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Chen L, Chao Y, Li W, Wu Z, Wang Q. Soluble immune checkpoint molecules in cancer risk, outcomes prediction, and therapeutic applications. Biomark Res 2024; 12:95. [PMID: 39218939 PMCID: PMC11368031 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00647-0] [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: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a pivotal modality in cancer treatment, with immune checkpoint inhibitors effectively combating malignancies by impeding crucial pathways within the immune system and stimulating patients' immune responses. Soluble forms of immune checkpoints exhibit a remarkable diversity and can be readily tracked in circulation, holding immense potential as biomarkers for cancer treatment. An increasing number of studies focused on soluble immune checkpoints in cancer have emerged thanks to technological advancements. In this systematic review, we comprehensively summarized the recent studies on soluble immune checkpoints in human cancer risk prediction, outcome prediction, therapeutic applications, and potential molecular mechanisms, which demonstrated the promising future of soluble immune checkpoints in clinical applications. The clinical relevance of soluble immune checkpoints has been recognized in multiple cancers, yet the therapeutic applications and mechanisms remain obscure. Interpreting the impacts and mechanisms of soluble immune checkpoints could shed a light on the novel strategies of cancer screening, treatments, and outcome prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Chen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, 310009, Zhejiang, PR China
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuqing Chao
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, 310009, Zhejiang, PR China
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, 310009, Zhejiang, PR China
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhixia Wu
- Department of Service and Purchase, Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qinchuan Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, 310009, Zhejiang, PR China.
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Pitts SC, Schlom J, Donahue RN. Soluble immune checkpoints: implications for cancer prognosis and response to immune checkpoint therapy and conventional therapies. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:155. [PMID: 38822401 PMCID: PMC11141022 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03074-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Longitudinal sampling of tumor tissue from patients with solid cancers, aside from melanoma and a few other cases, is often unfeasible, and thus may not capture the plasticity of interactions between the tumor and immune system under selective pressure of a given therapy. Peripheral blood analyses provide salient information about the human peripheral immunome while offering technical and practical advantages over traditional tumor biopsies, and should be utilized where possible alongside interrogation of the tumor. Some common blood-based biomarkers used to study the immune response include immune cell subsets, circulating tumor DNA, and protein analytes such as cytokines. With the recent explosion of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) as a modality of treatment in multiple cancer types, soluble immune checkpoints have become a relevant area of investigation for peripheral immune-based biomarkers. However, the exact functions of soluble immune checkpoints and their roles in cancer for the most part remain unclear. This review discusses current literature on the production, function, and expression of nine soluble immune checkpoints - sPD-L1, sPD-1, sCTLA4, sCD80, sTIM3, sLAG3, sB7-H3, sBTLA, and sHVEM - in patients with solid tumors, and explores their role as biomarkers of response to ICI as well as to conventional therapies (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and surgery) in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C Pitts
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Renee N Donahue
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Repetto O, Vettori R, Steffan A, Cannizzaro R, De Re V. Circulating Proteins as Diagnostic Markers in Gastric Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16931. [PMID: 38069253 PMCID: PMC10706891 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a highly malignant disease affecting humans worldwide and has a poor prognosis. Most GC cases are detected at advanced stages due to the cancer lacking early detectable symptoms. Therefore, there is great interest in improving early diagnosis by implementing targeted prevention strategies. Markers are necessary for early detection and to guide clinicians to the best personalized treatment. The current semi-invasive endoscopic methods to detect GC are invasive, costly, and time-consuming. Recent advances in proteomics technologies have enabled the screening of many samples and the detection of novel biomarkers and disease-related signature signaling networks. These biomarkers include circulating proteins from different fluids (e.g., plasma, serum, urine, and saliva) and extracellular vesicles. We review relevant published studies on circulating protein biomarkers in GC and detail their application as potential biomarkers for GC diagnosis. Identifying highly sensitive and highly specific diagnostic markers for GC may improve patient survival rates and contribute to advancing precision/personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ombretta Repetto
- Facility of Bio-Proteomics, Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Roberto Vettori
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (R.V.); (A.S.)
| | - Agostino Steffan
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (R.V.); (A.S.)
| | - Renato Cannizzaro
- Oncological Gastroenterology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy;
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Valli De Re
- Facility of Bio-Proteomics, Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy
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Chivu-Economescu M, Herlea V, Dima S, Sorop A, Pechianu C, Procop A, Kitahara S, Necula L, Matei L, Dragu D, Neagu AI, Bleotu C, Diaconu CC, Popescu I, Duda DG. Soluble PD-L1 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in resectable gastric cancer patients. Gastric Cancer 2023; 26:934-946. [PMID: 37668884 DOI: 10.1007/s10120-023-01429-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this study, we compared programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in primary tissue samples and its soluble form (sPD-L1) concentration in matched preoperative plasma samples from gastric cancer patients to understand the relationship between tissue and plasma PD-L1 expression and to determine its diagnostic and prognostic value. METHODS PD-L1 expression in tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and sPD-L1 concentration in plasma was quantified by ELISA. The levels of the CD274 gene, which encodes for PD-L1 protein, were examined as part of bulk tissue RNA-sequencing analyses. Additionally, we evaluated the association between sPD-L1 levels and various laboratory parameters, disease characteristics, and patient outcomes. RESULTS GC patients had significantly higher levels of sPD-L1 in their plasma (71.69 pg/mL) compared to healthy controls (35.34 pg/mL) (p < 0.0001). Moreover, sPD-L1 levels were significantly correlated with tissue PD-L1 protein, CD274 mRNA expression, larger tumor size, advanced tumor stage, and lymph node metastasis. Elevated sPD-L1 levels (> 103.5 ng/mL) were associated with poor overall survival (HR = 2.16, 95%CI 1.15-4.08, p = 0.017). Furthermore, intratumoral neutrophil and dendritic cell levels were directly correlated with plasma sPD-L1 concentration in the GC patients. CONCLUSIONS sPD-L1 was readily measurable in GC patients, and its level was associated with GC tissue PD-L1 expression, greater inflammatory cell infiltration, disease progression, and survival. Thus, sPD-L1 may be a useful minimally invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in GC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Chivu-Economescu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, 030304, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Vlad Herlea
- Department of Pathology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Simona Dima
- Center of Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence for Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328, Bucharest, Romania
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Andrei Sorop
- Center of Excellence for Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Catalin Pechianu
- Department of Pathology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandru Procop
- Department of Pathology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Shuji Kitahara
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Cox-724, 100 Blossom St., Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Laura Necula
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, 030304, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Lilia Matei
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, 030304, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Denisa Dragu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, 030304, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana-Iulia Neagu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, 030304, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Coralia Bleotu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, 030304, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Carmen C Diaconu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, 030304, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irinel Popescu
- Center of Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence for Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dan G Duda
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Cox-724, 100 Blossom St., Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. PD-L1 function and structure are regulated through glycosylation and various signaling pathways. However, the relationship between Pseudomonas aeruginosa mannose sensitive hemagglutinin (PA-MSHA), glycosylation and PD-L1 warrants further study. In this study, we investigated the effects of PA-MSHA on the regulation of mannosyl and N-glycosylation to identify the mechanisms underlying its function. METHODS PD-L1, β-catenin, c-Myc, mannosyl, MGAT1 and mannosidase II in HCC were identified by postoperative specimens from the HCC cohort with immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. PA-MSHA was used to suppress tumor progression. Alterations to the expression of PD-L1, β-catenin, c-Myc, MGAT1, and mannosidase II at the gene and protein levels were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Mannosyl and mannosidase II expression levels increased, whereas those of MGAT1 decreased in the HCC cells. The glycosylation-related pathway proteins, namely, β-catenin, c-Myc and PD-L1, had increased expression levels. Moreover, proliferation in the HCC cells was inhibited after PA-MSHA treatment, PD-L1 function was significantly inhibited. Transmission electron microscopy showed that PA-MSHA penetrated into the HCC cytoplasm through the cytomembrane, resulting in apoptosis. Here, PA-MSHA significantly reduced sPD-L1 expression levels in the tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS PA-MSHA plays the role of a lectin, affecting receptors on the cytomembrane. This strain inhibits mannosyl by suppressing β-catenin signaling. We hypothesized that PA-MSHA suppresses PD-L1 by: 1. Inhibiting the glycosylation process; and 2. Suppressing β-catenin and c-Myc, thereby reducing the transcription of this protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hangzhi Wei
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yudong Mao
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Huihan Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Fahong Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Youcheng Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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Fatima S, Ma Y, Safrachi A, Haider S, Spring KJ, Vafaee F, Scott KF, Roberts TL, Becker TM, de Souza P. Harnessing Liquid Biopsies to Guide Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1669. [PMID: 35406441 PMCID: PMC8997025 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy (IO), involving the use of immune checkpoint inhibition, achieves improved response-rates and significant disease-free survival for some cancer patients. Despite these beneficial effects, there is poor predictability of response and substantial rates of innate or acquired resistance, resulting in heterogeneous responses among patients. In addition, patients can develop life-threatening adverse events, and while these generally occur in patients that also show a tumor response, these outcomes are not always congruent. Therefore, predicting a response to IO is of paramount importance. Traditionally, tumor tissue analysis has been used for this purpose. However, minimally invasive liquid biopsies that monitor changes in blood or other bodily fluid markers are emerging as a promising cost-effective alternative. Traditional biomarkers have limitations mainly due to difficulty in repeatedly obtaining tumor tissue confounded also by the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of tumours. Liquid biopsy has the potential to circumvent tumor heterogeneity and to help identifying patients who may respond to IO, to monitor the treatment dynamically, as well as to unravel the mechanisms of relapse. We present here a review of the current status of molecular markers for the prediction and monitoring of IO response, focusing on the detection of these markers in liquid biopsies. With the emerging improvements in the field of liquid biopsy, this approach has the capacity to identify IO-eligible patients and provide clinically relevant information to assist with their ongoing disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadma Fatima
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (A.S.); (F.V.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Yafeng Ma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Centre for Circulating Tumor Cell Diagnosis and Research, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Azadeh Safrachi
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (A.S.); (F.V.)
| | - Sana Haider
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Kevin J. Spring
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Fatemeh Vafaee
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (A.S.); (F.V.)
- UNSW Data Science Hub, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Kieran F. Scott
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Tara L. Roberts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Therese M. Becker
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Centre for Circulating Tumor Cell Diagnosis and Research, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Paul de Souza
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
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