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Zhao J, Dou Y, Liang G, Huang H, Hong K, Yang W, Zhou G, Sha B, Liu J, Zeng L. Global Publication Trends and Research Hotspots of the Immune System and Osteoporosis: A Bibliometric and Visualization Analysis from 2012 to 2022. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2024; 24:455-467. [PMID: 37881072 DOI: 10.2174/0118715303257269231011073100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic bone metabolism disorder in which the immune system and bone metabolism interact. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to explore the research status, hot spots and trends regarding the influence of the immune system on OP and to provide a basis for research directions and applications in this field. METHODS We searched and collected literature about the immune system and OP published from 2012 to 2022 in the Web of Science Core Collection database. All the included studies were subjected to bibliometrics analysis using Hiplot Pro, VOSviewer and CiteSpace software to produce statistics and visual analyses of the literature output, countries, institutions, authors, keywords and journals. RESULTS A total of 1201 papers were included, and the number of citations of these articles reached 31,776. The number of publications and citations on the immune system and OP has increased year by year. The top three countries with the greatest number of papers published were China, the United States of America (USA) and Italy. The two institutions with the largest number of papers published were Sichuan University and Soochow University, both located in China. De Martinis Massimo (Italy) and Ginaldi Lia (Italy) are prolific authors in this field. The representative academic journals are Osteoporosis International, Frontiers in Immunology, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, PloS One and Bone. The results of the keyword cooccurrence analysis showed that the research topics in this field mainly focused on T cells, cytokines, signaling pathways, vitamin D, postmenopausal OP and immune diseases. The keyword burst results showed that zoledronic acid, chain fatty acids and gut microbiota are the frontiers and trends of future research on this topic. CONCLUSION The influence of the immune system on OP has been widely studied, and the current research in this field focuses on the effect or mechanism of immune-related cytokines, signaling pathways and vitamin D on OP. Future research trends in this field should focus on the immune regulation mechanism and clinical transformation of zoledronic acid, chain fatty acids and the gut microbiota in OP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlong Zhao
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, 510120, China
- The Research Team on Bone and Joint Degeneration and Injury of Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Yaoxing Dou
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, 510120, China
- The Research Team on Bone and Joint Degeneration and Injury of Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Guihong Liang
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, 510120, China
- The Research Team on Bone and Joint Degeneration and Injury of Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Hetao Huang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Kunhao Hong
- The Fifth Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
- Guangdong Second Chinese Medicine Hospital (Guangdong Province Engineering Technology Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, 510095, China
| | - Weiyi Yang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Guanghui Zhou
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Bangxin Sha
- The Fifth Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Jun Liu
- The Research Team on Bone and Joint Degeneration and Injury of Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- The Fifth Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
- Guangdong Second Chinese Medicine Hospital (Guangdong Province Engineering Technology Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, 510095, China
| | - Lingfeng Zeng
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, 510120, China
- The Research Team on Bone and Joint Degeneration and Injury of Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510120, China
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Thompson J, Wang Y, Dreischulte T, Barreiro O, Gonzalez RJ, Hanč P, Matysiak C, Neely HR, Rottenkolber M, Haskell T, Endres S, von Andrian UH. Association between bisphosphonate use and COVID-19 related outcomes. eLife 2023; 12:e79548. [PMID: 37534876 PMCID: PMC10691801 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although there are several efficacious vaccines against COVID-19, vaccination rates in many regions around the world remain insufficient to prevent continued high disease burden and emergence of viral variants. Repurposing of existing therapeutics that prevent or mitigate severe COVID-19 could help to address these challenges. The objective of this study was to determine whether prior use of bisphosphonates is associated with reduced incidence and/or severity of COVID-19. Methods A retrospective cohort study utilizing payer-complete health insurance claims data from 8,239,790 patients with continuous medical and prescription insurance January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 was performed. The primary exposure of interest was use of any bisphosphonate from January 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020. Bisphosphonate users were identified as patients having at least one bisphosphonate claim during this period, who were then 1:1 propensity score-matched to bisphosphonate non-users by age, gender, insurance type, primary-care-provider visit in 2019, and comorbidity burden. Main outcomes of interest included: (a) any testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection; (b) COVID-19 diagnosis; and (c) hospitalization with a COVID-19 diagnosis between March 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020. Multiple sensitivity analyses were also performed to assess core study outcomes amongst more restrictive matches between BP users/non-users, as well as assessing the relationship between BP-use and other respiratory infections (pneumonia, acute bronchitis) both during the same study period as well as before the COVID outbreak. Results A total of 7,906,603 patients for whom continuous medical and prescription insurance information was available were selected. A total of 450,366 bisphosphonate users were identified and 1:1 propensity score-matched to bisphosphonate non-users. Bisphosphonate users had lower odds ratios (OR) of testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 0.22; 95%CI:0.21-0.23; p<0.001), COVID-19 diagnosis (OR = 0.23; 95%CI:0.22-0.24; p<0.001), and COVID-19-related hospitalization (OR = 0.26; 95%CI:0.24-0.29; p<0.001). Sensitivity analyses yielded results consistent with the primary analysis. Bisphosphonate-use was also associated with decreased odds of acute bronchitis (OR = 0.23; 95%CI:0.22-0.23; p<0.001) or pneumonia (OR = 0.32; 95%CI:0.31-0.34; p<0.001) in 2019, suggesting that bisphosphonates may protect against respiratory infections by a variety of pathogens, including but not limited to SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions Prior bisphosphonate-use was associated with dramatically reduced odds of SARS-CoV-2 testing, COVID-19 diagnosis, and COVID-19-related hospitalizations. Prospective clinical trials will be required to establish a causal role for bisphosphonate-use in COVID-19-related outcomes. Funding This study was supported by NIH grants, AR068383 and AI155865, a grant from MassCPR (to UHvA) and a CRI Irvington postdoctoral fellowship, CRI2453 (to PH).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yidi Wang
- Dept. of Immunology, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Tobias Dreischulte
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilians-University MunichMunichGermany
| | - Olga Barreiro
- Dept. of Immunology, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | | | - Pavel Hanč
- Dept. of Immunology, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | | | - Harold R Neely
- Dept. of Immunology, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Marietta Rottenkolber
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilians-University MunichMunichGermany
| | | | - Stefan Endres
- Center of Integrated Protein Science Munich and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, GermanyMunichGermany
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Interplay between fat cells and immune cells in bone: Impact on malignant progression and therapeutic response. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 238:108274. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Shen H, Yang E, Guo M, Yang R, Huang G, Peng Y, Sha W, Wang F, Shen L. Adjunctive Zoledronate+IL-2 administrations enhance anti-tuberculosis Vγ2Vδ2 T-effector populations, and improve treatment outcome of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:1790-1805. [PMID: 35765887 PMCID: PMC9310823 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2095930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a refractory disease with high mortality rate due to no or few choices of antibiotics. Adjunctive immunotherapy may help improve treatment outcome of MDR-TB. Our decade-long studies demonstrated that phosphoantigen-specific Vγ2Vδ2 T cells play protective roles in immunity against TB. Here, we hypothesized that enhancing protective Vγ2Vδ2 T-effector cells could improve treatment outcome of MDR-TB. To address this, we employed clinically approved drugs Zoledronate (ZOL) and IL-2 to induce anti-TB Vγ2Vδ2 T-effector cells as adjunctive immunotherapy against MDR-TB infection of macaques. We found that adjunctive ZOL/IL-2 administrations during TB drugs treatment of MDR-TB-infected macaques significantly expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells and enhanced/sustained Vγ2Vδ2 T-effector subpopulation producing anti-TB cytokines until week 21. ZOL/IL-2 administrations, while expanding Vγ2Vδ2 T cells, significantly increased/sustained numbers of circulating CD4+ Th1 and CD8+ Th1-like effector populations, with some γδ T- or αβ T-effector populations trafficking to airway at week 3 until week 19 or 21 after MDR-TB infection. Adjunctive ZOL/IL-2 administrations after MDR-TB infection led to lower bacterial burdens in lungs than TB drugs alone, IL-2 alone or saline controls, and resulted in milder MDR-TB pathology/lesions. Thus, adjunctive Zoledronate + IL-2 administrations can enhance anti-TB Vγ2Vδ2 T- and αβ T-effector populations, and improve treatment outcome of MDR-TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Shen
- Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease (tuberculosis), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Institute for Advanced Study, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Enzhuo Yang
- Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease (tuberculosis), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Institute for Advanced Study, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Center for Primate Biomedical Research, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Rui Yang
- Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease (tuberculosis), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Institute for Advanced Study, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guixian Huang
- Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease (tuberculosis), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Institute for Advanced Study, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Peng
- Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease (tuberculosis), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Institute for Advanced Study, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Sha
- Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease (tuberculosis), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Institute for Advanced Study, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ling Shen
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Center for Primate Biomedical Research, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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The mevalonate pathway in breast cancer biology. Cancer Lett 2022; 542:215761. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Chen BJ, Zhao JW, Zhang DH, Zheng AH, Wu GQ. Immunotherapy of Cancer by Targeting Regulatory T cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 104:108469. [PMID: 35008005 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells maintain immune homeostasis by inhibiting abnormal/overactive immune responses to both autogenic and nonautogenic antigens. Treg cells play an important role in immune tolerance, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, organ transplantation, and tumor diseases. Treg cells have two functional characteristics: T cell anergy and immunosuppression. Treg cells remain immune unresponsive to high concentrations of interleukin-2 and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies. In addition, the activation of Treg cells after TCR-mediated signal stimulation inhibits the activation and proliferation of effector T cells. In the process of tumor development, Treg cells accumulate locally in the tumor and lead to tumor escape by inducing anergy and immunosuppression. It is believed that targeted elimination of Treg cells can activate tumor-specific effector T cells and improve the efficiency of cancer immunotherapy. Therefore, inhibition/clearance of Treg cells is a promising strategy for enhancing antitumor immunity. Here, we review studies of cancer immunotherapies targeting Treg cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Jin Chen
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing-Wen Zhao
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Da-Hong Zhang
- Department of Urology Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ai-Hong Zheng
- Department of Oncology Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Guo-Qing Wu
- Department of Oncology Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Kähkönen TE, Halleen JM, Bernoulli J. Osteoimmuno-Oncology: Therapeutic Opportunities for Targeting Immune Cells in Bone Metastasis. Cells 2021; 10:1529. [PMID: 34204474 PMCID: PMC8233913 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies provide a potential treatment option for currently incurable bone metastases. Bone marrow is an important secondary lymphoid organ with a unique immune contexture. Even at non-disease state immune cells and bone cells interact with each other, bone cells supporting the development of immune cells and immune cells regulating bone turnover. In cancer, tumor cells interfere with this homeostatic process starting from formation of pre-metastatic niche and later supporting growth of bone metastases. In this review, we introduce a novel concept osteoimmuno-oncology (OIO), which refers to interactions between bone, immune and tumor cells in bone metastatic microenvironment. We also discuss therapeutic opportunities of targeting immune cells in bone metastases, and associated efficacy and safety concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jenni Bernoulli
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland;
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Canuas-Landero VG, George CN, Lefley DV, Corness H, Muthana M, Wilson C, Ottewell PD. Oestradiol Contributes to Differential Antitumour Effects of Adjuvant Zoledronic Acid Observed Between Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:749428. [PMID: 34733240 PMCID: PMC8559775 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.749428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical trials have demonstrated that adding zoledronic acid (Zol) to (neo)adjuvant standard of care has differential antitumour effects in pre- and post-menopausal women: Both benefit from reduced recurrence in bone; however, while postmenopausal women also incur survival benefit, none is seen in premenopausal women treated with adjuvant bisphosphonates. In the current study, we have used mouse models to investigate the role of oestradiol in modulating potential antitumour effects of Zol. Pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal concentrations of oestradiol were modelled in BALB/c wild-type, BALB/c nude, and C57BL/6 mice by ovariectomy followed by supplementation with oestradiol. Mice also received 40 mg/kg/day goserelin to prevent ovariectomy-induced increases in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Metastasis was modelled following injection of MDA-MB-231, 4T1, or E0771 cells after ovariectomy and saline or 100 μg/kg Zol administered weekly. Supplementing ovariectomised mice with 12.5 mg/ml, 1.38 mg/ml, and 0 ng/ml oestradiol, in the presence of goserelin, resulted in serum concentrations of 153.16 ± 18.10 pg/ml, 48.64 ± 18.44 pg/ml, and 1.00 ± 0.27 pg/ml oestradiol, which are equivalent to concentrations found in pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal humans. Osteoclast activity was increased 1.5-1.8-fold with peri- and post-menopausal compared with premenopausal oestradiol, resulting in a 1.34-1.69-fold reduction in trabecular bone. Zol increased trabecular bone in all groups but did not restore bone to volumes observed under premenopausal conditions. In tumour-bearing mice, Zol reduced bone metastases in BALB/c (wild-type and nude), with greatest effects seen under pre- and post-menopausal concentrations of oestradiol. Zol did not affect soft tissue metastases in immunocompetent BALB/c mice but increased metastases 3.95-fold in C57BL/6 mice under premenopausal concentrations of oestradiol. In contrast, Zol significantly reduced soft tissue metastases 2.07 and 4.69-fold in immunocompetent BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice under postmenopausal oestradiol, mirroring the results of the clinical trials of (neo)adjuvant bisphosphonates. No effects on soft tissue metastases were observed in immunocompromised mice, and differences in antitumour response did not correlate with musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma (MAF), macrophage capping protein (CAPG), or PDZ domain containing protein GIPC1 (GIPC1) expression. In conclusion, oestradiol contributes to altered antitumour effects of Zol observed between pre- and post-menopausal women. However, other immunological/microenvironmental factors are also likely to contribute to this phenomenon.
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George CN, Canuas-Landero V, Theodoulou E, Muthana M, Wilson C, Ottewell P. Oestrogen and zoledronic acid driven changes to the bone and immune environments: Potential mechanisms underlying the differential anti-tumour effects of zoledronic acid in pre- and post-menopausal conditions. J Bone Oncol 2020; 25:100317. [PMID: 32995253 PMCID: PMC7516134 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbo.2020.100317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Late stage breast cancer commonly metastasises to bone and patient survival averages 2-3 years following diagnosis of bone involvement. One of the most successful treatments for bone metastases is the bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid (ZOL). ZOL has been used in the advanced setting for many years where it has been shown to reduce skeletal complications associated with bone metastasis. More recently, several large adjuvant clinical trials have demonstrated that administration of ZOL can prevent recurrence and improve survival when given in early breast cancer. However, these promising effects were only observed in post-menopausal women with confirmed low concentrations of circulating ovarian hormones. In this review we focus on potential interactions between the ovarian hormone, oestrogen, and ZOL to establish credible hypotheses that could explain why anti-tumour effects are specific to post-menopausal women. Specifically, we discuss the molecular and immune cell driven mechanisms by which ZOL and oestrogen affect the tumour microenvironment to inhibit/induce tumour growth and how oestrogen can interact with zoledronic acid to inhibit its anti-tumour actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher N. George
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Victor Canuas-Landero
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Elizavet Theodoulou
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Munitta Muthana
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Wilson
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Penelope Ottewell
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
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Nonhuman Primate Testing of the Impact of Different Regulatory T Cell Depletion Strategies on Reactivation and Clearance of Latent Simian Immunodeficiency Virus. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.00533-20. [PMID: 32669326 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00533-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) may be key contributors to the HIV/SIV latent reservoir, since they harbor high levels of HIV/SIV; reverse CD4+ T cell immune activation status, increasing the pool of resting CD4+ T cells; and impair CD8+ T cell function, favoring HIV persistence. We tested the hypothesis that Treg depletion is a valid intervention toward an HIV cure by depleted Tregs in 14 rhesus macaque (RM) controllers infected with SIVsab, the virus that naturally infects sabaeus monkeys, through different strategies: administration of an anti-CCR4 immunotoxin, two doses of an anti-CD25 immunotoxin (interleukin-2 with diphtheria toxin [IL-2-DT]), or two combinations of both. All of these treatments resulted in significant depletion of the circulating Tregs (>70%) and their partial depletion in the gut (25%) and lymph nodes (>50%). The fractions of CD4+ T cells expressing Ki -67 increased up to 80% in experiments containing IL-2-DT and only 30% in anti-CCR4-treated RMs, paralleled by increases in the inflammatory cytokines. In the absence of ART, plasma virus rebounded to 103 vRNA copies/ml by day 10 after IL-2-DT administration. A large but transient boost of the SIV-specific CD8+ T cell responses occurred in IL-2-DT-treated RMs. Such increases were minimal in the RMs receiving anti-CCR4-based regimens. Five RMs received IL-2-DT on ART, but treatment was discontinued because of high toxicity and lymphopenia. As such, while all treatments depleted a significant proportion of Tregs, the side effects in the presence of ART prevent their clinical use and call for different Treg depletion approaches. Thus, based on our data, Treg targeting as a strategy for HIV cure cannot be discarded.IMPORTANCE Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can decisively contribute to the establishment and persistence of the HIV reservoir, since they harbor high levels of HIV/SIV, increase the pool of resting CD4+ T cells by reversing their immune activation status, and impair CD8+ T cell function, favoring HIV persistence. We tested multiple Treg depletion strategies and showed that all of them are at least partially successful in depleting Tregs. As such, Treg depletion appears to be a valid intervention toward an HIV cure, reducing the size of the reservoir, reactivating the virus, and boosting cell-mediated immune responses. Yet, when Treg depletion was attempted in ART-suppressed animals, the treatment had to be discontinued due to high toxicity and lymphopenia. Therefore, while Treg targeting as a strategy for HIV cure cannot be discarded, the methodology for Treg depletion has to be revisited.
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Li C, Jiang P, Wei S, Xu X, Wang J. Regulatory T cells in tumor microenvironment: new mechanisms, potential therapeutic strategies and future prospects. Mol Cancer 2020; 19:116. [PMID: 32680511 PMCID: PMC7367382 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01234-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 401] [Impact Index Per Article: 100.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) characterized by the expression of the master transcription factor forkhead box protein p3 (Foxp3) suppress anticancer immunity, thereby hindering protective immunosurveillance of tumours and hampering effective antitumour immune responses in tumour-bearing hosts, constitute a current research hotspot in the field. However, Tregs are also essential for the maintenance of the immune tolerance of the body and share many molecular signalling pathways with conventional T cells, including cytotoxic T cells, the primary mediators of tumour immunity. Hence, the inability to specifically target and neutralize Tregs in the tumour microenvironment without globally compromising self-tolerance poses a significant challenge. Here, we review recent advances in characterizing tumour-infiltrating Tregs with a focus on the functional roles of costimulatory and inhibitory receptors in Tregs, evaluate their potential as clinical targets, and systematically summarize their roles in potential treatment strategies. Also, we propose modalities to integrate our increasing knowledge on Tregs phenotype and function for the rational design of checkpoint inhibitor-based combination therapies. Finally, we propose possible treatment strategies that can be used to develop Treg-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Ping Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Shuhua Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiaofei Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Junjie Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
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Repurposing Food and Drug Administration-Approved Drugs to Promote Antitumor Immunity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 25:88-99. [PMID: 30896530 DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
There has been a major resurgence of interest in immune-based approaches to treat cancer, based largely on the success of checkpoint inhibitors (anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4, anti-programmed cell death 1, and anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 antibodies) in several malignancies. However, not all tumors respond to checkpoint therapy, and there is clearly a need for additional approaches for enhancing tumor immunity. We summarize the critical elements necessary for mounting an efficacious T-cell response to a tumor. We cite drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for no-cancer indications that could be repurposed and used as part of an antitumor immune cocktail. We also list cancer drugs not initially intended to impact tumor immunity (soft repurposing) but that have been found to modulate the immune system. We highlight those drugs that might be used in combination with checkpoint inhibitors to increase response rates and survival of cancer patients. Our focus will be on drugs for which there are limited but existing human data. We cite supporting mechanistic mouse data as well. Repurposing drugs to modulate antitumor immunity is an opportunity to rapidly bring new, effective, and affordable treatments to cancer patients.
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Giri PS, Dwivedi M, Laddha NC, Begum R, Bharti AH. Altered expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells, forkhead box P3, and immune-suppressive genes in regulatory T cells of generalized vitiligo patients. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2020; 33:566-578. [PMID: 31917889 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The study was aimed to analyze expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATs), forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), and their associated genes (sCTLA4, flCTLA4, IL10, TGFB, IL2, IL4, CD25) in regulatory T cells (Tregs) of 48 generalized vitiligo (GV) patients and 45 unaffected controls. The transcripts of NFATC1 to NFATC4, FOXP3, IL10, flCTLA4 (p < .0001), NFAT5 (p = .0003), sCTLA4 (p = .001), and FOXP3 protein in Tregs and plasma IL-10 levels were reduced significantly (p < .0001) in GV Tregs compared to controls. The FOXP3 promoter polymorphisms [rs3761548(C > A), rs3761547(A > G), and rs2232365(A > G)] revealed significantly decreased FOXP3 protein levels in patients' Tregs with susceptible AA, GG, and GG genotypes (p < .0001, p = .028, p = .022, respectively). The active vitiligo Tregs showed reduced levels of NFATC3, NFATC4, NFAT5, FOXP3, TGFB, and flCTLA4 transcripts (p = .0005, p = .0003, p = .0002, p = .020, p < .0001, p = .006, respectively) and FOXP3 and TGF-β proteins (p = .0394 and p = .0013) compared to stable vitiligo. Early-onset patients (1-20 years) demonstrated decreased IL-10, sCTLA-4, flCTLA-4, TGFB, and FOXP3 transcripts and FOXP3 protein as compared to late-onset patients (41-60 years) (p = .001, p = .003, p = .009, p = .005, p = .038, p = .0226, respectively). Overall, our results for the first time suggest a likely role of NFATs and FOXP3 together with Treg immune-suppressive genes in GV pathogenesis and disease progression, warranting additional investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant S Giri
- C. G. Bhakta Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Uka Tarsadia University, Surat, India
| | - Mitesh Dwivedi
- C. G. Bhakta Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Uka Tarsadia University, Surat, India
| | | | - Rasheedunnisa Begum
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, India
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New insights into molecular and cellular mechanisms of zoledronate in human osteosarcoma. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 214:107611. [PMID: 32565177 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the skeleton in teenagers and young adults and continues to confer a generally poor prognosis in patients who do not respond to chemotherapy or who present with metastatic diseases at diagnosis. The nitrogen-containing zoledronate, the third generation bisphosphonate (BP), effectively inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption and is widely utilized in the treatment of metabolic and metastatic bone diseases nowadays. Owing to an acceptable safety profile and tolerability, zoledronate is the only BP currently approved for the prevention and treatment of skeletal relevant events in patients with metastatic bone lesions, especially bone metastases from advanced renal cell carcinoma and prostate cancer, and breast cancer, due to all solid malignancy. Moreover, zoledronate possesses diverse anti-osteosarcoma properties and may have potential to become an adjunctive treatment for high-grade osteosarcoma to enhance survival rates and to obliterate complications of the chemotherapy. Herein we highlighted the pharmacology of BPs and its underlying molecular mechanisms in osteoclasts and various cancer cells. We further provided the available literature on in vitro studies to illustrate the new insights into the intracellular molecular mechanisms of zoledronate in human osteosarcoma cell lines and in vivo animal models that led to the development and regulatory approval of zoledronate in patients with human osteosarcoma. This review also addresses clinical trials to focus on the efficacy of zoledronate on human osteosarcoma.
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Ottewell P, Wilson C. Bone-Targeted Agents in Breast Cancer: Do We Now Have All the Answers? BREAST CANCER-BASIC AND CLINICAL RESEARCH 2019; 13:1178223419843501. [PMID: 31555046 PMCID: PMC6751527 DOI: 10.1177/1178223419843501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The bone-targeted agents (BTAs), bisphosphonates and denosumab, have an established role in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer bone disease and the prevention of cancer-treatment-induced bone loss. Evidence in support of their ability to improve survival in early breast cancer now indicates that the bisphosphonates are effective in postmenopausal women (naturally or chemically induced), but denosumab does not have similar benefits when added to standard adjuvant therapy. In postmenopausal women with early breast cancer, the choice of BTA may differ depending on the indication for treatment; for fracture prevention in low disease recurrence risk patients, denosumab may be favoured (in comparison with placebo) to maintain bone health, and when disease recurrence prevention is a priority in higher risk patients, bisphosphonates may be favoured. The reason for the lack of efficacy of BTAs in premenopausal/perimenopausal patients still remains unanswered and will need preclinical research to evaluate novel treatment combinations with BTAs in this patient group. This review covers the past, present, and future indications for BTAs in both metastatic and early breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penny Ottewell
- Department of Oncology & Metabolism, The Medical School, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Caroline Wilson
- Weston Park Cancer Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
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de Witte MA, Sarhan D, Davis Z, Felices M, Vallera DA, Hinderlie P, Curtsinger J, Cooley S, Wagner J, Kuball J, Miller JS. Early Reconstitution of NK and γδ T Cells and Its Implication for the Design of Post-Transplant Immunotherapy. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2018; 24:1152-1162. [PMID: 29505821 PMCID: PMC5993609 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2018.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Relapse is the most frequent cause of treatment failure after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Natural killer (NK) cells and γδ T cells reconstitute early after allo-HSCT, contribute to tumor immunosurveillance via major histocompatibility complex-independent mechanisms and do not induce graft-versus-host disease. Here we performed a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the NK and γδ T cell repertoire in healthy individuals, recipients of HLA-matched sibling or unrelated donor allo-HSCT (MSD/MUD-HSCT) and umbilical cord blood-HSCT (UCB-HSCT). NK cells are present at high frequencies in all allo-HSCT recipients. Immune reconstitution (IR) of vδ2+ cells depended on stem cell source. In MSD/MUD-HSCT recipients, vδ2+ comprise up to 8% of the total lymphocyte pool, whereas vδ2+ T cells are barely detectable in UCB-HSCT recipients. Vδ1+ IR was driven by CMV reactivation and was comparable between MSD/MUD-HSCT and UCB-HSCT. Strategies to augment NK cell mediated tumor responses, similar to IL-15 and antibodies, also induced vδ2+ T cell responses against a variety of different tumor targets. Vδ1+ γδ T cells were induced less by these same stimuli. We also identified elevated expression of the checkpoint inhibitory molecule TIGIT (T cell Ig and ITIM domain), which is also observed on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and epidermal γδ T cells. Collectively, these data show multiple strategies that can result in a synergized NK and γδ T cell antitumor response. In the light of recent developments of low-toxicity allo-HSCT platforms, these interventions may contribute to the prevention of early relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moniek A de Witte
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Department of Hematology, Cancer Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dhifaf Sarhan
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Zachary Davis
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Martin Felices
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Daniel A Vallera
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Peter Hinderlie
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Julie Curtsinger
- Translational Therapy Laboratory, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Sarah Cooley
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - John Wagner
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jurgen Kuball
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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García-Martínez E, Smith M, Buqué A, Aranda F, de la Peña FA, Ivars A, Cánovas MS, Conesa MAV, Fucikova J, Spisek R, Zitvogel L, Kroemer G, Galluzzi L. Trial Watch: Immunostimulation with recombinant cytokines for cancer therapy. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1433982. [PMID: 29872569 PMCID: PMC5980390 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1433982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokines regulate virtually aspects of innate and adaptive immunity, including the initiation, execution and extinction of tumor-targeting immune responses. Over the past three decades, the possibility of using recombinant cytokines as a means to elicit or boost clinically relevant anticancer immune responses has attracted considerable attention. However, only three cytokines have been approved so far by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency for use in cancer patients, namely, recombinant interleukin (IL)-2 and two variants of recombinant interferon alpha 2 (IFN-α2a and IFN-α2b). Moreover, the use of these cytokines in the clinics is steadily decreasing, mostly as a consequence of: (1) the elevated pleiotropism of IL-2, IFN-α2a and IFN-α2b, resulting in multiple unwarranted effects; and (2) the development of highly effective immunostimulatory therapeutics, such as immune checkpoint blockers. Despite this and other obstacles, research in the field continues as alternative cytokines with restricted effects on specific cell populations are being evaluated. Here, we summarize research preclinical and clinical developments on the use of recombinant cytokines for immunostimulation in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena García-Martínez
- Hematology and Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Morales Meseguer, Murcia, Spain
| | - Melody Smith
- Department of Medicine and Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Aitziber Buqué
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fernando Aranda
- Immunoreceptors of the Innate and Adaptive System, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Alejandra Ivars
- Hematology and Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Morales Meseguer, Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuel Sanchez Cánovas
- Hematology and Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Morales Meseguer, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - 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
- Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France
- INSERM, U1015, Villejuif, France
- Center of Clinical Investigations in Biotherapies of Cancer (CICBT) 1428, Villejuif, France
- Université Paris Sud/Paris XI, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris
- Equipe 11 labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France
- Karolinska Institute, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Pôle de Biologie, Hopitâl Européen George Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, France
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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Janetschek G, Weitzel D, Stein W, Müntefering H, Alken P. Prenatal diagnosis of neuroblastoma by sonography. Urology 1984; 38:93. [PMID: 30791957 PMCID: PMC6385443 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1109-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Zoledronic acid is the most potent osteoclast inhibitor and is widely used for advanced cancer patients with bone metastasis, but its role on cancer stem cells (CSCs) remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to identify the stemness phenotypic characteristics of CSCs derived from cervical cancer cells and explore the anti-cancer efficiency of zoledronic acid on these cells, as well as the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Stemness phenotypic identification of cervical cancer cells derived CSCs was performed via sphere formation efficiency (SFE), tumorigenesis, immunofluorescence staining, Transwell assay, and western blot. Anti-cancer efficiency of zoledronic acid on these cells (including proliferation, stemness phenotype, apoptosis, and cell cycle) was carried out through MTT assay, SFE, transwell, DAPI staining, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, TUNEL staining, and western blot, both in vitro and in vivo. Results Enhanced self-renewal ability, including SFE and tumorigenesis, was verified in cervical cancer cells derived CSCs compared to parental cervical cancer cells. Specifically, the expression of ALDH1, Sox2, CD49f, Nanog, and Oct4 was significantly up-regulated in cervical cancer cells derived CSCs. Furthermore, enhanced migratory ability was observed in these cells along with up-regulated N-cadherin and Vimentin and down-regulated E-cadherin. Zoledronic acid inhibited cervical cancer cells derived CSCs proliferation in vitro and in vivo. The stemness phenotype of these CSCs including tumor sphere formation, migration, as well as the expression of the aforementioned associated markers was also suppressed. In addition, zoledronic acid significantly induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of cervical cancer cells derived CSCs in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistically, the expression of phosphorylated Erk1/2 and Akt was significantly increased in cervical cancer cells derived CSCs compared to parental cervical cancer cells. Zoledronic acid inhibited phosphorylated Erk1/2 and Akt in cervical cancer cells derived CSCs. IGF-1, a potent stimulator for Erk1/2 and PI3K/Akt, attenuated the aforementioned anti-cancer effect of zoledronic acid. Conclusions Zoledronic acid inhibited the growth of cervical cancer cells derived CSCs through attenuating their stemness phenotype, inducing apoptosis, and arresting cell cycle. The suppression of phosphorylated Erk1/2 and Akt was involved in this process. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1109-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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