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Liu J, Wang Y, Chen X, Chen X, Zhang M. ITGA5 is associated with prognosis marker and immunosuppression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Diagn Pathol 2024; 19:134. [PMID: 39375732 PMCID: PMC11457354 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-024-01559-1] [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: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/28/2024] [Indexed: 10/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a major tumor that seriously threatens the health of the head and neck or mucosal system. It is manifested as a malignant phenotype of high metastasis and invasion caused by squamous cell transformation in the tissue area. Therefore, it is necessary to search for a biomarker that can systematically correlate and reflect the prognosis of HNSCC based on the characteristics of head and neck tumors. METHODS Based on TCGA-HNSCC data, R software was used to analyze gene expression, correlation, Venn diagram, immune invasive and immunosuppressive phenotypes respectively. The intrinsic effect of ITGA5 on the malignant phenotype of HNSCC cells was verified by cell experiments. Immunohistochemical images from The Human Protein Atlas (THPA) database display the differences in the expression of related proteins in HNSCC tissues. Based on functional enrichment and correlation analysis, the prognostic value of ITGA5 for HNSCC was explored, and the expression level of ITGA5 may affect the chemotherapy of targeting the PI3K-AKT. RESULTS In this study, the target gene ITGA5 may be identified as a valuable prognostic marker for HNSCC. The results of enrichment analysis showed that ITGA5 was mainly involved in the dynamic process of extracellular matrix, which may affect the migration or metastasis of tumor cells. Meanwhile, ITGA5 may be closely related to the infiltration of M2 macrophages, and its secretory phenotypes TGFB1, PDGFA and PDGFB may affect the immunosuppressive phenotypes of tumor cells, which reflects the systemic influence of ITGA5 in HNSCC. In addition, the expression levels of ITGA5 were negatively correlated with the efficacy of targeting PI3K-AKT chemotherapy. CONCLUSION ITGA5 can be used as a potential marker to systematically associate with prognosis of HNSCC, which may be associated with HNSCC malignant phenotype, immunosuppression and chemotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianmin Liu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yongkuan Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck surgery, People's Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang City, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck surgery, People's Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang City, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiaofang Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck surgery, People's Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang City, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck surgery, People's Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang City, Sichuan Province, China.
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Ge J, Meng Y, Guo J, Chen P, Wang J, Shi L, Wang D, Qu H, Wu P, Fan C, Zhang S, Liao Q, Zhou M, Xiang B, Wang F, Tan M, Gong Z, Xiong W, Zeng Z. Human papillomavirus-encoded circular RNA circE7 promotes immune evasion in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Nat Commun 2024; 15:8609. [PMID: 39366979 PMCID: PMC11452643 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52981-4] [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: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2024] [Indexed: 10/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune evasion represents a crucial milestone in the progression of cancer and serves as the theoretical foundation for tumor immunotherapy. In this study, we reveal a negative association between Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-encoded circular RNA, circE7, and the infiltration of CD8+ T cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that circE7 suppresses the function and activity of T cells by downregulating the transcription of LGALS9, which encodes the galectin-9 protein. The molecular mechanism involves circE7 binding to acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), promoting its dephosphorylation and thereby activating ACC1. Activated ACC1 reduces H3K27 acetylation at the LGALS9 gene promoter, leading to decreased galectin-9 expression. Notably, galectin-9 interacts with immune checkpoint molecules TIM-3 and PD-1, inhibiting the secretion of cytotoxic cytokines by T cells and promoting T cell apoptosis. Here, we demonstrate a mechanism by which HPV promotes immune evasion in HNSCC through a circE7-driven epigenetic modification and propose a potential immunotherapy strategy for HNSCC that involves the combined use of anti-PD-1 and anti-TIM-3 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junshang Ge
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yi Meng
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiayue Guo
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Pan Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Dan Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hongke Qu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Pan Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chunmei Fan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qianjin Liao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ming Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bo Xiang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fuyan Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ming Tan
- Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Zhaojian Gong
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Furong Laboratory, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Furong Laboratory, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Verro B, Saraniti G, Ottoveggio G, Saraniti C. Cancer and immune response: The role of PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint in laryngeal carcinoma. Preliminary results. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2024; 281:5411-5417. [PMID: 39069571 PMCID: PMC11416417 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-024-08822-7] [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: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The overall survival of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) hasn't changed significantly in the last decades, leading to a negative prognosis in advanced stages. So, the immunotherapy takes space with the inhibition of PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint, involved in suppression of immune response. METHODS A prospective study was conducted on LSCC patients, selected according to strict criteria. The study was approved by the ethics committee of our Hospital. Parameters were: sex, age, smoking and alcohol habits, C-reactive protein (CRP) level in the serum, laryngeal subsite involved, differentiation-based histopathologic grading of tumor, neck node involvement, tumor stage, expression levels of PD-L1 (as Combined Positive Score - CPS). P-value < 0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS 58 patients were included: 31.03% were females, mean age 63.55±10.09. A statistically significant correlation between CPS and smoking habits and N stage was found. CRP resulted increased in 44.83% of patients with a statistically significant correlation with CPS. The most cases were glottic cancers (46.55%). 75.86% of tumors were moderately-differentiated, without correlation with CPS. CONCLUSION PD-L1 expression levels are variables independent of sex, age, alcohol consumption, differentiation degree of LSCC. A statistically significant correlation between PD-L1 expression levels and smoking habits, neck node status and CRP was found. This last finding demonstrates the involvement of PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint in immune response in case of cancer. However, these results need further studies to detect the best patients tailored for treatment with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Verro
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Saraniti
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaetano Ottoveggio
- Unit of Anesthesia, Intensive Care, and Emergency, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Science (Di.Chir.On.S.), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carmelo Saraniti
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Lu HJ, Shen CY, Chiu YW, Lin WL, Peng CY, Tseng HC, Hsin CH, Chuang CY, Chen CC, Wu MF, Huang WS, Shen WC. Radiomic biomarkers for platinum-refractory head and neck cancer in the era of immunotherapy. Oral Dis 2024; 30:4220-4230. [PMID: 38178608 DOI: 10.1111/odi.14854] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are recommended as the first-line therapy for platinum-refractory head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a disease with a poor prognosis. However, biomarkers in this situation are rare. The objective was to identify radiomic features-associated biomarkers to guide the prognosis and treatment opinions in the era of ICI. METHODS A total of 31 platinum-refractory HNSCC patients were retrospectively enrolled. Of these, 65.5% (20/31) received ICI-based therapy and 35.5% (11/31) did not. Radiomic features of the primary site at the onset of recurrent metastatic (R/M) status were extracted. Prognostic and predictive radiomic biomarkers were analysed. RESULTS The median overall survival from R/M status (R/M OS) was 9.6 months. Grey-level co-occurrence matrix-associated texture features were the most important in identifying the patients with or without 9-month R/M death. A radiomic risk-stratification model was established and equally separated the patients into high-, intermittent- and lower-risk groups (1-year R/M death rate, 100.0% vs. 70.8% vs. 27.1%, p = 0.001). Short-run high grey-level emphasis (SRHGE) was more suitable than programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in selecting whether patients received ICI-based therapy. CONCLUSIONS Radiomic features were effective prognostic and predictive biomarkers. Future studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsueh-Ju Lu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Yu Shen
- College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Imaging, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wei Chiu
- Department of Stomatology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- College of Oral Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wea-Lung Lin
- College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Chung Shan Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yu Peng
- Department of Stomatology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- College of Oral Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Chun Tseng
- College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Han Hsin
- College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yi Chuang
- College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Chia Chen
- College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Fang Wu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Shiou Huang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chih Shen
- Department of Medical Informatics, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Artificial Intelligence Center, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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5
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Shirima CA, Bleotu C, Spandidos DA, El-Naggar AK, Pircalabioru GG, Michalopoulos I. Epithelial‑derived head and neck squamous tumourigenesis (Review). Oncol Rep 2024; 52:141. [PMID: 39219259 PMCID: PMC11358675 DOI: 10.3892/or.2024.8800] [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: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), a heterogeneous group of cancers that arise from the mucosal epithelia cells in the head and neck areas, present great challenges in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis due to their complex aetiology and various clinical manifestations. Several factors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, oncogenic genes, growth factors, Epstein‑Barr virus and human papillomavirus infections can contribute to HNSCC development. The unpredictable tumour microenvironment adds to the complexity of managing HNSCC. Despite significant advances in therapies, the prediction of outcome after treatment for patients with HNSCC remains poor, and the 5‑year overall survival rate is low due to late diagnosis. Early detection greatly increases the chances of successful treatment. The present review aimed to bring together the latest findings related to the molecular mechanisms of HNSCC carcinogenesis and progression. Comprehensive genomic, transcriptomic, metabolomic, microbiome and proteomic analyses allow researchers to identify important biological markers such as genetic alterations, gene expression signatures and protein markers that drive HNSCC tumours. These biomarkers associated with the stages of initiation, progression and metastasis of cancer are useful in the management of patients with cancer in order to improve their life expectancy and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Adolfu Shirima
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 050663 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Coralia Bleotu
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Department, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Romanian Academy, 030304 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Adel K. El-Naggar
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | | | - Ioannis Michalopoulos
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Wu Y, Xu R, Wang J, Luo Z. Precision molecular insights for prostate cancer prognosis: tumor immune microenvironment and cell death analysis of senescence-related genes by machine learning and single-cell analysis. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:487. [PMID: 39331250 PMCID: PMC11436555 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01277-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PCa) is a prevalent malignancy among men, primarily originating from the prostate epithelium. It ranks first in global cancer incidence and second in mortality rates, with a rising trend in China. PCa's subtle initial symptoms, such as urinary issues, necessitate diagnostic measures like digital rectal examination, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, and tissue biopsy. Advanced PCa management typically involves a multifaceted approach encompassing surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. The involvement of aging genes in PCa development and progression, particularly through the mTOR pathway, has garnered increasing attention. METHODS This study aimed to explore the association between aging genes and biochemical PCa recurrence and construct predictive models. Utilizing public gene expression datasets (GSE70768, GSE116918, and TCGA), we conducted extensive analyses, including Cox regression, functional enrichment, immune cell infiltration estimation, and drug sensitivity assessments. The constructed risk score model, based on aging-related genes (ARGs), demonstrated superior predictive capability for PCa prognosis compared to conventional clinical features. High-risk genes positively correlated with risk, while low-risk genes displayed a negative correlation. RESULTS An ARGs-based risk score model was developed and validated for predicting prognosis in prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) patients. LASSO regression analysis and cross-validation plots were employed to select ARGs with prognostic significance. The risk score outperformed traditional clinicopathological features in predicting PRAD prognosis, as evidenced by its high AUC (0.787). The model demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity, with AUC values of 0.67, 0.675, 0.696, and 0.696 at 1, 3, 5, and 8 years, respectively, in the GEO cohort. Similar AUC values were observed in the TCGA cohort at 1, 3, and 5 years (0.67, 0.659, 0.667, and 0.743). The model included 12 genes, with high-risk genes positively correlated with risk and low-risk genes negatively correlated. CONCLUSIONS This study presents a robust ARGs-based risk score model for predicting biochemical recurrence in PCa patients, highlighting the potential significance of aging genes in PCa prognosis and offering enhanced predictive accuracy compared to traditional clinical parameters. These findings open new avenues for research on PCa recurrence prediction and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuni Wu
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Ran Xu
- School of Clinical Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637100, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, 400021, China.
| | - Zhibin Luo
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401147, China.
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Kim DH, Ahn JS, Kang M, Park G, Lim Y, Hwang S, Ock CY, Koh J, Chung EJ, Kwon SK, Jeon YK, Jung KC, Ahn SH, Keam B. Comparison of Tumor Microenvironments between Primary Tumors and Lymph Node Metastases in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Their Predictive Role in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment. Cells 2024; 13:1557. [PMID: 39329741 PMCID: PMC11429639 DOI: 10.3390/cells13181557] [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: 08/20/2024] [Revised: 09/12/2024] [Accepted: 09/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The relationship between tumor microenvironments (TMEs) of regional lymph node metastases (LNMs) and primary tumors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unclear. This study compared tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and the immune phenotype (IP), characterized by spatial TIL distribution, between primary tumors and LNMs. Twenty-one HNSCC patients with regional LNM who received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) were included. A paired comparative analysis of TIL densities and IP between primary tumors and LNMs revealed no significant difference or correlation between TIL densities in primary tumors and LNMs. Their IPs were discordant in 12 patients (57.1%). Patients with high intratumoral TIL exhibited longer progression-free survival (PFS) than those with low intratumoral TIL in both primary tumors (median, 5.2 vs. 1.3 months, p = 0.003) and LNMs (median, 30.2 vs. 1.3 months, p = 0.012). Patients with inflamed IP exhibited longer PFS than those with non-inflamed IP in both primary tumors (median, 4.5 vs. 1.3 months, p = 0.043) and LNMs (median, 4.1 vs. 1.3 months, p = 0.037). Given the lack of correlation in TIL densities, the discrepancies in IP, and the predictive value of both TMEs, evaluating the TMEs of both primary tumors and LNMs may be beneficial for the precise use of ICIs in HNSCC. There was a significant discordance between the TME of primary tumors and LNMs, with implications in survival outcomes. Therefore, evaluating the TME of both the primary tumor and LNM could be beneficial for the precise use of ICIs in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hyun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Translational Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Mingu Kang
- Lunit Inc., Seoul 06241, Republic of Korea
| | - Gahee Park
- Lunit Inc., Seoul 06241, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoojoo Lim
- Lunit Inc., Seoul 06241, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Jiwon Koh
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Jae Chung
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Keun Kwon
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Kyung Jeon
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Cheon Jung
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon-Hyun Ahn
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Bhumsuk Keam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
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8
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Donaubauer AJ, Frey B, Weber M, Allner M, Vogl C, Almajali O, Kuczera L, Tamse H, Balk M, Müller S, Eckstein M, Zülch L, Mogge L, Weissmann T, Fietkau R, Kesting M, Iro H, Gaipl US, Hecht M, Gostian AO. Defining intra-tumoral and systemic immune biomarkers for locally advanced head-and-neck cancer - detailed protocol of a prospective, observatory multicenter trial (ImmunBioKHT) and first results of the immunophenotyping of the patients' peripheral blood. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1451035. [PMID: 39346733 PMCID: PMC11427411 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1451035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The approval and effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) highlights the role of the immune system in this tumor entity. HNSCCs not only interacts with the immune system in the tumor tissue, but also induce systemic effects that may be additionally influenced by further factors such as the microbiome. Nonetheless, reliable immunological biomarkers that predict treatment response and outcome in HNSCC patients are lacking. The currently available biomarkers are mainly limited to analyses from tumor biopsies, while biomarkers from liquid biopsies, such as peripheral blood are not well-established. Thus, the here presented trial aims to identify interactions of intra-tumoral and systemic immune responses and to define prognostic immune signatures. Consequently, not only samples from the tumor tissue, but also from peripheral blood and the microbiome will be studied/are being evaluated and correlated with the clinical outcome. In this prospective, multi-center trial, 1000 HNSCC patients and 100 patients in the control cohort with non-tumor head-and-neck surgery will be enrolled. The local immune status from of the tumor and the microbiome will be sampled before treatment. In addition, the systemic immune status from peripheral blood will be analyzed before and after surgery and after the adjuvant and definitive radio-chemotherapy (RCT). Clinical baseline characteristics and outcome will additionally be collected. Data mining and modelling approaches will finally be applied to identify interactions of local and systemic immune parameters and to define prognostic immune signatures based on the evaluated immune markers. Approval from the institutional review board of the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg was granted in December 2021 (application number 21-440-B). By now, 150 patients have been enrolled in the intervention cohort. The results will be disseminated to the scientific audience and the general public via presentations at conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Jasmina Donaubauer
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Frey
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manuel Weber
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Moritz Allner
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph Vogl
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Omar Almajali
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lukas Kuczera
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Henriette Tamse
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Balk
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sarina Müller
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Eckstein
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lilli Zülch
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lia Mogge
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Weissmann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fietkau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marco Kesting
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Heinrich Iro
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Udo S Gaipl
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Hecht
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - Antoniu-Oreste Gostian
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Merciful Brothers Hospital St. Elisabeth, Straubing, Germany
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9
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Sharma N, Mazumder R, Rai P, Debnath A. Role of PD-1 in Skin Cancer: Molecular Mechanism, Clinical Applications, and Resistance. Chem Biol Drug Des 2024; 104:e14613. [PMID: 39231792 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14613] [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: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Skin cancer is a widespread worldwide health concern, manifesting in many subtypes such as squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Although all these types occur frequently, they generally lack the possibility of being cured, emphasizing the importance of early discovery and treatment. This comprehensive study explores the role of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) in skin cancer, focusing on its molecular mechanisms in immune regulation and its critical role in tumor immune evasion, while also clarifying the complexities of immune checkpoints in cancer pathogenesis. It critically evaluates the clinical applications of PD-1 inhibitors, spotlighting their therapeutic potential in treating skin cancer, while also addressing the significant challenge of resistance. This work further discusses the evolution of resistance mechanisms against PD-1 inhibitors and suggests potential approaches to mitigate these issues, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of these therapies. The study further highlights the current state of PD-1 targeted therapies and sets the stage for future research aimed at optimizing these treatments for better clinical outcomes in skin cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Sharma
- Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rupa Mazumder
- Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Pallavi Rai
- Ram-Eesh Institute of Vocational and Technical Education, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Abhijit Debnath
- Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
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10
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Kim DH, Jang SY, Keam B. Predictive value of early dynamic changes of NLR and PLR for the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2024:S2212-4403(24)00411-5. [PMID: 39181857 DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2024.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We analyzed the predictive value of dynamic changes in neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). STUDY DESIGN A total of 104 patients with R/M HNSCC treated with ICIs during August 2018 to June 2023 were included. Dynamic changes were defined as the difference between NLR and PLR on day 1 of cycles 1 and 2. RESULTS Patients with increased NLR or PLR had an independently increased risk of disease progression at the first response evaluation (odds ratio [OR] 5.26, P = .005; OR 2.29, P = .042), disease progression (hazard ratio [HR] 2.29, P = .003; HR 1.68, P = .027), and death (HR 1.86, P = .027; HR 1.68, P = .037). Furthermore, patients with a decrease in NLR showed longer progression-free survival, with HRs of 0.36 (P < .001) for those with low pre-ICI NLR and 0.52 (P = .041) for those with high pre-ICI NLR, compared to those with increased NLR. CONCLUSIONS Increased NLR or PLR was associated with adverse outcomes after ICI treatment in patients with R/M HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hyun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Translational Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo Yoon Jang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bhumsuk Keam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Zhao Y, Yang Z, Fu M, Wu S, Wang M, Li J, Wang Z, Li W. Hypoxia-related signature to risk stratify patients for the benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitors therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An experimental study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e39184. [PMID: 39093745 PMCID: PMC11296462 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000039184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence has shown that hypoxia is a biomarker of tumor proliferation and metastasis. This research aimed to identify a hypoxia-associated gene prognostic index (HAGPI) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and based on HAGPI-defined subgroups to predict prognosis and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors therapy. METHODS RNA-sequencing transcriptomic data for patients with HNSCC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Protein-protein interaction network analysis was performed to select hypoxia-related hub genes. Univariate and multivariate cox regression analyses were used to identify hub genes to develop the HAGPI. Afterward expression data were imported into CIBERSORT to evaluate the relative proportion of 22 immune cells and compared the relative proportions of immune cells between the 2 HAGPI subgroups. The relationship between immunopheno score (IPS) and HAGPI was validated for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) response in TCGA cohorts. RESULTS The HAGPI was constructed based on HS3ST1, HK1, PGK1, STC2, SERPINE1, PKLR genes. In high-HAGPI patients, the primary and secondary endpoint events in TCGA and GEO cohorts were significantly lower than low-HAGPI groups (P < .05). HAGPI-high patients exhibited a poorer prognosis than HAGPI-low patients did. The abundance of M2 macrophages and NK cell were significantly enhanced in the high-HAGPI while T cells regulatory and T cells CD8, were markedly elevated in the low-HAGPI. Meanwhile, patients in the low-HAGPI patients had higher levels of immunosuppressant expression and less aggressive phenotypes. Furthermore, IPS analysis showed that the low-HAGPI group with higher IPS represented a more immunogenic phenotype. CONCLUSION The current study developed and verified a HAPGI model that can be considered as an independent prognostic biomarker and elucidated the tumor immune microenvironment of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuemei Zhao
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Min Fu
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Shuang Wu
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Mingyu Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Jinglong Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Zhanqiu Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Wenfei Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
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12
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Cheng L, Chai C, Liu Y, Jiao J. First‑line programmed cell death 1 inhibitor plus chemotherapy vs. standard treatment in patients with recurrent or metastatic oral squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective cohort study. Oncol Lett 2024; 28:352. [PMID: 38872864 PMCID: PMC11170260 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2024.14486] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitor revives the killing effect of immune cells to prevent tumor progression. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-line PD-1 inhibitor + chemotherapy vs. standard treatment in recurrent or metastatic (R/M) oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). A total of 51 patients with R/M OSCC were reviewed and divided into the PD-1 inhibitor + chemotherapy (n=21) and standard treatment (n=30) groups based on their actual treatments. The results of the present study demonstrated that the objective response rate (52.4 vs. 36.7%, P=0.265) and disease control rate (81.0 vs. 70.0%, P=0.377) were numerically elevated in the PD-1 inhibitor + chemotherapy group compared with those in the standard treatment group; however, the results did not reach statistical significance. The progression-free survival (PFS) was numerically increased (without statistical significance) in the PD-1 inhibitor + chemotherapy group compared with that of the standard treatment group (P=0.057). Specifically, the PD-1 inhibitor + chemotherapy group and the standard treatment group exhibited a median [95% confidence interval (CI)] PFS duration of 6.7 (1.6-11.8) and 5.2 (3.4-7.0) months, respectively. In addition, the PD-1 inhibitor + chemotherapy group demonstrated increased overall survival (OS) compared with that of the standard treatment group (P=0.032). Specifically, the PD-1 inhibitor + chemotherapy group and the standard treatment group exhibited a median (95% CI) OS duration of 18.3 (11.9-24.7) and 10.3 (7.9-12.7) months, respectively. Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that PD-1 inhibitor + chemotherapy was independently associated with improved PFS [hazard ratio (HR)=0.308, P=0.002] and OS (HR=0.252, P=0.003). In addition, the incidence of grade 3-5 adverse events (AEs) was relatively low in both groups and the incidence of any grade of each AE was not significantly different between groups (all P>0.050). In conclusion, the first-line PD-1 inhibitor + chemotherapy group had improved efficacy and comparable safety compared with those of the standard treatment in patients with R/M OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Cheng
- Department of Stomatology, Handan Central Hospital, Handan, Hebei 056001, P.R. China
| | - Congna Chai
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Handan Central Hospital, Handan, Hebei 056001, P.R. China
| | - Yingqi Liu
- Department of Stomatology, Handan Central Hospital, Handan, Hebei 056001, P.R. China
| | - Jianjun Jiao
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Handan Central Hospital, Handan, Hebei 056001, P.R. China
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13
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Xiong D, Yu H, Sun ZJ. Unlocking T cell exhaustion: Insights and implications for CAR-T cell therapy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:3416-3431. [PMID: 39220881 PMCID: PMC11365448 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.04.022] [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: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy as a form of adoptive cell therapy (ACT) has shown significant promise in cancer treatment, demonstrated by the FDA-approved CAR-T cell therapies targeting CD19 or B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) for hematological malignancies, albeit with moderate outcomes in solid tumors. However, despite these advancements, the efficacy of CAR-T therapy is often compromised by T cell exhaustion, a phenomenon that impedes the persistence and effector function of CAR-T cells, leading to a relapse rate of up to 75% in patients treated with CD19 or CD22 CAR-T cells for hematological malignancies. Strategies to overcome CAR-T exhaustion employ state-of-the-art genomic engineering tools and single-cell sequencing technologies. In this review, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the latest mechanistic insights into T cell exhaustion and their implications for the current efforts to optimize CAR-T cell therapy. These insights, combined with lessons learned from benchmarking CAR-T based products in recent clinical trials, aim to address the challenges posed by T cell exhaustion, potentially setting the stage for the development of tailored next-generation approaches to cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Haijun Yu
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Hubei Province Cancer Clinical Study Center, Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
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14
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Dwivedi R, Jain A, Gupta S, Chandra S. Immunotherapy: The Fourth Domain in Oral Cancer Therapeutics. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2024; 76:2257-2272. [PMID: 38883453 PMCID: PMC11169205 DOI: 10.1007/s12070-024-04565-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Owing to high global prevalence, incidence and associated mortality, cancer of head and neck particularly oral cancer remains a cardinal domain for research and trials. Immune-modulatory therapies that employ patients own immune system for therapeutic benefits in oral cancer seems promising. The aim of this review is to gauge the potential of immunotherapy as fourth domain of Oral cancer therapeutics. Articles were searched using suitable search terms in MEDLINE and Google Scholar database to include clinical trials, meta-analyses, and research in humans/animals/cell lines published in peer reviewed journals. A total of 97 articles were included in this review. Literature has several studies and trials where different types of immunotherapies has been attempted but it is crucial to identify precise biomarkers of genome based targeted agents and to find parameters to select patients who might benefit from immunotherapy. Also further research is required to estimate predictive value of tumor mutational burden and mutational signatures so as to aid in personalized prediction of oral cancer therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby Dwivedi
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George's Medical University, Shahmina Road, Chowk, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003 India
| | - Ayushi Jain
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George's Medical University, Shahmina Road, Chowk, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003 India
| | - Shalini Gupta
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George's Medical University, Shahmina Road, Chowk, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003 India
| | - Shaleen Chandra
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh India
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15
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Wu Z, Zhu Z, Wu W, Hu S, Cao J, Huang X, Xie Q, Deng C. CELSR3 is a prognostic marker in HNSCC and correlates with immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2024; 281:3143-3156. [PMID: 38507078 PMCID: PMC11065926 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-024-08566-4] [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: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To look at the diagnostic value of the CELSR receptor 3 (CELSR3) gene in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and its effect on tumor immune invasion, which is important for enhancing HNSCC treatment. METHODS Several bioinformatics tools were employed to investigate CELSR3's putative oncogenic pathway in HNSCC, and datasets from The Tumor Genome Atlas (TCGA), Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), Gene Expression Profile Interaction Analysis (GEPIA) and LinkedOmics were extracted and evaluated. CELSR3 has been linked to tumor immune cell infiltration, immunological checkpoints, and immune-related genes. CELSR3's putative roles were investigated using Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and pathway enrichment analysis. The expression level of CELSR3 in HNSCC tissues and cells was detected by RT-qPCR. The effects of CELSR3 on proliferation of HNSCC cells were detected by CCK-8 assay. RESULTS CELSR3 was shown to be expressed differently in different types of cancer and normal tissues. CELSR3 gene expression was linked to pN-stage and pM-stage. Patients with high CELSR3 expression also have a well prognosis. CELSR3 expression was found to be an independent predictive factor for HNSCC in both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. We discovered the functional network of CELSR3 in HNSCC using GO and KEGG analysis. CELSR3 expression levels were found to be favorably associated with immune cell infiltration levels. Furthermore, CELSR3 expression levels were significantly correlated with the expression levels of many immune molecules, such as MHC genes, immune activation genes, chemokine receptors, and chemokines. CELSR3 is highly expressed in HNSCC tissues and cells. CELSR3 overexpression significantly inhibited the proliferation of HNSCC cells. CELSR3 expression may affect the immune microenvironment and, as a result, the prognosis of HNSCC. CONCLUSION CELSR3 expression is elevated in HNSCC tumor tissues, and high CELSR3 expression is associated with well prognosis, which inhibited the proliferation of NHSCC cells. CELSR3 has the potential to influence tumor formation by controlling tumor-infiltrating cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). As a result, CELSR3 may have diagnostic significance in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongbiao Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 90 Bayi Avenue, Xihu District, Nanchang, 330003, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Zhongyan Zhu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanchang, 330003, China
| | - Weikun Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 90 Bayi Avenue, Xihu District, Nanchang, 330003, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shiping Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 90 Bayi Avenue, Xihu District, Nanchang, 330003, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jian Cao
- Department of Otolaryngology, Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 90 Bayi Avenue, Xihu District, Nanchang, 330003, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xinmei Huang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330019, China
| | - Qiang Xie
- Department of Otolaryngology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330019, China
| | - Chengcheng Deng
- Department of Otolaryngology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330019, China
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16
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Oliva M, Heirali A, Watson G, Rooney AM, Cochrane K, Jennings S, Taylor R, Xu M, Hosni A, Hope A, Bratman SV, Chepeha D, Weinreb I, Perez-Ordonez B, Nin RM, Waldron J, Xu W, Hansen AR, Siu LL, Coburn B, Spreafico A. Prospective manipulation of the gut microbiome with microbial ecosystem therapeutic 4 (MET4) in HPV-related locoregionally-advanced oropharyngeal cancer squamous cell carcinoma (LA-OPSCC) undergoing primary chemoradiation: ROMA2 study. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1936-1942. [PMID: 38714747 PMCID: PMC11183079 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02701-y] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gut microbiome modulation to boost antitumor immune responses is under investigation. METHODS ROMA-2 evaluated the microbial ecosystem therapeutic (MET)-4 oral consortia, a mixture of cultured human stool-derived immune-responsiveness associated bacteria, given with chemoradiation (CRT) in HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer patients. Co-primary endpoints were safety and changes in stool cumulative MET-4 taxa relative abundance (RA) by 16SRNA sequencing. Stools and plasma were collected pre/post-MET-4 intervention for microbiome and metabolome analysis. RESULTS Twenty-nine patients received ≥1 dose of MET-4 and were evaluable for safety: drug-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 13/29 patients: all grade 1-2 except one grade 3 (diarrhea). MET-4 was discontinued early in 7/29 patients due to CRT-induced toxicity, and in 1/29 due to MET-4 AEs. Twenty patients were evaluable for ecological endpoints: there was no increase in stool MET-4 RA post-intervention but trended to increase in stage III patients (p = 0.06). MET-4 RA was higher in stage III vs I-II patients at week 4 (p = 0.03) and 2-month follow-up (p = 0.01), which correlated with changes in plasma and stool targeted metabolomics. CONCLUSIONS ROMA-2 did not meet its primary ecologic endpoint, as no engraftment was observed in the overall cohort. Exploratory findings of engraftment in stage III patients warrants further investigation of microbiome interventions in this subgroup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Oliva
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
- Division of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alya Heirali
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Geoffrey Watson
- Division of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ashley M Rooney
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Sarah Jennings
- Division of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rachel Taylor
- Division of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Minge Xu
- Division of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ali Hosni
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto; Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew Hope
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto; Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Scott V Bratman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto; Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Douglas Chepeha
- Department of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery/Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ilan Weinreb
- Department of Pathology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bayardo Perez-Ordonez
- Department of Pathology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ricard Mesia Nin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - John Waldron
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto; Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Wei Xu
- Biostatistics Department, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aaron R Hansen
- Division of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lillian L Siu
- Division of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bryan Coburn
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Anna Spreafico
- Division of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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17
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Xu E, Gu H, Xu H. Validation of biomarkers and immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using bioinformatics and Mendelian randomization. Int J Neurosci 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38687340 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2024.2349952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To promote carcinogenesis through diverse molecular pathways involving dysregulation of gene expression and abnormalities. METHODS We employed Mendelian randomization (MR) to uncover causal relationships between genetic factors and HNSCC. We used the Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) method as the primary MR analysis, and validated the results through complementary approaches like MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and mode analyses. RESULTS Our analysis identified 2210 genes that are differentially expressed in head and neck cancer (HNSCC) compared to normal tissues. Within the protein interaction network, the genes IL1B, CXCL8, CXCL1, and CCL2 stood out as central hubs. Further investigation revealed that these key genes are involved in important biological processes like skin development, wound healing, and fat metabolism. Notably, our Mendelian randomization analysis provided evidence for a causal relationship between the expression of the IL1B gene and the development of HNSCC. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis identified 5 key genes - IL1B, CXCL8, CXCL1, CCL2, and IL1B - that show significant changes in expression in head and neck cancer. These genes could serve as important new biomarkers to help diagnose this disease and track how it progresses over time. Importantly, these genes are involved in regulating the immune system, suggesting that the body's immune response plays a critical role in head and neck cancer. This provides new avenues for future research to better understand the complex gene expression patterns underlying this type of cancer. Further investigation of these key genes and their regulatory networks could lead to important insights and potential new treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enhong Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Naval Medical Center of People's Liberation Army of China (PLA), Shanghai, China
| | - Huanhuan Gu
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - He Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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18
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Kürten CHL, Ferris RL. Neoadjuvant immunotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Laryngorhinootologie 2024; 103:S167-S187. [PMID: 38697147 DOI: 10.1055/a-2183-5802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
The neoadjuvant immunotherapy approach marks a significant shift in the treatment paradigm of potentially curable HNSCC. Here, current therapies, despite being highly individualized and advanced, often fall short in achieving satisfactory long-term survival rates and are frequently associated with substantial morbidity.The primary advantage of this approach lies in its potential to intensify and enhance treatment regimens, offering a distinct modality that complements the existing triad of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Checkpoint inhibitors have been at the forefront of this evolution. Demonstrating moderate yet significant survival benefits in the recurrent-metastatic setting with a relatively better safety profile compared to conventional treatments, these agents hold promise when considered for earlier stages of HNSCC.On the other hand, a significant potential benefit of introducing immunotherapy in the neoadjuvant phase is the possibility of treatment de-escalation. By reducing the tumor burden before surgery, this strategy could lead to less invasive surgical interventions. The prospect of organ-sparing protocols becomes a realistic and highly valued goal in this context. Further, the early application of immunotherapy might catalyze a more effective and durable immune response. The induction of an immune memory may potentially lead to a more effective surveillance of residual disease, decreasing the rates of local, regional, and distant recurrences, thereby enhancing overall and recurrence-free survival.However, neoadjuvant immunotherapy is not without its challenges. One of the primary concerns is the safety and adverse events profile. While data suggest that adverse events are relatively rare and manageable, the long-term safety profile in the neoadjuvant setting, especially in the context of curative intent, remains a subject for ongoing research. Another unsolved issue lies in the accurate assessment of treatment response. The discrepancy between radiographic assessment using RECIST criteria and histological findings has been noted, indicating a gap in current imaging techniques' ability to accurately reflect the true efficacy of immunotherapy. This gap underscores the necessity for improved imaging methodologies and the development of new radiologic and pathologic criteria tailored to evaluate the response to immunotherapy accurately.Treatment combinations and timing represent another layer of complexity. There is a vast array of possibilities in combining immunotherapy agents with conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation, and other experimental treatments. Determining the optimal treatment regimen for individual patients becomes an intricate task, especially when comparing small, single-arm, non-randomized trials with varying regimens and outcome measures.Moreover, one needs to consider the importance of pre- and intraoperative decision-making in the context of neoadjuvant immunotherapy. As experience with this treatment paradigm grows, there is potential for more tailored surgical approaches based on the patient's remaining disease post-neoadjuvant treatment. This consideration is particularly relevant in extensive surgeries, where organ-sparing protocols could be evaluated.In practical terms, the multi-modal nature of this treatment strategy introduces complexities, especially outside clinical trial settings. Patients face challenges in navigating the treatment landscape, which involves coordination across multiple medical disciplines, highlighting the necessity for streamlined care pathways at specialized centers to facilitate effective treatment management if the neoadjuvant approach is introduced to the real-world.These potential harms and open questions underscore the critical need for meticulously designed clinical trials and correlational studies to ensure patient safety and efficacy. Only these can ensure that this new treatment approach is introduced in a safe way and fulfils the promise it theoretically holds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelius H L Kürten
- Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen
| | - Robert L Ferris
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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19
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Suzuki S, Taguchi Y, Kitabayashi T, Sato N, Kaya H, Abe T, Endo T, Suzuki H, Kawasaki Y, Yamada T. Serum Albumin as an Independent Predictor of Long-Term Survival in Patients with Recurrent and Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated with Nivolumab. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2456. [PMID: 38730986 PMCID: PMC11084251 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13092456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Nivolumab has been shown to improve the overall survival (OS) of patients with recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). However, there is a need to identify factors associated with long-term survival (beyond 2 years) in these patients. This study investigated the relationship between pretreatment factors and long-term survival in patients with R/M HNSCC treated with nivolumab. Methods: Forty-nine patients with R/M HNSCC who were treated with nivolumab were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline characteristics, clinical data, and survival outcomes were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with long-term survival (OS ≥ 2 years). Results: The median OS in the overall cohort was 11.0 months, and the 2-year survival rate was 34.7%. Long-term survivors (OS ≥ 2 years) had significantly higher proportions of patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) scores of 0 or 1, serum albumin levels ≥ 3.5 g/dL, and neutrophil-to-eosinophil ratio (NER) < 32.0 compared to non-long-term survivors. On multivariate analysis, serum albumin levels ≥ 3.5 g/dL, in addition to ECOG-PS score of 0 or 1, were independent predictors of long-term survival. Conclusions: Pretreatment serum albumin levels may be useful for predicting long-term survival in R/M HNSCC patients treated with nivolumab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinsuke Suzuki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita 010-8543, Japan
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20
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Wang L, Zhang Y, Li H, Peng J, Gao C, Yu Q, Gao P, Li L, Chen K, Ye F. Identification of an immune-related signature as a prognostic classifier for patients with early-stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Transl Cancer Res 2024; 13:1367-1381. [PMID: 38617526 PMCID: PMC11009812 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-23-1791] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most common type and accounts for 90% of all head and neck cancer cases. Despite advances in early diagnosis and treatment strategies-chemotherapy, surgical resection, and radiotherapy-5-year survival remains grim. For patients with early-stage HNSCC, accurately predicting clinical outcomes is challenging. Considering the pivotal role of the immune system in HNSCC, we developed a reliable immune-related gene signature (IRGS) and explored its predictive accuracy in patients with early-stage HNSCC. Methods We examined immune gene expression profiles and clinical information from 230 early-stage HNSCC specimens, including 100 cases from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), 49 cases from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO; GSE65858), and 81 cases from an independent clinical cohort. The prognostic signature was constructed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox algorithm. We also explored the IRGS-related biological pathways and immune landscape using bioinformatics analysis. Results A nine-immune-gene signature was generated to significantly stratify patients into high and low-risk groups. High risk patients exhibited shorter survival time [hazard ratio (HR) =13.795, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.275-58.109, P<0.001]. The signature demonstrated robust prognostic ability in the training and validation sets and could independently predict overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). Subsequently, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and C-index confirmed the signature's predictive accuracy compared to clinical parameters. Additionally, cases classified as low risk showed more immune cell infiltration than high-risk cases. Conclusions Our novel IRGS is a reliable and robust classifier for accurate patient stratification and prognostic evaluation. Future studies will attempt to affirm the signature's clinical application to early-stage HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yulin Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongmin Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jilin Peng
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Changhui Gao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qiuning Yu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Pei Gao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kuisheng Chen
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fanglei Ye
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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21
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Chen M, Wang S. Preclinical development and clinical studies of targeted JAK/STAT combined Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 130:111717. [PMID: 38387193 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111717] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) binds to its ligand to help tumours evade the immune system and promote tumour progression. Although anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies show powerful effects in some patients, most patients are unable to benefit from this treatment due to treatment resistance. Therefore, it is important to overcome tumour resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. There is substantial evidence suggesting that the JAK/STAT signalling pathway plays a significant role in PD-1/PD-L1 expression and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment. Herein, we describe the effects of the JAK/STAT signalling pathway on PD-1/PD-L1. Subsequently, the relationship between molecular mutations in the JAK/STAT signalling pathway and immune resistance was analysed. Finally, the latest advancements in drugs targeting the JAK/STAT pathway combined with PD1/PD-L1 inhibitors are summarised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Chen
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Siliang Wang
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China.
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22
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Li Y, Tao L, Xin J, Dai Y, Chen X, Zou J, Wang R, Wang B, Liu Z. Development and experimental verification of a prognosis model for disulfidptosis-associated genes in HNSCC. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e37308. [PMID: 38518012 PMCID: PMC10957022 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Disulfidptosis is a newly discovered cell death pattern that has been less studied in head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC). Exploring the molecular features of different subtypes of HNSCC based on disulfidptosis-associated genes (DAGs) is important for HNSCC. In addition, immunotherapy plays a pivotal role in the treatment of HNSCC. Exploring the sensitivity of immunotherapies and developing predictive models is essential for HNSCC. We analyzed the expression and mutational status of DAGs in 790 HNSCC patients and correlated the dates with clinical prognosis. HNSCC patients were divided into 2 groups based on their DAG expression. The relationship between DAGs, risk genes, and the immune microenvironment was analyzed using the CIBERSORT algorithm. A disulfidptosis risk model was constructed based on 5 risk genes using the LASSO COX method. To facilitate the clinical applicability of the proposed risk model, we constructed column line plots and performed stem cell correlation analysis and antitumor drug sensitivity analysis. Two different disulfidptosis-associated clusters were identified using consistent unsupervised clustering analysis. Correlations between multilayer DAG alterations and clinical characteristics and prognosis were observed. Then, a well-performing disulfidptosis-associated risk model (DAG score) was developed to predict the prognosis of HNSCC patients. We divided patients into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the DAG score and found that patients in the low-risk group were more likely to survive than those in the high-risk group (P < .05). A high DAG score implies higher immune cell infiltration and increased mutational burden. Also, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that the DAG score was an independent prognostic predictor for patients with HNSCC. Subsequently, a highly accurate predictive model was developed to facilitate the clinical application of DAG scores, showing good predictive and calibration power. Overall, we present a comprehensive overview of the DAG profile in HNSCC and develop a new risk model for the therapeutic status and prognosis of patients with HNSCC. Our findings highlight the potential clinical significance of DAG and suggest that disulfidptosis may be a potential therapeutic target for patients with HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushen Li
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu Tao
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiajun Xin
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yifei Dai
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiantao Chen
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiatong Zou
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rui Wang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bowei Wang
- The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhihui Liu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
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23
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徐 思, 魏 洁, 谢 静. [Research Progress of Cellular Lipid Droplets in Oral Diseases]. SICHUAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF SICHUAN UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCE EDITION 2024; 55:475-481. [PMID: 38645850 PMCID: PMC11026902 DOI: 10.12182/20240160102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Lipid droplets are dynamic multifunctional organelles composed of a neutral lipid core and a phospholipid monolayer membrane modified by a specific set of proteins. PAT family proteins are the most characteristic lipid droplet proteins, playing an important role in regulating lipid droplet structure, function, and metabolism. The biogenesis of lipid droplets involves neutral lipid synthesis and the nucleation, budding, and growth of the lipid droplets. Lipid droplets not only serve as the energy metabolism reserve of cells but also participate in intracellular signal transduction and the development of inflammation and tumor. Lipid droplets are closely connected to and interact with various organelles, regulating the division, the transportation, and the genetics of organelles. The complexity of lipid droplets biogenesis and the diversity of their functions may have provided a physiological basis for the pathogenesis and development of diseases, but further research is needed in order to better understand the relevant processes. Published findings have helped elucidate the association between lipid droplets and diseases, such as obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, neurodegenerative disease, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, but the relationship between lipid droplets and oral diseases has not been fully studied. Topics that warrant further research include the role and mechanisms of lipid droplets in the pathogenesis and development of oral diseases, the relationship between oral diseases and systemic diseases, and translation of the effect of lipid droplets on oral diseases into valuable clinical diagnostic and treatment methods. Herein, we reviewed the biogenesis and functions of lipid droplets and the progress in research concerning lipid droplets in oral diseases, including mouth neoplasms, periodontitis, and dental caries.
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Affiliation(s)
- 思群 徐
- 口腔疾病研究国家重点实验室 国家口腔疾病临床医学研究中心 四川大学华西口腔医院 (成都 610041)State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - 洁雅 魏
- 口腔疾病研究国家重点实验室 国家口腔疾病临床医学研究中心 四川大学华西口腔医院 (成都 610041)State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - 静 谢
- 口腔疾病研究国家重点实验室 国家口腔疾病临床医学研究中心 四川大学华西口腔医院 (成都 610041)State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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24
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Guan Z, Liu J, Zheng L. Effect of radiotherapy on head and neck cancer tissues in patients receiving radiotherapy: a bioinformatics analysis-based study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6304. [PMID: 38491080 PMCID: PMC10943217 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56753-4] [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: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is pivotal in treating head and neck cancers including nasopharyngeal, tongue, hypopharyngeal, larynx, maxillary sinus, parotid gland, and oral cancers. It holds the potential for curative effects and finds application in conjunction with chemotherapy, either as a radical method to preserve organ function or as an adjuvant postoperative treatment. We used bioinformatics analysis to investigate the effects of radiotherapy on head and neck cancer tissues in patients who had received radiotherapy. In this study, the expression and mutation profiles of The Cancer Genome Atlas-Head-Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma were downloaded from the UCSC-Xena database, categorizing patients into two groups-those receiving radiotherapy and those not receiving radiotherapy. Subsequently, differential expression analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed. Following this, single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) scores related to glucose and lipid metabolism were compared between the two groups. Additionally, immune cell infiltration analysis and single-cell verification were performed. Finally, the mutation profiles of the two groups were compared. The analyses revealed that patients receiving radiotherapy exhibited prolonged survival, enhanced apoptosis in head and neck cancer tissue, and diminished keratinocyte proliferation and migration. A comparison of ssGSEA scores related to glucose and lipid metabolism between the two groups indicated a reduction in glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle activity, and fat synthesis in tissues treated with radiotherapy, suggesting that radiotherapy can effectively inhibit tumour cell energy metabolism. Analyses of immune cell infiltration and single-cell verification suggested decreased infiltration of immune cells post-radiotherapy in head and neck cancer tissues. A comparison of mutation profiles revealed a higher frequency of TP53, TTN, and CDKN2A mutations in patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. In conclusion, the bioinformatics analyses delved into the effect of radiotherapy on patients with head and neck carcinoma. This study provides a theoretical framework elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying radiotherapy's efficacy in treating head and neck cancer and presents scientific recommendations for drug therapy following radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenjie Guan
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, NO.1 Jianshedong Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Lian Zheng
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, NO.1 Jianshedong Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
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25
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Wang D, Zhao X, Li S, Guo H, Li S, Yu D. The impact of LncRNA-SOX2-OT/let-7c-3p/SKP2 Axis on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression: Insights from bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. Cell Signal 2024; 115:111018. [PMID: 38110167 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.111018] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND LncRNA SRY-box transcription factor 2 overlapping transcript (SOX2-OT) is linked to multiple cancers, but its specific role and mechanism in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain poorly understood. METHODS We harnessed clinical data and HNSCC transcriptome profiles from UCSC Xena, TCGA, and GEO databases. Employing various algorithms, we assessed the correlation between SOX2-OT expression and the HNSCC immune microenvironment. Differential expression analysis identified immune-enriched miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) and mRNAs (DEmRNAs). Utilizing miRanda, miRWalk, and Cytoscape, we constructed a ceRNA network encompassing SOX2-OT, DEmiRNAs, and DEmRNAs. A Sankey diagram visualized pivotal SOX2-OT-miRNA-mRNA-pathways. Functional assays validated SOX2-OT silencing effects in HNSCC cells. Luciferase reporter assays verified SOX2-OT/let-7c-3p/SKP2 relationships. Additionally, a xenograft mouse model revealed SOX2-OT's impact on xenograft growth and lung metastasis. RESULTS SOX2-OT expression demonstrated a predominantly positive correlation with B lineage and VTCN1, while manifesting a negative correlation with Neutrophil and CD47 in HNSCC tissues. We discerned a ceRNA network comprising 65 DEmiRNAs and 116 DEmRNAs, while a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network revealed 97 protein nodes among DEmRNAs. Notably, the Sankey diagram spotlighted six key DEmRNAs intricately linked to the SOX2-OT-regulated DEmiRNAs immune-related pathway. Experimental assays established that SOX2-OT silencing exerted inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, migration, tumor growth, and lung metastasis within HNSCC cells, both in vitro and in vivo. We identified let-7c-3p as a target miRNA of SOX2-OT and SKP2 as a target mRNA of let-7c-3p. CONCLUSIONS Our study establishes the critical SOX2-OT/let-7c-3p/SKP2 axis as a pivotal regulator of HNSCC tumorigenesis and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, People's Republic of China
| | - Haixian Guo
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaonan Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Yu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, People's Republic of China.
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26
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Tostado CP, Da Ong LX, Heng JJW, Miccolis C, Chia S, Seow JJW, Toh Y, DasGupta R. An AI-assisted integrated, scalable, single-cell phenomic-transcriptomic platform to elucidate intratumor heterogeneity against immune response. Bioeng Transl Med 2024; 9:e10628. [PMID: 38435825 PMCID: PMC10905538 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10628] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
We present a novel framework combining single-cell phenotypic data with single-cell transcriptomic analysis to identify factors underpinning heterogeneity in antitumor immune response. We developed a pairwise, tumor-immune discretized interaction assay between natural killer (NK-92MI) cells and patient-derived head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines on a microfluidic cell-trapping platform. Furthermore we generated a deep-learning computer vision algorithm that is capable of automating the acquisition and analysis of a large, live-cell imaging data set (>1 million) of paired tumor-immune interactions spanning a time course of 24 h across multiple HNSCC lines (n = 10). Finally, we combined the response data measured by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis against NK-mediated killing with downstream single-cell transcriptomic analysis to interrogate molecular signatures associated with NK-effector response. As proof-of-concept for the proposed framework, we efficiently identified MHC class I-driven cytotoxic resistance as a key mechanism for immune evasion in nonresponders, while enhanced expression of cell adhesion molecules was found to be correlated with sensitivity against NK-mediated cytotoxicity. We conclude that this integrated, data-driven phenotypic approach holds tremendous promise in advancing the rapid identification of new mechanisms and therapeutic targets related to immune evasion and response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P. Tostado
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Laboratory of Precision Oncology and Cancer EvolutionSingaporeSingapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Lucas Xian Da Ong
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Joel Jia Wei Heng
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Laboratory of Precision Oncology and Cancer EvolutionSingaporeSingapore
| | - Carlo Miccolis
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Laboratory of Precision Oncology and Cancer EvolutionSingaporeSingapore
| | - Shumei Chia
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Laboratory of Precision Oncology and Cancer EvolutionSingaporeSingapore
| | - Justine Jia Wen Seow
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Laboratory of Precision Oncology and Cancer EvolutionSingaporeSingapore
| | - Yi‐Chin Toh
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process EngineeringQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneAustralia
- Centre for Biomedical TechnologiesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Ramanuj DasGupta
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Laboratory of Precision Oncology and Cancer EvolutionSingaporeSingapore
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Jin S, Li J, Shen Y, Wu Y, Zhang Z, Ma H. RNA 5-Methylcytosine Regulator NSUN3 promotes tumor progression through regulating immune infiltration in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Dis 2024; 30:313-328. [PMID: 35997137 DOI: 10.1111/odi.14357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine whether the RNA, 5-methylcytosine (m5C), is involved in the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS We used least absolute shrinkage and selection operator to establish a prognostic score (PS) model based on the m5C regulator expression. Immune scores were calculated using the estimation of stromal and immune cells in malignant tumor tissues using expression data. The biological functions of the m5C regulator, NOP2/Sun RNA methyltransferase 3 (NSUN3), were thoroughly investigated in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS The PS model acted as efficient prognostic factors in HNSCC. The expression of NSUN3, with the maximum weight, was found to be upregulated and indicated a poor prognosis. Meanwhile, NSUN3 knockdown inhibited the tumor proliferation and growth both in vitro and in vivo. High PS status was negatively correlated with CD8+ T, γδ+ T, and M1 macrophage percentages. NSUN3 knockdown increased the infiltration of M1 macrophages but decreased the percentage of M2 macrophages. CONCLUSIONS The PS index is a novel and promising biomarker for predicting the prognosis and immune infiltration microenvironment in HNSCC. Moreover, NSUN3 plays a key role in this process and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shufang Jin
- Department of Second Dental Center, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- National Center for Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayi Li
- College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- National Center for Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yihan Shen
- Department of Second Dental Center, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- National Center for Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiqun Wu
- Department of Second Dental Center, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- National Center for Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- National Center for Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hailong Ma
- College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- National Center for Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Zhao C, Liu L, He Q, Li Y, Feng J, Chen Y, Li Y, Xu X, Zhu S, Ye Y, Wen Y, Zeng Z, Zhou D, Jin F. Dickkopf-1 is an immune infiltration-related prognostic biomarker of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:3837-3855. [PMID: 38376441 PMCID: PMC10929804 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205563] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is currently one of the most viable therapies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), characterized by high immune cell infiltration. The Wnt-signaling inhibitor and immune activation mediator, Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), has a strong correlation with tumor growth, tumor microenvironment, and, consequently, disease prognosis. Nevertheless, it is still unclear how DKK1 expression, HNSCC prognosis, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are related. To better understand these associations, we examined how DKK1 expression varies across different tumor and normal tissues. In our study, we investigated the association between DKK1 mRNA expression and clinical outcomes. Next, we assessed the link between DKK1 expression and tumor immune cell infiltration. Additionally, using immunohistochemistry, we evaluated the expression of DKK1 in 15 healthy head and neck tissue samples, and the expression of CD3, CD4, and DKK1 in 27 HNSCC samples. We also explored aberrant DKK1 expression during tumorigenesis. DKK1 expression was remarkably higher in HNSCC tissues than in healthy tissues, and was shown to be associated with tumor stage, grade, lymph node metastasis, histology, and a dismal clinical prognosis in HNSCC. DKK1 expression in HNSCC tissues was inversely correlated with CD3+ (P < 0.0001) and CD4+ (P < 0.0001) immune cell infiltration, while that in immune cells was inversely associated with HNSCC prognosis. These findings offer a bioinformatics perspective on the function of DKK1 in HNSCC immunotherapy and provide justification for clinical research on DKK1-targeted HNSCC treatments. DKK1 is a central target for improving the efficacy of HNSCC immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaofen Zhao
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, The School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
| | - Lina Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, The School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
| | - Qianyong He
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, The School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, The School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
| | - Jianglong Feng
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
| | - Yue Chen
- Department of Oncology, The School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
| | - Yuxin Li
- Department of Oncology, The School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
| | - Xinyu Xu
- Department of Oncology, The School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
| | - Shaoyuan Zhu
- Department of Oncology, The School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
| | - Yuanmei Ye
- Department of Oncology, The School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
| | - Yajing Wen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Zhirui Zeng
- Department of Physiology, The School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
| | - Ding’an Zhou
- Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, P. R. China
| | - Feng Jin
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, The School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, P.R. China
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Li T, Guo L, Li J, Mu X, Liu L, Song S, Luo N, Zhang Q, Zheng B, Jin G. Precision USPIO-PEG-SLe x Nanotheranostic Agent Targeted Photothermal Therapy for Enhanced Anti-PD-L1 Immunotherapy to Treat Immunotherapy Resistance. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:1249-1272. [PMID: 38348177 PMCID: PMC10859766 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s445879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The anti-Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (termed aPD-L1) immune checkpoint blockade therapy has emerged as a promising treatment approach for various advanced solid tumors. However, the effect of aPD-L1 inhibitors limited by the tumor microenvironment makes most patients exhibit immunotherapy resistance. Methods We conjugated the Sialyl Lewis X with a polyethylene glycol-coated ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO-PEG) to form UPS nanoparticles (USPIO-PEG-SLex, termed UPS). The physicochemical properties of UPS were tested and characterized. Transmission electron microscopy and ICP-OES were used to observe the cellular uptake and targeting ability of UPS. Flow cytometry, mitochondrial membrane potential staining, live-dead staining and scratch assay were used to verify the in vitro photothermal effect of UPS, and the stimulation of UPS on immune-related pathways at the gene level was analyzed by sequencing. Biological safety analysis and pharmacokinetic analysis of UPS were performed. Finally, the amplification effect of UPS-mediated photothermal therapy on aPD-L1-mediated immunotherapy and the corresponding mechanism were studied. Results In vitro experiments showed that UPS had strong photothermal therapy ability and was able to stimulate 5 immune-related pathways. In vivo, when the PTT assisted aPD-L1 treatment, it exhibited a significant increase in CD4+ T cell infiltration by 14.46-fold and CD8+ T cell infiltration by 14.79-fold, along with elevated secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma, comparing with alone aPD-L1. This PTT assisted aPD-L1 therapy achieved a significant inhibition of both primary tumors and distant tumors compared to the alone aPD-L1, demonstrating a significant difference. Conclusion The nanotheranostic agent UPS has been introduced into immunotherapy, which has effectively broadened its application in biomedicine. This photothermal therapeutic approach of the UPS nanotheranostic agent enhancing the efficacy of aPD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade therapy, can be instructive to address the challenges associated with immunotherapy resistance, thereby offering potential for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Li
- Department of Radiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lianshan Guo
- Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530007, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiaxu Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, College of Chemistry and Materials, Graduate School, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, 530001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xingyu Mu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lijuan Liu
- Department of Radiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shulin Song
- Department of Radiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ningbin Luo
- Department of Radiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bin Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guanqiao Jin
- Department of Radiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
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Rodrigo JP, Sánchez-Canteli M, Otero-Rosales M, Martínez-Camblor P, Hermida-Prado F, García-Pedrero JM. Tumor mutational burden predictability in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with immunotherapy: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Transl Med 2024; 22:135. [PMID: 38311741 PMCID: PMC10840180 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04937-x] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor mutational burden (TMB) has been demonstrated to predict the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in various cancers. However, the role of TMB in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not yet been specifically addressed. Since HNSCC patients exhibit a rather limited response to ICIs, there is an unmet need to develop predictive biomarkers to improve patient selection criteria and the clinical benefit of ICI treatment. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. HNSCC cohort studies were selected when TMB prior to ICI treatment was evaluated, TMB cutoff value was available, and the prognostic value of TMB was evaluated by time-to-event survival analysis. A total of 11 out of 1960 articles were analyzed, including 1200 HNSCC patients. RESULTS The results showed that those patients harboring high TMB exhibited a significantly superior overall response rate (OR = 2.62; 95% CI 1.74-3.94; p < 0.0001) and a survival advantage (HR = 0.53; 95% CI 0.39-0.71; p < 0.0001) after ICI treatment. CONCLUSION This is the first meta-analysis to demonstrate a higher response and clinical benefit from ICI therapy in HNSCC patients with high TMB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P Rodrigo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, University of Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Ciber de Cáncer, CIBERONC, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mario Sánchez-Canteli
- Ciber de Cáncer, CIBERONC, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario de Cabueñes and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011, Oviedo, Spain.
| | - María Otero-Rosales
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, University of Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Ciber de Cáncer, CIBERONC, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Martínez-Camblor
- Department of Anesthesiology, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autonoma de Chile, 7500912, Providencia, Chile
| | - Francisco Hermida-Prado
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, University of Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Ciber de Cáncer, CIBERONC, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juana M García-Pedrero
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, University of Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Ciber de Cáncer, CIBERONC, 28029, Madrid, Spain
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Zhang W, Lu R, Lv L, Ma C, Ding Y, Yang F, Fang Q, Wu Y, Pan R, Chen Y. 2α, 3α, 24-Thrihydroxyurs-12-en-24-ursolic acid enhances the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin on oral cancer cells by down-regulating autophagy. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:e30504. [PMID: 37992225 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30504] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of 2α, 3α, 24-thrihydroxyurs-12-en-24-ursolic acid (TEOA) alone or in combination with cisplatin on oral cancer. TEOA, a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound isolated from the roots of Actinidia eriantha, has demonstrated antitumor activity in preclinical experiments. However, its role in oral cancer remains poorly understood. Our findings revealed that a low concentration of TEOA did not exhibit significant cytotoxicity against oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. However, when combined with cisplatin, TEOA showed a significant therapeutic effect. The combined treatments resulted in a significant inhibition of proliferation and migration and a significant increase in apoptosis of squamous cell carcinoma cells. Cisplatin exposure increased autophagy levels, which may contribute to chemoresistance. Of note, the presence of TEOA significantly inhibited cisplatin-induced autophagy, leading to improved chemotherapy efficacy. Our findings indicate that a mild low dosage of TEOA may enhance the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin by downregulating autophagy in oral cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ruijie Lu
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Leyao Lv
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chenxi Ma
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yude Ding
- Department of Stomatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Stomatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qingxia Fang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yue Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ruolang Pan
- Institute for Cell-Based Drug Development of Zhejiang Province, S-Evans Biosciences, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell-Based Drug and Applied Technology Development in Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunfang Chen
- Department of Stomatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Liu S, Wang R, Fang J. Exploring the frontiers: tumor immune microenvironment and immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:22. [PMID: 38294629 PMCID: PMC10830966 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-00870-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The global prevalence of head and neck malignancies positions them as the sixth most common form of cancer, with the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) representing the predominant histological subtype. Despite advancements in multidisciplinary approaches and molecular targeted therapies, the therapeutic outcomes for HNSCC have only marginally improved, particularly in cases of recurrent or metastatic HNSCC (R/MHNSCC). This situation underscores the critical necessity for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Such strategies are essential not only to enhance the efficacy of HNSCC treatment but also to minimize the incidence of associated complications, thus improving overall patient prognosis. Cancer immunotherapy represents a cutting-edge cancer treatment that leverages the immune system for targeting and destroying cancer cells. It's applied to multiple cancers, including melanoma and lung cancer, offering precision, adaptability, and the potential for long-lasting remission through immune memory. It is observed that while HNSCC patients responsive to immunotherapy often experience prolonged therapeutic benefits, only a limited subset demonstrates such responsiveness. Additionally, significant clinical challenges remain, including the development of resistance to immunotherapy. The biological characteristics, dynamic inhibitory changes, and heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in HNSCC play critical roles in its pathogenesis, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance. This review aims to elucidate the functions and mechanisms of anti-tumor immune cells and extracellular components within the HNSCC TME. It also introduces several immunosuppressive agents commonly utilized in HNSCC immunotherapy, examines factors influencing the effectiveness of these treatments, and provides a comprehensive summary of immunotherapeutic strategies relevant to HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaokun Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ru Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Jugao Fang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Li Y, Sun C, Gu F, Yue J, Huang X, Yuan B, Wang Y, Chen R. Association of cuproptosis-related signature with the prognosis of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38279934 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2308776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have a poor prognosis because of their high recurrence and metastasis rates. Cuproptosis is a novel type of copper-dependent cell death that differs from apoptosis, necroptosis, and cytosolic scorch death. We designed and validated an individualized cuproptosis-related gene (CRG) signature for risk evaluation and prognostic prediction in HNSCC patients. Ninety differentially expressed CRGs were found in HNSCC. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed to investigate the functional involvement of CRGs in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) HNSCC cohort. A CRG signature was created using 10 genes after univariate and multivariate analysis. Kaplan Meier (KM) analysis showed that the survival rate of the high-risk group was significantly lower than that of the low-risk group. Multivariate regression analysis identified risk scores based on prognostic characteristics as independent prognostic indicators of HNSCC. Moreover, risk models are related to tumor mutational burden (TMB), tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs), immune checkpoints, clinical characteristics, and antitumor drug susceptibility. Furthermore, we found that CuCl2 treatment promoted cuproptosis in HNSCC cells, and that the expression levels of cuproptosis-related genes were altered by different doses of CuCl2. In summary, understanding the detailed molecular mechanisms of cuproptosis and its impact on overall survival (OS), and identifying potential therapeutic targets for HNSCC will provide potential insights for treatment.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunshan Li
- College and Hospital of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Key Lab. of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Caidie Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Feihan Gu
- College and Hospital of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Key Lab. of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Jiayuan Yue
- College and Hospital of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Key Lab. of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Xu Huang
- College and Hospital of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Key Lab. of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Bin Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuanyin Wang
- College and Hospital of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Key Lab. of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Ran Chen
- College and Hospital of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Key Lab. of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
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Chang JWC, Hsieh JJ, Tsai CY, Chiu HY, Lin YF, Wu CE, Shen YC, Hou MM, Chang CY, Chen JA, Chen CL, Chiu CT, Yeh YM, Chiu CH. Gut microbiota and clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in patients with advanced cancer. Biomed J 2024; 47:100698. [PMID: 38280521 PMCID: PMC11399570 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2024.100698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is currently no well-accepted consensus on the association between gut microbiota and the response to treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with advanced cancer. METHODS Fecal samples were collected before ICI treatment. Gut microbiota was analyzed using 16 S ribosomal RNA sequencing. We investigated the relationship between the α-diversity of fecal microbiota and patients' clinical outcomes. Microbiota profiles from patients and healthy controls were determined. Pre-treatment serum was examined by cytokine array. RESULTS We analyzed 74 patients, including 42 with melanoma, 8 with kidney cancer, 13 with lung cancer, and 11 with other cancers. Combination therapy of anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA-4 was used in 14 patients, and monotherapy in the rest. Clinical benefit was observed in 35 (47.3 %) cases, including 2 complete responses, 16 partial responses, and 17 stable diseases according to RECIST criteria. No significant difference in α-diversity was found between the benefiter and non-benefiter groups. However, patients with α-diversity within the range of our healthy control had a significantly longer median overall survival (18.9 months), compared to the abnormal group (8.2 months) (p = 0.041, hazard ratio = 0.546) for all patients. The microbiota composition of the benefiters was similar to that of healthy individuals. Furthermore, specific bacteria, such as Prevotella copri and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, were associated with a favorable outcome. We also observed that serum IL-18 before treatment was significantly lower in the benefiters, compared to non-benefiters. CONCLUSIONS The α-diversity of gut microbiota is positively correlated with more prolonged overall survival in cancer patients following ICI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Wen-Cheng Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Immuno-Oncology Center of Excellence, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Juan Hsieh
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yu Tsai
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Yih Chiu
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Feng Lin
- Immuno-Oncology Center of Excellence, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-En Wu
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Immuno-Oncology Center of Excellence, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Chi Shen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Mo Hou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Immuno-Oncology Center of Excellence, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Ying Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jian-An Chen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chyi-Liang Chen
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Tang Chiu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Microbiota Therapy Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Ming Yeh
- Chang Gung Microbiota Therapy Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Genomic Medicine Core Laboratory, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Hsun Chiu
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Microbiota Therapy Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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Sears T, Pagadala M, Castro A, Lee KH, Kong J, Tanaka K, Lippman S, Zanetti M, Carter H. Integrated germline and somatic features reveal divergent immune pathways driving ICB response. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.12.575430. [PMID: 38293085 PMCID: PMC10827124 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.12.575430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Immune Checkpoint Blockade (ICB) has revolutionized cancer treatment, however mechanisms determining patient response remain poorly understood. Here we used machine learning to predict ICB response from germline and somatic biomarkers and interpreted the learned model to uncover putative mechanisms driving superior outcomes. Patients with higher T follicular helper infiltrates were robust to defects in the class-I Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC-I). Further investigation uncovered different ICB responses in MHC-I versus MHC-II neoantigen reliant tumors across patients. Despite similar response rates, MHC-II reliant responses were associated with significantly longer durable clinical benefit (Discovery: Median OS=63.6 vs. 34.5 months P=0.0074; Validation: Median OS=37.5 vs. 33.1 months, P=0.040). Characteristics of the tumor immune microenvironment reflected MHC neoantigen reliance, and analysis of immune checkpoints revealed LAG3 as a potential target in MHC-II but not MHC-I reliant responses. This study highlights the value of interpretable machine learning models in elucidating the biological basis of therapy responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Sears
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Meghana Pagadala
- Biomedical Sciences Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA,, USA
| | - Andrea Castro
- Tumour Immunogenomics and Immunosurveillance Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Ko-han Lee
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - JungHo Kong
- Division of Genomics and Precision Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Kairi Tanaka
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Scott Lippman
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Maurizio Zanetti
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- The Laboratory of Immunology, Moores Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Hannah Carter
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- The Laboratory of Immunology, Moores Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
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Su NW, Dai SH, Hsu K, Chang KM, Ko CC, Kao CW, Chang YF, Chen CG. PD-L1-positive circulating endothelial progenitor cells associated with immune response to PD-1 blockade in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:3. [PMID: 38175307 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03595-0] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
A number of the inhibitors against programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) have been approved to treat recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (HNSCC). The interaction between PD-1 and its ligand (PD-L1) serves as an immune checkpoint that governs cytotoxic immune effectors against tumors. Numerous clinical trials of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have so far been discordant about having sufficient PD-L1 expression in the tumor as a prerequisite for a successful anti-PD-1 treatment. On the other hand, vascular endothelial cells modulate immune activities through PD-L1 expression, and thus it is possible that the expressions of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CPCs) could affect antitumor immunity as well as neoangiogenesis. Here we investigated the potential involvement of PD-L1+ CECs and PD-L1+ CPCs in PD-1 blockade treatments for HNSCC patients. We measured CD8+ T cells, CECs, and CPCs in the peripheral blood of the HNSCC patients treated by anti-PD-1 therapies. We found that their PD-L1+ CPC expression before anti-PD1 therapies was strongly correlated with treatment responses and overall survival. Moreover, if the first infusion of PD-1 inhibitors reduced ≥ 50% PD-L1+ CPCs, a significantly better outcome could be predicted. In these patients as well as in an animal model of oral cancer, Pd-l1+ CPC expression was associated with limited CD8+ T-cell infiltration into the tumors, and anti-PD-1 treatments also targeted Pd-l1+ CPCs and increased CD8+ T-cell infiltration. Our results highlight PD-L1+ CPC as a potential regulator in the anti-PD-1 treatments for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nai-Wen Su
- Department of Hematology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, 10449, Taiwan
- MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, New Taipei, 25245, Taiwan
| | - Shuen-Han Dai
- Department of Pathology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, 10449, Taiwan
| | - Kate Hsu
- MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, New Taipei, 25245, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, 25245, Taiwan
- The Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, 25160, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Ming Chang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu, 35071, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Chuan Ko
- Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, 25160, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Wei Kao
- Department of Hematology, GCRC Laboratory, Mackay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, 25160, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Fang Chang
- Department of Hematology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, 10449, Taiwan
- Department of Hematology, GCRC Laboratory, Mackay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, 25160, Taiwan
| | - Caleb G Chen
- Department of Hematology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, 10449, Taiwan.
- MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, New Taipei, 25245, Taiwan.
- Department of Hematology, GCRC Laboratory, Mackay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, 25160, Taiwan.
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan.
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Wang L, Yin Y, Liu P, Chen H, Xu M. Identification of TTC21A as a Potential Prognostic Marker in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: In Silico Analysis. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2024; 21:41-53. [PMID: 38151293 PMCID: PMC10756347 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20428] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Tetratricopeptide repeat domain 21A (TTC21A) plays a crucial role in ciliary function and has been associated with various pathogenic processes, including carcinogenesis. However, its role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not been elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Based on the sequencing and microarray data of HNSCC from publicly available databases, the expression of TTC21A was compared between different subgroups based on clinical and molecular parameters. The survival analysis and regression analysis were conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox method, respectively. Functional analysis was performed by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology (GO), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) tools. Immune infiltration analysis was performed based on the expression of TTC21A. RESULTS TTC21A decreased in tumor tissues and was associated with N stage, histologic grade, HPV infection, and TP53 mutation in HNSCC. TTC21A was an independent indicator of overall survival for patients with HNSCC. A high level of TTC21A expression indicated a favorable prognosis. The TTC21A expression level was involved with immune-related signaling regulation, immune-related gene expression, and immune cell infiltration. TTC21A expression was potent in predicting immunotherapeutic benefits. CONCLUSION TTC21A, as a potential predictor of favorable outcomes and immunotherapy response for HNSCC, is related to immune-related signaling regulation, immune-related gene expression, and immune cell infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Yanping Yin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Tianqiao District, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Hanxiang Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Jinan, P.R. China;
| | - Miao Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Jinan, P.R. China;
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Wu Z, You C, Zhu Z, Wu W, Cao J, Xie Q, Deng C, Huang X, Hu S. SLA2 is a prognostic marker in HNSCC and correlates with immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2024; 281:427-440. [PMID: 37688682 PMCID: PMC10764518 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-023-08213-4] [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: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate Src-like adaptor 2 gene (SLA2) expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), its potential prognostic value, and its effect on immune cell infiltration. METHODS Through a variety of bioinformatics analyses, we extracted and analyzed data sets from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), and Gene Expression Profile Interaction Analysis (GEPIA) to analyze the correlation between SLA2 and the prognosis, immune checkpoint, tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune cell infiltration of HNSCC, and to explore its potential oncogenic mechanism. To further explore the potential role of SLA2 in HNSCC by Gene ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. RESULTS SLA2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels were increased in HNSCC tumor tissues compared with normal tissues. In addition, we found that SLA2 may be an independent prognostic factor for HNSCC, and high SLA2 expression is associated with favorable prognosis in HNSCC. SLA2 expression was positively correlated with B cells, cluster of differentiation 8-positive T cells (CD8 + T cells), cluster of differentiation 4-positive T cells (CD4 + T cells), macrophages, neutrophil and dendritic cells infiltration. SLA2 has also been shown to co-express immune-related genes and immune checkpoints. Significant GO term analysis by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) indicated that genes correlated with SLA2 were located mainly in the side of membrane, receptor complex, secretory granule membrane, endocytic vesicle, membrane region, and endosome membrane, where they were involved in leukocyte cell-cell adhesion, response to interferon-gamma, and regulation of immune effector process. These related genes also served as antigen binding, cytokine receptor activity, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity, peptide receptor activity, Src homology domain 3 (SH3) domain binding, and cytokine receptor binding. KEGG pathway analysis demonstrated that these genes related to SLA2 were mainly enriched in signal pathways, such as hematopoietic cell lineage, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity, measles, and chemokine signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS SLA2 is increased in HNSCC, and high SLA2 expression is associated with favorable prognosis. SLA2 may affect tumor development by regulating tumor infiltrating cells in TME. SLA2 may be a potential target for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongbiao Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 90 Bayi Avenue, Xihu District, Nanchang, 330003, Jiangxi, China
| | - Chengkun You
- Department of Neurology, Pinghu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiaxing, 314200, China
| | - Zhongyan Zhu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanchang, 330003, China
| | - Weikun Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 90 Bayi Avenue, Xihu District, Nanchang, 330003, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jian Cao
- Department of Otolaryngology, Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 90 Bayi Avenue, Xihu District, Nanchang, 330003, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qiang Xie
- Department of Otolaryngology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330019, China
| | - Chengcheng Deng
- Department of Otolaryngology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330019, China
| | - Xinmei Huang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shiping Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 90 Bayi Avenue, Xihu District, Nanchang, 330003, Jiangxi, China.
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Kikuta S, Abe Y, Shinozaki K, Seki N, Kusukawa J. Pulmonary Tuberculosis Following Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment for Recurrent Maxillary Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cureus 2024; 16:e53203. [PMID: 38425601 PMCID: PMC10902606 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) like nivolumab and pembrolizumab are effective treatments for recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN). However, they can lead to immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and tuberculosis (TB) reactivation. We present a case of a 79-year-old male with recurrent maxillary squamous cell carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil. The patient developed a fever, and pulmonary TB development was confirmed. Prolonged TB treatment was required, and ICI treatment was discontinued. The patient ultimately opted for palliative care due to aggressive tumor growth. TB development during ICI treatment is a rare but important concern, especially in TB-endemic areas. Vigilant monitoring and screening might be essential to manage this risk in cancer patients with R/M SCCHN receiving ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shogo Kikuta
- Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, JPN
| | - Yushi Abe
- Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, JPN
| | - Katsumi Shinozaki
- Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, JPN
| | - Naoko Seki
- Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, JPN
| | - Jingo Kusukawa
- Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, JPN
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Zhou M, Li H, Hu J, Zhou T, Zhou L, Li Y. Construction and validation of a prognostic signature based on seven endoplasmic reticulum stress-related lncRNAs for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22414. [PMID: 38104177 PMCID: PMC10725423 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49987-1] [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: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) occurs when misfolded or unfolded proteins accumulate in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and it is often observed in tumors, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Relevant studies have demonstrated the prognostic significance of ERS-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in various cancers. However, the relationship between ERS and lncRNAs in HNSCC has received limited attention in previous studies. In this study, we aimed to develop an ERS-related lncRNAs prognostic model using correlation analysis, Cox regression analysis, least absolute shrinkage, and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis based on data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The survival and predictive ability of this model were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC), while nomograms and calibration curves were constructed. Then, functional enrichment analyses, tumor mutation burden (TMB), tumor infiltration of immune cells, single sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA), and drug sensitivity analysis were performed. Additionally, we conducted a consensus cluster analysis to compare differences between subtypes of tumors. Finally, we validated the expression of the ERS-related lncRNAs that constructed prognostic risk score model in HNSCC tissues through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). We developed a prognostic signature based on seven ERS-related lncRNAs, which showed better predictive performance than other clinicopathological features. The high-risk poor prognosis group had a poorer prognosis in comparison to the low-risk good prognosis. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) predicted by this model for 3-year survival rates of HNSCC patients was 0.805. Enrichment analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes were primarily enriched in pathways related to immune responses and signal transduction. Low-risk patients had lower TMB, more immune cell infiltrations, and enhanced anti-tumor immunity. Cluster analysis indicated that cluster 3 may have a better prognosis and immunotherapy effect. In addition, the result of qRT-PCR was consistent with our analysis. This prognostic model based on seven ERS-related lncRNAs is a promising tool for risk stratification, survival prediction, and immune cell infiltration status assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Zhou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Huihui Li
- Physical Examination Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Juanjuan Hu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Liuqing Zhou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Yuncheng Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Xiong D, Zhang L, Sun ZJ. Targeting the epigenome to reinvigorate T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Mil Med Res 2023; 10:59. [PMID: 38044445 PMCID: PMC10694991 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-023-00496-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy using immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized the field of cancer treatment; however, ICI efficacy is constrained by progressive dysfunction of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which is termed T cell exhaustion. This process is driven by diverse extrinsic factors across heterogeneous tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Simultaneously, tumorigenesis entails robust reshaping of the epigenetic landscape, potentially instigating T cell exhaustion. In this review, we summarize the epigenetic mechanisms governing tumor microenvironmental cues leading to T cell exhaustion, and discuss therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic regulators for immunotherapies. Finally, we outline conceptual and technical advances in developing potential treatment paradigms involving immunostimulatory agents and epigenetic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
| | - Zhi-Jun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, School and and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
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Wu Z, Lin Q, Sheng L, Chen W, Liang M, Wu D, Ke Y. A novel immune-related risk-scoring system associated with the prognosis and response of cervical cancer patients treated with radiation therapy. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1297774. [PMID: 38028542 PMCID: PMC10667679 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1297774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in the radiotherapy and immunotherapy response of cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC). Radioresistance is a key factor in treatment failure among patients who receive radical radiotherapy. Thus, new immune-related biomarkers associated with radiotherapy response in CESC are needed. Methods: In this study, the CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE methods were applied to determine the percentage of tumor-infiltrating cells and the number of immune components in 103 CESCs treated with radiotherapy from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The main dysregulated genes were subjected to multivariate and univariate analyses. The prognostic value of this system was studied via receiver operating characteristic curve and survival analysis. For further confirmation, the biomarkers' expression levels and predictive value were validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and qRT-PCR. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to calculate the compositional patterns of 22 types of immune cells in cervical cancer patients treated with radiation therapy. Results: Data for 17 radioresistant and 86 radiosensitive tumors were obtained from the The Cancer Genome Atlas database. 53 immune-related DEGs were identified. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the DEGs were enriched in protein kinase B signaling, growth factors in cytokines, the MAPK pathway and the PI3K-Akt pathway. Then, 14 key immune-related genes built a risk scoring model were deemed prognostic in CESC with radiotherapy. The area under the curve (AUC) of the model was 0.723, and the high-risk group presented worse outcomes than the low-risk group. In addition, the high-risk group tended to have persistent tumors (p = 0.001). The high expression of WT1 and SPOUYT4 were associated with relapse, the high expression of Angiotensinogen and MIEN1 were associated with nonrelapse. Analysis of the immune microenvironment indicated that M0 macrophages, M2 macrophages, activated mast cells and resting memory CD4+ T cells were positively correlated with the risk score (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The novel immune-related risk scoring system has some advantages in predicting the prognosis and treatment response of cervical cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. Moreover, it might provide novel clues for providing targeted immune therapy to these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuna Wu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Qiuya Lin
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Liying Sheng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Weihong Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Meili Liang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Danni Wu
- Department of Operation, The Second Hospital of Jinjiang, Quanzhou, China
| | - Yumin Ke
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
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Merlano MC, Paccagnella M, Denaro N, Abbona A, Galizia D, Sangiolo D, Gammaitoni L, Fiorino E, Minei S, Bossi P, Licitra L, Garrone O. Baseline Values of Circulating IL-6 and TGF-β Might Identify Patients with HNSCC Who Do Not Benefit from Nivolumab Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5257. [PMID: 37958430 PMCID: PMC10649732 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immunotherapy of head and neck cancer induces a limited rate of long-term survivors at the cost of treating many patients exposed to toxicity without benefit, regardless of PD-L1 expression. The identification of better biomarkers is warranted. We analyzed a panel of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, hereinafter all referred to as 'cytokines', as potential biomarkers in patients with head and neck cancer treated with nivolumab. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 18 circulating cytokines were analyzed. Samples were gathered at baseline (T0) and after 3 courses of nivolumab (T1) in patients with relapsed/metastatic disease. The data extracted at T0 were linked to survival; the comparison of T0-T1 explored the effect of immunotherapy. RESULTS A total of 22 patients were accrued: 64% current heavy smokers, 36% female and 14% had PS = 2. At T0, ROC analysis showed that IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TGF-β were higher in patients with poor survival. Cox analysis demonstrated that only patients with the IL-6 and TGF-β discriminate had good or poor survival, respectively. Longitudinal increments of CCL-4, IL-15, IL-2 and CXCL-10 were observed in all patients during nivolumab treatment. CONCLUSION In this small population with poor clinical characteristics, this study highlights the prognostic role of IL-6 and TGF-β. Nivolumab treatment is associated with a positive modulation of some Th1 cytokines, but it does not correlate with the outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Carlo Merlano
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS Candiolo, 10060 Torino, Italy; (M.C.M.); (D.G.); (L.G.)
| | | | - Nerina Denaro
- Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy; (N.D.); (O.G.)
| | - Andrea Abbona
- Translational Oncology ARCO Foundation, 12100 Cuneo, Italy;
| | - Danilo Galizia
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS Candiolo, 10060 Torino, Italy; (M.C.M.); (D.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Dario Sangiolo
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10060 Torino, Italy; (D.S.); (E.F.)
| | - Loretta Gammaitoni
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS Candiolo, 10060 Torino, Italy; (M.C.M.); (D.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Erika Fiorino
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10060 Torino, Italy; (D.S.); (E.F.)
| | - Silvia Minei
- Post-Graduate School of Specialization Medical Oncology, University of Bari “A. Moro”, 70120 Bari, Italy;
- Medical Oncology, A.U.O. Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, 70120 Bari, Italy
| | - Paolo Bossi
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Lisa Licitra
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Ornella Garrone
- Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy; (N.D.); (O.G.)
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Yang Y, Wan Z, Zhang E, Piao Y. Genomic profiling and immune landscape of olfactory neuroblastoma in China. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1226494. [PMID: 38023213 PMCID: PMC10646513 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1226494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the olfactory mucosa. The paucity of genomic data has prevented the development of individualized ONB treatments. Here, we investigated the genomic and immune landscape of ONB in Chinese patients. Methods Whole exome sequencing (WES) and multiplex immunofluorescence (MIF) analysis were performed on tissue samples from 19 Chinese ONB patients. Patients were divided into low- and high-grade groups. Results Overall, 929 nonsynonymous alterations were identified in 18 (94.74%) ONB cases. The most prevalent altered cancer-related genes were CTNNB1 (16%) and ZNRF3 (16%). The most mutated oncogenic pathways were the WNT and RAS pathways. The median tumor mutation burden (TMB) was 0.45, ranging from 0 to 3.25. Only one case expressed PD-L1 (> 1%) in the tumor region. The percentage of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor region ranged from 0.03% to 84.9%, with a median of 1.08%. No significant differences were observed between the low- and high-grade groups for clinicopathological features, mutant genes, mutant pathways, TMB, tumor neoantigen burden (TNB), mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity (MATH), PD-L1 expression levels, or CD8+ TIL percentage. However, the low-grade group showed significantly more CD68+ macrophages in both the tumor and total region than the high-grade group. Notably, CD68+CD163- macrophages accounted for an average of 80.5% of CD68+ macrophages. Conclusion This study presents data on the genomic and immune landscape of ONB cases in China. CTNNB1 and ZNRF3 were the most prevalent altered cancer-related genes. The results of TMB, PD-L1, and CD8+ Tils suggest that ONB may be insensitive to immunotherapy. M1 macrophages may be positively associated with the prognosis of ONB. Implications for Practice In this study, the most prevalent altered cancer-related genes were CTNNB1 (16%) and ZNRF3 (16%). The most mutated oncogenic pathways were the WNT and RAS pathways. The median tumor mutation burden (TMB) was 0.45, ranging from 0 to 3.25. Only one (1/15) case expressed PD-L1 (> 1%) in the tumor region. However, the low-grade group showed significantly more CD68+ macrophages in both the tumor and total region than the high-grade group. The higher level of CD68-related macrophages indicates that M1 macrophages potentially play an important role in ONB development that is possibly associated with prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyun Yang
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Head and Neck Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyi Wan
- Department of Medicine, Genecast Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Wuxi, China
| | - Enli Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Genecast Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Wuxi, China
| | - Yingshi Piao
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Head and Neck Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Beijing, China
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Zhang Y, Zhang C, Li K, Deng J, Liu H, Lai G, Xie B, Zhong X. Identification of Molecular Subtypes and Prognostic Characteristics of Adrenocortical Carcinoma Based on Unsupervised Clustering. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15465. [PMID: 37895143 PMCID: PMC10607826 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015465] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy with a poor prognosis. Increasing evidence highlights the significant role of immune-related genes (IRGs) in ACC progression and immunotherapy, but the research is still limited. Based on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, immune-related molecular subtypes were identified by unsupervised consensus clustering. Univariate Cox analysis and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression were employed to further establish immune-related gene signatures (IRGS). An evaluation of immune cell infiltration, biological function, tumor mutation burden (TMB), predicted immunotherapy response, and drug sensitivity in ACC patients was conducted to elucidate the applicative efficacy of IRGS in precision therapy. ACC patients were divided into two molecular subtypes through consistent clustering. Furthermore, the 3-gene signature (including PRKCA, LTBP1, and BIRC5) based on two molecular subtypes demonstrated consistent prognostic efficacy across the TCGA and GEO datasets and emerged as an independent prognostic factor. The low-risk group exhibited heightened immune cell infiltration, TMB, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), associated with a favorable prognosis. Pathways associated with drug metabolism, hormone regulation, and metabolism were activated in the low-risk group. In conclusion, our findings suggest IRGS can be used as an independent prognostic biomarker, providing a foundation for shaping future ACC immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Biao Xie
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Yixue Road, Chongqing 400016, China; (Y.Z.); (C.Z.); (K.L.); (J.D.); (H.L.); (G.L.)
| | - Xiaoni Zhong
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Yixue Road, Chongqing 400016, China; (Y.Z.); (C.Z.); (K.L.); (J.D.); (H.L.); (G.L.)
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Liang Y, Wang B, Chen Q, Fu X, Jiang C, Lin Z, Zhuang Q, Zeng Y, Liu X, Zhang D. Systemic delivery of glycosylated-PEG-masked oncolytic virus enhances targeting of antitumor immuno-virotherapy and modulates T and NK cell infiltration. Theranostics 2023; 13:5452-5468. [PMID: 37908722 PMCID: PMC10614686 DOI: 10.7150/thno.87498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Immuno-virotherapy has emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment, as it directly and cytotoxically eliminates tumors with systemic immune stimulation. However, the clinical efficacy of this approach remains limited by inappropriate delivery routes, robust antiviral responses, and the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. Methods: To address these challenges, we propose a surface engineering strategy that masks oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) with a galactose-polyethylene-glycol (PEG) polymer chain to minimize host antiviral responses and selectively targets tumors by limiting exposure to circulation upon systemic administration. We evaluated the antitumor efficacy of glycosylated-PEG-oHSV by examining tumor growth in animal models and analyzing tumor-infiltrating CD8+T cells and NK cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). To assess the neutralizing antibody levels after systemic administration of glycosylated-PEG-oHSV, we utilized a mouse model and measured oHSV-specific IgG. Results: We demonstrate that the glycosylated-PEG modified oHSV does not affect the replication of oHSV yet exhibits high specificity to the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. This results in selectively targeting cancer cells and deep penetration into tumors while avoiding spreading into the brain. Our approach also effectively reduces oHSV-specific neutralizing antibody levels to mitigate host antiviral immune response. Notably, our glycosylated-PEG-oHSV alleviates the immunosuppressive microenvironment within tumors by reducing regulatory T cells, augmenting the infiltration of activated CD8+T cells and NK cells with increasing release of anti-tumor cytokines, to impede tumor progression. Conclusion: Our findings offer a widely applicable and universal strategy to enhance cancer immuno-virotherapy through systemic administration of non-genetically engineered oncolytic viruses. This approach has the potential to overcome the limitations of current immune-virotherapy strategies and may improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhi Liang
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
- Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, P. R. China
| | - Bing Wang
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
- Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, P. R. China
| | - Qingjing Chen
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
- Liver Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, P. R. China
| | - Xingyue Fu
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
| | - Chenwei Jiang
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
| | - Zhiwen Lin
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
| | - Qiuyu Zhuang
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
- Mengchao Med-X Center, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, P. R. China
| | - Yongyi Zeng
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
- Liver Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, P. R. China
| | - Xiaolong Liu
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, P. R. China
- Mengchao Med-X Center, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, P. R. China
| | - Da Zhang
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
- Mengchao Med-X Center, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, P. R. China
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Bloomer CH, Gavrila E, Burcher KM, Kalada JM, Chang MJ, Gebeyehu RR, Asare E, Khoury LM, Kinney R, Frizzell B, Sullivan CA, Bunch PM, Porosnicu M. Exceptional response to cetuximab monotherapy after failure of immunotherapy with a checkpoint inhibitor in a patient with metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer: case report and review of the literature. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2023; 15:17588359231193722. [PMID: 37667781 PMCID: PMC10475238 DOI: 10.1177/17588359231193722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy with PD-1 inhibitors monotherapy or combined with chemotherapy comprises the first-line palliative treatment for patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancers (R/M HNSCC). The established survival advantage among responders is overshadowed by the high percentage of patients failing the standard PD-1 inhibitor-based treatments. Salvage therapies are direly needed. However, no current standards are available. We present the case of a 65-year-old patient with heavily pretreated laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma who had an exceptional response to cetuximab monotherapy following the failure of immunotherapy with the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab. We reviewed the literature for other cases of exceptional response to cetuximab, clinical studies investigating the combined or sequential administration of cetuximab and PD-1 inhibitors, and the mechanistic rationale for consideration of cetuximab as a potential salvage treatment after immunotherapy with PD-1 inhibitors. In addition to the specific epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitory effect, cetuximab, as an immunoglobulin G1 isotype, binds NK cells and elicits antibody-dependent cellular toxicity, triggering a domino of immunostimulatory, and immunoinhibitory effects that actually might decrease the cetuximab anticancer efficacy. However, in a tumor microenvironment exposed to previous treatment with a PD-1 inhibitor, the effects of the PD-1 inhibitor followed by cetuximab on innate and adaptative immune response appear to synergize. Specifically, persistent immune checkpoint inhibitors' consequences may negate downstream immunosuppressive effects of cetuximab caused through PD-1/PD-L1 upregulation, making it a more potent treatment option. Besides the potential synergistic effect on antitumor immune response with previous immune checkpoint inhibitors therapy, cetuximab is the only targeted agent approved for treating R/M HNSCC, making it a most advantageous candidate for further treatment validation studies as salvage treatment post-immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chance H. Bloomer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Elena Gavrila
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kimberly M. Burcher
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - John M. Kalada
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Mark J. Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Rediet R. Gebeyehu
- Section on Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Elsabeth Asare
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jefferson Methodist Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lara M. Khoury
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Rebecca Kinney
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Bart Frizzell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Christopher A. Sullivan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Paul M. Bunch
- Department of Radiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Mercedes Porosnicu
- Section on Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Fu Y, Zheng Y. The identification of tumor antigens and immune subtypes based on the development of immunotherapies targeting head and neck squamous cell carcinomas resulting from periodontal disease. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1256105. [PMID: 37675228 PMCID: PMC10477783 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1256105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Among cancer treatments, immunotherapy is considered a promising strategy. Nonetheless, only a small number of individuals with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma exhibit positive responses to immunotherapy. This study aims to discover possible antigens for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, create an mRNA vaccine for this type of cancer, investigate the connection between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and periodontal disease, and determine the immune subtype of cells affected by head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. To ascertain gene expression profiles and clinical data corresponding to them, an examination was carried out on the TCGA database. Antigen-presenting cells were detected using TIMER. Targeting six immune-related genes (CXCL5, ADM, FGF9, AIMP1, STC1, and CDKN2A) in individuals diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma has shown promising results in immunotherapy triggered by periodontal disease. These genes have been linked to improved prognosis and increased immune cell infiltration. Additionally, CXCL5, ADM, FGF9, AIMP1, STC1, and CDKN2A exhibited potential as antigens in the creation of an mRNA vaccine. A nomogram model containing ADM expression and tumor stage was constructed for clinical practice. To summarize, ADM shows potential as a candidate biomarker for predicting the prognosis, molecular features, and immune characteristics of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells. Our results, obtained through real-time PCR analysis, showed a significant upregulation of ADM in the SCC-25 cell line compared to the NOK-SI cell line. This suggests that ADM might be implicated in the pathogenesis of HNSC, highlighting the potential of ADM as a target in HNSC treatment. However, further research is needed to elucidate the functional role of ADM in HNSC. Our findings provide a basis for the further exploration of the molecular mechanisms underlying HNSC and could help develop novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangju Fu
- Operating Room, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongbo Zheng
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Chen C, Shin JH, Fang Z, Brennan K, Horowitz NB, Pfaff KL, Welsh EL, Rodig SJ, Gevaert O, Gozani O, Uppaluri R, Sunwoo JB. Targeting KDM2A Enhances T-cell Infiltration in NSD1-Deficient Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2023; 83:2645-2655. [PMID: 37311054 PMCID: PMC10526980 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-3114] [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: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a significant proportion of tumors have inactivating mutations in the histone methyltransferase NSD1. In these tumors, NSD1 inactivation is a driver of T-cell exclusion from the tumor microenvironment (TME). A better understanding of the NSD1-mediated mechanism regulating infiltration of T cells into the TME could help identify approaches to overcome immunosuppression. Here, we demonstrated that NSD1 inactivation results in lower levels of H3K36 dimethylation and higher levels of H3K27 trimethylation, the latter being a known repressive histone mark enriched on the promoters of key T-cell chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10. HNSCC with NSD1 mutations had lower levels of these chemokines and lacked responses to PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade. Inhibition of KDM2A, the primary lysine demethylase that is selective for H3K36, reversed the altered histone marks induced by NSD1 loss and restored T-cell infiltration into the TME. Importantly, KDM2A suppression decreased growth of NSD1-deficient tumors in immunocompetent, but not in immunodeficient, mice. Together, these data indicate that KDM2A is an immunotherapeutic target for overcoming immune exclusion in HNSCC. SIGNIFICANCE The altered epigenetic landscape of NSD1-deficient tumors confers sensitivity to inhibition of the histone-modifying enzyme KDM2A as an immunotherapeutic strategy to stimulate T-cell infiltration and suppress tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - June Ho Shin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Zhuoqing Fang
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Kevin Brennan
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Informatics) and Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Nina B. Horowitz
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Kathleen L. Pfaff
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Emma L. Welsh
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Scott J. Rodig
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Olivier Gevaert
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Informatics) and Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Or Gozani
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Ravindra Uppaluri
- Division of Otolaryngology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - John B. Sunwoo
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
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Wang K, Gui L, Lu H, He X, Li D, Liu C, Liu S, Wang X. Efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab with preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1189752. [PMID: 37583698 PMCID: PMC10425220 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1189752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy in patients with resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (LA-HNSCCs). Methods In this prospective, single-arm, single-centre clinical trial, patients meeting the inclusion criteria were treated with preoperative neoadjuvant therapy with 200 mg pembrolizumab combined with 75 mg/m2 cisplatin and 175 mg/m2 paclitaxel. This was followed by surgery and postoperative adjuvant therapy. The primary endpoint was the postoperative pathological complete response (pCR) rate. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26. Results A total of 22 patients were enrolled. The location of primary lesion showed: hypopharynx were 15 (68.2%), oropharynx were 6 (27.3%) and oral cavity was 1 (4.5%). The postoperative pCR rate, was 36.4% (8/22), and there was no delay to surgery due to adverse drug reactions. The rate of laryngeal function preservation was 90.9% (20/22). Delayed wound healing was the main surgical complication, with an incidence of 22.7% (5/22). The median follow-up time was 9.5 months, and only 1 patient (4.55%) suffered a regional recurrence. Conclusion Preoperative treatment with pembrolizumab and chemotherapy in resectable LA-HNSCC has a high pCR rate with no significant impact on surgical safety. This treatment was found to increase the rate of laryngeal function preservation. However, the effects of neoadjuvant immunotherapy on long-term prognosis in LA-HNSCCs require further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Gui
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haizhen Lu
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohui He
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Dezhi Li
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Positron Emission Tomography/Computer Tomography (PET/CT) Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shaoyan Liu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolei Wang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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