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An S, Li W, Do H, Kwon HY, Kim B, Kim K, Kim Y, Cho MY. The Expression Patterns of Immune Checkpoint Molecules in Colorectal Cancer: An Analysis Based on Microsatellite Status. Biomedicines 2024; 12:752. [PMID: 38672108 PMCID: PMC11048643 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, immunotherapy has arisen as a novel treatment approach for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), but the effectiveness of immunotherapy varies in these patients. We hypothesized that immune checkpoint molecules (ICMs), which are the targets of immunotherapy, are often exhibited concomitantly. Our objective was to investigate the patterns of ICM expression in patients with CRC and the differences in ICM expression based on microsatellite instability status. The immunohistochemical expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3), and lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) in the tumor center and periphery was assessed in patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer. We enrolled 83 patients with CRC: a total of 40 microsatellite-stable (MSS) and 43 microsatellite-instability-high (MSI-H) cancer patients. PD-L1 was more frequently expressed in the tumor center in the MSI-H patients with than that in the MSS patients (18 [41.9%] vs. 3 [7.5%], respectively; p < 0.001), and the same trend was observed for TIM-3 expression (30 [69.8%] vs. 19 [47.5%], respectively; p = 0.047). The concomitant expression of two or more ICMs was more frequently observed than no expression or the expression of a single molecule in both the MSS and MSI-H groups; a total of 34 (79.7%) patients with MSI-H cancer and 23 (57.5%) with MSS cancer showed ICM expression at the tumor center, whereas 34 (79.7%) patients with MSI-H cancer and 22 (55%) with MSS cancer showed expression at the tumor periphery. Patients with the genetic characteristics of MSI-H cancer showed higher expression levels of ICMs than those in patients with MSS cancer, and predominantly, two or more ICMs were concurrently expressed. Our findings highlight the potential efficacy of the dual-blockade approach in immunotherapy, particularly in patients with MSI-H CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanghyun An
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Republic of Korea; (S.A.); (H.Y.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Wanlu Li
- Department of Pathology, Jiaxing University College of Medicine, Jiaxing 314001, China
| | - Hyejin Do
- Department of Anesthesiology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hye Youn Kwon
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Republic of Korea; (S.A.); (H.Y.K.); (K.K.)
- Wonju Surgical Research Collaboration, Wonju 26465, Republic of Korea
| | - Bora Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Republic of Korea;
| | - Kwangmin Kim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Republic of Korea; (S.A.); (H.Y.K.); (K.K.)
- Wonju Surgical Research Collaboration, Wonju 26465, Republic of Korea
- Trauma Center, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Wonju 26426, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngwan Kim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Republic of Korea; (S.A.); (H.Y.K.); (K.K.)
- Wonju Surgical Research Collaboration, Wonju 26465, Republic of Korea
| | - Mee-Yon Cho
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Republic of Korea
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Baş Y, Yılmaz B, Güney G, Şahin HHK, Özçerezci T, Rençber E, Koçak Ö, Helvacı K, Şahiner İT. Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of PD-L1 expression in colon adenocarcinoma tumor budding. Ann Diagn Pathol 2023; 67:152202. [PMID: 37689039 DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2023.152202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In this study, we investigated the relationship between programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) expression in colon adenocarcinoma tumor budding. METHODS This study included 122 patients with colon adenocarcinomas. The largest sample of formaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissues was selected for analysis. Expression of membranous PD-L1 (clone 22C3) and the Combined Positive Score (CPS) in tumor tissues was calculated and graded according to the percentages of peritumoral and intratumoral tumor cells (0 %, 1 %, 1-5 %, >5 %). The effects of these factors on the prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS Tumor budding was associated with adverse clinicopathological features and poor overall survival. PD-L1 (CPS%) peritumoral tumor budding (1 %/<1 %) was statistically significant in the univariate model (p = 0.004). Age, organ metastases (liver, lung, liver, lung, and peritoneum), and metastases were statistically significant in the multivariate model (p = 0.001, p = 0.004, p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.004, and p = 0.032, respectively). PD-L1 positive staining was mostly observed around the tumor and during tumor budding. PD-L1 peritumoral tumor budding rates and patients' survival rates differed significantly (log-rank = 12.07, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION We found that patients with PD-L1 (CPS%) > 1 % in tumor budding had a shortened life expectancy and demonstrated the importance of including tumor budding areas in the samples used for biomarker evaluation. We previously reported that PD-L1 expression in tumor budding is associated with more aggressive cancer biology and poor survival, although overall survival is of limited statistical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yılmaz Baş
- Department of Pathology, Hitit University Faculty of Medicine, Çorum, Turkey.
| | - Bayram Yılmaz
- Department of Pathology, Hitit University Erol Olçok Education and Research Hospital, Çorum, Turkey
| | - Güven Güney
- Department of Pathology, Hitit University Faculty of Medicine, Çorum, Turkey
| | | | - Tuğba Özçerezci
- Department of Pathology, Hitit University Erol Olçok Education and Research Hospital, Çorum, Turkey
| | - Emin Rençber
- Department of Public Health, Head of Community Health, Provincial Health Directorate, Çorum, Turkey
| | - Özgür Koçak
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hitit University Faculty of Medicine, Çorum, Turkey
| | - Kaan Helvacı
- Department of Oncology, Hitit University Faculty of Medicine, Çorum, Turkey
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Mastracci L, Grillo F, Parente P, Gullo I, Campora M, Angerilli V, Rossi C, Sacramento ML, Pennelli G, Vanoli A, Fassan M. PD-L1 evaluation in the gastrointestinal tract: from biological rationale to its clinical application. Pathologica 2022; 114:352-364. [PMID: 36305021 PMCID: PMC9614301 DOI: 10.32074/1591-951x-803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune-checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis have brought significant clinical benefit in many solid cancer types, including gastrointestinal malignancies. However, it has been estimated that only 20-40% of patients respond to treatment. The pattern of expression and potential predictive value of PD-L1 as an immunohistochemical biomarker has been extensively studied in gastrointestinal neoplasms. Until now, its predictive value has been demonstrated, and is currently in use only in upper gastrointestinal malignancies (gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma). In this Review, we describe the technical aspects and challenges related to PD-L1 immunohistochemical assays, the current role of PD-L1 as a biomarker in clinical practice and we outline the main studies and clinical trials analyzing the prognostic and predictive value of PD-L1 in gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Mastracci
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genova, Italy
| | - Federica Grillo
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genova, Italy
| | - Paola Parente
- Unit of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Irene Gullo
- Department of Pathology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João (CHUSJ), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), Portugal.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Michela Campora
- Public Healthcare Trust of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Santa Chiara Hospital, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pathology Unit, Trento, Italy
| | - Valentina Angerilli
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Padua (PD), Italy
| | - Chiara Rossi
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, and IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Sacramento
- Department of Pathology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João (CHUSJ), Porto, Portugal
| | - Gianmaria Pennelli
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Padua (PD), Italy
| | - Alessandro Vanoli
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, and IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Padua (PD), Italy.,Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua (PD), Italy
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Secinti IE, Ozgur T, Dede I. PD-L1 Expression in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Is Associated With the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Am J Clin Pathol 2022; 158:506-515. [PMID: 35938631 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqac077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Colorectal carcinomas are the third-most common tumors in the world, and colorectal cancer ranks second in cancer-related deaths. Our aim in this study was to investigate the correlation between programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and clinicopathologic parameters in colorectal carcinomas and their relationship to the tumor immune microenvironment, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and microsatellite instability. We also investigated the predictive and prognostic role of PD-L1. METHODS One hundred patients with a diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy were included in the study. The relationships among the altered expression of PD-L1; vimentin; E-cadherin; mismatch repair status; and pathologic microenvironmental features, including the presence of tumor budding and CD8-positive tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), were assessed. RESULTS Increased PD-L1 expression in tumor cells was associated with increased TILs (P = .013), high histologic grade (P = .011), advanced pathologic T stage (P = .007), lymph node metastasis (P = .002), distant metastasis (P < .001), perineural invasion (P = .009), high bud score (P = .023), EMT (P < .001), and shorter disease-free survival (P = .029). CONCLUSIONS Overall, PD-L1 expression in colorectal carcinoma tumor cells is a marker of poor prognosis, and the positive correlation detected between EMT status and PD-L1 expression suggests that patients with the mesenchymal phenotype may be more likely to benefit from programmed cell death 1 protein/PD-L1 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilke Evrim Secinti
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Tumay Ozgur
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Isa Dede
- Department of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
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Alam M, Hasan GM, Ansari MM, Sharma R, Yadav DK, Hassan MI. Therapeutic implications and clinical manifestations of thymoquinone. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2022; 200:113213. [PMID: 35472482 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Thymoquinone (TQ), a natural phytochemical predominantly found in Nigella sativa, has been investigated for its numerous health benefits. TQ showed anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, validated in various disease models. The anti-cancer potential of TQ is goverened by anti-proliferation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, ROS production, anti-metastasis and anti-angiogenesis, inhibition of cell migration and invasion action. Additionally, TQ exhibited antitumor activity via the modulation of multiple pathways and molecular targets, including Akt, ERK1/2, STAT3, and NF-κB. The present review highlighted the anticancer potential of TQ . We summarize the anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of TQ, focusing on its molecular targets and its promising action in cancer therapy. We further described the molecular mechanisms by which TQ prevents signaling pathways that mediate cancer progression, invasion, and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manzar Alam
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Gulam Mustafa Hasan
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 173, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md Meraj Ansari
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
| | - Rishi Sharma
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 249203, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Yadav
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Hambakmoeiro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon City, 21924, South Korea.
| | - Md Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India.
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Kuo YT, Liao CK, Chen TC, Lai CC, Chiang SF, Chiang JM. A high density of PD-L1-expressing immune cells is significantly correlated with favorable disease free survival in nonmetastatic colorectal cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e28573. [PMID: 35060518 PMCID: PMC8772683 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000028573] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of immune cells (ICs) expressing various markers remains poorly understood in nonmetastatic colorectal cancer patients who have undergone colectomy. Here, we aimed to clarify the correlation between IC density and clinical parameters and survival.Programmed death protein-1 (PD-1), programmed cell death protein ligand-1 (PD-L1), clusters of differentiation (CD)-3, CD-8, and CD45RO immunostaining was performed for 421 patients using tissue microarray and automatic counting. Tumor stroma area immune density was assessed in comparison to clinical histological factors and surgical outcomes.High-density CD-8 expression was significantly associated with current smoking habits or a smoking history (P = .006). High-density of PD-1 expression was correlated with Lynch syndrome patients (P < .001) and with patients who did not consume alcohol (P = .034). A significant decrease in CR45RO expression density was associated with aging (P = .002 and r = -0.014), and high-density CD-3, CD-8, and PD-1 expression was significantly associated with right colon tumor location (P < .001). High CD-3 and PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with early tumor T-staging (P = .018 and P = .002). High-density PD-1 expression was significantly correlated with mucinous type adenocarcinoma (P = .027) and poor differentiation (P < .001). For treatment outcomes, multivariate analysis confirmed that patients exhibiting high-density PD-L1 expression possessed significantly longer disease free survival (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.752, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61-0.92, P = .006) and overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.872, 95% CI: 0.75-1.91, P = .064)Significantly varied density in IC subsets was related to distinct demographic or clinic-histological factors. The presence of high-density PD-L1-expressing ICs is an independent favorable prognostic factor for disease free survival and overall survival among stage I to III colorectal cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ting Kuo
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Kai Liao
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tse-ching Chen
- Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Chou Lai
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Sum-Fu Chiang
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jy-Ming Chiang
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Azcue P, Encío I, Guerrero Setas D, Suarez Alecha J, Galbete A, Mercado M, Vera R, Gomez-Dorronsoro ML. PD-L1 as a Prognostic Factor in Early-Stage Colon Carcinoma within the Immunohistochemical Molecular Subtype Classification. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1943. [PMID: 33920689 PMCID: PMC8073668 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a patent need to better characterize early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) expression has been proposed as a prognostic factor but yields mixed results in different settings. The Consensus Molecular Subtype (CMS) classification has yet to be integrated into clinical practice. We sought to evaluate the prognostic value of PD-L1 expression overall and within CMS in early-stage colon cancer patients, in the hope of assisting treatment choice in this setting. METHODS Tissue-microarrays were constructed from tumor samples of 162 stage II/III CRC patients. They underwent automatic immunohistochemical staining for PD-L1 and the proposed CMS panel. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS PD-L1 expression was significantly and independently associated with better prognosis (HR = 0.46 (0.26-0.82), p = 0.009) and was mostly seen in immune cells of the tumor-related stroma. CMS4 five-folds the risk of mortalitycompared with CMS1 (HR = 5.58 (1.36, 22.0), p = 0.034). In the subgroup CMS2/CMS3 analysis, PD-L1 expression significantly differentiated individuals with better OS (p = 0.004) and DFS (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that PD-L1 expression is an independent prognostic factor in patients with stage II/III colon cancer. Additionally, it successfully differentiates patients with better prognosis in the CMS2/CMS3 group and may prove significant for the clinical relevance of the CMS classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Azcue
- Department of Health Science, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Ignacio Encío
- Department of Health Science, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Institute for Health Research Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.G.); (R.V.)
| | - David Guerrero Setas
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Hospital Complex of Navarra (CHN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (D.G.S.); (M.M.)
- Campus Arrosadia, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), 31006 Pamplona, Spain
- Molecular Pathology of Cancer Group–Navarrabiomed, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Complex of Navarra (CHN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Javier Suarez Alecha
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Complex of Navarra (CHN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Arkaitz Galbete
- Institute for Health Research Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.G.); (R.V.)
- Campus Arrosadia, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), 31006 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarrabiomed-Hospital Complex of Navarra (CHN), Redissec, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - María Mercado
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Hospital Complex of Navarra (CHN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (D.G.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Ruth Vera
- Institute for Health Research Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.G.); (R.V.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Complex of Navarra (CHN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maria Luisa Gomez-Dorronsoro
- Institute for Health Research Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.G.); (R.V.)
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Hospital Complex of Navarra (CHN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (D.G.S.); (M.M.)
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O’Connell E, Reynolds IS, McNamara DA, Burke JP, Prehn JHM. Resistance to Cell Death in Mucinous Colorectal Cancer-A Review. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061389. [PMID: 33808549 PMCID: PMC8003305 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucinous colorectal cancer (CRC) is estimated to occur in approximately 10-15% of CRC cases and is characterized by abundant extracellular mucin. Mucinous CRC is frequently associated with resistance to apoptosis. Inferior prognosis is observed in mucinous CRC, particularly in rectal cancer and metastatic cases. Mucins are heavily glycosylated secretory or transmembrane proteins that participate in protection of the colonic epithelium. MUC2 overexpression is a hallmark of mucinous CRCs. Mucinous CRC is associated with KRAS and BRAF mutation, microsatellite instability and the CpG island methylator phenotype. Mutations of the APC gene and p53 mutations which are characteristic non-mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma are less common in mucinous CRC. Both physical and anti-apoptotic properties of mucin provide mechanisms for resistance to cell death. Mucin glycoproteins are associated with decreased expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, increased expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and increased cell survival signaling. The role for BCL-2 proteins, including BCL-XL, in preventing apoptosis in mucinous CRC has been explored to a limited extent. Additional mechanisms opposing cell death include altered death receptor expression and altered mutation rates in genes responsible for chemotherapy resistance. The roles of alternate cell death programs including necroptosis and pyroptosis are not well understood in mucinous CRC. While the presence of MUC2 is associated with an immunosuppressive environment, the tumor immune environment of mucinous CRC and the role of immune-mediated tumor cell death likewise require further investigation. Improved understanding of cell death mechanisms in mucinous CRC may allow modification of currently used regimens and facilitate targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emer O’Connell
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland; (E.O.); (I.S.R.); (D.A.M.); (J.P.B.)
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Ian S. Reynolds
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland; (E.O.); (I.S.R.); (D.A.M.); (J.P.B.)
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Deborah A. McNamara
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland; (E.O.); (I.S.R.); (D.A.M.); (J.P.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - John P. Burke
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland; (E.O.); (I.S.R.); (D.A.M.); (J.P.B.)
| | - Jochen H. M. Prehn
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Correspondence:
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9
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Miller TJ, Anyaegbu CC, Lee-Pullen TF, Spalding LJ, Platell CF, McCoy MJ. PD-L1+ dendritic cells in the tumor microenvironment correlate with good prognosis and CD8+ T cell infiltration in colon cancer. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:1173-1183. [PMID: 33345422 PMCID: PMC7935795 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The prognostic value of tumor‐associated dendritic cells (DC) in colon cancer remains poorly understood. This may be in part due to the interchangeable expression of immunostimulatory and immunoinhibitory molecules on DC. Here we investigated the prognostic impact of CD11c+ DC co–expressing the immunoinhibitory molecule PD‐L1 and their spatial relationship with CD8+ T‐cells in patients treated for stage III colon cancer. Methods Tissue microarrays containing representative cores of central tumor, leading edge, and adjacent normal tissue from 221 patients with stage III colon cancer were immunostained for CD8, CD11c, PD‐L1, and cytokeratin using immunofluorescent probes. Cells were quantified using StrataQuest digital image analysis software, with intratumoral and stromal regions analyzed separately. Kaplan‐Meier estimates and Cox regression were used to assess survival. Results Intratumoral CD8+ cell density (HR = .52, 95% confidence interval [CI] .33‐.83, P = .007), stromal CD11c+ cell density (HR = .52, 95% CI .33‐.83, P = .006), intratumoral CD11c+PD‐L1+ cell density (HR = .57, 95% CI .35‐.92, P = .021), and stromal CD11c+PD‐L1+ cell density (HR = .48, 95% CI .30‐.77, P = .003) on leading‐edge cores were all significantly associated with good survival. CD8+ cell density was positively correlated with both CD11c+ cell density and CD11c+PD‐L1+ cell density in tumor epithelium and stromal compartments. Conclusion Here we showed that PD‐L1‐expressing DC in the tumor microenvironment are associated with improved survival in stage III colon cancer and likely reflect an immunologically “hot” tumor microenvironment. Further investigation into the expression of immunomodulatory molecules by tumor‐associated DC may help to further elucidate their prognostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Miller
- Colorectal Research Unit, St. John of God Subiaco Hospital, Subiaco, WA, Australia.,Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Chidozie C Anyaegbu
- Colorectal Research Unit, St. John of God Subiaco Hospital, Subiaco, WA, Australia.,Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Tracey F Lee-Pullen
- Colorectal Research Unit, St. John of God Subiaco Hospital, Subiaco, WA, Australia.,Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Lisa J Spalding
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Cameron F Platell
- Colorectal Research Unit, St. John of God Subiaco Hospital, Subiaco, WA, Australia.,Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Melanie J McCoy
- Colorectal Research Unit, St. John of God Subiaco Hospital, Subiaco, WA, Australia.,Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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