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Wakisaka R, Yamaki H, Kono M, Inoue T, Sato R, Komatsuda H, Ohara K, Kosaka A, Ohkuri T, Nagato T, Kishibe K, Nakayama K, Kobayashi H, Kumai T, Takahara M. Hypoxia-Targeted Immunotherapy with PD-1 Blockade in Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:3013. [PMID: 39272872 PMCID: PMC11394489 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16173013] [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: 07/30/2024] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Intratumoral hypoxia is associated with tumor progression, aggressiveness, and therapeutic resistance in several cancers. Hypoxia causes cancer cells to experience replication stress, thereby activating DNA damage and repair pathways. MutT homologue-1 (MTH1, also known as NUDT1), a member of the Nudix family, maintains the genomic integrity and viability of tumor cells in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Although hypoxia is associated with poor prognosis and can cause therapeutic resistance by regulating the microenvironment, it has not been considered a treatable target in cancer. This study aimed to investigate whether hypoxia-induced MTH1 is a useful target for immunotherapy and whether hypoxic conditions influence the antitumor activity of immune cells. Our results showed that MTH1 expression was elevated under hypoxic conditions in head and neck cancer cell lines. Furthermore, we identified a novel MTH1-targeting epitope peptide that can activate peptide-specific CD4+ helper T cells with cytotoxic activity. The proliferation and cytotoxic activity of T cells were maintained under hypoxic conditions, and PD-1 blockade further augmented the cytotoxicity. These results indicate that MTH1-targeted immunotherapy combined with checkpoint blockade can be an effective strategy for the treatment of hypoxic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Wakisaka
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
| | - Hidekiyo Yamaki
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
| | - Michihisa Kono
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
| | - Takahiro Inoue
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Sato
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
| | - Hiroki Komatsuda
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
| | - Kenzo Ohara
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
- Department of Innovative Head & Neck Cancer Research and Treatment (IHNCRT), Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
| | - Akemi Kosaka
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
| | - Takayuki Ohkuri
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Nagato
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
| | - Kan Kishibe
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
| | - Koh Nakayama
- Department of Pharmacology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
| | - Hiroya Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
| | - Takumi Kumai
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
- Department of Innovative Head & Neck Cancer Research and Treatment (IHNCRT), Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
| | - Miki Takahara
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 0788510, Japan
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Kumai T, Shinomiya H, Shibata H, Takahashi H, Kishikawa T, Okada R, Fujieda S, Sakashita M. Translational research in head and neck cancer: Molecular and immunological updates. Auris Nasus Larynx 2024; 51:391-400. [PMID: 37640594 DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2023.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has a poor prognosis. Each year, approximately 880,000 patients are newly diagnosed with HNSCC worldwide, and 450,000 patients with HNSCC die. Risk factors for developing HNSCC have been identified, with cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and viral infections being the major factors. Owing to the prevalence of human papillomavirus infection, the number of HNSCC cases is increasing considerably. Surgery and chemoradiotherapy are the primary treatments for HNSCC. With advancements in tumor biology, patients are eligible for novel treatment modalities, namely targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and photoimmunotherapy. Because this area of research has rapidly progressed, clinicians should understand the basic biology of HNSCC to choose an appropriate therapy in the upcoming era of personalized medicine. This review summarized recent developments in tumor biology, focusing on epidemiology, genetic/epigenetic factors, the tumor microenvironment, microbiota, immunity, and photoimmunotherapy in HNSCC, as well as how these findings can be translated into clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Kumai
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan.
| | - Hirotaka Shinomiya
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
| | - Hirofumi Shibata
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan.
| | - Hideaki Takahashi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan.
| | - Toshihiro Kishikawa
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Ryuhei Okada
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Shigeharu Fujieda
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.
| | - Masafumi Sakashita
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.
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3
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Majumder A. HER3: Toward the Prognostic Significance, Therapeutic Potential, Current Challenges, and Future Therapeutics in Different Types of Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:2517. [PMID: 37947595 PMCID: PMC10648638 DOI: 10.3390/cells12212517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) is the only family member of the EGRF/HER family of receptor tyrosine kinases that lacks an active kinase domain (KD), which makes it an obligate binding partner with other receptors for its oncogenic role. When HER3 is activated in a ligand-dependent (NRG1/HRG) or independent manner, it can bind to other receptors (the most potent binding partner is HER2) to regulate many biological functions (growth, survival, nutrient sensing, metabolic regulation, etc.) through the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. HER3 has been found to promote tumorigenesis, tumor growth, and drug resistance in different cancer types, especially breast and non-small cell lung cancer. Given its ubiquitous expression across different solid tumors and role in oncogenesis and drug resistance, there has been a long effort to target HER3. As HER3 cannot be targeted through its KD with small-molecule kinase inhibitors via the conventional method, pharmaceutical companies have used various other approaches, including blocking either the ligand-binding domain or extracellular domain for dimerization with other receptors. The development of treatment options with anti-HER3 monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, and different combination therapies showed limited clinical efficiency for various reasons. Recent reports showed that the extracellular domain of HER3 is not required for its binding with other receptors, which raises doubt about the efforts and applicability of the development of the HER3-antibodies for treatment. Whereas HER3-directed antibody-drug conjugates showed potentiality for treatment, these drugs are still under clinical trial. The currently understood model for dimerization-induced signaling remains incomplete due to the absence of the crystal structure of HER3 signaling complexes, and many lines of evidence suggest that HER family signaling involves more than the interaction of two members. This review article will significantly expand our knowledge of HER3 signaling and shed light on developing a new generation of drugs that have fewer side effects than the current treatment regimen for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avisek Majumder
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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Ducharme M, Mansur A, Sligh L, Ulaner GA, Lapi SE, Sorace AG. Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2/Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 3 PET Imaging: Challenges and Opportunities. PET Clin 2023; 18:543-555. [PMID: 37339919 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and HER3 provide actionable targets for both therapy and imaging in breast cancer. Further, clinical trials have shown the prognostic impact of receptor status discordance in breast cancer. Intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity of both HER and hormone receptor expression contributes to inherent errors in tissue sampling, and single biopsies are incapable of identifying discordance in biomarker expression. Numerous PET radiopharmaceuticals have been developed to evaluate (or target for therapy) HER2 and HER3 expression. This review seeks to inform on challenges and opportunities in HER2 and HER3 PET imaging in both clinical and preclinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell Ducharme
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Ameer Mansur
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Luke Sligh
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Gary A Ulaner
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Hoag Family Cancer Institute, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Radiology and Translational Genomics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Suzanne E Lapi
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Anna G Sorace
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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5
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Yamaki H, Kono M, Wakisaka R, Komatsuda H, Kumai T, Hayashi R, Sato R, Nagato T, Ohkuri T, Kosaka A, Ohara K, Kishibe K, Takahara M, Hayashi T, Kobayashi H, Katada A. Brachyury-targeted immunotherapy combined with gemcitabine against head and neck cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023:10.1007/s00262-023-03460-0. [PMID: 37173455 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03460-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Brachyury is a transcription factor belonging to the T-box gene family and is involved in the posterior formation of the mesoderm and differentiation of chordates. As the overexpression of Brachyury is a poor prognostic factor in a variety of cancers, the establishment of Brachyury-targeted therapy would be beneficial for the treatment of aggressive tumors. Because transcription factors are difficult to treat with a therapeutic antibody, peptide vaccines are a feasible approach for targeting Brachyury. In this study, we identified Brachyury-derived epitopes that elicit antigen-specific and tumor-reactive CD4+ T cells that directly kill tumors. T cells recognizing Brachyury epitopes were present in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Next, we focused on gemcitabine (GEM) as an immunoadjuvant to augment the efficacy of antitumor responses by T cells. Interestingly, GEM upregulated HLA class I and HLA-DR expression in tumor, followed by the upregulation of anti-tumor T cell responses. As tumoral PD-L1 expression was also augmented by GEM, PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and GEM synergistically enhanced the tumor-reactivity of Brachyury-reactive T cells. The synergy between the PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and GEM was also confirmed in a mouse model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. These results suggest that the combined treatment of Brachyury peptide with GEM and immune checkpoint blockade could be a promising immunotherapy against head and neck cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidekiyo Yamaki
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Michihisa Kono
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Risa Wakisaka
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Hiroki Komatsuda
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Takumi Kumai
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan.
- Department of Innovative Head and Neck Cancer Research and Treatment, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.
| | - Ryusuke Hayashi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Sato
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Nagato
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Takayuki Ohkuri
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Akemi Kosaka
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Kenzo Ohara
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Kan Kishibe
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Miki Takahara
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
- Department of Innovative Head and Neck Cancer Research and Treatment, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Hayashi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Hiroya Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Akihiro Katada
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
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6
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Targeting the HER3 pseudokinase domain with small molecule inhibitors. Methods Enzymol 2022; 667:455-505. [PMID: 35525551 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2022.03.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
HER3 is a potent oncogenic growth factor receptor belonging to the human epidermal growth factor (HER/EGFR) family of receptor tyrosine kinases. In contrast to other EGFR family members, HER3 is a pseudokinase, lacking functional kinase activity. As such, efforts to develop small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors against this family member have been limited. In response to HER3-specific growth factors such as neuregulin (NRG, also known as heregulin or HRG), HER3 must couple with catalytically active family members, including its preferred partner HER2. Dimerization of the intracellular HER2:HER3 kinase domains is a critical part of the activation mechanism and HER3 plays a specialized role as an allosteric activator of the active HER2 kinase partner. Intriguingly, many pseudokinases retain functionally important nucleotide binding capacity, despite loss of kinase activity. We demonstrated that occupation of the nucleotide pocket of the pseudokinase HER3 retains functional importance for growth factor signaling through oncogenic HER2:HER3 heterodimers. Mutation of the HER3 nucleotide pocket both disrupts signaling and disrupts HER2:HER3 dimerization. Conversely, ATP competitive drugs which bind to HER3, but not HER2, can stabilize HER2:HER3 dimers, induce signaling and promote cell growth in breast cancer models. This indicates a nucleotide-dependent conformational role for the HER3 kinase domain. Critically, our recent proof-of-concept work demonstrated that HER3-directed small molecule inhibitors can also disrupt HER2:HER3 dimerization and signaling, supporting the prospect that HER3 can be a direct drug target despite its lack of intrinsic activity. In this chapter we will describe methods for identifying and validating small molecule inhibitors against the HER3 pseudokinase.
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7
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Feng X, Zhang T, Chou J, Liu L, Miller LD, Sullivan CA, Browne JD. Comprehensive gene cluster analysis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma TCGA RNA-seq data defines B cell immunity-related genes as a robust survival predictor. Head Neck 2022; 44:443-452. [PMID: 34841601 PMCID: PMC8766919 DOI: 10.1002/hed.26944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The authors aimed to define novel gene expression signatures that are associated with patients' survival with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS TCGA RNA-seq data were used for gene expression clusters extraction from 499 tumor samples by the "EPIG" method. Tumor samples were then partitioned into lower and higher than median level groups for survival relevant analysis by Kaplan-Meier estimator. RESULTS We found that two gene clusters (_1, _2) are favorably, while two (_3, _4) are unfavorably, associated with patients' survival with HNSCC. Notably, most genes on the top lists of cluster_2 are associated with B cells. A gene expression signature with combined genes from cluster_2 and _4 was further determined to be associated with HNSCC survival rate. CONCLUSION Our work strongly supported a favorable role of B cells in patients' survival with HNSCC and identified a novel coexpressed gene signature as prognostic biomarker for patients' survival with HNSCC estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Feng
- Departments of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tan Zhang
- Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jeff Chou
- Center for Cancer Genomics and Precision Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Liang Liu
- Center for Cancer Genomics and Precision Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lance D. Miller
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Christopher A. Sullivan
- Departments of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - James D. Browne
- Departments of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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8
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Kono M, Komatsuda H, Yamaki H, Kumai T, Hayashi R, Wakisaka R, Nagato T, Ohkuri T, Kosaka A, Ohara K, Kishibe K, Takahara M, Katada A, Hayashi T, Kobayashi H, Harabuchi Y. Immunomodulation via FGFR inhibition augments FGFR1 targeting T-cell based antitumor immunotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2021619. [PMID: 35003900 PMCID: PMC8741288 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.2021619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) is overexpressed in multiple types of solid tumors, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Being associated with poor prognosis, FGFR1 is a potential therapeutic target for aggressive tumors. T cell-based cancer immunotherapy has played a central role in novel cancer treatments. However, the potential of antitumor immunotherapy targeting FGFR1 has not been investigated. Here, we showed that FGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) augmented antitumor effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors in an HNSCC mouse model and upregulated tumoral MHC class I and MHC class II expression in vivo and in vitro. This upregulation was associated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, which is a crucial pathway for cancer development through FGFR signaling. Moreover, we identified an FGFR1-derived peptide epitope (FGFR1305-319) that could elicit antigen-reactive and multiple HLA-restricted CD4+ T cell responses. These T cells showed direct cytotoxicity against tumor cells that expressed FGFR1. Notably, FGFR-TKIs augmented antitumor effects of FGFR1-reactive T cells against human HNSCC cells. These results indicate that the combination of FGFR-TKIs with immunotherapy, such as an FGFR1-targeting peptide vaccine or immune checkpoint inhibitor, could be a novel and robust immunologic approach for treating patients with FGFR1-expressing cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michihisa Kono
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroki Komatsuda
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Hidekiyo Yamaki
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Takumi Kumai
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.,Department of Innovative Head & Neck Cancer Research and Treatment, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Hayashi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Risa Wakisaka
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Nagato
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Takayuki Ohkuri
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Akemi Kosaka
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Kenzo Ohara
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Kan Kishibe
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Miki Takahara
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Akihiro Katada
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Hayashi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.,Department of Innovative Head & Neck Cancer Research and Treatment, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroya Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Harabuchi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
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9
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Basu A, Albert GK, Awshah S, Datta J, Kodumudi KN, Gallen C, Beyer A, Smalley KS, Rodriguez PC, Duckett DR, Forsyth PA, Soyano A, Koski GK, Lima Barros Costa R, Han H, Soliman H, Lee MC, Kalinski P, Czerniecki BJ. Identification of Immunogenic MHC Class II Human HER3 Peptides that Mediate Anti-HER3 CD4 + Th1 Responses and Potential Use as a Cancer Vaccine. Cancer Immunol Res 2022; 10:108-125. [PMID: 34785506 PMCID: PMC9414303 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The HER3/ERBB3 receptor is an oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase that forms heterodimers with EGFR family members and is overexpressed in numerous cancers. HER3 overexpression associates with reduced survival and acquired resistance to targeted therapies, making it a potential therapeutic target in multiple cancer types. Here, we report on immunogenic, promiscuous MHC class II-binding HER3 peptides, which can generate HER3-specific CD4+ Th1 antitumor immune responses. Using an overlapping peptide screening methodology, we identified nine MHC class II-binding HER3 epitopes that elicited specific Th1 immune response in both healthy donors and breast cancer patients. Most of these peptides were not identified by current binding algorithms. Homology assessment of amino acid sequence BLAST showed >90% sequence similarity between human and murine HER3/ERBB3 peptide sequences. HER3 peptide-pulsed dendritic cell vaccination resulted in anti-HER3 CD4+ Th1 responses that prevented tumor development, significantly delayed tumor growth in prevention models, and caused regression in multiple therapeutic models of HER3-expressing murine tumors, including mammary carcinoma and melanoma. Tumors were robustly infiltrated with CD4+ T cells, suggesting their key role in tumor rejection. Our data demonstrate that class II HER3 promiscuous peptides are effective at inducing HER3-specific CD4+ Th1 responses and suggest their applicability in immunotherapies for human HER3-overexpressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Basu
- Clinical Science Division, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Gabriella K. Albert
- Clinical Science Division, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Sabrina Awshah
- Clinical Science Division, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Jashodeep Datta
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida
| | - Krithika N. Kodumudi
- Clinical Science Division, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida.,Department of Oncological Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Corey Gallen
- Clinical Science Division, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Amber Beyer
- Clinical Science Division, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Keiran S.M. Smalley
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida.,Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Paulo C. Rodriguez
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Derek R. Duckett
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Peter A. Forsyth
- Department of NeuroOncology and the NeuroOncology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Aixa Soyano
- Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Gary K. Koski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
| | | | - Heather Han
- Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Hatem Soliman
- Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Marie Catherine Lee
- Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Pawel Kalinski
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Brian J. Czerniecki
- Clinical Science Division, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida.,Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida.,Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida.,Corresponding Author: Brian J. Czerniecki, Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612. E-mail:
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10
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Targeting the ERβ/HER Oncogenic Network in KRAS Mutant Lung Cancer Modulates the Tumor Microenvironment and Is Synergistic with Sequential Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010081. [PMID: 35008514 PMCID: PMC8745184 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
High ERβ/HER oncogenic signaling defines lung tumors with an aggressive biology. We previously showed that combining the anti-estrogen fulvestrant with the pan-HER inhibitor dacomitinib reduced ER/HER crosstalk and produced synergistic anti-tumor effects in immunocompromised lung cancer models, including KRAS mutant adenocarcinoma. How this combination affects the tumor microenvironment (TME) is not known. We evaluated the effects of fulvestrant and dacomitinib on murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and CD8+ T cells, and tested the efficacy of the combination in vivo, using the KRAS mutant syngeneic lung adenocarcinoma model, FVBW-17. While this combination synergistically inhibited proliferation of FVBW-17 cells, it had unwanted effects on immune cells, by reducing CD8+ T cell activity and phagocytosis in BMDMs and inducing PD-1. The effects were largely attributed to dacomitinib, which caused downregulation of Src family kinases and Syk in immune cells. In a subcutaneous flank model, the combination induced an inflamed TME with increased myeloid cells and CD8+ T cells and enhanced PD-1 expression in the splenic compartment. Concomitant administration of anti-PD-1 antibody with fulvestrant and dacomitinib was more efficacious than fulvestrant plus dacomitinib alone. Administering anti-PD-1 sequentially after fulvestrant plus dacomitinib was synergistic, with a two-fold greater tumor inhibitory effect compared to concomitant therapy, in both the flank model and in a lung metastasis model. Sequential triple therapy has potential for treating lung cancer that shows limited response to current therapies, such as KRAS mutant lung adenocarcinoma.
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11
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Kono M, Kumai T, Hayashi R, Yamaki H, Komatsuda H, Wakisaka R, Nagato T, Ohkuri T, Kosaka A, Ohara K, Kishibe K, Takahara M, Katada A, Hayashi T, Celis E, Kobayashi H, Harabuchi Y. Interruption of MDM2 signaling augments MDM2-targeted T cell-based antitumor immunotherapy through antigen-presenting machinery. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:3421-3434. [PMID: 33866408 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02940-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Identification of immunogenic tumor antigens, their corresponding T cell epitopes and the selection of effective adjuvants are prerequisites for developing effective cancer immunotherapies such as therapeutic vaccines. Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) is an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase that negatively regulates tumor suppressor p53. Because MDM2 overexpression serves as a poor prognosis factor in various types of tumors, it would be beneficial to develop MDM2-targeted cancer vaccines. In this report, we identified an MDM2-derived peptide epitope (MDM232-46) that elicited antigen-specific and tumor-reactive CD4+ T cell responses. These CD4+ T cells directly killed tumor cells via granzyme B. MDM2 is expressed in head and neck cancer patients with poor prognosis, and the T cells that recognize this MDM2 peptide were present in these patients. Notably, Nutlin-3 (MDM2-p53 blocker), inhibited tumor cell proliferation, was shown to augment antitumor T cell responses by increasing MDM2 expression, HLA-class I and HLA-DR through class II transactivator (CIITA). These results suggest that the use of this MDM2 peptide as a therapeutic vaccine combined with MDM2 inhibitors could represent an effective immunologic strategy to treat cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michihisa Kono
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Takumi Kumai
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan. .,Department of Innovative Head & Neck Cancer Research and Treatment, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.
| | - Ryusuke Hayashi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Hidekiyo Yamaki
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Hiroki Komatsuda
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Risa Wakisaka
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Nagato
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Takayuki Ohkuri
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Akemi Kosaka
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Kenzo Ohara
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Kan Kishibe
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Miki Takahara
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Akihiro Katada
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Hayashi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan.,Department of Innovative Head & Neck Cancer Research and Treatment, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Esteban Celis
- Cancer Immunology, Inflammation and Tolerance Program, Augusta University, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Hiroya Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Harabuchi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
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12
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Kumagai S, Koyama S, Nishikawa H. Antitumour immunity regulated by aberrant ERBB family signalling. Nat Rev Cancer 2021; 21:181-197. [PMID: 33462501 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-020-00322-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant signalling of ERBB family members plays an important role in tumorigenesis and in the escape from antitumour immunity in multiple malignancies. Molecular-targeted agents against these signalling pathways exhibit robust clinical efficacy, but patients inevitably experience acquired resistance to these molecular-targeted therapies. Although cancer immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have shown durable antitumour response in a subset of the treated patients in multiple cancer types, clinical efficacy is limited in cancers harbouring activating gene alterations of ERBB family members. In particular, ICI treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancers with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) alterations and breast cancers with HER2 alterations failed to show clinical benefits, suggesting that EGFR and HER2 signalling may have an essential role in inhibiting antitumour immune responses. Here, we discuss the mechanisms by which the signalling of ERBB family members affects not only autonomous cancer hallmarks, such as uncontrolled cell proliferation, but also antitumour immune responses in the tumour microenvironment and the potential application of immune-genome precision medicine into immunotherapy and molecular-targeted therapy focusing on the signalling of ERBB family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shogo Kumagai
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shohei Koyama
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan.
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan.
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13
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Haikala HM, Jänne PA. Thirty Years of HER3: From Basic Biology to Therapeutic Interventions. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:3528-3539. [PMID: 33608318 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-4465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
HER3 is a pseudokinase member of the EGFR family having a role in both tumor progression and drug resistance. Although HER3 was discovered more than 30 years ago, no therapeutic interventions have reached clinical approval to date. Because the evidence of the importance of HER3 is accumulating, increased amounts of preclinical and clinical trials with HER3-targeting agents are emerging. In this review article, we discuss the most recent HER3 biology in tumorigenic events and drug resistance and provide an overview of the current and emerging strategies to target HER3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M Haikala
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Pasi A Jänne
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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14
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Ohara M, Ohara K, Kumai T, Ohkuri T, Nagato T, Hirata-Nozaki Y, Kosaka A, Nagata M, Hayashi R, Harabuchi S, Yajima Y, Oikawa K, Harabuchi Y, Sumi Y, Furukawa H, Kobayashi H. Phosphorylated vimentin as an immunotherapeutic target against metastatic colorectal cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:989-999. [PMID: 32086539 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02524-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with metastatic lesions have low 5-year survival rates. During metastasis, cancer cells often obtain unique characteristics such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Vimentin a biomarker contributes to EMT by changing cell shape and motility. Since abnormal phosphorylation is a hallmark of malignancy, targeting phosphorylated vimentin is a feasible approach for the treatment of metastatic tumors while sparing non-tumor cells. Recent evidence has revealed that both CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and also CD4 helper T lymphocytes (HTLs) can distinguish post-translationally modified antigens from normal antigens. Here, we showed that the expression of phosphorylated vimentin was upregulated in metastatic sites of CRC. We also showed that a chemotherapeutic reagent augmented the expression of phosphorylated vimentin. The novel phosphorylated helper peptide epitopes from vimentin could elicit a sufficient T cell response. Notably, precursor lymphocytes that specifically reacted to these phosphorylated vimentin-derived peptides were detected in CRC patients. These results suggest that immunotherapy targeting phosphorylated vimentin could be promising for metastatic CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizuho Ohara
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1, Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa, 0788510, Japan.,Department of Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Kenzo Ohara
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1, Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa, 0788510, Japan.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Takumi Kumai
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1, Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa, 0788510, Japan. .,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan. .,Department of Innovative Head and Neck Cancer Research and Treatment (IHNCRT), Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1, Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa, 0788510, Japan.
| | - Takayuki Ohkuri
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1, Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa, 0788510, Japan.
| | - Toshihiro Nagato
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1, Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa, 0788510, Japan
| | - Yui Hirata-Nozaki
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1, Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa, 0788510, Japan.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Akemi Kosaka
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1, Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa, 0788510, Japan
| | - Marino Nagata
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1, Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa, 0788510, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Hayashi
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1, Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa, 0788510, Japan.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Shohei Harabuchi
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1, Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa, 0788510, Japan.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Yuki Yajima
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1, Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa, 0788510, Japan
| | - Kensuke Oikawa
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1, Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa, 0788510, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Harabuchi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Yasuo Sumi
- Department of Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Furukawa
- Department of Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroya Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1, Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa, 0788510, Japan
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15
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Gurule NJ, Heasley LE. Linking tyrosine kinase inhibitor-mediated inflammation with normal epithelial cell homeostasis and tumor therapeutic responses. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2018; 1:118-125. [PMID: 30656289 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2018.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) bearing oncogenic mutations in EGFR, ALK and ROS1 occur in a significant subset of lung adenocarcinomas. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting tumor cells dependent on these oncogenic RTKs yield tumor shrinkage, but also a variety of adverse events. Skin toxicities, hematological deficiencies, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache are among the most common, with more acute and often fatal side effects such as liver failure and interstitial lung disease (ILD) occurring less frequently. In normal epithelia, RTKs regulate tissue homeostasis. For example, EGFR maintains keratinocyte homeostasis while MET regulates processes associated with tissue remodeling. Previous studies suggest that the acneiform rash occurring in response to EGFR inhibition is a part of an inflammatory response driven by pronounced cytokine and chemokine release and recruitment of distinct immune cell populations. Mechanistically, blockade of EGFR causes a Type I interferon (IFN) response within keratinocytes and in carcinoma cells driven by this RTK. This innate immune response within the tumor microenvironment (TME) involves increased antigen presentation and effector T cell recruitment that may participate in therapy response. This TKI-mediated release of inflammatory suppression represents a novel tumor cell vulnerability that may be exploited by combining TKIs with immune-oncology (IO) agents that rely on T-cell inflammation for efficacy. However, early clinical data indicate that combination therapies enhance the frequency and magnitude of the more acute adverse events, especially pneumonitis, hepatitis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Further preclinical studies to understand TKI mediated inflammation and crosstalk between normal epithelial cells, cancer cells, and the TME are necessary to improve treatment regimens for patients with RTK-driven carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia J Gurule
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
| | - Lynn E Heasley
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
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16
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Wang M, Hu Y, Yu T, Ma X, Wei X, Wei Y. Pan-HER-targeted approach for cancer therapy: Mechanisms, recent advances and clinical prospect. Cancer Lett 2018; 439:113-130. [PMID: 30218688 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor family is composed of 4 structurally related receptor tyrosine kinases that are involved in many human cancers. The efficacy and safety of HER inhibitors have been compared in a wide range of clinical trials, suggesting the superior inhibitory ability of multiple- HER-targeting blockade compared with single receptor antagonists. However, many patients are currently resistant to current therapeutic treatment and novel strategies are warranted to conquer the resistance. Thus, we performed a critical review to summarize the molecular involvement of HER family receptors in tumour progression, recent anti-HER drug development based on clinical trials, and the potential resistance mechanisms of anti-HER therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manni Wang
- Lab of Aging Research and Nanotoxicology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Yuzhu Hu
- Lab of Aging Research and Nanotoxicology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Ting Yu
- Lab of Aging Research and Nanotoxicology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Xuelei Ma
- Lab of Aging Research and Nanotoxicology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Lab of Aging Research and Nanotoxicology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China.
| | - Yuquan Wei
- Lab of Aging Research and Nanotoxicology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
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17
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Ohara K, Ohkuri T, Kumai T, Nagato T, Nozaki Y, Ishibashi K, Kosaka A, Nagata M, Harabuchi S, Ohara M, Oikawa K, Aoki N, Harabuchi Y, Celis E, Kobayashi H. Targeting phosphorylated p53 to elicit tumor-reactive T helper responses against head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1466771. [PMID: 30510853 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1466771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The human T cell receptor is capable of distinguishing between normal and post-translationally modified peptides. Because aberrant phosphorylation of cellular proteins is a hallmark of malignant transformation, the expression of the phosphorylated epitope could be an ideal antigen to combat cancer without damaging normal tissues. p53 activates transcription factors to suppress tumors by upregulating growth arrest and apoptosis-related genes. In response to DNA damage, p53 is phosphorylated at multiple sites including Ser33 and Ser37. Here, we identified phosphorylated peptide epitopes from p53 that could elicit effective T helper responses. These epitope peptides, p5322-41/Phospho-S33 and p5322-41/Phospho-S37, induced T helper responses against tumor cells expressing the phosphorylated p53 protein. Moreover, chemotherapeutic agents augmented the responses of such CD4 T cells via upregulation of phosphorylated p53. The upregulation of phosphorylated p53 expression by chemotherapy was confirmed in in vitro and xenograft models. We evaluated phosphorylated p53 expression in the clinical samples of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and revealed that 13/24 cases (54%) were positive for phosphorylated p53. Importantly, the lymphocytes specific for the phosphorylated p53 peptide epitopes were observed in the head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) patients. These results reveal that a combination of phosphorylated p53 peptides and chemotherapy could be a novel immunologic approach to treat HNSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenzo Ohara
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Takayuki Ohkuri
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Takumi Kumai
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.,Department of Innovative Head & Neck Cancer Research and Treatment (IHNCRT), Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Nagato
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Yui Nozaki
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Kei Ishibashi
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.,Department of surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Akemi Kosaka
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Marino Nagata
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Shohei Harabuchi
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Mizuho Ohara
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.,Department of surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Kensuke Oikawa
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Naoko Aoki
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Harabuchi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Esteban Celis
- Cancer Immunology, Inflammation and Tolerance Program, Augusta University, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta, GA
| | - Hiroya Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
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18
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Kersh AE, Ng S, Chang YM, Sasaki M, Thomas SN, Kissick HT, Lesinski GB, Kudchadkar RR, Waller EK, Pollack BP. Targeted Therapies: Immunologic Effects and Potential Applications Outside of Cancer. J Clin Pharmacol 2018; 58:7-24. [PMID: 29136276 PMCID: PMC5972536 DOI: 10.1002/jcph.1028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Two pharmacologic approaches that are currently at the forefront of treating advanced cancer are those that center on disrupting critical growth/survival signaling pathways within tumor cells (commonly referred to as "targeted therapies") and those that center on enhancing the capacity of a patient's immune system to mount an antitumor response (immunotherapy). Maximizing responses to both of these approaches requires an understanding of the oncogenic events present in a given patient's tumor and the nature of the tumor-immune microenvironment. Although these 2 modalities were developed and initially used independently, combination regimens are now being tested in clinical trials, underscoring the need to understand how targeted therapies influence immunologic events. Translational studies and preclinical models have demonstrated that targeted therapies can influence immune cell trafficking, the production of and response to chemokines and cytokines, antigen presentation, and other processes relevant to antitumor immunity and immune homeostasis. Moreover, because these and other effects of targeted therapies occur in nonmalignant cells, targeted therapies are being evaluated for use in applications outside of oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E. Kersh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Spencer Ng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yun Min Chang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Atlanta, GA
| | | | - Susan N. Thomas
- Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Haydn T. Kissick
- Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gregory B. Lesinski
- Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ragini R. Kudchadkar
- Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Edmund K. Waller
- Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Brian P. Pollack
- Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
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19
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Kersh AE, Sasaki M, Cooper LA, Kissick HT, Pollack BP. Understanding the Impact of ErbB Activating Events and Signal Transduction on Antigen Processing and Presentation: MHC Expression as a Model. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:327. [PMID: 27729860 PMCID: PMC5052536 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in molecular pathology have changed the landscape of oncology. The ability to interrogate tissue samples for oncogene amplification, driver mutations, and other molecular alterations provides clinicians with an enormous level of detail about their patient's cancer. In some cases, this information informs treatment decisions, especially those related to targeted anti-cancer therapies. However, in terms of immune-based therapies, it is less clear how to use such information. Likewise, despite studies demonstrating the pivotal role of neoantigens in predicting responsiveness to immune checkpoint blockade, it is not known if the expression of neoantigens impacts the response to targeted therapies despite a growing recognition of their diverse effects on immunity. To realize the promise of 'personalized medicine', it will be important to develop a more integrated understanding of the relationships between oncogenic events and processes governing anti-tumor immunity. One area of investigation to explore such relationships centers on defining how ErbB/HER activation and signal transduction influences antigen processing and presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Kersh
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Lee A Cooper
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Emory University School of MedicineAtlanta, GA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlanta, GA, USA
| | - Haydn T Kissick
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Brian P Pollack
- Atlanta VA Medical CenterDecatur, GA, USA; Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of MedicineAtlanta, GA, USA
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