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Abal-Sanisidro M, De Luca M, Roma S, Ceraolo MG, de la Fuente M, De Monte L, Protti MP. Anakinra-Loaded Sphingomyelin Nanosystems Modulate In Vitro IL-1-Dependent Pro-Tumor Inflammation in Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8085. [PMID: 39125655 PMCID: PMC11312284 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a very aggressive disease with a dismal prognosis. The tumor microenvironment exerts immunosuppressive activities through the secretion of several cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1. The IL-1/IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) axis is a key regulator in tumor-promoting T helper (Th)2- and Th17-type inflammation. Th2 cells are differentiated by dendritic cells endowed with Th2-polarizing capability by the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) that is secreted by IL-1-activated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Th17 cells are differentiated in the presence of IL-1 and other IL-1-regulated cytokines. In pancreatic cancer, the use of a recombinant IL-1R antagonist (IL1RA, anakinra, ANK) in in vitro and in vivo models has shown efficacy in targeting the IL-1/IL-1R pathway. In this study, we have developed sphingomyelin nanosystems (SNs) loaded with ANK (ANK-SNs) to compare their ability to inhibit Th2- and Th17-type inflammation with that of the free drug in vitro. We found that ANK-SNs inhibited TSLP and other pro-tumor cytokines released by CAFs at levels similar to ANK. Importantly, inhibition of IL-17 secretion by Th17 cells, but not of interferon-γ, was significantly higher, and at lower concentrations, with ANK-SNs compared to ANK. Collectively, the use of ANK-SNs might be beneficial in reducing the effective dose of the drug and its toxic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelina Abal-Sanisidro
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
- University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Oncology (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Michele De Luca
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.D.L.); (S.R.); (M.G.C.); (L.D.M.)
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Roma
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.D.L.); (S.R.); (M.G.C.); (L.D.M.)
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Ceraolo
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.D.L.); (S.R.); (M.G.C.); (L.D.M.)
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria de la Fuente
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
- University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Oncology (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- DIVERSA Technologies S.L., Edificio Emprendia, Campus Sur, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Lucia De Monte
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.D.L.); (S.R.); (M.G.C.); (L.D.M.)
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Protti
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.D.L.); (S.R.); (M.G.C.); (L.D.M.)
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
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Farhangnia P, Khorramdelazad H, Nickho H, Delbandi AA. Current and future immunotherapeutic approaches in pancreatic cancer treatment. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:40. [PMID: 38835055 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01561-6] [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: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death, but despondently, the outlook and prognosis for this resistant type of tumor have remained grim for a long time. Currently, it is extremely challenging to prevent or detect it early enough for effective treatment because patients rarely exhibit symptoms and there are no reliable indicators for detection. Most patients have advanced or spreading cancer that is difficult to treat, and treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can only slightly prolong their life by a few months. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of pancreatic cancer, yet its effectiveness is limited by the tumor's immunosuppressive and hard-to-reach microenvironment. First, this article explains the immunosuppressive microenvironment of pancreatic cancer and highlights a wide range of immunotherapy options, including therapies involving oncolytic viruses, modified T cells (T-cell receptor [TCR]-engineered and chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] T-cell therapy), CAR natural killer cell therapy, cytokine-induced killer cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors, immunomodulators, cancer vaccines, and strategies targeting myeloid cells in the context of contemporary knowledge and future trends. Lastly, it discusses the main challenges ahead of pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooya Farhangnia
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Khorramdelazad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Hamid Nickho
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali-Akbar Delbandi
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Smith H, Arbe-Barnes E, Shah EA, Sivakumar S. Manipulating regulatory T cells: is it the key to unlocking effective immunotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma? Front Immunol 2024; 15:1406250. [PMID: 38873607 PMCID: PMC11170104 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1406250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The five-year survival rates for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have scarcely improved over the last half-century. It is inherently resistant to FDA-approved immunotherapies, which have transformed the outlook for patients with other advanced solid tumours. Accumulating evidence relates this resistance to its hallmark immunosuppressive milieu, which instils progressive dysfunction among tumour-infiltrating effector T cells. This milieu is established at the inception of neoplasia by immunosuppressive cellular populations, including regulatory T cells (Tregs), which accumulate in parallel with the progression to malignant PDAC. Thus, the therapeutic manipulation of Tregs has captured significant scientific and commercial attention, bolstered by the discovery that an abundance of tumour-infiltrating Tregs correlates with a poor prognosis in PDAC patients. Herein, we propose a mechanism for the resistance of PDAC to anti-PD-1 and CTLA-4 immunotherapies and re-assess the rationale for pursuing Treg-targeted therapies in light of recent studies that profiled the immune landscape of patient-derived tumour samples. We evaluate strategies that are emerging to limit Treg-mediated immunosuppression for the treatment of PDAC, and signpost early-stage trials that provide preliminary evidence of clinical activity. In this context, we find a compelling argument for investment in the ongoing development of Treg-targeted immunotherapies for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Smith
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Edward Arbe-Barnes
- Institute of Immunology and Transplantation, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Enas Abu Shah
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Shivan Sivakumar
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Birmingham Medical School, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Birmingham Cancer Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Katz MHG, Petroni GR, Bauer T, Reilley MJ, Wolpin BM, Stucky CC, Bekaii-Saab TS, Elias R, Merchant N, Dias Costa A, Lenehan P, Cardot-Ruffino V, Rodig S, Pfaff K, Dougan SK, Nowak JA, Varadhachary GR, Slingluff CL, Rahma O. Multicenter randomized controlled trial of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy alone or in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007586. [PMID: 38040420 PMCID: PMC10693876 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a challenging target for immunotherapy because it has an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy can increase tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density, which may predict overall survival (OS). We hypothesized that adding programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade to chemoradiotherapy would be well tolerated and increase TILs among patients with localized PDAC. METHODS Patients were randomized 2:1 to Arm A (receiving pembrolizumab plus chemoradiotherapy (capecitabine and external beam radiation)) or Arm B (receiving chemoradiotherapy alone) before anticipated pancreatectomy. Primary endpoints were (1) incidence and severity of adverse events during neoadjuvant therapy and (2) density of TILs in resected tumor specimens. TIL density was assessed using multiplexed immunofluorescence histologic examination. RESULTS Thirty-seven patients were randomized to Arms A (n=24) and B (n=13). Grade ≥3 adverse events related to neoadjuvant treatment were experienced by 9 (38%) and 4 (31%) patients in Arms A and B, respectively, with one patient experiencing dose-limiting toxicity in Arm A. Seventeen (71%) and 7 (54%) patients in Arms A and B, respectively, underwent pancreatectomy. Median CD8+ T-cell densities in Arms A and B were 67.4 (IQR: 39.2-141.8) and 37.9 (IQR: 22.9-173.4) cells/mm2, respectively. Arms showed no noticeable differences in density of CD8+Ki67+, CD4+, or CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells; M1-like and M2-like macrophages; or granulocytes. Median OS durations were 27.8 (95% CI: 17.1 to NR) and 24.3 (95% CI: 12.6 to NR) months for Arms A and B, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Adding pembrolizumab to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was safe. However, no convincing effect on CD8+ TILs was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew H G Katz
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gina R Petroni
- Division of Translational Research and Applied Statistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Todd Bauer
- Department of Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Matthew J Reilley
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Brian M Wolpin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Tanios S Bekaii-Saab
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clin, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Rawad Elias
- Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, Plainville, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nipun Merchant
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | - Andressa Dias Costa
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Patrick Lenehan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Victoire Cardot-Ruffino
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Scott Rodig
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kathleen Pfaff
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jonathan Andrew Nowak
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gauri R Varadhachary
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Craig L Slingluff
- Department of Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Osama Rahma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Chen Z, Qiao S, Yang L, Sun M, Li B, Lu A, Li F. Mechanistic Insights into the Roles of the IL-17/IL-17R Families in Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13539. [PMID: 37686343 PMCID: PMC10487659 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The members of the cytokine interleukin 17 (IL-17) family, along with their receptors (IL-17R), are vital players in a range of inflammatory diseases and cancer. Although generally regarded as proinflammatory, the effects they exhibit on cancer progression are a double-edged sword, with both antitumor and protumor activities being discovered. There is growing evidence that the IL-17 signaling pathways have significant impacts on the tumor microenvironment (TME), immune response, and inflammation in various types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer. However, the detailed mechanistic functions of the IL-17/IL-17R families in pancreatic cancer were rarely systematically elucidated. This review considers the role of the IL-17/IL-17R families in inflammation and tumor immunity and elaborates on the mechanistic functions and correlations of these members with pathogenesis, progression, and chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer. By summarizing the advanced findings on the role of IL-17/IL17R family members and IL-17 signaling pathways at the molecular level, cellular level, and disease level in pancreatic cancer, this review provides an in-depth discussion on the potential of IL-17/IL-17R as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Chen
- Shum Yiu Foon Shum Bik Chuen Memorial Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China; (Z.C.); (S.Q.); (L.Y.); (M.S.); (B.L.)
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery (PMID), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shuangying Qiao
- Shum Yiu Foon Shum Bik Chuen Memorial Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China; (Z.C.); (S.Q.); (L.Y.); (M.S.); (B.L.)
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery (PMID), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Shum Yiu Foon Shum Bik Chuen Memorial Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China; (Z.C.); (S.Q.); (L.Y.); (M.S.); (B.L.)
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery (PMID), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Meiheng Sun
- Shum Yiu Foon Shum Bik Chuen Memorial Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China; (Z.C.); (S.Q.); (L.Y.); (M.S.); (B.L.)
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery (PMID), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Boyue Li
- Shum Yiu Foon Shum Bik Chuen Memorial Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China; (Z.C.); (S.Q.); (L.Y.); (M.S.); (B.L.)
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery (PMID), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Aiping Lu
- Shum Yiu Foon Shum Bik Chuen Memorial Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China; (Z.C.); (S.Q.); (L.Y.); (M.S.); (B.L.)
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery (PMID), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fangfei Li
- Shum Yiu Foon Shum Bik Chuen Memorial Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China; (Z.C.); (S.Q.); (L.Y.); (M.S.); (B.L.)
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery (PMID), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Zhu L, Tu D, Li R, Li L, Zhang W, Jin W, Li T, Zhu H. The diagnostic significance of the ZNF gene family in pancreatic cancer: a bioinformatics and experimental study. Front Genet 2023; 14:1089023. [PMID: 37396042 PMCID: PMC10311482 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1089023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is among the most devastating of all cancers with a poor survival rate. Therefore, we established a zinc finger (ZNF) protein-based prognostic prediction model for PAAD patients. Methods: The RNA-seq data for PAAD were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Differentially expressed ZNF protein genes (DE-ZNFs) in PAAD and normal control tissues were screened using the "lemma" package in R. An optimal risk model and an independent prognostic value were established by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Survival analyses were performed to assess the prognostic ability of the model. Results: We constructed a ZNF family genes-related risk score model that is based on the 10 DE-ZNFs (ZNF185, PRKCI, RTP4, SERTAD2, DEF8, ZMAT1, SP110, U2AF1L4, CXXC1, and RMND5B). The risk score was found to be a significant independent prognostic factor for PAAD patients. Seven significantly differentially expressed immune cells were identified between the high- and low-risk patients. Then, based on the prognostic genes, we constructed a ceRNA regulatory network that includes 5 prognostic genes, 7 miRNAs and 35 lncRNAs. Expression analysis showed ZNF185, PRKCI and RTP4 were significantly upregulated, while ZMAT1 and CXXC1 were significantly downregulated in the PAAD samples in all TCGA - PAAD, GSE28735 and GSE15471 datasets. Moreover, the upregulation of RTP4, SERTAD2, and SP110 were verified by the cell experiments. Conclusion: We established and validated a novel, Zinc finger protein family - related prognostic risk model for patients with PAAD, that has the potential to inform patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Dong Tu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, No. 920 Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Kunming, China
| | - Ruixue Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Wenxiang Jin
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Tiehan Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Chen Q, Ren S, Cui S, Huang J, Wang D, Li B, He Q, Lang R. Prognostic and recurrent significance of SII in patients with pancreatic head cancer undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1122811. [PMID: 37284203 PMCID: PMC10240062 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1122811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To investigate the clinical significance of preoperative inflammatory status in patients with pancreatic head carcinoma (PHC), we performed a single-center study to assess it. Method We studied a total of 164 patients with PHC undergoing PD surgery (with or without allogeneic venous replacement) from January 2018 to April 2022. Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) was the most important peripheral immune index in predicting the prognosis according to XGBoost analysis. The optimal cutoff value of SII for OS was calculated according to Youden index based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the cohort was divided into Low SII group and High SII group. Demographic, clinical data, laboratory data, follow-up data variables were obtained and compared between the two groups. Kaplan-Meier curves, univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were used to determine the association between preoperative inflammation index, nutritional index and TNM staging system with OS and DFS respectively. Results The median follow-up time was 16 months (IQR 23), and 41.4% of recurrences occurred within 1 year. The cutoff value of SII was 563, with a sensitivity of 70.3%, and a specificity of 60.7%. Peripheral immune status was different between the two groups. Patients in High SII group had higher PAR, NLR than those in Low SII group (P <0.01, <0.01, respectively), and lower PNI (P <0.01). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly poorer OS and DFS (P < 0.001, <0.001, respectively) in patients with high SII. By using the multivariable Cox regression model, high SII (HR, 2.056; 95% CI, 1.082-3.905, P=0.028) was significant predictor of OS. Of these 68 high-risk patients who recurrence within one year, patients with widespread metastasis had lower SII and worse prognosis (P <0.01). Conclusion High SII was significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with PHC. However, in patients who recurrence within one year, SII was lower in patients at TNM stage III. Thus, care needs to be taken to differentiate those high-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing ChaoYang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Siqian Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Songping Cui
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing ChaoYang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jincan Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing ChaoYang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing ChaoYang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Binglin Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing ChaoYang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang He
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing ChaoYang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ren Lang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing ChaoYang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Luong T, Golivi Y, Nagaraju GP, El-Rayes BF. Fibroblast heterogeneity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Perspectives in immunotherapy. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 68:107-115. [PMID: 36096869 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the key component in pancreatic tumor microenvironment (TME), originate from many sources and are naturally heterogeneous in phenotype and function. Numerous studies have identified their crucial role in promoting tumorigenesis through many routes including fostering cancer proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Conversely, research also indicates that subsets of CAFs express anti-tumor activity. These dual effects reflect the complexity of CAF heterogeneity and their interactions with other cells and factors in pancreatic TME. A critical component in this environment is infiltrated immune cells and immune mediators, which can communicate with CAFs. The crosstalk occurs via the production of various cytokines, chemokines, and other mediators and shapes the immunological state in TME. Comprehensive studies of the crosstalk between CAFs and tumor immune environment, particularly internal mechanisms interlinking CAFs and immune effectors, may provide new approaches for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) treatments. In this review, we explore the characteristics of CAFs, describe the interplay among CAFs, infiltrated immune cells, other mediators, and provide an overview of recent CAF-target therapies, their limitations, and potential research directions in CAF in the context of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tha Luong
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35201, USA
| | - Yuvasri Golivi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35201, USA
| | - Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35201, USA.
| | - Bassel F El-Rayes
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35201, USA.
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Davidson C, Taggart D, Sims AH, Lonergan DW, Canel M, Serrels A. FAK promotes stromal PD-L2 expression associated with poor survival in pancreatic cancer. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:1893-1905. [PMID: 36138073 PMCID: PMC9643373 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01966-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic Cancer is one of the most lethal cancers, with less than 8% of patients surviving 5 years following diagnosis. The last 40 years have seen only small incremental improvements in treatment options, highlighting the continued need to better define the cellular and molecular pathways contributing to therapy response and patient prognosis. METHODS We combined CRISPR, shRNA and flow cytometry with mechanistic experiments using a KrasG12Dp53R172H mouse model of pancreatic cancer and analysis of publicly available human PDAC transcriptomic datasets. RESULTS Here, we identify that expression of the immune checkpoint, Programmed Death Ligand 2 (PD-L2), is associated with poor prognosis, tumour grade, clinical stage and molecular subtype in patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We further show that PD-L2 is predominantly expressed in the stroma and, using an orthotopic murine model of PDAC, identify cancer cell-intrinsic Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) signalling as a regulator of PD-L2 stromal expression. Mechanistically, we find that FAK regulates interleukin-6, which can act in concert with interleukin-4 secreted by CD4 T-cells to drive elevated expression of PD-L2 on tumour-associated macrophages, dendritic cells and endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS These findings identify further complex heterocellular signalling networks contributing to FAK-mediated immune suppression in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Davidson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Hospital for Small Animals, The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Roslin, UK
| | - David Taggart
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew H Sims
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David W Lonergan
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marta Canel
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alan Serrels
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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10
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Liu C, He D, Li L, Zhang S, Wang L, Fan Z, Wang Y. Extracellular vesicles in pancreatic cancer immune escape: Emerging roles and mechanisms. Pharmacol Res 2022; 183:106364. [PMID: 35901939 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the most lethal malignancy worldwide due to its delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options. Despite great progress in clinical trials of immunotherapies for various cancers, their effectiveness in PC is very low, indicating that immune evasion is still a major obstacle to immunotherapy in PC. However, the mechanism of immune escape in PC is not fully understood, which substantially restricts the development of immunotherapy. As an important component of intercellular communication networks, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have attracted increasing attention in relation to immune escape. This review aims to provide a better understanding of the roles of EVs in tumor immune escape and the potential to expand their application in cancer immunotherapy. The relationship between PC and the tumor immune microenvironment is briefly introduced. Then, the mechanism by which EVs are involved in immune regulation is summarized, and the latest progress in determining the role of EVs in regulating PC immune escape is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China.
| | - Dongyue He
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Longmei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shihui Zhang
- Artemisinin Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhijin Fan
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yichao Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Tai Zhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), No.999 Donghai Road, Jiaojiang District, Taizhou, Zhejiang 318000, China.
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11
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Jiang A, Wu X, Wang D, Wang A, Dong K, Liu B, Qu L, Luo P, Wang J, Tong Q, Wang L. A New Thinking: Deciphering the Aberrance and Clinical Implication of IGF Axis Regulation Pattern in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:935595. [PMID: 35935986 PMCID: PMC9355597 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.935595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale The recent research found that IGF regulator genes played a pivotal role in multiple biological processes, which may be developed for cancer treatment. However, the characteristics and implication of IGF regulators in cancers, especially in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), remain elusive. Methods We systematically analyzed the expression, prognostic valuation, genome variation, and functional implication at pan-cancer level from The Cancer Genome Atlas. According to expression levels of IGF regulator genes, ccRCC could be divided into three different subtypes via unsupervised cluster algorithm: IGF pattern cancer type1 (IPCS1), type2 (IPCS2), and type3 (IPCS3). The immune microenvironment, immunotherapy response, metabolic pattern, and tumor progression signature among the three subgroups were investigated. The clinical characteristics, genomic mutations, and potential drug sensitivity were further analyzed. IGF pattern–related risk model was constructed to predict RCC patients’ outcome. Finally, SHC1, a potential IGF axis target, was comprehensively investigated in ccRCC. Results We found that IGF regulator genes were specifically upregulated in various cancer tissues, which were correlated with copy number variations and dysregulated pathways. IPCS1, IPCS2, and IPCS3 exhibited different clinical profiles and biological characteristics in ccRCC. IPCS3 subtype indicated a higher clinical stage and a worse survival. IPSC3 ccRCC displayed activated metabolic signatures to fuel the cancer progression. IPCS3 subgroup holds a higher tumor mutation burden and lower immune activities, which resulted in a low ICI therapy response and tumor immunity dysfunction state. The genome copy numbers of IPCS2/3, including arm gain and arm loss, were significantly higher than IPCS1. Besides, the drug sensitivity profiles were different among the three subgroups. The prognostic risk model based on subtype’s biomarker exerted a promising performance both in training and validation cohorts. Finally, upregulated expression of SHC1 partly induced poorer immunotherapy response and shorter survival of ccRCC patients. Conclusion Targeting IGF regulators may be functioned as a treatment approach among multi-cancers. IGF regulator–related signature could reshape the tumor immune microenvironment via activating multi-step immune programs. The inhibition of SHC1 may enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy, and SHC1 could be a suitable target for ccRCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimin Jiang
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wu
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Desheng Wang
- Department of Urology, The Second People's Hospital of BengBu, Bengbu, China
| | - Anbang Wang
- Department of Urology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Dong
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Le Qu
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Urology, The Second People's Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, China
| | - Qiang Tong
- Department of Urology, No. 905 Hospital of PLA (Chinese People's Liberation Army) Navy, Shanghai, China
| | - Linhui Wang
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
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12
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A Review on the Immunomodulatory Mechanism of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:8528938. [PMID: 35075366 PMCID: PMC8783701 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8528938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease with a high prevalence and canceration rate. The immune disorder is one of the recognized mechanisms. Acupuncture is widely used to treat patients with IBD. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have proven the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of IBD, and some progress has been made in the mechanism. In this paper, we reviewed the studies related to acupuncture for IBD and focused on the immunomodulatory mechanism. We found that acupuncture could regulate the innate and adaptive immunity of IBD patients in many ways. Acupuncture exerts innate immunomodulatory effects by regulating intestinal epithelial barrier, toll-like receptors, NLRP3 inflammasomes, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress and exerts adaptive immunomodulation by regulating the balance of Th17/Treg and Th1/Th2 cells. In addition, acupuncture can also regulate intestinal flora.
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13
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Zhang R, Miao J, Zhang K, Zhang B, Luo X, Sun H, Zheng Z, Zhu P. Th1-Like Treg Cells Are Increased But Deficient in Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:863753. [PMID: 35603149 PMCID: PMC9114761 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.863753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the changes in quantity and function of T helper (Th)-like T regulatory (Treg) cell subsets in peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to understand their relationship with disease activity. METHODS A total of 86 RA patients and 76 gender and age-matched healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study. Th-like Treg frequency and function were determined using flow cytometry. The inhibitory function of Th-like Treg cells was detected using an in vitro co-culture suppression assay. RESULTS The proportion and absolute number of Th1-like Treg cells from RA PB and RA SF were significantly higher than those of HC PB. In RA SF, the proportions of Treg cells and Th1-like Treg cells were significantly lower in the elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate or the C-Reactive Protein group, and in the positive groups of anti-CCP antibody and anti-MCV antibody. Additionally, the proportions of Treg cells and Th1-like Treg cells from RA SF were negatively correlated with disease activity. However, the expression levels of CD73 and TGF-β1 in Th1-like Treg cells were decreased, and these Treg cells could not effectively inhibit the proliferation of effector T (Teff) cells. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that Th1-like Treg cells are the predominant Treg cell subset in RA SF, but their suppressive function is defective. Improving the function of Th1-like Treg cells may control inflammation in joints and provide new strategies for Treg-targeted therapies in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Chinese People's Liberation Army. (PLA) Specialized Research Institute of Rheumatoid & Immunology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Special Service Convalescence, Air Force Healthcare Center for Special Services, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinlin Miao
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Chinese People's Liberation Army. (PLA) Specialized Research Institute of Rheumatoid & Immunology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Kui Zhang
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Chinese People's Liberation Army. (PLA) Specialized Research Institute of Rheumatoid & Immunology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Bei Zhang
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Chinese People's Liberation Army. (PLA) Specialized Research Institute of Rheumatoid & Immunology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xing Luo
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Chinese People's Liberation Army. (PLA) Specialized Research Institute of Rheumatoid & Immunology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Haoyang Sun
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Chinese People's Liberation Army. (PLA) Specialized Research Institute of Rheumatoid & Immunology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhaohui Zheng
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Chinese People's Liberation Army. (PLA) Specialized Research Institute of Rheumatoid & Immunology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Zhaohui Zheng, ; Ping Zhu,
| | - Ping Zhu
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Chinese People's Liberation Army. (PLA) Specialized Research Institute of Rheumatoid & Immunology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Zhaohui Zheng, ; Ping Zhu,
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14
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Rossmeislová L, Gojda J, Smolková K. Pancreatic cancer: branched-chain amino acids as putative key metabolic regulators? Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:1115-1139. [PMID: 34962613 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-021-10016-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are essential amino acids utilized in anabolic and catabolic metabolism. While extensively studied in obesity and diabetes, recent evidence suggests an important role for BCAA metabolism in cancer. Elevated plasma levels of BCAA are associated with an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer, namely pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a tumor with one of the highest 1-year mortality rates. The dreadful prognosis for PDAC patients could be attributable also to the early and frequent development of cancer cachexia, a fatal host metabolic reprogramming leading to muscle and adipose wasting. We propose that BCAA dysmetabolism is a unifying component of several pathological conditions, i.e., obesity, insulin resistance, and PDAC. These conditions are mutually dependent since PDAC ranks among cancers tightly associated with obesity and insulin resistance. It is also well-established that PDAC itself can trigger insulin resistance and new-onset diabetes. However, the exact link between BCAA metabolism, development of PDAC, and tissue wasting is still unclear. Although tissue-specific intracellular and systemic metabolism of BCAA is being intensively studied, unresolved questions related to PDAC and cancer cachexia remain, namely, whether elevated circulating BCAA contribute to PDAC etiology, what is the biological background of BCAA elevation, and what is the role of adipose tissue relative to BCAA metabolism during cancer cachexia. To cover those issues, we provide our view on BCAA metabolism at the intracellular, tissue, and whole-body level, with special emphasis on different metabolic links to BCAA intermediates and the role of insulin in substrate handling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Rossmeislová
- Department of Pathophysiology, Center for Research On Nutrition, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Franco-Czech Laboratory for Clinical Research On Obesity, Third Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Gojda
- Franco-Czech Laboratory for Clinical Research On Obesity, Third Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Královské Vinohrady University Hospital and Third Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Katarína Smolková
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Physiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
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15
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Hashimoto M, Konda JD, Perrino S, Celia Fernandez M, Lowy AM, Brodt P. Targeting the IGF-Axis Potentiates Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Liver Metastases by Altering the Immunosuppressive Microenvironment. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:2469-2482. [PMID: 34552012 PMCID: PMC8677570 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy, resistant to chemotherapy and associated with high incidence of liver metastases and poor prognosis. Using murine models of aggressive PDAC, we show here that in mice bearing hepatic metastases, treatment with the IGF-Trap, an inhibitor of type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) signaling, profoundly altered the local, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in the liver, curtailing the recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, reversing innate immune cell polarization and inhibiting metastatic expansion. Significantly, we found that immunotherapy with anti-PD-1 antibodies also reduced the growth of experimental PDAC liver metastases, and this effect was enhanced when combined with IGF-Trap treatment, resulting in further potentiation of a T-cell response. Our results show that a combinatorial immunotherapy based on dual targeting of the prometastatic immune microenvironment of the liver via IGF blockade, on one hand, and reversing T-cell exhaustion on the other, can provide a significant therapeutic benefit in the management of PDAC metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masakazu Hashimoto
- Department of Surgery, McGill University and the Cancer Program of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - John David Konda
- Department of Surgery, McGill University and the Cancer Program of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Stephanie Perrino
- Department of Surgery, McGill University and the Cancer Program of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Maria Celia Fernandez
- Department of Surgery, McGill University and the Cancer Program of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Andrew M Lowy
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Moores Cancer Centre at UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, California
| | - Pnina Brodt
- Department of Surgery, McGill University and the Cancer Program of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, McGill University and the Cancer Program of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University and the Cancer Program of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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16
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Ostios-Garcia L, Villamayor J, Garcia-Lorenzo E, Vinal D, Feliu J. Understanding the immune response and the current landscape of immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:6775-6793. [PMID: 34790007 PMCID: PMC8567475 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i40.6775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive tumor with high lethality. Even with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and other locoregional or systemic therapies, the survival rates for PDAC are low and have not significantly changed in the past decades. The special characteristics of the PDAC's microenvironment and its complex immune escape mechanism need to be considered when designing novel therapeutic approaches in this disease. PDAC is characterized by chronic inflammation with a high rate of tumor-associated macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells and a low rate of natural killer and effector T cells. The pancreatic microenvironment is a fibrotic, microvascularized stroma that isolates the tumor from systemic vascularization. Immunotherapy, a novel approach that has demonstrated effectiveness in certain solid tumors, has failed to show any practice-changing results in pancreatic cancer, with the exception of PDACs with mismatch repair deficiency and high tumor mutational burden, which show prolonged survival rates with immunotherapy. Currently, numerous clinical trials are attempting to assess the efficacy of immunotherapeutic strategies in PDAC, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell transfer, alone or in combination with other immunotherapeutic agents, chemoradiotherapy, and other targeted therapies. A deep understanding of the immune response will help in the development of new therapeutic strategies leading to improved clinical outcomes for patients with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Ostios-Garcia
- Department of Oncology, La Paz University Hospital, IDIPAZ, CIBERONC, Cátedra UAM-AMGEN, Madrid 28046, Spain
| | - Julia Villamayor
- Department of Oncology, La Paz University Hospital, IDIPAZ, CIBERONC, Cátedra UAM-AMGEN, Madrid 28046, Spain
| | - Esther Garcia-Lorenzo
- Department of Oncology, La Paz University Hospital, IDIPAZ, CIBERONC, Cátedra UAM-AMGEN, Madrid 28046, Spain
| | - David Vinal
- Department of Oncology, La Paz University Hospital, IDIPAZ, CIBERONC, Cátedra UAM-AMGEN, Madrid 28046, Spain
| | - Jaime Feliu
- Department of Oncology, La Paz University Hospital, IDIPAZ, CIBERONC, Cátedra UAM-AMGEN, Madrid 28046, Spain
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17
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Truong LH, Pauklin S. Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment and Cellular Composition: Current Understandings and Therapeutic Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5028. [PMID: 34638513 PMCID: PMC8507722 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13195028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal human solid tumors, despite great efforts in improving therapeutics over the past few decades. In PDAC, the distinct characteristic of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is the main barrier for developing effective treatments. PDAC TME is characterized by a dense stroma, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and immune cells populations that crosstalk to the subpopulations of neoplastic cells that include cancer stem cells (CSCs). The heterogeneity in TME is also exhibited in the diversity and dynamics of acellular components, including the Extracellular matrix (ECM), cytokines, growth factors, and secreted ligands to signaling pathways. These contribute to drug resistance, metastasis, and relapse in PDAC. However, clinical trials targeting TME components have often reported unexpected results and still have not benefited patients. The failures in those trials and various efforts to understand the PDAC biology demonstrate the highly heterogeneous and multi-faceted TME compositions and the complexity of their interplay within TME. Hence, further functional and mechanistic insight is needed. In this review, we will present a current understanding of PDAC biology with a focus on the heterogeneity in TME and crosstalk among its components. We also discuss clinical challenges and the arising therapeutic opportunities in PDAC research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Siim Pauklin
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Old Road, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK;
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18
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Bernard-Raichon L, Colom A, Monard SC, Namouchi A, Cescato M, Garnier H, Leon-Icaza SA, Métais A, Dumas A, Corral D, Ghebrendrias N, Guilloton P, Vérollet C, Hudrisier D, Remot A, Langella P, Thomas M, Cougoule C, Neyrolles O, Lugo-Villarino G. A Pulmonary Lactobacillus murinus Strain Induces Th17 and RORγt + Regulatory T Cells and Reduces Lung Inflammation in Tuberculosis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 207:1857-1870. [PMID: 34479945 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2001044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The lungs harbor multiple resident microbial communities, otherwise known as the microbiota. There is an emerging interest in deciphering whether the pulmonary microbiota modulate local immunity, and whether this knowledge could shed light on mechanisms operating in the response to respiratory pathogens. In this study, we investigate the capacity of a pulmonary Lactobacillus strain to modulate the lung T cell compartment and assess its prophylactic potential upon infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of tuberculosis. In naive mice, we report that a Lactobacillus murinus (Lagilactobacillus murinus) strain (CNCM I-5314) increases the presence of lung Th17 cells and of a regulatory T cell (Treg) subset known as RORγt+ Tregs. In particular, intranasal but not intragastric administration of CNCM I-5314 increases the expansion of these lung leukocytes, suggesting a local rather than systemic effect. Resident Th17 and RORγt+ Tregs display an immunosuppressive phenotype that is accentuated by CNCM I-5314. Despite the well-known ability of M. tuberculosis to modulate lung immunity, the immunomodulatory effect by CNCM I-5314 is dominant, as Th17 and RORγt+ Tregs are still highly increased in the lung at 42-d postinfection. Importantly, CNCM I-5314 administration in M. tuberculosis-infected mice results in reduction of pulmonary inflammation, without increasing M. tuberculosis burden. Collectively, our findings provide evidence for an immunomodulatory capacity of CNCM I-5314 at steady state and in a model of chronic inflammation in which it can display a protective role, suggesting that L. murinus strains found in the lung may shape local T cells in mice and, perhaps, in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Bernard-Raichon
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France;
| | - André Colom
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Sarah C Monard
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Amine Namouchi
- Centre for Integrative Genetics, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, As, Norway; and
| | - Margaux Cescato
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Hugo Garnier
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Stephen A Leon-Icaza
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Arnaud Métais
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Alexia Dumas
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Dan Corral
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Natsinet Ghebrendrias
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Pauline Guilloton
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Christel Vérollet
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Denis Hudrisier
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Aude Remot
- Micalis Institute, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Philippe Langella
- Micalis Institute, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Muriel Thomas
- Micalis Institute, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Céline Cougoule
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Olivier Neyrolles
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Geanncarlo Lugo-Villarino
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France;
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Yu W, Ji N, Gu C, Yao J, Ding M, Zhou D, Huang M, Zhang M. IRF4 is Correlated with the Conversion to a Th17-Like Phenotype in Regulatory T Cells from the Malignant Pleural Effusion. Int J Gen Med 2021; 14:6009-6019. [PMID: 34588805 PMCID: PMC8476179 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s330389] [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: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background RORγt+Foxp3+ (Th17-like) Tregs are a plastic Treg subset implicated in immune-related diseases; however, the mechanism of Treg phenotypic transformation in malignant pleural effusion (MPE) has not been elucidated. Methods The percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Helios+ and RORγt+Foxp3+ Tregs from peripheral blood and pleural effusion mononuclear cells were measured. The level of interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) mRNA expression was detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The effects of IRF4 on the induction of Tregs from patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were evaluated in vitro. Correlation assays between IRF4 expression and the frequency of RORγt+Foxp3+ Tregs were performed. Results The frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Helios+ Tregs and CD4+RORγt+ Th17 cells was both increased in the MPE of NSCLC patients. The group of double-positive Foxp3+RORγt+ Treg phenotype were identified in the pleural effusion. A significant increase in the frequency of Foxp3+RORγt+ Tregs was found in MPE compared with the non-malignant pleural effusion (NPE). Compared to NPE, the relative level of IRF4 expression was increased in the MPE. IRF4 expression was positively associated with the frequency of Foxp3+RORγt+ Tregs in the PE. In vitro, the level of Helios mRNA and protein expression was reduced in induced Tregs following IRF4 over-expression. Additionally, the level of RORγt protein expression was substantially increased. However, ectopic Helios expression in induced Tregs reversed the effects induced by enhanced IRF4 expression. Conclusion IRF4 may serve as a potential molecule that promotes the conversion of regulatory T cells from MPE to a Th17-like phenotype by modulating Helios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqing Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, People's Republic of China
| | - Ningfei Ji
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengjing Gu
- Department of Pharmacy, Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Yao
- Department of Oncology, Huaian Hospital of Huaian City, Huaian, Jiangsu, 223200, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingdong Ding
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, People's Republic of China
| | - Daming Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, People's Republic of China
| | - Mao Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingshun Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, People's Republic of China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, People's Republic of China
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20
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Intratumoral Foxp3 +RORγt + T cell infiltration determines poor prognosis and immunoevasive contexture in gastric cancer patients. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 71:1-11. [PMID: 33978826 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02950-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Foxp3+RORγt+ T cells possess both characteristics of regulatory T cells and T helper 17 cells and show significant immunoregulatory functions in autoimmune diseases. However, the role and clinical significance of Foxp3+RORγt+ T cells in gastric cancer remains unclear. METHODS We enrolled 452 gastric cancer tissue microarray samples and 60 fresh tumor tissue samples from Zhongshan Hospital. The infiltration of Foxp3+RORγt+ T cells and immune contexture were examined by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Survival analyses of patient subgroups were conducted by Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test and Cox proportional model. RESULTS High infiltration of Foxp3+RORγt+ T cells predicted poor overall survival (P = 0.0222 and 0.0110) and inferior therapeutic response (P = 0.003 for interaction) in gastric cancer. Foxp3+RORγt+ T cells were associated with impaired effective function of CD8+ T cells featured by decreased interferon-γ, granzyme B and CD107a expression. Co-evaluation of Foxp3+RORγt+ T cells and CD8+ T cells could predict survival outcomes and chemotherapeutic responsiveness more precisely. CONCLUSIONS We found that Foxp3+RORγt+ T cells could potentially attenuate effective functions of CD8+ T cells and led to adverse survival outcomes and inferior chemotherapeutic responsiveness. Moreover, the novel co-evaluation system might be useful for prognosis prediction for appropriate treatment in gastric cancer. NOVELTY AND IMPACT STATEMENTS Clinical significance of Foxp3+RORγts+ T cells has not been studied in gastric cancer. Herein, we investigated the prognostic value of Foxp3+RORγt+ T cells in 452 patients. We demonstrated that intratumoral Foxp3+RORγt+ T cell infiltration was a prognostic biomarker for overall survival and the identification of patients might benefit from post-gastrectomy 5-fluorouracil. These findings allow a more precise stratification upon the co-evaluation with CD8+ T cells to better clinical management for patients who would benefit from 5-fluorouracil.
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21
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Kulkarni A, Bowers LW. The role of immune dysfunction in obesity-associated cancer risk, progression, and metastasis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:3423-3442. [PMID: 33464384 PMCID: PMC11073382 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03752-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Obesity has been linked to an increased risk of and a worse prognosis for several types of cancer. A number of interrelated mediators contribute to obesity's pro-tumor effects, including chronic adipose inflammation and other perturbations of immune cell development and function. Here, we review studies examining the impact of obesity-induced immune dysfunction on cancer risk and progression. While the role of adipose tissue inflammation in obesity-associated cancer risk has been well characterized, the effects of obesity on immune cell infiltration and activity within the tumor microenvironment are not well studied. In this review, we aim to highlight the impact of both adipose-mediated inflammatory signaling and intratumoral immunosuppressive signaling in obesity-induced cancer risk, progression, and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneesha Kulkarni
- Department of Nutrition Science, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA
| | - Laura W Bowers
- Department of Nutrition Science, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA.
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22
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Li H, Zhu XX, Xiang JB, Jian L. Buserelin Inhibits the Immunosuppressive Activity of Regulatory T Cells through the Protein Kinase A Signaling in a Central Precocious Puberty Model. Immunol Invest 2021; 51:909-923. [PMID: 33586576 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2021.1885437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHas) are used for treating central precocious puberty (CPP). However, their roles in the regulation of immune cells especially regulatory T cells (Tregs) remains elusive. Therefore, we characterized buserelin-induced phenotypical and functional changes of Tregs.Methods: A rat CPP model was established followed by administration of buserelin acetate. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the expression of functional molecules in splenic Tregs. The suppressive activity of Tregs was determined by the suppression assay. GnRHR expression in Tregs was assessed by flow cytometry analysis and Immunoblotting. Normal Tregs were then stimulated and treated with buserelin acetate in vitro. After that, Foxp3 expression, Treg proliferation, and cytokine production were analyzed by flow cytometry. Intracellular signaling was evaluated by Immunoblotting, and Treg function was determined by the suppression assay.Results: After in vivo buserelin treatment, the frequency of splenic Tregs was decreased, with the reduction in the expression of Foxp3, IL-10, and TGF-β. The suppressive activity of Tregs was weakened. Buserelin down-regulated Foxp3 expression while promoting the expression of RORγt and IL-17 in Tregs through activating the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway in vitro. The PKA inhibitor H-89 abolished the effect of buserelin and enhanced Treg function.Conclusion: Buserelin impaired the immunosuppressive activity of Tregs through the PKA signal pathway. Buserelin-induced activation of PKA signaling down-regulated Foxp3 expression while promoting RORγt expression in Tregs, and subsequently weakened Treg function. Our study indicates the necessity of monitoring Treg activity in CPP patients to avoid potential autoimmunity or inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Second Clinical Medical College of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Second Clinical Medical College of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Jin-Bo Xiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Second Clinical Medical College of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Lei Jian
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Second Clinical Medical College of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
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23
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Yu Y, Schuck K, Friess H, Kong B. Targeting Aggressive Fibroblasts to Enhance the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 25:5-13. [PMID: 33246383 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.1857727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most malignant cancer entities, which is characterized by abundant desmoplastic stroma. The stroma consists of extracellular matrix, infiltrating immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and others. Depending on environmental cues, CAFs can be highly heterogeneous and play context-dependent roles in PDAC progression. AREAS COVERED In this article, we discuss the biological significance of CAFs heterogeneity (oncogenic vs. tumor-suppressive) in pancreatic carcinogenesis. In particular, the complex interaction between CAFs and infiltrating immune cells has a determinant role in defining the stromal composition. A subset of PDAC patients may benefit from anti-CAFs therapy. EXPERT OPINION Co-defined by CAFs and infiltrating immune cells, the prognostic stroma signature is clinically relevant in a subset of human PDAC. This is the patient population which may benefit from future anti-stroma or anti-CAFs therapies. To consider CAF heterogeneity is crucial for designing anti-stroma studies. Here, reliable and traceable subtype-specific markers for CAFs are urgently needed to dissect the biological impact of CAF heterogeneity on PDAC development spatiotemporally. Given the significant contribution of CAFs to immunosuppressive microenvironment of PDAC, it is conceivable to combine anti-CAFs therapy with immunotherapy. To implement a CAF-subtype specific therapy is crucially important to improve the effectiveness of current treatments including chemotherapies and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Yu
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM) , Munich, Germany
| | - Kathleen Schuck
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM) , Munich, Germany
| | - Helmut Friess
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM) , Munich, Germany
| | - Bo Kong
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM) , Munich, Germany
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24
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Huber M, Brehm CU, Gress TM, Buchholz M, Alashkar Alhamwe B, Pogge von Strandmann E, Slater EP, Bartsch JW, Bauer C, Lauth M. The Immune Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7307. [PMID: 33022971 PMCID: PMC7583843 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The biology of solid tumors is strongly determined by the interactions of cancer cells with their surrounding microenvironment. In this regard, pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PDAC) represents a paradigmatic example for the multitude of possible tumor-stroma interactions. PDAC has proven particularly refractory to novel immunotherapies, which is a fact that is mediated by a unique assemblage of various immune cells creating a strongly immunosuppressive environment in which this cancer type thrives. In this review, we outline currently available knowledge on the cross-talk between tumor cells and the cellular immune microenvironment, highlighting the physiological and pathological cellular interactions, as well as the resulting therapeutic approaches derived thereof. Hopefully a better understanding of the complex tumor-stroma interactions will one day lead to a significant advancement in patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Huber
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Corinna U. Brehm
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Giessen-Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Thomas M. Gress
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infectiology, Center for Tumor- and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.B.); (C.B.)
| | - Malte Buchholz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infectiology, Center for Tumor- and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.B.); (C.B.)
| | - Bilal Alashkar Alhamwe
- Institute for Tumor Immunology, Clinic for Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (E.P.v.S.); (B.A.A.)
| | - Elke Pogge von Strandmann
- Institute for Tumor Immunology, Clinic for Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (E.P.v.S.); (B.A.A.)
| | - Emily P. Slater
- Department of Visceral-, Thoracic- and Vascular Surgery, Philipps University Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Jörg W. Bartsch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Philipps University Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Christian Bauer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infectiology, Center for Tumor- and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.B.); (C.B.)
| | - Matthias Lauth
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infectiology, Center for Tumor- and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.B.); (C.B.)
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25
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Qiu R, Zhou L, Ma Y, Zhou L, Liang T, Shi L, Long J, Yuan D. Regulatory T Cell Plasticity and Stability and Autoimmune Diseases. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2020; 58:52-70. [PMID: 30449014 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-018-8721-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a class of CD4+ T cells with immunosuppressive functions that play a critical role in maintaining immune homeostasis. However, in certain disease settings, Tregs demonstrate plastic differentiation, and the stability of these Tregs, which is characterized by the stable expression or protective epigenetic modifications of the transcription factor Foxp3, becomes abnormal. Plastic Tregs have some features of helper T (Th) cells, such as the secretion of Th-related cytokines and the expression of specific transcription factors in Th cells, but also still retain the expression of Foxp3, a feature of Tregs. Although such Th-like Tregs can secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, they still possess a strong ability to inhibit specific Th cell responses. Therefore, the plastic differentiation of Tregs not only increases the complexity of the immune circumstances under pathological conditions, especially autoimmune diseases, but also shows an association with changes in the stability of Tregs. The plastic differentiation and stability change of Tregs play vital roles in the progression of diseases. This review focuses on the phenotypic characteristics, functions, and formation conditions of several plastic Tregs and also summarizes the changes of Treg stability and their effects on inhibitory function. Additionally, the effects of Treg plasticity and stability on disease prognosis for several autoimmune diseases were also investigated in order to better understand the relationship between Tregs and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runze Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyu Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanjing Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingling Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Liang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Long
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dongping Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China.
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26
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Alobaid M, Richards SJ, Alexander M, Gibson M, Ghaemmaghami A. Developing immune-regulatory materials using immobilized monosaccharides with immune-instructive properties. Mater Today Bio 2020; 8:100080. [PMID: 33205040 PMCID: PMC7649522 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2020.100080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
New strategies for immune modulation have shown real promise in regenerative medicine as well as the fight against autoimmune diseases, allergies, and cancer. Dendritic cells (DCs) are gatekeepers of the immune system and their ability in shaping the adaptive immune responses makes DCs ideal targets for immune modulation. Carbohydrates are abundant in different biological systems and are known to modulate DC phenotype and function. However, how simple monosaccharides instruct DC function is less well understood. In this study, we used a combinatorial array of immobilized monosaccharides to investigate how they modulate DC phenotype and function and crucially the impact of such changes on downstream adaptive immune responses. Our data show that a selection of monosaccharides significantly suppress lipopolysaccharide-induced DC activation as evidenced by a reduction in CD40 expression, IL-12 production, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity, while inducing a significant increase in IL-10 production. These changes are indicative of the induction of an anti-inflammatory or regulatory phenotype in DCs, which was further confirmed in DC-T cell co-cultures where DCs cultured on the 'regulatory' monosaccharide-coated surfaces were shown to induce naïve T cell polarization toward regulatory phenotype. Our data also highlighted a selection of monosaccharides that are able to promote mixed Treg and Th17 cell differentiation, a T cell phenotype expected to be highly immune suppressive. These data show the potential immunomodulatory effects of immobilized monosaccharides in priming DCs and skewing T cell differentiation toward an immune-regulatory phenotype. The ability to fine-tune immune responses using these simple carbohydrate combinations (e.g. as coatings for existing materials) can be utilized as novel tools for immune modulation with potential applications in regenerative medicine, implantable medical devices, and wound healing where reduction of inflammatory responses and maintaining immune homeostasis are desirable.
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Key Words
- (Gal1), 100% 1-amino-1-deoxy-β-d-galactose
- (Gal1–Gal2), 50% 1-amino-1-deoxy-β-d-galactose + 50% 2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-galactose
- (Gal2), 100% 2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-galactose
- (Gal2–Man1), 90% 2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-galactose + 10% 1-amino-1-deoxy-β-d-mannose
- (Gal2–Man2), 2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-galactose + 10% 2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-mannose
- (Man1–Man2), 40% 1-amino-1-deoxy-β-d-mannose + 60% 2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-mannose
- CLR, C-type lectin receptor
- Carbohydrates
- DC-SIGN, Dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3-grabbing nonintegrin
- DCs, Dendritic cells
- Dendritic cells
- FBS, Fetal bovine serum
- Fucose
- Galactose
- IDO, Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase
- Immune modulation
- Immune-instructive materials
- LPS, Lipopolysaccharide
- MFI, Median fluorescence intensity
- MR, Mannose receptor
- MT, 1-methyl-DL-tryptophan
- Mannose
- PRR, Pattern recognition receptor
- Polymers
- T cells
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Affiliation(s)
- M.A. Alobaid
- Immunology & Immuno-Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - S.-J. Richards
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - M.R. Alexander
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - M.I. Gibson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - A.M. Ghaemmaghami
- Immunology & Immuno-Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
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Mehta A, Hwang WL, Weekes C. The present and future of systemic and microenvironment-targeted therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. ANNALS OF PANCREATIC CANCER 2020; 3:3. [PMID: 33294843 PMCID: PMC7720884 DOI: 10.21037/apc-2020-pda-05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains one of the deadliest cancer diagnoses with 5-year survival rates as low as 3%. For decades, gemcitabine remained the mainstay of systemic therapy before the approvals of FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine with nab-paclitaxel. Despite these advances in the early 2010s, almost all patients progress on systemic chemotherapy and significant effort is needed to identify novel therapeutic targets. A promising array of approaches is currently under investigation, enabled by deeper understanding of the immune system within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and of the key vulnerabilities in pathways essential for tumor survival. In this review, we will explore the different approaches to boost tumor immunity and to target tumor metabolic pathways that are currently under clinical investigation for systemic treatment, and highlight the promising therapeutic areas that may give rise to the next generation of therapies for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnav Mehta
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - William L. Hwang
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Colin Weekes
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Chen YM, Qi S, Perrino S, Hashimoto M, Brodt P. Targeting the IGF-Axis for Cancer Therapy: Development and Validation of an IGF-Trap as a Potential Drug. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051098. [PMID: 32365498 PMCID: PMC7290707 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-axis was implicated in cancer progression and identified as a clinically important therapeutic target. Several IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) targeting drugs including humanized monoclonal antibodies have advanced to phase II/III clinical trials, but to date, have not progressed to clinical use, due, at least in part, to interference with insulin receptor signaling and compensatory signaling by the insulin receptor (IR) isoform A that can bind IGF-II and initiate mitogenic signaling. Here we briefly review the current state of IGF-targeting biologicals, discuss some factors that may be responsible for their poor performance in the clinic and outline the stepwise bioengineering and validation of an IGF-Trap—a novel anti-cancer therapeutic that could bypass these limitations. The IGF-Trap is a heterotetramer, consisting of the entire extracellular domain of the IGF-IR fused to the Fc portion of human IgG1. It binds human IGF-I and IGF-II with a three-log higher affinity than insulin and could inhibit IGF-IR driven cellular functions such as survival, proliferation and invasion in multiple carcinoma cell models in vitro. In vivo, the IGF-Trap has favorable pharmacokinetic properties and could markedly reduce metastatic outgrowth of colon and lung carcinoma cells in the liver, outperforming IGF-IR and ligand-binding monoclonal antibodies. Moreover, IGF-Trap dose-response profiles correlate with their bio-availability profiles, as measured by the IGF kinase receptor-activation (KIRA) assay, providing a novel, surrogate biomarker for drug efficacy. Our studies identify the IGF-Trap as a potent, safe, anti-cancer therapeutic that could overcome some of the obstacles encountered by IGF-targeting biologicals that have already been evaluated in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinhsuan Michely Chen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Shu Qi
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Stephanie Perrino
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Masakazu Hashimoto
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Pnina Brodt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-514-934-1934
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Immunopathogenesis of canine chronic ulcerative stomatitis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227386. [PMID: 31923271 PMCID: PMC6953816 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis is a spontaneously occurring inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa. An immune-mediated pathogenesis is suspected though not yet proven. We have recently reported on the clinical and histologic features, and identification of select leukocyte cell populations within the lesion. A clinical and histologic similarity to oral lichen planus of people was proposed. In the present study, these initial observations are extended by examining lesions from 24 dogs with clinical evidence of chronic ulcerative stomatitis. Because dogs with chronic ulcerative stomatitis often have concurrent periodontal disease, we wondered if dental plaque/biofilm may be a common instigator of inflammation in both lesions. We hypothesized that dogs with chronic ulcerative stomatitis would exhibit a spectrum of pathologic changes and phenotype of infiltrating leukocytes that would inform lesion pathogenesis and that these changes would differ from inflammatory phenotypes in periodontitis. Previously we identified chronic ulcerative stomatitis lesions to be rich in FoxP3+ and IL17+ cells. As such, we suspect that these leukocytes play an important role in lesion pathogenesis. The current study confirms the presence of moderate to large numbers of FoxP3+ T cells and IL17+ cells in all ulcerative stomatitis lesions using confocal immunofluorescence. Interestingly, the majority of IL17+ cells were determined to be non-T cells and IL17+ cell frequencies were negatively correlated with severity on the clinical scoring system. Three histologic subtypes of ulcerative stomatitis were determined; lichenoid, deep stomatitis and granulomatous. Periodontitis lesions, like stomatitis lesions, were B cell and plasma cell rich, but otherwise differed from the stomatitis lesions. Direct immunofluorescence results did not support an autoantibody-mediated autoimmune disease process. This investigation contributes to the body of literature regarding leukocyte involvement in canine idiopathic inflammatory disease pathogenesis.
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Titov A, Valiullina A, Zmievskaya E, Zaikova E, Petukhov A, Miftakhova R, Bulatov E, Rizvanov A. Advancing CAR T-Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors: Lessons Learned from Lymphoma Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12010125. [PMID: 31947775 PMCID: PMC7016531 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immunotherapy is one of the most promising modern approaches for the treatment of cancer. To date only two CAR T-cell products, Kymriah® and Yescarta®, have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of lymphoblastic leukemia and B-cell lymphoma. Administration of CAR T-cells to control solid tumors has long been envisaged as one of the most difficult therapeutic tasks. The first two clinical trials conducted in sarcoma and neuroblastoma patients showed clinical benefits of CAR T-cells, yet multiple obstacles still hold us back from having accessible and efficient therapy. Why did such an effective treatment for relapsed and refractory hematological malignancies demonstrate only relatively modest efficiency in the context of solid tumors? Is it due to the lucky selection of the “magic” CD19 antigen, which might be one of a kind? Or do lymphomas lack the immunosuppressive features of solid tumors? Here we review the existing knowledge in the field of CAR T-cell therapy and address the heterogeneity of solid tumors and their diverse strategies of immunoevasion. We also provide an insight into prospective developments of CAR T-cell technologies against solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksei Titov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (A.V.); (E.Z.); (A.P.); (R.M.)
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunology, National Hematology Research Centre, 125167 Moscow, Russia
| | - Aygul Valiullina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (A.V.); (E.Z.); (A.P.); (R.M.)
| | - Ekaterina Zmievskaya
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (A.V.); (E.Z.); (A.P.); (R.M.)
| | - Ekaterina Zaikova
- Institute of Hematology, Almazov National Medical Research Center, 197341 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Alexey Petukhov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (A.V.); (E.Z.); (A.P.); (R.M.)
- Institute of Hematology, Almazov National Medical Research Center, 197341 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Regina Miftakhova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (A.V.); (E.Z.); (A.P.); (R.M.)
| | - Emil Bulatov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (A.V.); (E.Z.); (A.P.); (R.M.)
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (E.B.); (A.R.)
| | - Albert Rizvanov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (A.V.); (E.Z.); (A.P.); (R.M.)
- Correspondence: (E.B.); (A.R.)
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31
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Liu X, Xu J, Zhang B, Liu J, Liang C, Meng Q, Hua J, Yu X, Shi S. The reciprocal regulation between host tissue and immune cells in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: new insights and therapeutic implications. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:184. [PMID: 31831007 PMCID: PMC6909567 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-1117-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death and is one of the most difficult-to-treat cancers. Surgical resection and adjuvant therapy have limited effects on the overall survival of PDAC patients. PDAC exhibits an immunosuppressive microenvironment, the immune response predicts survival, and activation of immune system has the potential to produce an efficacious PDAC therapy. However, chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell immunotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), which have produced unprecedented clinical benefits in a variety of different cancers, produce promising results in only some highly selected patients with PDAC. This lack of efficacy may be because existing immunotherapies mainly target the interactions between cancer cells and immune cells. However, PDAC is characterized by an abundant tumor stroma that includes a heterogeneous mixture of immune cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, neurons and some molecular events. Immune cells engage in extensive and dynamic crosstalk with stromal components in the tumor tissue in addition to tumor cells, which subsequently impacts tumor suppression or promotion to a large extent. Therefore, exploration of the interactions between the stroma and immune cells may offer new therapeutic opportunities for PDAC. In this review, we discuss how infiltrating immune cells influence PDAC development and explore the contributions of complex components to the immune landscape of tumor tissue. The roles of stromal constituents in immune modulation are emphasized. We also predict potential therapeutic strategies to target signals in the immune network in the abundant stromal microenvironment of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomeng Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qingcai Meng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jie Hua
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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32
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Remedios KA, Zirak B, Sandoval PM, Lowe MM, Boda D, Henley E, Bhattrai S, Scharschmidt TC, Liao W, Naik HB, Rosenblum MD. The TNFRSF members CD27 and OX40 coordinately limit T H17 differentiation in regulatory T cells. Sci Immunol 2019; 3:3/30/eaau2042. [PMID: 30578350 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aau2042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are closely related to TH17 cells and use aspects of the TH17-differentiation program for optimal immune regulation. In several chronic inflammatory human diseases, Tregs express IL-17A, suggesting that dysregulation of TH17-associated pathways in Tregs may result in either loss of suppressive function and/or conversion into pathogenic cells. The pathways that regulate the TH17 program in Tregs are poorly understood. We have identified two TNF receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) members, CD27 and OX40, that are preferentially expressed by skin-resident Tregs Both CD27 and OX40 signaling suppressed the expression of TH17-associated genes from Tregs in a cell-intrinsic manner in vitro and in vivo. However, only OX40 played a nonredundant role in promoting Treg accumulation. Tregs that lacked both CD27 and OX40 were defective in controlling skin inflammation and expressed high levels of IL-17A, as well as the master TH17 transcription factor, RORγt. Last, we found that CD27 expression was inversely correlated with Treg IL-17 production in skin of patients with psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa. Together, our results suggest that TNFRSF members play both redundant and distinct roles in regulating Treg plasticity in tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A Remedios
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Bahar Zirak
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | | | - Margaret M Lowe
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Devi Boda
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Evan Henley
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Shrishti Bhattrai
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | | | - Wilson Liao
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Haley B Naik
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Michael D Rosenblum
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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33
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Elaileh A, Saharia A, Potter L, Baio F, Ghafel A, Abdelrahim M, Heyne K. Promising new treatments for pancreatic cancer in the era of targeted and immune therapies. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:1871-1888. [PMID: 31598392 PMCID: PMC6780661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality among men and women in the United States. Its incidence has been on the rise, with a projected two-fold increase by 2030. PDAC carries a poor prognosis due to a lack of effective screening tools, limited understanding of pathophysiology, and ineffective treatment modalities. Recently, there has been a revolution in the world of oncology with the advent of novel treatments to combat this disease. However, the 5-year survival of PDAC remains unchanged at a dismal 8%. The aim of this review is to bring together several studies and identify various recent modalities that have been promising in treating PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Elaileh
- Department of General Surgery, Houston Methodist HospitalHouston, Texas, USA
| | - Ashish Saharia
- Department of General Surgery, Houston Methodist HospitalHouston, Texas, USA
| | - Lucy Potter
- Department of General Surgery, Houston Methodist HospitalHouston, Texas, USA
| | - Flavio Baio
- Department of General Surgery, Houston Methodist HospitalHouston, Texas, USA
| | - Afnan Ghafel
- Department of Radiology, The University of JordanAmman, Jordan
| | - Maen Abdelrahim
- Department of General Surgery, Houston Methodist HospitalHouston, Texas, USA
| | - Kirk Heyne
- Department of General Surgery, Houston Methodist HospitalHouston, Texas, USA
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34
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Kato R, Sumitomo S, Tsuchida Y, Tsuchiya H, Nakachi S, Sakurai K, Hanata N, Nagafuchi Y, Kubo K, Tateishi S, Kanda H, Okamura T, Yamamoto K, Fujio K. CD4 +CD25 +LAG3 + T Cells With a Feature of Th17 Cells Associated With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1619. [PMID: 31354747 PMCID: PMC6640175 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that involves multiple immune cell subsets. We analyzed immune cell subsets in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in order to identify the cells that are significantly associated with SLE disease activity and treatment. The frequencies of various subsets of CD4+ T cells, B cells, monocytes and NK cells in PBMC were assessed in 30 healthy controls (HC), 30 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 26 SLE patients using flow cytometry. The correlations between subset frequencies in SLE and clinical traits including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) were examined. Changes in subset frequencies after the treatment in SLE patients were investigated. We focused on CD25+LAG3+ T cells and investigated their characteristics, including cytokine secretion, mRNA expression and suppression capacity. We assessed correlations between CD25+LAG3+ T cells and SLEDAI by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. CD25+LAG3+ T cells were significantly increased in SLE whereas there were few in RA and HC groups. CD25+LAG3+ T cell frequencies were significantly correlated with SLEDAI and were increased in patients with a high SLEDAI score (> 10). CD25+LAG3+ T cells produced both IL-17 and FOXP3, expressed mRNA of both FOXP3 and RORC and lacked suppressive capacity. CD25+LAG3+ T cells were associated with disease activity of SLE. CD25+LAG3+ T cells had features of both CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (CD25+ Treg) and Th17. CD25+LAG3+ T cells could be associated with the inflammatory pathophysiology of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rika Kato
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuji Sumitomo
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yumi Tsuchida
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruka Tsuchiya
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Nakachi
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiichi Sakurai
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norio Hanata
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuo Nagafuchi
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kanae Kubo
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shoko Tateishi
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Immunotherapy Management, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroko Kanda
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Immunotherapy Management, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Okamura
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Max Planck-The University of Tokyo Center for Integrative Inflammology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Yamamoto
- Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Keishi Fujio
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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35
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Powell MD, Read KA, Sreekumar BK, Oestreich KJ. Ikaros Zinc Finger Transcription Factors: Regulators of Cytokine Signaling Pathways and CD4 + T Helper Cell Differentiation. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1299. [PMID: 31244845 PMCID: PMC6563078 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T helper cells are capable of differentiating into a number of effector subsets that perform diverse functions during adaptive immune responses. The differentiation of each of these subsets is governed, in large part, by environmental cytokine signals and the subsequent activation of downstream, cell-intrinsic transcription factor networks. Ikaros zinc finger (IkZF) transcription factors are known regulators of immune cell development, including that of CD4+ T cell subsets. Over the past decade, members of the IkZF family have also been implicated in the differentiation and function of individual T helper cell subsets, including T helper 1 (TH1), TH2, TH17, T follicular (TFH), and T regulatory (TREG) cells. Now, an increasing body of literature suggests that the distinct cell-specific cytokine environments responsible for the development of each subset result in differential expression of IkZF factors across T helper populations. Intriguingly, recent studies suggest that IkZF members influence T helper subset differentiation in a feed-forward fashion through the regulation of these same cytokine-signaling pathways. Here, we review the increasingly prominent role for IkZF transcription factors in the differentiation of effector CD4+ T helper cell subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Powell
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, United States.,Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Kaitlin A Read
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, United States.,Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences Graduate Program, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Bharath K Sreekumar
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, United States.,Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Kenneth J Oestreich
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, United States.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.,Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
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36
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Chraa D, Naim A, Olive D, Badou A. T lymphocyte subsets in cancer immunity: Friends or foes. J Leukoc Biol 2018; 105:243-255. [DOI: 10.1002/jlb.mr0318-097r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 09/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dounia Chraa
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology LaboratoryFaculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of CasablancaHassan II University Casablanca Morocco
- Team Immunity and Cancer, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Inserm, U1068, CNRS, UMR7258Institut Paoli‐CalmettesAix‐Marseille University, UM 105 Marseille France
| | - Asmaa Naim
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology LaboratoryFaculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of CasablancaHassan II University Casablanca Morocco
- University Mohammed VI for Health ScienceCheick Khalifa Hospital Casablanca Morocco
| | - Daniel Olive
- Team Immunity and Cancer, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Inserm, U1068, CNRS, UMR7258Institut Paoli‐CalmettesAix‐Marseille University, UM 105 Marseille France
| | - Abdallah Badou
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology LaboratoryFaculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of CasablancaHassan II University Casablanca Morocco
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37
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Thymus-derived Foxp3+ regulatory T cells upregulate RORγt expression under inflammatory conditions. J Mol Med (Berl) 2018; 96:1387-1394. [DOI: 10.1007/s00109-018-1706-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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38
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Abstract
FOXP3 is the lineage-defining transcription factor of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells. While many aspects of its regulation, interaction, and function are conserved among species, alternatively spliced FOXP3 isoforms are expressed only in human cells. This review summarizes current knowledge about alternative splicing of FOXP3 and the specific functions of FOXP3 isoforms in health and disease. Future perspectives in research and the therapeutic potential of manipulating alternative splicing of FOXP3 are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiner K W Mailer
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Insititutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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39
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Fan K, Yang C, Fan Z, Huang Q, Zhang Y, Cheng H, Jin K, Lu Y, Wang Z, Luo G, Yu X, Liu C. MUC16 C terminal-induced secretion of tumor-derived IL-6 contributes to tumor-associated Treg enrichment in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Lett 2018; 418:167-175. [PMID: 29337110 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal tumor. CA125 (gene symbol MUC16) is an important serum marker for pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment. High serum CA125 is related to metabolic tumor burden and poor prognosis. The circulating Treg subset is another independent prognostic factor for pancreatic cancer. Our unpublished data indicated that the circulating Treg proportion might be related to the serum CA125 level. However, the potential relationship and underlying mechanism of MUC16 and Treg in pancreatic cancer tissues remain unclear. In this study, we found that pancreatic cancer tissues were positive for both MUC16 C terminal (MUC16c) and Foxp3 expression and that their expression was correlated. MUC16c released into the cytoplasm via EGF induction significantly increased IL-6 expression and secretion. The PI3K/AKT pathway may participate in the regulation of IL-6 expression and secretion. By treating CD4+ T cells with IL-6 or co-culturing the cells with pancreatic cancer cells, tumor-derived IL-6 was identified to promote Foxp3 expression and Treg differentiation, which was significantly inhibited by the JAK2 inhibitor AG-490. In sum, our study demonstrated that the relationship between the MUC16c level and Foxp3 expression in the local tumor environment was consistent with that of the serum CA125 level and circulating Treg proportion in the systemic environment. MUC16c promoted Foxp3 expression and tumor-associated Treg enrichment in tumor tissues through tumor-secreted IL-6 activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. These findings may provide deeper insight into potential pancreatic cancer therapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Fan
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, PR China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, PR China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, PR China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Chao Yang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, PR China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, PR China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, PR China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Zhiyao Fan
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, PR China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, PR China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, PR China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Qiuyi Huang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, PR China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, PR China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, PR China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Yiyin Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, PR China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, PR China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, PR China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - He Cheng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, PR China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, PR China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, PR China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Kaizhou Jin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, PR China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, PR China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, PR China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Yu Lu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, PR China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, PR China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, PR China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Zhengshi Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, PR China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, PR China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, PR China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Guopei Luo
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, PR China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, PR China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, PR China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, PR China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, PR China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, PR China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, PR China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, PR China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, PR China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.
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Sahin IH, Askan G, Hu ZI, O’Reilly EM. Immunotherapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: an emerging entity? Ann Oncol 2017; 28:2950-2961. [PMID: 28945842 PMCID: PMC5834032 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdx503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The genomic-plasticity of the immune system creates a broad immune repertoire engaged to tackle cancer cells. Promising clinical activity has been observed with several immune therapy strategies in solid tumors including melanoma, lung, kidney, and bladder cancers, albeit as yet immunotherapy-based treatment approaches in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remain to have proven value. While translational and early clinical studies have demonstrated activation of antitumor immunity, most recent late-phase clinical trials have not confirmed the early promise in PDAC except in MSI-High PDAC patients. These results may in part be explained by multiple factors, including the poorly immunogenic nature of PDAC along with immune privilege, the complex tumor microenvironment, and the genetic plasticity of PDAC cells. These challenges have led to disappointments in the field, nonetheless they have also advanced our understanding that may tailor the future steps for immunotherapy for PDAC. Therefore, there is significant hope that progress is on the horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- I H Sahin
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta
| | - G Askan
- Department of Pathology, Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York
| | - Z I Hu
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Health System, New York
| | - E M O’Reilly
- Department of Pathology, Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
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41
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Maloney E, Khokhlova T, Pillarisetty VG, Schade GR, Repasky EA, Wang YN, Giuliani L, Primavera M, Hwang JH. Focused ultrasound for immuno-adjuvant treatment of pancreatic cancer: An emerging clinical paradigm in the era of personalized oncotherapy. Int Rev Immunol 2017; 36:338-351. [PMID: 28961038 PMCID: PMC6224292 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2017.1363199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Current clinical treatment regimens, including many emergent immune strategies (e.g., checkpoint inhibitors) have done little to affect the devastating course of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). Clinical trials for PDA often employ multi-modal treatment, and have started to incorporate stromal-targeted therapies, which have shown promising results in early reports. Focused ultrasound (FUS) is one such therapy that is uniquely equipped to address local and systemic limitations of conventional cancer therapies as well as emergent immune therapies for PDA. FUS methods can non-invasively generate mechanical and/or thermal effects that capitalize on the unique oncogenomic/proteomic signature of a tumor. Potential benefits of FUS therapy for PDA include: (1) emulsification of targeted tumor into undenatured antigens in situ, increasing dendritic cell maturation, and increasing intra-tumoral CD8+/ T regulatory cell ratio and CD8+ T cell activity; (2) reduction in intra-tumoral hypoxic stress; (3) modulation of tumor cell membrane protein localization to enhance immunogenicity; (4) modulation of the local cytokine milieu toward a Th1-type inflammatory profile; (5) up-regulation of local chemoattractants; (6) remodeling the tumor stroma; (7) localized delivery of exogenously packaged immune-stimulating antigens, genes and therapeutic drugs. While not all of these results have been studied in experimental PDA models to date, the principles garnered from other solid tumor and disease models have direct relevance to the design of optimal FUS protocols for PDA. In this review, we address the pertinent limitations in current and emergent immune therapies that can be improved with FUS therapy for PDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezekiel Maloney
- a Department of Radiology , University of Washington , Seattle WA , USA
| | - Tanya Khokhlova
- b Department of Medicine Division of Gastroenterology , University of Washington , Seattle WA , USA
| | | | - George R Schade
- d Department of Urology , University of Washington , Seattle WA , USA
| | - Elizabeth A Repasky
- e Department of Immunology , Roswell Park Cancer Institute , Buffalo NY , USA
| | - Yak-Nam Wang
- f Applied Physics Laboratory , University of Washington , Seattle WA , USA
| | - Lorenzo Giuliani
- g School of Medicine , The Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Matteo Primavera
- h School of Medicine , The Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Joo Ha Hwang
- i Department of Medicine Division of Gastroenterology , University of Washington , Seattle WA , USA
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42
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Rosado-Sánchez I, Herrero-Fernández I, Tarancon-Diez L, Moreno S, Iribarren JA, Dalmau D, Vera-Méndez F, Leal M, Pacheco YM. Increased frequencies of Th17 cells and IL17a-producing regulatory T-cells preceding the immunodiscordant response to antiretroviral treatment. J Infect 2017; 76:86-92. [PMID: 29079322 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the fact that antiretroviral therapy (cART) suppresses HIV-viremia, an adequate CD4 T-cell recovery is not always achieved (immunodiscordant response to cART). IL17a-producing CD4 T-cells (Th17) constitutes an important subset involved in the preservation of mucosal surfaces integrity, which depletion has been associated with disease progression in HIV-infection. However, whether Th17 frequency at cART initiation is associated with a poor CD4 T-cell recovery has not been yet explored. Our aim was to explore whether the Th17 cells and other IL17a-producing T-cell subsets at cART initiation were associated with a subsequent immunodiscordant response to cART. METHODS We selected pre-cART samples of antiretroviral-naïve subjects with and without a low CD4 recovery after cART (LR-subjects and HR-subjects, respectively). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with PMA/ionomycine, and the production of several cytokines including IL17a was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS A trend to higher Th17 (p = 0.05) and increased frequencies of IL17a-producing Treg (p = 0.011) was found in LR-subjects before cART onset. Despite increased frequencies of both Treg and Th17 in LR-subject at cART initiation, no alteration of Treg/Th17 ratio was observed. While polifunctional profile of CD4 T-cells was not different, frequencies of CD4 T-cells producing cytokine-combinations including IL17a were increased in LR-subjects. CONCLUSION Increased frequencies of Th17, IL17a-producing Treg and CD4 T-cells producing specific IL17a-containing combinations of cytokines, precede the immunodiscordant response to cART, suggesting a potential contribution of these subsets in such anomalous response to cART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Rosado-Sánchez
- Laboratory of Immunovirology, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville, Seville 41013, Spain.
| | - Inés Herrero-Fernández
- Laboratory of Immunovirology, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville, Seville 41013, Spain
| | - Laura Tarancon-Diez
- Laboratory of Immunovirology, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville, Seville 41013, Spain
| | | | | | - David Dalmau
- Mútua Terrassa University Hospital, Terrassa 08221, Spain
| | | | - Manuel Leal
- Laboratory of Immunovirology, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville, Seville 41013, Spain
| | - Yolanda María Pacheco
- Laboratory of Immunovirology, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville, Seville 41013, Spain.
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Ward-Hartstonge KA, Kemp RA. Regulatory T-cell heterogeneity and the cancer immune response. Clin Transl Immunology 2017; 6:e154. [PMID: 28983402 PMCID: PMC5628269 DOI: 10.1038/cti.2017.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The frequency of circulating or tumour-infiltrating regulatory T cells (Tregs) has been associated with poor patient survival in many cancers including breast, melanoma and lung. It has been hypothesised that Tregs impact the anti-tumour function of effector T cells, resulting in worse outcomes for patients. However, high infiltrates of Tregs have been associated with a positive outcome of patients in a minority of cancers including colorectal, bladder and oesophageal. In addition, many studies have shown no impact of Tregs in patient outcome. Traditionally, research has identified Tregs as forkhead box P3 (FOXP3+) T cells in order to make such associations. Recently, it has become evident that regulatory populations are very heterogeneous, and this heterogeneity is essential for Treg function. Treg heterogeneity likely affects predictions of patient outcome, and different Treg populations may have different influences on tumours. The study of Tregs in cancer must include a better definition of the cells analysed. This review will focus primarily on colorectal cancer in humans, due to mixed data on the impact of Tregs on patient outcome in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roslyn A Kemp
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Dai JJ, Jiang MJ, Wang XP, Tian L. Inflammation-Related Pancreatic Carcinogenesis: Mechanisms and Clinical Potentials in Advances. Pancreas 2017; 46:973-985. [PMID: 28796135 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000000886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation has long been considered critical in pancreatic carcinogenesis, and recently studies showed that some anti-inflammatory agents such as aspirin could potentially be used to attenuate pancreatic carcinogenesis. Several inflammation-related critical transcription factors and pathways such as NF-κB (nuclear factor κ-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells) and reactive oxygen species have been confirmed to be involved in carcinogenesis. However, its underlying mechanisms are far from clear, which largely limits further development of potential anticarcinogenesis drugs. As a result, it is of great importance for us to better understand and gain a better perspective in inflammation-related pancreatic carcinogenesis. In this review, we systematically analyzed recent advances concerning inflammation-related pancreatic carcinogenesis and brought out the possible underlying mechanisms. Potential preventive and therapeutic strategies based on anti-inflammatory agents have also been further discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Juan Dai
- From the *Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, †Institute of Translational Medicine, and ‡Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Wang J, Li W, Zhao Y, Kang D, Fu W, Zheng X, Pang X, Du G. Members of FOX family could be drug targets of cancers. Pharmacol Ther 2017; 181:183-196. [PMID: 28830838 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
FOX families play important roles in biological processes, including metabolism, development, differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and longevity. Here we are focusing on roles of FOX members in cancers, FOX members and drug resistance, FOX members and stem cells. Finally, FOX members as drug targets of cancer treatment were discussed. Future perspectives of FOXC1 research were described in the end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Wan Li
- Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - De Kang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Weiqi Fu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Xiangjin Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Xiaocong Pang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Guanhua Du
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China.
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Liu C, Cheng H, Luo G, Lu Y, Jin K, Guo M, Ni Q, Yu X. Circulating regulatory T cell subsets predict overall survival of patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. Int J Oncol 2017; 51:686-694. [PMID: 28714519 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2017.4032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Most patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have unresectable cancers with a dismal prognosis, in which cohort chemotherapy is the primary treatment. T cell immune adaption is critical for tumor immune escape and prognosis of this disease. The present study aimed to determine the correlation between peripheral T cell subset distribution in patients with unresectable PDAC and their response to chemotherapy. Two hundred and twelve patients with unresectable PDAC were included whose blood samples were collected for analysis of T cell subsets, including CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD8+CD28+ and CD4+CD25+CD127 T cells by flow cytometry before and after gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the expression levels of tumor growth factor (TGF)-β1, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-17A in the patients before and after chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses found that an initial CD4/CD8 ratio or T regulatory (Treg) cell level before any treatment was associated with the prognosis of unresectable PDAC. After two cycles of chemotherapy, there was no significant change in percentages of T cell subsets, except elevation to a higher level of CD3+ T cells. Decreased Tregs or CD4/CD8 ratio after two cycles of chemotherapy predicts a longer overall survival (OS). Levels of Tregs in stable disease (SD) and partial remission (PR) cases significantly decreased after chemotherapy, but increased in progressive disease (PD) patients. There was no correlation between Tregs and the expression level of either TGF-β1 or IL-6. IL-17A expression was elevated in Treg-decreased patients, whereas IL-17A was reduced in Treg-increased patients after chemotherapy. The circulating signature of T cell subsets can predict OS and chemotherapeutic response in patients with unresectable PDAC, and may be attributable to the plasticity of T cell subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - He Cheng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Guopei Luo
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yu Lu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Kaizhou Jin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Meng Guo
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Quanxing Ni
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
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Zhang J, Wang Y, Wu B, Zhong Z, Wang K, Yang L, Wang Y, Li Y, Gao J, Li Z. Intraepithelial Attack Rather than Intratumorally Infiltration of CD8+T Lymphocytes is a Favorable Prognostic Indicator in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Curr Mol Med 2017; 17:689-698. [PMID: 29521231 PMCID: PMC6416191 DOI: 10.2174/1566524018666180308115705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are one of the major participants in the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the mechanism of interaction between TILs and tumors is complex and remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the state of immunoreactions in PDAC tissues, and explore the prognostic value of these markers in a large sample, to provide a new theoretical basis for PDAC immunotherapy. METHOD Immunohistochemical staining of CD4+ and CD8+T cells was performed in a tissue microarray (TMA) of 143 cases of PDAC. Two major variables for the spatial distributions of CD4+T and CD8+T cells in PDAC tissues, intraepithelial attack and intratumoral infiltration, were used to evaluate the state of immunoreactions, and the interrelationships with the clinicopathological variables were analyzed. RESULTS Our data showed that both the intraepithelial CD4+T and CD8+T attack were less frequent than the intratumoral infiltration. CD8+T intraepithelial attack and intratumoral infiltration were more intense than CD4+T. CD8+T intraepithelial attack was an independent favorable prognostic factor for overall survival, correlating negatively with vascular invasion and positively with CD4+T and CD8+T high intratumoral infiltration. CD8+T high intratumoral infiltration without CD8+T intraepithelial attack was a poor prognostic factor. CD8+T high intratumoral infiltration was accompanied by T stage progression. Conclusively, in PDAC progression, imbalances of T cells occurred in CD4+ and CD8+ immunoreactions. The CD8+T intraepithelial attack was an independent favorable prognostic indicator, however the intraepithelial attack of CD4+T and the both intratumoral infiltration of CD8+T and CD4+T played an ambiguous role. CONCLUSION Our data suggested that it is a potential approach to increasing the number of intraepithelial attacking CD8+T cells for tumor immunotherapy, and exploring a new mechanism for immunosuppression in a tumor microenvironment with high T cell infiltration without attack.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - J. Gao
- Address correspondence to these authors at the Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China; Tel: +8613816012151; E-mails: (J. Gao) , (Z.S. Li)
| | - Z.S. Li
- Address correspondence to these authors at the Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China; Tel: +8613816012151; E-mails: (J. Gao) , (Z.S. Li)
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