1
|
Traynor S, Jakobsen MK, Green TM, Komic H, Palarasah Y, Pedersen CB, Ditzel HJ, Thoren FB, Guldberg P, Gjerstorff MF. Single-cell sequencing unveils extensive intratumoral heterogeneity of cancer/testis antigen expression in melanoma and lung cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008759. [PMID: 38886115 PMCID: PMC11184195 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008759] [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: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) are widely expressed in melanoma and lung cancer, emerging as promising targets for vaccination strategies and T-cell-based therapies in these malignancies. Despite recognizing the essential impact of intratumoral heterogeneity on clinical responses to immunotherapy, our understanding of intratumoral heterogeneity in CTA expression has remained limited. We employed single-cell mRNA sequencing to delineate the CTA expression profiles of cancer cells in clinically derived melanoma and lung cancer samples. Our findings reveal a high degree of intratumoral transcriptional heterogeneity in CTA expression. In melanoma, every cell expressed at least one CTA. However, most individual CTAs, including the widely used therapeutic targets NY-ESO-1 and MAGE, were confined to subpopulations of cells and were uncoordinated in their expression, resulting in mosaics of cancer cells with diverse CTA profiles. Coordinated expression was observed, however, mainly among highly structurally and evolutionarily related CTA genes. Importantly, a minor subset of CTAs, including PRAME and several members of the GAGE and MAGE-A families, were homogenously expressed in melanomas, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets. Extensive heterogeneity in CTA expression was also observed in lung cancer. However, the frequency of CTA-positive cancer cells was notably lower and homogenously expressed CTAs were only identified in one of five tumors in this cancer type. Our findings underscore the need for careful CTA target selection in immunotherapy development and clinical testing and offer a rational framework for identifying the most promising candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Traynor
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mie K Jakobsen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Tina M Green
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Hana Komic
- TIMM Laboratory at Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Yaseelan Palarasah
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Christina B Pedersen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Henrik J Ditzel
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Fredrik B Thoren
- TIMM Laboratory at Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Per Guldberg
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Danish Cancer Institute, Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Morten F Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Duan Z, Yang D, Yuan P, Dai X, Chen G, Wu D. Advances, opportunities and challenges in developing therapeutic cancer vaccines. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 193:104198. [PMID: 37949152 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104198] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic cancer vaccines have shown promising efficacy in helping immunotherapy for cancer patients, but the systematic characterization of the clinical application and the method for improving efficacy is lacking. Here, we mainly summarize the classification of therapeutic cancer vaccines, including protein vaccines, nucleic acid vaccines, cellular vaccines and anti-idiotypic antibody vaccines, and subdivide the above vaccines according to different types and delivery forms. Additionally, we outline the clinical efficacy and safety of vaccines, as well as the combination strategies of therapeutic cancer vaccines with other therapies. This review will provide a detailed overview and rationale for the future clinical application and development of therapeutic cancer vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Duan
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Dandan Yang
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Ping Yuan
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Xiaoming Dai
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Guodong Chen
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
| | - Daichao Wu
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kaczmarek M, Poznańska J, Fechner F, Michalska N, Paszkowska S, Napierała A, Mackiewicz A. Cancer Vaccine Therapeutics: Limitations and Effectiveness-A Literature Review. Cells 2023; 12:2159. [PMID: 37681891 PMCID: PMC10486481 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in tumor microenvironment-associated cancer vaccine therapies. These innovative treatments aim to activate and enhance the body's natural immune response against cancer cells by utilizing specific antigens present in the tumor microenvironment. The goal is to achieve a complete clinical response, where all measurable cancer cells are either eliminated or greatly reduced in size. With their potential to revolutionize cancer treatment, these therapies represent a promising avenue for researchers and clinicians alike. Despite over 100 years of research, the success of therapeutic cancer vaccines has been variable, particularly in advanced cancer patients, with various limitations, including the heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment, the presence of immunosuppressive cells, and the potential for tumor escape mechanisms. Additionally, the effectiveness of these therapies may be limited by the variability of the patient's immune system response and the difficulty in identifying appropriate antigens for each patient. Despite these challenges, tumor microenvironment-targeted vaccine cancer therapies have shown promising results in preclinical and clinical studies and have the potential to become a valuable addition to current cancer treatment and "curative" options. While chemotherapeutic and monoclonal antibody treatments remain popular, ongoing research is needed to optimize the design and delivery of these therapies and to identify biomarkers that can predict response and guide patient selection. This comprehensive review explores the mechanisms of cancer vaccines, various delivery methods, and the role of adjuvants in improving treatment outcomes. It also discusses the historical background of cancer vaccine research and examines the current state of major cancer vaccination immunotherapies. Furthermore, the limitations and effectiveness of each vaccine type are analyzed, providing insights into the future of cancer vaccine development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariusz Kaczmarek
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, 61-866 Poznań, Poland
| | - Justyna Poznańska
- Scientific Society of Cancer Immunology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznań, Poland; (J.P.)
| | - Filip Fechner
- Scientific Society of Cancer Immunology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznań, Poland; (J.P.)
| | - Natasza Michalska
- Scientific Society of Cancer Immunology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznań, Poland; (J.P.)
| | - Sara Paszkowska
- Scientific Society of Cancer Immunology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznań, Poland; (J.P.)
| | - Adrianna Napierała
- Scientific Society of Cancer Immunology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznań, Poland; (J.P.)
| | - Andrzej Mackiewicz
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, 61-866 Poznań, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Freiberger SN, Holzmann D, Morand GB, Hüllner M, Levesque MP, Dummer R, Koelzer VH, Rupp NJ. Combinational expression of tumor testis antigens NY-ESO-1, MAGE-A3, and MAGE-A4 predicts response to immunotherapy in mucosal melanoma patients. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:5645-5653. [PMID: 36527482 PMCID: PMC10356647 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04514-z] [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: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has revolutionized cancer treatment in recent years, particularly in melanoma. While response to immunotherapy is associated with high tumor mutational burden (TMB), PD-L1 expression, and microsatellite instability in several cancers, tumors lacking these biomarkers can still respond to this treatment. Especially, mucosal melanoma, commonly exhibiting low TMB compared to cutaneous melanoma, may respond to immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate novel biomarkers in mucosal melanoma that predict response to combined ipilimumab and nivolumab. METHODS We investigated 10 tumor samples from 10 patients (three responders, seven non-responders) before treatment and six tumor samples from five patients after progression using a targeted Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) gene expression panel. The findings were corroborated with an independent method (i.e., immunohistochemical staining) on the same 10 tumor samples before treatment and, to increase the cohort, in addition on three tumor samples before treatment of more recent patients (one responder, two non-responders). RESULTS With the targeted gene expression panel, we found the three tumor testis antigens CTAG1B (NY-ESO-1), MAGE-A3, and MAGE-A4 to be predominantly expressed in responding tumors. This marker panel was either not or not completely expressed in non-responders (p < 0.01). Using immunohistochemistry for all three markers, we could confirm the elevated expression in tumors responding to the ipilimumab/nivolumab combination therapy. CONCLUSION In conclusion, these three biomarkers await validation in a larger patient cohort and could be easily used in future routine diagnostics to predict the outcome of ipilimumab/nivolumab combination therapy in mucosal melanoma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra N Freiberger
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - David Holzmann
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Grégoire B Morand
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Sir Mortimer B. Davis - Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Hüllner
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mitchell P Levesque
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Viktor H Koelzer
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Niels J Rupp
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang Y, Liu C, Wu C, Song L. Natural peptides for immunological regulation in cancer therapy: Mechanism, facts and perspectives. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 159:114257. [PMID: 36689836 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer incidence and mortality rates are increasing annually. Treatment with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy (RT) is unsatisfactory because many patients have advanced disease at the initial diagnosis. However, the emergence of immunotherapy promises to be an effective strategy to improve the outcome of advanced tumors. Immune checkpoint antibodies, which are at the forefront of immunotherapy, have had significant success but still leave some cancer patients without benefit. For more cancer patients to benefit from immunotherapy, it is necessary to find new drugs and combination therapeutic strategies to improve the outcome of advanced cancer patients and achieve long-term tumor control or even eradication. Peptides are promising choices for tumor immunotherapy drugs because they have the advantages of low production cost, high sequence selectivity, high tissue permeability, low toxicity and low immunogenicity etc., and the adjuvant matching and technologies like nanotechnology can further optimize the effects of peptides. In this review, we present the current status and mechanisms of research on peptides targeting multiple immune cells (T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), regulatory T cells (Tregs)) and immune checkpoints in tumor immunotherapy; and we summarize the current status of research on peptide-based tumor immunotherapy in combination with other therapies including RT, chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy, cytokine therapy, adoptive cell therapy (ACT) and cancer vaccines. Finally, we discuss the current status of peptide applications in mRNA vaccine delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunchao Zhang
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China
| | - Chenxin Liu
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China
| | - Chunjie Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China
| | - Linjiang Song
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
de Joode K, Veenbergen S, Kransse C, Kortleve D, Debets R, Mathijssen RHJ, Joosse A, Schreurs MWJ, Van der Veldt AAM. Suitability of tumor-associated antibodies as predictive biomarker for response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with melanoma: a short report. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-006467. [PMID: 36750254 PMCID: PMC9906380 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2019, Fässler et al showed in this journal that the presence of tumor-associated antibodies correlated with response to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment in patients with metastatic melanoma. The results of this study suggested that tumor-associated antibodies directed against melanocyte-differentiation antigens and the cancer-germline antigen NY-ESO-1 should be further investigated as candidate biomarkers for response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. The aim of the current study was to validate and extend these previous findings. Therefore, we examined the correlation between serum levels of tumor-associated antibodies and tumor response after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with metastatic melanoma.All patients included in this prospective study were diagnosed with advanced stage melanoma and treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab monotherapy. Blood samples were collected before and during treatment. Serum levels of tumor-associated antibodies against the melanocyte differentiation antigen Melan-A and the cancer germline antigens NY-ESO-1, MAGE-C2, MAGE-A6 and ROPN1B were measured at baseline and during treatment. Differences between responders and non-responders were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U-test, and differences between different overall survival categories with the Kruskal-Wallis test. P values ≤0.05 were considered significant.Serum samples of 58 patients with advanced melanoma with long-term follow-up (>3 years) were collected. In contrast to the findings of Fässler et al, for all antibodies tested, we found no significant differences between serum levels of responders and non-responders before or during treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. In addition, no significant differences were found in serum levels of tumor-associated antibodies for different overall survival groups.Although our study included a larger and more mature cohort of patients with longer follow-up, we could not externally validate the findings of Fässler et al In addition, we were not able to identify other cancer germline antigens as predictive biomarkers of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients advanced melanoma. Based on the results of the present study, clinical applicability of tumor-associated antibodies directed against tumor antigens as predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with advanced melanoma is not feasible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karlijn de Joode
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sharon Veenbergen
- Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia Kransse
- Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dian Kortleve
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Reno Debets
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ron H J Mathijssen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arjen Joosse
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco W J Schreurs
- Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Astrid A M Van der Veldt
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands .,Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bai R, Yuan C. Kita-Kyushu Lung Cancer Antigen-1 (KK-LC-1): A Promising Cancer Testis Antigen. Aging Dis 2022; 13:1267-1277. [PMID: 35855340 PMCID: PMC9286905 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.1207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer has always been a huge problem in the field of human health, and its early diagnosis and treatment are the key to solving this problem. Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are a family of multifunctional proteins that are specifically expressed in male spermatozoa and tumor cells but not in healthy somatic cells. Studies have found that CTAs are involved in the occurrence and development of tumors, and some CTAs trigger immunogenicity, which suggests a possibility of tumor immunotherapy. The differential expression and function of CTAs in normal tissues and tumor cells can promote the screening of tumor markers and the development of new immunotherapies. This article introduces the expression of Kita-Kyushu lung cancer antigen-1 (KK-LC-1), a new member of the CTA family, in different types of tumors and its role in immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Bai
- 1Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Cheng Yuan
- 2Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yu G, Wang W, He X, Xu J, Xu R, Wan T, Wu Y. Synergistic Therapeutic Effects of Low Dose Decitabine and NY-ESO-1 Specific TCR-T Cells for the Colorectal Cancer With Microsatellite Stability. Front Oncol 2022; 12:895103. [PMID: 35774131 PMCID: PMC9239344 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.895103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients of colorectal cancer (CRC) with microsatellite stability (MSS) show poor clinical response and little beneficial result from the immune-checkpoint inhibitors, due to the ‘cold’ tumor microenvironment. Meanwhile, decitabine can drive the ‘cold’ microenvironment towards ‘hot’ in multiple ways, such as upregulating the tumor associated antigen (TAA) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecular. NY-ESO-1, one of the most important TAAs, can be observably induced in tumors by low dose decitabine, and present itself as ideal targets for antigen specific T cell receptor engineered T (TCR-T) cells. We innovatively used a synergistic tactic, combining decitabine and NY-ESO-1 specific TCR-T cells, for fighting the MSS CRC. Firstly, we confirmed the lysing effect of the NY-ESO-1 TCR-T cells on the NY-ESO-1+ and HLA-A2+ cells in vitro and in vivo. In A375 tumor-bearing mice, the results showed that NY-ESO-1 TCR-T cell therapy could inhibit A375 tumor growth and prolonged the survival time. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of decitabine and NY-ESO-1 TCR-T cells was shown to induce an even higher percentage of tumor cells being lysed in vitro than other control groups, and more potent tumor inhibition and longer survival time were observed in vivo. The innovative synergistic therapeutic strategy of decitabine and TCR-T cells for the CRC with MSS may be also effective in the treatment of other epithelial malignancies. Decitabine may likewise be adopted in combination with other cellular immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Tao Wan
- *Correspondence: Tao Wan, ; Yanfeng Wu,
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ichiki Y, Fukuyama T, Ohmiya H, Ueno M, Yanagi S, Kanasaki Y, Goto H, Mikami S, Yamazaki H, Nakanishi K, Ishida T. Relationship between Kita-Kyushu Lung Cancer antigen-1 expression and prognosis of cases with lung squamous cell carcinoma. Transl Cancer Res 2022; 10:5212-5221. [PMID: 35116371 PMCID: PMC8798488 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-21-1581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background Previously, we identified the highly immunogenic cancer testicular antigen named Kita-Kyushu Lung Cancer antigen-1 (KK-LC-1). In this study, we analyzed the effect of KK-LC-1 expression on the prognosis of patients with resected squamous cell lung cancer. Methods Fifty squamous cell lung cancer patients, who received complete resection, were enrolled in this study. The expressions of KK-LC-1, CD8, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I, and programmed cell death protein ligand-1 (PD-L1) were assessed via immunohistochemistry staining using the specimens obtained from the participants. The association between the expression of the abovementioned molecules and patient prognosis was investigated. Results KK-LC-1 expression was observed in 21 of 50 recruited cases (42%). However, no significant correlation was found between KK-LC-1 expression and patient prognosis. The prognosis was significantly better in lung cancer cases with KK-LC-1 expression in which CD8+ T cells infiltrated the tumor. Regardless of the HLA class I expression or the PD-L1 expression, the KK-LC-1 expression in squamous cell lung cancer could not be detected as a significant prognostic factor. Furthermore, considering the polarity of the cancer tissue as epithelium, staining of KK-LC-1 tended to be strong in the area corresponding to the basal side of the tumor tissue. The Ki-67 expression was frequently observed in cancer cells on the basal side, which was consistent with the KK-LC-1 expression in representative four cases with KK-LC-1-positive squamous cell lung cancer. Conclusions Our results indicated that lung squamous cell cancer patients with KK-LC-1 expression and the tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells might exhibit better prognosis. KK-LC-1 might be highly expressed in cancer cells with high proliferative capacity. Larger cohort analysis is still required for further elucidation and validation of the results of this study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinobu Ichiki
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization, Saitama Hospital, Wako, Japan.,Second Department of Surgery, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Takashi Fukuyama
- Division of Biomedical Research, Kitasato University Medical Center, Kitamoto, Japan
| | - Haruki Ohmiya
- Division of Biomedical Research, Kitasato University Medical Center, Kitamoto, Japan
| | - Mari Ueno
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Hospital Organization, Saitama Hospital, Wako, Japan
| | - Shinya Yanagi
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Hospital Organization, Saitama Hospital, Wako, Japan
| | - Yoshiro Kanasaki
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization, Saitama Hospital, Wako, Japan
| | - Hidenori Goto
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization, Saitama Hospital, Wako, Japan
| | - Shuji Mikami
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Hospital Organization, Saitama Hospital, Wako, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Yamazaki
- Division of Pathology, Kitasato University Medical Center, Kitamoto, Japan
| | - Kozo Nakanishi
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization, Saitama Hospital, Wako, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Ishida
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Hospital Organization, Saitama Hospital, Wako, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wu SC, Münger K. Role and Clinical Utility of Cancer/Testis Antigens in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225690. [PMID: 34830845 PMCID: PMC8616139 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer/testis (CT) antigens exhibit selective expression predominantly in immunoprivileged tissues in non-pathological contexts but are aberrantly expressed in diverse cancers. Due to their expression pattern, they have historically been attractive targets for immunotherapies. A growing number of studies implicate CT antigens in almost all hallmarks of cancer, suggesting that they may act as cancer drivers. CT antigens are expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. However, their role in the pathogenesis of these cancers remains poorly studied. Given that CT antigens hold intriguing potential as therapeutic targets and as biomarkers for prognosis and that they can provide novel insights into oncogenic mechanisms, their further study in the context of head and squamous cell carcinoma is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Changshan Wu
- Molecular Microbiology Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA;
| | - Karl Münger
- Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Inflammation and tumor progression: signaling pathways and targeted intervention. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:263. [PMID: 34248142 PMCID: PMC8273155 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00658-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 711] [Impact Index Per Article: 237.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer development and its response to therapy are regulated by inflammation, which either promotes or suppresses tumor progression, potentially displaying opposing effects on therapeutic outcomes. Chronic inflammation facilitates tumor progression and treatment resistance, whereas induction of acute inflammatory reactions often stimulates the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and antigen presentation, leading to anti-tumor immune responses. In addition, multiple signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT), toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways, cGAS/STING, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK); inflammatory factors, including cytokines (e.g., interleukin (IL), interferon (IFN), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α), chemokines (e.g., C-C motif chemokine ligands (CCLs) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligands (CXCLs)), growth factors (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β), and inflammasome; as well as inflammatory metabolites including prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxane, and specialized proresolving mediators (SPM), have been identified as pivotal regulators of the initiation and resolution of inflammation. Nowadays, local irradiation, recombinant cytokines, neutralizing antibodies, small-molecule inhibitors, DC vaccines, oncolytic viruses, TLR agonists, and SPM have been developed to specifically modulate inflammation in cancer therapy, with some of these factors already undergoing clinical trials. Herein, we discuss the initiation and resolution of inflammation, the crosstalk between tumor development and inflammatory processes. We also highlight potential targets for harnessing inflammation in the treatment of cancer.
Collapse
|