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Do AD, Wu KS, Chu SS, Giang LH, Lin YL, Chang CC, Wong TT, Hsieh CL, Sung SY. LOXL1-AS1 contributes to metastasis in sonic-hedgehog medulloblastoma by promoting cancer stem-like phenotypes. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:130. [PMID: 38689348 PMCID: PMC11059759 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03057-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastomas (MBs) are one of the most common malignant brain tumor types in children. MB prognosis, despite improvement in recent years, still depends on clinical and biological risk factors. Metastasis is the leading cause of MB-related deaths, which highlights an unmet need for risk stratification and targeted therapy to improve clinical outcomes. Among the four molecular subgroups, sonic-hedgehog (SHH)-MB harbors clinical and genetic heterogeneity with a subset of high-risk cases. Recently, long non-coding (lnc)RNAs were implied to contribute to cancer malignant progression, but their role in MB remains unclear. This study aimed to identify pro-malignant lncRNAs that have prognostic and therapeutic significance in SHH-MB. METHODS The Daoy SHH-MB cell line was engineered for ectopic expression of MYCN, a genetic signature of SHH-MB. MYCN-associated lncRNA genes were identified using RNA-sequencing data and were validated in SHH-MB cell lines, MB tissue samples, and patient cohort datasets. SHH-MB cells with genetic manipulation of the candidate lncRNA were evaluated for metastatic phenotypes in vitro, including cell migration, invasion, sphere formation, and expressions of stemness markers. An orthotopic xenograft mouse model was used to evaluate metastasis occurrence and survival. Finally, bioinformatic screening and in vitro assays were performed to explore downstream mechanisms. RESULTS Elevated lncRNA LOXL1-AS1 expression was identified in MYCN-expressing Daoy cells and MYCN-amplified SHH-MB tumors, and was significantly associated with lower survival in SHH-MB patients. Functionally, LOXL1-AS1 promoted SHH-MB cell migration and cancer stemness in vitro. In mice, MYCN-expressing Daoy cells exhibited a high metastatic rate and adverse effects on survival, both of which were suppressed under LOLX1-AS1 perturbation. Integrative bioinformatic analyses revealed associations of LOXL1-AS1 with processes of cancer stemness, cell differentiation, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. LOXL1-AS1 positively regulated the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2. Knockdown of TGF-β2 in SHH-MB cells significantly abrogated their LOXL1-AS1-mediated prometastatic functions. CONCLUSIONS This study proved the functional significance of LOXL1-AS1 in SHH-MB metastasis by its promotion of TGF-β2-mediated cancer stem-like phenotypes, providing both prognostic and therapeutic potentials for targeting SHH-MB metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Duy Do
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Immunology, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
| | - Kuo-Sheng Wu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Shing-Shung Chu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Le Hien Giang
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Biology and Genetics, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hai Phong, 180000, Vietnam
| | - Yu-Ling Lin
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Che-Chang Chang
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Tong Wong
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Pediatric Brain Tumor Program, Taipei Cancer Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ling Hsieh
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Institute for Drug Evaluation Platform, Development Center for Biotechnology, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan.
| | - Shian-Ying Sung
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
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2
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Yang H, Li M, Deng Y, Wen H, Luo M, Zhang W. Roles and interactions of tumor microenvironment components in medulloblastoma with implications for novel therapeutics. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2024; 63:e23233. [PMID: 38607297 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastomas, the most common malignant pediatric brain tumors, can be classified into the wingless, sonic hedgehog (SHH), group 3, and group 4 subgroups. Among them, the SHH subgroup with the TP53 mutation and group 3 generally present with the worst patient outcomes due to their high rates of recurrence and metastasis. A novel and effective treatment for refractory medulloblastomas is urgently needed. To date, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been shown to influence tumor growth, recurrence, and metastasis through immunosuppression, angiogenesis, and chronic inflammation. Treatments targeting TME components have emerged as promising approaches to the treatment of solid tumors. In this review, we summarize progress in research on medulloblastoma microenvironment components and their interactions. We also discuss challenges and future research directions for TME-targeting medulloblastoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjie Yang
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhao Deng
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huantao Wen
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minjie Luo
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wangming Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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3
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Budhiraja S, Najem H, Tripathi S, Wadhawani NR, Horbinski C, McCord M, Lenzen AC, Heimberger AB, DeCuypere M. Immunobiology and Cytokine Modulation of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Microenvironment: A Scoping Review. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3655. [PMID: 37509316 PMCID: PMC10377457 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Utilizing a Scoping Review strategy in the domain of immune biology to identify immune therapeutic targets, knowledge gaps for implementing immune therapeutic strategies for pediatric brain tumors was assessed. The analysis demonstrated limited efforts to date to characterize and understand the immunological aspects of tumor biology with an over-reliance on observations from the adult glioma population. Foundational knowledge regarding the frequency and ubiquity of immune therapeutic targets is an area of unmet need along with the development of immune-competent pediatric tumor models to test therapeutics and especially combinatorial treatment. Opportunities arise in the evolution of pediatric tumor classification from histological to molecular with targeted immune therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Budhiraja
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Hinda Najem
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Shashwat Tripathi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Nitin R Wadhawani
- Division of Pathology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Craig Horbinski
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Matthew McCord
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Alicia C Lenzen
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Amy B Heimberger
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Michael DeCuypere
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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4
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Yao B, Delaidelli A, Vogel H, Sorensen PH. Pediatric Brain Tumours: Lessons from the Immune Microenvironment. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:5024-5046. [PMID: 37232837 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30050379] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In spite of recent advances in tumour molecular subtyping, pediatric brain tumours (PBTs) remain the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. While some PBTs are treatable with favourable outcomes, recurrent and metastatic disease for certain types of PBTs remains challenging and is often fatal. Tumour immunotherapy has emerged as a hopeful avenue for the treatment of childhood tumours, and recent immunotherapy efforts have been directed towards PBTs. This strategy has the potential to combat otherwise incurable PBTs, while minimizing off-target effects and long-term sequelae. As the infiltration and activation states of immune cells, including tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes and tumour-associated macrophages, are key to shaping responses towards immunotherapy, this review explores the immune landscape of the developing brain and discusses the tumour immune microenvironments of common PBTs, with hopes of conferring insights that may inform future treatment design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty Yao
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Alberto Delaidelli
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Hannes Vogel
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Poul H Sorensen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
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5
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Gorini F, Miceli M, de Antonellis P, Amente S, Zollo M, Ferrucci V. Epigenetics and immune cells in medulloblastoma. Front Genet 2023; 14:1135404. [PMID: 36968588 PMCID: PMC10036437 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1135404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a highly malignant childhood tumor of the cerebellum. Transcriptional and epigenetic signatures have classified MB into four molecular subgroups, further stratified into biologically different subtypes with distinct somatic copy-number aberrations, driver genes, epigenetic alterations, activated pathways, and clinical outcomes. The brain tumor microenvironment (BTME) is of importance to regulate a complex network of cells, including immune cells, involved in cancer progression in brain malignancies. MB was considered with a “cold” immunophenotype due to the low influx of immune cells across the blood brain barrier (BBB). Recently, this assumption has been reconsidered because of the identification of infiltrating immune cells showing immunosuppressive phenotypes in the BTME of MB tumors. Here, we are providing a comprehensive overview of the current status of epigenetics alterations occurring during cancer progression with a description of the genomic landscape of MB by focusing on immune cells within the BTME. We further describe how new immunotherapeutic approaches could influence concurring epigenetic mechanisms of the immunosuppressive cells in BTME. In conclusion, the modulation of these molecular genetic complexes in BTME during cancer progression might enhance the therapeutic benefit, thus firing new weapons to fight MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gorini
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Miceli
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate “Franco Salvatore”, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasqualino de Antonellis
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Amente
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Zollo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate “Franco Salvatore”, Naples, Italy
- DAI Medicina di Laboratorio e Trasfusionale, ‘AOU Federico II Policlinico, Naples, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrucci
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate “Franco Salvatore”, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Veronica Ferrucci,
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6
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Fares J, Davis ZB, Rechberger JS, Toll SA, Schwartz JD, Daniels DJ, Miller JS, Khatua S. Advances in NK cell therapy for brain tumors. NPJ Precis Oncol 2023; 7:17. [PMID: 36792722 PMCID: PMC9932101 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-023-00356-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in treatment regimens that comprise surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, outcome of many brain tumors remains dismal, more so when they recur. The proximity of brain tumors to delicate neural structures often precludes complete surgical resection. Toxicity and long-term side effects of systemic therapy remain a concern. Novel therapies are warranted. The field of NK cell-based cancer therapy has grown exponentially and currently constitutes a major area of immunotherapy innovation. This provides a new avenue for the treatment of cancerous lesions in the brain. In this review, we explore the mechanisms by which the brain tumor microenvironment suppresses NK cell mediated tumor control, and the methods being used to create NK cell products that subvert immune suppression. We discuss the pre-clinical studies evaluating NK cell-based immunotherapies that target several neuro-malignancies and highlight advances in molecular imaging of NK cells that allow monitoring of NK cell-based therapeutics. We review current and ongoing NK cell based clinical trials in neuro-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jawad Fares
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Zachary B Davis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | - Julian S Rechberger
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Stephanie A Toll
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Jonathan D Schwartz
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Section of Neuro-Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - David J Daniels
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA.
| | - Soumen Khatua
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Section of Neuro-Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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7
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Wu KS, Sung SY, Huang MH, Lin YL, Chang CC, Fang CL, Wong TT, Chen HH, Tsai ML. Clinical and Molecular Features in Medulloblastomas Subtypes in Children in a Cohort in Taiwan. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14215419. [PMID: 36358838 PMCID: PMC9657873 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215419] [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: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Medulloblastoma (MB) was classified into four subgroups: WNT, SHH, group 3, and group 4. In 2017, 12 subtypes within 4 subgroups and 8 subtypes within non-WNT/non-SHH subgroups according to the heterogenous features were announced. In this study, we aimed to identify the heterogeneity of molecular features for discovering subtype specific factors linked to diagnosis and prognosis. We retrieved 70 MBs to perform RNA sequencing and a DNA methylation array. Integrated with clinical annotations, we classified 12 subtypes of pediatric MBs. We found that M2 macrophages were enriched in SHH β, which correlated with good outcomes of SHH MBs. The high infiltration of M2 macrophages may be an indicator of a favorable prognosis and therapeutic target for SHH MBs. Furthermore, C11orf95-RELA fusion was observed to be associated with recurrence and a poor prognosis. These results will contribute to the establishment of a molecular diagnosis linked to prognostic factors of relevance for MBs. Abstract Medulloblastoma (MB) was classified into four molecular subgroups: WNT, SHH, group 3, and group 4. In 2017, 12 subtypes within 4 subgroups and 8 subtypes within non-WNT/non-SHH subgroups according to the differences of clinical features and biology were announced. In this study, we aimed to identify the heterogeneity of molecular features for discovering subtype specific factors linked to diagnosis and prognosis. We retrieved 70 MBs in children to perform RNA sequencing and a DNA methylation array in Taiwan. Integrated with clinical annotations, we achieved classification of 12 subtypes of pediatric MBs in our cohort series with reference to the other reported series. We analyzed the correlation of cell type enrichment in SHH MBs and found that M2 macrophages were enriched in SHH β, which related to good outcomes of SHH MBs. The high infiltration of M2 macrophages may be an indicator of a favorable prognosis and therapeutic target for SHH MBs. Furthermore, C11orf95-RELA fusion was observed to be associated with recurrence and a poor prognosis. These results will contribute to the establishment of a molecular diagnosis linked to prognostic indicators of relevance and help to promote molecular-based risk stratified treatment for MBs in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Sheng Wu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Shian-Ying Sung
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Man-Hsu Huang
- Department of Pathology, Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ling Lin
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Che-Chang Chang
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lang Fang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Tong Wong
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Pediatric Brain Tumor Program, Taipei Cancer Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Hung Chen
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, The Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (H.-H.C.); (M.-L.T.)
| | - Min-Lan Tsai
- Pediatric Brain Tumor Program, Taipei Cancer Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (H.-H.C.); (M.-L.T.)
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8
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Swati K, Agrawal K, Raj S, Kumar R, Prakash A, Kumar D. Molecular mechanism(s) of regulations of cancer stem cell in brain cancer propagation. Med Res Rev 2022; 43:441-463. [PMID: 36205299 DOI: 10.1002/med.21930] [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: 12/25/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Brain tumors are most often diagnosed with solid neoplasms and are the primary reason for cancer-related deaths in both children and adults worldwide. With recent developments in the progression of novel targeted chemotherapies, the prognosis of malignant glioma remains dismal. However, the high recurrence rate and high mortality rate remain unresolved and are closely linked to the biological features of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Research on tumor biology has reached a new age with more understanding of CSC features. CSCs, a subpopulation of whole tumor cells, are now regarded as candidate therapeutic targets. Therefore, in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors, recognizing the biological properties of CSCs is of considerable significance. Here, we have discussed the concept of CSCs and their significant role in brain cancer growth and propagation. We have also discussed personalized therapeutic development and immunotherapies for brain cancer by specifically targeting CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Swati
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, Bihar, India
| | - Kirti Agrawal
- School of Health Sciences and Technology (SoHST), UPES University, Dehradun, India.,Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Sibi Raj
- School of Health Sciences and Technology (SoHST), UPES University, Dehradun, India.,Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Rajeev Kumar
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Anand Prakash
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, Bihar, India
| | - Dhruv Kumar
- School of Health Sciences and Technology (SoHST), UPES University, Dehradun, India.,Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
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9
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Eisemann T, Wechsler-Reya RJ. Coming in from the cold: overcoming the hostile immune microenvironment of medulloblastoma. Genes Dev 2022; 36:514-532. [PMID: 35680424 PMCID: PMC9186392 DOI: 10.1101/gad.349538.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is an aggressive brain tumor that occurs predominantly in children. Despite intensive therapy, many patients die of the disease, and novel therapies are desperately needed. Although immunotherapy has shown promise in many cancers, the low mutational burden, limited infiltration of immune effector cells, and immune-suppressive microenvironment of medulloblastoma have led to the assumption that it is unlikely to respond to immunotherapy. However, emerging evidence is challenging this view. Here we review recent preclinical and clinical studies that have identified mechanisms of immune evasion in medulloblastoma, and highlight possible therapeutic interventions that may give new hope to medulloblastoma patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Eisemann
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Robert J Wechsler-Reya
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92161, USA
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10
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Rozowsky JS, Meesters-Ensing JI, Lammers JAS, Belle ML, Nierkens S, Kranendonk MEG, Kester LA, Calkoen FG, van der Lugt J. A Toolkit for Profiling the Immune Landscape of Pediatric Central Nervous System Malignancies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:864423. [PMID: 35464481 PMCID: PMC9022116 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.864423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of pediatric central nervous system (CNS) malignancies remains dismal due to limited treatment options, resulting in high mortality rates and long-term morbidities. Immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibition, cancer vaccines, engineered T cell therapies, and oncolytic viruses, have promising results in some hematological and solid malignancies, and are being investigated in clinical trials for various high-grade CNS malignancies. However, the role of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in CNS malignancies is mostly unknown for pediatric cases. In order to successfully implement immunotherapies and to eventually predict which patients would benefit from such treatments, in-depth characterization of the TIME at diagnosis and throughout treatment is essential. In this review, we provide an overview of techniques for immune profiling of CNS malignancies, and detail how they can be utilized for different tissue types and studies. These techniques include immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry for quantifying and phenotyping the infiltrating immune cells, bulk and single-cell transcriptomics for describing the implicated immunological pathways, as well as functional assays. Finally, we aim to describe the potential benefits of evaluating other compartments of the immune system implicated by cancer therapies, such as cerebrospinal fluid and blood, and how such liquid biopsies are informative when designing immune monitoring studies. Understanding and uniformly evaluating the TIME and immune landscape of pediatric CNS malignancies will be essential to eventually integrate immunotherapy into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Muriël L. Belle
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Stefan Nierkens
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Friso G. Calkoen
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
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11
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Li H, Guan Y, Han C, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Jiang L, Zhang P, Chen X, Wei W, Ma Y. Dominant negative TGF-β receptor type II in T lymphocytes promotes anti-tumor immunity by modulating T cell subsets and enhancing CTL responses. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 148:112754. [PMID: 35228061 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional regulatory cytokine that maintains tolerance in the immune system by regulating the proliferation, differentiation and survival of lymphocytes. TGF-β blockade therapy for cancer has achieved some results but shows limited efficacy and side effects because these drugs are not selective and act on various types of cells throughout the body. We demonstrate here that dominant negative TGF-β receptor type II specifically targeting T cells decreases tumor load in tumor-bearing mice. In addition, the dominant negative TGF-β receptor type II promotes the proliferation and differentiation of T cells and increases the expression of T-bet, which in turn promotes the secretion of granzyme A, granzyme B, perforin and IFN-γ secreted by T cells, and enhances the cytotoxicity and anti-tumor effects of T cells. Moreover, we also found that dominant negative TGF-β receptor type II reduces the proportion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in tumor tissue and spleen of tumor-bearing mice. Co-culture experiments with T cells and tumor cells revealed that dominant negative TGF-β receptor type II inhibited tumor cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. Our results indicate that specifically inhibiting TGF-β receptor type II in T cells increases anti-tumor immunity and has a strong therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yanling Guan
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Chenchen Han
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yizhao Chen
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Liping Jiang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Pingping Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Xiu Chen
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, China.
| | - Yang Ma
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, China.
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12
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Lee B, Mohamad I, Pokhrel R, Murad R, Yuan M, Stapleton S, Bettegowda C, Jallo G, Eberhart CG, Garrett T, Perera RJ. Medulloblastoma cerebrospinal fluid reveals metabolites and lipids indicative of hypoxia and cancer-specific RNAs. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:25. [PMID: 35209946 PMCID: PMC8867780 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01326-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. There remains an unmet need for diagnostics to sensitively detect the disease, particularly recurrences. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) provides a window into the central nervous system, and liquid biopsy of CSF could provide a relatively non-invasive means for disease diagnosis. There has yet to be an integrated analysis of the transcriptomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic changes occurring in the CSF of children with MB. CSF samples from patients with (n = 40) or without (n = 11; no cancer) MB were subjected to RNA-sequencing and high-resolution mass spectrometry to identify RNA, metabolite, and lipid profiles. Differentially expressed transcripts, metabolites, and lipids were identified and their biological significance assessed by pathway analysis. The DIABLO multivariate analysis package (R package mixOmics) was used to integrate the molecular changes characterizing the CSF of MB patients. Differentially expressed transcripts, metabolites, and lipids in CSF were discriminatory for the presence of MB but not the exact molecular subtype. One hundred and ten genes and ten circular RNAs were differentially expressed in MB CSF compared with normal, representing TGF-β signaling, TNF-α signaling via NF-kB, and adipogenesis pathways. Tricarboxylic acid cycle and other metabolites (malate, fumarate, succinate, α-ketoglutarate, hydroxypyruvate, N-acetyl-aspartate) and total triacylglycerols were significantly upregulated in MB CSF compared with normal CSF. Although separating MBs into subgroups using transcriptomic, metabolomic, and lipid signatures in CSF was challenging, we were able to identify a group of omics signatures that could separate cancer from normal CSF. Metabolic and lipidomic profiles both contained indicators of tumor hypoxia. Our approach provides several candidate signatures that deserve further validation, including the novel circular RNA circ_463, and insights into the impact of MB on the CSF microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bongyong Lee
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 1650 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA ,grid.413611.00000 0004 0467 2330Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, 600 5th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 USA
| | - Iqbal Mohamad
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 1395 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA ,grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Rudramani Pokhrel
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 1650 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA ,grid.413611.00000 0004 0467 2330Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, 600 5th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 USA
| | - Rabi Murad
- grid.479509.60000 0001 0163 8573Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
| | - Menglang Yuan
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 1650 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA ,grid.413611.00000 0004 0467 2330Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, 600 5th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 USA
| | - Stacie Stapleton
- grid.413611.00000 0004 0467 2330Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, 600 5th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 USA
| | - Chetan Bettegowda
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 1650 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - George Jallo
- grid.413611.00000 0004 0467 2330Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, 600 5th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 USA
| | - Charles G. Eberhart
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 1650 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Timothy Garrett
- Department Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 1395 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Ranjan J. Perera
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 1650 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA ,grid.413611.00000 0004 0467 2330Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, 600 5th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 USA
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13
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Audi ZF, Saker Z, Rizk M, Harati H, Fares Y, Bahmad HF, Nabha SM. Immunosuppression in Medulloblastoma: Insights into Cancer Immunity and Immunotherapy. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2021; 22:83. [PMID: 34328587 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-021-00874-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common pediatric brain malignancy, with a 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of around 65%. The conventional MB treatment, comprising surgical resection followed by irradiation and adjuvant chemotherapy, often leads to impairment in normal body functions and poor quality of life, especially with the increased risk of recurrence and subsequent development of secondary malignancies. The development and progression of MB are facilitated by a variety of immune-evading mechanisms such as the secretion of immunosuppressive molecules, activation of immunosuppressive cells, inhibition of immune checkpoint molecules, impairment of adhesive molecules, downregulation of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, protection against apoptosis, and activation of immunosuppressive pathways. Understanding the tumor-immune relationship in MB is crucial for effective development of immune-based therapeutic strategies. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the immunological aspect of the brain, focusing on the current knowledge tackling the mechanisms of MB immune suppression and evasion. We also highlight several key immunotherapeutic approaches developed to date for the treatment of MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahraa F Audi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zahraa Saker
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mahdi Rizk
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hayat Harati
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Youssef Fares
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hisham F Bahmad
- Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL, USA.
| | - Sanaa M Nabha
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
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14
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Dual mitigation of immunosuppression combined with photothermal inhibition for highly effective primary tumor and metastases therapy. Biomaterials 2021; 274:120856. [PMID: 33984634 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
T-cell based immune response can attack cancer cells formidably when certain immune checkpoint (e.g., PD-1/PD-L1) is blocked. Unfortunately, PD-1/PD-L1 blockade only provoke limited immune response because the differentiation of tumor-reactive T lymphocytes is often suppressed by TGF-β pathway. Namely, the combating cancer weapon is weakened. In this study, other than employing photothermal therapy (PTT) to eliminate the primary tumor, we also aimed to expose in situ tumor-associated antigens and exert immune response for metastases inhibition. This enhanced immunotherapeutic strategy is achieved by IR780/SB-505124 based nanoliposomes (Nano-IR-SB@Lip). Upon administration, TGF-β pathway is inhibited by SB to drive effector T cells into a responsive state and reduce the infiltration of Treg cells, eventually greatly enhancing the weapon against cancer. In the meantime, the immunosuppressive "protection" of tumor cells is also neutralized by blocking PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint. By virtue of inherent characteristics of IR780, Nano-IR-SB@Lip can selectively accumulate, penetrate deeply in tumor tissues, and preferentially retain in mitochondria. The above features are of critical importance to tumor therapy. Thus, highly effective cancer immunotherapy is implemented via selective accumulation/deep penetration of Nano-IR-SB@Lip in tumor, achieving PTT induced immunogenic cell death and dual mitigation of immunosuppression strategy (TGF-β inhibition/PD-1/PD-L1 blockade), which is a promising therapeutic modality for cancer.
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15
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Li Z, Langhans SA. In Vivo and Ex Vivo Pediatric Brain Tumor Models: An Overview. Front Oncol 2021; 11:620831. [PMID: 33869004 PMCID: PMC8047472 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.620831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
After leukemia, tumors of the brain and spine are the second most common form of cancer in children. Despite advances in treatment, brain tumors remain a leading cause of death in pediatric cancer patients and survivors often suffer from life-long consequences of side effects of therapy. The 5-year survival rates, however, vary widely by tumor type, ranging from over 90% in more benign tumors to as low as 20% in the most aggressive forms such as glioblastoma. Even within historically defined tumor types such as medulloblastoma, molecular analysis identified biologically heterogeneous subgroups each with different genetic alterations, age of onset and prognosis. Besides molecularly driven patient stratification to tailor disease risk to therapy intensity, such a diversity demonstrates the need for more precise and disease-relevant pediatric brain cancer models for research and drug development. Here we give an overview of currently available in vitro and in vivo pediatric brain tumor models and discuss the opportunities that new technologies such as 3D cultures and organoids that can bridge limitations posed by the simplicity of monolayer cultures and the complexity of in vivo models, bring to accommodate better precision in drug development for pediatric brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sigrid A. Langhans
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, United States
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16
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CSF1R inhibition depletes tumor-associated macrophages and attenuates tumor progression in a mouse sonic Hedgehog-Medulloblastoma model. Oncogene 2021; 40:396-407. [PMID: 33159168 PMCID: PMC7855734 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01536-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The immune microenvironment of tumors can play a critical role in promoting or inhibiting tumor progression depending on the context. We present evidence that tumor-associated macrophages/microglia (TAMs) can promote tumor progression in the sonic hedgehog subgroup of medulloblastoma (SHH-MB). By combining longitudinal manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) and immune profiling of a sporadic mouse model of SHH-MB, we found the density of TAMs is higher in the ~50% of tumors that progress to lethal disease. Furthermore, reducing regulatory T cells or eliminating B and T cells in Rag1 mutants does not alter SHH-MB tumor progression. As TAMs are a dominant immune component in tumors and are normally dependent on colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R), we treated mice with a CSF1R inhibitor, PLX5622. Significantly, PLX5622 reduces a subset of TAMs, prolongs mouse survival, and reduces the volume of most tumors within 4 weeks of treatment. Moreover, concomitant with a reduction in TAMs the percentage of infiltrating cytotoxic T cells is increased, indicating a change in the tumor environment. Our studies in an immunocompetent preclinical mouse model demonstrate TAMs can have a functional role in promoting SHH-MB progression. Thus, CSF1R inhibition could have therapeutic potential for a subset of SHH-MB patients.
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17
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Garcia-Lopez J, Kumar R, Smith KS, Northcott PA. Deconstructing Sonic Hedgehog Medulloblastoma: Molecular Subtypes, Drivers, and Beyond. Trends Genet 2020; 37:235-250. [PMID: 33272592 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a highly malignant cerebellar tumor predominantly diagnosed during childhood. Driven by pathogenic activation of sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling, SHH subgroup MB (SHH-MB) accounts for nearly one-third of diagnoses. Extensive molecular analyses have identified biologically and clinically relevant intertumoral heterogeneity among SHH-MB tumors, prompting the recognition of novel subtypes. Beyond germline and somatic mutations promoting constitutive SHH signaling, driver alterations affect a multitude of pathways and molecular processes, including TP53 signaling, chromatin modulation, and post-transcriptional gene regulation. Here, we review recent advances in the underpinnings of SHH-MB in the context of molecular subtypes, clarify novel somatic and germline drivers, highlight cellular origins and developmental hierarchies, and describe the composition of the tumor microenvironment and its putative role in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Garcia-Lopez
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Rahul Kumar
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kyle S Smith
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Paul A Northcott
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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18
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Yi J, Shi X, Xuan Z, Wu J. Histone demethylase UTX/KDM6A enhances tumor immune cell recruitment, promotes differentiation and suppresses medulloblastoma. Cancer Lett 2020; 499:188-200. [PMID: 33253789 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The deregulation of epigenetic pathways has been implicated as a critical step in tumorigenesis including in childhood brain tumor medulloblastoma. The H3K27me3 demethylase UTX/KDM6A plays important roles in development and is frequently mutated in various types of cancer. However, how UTX regulates tumor development remains largely unclear. Here, we report the generation of a UTX-deleted mouse model of SHH medulloblastoma that demonstrates the tumor suppressor functions of UTX, which could be antagonized by the deletion of another H3K27me3 demethylase JMJD3/KDM6B. Intriguingly, UTX deletion in cancerous cerebellar granule neuron precursors (CGNPs) resulted in the impaired recruitment of host CD8+ T cells to the tumor microenvironment through a non-cell autonomous mechanism. In both mouse medulloblastoma models and in human medulloblastoma cells, we showed that UTX activates Th1-type chemokines, which are responsible for T cell migration. Surprisingly, our results showed that the depletion of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells did not affect mouse medulloblastoma growth. Nevertheless, the UTX/chemokine/T cell recruitment pathway we identified may be applied to many other cancers and may be important for improving cancer immunotherapy. In addition, UTX is required for the expression of NeuroD2 in precancerous progenitors, which encodes a potent proneural transcription factor. Overexpression of NEUROD2 in CGNPs decreased cell proliferation and increased neuron differentiation. We showed that UTX deletion led to impaired neural differentiation, which could coordinate with active SHH signaling to accelerate medulloblastoma development. Thus, UTX regulates both cell-intrinsic oncogenic processes and the tumor microenvironment in medulloblastoma. Our study provides insights into both medulloblastoma development and context dependent functions of UTX in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqing Yi
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Xuanming Shi
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Zhenyu Xuan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Systems Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Jiang Wu
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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19
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Tamayo-Orrego L, Charron F. Recent advances in SHH medulloblastoma progression: tumor suppressor mechanisms and the tumor microenvironment. F1000Res 2019; 8. [PMID: 31700613 PMCID: PMC6820827 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.20013.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma, the most common of the malignant pediatric brain tumors, is a group of four molecularly and clinically distinct cancers with different cells of origin. One of these medulloblastoma groups displays activation of Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling and originates from granule cell precursors of the developing cerebellum. Ongoing basic and clinical research efforts are tailored to discover targeted and safer therapies, which rely on the identification of the basic mechanisms regulating tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. In SHH medulloblastoma, the mechanisms regulating neural progenitor transformation and progression to advanced tumors have been studied in some detail. The present review discusses recent advances on medulloblastoma progression derived from studies using mouse models of SHH medulloblastoma. We focus on mechanisms that regulate progression from precancerous lesions to medulloblastoma, describing novel roles played by tumor suppressor mechanisms and the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Tamayo-Orrego
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Grupo Neuroaprendizaje, Autonomous University of Manizales, Manizales, Colombia
| | - Frédéric Charron
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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20
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Powell AB, Yadavilli S, Saunders D, Van Pelt S, Chorvinsky E, Burga RA, Albihani S, Hanley PJ, Xu Z, Pei Y, Yvon ES, Hwang EI, Bollard CM, Nazarian J, Cruz CRY. Medulloblastoma rendered susceptible to NK-cell attack by TGFβ neutralization. J Transl Med 2019; 17:321. [PMID: 31547819 PMCID: PMC6757414 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-2055-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma (MB), the most common pediatric brain cancer, presents with a poor prognosis in a subset of patients with high risk disease, or at recurrence, where current therapies are ineffective. Cord blood (CB) natural killer (NK) cells may be promising off-the-shelf effector cells for immunotherapy due to their recognition of malignant cells without the need for a known target, ready availability from multiple banks, and their potential to expand exponentially. However, they are currently limited by immune suppressive cytokines secreted in the MB tumor microenvironment including Transforming Growth Factor β (TGF-β). Here, we address this challenge in in vitro models of MB. METHODS CB-derived NK cells were modified to express a dominant negative TGF-β receptor II (DNRII) using retroviral transduction. The ability of transduced CB cells to maintain function in the presence of medulloblastoma-conditioned media was then assessed. RESULTS We observed that the cytotoxic ability of nontransduced CB-NK cells was reduced in the presence of TGF-β-rich, medulloblastoma-conditioned media (21.21 ± 1.19% killing at E:T 5:1 in the absence vs. 14.98 ± 2.11% in the presence of medulloblastoma-conditioned media, n = 8, p = 0.02), but was unaffected in CB-derived DNRII-transduced NK cells (21.11 ± 1.84% killing at E:T 5:1 in the absence vs. 21.81 ± 3.37 in the presence of medulloblastoma-conditioned media, n = 8, p = 0.85. We also observed decreased expression of CCR2 in untransduced NK cells (mean CCR2 MFI 826 ± 117 in untransduced NK + MB supernatant from mean CCR2 MFI 1639.29 ± 215 in no MB supernatant, n = 7, p = 0.0156), but not in the transduced cells. Finally, we observed that CB-derived DNRII-transduced NK cells may protect surrounding immune cells by providing a cytokine sink for TGF-β (decreased TGF-β levels of 610 ± 265 pg/mL in CB-derived DNRII-transduced NK cells vs. 1817 ± 342 pg/mL in untransduced cells; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS CB NK cells expressing a TGF-β DNRII may have a functional advantage over unmodified NK cells in the presence of TGF-β-rich MB, warranting further investigation on its potential applications for patients with medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison B Powell
- George Washington University Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Sridevi Yadavilli
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Devin Saunders
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA
| | - Stacey Van Pelt
- George Washington University Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Elizabeth Chorvinsky
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Rachel A Burga
- George Washington University Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Shuroug Albihani
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA
| | - Patrick J Hanley
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA
| | - Zhenhua Xu
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA
| | - Yanxin Pei
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA
| | - Eric S Yvon
- George Washington University Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Eugene I Hwang
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA
| | - Catherine M Bollard
- George Washington University Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.,Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Javad Nazarian
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Conrad Russell Y Cruz
- George Washington University Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA. .,Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA.
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21
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Lan Y, Zhang D, Xu C, Hance KW, Marelli B, Qi J, Yu H, Qin G, Sircar A, Hernández VM, Jenkins MH, Fontana RE, Deshpande A, Locke G, Sabzevari H, Radvanyi L, Lo KM. Enhanced preclinical antitumor activity of M7824, a bifunctional fusion protein simultaneously targeting PD-L1 and TGF-β. Sci Transl Med 2019; 10:10/424/eaan5488. [PMID: 29343622 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aan5488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 367] [Impact Index Per Article: 73.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies targeting immune checkpoints are emerging as potent and viable cancer therapies, but not all patients respond to these as single agents. Concurrently targeting additional immunosuppressive pathways is a promising approach to enhance immune checkpoint blockade, and bifunctional molecules designed to target two pathways simultaneously may provide a strategic advantage over the combination of two single agents. M7824 (MSB0011359C) is a bifunctional fusion protein composed of a monoclonal antibody against programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) fused to the extracellular domain of human transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptor II, which functions as a "trap" for all three TGF-β isoforms. We demonstrate that M7824 efficiently, specifically, and simultaneously binds PD-L1 and TGF-β. In syngeneic mouse models, M7824 suppressed tumor growth and metastasis more effectively than treatment with either an anti-PD-L1 antibody or TGF-β trap alone; furthermore, M7824 extended survival and conferred long-term protective antitumor immunity. Mechanistically, the dual anti-immunosuppressive function of M7824 resulted in activation of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, which contributed to M7824's antitumor activity. Finally, M7824 was an effective combination partner for radiotherapy or chemotherapy in mouse models. Collectively, our preclinical data demonstrate that simultaneous blockade of the PD-L1 and TGF-β pathways by M7824 elicits potent and superior antitumor activity relative to monotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lan
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA.
| | - Dong Zhang
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Chunxiao Xu
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Kenneth W Hance
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Bo Marelli
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Jin Qi
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Huakui Yu
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Guozhong Qin
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Aroop Sircar
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Vivian M Hernández
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Molly H Jenkins
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Rachel E Fontana
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Amit Deshpande
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - George Locke
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Helen Sabzevari
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Laszlo Radvanyi
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Kin-Ming Lo
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA 01821, USA.
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22
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Genomic testing, tumor microenvironment and targeted therapy of Hedgehog-related human cancers. Clin Sci (Lond) 2019; 133:953-970. [PMID: 31036756 DOI: 10.1042/cs20180845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog signals are transduced through Patched receptors to the Smoothened (SMO)-SUFU-GLI and SMO-Gi-RhoA signaling cascades. MTOR-S6K1 and MEK-ERK signals are also transduced to GLI activators through post-translational modifications. The GLI transcription network up-regulates target genes, such as BCL2, FOXA2, FOXE1, FOXF1, FOXL1, FOXM1, GLI1, HHIP, PTCH1 and WNT2B, in a cellular context-dependent manner. Aberrant Hedgehog signaling in tumor cells leads to self-renewal, survival, proliferation and invasion. Paracrine Hedgehog signaling in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which harbors cancer-associated fibroblasts, leads to angiogenesis, fibrosis, immune evasion and neuropathic pain. Hedgehog-related genetic alterations occur frequently in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (85%) and Sonic Hedgehog (SHH)-subgroup medulloblastoma (87%) and less frequently in breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and ovarian cancer. Among investigational SMO inhibitors, vismodegib and sonidegib are approved for the treatment of patients with BCC, and glasdegib is approved for the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Resistance to SMO inhibitors is caused by acquired SMO mutations, SUFU deletions, GLI2 amplification, other by-passing mechanisms of GLI activation and WNT/β-catenin signaling activation. GLI-DNA-interaction inhibitors (glabrescione B and GANT61), GLI2 destabilizers (arsenic trioxide and pirfenidone) and a GLI-deacetylation inhibitor (4SC-202) were shown to block GLI-dependent transcription and tumorigenesis in preclinical studies. By contrast, SMO inhibitors can remodel the immunosuppressive TME that is dominated by M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (M2-TAMs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells, and thus, a Phase I/II clinical trial of the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab with or without vismodegib in BCC patients is ongoing.
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23
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Sun Q, Barz M, De Geest BG, Diken M, Hennink WE, Kiessling F, Lammers T, Shi Y. Nanomedicine and macroscale materials in immuno-oncology. Chem Soc Rev 2019; 48:351-381. [PMID: 30465669 PMCID: PMC7115880 DOI: 10.1039/c8cs00473k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is revolutionizing the treatment of cancer. It can achieve unprecedented responses in advanced-stage patients, including complete cures and long-term survival. However, immunotherapy also has limitations, such as its relatively low response rates and the development of severe side effects. These drawbacks are gradually being overcome by improving our understanding of the immune system, as well as by establishing combination regimens in which immunotherapy is combined with other treatment modalities. In addition to this, in recent years, progress made in chemistry, nanotechnology and materials science has started to impact immuno-oncology, resulting in more effective and less toxic immunotherapy interventions. In this context, multiple different nanomedicine formulations and macroscale materials have been shown to be able to boost anti-cancer immunity and the efficacy of immunomodulatory drugs. We here review nanotechnological and materials chemistry efforts related to endogenous and exogenous vaccination, to the engineering of antigen-presenting cells and T cells, and to the modulation of the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss limitations, current trends and future directions. Together, the insights provided and the evidence obtained indicate that there is a bright future ahead for engineering nanomedicines and macroscale materials for immuno-oncology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxue Sun
- Department of Nanomedicines and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Barz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Bruno G. De Geest
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mustafa Diken
- TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz gGmbH, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Wim E. Hennink
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Department of Nanomedicines and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Fraunhofer MEVIS, Institute for Medical Image Computing, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department of Nanomedicines and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Targeted Therapeutics, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Yang Shi
- Department of Nanomedicines and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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24
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Formenti SC, Lee P, Adams S, Goldberg JD, Li X, Xie MW, Ratikan JA, Felix C, Hwang L, Faull KF, Sayre JW, Hurvitz S, Glaspy JA, Comin-Anduix B, Demaria S, Schaue D, McBride WH. Focal Irradiation and Systemic TGFβ Blockade in Metastatic Breast Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:2493-2504. [PMID: 29476019 PMCID: PMC5999326 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-3322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: This study examined the feasibility, efficacy (abscopal effect), and immune effects of TGFβ blockade during radiotherapy in metastatic breast cancer patients.Experimental Design: Prospective randomized trial comparing two doses of TGFβ blocking antibody fresolimumab. Metastatic breast cancer patients with at least three distinct metastatic sites whose tumor had progressed after at least one line of therapy were randomized to receive 1 or 10 mg/kg of fresolimumab, every 3 weeks for five cycles, with focal radiotherapy to a metastatic site at week 1 (three doses of 7.5 Gy), that could be repeated to a second lesion at week 7. Research bloods were drawn at baseline, week 2, 5, and 15 to isolate PBMCs, plasma, and serum.Results: Twenty-three patients were randomized, median age 57 (range 35-77). Seven grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in 5 of 11 patients in the 1 mg/kg arm and in 2 of 12 patients in the 10 mg/kg arm, respectively. Response was limited to three stable disease. At a median follow up of 12 months, 20 of 23 patients are deceased. Patients receiving the 10 mg/kg had a significantly higher median overall survival than those receiving 1 mg/kg fresolimumab dose [hazard ratio: 2.73 with 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-7.30; P = 0.039]. The higher dose correlated with improved peripheral blood mononuclear cell counts and a striking boost in the CD8 central memory pool.Conclusions: TGFβ blockade during radiotherapy was feasible and well tolerated. Patients receiving the higher fresolimumab dose had a favorable systemic immune response and experienced longer median overall survival than the lower dose group. Clin Cancer Res; 24(11); 2493-504. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia C Formenti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY.
| | - Percy Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Compressive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sylvia Adams
- Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Judith D Goldberg
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Xiaochun Li
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Mike W Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Josephine A Ratikan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Carol Felix
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Lin Hwang
- Jonsson Compressive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kym F Faull
- Pasarow Mass Spectrometry Laboratory at University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - James W Sayre
- Public Health Biostatistics at University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sara Hurvitz
- Jonsson Compressive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Medicine, Hematology & Oncology at University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - John A Glaspy
- Jonsson Compressive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Medicine, Hematology & Oncology at University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Begoña Comin-Anduix
- Jonsson Compressive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Medicine, Hematology & Oncology at University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sandra Demaria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Dörthe Schaue
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Compressive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - William H McBride
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, California.
- Jonsson Compressive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California
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25
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Schmid D, Park CG, Hartl CA, Subedi N, Cartwright AN, Puerto RB, Zheng Y, Maiarana J, Freeman GJ, Wucherpfennig KW, Irvine DJ, Goldberg MS. T cell-targeting nanoparticles focus delivery of immunotherapy to improve antitumor immunity. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1747. [PMID: 29170511 PMCID: PMC5700944 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01830-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 290] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted delivery of compounds to particular cell subsets can enhance therapeutic index by concentrating their action on the cells of interest. Because attempts to target tumors directly have yielded limited benefit, we instead target endogenous immune cell subsets in the circulation that can migrate actively into tumors. We describe antibody-targeted nanoparticles that bind to CD8+ T cells in the blood, lymphoid tissues, and tumors of mice. PD-1+ T cells are successfully targeted in the circulation and tumor. The delivery of an inhibitor of TGFβ signaling to PD-1-expressing cells extends the survival of tumor-bearing mice, whereas free drugs have no effect at such doses. This modular platform also enables PD-1-targeted delivery of a TLR7/8 agonist to the tumor microenvironment, increasing the proportion of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells and sensitizing tumors to subsequent anti-PD-1. Targeted delivery of immunotherapy to defined subsets of endogenous leukocytes may be superior to administration of free drugs. Targeted delivery of immunomodulatory compounds to defined subsets of endogenous immune cells may improve the efficacy of combination immunotherapies. Here, the authors use PD-1-targeting nanoparticles containing a TGFβ inhibitor or a TLR7/8 agonist to deliver these payloads to T cells or via T cells to the tumor microenvironment, respectively, leading to anti-tumor efficacy in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Schmid
- Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.,Department of Microbiology & Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Chun Gwon Park
- Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.,Department of Microbiology & Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Christina A Hartl
- Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Nikita Subedi
- Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Adam N Cartwright
- Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Regina Bou Puerto
- Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Yiran Zheng
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - James Maiarana
- Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Gordon J Freeman
- Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Kai W Wucherpfennig
- Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Darrell J Irvine
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Michael S Goldberg
- Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. .,Department of Microbiology & Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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26
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Messerli SM, Hoffman MM, Gnimpieba EZ, Kohlhof H, Bhardwaj RD. 4SC-202 as a Potential Treatment for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Medulloblastoma. Brain Sci 2017; 7:brainsci7110147. [PMID: 29099739 PMCID: PMC5704154 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci7110147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This project involves an examination of the effect of the small molecule inhibitor 4SC-202 on the growth of the pediatric brain cancer medulloblastoma. The small molecule inhibitor 4SC-202 significantly inhibits the viability of the pediatric desmoplastic cerebellar human medulloblastoma cell line DAOY, with an IC50 = 58.1 nM, but does not affect the viability of noncancerous neural stem cells (NSC). 4SC-202 exposure inhibits hedgehog expression in the DAOY cell line. Furthermore, microarray analysis of human medulloblastoma patient tumors indicate significant upregulation of key targets in the Hedgehog signaling pathway and Protein Tyrosine Kinase (PTK7).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanta M Messerli
- Sanford Children's Health Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies, Sanford Research, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA.
| | - Mariah M Hoffman
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA.
| | - Etienne Z Gnimpieba
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA.
| | - Hella Kohlhof
- 4SC AG, Fraunhoferstraße 22, 82152 Planegg, Germany.
- Immunic AG, Am Klopferspitz 19, 82152 Planegg, Germany.
| | - Ratan D Bhardwaj
- Sanford Children's Health Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies, Sanford Research, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA.
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27
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Li X, Su Y, Hua X, Xie C, Liu J, Huang Y, Zhou L, Zhang M, Li X, Gao Z. Levels of hepatic Th17 cells and regulatory T cells upregulated by hepatic stellate cells in advanced HBV-related liver fibrosis. J Transl Med 2017; 15:75. [PMID: 28399886 PMCID: PMC5387242 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-017-1167-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Liver fibrosis which mainly occurs upon chronic hepatitis virus infection potentially leads to portal hypertension, hepatic failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the immune status of Th17 and Treg cells in liver fibrosis is controversial and the exact mechanisms remain largely elusive. Methods Liver tissues and peripheral blood were obtained simultaneously from 32 hepatitis B virus infected patients undergoing surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma at the medical center of Sun Yat-sen University. Liver tissues at least 3 cm away from the tumor site were used for the analyses. Levels of Th17 cells and regulatory T cells were detected by flow cytometry analysis and immunohistochemistry. In vitro experiment, we adopted magnetic cell sorting to investigate how hepatic stellate cells regulate the levels of Th17 cells and regulatory T cells. Results We found that hepatic Th17 cells and regulatory T cells were increased in patients with advanced stage HBV-related liver fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells upregulated the levels of Th17 cells and regulatory T cells via PGE2/EP2 and EP4 pathway. Conclusions We found that the increased levels of Th17 cells and regulatory T cells were upregulated by hepatic stellate cells. These results may provide insight into the role of hepatic stellate cells and Th17 cells and regulatory T cells in the persistence of fibrosis and into the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma following cirrhosis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-017-1167-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yujie Su
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xuefeng Hua
- Department of Transplant Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chan Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yuehua Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong Province, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Liver Disease, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong Province, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Liver Disease, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No 210 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui Province, China.
| | - Zhiliang Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong Province, China. .,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Liver Disease, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.
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28
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Abou-Antoun TJ, Hale JS, Lathia JD, Dombrowski SM. Brain Cancer Stem Cells in Adults and Children: Cell Biology and Therapeutic Implications. Neurotherapeutics 2017; 14:372-384. [PMID: 28374184 PMCID: PMC5398995 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-017-0524-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors represent some of the most malignant cancers in both children and adults. Current treatment options target the majority of tumor cells but do not adequately target self-renewing cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs have been reported to resist the most aggressive radiation and chemotherapies, and give rise to recurrent, treatment-resistant secondary malignancies. With advancing technologies, we now have a better understanding of the genetic, epigenetic and molecular signatures and microenvironmental influences which are useful in distinguishing between distinctly different tumor subtypes. As a result, efforts are now underway to identify and target CSCs within various tumor subtypes based on this foundation. This review discusses progress in CSC biology as it relates to targeted therapies which may be uniquely different between pediatric and adult brain tumors. Studies to date suggest that pediatric brain tumors may benefit more from genetic and epigenetic targeted therapies, while combination treatments aimed specifically at multiple molecular pathways may be more effective in treating adult brain tumors which seem to have a greater propensity towards microenvironmental interactions. Ultimately, CSC targeting approaches in combination with current clinical therapies have the potential to be more effective owing to their ability to compromise CSCs maintenance and the mechanisms which underlie their highly aggressive and deadly nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara J Abou-Antoun
- School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - James S Hale
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Justin D Lathia
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case, Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Stephen M Dombrowski
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Section of Pediatric Neurosurgical Oncology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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29
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Zhang H, Li Z, Wang L, Tian G, Tian J, Yang Z, Cao G, Zhou H, Zhao L, Wu Z, Yin Z. Critical Role of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Tumor-Induced Liver Immune Suppression through Inhibition of NKT Cell Function. Front Immunol 2017; 8:129. [PMID: 28243237 PMCID: PMC5303828 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis followed by the tumor development is the primary cause of death for cancer patients. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of how the growth of tumor resulted in the immune suppression, especially at the blood-enriched organ such as liver, were largely unknown. In this report, we studied the liver immune response of tumor-bearing (TB) mice using concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis model. We demonstrated that TB mice displayed an immune suppression phenotype, with attenuated alanine aminotransferase levels and liver damage upon Con A treatment. We also elucidated that large amounts of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) being influx into the liver in TB mice and these MDSCs were essential for liver immune suppression through both depletion and reconstitution approaches. We further determined that these MDSCs selectively suppressed the IFN-γ production deriving from NKT cells through membrane-bound transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Finally, we defined a tumor-derived TGF-β-triggered CXCL1/2/5- and CXCR2-dependent recruitment of MDSC into the liver. In summary, our results defined a novel mechanism of liver immune suppression triggered by growing living tumor and provided possible therapeutic targets against these MDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongru Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University , Tianjin , China
| | - Zheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China; Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group, Beijing, China
| | - Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University , Tianjin , China
| | - Gaofei Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University , Tianjin , China
| | - Jun Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University , Tianjin , China
| | - Zishan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University , Tianjin , China
| | - Guangchao Cao
- The First Affiliate Hospital, Biomedical Translational Research Institute, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Antibody Engineering, Jinan University , Guangzhou , China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Immunology, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Liqing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University , Tianjin , China
| | - Zhenzhou Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University , Tianjin , China
| | - Zhinan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China; The First Affiliate Hospital, Biomedical Translational Research Institute, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Antibody Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Sandén E, Enríquez Pérez J, Visse E, Kool M, Carén H, Siesjö P, Darabi A. Preoperative systemic levels of VEGFA, IL-7, IL-17A, and TNF-β delineate two distinct groups of children with brain tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2016; 63:2112-2122. [PMID: 27472224 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary brain tumors are the most common solid tumors in children. Increasing evidence demonstrates diverse intratumoral immune signatures, which are tentatively reflected in peripheral blood. PROCEDURE Twenty cytokines were analyzed in preoperative plasma samples from five healthy children and 45 children with brain tumors, using a multiplex platform (MesoScale Discovery V-PLEX® ). Tumor types included medulloblastoma (MB), ependymoma, sarcoma, high-grade glioma, pilocytic astrocytoma, and other low-grade gliomas. RESULTS A panel of four cytokines [VEGFA, interleukin (IL)-7, IL-17A, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-β] delineated two distinct patient groups, identified as VEGFAhigh IL-7high IL-17Alow TNF-βlow (Group A) and VEGFAlow IL-7low IL-17Ahigh TNF-βhigh (Group B). Healthy controls and the vast majority of patients with MB were found within Group A, whereas patients with other tumor types were equally distributed between the two groups. Unrelated to A/B affiliation, we detected trends toward increased IL-10 and decreased IL-12/23 and TNF-α in several tumor types. Finally, a small number of patients displayed evidence of enhanced systemic immune activation, including elevated levels of interferon-γ, granulocyte monocyte colony-stimulating factor, IL-6, IL-12/23, and TNF-α. Following tumor resection, cytokine levels in a MB patient approached the levels of healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS We identify common features and individual differences in the systemic immune profiles of children with brain tumors. Overall, patients with MB displayed a uniform cytokine profile, whereas other tumor diagnoses did not predict systemic immunological status in single patients. Future characterization and monitoring of systemic immune responses in children with brain tumors will have important implications for the development and implementation of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Sandén
- Glioma Immunotherapy Group, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Neurosurgery, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Julio Enríquez Pérez
- Glioma Immunotherapy Group, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Neurosurgery, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Edward Visse
- Glioma Immunotherapy Group, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Neurosurgery, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marcel Kool
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Helena Carén
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Peter Siesjö
- Glioma Immunotherapy Group, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Neurosurgery, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Neurosurgery, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna Darabi
- Glioma Immunotherapy Group, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Neurosurgery, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Dysregulation of TGFβ1 Activity in Cancer and Its Influence on the Quality of Anti-Tumor Immunity. J Clin Med 2016; 5:jcm5090076. [PMID: 27589814 PMCID: PMC5039479 DOI: 10.3390/jcm5090076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
TGFβ1 is a pleiotropic cytokine that exhibits a variety of physiologic and immune regulatory functions. Although its influence on multiple cell types is critical for the regulation of numerous biologic processes in the host, dysregulation of both TGFβ1 expression and activity is frequently observed in cancer and contributes to various aspects of cancer progression. This review focuses on TGFβ1’s contribution to tumor immune suppression and escape, with emphasis on the influence of this regulatory cytokine on the differentiation and function of dendritic cells and T cells. Clinical trials targeting TGFβ1 in cancer patients are also reviewed, and strategies for future therapeutic interventions that build on our current understanding of immune regulation by TGFβ1 are discussed.
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Mott KR, Gate D, Matundan HH, Ghiasi YN, Town T, Ghiasi H. CD8+ T Cells Play a Bystander Role in Mice Latently Infected with Herpes Simplex Virus 1. J Virol 2016; 90:5059-5067. [PMID: 26962220 PMCID: PMC4859724 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00255-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Based on an explant reactivation model, it has been proposed that CD8(+) T cells maintain latency in trigeminal ganglia (TG) of mice latently infected with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) [T. Liu, K. M. Khanna, X. Chen, D. J. Fink, and R. L. Hendricks, J Exp Med 191:1459-1466, 2000, doi:10.1084/jem.191.9.1459; K. M. Khanna, R. H. Bonneau, P. R. Kinchington, and R. L. Hendricks, Immunity 18:593-603, 2003, doi:10.1016/S1074-7613(03)00112-2]. In those studies, BALB/c mice were ocularly infected with an avirulent HSV-1 strain (RE) after corneal scarification. However, in our studies, we typically infect mice with a virulent HSV-1 strain (McKrae) that does not require corneal scarification. Using a combination of knockout mice, adoptive transfers, and depletion studies, we recently found that CD8α(+) dendritic cells (DCs) contribute to HSV-1 latency and reactivation in TG of ocularly infected mice (K. R. Mott, S. J. Allen, M. Zandian, B. Konda, B. G. Sharifi, C. Jones, S. L. Wechsler, T. Town, and H. Ghiasi, PLoS One 9:e93444, 2014, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0093444). This suggested that CD8(+) T cells might not be the major regulators of HSV-1 latency in the mouse TG. To investigate this iconoclastic possibility, we used a blocking CD8 antibody and CD8(+) T cells in reactivated TG explants from mice latently infected with (i) the avirulent HSV-1 strain RE following corneal scarification or (ii) the virulent HSV-1 strain McKrae without corneal scarification. Independently of the strain or approach, our results show that CD8α(+) DCs, not CD8(+) T cells, drive latency and reactivation. In addition, adoptive transfer of CD8(+) T cells from wild-type (wt) mice to CD8α(-/-) mice did not restore latency to the level for wt mice or wt virus. In the presence of latency-associated transcript (LAT((+)); wt virus), CD8(+) T cells seem to play a bystander role in the TG. These bystander T cells highly express PD-1, most likely due to the presence of CD8α(+) DCs. Collectively, these results support the notion that CD8(+) T cells do not play a major role in maintaining HSV-1 latency and reactivation. SIGNIFICANCE This study addresses a fundamentally important and widely debated issue in the field of HSV latency-reactivation. In this article, we directly compare the effects of anti-CD8 antibody, CD8(+) T cells, LAT, and CD8α(+) DCs in blocking explant reactivation in TG of mice latently infected with avirulent or virulent HSV-1. Our data suggest that CD8(+) T cells are not responsible for an increase or maintenance of latency in ocularly infected mice. However, they seem to play a bystander role that correlates with the presence of LAT, higher subclinical reactivation levels, and higher PD-1 expression levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R Mott
- Center for Neurobiology and Vaccine Development, Ophthalmology Research, Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - David Gate
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Harry H Matundan
- Center for Neurobiology and Vaccine Development, Ophthalmology Research, Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yasamin N Ghiasi
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Terrence Town
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Homayon Ghiasi
- Center for Neurobiology and Vaccine Development, Ophthalmology Research, Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Hu QP, Kuang JY, Yang QK, Bian XW, Yu SC. Beyond a tumor suppressor: Soluble E-cadherin promotes the progression of cancer. Int J Cancer 2016; 138:2804-12. [PMID: 26704932 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
E-cadherin (E-cad) plays important roles in tumorigenesis as well as in tumor progression, invasion and metastasis. This protein exists in two forms: a membrane-tethered form and a soluble form. Full-length E-cad is membrane tethered. As a type I transmembrane glycoprotein, E-cad mainly mediates adherens junctions between cells and is involved in maintaining the normal structure of epithelial tissues. Soluble E-cad (sE-cad) is the extracellular fragment of the protein that is cleaved from the membrane after proteolysis of full-length E-cad. The production of sE-cad undermines adherens junctions, causing a reduction in cell aggregation capacity; furthermore, sE-cad can diffuse into the extracellular environment and the blood. As a paracrine/autocrine signaling molecule, sE-cad activates or inhibits multiple signaling pathways and participates in the progression of various types of cancer, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer, by promoting invasion and metastasis. This article briefly reviews the role of sE-cad in tumorigenesis and tumor progression and its significance in clinical therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Ping Hu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jing-Ya Kuang
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Qing-Kai Yang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of DaLian Medical University, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, DaLian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, China
| | - Xiu-Wu Bian
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Shi-Cang Yu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
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Targeting the Hedgehog Pathway in Pediatric Medulloblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2015; 7:2110-23. [PMID: 26512695 PMCID: PMC4695880 DOI: 10.3390/cancers7040880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Revised: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB), a primitive neuroectomal tumor of the cerebellum, is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. The cause of MB is largely unknown, but aberrant activation of Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is responsible for ~30% of MB. Despite aggressive treatment with surgical resection, radiation and chemotherapy, 70%–80% of pediatric medulloblastoma cases can be controlled, but most treated patients suffer devastating side effects. Therefore, developing a new effective treatment strategy is urgently needed. Hh signaling controls transcription of target genes by regulating activities of the three Glioma-associated oncogene (Gli1-3) transcription factors. In this review, we will focus on current clinical treatment options of MB and discuss mechanisms of drug resistance. In addition, we will describe current known molecular pathways which crosstalk with the Hedgehog pathway both in the context of medulloblastoma and non-medulloblastoma cancer development. Finally, we will introduce post-translational modifications that modulate Gli1 activity and summarize the positive and negative regulations of the Hh/Gli1 pathway. Towards developing novel combination therapies for medulloblastoma treatment, current information on interacting pathways and direct regulation of Hh signaling should prove critical.
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Transforming growth factor β and bone morphogenetic protein actions in brain tumors. FEBS Lett 2015; 589:1588-97. [PMID: 25957771 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.04.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2015] [Revised: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family are implicated in the biology of several cancers. Here we focus on malignancies of the brain and examine the TGFβ and the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling branches of the family. These pathways exhibit context-dependent actions during tumorigenesis, acting either as tumor suppressors or as pro-tumorigenic agents. In the brain, the TGF-βs associate with oncogenic development and progression to the more malignant state. Inversely, the BMPs suppress tumorigenic potential by acting as agents that induce tumor cell differentiation. The latter has been best demonstrated in grade IV astrocytomas, otherwise known as glioblastoma multiforme. We discuss how the actions of TGF-βs and BMPs on cancer stem cells may explain their effects on tumor progression, and try to highlight intricate mechanisms that may link tumor cell differentiation to invasion. The focus on TGF-β and BMP and their actions in brain malignancies provides a rich territory for mechanistic understanding of tumor heterogeneity and suggests ways for improved therapeutic intervention, currently being addressed by clinical trials.
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