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Zannikou M, Fish EN, Platanias LC. Signaling by Type I Interferons in Immune Cells: Disease Consequences. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1600. [PMID: 38672681 PMCID: PMC11049350 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081600] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This review addresses interferon (IFN) signaling in immune cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) and examines how this affects cancer progression. The data reveal that IFNs exert dual roles in cancers, dependent on the TME, exhibiting both anti-tumor activity and promoting cancer progression. We discuss the abnormal IFN signaling induced by cancerous cells that alters immune responses to permit their survival and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markella Zannikou
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 East Superior Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Eleanor N. Fish
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, 67 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 2M1, Canada;
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Leonidas C. Platanias
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 East Superior Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Medicine, Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 820 S. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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2
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Kranjčević JK, Čonkaš J, Ozretić P. The Role of Estrogen and Estrogen Receptors in Head and Neck Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1575. [PMID: 38672656 PMCID: PMC11049451 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most common histological form of head and neck tumors (HNTs), which originate from the epithelium of the lips and oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, salivary glands, nasal cavity, and sinuses. The main risk factors include consumption of tobacco in all forms and alcohol, as well as infections with high-risk human papillomaviruses or the Epstein-Barr virus. Regardless of the etiological agent, the risk of developing different types of HNTs is from two to more than six times higher in males than in females. The reason for such disparities probably lies in a combination of both biological and psychosocial factors. Therefore, it is hypothesized that exposure to female sex hormones, primarily estrogen, provides women with protection against the formation and metastasis of HNTs. In this review, we synthesized available knowledge on the role of estrogen and estrogen receptors (ERs) in the development and progression of HNTs, with special emphasis on membrane ERs, which are much less studied. We can summarize that in addition to epidemiologic studies unequivocally pointing to the protective effect of estrogen in women, an increased expression of both nuclear ERs, ERα, and ERβ, and membrane ERs, ERα36, GPER1, and NaV1.2, was present in different types of HNSCC, for which anti-estrogens could be used as an effective therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Petar Ozretić
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia (J.Č.)
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3
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Nicolini A, Rossi G, Ferrari P. Experimental and clinical evidence in favour of an effective immune stimulation in ER-positive, endocrine-dependent metastatic breast cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1225175. [PMID: 38332913 PMCID: PMC10850262 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1225175] [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: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
In ER+ breast cancer, usually seen as the low immunogenic type, the main mechanisms favouring the immune response or tumour growth and immune evasion in the tumour microenvironment (TME) have been examined. The principal implications of targeting the oestrogen-mediated pathways were also considered. Recent experimental findings point out that anti-oestrogens contribute to the reversion of the immunosuppressive TME. Moreover, some preliminary clinical data with the hormone-immunotherapy association in a metastatic setting support the notion that the reversion of immune suppression in TME is likely favoured by the G0-G1 state induced by anti-oestrogens. Following immune stimulation, the reverted immune suppression allows the boosting of the effector cells of the innate and adaptive immune response. This suggests that ER+ breast cancer is a molecular subtype where a successful active immune manipulation can be attained. If this is confirmed by a prospective multicentre trial, which is expected in light of the provided evidence, the proposed hormone immunotherapy can also be tested in the adjuvant setting. Furthermore, the different rationale suggests a synergistic activity of our proposed immunotherapy with the currently recommended regimen consisting of antioestrogens combined with cyclin kinase inhibitors. Overall, this lays the foundation for a shift in clinical practice within this most prevalent molecular subtype of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Nicolini
- Department of Oncology, Transplantations and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Rossi
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council and Gabriele Monasterio Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Ferrari
- Department of Oncology, Transplantations and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Moisand A, Madéry M, Boyer T, Domblides C, Blaye C, Larmonier N. Hormone Receptor Signaling and Breast Cancer Resistance to Anti-Tumor Immunity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15048. [PMID: 37894728 PMCID: PMC10606577 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015048] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancers regroup many heterogeneous diseases unevenly responding to currently available therapies. Approximately 70-80% of breast cancers express hormone (estrogen or progesterone) receptors. Patients with these hormone-dependent breast malignancies benefit from therapies targeting endocrine pathways. Nevertheless, metastatic disease remains a major challenge despite available treatments, and relapses frequently ensue. By improving patient survival and quality of life, cancer immunotherapies have sparked considerable enthusiasm and hope in the last decade but have led to only limited success in breast cancers. In addition, only patients with hormone-independent breast cancers seem to benefit from these immune-based approaches. The present review examines and discusses the current literature related to the role of hormone receptor signaling (specifically, an estrogen receptor) and the impact of its modulation on the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to the effector mechanisms of anti-tumor immune responses and on the capability of breast cancers to escape from protective anti-cancer immunity. Future research prospects related to the possibility of promoting the efficacy of immune-based interventions using hormone therapy agents are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Moisand
- CNRS UMR 5164, ImmunoConcEpT, Biological and Medical Sciences Department, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (A.M.); (M.M.); (T.B.); (C.D.)
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, UB Grad 2.0, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Mathilde Madéry
- CNRS UMR 5164, ImmunoConcEpT, Biological and Medical Sciences Department, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (A.M.); (M.M.); (T.B.); (C.D.)
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, UB Grad 2.0, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Thomas Boyer
- CNRS UMR 5164, ImmunoConcEpT, Biological and Medical Sciences Department, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (A.M.); (M.M.); (T.B.); (C.D.)
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, UB Grad 2.0, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Charlotte Domblides
- CNRS UMR 5164, ImmunoConcEpT, Biological and Medical Sciences Department, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (A.M.); (M.M.); (T.B.); (C.D.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Céline Blaye
- CNRS UMR 5164, ImmunoConcEpT, Biological and Medical Sciences Department, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (A.M.); (M.M.); (T.B.); (C.D.)
| | - Nicolas Larmonier
- CNRS UMR 5164, ImmunoConcEpT, Biological and Medical Sciences Department, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (A.M.); (M.M.); (T.B.); (C.D.)
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, UB Grad 2.0, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France
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5
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Kimman T, Slomp A, Martens A, Grabherr S, Li S, van Diest E, Meeldijk J, Kuball J, Minnema MC, Eldering E, Bovenschen N, Sebestyén Z, Peperzak V. Serpin B9 controls tumor cell killing by CAR T cells. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-006364. [PMID: 36931661 PMCID: PMC10030924 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Initial clinical responses with gene engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in cancer patients are highly encouraging; however, primary resistance and also relapse may prevent durable remission in a substantial part of the patients. One of the underlying causes is the resistance mechanisms in cancer cells that limit effective killing by CAR T cells. CAR T cells exert their cytotoxic function through secretion of granzymes and perforin. Inhibition of granzyme B (GrB) can underlie resistance to T cell-mediated killing, and it has been shown that serine proteinase inhibitor serpin B9 can effectively inhibit GrB. We aimed to determine whether expression of serpin B9 by cancer cells can lead to resistance toward CAR T cells. METHODS Serpin B9 gene and protein expression were examined by R2 or DepMap database mining and by western blot or flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Coculture killing experiments were performed with melanoma cell line MeWo, diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell line OCI-Ly7 or primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells as target cells and natural killer cell line YT-Indy, CD20 CAR T cells or CD19 CAR T cells as effector cells and analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS Serpin B9 protein expression was previously shown to be associated with clinical outcome in melanoma patients and in line with these observations we demonstrate that enforced serpin B9 expression in melanoma cells reduces sensitivity to GrB-mediated killing. Next, we examined serpin B9 expression in a wide array of primary tumor tissues and human cell lines to find that serpin B9 is uniformly expressed in B-cell lymphomas and most prominently in DLBCL and CLL. Subsequently, using small interfering RNA, we silenced serpin B9 expression in DLBCL cells, which increased their sensitivity to CD20 CAR T cell-mediated killing. In addition, we showed that co-ulture of primary CLL cells with CD20 CAR T cells results in selection of serpin B9-high CLL cells, suggesting these cells resist CAR T-cell killing. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the data indicate that serpin B9 is a resistance mediator for CAR T cell-mediated tumor cell killing that should be inhibited or bypassed to improve CAR T-cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kimman
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Anne Slomp
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Anne Martens
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Duivendrecht, Netherlands
| | - Sarah Grabherr
- Institute of Immunobiology, Medical Research Center, Kantonsspital St Gallen, Sankt Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Eline van Diest
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jan Meeldijk
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jurgen Kuball
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Hematology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Monique C Minnema
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Eric Eldering
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Duivendrecht, Netherlands
- University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Niels Bovenschen
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Zsolt Sebestyén
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Victor Peperzak
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Mandal AK, Paudel S, Pandey A, Yadav P, Pathak P, Grishina M, Jaremko M, Emwas AH, Khalilullah H, Verma A. Guava Leaf Essential Oil as a Potent Antioxidant and Anticancer Agent: Validated through Experimental and Computational Study. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:2204. [PMID: 36358576 PMCID: PMC9687059 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11112204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Several drugs now employed in cancer therapy were discovered as a result of anticancer drug research based on natural products. Here, we reported the in vitro antioxidant and anticancer activity followed by in silico anticancer and estrogen-like activity of Psidium guajava L. essential oil against ER-α receptors which lead to potential inhibitory action against breast cancer pathways. METHODS The bioactive compounds in guava essential oil were screened using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Similarly, the antioxidant properties of the extracted oil were evaluated using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging assay. Furthermore, the in vitro anticancer activity of guava oil was observed through the MTT assay and an in silico molecular docking experiment was also carried out to ensure that they fit into the estrogen receptors (ERs) and possess anticancer potential. RESULTS The GC-MS profile of the essential oil revealed the presence of 17 chemicals, with limonene (51.3%), eucalyptol (21.3%), caryophyllene oxide (6.2%), caryophyllene (5.6%), and nerolidol (4.5%) occupying more than one-third of the chromatographic spectrum zone. Guava leaves' essential oil (EO) inhibited DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals and exhibited concentration dependent free radical scavenging activity, acting as a potent antioxidant with an IC50 value of 29.3 ± 0.67 µg/mL. The outcome of the MTT assay showed that the extracted guava oil had nearly the same efficacy against breast and liver cancer cells at a low concentration (1 µg/mL), giving 98.3 ± 0.3% and 98.5 ± 0.4% cell viability against HepG2 at 1 µg/mL, respectively. When the concentration of essential oil was increased, it showed a small reduction in the percentage of viable cells. While conducting an in silico study of all the screened compounds, the potential for hydroxycaryophyllene, caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, humulene, terpineol, and calamenene to inhibit tumor growth was bolstered due to a resemblance to 4-hydroxytamoxifen, thereby implying that these compounds may act as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). The ADME analysis of the compounds indicated above revealed that they exhibit excellent drug likeness properties and follow the Lipinski rule of five. CONCLUSIONS Consequently, they have a substantial anticancer therapeutic potential and can be used for novel drug discovery in the effort to minimize the global burden of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Kumar Mandal
- Natural Product Research Laboratory, Thapathali, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
- Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj 211007, India
| | - Samrat Paudel
- Department of Biotechnology, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel 45200, Nepal
| | - Anisha Pandey
- Natural Product Research Laboratory, Thapathali, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
- Department of Biotechnology, National College, Tribhuvan University, Naya Bazar, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
| | - Parasmani Yadav
- Natural Product Research Laboratory, Thapathali, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
| | - Prateek Pathak
- Laboratory of Computational Modeling of Drugs, Higher Medical and Biological School, South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk 454008, Russia
| | - Maria Grishina
- Laboratory of Computational Modeling of Drugs, Higher Medical and Biological School, South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk 454008, Russia
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- Smart-Health Initiative (SHI) and Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul-Hamid Emwas
- Core Labs, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Habibullah Khalilullah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Unaizah 51911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amita Verma
- Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj 211007, India
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7
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Godoy‑Pacheco A, García‑Chagollán M, Ramírez‑De‑Arellano A, Hernández‑Silva C, Villegas‑Pineda J, Ramírez‑López I, Zepeda‑Nuño J, Aguilar‑Lemarroy A, Pereira‑Suárez A. Differential modulation of natural killer cell cytotoxicity by 17β‑estradiol and prolactin through the NKG2D/NKG2DL axis in cervical cancer cells. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:288. [DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Godoy‑Pacheco
- Department of Physiology, University Center for Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44340, Mexico
| | - Mariel García‑Chagollán
- Institute for Research in Biomedical Sciences, University Center for Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44340, Mexico
| | - Adrián Ramírez‑De‑Arellano
- Institute for Research in Biomedical Sciences, University Center for Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44340, Mexico
| | - Christian Hernández‑Silva
- Institute for Research in Biomedical Sciences, University Center for Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44340, Mexico
| | - Julio Villegas‑Pineda
- Department of Physiology, University Center for Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44340, Mexico
| | - Inocencia Ramírez‑López
- Department of Physiology, University Center for Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44340, Mexico
| | - José Zepeda‑Nuño
- Center for Research and Diagnosis of Pathology, Department of Microbiology and Pathology, University Center of Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44340, Mexico
| | - Adriana Aguilar‑Lemarroy
- Department of Immunology, Western Biomedical Research Center, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44340, Mexico
| | - Ana Pereira‑Suárez
- Institute for Research in Biomedical Sciences, University Center for Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44340, Mexico
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Li Y, Tian R, Liu J, Ou C, Wu Q, Fu X. A 13-Gene Signature Based on Estrogen Response Pathway for Predicting Survival and Immune Responses of Patients With UCEC. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:833910. [PMID: 35558564 PMCID: PMC9087353 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.833910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that anti-estrogens have been effective against multiple gynecological diseases, especially advanced uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC), highlighting the contribution of the estrogen response pathway in UCEC progression. This study aims to identify a reliable prognostic signature for potentially aiding in the comprehensive management of UCEC. Methods: Firstly, univariate Cox and LASSO regression were performed to identify a satisfying UCEC prognostic model quantifying patients’ risk, constructed from estrogen-response-related genes and verified to be effective by Kaplan-Meier curves, ROC curves, univariate and multivariate Cox regression. Additionally, a nomogram was constructed integrating the prognostic model and other clinicopathological parameters. Next, UCEC patients from the TCGA dataset were divided into low- and high-risk groups according to the median risk score. To elucidate differences in biological characteristics between the two risk groups, pathway enrichment, immune landscape, genomic alterations, and therapeutic responses were evaluated to satisfy this objective. As for treatment, effective responses to anti-PD-1 therapy in the low-risk patients and sensitivity to six chemotherapy drugs in the high-risk patients were demonstrated. Results: The low-risk group with a relatively favorable prognosis was marked by increased immune cell infiltration, higher expression levels of HLA members and immune checkpoint biomarkers, higher tumor mutation burden, and lower copy number alterations. This UCEC prognostic signature, composed of 13 estrogen-response-related genes, has been identified and verified as effective. Conclusion: Our study provides molecular signatures for further functional and therapeutic investigations of estrogen-response-related genes in UCEC and represents a potential systemic approach to characterize key factors in UCEC pathogenesis and therapeutic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Li
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruotong Tian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaxin Liu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chunlin Ou
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Qihui Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaodan Fu, ; Qihui Wu,
| | - Xiaodan Fu
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaodan Fu, ; Qihui Wu,
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Tong D. Selective estrogen receptor modulators contribute to prostate cancer treatment by regulating the tumor immune microenvironment. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-002944. [PMID: 35383112 PMCID: PMC8984050 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PC) has previously been established as a cold tumor and develops in an inert immunosuppressive environment. Current research focuses on altering the immune microenvironment of PC from cold to hot; thus, in the present review, the diverse roles of estrogen and estrogen receptor (ER) signaling was examined in the tumor cell and tumor immune microenvironment (TIM). We hypothesized that ERα promotes PC progression and ERβ impedes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in PC cells, while in the TIM, ERβ mediates the immunosuppressive environment, and low levels of ERα is associated with disease development. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) or selective ER degraders play diverse roles in the regulation of ER isoforms. Patients with PC may benefit from the use of SERMs, including raloxifene, in combination with anti-PD1/PD-L1 checkpoint immunotherapy, or TGF-β or Wnt antagonists. The present review demonstrated that immunotherapy-based strategies combined with SERMs may be an option for the future of PC-targeting therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dali Tong
- Department of Urological Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical Center of PLA, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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10
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Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs)/volume and prognosis: The value of TILs for survival in HER2 and TN breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Ann Diagn Pathol 2022; 58:151930. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2022.151930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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White AA, Lin A, Bickendorf X, Cavve BS, Moore JK, Siafarikas A, Strickland DH, Leffler J. Potential immunological effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender people - an unexplored area of research. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab 2022; 13:20420188221139612. [PMID: 36533187 PMCID: PMC9747891 DOI: 10.1177/20420188221139612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There are well-described sex-based differences in how the immune system operates. In particular, cisgender (cis) females have a more easily activated immune system; associated with an increased prevalence of autoimmune diseases and adverse events following vaccinations. Conversely, cis males have a higher threshold for immune activation, and are more prone to certain infectious diseases, such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Oestrogen and testosterone have immune-modulatory properties, and it is likely that these contribute to the sexual dimorphism of the immune system. There are also important immune-related genes located on the X chromosome, such as toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8; and the mosaic bi-allelic expression of such genes may contribute to the state of immune hyperactivation in cis females. The scientific literature strongly suggests that sex-based differences in the functioning of the immune system are related to both X-linked genes and immune modulation by sex hormones. However, it is currently not clear how this impacts transgender (trans) people receiving gender-affirming hormonal therapy. Moreover, it is estimated that in Australia, at least 2.3% of adolescents identify as trans and/or gender diverse, and referrals to specialist gender-affirming care are increasing each year. Despite the improving social awareness of trans people, they remain chronically underrepresented in the scientific literature. In addition, a small number of case studies describe new onset autoimmune disorders in adult trans females following oestrogen use. However, there is currently minimal long-term research with an immunological focus on trans people. Therefore, to ensure the positive health outcomes of trans people, it is crucial that the role of sex hormones in immune modulation is investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice A. White
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Ashleigh Lin
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Xander Bickendorf
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, WA, Australia
- Gender Diversity Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Blake S. Cavve
- Gender Diversity Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Julia K. Moore
- Gender Diversity Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Aris Siafarikas
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Gender Diversity Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Paediatrics, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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12
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Zhou D, Jiang K, Hong R, Lu Q, Xia W, Li M, Zheng C, Zheng Q, Xu F, Wang S. Distribution Characteristics and Prognostic Value of Immune Infiltration in Oligometastatic Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:747012. [PMID: 34858823 PMCID: PMC8632540 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.747012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To assess the distribution characteristics and the prognostic value of immune infiltration in female oligometastatic breast cancer patients. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data of oligometastatic breast cancer (OMBC) patients diagnosed between June 2000 and January 2020. Immune markers were quantified by immunohistochemistry on FFPE tissues in paired normal breast tissues, primary breast cancers and oligometastatic lesions. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox-proportional hazards model. RESULTS A total of 95 female OMBC patients visited Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between June 2000 and January 2020, and 33 of them had matched normal breast tissues, primary cancers and oligometastatic lesions and were reviewed in immune infiltration analysis. CD8 of primary tumors had a higher expression than that in matched normal tissues. The expressions of CD8 and FOXP3 were higher in the primary sites than that in the oligometastatic lesions. CD3, CD4 and CD8 were significantly lower in the intratumoral regions than that in the peritumoral regions both in primary and oligometastatic lesions. Notably, the high percentage of CD3 in the intratumoral oligometastatic lesions predicted the longer PFS and OS, and higher CD4 in the same lesions also predicted a better OS. There was obviously positive correlation between CD4/CD3 and Ki-67 in primary cancers and negative correlation between CD4/CD3 and ER in oligometastatic sites. CONCLUSION We explored immune distribution and evolution in time and space in OMBC to provide new understandings for biological behaviors of this disease and further divided patients in different prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyang Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kuikui Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruoxi Hong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qianyi Lu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen Xia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei Li
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengyou Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiufan Zheng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fei Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shusen Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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13
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Sex-Based Differences in the Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1329:499-533. [PMID: 34664253 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-73119-9_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
Cancers are heterogeneous multifactorial diseases consisting of a major public health issue worldwide. Sex disparities are evidenced in cancer incidence, mortality, expression of prognosis factor, response to treatment, and survival. For both sexes, an interplay of intrinsic and environmental factors influences cancer cells and tumor microenvironment (TME) components. The TME cumulates both supportive and communicative functions, contributing to cancer development, progression, and metastasis dissemination. The frontline topics of this chapter are focused on the contribution of sex, via steroid hormones, such as estrogens and androgens, on the following components of the TME: cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), extracellular matrix (ECM), blood and lymphatic endothelial cells, and immunity/inflammatory system.
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Khadri FZ, Issac MSM, Gaboury LA. Impact of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition on the Immune Landscape in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5099. [PMID: 34680248 PMCID: PMC8533811 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signature on the immune infiltrate present in the breast cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) is still poorly understood. Since there is mounting interest in the use of immunotherapy for the treatment of subsets of breast cancer patients, it is of major importance to understand the fundamental tumor characteristics which dictate the inter-tumor heterogeneity in immune landscapes. We aimed to assess the impact of EMT-related markers on the nature and magnitude of the inflammatory infiltrate present in breast cancer TME and their association with the clinicopathological parameters. Tissue microarrays were constructed from 144 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded invasive breast cancer tumor samples. The protein expression patterns of Snail, Twist, ZEB1, N-cadherin, Vimentin, GRHL2, E-cadherin, and EpCAM were examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The inflammatory infiltrate in the TME was assessed semi-quantitatively on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained whole sections and was characterized using IHC. The inflammatory infiltrate was more intense in poorly differentiated carcinomas and triple-negative carcinomas in which the expression of E-cadherin and GRHL2 was reduced, while EpCAM was overexpressed. Most EMT-related markers correlated with plasma cell infiltration of the TME. Taken together, our findings reveal that the EMT signature might impact the immune response in the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima-Zohra Khadri
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (F.-Z.K.); (M.S.M.I.)
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Marianne Samir Makboul Issac
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (F.-Z.K.); (M.S.M.I.)
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 11956, Egypt
| | - Louis Arthur Gaboury
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (F.-Z.K.); (M.S.M.I.)
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
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15
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Wang WJ, Wang J, Ouyang C, Chen C, Xu XF, Ye XQ. Overview of serpin B9 and its roles in cancer (Review). Oncol Rep 2021; 46:190. [PMID: 34278491 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine proteinase inhibitor B9 (serpin B9) is a member of the serine protease inhibitor superfamily, which is widely found in animals, plants and microorganisms. Serpin B9 has been reported to protect cells from the immune‑killing effect of granzyme B (GrB) released by lymphocytes. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have indicated that serpin B9 is involved in tumour apoptosis, immune evasion, tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis, drug resistance and even in maintaining the stemness of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Moreover, according to clinical studies, serpin B9 has been demonstrated to be significantly associated with the development of precancerous lesions, a poor prognosis and ineffective therapies, suggesting that serpin B9 may be a potential target for cancer treatment and an indicator of cancer diagnosis; thus, it has begun to attract increased attention from scholars. The present review concisely described the structure and biological functions of the serpin superfamily and serpin B9. In addition, related research on serpins in cancer is discussed in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of serpin B9 in cancer, as well as its clinical significance for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jun Wang
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Jiao Wang
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Jiujiang First People's Hospital, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, P.R. China
| | - Chao Ouyang
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Chong Chen
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Feng Xu
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Qun Ye
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
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16
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiling Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio‐targeting Theranostics National Center for International Research of Bio‐targeting Theranostics Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Yong Huang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio‐targeting Theranostics National Center for International Research of Bio‐targeting Theranostics Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Jian He
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio‐targeting Theranostics National Center for International Research of Bio‐targeting Theranostics Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Liping Zhong
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio‐targeting Theranostics National Center for International Research of Bio‐targeting Theranostics Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Yongxiang Zhao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio‐targeting Theranostics National Center for International Research of Bio‐targeting Theranostics Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
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17
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Shaver KA, Croom-Perez TJ, Copik AJ. Natural Killer Cells: The Linchpin for Successful Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:679117. [PMID: 33995422 PMCID: PMC8115550 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.679117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a highly successful and rapidly evolving treatment modality that works by augmenting the body’s own immune system. While various immune stimulation strategies such as PD-1/PD-L1 or CTLA-4 checkpoint blockade result in robust responses, even in patients with advanced cancers, the overall response rate is low. While immune checkpoint inhibitors are known to enhance cytotoxic T cells’ antitumor response, current evidence suggests that immune responses independent of cytotoxic T cells, such as Natural Killer (NK) cells, play crucial role in the efficacy of immunotherapeutic interventions. NK cells hold a distinct role in potentiating the innate immune response and activating the adaptive immune system. This review highlights the importance of the early actions of the NK cell response and the pivotal role NK cells hold in priming the immune system and setting the stage for successful response to cancer immunotherapy. Yet, in many patients the NK cell compartment is compromised thus lowering the chances of successful outcomes of many immunotherapies. An overview of mechanisms that can drive NK cell dysfunction and hinder immunotherapy success is provided. Rather than relying on the likely dysfunctional endogenous NK cells to work with immunotherapies, adoptive allogeneic NK cell therapies provide a viable solution to increase response to immunotherapies. This review highlights the advances made in development of NK cell therapeutics for clinical application with evidence supporting their combinatorial application with other immune-oncology approaches to improve outcomes of immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari A Shaver
- College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Tayler J Croom-Perez
- Burnett School of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Alicja J Copik
- Burnett School of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
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18
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Wang W, Zou R, Qiu Y, Liu J, Xin Y, He T, Qiu Z. Interaction Networks Converging on Immunosuppressive Roles of Granzyme B: Special Niches Within the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:670324. [PMID: 33868318 PMCID: PMC8047302 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.670324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Granzyme B is a renowned effector molecule primarily utilized by CTLs and NK cells against ill-defined and/or transformed cells during immunosurveillance. The overall expression of granzyme B within tumor microenvironment has been well-established as a prognostic marker indicative of priming immunity for a long time. Until recent years, increasing immunosuppressive effects of granzyme B are unveiled in the setting of different immunological context. The accumulative evidence confounded the roles of granzyme B in immune responses, thereby arousing great interests in characterizing detailed feature of granzyme B-positive niche. In this paper, the granzyme B-related regulatory effects of major suppressor cells as well as the tumor microenvironment that defines such functionalities were longitudinally summarized and discussed. Multiplex networks were built upon the interactions among different transcriptional factors, cytokines, and chemokines that regarded to the initiation and regulation of granzyme B-mediated immunosuppression. The conclusions and prospect may facilitate better interpretations of the clinical significance of granzyme B, guiding the rational development of therapeutic regimen and diagnostic probes for anti-tumor purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weinan Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Rui Zou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Ye Qiu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Jishuang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yu Xin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Tianzhu He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Zhidong Qiu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
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19
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Huang H, Zhou J, Chen H, Li J, Zhang C, Jiang X, Ni C. The immunomodulatory effects of endocrine therapy in breast cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:19. [PMID: 33413549 PMCID: PMC7792133 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01788-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine therapies with SERMs (selective estrogen receptor modulators) or SERDs (selective estrogen receptor downregulators) are standard therapies for patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. Multiple small molecule inhibitors targeting the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway or CDK4/6 have been developed to be used in combination with anti-estrogen drugs to overcome endocrine resistance. In addition to their direct antitumor effects, accumulating evidence has revealed the tumor immune microenvironment (TIM)-modulating effects of these therapeutic strategies, which have not been properly acknowledged previously. The immune microenvironment of breast tumors plays a crucial role in tumor development, metastasis and treatment response to endocrine therapy and immunotherapy. Therefore, in our current work, we comprehensively review the immunomodulatory effect of endocrine therapy and discuss its potential applications in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors in breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Huang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumour Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310006, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hailong Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumour Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Anatomy School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xia Jiang
- School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610064, China.
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience Centre for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, 17176, Sweden.
| | - Chao Ni
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tumour Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China.
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20
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George CN, Canuas-Landero V, Theodoulou E, Muthana M, Wilson C, Ottewell P. Oestrogen and zoledronic acid driven changes to the bone and immune environments: Potential mechanisms underlying the differential anti-tumour effects of zoledronic acid in pre- and post-menopausal conditions. J Bone Oncol 2020; 25:100317. [PMID: 32995253 PMCID: PMC7516134 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbo.2020.100317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Late stage breast cancer commonly metastasises to bone and patient survival averages 2-3 years following diagnosis of bone involvement. One of the most successful treatments for bone metastases is the bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid (ZOL). ZOL has been used in the advanced setting for many years where it has been shown to reduce skeletal complications associated with bone metastasis. More recently, several large adjuvant clinical trials have demonstrated that administration of ZOL can prevent recurrence and improve survival when given in early breast cancer. However, these promising effects were only observed in post-menopausal women with confirmed low concentrations of circulating ovarian hormones. In this review we focus on potential interactions between the ovarian hormone, oestrogen, and ZOL to establish credible hypotheses that could explain why anti-tumour effects are specific to post-menopausal women. Specifically, we discuss the molecular and immune cell driven mechanisms by which ZOL and oestrogen affect the tumour microenvironment to inhibit/induce tumour growth and how oestrogen can interact with zoledronic acid to inhibit its anti-tumour actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher N. George
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Victor Canuas-Landero
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Elizavet Theodoulou
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Munitta Muthana
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Wilson
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Penelope Ottewell
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
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21
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Cervantes-Badillo MG, Paredes-Villa A, Gómez-Romero V, Cervantes-Roldán R, Arias-Romero LE, Villamar-Cruz O, González-Montiel M, Barrios-García T, Cabrera-Quintero AJ, Rodríguez-Gómez G, Cancino-Villeda L, Zentella-Dehesa A, León-Del-Río A. IFI27/ISG12 Downregulates Estrogen Receptor α Transactivation by Facilitating Its Interaction With CRM1/XPO1 in Breast Cancer Cells. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:568375. [PMID: 33117284 PMCID: PMC7575815 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.568375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is a ligand-activated transcription factor whose activity is modulated by its interaction with multiple protein complexes. In this work, we have identified the protein interferon alpha inducible protein 27 (IFI27/ISG12) as a novel ERα-associated protein. IFI27/ISG12 transcription is regulated by interferon and estradiol and its overexpression is associated to reduced overall survival in ER+ breast cancer patients but its function in mammary gland tissue remains elusive. In this study we showed that overexpression of IFI27/ISG12 in breast cancer cells attenuates ERα transactivation activity and the expression of ERα-dependent genes. Our results demonstrated that IFI27/ISG12 overexpression in MCF-7 cells reduced their proliferation rate in 2-D and 3-D cell culture assays and impaired their ability to migrate in a wound-healing assay. We show that IFI27/ISG12 downregulation of ERα transactivation activity is mediated by its ability to facilitate the interaction between ERα and CRM1/XPO1 that mediates the nuclear export of large macromolecules to the cytoplasm. IFI27/ISG12 overexpression was shown to impair the estradiol-dependent proliferation and tamoxifen-induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Our results suggest that IFI27/ISG12 may be an important factor in regulating ERα activity in breast cancer cells by modifying its nuclear versus cytoplasmic protein levels. We propose that IFI27/ISG12 may be a potential target of future strategies to control the growth and proliferation of ERα-positive breast cancer tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayte Guadalupe Cervantes-Badillo
- Programa de Investigación de Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Paredes-Villa
- Programa de Investigación de Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Vania Gómez-Romero
- Programa de Investigación de Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Rafael Cervantes-Roldán
- Programa de Investigación de Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Luis E. Arias-Romero
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina (UBIMED), Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Olga Villamar-Cruz
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina (UBIMED), Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Miroslava González-Montiel
- Programa de Investigación de Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Tonatiuh Barrios-García
- Programa de Investigación de Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Alberto J. Cabrera-Quintero
- Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Unidad de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Gabriel Rodríguez-Gómez
- Programa de Investigación de Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Laura Cancino-Villeda
- Programa de Investigación de Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Zentella-Dehesa
- Programa de Investigación de Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Unidad de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Alfonso León-Del-Río
- Programa de Investigación de Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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22
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Ho AY, Wright JL, Blitzblau RC, Mutter RW, Duda DG, Norton L, Bardia A, Spring L, Isakoff SJ, Chen JH, Grassberger C, Bellon JR, Beriwal S, Khan AJ, Speers C, Dunn SA, Thompson A, Santa-Maria CA, Krop IE, Mittendorf E, King TA, Gupta GP. Optimizing Radiation Therapy to Boost Systemic Immune Responses in Breast Cancer: A Critical Review for Breast Radiation Oncologists. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2020; 108:227-241. [PMID: 32417409 PMCID: PMC7646202 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy using immune checkpoint blockade has revolutionized the treatment of many types of cancer. Radiation therapy (RT)-particularly when delivered at high doses using newer techniques-may be capable of generating systemic antitumor effects when combined with immunotherapy in breast cancer. These systemic effects might be due to the local immune-priming effects of RT resulting in the expansion and circulation of effector immune cells to distant sites. Although this concept merits further exploration, several challenges need to be overcome. One is an understanding of how the heterogeneity of breast cancers may relate to tumor immunogenicity. Another concerns the need to develop knowledge and expertise in delivery, sequencing, and timing of RT with immunotherapy. Clinical trials addressing these issues are under way. We here review and discuss the particular opportunities and issues regarding this topic, including the design of informative clinical and translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Y Ho
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Jean L Wright
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Johns Hopkins Cancer Center, Brooklandville, Maryland
| | - Rachel C Blitzblau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke Cancer Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Robert W Mutter
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Dan G Duda
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Larry Norton
- Department of Medical Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Aditya Bardia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Laura Spring
- Department of Medical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Steven J Isakoff
- Department of Medical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jonathan H Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Clemens Grassberger
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer R Bellon
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sushil Beriwal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennslyvania
| | - Atif J Khan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Corey Speers
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Samantha A Dunn
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alastair Thompson
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Cesar A Santa-Maria
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ian E Krop
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elizabeth Mittendorf
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tari A King
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gaorav P Gupta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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23
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Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes and response to neoadjuvant letrozole in patients with early oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: analysis from a nationwide phase II DBCG trial. Breast Cancer Res 2020; 22:46. [PMID: 32410705 PMCID: PMC7222485 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-020-01285-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The presence of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is associated with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy among patients with triple-negative and HER2-positive breast cancer. However, the significance of TILs is less clear in luminal breast cancer. Here, we in postmenopausal patients with primary oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+), HER2 normal, operable breast cancer assessed the importance of inducing TILs during 4 months of letrozole on response in a neoadjuvant phase II study. Methods Participants were postmenopausal women with ER+, HER2 normal operable breast cancer assigned to 4 months of neoadjuvant letrozole. Pretreatment core biopsies and surgical specimens were assessed centrally for the percentage of TILs on haematoxylin and eosin-stained slides according to the International Immuno-Oncology Biomarker Working Group on Breast Cancer guidelines. Pathological response was assessed by the Residual Cancer Burden (RCB) index and a modified Miller-Payne grading system and was analysed according to change in TILs. Results Tumour specimens were available from 106 of the 112 patients treated per protocol. TIL concentration increased with mean 6.8 percentage point (p < 0.0001) during treatment (range − 39 to 60). An increase in TILs was significantly associated with pathological response with OR = 0.71 (95% CI 0.53–0.96; p = 0.02) per 10% absolute increase for pathological response and correspondingly OR = 0.56 (95% CI 0.40–0.78; p = 0.0007) for lower RCB index per 10% increase. Conclusion Increasing TILs during letrozole was significantly associated with a poor treatment response. An increase in TILs during endocrine therapy might imply immunogenicity, and these patients could be targetable by immunotherapy. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.govNCT00908531, registered 27 May 2009.
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Smida T, Bruno TC, Stabile LP. Influence of Estrogen on the NSCLC Microenvironment: A Comprehensive Picture and Clinical Implications. Front Oncol 2020; 10:137. [PMID: 32133288 PMCID: PMC7039860 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer mortality represents the leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States and worldwide. Almost half of these deaths occur in female patients, making lung cancer the most common cause of cancer mortality in women with a higher annual mortality rate than breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers combined. The distinct epidemiological, histological and biological presentation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in women combined with extensive preclinical data have demonstrated that the female sex hormone β-estradiol (E2) plays an important role in NSCLC tumorigenesis, prognosis, and treatment response. Estrogen receptors are widely expressed on stromal and immune cells, and estrogen-linked signaling pathways are known to be involved in regulating the response of both the innate and adaptive immune system. Immune evasion has been recognized as a “hallmark” of cancer and immunotherapy has re-defined standard of care treatment for NSCLC. Despite these advancements, the low response rates observed in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors has led to a search for mediators of immunosuppression and ways to augment the action of these agents. We focus on emerging data describing sex differences that modulate immunotherapy efficacy in NSCLC, immunosuppressive properties of E2 that lead to a pro-tumor microenvironment (TME), and the translational potential of altering the immune microenvironment by targeting the estrogen signaling pathway. E2-induced modulation affects multiple cell types within the TME, including cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor infiltrating myeloid cells, and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, all of which interplay with lung tumor cells via E2 and estrogen receptor engagement, ultimately shaping the TME that may, in part, be responsible for the sex-based disparities observed in NSCLC. An improved understanding of the role of the estrogen pathway in NSCLC anti-cancer immunity may lead to novel therapeutic approaches for altering the TME to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanner Smida
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Tullia C Bruno
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Laura P Stabile
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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25
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Somasundaram A, Rothenberger NJ, Stabile LP. The Impact of Estrogen in the Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1277:33-52. [PMID: 33119863 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-50224-9_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tumor immune escape is now a hallmark of cancer development, and therapies targeting these pathways have emerged as standard of care. Specifically, immune checkpoint signal blockade offers durable responses and increased overall survival. However, the majority of cancer patients still do not respond to checkpoint blockade immune therapy leading to an unmet need in tumor immunology research. Sex-based differences have been noted in the use of cancer immunotherapy suggesting that sex hormones such as estrogen may play an important role in tumor immune regulation. Estrogen signaling already has a known role in autoimmunity, and the estrogen receptor can be expressed across multiple immune cell populations and effect their regulation. While it has been well established that tumor cells such as ovarian carcinoma, breast carcinoma, and even lung carcinoma can be regulated by estrogen, research into the role of estrogen in the regulation of tumor-associated immune cells is still emerging. In this chapter, we discuss the role of estrogen in the tumor immune microenvironment and the possible immunotherapeutic implications of targeting estrogen in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin Somasundaram
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Natalie J Rothenberger
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA, USA
| | - Laura P Stabile
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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26
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Chen J, Cao Y, Markelc B, Kaeppler J, Vermeer JA, Muschel RJ. Type I IFN protects cancer cells from CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity after radiation. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:4224-4238. [PMID: 31483286 PMCID: PMC6763250 DOI: 10.1172/jci127458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of tumors with ionizing radiation stimulates an antitumor immune response partly dependent on induction of IFNs. These IFNs directly enhance dendritic cell and CD8+ T cell activity. Here we show that resistance to an effective antitumor immune response is also a result of IFN signaling in a different cellular compartment of the tumor, the cancer cells themselves. We abolished type I IFN signaling in cancer cells by genetic elimination of its receptor, IFNAR1. Pronounced immune responses were provoked after ionizing radiation of tumors from 4 mouse cancer cell lines with Ifnar1 knockout. This enhanced response depended on CD8+ T cells and was mediated by enhanced susceptibility to T cell-mediated killing. Induction of Serpinb9 proved to be the mechanism underlying control of susceptibility to T cell killing after radiation. Ifnar1-deficient tumors had an augmented response to anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy with or without radiation. We conclude that type I IFN can protect cancer cells from T cell-mediated cytotoxicity through regulation of Serpinb9. This result helps explain why radiation of tumors can stimulate antitumor immunity yet also result in resistance. It further suggests potential targets for intervention to improve therapy and to predict responses.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/radiation effects
- Carcinoma, Lewis Lung/genetics
- Carcinoma, Lewis Lung/immunology
- Carcinoma, Lewis Lung/radiotherapy
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/radiation effects
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/immunology
- Humans
- Interferon Type I/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/genetics
- Melanoma, Experimental/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/radiotherapy
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Membrane Proteins/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Nude
- Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Neoplasms, Experimental/immunology
- Neoplasms, Experimental/radiotherapy
- Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/deficiency
- Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/genetics
- Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/immunology
- Serpins/genetics
- Serpins/immunology
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- Signal Transduction/radiation effects
- Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Tumor Microenvironment/radiation effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhou Chen
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Yunhong Cao
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jakob Kaeppler
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny A.F. Vermeer
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth J. Muschel
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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27
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Velez MA, Burns TF, Stabile LP. The estrogen pathway as a modulator of response to immunotherapy. Immunotherapy 2019; 11:1161-1176. [PMID: 31361169 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2019-0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of about 18%. Thus, there is a great need for novel therapeutic approaches to treat non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved outcomes for a subset of patients, especially those with high programmed death-ligand 1 expression and/or high tumor mutational burden, but have failed in the majority of patients. Increasing evidence suggests that the estrogen signaling pathway may be a therapeutic target in metastatic NSCLC and that the estrogen pathway may play a role in sex-based responses to ICIs. This report will review the epidemiologic, preclinical and clinical data on the estrogen pathway in NSCLC, its implications in sex-based responses to ICIs and the potential use of antiestrogen therapy in combination with ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Velez
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Timothy F Burns
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Laura P Stabile
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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28
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Griguolo G, Pascual T, Dieci MV, Guarneri V, Prat A. Interaction of host immunity with HER2-targeted treatment and tumor heterogeneity in HER2-positive breast cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2019; 7:90. [PMID: 30922362 PMCID: PMC6439986 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0548-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests a clear role of the host immune system in HER2+ breast cancer. In addition, HER2+ breast cancer is generally considered more immunogenic than hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/HER2-, and specific molecular HER2+ subgroups (e.g. HER2-enriched disease) are more immunogenic than others (e.g. Luminal A or B). From a clinical perspective, the immune system plays a relevant prognostic role in HER2+ breast cancer and contributes to the therapeutic effects of trastuzumab. However, as more HER2-targeted agents become available, a better understanding of the role played by the immune system in modulating therapy response to different agents will be needed. Furthermore, the recent introduction in oncology of immune checkpoint inhibitors capable of unleashing anti-tumor immune response opens new possibilities for therapeutic combinations in HER2+ breast cancer. Here, we review the current pre-clinical and clinical data on the interplay between the immune system and HER2+ breast cancer, focusing on different HER2-targeted treatments and the biological heterogeneity that exists within HER2+ disease. Finally, we discuss new therapeutic approaches exploiting the immune system to increase activity or revert resistance to HER2-targeted agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Griguolo
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Tomás Pascual
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Vittoria Dieci
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Valentina Guarneri
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Aleix Prat
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.
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29
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Human Granzyme B Based Targeted Cytolytic Fusion Proteins. Biomedicines 2018; 6:biomedicines6020072. [PMID: 29925790 PMCID: PMC6027395 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines6020072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy aims to selectively target and kill tumor cells whilst limiting the damage to healthy tissues. Controlled delivery of plant, bacterial and human toxins or enzymes has been shown to promote the induction of apoptosis in cancerous cells. The 4th generation of targeted effectors are being designed to be as humanized as possible—a solution to the problem of immunogenicity encountered with existing generations. Granzymes are serine proteases which naturally function in humans as integral cytolytic effectors during the programmed cell death of cancerous and pathogen-infected cells. Secreted predominantly by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, granzymes function mechanistically by caspase-dependent or caspase-independent pathways. These natural characteristics make granzymes one of the most promising human enzymes for use in the development of fusion protein-based targeted therapeutic strategies for various cancers. In this review, we explore research involving the use of granzymes as cytolytic effectors fused to antibody fragments as selective binding domains.
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30
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Abouelghar A, Hasnah R, Taouk G, Saad M, Karam M. Prognostic values of the mRNA expression of natural killer receptor ligands and their association with clinicopathological features in breast cancer patients. Oncotarget 2018; 9:27171-27196. [PMID: 29930758 PMCID: PMC6007477 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system that have potent cytotoxic activity against tumor cells. NK cell recognition and activity towards cancer cells are regulated by an integrated interplay between numerous inhibitory and activating receptors acting in concert to eliminate tumor cells expressing cognate ligands. Despite strong evidence supporting the role of NK cells in breast cancer (BC) control, BC still develops and progresses to form large tumors and metastases. A major mechanism of BC escape from NK immunity is the alteration of the expression of NK receptor ligands. The aim of this study was to determine whether NK receptor ligands' mRNA expression might influence prognosis in BC patients and whether these effects differ by molecular subtypes and clinicopathological features. METHODS We used the KM plotter platform to analyze the correlation between mRNA expression of 32 NK receptor ligands and relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in 3951 and 1402 BC patients, respectively. The association with tumor subtypes and clinicopathological features was determined. BC samples were split into high and low expression groups according to the best cutoff value and the two patient cohorts were compared by Kaplan-Meier survival plots. The hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals and log rank P values were calculated and FDR-adjusted for multiple testing correction. The data was considered to be statistically significant when FDR-adjusted P value < 0.05. RESULTS High mRNA expression of around 80% of ligands for NK activating and inhibitory receptors associated with better RFS, which correlated with longer OS for only about half of the NK-activating ligands but for most NK-inhibitory ligands. Also, five NK-activating ligands correlated with worse prognosis. These prognostic values were differentially associated with the BC clinical criteria. In addition, the favorable prognostic influence of NK-activating ligands' upregulation, as a whole, was mainly significantly associated with HER2-positive and basal-like subtypes, lymph node positive phenotype, and high-grade tumors. CONCLUSIONS NK receptor ligands appear to play an important role in defining BC patient prognosis. Identification of a group of patients with worse prognosis expressing high levels of NK-activating ligands and low levels of NK-inhibitory ligands makes them ideal potential candidates for NK-based immunotherapy to eliminate residual tumor cells, prevent relapse and improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Abouelghar
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Reem Hasnah
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ghina Taouk
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohamad Saad
- Qatar Computing Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Manale Karam
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
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31
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Arao Y, Korach KS. The F domain of estrogen receptor α is involved in species-specific, tamoxifen-mediated transactivation. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:8495-8507. [PMID: 29632071 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.001212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptor α (ERα) is a major transducer of estrogen-mediated physiological signals. ERα is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, which encompasses ligand-dependent transcription factors. The C terminus of nuclear receptors, termed the F domain, is the least homologous region among the members of this family. The ERα F domain possesses 45 amino acids; however, its function remains unclear. We noticed that the homology of the F domains between mouse and human ERαs is remarkably lower (75.6% similarity) than that between the entire proteins (94.7% similarity). To assess the functionality of the ERα F domains, here we generated chimeric ERα expression constructs with mouse-human-exchanged F domains. Using cell-based in vitro assays, we analyzed the transcriptional coactivator interaction and ligand-binding domain dimerization activities of these mouse-human F domain-swapped ERαs. We found that the transcriptional activity of the mouse WT ERα is more potent than that of the human WT ERα in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2. 4-Hydroxytamoxifen (4OHT)-mediated transcriptional activity of mouse-human F domain-swapped ERαs was the inverse of the WT ERα activities but not estradiol-mediated transcriptional activities. Further experiments with constructs containing deletion or point mutations of a predicted β-strand region within the F domain suggested that this region governs the species-specific 4OHT-mediated transcriptional activity of ERα. We conclude that the ERα F domain has a species-specific function in 4OHT-mediated receptor transactivation and that mouse-human F domain-swapped ERα mutants enable key insights into ERα F domain structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukitomo Arao
- From the Receptor Biology Section, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, NIEHS, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
| | - Kenneth S Korach
- From the Receptor Biology Section, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, NIEHS, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
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32
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Ashtekar SS, Bhatia NM, Bhatia MS. Development of leads targeting ER-α in breast cancer: An in silico exploration from natural domain. Steroids 2018; 131:14-22. [PMID: 29307843 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2017.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The steroid, estrogen has been recognized as being important for stimulating the growth of breast cancers primarily mediated via the steroidal estrogen receptor-α (ER-α). Inhibition of estrogen activity by small molecules with increased target specificity has proven to be an effective treatment for breast cancer. After the success stories of SERMs and fulvestrant, there is a need for the development of new small molecule modulating ER-α is due to developing resistance and side effects to current breast cancer therapy. In this pursuit, we virtually screened 227 chemically diverse bioactive natural products to get the best hits having an ER-α binding affinity. The docking scores and protein-ligand interactions of the obtained hits were emulated with the clinically used selective estrogen modulators and ER-antagonists. The results revealed 18 potential hits, which were putatively classified as hits belonging to ER agonists, modulators, and antagonists. Furthermore, as most of the hits were found to comprise the chromene nucleus, the 2D and 3D QSAR studies were performed using a set of natural products and synthesized compounds containing this scaffold, to understand the structural requirements for improving activity against breast cancer. Additionally, a pharmacophore model was generated to investigate the pharmacophoric features of the explored scaffolds for an optimal anticancer activity. The results signify that these compounds with structural modification could serve as potential leads in the drug discovery process for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snehal S Ashtekar
- Department of Quality Assurance, Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Pharmacy, Kolhapur 416013, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Neela M Bhatia
- Department of Quality Assurance, Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Pharmacy, Kolhapur 416013, Maharashtra, India
| | - Manish S Bhatia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Pharmacy, Kolhapur 416013, Maharashtra, India
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33
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The Role of the Estrogen Pathway in the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020611. [PMID: 29463044 PMCID: PMC5855833 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptors are broadly expressed in many cell types involved in the innate and adaptive immune responses, and differentially regulate the production of cytokines. While both genomic and non-genomic tumor cell promoting mechanisms of estrogen signaling are well characterized in multiple carcinomas including breast, ovarian, and lung, recent investigations have identified a potential immune regulatory role of estrogens in the tumor microenvironment. Tumor immune tolerance is a well-established mediator of oncogenesis, with increasing evidence indicating the importance of the immune response in tumor progression. Immune-based therapies such as antibodies that block checkpoint signals have emerged as exciting therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment, offering durable remissions and prolonged survival. However, only a subset of patients demonstrate clinical response to these agents, prompting efforts to elucidate additional immunosuppressive mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment. Evidence drawn from multiple cancer types, including carcinomas traditionally classified as non-immunogenic, implicate estrogen as a potential mediator of immunosuppression through modulation of protumor responses independent of direct activity on tumor cells. Herein, we review the interplay between estrogen and the tumor microenvironment and the clinical implications of endocrine therapy as a novel treatment strategy within immuno-oncology.
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34
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Jeng LB, Velmurugan BK, Hsu HH, Wen SY, Shen CY, Lin CH, Lin YM, Chen RJ, Kuo WW, Huang CY. Fenofibrate induced PPAR alpha expression was attenuated by oestrogen receptor alpha overexpression in Hep3B cells. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2018; 33:234-247. [PMID: 29134746 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The physiological regulation of Oestrogen receptor α (ERα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. The present study we first treat the cells with fenofibrate and further investigated the possible mechanisms of 17β-estradiol (E2 ) and/or ERα on regulating PPARα expression. We also found higher PPARα expression in the tumor area than adjacent areas and subsequently compared PPARα expression in four different hepatic cancer cell lines. Hep3B cells were found to express more PPARα than the other cell lines. Using the PPARα agonist fenofibrate, we found that fenofibrate increased Hep3B cell proliferation efficiency by increasing cell cycle proteins, such as cyclin D1 and PCNA, and inhibiting p27 and caspase 3 expressions. Next, we performed transient transfections and immuno-precipitation studies using the pTRE2/ERα plasmid to evaluate the interaction between ERα and PPARα. ERα interacted directly with PPARα and negatively regulated its function. Moreover, in Tet-on ERα over-expressed Hep3B cells, E2 treatment inhibited PPARα, its downstream gene acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO), cyclin D1 and PCNA expression and further increased p27 and caspase 3 expressions. However, over-expressed ERα plus 17-β-estradiol (10-8 M) reversed the fenofibrate effect and induced apoptosis, which was blocked in ICI/melatonin/fenofibrate-treated cells. This study illustrates that PPARα expression and function were negatively regulated by ERα expression in Hep3B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long-Bin Jeng
- Department of Surgery and Organ Transplantation Centre, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 40447, Taiwan
| | - Bharath Kumar Velmurugan
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
| | - Hsi-Hsien Hsu
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Nursing and Management College, Mackay Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Su-Ying Wen
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei City Hospital, Renai Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yao Shen
- Department of Nursing, MeiHo University, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hao Lin
- Department of Information Science and Applications, Asia University, Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Min Lin
- Department of Pathology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua
- Department of Medical Technology, Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Ray-Jade Chen
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Wen Kuo
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yang Huang
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
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35
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Jeong YJ, Oh HK, Park SH, Bong JG. Association between inflammation and cancer stem cell phenotype in breast cancer. Oncol Lett 2017; 15:2380-2386. [PMID: 29434947 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are becoming increasingly recognized as components of tumorigenesis in breast cancer. In the present study, the association between inflammation and BCSC phenotype was evaluated in human breast cancer tissue. Immunohistochemical staining for cluster of differentiation (CD)24, 44, 4, 8 and 68 was performed using tissue microarray blocks containing 47 consecutive cases of invasive breast carcinoma and 10 normal breast tissue samples. The levels of inflammatory modulators and cytokines, and intratumoral or peritumoral lymphocyte infiltration, were assessed. BCSCs were defined as CD44+/CD24- tumor cells. In total, 21.3% of samples exhibited the CD44+/CD24- phenotype. This phenotype was identified to be significantly inversely associated with lymph node metastasis. In addition, the CD44+/CD24- phenotype was significantly associated with the molecular subtype of breast cancer, and was particularly increased in the basal-like subtype. Furthermore, the CD44+/CD24- phenotype was significantly associated with intratumoral inflammation and tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cell counts. Notably, tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cells were significantly increased in patients with the basal-like molecular subtype of breast cancer. In conclusion, the present study identified a significant association between inflammation and the CD44+/CD24- phenotype in breast cancer. These results suggest that the interaction between inflammation and CSCs may affect the tumorigenesis and progression of breast cancer. Further studies are required to clarify the role of inflammation and CSCs in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Ju Jeong
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Nam, Daegu 42471, Republic of Korea
| | - Hoon Kyu Oh
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Nam, Daegu 42471, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Hwan Park
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Nam, Daegu 42471, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Gu Bong
- Department of Surgery, Raphael Hospital, Jung, Daegu 41968, Republic of Korea
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36
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Solinas C, Gombos A, Latifyan S, Piccart-Gebhart M, Kok M, Buisseret L. Targeting immune checkpoints in breast cancer: an update of early results. ESMO Open 2017; 2:e000255. [PMID: 29177095 PMCID: PMC5687552 DOI: 10.1136/esmoopen-2017-000255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune tumour microenvironment has been shown to play a crucial role in the development and progression of cancer. Expression of gene signatures, reflecting immune activation, and the presence of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes were associated with favourable outcomes in HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer. Recently, immunotherapy with immune checkpoint blockade induced long-lasting responses and improved survival in hard-to-treat malignancies (ie, melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer) and are changing treatment paradigms in a variety of neoplastic diseases. Immune checkpoint blockade has been evaluated in breast cancer, particularly in the triple-negative subtype, with promising results observed in monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy in the metastatic and neoadjuvant settings. However, identification of patients who are most likely to benefit from immune checkpoint blockade remains challenging, with many patients not responding to treatments and a significant financial cost. The combination of immune checkpoint blockade with conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies or with other immunotherapies is a promising strategy to potentiate its efficacy in breast cancer although further research is required to effectively identify who will respond to these immunotherapies. In this review we report the most recent results that emerged from trials testing immune checkpoint blockade and potential predictive biomarkers and emphasise the new strategies that are under clinical development in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Solinas
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Andrea Gombos
- Department of Medicine, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofiya Latifyan
- Department of Medicine, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Martine Piccart-Gebhart
- Department of Medicine, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marleen Kok
- Department of Medical Oncology and Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laurence Buisseret
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Medicine, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Breast Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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37
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Muntasell A, Cabo M, Servitja S, Tusquets I, Martínez-García M, Rovira A, Rojo F, Albanell J, López-Botet M. Interplay between Natural Killer Cells and Anti-HER2 Antibodies: Perspectives for Breast Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1544. [PMID: 29181007 PMCID: PMC5694168 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) defines a subgroup of breast tumors with aggressive behavior. The addition of HER2-targeted antibodies (i.e., trastuzumab, pertuzumab) to chemotherapy significantly improves relapse-free and overall survival in patients with early-stage and advanced disease. Nonetheless, considerable proportions of patients develop resistance to treatment, highlighting the need for additional and co-adjuvant therapeutic strategies. HER2-specific antibodies can trigger natural killer (NK) cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and indirectly enhance the development of tumor-specific T cell immunity; both mechanisms contributing to their antitumor efficacy in preclinical models. Antibody-dependent NK cell activation results in the release of cytotoxic granules as well as the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., IFNγ and TNFα) and chemokines. Hence, NK cell tumor suppressive functions include direct cytolytic killing of tumor cells as well as the regulation of subsequent antitumor adaptive immunity. Albeit tumors with gene expression signatures associated to the presence of cytotoxic lymphocyte infiltrates benefit from trastuzumab-based treatment, NK cell-related biomarkers of response/resistance to HER2-specific therapeutic antibodies in breast cancer patients remain elusive. Several variables, including (i) the configuration of the patient NK cell repertoire; (ii) tumor molecular features (i.e., estrogen receptor expression); (iii) concomitant therapeutic regimens (i.e., chemotherapeutic agents, tyrosine kinase inhibitors); and (iv) evasion mechanisms developed by progressive breast tumors, have been shown to quantitatively and qualitatively influence antibody-triggered NK cell responses. In this review, we discuss possible interventions for restoring/enhancing the therapeutic activity of HER2 therapeutic antibodies by harnessing NK cell antitumor potential through combinatorial approaches, including immune checkpoint blocking/stimulatory antibodies, cytokines and toll-like receptor agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aura Muntasell
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mariona Cabo
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sonia Servitja
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Oncology, Hospital del Mar-CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignasi Tusquets
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Oncology, Hospital del Mar-CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Martínez-García
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Oncology, Hospital del Mar-CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Rovira
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Oncology, Hospital del Mar-CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Joan Albanell
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Oncology, Hospital del Mar-CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain.,Univ. Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel López-Botet
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Univ. Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
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38
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Kerekes D, Visscher DW, Hoskin TL, Radisky DC, Brahmbhatt RD, Pena A, Frost MH, Arshad M, Stallings-Mann M, Winham SJ, Murphy L, Denison L, Carter JM, Knutson KL, Degnim AC. CD56+ immune cell infiltration and MICA are decreased in breast lobules with fibrocystic changes. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2017; 167:649-658. [PMID: 29090365 PMCID: PMC5807482 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-017-4558-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Purpose While the role of natural killer (NK) cells in breast cancer therapy has been investigated, little information is known about NK cell function and presence in nonmalignant and premalignant breast tissue. Here, we investigate and quantify NK cell marker CD56 and activating ligand MICA in breast tissue with benign breast disease. Methods Serial tissue sections from 88 subjects, 44 with benign breast disease (BBD) who remained cancer-free, and 44 with BBD who later developed cancer, were stained with H&E, anti-MICA, and anti-CD56. Up to ten representative lobules were identified on each section. Using digital image analysis, MICA and CD56 densities were determined for each lobule, reported as percent of pixels in the lobule that registered as stained by each antibody. Analyses were performed on a per-subject and per-lobule basis. Results Per-subject multivariate analyses showed associations of CD56 and MICA with age: CD56 was increased in older subjects (p = 0.03), while MICA was increased in younger subjects (p = 0.005). Per-lobule analyses showed that CD56 and MICA levels were both decreased in lobules with fibrocystic change, with median levels of CD56 and MICA staining, respectively, at 0.31 and 7.0% in fibrocystic lobules compared to 0.76 and 12.2% in lobules without fibrocystic change (p < 0.001 for each). Among fibrocystic lobules, proliferative/atypical lobules showed significantly lower expression compared to nonproliferative lobules for MICA (p = 0.02) but not for CD56 (p = 0.80). Conclusion Levels of CD56+ NK cells and activating ligand MICA were decreased in breast lobules with fibrocystic change, and MICA levels showed a significant stepwise decrease with increasing histopathologic abnormality. MICA levels were also significantly decreased in older subjects, who generally have higher risk of developing cancer. These findings advance a model in which MICA promotes cytotoxic activity in CD56+ NK cells to protect against tumorigenesis in breast lobules, and suggest further research is warranted. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10549-017-4558-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kerekes
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | | | - Tanya L Hoskin
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Rushin D Brahmbhatt
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Alvaro Pena
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | | | - Muhammad Arshad
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | | | - Stacey J Winham
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Linda Murphy
- Women's Cancer Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Lori Denison
- Information Technology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jodi M Carter
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Amy C Degnim
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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Bochicchio A, Jordaan S, Losasso V, Chetty S, Perera RC, Ippoliti E, Barth S, Carloni P. Designing the Sniper: Improving Targeted Human Cytolytic Fusion Proteins for Anti-Cancer Therapy via Molecular Simulation. Biomedicines 2017; 5:E9. [PMID: 28536352 PMCID: PMC5423494 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines5010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Revised: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted human cytolytic fusion proteins (hCFPs) are humanized immunotoxins for selective treatment of different diseases including cancer. They are composed of a ligand specifically binding to target cells genetically linked to a human apoptosis-inducing enzyme. hCFPs target cancer cells via an antibody or derivative (scFv) specifically binding to e.g., tumor associated antigens (TAAs). After internalization and translocation of the enzyme from endocytosed endosomes, the human enzymes introduced into the cytosol are efficiently inducing apoptosis. Under in vivo conditions such enzymes are subject to tight regulation by native inhibitors in order to prevent inappropriate induction of cell death in healthy cells. Tumor cells are known to upregulate these inhibitors as a survival mechanism resulting in escape of malignant cells from elimination by immune effector cells. Cytosolic inhibitors of Granzyme B and Angiogenin (Serpin P9 and RNH1, respectively), reduce the efficacy of hCFPs with these enzymes as effector domains, requiring detrimentally high doses in order to saturate inhibitor binding and rescue cytolytic activity. Variants of Granzyme B and Angiogenin might feature reduced affinity for their respective inhibitors, while retaining or even enhancing their catalytic activity. A powerful tool to design hCFPs mutants with improved potency is given by in silico methods. These include molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and enhanced sampling methods (ESM). MD and ESM allow predicting the enzyme-protein inhibitor binding stability and the associated conformational changes, provided that structural information is available. Such "high-resolution" detailed description enables the elucidation of interaction domains and the identification of sites where particular point mutations may modify those interactions. This review discusses recent advances in the use of MD and ESM for hCFP development from the viewpoints of scientists involved in both fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bochicchio
- German Research School for Simulation Sciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52425, Germany.
- Computational Biomedicine, Institute for Advanced Simulation IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52425, Germany.
- Department of Physics, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Aachen 52062, Germany.
| | - Sandra Jordaan
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa.
| | - Valeria Losasso
- Scientific Computing Department, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington WA4 4AD, UK.
| | - Shivan Chetty
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa.
| | - Rodrigo Casasnovas Perera
- Computational Biomedicine, Institute for Advanced Simulation IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52425, Germany.
| | - Emiliano Ippoliti
- Computational Biomedicine, Institute for Advanced Simulation IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52425, Germany.
| | - Stefan Barth
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa.
| | - Paolo Carloni
- Computational Biomedicine, Institute for Advanced Simulation IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52425, Germany.
- Department of Physics, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Aachen 52062, Germany.
- JARA-HPC, Jülich Supercomputing Centre, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich 52425, Germany.
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40
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Stanton SE, Disis ML. Clinical significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in breast cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2016; 4:59. [PMID: 27777769 PMCID: PMC5067916 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-016-0165-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 482] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) play an essential role in mediating response to chemotherapy and improving clinical outcomes in all subtypes of breast cancer. Triple negative breast cancers (TN) are most likely to have tumors with >50 % lymphocytic infiltrate, termed lymphocyte predominant breast cancer, and derive the greatest survival benefit from each 10 % increase in TIL. The majority of HER2+ breast cancers have similar level of immune infiltrate as TN breast cancer yet the presence of TILs has not shown the same survival benefit. For HER2+ breast cancers, type 1 T-cells, either increased TBET+ tumor infiltration or increased type 1 HER2-specific CD4+ T-cells in the peripheral blood, are associated with better outcomes. Hormone receptor positive HER2 negative tumors tend to have the least immune infiltrate yet are the only breast cancer subtype to show worse prognosis with increased FOXP3 regulatory T-cell infiltrate. Notably, all breast cancer subtypes have tumors with low, intermediate, or high TIL infiltrate. Tumors with high TILs may also have increased PD-L1 expression which might be the reason that TN breast cancer seems to demonstrate the most robust clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy but further investigation is needed. Tumors with intermediate or low levels of pre-treatment immune infiltrate, on the other hand, may benefit from an intervention that may increase TIL, particularly type 1 T-cells. Examples of these interventions include specific types of cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation, or vaccine therapy. Therefore, the systematic evaluation of TIL and specific populations of TIL may be able to both guide prognosis and the appropriate sequencing of therapies in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha E. Stanton
- Tumor Vaccine Group, Center for Translational Medicine in Women’s Health, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, 2nd Floor, Box 358050, Seattle, WA 98195-8050 USA
| | - Mary L. Disis
- Tumor Vaccine Group, Center for Translational Medicine in Women’s Health, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, 2nd Floor, Box 358050, Seattle, WA 98195-8050 USA
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41
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Lauricella M, Carlisi D, Giuliano M, Calvaruso G, Cernigliaro C, Vento R, D'Anneo A. The analysis of estrogen receptor-α positive breast cancer stem-like cells unveils a high expression of the serpin proteinase inhibitor PI-9: Possible regulatory mechanisms. Int J Oncol 2016; 49:352-60. [PMID: 27121069 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer stem cells seem to play important roles in breast tumor recurrence and endocrine therapy resistance, although the underlying mechanisms have not been well established. Moreover, in some tumor systems the immunosurveillance failure against cancer cells has been related to the presence of the granzyme B inhibitor PI-9. This study explored the status of PI-9 in tumorspheres isolated from estrogen receptor-α positive (ERα+) breast cancer MCF7 cells. Studies were performed in tertiary tumorspheres which possess high levels of stemness markers (Nanog, Oct3/4 and Sox2) and self-renewal ability. The exposure to estrogens (17-β estradiol and genistein) increased the number and sizes of tumorspheres, promoting cell proliferation as demonstrated by the increase in the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The study of the three isoforms (66, 46 and 36 kDa) of ERα disclosed that tertiary tumorspheres exhibit a marked increase in ERα36, while the level of ERα66, which is highly expressed in MCF7 cells, declines. Although it is known that PI-9 is a transcriptional target of ERα66, surprisingly in tertiary tumorspheres, despite the reduced level of ERα66, the protein and mRNA content of PI-9 is higher than in MCF7 cells. Treatment with estrogens further increased PI-9 level while decreased that of ERα66 isoform thus excluding the involvement of this receptor isoform in the event. Moreover, our studies also provided evidence that tertiary tumorspheres express elevated levels of CXCR4 and phospho-p38, suggesting that the high PI-9 content might be ascribed to the activation of the proliferative CXCR4/phospho-p38 axis. Taken together, these events could supply a selective advantage to breast cancer stem cells by interfering with immunosurveillance systems and open up the avenue to new possible targets for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lauricella
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniela Carlisi
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Michela Giuliano
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Calvaruso
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Cesare Cernigliaro
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Renza Vento
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella D'Anneo
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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42
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Amoury M, Kolberg K, Pham AT, Hristodorov D, Mladenov R, Di Fiore S, Helfrich W, Kiessling F, Fischer R, Pardo A, Thepen T, Hussain AF, Nachreiner T, Barth S. Granzyme B-based cytolytic fusion protein targeting EpCAM specifically kills triple negative breast cancer cells in vitro and inhibits tumor growth in a subcutaneous mouse tumor model. Cancer Lett 2016; 372:201-9. [PMID: 26806809 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with poor prognosis and high prevalence among young premenopausal women. Unlike in other breast cancer subtypes, no targeted therapy is currently available. Overexpression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in 60% of TNBC tumors correlates with poorer prognosis and is associated with cancer stem cell phenotype. Thus, selective elimination of EpCAM(+) TNBC tumor cells is of clinical importance. Therefore, we constructed a fully human targeted cytolytic fusion protein, designated GbR201K-αEpCAM(scFv), in which an EpCAM-selective single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) is genetically fused to a granzyme B (Gb) mutant with reduced sensitivity to its natural inhibitor serpin B9. In vitro studies confirmed its specific binding, internalization and cytotoxicity toward a panel of EpCAM-expressing TNBC cells. Biodistribution kinetics and tumor-targeting efficacy using MDA-MB-468 cells in a human TNBC xenograft model in mice revealed selective accumulation of GbR201K-αEpCAM(scFv) in the tumors after i.v. injection. Moreover, treatment of tumor-bearing mice demonstrated a prominent inhibition of tumor growth of up to 50 % in this proof-of-concept study. Taken together, our results indicate that GbR201K-αEpCAM(scFv) is a promising novel targeted therapeutic for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manal Amoury
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 20, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Katharina Kolberg
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 20, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Department of Pharmaceutical Product Development, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Forckenbeckstr. 6, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Anh-Tuan Pham
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 20, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Dmitrij Hristodorov
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 20, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Radoslav Mladenov
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 20, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefano Di Fiore
- Department of Pharmaceutical Product Development, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Forckenbeckstr. 6, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Wijnand Helfrich
- Department of Surgery, Laboratory for Translational Surgical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fischer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Product Development, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Forckenbeckstr. 6, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Alessa Pardo
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 20, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Theophilus Thepen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Product Development, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Forckenbeckstr. 6, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ahmad F Hussain
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Nachreiner
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 20, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Barth
- South African Research Chair in Cancer Biotechnology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
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43
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Choi PJ, Mitchison TJ. Quantitative analysis of resistance to natural killer attacks reveals stepwise killing kinetics. Integr Biol (Camb) 2014; 6:1153-61. [PMID: 25228316 DOI: 10.1039/c4ib00096j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms can protect cancer cells from immune attacks. At the level of bulk tissue, these survival mechanisms are often indistinguishable and simply appear as reduced cell death. However, by tracking individual cell survival and death times, we found broad variation in the kinetics of immune evasion. In response to attacks by natural killer cells, we observed that some cancer lines exhibited exponential survival time distributions. Slowly killed cancer lines had reduced exponential rate constants. In contrast, a line engineered to express the serpin protein PI-9, which is known to promote resistance to immune killing, exhibited a markedly nonexponential survival time distribution. By following the histories of individual cancer cells with multiplexed reporters, we obtained evidence that two or more immune attacks are likely required to kill serpin-expressing cells. Thus, resistance is a finite and measurable quantity, with a distinct kinetic signature. A quantitative model based on independently measured parameters is consistent with our conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Choi
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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44
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Abstract
Standard treatment options for breast cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapies, such as adjuvant hormonal therapy and monoclonal antibodies. Recently, the recognition that chronic inflammation in the tumor microenvironment promotes tumor growth and survival during different stages of breast cancer development has led to the development of novel immunotherapies. Several immunotherapeutic strategies have been studied both preclinically and clinically and already have been shown to enhance the efficacy of conventional treatment modalities. Therefore, therapies targeting the immune system may represent a promising next-generation approach for the treatment of breast cancers. This review will discuss recent findings that elucidate the roles of suppressive immune cells and proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the tumor-promoting microenvironment, and the most current immunotherapeutic strategies in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinguo Jiang
- Department of Medicine, VA Palo Alto Health Care System/Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Jiang X, Sung YK, Tian W, Qian J, Semenza GL, Nicolls MR. Graft microvascular disease in solid organ transplantation. J Mol Med (Berl) 2014; 92:797-810. [PMID: 24880953 PMCID: PMC4118041 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-014-1173-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Revised: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alloimmune inflammation damages the microvasculature of solid organ transplants during acute rejection. Although immunosuppressive drugs diminish the inflammatory response, they do not directly promote vascular repair. Repetitive microvascular injury with insufficient regeneration results in prolonged tissue hypoxia and fibrotic remodeling. While clinical studies show that a loss of the microvascular circulation precedes and may act as an initiating factor for the development of chronic rejection, preclinical studies demonstrate that improved microvascular perfusion during acute rejection delays and attenuates tissue fibrosis. Therefore, preservation of a functional microvasculature may represent an effective therapeutic strategy for preventing chronic rejection. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the role of the microvasculature in the long-term survival of transplanted solid organs. We also highlight microvessel-centered therapeutic strategies for prolonging the survival of solid organ transplants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinguo Jiang
- Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA,
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Jiang X, Shapiro DJ. The immune system and inflammation in breast cancer. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 382:673-682. [PMID: 23791814 PMCID: PMC4919022 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Revised: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
During different stages of tumor development the immune system can either identify and destroy tumors, or promote their growth. Therapies targeting the immune system have emerged as a promising treatment modality for breast cancer, and immunotherapeutic strategies are being examined in preclinical and clinical models. However, our understanding of the complex interplay between cells of the immune system and breast cancer cells is incomplete. In this article, we review recent findings showing how the immune system plays dual host-protective and tumor-promoting roles in breast cancer initiation and progression. We then discuss estrogen receptor α (ERα)-dependent and ERα-independent mechanisms that shield breast cancers from immunosurveillance and enable breast cancer cells to evade immune cell induced apoptosis and produce an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Finally, we discuss protumorigenic inflammation that is induced during tumor progression and therapy, and how inflammation promotes more aggressive phenotypes in ERα positive breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinguo Jiang
- Department of Medicine, VA Palo Alto Health Care System/Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - David J Shapiro
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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Schiffer S, Letzian S, Jost E, Mladenov R, Hristodorov D, Huhn M, Fischer R, Barth S, Thepen T. Granzyme M as a novel effector molecule for human cytolytic fusion proteins: CD64-specific cytotoxicity of Gm-H22(scFv) against leukemic cells. Cancer Lett 2013; 341:178-85. [PMID: 23973499 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2013.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Revised: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Immunotoxins are promising targeted therapeutic agents comprising an antibody-based ligand that specifically binds to diseased cells, and a pro-apoptotic protein. Toxic components from bacteria or plants can trigger a neutralizing immune response, so that human effector molecules are more suitable. In this context, the protease granzyme B has been successfully tested in cytotoxicity assays against different cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Our aim here was to introduce granzyme M as an alternative and novel component of human cytolytic fusion proteins. We fused it to the humanized single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) H22 which specifically binds to CD64, an FcγRI receptor overexpressed on activated myeloid cells and leukemic cells. We show that the humanized cytolytic fusion protein Gm-H22(scFv) specifically targets the acute myeloid leukemia cell line HL60 in vitro and is cytotoxic with an IC50 between 1.2 and 6.4 nM. These findings were confirmed ex vivo using leukemic primary cells from patients, which were killed by granzyme M despite the presence of the granzyme B inhibitor serpin B9. In conclusion, granzyme M is a promising new cell-death inducing component for hCFPs because it specifically and efficiently kills target cells when fused to a targeting component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Schiffer
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, RWTH Aachen, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering, Aachen, Germany; Department of Pharmaceutical Product Development, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Aachen, Germany
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Effects of bazedoxifene acetate with and without conjugated equine estrogens on the breast of postmenopausal monkeys. Menopause 2013; 19:1242-52. [PMID: 23103754 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0b013e318252e46d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Concerns about increased breast cancer risk with estrogen and progestin therapy have led to an increased interest in progestin alternatives. The main objective of this study was to determine if bazedoxifene acetate (BZA), a new selective estrogen receptor modulator, will antagonize the proliferative and transcriptional effects of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) in the breast. METHODS As part of a 20-month preclinical trial, 95 ovariectomized cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) were randomized to receive no treatment or treatment with BZA (20 mg/d), CEE (0.45 mg/d), or BZA and CEE in combination (women's daily equivalent doses). The data presented here include breast effects after 6 months of treatment. Endpoints included histomorphometry, histopathological evaluations, gene microarray assays, polymerase chain reaction quantification of specific estrogen receptor α (ER-α) activity markers, and immunohistochemical detection of sex steroid receptors, and the proliferation marker Ki67. RESULTS BZA + CEE and BZA resulted in significantly less total epithelial density, lobular enlargement, and Ki67 immunolabeling in the terminal ducts compared with CEE alone (P < 0.05 for all). The addition of BZA to CEE antagonized the expression of ER-α-regulated genes such as GREB1 and TFF1 (P < 0.01 for both), whereas BZA alone had minimal effects on ER-α-mediated transcriptional activity. BZA and BZA + CEE did not significantly up-regulate genes related to cell cycle progression and proliferation. BZA with and without CEE also resulted in less lobular and terminal duct ER-α immunolabeling compared with control and CEE (P < 0.0001 for all). CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that BZA given at a clinically relevant dose is an estrogen antagonist in the breast, supporting the idea that CEE + BZA may provide a lower breast cancer risk profile compared with traditional estrogen + progestin therapies.
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Efficacy of an adapted granzyme B-based anti-CD30 cytolytic fusion protein against PI-9-positive classical Hodgkin lymphoma cells in a murine model. Blood Cancer J 2013; 3:e106. [PMID: 23524591 PMCID: PMC3615217 DOI: 10.1038/bcj.2013.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors develop when infiltrating immune cells contribute growth stimuli, and cancer cells are selected to survive within such a cytotoxic microenvironment. One possible immune-escape mechanism is the upregulation of PI-9 (Serpin B9) within cancer cells. This serine proteinase inhibitor selectively inactivates apoptosis-inducing granzyme B (GrB) from cytotoxic granules of innate immune cells. We demonstrate that most classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL)-derived cell lines express PI-9, which protects them against the GrB attack and thereby renders them resistant against GrB-based immunotherapeutics. To circumvent this disadvantage, we developed PI-9-insensitive human GrB mutants as fusion proteins to target the Hodgkin-selective receptor CD30. In contrast to the wild-type GrB, a R201K point-mutated GrB construct most efficiently killed PI-9-positive and -negative cHL cells. This was tested in vitro and also in vivo whereby a novel optical imaging-based tumor model with HL cell line L428 was applied. Therefore, this variant, as part of the next generation immunotherapeutics, also named cytolytic fusion proteins showing reduced immunogenicity, is a promising molecule for (targeted) therapy of patients with relapsing malignancies, such as cHL, and possibly other PI-9-positive malignancies, such as breast or lung carcinoma.
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Solar P, Velasquez L. Consequences of nongenomic actions of estradiol on pathogenic genital tract response. J Mol Signal 2013; 8:1. [PMID: 23351368 PMCID: PMC3570385 DOI: 10.1186/1750-2187-8-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 01/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Estradiol is a steroid hormone that regulates the structure and function of the female reproductive system. In addition to its genomic effects, which are mediated by activated nuclear receptors, estradiol elicits a variety of rapid signaling events independently of transcriptional or genomic regulation. These nongenomic actions influence the milieu of the genital tract, which changes the ability of pathogens to infect the genital tract. This review discusses our current knowledge regarding the mechanisms and relevance of nongenomic estradiol signaling in the genital tract that could change the ability of pathogens to invade epithelial cells. PubMed was searched through January 1980 for papers related to estradiol actions in the ovary, fallopian tube, uterus and cervix. The mechanisms conveying these rapid effects consist of a multitude of signaling molecules and include cross-talk with slower transcriptional actions. The nongenomic actions of estradiol that influence the infectious abilities of pathogens occur either directly on the genital tract cells or indirectly by modulating the local and systemic immune systems. Additional in-depth characterization of the response is required before the normal and pathological reproductive functions of the nongenomic estradiol pathway can be targeted for pharmacological intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Solar
- Center for Integrative Medicine and Innovative Sciences, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andrés Bello, Echaurren 183, Santiago, Chile.
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