1
|
Zhang J, Wang L, Zhang S, Cao R, Zhao Y, Zhao Y, Song Y, Guo Z. Alpha-fetoprotein predicts the treatment efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors for gastric cancer patients. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:266. [PMID: 38408930 PMCID: PMC10895833 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-11999-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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are commonly used in conjunction with chemotherapy to improve treatment outcomes for patients with gastric cancer. Since AFP could influence immunity by both inhibiting natural killer (NK) cells and regulating negatively the function of dendritic cells, we evaluated the influence of baseline serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels on the curative effect of ICIs in advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 158 AGC patients who underwent ICI treatment. The patients were divided into high and low groups based on the AFP threshold of 20 ng/ml. The efficacy of ICI treatment was assessed using objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS The higher levels of baseline AFP were found to be associated with a decrease in the effectiveness of ICIs, as evidenced by a DCR of 50.0% in the group with high AFP levels compared to 87.7% in the group with low AFP levels (P < 0.001). Further analysis using Kaplan-Meier survival techniques indicated that a high AFP level was linked to shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (P < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.001) in AGC individuals receiving ICIs. After propensity score matching, a log rank test revealed that the high AFP group had a decrease in median PFS (P = 0.011) and median OS (P = 0.036) compared to the low AFP group. The high AFP levels also showed its association with shorter PFS and OS in the subgroup analysis of ICI plus chemotherapy patients. CONCLUSIONS Baseline AFP levels may predict immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment efficacy in AGC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 12 Jiankang Road, 050011, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 050011, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
| | - Shasha Zhang
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 12 Jiankang Road, 050011, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
| | - Ruijie Cao
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 12 Jiankang Road, 050011, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
| | - Yufei Zhao
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 12 Jiankang Road, 050011, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 12 Jiankang Road, 050011, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
| | - Yanrong Song
- Department of Medical Technology, Xingtai Medical College, 054000, Xingtai, Hebei, P.R. China
| | - Zhanjun Guo
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 12 Jiankang Road, 050011, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cheng M, Zheng X, Wei J, Liu M. Current state and challenges of emerging biomarkers for immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma (Review). Exp Ther Med 2023; 26:586. [PMID: 38023367 PMCID: PMC10665984 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2023.12285] [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] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent form of primary liver cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, among patients diagnosed with advanced liver cancer, HCC has the sixth-highest incident rate, resulting in a poor prognosis. Surgery, radiofrequency ablation, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy are the current treatment options available. Immunotherapy, which has emerged as an innovative treatment strategy over the past decade, is serving a vital role in the treatment of advanced liver cancer. Since only a small number of individuals can benefit from immunotherapy, biomarkers are required to help clinicians identify the target populations for this precision medicine. These biomarkers, such as PD-1/PD-L1, tumor mutational burden and circulating tumor DNA, can be used to investigate interactions between immune checkpoint inhibitors and tumors. The present review summarizes information on the currently available biomarkers used for immunotherapy and the challenges that are present.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mo Cheng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gastric Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Xiufeng Zheng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gastric Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gastric Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gastric Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lei K, Deng Z, Wang J, Wang H, Hu R, Li Y, Wang X, Xu J, You K, Liu Z. A novel nomogram based on the hematological prognosis risk scoring system can predict the overall survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:14631-14640. [PMID: 37584710 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05255-3] [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: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to establish and validate a nomogram based on a hematological prognostic risk scoring system to predict the overall survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients diagnosed with unresectable HCC undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in 2012-2016 and 2017-2018 were included in the development set and validation set, respectively. The clinical outcome was overall survival (OS). The LASSO regression analysis was used to construct a hematological prognostic risk scoring system (HPR) by using the 18 hematological markers of patients in the development set. Combining the features of oncology on the basis of HPR to construct a nomogram for OS. In the development set and validation sets, the C-index, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the prediction performance of the nomogram. RESULTS Multiple markers of immunity, coagulation, liver function, and nutrition, including red blood cell distribution width-coefficient of variation (RDW-CV), platelet (PLT), aspartate transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and fibrinogen (Fib), construct the HPR. HPR was an independent risk factor for OS in patients with HCC. The C-index of the nomogram was 0.731 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.712-0.749) and 0.696 (95% CI 0.668-0.725) in the development set and the validation set, respectively. CONCLUSIONS HPR was a complement to the clinical features of patients with unresectable HCC. The nomogram based on HPR proved to be a practical and effective method for prognosticating HCC patients who undergo TACE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Lei
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Zhuofan Deng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Jiaguo Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Hongxiang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Run Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Yin Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Xingxing Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Ke You
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Zuojin Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Luo S, Chen J, Xu F, Chen H, Li Y, Li W. Dendritic Cell-Derived Exosomes in Cancer Immunotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2070. [PMID: 37631284 PMCID: PMC10457773 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15082070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are nanoscale vesicles released by diverse types of cells for complex intercellular communication. Numerous studies have shown that exosomes can regulate the body's immune response to tumor cells and interfere with the tumor microenvironment (TME). In clinical trials on dendritic cell (DC)-based antitumor vaccines, no satisfactory results have been achieved. However, recent studies suggested that DC-derived exosomes (DEXs) may be superior to DC-based antitumor vaccines in avoiding tumor cell-mediated immunosuppression. DEXs contain multiple DC-derived surface markers that capture tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and promote immune cell-dependent tumor rejection. These findings indicate the necessity of the further development and improvement of DEX-based cell-free vaccines to complement chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other immunotherapies. In this review, we highlighted the recent progress of DEXs in cancer immunotherapy, particularly by concentrating on landmark studies and the biological characterization of DEXs, and we summarized their important role in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and clinical application in targeted cancer immunotherapy. This review could enhance comprehension of advances in cancer immunotherapy and contribute to the elucidation of how DEXs regulate the TIME, thereby providing a reference for utilizing DEX-based vaccines in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shumin Luo
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (S.L.); (J.C.); (F.X.); (Y.L.)
| | - Jing Chen
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (S.L.); (J.C.); (F.X.); (Y.L.)
| | - Fang Xu
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (S.L.); (J.C.); (F.X.); (Y.L.)
| | - Huan Chen
- Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China;
| | - Yiru Li
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (S.L.); (J.C.); (F.X.); (Y.L.)
| | - Weihua Li
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (S.L.); (J.C.); (F.X.); (Y.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhu HF, Feng JK, Xiang YJ, Wang K, Zhou LP, Liu ZH, Cheng YQ, Shi J, Guo WX, Cheng SQ. Combination of alpha-fetoprotein and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio to predict treatment response and survival outcomes of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:547. [PMID: 37322411 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11003-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, long-term survival outcomes and treatment response of HCC patients undergoing immunotherapy is unpredictable. The study aimed to evaluate the role of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) combined with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) to predict the prognosis and treatment response of HCC patients receiving ICIs. METHODS Patients with unresectable HCC who received ICI treatment were included. The HCC immunotherapy score was developed from a retrospective cohort at the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital to form the training cohort. The clinical variables independently associated with overall survival (OS) were identified using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Based on multivariate analysis of OS, a predictive score based on AFP and NLR was constructed, and patients were stratified into three risk groups according to this score. The clinical utility of this score to predict progression-free survival (PFS) and differentiate objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) was also performed. This score was validated in an independent external validation cohort at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. RESULTS Baseline AFP ≤ 400 ng/ml (hazard ratio [HR] 0.48; 95% CI, 0.24-0.97; P = 0.039) and NLR ≤ 2.77 (HR 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03-0.37; P<0.001) were found to be independent risk factors of OS. The two labolatory values were used to develop the score to predict survival outcomes and treatment response in HCC patients receiving immunotherapy, which assigned 1 point for AFP > 400 ng/ml and 3 points for NLR > 2.77. Patients with 0 point were classified as the low-risk group. Patients with 1-3 points were categorized as the intermediate-risk group. Patients with 4 points were classified as the high-risk group. In the training cohort, the median OS of the low-risk group was not reached. The median OS of the intermediate-risk group and high-risk group were 29.0 (95% CI 20.8-37.3) months and 16.0 (95% CI 10.8-21.2) months, respectively (P < 0.001). The median PFS of the low-risk group was not reached. The median PFS of the intermediate-risk group and high-risk group were 14.6 (95% CI 11.3-17.8) months and 7.6 (95% CI 3.6-11.7) months, respectively (P < 0.001). The ORR and DCR were highest in the low-risk group, followed by the intermediate-risk group and the high-risk group (P < 0.001, P = 0.007, respectively). This score also had good predictive power using the validation cohort. CONCLUSION The HCC immunotherapy score based on AFP and NLR can predict survival outcomes and treatment response in patients receiving ICI treatments, suggesting that this score could serve as a useful tool for identification of HCC patients likely to benefit from immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Fei Zhu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Kai Feng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-Jun Xiang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Ping Zhou
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zong-Han Liu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Qiang Cheng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Shi
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Xing Guo
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Qun Cheng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
- Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pallozzi M, Di Tommaso N, Maccauro V, Santopaolo F, Gasbarrini A, Ponziani FR, Pompili M. Non-Invasive Biomarkers for Immunotherapy in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194631. [PMID: 36230554 PMCID: PMC9559710 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The search for non-invasive biomarkers is a hot topic in modern oncology, since a tissue biopsy has significant limitations in terms of cost and invasiveness. The treatment perspectives have been significantly improved after the approval of immunotherapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma; therefore, the quick identification of responders is crucial to define the best therapeutic strategy. In this review, the current knowledge on the available non-invasive biomarkers of the response to immunotherapy is described. Abstract The treatment perspectives of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have deeply changed after the introduction of immunotherapy. The results in responders show improved survival compared with Sorafenib, but only one-third of patients achieve a significant benefit from treatment. As the tumor microenvironment exerts a central role in shaping the response to immunotherapy, the future goal of HCC treatment should be to identify a proxy of the hepatic tissue condition that is easy to use in clinical practice. Therefore, the search for biomarkers that are accurate in predicting prognosis will be the hot topic in the therapeutic management of HCC in the near future. Understanding the mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy may expand the patient population that will benefit from it, and help researchers to find new combination regimens to improve patients’ outcomes. In this review, we describe the current knowledge on the prognostic non-invasive biomarkers related to treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, focusing on serological markers and gut microbiota.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pallozzi
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Natalia Di Tommaso
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Maccauro
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Santopaolo
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Translational Medicine and Surgery Department, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Ponziani
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Translational Medicine and Surgery Department, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.R.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Translational Medicine and Surgery Department, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.R.P.); (M.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li H, Wang N, Xu Y, Chang X, Ke J, Yin J. Upregulating microRNA-373-3p promotes apoptosis and inhibits metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Bioengineered 2022; 13:1304-1319. [PMID: 34983307 PMCID: PMC8805941 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2014616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies in the digestive system. Abnormal miR-373-3p and TFAP4 expressions are critical in many malignant tumors, but it is unclear whether they work in the context of HCC. qRT-PCR measured miR-373-3p expression in HCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Flow cytometry and Western blot analyzed cell apoptosis. EMT, Transwell, and wound healing assay examined HCC cell migration and EMT, respectively. Western blot determined the profile of TFAP4/PI3K/AKT. IHC detected Ki67, E-cadherin, and vimentin in the tumor tissues. Moreover, the downstream target of miR-373-3p was predicted using the database. Dual luciferase activity assay and RIP verified the binding correlation between TFAP4 and miR-373-3p. In HCC tissues and cell lines, miR-373-3p was downregulated, and its overexpression stepped up HCC cell apoptosis and suppressed migration and EMT. Furthermore, miR-373-3p overexpression elevated Bax and caspase 3 expressions and attenuated Bcl2’s level. A xenograft tumor experiment in nude mice unveiled that miR-373-3p overexpression dampened tumor growth and proliferation. miR-373-3p cramped PI3K/AKT pathway activation. miR-373-3p negatively modulated TFAP4, and TFAP4 overexpression inverted miR-373-3p-mediated anti-tumor effects. Additionally, TFAP4 enhanced IGF1 expression, and promoted IGF1R-PI3K/AKT pathway activation. Collectively, miR-373-3p functions as an anti-tumor gene in HCC by inhibiting TFAP4/PI3K/AKT pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongbin Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Emergency Internal Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yuntian Xu
- Emergency Internal Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao Chang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jing Ke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jun Yin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jiang K, Zou H. microRNA-20b-5p overexpression combing Pembrolizumab potentiates cancer cells to radiation therapy via repressing programmed death-ligand 1. Bioengineered 2021; 13:917-929. [PMID: 34968160 PMCID: PMC8805988 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2014617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) is widely applied in cancer treatment. The sensitivity of tumor cells to RT is the key to the treatment. This study probes the role and mechanism of miR-20b-5p in Pembrolizumab’s affecting the radiosensitivity of tumor cells. After Pembrolizumab treatment or cell transfection (miR-20b-5p mimics and miR-20b-5p inhibitors), tumor cells (NCI-H460 and ZR-75-30) were exposed to RT. The sensitivity of NCI-H460 and ZR-75-30 to RT was evaluated by monitoring cell proliferation and apoptosis. The dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) were adopted to evaluate the binding relationship between miR-20b-5p and CD274 (PD-L1). The xenograft model was established in nude mice to examine the mechanism of action of Pembrolizumab in vivo. Our outcomes exhibited that either Pembrolizumab treatment or miR-20b-5p overexpression potentiated radiosensitivity of tumor cells. Overexpressing miR-20b-5p enhanced radiosensitization of Pembrolizumab in vivo and in vitro by targeting PD-L1 and inactivating PD-L1/PD1. Overall, miR-20b-5p overexpression combined with Pembrolizumab potentiated cancer cells’ sensitivity to RT by repressing PD-L1/PD1.Abbreviations
Akt: serine/threonine kinase 1; cDNA: complementary DNA; CO2: carbon dioxide; EDTA: Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid; ENCORI: The Encyclopedia of RNA Interactomes; GAPDH: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; IGF2BP2: insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2; IHC: Immunohistochemistry; LncRNA MALAT1: Long non-coding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1; miRNAs: MicroRNAs; Mt: Mutant type; MTT: 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide; NC: negative control; NR2F2: nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F member 2; NSCLC: non-small cell lung cancer; OD: optical density; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PD-L1: Programmed death-ligand 1; PD-1: programmed death 1; PI3K: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; qRT-PCR: Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; RIP: RNA immunoprecipitation; RIPA: Radio Immunoprecipitation Assay; RRM2: ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2; RT: Radiation therapy; U6: U6 small nuclear RNA; V: volume; WB: Western blot; Wt: wild type; x ± sd: mean ± standard deviation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Jiang
- Radiation Oncology Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer and Lymphoma, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Insititute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Huawei Zou
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| |
Collapse
|