[Tumor microenvironment: regulatory cells and immunosuppressive cytokines]

Neutrophils, Cancer and Thrombosis: The New Bermuda Triangle in Cancer Research

Spontaneous venous thrombosis is often the first clinical sign of cancer, and it is linked to a worsened survival rate. Traditionally, tumor-cell induced platelet activation has been the main actor studied in cancer-associated-thrombosis. However, platelet involvement alone does not seem to be sufficient to explain this heightened pro-thrombotic state. Neutrophils are emerging as key players in both thrombus generation and cancer progression. Neutrophils can impact thrombosis through the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and expression of molecules like P-selectin and Tissue Factor (TF) on their membrane and on neutrophil-derived microvesicles. Their role in cancer progression is evidenced by the fact that patients with high blood-neutrophil counts have a worsened prognosis. Tumors can attract neutrophils to the cancer site via pro-inflammatory cytokine secretions and induce a switch to pro-tumoral (or N2) neutrophils, which support metastatic spread and have an immunosuppressive role. They can also expel their nuclear contents to entrap pathogens forming Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) and can also capture coagulation factors, enhancing the thrombus formation. These NETs are also known to have pro-tumoral effects by supporting the metastatic process. Here, we strived to do a comprehensive literature review of the role of neutrophils as drivers of both cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) and cancer progression.

[Combining CAR-T cells anti-tumoral activity with exosomes properties: an innovative approach to fight cancer]

Dans le cadre de leur module d’analyse scientifique, des étudiants de la promotion 2019-2020 des Master 2 « Immunologie Translationnelle et Biothérapies » (ITB) et « Immunologie Intégrative et Systémique » (I2S) (Mention Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Parcours Immunologie, Sorbonne Université) se sont penchés sur la littérature et ont pris la plume pour partager avec les lecteurs de m/s quelques-uns des faits marquants de l’actualité en immunologie. On y découvre ainsi les nouvelles avancées dans l’optimisation des immunothérapies à base de CAR T (thérapie cellulaire), mais également les résultats de travaux portant sur le rôle du stress ou du métabolisme sur les réponses immunitaires, et enfin des données très intéressantes sur l’impact du microbiote sur l’homéostasie du système immunitaire et la réponse aux vaccins. Plusieurs articles soulignent ainsi l’importance de la communication entre le système immunitaire et d’autres grandes fonctions physiologiques de l’organisme, en particulier le système hormonal et le métabolisme, et mettent ainsi en évidence l’intérêt d’avoir une analyse intégrative des réponses immunitaires.

Modulation of Cytokines in Cancer Patients by Intravenous Ascorbate Therapy

BACKGROUND

Cytokines play an important role in tumor angiogenesis and inflammation. There is evidence in the literature that high doses of ascorbate can reduce inflammatory cytokine levels in cancer patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of treatment by intravenous vitamin C (IVC) on cytokines and tumor markers.

MATERIAL/METHODS

With the availability of protein array kits allowing assessment of many cytokines in a single sample, we measured 174 cytokines and additional 54 proteins and tumor markers in 12 cancer patients before and after a series of IVC treatments.

RESULTS

Presented results show for our 12 patients the effect of treatment resulted in normalization of many cytokine levels. Cytokines that were most consistently elevated prior to treatments included M-CSF-R, Leptin, EGF, FGF-6, TNF-α, β, TARC, MCP-1,4, MIP, IL-4, 10, IL-4, and TGF-β. Cytokine levels tended to decrease during the course of treatment. These include mitogens (EGF, Fit-3 ligand, HGF, IGF-1, IL-21R) and chemo-attractants (CTAC, Eotaxin, E-selectin, Lymphotactin, MIP-1, MCP-1, TARC, SDF-1), as well as inflammation and angiogenesis factors (FGF-6, IL-1β, TGF-1).

CONCLUSIONS

We are able to show that average z-scores for several inflammatory and angiogenesis promoting cytokines are positive, indicating that they are higher than averages for healthy controls, and that their levels decreased over the course of treatment. In addition, serum concentrations of tumor markers decreased during the time period of IVC treatment and there were reductions in cMyc and Ras, 2 proteins implicated in being upregulated in cancer.

[Molecular pathogenesis of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (1): angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified and anaplastic large cell lymphoma]

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) belong to the group of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and particularly that of mature T/NK cells lymphoproliferative neoplasms. The 2008 WHO classification describes different PTCL entities with varying prevalence. With the exception of the histological subtype "ALK positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma", PTCL are characterized by a poor prognosis. The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of these lymphomas are not yet fully understood, but development of genomic high-throughput analysis techniques now allows to extensively identify the molecular abnormalities present in tumor cells. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge and recent advances about the molecular events occurring at the origin or during the natural history of main entities of PTCL. It will be published in two parts : the first is focused on the three more frequent entities, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified, and anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The second (which will appear in the november issue) will describe other subtypes less frequent and of poor prognosis : extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, and enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma. T or NK cell lymphoproliferative disorders with leukemic presentation, primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and very rare subtypes of PTCL whose prevalence is less than 5% (hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma and subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma) will not be discussed herein.

The cnidarian origin of the proto-oncogenes NF-κB/STAT and WNT-like oncogenic pathway drives the ctenophores (Review)

The cell survival pathways of the diploblastic early multicellular eukaryotic hosts contain and operate the molecular machinery resembling those of malignantly transformed individual cells of highly advanced multicellular hosts (including Homo). In the present review, the STAT/NF-κB pathway of the cnidarian Nematostella vectensis is compared with that of human tumors (malignant lymphomas, including Reed-Sternberg cells) pointing out similarities, including possible viral initiation in both cases. In the ctenophore genome and proteome, β-catenin gains intranuclear advantages due to a physiologically weak destructive complex in the cytoplasm, and lack of natural inhibitors (the Dickkopfs). Thus, a scenario similar to what tumor cells initiate and achieve is presented through several constitutive loss-of-function type mutations in the destructive complex and in the elimination of inhibitors. Vice versa, malignantly transformed individual cells of advanced multicellular hosts assume pheno-genotypic resemblance to cells of unicellular or early multicellular hosts, and presumably to their ancient predecessors, by returning to the semblance of immortality and to the resumption of the state of high degree of resistance to physicochemical insults. Human leukemogenic and oncogenic pathways are presented for comparisons. The supreme bioengineers RNA/DNA complex encoded both the malignantly transformed immortal cell and the human cerebral cortex. The former generates molecules for the immortality of cellular life in the Universe. The latter invents the inhibitors of the process in order to gain control over it.

Role and mechanisms of microRNA‑503 in drug resistance reversal in HepG2/ADM human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and drug resistance is a major cause of treatment failure. In order to investigate the effects and mechanisms of microRNA‑503 (miR‑503) in the reversal of Adriamycin® (ADM) resistance in the drug‑resistant HepG2/ADM hepatocellular cancer cell line, an ADM‑resistant HepG2/ADM cell line was established using continuous drug exposure. HepG2/ADM cells overexpressing miR‑503 were further established. HepG2/ADM cells overexpressing miR‑503 demonstrated an enhanced sensitivity to ADM. Furthermore, miR‑503 overexpression was found to increase intracellular rhodamine‑123 levels and the rate of apoptosis, block the cell cycle at G0/G1‑phase and significantly decrease intracellular superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels. The expression of a number drug resistance‑related proteins, including multidrug resistance 1, multi drug resistance‑associated protein 1, DNA excision repair protein ERCC‑1, survivin and B‑cell lymphoma 2, was significantly downregulated by miR‑503 overexpression, as indicated by western blotting and a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. By contrast, levels of RhoE were increased. In addition, the phosphorylation of Akt was decreased and expression of cyclin‑dependent kinase 1 was decreased by miR‑503 overexpression. Furthermore, the secretion of transforming growth factor‑β, interleukin (IL)‑6 and IL‑8 was downregulated, and the transcriptional activities of nuclear factor κ‑light‑chain‑enhancer of activated B cells and activating protein‑1 were significantly reduced. In conclusion, miR‑503 was observed to reverse ADM resistance in HepG2/ADM cells by inhibiting drug efflux, downregulating the expression of drug resistance‑related proteins, blocking the cell cycle and promoting cell apoptosis.

[The intestinal microbiota: a boost for antitumor treatments]

Two new studies in mice, published in Science, show that the commensal bacteria populations in the gut play a key role in boosting responses to different antitumor regimens. These results argue for a rational use of antibiotics when managing infections in patients undergoing cancer therapies.

[The tumoral microenvironment: feeding resources, battle field and therapeutic target in cancer]

Tumors grow surrounded by a complex cellular and tissular microenvironment. Its components influence disease outcome, some accelarating growth and invasion and others blocking it. From the very first steps leading a normal tissue to dysplasia, followed by a benign tumor which may become locally invasive and metastatic, interactions between the transformed cells and their microenvironment direct the evolution of this process. Chronic inflammation in a tissue favors tumor first appearance which then accentuate the nutritional and energetic properties of their microenvironment by producing neoangiogenic, immunosuppressive and inflammatory molecules. In contrast a strong memory Th1/cytotoxic reaction can prevent the transition from benign to malignant tumors and control cancer invasivness and metastasis. Knowledge of these multiple phenomena, discussed in the different articles of the present issue has a major clinical impact, since new prognostic tests and efficient novel therapeutic approaches which target the tumor microenvironment are actively developed.