1
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yang C, Plum PS, Gockel I, Thieme R. Pan-cancer analysis and in vitro validation of the oncogenic and prognostic roles of AURKA in human cancers. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1186101. [PMID: 37965456 PMCID: PMC10642189 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1186101] [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: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Aurora kinase A (AURKA) plays a pivotal role in regulating cell mitosis and tumor progression. However, its prognostic significance across diverse cancer types remains relatively unexplored. Methods We conducted a comprehensive analysis of AURKA expression in various cancers using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, Genotype-Tissue Expression, and The Human Protein Atlas databases. Our investigation encompassed an exploration of the associations between AURKA expression and clinical characteristics, shedding light on potential functional roles of AURKA. Additionally, we delved into the relationship between AURKA and the tumor microenvironment. To substantiate the role of AURKA, we carried out in vitro experiments in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), prostate cancer (PRAD), and pancreatic cancer (PAAD) cells. Results Our analysis revealed that AURKA is prominently overexpressed in a majority of the cancer types under investigation. Elevated AURKA expression correlated closely with poorer prognosis and advanced tumor stages. AURKA was found to be associated with key pathways involved in the cell cycle and arachidonic acid metabolism. Moreover, AURKA expression exhibited significant correlations with immunoregulatory genes and immune cell profiles. Notably, in vitro experiments demonstrated that silencing AURKA expression resulted in reduced cell viability in EAC, PRAD, and PAAD cells, as well as a decrease in clone formation, cell cycle elongation, diminished cell invasion and reduced spheroid size in EAC cells (OE33 and OE19). Conclusion Our study elucidates the oncogenic role of AURKA and underscores its prognostic value across a spectrum of cancers, including EAC. These findings suggest that AURKA holds promise as a predictive biomarker for EAC and various other tumor types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - René Thieme
- Department of Visceral, Transplant, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang X, Zhang B, Zhang Y, Zhang F. Association analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma-related hub proteins and hub genes. Proteomics Clin Appl 2023; 17:e2200090. [PMID: 37050894 DOI: 10.1002/prca.202200090] [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: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The occurrence and development of HCC are closely related to epigenetic modifications. Epigenetic modifications can regulate gene expression and related functions through DNA methylation. This paper presents an association analysis method of HCC-related hub proteins and hub genes. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Bioinformatics analysis of HCC-related DNA methylation data is carried out to clarify the molecular mechanism of HCC-related genes and to find hub genes (genes with more connections in the network) by constructing in the gene interaction network. This paper proposes an accurate prediction method of protein-protein interaction (PPI) based on deep learning model DeepSG2PPI. The trained DeepSG2PPI model predicts the interaction relationship between the synthetic proteins regulated by HCC-related genes. RESULTS This paper finds that four genes are the intersection of hub genes and hub proteins. The four genes are: FBL, CCNB2, ALDH18A1, and RPLP0. The association of RPLP0 gene with HCC is a new finding of this study. RPLP0 is expected to become a new biomarker for the treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis of HCC. The four proteins corresponding to the four genes are: ENSP00000221801, ENSP00000288207, ENSP00000360268, and ENSP00000449328. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The association between the hub genes with the hub proteins is analyzed. The mutual verification of the hub genes and the hub proteins can obtain more credible HCC-related genes and proteins, which is helpful for the diagnosis, treatment, and drug development of HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinhong Zhang
- School of Software, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Boyan Zhang
- School of Software, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yawei Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Big Data Analysis and Processing, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Big Data Analysis and Processing, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cavalieri S, Filippini DM, Ottini A, Bergamini C, Resteghini C, Colombo E, Lombardo R, Nuzzolese I, Alfieri S, Licitra L, Locati LD. Immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and rare head and neck malignancies. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2021; 2:522-542. [PMID: 36046116 PMCID: PMC9400733 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2021.00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The dismal prognosis of recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) prompted recent advances in the field of therapeutic approaches beyond cytotoxic cancer therapy. In recent years, the deeper and increasing knowledge on the genomic landscape and the upcoming new data on immunotherapy enacted by HNSCCs have led to successful therapeutic targeting of the immune system. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have changed state of the art in R/M patients and could have a potential role even in early disease. The purpose of this work is to summarize the role of immunotherapy for R/M HNSCC in clinical practice, with insights about future perspectives. Updated immunotherapy results in other R/M head and neck cancers such as thyroid, salivary glands, nasopharynx, sinonasal cancers, and nuclear protein in testis (NUT) are presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Cavalieri
- Head and Neck Cancer Medical Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Daria Maria Filippini
- Head and Neck Cancer Medical Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Ottini
- Head and Neck Cancer Medical Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Cristiana Bergamini
- Head and Neck Cancer Medical Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Resteghini
- Head and Neck Cancer Medical Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Colombo
- Head and Neck Cancer Medical Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Lombardo
- Head and Neck Cancer Medical Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Imperia Nuzzolese
- Head and Neck Cancer Medical Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore Alfieri
- Head and Neck Cancer Medical Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Lisa Licitra
- Head and Neck Cancer Medical Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura D. Locati
- Head and Neck Cancer Medical Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
De Keukeleire SJ, Vermassen T, Hilgert E, Creytens D, Ferdinande L, Rottey S. Immuno-Oncological Biomarkers for Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck: Current State of the Art and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1714. [PMID: 33916646 PMCID: PMC8038541 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The era of immune checkpoint inhibitors has altered the therapeutic landscape in squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN). Our knowledge about the tumor microenvironment has fueled the research in SCCHN, leading to several well-known and less-known prognostic and predictive biomarkers. The clinical staging, p16/HPV status, and PD-L1 expression are currently the main tools for assessing the patients' diagnosis and prognosis. However, several novel biomarkers have been thoroughly investigated, some reaching actual significant clinical contributions. The untangling of the immune infiltrate with the subtyping of tissue-associated tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, tumor-associated macrophages, and circulating blood-based biomarkers are an interesting avenue to be further explored and prospectively assessed. Although PD-L1 expression remains the most important response predictor for immune checkpoint inhibitors, several flaws impede proper assessment such as technical issues, different scoring protocol, and intra-, inter-, and temporal heterogeneity. In addition, the construction of an immune-related gene panel has been proposed as a prognostic and predictive stratification but lacks consensus. Recently, the role of microbioma have also been explored regarding its systemic and antitumor immunity. This review gives a comprehensive overview of the aforementioned topics in SCCHN. To this end, the integration of these clinically advantageous biomarkers via construction of an immunogram or nomogram could be an invaluable tool for SCCHN in future prospects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stijn J. De Keukeleire
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (T.V.); (S.R.)
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (E.H.); (D.C.); (L.F.)
- Drug Research Unit Ghent, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tijl Vermassen
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (T.V.); (S.R.)
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (E.H.); (D.C.); (L.F.)
- Drug Research Unit Ghent, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Elien Hilgert
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (E.H.); (D.C.); (L.F.)
- Centre for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - David Creytens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (E.H.); (D.C.); (L.F.)
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Ferdinande
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (E.H.); (D.C.); (L.F.)
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sylvie Rottey
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (T.V.); (S.R.)
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (E.H.); (D.C.); (L.F.)
- Drug Research Unit Ghent, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Merlano MC, Abbona A, Paccagnella M, Falletta A, Granetto C, Ricci V, Fea E, Denaro N, Ruatta F, Merlotti A, Bertetto O, Crosetto N, Galizia D, Basiricò M, Gammaitoni L, Sangiolo D, Aglietta M, Garrone O. Cytokine Profiling of End Stage Cancer Patients Treated with Immunotherapy. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9030235. [PMID: 33800511 PMCID: PMC7999072 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9030235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Published data suggest that immunotherapy plays a role even in patients with very advanced tumours. We investigated the immune profile of end-stage cancer patients treated with immunotherapy to identify changes induced by treatment. Breast, colon, renal and prostate cancer patients were eligible. Treatment consisted of metronomic cyclophosphamide, low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) and a single radiation shot. A panel of 16 cytokines was assessed using automated ELISA before treatment (T0), after radiation (RT; T1), at cycle 2 (T2) and at disease progression (TPD). Receiving operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to identify cytokine cut-off related to overall survival (OS). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the immune profile correlating better with OS and progression-free survival. Twenty-three patients were enrolled. High IL-2, low IL-8 and CCL-2 correlated with OS. The PCA identified a cluster of patients, with high IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-γ levels at T0 having longer PFS and OS. In all cohorts, IL-2 and IL-5 increased from T0 to T2; a higher CCL-4 level compared to T2 and a higher IL-8 level compared to T0 were found at TPD. The progressive increase of the IL-10 level during treatment negatively correlated with OS. Our data suggested that baseline cytokine levels may predict patients’ outcome and that the treatment may affect their kinetic even in end-stage patients. Cytokine profiling of end-stage patients might offer a tool for medical decisions (EUDRACT: 2016-000578-39).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Carlo Merlano
- Experimental Cell Therapy Lab, Department of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Turin, Italy; (L.G.); (D.S.); (M.A.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +39-0171-616342
| | - Andrea Abbona
- Translational Oncology, ARCO Foundation, 12100 Cuneo, Italy; (A.A.); (M.P.); (A.F.); (O.G.)
| | - Matteo Paccagnella
- Translational Oncology, ARCO Foundation, 12100 Cuneo, Italy; (A.A.); (M.P.); (A.F.); (O.G.)
| | - Antonella Falletta
- Translational Oncology, ARCO Foundation, 12100 Cuneo, Italy; (A.A.); (M.P.); (A.F.); (O.G.)
| | - Cristina Granetto
- Department of Medical Oncology, S. Croce e Carle Teaching Hospital, 12100 Cuneo, Italy; (C.G.); (V.R.); (E.F.); (N.D.); (F.R.)
| | - Vincenzo Ricci
- Department of Medical Oncology, S. Croce e Carle Teaching Hospital, 12100 Cuneo, Italy; (C.G.); (V.R.); (E.F.); (N.D.); (F.R.)
| | - Elena Fea
- Department of Medical Oncology, S. Croce e Carle Teaching Hospital, 12100 Cuneo, Italy; (C.G.); (V.R.); (E.F.); (N.D.); (F.R.)
| | - Nerina Denaro
- Department of Medical Oncology, S. Croce e Carle Teaching Hospital, 12100 Cuneo, Italy; (C.G.); (V.R.); (E.F.); (N.D.); (F.R.)
| | - Fiorella Ruatta
- Department of Medical Oncology, S. Croce e Carle Teaching Hospital, 12100 Cuneo, Italy; (C.G.); (V.R.); (E.F.); (N.D.); (F.R.)
| | - Anna Merlotti
- Department of Radiotherapy, S. Croce e Carle Teaching Hospital, 12100 Cuneo, Italy;
| | - Oscar Bertetto
- Rete Oncologica del Piemonte e Della Valle d’Aosta, 10125 Turin, Italy;
| | - Nicola Crosetto
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysiscs, Karolinska Institute, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Danilo Galizia
- Multidisciplinary Oncology Outpatient Clinic, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Turin, Italy;
| | - Marco Basiricò
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10043 Turin, Italy;
| | - Loretta Gammaitoni
- Experimental Cell Therapy Lab, Department of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Turin, Italy; (L.G.); (D.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Dario Sangiolo
- Experimental Cell Therapy Lab, Department of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Turin, Italy; (L.G.); (D.S.); (M.A.)
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10043 Turin, Italy;
| | - Massimo Aglietta
- Experimental Cell Therapy Lab, Department of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Turin, Italy; (L.G.); (D.S.); (M.A.)
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10043 Turin, Italy;
| | - Ornella Garrone
- Translational Oncology, ARCO Foundation, 12100 Cuneo, Italy; (A.A.); (M.P.); (A.F.); (O.G.)
- Breast Unit, S. Croce e Carle Teaching Hospital, 12100 Cuneo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bhat AA, Yousuf P, Wani NA, Rizwan A, Chauhan SS, Siddiqi MA, Bedognetti D, El-Rifai W, Frenneaux MP, Batra SK, Haris M, Macha MA. Tumor microenvironment: an evil nexus promoting aggressive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and avenue for targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:12. [PMID: 33436555 PMCID: PMC7804459 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00419-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a very aggressive disease with a poor prognosis for advanced-stage tumors. Recent clinical, genomic, and cellular studies have revealed the highly heterogeneous and immunosuppressive nature of HNSCC. Despite significant advances in multimodal therapeutic interventions, failure to cure and recurrence are common and account for most deaths. It is becoming increasingly apparent that tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in HNSCC tumorigenesis, promotes the evolution of aggressive tumors and resistance to therapy, and thereby adversely affects the prognosis. A complete understanding of the TME factors, together with the highly complex tumor-stromal interactions, can lead to new therapeutic interventions in HNSCC. Interestingly, different molecular and immune landscapes between HPV+ve and HPV-ve (human papillomavirus) HNSCC tumors offer new opportunities for developing individualized, targeted chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) regimen. This review highlights the current understanding of the complexity between HPV+ve and HPV-ve HNSCC TME and various tumor-stromal cross-talk modulating processes, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), anoikis resistance, angiogenesis, immune surveillance, metastatic niche, therapeutic resistance, and development of an aggressive tumor phenotype. Furthermore, we summarize the recent developments and the rationale behind CIT strategies and their clinical applications in HPV+ve and HPV-ve HNSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ajaz A Bhat
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Parvaiz Yousuf
- Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Kashmir, Ganderbal, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Nissar A Wani
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Arshi Rizwan
- Department of Nephrology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Shyam S Chauhan
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Mushtaq A Siddiqi
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Davide Bedognetti
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunogenomics, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Wael El-Rifai
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar. .,Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Jammu & Kashmir, India.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Seliger B, Massa C, Yang B, Bethmann D, Kappler M, Eckert AW, Wickenhauser C. Immune Escape Mechanisms and Their Clinical Relevance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197032. [PMID: 32987799 PMCID: PMC7582858 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has been recently approved for the treatment of relapsed and metastatic human papilloma virus (HPV) positive and negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the response of patients is limited and the overall survival remains short with a low rate of long-term survivors. There exists growing evidence that complex and partially redundant immune escape mechanisms play an important role for the low efficacy of immunotherapies in this disease. These are caused by diverse complex processes characterized by (i) changes in the expression of immune modulatory molecules in tumor cells, (ii) alterations in the frequency, composition and clonal expansion of immune cell subpopulations in the tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood leading to reduced innate and adaptive immune responses, (iii) impaired homing of immune cells to the tumor site as well as (iv) the presence of immune suppressive soluble and physical factors in the tumor microenvironment. We here summarize the major immune escape strategies of HNSCC lesions, highlight pathways, and molecular targets that help to attenuate HNSCC-induced immune tolerance, affect the selection and success of immunotherapeutic approaches to overcome resistance to immunotherapy by targeting immune escape mechanisms and thus improve the HNSCC patients’ outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany; (C.M.); (B.Y.)
- Fraunhofer Institute of Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany; (C.M.); (B.Y.)
| | - Bo Yang
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany; (C.M.); (B.Y.)
| | - Daniel Bethmann
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany; (D.B.); (C.W.)
| | - Matthias Kappler
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (M.K.); (A.W.E.)
| | - Alexander Walter Eckert
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (M.K.); (A.W.E.)
- Klinik für Mund-, Kiefer- und Plastische Gesichtschirurgie, Universitätsklinik der Paracelsus Medizinischen Privatuniversität; 90471 Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany; (D.B.); (C.W.)
| |
Collapse
|