1
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Roider HG, Hoff S, Tseng SY, Berndt S, Trautwein M, Filarsky K, Gritzan U, Camps J, Nadler WM, Grudzinska-Goebel J, Ellinger P, Pesch T, Soon CF, Geyer M, Gluske K, Stelte-Ludwig B, Gorjánácz M. Selective depletion of tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells with BAY 3375968, a novel Fc-optimized anti-CCR8 antibody. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:122. [PMID: 38856863 PMCID: PMC11164760 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-024-01362-8] [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: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are known to facilitate tumor progression by suppressing CD8+ T cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby also hampering the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). While systemic depletion of Tregs can enhance antitumor immunity, it also triggers undesirable autoimmune responses. Therefore, there is a need for therapeutic agents that selectively target Tregs within the TME without affecting systemic Tregs. In this study, as shown also by others, the chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 8 (CCR8) was found to be predominantly expressed on Tregs within the TME of both humans and mice, representing a unique target for selective depletion of tumor-residing Tregs. Based on this, we developed BAY 3375968, a novel anti-human CCR8 antibody, along with respective surrogate anti-mouse CCR8 antibodies, and demonstrated their in vitro mode-of-action through induction of potent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and phagocytosis (ADCP) activities. In vivo, anti-mouse CCR8 antibodies effectively depleted Tregs within the TME primarily via ADCP, leading to increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and subsequent tumor growth inhibition across various cancer models. This monotherapeutic efficacy was significantly enhanced in combination with ICIs. Collectively, these findings suggest that CCR8 targeting represents a promising strategy for Treg depletion in cancer therapies. BAY 3375968 is currently under investigation in a Phase I clinical trial (NCT05537740).
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MESH Headings
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects
- Receptors, CCR8/immunology
- Receptors, CCR8/antagonists & inhibitors
- Animals
- Mice
- Humans
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/drug effects
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Female
- Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity
- Lymphocyte Depletion
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Phagocytosis/drug effects
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Su-Yi Tseng
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, San Francisco, USA
| | | | | | - Katharina Filarsky
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Wuppertal, Germany
- Current address: Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Uwe Gritzan
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Wuppertal, Germany
- Current address: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Beatrix Stelte-Ludwig
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Wuppertal, Germany
- Current address: Vincerx Pharma, Monheim am Rhein, Germany
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2
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Hayashi Y, Ueyama A, Funaki S, Jinushi K, Higuchi N, Morihara H, Hirata M, Nagira Y, Saito T, Kawashima A, Iwahori K, Shintani Y, Wada H. In situ analysis of CCR8 + regulatory T cells in lung cancer: suppression of GzmB + CD8 + T cells and prognostic marker implications. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:627. [PMID: 38783281 PMCID: PMC11112935 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12363-x] [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: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CCR8-expressing regulatory T cells (Tregs) are selectively localized within tumors and have gained attention as potent suppressors of anti-tumor immunity. This study focused on CCR8+ Tregs and their interaction with CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment of human lung cancer. We evaluated their spatial distribution impact on CD8+ T cell effector function, specifically granzyme B (GzmB) expression, and clinical outcomes. METHODS A total of 81 patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) who underwent radical surgical resection without preoperative treatment were enrolled. Histological analyses were performed, utilizing an automated image analysis system for double-stained immunohistochemistry assays of CCR8/Foxp3 and GzmB/CD8. We investigated the association of CCR8+ Tregs and GzmB+ CD8+ T cells in tumor tissues and further evaluated the prognostic impact of their distribution profiles. RESULTS Histological evaluation using the region of interest (ROI) protocol showed that GzmB expression levels in CD8+ T cells were decreased in areas with high infiltration of CCR8+ Tregs, suggesting a suppressive effect of CCR8+ Tregs on T cell cytotoxicity in the local tumor microenvironment. Analysis of the association with clinical outcomes showed that patients with more CCR8+ Tregs and lower GzmB expression, represented by a low GzmB/CCR8 ratio, had worse progression-free survival. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that local CCR8+ Treg accumulation is associated with reduced CD8+ T cell cytotoxic activity and poor prognosis in LSCC patients, highlighting the biological role and clinical significance of CCR8+ Tregs in the tumor microenvironment. The GzmB/CCR8 ratio may be a useful prognostic factor for future clinical applications in LSCC.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- Lung Neoplasms/immunology
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Lung Neoplasms/mortality
- Lung Neoplasms/metabolism
- Lung Neoplasms/surgery
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Prognosis
- Female
- Male
- Receptors, CCR8/metabolism
- Receptors, CCR8/immunology
- Granzymes/metabolism
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Aged
- Middle Aged
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/immunology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Aged, 80 and over
- Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinori Hayashi
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Azumi Ueyama
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., -1-1 Futaba-Cho, Toyonaka, Osaka, 561-0825, Japan.
| | - Soichiro Funaki
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Koichi Jinushi
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Naoko Higuchi
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., -1-1 Futaba-Cho, Toyonaka, Osaka, 561-0825, Japan
| | - Hitomi Morihara
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., -1-1 Futaba-Cho, Toyonaka, Osaka, 561-0825, Japan
| | - Michinari Hirata
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., -1-1 Futaba-Cho, Toyonaka, Osaka, 561-0825, Japan
| | - Yoji Nagira
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., -1-1 Futaba-Cho, Toyonaka, Osaka, 561-0825, Japan
| | - Takuro Saito
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Atsunari Kawashima
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kota Iwahori
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yasushi Shintani
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hisashi Wada
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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3
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Verhaegen Y, Liu L, Nguyen TT, Loy TV, Schols D, Voet ARD, Dehaen W, De Jonghe S. Identification of novel human CC chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8) antagonists via the synthesis of naphthalene amide and sulfonamide isosteres. Bioorg Chem 2024; 145:107181. [PMID: 38354503 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107181] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The human CC chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8) has been extensively pursued as target for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders. More recently, the importance of CCR8 in the tumor microenvironment has been demonstrated, spurring the interest in CCR8 antagonism as therapeutic strategy in immuno-oncology. On a previously described naphthalene sulfonamide with CCR8 antagonistic properties, the concept of isosterism was applied, leading to the discovery of novel CCR8 antagonists with IC50 values in the nM range in both the CCL1 competition binding and CCR8 calcium mobilization assay. The excellent CCR8 antagonistic activity of the most potent congeners was rationalized by homology molecular modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yenthel Verhaegen
- KU Leuven, Department of Chemistry, Sustainable Chemistry for Metals and Molecules, Celestijnenlaan 200F, box 2404, Leuven 3001 Belgium
| | - Libao Liu
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, box 1043, Leuven 3000 Belgium
| | - Tien T Nguyen
- KU Leuven, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Celestijnenlaan 200G, box 2403 Leuven 3001 Belgium
| | - Tom Van Loy
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, box 1043, Leuven 3000 Belgium
| | - Dominique Schols
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, box 1043, Leuven 3000 Belgium
| | - Arnout R D Voet
- KU Leuven, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Celestijnenlaan 200G, box 2403 Leuven 3001 Belgium
| | - Wim Dehaen
- KU Leuven, Department of Chemistry, Sustainable Chemistry for Metals and Molecules, Celestijnenlaan 200F, box 2404, Leuven 3001 Belgium
| | - Steven De Jonghe
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, box 1043, Leuven 3000 Belgium.
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4
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Li Y, Liu B, Cao Y, Cai L, Zhou Y, Yang W, Sun T. Metformin-induced reduction of CCR8 enhances the anti-tumor immune response of PD-1 immunotherapy in glioblastoma. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 964:176274. [PMID: 38142852 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176274] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy strategies targeting the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) in clinical treatments have shown limited success in controlling glioblastoma malignancies. Metformin exserts antitumor function, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether metformin could enhance the effectiveness of anti-PD-1 therapy by activating the immune system. Whether combination of an anti-PD-1 antibody or not, metformin significantly increased tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cells while decreased regulatory T (Treg) cells in a mouse GBM model. Additionally, metformin reduced CC motif chemokine receptor CCR8 and elevated Interleukin 17 A (IL-17 A) expressions. Mechanistically, metformin reduces histone acetylation at the CCR8 promotor and inhibits CCR8 expression by upregulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-activated sirtuin 2 (SIRT2). Metformin enhances the effectiveness of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy by reducing CCR8 expression on tumor-infiltrating Treg cells, suggesting that metformin has an antitumor effect by alleviating immunosuppression and promoting T cell-mediated immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Li
- Neurosurgery and Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Yufei Cao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lize Cai
- Neurosurgery and Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Youxin Zhou
- Neurosurgery and Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection and Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Ting Sun
- Neurosurgery and Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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5
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Liu L, Rangan L, Vanalken N, Kong Q, Schlenner S, De Jonghe S, Schols D, Van Loy T. Development of a cellular model to study CCR8 signaling in tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:11. [PMID: 38231448 PMCID: PMC10794316 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03607-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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The human CC chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8) is specifically expressed on tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells (TITRs) and is a promising drug target for cancer immunotherapy. However, the role of CCR8 signaling in TITR biology and the effectiveness of CCR8 small molecule antagonists as TITR-targeting immunotherapy remain subjects of ongoing debate. In this work, we generated a novel cellular model of TITRs by culturing peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived regulatory T cells in medium containing tumor cell-conditioned medium, CD3/CD28 activator, interleukin-2 and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. This cellular model (named TITR mimics) highly and stably expressed a series of TITR signature molecules, including CCR8, FOXP3, CD30, CD39, CD134, CD137, TIGIT and Tim-3. Moreover, TITR mimics displayed robust in vitro immunosuppressive activity. To unravel the functional role of CCR8 in TITR mimics, a chemotaxis assay was performed showing strong and CCR8-specific migration toward CCL1, the natural chemokine agonist of CCR8. However, either stimulation (with CCL1) or blocking (with the small molecule antagonist NS-15) of CCR8 signaling did not affect the immunosuppressive activity, proliferation and survival of TITR mimics. Collectively, our work provides a method for the generation of TITR mimics in vitro, which can be used to study TITR biology and to evaluate drug candidates targeting TITRs. Furthermore, our findings suggest that CCR8 signaling primarily regulates migration of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libao Liu
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laurie Rangan
- Laboratory of Adaptive Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathan Vanalken
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Qianqian Kong
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Susan Schlenner
- Laboratory of Adaptive Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven De Jonghe
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dominique Schols
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom Van Loy
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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6
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Spiliopoulou P, Kaur P, Hammett T, Di Conza G, Lahn M. Targeting T regulatory (T reg) cells in immunotherapy-resistant cancers. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2024; 7:2. [PMID: 38318526 PMCID: PMC10838381 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Primary or secondary (i.e., acquired) resistance is a common occurrence in cancer patients and is often associated with high numbers of T regulatory (Treg) cells (CD4+CD25+FOXP3+). The approval of ipilimumab and the development of similar pharmacological agents targeting cell surface proteins on Treg cells demonstrates that such intervention may overcome resistance in cancer patients. Hence, the clinical development and subsequent approval of Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen-4 (CTLA-4) targeting agents can serve as a prototype for similar agents. Such new agents aspire to be highly specific and have a reduced toxicity profile while increasing effector T cell function or effector T/T regulatory (Teff/Treg) ratio. While clinical development with large molecules has shown the greatest advancement, small molecule inhibitors that target immunomodulation are increasingly entering early clinical investigation. These new small molecule inhibitors often target specific intracellular signaling pathways [e.g., phosphoinositide-3-kinase delta (PI3K-δ)] that play an important role in regulating the function of Treg cells. This review will summarize the lessons currently applied to develop novel clinical agents that target Treg cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavlina Spiliopoulou
- Department of Drug Development Program, Phase I Unit, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Center, Glasgow G12 0YN, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Paramjit Kaur
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Tracey Hammett
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Giusy Di Conza
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Michael Lahn
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
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7
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Peng X, Zheng J, Liu T, Zhou Z, Song C, Geng Y, Wang Z, Huang Y. Tumor Microenvironment Heterogeneity, Potential Therapeutic Avenues, and Emerging Therapies. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2024; 24:288-307. [PMID: 37537777 DOI: 10.2174/1568009623666230712095021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This review describes the comprehensive portrait of tumor microenvironment (TME). Additionally, we provided a panoramic perspective on the transformation and functions of the diverse constituents in TME, and the underlying mechanisms of drug resistance, beginning with the immune cells and metabolic dynamics within TME. Lastly, we summarized the most auspicious potential therapeutic strategies. RESULTS TME is a unique realm crafted by malignant cells to withstand the onslaught of endogenous and exogenous therapies. Recent research has revealed many small-molecule immunotherapies exhibiting auspicious outcomes in preclinical investigations. Furthermore, some pro-immune mechanisms have emerged as a potential avenue. With the advent of nanosystems and precision targeting, targeted therapy has now transcended the "comfort zone" erected by cancer cells within TME. CONCLUSION The ceaseless metamorphosis of TME fosters the intransigent resilience and proliferation of tumors. However, existing therapies have yet to surmount the formidable obstacles posed by TME. Therefore, scientists should investigate potential avenues for therapeutic intervention and design innovative pharmacological and clinical technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintong Peng
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jingfan Zheng
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Tianzi Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Ziwen Zhou
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Chen Song
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yan Geng
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Zichuan Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
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8
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Li Q, Claes S, Verhaegen Y, Anthonissen S, Van Loy T, Schols D, Dehaen W, De Jonghe S. Synthesis and structure-activity relationship study of phenoxybenzylpiperazine analogues as CCR8 agonists. Bioorg Chem 2023; 139:106755. [PMID: 37544272 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106755] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
CCR8 agonists hold promise for the treatment of various auto-immune diseases. Despite the fact that phenoxybenzylpiperazine derivatives are known to be endowed with CCR8 agonistic activity, systematic structure-activity relationship studies have not been reported. In this study, ZK756326, a previously disclosed CCR8 agonist, was divided in various fragments and each subunit was subjected to structural modifications. All newly synthesized analogues were evaluated in a CCR8 calcium mobilization assay, revealing that only limited structural variation was tolerated in both phenyl rings and at the benzylic position. In contrast, various linkers gave analogues with good CCR8 agonistic potency. In addition, the presence of small substituents on the piperazinyl moiety or the exchange of the piperazinyl for a piperidinyl group afforded compounds with promising CCR8 agonism, with the most potent congener being 10-fold more potent than ZK756326.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qifei Li
- Sustainable Chemistry for Metals and Molecules (SCM-2), Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sandra Claes
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, box 1043, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yenthel Verhaegen
- Sustainable Chemistry for Metals and Molecules (SCM-2), Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stijn Anthonissen
- Sustainable Chemistry for Metals and Molecules (SCM-2), Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom Van Loy
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, box 1043, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dominique Schols
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, box 1043, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Dehaen
- Sustainable Chemistry for Metals and Molecules (SCM-2), Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven De Jonghe
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, box 1043, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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9
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Ueyama A, Nogami W, Nashiki K, Haruna M, Miwa H, Hagiwara M, Nagira M, Wada H, Nagira Y. Immunotherapy Targeting CCR8+ Regulatory T Cells Induces Antitumor Effects via Dramatic Changes to the Intratumor CD8+ T Cell Profile. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:673-682. [PMID: 37350632 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) contribute to the formation of a tumor-immunosuppressive microenvironment. CCR8 is reportedly selectively expressed in tumor Tregs, and an anti-CCR8 Ab can exert potent antitumor effects by eliminating intratumor Tregs in murine tumor models. In this study, we analyzed changes to intratumor immunity after anti-CCR8 Ab administration, especially in CD8+ T cells, which are involved in cancer cell killing, using the CT26 colorectal carcinoma mouse model. Immunophenotyping of tumor-infiltrating cells by mass cytometry after Ab administration on day 5 of tumor inoculation revealed that CD8+ T cell subsets were dramatically altered in the CCR8 Ab-treated group, with an increase in naive cells and nonexhausted effector cells and a decrease in exhausted cells with high expression levels of TOX. These results were corroborated with flow cytometry analysis. Delayed administration of the anti-CCR8 Ab on day 9 or 12, when the amount of CCR8+ Tregs and CD8+ T cell exhaustion were more progressed, also resulted in a decrease in exhausted CD8+ T cells, leading to tumor regression. Finally, we confirmed that high CCR8+ Treg infiltration was associated with high TOX expression in CD8+ T cells in human cancer patients. In conclusion, administration of an anti-CCR8 Ab can dramatically alter the activation and exhaustion state of intratumor CD8+ T cells, resulting in strong antitumor effects. In cancer patients with an advanced tumor-immunosuppressive environment, CD8+ T cell exhaustion has progressed along with CCR8+ Treg induction. Therefore, targeted depletion of CCR8+ Tregs is expected to be effective in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azumi Ueyama
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Wataru Nogami
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Kunitaka Nashiki
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Miya Haruna
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Hiroto Miwa
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Masaki Hagiwara
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Morio Nagira
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Hisashi Wada
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoji Nagira
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
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10
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Suzuki K, Kunisada Y, Miyamura N, Eikawa S, Hurtado de Mendoza T, Mose ES, Lu C, Kuroda Y, Ruoslahti E, Lowy AM, Sugahara KN. Tumor-resident regulatory T cells in pancreatic cancer express the αvβ5 integrin as a targetable activation marker. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.24.542137. [PMID: 37292693 PMCID: PMC10245898 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.24.542137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has abundant immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs), which contribute to a microenvironment resistant to immunotherapy. Here, we report that Tregs in the PDAC tissue, but not those in the spleen, express the αvβ5 integrin in addition to neuropilin-1 (NRP-1), which makes them susceptible to the iRGD tumor-penetrating peptide, which targets cells positive for αv integrin- and NRP-1. As a result, long-term treatment of PDAC mice with iRGD leads to tumor-specific depletion of Tregs and improved efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade. αvβ5 integrin + Tregs are induced from both naïve CD4 + T cells and natural Tregs upon T cell receptor stimulation, and represent a highly immunosuppressive subpopulation of CCR8 + Tregs. This study identifies the αvβ5 integrin as a marker for activated tumor-resident Tregs, which can be targeted to achieve tumor-specific Treg depletion and thereby augment anti-tumor immunity for PDAC therapy.
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11
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Osher N, Kang J, Krishnan S, Rao A, Baladandayuthapani V. SPARTIN: a Bayesian method for the quantification and characterization of cell type interactions in spatial pathology data. Front Genet 2023; 14:1175603. [PMID: 37274781 PMCID: PMC10232864 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1175603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The acquisition of high-resolution digital pathology imaging data has sparked the development of methods to extract context-specific features from such complex data. In the context of cancer, this has led to increased exploration of the tumor microenvironment with respect to the presence and spatial composition of immune cells. Spatial statistical modeling of the immune microenvironment may yield insights into the role played by the immune system in the natural development of cancer as well as downstream therapeutic interventions. Methods: In this paper, we present SPatial Analysis of paRtitioned Tumor-Immune imagiNg (SPARTIN), a Bayesian method for the spatial quantification of immune cell infiltration from pathology images. SPARTIN uses Bayesian point processes to characterize a novel measure of local tumor-immune cell interaction, Cell Type Interaction Probability (CTIP). CTIP allows rigorous incorporation of uncertainty and is highly interpretable, both within and across biopsies, and can be used to assess associations with genomic and clinical features. Results: Through simulations, we show SPARTIN can accurately distinguish various patterns of cellular interactions as compared to existing methods. Using SPARTIN, we characterized the local spatial immune cell infiltration within and across 335 melanoma biopsies and evaluated their association with genomic, phenotypic, and clinical outcomes. We found that CTIP was significantly (negatively) associated with deconvolved immune cell prevalence scores including CD8+ T-Cells and Natural Killer cells. Furthermore, average CTIP scores differed significantly across previously established transcriptomic classes and significantly associated with survival outcomes. Discussion: SPARTIN provides a general framework for investigating spatial cellular interactions in high-resolution digital histopathology imaging data and its associations with patient level characteristics. The results of our analysis have potential implications relevant to both treatment and prognosis in the context of Skin Cutaneous Melanoma. The R-package for SPARTIN is available at https://github.com/bayesrx/SPARTIN along with a visualization tool for the images and results at: https://nateosher.github.io/SPARTIN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel Osher
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jian Kang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Santhoshi Krishnan
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Arvind Rao
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Veerabhadran Baladandayuthapani
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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12
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Tay C, Tanaka A, Sakaguchi S. Tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells as targets of cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:450-465. [PMID: 36917950 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 97.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are abundant in tumor tissues, raising a question of whether immunosuppressive tumor-infiltrating Tregs (TI-Tregs) can be selectively depleted or functionally attenuated to evoke effective anti-tumor immune responses by conventional T cells (Tconvs), without perturbing Treg-dependent immune homeostasis in healthy organs and causing autoimmunity. Here, we review current cancer immunotherapy strategies, including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) antibodies against CTLA-4 and PD-1 and discuss their effects on TI-Tregs. We also discuss approaches that exploit differentially regulated molecules on the cell surface (e.g., CTLA-4) and intracellularly (e.g., T cell receptor signaling molecules) between TI-Tregs and Tconvs as well as their dependence on cytokines (e.g., IL-2) and metabolites (e.g., lactate). We envisage that targeting TI-Tregs could be effective as a monotherapy and/or when combined with ICB antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Tay
- Experimental Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tanaka
- Experimental Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shimon Sakaguchi
- Experimental Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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