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Ma S, Pan X, Gan J, Guo X, He J, Hu H, Wang Y, Ning S, Zhi H. DNA methylation heterogeneity attributable to a complex tumor immune microenvironment prompts prognostic risk in glioma. Epigenetics 2024; 19:2318506. [PMID: 38439715 PMCID: PMC10936651 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2024.2318506] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are malignant tumours of the human nervous system with different World Health Organization (WHO) classifications, glioblastoma (GBM) with higher grade and are more malignant than lower-grade glioma (LGG). To dissect how the DNA methylation heterogeneity in gliomas is influenced by the complex cellular composition of the tumour immune microenvironment, we first compared the DNA methylation profiles of purified human immune cells and bulk glioma tissue, stratifying three tumour immune microenvironmental subtypes for GBM and LGG samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We found that more intermediate methylation sites were enriched in glioma tumour tissues, and used the Proportion of sites with Intermediate Methylation (PIM) to compare intertumoral DNA methylation heterogeneity. A larger PIM score reflected stronger DNA methylation heterogeneity. Enhanced DNA methylation heterogeneity was associated with stronger immune cell infiltration, better survival rates, and slower tumour progression in glioma patients. We then created a Cell-type-associated DNA Methylation Heterogeneity Contribution (CMHC) score to explore the impact of different immune cell types on heterogeneous CpG site (CpGct) in glioma tissues. We identified eight prognosis-related CpGct to construct a risk score: the Cell-type-associated DNA Methylation Heterogeneity Risk (CMHR) score. CMHR was positively correlated with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte infiltration (CTL), and showed better predictive performance for IDH status (AUC = 0.96) and glioma histological phenotype (AUC = 0.81). Furthermore, DNA methylation alterations of eight CpGct might be related to drug treatments of gliomas. In conclusion, we indicated that DNA methylation heterogeneity is associated with a complex tumour immune microenvironment, glioma phenotype, and patient's prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangyue Ma
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xu Pan
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jing Gan
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaxin Guo
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jiaheng He
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Haoyu Hu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuncong Wang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shangwei Ning
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hui Zhi
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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You Y, Zhu L, Song Y, Hu J, Chen M, Zhang J, Xu X, Huang X, Wu X, Lu J, Tong X, Ji JS, Du YZ. Self-Illuminating Nanoagonist Simultaneously Induces Dual Cell Death Pathways via Death Receptor Clustering for Cancer Therapy. ACS NANO 2024; 18:17119-17134. [PMID: 38912613 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c03767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Inducing death receptor 5 (DR5) clustering holds particular promise in tumor-specific therapeutics because it could trigger an apoptotic cascade in cancerous cells. Herein, we present a tumor microenvironment H2O2-responsive self-illuminating nanoagonist, which could induce dual tumor cell death pathways through enhancing DR5 clustering. By conjugating DR5 ligand peptides onto the surfaces of self-illuminating nanoparticles with cross-linking capacity, this strategy not only provides scaffolds for ligands to bind receptors but also cross-links them through photo-cross-linking. This strategy allows for efficient activation of DR5 downstream signaling, initiating the extrinsic apoptosis pathway and immunogenic cell death of tumor cells, and contributes to improved tumor-specific immune responses, resulting in enhanced antitumor efficacy and minimized systemic adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchan You
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Luwen Zhu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Yanling Song
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Jiahao Hu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Minjiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Lishui Central Hospital and Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, 289 Kuocang Road, Lishui 323000, P. R. China
| | - Jucong Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Xinyi Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Xiajie Huang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Xiaochuan Wu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Jingyi Lu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Xiangmin Tong
- Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Westlake University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, P. R. China
| | - Jian-Song Ji
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Lishui Central Hospital and Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, 289 Kuocang Road, Lishui 323000, P. R. China
| | - Yong-Zhong Du
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
- Innovation Center of Transformational Pharmacy, Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321299, P. R. China
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Kirkpatrick C, Lu YCW. Deciphering CD4 + T cell-mediated responses against cancer. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:1209-1220. [PMID: 38725218 PMCID: PMC11166516 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23730] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/15/2024]
Abstract
It's been long thought that CD8+ cytotoxic T cells play a major role in T cell-mediated antitumor responses, whereas CD4+ T cells merely provide some assistance to CD8+ T cells as the "helpers." In recent years, numerous studies support the notion that CD4+ T cells play an indispensable role in antitumor responses. Here, we summarize and discuss the current knowledge regarding the roles of CD4+ T cells in antitumor responses and immunotherapy, with a focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind these observations. These new insights on CD4+ T cells may pave the way to further optimize cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Kirkpatrick
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Yong-Chen William Lu
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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4
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Lu Y, Houson HA, Gallegos CA, Mascioni A, Jia F, Aivazian A, Song PN, Lynch SE, Napier TS, Mansur A, Larimer BM, Lapi SE, Hanker AB, Sorace AG. Evaluating the immunologically "cold" tumor microenvironment after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors utilizing PET imaging of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells in breast cancer mouse models. Breast Cancer Res 2024; 26:104. [PMID: 38918836 PMCID: PMC11201779 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-024-01844-3] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune-positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with tracers that target CD8 and granzyme B has shown promise in predicting the therapeutic response following immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in immunologically "hot" tumors. However, immune dynamics in the low T-cell infiltrating "cold" tumor immune microenvironment during ICB remain poorly understood. This study uses molecular imaging to evaluate changes in CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells during ICB in breast cancer models and examines biomarkers of response. METHODS [89Zr]Zr-DFO-CD4 and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-CD8 radiotracers were used to quantify changes in intratumoral and splenic CD4 T cells and CD8 T cells in response to ICB treatment in 4T1 and MMTV-HER2 mouse models, which represent immunologically "cold" tumors. A correlation between PET quantification metrics and long-term anti-tumor response was observed. Further biological validation was obtained by autoradiography and immunofluorescence. RESULTS Following ICB treatment, an increase in the CD8-specific PET signal was observed within 6 days, and an increase in the CD4-specific PET signal was observed within 2 days in tumors that eventually responded to immunotherapy, while no significant differences in CD4 or CD8 were found at the baseline of treatment that differentiated responders from nonresponders. Furthermore, mice whose tumors responded to ICB had a lower CD8 PET signal in the spleen and a higher CD4 PET signal in the spleen compared to non-responders. Intratumoral spatial heterogeneity of the CD8 and CD4-specific PET signals was lower in responders compared to non-responders. Finally, PET imaging, autoradiography, and immunofluorescence signals were correlated when comparing in vivo imaging to ex vivo validations. CONCLUSIONS CD4- and CD8-specific immuno-PET imaging can be used to characterize the in vivo distribution of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells in response to immune checkpoint blockade. Imaging metrics that describe the overall levels and distribution of CD8 + T cells and CD4 + T cells can provide insight into immunological alterations, predict biomarkers of response to immunotherapy, and guide clinical decision-making in those tumors where the kinetics of the response differ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Lu
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
- Graduate Biomedical Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Hailey A Houson
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Carlos A Gallegos
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | | | - Fang Jia
- ImaginAb, Inc, Inglewood, CA, 90301, USA
| | | | - Patrick N Song
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
- Graduate Biomedical Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Shannon E Lynch
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
- Graduate Biomedical Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Tiara S Napier
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
- Graduate Biomedical Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Ameer Mansur
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Benjamin M Larimer
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Suzanne E Lapi
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Ariella B Hanker
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Anna G Sorace
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
- Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Small Animal Imaging Facility, 1670 University Blvd, Birmingham, USA.
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Espinosa-Carrasco G, Chiu E, Scrivo A, Zumbo P, Dave A, Betel D, Kang SW, Jang HJ, Hellmann MD, Burt BM, Lee HS, Schietinger A. Intratumoral immune triads are required for immunotherapy-mediated elimination of solid tumors. Cancer Cell 2024:S1535-6108(24)00193-4. [PMID: 38906155 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Tumor-specific CD8+ T cells are frequently dysfunctional and unable to halt tumor growth. We investigated whether tumor-specific CD4+ T cells can be enlisted to overcome CD8+ T cell dysfunction within tumors. We find that the spatial positioning and interactions of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, but not their numbers, dictate anti-tumor responses in the context of adoptive T cell therapy as well as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB): CD4+ T cells must engage with CD8+ T cells on the same dendritic cell during the effector phase, forming a three-cell-type cluster (triad) to license CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity and cancer cell elimination. When intratumoral triad formation is disrupted, tumors progress despite equal numbers of tumor-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. In patients with pleural mesothelioma treated with ICB, triads are associated with clinical responses. Thus, CD4+ T cells and triads are required for CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity during the effector phase and tumor elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edison Chiu
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aurora Scrivo
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, and Institute for Aging Studies, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Paul Zumbo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Applied Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Asim Dave
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Doron Betel
- Applied Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sung Wook Kang
- Systems Onco-Immunology Laboratory, David J. Sugarbaker Division of Thoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hee-Jin Jang
- Systems Onco-Immunology Laboratory, David J. Sugarbaker Division of Thoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Matthew D Hellmann
- Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bryan M Burt
- Systems Onco-Immunology Laboratory, David J. Sugarbaker Division of Thoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Division of Thoracic Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hyun-Sung Lee
- Systems Onco-Immunology Laboratory, David J. Sugarbaker Division of Thoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrea Schietinger
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA.
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Pu Y, Yang G, Zhou Y, Pan X, Guo T, Chai X. The Macrophage migration inhibitory factor is a vital player in Pan-Cancer by functioning as a M0 Macrophage biomarker. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 134:112198. [PMID: 38733827 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has recently attracted considerable attention in cancer research; nonetheless, the insights provided by current investigations remain constrained. Our main objective was to investigate its role and the latent mechanisms within the pan-cancer realm. METHODS We used comprehensive pan-cancer bulk sequencing data and online network tools to investigate the association between MIF expression and patient prognosis, genomic instability, cancer cell stemness, DNA damage repair, and immune infiltration. Furthermore, we validated the relationship between MIF expression and M0 macrophages using single-cell datasets, the SpatialDB database, and fluorescence staining. Additionally, we assessed the therapeutic response using the ROC plotter tool. RESULTS We observed the upregulation of MIF expression across numerous cancer types. Notably, elevated MIF levels were associated with a decline in genomic stability. We found a significant correlation between increased MIF expression and increased expression of mismatch repair genes, stemness features, and homologous recombination genes across diverse malignancies. Subsequently, through an analysis using ESTIMATE and cytokine results, we revealed the involvement of MIF in immune suppression. Then, we validated MIF as a hallmark of the M0 macrophages involved in tumor immunity. Our study suggests an association with other immune-inhibitory cellular populations and restraint of CD8 + T cells. In addition, we conducted a comparative analysis of MIF expression before and after treatment in three distinct sets of therapy responders and non-responders. Intriguingly, we identified notable disparities in MIF expression patterns in bladder urothelial carcinoma and ovarian cancer following particular therapeutic interventions. CONCLUSION Comprehensive pan-cancer analysis revealed notable enrichment of MIF within M0 macrophages, exerting a profound influence on tumor-associated immunosuppression and the intricate machinery of DNA repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Pu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Emergency Medicine and Difficult Disease Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guifang Yang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Emergency Medicine and Difficult Disease Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Yang Zhou
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaogao Pan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Emergency Medicine and Difficult Disease Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tuo Guo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Emergency Medicine and Difficult Disease Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiangping Chai
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Emergency Medicine and Difficult Disease Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Ries J, Trumet L, Hahn A, Kunater L, Lutz R, Geppert C, Kesting M, Weber M. The Immune Checkpoint BTLA in Oral Cancer: Expression Analysis and Its Correlation to Other Immune Modulators. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6601. [PMID: 38928307 PMCID: PMC11204357 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126601] [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: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissues, an immunotolerant situation triggered by immune checkpoints (ICPs) can be observed. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) against the PD1/PD-L axis are used with impressive success. However, the response rate is low and the development of acquired resistance to ICI treatment can be observed. Therefore, new treatment strategies especially involving immunological combination therapies need to be developed. The novel negative immune checkpoint BTLA has been suggested as a potential biomarker and target for antibody-based immunotherapy. Moreover, improved response rates could be displayed for tumor patients when antibodies directed against BTLA were used in combination with anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapies. The aim of the study was to check whether the immune checkpoint BTLA is overexpressed in OSCC tissues compared to healthy oral mucosa (NOM) and could be a potential diagnostic biomarker and immunological target in OSCC. In addition, correlation analyses with the expression of other checkpoints should clarify more precisely whether combination therapies are potentially useful for the treatment of OSCC. A total of 207 tissue samples divided into 2 groups were included in the study. The test group comprised 102 tissue samples of OSCC. Oral mucosal tissue from 105 healthy volunteers (NOM) served as the control group. The expression of two isoforms of BTLA (BTLA-1/2), as well as PD1, PD-L1/2 and CD96 was analyzed by RT-qPCR. Additionally, BTLA and CD96 proteins were detected by IHC. Expression levels were compared between the two groups, the relative differences were calculated, and statistical relevance was determined. Furthermore, the expression rates of the immune checkpoints were correlated to each other. BTLA expression was significantly increased in OSCC compared to NOM (pBTLA_1 = 0.003; pBTLA_2 = 0.0001, pIHC = 0.003). The expression of PD1, its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2, as well as CD96, were also significantly increased in OSCC (p ≤ 0.001). There was a strong positive correlation between BTLA expression and that of the other checkpoints (p < 0.001; ρ ≥ 0.5). BTLA is overexpressed in OSCC and appears to be a relevant local immune checkpoint in OSCC. Thus, antibodies directed against BTLA could be potential candidates for immunotherapies, especially in combination with ICI against the PD1/PD-L axis and CD96.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutta Ries
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (A.H.); (L.K.); (R.L.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI) and Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Leah Trumet
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI) and Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alina Hahn
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (A.H.); (L.K.); (R.L.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
| | - Lina Kunater
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (A.H.); (L.K.); (R.L.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
| | - Rainer Lutz
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (A.H.); (L.K.); (R.L.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI) and Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Carol Geppert
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marco Kesting
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (A.H.); (L.K.); (R.L.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI) and Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Manuel Weber
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (A.H.); (L.K.); (R.L.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI) and Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
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Lin J, Wu Y, Liu G, Cui R, Xu Y. Advances of ultrasound in tumor immunotherapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 134:112233. [PMID: 38735256 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has become a revolutionary method for treating tumors, offering new hope to cancer patients worldwide. Immunotherapy strategies such as checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, and cancer vaccines have shown significant potential in clinical trials. Despite the promising results, there are still limitations that impede the overall effectiveness of immunotherapy; the response to immunotherapy is uneven, the response rate of patients is still low, and systemic immune toxicity accompanied with tumor cell immune evasion is common. Ultrasound technology has evolved rapidly in recent years and has become a significant player in tumor immunotherapy. The introductions of high intensity focused ultrasound and ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles have opened doors for new therapeutic strategies in the fight against tumor. This paper explores the revolutionary advancements of ultrasound combined with immunotherapy in this particular field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Lin
- Department of Ultrasound, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine-Zhuhai Hospital, Zhuhai, PR China.
| | - Yuwei Wu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China
| | - Guangde Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine-Zhuhai Hospital, Zhuhai, PR China
| | - Rui Cui
- Department of Ultrasonography, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, PR China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, PR China
| | - Youhua Xu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China; Macau University of Science and Technology Zhuhai MUST Science and Technology Research Institute, Hengqin, Zhuhai, PR China.
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Mazerolles F. New expression of PD-L1 on activated CD4 + T cells opens up new opportunities for cell interactions and signaling. Hum Immunol 2024; 85:110831. [PMID: 38870593 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2024.110831] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Surface expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is mainly observed on antigen presenting cells (APC) such as monocytes or dendritic cells (DCs). Our results showing a high expression of PD-L1 on human naïve CD4+ effector T-cells (TEFFs) and CD4+ regulatory T cells (TREGs) after activation with human DCs, allow us to propose a new role for PD-L1 and its ligands and their potential impact on new signaling pathways. Indeed, expression of PD-L1 on activated CD4+T cells could allow cis interaction with its ligands such as PD-1 and CD80, thus disrupting interactions with other signaling receptors, such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) or CD28, which interact with CD80. The ability to compete with hypothetical configuration modifications that may cause a change in affinity/avidity for the trans and cis interactions between these proteins expressed on T cells and/or DCs is discussed. As the study of cancer is strongly influenced by the role of the PD-L1/PD-1 pathway and CD4+T cells, new interactions, cis and/or trans, between TEFFs, TREGs and tumor cells are also proposed. The presence of PD-L1 on activated CD4+ T cells could influence the quality of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte response during priming to provide other help signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Mazerolles
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics of Paediatric Autoimmunity, Mixed Research Unit 1163, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France; Imagine Institute Paris, Paris Descartes -Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Paris, France.
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10
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Wu Q, Luo Y, Lin N, Zheng S, Xie X. Prognostic Value and Immune Signatures of Anoikis-related Genes in Breast Cancer. J Immunother 2024:00002371-990000000-00110. [PMID: 38864225 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
From databases of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GSE42568, transcriptome data of breast cancer patients was obtained. Then, anoikis-related genes (ANRGs) were identified and constructed a risk score system. As a threshold value, the median risk score was used to stratify patients into low-risk and high-risk groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis was then conducted to evaluate the prognostic ability of the risk score system, which was validated using GSE7390. Furthermore, we identified potential enrichment of function and tumor immune infiltration in the model. Finally, the biological functions of a risk gene (EPB41L4B) in breast cancer were investigated through in vitro experiments. We constructed a risk score system via 9 prognosis ANRGs (CXCL2, EPB41L4B, SLC7A5, SFRP1, SDC1, BHLHE41, SPINT1, KRT15, and CD24). The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that both TCGA-BRCA (training set) and GSE7390 (testing set) patients with high-risk status had significantly worse survival outcomes. In addition, the calibration plots were in good agreement with the prognosis prediction. Breast cancer patients with immunosuppressive microenvironment could be screened using risk groups since risk scores were correlated negatively with ESTIMATE score, tumor-infiltration lymphocytes, immune checkpoints, and chemotactic factors. Furthermore, cellular viability and cell migration of cancerous breast cells were inhibited and apoptosis was promoted by down-regulation of EPB41L4B gene expression. Based on ANRGs, a 9-gene prognostic model could be developed to predict breast cancer prognosis; moreover, patients of the high-risk group were in an immunosuppressed tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wu
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Oncology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yang Luo
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Nan Lin
- Fuzong Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The 900th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Forces of Chinese PLA, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Shiyao Zheng
- College of Clinical Medicine for Oncology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xianhe Xie
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Oncology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Cancer, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
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11
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Zhao J, Jin D, Huang M, Ji J, Xu X, Wang F, Zhou L, Bao B, Jiang F, Xu W, Lu X, Xiao M. Glycolysis in the tumor microenvironment: a driver of cancer progression and a promising therapeutic target. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1416472. [PMID: 38933335 PMCID: PMC11199735 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1416472] [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: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Even with sufficient oxygen, tumor cells use glycolysis to obtain the energy and macromolecules they require to multiply, once thought to be a characteristic of tumor cells known as the "Warburg effect". In fact, throughout the process of carcinogenesis, immune cells and stromal cells, two major cellular constituents of the tumor microenvironment (TME), also undergo thorough metabolic reprogramming, which is typified by increased glycolysis. In this review, we provide a full-scale review of the glycolytic remodeling of several types of TME cells and show how these TME cells behave in the acidic milieu created by glucose shortage and lactate accumulation as a result of increased tumor glycolysis. Notably, we provide an overview of putative targets and inhibitors of glycolysis along with the viability of using glycolysis inhibitors in combination with immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Understanding the glycolytic situations in diverse cells within the tumor immunological milieu will aid in the creation of subsequent treatment plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpeng Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dandan Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mengxiang Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Ji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuebing Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital and Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lirong Zhou
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Baijun Bao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weisong Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Nantong Rehabilitation Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaomin Lu
- Department of Oncology Affiliated Haian Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mingbing Xiao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital and Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
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12
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Chen MY, Zhang F, Goedegebuure SP, Gillanders WE. Dendritic cell subsets and implications for cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1393451. [PMID: 38903502 PMCID: PMC11188312 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1393451] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) play a central role in the orchestration of effective T cell responses against tumors. However, their functional behavior is context-dependent. DC type, transcriptional program, location, intratumoral factors, and inflammatory milieu all impact DCs with regard to promoting or inhibiting tumor immunity. The following review introduces important facets of DC function, and how subset and phenotype can affect the interplay of DCs with other factors in the tumor microenvironment. It will also discuss how current cancer treatment relies on DC function, and survey the myriad ways with which immune therapy can more directly harness DCs to enact antitumor cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Y. Chen
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Felicia Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Simon Peter Goedegebuure
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - William E. Gillanders
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
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13
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Song Y, Yuan H, Yang X, Yang Z, Ren Z, Qi S, He H, Zhang XX, Jiang T, Yuan ZG. The opposing effect of acute and chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection on tumor development. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:247. [PMID: 38835064 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06240-6] [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: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interplay between Toxoplasma gondii infection and tumor development is intriguing and not yet fully understood. Some studies showed that T. gondii reversed tumor immune suppression, while some reported the opposite, stating that T. gondii infection promoted tumor growth. METHODS We created three mouse models to investigate the interplay between T. gondii and tumor. Model I aimed to study the effect of tumor growth on T. gondii infection by measuring cyst number and size. Models II and III were used to investigate the effect of different stages of T. gondii infection on tumor development via flow cytometry and bioluminescent imaging. Mouse strains (Kunming, BALB/c, and C57BL/6J) with varying susceptibilities to tumors were used in the study. RESULTS The size and number of brain cysts in the tumor-infected group were significantly higher, indicating that tumor presence promotes T. gondii growth in the brain. Acute T. gondii infection, before or after tumor cell introduction, decreased tumor growth manifested by reduced bioluminescent signal and tumor size and weight. In the tumor microenvironment, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell number, including their subpopulations (cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and Th1 cells) had a time-dependent increase in the group with acute T. gondii infection compared with the group without infection. However, in the peripheral blood, the increase of T cells, including cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and Th1 cells, persisted 25 days after Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cell injection in the group with acute T. gondii. Chronic T. gondii infection enhanced tumor growth as reflected by increase in tumor size and weight. The LLC group with chronic T. gondii infection exhibited decreased percentages of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and Th1 cells 25 days post-LLC injection as compared with the LLC group without T. gondii infection. At week 4 post-LLC injection, chronic T. gondii infection increased tumor formation rate [odds ratio (OR) 1.71] in both KM and BALB/c mice. CONCLUSIONS Our research elucidates the dynamics between T. gondii infection and tumorigenesis. Tumor-induced immune suppression promoted T. gondii replication in the brain. Acute and chronic T. gondii infection had opposing effects on tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yining Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoying Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zipeng Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaowen Ren
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuting Qi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Houjing He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiu-Xiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
- College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tiantian Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Zi-Guo Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Lalle G, Lautraite R, Bouherrou K, Plaschka M, Pignata A, Voisin A, Twardowski J, Perrin-Niquet M, Stéphan P, Durget S, Tonon L, Ardin M, Degletagne C, Viari A, Belgarbi Dutron L, Davoust N, Postler TS, Zhao J, Caux C, Caramel J, Dalle S, Cassier PA, Klein U, Schmidt-Supprian M, Liblau R, Ghosh S, Grinberg-Bleyer Y. NF-κB subunits RelA and c-Rel selectively control CD4+ T cell function in multiple sclerosis and cancer. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20231348. [PMID: 38563819 PMCID: PMC10986815 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20231348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The outcome of cancer and autoimmunity is often dictated by the effector functions of CD4+ conventional T cells (Tconv). Although activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway has long been implicated in Tconv biology, the cell-autonomous roles of the separate NF-κB transcription-factor subunits are unknown. Here, we dissected the contributions of the canonical NF-κB subunits RelA and c-Rel to Tconv function. RelA, rather than c-Rel, regulated Tconv activation and cytokine production at steady-state and was required for polarization toward the TH17 lineage in vitro. Accordingly, RelA-deficient mice were fully protected against neuroinflammation in a model of multiple sclerosis due to defective transition to a pathogenic TH17 gene-expression program. Conversely, Tconv-restricted ablation of c-Rel impaired their function in the microenvironment of transplanted tumors, resulting in enhanced cancer burden. Moreover, Tconv required c-Rel for the response to PD-1-blockade therapy. Our data reveal distinct roles for canonical NF-κB subunits in different disease contexts, paving the way for subunit-targeted immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilhem Lalle
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Raphaëlle Lautraite
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Khaled Bouherrou
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Maud Plaschka
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Aurora Pignata
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (Infinity), UMR INSERM 1291, CNRS 5051, Université Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Allison Voisin
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Julie Twardowski
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Marlène Perrin-Niquet
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Pierre Stéphan
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Sarah Durget
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Laurie Tonon
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, Gilles Thomas Bioinformatics Platform, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Maude Ardin
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, Gilles Thomas Bioinformatics Platform, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Cyril Degletagne
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Alain Viari
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, Gilles Thomas Bioinformatics Platform, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | | | - Nathalie Davoust
- Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, Ecole Normale Supérieure of Lyon, CNRS UMR 5239, INSERM U1293, Lyon, France
| | - Thomas S. Postler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jingyao Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christophe Caux
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Julie Caramel
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Dalle
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Philippe A. Cassier
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Ulf Klein
- Division of Haematology and Immunology, Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St. James’s, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Marc Schmidt-Supprian
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roland Liblau
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (Infinity), UMR INSERM 1291, CNRS 5051, Université Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Sankar Ghosh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yenkel Grinberg-Bleyer
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Labex DEV2CAN, Institut Convergence Plascan, Centre Léon Bérard, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
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15
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Cheng D, Qiu K, Li D, Mao M, Rao Y, Song Y, Feng L, Shao X, Jiang C, Wang Y, Li L, Chen X, Wu S, Wang H, Liu J, Yu H, Zhang W, Chen F, Zhao Y, Ren J. Molecular and transcriptional basis of bidirectional CD4 + T cell exhaustion in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e572. [PMID: 38868329 PMCID: PMC11167179 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.572] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cells orchestrate the adaptive immune response through remarkable plasticity, and the expression patterns of exhaustion-related inhibitory receptors in these cells differ significantly from those of CD8+ T cells. Thus, a better understanding of the molecular basis of CD4+ T cell exhaustion and their responses to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is required. Here, we integrated multiomics approaches to define the phenotypic and molecular profiles of exhausted CD4+ T cells in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Two distinct immune-promoting (Module 1) and immunosuppressive (Module 2) functional modules in tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cells were identified, and both the immune-promoting function of Module 1 cells and immunosuppressive function of Module 2 cells were positively associated with their corresponding exhaustion states. Furthermore, the application of ICBs targeting effector CD4+ T cells in Module 1 (αPD-1) and Treg cells in Module 2 (αCTLA-4) in mouse models could help reinvigorate the effector function of Module 1-exhausted CD4+ T cells and reduce the immunosuppressive function of Module 2-exhausted CD4+ T cells, ultimately promoting OPSCC tumor regression. Taken together, our study provides a crucial cellular basis for the selection of optimal ICB in treating OPSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni Cheng
- Department of Oto‐Rhino‐LaryngologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ke Qiu
- Department of Oto‐Rhino‐LaryngologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Daibo Li
- Department of Oto‐Rhino‐LaryngologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Minzi Mao
- Department of Oto‐Rhino‐LaryngologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yufang Rao
- Department of Oto‐Rhino‐LaryngologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yao Song
- Department of Oto‐Rhino‐LaryngologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Lan Feng
- Department of Oto‐Rhino‐LaryngologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Xiuli Shao
- Department of Oto‐Rhino‐LaryngologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Chuanhuan Jiang
- Department of Oto‐Rhino‐LaryngologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yan Wang
- Research Core FacilityWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Li Li
- Institute of Clinical PathologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Research Core FacilityWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Sisi Wu
- Research Core FacilityWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Haiyang Wang
- Department of Oto‐Rhino‐LaryngologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Oto‐Rhino‐LaryngologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Haopeng Yu
- West China Biomedical Big Data CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Wei Zhang
- West China Biomedical Big Data CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Oto‐Rhino‐LaryngologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yu Zhao
- Department of Oto‐Rhino‐LaryngologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- West China Biomedical Big Data CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Jianjun Ren
- Department of Oto‐Rhino‐LaryngologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- West China Biomedical Big Data CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
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16
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Moghassemi S, Dadashzadeh A, Sousa MJ, Vlieghe H, Yang J, León-Félix CM, Amorim CA. Extracellular vesicles in nanomedicine and regenerative medicine: A review over the last decade. Bioact Mater 2024; 36:126-156. [PMID: 38450204 PMCID: PMC10915394 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.02.021] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are known to be secreted by a vast majority of cells. These sEVs, specifically exosomes, induce specific cell-to-cell interactions and can activate signaling pathways in recipient cells through fusion or interaction. These nanovesicles possess several desirable properties, making them ideal for regenerative medicine and nanomedicine applications. These properties include exceptional stability, biocompatibility, wide biodistribution, and minimal immunogenicity. However, the practical utilization of sEVs, particularly in clinical settings and at a large scale, is hindered by the expensive procedures required for their isolation, limited circulation lifetime, and suboptimal targeting capacity. Despite these challenges, sEVs have demonstrated a remarkable ability to accommodate various cargoes and have found extensive applications in the biomedical sciences. To overcome the limitations of sEVs and broaden their potential applications, researchers should strive to deepen their understanding of current isolation, loading, and characterization techniques. Additionally, acquiring fundamental knowledge about sEVs origins and employing state-of-the-art methodologies in nanomedicine and regenerative medicine can expand the sEVs research scope. This review provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art exosome-based strategies in diverse nanomedicine domains, encompassing cancer therapy, immunotherapy, and biomarker applications. Furthermore, we emphasize the immense potential of exosomes in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Moghassemi
- Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de La Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Arezoo Dadashzadeh
- Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de La Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maria João Sousa
- Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de La Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hanne Vlieghe
- Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de La Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jie Yang
- Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de La Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cecibel María León-Félix
- Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de La Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christiani A. Amorim
- Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de La Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Yu X, You Z, Liu Y, Fang J, Zhao Q, Sun Z, Song Y, Liu J, Sun C. Sex-based immune microenvironmental feature heterogeneity in response to PD-1 blockade in combination with chemotherapy for patients with untreated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e7423. [PMID: 38899854 PMCID: PMC11188036 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7423] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate the sex-based heterogeneity of immune microenvironmental feature and its impact on the response to first-line PD-1 blockade plus chemotherapy in patients with driver-negative advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 439 patients with advanced NSCLC treated with first-line PD-1 blockade plus chemotherapy or chemotherapy were identified. Differences in clinical outcomes between female and male patients were determined using Kaplan-Meier curves. Neoantigen burden and five immune microenvironmental markers expression including PD-L1, CD4, CD8, FOXP3, and CD68 were compared between two groups. RESULTS Of 175 eligible patients, 89 received PD-1 blockade plus chemotherapy and 86 received first-line chemotherapy. Forty five were women (25.7%) and 130 were men (74.3%). Female patients received first-line PD-1 blockade in combination with chemotherapy had dramatically better ORR (85.2% vs. 53.2%; p = 0.009), PFS (23.7 vs. 7.3 months; p = 0.013), and OS (46.2 vs. 20.0 months; p = 0.004) than males. Treatment outcomes were similar between females and males in chemotherapy group. Multivariate analyses showed that sex was the independent prognostic factor for patients received PD-1 blockade combined with chemotherapy. Although female patients had significantly lower tumor mutational and neoantigen burden than males, pretreatment tumor tissues of female patients had markedly higher CD4, CD4/FOXP3, and CD4/FOXP3/PD-L1 expression level than male patients. CONCLUSIONS Female patients with untreated advanced or metastatic NSCLC would derive a larger benefit from PD-1 blockade in combination with chemotherapy than males. The biological significances of heterogeneity of tumor immune microenvironmental features between them need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Yu
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryYantai Yuhuangding HospitalYantaiChina
| | - Zhaolei You
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryYantai Yuhuangding HospitalYantaiChina
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Medical OncologyYantai Yuhuangding HospitalYantaiChina
| | - Jian Fang
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryYantai Yuhuangding HospitalYantaiChina
| | - Qi Zhao
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryYantai Yuhuangding HospitalYantaiChina
| | - Zhihong Sun
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryYantai Yuhuangding HospitalYantaiChina
| | - Yingjian Song
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryYantai Yuhuangding HospitalYantaiChina
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryYantai Yuhuangding HospitalYantaiChina
| | - Chengming Sun
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryYantai Yuhuangding HospitalYantaiChina
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Zhang J, Sun L, Jiang L, Xie X, Wang Y, Wu R, Tang Q, Sun S, Zhu S, Liang X, Cui L. Regulation of CTLs/Tregs via Highly Stable and Ultrasound-Responsive Cerasomal Nano-Modulators for Enhanced Colorectal Cancer Immunotherapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2400485. [PMID: 38552151 PMCID: PMC11165532 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400485] [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: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is showing good potential for colorectal cancer therapy, however, low responsive rates and severe immune-related drug side effects still hamper its therapeutic effectiveness. Herein, a highly stable cerasomal nano-modulator (DMC@P-Cs) with ultrasound (US)-controlled drug delivery capability for selective sonodynamic-immunotherapy is fabricated. DMC@P-Cs' lipid bilayer is self-assembled from cerasome-forming lipid (CFL), pyrophaeophorbid conjugated lipid (PL), and phospholipids containing unsaturated chemical bonds (DOPC), resulting in US-responsive lipid shell. Demethylcantharidin (DMC) as an immunotherapy adjuvant is loaded in the hydrophilic core of DMC@P-Cs. With US irradiation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be effectively generated from DMC@P-Cs, which can not only kill tumor cells for inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD), but also oxidize unsaturated phospholipids-DOPC to change the permeability of the lipid bilayers and facilitate controlled release of DMC, thus resulting in down-regulation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and amplification of anti-tumor immune responses. After intravenous injection, DMC@P-Cs can efficiently accumulate at the tumor site, and local US treatment resulted in 94.73% tumor inhibition rate. In addition, there is no detectable systemic toxicity. Therefore, this study provides a highly stable and US-controllable smart delivery system to achieve synergistical sonodynamic-immunotherapy for enhanced colorectal cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxia Zhang
- Institute of Medical TechnologyPeking University Health Science CenterBeijing100010P. R. China
- Department of UltrasoundPeking University Third HospitalBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Lihong Sun
- Department of UltrasoundPeking University Third HospitalBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Ling Jiang
- Department of UltrasoundPeking University Third HospitalBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Xinxin Xie
- Department of UltrasoundPeking University Third HospitalBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of UltrasoundPeking University Third HospitalBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Ruiqi Wu
- Department of UltrasoundPeking University Third HospitalBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Qingshuang Tang
- Department of UltrasoundPeking University Third HospitalBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Suhui Sun
- Department of UltrasoundPeking University Third HospitalBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Shiwei Zhu
- Department of UltrasoundPeking University Third HospitalBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Xiaolong Liang
- Institute of Medical TechnologyPeking University Health Science CenterBeijing100010P. R. China
- Department of UltrasoundPeking University Third HospitalBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Ligang Cui
- Institute of Medical TechnologyPeking University Health Science CenterBeijing100010P. R. China
- Department of UltrasoundPeking University Third HospitalBeijing100191P. R. China
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Gao J, Cheng J, Xie W, Zhang P, Liu X, Wang Z, Zhang B. Prospects of focal adhesion kinase inhibitors as a cancer therapy in preclinical and early phase study. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:639-651. [PMID: 38676368 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2348068] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION FAK, a nonreceptor cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase, plays a crucial role in tumor metastasis, drug resistance, tumor stem cell maintenance, and regulation of the tumor microenvironment. FAK has emerged as a promising target for tumor therapy based on both preclinical and clinical data. AREAS COVERED This paper aims to summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying FAK's involvement in tumorigenesis and progression. Encouraging results have emerged from ongoing clinical trials of FAK inhibitors. Additionally, we present an overview of clinical trials for FAK inhibitors, examining their potential as promising treatments. The pertinent studies gathered from databases including PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov. EXPERT OPINION Since the first finding in 1990s, targeting FAK has became the focus of interests in many pharmaceutical companies. Through 30 years' discovery, the industry and academy gradually realized the features of FAK target which may not be a driver gene but a solid defense system for the cancer initiation and development. Currently, the ongoing clinical regimens involving FAK inhibition are all the combination strategies in which FAK inhibitors can further strengthen the cancer cell killing effects of other testing agents. The emerging positive signal in clinical trials foresee targeting FAK as class will be an effective mean to fight against cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wanyu Xie
- InxMed (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- InxMed (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuebin Liu
- InxMed (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Zaiqi Wang
- InxMed (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Shanghai, China
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Zhu ZG, Wang Z, Wu Q, Miao DL, Jin YQ, Chen L. Identification of the CD8+ T-cell Related Signature for Predicting the Prognosis of Gastric Cancer Based on Integrated Analysis of Bulk and Single-cell RNA Sequencing Data. J Immunother 2024:00002371-990000000-00107. [PMID: 38809517 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
The infiltration of CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment is associated with better survival and immunotherapy response. However, their roles in gastric cancer have not been explored so far. In here, the profiles of GC gene expression were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Single-cell transcriptomic data originated from GSE134520. Cell clustering, annotation, and CD8+ T-cell differential genes were from the TISCH database. We determined 896 CD8+ T-cell differential genes by scRNA-seq analysis. After integrating immune-related genes, 174 overlapping genes were obtained and a novel risk model was subsequently built. The performance of CD8+ T-cell-associated gene signature was assessed in the training and external validation sets. The gene signature showed independent risk factors of overall survival for GC. A quantitative nomogram was built to enhance the clinical efficacy of this signature. Furthermore, low-risk individuals showed higher mutation status, higher immune checkpoint expression, low Tumour Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) scores, and higher IPS-PD-1 combined IPS-CTLA4 scores, indicating a greater response to immunotherapy. In addition, analysis of IMvigor210 immunotherapy cohort demonstrated that low-risk individuals had a favorable response to prognosis and immunotherapy. In conclusion, we generated a CD8+ T-cell-related signature that can serve as a promising tool for personalized prognosis prediction and guiding decisions regarding immunotherapy in GC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Gang Zhu
- Department of Intervention and Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, China
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Jin C, Lu X, Yang M, Hou S. Integrative analysis indicates the potential values of ANKRD53 in stomach adenocarcinoma. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:188. [PMID: 38801557 PMCID: PMC11130106 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01054-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ankyrin repeat domain 53 (ANKRD53) plays an important role in maintaining chromosome integrity and stability, and chromosome instability is associated with cancer. Through integrative analysis, this study investigates the potential value of ANKRD53 in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). METHODS RNA-seq and scRNA-seq data were used for integrative analysis based on online databases. Expression of ANKRD53 was confirmed by RT-PCR after bioinformatic analysis. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic value of ANKRD53 in STAD. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to evaluate ANKRD53-related signaling pathways. In addition, the interaction of ANKRD53 with immunity was also investigated. RESULTS RT-PCR in STAD cell lines confirmed that ANKRD53 was downregulated in STAD samples compared to normal samples in the online databases. As an independent predictive biomarker, ANKRD53 was combined with other clinicopathological parameters to create a prognostic nomogram. Using GSEA, ANKRD53 was found to be involved in five pathways, including the TGF-β signaling pathway. Further investigation revealed that ANKRD53 was associated with immune checkpoint molecules, immunological pathways, and immunotherapy, in addition to MSI, TMB and neoantigens. In addition, scRNA-seq data revealed that ANKRD53 is mainly expressed in CD8+ T and dendritic cells. CONCLUSIONS ANKRD53 is an important biomarker for STAD that deserves further attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunjing Jin
- Laboratory Medicine Center, The Affiliated Chuzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University, The First People's Hospital of Chuzhou, Chuzhou, China
| | - Xu Lu
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Chuzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University, The First People's Hospital of Chuzhou, Chuzhou, China
| | - Minfeng Yang
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, China.
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Shiqiang Hou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Chuzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University, The First People's Hospital of Chuzhou, Chuzhou, China.
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22
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Li J, Cao Q, Tong M. Deciphering anoikis resistance and identifying prognostic biomarkers in clear cell renal cell carcinoma epithelial cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12044. [PMID: 38802480 PMCID: PMC11130322 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62978-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
This study tackles the persistent prognostic and management challenges of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), despite advancements in multimodal therapies. Focusing on anoikis, a critical form of programmed cell death in tumor progression and metastasis, we investigated its resistance in cancer evolution. Using single-cell RNA sequencing from seven ccRCC patients, we assessed the impact of anoikis-related genes (ARGs) and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Anoikis-related epithelial subclusters (ARESs). Additionally, six ccRCC RNA microarray datasets from the GEO database were analyzed for robust DEGs. A novel risk prognostic model was developed through LASSO and multivariate Cox regression, validated using BEST, ULCAN, and RT-PCR. The study included functional enrichment, immune infiltration analysis in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and drug sensitivity assessments, leading to a predictive nomogram integrating clinical parameters. Results highlighted dynamic ARG expression patterns and enhanced intercellular interactions in ARESs, with significant KEGG pathway enrichment in MYC + Epithelial subclusters indicating enhanced anoikis resistance. Additionally, all ARESs were identified in the spatial context, and their locational relationships were explored. Three key prognostic genes-TIMP1, PECAM1, and CDKN1A-were identified, with the high-risk group showing greater immune infiltration and anoikis resistance, linked to poorer prognosis. This study offers a novel ccRCC risk signature, providing innovative approaches for patient management, prognosis, and personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China
| | - Qingfei Cao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China
| | - Ming Tong
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China.
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Wang B, Liu Y, Xiong F, Wang C. Improved Immunotherapy Outcomes via Cuproptosis Upregulation of HLA-DRA Expression: Promoting the Aggregation of CD4 + and CD8 +T Lymphocytes in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:678. [PMID: 38931345 PMCID: PMC11206763 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060678] [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: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has shown promising clinical results in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), but low clinical target response rates due to dysfunction of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and an inhibitory tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) have largely limited the associated clinical benefits. In the present study, we explored the feasibility of enhancing tumor-specific-MHC-II-HLA-DRA expression, counteracting the TIME's suppressive effects, thereby improving the sensitivity of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy from the standpoint of cuproptosis. Immunohistochemical staining and in vitro experiments validated the expression of HLA-DRA in ccRCC and its positive impact on ICI therapy. Subsequently, we observed that cuproptosis upregulated HLA-DRA expression in a dose-dependent manner, further confirming the link between cuproptosis and HLA-DRA. In vivo experiments showed that cuproptosis increased the sensitivity to ICI treatment, and implementing cuproptosis alongside anti-PD-1 treatment curtailed tumor growth. Mechanistically, cuproptosis upregulates HLA-DRA expression at the transcriptional level in a dose-dependent manner by inducing the production of reactive oxygen species; high levels of HLA-DRA promote the expression of chemokines CCL5, CXCL9, and CXCL10 in the TIME, inhibiting the development of a pro-tumor microenvironment by promoting the infiltration of CD4+T and CD8+T cells, thereby synergizing ICI therapy and exerting anti-tumor effects. Taken together, this work highlights the role of cuproptosis in mediating TIME remodeling and synergistic immunotherapy, providing new evidence that cuproptosis can evoke effective anti-tumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Chunyang Wang
- Urology Surgery Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Youzheng Street #37, Nangang District, Harbin 150001, China
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Ye Z, Cheng P, Huang Q, Hu J, Huang L, Hu G. Immunocytes interact directly with cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment: one coin with two sides and future perspectives. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1388176. [PMID: 38840908 PMCID: PMC11150710 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1388176] [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: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is closely linked to the initiation, promotion, and progression of solid tumors. Among its constitutions, immunologic cells emerge as critical players, facilitating immune evasion and tumor progression. Apart from their indirect impact on anti-tumor immunity, immunocytes directly influence neoplastic cells, either bolstering or impeding tumor advancement. However, current therapeutic modalities aimed at alleviating immunosuppression from regulatory cells on effector immune cell populations may not consistently yield satisfactory results in various solid tumors, such as breast carcinoma, colorectal cancer, etc. Therefore, this review outlines and summarizes the direct, dualistic effects of immunocytes such as T cells, innate lymphoid cells, B cells, eosinophils, and tumor-associated macrophages on tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment. The review also delves into the underlying mechanisms involved and presents the outcomes of clinical trials based on these direct effects, aiming to propose innovative and efficacious therapeutic strategies for addressing solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyi Ye
- Department of General Surgery (Breast and Thyroid Surgery), Shaoxing People’s Hospital; Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pu Cheng
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Oncology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jingjing Hu
- School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liming Huang
- Department of General Surgery (Breast and Thyroid Surgery), Shaoxing People’s Hospital; Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guoming Hu
- Department of General Surgery (Breast and Thyroid Surgery), Shaoxing People’s Hospital, Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Ma Y, Jiang T, Zhu X, Xu Y, Wan K, Zhang T, Xie M. Efferocytosis in dendritic cells: an overlooked immunoregulatory process. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1415573. [PMID: 38835772 PMCID: PMC11148234 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1415573] [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: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Efferocytosis, the process of engulfing and removing apoptotic cells, plays an essential role in preserving tissue health and averting undue inflammation. While macrophages are primarily known for this task, dendritic cells (DCs) also play a significant role. This review delves into the unique contributions of various DC subsets to efferocytosis, highlighting the distinctions in how DCs and macrophages recognize and handle apoptotic cells. It further explores how efferocytosis influences DC maturation, thereby affecting immune tolerance. This underscores the pivotal role of DCs in orchestrating immune responses and sustaining immune equilibrium, providing new insights into their function in immune regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Ma
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tangxing Jiang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xun Zhu
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yizhou Xu
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Wan
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tingxuan Zhang
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Miaorong Xie
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Liang H, Zheng Y, Huang Z, Dai J, Yao L, Xie D, Chen D, Qiu H, Wang H, Li H, Leng J, Tang Z, Zhang D, Zhou H. Pan-cancer analysis for the prognostic and immunological role of CD47: interact with TNFRSF9 inducing CD8 + T cell exhaustion. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:149. [PMID: 38720108 PMCID: PMC11078914 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-00951-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The research endeavors to explore the implications of CD47 in cancer immunotherapy effectiveness. Specifically, there is a gap in comprehending the influence of CD47 on the tumor immune microenvironment, particularly in relation to CD8 + T cells. Our study aims to elucidate the prognostic and immunological relevance of CD47 to enhance insights into its prospective utilities in immunotherapeutic interventions. METHODS Differential gene expression analysis, prognosis assessment, immunological infiltration evaluation, pathway enrichment analysis, and correlation investigation were performed utilizing a combination of R packages, computational algorithms, diverse datasets, and patient cohorts. Validation of the concept was achieved through the utilization of single-cell sequencing technology. RESULTS CD47 demonstrated ubiquitous expression across various cancer types and was notably associated with unfavorable prognostic outcomes in pan-cancer assessments. Immunological investigations unveiled a robust correlation between CD47 expression and T-cell infiltration rather than T-cell exclusion across multiple cancer types. Specifically, the CD47-high group exhibited a poorer prognosis for the cytotoxic CD8 + T cell Top group compared to the CD47-low group, suggesting a potential impairment of CD8 + T cell functionality by CD47. The exploration of mechanism identified enrichment of CD47-associated differentially expressed genes in the CD8 + T cell exhausted pathway in multiple cancer contexts. Further analyses focusing on the CD8 TCR Downstream Pathway and gene correlation patterns underscored the significant involvement of TNFRSF9 in mediating these effects. CONCLUSION A robust association exists between CD47 and the exhaustion of CD8 + T cells, potentially enabling immune evasion by cancer cells and thereby contributing to adverse prognostic outcomes. Consequently, genes such as CD47 and those linked to T-cell exhaustion, notably TNFRSF9, present as promising dual antigenic targets, providing critical insights into the field of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxin Liang
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510100, China
| | - Yong Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zekai Huang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524023, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jinchi Dai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Lintong Yao
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Daipeng Xie
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Duo Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine and Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Hongrui Qiu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Huili Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jinhang Leng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ziming Tang
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Dongkun Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Haiyu Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510100, China.
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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Yin T, Mou S, Zhang H, Dong Y, Yan B, Huang W, Liu Y, Mei H. CXCL10 could be a prognostic and immunological biomarker in bladder cancer. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:148. [PMID: 38720149 PMCID: PMC11078901 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-00982-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As proteins that promote immune cell differentiation, chemokines have attracted great interest regarding their role in anti-tumor immune responses within the cancer environment. However, the exact role of CXCL10, a chemokine, in bladder cancer (BLCA) is still not fully elucidated. METHOD In the present study, we employed bioinformatics approaches to examine the expression pattern, prognostic value, and immune infiltration of CXCL10 in BLCA. Furthermore, we focused on examining the impact of CXCL10 on immune therapy in BLCA. Additionally, we validated the expression of CXCL10 in various BLCA cell lines using PCR techniques. RESULTS We observed an upregulation of CXCL10 in BLCA tissues as well as in different cell lines. Additionally, upregulation of CXCL10 indicates a better prognosis for BLCA patients. ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT algorithms suggest that CXCL10 is closely associated with the immune microenvironment of BLCA. Through multiple immune therapy cohorts, we also identified that CXCL10 has shown promising predictive value for assessing the efficacy of immune therapy in in BLCA. CONCLUSION Our study indicates that CXCL10 has the potential to serve as a favorable prognostic factor and is strongly associated with immune infiltration in BLCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yin
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen University Medical College, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuanzhu Mou
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen University Medical College, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haiyu Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Dong
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen University Medical College, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bing Yan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen University Medical College, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weisheng Huang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuhan Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongbing Mei
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
- Shenzhen University Medical College, Shenzhen, China.
- Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Clinical Medicine College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, China.
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
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Fuchs KJ, van de Meent M, Honders MW, Khatri I, Kester MGD, Koster EAS, Koutsoumpli G, de Ru AH, van Bergen CAM, van Veelen PA, ’t Hoen PAC, van Balen P, van den Akker EB, Veelken JH, Halkes CJM, Falkenburg JHF, Griffioen M. Expanding the repertoire reveals recurrent, cryptic, and hematopoietic HLA class I minor histocompatibility antigens. Blood 2024; 143:1856-1872. [PMID: 38427583 PMCID: PMC11076866 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023022343] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) is a curative treatment for hematological malignancies. After HLA-matched alloSCT, antitumor immunity is caused by donor T cells recognizing polymorphic peptides, designated minor histocompatibility antigens (MiHAs), that are presented by HLA on malignant patient cells. However, T cells often target MiHAs on healthy nonhematopoietic tissues of patients, thereby inducing side effects known as graft-versus-host disease. Here, we aimed to identify the dominant repertoire of HLA-I-restricted MiHAs to enable strategies to predict, monitor or modulate immune responses after alloSCT. To systematically identify novel MiHAs by genome-wide association screening, T-cell clones were isolated from 39 transplanted patients and tested for reactivity against 191 Epstein-Barr virus transformed B cell lines of the 1000 Genomes Project. By discovering 81 new MiHAs, we more than doubled the antigen repertoire to 159 MiHAs and demonstrated that, despite many genetic differences between patients and donors, often the same MiHAs are targeted in multiple patients. Furthermore, we showed that one quarter of the antigens are cryptic, that is translated from unconventional open reading frames, for example long noncoding RNAs, showing that these antigen types are relevant targets in natural immune responses. Finally, using single cell RNA-seq data, we analyzed tissue expression of MiHA-encoding genes to explore their potential role in clinical outcome, and characterized 11 new hematopoietic-restricted MiHAs as potential targets for immunotherapy. In conclusion, we expanded the repertoire of HLA-I-restricted MiHAs and identified recurrent, cryptic and hematopoietic-restricted antigens, which are fundamental to predict, follow or manipulate immune responses to improve clinical outcome after alloSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyra J. Fuchs
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marian van de Meent
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M. Willy Honders
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Indu Khatri
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Michel G. D. Kester
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eva A. S. Koster
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Georgia Koutsoumpli
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arnoud H. de Ru
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Peter A. van Veelen
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A. C. ’t Hoen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter van Balen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Erik B. van den Akker
- Center for Computational Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J. Hendrik Veelken
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Santiso A, Heinemann A, Kargl J. Prostaglandin E2 in the Tumor Microenvironment, a Convoluted Affair Mediated by EP Receptors 2 and 4. Pharmacol Rev 2024; 76:388-413. [PMID: 38697857 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.123.000901] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The involvement of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) system in cancer progression has long been recognized. PGE2 functions as an autocrine and paracrine signaling molecule with pleiotropic effects in the human body. High levels of intratumoral PGE2 and overexpression of the key metabolic enzymes of PGE2 have been observed and suggested to contribute to tumor progression. This has been claimed for different types of solid tumors, including, but not limited to, lung, breast, and colon cancer. PGE2 has direct effects on tumor cells and angiogenesis that are known to promote tumor development. However, one of the main mechanisms behind PGE2 driving cancerogenesis is currently thought to be anchored in suppressed antitumor immunity, thus providing possible therapeutic targets to be used in cancer immunotherapies. EP2 and EP4, two receptors for PGE2, are emerging as being the most relevant for this purpose. This review aims to summarize the known roles of PGE2 in the immune system and its functions within the tumor microenvironment. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has long been known to be a signaling molecule in cancer. Its presence in tumors has been repeatedly associated with disease progression. Elucidation of its effects on immunological components of the tumor microenvironment has highlighted the potential of PGE2 receptor antagonists in cancer treatment, particularly in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapeutics. Adjuvant treatment could increase the response rates and the efficacy of immune-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Santiso
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Akos Heinemann
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Kargl
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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30
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Li Y, Zheng Y, Liu T, Liao C, Shen G, He Z. The potential and promise for clinical application of adoptive T cell therapy in cancer. J Transl Med 2024; 22:413. [PMID: 38693513 PMCID: PMC11064426 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05206-7] [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: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, especially for hematologic malignancies. T cells are the most extensively utilized cells in adoptive cell therapy. Currently, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, T cell receptor-transgenic T cells and chimeric antigen receptor T cells are the three main adoptive T cell therapies. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes kill tumors by reinfusing enlarged lymphocytes that naturally target tumor-specific antigens into the patient. T cell receptor-transgenic T cells have the ability to specifically destroy tumor cells via the precise recognition of exogenous T cell receptors with major histocompatibility complex. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells transfer genes with specific antigen recognition structural domains and T cell activation signals into T cells, allowing T cells to attack tumors without the assistance of major histocompatibility complex. Many barriers have been demonstrated to affect the clinical efficacy of adoptive T cell therapy, such as tumor heterogeneity and antigen loss, hard trafficking and infiltration, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and T cell exhaustion. Several strategies to improve the efficacy of adoptive T cell therapy have been explored, including multispecific chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, combination with immune checkpoint blockade, targeting the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, etc. In this review, we will summarize the current status and clinical application, followed by major bottlenecks in adoptive T cell therapy. In addition, we will discuss the promising strategies to improve adoptive T cell therapy. Adoptive T cell therapy will result in even more incredible advancements in solid tumors if the aforementioned problems can be handled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinqi Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yeteng Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Taiqing Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chuanyun Liao
- Department of Pharmacy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Guobo Shen
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Zhiyao He
- Department of Pharmacy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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31
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Dan Y, Ma J, Long Y, Jiang Y, Fang L, Bai J. Melanoma extracellular vesicles inhibit tumor growth and metastasis by stimulating CD8 T cells. Mol Immunol 2024; 169:78-85. [PMID: 38513590 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2024.03.003] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Tumor cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a crucial role in mediating immune responses by carrying and presenting tumor antigens. Here, we suggested that melanoma EVs triggered cytotoxic CD8 T cell-mediated inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis. Our results indicated that immunization of mice with melanoma EVs inhibited melanoma growth and metastasis while increasing CD8 T cells and serum interferon γ (IFN-γ) in vivo. In vitro experiments showed that melanoma EV stimulates dendritic cells (DCs) maturation, and mature dendritic cells induce T lymphocyte activation. Thus, tumor cell-derived EVs can generate anti-tumor immunity in a prophylactic setting and may be potential candidates for cell-free tumor vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Dan
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jing Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yuqing Long
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Liaoqiong Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; National Engineering Research Center of Ultrasound Medicine, Chongqing 401121, China.
| | - Jin Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
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32
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Shen KY, Zhu Y, Xie SZ, Qin LX. Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: current status and prospectives. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:25. [PMID: 38679698 PMCID: PMC11057182 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01549-2] [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: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health concern worldwide, with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. In recent years, immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made great progress in the systemic treatment of HCC. The combination treatments based on ICIs have been the major trend in this area. Recently, dual immune checkpoint blockade with durvalumab plus tremelimumab has also emerged as an effective treatment for advanced HCC. However, the majority of HCC patients obtain limited benefits. Understanding the immunological rationale and exploring novel ways to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy has drawn much attention. In this review, we summarize the latest progress in this area, the ongoing clinical trials of immune-based combination therapies, as well as novel immunotherapy strategies such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells, personalized neoantigen vaccines, oncolytic viruses, and bispecific antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Yu Shen
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Sun-Zhe Xie
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lun-Xiu Qin
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China.
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Moravec Z, Zhao Y, Voogd R, Cook DR, Kinrot S, Capra B, Yang H, Raud B, Ou J, Xuan J, Wei T, Ren L, Hu D, Wang J, Haanen JBAG, Schumacher TN, Chen X, Porter E, Scheper W. Discovery of tumor-reactive T cell receptors by massively parallel library synthesis and screening. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02210-6. [PMID: 38653798 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02210-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
T cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy is a potent form of cellular immunotherapy in which patient T cells are genetically engineered to express TCRs with defined tumor reactivity. However, the isolation of therapeutic TCRs is complicated by both the general scarcity of tumor-specific T cells among patient T cell repertoires and the patient-specific nature of T cell epitopes expressed on tumors. Here we describe a high-throughput, personalized TCR discovery pipeline that enables the assembly of complex synthetic TCR libraries in a one-pot reaction, followed by pooled expression in reporter T cells and functional genetic screening against patient-derived tumor or antigen-presenting cells. We applied the method to screen thousands of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL)-derived TCRs from multiple patients and identified dozens of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell-derived TCRs with potent tumor reactivity, including TCRs that recognized patient-specific neoantigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziva Moravec
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yue Zhao
- RootPath, Inc. (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Rhianne Voogd
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Haiyan Yang
- RootPath, Inc. (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Brenda Raud
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jiayu Ou
- RootPath, Inc. (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiekun Xuan
- RootPath, Inc. (US), Watertown, MA, USA
- RootPath, Inc. (Hangzhou), Hangzhou, China
| | - Teng Wei
- Cytotherapy Laboratory, People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Lili Ren
- Cytotherapy Laboratory, People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Dandan Hu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - John B A G Haanen
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ton N Schumacher
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Xi Chen
- RootPath, Inc. (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China.
- RootPath, Inc. (US), Watertown, MA, USA.
- RootPath, Inc. (Hangzhou), Hangzhou, China.
| | - Ely Porter
- RootPath, Inc. (US), Watertown, MA, USA.
| | - Wouter Scheper
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Huang QR, Jiang Q, Tan JY, Nong RB, Yan J, Yang XW, Mo LG, Ling GY, Deng T, Gong YZ. The prognostic and immunological role of MCM3 in pan-cancer and validation of prognosis in a clinical lower-grade glioma cohort. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1390615. [PMID: 38698811 PMCID: PMC11063780 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1390615] [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: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Previous studies have shown that MCM3 plays a key role in initiating DNA replication. However, the mechanism of MCM3 function in most cancers is still unknown. The aim of our study was to explore the expression, prognostic role, and immunological characteristics of MCM3 across cancers. Methods: We explored the expression pattern of MCM3 across cancers. We subsequently explored the prognostic value of MCM3 expression by using univariate Cox regression analysis. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to determine the correlations between MCM3 and immune-related characteristics, mismatching repair (MMR) signatures, RNA modulator genes, cancer stemness, programmed cell death (PCD) gene expression, tumour mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and neoantigen levels. The role of MCM3 in predicting the response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy was further evaluated in four immunotherapy cohorts. Single-cell data from CancerSEA were analysed to assess the biological functions associated with MCM3 in 14 cancers. The clinical correlation and independent prognostic significance of MCM3 were further analysed in the TCGA and CGGA lower-grade glioma (LGG) cohorts, and a prognostic nomogram was constructed. Immunohistochemistry in a clinical cohort was utilized to validate the prognostic utility of MCM3 expression in LGG. Results: MCM3 expression was upregulated in most tumours and strongly associated with patient outcomes in many cancers. Correlation analyses demonstrated that MCM3 expression was closely linked to immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoints, MMR genes, RNA modulator genes, cancer stemness, PCD genes and the TMB in most tumours. There was an obvious difference in outcomes between patients with high MCM3 expression and those with low MCM3 expression in the 4 ICB treatment cohorts. Single-cell analysis indicated that MCM3 was mainly linked to the cell cycle, DNA damage and DNA repair. The expression of MCM3 was associated with the clinical features of LGG patients and was an independent prognostic indicator. Finally, the prognostic significance of MCM3 in LGG was validated in a clinical cohort. Conclusion: Our study suggested that MCM3 can be used as a potential prognostic marker for cancers and may be associated with tumour immunity. In addition, MCM3 is a promising predictor of immunotherapy responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Rong Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Qian Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Ju-Yuan Tan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Ren-Bao Nong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Jun Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | | | - Li-Gen Mo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Guo-Yuan Ling
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Teng Deng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Yi-Zhen Gong
- Department of Clinical Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
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35
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Wang Z, Cho H, Choyke P, Levy D, Sato N. A Mathematical Model of TCR-T Cell Therapy for Cervical Cancer. Bull Math Biol 2024; 86:57. [PMID: 38625492 DOI: 10.1007/s11538-024-01261-9] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Engineered T cell receptor (TCR)-expressing T (TCR-T) cells are intended to drive strong anti-tumor responses upon recognition of the specific cancer antigen, resulting in rapid expansion in the number of TCR-T cells and enhanced cytotoxic functions, causing cancer cell death. However, although TCR-T cell therapy against cancers has shown promising results, it remains difficult to predict which patients will benefit from such therapy. We develop a mathematical model to identify mechanisms associated with an insufficient response in a mouse cancer model. We consider a dynamical system that follows the population of cancer cells, effector TCR-T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and "non-cancer-killing" TCR-T cells. We demonstrate that the majority of TCR-T cells within the tumor are "non-cancer-killing" TCR-T cells, such as exhausted cells, which contribute little or no direct cytotoxicity in the tumor microenvironment (TME). We also establish two important factors influencing tumor regression: the reversal of the immunosuppressive TME following depletion of Tregs, and the increased number of effector TCR-T cells with antitumor activity. Using mathematical modeling, we show that certain parameters, such as increasing the cytotoxicity of effector TCR-T cells and modifying the number of TCR-T cells, play important roles in determining outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuping Wang
- Department of Mathematics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Heyrim Cho
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - Peter Choyke
- Molecular Imaging Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Doron Levy
- Department of Mathematics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
| | - Noriko Sato
- Molecular Imaging Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Wang Z, Li M, Bi L, Hu X, Wang Y. Traditional Chinese Medicine in Regulating Tumor Microenvironment. Onco Targets Ther 2024; 17:313-325. [PMID: 38617090 PMCID: PMC11016250 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s444214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and integrated system containing a variety of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and stromal cells. They are closely connected with cancer cells and influence the development and progression of cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an important complementary therapy for cancer treatment in China. It mainly eliminates cancer cells by regulating TME. The aim of this review is to systematically summarize the crosstalk between tumor cells and TME, and to summarize the research progress of TCM in regulating TME. The review is of great significance in revealing the therapeutic mechanism of action of TCM, and provides an opportunity for the combined application of TCM and immunotherapy in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mengyao Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ling Bi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xueqing Hu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China
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Lavelle EC, McEntee CP. Vaccine adjuvants: Tailoring innate recognition to send the right message. Immunity 2024; 57:772-789. [PMID: 38599170 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.03.015] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Adjuvants play pivotal roles in vaccine development, enhancing immunization efficacy through prolonged retention and sustained release of antigen, lymph node targeting, and regulation of dendritic cell activation. Adjuvant-induced activation of innate immunity is achieved via diverse mechanisms: for example, adjuvants can serve as direct ligands for pathogen recognition receptors or as inducers of cell stress and death, leading to the release of immunostimulatory-damage-associated molecular patterns. Adjuvant systems increasingly stimulate multiple innate pathways to induce greater potency. Increased understanding of the principles dictating adjuvant-induced innate immunity will subsequently lead to programming specific types of adaptive immune responses. This tailored optimization is fundamental to next-generation vaccines capable of inducing robust and sustained adaptive immune memory across different cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ed C Lavelle
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Craig P McEntee
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Guan Z, Wang H, Tian M. A Cuproptosis-Related gene Signature as a Prognostic Biomarker in Thyroid Cancer Based on Transcriptomics. Biochem Genet 2024:10.1007/s10528-024-10767-9. [PMID: 38594571 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-024-10767-9] [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] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer (THCA) is the most prevalent endocrine tumor, and its incidence continues to increase every year. However, the processes underlying the aggressive progression of thyroid cancer are unknown. We concentrated on the prognostic and biological importance of thyroid cancer cuproptosis-related genes in this investigation. Genomic and clinical data were obtained from the UCSC XENA website, and cuproptosis-related genes were obtained from the FerrDb website. We performed differential expression analysis and Cox regression analysis to identify possible predictive targets associated with thyroid cancer prognosis. To assess the role of CDKN2A in thyroid cancer and the ability to predict prognosis on the basis of the CDKN2A expression level, we performed immunohistochemical staining, survival analysis, immunological analysis, functional analysis, and clinical analysis with respect to CDKN2A gene expression. CDKN2A expression levels were found to be inversely correlated with thyroid cancer prognosis. Higher levels of CDKN2A expression were associated with higher T, N, and clinicopathological stage and more residual tumor cells. Through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, the CDKN2A expression level was shown to be linked with thyroid cancer patients' overall survival (OS). Moreover, we discovered that CDKN2A expression was linked to a dysfunctional tumor immune microenvironment. The study shows that CDKN2A, a cuproptosis-related gene, can be used as a prognostic marker for thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zirui Guan
- The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun City, 130022, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyong Wang
- The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun City, 130022, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Mingyan Tian
- The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun City, 130022, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China
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Guo N, Niu Z, Yan Z, Liu W, Shi L, Li C, Yao Y, Shi L. Immunoinformatics Design and In Vivo Immunogenicity Evaluation of a Conserved CTL Multi-Epitope Vaccine Targeting HPV16 E5, E6, and E7 Proteins. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:392. [PMID: 38675774 PMCID: PMC11053576 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12040392] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) infection is responsible for more than 50% of global cervical cancer cases. The development of a vaccine based on cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes is a promising strategy for eliminating pre-existing HPV infections and treating patients with cervical cancer. In this study, an immunoinformatics approach was used to predict HLA-I-restricted CTL epitopes in HPV16 E5, E6, and E7 proteins, and a set of conserved CTL epitopes co-restricted by human/murine MHCs was screened and characterized, with the set containing three E5, four E6, and four E7 epitopes. Subsequently, the immunogenicity of the epitope combination was assessed in mice, and the anti-tumor effects of the multi-epitope peptide vaccine E5E6E7pep11 and the recombinant protein vaccine CTB-Epi11E567 were evaluated in the TC-1 mouse tumor model. The results demonstrated that mixed epitope peptides could induce antigen-specific IFN-γ secretion in mice. Prophylactic immunization with E5E6E7pep11 and CTB-Epi11E567 was found to provide 100% protection against tumor growth in mice. Moreover, both types of the multi-epitope vaccine significantly inhibited tumor growth and prolonged mouse survival. In conclusion, in this study, a multi-epitope vaccine targeting HPV16 E5, E6, and E7 proteins was successfully designed and evaluated, demonstrating potential immunogenicity and anti-tumor effects and providing a promising strategy for immunotherapy against HPV-associated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Guo
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research & Development on Severe Infectious Disease, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming 650118, China; (N.G.); (Z.N.); (W.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Zhixin Niu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research & Development on Severe Infectious Disease, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming 650118, China; (N.G.); (Z.N.); (W.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Zhiling Yan
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan & Yunnan Cancer Hospital & The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China;
| | - Weipeng Liu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research & Development on Severe Infectious Disease, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming 650118, China; (N.G.); (Z.N.); (W.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming 650118, China;
| | - Chuanyin Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research & Development on Severe Infectious Disease, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming 650118, China; (N.G.); (Z.N.); (W.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Yufeng Yao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research & Development on Severe Infectious Disease, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming 650118, China; (N.G.); (Z.N.); (W.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Li Shi
- Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming 650118, China;
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Ai LJ, Li GD, Chen G, Sun ZQ, Zhang JN, Liu M. Molecular subtyping and the construction of a predictive model of colorectal cancer based on ion channel genes. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:219. [PMID: 38576045 PMCID: PMC10993535 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01819-2] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy with an unfavorable prognosis. The purpose of this study was to address the heterogeneity of CRC by categorizing it into ion channel subtypes, and to develop a predictive modeling based on ion channel genes to predict the survival and immunological states of patients with CRC. The model will provide guidance for personalized immunotherapy and drug treatment. METHODS A consistent clustering method was used to classify 619 CRC samples based on the expression of 279 ion channel genes. Such a method was allowed to investigate the relationship between molecular subtypes, prognosis, and immune infiltration. Furthermore, a predictive modeling was constructed for ion channels to evaluate the ion channel properties of individual tumors using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. The expression patterns of the characteristic genes were validated through molecular biology experiments. The effect of potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 9 (KCTD9) on CRC was verified by cellular functional experiments. RESULTS Four distinct ion channel subtypes were identified in CRC, each characterized by unique prognosis and immune infiltration patterns. Notably, Ion Cluster3 exhibited high levels of immune infiltration and a favorable prognosis, while Ion Cluster4 showed relatively lower levels of immune infiltration and a poorer prognosis. The ion channel score could predict overall survival, with lower scores correlated with longer survival. This score served as an independent prognostic factor and presented an excellent predictive efficacy in the nomogram. In addition, the score was closely related to immune infiltration, immunotherapy response, and chemotherapy sensitivity. Experimental evidence further confirmed that low expression of KCTD9 in tumor tissues was associated with an unfavorable prognosis in patients with CRC. The cellular functional experiments demonstrated that KCTD9 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion capabilities of LOVO cells. CONCLUSIONS Ion channel subtyping and scoring can effectively predict the prognosis and evaluate the immune microenvironment, immunotherapy response, and drug sensitivity in patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian-Jie Ai
- Colorectal Tumor Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Guo-Dong Li
- General Surgery, The 4th Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Gang Chen
- General Surgery, The 4th Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Zi-Quan Sun
- Colorectal Tumor Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jin-Ning Zhang
- Colorectal Tumor Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ming Liu
- General Surgery, The 4th Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, China.
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41
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Qiu H, Liang J, Yang G, Xie Z, Wang Z, Wang L, Zhang J, Nanda HS, Zhou H, Huang Y, Peng X, Lu C, Chen H, Zhou Y. Application of exosomes in tumor immunity: recent progresses. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1372847. [PMID: 38633106 PMCID: PMC11021734 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1372847] [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: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles secreted by cells, ranging in size from 30 to 150 nm. They contain proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and other bioactive molecules, which play a crucial role in intercellular communication and material transfer. In tumor immunity, exosomes present various functions while the following two are of great importance: regulating the immune response and serving as delivery carriers. This review starts with the introduction of the formation, compositions, functions, isolation, characterization, and applications of exosomes, and subsequently discusses the current status of exosomes in tumor immunotherapy, and the recent applications of exosome-based tumor immunity regulation and antitumor drug delivery. Finally, current challenge and future prospects are proposed and hope to demonstrate inspiration for targeted readers in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Junting Liang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Guang Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Zhenyu Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Zhenpeng Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Liyan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Jingying Zhang
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Himansu Sekhar Nanda
- Biomedical Engineering and Technology Lab, Discipline of Mechanical Engineering, PDPM Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing Jabalpur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Hui Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Yong Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Xinsheng Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Chengyu Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Huizhi Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Yubin Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
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Lei X, de Groot DC, Welters MJP, de Wit T, Schrama E, van Eenennaam H, Santegoets SJ, Oosenbrug T, van der Veen A, Vos JL, Zuur CL, de Miranda NFCC, Jacobs H, van der Burg SH, Borst J, Xiao Y. CD4 + T cells produce IFN-I to license cDC1s for induction of cytotoxic T-cell activity in human tumors. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:374-392. [PMID: 38383773 PMCID: PMC10978876 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01133-1] [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: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells can "help" or "license" conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) to induce CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) anticancer responses, as proven in mouse models. We recently identified cDC1s with a transcriptomic imprint of CD4+ T-cell help, specifically in T-cell-infiltrated human cancers, and these cells were associated with a good prognosis and response to PD-1-targeting immunotherapy. Here, we delineate the mechanism of cDC1 licensing by CD4+ T cells in humans. Activated CD4+ T cells produce IFNβ via the STING pathway, which promotes MHC-I antigen (cross-)presentation by cDC1s and thereby improves their ability to induce CTL anticancer responses. In cooperation with CD40 ligand (L), IFNβ also optimizes the costimulatory and other functions of cDC1s required for CTL response induction. IFN-I-producing CD4+ T cells are present in diverse T-cell-infiltrated cancers and likely deliver "help" signals to CTLs locally, according to their transcriptomic profile and colocalization with "helped/licensed" cDCs and tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells. In agreement with this scenario, the presence of IFN-I-producing CD4+ T cells in the TME is associated with overall survival and the response to PD-1 checkpoint blockade in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lei
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daniël C de Groot
- Department of Tumor Biology and Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marij J P Welters
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tom de Wit
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen Schrama
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Saskia J Santegoets
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Timo Oosenbrug
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Joris L Vos
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte L Zuur
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Heinz Jacobs
- Department of Tumor Biology and Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jannie Borst
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Yanling Xiao
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Guo M, Liu MYR, Brooks DG. Regulation and impact of tumor-specific CD4 + T cells in cancer and immunotherapy. Trends Immunol 2024; 45:303-313. [PMID: 38508931 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2024.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
CD4+ T cells are crucial in generating and sustaining immune responses. They orchestrate and fine-tune mammalian innate and adaptive immunity through cell-based interactions and the release of cytokines. The role of these cells in contributing to the efficacy of antitumor immunity and immunotherapy has just started to be uncovered. Yet, many aspects of the CD4+ T cell response are still unclear, including the differentiation pathways controlling such cells during cancer progression, the external signals that program them, and how the combination of these factors direct ensuing immune responses or immune-restorative therapies. In this review, we focus on recent advances in understanding CD4+ T cell regulation during cancer progression and the importance of CD4+ T cells in immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdi Guo
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Melissa Yi Ran Liu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David G Brooks
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Sharma N, Fan X, Atolagbe OT, Ge Z, Dao KN, Sharma P, Allison JP. ICOS costimulation in combination with CTLA-4 blockade remodels tumor-associated macrophages toward an antitumor phenotype. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20231263. [PMID: 38517331 PMCID: PMC10959121 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20231263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated synergy between ICOS costimulation (IVAX; ICOSL-transduced B16-F10 cellular vaccine) and CTLA-4 blockade in antitumor therapy. In this study, we employed CyTOF and single-cell RNA sequencing and observed significant remodeling of the lymphoid and myeloid compartments in combination therapy. Compared with anti-CTLA-4 monotherapy, the combination therapy enriched Th1 CD4 T cells, effector CD8 T cells, and M1-like antitumor proinflammatory macrophages. These macrophages were critical to the therapeutic efficacy of anti-CTLA-4 combined with IVAX or anti-PD-1. Macrophage depletion with clodronate reduced the tumor-infiltrating effector CD4 and CD8 T cells, impairing their antitumor functions. Furthermore, the recruitment and polarization of M1-like macrophages required IFN-γ. Therefore, in this study, we show that there is a positive feedback loop between intratumoral effector T cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), in which the IFN-γ produced by the T cells polarizes the TAMs into M1-like phenotype, and the TAMs, in turn, reshape the tumor microenvironment to facilitate T cell infiltration, immune function, and tumor rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Sharma
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaozhou Fan
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Zhongqi Ge
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kelly N. Dao
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Padmanee Sharma
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- James P. Allison Institute, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Immunotherapy Platform, James P. Allison Institute, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - James P. Allison
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- James P. Allison Institute, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Gupta R, Gupta J, Roy S. Exosomes: Key Players for Treatment of Cancer and Their Future Perspectives. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2024; 22:118-147. [PMID: 38407852 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2023.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Reena Gupta
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, India
| | - Jitendra Gupta
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, India
| | - Suchismita Roy
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, India
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Zhao Q, Bai L, Zhu D, Li T, Xu J, Xu Y, Zhou X. Clinical efficacy and potential mechanism of ginseng polysaccharides in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer based on meta-analysis associated with network pharmacology. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27152. [PMID: 38496882 PMCID: PMC10944195 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The ginseng polysaccharide injection is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine often employed as a supplementary treatment for cancer. This treatment can not only alleviate the adverse effects caused by tumor radiotherapy and chemotherapy but also enhance the immune system of individuals diagnosed with lung cancer. It is important to acknowledge the efficacy of ginseng polysaccharide injection in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, these small-sample studies may have certain biases, and the underlying mechanisms of ginseng polysaccharides therapy for NSCLC are still unclear. Methods The present study involved a systematic review of the literature on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on using ginseng polysaccharide injection as a therapeutic approach for NSCLC. Seven databases were searched for eligible studies published before April 2023. Two researchers independently managed data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and data analyses using RevMan 5.3 software. In network pharmacology, we thoroughly searched the relevant literature on ginseng polysaccharides (GPs) and the PubChem database. This search aimed to identify the main active ingredients and targets associated with ginseng polysaccharides. Subsequently, we compared these targets with those of NSCLC and utilized bioinformatics techniques to analyze and explore their potential interactions. Results A total of 11 RCTs involving 845 patients with NSCLC were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that ginseng polysaccharide injection combined significantly improved the objective response rate [RR = 1.45, 95% CI (1.26, 1.67), P < 0.00001]. Furthermore, it was observed that ginseng polysaccharide injection increased the serum levels of CD4+ T-lymphocytes (CD4+ T) [MD = 8.98, 95% CI (5.18, 12.78), P < 0.00001], and decreased the serum levels of CD8+ T-lymphocytes (CD8+ T) [MD = -2.68, 95% CI (-4.66, -0.70), P = 0.008]. Through network pharmacology analysis, a total of 211 target genes of GPs and 81 common targets were identified. GAPDH, EGFR, VEGFA, JUN, SRC, CASP3, STAT3, CCND1, HSP90AA1, and MMP9 were identified as the core target proteins. Additionally, KEGG enrichment analysis revealed 122 relevant signaling pathways, including Pathways in cancer, PD-L1 expression and PD-1 checkpoint pathway in cancer, and Proteoglycans in cancer. Conclusion Ginseng polysaccharide injection can improve the ORR of patients with NSCLC, increase the serum levels of CD4+ T, and decrease the serum levels of CD8+ T. The potential mechanism may be associated with the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Le Bai
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Dongwei Zhu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Tingyuan Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Yong Xu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xianmei Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
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Safaei S, Fadaee M, Farzam OR, Yari A, Poursaei E, Aslan C, Samemaleki S, Shanehbandi D, Baradaran B, Kazemi T. Exploring the dynamic interplay between exosomes and the immune tumor microenvironment: implications for breast cancer progression and therapeutic strategies. Breast Cancer Res 2024; 26:57. [PMID: 38553754 PMCID: PMC10981336 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-024-01810-z] [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: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer continues to pose a substantial worldwide health concern, demanding a thorough comprehension of the complex interaction between cancerous cells and the immune system. Recent studies have shown the significant function of exosomes in facilitating intercellular communication and their participation in the advancement of cancer. Tumor-derived exosomes have been identified as significant regulators in the context of breast cancer, playing a crucial role in modulating immune cell activity and contributing to the advancement of the illness. This study aims to investigate the many effects of tumor-derived exosomes on immune cells in the setting of breast cancer. Specifically, we will examine their role in influencing immune cell polarization, facilitating immunological evasion, and modifying the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, we explore the nascent domain of exosomes produced from immune cells and their prospective involvement in the prevention of breast cancer. This paper focuses on new research that emphasizes the immunomodulatory characteristics of exosomes produced from immune cells. It also explores the possibility of these exosomes as therapeutic agents or biomarkers for the early identification and prevention of breast cancer. The exploration of the reciprocal connections between exosomes formed from tumors and immune cells, together with the rising significance of exosomes derived from immune cells, presents a potential avenue for the advancement of novel approaches in the field of breast cancer therapy and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Safaei
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Gholghasht Ave, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Manouchehr Fadaee
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Gholghasht Ave, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Omid Rahbar Farzam
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Gholghasht Ave, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Yari
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Gholghasht Ave, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Biology, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elham Poursaei
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Cynthia Aslan
- Research Center for Integrative Medicine in Aging, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sahar Samemaleki
- Department of Immunology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Dariush Shanehbandi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Gholghasht Ave, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Gholghasht Ave, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Tohid Kazemi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Gholghasht Ave, Tabriz, Iran.
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Li J, Wei Y, Liu J, Cheng S, Zhang X, Qiu H, Li J, He C. Integrative analysis of metabolism subtypes and identification of prognostic metabolism-related genes for glioblastoma. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20231400. [PMID: 38419527 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has demonstrated that cancer cell metabolism is a critical factor in tumor development and progression; however, its role in glioblastoma (GBM) remains limited. In the present study, we classified GBM into three metabolism subtypes (MC1, MC2, and MC3) through cluster analysis of 153 GBM samples from the RNA-sequencing data of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) based on 2752 metabolism-related genes (MRGs). We further explored the prognostic value, metabolic signatures, immune infiltration, and immunotherapy sensitivity of the three metabolism subtypes. Moreover, the metabolism scoring model was established to quantify the different metabolic characteristics of the patients. Results showed that MC3, which is associated with a favorable survival outcome, had higher proportions of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations and lower tumor purity and proliferation. The MC1 subtype, which is associated with the worst prognosis, shows a higher number of segments and homologous recombination defects and significantly lower mRNA expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi) and epigenetic-regulation-based mRNAsi. The MC2 subtype has the highest T-cell exclusion score, indicating a high likelihood of immune escape. The results were validated using an independent dataset. Five MRGs (ACSL1, NDUFA2, CYP1B1, SLC11A1, and COX6B1) correlated with survival outcomes were identified based on metabolism-related co-expression module analysis. Laboratory-based validation tests further showed the expression of these MRGs in GBM tissues and how their expression influences cell function. The results provide a reference for developing clinical management approaches and treatments for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Affiliated Jiangsu Shengze Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215228, China
- Center of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China
| | - Yutian Wei
- Neurovascular Center, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jiali Liu
- Center of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China
| | - Shupeng Cheng
- Center of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Center of Rehabilitation Medicine, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shanxi Province 710054, China
| | - Huaide Qiu
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Science, Nanjing Normal University of Special Education, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210038, China
| | - Jianan Li
- Center of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Affiliated Jiangsu Shengze Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215228, China
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49
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Ninmer EK, Zhu H, Chianese-Bullock KA, von Mehren M, Haas NB, Ross MI, Dengel LT, Slingluff CL. Multipeptide vaccines for melanoma in the adjuvant setting: long-term survival outcomes and post-hoc analysis of a randomized phase II trial. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2570. [PMID: 38519525 PMCID: PMC10959948 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46877-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The critical roles of CD4+ T cells have been understudied for cancer vaccines. Here we report long-term clinical outcomes of a randomized multicenter phase II clinical trial (NCT00118274), where patients with high-risk melanoma received a multipeptide vaccine targeting CD8+ T cells (12MP) and were randomized to receive either of two vaccines for CD4+ (helper) T cells: 6MHP (6 melanoma-specific helper peptides), or tet (a nonspecific helper peptide from tetanus toxoid). Cyclophosphamide (Cy) pre-treatment was also assessed. Primary outcomes for T cell responses to 12MP, 6MHP, and tet were previously reported, suggesting immunogenicity of both vaccines but that CD8 T cell responses to 12MP were lower when tet was replaced with 6MHP. Here, in post-hoc analyses, we report durable prolongation of overall survival by adding 6MHP instead of tet. That benefit was experienced only by male patients. A favorable interaction of 6MHP and Cy is also suggested. Multivariable Cox regression analysis of the intent-to-treat population identify vaccine arm (12MP + 6MHP+Cy) and patient sex (male) as the two significant predictors of enhanced survival. These findings support the value of adding cognate T cell help to cancer vaccines and also suggest a need to assess the impact of patient sex on immune therapy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily K Ninmer
- Department of Surgery/Division of Surgical Oncology and the Human Immune Therapy Center, Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Hong Zhu
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- University of Virginia, School of Medicine, Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kimberly A Chianese-Bullock
- Department of Surgery/Division of Surgical Oncology and the Human Immune Therapy Center, Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- University of Virginia, School of Medicine, Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | - Naomi B Haas
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Merrick I Ross
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lynn T Dengel
- Department of Surgery/Division of Surgical Oncology and the Human Immune Therapy Center, Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Craig L Slingluff
- Department of Surgery/Division of Surgical Oncology and the Human Immune Therapy Center, Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
- University of Virginia, School of Medicine, Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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50
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Peng S, Lin A, Jiang A, Zhang C, Zhang J, Cheng Q, Luo P, Bai Y. CTLs heterogeneity and plasticity: implications for cancer immunotherapy. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:58. [PMID: 38515134 PMCID: PMC10956324 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01972-6] [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: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play critical antitumor roles, encompassing diverse subsets including CD4+, NK, and γδ T cells beyond conventional CD8+ CTLs. However, definitive CTLs biomarkers remain elusive, as cytotoxicity-molecule expression does not necessarily confer cytotoxic capacity. CTLs differentiation involves transcriptional regulation by factors such as T-bet and Blimp-1, although epigenetic regulation of CTLs is less clear. CTLs promote tumor killing through cytotoxic granules and death receptor pathways, but may also stimulate tumorigenesis in some contexts. Given that CTLs cytotoxicity varies across tumors, enhancing this function is critical. This review summarizes current knowledge on CTLs subsets, biomarkers, differentiation mechanisms, cancer-related functions, and strategies for improving cytotoxicity. Key outstanding questions include refining the CTLs definition, characterizing subtype diversity, elucidating differentiation and senescence pathways, delineating CTL-microbe relationships, and enabling multi-omics profiling. A more comprehensive understanding of CTLs biology will facilitate optimization of their immunotherapy applications. Overall, this review synthesizes the heterogeneity, regulation, functional roles, and enhancement strategies of CTLs in antitumor immunity, highlighting gaps in our knowledge of subtype diversity, definitive biomarkers, epigenetic control, microbial interactions, and multi-omics characterization. Addressing these questions will refine our understanding of CTLs immunology to better leverage cytotoxic functions against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengkun Peng
- Department of Radiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Anqi Lin
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, Guangdong, China
| | - Aimin Jiang
- Department of Urology, Changhai hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Cangang Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, Guangdong, China
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South University, Hunan, China.
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yifeng Bai
- Department of Oncology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
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