19
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Liu H, Tang L, Li Y, Xie W, Zhang L, Tang H, Xiao T, Yang H, Gu W, Wang H, Chen P. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: current views on the tumor microenvironment's impact on drug resistance and clinical outcomes. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:20. [PMID: 38254110 PMCID: PMC10802008 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01928-2] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) exhibits significant variations across different ethnic groups and geographical regions, with Southeast Asia and North Africa being endemic areas. Of note, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is closely associated with almost all of the undifferentiated NPC cases. Over the past three decades, radiation therapy and chemotherapy have formed the cornerstone of NPC treatment. However, recent advancements in immunotherapy have introduced a range of promising approaches for managing NPC. In light of these developments, it has become evident that a deeper understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial. The TME serves a dual function, acting as a promoter of tumorigenesis while also orchestrating immunosuppression, thereby facilitating cancer progression and enabling immune evasion. Consequently, a comprehensive comprehension of the TME and its intricate involvement in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of NPC is imperative for the development of effective anticancer drugs. Moreover, given the complexity of TME and the inter-patient heterogeneity, personalized treatment should be designed to maximize therapeutic efficacy and circumvent drug resistance. This review aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the TME within the context of EBV-induced NPC, with a particular emphasis on its pivotal role in regulating intercellular communication and shaping treatment responses. Additionally, the review offers a concise summary of drug resistance mechanisms and potential strategies for their reversal, specifically in relation to chemoradiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Furthermore, recent advances in clinical trials pertaining to NPC are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huai Liu
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Ling Tang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yanxian Li
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Wenji Xie
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Hailin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tengfei Xiao
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Hongmin Yang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Wangning Gu
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Pan Chen
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
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20
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Wang X, Li J, Li Y, Lv M, Dong X, Fan Z, Guo T. Single-cell analysis of the cellular landscape of vulvar melanoma provides new insight for immunotherapy administration. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:101. [PMID: 38233802 PMCID: PMC10795381 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-11839-0] [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: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vulvar and vaginal melanoma (VuM & VaM) is a rare gynecologic malignancy with high mortality but low effectiveness to checkpoint immunotherapy compared to cutaneous melanoma. This article aims to elucidate the role of the disordered immune microenvironment in cancer progression in VuM. METHODS At first, this article applied single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to the VuM obtained from a 68-year-old female patient, and constructed a single-cell atlas of VuM consist of 12,243 single cells. Then this article explores the genomic complexity and core signal channel in VuM microenvironment. RESULTS This article provides new insights about the pathogenesis of VuM based on single-cell resolution data. It was found that the activation of CD8+ T cell contributed to induce tumor angiogenesis and immune escape, and the activation of the antigen-presenting molecular function participated in melanoma metastasis. CONCLUSION This article provided new insights into underlining VuM molecular regulation and potential signaling involved in immunotherapy, which would benefit the clinical practice and administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinqi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco-environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, 610065, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiahui Li
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco-environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, 610065, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yifei Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Mingyi Lv
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco-environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, 610065, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xue Dong
- Ambulatory surgery Department, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhenxin Fan
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco-environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, 610065, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Tao Guo
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Malheiro F, Ângelo-Dias M, Lopes T, Azeredo-Lopes S, Martins C, Borrego LM. B Cells and Double-Negative B Cells (CD27 -IgD -) Are Related to Acute Pancreatitis Severity. Diseases 2024; 12:18. [PMID: 38248369 PMCID: PMC10814478 DOI: 10.3390/diseases12010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an increasingly frequent disease in which inflammation plays a crucial role. Fifty patients hospitalized with AP were included and peripheral blood samples were analyzed for B and T cell subpopulations at the time of hospitalization and 48 h after diagnosis. The Bedside Index of Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) and length of hospital stay were also recorded. A healthy control (HC) group of 15 outpatients was included. AP patients showed higher neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratios and higher percentages of B cells than the HC group. The total B cell percentages were higher in patients with moderate/severe AP than in patients with mild AP. The percentages of B cells as well as the percentages of the CD27-IgD- B cell subset decreased from admission to 48 h after admission. The patients with higher BISAP scores showed lower percentages of peripheral lymphocytes but higher percentages of CD27-IgD- B cells. Higher BISAP scores, N/L ratios, and peripheral blood B cell levels emerged as predictors of hospital stay length in AP patients. Our findings underscore the importance of early markers for disease severity. Additionally, the N/L ratio along with the BISAP score and circulating B cell levels form a robust predictive model for hospital stay duration of AP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Malheiro
- Internal Medicine Department, LUZ SAÚDE, Hospital da Luz Lisboa, 1500-650 Lisboa, Portugal
- CHRC, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (NMS|FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.Â.-D.); (T.L.); (S.A.-L.); (C.M.)
| | - Miguel Ângelo-Dias
- CHRC, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (NMS|FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.Â.-D.); (T.L.); (S.A.-L.); (C.M.)
- Immunology Department, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (NMS|FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Teresa Lopes
- CHRC, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (NMS|FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.Â.-D.); (T.L.); (S.A.-L.); (C.M.)
- Immunology Department, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (NMS|FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sofia Azeredo-Lopes
- CHRC, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (NMS|FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.Â.-D.); (T.L.); (S.A.-L.); (C.M.)
- Department of Statistics and Operational Research, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Catarina Martins
- CHRC, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (NMS|FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.Â.-D.); (T.L.); (S.A.-L.); (C.M.)
- Immunology Department, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (NMS|FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luis Miguel Borrego
- CHRC, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (NMS|FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.Â.-D.); (T.L.); (S.A.-L.); (C.M.)
- Immunology Department, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (NMS|FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisboa, Portugal
- Immunoallergy Department, LUZ SAÚDE, Hospital da Luz Lisboa, 1500-650 Lisboa, Portugal
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22
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Qu S, Gong M, Deng Y, Xiang Y, Ye D. Research progress and application of single-cell sequencing in head and neck malignant tumors. Cancer Gene Ther 2024; 31:18-27. [PMID: 37968342 PMCID: PMC10794142 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00691-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell sequencing (SCS) is a technology that separates thousands of cells from the organism and accurately analyzes the genetic material expressed in each cell using high-throughput sequencing technology. Unlike the traditional bulk sequencing approach, which can only provide the average value of a cell population and cannot obtain specific single-cell data, single-cell sequencing can identify the gene sequence and expression changes of a single cell, and reflects the differences between genetic material and protein between cells, and ultimately the role played by the tumor microenvironment. single-cell sequencing can further explore the pathogenesis of head and neck malignancies from the single-cell biological level and provides a theoretical basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of head and neck malignancies. This article will systematically introduce the latest progress and application of single-cell sequencing in malignant head and neck tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Qu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengdan Gong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongqin Deng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yizhen Xiang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dong Ye
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China.
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23
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Luo J, Gong L, Yang Y, Zhang Y, Liu Q, Bai L, Fang X, Zhang B, Huang J, Liu M, Liu B, Tang Y, Wong CN, Huang J, Liu S, Li S, Ding T, Man K, Lee VHF, Li Y, Ma S, Guan XY. Enhanced mitophagy driven by ADAR1-GLI1 editing supports the self-renewal of cancer stem cells in HCC. Hepatology 2024; 79:61-78. [PMID: 36683360 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Deregulation of adenosine-to-inosine editing by adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) leads to tumor-specific transcriptome diversity with prognostic values for HCC. However, ADAR1 editase-dependent mechanisms governing liver cancer stem cell (LCSC) generation and maintenance have remained elusive. APPROACH AND RESULTS RNA-seq profiling identified ADAR1-responsive recoding editing events in HCC and showed editing frequency of GLI1 , rather than transcript abundance was clinically relevant. Functional differences in LCSC self-renewal and tumor aggressiveness between wild-type (GLI1 wt ) and edited GLI1 (GLI1 edit ) were elucidated. We showed that overediting of GLI1 induced an arginine-to-glycine (R701G) substitution, augmenting tumor-initiating potential and exhibiting a more aggressive phenotype. GLI1 R701G harbored weak affinity to SUFU, which in turn, promoted its cytoplasmic-to-nuclear translocation to support LCSC self-renewal by increased pluripotency gene expression. Moreover, editing predisposed to stabilize GLI1 by abrogating β-TrCP-GLI1 interaction. Integrative analysis of single-cell transcriptome further revealed hyperactivated mitophagy in ADAR1-enriched LCSCs. GLI1 editing promoted a metabolic switch to oxidative phosphorylation to control stress and stem-like state through PINK1-Parkin-mediated mitophagy in HCC, thereby conferring exclusive metastatic and sorafenib-resistant capacities. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate a novel role of ADAR1 as an active regulator for LCSCs properties through editing GLI1 in the highly heterogeneous HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Luo
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lanqi Gong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of recurrent metastatic cancer and personalized therapy, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuma Yang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qin Liu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lu Bai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of recurrent metastatic cancer and personalized therapy, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaona Fang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Baifeng Zhang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of recurrent metastatic cancer and personalized therapy, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiao Huang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Beilei Liu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of recurrent metastatic cancer and personalized therapy, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Tang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ching Ngar Wong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jinlin Huang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shan Liu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of recurrent metastatic cancer and personalized therapy, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou, China
| | - Tao Ding
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kwan Man
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Victor Ho-Fun Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of recurrent metastatic cancer and personalized therapy, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Stephanie Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of recurrent metastatic cancer and personalized therapy, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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24
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Guven DC, Stephen B, Sahin TK, Cakir IY, Aksoy S. Immunotherapy in the First-Line Treatment of Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Laryngoscope 2024; 134:7-17. [PMID: 37227161 DOI: 10.1002/lary.30754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Data regarding the clinical benefits of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are limited in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of phase-III clinical trials to evaluate the benefit of adding ICIs to chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of advanced NPC. METHODS We conducted a systematic review using Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase for studies published until September 21, 2022. The meta-analyses were performed with the generic inverse-variance method with a random-effects model. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were the principal summary measures. This protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number: CRD 42022361866). RESULTS Three eligible studies with a total of 815 patients were included. The addition of ICIs to standard chemotherapy significantly improved PFS (HR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.43-0.63, p < 0.0001). Although the OS results were immature, ICIs significantly reduced the risk of death (HR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.47-0.84, p = 0.0020). The benefit of ICIs was consistent regardless of initial disease presentation (recurrent or de novo), baseline EBV levels, PD-L1 expression, and ECOG performance status. No significant difference in the rates of serious adverse events (HR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.74-1.30) was found between the two groups. CONCLUSION The available evidence demonstrates that adding ICIs to chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of advanced NPC provided better PFS with acceptable safety. However, a longer follow-up is required to evaluate the true OS benefit of these combinations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 134:7-17, 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Can Guven
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Bettzy Stephen
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, U.S.A
| | - Taha Koray Sahin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim Yahya Cakir
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sercan Aksoy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey
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Wang Q, An P, Song L, Liu J, Liu J. Prognostic modeling for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NC) undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy using clinical and enhanced MRI-Delta radiomics data: A preliminary study. Technol Health Care 2024; 32:2381-2394. [PMID: 38517817 DOI: 10.3233/thc-231173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NC) is one of the prevalent malignancies of the head and neck region with poor prognosis. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to establish a predictive model for assessing NC prognosis based on clinical and MR radiomics data, subsequently to develop a nomogram for practical application. METHODS Retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical and imaging data collected between May 2010 and August 2018, involving 211 patients diagnosed with histologically confirmed NC who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy or radical surgery in Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital. According to 5-10 years of follow-up results, the patients were divided into two groups: the study group (n= 76), which experienced recurrence, metastasis, or death, and the control group (n= 135), characterized by normal survival. Training and testing subsets were established at a 7:3 ratio, with a predefined time cutoff. In the training set, three prediction models were established: a clinical data model, an imaging model, and a combined model using the integrated variation in clinical characteristics along with MR radiomics parameters (Delta-Radscore) observed before and after concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Model performance was compared using Delong's test, and net clinical benefit was assessed via decision curve analysis (DCA). Then, external validation was conducted on the test set, and finally a nomogram predicting NC prognosis was created. RESULTS Univariate analysis identified that the risk factors impacting the prognosis of NC included gender, pathological type, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), degree of tumor differentiation, MR enhancement pattern, and Delta-Radscore (P< 0.05). The combined model established based on the abovementioned factors exhibited significantly higher predictive performance [AUC: 0.874, 95% CI (0.810-0.923)] than that of the clinical data model [AUC: 0.650, 95% CI (0.568-0.727)] and imaging model [AUC: 0.824, 95% CI (0.753-0.882)]. DCA also demonstrated superior clinical net benefit in the combined model, a finding further verified by results from the test set. The developed nomogram, based on the combined model, exhibited promising performance in clinical applications. CONCLUSION The Delta-Radscore derived from MR radiomics data before and after concurrent chemoradiotherapy helps enhance the performance of the NC prognostic model. The combined model and resultant nomogram provide valuable support for clinical decision-making in NC treatment, ultimately contributing to an improved survival rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyang Wang
- Department of ENT, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peng An
- Department of Radiology, Xiangyang First People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei, China
| | - Lina Song
- Department of Radiology, Xiangyang First People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei, China
| | - Junjie Liu
- Department of Radiology, Xiangyang First People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei, China
| | - Jisheng Liu
- Department of ENT, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Zou Z, Li R, Huang X, Chen M, Tan J, Wu M. Identification and validation of immune-related methylated genes as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Head Neck 2024; 46:192-211. [PMID: 37929674 DOI: 10.1002/hed.27569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common malignancy occurring in the head and neck. Identification of immune-related methylated biomarkers might be helpful for NPC detection and prognostic evaluation. METHODS A co-methylation network based on WGCNA was constructed to identify modules associated with NPC and immune cells. In combination with differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and immune-related genes from ImmPort database, the candidate immune-related methylated genes (IRMGs) were obtained. RESULTS Our combined analysis identified 12 IRMGs. Among them, both the methylation and mRNA expression of CCL28, CSK, and PRKCB were correlated with the infiltration of B cells. CD1D, CR2, and GDF10 were favorable markers. Demethylation experiments validated that downregulation of GDF10, PRKCB, SLC40A1, and TGFBR3 in NPC resulted from promoter hypermethylation. Additionally, a diagnostic model was developed and exhibited high discriminative accuracy. CONCLUSIONS These results provided a group of immune-related methylated biomarkers that may help with the diagnosis and prognosis of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenning Zou
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Rujia Li
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Xueshan Huang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Mei Chen
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Jingyi Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Minhua Wu
- School of Basic Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
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Hou R, Hon CC, Huang Y. CamoTSS: analysis of alternative transcription start sites for cellular phenotypes and regulatory patterns from 5' scRNA-seq data. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7240. [PMID: 37945584 PMCID: PMC10636040 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42636-1] [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: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Five-prime single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) has been widely employed to profile cellular transcriptomes, however, its power of analysing transcription start sites (TSS) has not been fully utilised. Here, we present a computational method suite, CamoTSS, to precisely identify TSS and quantify its expression by leveraging the cDNA on read 1, which enables effective detection of alternative TSS usage. With various experimental data sets, we have demonstrated that CamoTSS can accurately identify TSS and the detected alternative TSS usages showed strong specificity in different biological processes, including cell types across human organs, the development of human thymus, and cancer conditions. As evidenced in nasopharyngeal cancer, alternative TSS usage can also reveal regulatory patterns including systematic TSS dysregulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyan Hou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Chung-Chau Hon
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yuanhua Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, AR, China.
- Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
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Liu Q, Bode AM, Chen X, Luo X. Metabolic reprogramming in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:189023. [PMID: 37979733 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
The high prevalence of metabolic reprogramming in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) offers an abundance of potential therapeutic targets. This review delves into the distinct mechanisms underlying metabolic reprogramming in NPC, including enhanced glycolysis, nucleotide synthesis, and lipid metabolism. All of these changes are modulated by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, hypoxia, and tumor microenvironment. We highlight the role of metabolic reprogramming in the development of NPC resistance to standard therapies, which represents a challenging barrier in treating this malignancy. Furthermore, we dissect the state of the art in therapeutic strategies that target these metabolic changes, evaluating the successes and failures of clinical trials and the strategies to tackle resistance mechanisms. By providing a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge and future directions in this field, this review sets the stage for new therapeutic avenues in NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, PR China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Invasion, Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, PR China
| | - Ann M Bode
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Xue Chen
- Early Clinical Trial Center, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, PR China.
| | - Xiangjian Luo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, PR China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Invasion, Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biological Nanotechnology of National Health Commission, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.
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Chen S, Jiang W, Du Y, Yang M, Pan Y, Li H, Cui M. Single-cell analysis technologies for cancer research: from tumor-specific single cell discovery to cancer therapy. Front Genet 2023; 14:1276959. [PMID: 37900181 PMCID: PMC10602688 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1276959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell sequencing (SCS) technology is changing our understanding of cellular components, functions, and interactions across organisms, because of its inherent advantage of avoiding noise resulting from genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity across numerous samples. By directly and individually measuring multiple molecular characteristics of thousands to millions of single cells, SCS technology can characterize multiple cell types and uncover the mechanisms of gene regulatory networks, the dynamics of transcription, and the functional state of proteomic profiling. In this context, we conducted systematic research on SCS techniques, including the fundamental concepts, procedural steps, and applications of scDNA, scRNA, scATAC, scCITE, and scSNARE methods, focusing on the unique clinical advantages of SCS, particularly in cancer therapy. We have explored challenging but critical areas such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), lineage tracing, tumor heterogeneity, drug resistance, and tumor immunotherapy. Despite challenges in managing and analyzing the large amounts of data that result from SCS, this technique is expected to reveal new horizons in cancer research. This review aims to emphasize the key role of SCS in cancer research and promote the application of single-cell technologies to cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Weibo Jiang
- Department of Orthopaedic, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yanhui Du
- Department of Orthopaedics, Jilin Province People’s Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Manshi Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yihan Pan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Huan Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Mengying Cui
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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30
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Zhu DQ, Su C, Li JJ, Li AW, Luv Y, Fan Q. Update on Radiotherapy Changes of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Tumor Microenvironment. World J Oncol 2023; 14:350-357. [PMID: 37869238 PMCID: PMC10588496 DOI: 10.14740/wjon1645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The utilization of radiotherapy (RT) serves as the principal approach for managing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Consequently, it is imperative to investigate the correlation between the radiation microenvironment and radiation resistance in NPC. PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases were accessed to perform a search utilizing the English keywords "nasopharyngeal cancer", "radiotherapy", and "microenvironment". The search time spanned from the establishment of the database until January 20, 2023. A total of 82 articles were included. The post-radiation tumor microenvironment (TME), or the radiation microenvironment, includes several components, such as the radiation-immune microenvironment and the radiation-hypoxic microenvironment. The radiation-immune microenvironment includes various factors like immune cells, signaling molecules, and extracellular matrix. RT can reshape the TME, leading to immune responses with both cytotoxic effects (T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells) and immune escape mechanisms (regulatory T cells (Tregs), macrophages). RT enhances immune responses through DNA release, type I interferons, and immune cell recruitment. Radiation-hypoxic microenvironment affects metabolism and molecular changes. RT-induced hypoxia causes vascular changes, fibrosis, and vessel compression, leading to tissue hypoxia. Hypoxia activates hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α/2α, promoting angiogenesis and glycolysis in tumor cells. TME changes due to hypoxia also involve immune suppressive cells like myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and Tregs. The radiation microenvironment is involved in radiation resistance and holds a significant effect on the prognosis of patients with NPC. Exploring the radiation microenvironment provides new insights into RT and NPC research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dao Qi Zhu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Chao Su
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jing Jun Li
- NanFang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ai Wu Li
- NanFang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ying Luv
- NanFang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qin Fan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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31
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Zhang Q, Xu M. EBV-induced T-cell responses in EBV-specific and nonspecific cancers. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1250946. [PMID: 37841280 PMCID: PMC10576448 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1250946] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human tumor virus associated with various malignancies, including B-lymphoma, NK and T-lymphoma, and epithelial carcinoma. It infects B lymphocytes and epithelial cells within the oropharynx and establishes persistent infection in memory B cells. With a balanced virus-host interaction, most individuals carry EBV asymptomatically because of the lifelong surveillance by T cell immunity against EBV. A stable anti-EBV T cell repertoire is maintained in memory at high frequency in the blood throughout persistent EBV infection. Patients with impaired T cell immunity are more likely to develop life-threatening lymphoproliferative disorders, highlighting the critical role of T cells in achieving the EBV-host balance. Recent studies reveal that the EBV protein, LMP1, triggers robust T-cell responses against multiple tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) in B cells. Additionally, EBV-specific T cells have been identified in EBV-unrelated cancers, raising questions about their role in antitumor immunity. Herein, we summarize T-cell responses in EBV-related cancers, considering latency patterns, host immune status, and factors like human leukocyte antigen (HLA) susceptibility, which may affect immune outcomes. We discuss EBV-induced TAA-specific T cell responses and explore the potential roles of EBV-specific T cell subsets in tumor microenvironments. We also describe T-cell immunotherapy strategies that harness EBV antigens, ranging from EBV-specific T cells to T cell receptor-engineered T cells. Lastly, we discuss the involvement of γδ T-cells in EBV infection and associated diseases, aiming to elucidate the comprehensive interplay between EBV and T-cell immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Ding T, Zhang Y, Ren Z, Cong Y, Long J, Peng M, Faleti OD, Yang Y, Li X, Lyu X. EBV-Associated Hub Genes as Potential Biomarkers for Predicting the Prognosis of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Viruses 2023; 15:1915. [PMID: 37766321 PMCID: PMC10537168 DOI: 10.3390/v15091915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to develop a model using Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated hub genes in order to predict the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Differential expression analysis, univariate regression analysis, and machine learning were performed in three microarray datasets (GSE2371, GSE12452, and GSE102349) collected from the GEO database. Three hundred and sixty-six EBV-DEGs were identified, 25 of which were found to be significantly associated with NPC prognosis. These 25 genes were used to classify NPC into two subtypes, and six genes (C16orf54, CD27, CD53, CRIP1, RARRES3, and TBC1D10C) were found to be hub genes in NPC related to immune infiltration and cell cycle regulation. It was shown that these genes could be used to predict the prognosis of NPC, with functions related to tumor proliferation and immune infiltration, making them potential therapeutic targets. The findings of this study could aid in the development of screening and prognostic methods for NPC based on EBV-related features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengteng Ding
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China; (T.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.C.); (M.P.)
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
| | - Yuanbin Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China; (T.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.C.); (M.P.)
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
| | - Zhixuan Ren
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China;
| | - Ying Cong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China; (T.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.C.); (M.P.)
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
| | - Jingyi Long
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Manli Peng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China; (T.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.C.); (M.P.)
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
| | - Oluwasijibomi Damola Faleti
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yinggui Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China; (T.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.C.); (M.P.)
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China
| | - Xin Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China; (T.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.C.); (M.P.)
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
| | - Xiaoming Lyu
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China
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Chung MKY, Gong L, Kwong DL, Lee VH, Lee AW, Guan X, Kam N, Dai W. Functions of double-negative B cells in autoimmune diseases, infections, and cancers. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e17341. [PMID: 37272217 PMCID: PMC10493577 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202217341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Most mature B cells can be divided into four subtypes based on the expression of the surface markers IgD and CD27: IgD+ CD27- naïve B cells, IgD+ CD27+ unswitched memory B cells, IgD- CD27+ switched memory B cells, and IgD- CD27- double-negative (DN) B cells. Despite their small population size in normal peripheral blood, DN B cells play integral roles in various diseases. For example, they generate autoimmunity in autoimmune conditions, while these cells may generate both autoimmune and antipathogenic responses in COVID-19, or act in a purely antipathogenic capacity in malaria. Recently, DN B cells have been identified in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and non-small-cell lung cancers, where they may play an immunosuppressive role. The distinct functions that DN B cells play in different diseases suggest that they are a heterogeneous B-cell population. Therefore, further study of the mechanisms underlying the involvement of DN B cells in these diseases is essential for understanding their pathogenesis and the development of therapeutic strategies. Further research is thus warranted to characterize the DN B-cell population in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael King Yung Chung
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
| | - Lanqi Gong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Cancer Metastasis and Personalized TherapyThe University of Hong Kong‐Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenChina
| | - Dora Lai‐Wan Kwong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Cancer Metastasis and Personalized TherapyThe University of Hong Kong‐Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenChina
| | - Victor Ho‐Fun Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Cancer Metastasis and Personalized TherapyThe University of Hong Kong‐Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenChina
| | - Ann Wing‐Mui Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Cancer Metastasis and Personalized TherapyThe University of Hong Kong‐Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenChina
| | - Xin‐Yuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Cancer Metastasis and Personalized TherapyThe University of Hong Kong‐Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenChina
| | - Ngar‐Woon Kam
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
- Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical BiologyHong Kong (SAR)China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Cancer Metastasis and Personalized TherapyThe University of Hong Kong‐Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenChina
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Tang S, Wu Z, Chen L, She L, Zuo W, Luo W, Zhang Y, Liang S, Liu G, He B, He J, Zhang N. Multi-omics analysis reveals the association between elevated KIF18B expression and unfavorable prognosis, immune evasion, and regulatory T cell activation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1258344. [PMID: 37744335 PMCID: PMC10514916 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1258344] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is prevalent in Southern China. The expression profile and functions of kinesin family member 18B (KIF18B) remain unclear in NPC. Methods Bulk and single-cell transcriptome data for NPC were downloaded. KIF18B expression differences in NPC and normal tissues and its prognostic value were validated by immunohistochemistry and Cox model. We performed multi-faceted functional enrichment analysis on KIF18B. Immune infiltration was analyzed comprehensively by the CIBERSORT, EPIC, and quanTIseq algorithms and the BisqueRNA package and confirmed by immunofluorescence assay. The intercellular communication were investigated by the CellChat package. We explored the dynamics of KIF18B expression by pseudotime trajectory. M6A modification analysis rely on SRAMP platform. The treatment response were evaluated by Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) score, immunophenoscore and IC50 value. Results KIF18B overexpression in NPC led to unfavorable prognosis, and significantly associated with advanced T, N, and stage classifications. Functional analysis demonstrated that KIF18B was involved in immune suppression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification and therapeutic responses. The deconvolution algorithm indicated that activated regulatory T cells (Tregs) had the strongest positive correlation with KIF18B among immune cells (R = 0.631). Validated by immunofluorescence assay, the high KIF18B expression group displayed a notable rise in Tregs infiltration, accompanied by a substantial decrease in the infiltration of CD8+ T cells and macrophages. In the intercellular communication network, malignant cells with high KIF18B expression implicated in more interactions, and activated and recruited Tregs by modulating cytokines, chemokines, and immune checkpoints. KIF18B was upregulated in more advanced malignant cells and influenced EMT by regulating ITGA6, VIM, and ZEB1/2. KIF18B expression was positively related to m6A "writer" and "reader" genes, and negatively related to "eraser" genes. The KIF18B high expression group exhibited a higher TIDE score and elevated IC50 values for the commonly used chemotherapy drugs, gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and 5-fluorouracil. Conclusion KIF18B is a significant prognostic marker in NPC, and may modulate immune evasion and EMT. M6A modification may account for the aberrant overexpression of KIF18B in NPC. Furthermore, KIF18B may predict response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Tang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Zhenyu Wu
- Department of Urology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Lusi Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Longjiang She
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Weihan Zuo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Weijun Luo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Shaoqiang Liang
- Department of Comprehensive (Head and Neck) Oncology and Hospice Ward, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Guichao Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Biyi He
- Department of Rhinology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Jinfeng He
- Department of Rhinology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
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Zhao Y, He B, Xu F, Li C, Xu Z, Su X, He H, Huang Y, Rossjohn J, Song J, Yao J. DeepAIR: A deep learning framework for effective integration of sequence and 3D structure to enable adaptive immune receptor analysis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eabo5128. [PMID: 37556545 PMCID: PMC10411891 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo5128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Structural docking between the adaptive immune receptors (AIRs), including T cell receptors (TCRs) and B cell receptors (BCRs), and their cognate antigens are one of the most fundamental processes in adaptive immunity. However, current methods for predicting AIR-antigen binding largely rely on sequence-derived features of AIRs, omitting the structure features that are essential for binding affinity. In this study, we present a deep learning framework, termed DeepAIR, for the accurate prediction of AIR-antigen binding by integrating both sequence and structure features of AIRs. DeepAIR achieves a Pearson's correlation of 0.813 in predicting the binding affinity of TCR, and a median area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.904 and 0.942 in predicting the binding reactivity of TCR and BCR, respectively. Meanwhile, using TCR and BCR repertoire, DeepAIR correctly identifies every patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and inflammatory bowel disease in test data. Thus, DeepAIR improves the AIR-antigen binding prediction that facilitates the study of adaptive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhao
- AI Lab, Tencent, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bing He
- AI Lab, Tencent, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fan Xu
- AI Lab, Tencent, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chen Li
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Monash Data Futures Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jiangning Song
- AI Lab, Tencent, Shenzhen, China
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Monash Data Futures Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
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Li C, Guan R, Li W, Wei D, Cao S, Xu C, Chang F, Wang P, Chen L, Lei D. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals tumor immune microenvironment in human hypopharygeal squamous cell carcinoma and lymphatic metastasis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1168191. [PMID: 37503341 PMCID: PMC10369788 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1168191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human hypopharygeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) is a common head and neck cancer with a poor prognosis in advanced stages. The occurrence and development of tumor is the result of mutual influence and co-evolution between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) refers to the immune microenvironment surrounding tumor cells. Studying TIME in HSCC could provide new targets and therapeutic strategies for HSCC. Methods We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and analysis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, paracancerous, and lymphoid tissues from five HSCC patients. Subdivide of B cells, T cells, macrophages cells, and monocytes and their distribution in three kinds of tissues as well as marker genes were analyzed. Different genes of IGHG1 plasma cells and SPP1+ macrophages between HSCC tissues, adjacent normal tissues and lymphatic tissues were analyzed. Additionally, we studied proliferating lymphocytes, T cells exhaustion, and T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in three kinds of tissues. Results Transcriptome profiles of 132,869 single cells were obtained and grouped into seven cell clusters, including epithelial cells, lymphocytes, mononuclear phagocytics system (MPs), fibroblasts, endothelial cells (ECs), plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), and mast cells. Tumor metastasis occurred in three lymphoid tissues. Four distinct populations were identified from lymphocytes, including B cells, plasma cells, T cells and proliferating lymphocytes. We found IGHA1 and IGHG1 specific plasma cells significantly overexpressed in HSCC tissues compared with normal hypopharygeal tissues and lymphatic tissues. Five distinct populations from MPs were identified, including macrophages, monocytes, mature dendritic cells (DCs), Type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1) and Type 2 conventional dendritic cells (cDC2). SPP1+ macrophages were significantly overexpressed in HSCC tissues and lymphatic tissues compared with normal hypopharygeal tissues, which are thought to be M2-type macrophages. Exhaustion of CD8+ Teff cells occurred in HSCC tissues. At last, we verified that IgA and IgG1 protein expression levels were significantly up-regulated in HSCC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Conclusion Overall, this study revealed TIME in HSCC and lymphatic metastasis, and provided potential therapeutic targets for HSCC.
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Lin Q, Zhou Y, Ma J, Han S, Huang Y, Wu F, Wang X, Zhang Y, Mei X, Ma L. Single-cell analysis reveals the multiple patterns of immune escape in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma microenvironment. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1315. [PMID: 37349991 PMCID: PMC10288070 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Single-cell transcriptomics has revolutionised our understanding of the cellular composition of the tumour microenvironment (TME) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Despite this progress, a key limitation of this technique has been its inability to capture epithelial/tumour cells, which has hindered further investigation of tumour heterogeneity and immune escape in NPC. METHODS In this study, we aimed to address these limitations by analysing the transcriptomics and spatial characteristics of NPC tumour cells at single-cell resolution using scRNA/snRNA-seq and imaging mass cytometry techniques. RESULTS Our findings demonstrate multiple patterns of immune escape mechanisms in NPC, including the loss of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules in malignant cells, induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in fibroblast-like malignant cells and the use of hyperplastic cells in tumour nests to protect tumour cells from immune infiltration. Additionally, we identified, for the first time, a CD8+ natural killer (NK) cell cluster that is specific to the NPC TME. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide new insights into the complexity of NPC immune landscape and may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyu Lin
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen InstituteTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yaqi Zhou
- Department of OtorhinolaryngologyPeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenChina
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of RadiologyShenzhen People's HospitalShenzhenChina
| | - Sanyang Han
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate SchoolTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | | | - Feng Wu
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate SchoolTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xuejuan Wang
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen InstituteTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen InstituteTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xueshuang Mei
- Department of OtorhinolaryngologyPeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenChina
| | - Lan Ma
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen InstituteTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate SchoolTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Shenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhenChina
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Liu Y, Zhang H, Mao Y, Shi Y, Wang X, Shi S, Hu D, Liu S. Bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing analyses along with abundant machine learning methods identify a novel monocyte signature in SKCM. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1094042. [PMID: 37304304 PMCID: PMC10248046 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1094042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Global patterns of immune cell communications in the immune microenvironment of skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) haven't been well understood. Here we recognized signaling roles of immune cell populations and main contributive signals. We explored how multiple immune cells and signal paths coordinate with each other and established a prognosis signature based on the key specific biomarkers with cellular communication. Methods The single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, in which various immune cells were extracted and re-annotated according to cell markers defined in the original study to identify their specific signs. We computed immune-cell communication networks by calculating the linking number or summarizing the communication probability to visualize the cross-talk tendency in different immune cells. Combining abundant analyses of communication networks and identifications of communication modes, all networks were quantitatively characterized and compared. Based on the bulk RNA sequencing data, we trained specific markers of hub communication cells through integration programs of machine learning to develop new immune-related prognostic combinations. Results An eight-gene monocyte-related signature (MRS) has been built, confirmed as an independent risk factor for disease-specific survival (DSS). MRS has great predictive values in progression free survival (PFS) and possesses better accuracy than traditional clinical variables and molecular features. The low-risk group has better immune functions, infiltrated with more lymphocytes and M1 macrophages, with higher expressions of HLA, immune checkpoints, chemokines and costimulatory molecules. The pathway analysis based on seven databases confirms the biological uniqueness of the two risk groups. Additionally, the regulon activity profiles of 18 transcription factors highlight possible differential regulatory patterns between the two risk groups, suggesting epigenetic event-driven transcriptional networks may be an important distinction. MRS has been identified as a powerful tool to benefit SKCM patients. Moreover, the IFITM3 gene has been identified as the key gene, validated to express highly at the protein level via the immunohistochemical assay in SKCM. Conclusion MRS is accurate and specific in evaluating SKCM patients' clinical outcomes. IFITM3 is a potential biomarker. Moreover, they are promising to improve the prognosis of SKCM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyao Liu
- Department of Burns, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Haoxue Zhang
- Department of Dermatovenerology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Dermatology, Ministry of Education, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yan Mao
- Department of Dermatology, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yangyang Shi
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shaomin Shi
- Department of Dermatology, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Delin Hu
- Department of Burns, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shengxiu Liu
- Department of Dermatovenerology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Dermatology, Ministry of Education, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Mahajan S, Bongaerts M, Hardillo J, Tsang A, Lo KW, Kortleve D, Ma B, Debets R. Transcriptomics of Epstein-Barr virus aids to the classification of T-cell evasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Curr Opin Immunol 2023; 83:102335. [PMID: 37235920 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2023.102335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) contributes to oncogenesis and immune evasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). At present, an aggregated, higher-level view on the impact of EBV genes toward the immune microenvironment of NPC is lacking. To this end, we have interrogated tumor-derived RNA sequences of 106 treatment-naive NPC patients for 98 EBV transcripts, and captured the presence of 10 different immune cell populations as well as 23 different modes of T-cell evasion. We discovered 3 clusters of EBV genes that each associate with distinct immunophenotypes of NPC. Cluster 1 associated with gene sets related to immune cell recruitment, such as those encoding for chemoattractants and their receptors. Cluster 2 associated with antigen processing and presentation, such as interferon-related genes, whereas cluster 3 associated with presence of M1-like macrophages, absence of CD4+ T cells, and oncogenic pathways, such as the nuclear factor kappa light-chain enhancer of activated B-cell pathway. We discuss these 3 EBV clusters regarding their potential for stratification for T-cell immunity in NPC together with the next steps needed to validate such therapeutic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Mahajan
- Departments of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC and Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Michiel Bongaerts
- Departments of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC and Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jose Hardillo
- Departments of Otorhinolaryngology, Erasmus MC and Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Tsang
- Departments of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Kwok W Lo
- Departments of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Dian Kortleve
- Departments of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC and Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Brigette Ma
- Departments of Clinical Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Reno Debets
- Departments of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC and Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Lim DWT, Kao HF, Suteja L, Li CH, Quah HS, Tan DSW, Tan SH, Tan EH, Tan WL, Lee JN, Wee FYT, Jain A, Goh BC, Chua MLK, Liao BC, Ng QS, Hong RL, Ang MK, Yeong JPS, Iyer NG. Clinical efficacy and biomarker analysis of dual PD-1/CTLA-4 blockade in recurrent/metastatic EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2781. [PMID: 37188668 PMCID: PMC10184620 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38407-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-agent checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) activity in Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) related nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is limited. Dual CPI shows increased activity in solid cancers. In this single-arm phase II trial (NCT03097939), 40 patients with recurrent/metastatic EBV-positive NPC who failed prior chemotherapy receive nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks and ipilimumab 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks. Primary outcome of best overall response rate (BOR) and secondary outcomes (progression-free survival [PFS], clinical benefit rate, adverse events, duration of response, time to progression, overall survival [OS]) are reported. The BOR is 38% with median PFS and OS of 5.3 and 19.5 months, respectively. This regimen is well-tolerated and treatment-related adverse events requiring discontinuation are low. Biomarker analysis shows no correlation of outcomes to PD-L1 expression or tumor mutation burden. While the BOR does not meet pre-planned estimates, patients with low plasma EBV-DNA titre (<7800 IU/ml) trend to better response and PFS. Deep immunophenotyping of pre- and on-treatment tumor biopsies demonstrate early activation of the adaptive immune response, with T-cell cytotoxicity seen in responders prior to any clinically evident response. Immune-subpopulation profiling also identifies specific PD-1 and CTLA-4 expressing CD8 subpopulations that predict for response to combined immune checkpoint blockade in NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Wan-Teck Lim
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Hsiang-Fong Kao
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lisda Suteja
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Constance H Li
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hong Sheng Quah
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Daniel Shao-Weng Tan
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sze-Huey Tan
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eng-Huat Tan
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wan-Ling Tan
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Justina Nadia Lee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Amit Jain
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Boon-Cher Goh
- National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Melvin L K Chua
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bin-Chi Liao
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Quan Sing Ng
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ruey-Long Hong
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Kim Ang
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joe Poh-Sheng Yeong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - N Gopalakrishna Iyer
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
- Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
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Ma BBY, Thu Le Q. Hot on the trail in the TME: Clues from a trilogy of checkpoint inhibitor trials in nasopharyngeal cancer. Cancer Cell 2023:S1535-6108(23)00139-3. [PMID: 37207653 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In this issue of Cancer Cell, Yang et al. report the third in a series of phase III trials that demonstrates the survival benefit of combining a PD-1 inhibitor with chemotherapy in nasopharyngeal cancer. A gene expression analysis identifies "hot" and "cold" tumor signatures with prognostic and predictive significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigette B Y Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, Hong Kong Cancer Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Quynh Thu Le
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Wen Z, Liu H, Qiao D, Chen H, Li L, Yang Z, Zhu C, Zeng Z, Chen Y, Liu L. Nanovaccines Fostering Tertiary Lymphoid Structure to Attack Mimicry Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. ACS NANO 2023; 17:7194-7206. [PMID: 37057967 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c09619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are formed in inflamed tissues, and recent studies demonstrated that the appearance of TLSs in tumor sites is associated with a good prognosis for tumor patients. However, the process of natural TLSs' formation was slow and uncontrollable. Herein, we developed a nanovaccine consisting of Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and a bi-adjuvant of Mn2+ and cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) formulated with tannic acid that significantly inhibited the development of mimicry nasopharyngeal carcinoma by fostering TLS formation. The nanovaccine activated LT-α and LT-β pathways, subsequently enhancing the expression of downstream chemokines, CCL19/CCL21, CXCL10 and CXCL13, in the tumor microenvironment. In turn, normalized blood and lymph vessels were detected in the tumor tissues of the nanovaccine group, correlated with increased infiltration of lymphocytes. Especially, the proportion of the B220+ CD8+ T, which was produced via trogocytosis between T and B cells during activation of T cells, was increased in tumors of the nanovaccine group. Furthermore, the intratumoral effector memory T cells (Tem), CD45+, CD3+, CD8+, CD44+, and CD62L-, did not decrease after blocking the egress of T cells from tumor-draining lymph nodes by FTY-720. These results demonstrated that the nanovaccine can foster TLS formation, which thus enhances local immune responses significantly, delays tumor outgrowth, and prolongs the median survival time of murine models of mimicry nasopharyngeal carcinoma, demonstrating a promising strategy for nanovaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfu Wen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Hong Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Dongdong Qiao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Haolin Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Liyan Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Zeyu Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Chenxu Zhu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Zhipeng Zeng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yongming Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Translational Medicine, Center for Nanomedicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Lixin Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
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Gong L, Luo J, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Li S, Fang X, Zhang B, Huang J, Chow LKY, Chung D, Huang J, Huang C, Liu Q, Bai L, Tiu YC, Wu P, Wang Y, Tsao GSW, Kwong DLW, Lee AWM, Dai W, Guan XY. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells promote regulatory T cell development and suppressive activity via CD70-CD27 interaction. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1912. [PMID: 37024479 PMCID: PMC10079957 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37614-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the intense CD8+ T-cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, anti-PD-1 immunotherapy shows an unsatisfactory response rate in clinical trials, hindered by immunosuppressive signals. To understand how microenvironmental characteristics alter immune homeostasis and limit immunotherapy efficacy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, here we establish a multi-center single-cell cohort based on public data, containing 357,206 cells from 50 patient samples. We reveal that nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells enhance development and suppressive activity of regulatory T cells via CD70-CD27 interaction. CD70 blocking reverts Treg-mediated suppression and thus reinvigorate CD8+ T-cell immunity. Anti-CD70+ anti-PD-1 therapy is evaluated in xenograft-derived organoids and humanized mice, exhibiting an improved tumor-killing efficacy. Mechanistically, CD70 knockout inhibits a collective lipid signaling network in CD4+ naïve and regulatory T cells involving mitochondrial integrity, cholesterol homeostasis, and fatty acid metabolism. Furthermore, ATAC-Seq delineates that CD70 is transcriptionally upregulated by NFKB2 via an Epstein-Barr virus-dependent epigenetic modification. Our findings identify CD70+ nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells as a metabolic switch that enforces the lipid-driven development, functional specialization and homeostasis of Tregs, leading to immune evasion. This study also demonstrates that CD70 blockade can act synergistically with anti-PD-1 treatment to reinvigorate T-cell immunity against nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanqi Gong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Luo
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuma Yang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaona Fang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Baifeng Zhang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jiao Huang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Larry Ka-Yue Chow
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dittman Chung
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jinlin Huang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cuicui Huang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qin Liu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lu Bai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuen Chak Tiu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pingan Wu
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - George Sai-Wah Tsao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dora Lai-Wan Kwong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Anne Wing-Mui Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
- Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou, China.
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Sobti A, Sakellariou C, Nilsson JS, Askmyr D, Greiff L, Lindstedt M. Exploring Spatial Heterogeneity of Immune Cells in Nasopharyngeal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072165. [PMID: 37046826 PMCID: PMC10093565 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a malignant tumor. In a recent publication, we described the presence and distribution of CD8+ T cells in NPC and used the information to identify 'inflamed', 'immune-excluded', and 'desert' immune phenotypes, where 'inflamed' and 'immune-excluded' NPCs were correlated with CD8 T cell infiltration and survival. Arguably, more detailed and, in particular, spatially resolved data are required for patient stratification and for the identification of new treatment targets. In this study, we investigate the phenotype of CD45+ leukocytes in the previously analyzed NPC samples by applying multiplexed tissue analysis to assess the spatial distribution of cell types and to quantify selected biomarkers. A total of 47 specified regions-of-interest (ROIs) were generated based on CD45, CD8, and PanCK morphological staining. Using the GeoMx® Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP), 49 target proteins were digitally quantified from the selected ROIs of a tissue microarray consisting of 30 unique NPC biopsies. Protein targets associated with B cells (CD20), NK cells (CD56), macrophages (CD68), and regulatory T cells (PD-1, FOXP3) were most differentially expressed in CD45+ segments within 'immune-rich cancer cell islet' regions of the tumor (cf. 'surrounding stromal leukocyte' regions). In contrast, markers associated with suppressive populations of myeloid cells (CD163, B7-H3, VISTA) and T cells (CD4, LAG3, Tim-3) were expressed at a higher level in CD45+ segments in the 'surrounding stromal leukocyte' regions (cf. 'immune-rich cancer cell islet' regions). When comparing the three phenotypes, the 'inflamed' profile (cf. 'immune-excluded' and 'desert') exhibited higher expression of markers associated with B cells, NK cells, macrophages, and myeloid cells. Myeloid markers were highly expressed in the 'immune-excluded' phenotype. Granulocyte markers and immune-regulatory markers were higher in the 'desert' profile (cf. 'inflamed' and 'immune-excluded'). In conclusion, this study describes the spatial heterogeneity of the immune microenvironment in NPC and highlights immune-related biomarkers in immune phenotypes, which may aid in the stratification of patients for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aastha Sobti
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Johan S Nilsson
- Department of ORL, Head & Neck Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
- Department Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - David Askmyr
- Department of ORL, Head & Neck Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
- Department Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Lennart Greiff
- Department of ORL, Head & Neck Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
- Department Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Malin Lindstedt
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
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45
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Single-cell chemokine receptor profiles delineate the immune contexture of tertiary lymphoid structures in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2023; 558:216105. [PMID: 36841416 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are organized aggregates of immune cells associated with favourable prognosis and response to immunotherapy in cancer, but the immune architecture of TLSs remains poorly elucidated. Here, we hypothesize that the spatial architecture of leukocytes in TLSs can be reconstructed de novo, at least partially, by cell-inherent chemokine receptors profiles. Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) revealed 47 subpopulations of leukocytes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC). Combined with bulk RNA-seq, we observed that CXCR3, CCR7, CCR6, CXCR5, and CCR1 are TLS-associated chemokine receptors. According to the spatial reference, the cellular atlas with TLS-associated chemokine receptors in HNSC TLSs was elaborately portrayed by multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC). Subsequently, we explored the functions and evolutionary trajectory of cells distributed in TLSs. Our investigation presents an approach to reconstructing the immune architecture of TLSs, which would help boost the antitumor immune response by inducing neogenesis TLSs in HNSC.
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Mahajan S, Balcioglu HE, Oostvogels A, Dik WA, Chan KCA, Lo KW, Hui EP, Tsang A, Tong J, Lam WKJ, Wong K, Chan ATC, Ma BBY, Debets R. Frequency of Peripheral CD8+ T Cells Expressing Chemo-Attractant Receptors CCR1, 4 and 5 Increases in NPC Patients with EBV Clearance upon Radiotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061887. [PMID: 36980772 PMCID: PMC10047204 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) is the standard-of-care for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), where the post-RT clearance of plasma EBV DNA is prognostic. Currently, it is not known whether the post-RT clearance of plasma EBV DNA is related to the presence of circulating T-cell subsets. Blood samples from NPC patients were used to assess the frequency of T-cell subsets relating to differentiation, co-signaling and chemotaxis. Patients with undetectable versus detectable plasma EBV DNA levels post-RT were categorized as clearers vs. non-clearers. Clearers had a lower frequency of PD1+CD8+ T cells as well as CXCR3+CD8+ T cells during RT compared to non-clearers. Clearers exclusively showed a temporal increase in chemo-attractant receptors CCR1, 4 and/or 5, expressing CD8+ T cells upon RT. The increase in CCR-expressing CD8+ T cells was accompanied by a drop in naïve CD8+ T cells and an increase in OX40+CD8+ T cells. Upon stratifying these patients based on clinical outcome, the dynamics of CCR-expressing CD8+ T cells were in concordance with the non-recurrence of NPC. In a second cohort, non-recurrence associated with higher quantities of circulating CCL14 and CCL15. Collectively, our findings relate plasma EBV DNA clearance post-RT to T-cell chemotaxis, which requires validation in larger cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Mahajan
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hayri E Balcioglu
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Astrid Oostvogels
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Willem A Dik
- Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K C Allen Chan
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kwok-Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Edwin P Hui
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, Hong Kong Cancer Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Anna Tsang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Joanna Tong
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wai Kei Jacky Lam
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kenneth Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, Hong Kong Cancer Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Anthony T C Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, Hong Kong Cancer Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Brigette B Y Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, Hong Kong Cancer Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Reno Debets
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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47
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Laumont CM, Nelson BH. B cells in the tumor microenvironment: Multi-faceted organizers, regulators, and effectors of anti-tumor immunity. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:466-489. [PMID: 36917951 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is rapidly expanding beyond T cell-centric perspectives to include B cells and plasma cells, collectively referred to as TIL-Bs. In many cancers, TIL-Bs carry strong prognostic significance and are emerging as key predictors of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. TIL-Bs can perform multiple functions, including antigen presentation and antibody production, which allow them to focus immune responses on cognate antigen to support both T cell responses and innate mechanisms involving complement, macrophages, and natural killer cells. In the stroma of the most immunologically "hot" tumors, TIL-Bs are prominent components of tertiary lymphoid structures, which resemble lymph nodes structurally and functionally. Additionally, TIL-Bs participate in a variety of other lympho-myeloid aggregates and engage in dynamic interactions with the tumor stroma. Here, we summarize our current understanding of TIL-Bs in human cancer, highlighting the compelling therapeutic opportunities offered by their unique tumor recognition and effector mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline M Laumont
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Brad H Nelson
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 3E6, Canada.
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48
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Jia Y, Zhang B, Zhang C, Kwong DL, Chang Z, Li S, Wang Z, Han H, Li J, Zhong Y, Sui X, Fu L, Guan X, Qin Y. Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis of Primary and Metastatic Tumor Ecosystems in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2204565. [PMID: 36709495 PMCID: PMC9982558 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202204565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Lymph node metastasis, the leading cause of mortality in esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESCC) with a highly complex tumor microenvironment, remains underexplored. Here, the transcriptomes of 85 263 single cells are analyzed from four ESCC patients with lymph node metastases. Strikingly, it is observed that the metastatic microenvironment undergoes the emergence or expansion of interferon induced IFIT3+ T, B cells, and immunosuppressive cells such as APOC1+ APOE+ macrophages and myofibroblasts with highly expression of immunoglobulin genes (IGKC) and extracellular matrix component and matrix metallopeptidase genes. A poor-prognostic epithelial-immune dual expression program regulating immune effector processes, whose activity is significantly enhanced in metastatic malignant epithelial cells and enriched in CD74+ CXCR4+ and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes upregulated malignant epithelia cells is discovered. Comparing with primary tumor, differential intercellular communications of metastatic ESCC microenvironment are revealed and furtherly validated via multiplexed immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining, which mainly rely on the crosstalk of APOC1+ APOE+ macrophages with tumor and stromal cell. The data highlight potential molecular mechanisms that shape the lymph-node metastatic microenvironment and may inform drug discovery and the development of new strategies to target these prometastatic nontumor components for inhibiting tumor growth and overcoming metastasis to improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxu Jia
- Department of Clinical OncologyThe First Affiliated HospitalZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450052P. R. China
| | - Baifeng Zhang
- Departments of Clinical OncologyThe University of Hong Kong‐Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen518009P. R. China
- Departments of Clinical OncologyLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongP. R. China
| | - Chunyang Zhang
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryThe First Affiliated HospitalZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450052P. R. China
| | - Dora Lai‐Wan Kwong
- Departments of Clinical OncologyThe University of Hong Kong‐Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen518009P. R. China
- Departments of Clinical OncologyLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongP. R. China
| | - Zhiwei Chang
- Department of Clinical OncologyThe First Affiliated HospitalZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450052P. R. China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Departments of Clinical OncologyThe University of Hong Kong‐Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen518009P. R. China
| | - Zehua Wang
- Department of Clinical OncologyThe First Affiliated HospitalZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450052P. R. China
| | - Huiqiong Han
- Department of Clinical OncologyThe First Affiliated HospitalZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450052P. R. China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Clinical OncologyThe First Affiliated HospitalZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450052P. R. China
| | - Yali Zhong
- Department of Clinical OncologyThe First Affiliated HospitalZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450052P. R. China
| | - Xin Sui
- Department of Clinical OncologyThe First Affiliated HospitalZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450052P. R. China
| | - Li Fu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and DiseasesDepartment of Pharmacology and International Cancer CenterShenzhen University Health Science CenterShenzhen518060P. R. China
| | - Xinyuan Guan
- Departments of Clinical OncologyThe University of Hong Kong‐Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen518009P. R. China
- Departments of Clinical OncologyLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongP. R. China
- Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong LaboratoryHuizhou528200China
| | - Yanru Qin
- Department of Clinical OncologyThe First Affiliated HospitalZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450052P. R. China
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49
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Ruffin AT, Li H, Vujanovic L, Zandberg DP, Ferris RL, Bruno TC. Improving head and neck cancer therapies by immunomodulation of the tumour microenvironment. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:173-188. [PMID: 36456755 PMCID: PMC9992112 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-022-00531-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Targeted immunotherapy has improved patient survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but less than 20% of patients produce a durable response to these treatments. Thus, new immunotherapies that consider all key players of the complex HNSCC tumour microenvironment (TME) are necessary to further enhance tumour-specific T cell responses in patients. HNSCC is an ideal tumour type in which to evaluate immune and non-immune cell differences because of two distinct TME aetiologies (human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative disease), multiple anatomic sites for tumour growth, and clear distinctions between patients with locally advanced disease and those with recurrent and/or metastatic disease. Recent technological and scientific advancements have provided a more complete picture of all cellular constituents within this complex TME and have evaluated the interplay of both immune and non-immune cells within HNSCC. Here, we include a comprehensive analysis of the complete ecosystem of the HNSCC TME, performed utilizing data-rich resources such as The Cancer Genome Atlas, and cutting-edge techniques, such as single-cell RNA sequencing, high-dimensional flow cytometry and spatial multispectral imaging, to generate improved treatment strategies for this diverse disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayana T Ruffin
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumour Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Graduate Program of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Housaiyin Li
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumour Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology (MGDB) Graduate Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lazar Vujanovic
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumour Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Dan P Zandberg
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumour Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Robert L Ferris
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Tumour Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Tullia C Bruno
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Tumour Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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50
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Chen B, Huang Y, He S, Yu P, Wu L, Peng H. N 6-methyladenosine modification in 18S rRNA promotes tumorigenesis and chemoresistance via HSF4b/HSP90B1/mutant p53 axis. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:144-158.e10. [PMID: 36800991 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification on mRNA is correlated with cancer progression. However, the role of m6A on ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in cancer remains poorly understood. Our current study reveals that METTL5/TRMT112 and their mediated m6A modification at the 18S rRNA 1832 site (m6A1832) are elevated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and promote oncogenic transformation in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, loss of catalytic activity of METTL5 abolishes its oncogenic functions. Mechanistically, m6A1832 18S rRNA modification facilitates the assembly of 80S ribosome via bridging the RPL24-18S rRNA interaction, therefore promoting the translation of mRNAs with 5' terminal oligopyrimidine (5' TOP) motifs. Further mechanistic analysis reveals that METTL5 enhances HSF4b translation to activate the transcription of HSP90B1, which binds with oncogenic mutant p53 (mutp53) protein and prevents it from undergoing ubiquitination-dependent degradation, therefore facilitating NPC tumorigenesis and chemoresistance. Overall, our findings uncover an innovative mechanism underlying rRNA epigenetic modification in regulating mRNA translation and the mutp53 pathway in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Chen
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510080, P.R. China; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China; Department of Clinical Nutrition, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Ying Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Shuiqing He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Peng Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510095, P.R. China
| | - Lirong Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210009, P.R. China.
| | - Hao Peng
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510080, P.R. China.
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