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Arias-Badia M, Chang R, Fong L. γδ T cells as critical anti-tumor immune effectors. NATURE CANCER 2024:10.1038/s43018-024-00798-x. [PMID: 39060435 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00798-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
While the effector cells that mediate anti-tumor immunity have historically been attributed to αβ T cells and natural killer cells, γδ T cells are now being recognized as a complementary mechanism mediating tumor rejection. γδ T cells possess a host of functions ranging from antigen presentation to regulatory function and, importantly, have critical roles in eliciting anti-tumor responses where other immune effectors may be rendered ineffective. Recent discoveries have elucidated how these differing functions are mediated by γδ T cells with specific T cell receptors and spatial distribution. Their relative resistance to mechanisms of dysfunction like T cell exhaustion has spurred the development of therapeutic approaches exploiting γδ T cells, and an improved understanding of these cells should enable more effective immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Arias-Badia
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ryan Chang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lawrence Fong
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchison Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Pathania AS, Chava H, Chaturvedi NK, Chava S, Byrareddy SN, Coulter DW, Challagundla KB. The miR-29 family facilitates the activation of NK-cell immune responses by targeting the B7-H3 immune checkpoint in neuroblastoma. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:428. [PMID: 38890285 PMCID: PMC11189583 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06791-7] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a highly aggressive pediatric cancer that originates from immature nerve cells, presenting significant treatment challenges due to therapy resistance. Despite intensive treatment, approximately 50% of high-risk NB cases exhibit therapy resistance or experience relapse, resulting in poor outcomes often associated with tumor immune evasion. B7-H3 is an immune checkpoint protein known to inhibit immune responses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Our study aims to explore the impact of miRNAs on B7-H3 regulation, the anti-tumor immune response, and tumorigenicity in NB. Analysis of NB patients and patient-derived xenograft tumors revealed a correlation between higher B7-H3 expression and poorer patient survival. Notably, deceased patients exhibited a depletion of miR-29 family members (miR-29a, miR-29b, and miR-29c), which displayed an inverse association with B7-H3 expression in NB patients. Overexpression and knockdown experiments demonstrated that these miRNAs degrade B7-H3 mRNA, resulting in enhanced NK cell activation and cytotoxicity. In vivo, experiments provided further evidence that miR-29 family members reduce tumorigenicity, macrophage infiltration, and microvessel density, promote infiltration and activation of NK cells, and induce tumor cell apoptosis. These findings offer a rationale for developing more effective combination treatments that leverage miRNAs to target B7-H3 in NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anup S Pathania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Haritha Chava
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Nagendra K Chaturvedi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Srinivas Chava
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Siddappa N Byrareddy
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Don W Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Kishore B Challagundla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- The Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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3
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Wu H, Zhang G, Liu Z, Liu W, Wang X, Zhao Y. Enhanced anti-tumor activity mediated by combination chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting GD2 and GPC2 in high-risk neuroblastoma. Cytotherapy 2024:S1465-3249(24)00732-1. [PMID: 38904586 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.05.023] [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: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells targeting single antigens show limited activity against solid tumors due to poor T cell persistence, low efficiency infiltration, and exhaustion together with heterogeneous tumor-associated antigen (TAA) expression. This is also true in high-risk neuroblastoma (HRNB), a lethal pediatric extracranial malignancy. To overcome these obstacles, a combinational strategy using GD2-specific and GPC2-specific CAR-T cells was developed to improve immunotherapeutic efficacy. METHODS We individually developed GD2-specific and GPC2-specific CARs containing a selective domain (sCAR) which was a peptide of 10 amino acids derived from human nuclear autoantigen La/SS-B. These constructs allowed us to generate two different HRNB antigen-specific CAR-T cells with enhanced biological activity through stimulating sCAR-engrafted T cells via a selective domain-specific monoclonal antibody (SmAb). Binding affinity and stimulation of GD2- and GPC2-specific sCARs by SmAb were measured, and transient and persistent anti-tumor cytotoxicity of GD2sCAR-T and GPC2sCAR-T cells were quantified in neuroblastoma cell lines expressing different TAA levels. The anti-tumor pharmaceutical effects and cellular mechanisms mediated by single or combinational sCAR-T cells were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS GD2- and GPC2-specific sCARs had antigen-specific binding affinity similar to their parental counterparts and were recognized by SmAb. SmAb-mediated stimulation selectively activated sCAR-T proliferation and increased central memory T cells in the final products. SmAb-stimulated sCAR-T cells had enhanced transient cytolytic activity, and combination therapy extended long-term anti-tumor activity in vitro through TNF-α and IL-15 release. Stimulated sCAR-T cells overcame heterogeneous antigen expression in HRNB, and the multi-TAA-targeting strategy was especially efficacious in vivo, inducing apoptosis through the caspase-3/PARP pathway and inhibiting the release of several tumor-promoting cytokines. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that combined targeting of multiple TAAs is a promising strategy to overcome heterogenous antigen expression in solid tumors and extend CAR-T cell persistence for HRNB immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huantong Wu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Guangji Zhang
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongfeng Liu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Weihua Liu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.
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Ciurej A, Lewis E, Gupte A, Al-Antary E. Checkpoint Immunotherapy in Pediatric Oncology: Will We Say Checkmate Soon? Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1843. [PMID: 38140246 PMCID: PMC10748105 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121843] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a relatively new class of immunotherapy which bolsters the host immune system by "turning off the brakes" of effector cells (e.g., CTLA-4, PD-1, PD-L1). Although their success in treating adult malignancy is well documented, their utility in pediatric cancer has not yet been shown to be as fruitful. We review ICIs, their use in pediatric malignancies, and active pediatric clinical trials, exemplifying some of adult efforts that could be related to pediatric future trials and complications of ICI therapy. Through our review, we propose the consideration of ICI as standard therapy in lymphoma and various solid tumor types, especially in relapsed or refractory (R/R) disease. However, further studies are needed to demonstrate ICI effectiveness in pediatric leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ciurej
- Pediatric Department, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.C.)
| | - Elizabeth Lewis
- School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Avanti Gupte
- Pediatric Department, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.C.)
- Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Mt Clemons, MI 48859, USA
| | - Eman Al-Antary
- Pediatric Department, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.C.)
- Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Mt Clemons, MI 48859, USA
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Song M, Huang Y, Hong Y, Liu J, Zhu J, Lu S, Wang J, Sun F, Huang J, Xu J, Tang Y, Xia JC, Zhang Y. PD-L1-expressing natural killer cells predict favorable prognosis and response to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in neuroblastoma. Oncoimmunology 2023; 13:2289738. [PMID: 38125723 PMCID: PMC10732605 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2289738] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
T/NK cell-based immunotherapy has achieved remarkable success in adult cancers but has limited efficacy in pediatric malignancies including high-risk neuroblastoma (NB). Immune defects of NB tumor microenvironment are poorly understood compared with adults. Here, we described the unique characteristics of NB immune contexture and determined the phenotype signatures of PD-L1-expressing CD8+ T and NK cells in NB tumors by systemically analyzing the spatial distribution of T and NK cells and the distinct expression of programmed death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) in patients with NB. We found that PD-L1-expressing CD8+ T and NK cells in NB tumors were highly activated and functionally competent and associated with better clinical outcomes. Intratumoral NK cells were a favorable prognostic biomarker independent of CD8+ T cells, PD-1/PD-L1 expression, tumor stage, MYCN amplification, and risk classification. NK cells combined with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies showed potent antitumor activity against both MYCN-amplified and non-amplified NBs in vitro and in vivo, and PD-L1-expressing NK cells associated with improved antitumor efficacy. Collectively, we raise novel insights into the role of PD-L1 expression on CD8+ T-cell and NK-cell activation. We highlight the great potential of intratumoral NK cells in better defining risk stratification, and predicting survival and response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy in NB. These findings explain why single anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy may not be successful in NB, suggesting its combination with NK cell-adoptive cellular therapy as a promising strategy for relapsing/refractory NB. This study provides a potential prospect that patients with PD-L1-expressing NK cells may respond to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjia Song
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Huang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ye Hong
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juan Liu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia Zhu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Suying Lu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feifei Sun
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junting Huang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaqian Xu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Tang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Chuan Xia
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yizhuo Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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Maines LW, Keller SN, Smith CD. Opaganib (ABC294640) Induces Immunogenic Tumor Cell Death and Enhances Checkpoint Antibody Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16901. [PMID: 38069222 PMCID: PMC10706694 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody-based cancer drugs that target the checkpoint proteins CTLA-4, PD-1 and PD-L1 provide marked improvement in some patients with deadly diseases such as lung cancer and melanoma. However, most patients are either unresponsive or relapse following an initial response, underscoring the need for further improvement in immunotherapy. Certain drugs induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) in tumor cells in which the dying cells promote immunologic responses in the host that may enhance the in vivo activity of checkpoint antibodies. Sphingolipid metabolism is a key pathway in cancer biology, in which ceramides and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) regulate tumor cell death, proliferation and drug resistance, as well as host inflammation and immunity. In particular, sphingosine kinases are key sites for manipulation of the ceramide/S1P balance that regulates tumor cell proliferation and sensitivity to radiation and chemotherapy. We and others have demonstrated that inhibition of sphingosine kinase-2 by the small-molecule investigational drug opaganib (formerly ABC294640) kills tumor cells and increases their sensitivities to other drugs and radiation. Because sphingolipids have been shown to regulate ICD, opaganib may induce ICD and improve the efficacy of checkpoint antibodies for cancer therapy. This was demonstrated by showing that in vitro treatment with opaganib increases the surface expression of the ICD marker calreticulin on a variety of tumor cell types. In vivo confirmation was achieved using the gold standard immunization assay in which B16 melanoma, Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) or Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells were treated with opaganib in vitro and then injected subcutaneously into syngeneic mice, followed by implantation of untreated tumor cells 7 days later. In all cases, immunization with opaganib-treated cells strongly suppressed the growth of subsequently injected tumor cells. Interestingly, opaganib treatment induced crossover immunity in that opaganib-treated B16 cells suppressed the growth of both untreated B16 and LLC cells and opaganib-treated LLC cells inhibited the growth of both untreated LLC and B16 cells. Next, the effects of opaganib in combination with a checkpoint antibody on tumor growth in vivo were assessed. Opaganib and anti-PD-1 antibody each slowed the growth of B16 tumors and improved mouse survival, while the combination of opaganib plus anti-PD-1 strongly suppressed tumor growth and improved survival (p < 0.0001). Individually, opaganib and anti-CTLA-4 antibody had modest effects on the growth of LLC tumors and mouse survival, whereas the combination of opaganib with anti-CTLA-4 substantially inhibited tumor growth and increased survival (p < 0.001). Finally, the survival of mice bearing B16 tumors was only marginally improved by opaganib or anti-PD-L1 antibody alone but was nearly doubled by the drugs in combination (p < 0.005). Overall, these studies demonstrate the ability of opaganib to induce ICD in tumor cells, which improves the antitumor activity of checkpoint antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Charles D. Smith
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, 1214 Research Blvd, Suite 2015, Hummelstown, PA 17036, USA; (L.W.M.)
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Altves S, Guclu E, Cinar Ayan I, Bilecen K, Vural H. Lysates from the probiotic bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus enhances the survival of T cells and triggers programmed cell death in neuroblastoma cells. Med Oncol 2023; 40:315. [PMID: 37787808 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02186-4] [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: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common brain solid tumor in infancy. Despite the availability of numerous approaches like immunotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, neuroblastoma frequently develops resistance and recurs. Immunotherapy is one of the most promising approaches and PD-L1 antibody blocking is the phenomena used to inhibit PD-1 receptors to increase and improve cytotoxic T cells toward cancer. Numerous studies underlined the critical role of probiotics on immune system development and modulation in addition to possible role in inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. In this study, a Streptococcus thermophilus strain, isolated from a local yogurt, was used as it is considered a potential probiotic due to its tolerance lower pH, bile acid, antibiotic suitability, and blood hemolysis. Our results showed that S. thermophilus lysates played as an immune checkpoint modulator at 25 µg/ml dose boosting PD-L1 transcripts and protein levels in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line. Interestingly, co-culture between SH-SY5Y and Jurkat T cells in the presence of blocking PD-L1 antibodies increased Jurkat T-cell viability compering to control without lysate. On the other hand, annexin-V/7-AAD, qPCR and western blot results showed that S. thermophilus lysates at 200 and 400 µg/ml decreased SH-SY5Y cell viability and increased apoptotic marker genes transcription and caspase-3 and caspase-9 protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safaa Altves
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey.
| | - Ebru Guclu
- Department of Basic Science and Health, Hemp Research Institute, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey
| | - Ilknur Cinar Ayan
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Kivanc Bilecen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Konya Food and Agriculture University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Hasibe Vural
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
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Mariotti FR, Ingegnere T, Landolina N, Vacca P, Munari E, Moretta L. Analysis of the mechanisms regulating soluble PD-1 production and function in human NK cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1229341. [PMID: 37638041 PMCID: PMC10449250 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1229341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cells represent important effectors that play a major role in innate defences against pathogens and display potent cytolytic activity against tumor cells. An array of surface receptors finely regulate their function and inhibitory checkpoints, such as PD-1, can dampen the immune response inducing an immunosuppressive state. Indeed, PD-1 expression in human NK cells correlated with impaired effector function and tumor immune evasion. Importantly, blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis has been shown to reverse NK cell exhaustion and increase their cytotoxicity. Recently, soluble counterparts of checkpoint receptors, such as soluble PD-1 (sPD-1), are rising high interest due to their biological activity and ability to modulate immune responses. It has been widely demonstrated that sPD-1 can modulate T cell effector functions and tumor growth. Tumor-infiltrating T cells are considered the main source of circulating sPD-1. In addition, recently, also stimulated macrophages have been demonstrated to release sPD-1. However, no data are present on the role of sPD-1 in the context of other innate immune cell subsets and therefore this study is aimed to unveil the effect of sPD-1 on human NK cell function. We produced the recombinant sPD-1 protein and demonstrated that it binds PD-L1 and that its presence results in increased NK cell cytotoxicity. Notably, we also identified a pathway regulating endogenous sPD-1 synthesis and release in human NK cells. Secreted endogenous sPD-1, retained its biological function and could modulate NK cell effector function. Overall, these data reveal a pivotal role of sPD-1 in regulating NK-mediated innate immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tiziano Ingegnere
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadine Landolina
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Lymphoid Cells of Innate Immunity Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Lymphoid Cells of Innate Immunity Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Munari
- Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Boboila S, Okochi S, Banerjee D, Barton S, Street C, Zenilman AL, Wang Q, Gartrell RD, Saenger YM, Welch D, Wu CC, Kadenhe-Chiweshe A, Yamashiro DJ, Connolly EP. Combining immunotherapy with high-dose radiation therapy (HDRT) significantly inhibits tumor growth in a syngeneic mouse model of high-risk neuroblastoma. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17399. [PMID: 37408891 PMCID: PMC10319189 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The mortality in patients with MYCN-amplified high-risk neuroblastoma remains greater than 50% despite advances in multimodal therapy. Novel therapies are urgently needed that requires preclinical evaluation in appropriate mice models. Combinatorial treatment with high-dose radiotherapy (HDRT) and immunotherapy has emerged as an effective treatment option in a variety of cancers. Current models of neuroblastoma do not recapitulate the anatomic and immune environment in which multimodal therapies can be effectively tested, and there is a need for an appropriate syngeneic neuroblastoma mice model to study interaction of immunotherapy with host immune cells. Here, we develop a novel syngeneic mouse model of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma and report the relevance and opportunities of this model to study radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Materials and methods A syngeneic allograft tumor model was developed using the murine neuroblastoma cell line 9464D derived a tumor from TH-MYCN transgenic mouse. Tumors were generated by transplanting 1 mm3 portions of 9464D flank tumors into the left kidney of C57Bl/6 mice. We investigated the effect of combining HDRT with anti-PD1 antibody on tumor growth and tumor microenvironment. HDRT (8 Gy x 3) was delivered by the small animal radiation research platform (SARRP). Tumor growth was monitored by ultrasound. To assess the effect on immune cells tumors sections were co-imuunostained for six biomarkers using the Vectra multispectral imaging platform. Results Tumor growth was uniform and confined to the kidney in 100% of transplanted tumors. HDRT was largely restricted to the tumor region with minimal scattered out-of-field dose. Combinatorial treatment with HDRT and PD-1 blockade significantly inhibited tumor growth and prolonged mice survival. We observed augmented T-lymphocyte infiltration, especially CD3+CD8+ lymphocytes, in tumors of mice which received combination treatment. Conclusion We have developed a novel syngeneic mouse model of MYCN amplified high-risk neuroblastoma. We have utilized this model to show that combining immunotherapy with HDRT inhibits tumor growth and prolongs mice survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuobo Boboila
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Shunpei Okochi
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Debarshi Banerjee
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sunjay Barton
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Cherease Street
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ariela L. Zenilman
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Robyn D. Gartrell
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Yvonne M. Saenger
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - David Welch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Cheng-Chia Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Angela Kadenhe-Chiweshe
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Darrell J. Yamashiro
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Eileen P. Connolly
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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10
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Rancan C, Arias-Badia M, Dogra P, Chen B, Aran D, Yang H, Luong D, Ilano A, Li J, Chang H, Kwek SS, Zhang L, Lanier LL, Meng MV, Farber DL, Fong L. Exhausted intratumoral Vδ2 - γδ T cells in human kidney cancer retain effector function. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:612-624. [PMID: 36928415 PMCID: PMC10063448 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01448-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Gamma delta (γδ) T cells reside within human tissues including tumors, but their function in mediating antitumor responses to immune checkpoint inhibition is unknown. Here we show that kidney cancers are infiltrated by Vδ2- γδ T cells, with equivalent representation of Vδ1+ and Vδ1- cells, that are distinct from γδ T cells found in normal human tissues. These tumor-resident Vδ2- T cells can express the transcriptional program of exhausted αβ CD8+ T cells as well as canonical markers of terminal T-cell exhaustion including PD-1, TIGIT and TIM-3. Although Vδ2- γδ T cells have reduced IL-2 production, they retain expression of cytolytic effector molecules and co-stimulatory receptors such as 4-1BB. Exhausted Vδ2- γδ T cells are composed of three distinct populations that lack TCF7, are clonally expanded and express cytotoxic molecules and multiple Vδ2- T-cell receptors. Human tumor-derived Vδ2- γδ T cells maintain cytotoxic function and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in vitro. The transcriptional program of Vδ2- T cells in pretreatment tumor biopsies was used to predict subsequent clinical responses to PD-1 blockade in patients with cancer. Thus, Vδ2- γδ T cells within the tumor microenvironment can contribute to antitumor efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Rancan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Marcel Arias-Badia
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Pranay Dogra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brandon Chen
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dvir Aran
- The Taub Faculty of Computer Science and Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Hai Yang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Diamond Luong
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Arielle Ilano
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jacky Li
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hewitt Chang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Serena S Kwek
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lewis L Lanier
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Maxwell V Meng
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Donna L Farber
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lawrence Fong
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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11
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Vitale C, Bottino C, Castriconi R. Monocyte and Macrophage in Neuroblastoma: Blocking Their Pro-Tumoral Functions and Strengthening Their Crosstalk with Natural Killer Cells. Cells 2023; 12:885. [PMID: 36980226 PMCID: PMC10047506 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, immunotherapy has represented an enormous step forward in the fight against cancer. Immunotherapeutic approaches have increasingly become a fundamental part of the combined therapies currently adopted in the treatment of patients with high-risk (HR) neuroblastoma (NB). An increasing number of studies focus on the understanding of the immune landscape in NB and, since this tumor expresses low or null levels of MHC class I, on the development of new strategies aimed at enhancing innate immunity, especially Natural Killer (NK) cells and macrophages. There is growing evidence that, within the NB tumor microenvironment (TME), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which mainly present an M2-like phenotype, have a crucial role in mediating NB development and immune evasion, and they have been correlated to poor clinical outcomes. Importantly, TAM can also impair the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated by NK cells upon the administration of anti-GD2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), the current standard immunotherapy for HR-NB patients. This review deals with the main mechanisms regulating the crosstalk among NB cells and TAMs or other cellular components of the TME, which support tumor development and induce drug resistance. Furthermore, we will address the most recent strategies aimed at limiting the number of pro-tumoral macrophages within the TME, reprogramming the TAMs functional state, thus enhancing NK cell functions. We also prospectively discuss new or unexplored aspects of human macrophage heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Vitale
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Cristina Bottino
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Roberta Castriconi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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12
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Ash S, Askenasy N. Immunotherapy for neuroblastoma by hematopoietic cell transplantation and post-transplant immunomodulation. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 185:103956. [PMID: 36893946 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.103956] [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: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma represents a relatively common childhood tumor that imposes therapeutic difficulties. High risk neuroblastoma patients have poor prognosis, display limited response to radiochemotherapy and may be treated by hematopoietic cell transplantation. Allogeneic and haploidentical transplants have the distinct advantage of reinstitution of immune surveillance, reinforced by antigenic barriers. The key factors favorable to ignition of potent anti-tumor reactions are transition to adaptive immunity, recovery from lymphopenia and removal of inhibitory signals that inactivate immune cells at the local and systemic levels. Post-transplant immunomodulation may further foster anti-tumor reactivity, with positive but transient impact of infusions of lymphocytes and natural killer cells both from the donor, the recipient or third party. The most promising approaches include introduction of antigen-presenting cells in early post-transplant stages and neutralization of inhibitory signals. Further studies will likely shed light on the nature and actions of suppressor factors within tumor stroma and at the systemic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shifra Ash
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; Frankel Laboratory of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel.
| | - Nadir Askenasy
- Frankel Laboratory of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel
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13
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Bruno G, Nastasi N, Subbiani A, Boaretto A, Ciullini Mannurita S, Mattei G, Nardini P, Della Bella C, Magi A, Pini A, De Marco E, Tondo A, Favre C, Calvani M. β3-adrenergic receptor on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes sustains IFN-γ-dependent PD-L1 expression and impairs anti-tumor immunity in neuroblastoma. Cancer Gene Ther 2023:10.1038/s41417-023-00599-x. [PMID: 36854895 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00599-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a heterogeneous extracranial tumor occurring in childhood. A distinctive feature of NB tumors is their neuroendocrine ability to secrete catecholamines, which in turn, via β-adrenergic receptors ligation, may affect different signaling pathways in tumor microenvironment (TME). It was previously demonstrated that specific antagonism of β3-adrenergic receptor (β3-AR) on NB tumor cells affected tumor growth and progression. Here, in a murine syngeneic model of NB, we aimed to investigate whether the β3-AR modulation influenced the host immune system response against tumor. Results demonstrated that β3-AR antagonism lead to an immune response reactivation, partially dependent on the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling axis involvement. Indeed, β3-AR blockade on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) dampened their ability to secrete IFN-γ, which in turn reduced the PD-L1 expression, caused by TILs infiltration, on NB tumor cells. Further investigations, through a genomic analysis on NB patients, showed that high ADRB3 gene expression correlates with worse clinical outcome compared to the low expression group, and that ADRB3 gene expression affects different immune-related pathways. Overall, results indicate that β3-AR in NB TME is able to modulate the interaction between tumor and host immune system, and that its antagonism hits multiple pro-tumoral signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennaro Bruno
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, A. Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy. .,Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Nicoletta Nastasi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, A. Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy.,Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Angela Subbiani
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, A. Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessia Boaretto
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, A. Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy.,Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Ciullini Mannurita
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, A. Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Gianluca Mattei
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Patrizia Nardini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Della Bella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alberto Magi
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Emanuela De Marco
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tondo
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, A. Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudio Favre
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, A. Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Maura Calvani
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, A. Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
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14
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NKG2A Immune Checkpoint in Vδ2 T Cells: Emerging Application in Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041264. [PMID: 36831606 PMCID: PMC9954046 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune regulation has revolutionized cancer treatment with the introduction of T-cell-targeted immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This successful immunotherapy has led to a more complete view of cancer that now considers not only the cancer cells to be targeted and destroyed but also the immune environment of the cancer cells. Current challenges associated with the enhancement of ICI effects are increasing the fraction of responding patients through personalized combinations of multiple ICIs and overcoming acquired resistance. This requires a complete overview of the anti-tumor immune response, which depends on a complex interplay between innate and adaptive immune cells with the tumor microenvironment. The NKG2A was revealed to be a key immune checkpoint for both Natural Killer (NK) cells and T cells. Monalizumab, a humanized anti-NKG2A antibody, enhances NK cell activity against various tumor cells and rescues CD8 αβ T cell function in combination with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. In this review, we discuss the potential for targeting NKG2A expressed on tumor-sensing human γδ T cells, mostly on the specific Vδ2 T cell subset, in order to emphasize its importance and potential in the development of new ICI-based therapeutic approaches.
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15
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Ridgley LA, Caron J, Dalgleish A, Bodman-Smith M. Releasing the restraints of Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells in cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1065495. [PMID: 36713444 PMCID: PMC9880221 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1065495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells are a subset of T-cells with a crucial role in immunosurveillance which can be activated and expanded by multiple means to stimulate effector responses. Little is known about the expression of checkpoint molecules on this cell population and whether the ligation of these molecules can regulate their activity. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of both activatory and inhibitory receptors on Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells to assess potential avenues of regulation to target with immunotherapy. Methods Expression of various activatory and inhibitory receptors was assessed on Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells by flow cytometry following activation and expansion using zoledronic acid (ZA) and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Expression of these markers and production of effector molecules was also examined following co-culture with various tumour cell targets. The effect of immune checkpoint blockade on Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells was also explored. Results Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells expressed high levels of activatory markers both at baseline and following stimulation. Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells expressed variable levels of inhibitory checkpoint receptors with many being upregulated following stimulation. Expression of these markers is further modulated upon co-culture with tumour cells with changes reflecting activation and effector functions. Despite their high expression of inhibitory receptors when cultured with tumour cells expressing cognate ligands there was no effect on Vδ2+ T-cell cytotoxic capacity or cytokine production with immune checkpoint blockade. Conclusions Our work suggests the expression of checkpoint receptors present on Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells which may provide a mechanism with the potential to be utilised by tumour cells to subvert Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell cytotoxicity. This work suggests important candidates for blockade by ICI therapy in order to increase the successful use of Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells in immunotherapy.
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16
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Qiao J, Liu J, Jacobson JC, Clark RA, Lee S, Liu L, An Z, Zhang N, Chung DH. Anti-GRP-R monoclonal antibody antitumor therapy against neuroblastoma. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277956. [PMID: 36525420 PMCID: PMC9757561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Standard treatment for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma remains multimodal therapy including chemoradiation, surgical resection, and autologous stem cell rescue. Immunotherapy has demonstrated success in treating many types of cancers; however, its use in pediatric solid tumors has been limited by low tumor mutation burdens. Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R) is overexpressed in numerous malignancies, including poorly-differentiated neuroblastoma. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to GRP-R have yet to be developed but could serve as a potential novel immunotherapy. This preclinical study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a novel GRP-R mAb immunotherapy against neuroblastoma. We established four candidate anti-GRP-R mAbs by screening a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) library. GRP-R mAb-1 demonstrated the highest efficacy with the lowest EC50 at 4.607 ng/ml against GRP-R expressing neuroblastoma cells, blocked the GRP-ligand activation of GRP-R and its downstream PI3K/AKT signaling. This resulted in functional inhibition of cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth, indicating that mAb-1 has an antagonist inhibitory role on GRP-R. To examine the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of GRP-R mAb-1 on neuroblastoma, we co-cultured neuroblastoma cells with natural killer (NK) cells versus GRP-R mAb-1 treatment alone. GRP-R mAb-1 mediated ADCC effects on neuroblastoma cells and induced release of IFNγ by NK cells under co-culture conditions in vitro. The cytotoxic effects of mAb-1 were confirmed with the secretion of cytotoxic granzyme B from NK cells and the reduction of mitotic tumor cells in vivo using a murine tumor xenograft model. In summary, GRP-R mAb-1 demonstrated efficacious anti-tumor effects on neuroblastoma cells in preclinical models. Importantly, GRP-R mAb-1 may be an efficacious, novel immunotherapy in the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingbo Qiao
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Junquan Liu
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jillian C. Jacobson
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rachael A. Clark
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sora Lee
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Zhiqiang An
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ningyan Zhang
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Dai H. Chung
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Surgery, Children’s Health, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
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17
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Bottino C, Della Chiesa M, Sorrentino S, Morini M, Vitale C, Dondero A, Tondo A, Conte M, Garaventa A, Castriconi R. Strategies for Potentiating NK-Mediated Neuroblastoma Surveillance in Autologous or HLA-Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194548. [PMID: 36230485 PMCID: PMC9559312 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194548] [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: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary High-risk neuroblastomas (HR-NB) are malignant tumors of childhood that are treated with a very aggressive and life-threatening approach; this includes autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and the infusion of a mAb targeting the GD2 tumor-associated antigen. Although the current treatment provided benefits, the 5-year overall survival remains below 50% due to relapses and refractoriness to therapy. Thus, there is an urgent need to ameliorate the standard therapeutic protocol, particularly improving the immune-mediated anti-tumor responses. Our review aims at summarizing and critically discussing novel immunotherapeutic strategies in HR-NB, including NK cell-based therapies and HLA-haploidentical HSCT from patients’ family. Abstract High-risk neuroblastomas (HR-NB) still have an unacceptable 5-year overall survival despite the aggressive therapy. This includes standardized immunotherapy combining autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and the anti-GD2 mAb. The treatment did not significantly change for more than one decade, apart from the abandonment of IL-2, which demonstrated unacceptable toxicity. Of note, immunotherapy is a promising therapeutic option in cancer and could be optimized by several strategies. These include the HLA-haploidentical αβT/B-depleted HSCT, and the antibody targeting of novel NB-associated antigens such as B7-H3, and PD1. Other approaches could limit the immunoregulatory role of tumor-derived exosomes and potentiate the low antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity of CD16 dim/neg NK cells, abundant in the early phase post-transplant. The latter effect could be obtained using multi-specific tools engaging activating NK receptors and tumor antigens, and possibly holding immunostimulatory cytokines in their construct. Finally, treatments also consider the infusion of novel engineered cytokines with scarce side effects, and cell effectors engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Our review aims to discuss several promising strategies that could be successfully exploited to potentiate the NK-mediated surveillance of neuroblastoma, particularly in the HSCT setting. Many of these approaches are safe, feasible, and effective at pre-clinical and clinical levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Bottino
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-01056363855
| | - Mariella Della Chiesa
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Martina Morini
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Vitale
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Dondero
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tondo
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and HSCT, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Massimo Conte
- Pediatric Oncology Unit-IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Garaventa
- Pediatric Oncology Unit-IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberta Castriconi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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18
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Espinosa-Cotton M, Cheung NKV. Bispecific antibodies for the treatment of neuroblastoma. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 237:108241. [PMID: 35830901 PMCID: PMC10351215 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (BsAb) are a new generation of antibody-based therapy, conveying artificial specificity to polyclonal T cells or radiohaptens. These drugs have been successfully implemented to cure hematologic malignancies and are under clinical investigation for solid tumors including HRNB. BsAbs designed to engage T cells or increase the therapeutic index of radiotherapy hold the potential to significantly improve the long-term survival of HRNB patients by shrinking bulky tumors and more effectively eliminating micrometastases and preventing relapse. BsAbs can also be used to arm T cells, yielding a product analogous to CAR T cells, possibly with an improved safety profile. A thoughtful and realistic integration of these therapies into the standard of care should benefit more patients worldwide. Here we describe the history of development of BsAbs for HRNB, which dates back almost three decades. We discuss the merits and pitfalls of all relevant BsAbs, including T cell-engagers and agents used for radioimmunotherapy, highlighting the importance of structural design and interdomain spacing for anti-tumor efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelyn Espinosa-Cotton
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, NY 10065, New York.
| | - Nai-Kong V Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, NY 10065, New York
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19
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Pathania AS, Prathipati P, Murakonda SP, Murakonda AB, Srivastava A, Avadhesh A, Byrareddy SN, Coulter DW, Gupta SC, Challagundla KB. Immune checkpoint molecules in neuroblastoma: A clinical perspective. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:247-258. [PMID: 35787940 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
High-risk neuroblastoma (NB) is challenging to treat with 5-year long-term survival in patients remaining below 50% and low chances of survival after tumor relapse or recurrence. Different strategies are being tested or under evaluation to destroy resistant tumors and improve survival outcomes in NB patients. Immunotherapy, which uses certain parts of a person's immune system to recognize or kill tumor cells, effectively improves patient outcomes in several types of cancer, including NB. One of the immunotherapy strategies is to block immune checkpoint signaling in tumors to increase tumor immunogenicity and anti-tumor immunity. Immune checkpoint proteins put brakes on immune cell functions to regulate immune activation, but this activity is exploited in tumors to evade immune surveillance and attack. Immune checkpoint proteins play an essential role in NB biology and immune escape mechanisms, which makes these tumors immunologically cold. Therapeutic strategies to block immune checkpoint signaling have shown promising outcomes in NB but only in a subset of patients. However, combining immune checkpoint blockade with other therapies, including conjugated antibody-based immunotherapy, radioimmunotherapy, tumor vaccines, or cellular therapies like modified T or natural killer (NK) cells, has shown encouraging results in enhancing anti-tumor immunity in the preclinical setting. An analysis of publicly available dataset using computational tools has unraveled the complexity of multiple cancer including NB. This review comprehensively summarizes the current information on immune checkpoint molecules, their biology, role in immune suppression and tumor development, and novel therapeutic approaches combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with other therapies to combat high-risk NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anup S Pathania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Philip Prathipati
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki City, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Swati P Murakonda
- Sri Rajiv Gandhi College of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560032, India
| | - Ajay B Murakonda
- Sree Sai Dental College & Research Institute, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh 532001, India
| | - Ankit Srivastava
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
| | - Avadhesh Avadhesh
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
| | - Siddappa N Byrareddy
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Don W Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Subash C Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India; Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guwahati, Assam, India.
| | - Kishore B Challagundla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; The Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
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Pathania AS, Prathipati P, Olwenyi OA, Chava S, Smith OV, Gupta SC, Chaturvedi NK, Byrareddy SN, Coulter DW, Challagundla KB. miR-15a and miR-15b modulate natural killer and CD8 +T-cell activation and anti-tumor immune response by targeting PD-L1 in neuroblastoma. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 25:308-329. [PMID: 35663229 PMCID: PMC9133764 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is an enigmatic and deadliest pediatric cancer to treat. The major obstacles to the effective immunotherapy treatments in NB are defective immune cells and the immune evasion tactics deployed by the tumor cells and the stromal microenvironment. Nervous system development during embryonic and pediatric stages is critically mediated by non-coding RNAs such as micro RNAs (miR). Hence, we explored the role of miRs in anti-tumor immune response via a range of data-driven workflows and in vitro & in vivo experiments. Using the TARGET, NB patient dataset (n=249), we applied the robust bioinformatic workflows incorporating differential expression, co-expression, survival, heatmaps, and box plots. We initially demonstrated the role of miR-15a-5p (miR-15a) and miR-15b-5p (miR-15b) as tumor suppressors, followed by their negative association with stromal cell percentages and a statistically significant negative regulation of T and natural killer (NK) cell signature genes, especially CD274 (PD-L1) in stromal-low patient subsets. The NB phase-specific expression of the miR-15a/miR-15b-PD-L1 axis was further corroborated using the PDX (n=24) dataset. We demonstrated miR-15a/miR-15b mediated degradation of PD-L1 mRNA through its interaction with the 3'-untranslated region and the RNA-induced silencing complex using sequence-specific luciferase activity and Ago2 RNA immunoprecipitation assays. In addition, we established miR-15a/miR-15b induced CD8+T and NK cell activation and cytotoxicity against NB in vitro. Moreover, injection of murine cells expressing miR-15a reduced tumor size, tumor vasculature and enhanced the activation and infiltration of CD8+T and NK cells into the tumors in vivo. We further established that blocking the surface PD-L1 using an anti-PD-L1 antibody rescued miR-15a/miR-15b induced CD8+T and NK cell-mediated anti-tumor responses. These findings demonstrate that miR-15a and miR-15b induce an anti-tumor immune response by targeting PD-L1 in NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anup S. Pathania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Philip Prathipati
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki City, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Omalla A. Olwenyi
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Srinivas Chava
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Oghenetejiri V. Smith
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Subash C. Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
| | - Nagendra K. Chaturvedi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Siddappa N. Byrareddy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Don W. Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Kishore B. Challagundla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- The Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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21
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Qian B, Sun J, Zuo P, Da M, Mo X, Fang Y. Verification of genetic differences and immune cell infiltration subtypes in the neuroblastoma tumour microenvironment during immunotherapy. World J Surg Oncol 2022; 20:169. [PMID: 35643506 PMCID: PMC9145414 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-022-02641-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Improved understanding of the tumour microenvironment (TME) has enabled remarkable advancements in research on cancer progression in the past few years. It is crucial to understand the nature and function of the TME because precise treatment strategies, including immunotherapy, for managing specific cancers have received widespread attention. The immune infiltrative profiles of neuroblastoma (NB) have not yet been completely illustrated. The purpose of this research was to analyse tumour immune cell infiltration (ICI) in the microenvironment of NB. Methods We applied the CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE algorithms to evaluate the ICI status of 438 NB samples. Three ICI models were selected, and ICI scores were acquired. Subgroups with high ICI scores determined based on the presence of immune activation signalling pathways had better overall survival. Results Genes involved in the immunosuppressive heparan sulphate glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis signalling pathway were markedly enriched in the low ICI score subgroup. It was inferred that patients with high ICI NB subtypes were more likely to respond to immunotherapy and have a better prognosis than those of patients with low ICI NB subtypes. Conclusion Notably, our ICI data not only provide a new clinical and theoretical basis for mining NB prognostic markers related to the microenvironment but also offer new ideas for the development of NB precision immunotherapy methods.
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22
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Li N, Li Z, Fu L, Yan M, Wang Y, Yu J, Wu J. PD-1 suppresses the osteogenic and odontogenic differentiation of stem cells from dental apical papilla via targeting SHP2/NF-κB axis. Stem Cells 2022; 40:763-777. [PMID: 35589562 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxac037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) are important for tooth root development and regeneration of root dentin. Here, we examined the expression of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) in SCAPs and investigated the effect of PD-1 on odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation and the relationship between PD-1 and SHP2/NF-κB signals. SCAPs were obtained and cultured in the related medium. The proliferation ability was evaluated by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) and 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, ALP staining, western blot, real time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining, and immunofluorescence (IF) staining were performed to explore the osteo/odontogenic potential and the involvement of SHP2/NF-κB pathways. Besides, we transplanted SCAPs component into mouse calvaria defects to evaluate osteogenesis in vivo. We found that human SCAPs expressed PD-1 for the first time. PD-1 knockdown enhanced the osteo/odontogenic differentiation of SCAPs by suppressing SHP2 pathway and activating NF-κB pathway. Overexpression of PD-1 inhibited the osteogenesis and odontogenesis of SCAPs via activation of SHP2 signal and inhibition of NF-κB pathway. PD-1 activated SHP2 signal to block NF-κB signal and then played a vital role in osteo/odontogenic differentiation of SCAPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases of Jiangsu Province and Stomatological Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Endodontic Department, School of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zehan Li
- Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases of Jiangsu Province and Stomatological Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Endodontic Department, School of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lin Fu
- Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases of Jiangsu Province and Stomatological Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Endodontic Department, School of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ming Yan
- Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases of Jiangsu Province and Stomatological Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Endodontic Department, School of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanqiu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases of Jiangsu Province and Stomatological Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Endodontic Department, School of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinhua Yu
- Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases of Jiangsu Province and Stomatological Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Endodontic Department, School of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jintao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases of Jiangsu Province and Stomatological Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Endodontic Department, School of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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23
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The Pyrazolo[3,4-d]Pyrimidine Derivative Si306 Encapsulated into Anti-GD2-Immunoliposomes as Therapeutic Treatment of Neuroblastoma. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030659. [PMID: 35327462 PMCID: PMC8945814 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Si306, a pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivative recently identified as promising anticancer agent, has shown favorable in vitro and in vivo activity profile against neuroblastoma (NB) models by acting as a competitive inhibitor of c-Src tyrosine kinase. Nevertheless, Si306 antitumor activity is associated with sub-optimal aqueous solubility, which might hinder its further development. Drug delivery systems were here developed with the aim to overcome this limitation, obtaining suitable formulations for more efficacious in vivo use. Si306 was encapsulated in pegylated stealth liposomes, undecorated or decorated with a monoclonal antibody able to specifically recognize and bind to the disialoganglioside GD2 expressed by NB cells (LP[Si306] and GD2-LP[Si306], respectively). Both liposomes possessed excellent morphological and physio-chemical properties, maintained over a period of two weeks. Compared to LP[Si306], GD2-LP[Si306] showed in vitro specific cellular targeting and increased cytotoxic activity against NB cell lines. After intravenous injection in healthy mice, pharmacokinetic profiles showed increased plasma exposure of Si306 when delivered by both liposomal formulations, compared to that obtained when Si306 was administered as free form. In vivo tumor homing and cytotoxic effectiveness of both liposomal formulations were finally tested in an orthotopic animal model of NB. Si306 tumor uptake resulted significantly higher when encapsulated in GD2-LP, compared to Si306, either free or encapsulated into untargeted LP. This, in turn, led to a significant increase in survival of mice treated with GD2-LP[Si306]. These results demonstrate a promising antitumor efficacy of Si306 encapsulated into GD2-targeted liposomes, supporting further therapeutic developments in pre-clinical trials and in the clinic for NB.
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24
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HLA-G and Other Immune Checkpoint Molecules as Targets for Novel Combined Immunotherapies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23062925. [PMID: 35328349 PMCID: PMC8948858 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23062925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
HLA-G is an HLA-class Ib molecule that is involved in the establishment of tolerance at the maternal/fetal interface during pregnancy. The expression of HLA-G is highly restricted in adults, but the de novo expression of this molecule may be observed in different hematological and solid tumors and is related to cancer progression. Indeed, tumor cells expressing high levels of HLA-G are able to suppress anti-tumor responses, thus escaping from the control of the immune system. HLA-G has been proposed as an immune checkpoint (IC) molecule due to its crucial role in tumor progression, immune escape, and metastatic spread. We here review data available in the literature in which the interaction between HLA-G and other IC molecules is reported, in particular PD-1, CTLA-4, and TIM-3, but also IDO and TIGIT. Clinical trials using monoclonal antibodies against HLA-G and other IC are currently ongoing with cancer patients where antibodies and inhibitors of PD-1 and CTLA-4 showed encouraging results. With this background, we may envisage that combined therapies using antibodies targeting HLA-G and another IC may be successful for clinical purposes. Indeed, such immunotherapeutic protocols may achieve a better rescue of effective anti-tumor immune response, thus improving the clinical outcome of patients.
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25
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Expression of Immunomodulatory Checkpoint Molecules in Drug-Resistant Neuroblastoma: An Exploratory Study. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030751. [PMID: 35159017 PMCID: PMC8833944 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neuroblastoma is a common childhood cancer with poor prognosis. Prior studies suggest that inhibition of molecules called checkpoint proteins, which normally prevent one’s own immune system from attacking itself, has been successfully used for treatment of multiple advanced adult cancers but has yet to be fully explored in neuroblastoma. Cancer can hijack these pathways to prevent the immune system from recognizing and destroying cancer cells. We investigated checkpoint protein expression in pediatric neuroblastoma and its role in drug resistance. We created drug-resistant neuroblastoma cell lines and compared expression of checkpoint proteins between drug-resistant and parental cell lines. In total, 13 checkpoint proteins were expressed by all cell lines regardless of drug resistance. Although PD-L1 and checkpoint proteins do not necessarily impart drug resistance, they may be potential targets for drug therapy. Benchmarking checkpoint proteins provides the basis for future studies identifying targets for directed therapy and biomarkers for cancer detection or prognosis. Abstract Neuroblastoma is a common childhood cancer with poor prognosis when at its advanced stage. Checkpoint molecule inhibition is successful in treating multiple advanced adult cancers. We investigated PD-L1 and other checkpoint molecule expression to determine their roles in drug resistance and usefulness as targets for drug therapy. We developed three doxorubicin-resistant (DoxR) cell lines from parental cell lines. Matrigel in vitro invasion assays were used to compare invasiveness. Western blot assays were used to compare PD-L1 expression. Immuno-oncology checkpoint protein panels were used to compare concentrations of 17 checkpoint molecules both cellular and soluble. PD-L1 and 12 other checkpoint molecules were present in all cell lysates of each cell line without significantly different levels. Three were solubilized in the media of each cell line. PD-L1 is expressed in all DoxR and parental neuroblastoma cells and may be a potential target for drug therapy although its role in drug resistance remains unclear. Benchmarking checkpoint molecules provides the basis for future studies identifying targets for directed therapy and biomarkers for cancer detection or prognosis.
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Schönefeldt S, Wais T, Herling M, Mustjoki S, Bekiaris V, Moriggl R, Neubauer HA. The Diverse Roles of γδ T Cells in Cancer: From Rapid Immunity to Aggressive Lymphoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6212. [PMID: 34944832 PMCID: PMC8699114 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
γδ T cells are unique players in shaping immune responses, lying at the intersection between innate and adaptive immunity. Unlike conventional αβ T cells, γδ T cells largely populate non-lymphoid peripheral tissues, demonstrating tissue specificity, and they respond to ligands in an MHC-independent manner. γδ T cells display rapid activation and effector functions, with a capacity for cytotoxic anti-tumour responses and production of inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ or IL-17. Their rapid cytotoxic nature makes them attractive cells for use in anti-cancer immunotherapies. However, upon transformation, γδ T cells can give rise to highly aggressive lymphomas. These rare malignancies often display poor patient survival, and no curative therapies exist. In this review, we discuss the diverse roles of γδ T cells in immune surveillance and response, with a particular focus on cancer immunity. We summarise the intriguing dichotomy between pro- and anti-tumour functions of γδ T cells in solid and haematological cancers, highlighting the key subsets involved. Finally, we discuss potential drivers of γδ T-cell transformation, summarising the main γδ T-cell lymphoma/leukaemia entities, their clinical features, recent advances in mapping their molecular and genomic landscapes, current treatment strategies and potential future targeting options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susann Schönefeldt
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.S.); (T.W.); (R.M.)
| | - Tamara Wais
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.S.); (T.W.); (R.M.)
| | - Marco Herling
- Department of Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Satu Mustjoki
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland;
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vasileios Bekiaris
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark;
| | - Richard Moriggl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.S.); (T.W.); (R.M.)
| | - Heidi A. Neubauer
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.S.); (T.W.); (R.M.)
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27
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Yu Y, Zeng Y, Xia X, Zhou JG, Cao F. Establishment and Validation of a Prognostic Immune Signature in Neuroblastoma. Cancer Control 2021; 28:10732748211033751. [PMID: 34569303 PMCID: PMC8477712 DOI: 10.1177/10732748211033751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NBL) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood, and patients with high-risk neuroblastoma had a relatively poor prognosis despite multimodal treatment. To improve immunotherapy efficacy in neuroblastoma, systematic profiling of the immune landscape in neuroblastoma is an urgent need. METHODS RNA-seq and according clinical information of neuroblastoma were downloaded from the TARGET database and GEO database (GSE62564). With an immune-related-gene set obtained from the ImmPort database, Immune-related Prognostic Gene Pairs for Neuroblastoma (IPGPN) for overall survival (OS) were established with the TARGET-NBL cohort and then verified with the GEO-NBL cohort. Immune cell infiltration analysis was subsequently performed. The integrated model was established with IPGPN and clinicopathological parameters. Immune cell infiltration was analyzed with the XCELL algorithm. Functional enrichment analysis was performed with clusterProfiler package in R. RESULTS Immune-related Prognostic Gene Pairs for Neuroblastoma was successfully established with seven immune-related gene pairs (IGPs) involving 13 unique genes in the training cohort. In the training cohort, IPGPN successfully stratified neuroblastoma patients into a high and low immune-risk groups with different OS (HR=3.92, P = 2 × 10-8) and event-free survival (HR=3.66, P=2 × 10-8). ROC curve analysis confirmed its predictive power. Consistently, high IPGPN also predicted worse OS (HR=1.84, P = .002) and EFS in validation cohort (HR=1.38, P = .06) Moreover, higher activated dendritic cells, M1 macrophage, Th1 CD4+, and Th2 CD4+ T cell enrichment were evident in low immune-risk group. Further integrating IPGPN with age and stage demonstrated improved predictive performance than IPGPN alone. CONCLUSION Herein, we presented an immune landscape with IPGPN for prognosis prediction in neuroblastoma, which complements the present understanding of the immune signature in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhu Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.,Clinical Research Center for Neurological Disease, the People's Hospital of HongHuaGang District of ZunYi, Zunyi, China
| | - Yu Zeng
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, 70570Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiangping Xia
- Department of Cerebrovascular Disease, 66367Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jian-Guo Zhou
- Department of Oncology, 66367Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Fang Cao
- Department of Cerebrovascular Disease, 66367Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
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Catafal-Tardos E, Baglioni MV, Bekiaris V. Inhibiting the Unconventionals: Importance of Immune Checkpoint Receptors in γδ T, MAIT, and NKT Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184647. [PMID: 34572874 PMCID: PMC8467786 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary All conventional major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted T cells transiently express immune checkpoint/inhibitory receptors (ICRs) following activation as a means to counter-regulate overactivation. However, tumors promote chronic ICR expression rendering T cells chronically unresponsive or “exhausted”. Checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) therapy targets and blocks ICRs, restoring T cell activation and anti-tumor immunity. However, CPI therapy often fails, partly because of the tumor’s many abilities to inhibit MHC-driven T cell responses. In this regard, our immune system contains an arsenal of unconventional non-MHC-restricted T cells, whose importance in anti-tumor immunity is rapidly gaining momentum. There is currently little knowledge as to whether unconventional T cells can get exhausted and how CPI therapy affects them. In this article we review the current understanding of the role of ICRs in unconventional T cell biology and discuss the importance of targeting these unique immune cell populations for CPI therapy. Abstract In recent years, checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) therapy has shown promising clinical responses across a broad range of cancers. However, many patients remain unresponsive and there is need for improvement. CPI therapy relies on antibody-mediated neutralization of immune inhibitory or checkpoint receptors (ICRs) that constitutively suppress leukocytes. In this regard, the clinical outcome of CPI therapy has primarily been attributed to modulating classical MHC-restricted αβ T cell responses, yet, it will inevitably target most lymphoid (and many myeloid) populations. As such, unconventional non-MHC-restricted gamma delta (γδ) T, mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) and natural killer T (NKT) cells express ICRs at steady-state and after activation and may thus be affected by CPI therapies. To which extent, however, remains unclear. These unconventional T cells are polyfunctional innate-like lymphocytes that play a key role in tumor immune surveillance and have a plethora of protective and pathogenic immune responses. The robust anti-tumor potential of γδ T, MAIT, and NKT cells has been established in a variety of preclinical cancer models and in clinical reports. In contrast, recent studies have documented a pro-tumor effect of innate-like T cell subsets that secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines. Consequently, understanding the mechanisms that regulate such T cells and their response to CPI is critical in designing effective cancer immunotherapies that favor anti-tumor immunity. In this Review, we will discuss the current understanding regarding the role of immune checkpoint regulation in γδ T, MAIT, and NKT cells and its importance in anti-cancer immunity.
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Nigro O, Ferrari A, Casanova M, Orbach D, Leruste A, Gatz SA, Frappaz D, Massimino M. Controversies on the possible role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in pediatric cancers: balancing irAEs and efficacy. TUMORI JOURNAL 2021; 107:276-281. [PMID: 33877022 DOI: 10.1177/03008916211010214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric cancers are not the equivalent of adult cancers occurring at a younger age and the prospect of immunotherapy in children has not been received with the same enthusiasm as in the adult setting. Although most pediatric malignancies are considered immunologically cold, we are learning more about PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden, and microsatellite instability in several pediatric cancers. The side effects of immunotherapy are an important consideration. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) engender a unique constellation of inflammatory toxicities known as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Three early-phase trials-KEYNOTE-051, iMATRIX, and ADVL1412-were the first to describe irAEs in pediatric patients and ICIs were well tolerated. There was concern about unknown late irAEs in pediatric patients, as they have much more time to develop than in adult or elderly patients. Academic clinicians, biopharmaceutical companies, and parents' advocates concluded that no benefit could be expected from further monotherapy trials employing other ICIs with the same mechanism of action until more scientific knowledge becomes available. On the other hand, ICIs could be useful in combination with other therapies to prevent the functional inactivation of several pathways in the hostile microenvironment. Future clinical studies on ICIs in children need to build on strong biological premises, taking into account the distinctive immunobiology of pediatric cancers vis-à-vis ICI-responsive adult cancers. We need to gain and share experiences of new therapies for managing pediatric patients with cancer, clarifying to what extent we can extrapolate the data obtained in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Nigro
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Daniel Orbach
- SIREDO Pediatric Cancer Center, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Amaury Leruste
- SIREDO Pediatric Cancer Center, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Susanne A Gatz
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU), Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Didier Frappaz
- Département de Neuro-Oncologie, Centre Léon-Bérard, Institut d'Hématologie et Oncologie Pédiatrique et Adulte, Lyon, France
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
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Nakajima M, Guo HF, Hoseini SS, Suzuki M, Xu H, Cheung NK. Potent antitumor effect of T cells armed with anti-GD2 bispecific antibody. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e28971. [PMID: 33844437 PMCID: PMC9347186 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Humanized 3F8-bispecific antibody (hu3F8-BsAb) using the IgG(L)-scFv format (where scFv is single-chain variable fragment), where the anti-CD3 huOKT3 scFv is fused with the carboxyl end of the hu3F8 light chain, has potent antitumor cytotoxicity against GD2(+) tumors. To overcome the insufficient number and function of T cells in cancer patients, they can be rejuvenated and expanded ex vivo before arming with hu3F8-BsAb for adoptive transfer, potentially reducing toxic side effects from direct BsAb administration. PROCEDURE T cells from normal volunteers were expanded and activated ex vivo using CD3/CD28 beads for 8 days. Activated T cells (ATCs) were harvested and co-incubated with a Good Manufacturing Practice grade hu3F8-BsAb at room temperature for 20 min. These armed ATCs were tested for cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo against human GD2(+) cell lines and patient-derived xenografts in BALB-Rag2-/- IL-2R-γc-KO mice. RESULTS Hu3F8-BsAb armed ATCs showed robust antigen-specific tumor cytotoxicity against GD2(+) tumors in vitro. In vivo, T cells armed with hu3F8-BsAb were highly cytotoxic against GD2(+) melanoma and neuroblastoma xenografts in mice, accompanied by T-cell infiltration without significant side effects. Only zeptomole (10-21 ) quantities of BsAb per T cell was required for maximal antitumor effects. Tumor response was a function of T-cell dose. CONCLUSION BsAb armed T cells may have clinical utility as the next generation of cytotherapy combined with recombinant BsAb against human tumors for both adult and pediatrics, if autologous T cells can be activated and expanded ex vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miho Nakajima
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), New York, New York,Current Address: Department of Pediatric Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hong-fen Guo
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), New York, New York
| | | | - Maya Suzuki
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), New York, New York,Current Address: Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hong Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), New York, New York
| | - Nai-Kong Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), New York, New York
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31
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Bottino C, Dondero A, Castriconi R. Inhibitory axes impacting on the activity and fate of Innate Lymphoid Cells. Mol Aspects Med 2021; 80:100985. [PMID: 34176653 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2021.100985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
In neoplastic patients, an effective immune response ideally should be achieved by the coordinated action of different immune cells with tumor-suppressive functions. These include the more cytolytic members of the Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILCs) family represented by the Natural Killer (NK) cells, whose activities in cancer patients, however, can be hampered by several inhibitory signals. These are generated by membrane-bound and soluble molecules that, interacting with specific inhibitory receptors, create inhibitory axes impacting the NK cell differentiation and effector functions. These breaks, which now represent major immunotherapeutic targets, may be sensitive to interferon (IFN)-γ, whose source, in vivo, is represented by different cell types including the NK and ILC1. Since also ILCs can express receptors of the inhibitory axes like PD-1 and TIGIT, their therapeutic blockade might further amplify the IFN-γ release that, as an unwanted side effect, would promote the onset of NK cell-resistant tumor variants (NKRTV) expressing ligands involved in inhibitory axes. These variants might also arise from the activity of other cytokines such as IL-27, which can increase the expression of HLA class I and PD-Ls in different cell types, including tumor cells. Besides the amplification of membrane-bound inhibitory axes, tumors can reduce the number of infiltrating cytolytic ILCs, promote the recruitment of poorly cytolytic NK cell subsets, and manipulate to their advantage the infiltrating immune cells, which acquire tumor-promoting activities. This occurs thanks to the production of soluble factors including TGF-β1 and IL-18 that, alone or in combination, modify the activating and chemokine receptor repertoire of NK cells, and induce the ILCs differentiation towards cells ineffective in fighting cancer or, even worse, with tumor-promoting functions. The present review aims to present and discuss major inhibitory axes impacting on ILCs functions, migration, and differentiation with a major focus on tumor context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Bottino
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandra Dondero
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberta Castriconi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
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32
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Furman WL. Monoclonal Antibody Therapies for High Risk Neuroblastoma. Biologics 2021; 15:205-219. [PMID: 34135571 PMCID: PMC8200163 DOI: 10.2147/btt.s267278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are part of the standard of care for the treatment of many adult solid tumors. Until recently none have been approved for use in children with solid tumors. Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. Those with high-risk disease, despite treatment with very intensive multimodal therapy, still have poor overall survival. Results of treatment with an immunotherapy regimen using a chimeric (human/mouse) mAb against a cell surface disialoganglioside (GD2) have changed the standard of care for these children and resulted in the first approval of a mAb for use in children with solid tumors. This article will review the use of the various anti-GD2 mAbs in children with NB, methods that have been or are being evaluated for enhancing their efficacy, as well as review other promising antigenic targets for the therapeutic use of mAbs in children with NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne L Furman
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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33
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Quamine AE, Olsen MR, Cho MM, Capitini CM. Approaches to Enhance Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapy for Pediatric Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2796. [PMID: 34199783 PMCID: PMC8200074 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of metastatic pediatric solid tumors remain a significant challenge, particularly in relapsed and refractory settings. Standard treatment has included surgical resection, radiation, chemotherapy, and, in the case of neuroblastoma, immunotherapy. Despite such intensive therapy, cancer recurrence is common, and most tumors become refractory to prior therapy, leaving patients with few conventional treatment options. Natural killer (NK) cells are non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted lymphocytes that boast several complex killing mechanisms but at an added advantage of not causing graft-versus-host disease, making use of allogeneic NK cells a potential therapeutic option. On top of their killing capacity, NK cells also produce several cytokines and growth factors that act as key regulators of the adaptive immune system, positioning themselves as ideal effector cells for stimulating heavily pretreated immune systems. Despite this promise, clinical efficacy of adoptive NK cell therapy to date has been inconsistent, prompting a detailed understanding of the biological pathways within NK cells that can be leveraged to develop "next generation" NK cell therapies. Here, we review advances in current approaches to optimizing the NK cell antitumor response including combination with other immunotherapies, cytokines, checkpoint inhibition, and engineering NK cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) for the treatment of pediatric solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aicha E. Quamine
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (A.E.Q.); (M.R.O.); (M.M.C.)
| | - Mallery R. Olsen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (A.E.Q.); (M.R.O.); (M.M.C.)
| | - Monica M. Cho
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (A.E.Q.); (M.R.O.); (M.M.C.)
| | - Christian M. Capitini
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (A.E.Q.); (M.R.O.); (M.M.C.)
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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34
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Munari E, Marconi M, Querzoli G, Lunardi G, Bertoglio P, Ciompi F, Tosadori A, Eccher A, Tumino N, Quatrini L, Vacca P, Rossi G, Cavazza A, Martignoni G, Brunelli M, Netto GJ, Moretta L, Zamboni G, Bogina G. Impact of PD-L1 and PD-1 Expression on the Prognostic Significance of CD8 + Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:680973. [PMID: 34122444 PMCID: PMC8187779 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.680973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune infiltrate within tumors has proved to be very powerful in the prognostic stratification of patients and much attention is also being paid towards its predictive value. In this work we therefore aimed at clarifying the significance and impact of PD-L1 and PD-1 expression on the prognostic value of CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in a cohort of consecutive patients with primary resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tissue microarrays (TMA) were built using one representative formalin fixed paraffin embedded block for every case, with 5 cores for each block. TMA sections were stained with PD-L1 (clone SP263), PD-1 (clone NAT105) and CD8 (clone SP57). Number of CD8+ cells per mm2 were automatically counted; median, 25th and 75th percentiles of CD8+ cells were used as threshold for statistical clinical outcome analysis and evaluated in patients subgroups defined by expression of PD-L1 and PD-1 within tumors. We found an overall strong prognostic value of CD8+ cells in our cohort of 314 resected NSCLC, especially in PD-L1 negative tumors lacking PD-1+ TILs, and demonstrated that in PD-L1 positive tumors a higher density of CD8+ lymphocytes is necessary to improve the prognosis. Our data strengthen the concept of the importance of the assessment and quantification of the immune contexture in cancer and, similarly to what has been carried on in colorectal cancer, promote the efforts for the establishment of an Immunoscore for NSCLC for prognostic and possibly predictive purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Munari
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marcella Marconi
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Giulia Querzoli
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Lunardi
- Clinical Analysis Laboratory and Transfusional Medicine, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Pietro Bertoglio
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Maggiore Teaching Hospital and Sant'Orsola University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Ciompi
- Computational Pathology Group, Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Alice Tosadori
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Albino Eccher
- Pathology Unit, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Nicola Tumino
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Linda Quatrini
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Giulio Rossi
- Pathology Unit, AUSL della Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Alberto Cavazza
- Pathology Unit, AUSL/IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Guido Martignoni
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.,Pathology Unit, Pederzoli Hospital, Peschiera del Garda, Italy
| | - Matteo Brunelli
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - George J Netto
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Zamboni
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy.,Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bogina
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
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35
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Brignole C, Pastorino F, Perri P, Amoroso L, Bensa V, Calarco E, Ponzoni M, Corrias MV. Bone Marrow Environment in Metastatic Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102467. [PMID: 34069335 PMCID: PMC8158729 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of the interactions occurring in the BM environment has been facilitated by the peculiar nature of metastatic NB. In fact: (i) metastases are present at diagnosis; (ii) metastases are confined in a very specific tissue, the BM, suggestive of a strong attraction and possibility of survival; (iii) differently from adult cancers, NB metastases are available because the diagnostic procedures require morphological examination of BM; (iv) NB metastatic cells express surface antigens that allow enrichment of NB metastatic cells by immune-magnetic separation; and (v) patients with localized disease represent an internal control to discriminate specific alterations occurring in the metastatic niche from generic alterations determined by the neoplastic growth at the primary site. Here, we first review the information regarding the features of BM-infiltrating NB cells. Then, we focus on the alterations found in the BM of children with metastatic NB as compared to healthy children and children with localized NB. Specifically, information regarding all the BM cell populations and their sub-sets will be first examined in the context of BM microenvironment in metastatic NB. In the last part, the information regarding the soluble factors will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Loredana Amoroso
- Pediatric Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy;
| | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Enzo Calarco
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence:
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36
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Munari E, Mariotti FR, Quatrini L, Bertoglio P, Tumino N, Vacca P, Eccher A, Ciompi F, Brunelli M, Martignoni G, Bogina G, Moretta L. PD-1/PD-L1 in Cancer: Pathophysiological, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Aspects. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5123. [PMID: 34066087 PMCID: PMC8151504 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune evasion is a key strategy adopted by tumor cells to escape the immune system while promoting their survival and metastatic spreading. Indeed, several mechanisms have been developed by tumors to inhibit immune responses. PD-1 is a cell surface inhibitory receptor, which plays a major physiological role in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance. In pathological conditions, activation of the PD-1/PD-Ls signaling pathway may block immune cell activation, a mechanism exploited by tumor cells to evade the antitumor immune control. Targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis has represented a major breakthrough in cancer treatment. Indeed, the success of PD-1 blockade immunotherapies represents an unprecedented success in the treatment of different cancer types. To improve the therapeutic efficacy, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms regulating PD-1 expression and signaling in the tumor context is required. We provide an overview of the current knowledge of PD-1 expression on both tumor-infiltrating T and NK cells, summarizing the recent evidence on the stimuli regulating its expression. We also highlight perspectives and limitations of the role of PD-L1 expression as a predictive marker, discuss well-established and novel potential approaches to improve patient selection and clinical outcome and summarize current indications for anti-PD1/PD-L1 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Munari
- Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25100 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Francesca R. Mariotti
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (F.R.M.); (L.Q.); (N.T.); (P.V.)
| | - Linda Quatrini
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (F.R.M.); (L.Q.); (N.T.); (P.V.)
| | - Pietro Bertoglio
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Maggiore Teaching Hospital and Sant’Orsola University Hospital, 40133 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Nicola Tumino
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (F.R.M.); (L.Q.); (N.T.); (P.V.)
| | - Paola Vacca
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (F.R.M.); (L.Q.); (N.T.); (P.V.)
| | - Albino Eccher
- Pathology Unit, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Francesco Ciompi
- Computational Pathology Group, Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6543 SH Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Matteo Brunelli
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (M.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Guido Martignoni
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (M.B.); (G.M.)
- Pathology Unit, Pederzoli Hospital, 37019 Peschiera del Garda, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bogina
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, 37024 Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (F.R.M.); (L.Q.); (N.T.); (P.V.)
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37
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Targeted Therapy with Sirolimus and Nivolumab in a Child with Refractory Multifocal Anaplastic Ependymoma. REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/reports4020012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric ependymoma (EPN) is the third most common central nervous system (CNS) tumor, with 90% arising intracranially. Management typically involves maximal surgical resection and radiotherapy, but patients’ outcome is poor. Moreover, there are only a few therapeutical options available for recurrent or refractory disease. In this report, we present the case of a 7-year-old girl with relapsed refractory multifocal grade III EPN who failed conventional treatments and experienced a stable and durable response to the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICPI) nivolumab in association with the mammalian target of rapamycin (m-TOR) inhibitor sirolimus. This experimental therapy was targeted on immune phenotypical analyses of the patient’s last relapse tumor sample, and this procedure should be routinely done to find new possible therapeutical approaches in recurrent solid tumors.
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38
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Cocco C, Morandi F, Airoldi I. Immune Checkpoints in Pediatric Solid Tumors: Targetable Pathways for Advanced Therapeutic Purposes. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040927. [PMID: 33920505 PMCID: PMC8074115 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a complex network between tumor cells and a variety of components including immune, stromal and vascular endothelial cells as well as the extracellular matrix. A wide panel of signals and interactions here take place, resulting in a bi-directional modulation of cellular functions. Many stimuli, on one hand, induce tumor growth and the spread of metastatic cells and, on the other hand, contribute to the establishment of an immunosuppressive environment. The latter feature is achieved by soothing immune effector cells, mainly cytotoxic T lymphocytes and B and NK cells, and/or through expansion of regulatory cell populations, including regulatory T and B cells, tumor-associated macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. In this context, immune checkpoints (IC) are key players in the control of T cell activation and anti-cancer activities, leading to the inhibition of tumor cell lysis and of pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Thus, these pathways represent promising targets for the development of effective and innovative therapies both in adults and children. Here, we address the role of different cell populations homing the TME and of well-known and recently characterized IC in the context of pediatric solid tumors. We also discuss preclinical and clinical data available using IC inhibitors alone, in combination with each other or administered with standard therapies.
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39
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Dondero A, Morini M, Cangelosi D, Mazzocco K, Serra M, Spaggiari GM, Rotta G, Tondo A, Locatelli F, Castellano A, Scuderi F, Sementa AR, Eva A, Conte M, Garaventa A, Bottino C, Castriconi R. Multiparametric flow cytometry highlights B7-H3 as a novel diagnostic/therapeutic target in GD2neg/low neuroblastoma variants. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2020-002293. [PMID: 33795387 PMCID: PMC8021887 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-002293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High-risk neuroblastomas (HR-NBs) are rare, aggressive pediatric cancers characterized by resistance to therapy and relapse in more than 30% of cases, despite using an aggressive therapeutic protocol including targeting of GD2. The mechanisms responsible for therapy resistance are unclear and might include the presence of GD2neg/low NB variants and/or the expression of immune checkpoint ligands such as B7-H3. Method Here, we describe a multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) combining the acquisition of 106 nucleated singlets, Syto16pos CD45neg CD56pos cells, and the analysis of GD2 and B7-H3 surface expression. 41 bone marrow (BM) aspirates from 25 patients with NB, at the onset or relapse, are analyzed, comparing results with cytomorphological analysis (CA) and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC). Spike in experiments assesses the sensitivity of MFC. Kaplan-Meier analysis on 498 primary NBs selects novel prognostic markers possibly integrating the MFC panel. Results No false positive are detected, and MFC shows high sensitivity (0.0005%). Optimized MFC identifies CD45negCD56pos NB cells in 11 out of 12 (91.6%) of BM indicated as infiltrated by CA, 7 of which coexpress high levels of GD2 and B7-H3. MFC detects CD45negCD56posGD2neg/low NB variants expressing high surface levels of B7-H3 in two patients with HR-NB (stage M) diagnosed at 53 and 139 months of age. One of them has a non-MYCN amplified tumor with unusual THpos PHOX2Bneg phenotype, which relapsed 141 months post-diagnosis with BM infiltration and a humerus lesion. All GD2neg/low NB variants are detected in patients at relapse. Kaplan-Meier analysis highlights an interesting dichotomous prognostic value of MML5, ULBPs, PVR, B7-H6, and CD47, ligands involved in NB recognition by the immune system. Conclusions Our study validates a sensitive MFC analysis providing information on GD2 and B7-H3 surface expression and allowing fast, specific and sensitive evaluation of BM tumor burden. With other routinely used diagnostic and prognostic tools, MFC can improve diagnosis, prognosis, orienting novel personalized treatments in patients with GD2low/neg NB, who might benefit from innovative therapies combining B7-H3 targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Dondero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Martina Morini
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Davide Cangelosi
- Clinical Bioinformatic, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Katia Mazzocco
- UOC Anatomia Patologica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Martina Serra
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Annalisa Tondo
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Meyer Children's University Hospital, Firenze, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | - Aurora Castellano
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandra Eva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Massimo Conte
- UOC Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Bottino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy .,Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberta Castriconi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
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40
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Ehlert K, Hansjuergens I, Zinke A, Otto S, Siebert N, Henze G, Lode H. Nivolumab and dinutuximab beta in two patients with refractory neuroblastoma. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-000540. [PMID: 32414861 PMCID: PMC7239695 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most frequent extracranial solid tumor in children. More than 50% of patients present with widespread (stage M) or refractory disease. In these patients, event-free and overall survival was improved by the addition of the anti-disialoganglioside antibody dinutuximab beta (DB) following multimodal conventional therapy. However, the prognosis of patients with refractory/relapsed NB remains poor. In the past decade, immunotherapy approaches with checkpoint inhibitors were approved for patients with certain malignant diseases such as melanoma or Hodgkin lymphoma. In preclinical models, DB resulted in an upregulation of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) checkpoint in NB cell lines and a combined treatment of DB with a murine anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor showed a synergistic effect in a NB mouse model. CASE PRESENTATIONS Two patients were admitted with refractory metastatic NB. In the 4-year-old girl, NB was diagnosed in 2013. She completed her first-line therapy with a first remission in 2015, but suffered a relapse in 2017. Treatment with chemotherapy and DB resulted in progressive disease after transient improvement. In the 17-year-old young man, NB was first diagnosed in April 2010. After two local relapses in 2011 and 2014, a metastatic relapse and a large abdominal tumor bulk were found in 2018. Despite transient improvement with multimodal therapy, progressive metastatic disease was observed in May 2019. Both patients had a satisfactory quality of life. Therefore, treatment with DB and nivolumab was performed-in the girl from October 2018 until August 2019, in the young man since June 2019. Tolerance to treatment was excellent. The girl continues to be in complete remission 6 months after therapy was stopped. In the young man, the soft tissue lesions disappeared completely, the skeletal lesions regressed substantially after 9 months of his still ongoing treatment. CONCLUSIONS The combination of DB with the checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab led to complete and a very good partial remission in two patients with relapsed/refractory NB. Prospective trials are warranted to clarify the role of this novel approach in a larger number of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline Ehlert
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Greifswald University Medicine, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ina Hansjuergens
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Greifswald University Medicine, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Andreas Zinke
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Greifswald University Medicine, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sylke Otto
- Institute for Diagnostic Radiology, Greifswald University Medicine, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Nikolai Siebert
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Greifswald University Medicine, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Guenter Henze
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Greifswald University Medicine, Greifswald, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Holger Lode
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Greifswald University Medicine, Greifswald, Germany
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41
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Xu H, Buhtoiarov IN, Guo H, Cheung NKV. A novel multimeric IL15/IL15Rα-Fc complex to enhance cancer immunotherapy. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1893500. [PMID: 33763293 PMCID: PMC7954438 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.1893500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of T cells in controlling human cancers is well known. Their success requires continued persistence in vivo and efficient trafficking to tumor sites, requirements shared by other effectors such as Natural Killer (NK) cells. To date, cytokine IL2 remains the only clinically approved cytokine therapy available to expand, maintain, and activate these effector lymphoid cells, but toxicities can be severe. Cytokine IL15 offers similar T cell proliferation and activation properties, but without the unwanted side-effects seen with IL2. Several IL15-cytokine fusion proteins have been developed to improve their in vivo function, typically exploiting the IL15Rα to complex with IL15, to extend serum half-life and increase affinity for IL15β receptor on immune cells. Here we describe a novel IL15 complex incorporating the full-length IL15Rα to complex with wild type IL15 to form spontaneous trimers of dimers (6 IL15 + 6 IL15Rα) during co-expression, resulting in a substantial increase in serum half-life and enhancement of in vivo cytokine effect on IgG or T cell engaging antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicities, when compared to alternative strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Xu
- Departments of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ilia N Buhtoiarov
- Departments of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pediatric Hematology, Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Hongfen Guo
- Departments of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nai-Kong V Cheung
- Departments of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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42
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Canzonetta C, Pelosi A, Di Matteo S, Veneziani I, Tumino N, Vacca P, Munari E, Pezzullo M, Theuer C, De Vito R, Pistoia V, Tomao L, Locatelli F, Moretta L, Caruana I, Azzarone B. Identification of neuroblastoma cell lines with uncommon TAZ +/mesenchymal stromal cell phenotype with strong suppressive activity on natural killer cells. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2020-001313. [PMID: 33452207 PMCID: PMC7813384 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common, extracranial childhood solid tumor arising from neural crest progenitor cells and is a primary cause of death in pediatric patients. In solid tumors, stromal elements recruited or generated by the cancer cells favor the development of an immune-suppressive microenvironment. Herein, we investigated in NB cell lines and in NB biopsies, the presence of cancer cells with mesenchymal phenotype and determined the immune-suppressive properties of these tumor cells on natural killer (NK) cells. Methods We assessed the mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-like phenotype and function of five human NB cell lines and the presence of this particular subset of neuroblasts in NB biopsies using flow-cytometry, immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, cytotoxicity assays, western blot and silencing strategy. We corroborated our data consulting a public gene-expression dataset. Results Two NB cell lines, SK-N-AS and SK-N-BE(2)C, exhibited an unprecedented MSC phenotype (CD105+/CD90+/CD73+/CD29+/CD146+/GD2+/TAZ+). In these NB-MSCs, the ectoenzyme CD73 and the oncogenic/immune-regulatory transcriptional coactivator TAZ were peculiar markers. Their MSC-like nature was confirmed by their adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the presence of neuroblasts with MSC phenotype (CD105+/CD73+/TAZ+). Moreover, a public gene-expression dataset revealed that, in stage IV NB, a higher expression of TAZ and CD105 strongly correlated with a poorer outcome. Among the NB-cell lines analyzed, only NB-MSCs exhibited multifactorial resistance to NK-mediated lysis, inhibition of activating NK receptors, signal adaptors and of NK-cell cytotoxicity through cell-cell contact mediated mechanisms. The latter property was controlled partially by TAZ, since its silencing in NB cells efficiently rescued NK-cell cytotoxic activity, while its overexpression induced opposite effects in non-NB-MSC cells. Conclusions We identified a novel NB immunoregulatory subset that: (i) displayed phenotypic and functional properties of MSC, (ii) mediated multifactorial resistance to NK-cell-induced killing and (iii) efficiently inhibited, in coculture, the cytotoxic activity of NK cells against target cells through a TAZ-dependent mechanism. These findings indicate that targeting novel cellular and molecular components may disrupt the immunomodulatory milieu of the NB microenvironment ameliorating the response to conventional treatments as well as to advanced immunotherapeutic approaches, including adoptive transfer of NK cells and chimeric antigen receptor T or NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Pelosi
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabina Di Matteo
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Veneziani
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Tumino
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Munari
- Pathology Department, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar, Verona, Veneto, Italy.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Pezzullo
- Core Facilities, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rita De Vito
- Anatomical Pathology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vito Pistoia
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Tomao
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Gynaecology/Obstetrics and Paediatrics, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ignazio Caruana
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy .,Department of Paediatric Haematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation University Children's Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bruno Azzarone
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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43
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Shirinbak S, Chan RY, Shahani S, Muthugounder S, Kennedy R, Hung LT, Fernandez GE, Hadjidaniel MD, Moghimi B, Sheard MA, Epstein AL, Fabbri M, Shimada H, Asgharzadeh S. Combined immune checkpoint blockade increases CD8+CD28+PD-1+ effector T cells and provides a therapeutic strategy for patients with neuroblastoma. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1838140. [PMID: 33489468 PMCID: PMC7801125 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1838140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint therapy has resulted in minimal clinical response in many pediatric cancers. We sought to understand the influence of immune checkpoint inhibition using anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies individually, in combination, and after chemotherapy on immune responses in minimal and established murine neuroblastoma models. We also sought to understand the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and PD-L1 expression and their alteration post-chemotherapy in our models and human tissues. PD-L1 expression was enriched in human tumor-associated macrophages and up-regulated after chemotherapy. In a murine minimal disease model, single and dual immune checkpoint blockade promoted tumor rejection, improved survival, and established immune memory with long-term anti-tumor immunity against re-challenge. In an established tumor model, only dual immune checkpoint blockade showed efficacy. Interestingly, dual immune checkpoint therapy distinctly influenced adaptive and innate immune responses, with significant increase in CD8+CD28+PD-1+ T cells and inflammatory macrophages (CD11bhiCD11c−F4/80+Ly6Chi) in tumor-draining lymph nodes. Adding chemotherapy before immunotherapy provided significant survival benefit for mice with established tumors receiving anti-PD-1 or dual immune checkpoint blockade. Our findings demonstrate anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapy induces a novel subset of effector T cells, and support administration of induction chemotherapy immediately prior to immune checkpoint blockade in children with high-risk neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Shirinbak
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Randall Y Chan
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shilpa Shahani
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sakunthala Muthugounder
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rebekah Kennedy
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Long T Hung
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - G Esteban Fernandez
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael D Hadjidaniel
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Babak Moghimi
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael A Sheard
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alan L Epstein
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Muller Fabbri
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Shimada
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shahab Asgharzadeh
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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44
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Wienke J, Dierselhuis MP, Tytgat GAM, Künkele A, Nierkens S, Molenaar JJ. The immune landscape of neuroblastoma: Challenges and opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies in pediatric oncology. Eur J Cancer 2020; 144:123-150. [PMID: 33341446 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy holds great promise for the treatment of pediatric cancers. In neuroblastoma, the recent implementation of anti-GD2 antibody Dinutuximab into the standard of care has improved patient outcomes substantially. However, 5-year survival rates are still below 50% in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma, which has sparked investigations into novel immunotherapeutic approaches. T cell-engaging therapies such as immune checkpoint blockade, antibody-mediated therapy and adoptive T cell therapy have proven remarkably successful in a range of adult cancers but still meet challenges in pediatric oncology. In neuroblastoma, their limited success may be due to several factors. Neuroblastoma displays low immunogenicity due to its low mutational load and lack of MHC-I expression. Tumour infiltration by T and NK cells is especially low in high-risk neuroblastoma and is prognostic for survival. Only a small fraction of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes shows tumour reactivity. Moreover, neuroblastoma tumours employ a variety of immune evasion strategies, including expression of immune checkpoint molecules, induction of immunosuppressive myeloid and stromal cells, as well as secretion of immunoregulatory mediators, which reduce infiltration and reactivity of immune cells. Overcoming these challenges will be key to the successful implementation of novel immunotherapeutic interventions. Combining different immunotherapies, as well as personalised strategies, may be promising approaches. We will discuss the composition, function and prognostic value of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in neuroblastoma, reflect on challenges for immunotherapy, including a lack of TIL reactivity and tumour immune evasion strategies, and highlight opportunities for immunotherapy and future perspectives with regard to state-of-the-art developments in the tumour immunology space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Wienke
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | | | | | - Annette Künkele
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt - Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Nierkens
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jan J Molenaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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45
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Sawaisorn P, Atjanasuppat K, Anurathapan U, Chutipongtanate S, Hongeng S. Strategies to Improve Chimeric Antigen Receptor Therapies for Neuroblastoma. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040753. [PMID: 33322408 PMCID: PMC7768386 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are among the curative immunotherapeutic approaches that exploit the antigen specificity and cytotoxicity function of potent immune cells against cancers. Neuroblastomas, the most common extracranial pediatric solid tumors with diverse characteristics, could be a promising candidate for using CAR therapies. Several methods harness CAR-modified cells in neuroblastoma to increase therapeutic efficiency, although the assessment has been less successful. Regarding the improvement of CARs, various trials have been launched to overcome insufficient capacity. However, the reasons behind the inadequate response against neuroblastoma of CAR-modified cells are still not well understood. It is essential to update the present state of comprehension of CARs to improve the efficiency of CAR therapies. This review summarizes the crucial features of CARs and their design for neuroblastoma, discusses challenges that impact the outcomes of the immunotherapeutic competence, and focuses on devising strategies currently being investigated to improve the efficacy of CARs for neuroblastoma immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piamsiri Sawaisorn
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.S.); (K.A.); (U.A.)
| | - Korakot Atjanasuppat
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.S.); (K.A.); (U.A.)
| | - Usanarat Anurathapan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.S.); (K.A.); (U.A.)
| | - Somchai Chutipongtanate
- Pediatric Translational Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Samut Prakan 10540, Thailand
- Correspondence: (S.C.); (S.H.)
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.S.); (K.A.); (U.A.)
- Correspondence: (S.C.); (S.H.)
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46
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ADAM protease inhibition overcomes resistance of breast cancer stem-like cells to γδ T cell immunotherapy. Cancer Lett 2020; 496:156-168. [PMID: 33045304 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Gamma delta T cells (γδTc) have tremendous anti-tumoral activity, thus γδTc immunotherapy is currently under development for various malignancies. We targeted breast cancer stem-like cells (BCSC), a rare cell population responsible for patient mortality. BCSC were mostly susceptible to γδTc immunotherapy, yet some escaped. The BCSC secretome rendered γδTc hypo-responsive, and resistant BCSC expressed more PD-L1 and anti-apoptotic protein MCL-1 than non-stem-like cells (NSC). BCSC resistance was partially overcome by dMCL1-2, an MCL-1 degrader, or more fully by blocking PD-1 on γδTc. Increased MICA shedding was prevented by the ADAM inhibitor GW280264X, rendering BCSC as sensitive to γδTc cytotoxicity as NSC. Our data show promising potential for γδTc immunotherapy against BCSC while unraveling immune evasion mechanisms exploited by BCSC, which likely also enable their resistance to cytotoxic T and NK cells. Overcoming this resistance, as we have done here, will improve cancer immunotherapy, leading to better cancer patient outcomes.
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47
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Orienti I, Farruggia G, Nguyen F, Guan P, Calonghi N, Kolla V, Chorny M, Brodeur GM. Nanomicellar Lenalidomide-Fenretinide Combination Suppresses Tumor Growth in an MYCN Amplified Neuroblastoma Tumor. Int J Nanomedicine 2020; 15:6873-6886. [PMID: 32982239 PMCID: PMC7502401 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s262032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose In a previous study, we demonstrated that the combination of fenretinide with lenalidomide, administered by a novel nanomicellar formulation (FLM), provided a strong antitumor effect in a neuroblastoma TrkB-expressing tumor. In this study, we tested the nanomicellar combination in an MYCN amplified neuroblastoma xenograft to assess its efficacy in different tumor genotypes and evaluate the interactions of the nanomicelles with the tumor cells. Experimental Design FLM was administered to mice bearing human NLF xenografts to evaluate its efficacy in comparison with the nanomicelles containing fenretinide alone (FM). Confocal laser-scanning fluorescence microscopy images of the NLF cells treated with FLM and FM allowed us to estimate the nanomicelle ability to transport the encapsulated drugs inside the tumor cells. Flow cytometric analysis of the cells from treated tumors was performed to assess the effect of treatment on GD2 expression and NK cell infiltration. Results FLM and FM decreased the growth of NLF xenografts at comparable extents during the treatment period. Afterwards, FLM induced a progressive tumor regression without regrowth, while FM treatment was followed by regrowth within 15-20 days after the end of treatment. Both FLM and FM were able to penetrate the tumor cells transporting the encapsulated drugs. FLM transported higher amount of fenretinide inside the cells. Also, FLM treatment strongly increased GD2 expression in treated tumors and slightly decreased the NK infiltration compared to FM. Conclusion FLM treatment induced a superior antitumor response than FM in NLF xenografts, presumably due to the combined effects of fenretinide cytotoxicity and lenalidomide antiangiogenic activity. The ability of FLM to penetrate tumor cells, transporting the encapsulated drugs, substantially improved the therapeutic efficiency of this system. Moreover, the enhancement of GD2 expression in FLM treated tumors offers the possibility to further increase the antitumor effect by the use of anti-GD2 CAR-T cells and anti-GD2 antibodies in combination with FLM in multimodal therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Orienti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40127, Italy
| | - Giovanna Farruggia
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40127, Italy
| | - Ferro Nguyen
- Divisions of Oncology and Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Peng Guan
- Divisions of Oncology and Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Natalia Calonghi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40127, Italy
| | - Venkatadri Kolla
- Divisions of Oncology and Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Michael Chorny
- Divisions of Oncology and Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Garrett M Brodeur
- Divisions of Oncology and Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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48
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Flem-Karlsen K, Fodstad Ø, Nunes-Xavier CE. B7-H3 Immune Checkpoint Protein in Human Cancer. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:4062-4086. [PMID: 31099317 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190517115515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
B7-H3 belongs to the B7 family of immune checkpoint proteins, which are important regulators of the adaptive immune response and emerging key players in human cancer. B7-H3 is a transmembrane protein expressed on the surface of tumor cells, antigen presenting cells, natural killer cells, tumor endothelial cells, but can also be present in intra- and extracellular vesicles. Additionally, B7-H3 may be present as a circulating soluble isoform in serum and other body fluids. B7-H3 is overexpressed in a variety of tumor types, in correlation with poor prognosis. B7-H3 is a promising new immunotherapy target for anti-cancer immune response, as well as a potential biomarker. Besides its immunoregulatory role, B7-H3 has intrinsic pro-tumorigenic activities related to enhanced cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, metastatic capacity and anti-cancer drug resistance. B7-H3 has also been found to regulate key metabolic enzymes, promoting the high glycolytic capacity of cancer cells. B7-H3 receptors are still not identified, and little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying B7-H3 functions. Here, we review the current knowledge on the involvement of B7-H3 in human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Flem-Karlsen
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Øystein Fodstad
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Caroline E Nunes-Xavier
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
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49
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Gong Y, Fan Z, Luo G, Huang Q, Qian Y, Cheng H, Jin K, Ni Q, Yu X, Liu C. Absolute Counts of Peripheral Lymphocyte Subsets Correlate with the Progression-Free Survival and Metastatic Status of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumour Patients. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:6727-6737. [PMID: 32848455 PMCID: PMC7425098 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s257492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (panNETs) are rare tumours of pancreas. Lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood are reported to reflect tumour prognosis and progression. The objective of the study is to investigate the hypotheses that the levels of peripheral lymphocytes may reflect tumour progression and may predict the prognosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (panNETs). Patients and Methods A retrospective cohort study consisting of 73 patients diagnosed with panNETs was conducted. Kaplan-Meier methods and Log rank tests were used to compare the survival rates, and a Cox regression model was used to perform multivariate analyses. Results panNET patients with distant metastasis were associated with lower peripheral total T cell (p = 0.039) and CD4+ T cell (p = 0.006) counts. Lower peripheral B cells (p = 0.007) and higher peripheral NK cell (p = 0.001) counts indicated worse progression-free survival (PFS) in Log rank tests. In multivariate analyses, low B cell count (hazard ratio (HR): 6.769, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.158 to 21.228, p = 0.001) and high NK cell count (HR: 3.715, 95% CI: 1.164 to 11.855, p = 0.027) were independent risk factors for progression. NK cells and B cells were also significantly associated with PFS following radical surgical resection. Conclusion Peripheral total T cell and CD4+ T cell counts may reflect the distant metastasis status in panNET patients. The absolute count of peripheral B cells and NK cells may independently predict the progression of panNET patients, making them promising prognostic indicators and potential targets for treatment of panNETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitao Gong
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyao Fan
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Guopei Luo
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuyi Huang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunzhen Qian
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - He Cheng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaizhou Jin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Quanxing Ni
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
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50
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Cangelosi D, Morini M, Zanardi N, Sementa AR, Muselli M, Conte M, Garaventa A, Pfeffer U, Bosco MC, Varesio L, Eva A. Hypoxia Predicts Poor Prognosis in Neuroblastoma Patients and Associates with Biological Mechanisms Involved in Telomerase Activation and Tumor Microenvironment Reprogramming. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2343. [PMID: 32825087 PMCID: PMC7563184 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The biological and clinical heterogeneity of neuroblastoma (NB) demands novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in order to drive the most appropriate treatment for each patient. Hypoxia is a condition of low-oxygen tension occurring in poorly vascularized tumor tissues. In this study, we aimed to assess the role of hypoxia in the pathogenesis of NB and at developing a new clinically relevant hypoxia-based predictor of outcome. We analyzed the gene expression profiles of 1882 untreated NB primary tumors collected at diagnosis and belonging to four existing data sets. Analyses took advantage of machine learning methods. We identified NB-hop, a seven-gene hypoxia biomarker, as a predictor of NB patient prognosis, which is able to discriminate between two populations of patients with unfavorable or favorable outcome on a molecular basis. NB-hop retained its prognostic value in a multivariate model adjusted for established risk factors and was able to additionally stratify clinically relevant groups of patients. Tumors with an unfavorable NB-hop expression showed a significant association with telomerase activation and a hypoxic, immunosuppressive, poorly differentiated, and apoptosis-resistant tumor microenvironment. NB-hop defines a new population of NB patients with hypoxic tumors and unfavorable prognosis and it represents a critical factor for the stratification and treatment of NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Cangelosi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (M.M.); (N.Z.); (L.V.); (A.E.)
| | - Martina Morini
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (M.M.); (N.Z.); (L.V.); (A.E.)
| | - Nicolò Zanardi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (M.M.); (N.Z.); (L.V.); (A.E.)
| | - Angela Rita Sementa
- Laboratory of Pathology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy;
| | - Marco Muselli
- Institute of Electronics, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering, Italian National Research Council, 16149 Genova, Italy;
| | - Massimo Conte
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (M.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Alberto Garaventa
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (M.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Ulrich Pfeffer
- Integrated Oncology Therapies Department, Molecular Pathology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy;
| | - Maria Carla Bosco
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (M.M.); (N.Z.); (L.V.); (A.E.)
| | - Luigi Varesio
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (M.M.); (N.Z.); (L.V.); (A.E.)
| | - Alessandra Eva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (M.M.); (N.Z.); (L.V.); (A.E.)
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