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Martin SD, Martin KC, Gilks CB, Crawford RI, Hoang LN. PRAME Immunohistochemistry for Distinguishing Vulvar and Vaginal Melanoma From Benign Melanocytic Nevi. Int J Gynecol Pathol 2024; 43:389-396. [PMID: 38085951 DOI: 10.1097/pgp.0000000000001004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Vulvovaginal melanoma (VVM) is a rare but deadly disease, accounting for 5% of all vulvar malignancies, with a 5-yr survival rate of only 47% for all stages of the disease. VVM is a distinct subset of melanoma, with a unique genomic profile and underlying pathogenesis unassociated with sun exposure. Distinguishing these rare malignancies from very common pigmented lesions of the vulva and vagina is challenging as histologic features often overlap between entities. PReferentially expressed Antigen in MElanoma (PRAME) is a melanoma-associated protein, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for PRAME distinguishes cutaneous, oral mucosal, and retinal melanoma from atypical nevi. Given the biological differences between VVM and cutaneous melanoma, the utility of PRAME IHC for the diagnosis of VVM is unknown. We accrued a cohort of 20 VVM and 21 benign vulvar melanocytic nevi. We found that nuclear PRAME IHC staining with 4+ intensity was present in 85% of the VVM and 0% of the nevi. With the assistance of PRAME IHC, we found evidence of close or positive margin involvement in 3 of 10 cases where margins were originally diagnosed as negative for melanoma in situ. Our study is the first to assess PRAME IHC in a cohort of VVM cases and provides confidence for using PRAME IHC to assist with diagnosis and margin assessment in this rare disease.
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Yang J, Chen M, Ye J, Ma H. Targeting PRAME for acute myeloid leukemia therapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1378277. [PMID: 38596687 PMCID: PMC11002138 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1378277] [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: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite significant progress in targeted therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), clinical outcomes are disappointing for elderly patients, patients with less fit disease characteristics, and patients with adverse disease risk characteristics. Over the past 10 years, adaptive T-cell immunotherapy has been recognized as a strategy for treating various malignant tumors. However, it has faced significant challenges in AML, primarily because myeloid blasts do not contain unique surface antigens. The preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME), a cancer-testis antigen, is abnormally expressed in AML and does not exist in normal hematopoietic cells. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that PRAME is a useful target for treating AML. This paper reviews the structure and function of PRAME, its effects on normal cells and AML blasts, its implications in prognosis and follow-up, and its use in antigen-specific immunotherapy for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjun Yang
- Department of Hematology and Institute of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mengran Chen
- Department of Hematology and Institute of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Ye
- Department of Dermatology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongbing Ma
- Department of Hematology and Institute of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Rausch J, Ullrich E, Kühn MW. Epigenetic targeting to enhance acute myeloid leukemia-directed immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1269012. [PMID: 37809078 PMCID: PMC10556528 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1269012] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
AML is a malignant disease of hematopoietic progenitor cells with unsatisfactory treatment outcome, especially in patients that are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. Immunotherapy, comprising checkpoint inhibition, T-cell engaging antibody constructs, and cellular therapies, has dramatically improved the outcome of patients with solid tumors and lymphatic neoplasms. In AML, these approaches have been far less successful. Discussed reasons are the relatively low mutational burden of AML blasts and the difficulty in defining AML-specific antigens not expressed on hematopoietic progenitor cells. On the other hand, epigenetic dysregulation is an essential driver of leukemogenesis, and non-selective hypomethylating agents (HMAs) are the current backbone of non-intensive treatment. The first clinical trials that evaluated whether HMAs may improve immune checkpoint inhibitors' efficacy showed modest efficacy except for the anti-CD47 antibody that was substantially more efficient against AML when combined with azacitidine. Combining bispecific antibodies or cellular treatments with HMAs is subject to ongoing clinical investigation, and efficacy data are awaited shortly. More selective second-generation inhibitors targeting specific chromatin regulators have demonstrated promising preclinical activity against AML and are currently evaluated in clinical trials. These drugs that commonly cause leukemia cell differentiation potentially sensitize AML to immune-based treatments by co-regulating immune checkpoints, providing a pro-inflammatory environment, and inducing (neo)-antigen expression. Combining selective targeted epigenetic drugs with (cellular) immunotherapy is, therefore, a promising approach to avoid unintended effects and augment efficacy. Future studies will provide detailed information on how these compounds influence specific immune functions that may enable translation into clinical assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Rausch
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Children’s Hospital, Experimental Immunology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- University Cancer Center (UCT), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Michael W.M. Kühn
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Maurer K, Soiffer RJ. The delicate balance of graft versus leukemia and graft versus host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Expert Rev Hematol 2023; 16:943-962. [PMID: 37906445 PMCID: PMC11195539 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2023.2273847] [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: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The curative basis of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) relies in part upon the graft versus leukemia (GvL) effect, whereby donor immune cells recognize and eliminate recipient malignant cells. However, alloreactivity of donor cells against recipient tissues may also be deleterious. Chronic graft versus host disease (cGvHD) is an immunologic phenomenon wherein alloreactive donor T cells aberrantly react against host tissues, leading to damaging inflammatory symptoms. AREAS COVERED Here, we discuss biological insights into GvL and cGvHD and strategies to balance the prevention of GvHD with maintenance of GvL in modern HSCT. EXPERT OPINION/COMMENTARY Relapse remains the leading cause of mortality after HSCT with rates as high as 40% for some diseases. GvHD is a major cause of morbidity after HSCT, occurring in up to half of patients and responsible for 15-20% of deaths after HSCT. Intriguingly, the development of chronic GvHD may be linked to lower relapse rates after HSCT, suggesting that GvL and GvHD may be complementary sides of the immunologic foundation of HSCT. The ability to fine tune the balance of GvL and GvHD will lead to improvements in survival, relapse rates, and quality of life for patients undergoing HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Maurer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert J Soiffer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Shao R, Li Z, Xin H, Jiang S, Zhu Y, Liu J, Huang R, Xu K, Shi X. Biomarkers as targets for CAR-T/NK cell therapy in AML. Biomark Res 2023; 11:65. [PMID: 37330575 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00501-9] [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: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The most common kind of acute leukemia in adults is acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is often treated with induction chemotherapy regimens followed by consolidation or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, some patients continue to develop relapsed or refractory AML (R/R-AML). Small molecular targeted drugs require long-time administration. Not all the patients hold molecular targets. Novel medicines are therefore needed to enhance treatment outcomes. T cells and natural killer (NK) cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that target antigens associated with AML have recently been produced and are currently being tested in both pre-clinical and clinical settings. This review provides an overview of CAR-T/NK treatments for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruonan Shao
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zijian Li
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Honglei Xin
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Suyu Jiang
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yilin Zhu
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingan Liu
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rong Huang
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kailin Xu
- Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xiaofeng Shi
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China.
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Morris VS, Ghazi H, Fletcher DM, Guinn BA. A Direct Comparison, and Prioritisation, of the Immunotherapeutic Targets Expressed by Adult and Paediatric Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Cells: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9667. [PMID: 37298623 PMCID: PMC10253696 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119667] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is characterized by impaired myeloid differentiation resulting in an accumulation of immature blasts in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. Although AML can occur at any age, the incidence peaks at age 65. The pathobiology of AML also varies with age with associated differences in incidence, as well as the frequency of cytogenetic change and somatic mutations. In addition, 5-year survival rates in paediatrics are 60-75% but fall to 5-15% in older AML patients. This systematic review aimed to determine whether the altered genes in AML affect the same molecular pathways, indifferent of patient age, and, therefore, whether patients could benefit from the repurposing drugs or the use of the same immunotherapeutic strategies across age boundaries to prevent relapse. Using a PICO framework and PRISMA-P checklist, relevant publications were identified using five literature databases and assessed against an inclusion criteria, leaving 36 articles, and 71 targets for therapy, for further analysis. QUADAS-2 was used to determine the risk of bias and perform a quality control step. We then priority-ranked the list of cancer antigens based on predefined and pre-weighted objective criteria as part of an analytical hierarchy process used for dealing with complex decisions. This organized the antigens according to their potential to act as targets for the immunotherapy of AML, a treatment that offers an opportunity to remove residual leukaemia cells at first remission and improve survival rates. It was found that 80% of the top 20 antigens identified in paediatric AML were also within the 20 highest scoring immunotherapy targets in adult AML. To analyse the relationships between the targets and their link to different molecular pathways, PANTHER and STRING analyses were performed on the 20 highest scoring immunotherapy targets for both adult and paediatric AML. There were many similarities in the PANTHER and STRING results, including the most prominent pathways being angiogenesis and inflammation mediated by chemokine and cytokine signalling pathways. The coincidence of targets suggests that the repurposing of immunotherapy drugs across age boundaries could benefit AML patients, especially when used in combination with conventional therapies. However, due to cost implications, we would recommend that efforts are focused on ways to target the highest scoring antigens, such as WT1, NRAS, IDH1 and TP53, although in the future other candidates may prove successful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa S. Morris
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull HU6 7RX, UK;
| | - Hanya Ghazi
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull HU6 7RX, UK;
| | - Daniel M. Fletcher
- Centre for Biomedicine, Hull York Medical School, Kingston upon Hull HU6 7RX, UK;
| | - Barbara-ann Guinn
- Centre for Biomedicine, Hull York Medical School, Kingston upon Hull HU6 7RX, UK;
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Mudhar HS, Milman T, Stevenson S, Watson M, Kim J, Magan T, Salvi SM, Harley U, Lally SE, Shields CL. PRAME expression by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription quantitative PCR in conjunctival melanocytic lesions-a comprehensive clinicopathologic study of 202 cases and correlation of cytogenetics with PRAME expression in challenging conjunctival melanocytic lesions. Hum Pathol 2023; 134:1-18. [PMID: 36804828 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
This study examined PRAME (preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma) expression by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) in 202 histologically unequivocal conjunctival melanocytic lesions: 76 nevi, 29 benign melanoses, 25 low-grade conjunctival intraepithelial melanocytic lesions (LGCMIL), 26 high-grade conjunctival melanocytic intraepithelial lesions/in-situ melanoma (HGCMIL), and 46 invasive melanomas. PRAME score 0 was seen in 96% of nevi (73/76), 96% of benign melanoses (28/29), and 88% of LGCMIL (22/25). PRAME score 4 was seen in 50% HGCMIL (13/26) and 76% invasive melanomas (35/46). PRAME score 4 had a sensitivity of 50% and specificity of 100% in differentiating between HGCMIL and benign melanosis/LGCMIL. PRAME score 4 had a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 100% in differentiating between melanoma and nevi. Relative quantification of PRAME mRNA expression by RT-qPCR was performed on 49 cases (24%): 17 nevi, 3 benign melanoses, 5 LGCMIL, 9 HGCMIL, and 15 invasive melanomas. The analysis generated two distinct groupings with 'high' relative PRAME expression for the HGCMIL and invasive melanoma and 'low/zero' expression for nevi, benign melanosis, and LGCMIL. Thirty-three challenging conjunctival melanocytic lesions that had previous fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis were studied: 18 nevi, 12 melanomas in a nevus, 2 nevoid melanomas, and 1 in-situ melanoma. All nevi (100%) showed concordance between negative FISH and PRAME (scores 0-3). Four of 13 melanomas (31%; in-situ, invasive, isolated, and in association with nevus) showed concordance between positive FISH and PRAME score 4. In conclusion, PRAME score 4 has 100% specificity for the diagnosis of HGCMIL and melanoma. PRAME is limited in its sensitivity in the evaluation of challenging melanocytic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hardeep Singh Mudhar
- National Specialist Ophthalmic Pathology Service (NSOPS), Dept of Histopathology, E-Floor, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, England, UK.
| | - Tatyana Milman
- Department of Pathology, Wills Eye Hospital, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
| | - Sarah Stevenson
- Sheffield Diagnostic Genetics Service, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Sheffield S10 2TH, England, UK; The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, England, UK.
| | - Mark Watson
- Sheffield Diagnostic Genetics Service, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Sheffield S10 2TH, England, UK.
| | - Julie Kim
- Department of Pathology, Wills Eye Hospital, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
| | - Tejal Magan
- Department of Pathology, Wills Eye Hospital, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
| | - Sachin M Salvi
- Sheffield Ocular Oncology Service, Dept of Ophthalmology, A Floor, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK.
| | - Umiya Harley
- Sheffield Ocular Oncology Service, Dept of Ophthalmology, A Floor, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK.
| | - Sarah E Lally
- Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
| | - Carol L Shields
- Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
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Kulkarni NV, Shetty RA, Kumari N S, Shetty VV, Krishna R, Arumugam M, Kalal AA, Shetty P. Correlation of preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME) gene expression with clinical characteristics in acute leukemia patients. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2022; 20:97. [PMID: 35788450 PMCID: PMC9256891 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-022-00376-7] [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: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME) gene is regularly overexpressed in acute leukemia (AL) and other malignant diseases which are recognized by human leucocyte antigen (HLA-24) located in the human chromosome of 22q11 coded by 509 amino acids. To rule out the PRAME gene expression in AL patients and its correlation with clinical characteristics in the Indian population set up by RT-qPCR. Results A total of 42 samples collected, 29 (69.4%) were males, and 13 (30.95%) were females, with a mean and standard deviation for age were 39.07 ± 22.22 years. Of which AML were of 22 (52.38%) cases, ALL were of 14 (33.33%) cases, and 6 (14.2%) cases which included other forms of leukemia. PRAME gene expression was highly expressed in thirty-three 27 (64.28%) AL patients compared to the least expression in healthy individuals. No significant difference between the different forms of AL (p=0.3203) was observed. Cytogenetic analysis of normal karyotype (NK), abnormal karyotype (Ab. K), and culture failure (CF) displayed statistical non-significance (p=0.5801). Among cytogenetic abnormalities obtained, no significant differences between the groups were observed (p=0.8507). Chloride, potassium, and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) was found to be statistically significant with p=0.0038**, p=0.0358*, and p=0.0216*, respectively, between all other clinical characteristics. There was no correlation between the PRAME gene expression and clinical parameters. Conclusion PRAME gene expression in AL patients was highly expressed, comparable to studies reported globally with significant cytogenetic results. PRAME gene could be used as a potential diagnostic marker for monitoring the malignancies and minimal residual disease in AL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagaraj V Kulkarni
- Central Research Laboratory, KSHEMA Centre for Genetic Services, KS Hegde Medical Academy, NITTE (Deemed to be) University, Derlakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575 018, India
| | - Reshma A Shetty
- Central Research Laboratory, KSHEMA Centre for Genetic Services, KS Hegde Medical Academy, NITTE (Deemed to be) University, Derlakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575 018, India
| | - Suchetha Kumari N
- Department of Biochemistry, KS Hegde Medical Academy, NITTE (Deemed to be) University, Nityanandanagar, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575 018, India
| | - Vijith V Shetty
- Department of Medical Oncology, KS Hegde Medical Academy, NITTE (Deemed to be University), Derlakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575 018, India
| | - Rajesh Krishna
- Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, Yenepoya (Deemed to be) University, Nityanandanagar, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575 018, India
| | - Meenakshi Arumugam
- Central Research Laboratory, KSHEMA Centre for Genetic Services, KS Hegde Medical Academy, NITTE (Deemed to be) University, Derlakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575 018, India
| | - Akanksha A Kalal
- Central Research Laboratory, KSHEMA Centre for Genetic Services, KS Hegde Medical Academy, NITTE (Deemed to be) University, Derlakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575 018, India
| | - Prashanth Shetty
- Central Research Laboratory, KSHEMA Centre for Genetic Services, KS Hegde Medical Academy, NITTE (Deemed to be) University, Derlakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575 018, India.
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Ricci C, Dika E, Ambrosi F, Lambertini M, Veronesi G, Barbara C. Cutaneous Melanomas: A Single Center Experience on the Usage of Immunohistochemistry Applied for the Diagnosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5911. [PMID: 35682589 PMCID: PMC9180684 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23115911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma (cM) is the deadliest of all primary skin cancers. Its prognosis is strongly influenced by the stage at diagnosis, with early stages having a good prognosis and being potentially treatable with surgery alone; advanced stages display a much worse prognosis, with a high rate of recurrence and metastasis. For this reason, the accurate and early diagnosis of cM is crucial-misdiagnosis may have extremely dangerous consequences for the patient and drastically reduce their chances of survival. Although the histological exam remains the "gold standard" for the diagnosis of cM, a continuously increasing number of immunohistochemical markers that could help in diagnosis, prognostic characterization, and appropriate therapeutical choices are identified every day, with some of them becoming part of routine practice. This review aims to discuss and summarize all the data related to the immunohistochemical analyses that are potentially useful for the diagnosis of cM, thus rendering it easier to appropriately applicate to routine practice. We will discuss these topics, as well as the role of these molecules in the biology of cM and potential impact on diagnosis and treatment, integrating the literature data with the experience of our surgical pathology department.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costantino Ricci
- Pathology Unit, Ospedale Maggiore, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (C.R.); (F.A.)
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Emi Dika
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Francesca Ambrosi
- Pathology Unit, Ospedale Maggiore, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (C.R.); (F.A.)
| | - Martina Lambertini
- Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico Sant’Orsola-Malpighi, University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (M.L.); (G.V.)
| | - Giulia Veronesi
- Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico Sant’Orsola-Malpighi, University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (M.L.); (G.V.)
| | - Corti Barbara
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola, 40139 Bologna, Italy
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Reikvam H, Hatfield KJ, Wendelbo Ø, Lindås R, Lassalle P, Bruserud Ø. Endocan in Acute Leukemia: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12040492. [PMID: 35454082 PMCID: PMC9027427 DOI: 10.3390/biom12040492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocan is a soluble dermatan sulfate proteoglycan expressed by endothelial cells and detected in serum/plasma. Its expression is increased in tumors/tumor vessels in several human malignancies, and high expression (high serum/plasma levels or tumor levels) has an adverse prognostic impact in several malignancies. The p14 endocan degradation product can also be detected in serum/plasma, but previous clinical studies as well as previously unpublished results presented in this review suggest that endocan and p14 endocan fragment levels reflect different biological characteristics, and the endocan levels seem to reflect the disease heterogeneity in acute leukemia better than the p14 fragment levels. Furthermore, decreased systemic endocan levels in previously immunocompetent sepsis patients are associated with later severe respiratory complications, but it is not known whether this is true also for immunocompromised acute leukemia patients. Finally, endocan is associated with increased early nonrelapse mortality in (acute leukemia) patients receiving allogeneic stem cell transplantation, and this adverse prognostic impact seems to be independent of the adverse impact of excessive fluid overload. Systemic endocan levels may also become important to predict cytokine release syndrome after immunotherapy/haploidentical transplantation, and in the long-term follow-up of acute leukemia survivors with regard to cardiovascular risk. Therapeutic targeting of endocan is now possible, and the possible role of endocan in acute leukemia should be further investigated to clarify whether the therapeutic strategy should also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Håkon Reikvam
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway;
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway; (Ø.W.); (R.L.)
| | - Kimberley Joanne Hatfield
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway;
| | - Øystein Wendelbo
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway; (Ø.W.); (R.L.)
| | - Roald Lindås
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway; (Ø.W.); (R.L.)
| | - Philippe Lassalle
- Inserm, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France;
- Center for Infection and Immunity, le Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique, Univeristy of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
- Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, Equipe Immunité Pulmonaire, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Øystein Bruserud
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway;
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway; (Ø.W.); (R.L.)
- Correspondence:
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Yu J, Sun H, Cao W, Song Y, Jiang Z. Research progress on dendritic cell vaccines in cancer immunotherapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:3. [PMID: 35074008 PMCID: PMC8784280 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00257-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC) vaccines induce specific immune responses that can selectively eliminate target cells. In recent years, many studies have been conducted to explore DC vaccination in the treatment of hematological malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, as well as other nonleukemia malignancies. There are at least two different strategies that use DCs to promote antitumor immunity: in situ vaccination and canonical vaccination. Monocyte-derived DCs (mo-DCs) and leukemia-derived DCs (DCleu) are the main types of DCs used in vaccines for AML and MDS thus far. Different cancer-related molecules such as peptides, recombinant proteins, apoptotic leukemic cells, whole tumor cells or lysates and DCs/DCleu containing a vaster antigenic repertoire with RNA electroporation, have been used as antigen sources to load DCs. To enhance DC vaccine efficacy, new strategies, such as combination with conventional chemotherapy, monospecific/bispecific antibodies and immune checkpoint-targeting therapies, have been explored. After a decade of trials and tribulations, much progress has been made and much promise has emerged in the field. In this review we summarize the recent advances in DC vaccine immunotherapy for AML/MDS as well as other nonleukemia malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jifeng Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Nuclear Protein Gene Regulation, Henan University College of Medicine, Kaifeng, 475004, Henan, China
| | - Hao Sun
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Weijie Cao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Yongping Song
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China.
| | - Zhongxing Jiang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
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Mai L, Qiu Y, Lian Z, Chen C, Wang L, Yin Y, Wang S, Yang X, Li Y, Peng W, Luo C, Pan X. MustSeq, an alternative approach for multiplexible strand-specific 3' end sequencing of mRNA transcriptome confers high efficiency and practicality. RNA Biol 2021; 18:232-243. [PMID: 34586036 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1974208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-seq has been widely used to reveal the molecular mechanism of variants of life process. We have developed an alternative method, MustSeq, which generates multiple second strands along a single 1st strand cDNA by random-priming initiation, immediately after reverse transcription for each RNA extract using sample-barcoded poly-dT primers, then 3' ends-enriching PCR is applied to construct the library. Unlike the conventional RNA seq, MustSeq avoids procedures such as mRNA isolation, fragmentation and RNA 5'-end capture, enables early pooling of multiple samples, and requires only one twentieth of sequencing reads of full-length sequencing. We demonstrate the power and features of MustSeq comparing with TruSeq and NEBNext RNA-seq, two conventional full-length methods and QuantSeq, an industrial 3' end method. In cancer cell lines, the reads distribution of CDS-exon as well as genes, lncRNAs and GO terms detected by MustSeq are closer than QuantSeq to TruSeq. In mouse hepatocarcinoma and healthy livers, MustSeq enriches the same pathways as by NEBNext, and reveals the molecular profile of carcinogenesis. Overall MustSeq is a robust and accurate RNA-seq method allowing efficient library construction, sequencing and analysis, particularly valuable for analysis of differentially expressed genes with a large number of samples. MustSeq will greatly accelerate the application of bulk RNA-seq on different fields, and potentially applicable for single cell RNA-seq.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyao Mai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yinbin Qiu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhiwei Lian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Caiming Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Linlin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yao Yin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Siqi Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiang Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yazi Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wanwan Peng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chaochao Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xinghua Pan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Great Bar Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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Trial Watch: Adoptive TCR-Engineered T-Cell Immunotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184519. [PMID: 34572745 PMCID: PMC8469736 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184519] [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: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer with an extremely grim prognosis. This is due to the fact that the majority of patients will relapse after frontline treatment. Overall survival of relapsed AML is very low, and treatment options are few. T lymphocytes harnessed with antitumor T-cell receptors (TCRs) can produce objective clinical responses in certain cancers, such as melanoma, but have not entered the main road for AML. In this review, we describe the current status of the field of TCR-T-cell therapies for AML. Abstract Despite the advent of novel therapies, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains associated with a grim prognosis. This is exemplified by 5-year overall survival rates not exceeding 30%. Even with frontline high-intensity chemotherapy regimens and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the majority of patients with AML will relapse. For these patients, treatment options are few, and novel therapies are urgently needed. Adoptive T-cell therapies represent an attractive therapeutic avenue due to the intrinsic ability of T lymphocytes to recognize tumor cells with high specificity and efficiency. In particular, T-cell therapies focused on introducing T-cell receptors (TCRs) against tumor antigens have achieved objective clinical responses in solid tumors such as synovial sarcoma and melanoma. However, contrary to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells with groundbreaking results in B-cell malignancies, the use of TCR-T cells for hematological malignancies is still in its infancy. In this review, we provide an overview of the status and clinical advances in adoptive TCR-T-cell therapy for the treatment of AML.
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Linder K, Lulla P. Myelodysplastic syndrome and immunotherapy novel to next in-line treatments. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021; 17:2602-2616. [PMID: 33941042 PMCID: PMC8475606 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2021.1898307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) have few therapy options for sustainable responses in the frontline setting, and even less after hypomethylating agent (HMA) failure in relapsed and refractory setting. The only potential cure is an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant which is an unrealistic option for the majority of MDS patients. Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibition, CAR-T cells, and vaccine therapy few have shown promise in a variety cancer and have now been tested in patients with MDS. Most trials have focused on AML patients and included small numbers of MDS patients. Until now, a dedicated review of immunotherapy outcomes in MDS patients has been lacking. Thus, herein we review outcomes of MDS patients after immunotherapies on a variety of clinical trials reported to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Linder
- Baylor College of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Oncology, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Premal Lulla
- Baylor College of Medicine, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Hematology-Oncology, Houston, TX, USA
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de Lima M, Roboz GJ, Platzbecker U, Craddock C, Ossenkoppele G. AML and the art of remission maintenance. Blood Rev 2021; 49:100829. [PMID: 33832807 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2021.100829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Relapse in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is common, especially in older patients, and there is currently no standard of care maintenance therapy for those who achieve complete remission. Finding effective, tolerable maintenance therapy to prolong remission has been a goal for decades, but early clinical trials testing a variety of agents demonstrated disappointing results with no overall survival benefit. CC-486, an oral hypomethylating agent, was recently approved in the United States for maintenance treatment in patients with AML in first remission following chemotherapy. A number of ongoing studies are assessing various therapeutics in the maintenance setting, including other hypomethylating agents, targeted small-molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and immunomodulators. New strategies are needed to identify patients most likely to benefit from maintenance therapy, including those for whom a preemptive approach reliant on monitoring of measurable residual disease would be advantageous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos de Lima
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America.
| | - Gail J Roboz
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America; New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, United States of America
| | | | - Charles Craddock
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Amberger DC, Schmetzer HM. Dendritic Cells of Leukemic Origin: Specialized Antigen-Presenting Cells as Potential Treatment Tools for Patients with Myeloid Leukemia. Transfus Med Hemother 2021; 47:432-443. [PMID: 33442338 DOI: 10.1159/000512452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-grade myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is limited due to the lack of therapy options and high relapse rates. Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy seems to be a promising treatment tool. DC are potent antigen-presenting cells and play a pivotal role on the interface of the innate and the adaptive immune system. Myeloid leukemia blasts can be converted to DC of leukemic origin (DCleu), expressing costimulatory molecules along with the whole leukemic antigen repertoire of individual patients. These generated DCleu are potent stimulators of various immune reactive cells and increase antileukemic immunity ex vivo. Here we review the generating process of DC/DCleu from leukemic peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as directly from leukemic whole blood with "minimized" Kits to simulate physiological conditions ex vivo. The purpose of adoptive cell transfer of DC/DCleu as a vaccination strategy is discussed. A new potential therapy option with Kits for patients with myeloid leukemia, which would render an adoptive DC/DCleu transfer unnecessary, is presented. In summary, DC/DCleu-based therapies seem to be promising treatment tools for patients with AML or MDS but ongoing research including trials in animals and humans have to be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helga Maria Schmetzer
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Hematopoetic Cell Transplantation, Munich, Germany
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Kazemian A, Nematollahi P. Evaluation of CD30 expression in B ALL and its correlation with MRD(Minimum Residual Disease). JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN MEDICAL SCIENCES 2021; 26:90. [PMID: 34899928 PMCID: PMC8607176 DOI: 10.4103/jrms.jrms_1024_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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