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Bissonnette RP, Cesario RM, Goodenow B, Shojaei F, Gillings M. The epigenetic immunomodulator, HBI-8000, enhances the response and reverses resistance to checkpoint inhibitors. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:969. [PMID: 34461854 PMCID: PMC8404302 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08702-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting CTLA-4 and the PD-1/PD-L1 axis is effective against many cancer types. However, due in part to unresponsiveness or acquired resistance, not all patients experience a durable response to ICIs. HBI-8000 is a novel, orally bioavailable class I selective histone deacetylase inhibitor that directly modifies antitumor activity by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and resensitization to apoptotic stimuli in adult T cell lymphoma patients. We hypothesized that HBI-8000 functions as an epigenetic immunomodulator to reprogram the tumor microenvironment from immunologically cold (nonresponsive) to hot (responsive). Method Mice bearing syngeneic tumors (MC38 and CT26 murine colon carcinoma and A20 B-cell lymphoma were treated daily with HBI-8000 (orally), alone or in combination with PD-1, PD-1 L, or CTLA-4 antibodies. MC38 tumors were also analyzed in nanoString gene expression analysis. Results HBI-8000 augmented the activity of ICI antibodies targeting either PD-1, PD-L1 or CTLA-4, and significantly increased tumor regression (p < 0.05) in the above models. Gene expression analysis of the treated MC38 tumors revealed significant changes in mRNA expression of immune checkpoints, with enhanced dendritic cell and antigen-presenting cell functions, and modulation of MHC class I and II molecules. Conclusions These findings suggest that HBI-8000 mediates epigenetic modifications in the tumor microenvironment, leading to improved efficacy of ICIs, and provide strong rationale for combination therapies with ICIs and HBI-8000 in the clinical setting. Precis As an HDACi, HBI-8000 plays an important role in priming the immune system in the tumor microenvironment. The current preclinical data further justifies testing combination of HBI-8000 and ICIs in the clinic. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08702-x.
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2
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Peng M, Xiao D, Bu Y, Long J, Yang X, Lv S, Yang X. Novel Combination Therapies for the Treatment of Bladder Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 10:539527. [PMID: 33585182 PMCID: PMC7873600 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.539527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is the ninth most frequently diagnosed cancer world-wide and ranks 13th in cancer-related deaths. Two tremendous breakthroughs in bladder cancer therapy over the last decades are the approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)and the fibroblast growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (FGFR-TKI) erdafitinib for treating this deadly disease. Despite the beneficial effects of these approaches, the low response rate and the potential resistance of the cancer are major concerns. Hence, novel combination therapies to overcome these limitations have been investigated. In this context, combining immunotherapy with targeted drugs is an appealing therapeutic option to improve response and reduce the emergence of resistance in the management of bladder cancer. In this review, the rationale of using different therapeutic combinations is discussed according to the mechanistic differences, emphasizing the efficacy and safety based on evidence collected from preclinical and clinical studies. Finally, we highlight the limitations of these combinations and provide suggestions for further efforts in this challenging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Peng
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Di Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yizhi Bu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiahui Long
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuhe Lv
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
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3
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Hallam S, Stockton J, Bryer C, Whalley C, Pestinger V, Youssef H, Beggs AD. The transition from primary colorectal cancer to isolated peritoneal malignancy is associated with an increased tumour mutational burden. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18900. [PMID: 33144643 PMCID: PMC7641117 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75844-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal Peritoneal metastases (CPM) develop in 15% of colorectal cancers. Cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS & HIPEC) is the current standard of care in selected patients with limited resectable CPM. Despite selection using known prognostic factors survival is varied and morbidity and mortality are relatively high. There is a need to improve patient selection and a paucity of research concerning the biology of isolated CPM. We aimed to determine the biology associated with transition from primary CRC to CPM and of patients with CPM not responding to treatment with CRS & HIPEC, to identify those suitable for treatment with CRS & HIPEC and to identify targets for existing repurposed or novel treatment strategies. A cohort of patients with CPM treated with CRS & HIPEC was recruited and divided according to prognosis. Molecular profiling of the transcriptome (n = 25), epigenome (n = 24) and genome (n = 21) of CPM and matched primary CRC was performed. CPM were characterised by frequent Wnt/ β catenin negative regulator mutations, TET2 mutations, mismatch repair mutations and high tumour mutational burden. Here we show the molecular features associated with CPM development and associated with not responding to CRS & HIPEC. Potential applications include improving patient selection for treatment with CRS & HIPEC and in future research into novel and personalised treatments targeting the molecular features identified here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Hallam
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Joanne Stockton
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Claire Bryer
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Celina Whalley
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Valerie Pestinger
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Haney Youssef
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Andrew D Beggs
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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4
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Nielsen AY, Ormhøj M, Traynor S, Gjerstorff MF. Augmenting engineered T-cell strategies in solid cancers through epigenetic priming. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:2169-2178. [PMID: 32648166 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02661-1] [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] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
T-cell receptor (TCR)- and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based adoptive cell transfer (ACT) has shown promising results in hematological malignancies, but remains immature in solid cancers. The challenges associated with identification of tumor-specific targets, the heterogenic antigen expression, limited T-cell trafficking to tumor sites and the hostile tumor microenvironment (TME), are all factors contributing to the limited efficacy of ACT therapies against solid tumors. Epigenetic priming of tumor cells and the microenvironment may be a way of overcoming these obstacles and improving the clinical efficacy of adoptive T-cell therapies in the future. Here, we review the current literature and suggest combining epigenetic modulators and ACT strategies as a way of augmenting the efficacy of TCR- and CAR-engineered T cells against solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaraby Y Nielsen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Maria Ormhøj
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sofie Traynor
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Morten F Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. .,Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. .,Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
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5
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Criscuolo D, Morra F, Giannella R, Visconti R, Cerrato A, Celetti A. New combinatorial strategies to improve the PARP inhibitors efficacy in the urothelial bladder Cancer treatment. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2019; 38:91. [PMID: 30791940 PMCID: PMC6385418 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1089-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed for the treatment of metastatic Urothelial Bladder Cancer. DNA damaging repair (DDR) targeting has been introduced in cinical trials for bladder cancer patients that carry alterations in homologous DNA repair genes, letting to envisage susceptibility to the Poly (adenosine diphosphate [ADP]) ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. MAIN BODY PARP inhibition, by amplifying the DNA damage, augments the mutational burden and promotes the immune priming of the tumor by increasing the neoantigen exposure and determining upregulation of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Thus, the combination of PARP-inhibition and the PD/PD-L1 targeting may represent a compelling strategy to treat bladder cancer and has been introduced in recent clinical trials. The targeting of DDR has been also used in combination with epigenetic drugs able to modulate the expression of genes involved in DDR, and also able to act as immunomodulator agents suggesting their use in combination with immune-checkpoint inhibitors. CONCLUSION In conclusion, it may be envisaged the combination of three classes of drugs to treat bladder cancer, by targeting the DDR process in a tumor context of DDR defect, together with epigenetic agents and immune-checkpoint inhibitors, whose association may amplify the effects and reduce the doses and the toxicity of each single drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Criscuolo
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Morra
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Visconti
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Aniello Cerrato
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Celetti
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, Naples, Italy
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Morra F, Merolla F, Criscuolo D, Insabato L, Giannella R, Ilardi G, Cerrato A, Visconti R, Staibano S, Celetti A. CCDC6 and USP7 expression levels suggest novel treatment options in high-grade urothelial bladder cancer. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:90. [PMID: 30786932 PMCID: PMC6381716 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1087-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background The muscle invasive form of urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) is a deadly disease. Currently, the therapeutic approach of UBC is mostly based on surgery and standard chemotherapy. Biomarkers to establish appropriate drugs usage are missing. Deficiency of the tumor suppressor CCDC6 determines PARP-inhibitor sensitivity. The CCDC6 levels are modulated by the deubiquitinase USP7. In this work we scored CCDC6 and USP7 expression levels in primary UBC and we evaluated the expression levels of CCDC6 in correlation with the effects of the PARP-inhibitors combined with the USP7 inhibitor, P5091, in vitro. Since PARP-inhibitors could be enhanced by conventional chemotherapy or DNA damage inducers, we tested the new agent RRx-001, able to induce DNA damage, to prove the benefit of combined treatments in bladder cancer cells. Methods The J82, T24, 5637 and KU-19-19 bladder cancer cells were exposed to USP7 inhibitor P5091 in presence of cycloheximide to analyse the CCDC6 stability. Upon the CCDC6 degradation induced by P5091, the cells sensitivity to PARP-inhibitor was evaluated by cell viability assays. The ability of the DNA damage inducer RRx-001 to modulate CCDC6 protein levels and H2AX phosphorylation was detected at immunoblot. The combination of USP7 inhibitor plus RRx-001 enhanced the PARP-inhibitor sensitivity, as evaluated by cell viability assays. The results of the scores and correlation of CCDC6 and USP7 expression levels obtained by UBC primary biopsies staining were used to cluster patients by a K-mean cluster analysis. Results P5091 determining CCDC6 degradation promoted bladder cancer cells sensitivity to PARP-inhibitor drugs. RRx-001, by inducing DNA damage, enhanced the effects of the combined treatment. The immunohistochemical staining of both CCDC6 and USP7 proteins allowed to cluster the high grade (G3) UBC patients, on the basis of CCDC6 expression levels. Conclusions In high grade UBC the identification of two clusters of patients based on CCDC6 and USP7 expession can possibly indicate the use of PARP-inhibitor drugs, in combination with USP7 inhibitor in addition to the DNA damage inducer RRx-001, that also acts as an immunomodulatory agent, offering novel therapeutic strategy for personalized medicine in bladder cancer patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1087-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Morra
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Merolla
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Daniela Criscuolo
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Insabato
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Gennaro Ilardi
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Aniello Cerrato
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Visconti
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Staibano
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Celetti
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, Naples, Italy.
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7
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Bezu L, Kepp O, Cerrato G, Pol J, Fucikova J, Spisek R, Zitvogel L, Kroemer G, Galluzzi L. Trial watch: Peptide-based vaccines in anticancer therapy. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1511506. [PMID: 30524907 PMCID: PMC6279318 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1511506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based anticancer vaccination aims at stimulating an immune response against one or multiple tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) following immunization with purified, recombinant or synthetically engineered epitopes. Despite high expectations, the peptide-based vaccines that have been explored in the clinic so far had limited therapeutic activity, largely due to cancer cell-intrinsic alterations that minimize antigenicity and/or changes in the tumor microenvironment that foster immunosuppression. Several strategies have been developed to overcome such limitations, including the use of immunostimulatory adjuvants, the co-treatment with cytotoxic anticancer therapies that enable the coordinated release of damage-associated molecular patterns, and the concomitant blockade of immune checkpoints. Personalized peptide-based vaccines are also being explored for therapeutic activity in the clinic. Here, we review recent preclinical and clinical progress in the use of peptide-based vaccines as anticancer therapeutics.Abbreviations: CMP: carbohydrate-mimetic peptide; CMV: cytomegalovirus; DC: dendritic cell; FDA: Food and Drug Administration; HPV: human papillomavirus; MDS: myelodysplastic syndrome; MHP: melanoma helper vaccine; NSCLC: non-small cell lung carcinoma; ODD: orphan drug designation; PPV: personalized peptide vaccination; SLP: synthetic long peptide; TAA: tumor-associated antigen; TNA: tumor neoantigen
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucillia Bezu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Paris Sud/Paris XI, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France.,Equipe 11 labellisée Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers,Paris, France.,U1138, INSERM, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Paris, France.,Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France
| | - Oliver Kepp
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France.,Equipe 11 labellisée Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers,Paris, France.,U1138, INSERM, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Paris, France.,Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France
| | - Giulia Cerrato
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France.,Equipe 11 labellisée Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers,Paris, France.,U1138, INSERM, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Paris, France.,Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France
| | - Jonathan Pol
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France.,Equipe 11 labellisée Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers,Paris, France.,U1138, INSERM, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Paris, France.,Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France
| | - Jitka Fucikova
- Sotio, Prague, Czech Republic.,Dept. of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Spisek
- Sotio, Prague, Czech Republic.,Dept. of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Laurence Zitvogel
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Paris Sud/Paris XI, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Center of Clinical Investigations in Biotherapies of Cancer (CICBT) 1428, Villejuif, France.,INSERM, U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France.,Equipe 11 labellisée Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers,Paris, France.,U1138, INSERM, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Paris, France.,Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France.,Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France.,Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Paris, France.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.,Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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8
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Cook KW, Durrant LG, Brentville VA. Current Strategies to Enhance Anti-Tumour Immunity. Biomedicines 2018; 6:E37. [PMID: 29570634 PMCID: PMC6027499 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines6020037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of the immune system with cancer is complex, but new approaches are resulting in exciting therapeutic benefits. In order to enhance the immune response to cancer, immune therapies seek to either induce high avidity immune responses to tumour specific antigens or to convert the tumour to a more pro-inflammatory microenvironment. Strategies, including vaccination, oncolytic viruses, and adoptive cell transfer all seek to induce anti-tumour immunity. To overcome the suppressive tumour microenvironment checkpoint inhibitors and modulators of regulatory cell populations have been investigated. This review summarizes the recent advances in immune therapies and discusses the importance of combination therapies in the treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine W Cook
- Scancell Limited, Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Nottingham, City Hospital Campus, Nottinghamshire NG5 1PB, UK.
| | - Lindy G Durrant
- Scancell Limited, Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Nottingham, City Hospital Campus, Nottinghamshire NG5 1PB, UK.
- Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, City Hospital Campus, Nottinghamshire NG5 1PB, UK.
| | - Victoria A Brentville
- Scancell Limited, Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Nottingham, City Hospital Campus, Nottinghamshire NG5 1PB, UK.
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9
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Fisicaro P, Boni C, Barili V, Laccabue D, Ferrari C. Strategies to overcome HBV-specific T cell exhaustion: checkpoint inhibitors and metabolic re-programming. Curr Opin Virol 2018; 30:1-8. [PMID: 29414066 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2018.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
HBV-specific T cells play a key role in antiviral protection and failure to control HBV is associated with severely dysfunctional T cell responses. Therefore, functional T cell reconstitution represents a potential way to treat chronically infected patients. The growing understanding of the dysregulated transcriptional/epigenetic and metabolic programs underlying T cell exhaustion allows to envisage functional T cell reconstitution strategies based on the combined/sequential use of compounds able to induce decline of antigen load, checkpoint modulation, metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming with possible boosting of functionally restored responses by specific vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Fisicaro
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Carolina Boni
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Valeria Barili
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Diletta Laccabue
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Ferrari
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy; Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
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