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Ayub A, Hasan MK, Mahmud Z, Hossain MS, Kabir Y. Dissecting the multifaceted roles of autophagy in cancer initiation, growth, and metastasis: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic applications. Med Oncol 2024; 41:183. [PMID: 38902544 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02417-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Autophagy is a cytoplasmic defense mechanism that cells use to break and reprocess their intracellular components. This utilization of autophagy is regarded as a savior in nutrient-deficient and other stressful conditions. Hence, autophagy keeps contact with and responds to miscellaneous cellular tensions and diverse pathways of signal transductions, such as growth signaling and cellular death. Importantly, autophagy is regarded as an effective tumor suppressor because regular autophagic breakdown is essential for cellular maintenance and minimizing cellular damage. However, paradoxically, autophagy has also been observed to promote the events of malignancies. This review discussed the dual role of autophagy in cancer, emphasizing its influence on tumor survival and progression. Possessing such a dual contribution to the malignant establishment, the prevention of autophagy can potentially advocate for the advancement of malignant transformation. In contrast, for the context of the instituted tumor, the agents of preventing autophagy potently inhibit the advancement of the tumor. Key regulators, including calpain 1, mTORC1, and AMPK, modulate autophagy in response to nutritional conditions and stress. Oncogenic mutations like RAS and B-RAF underscore autophagy's pivotal role in cancer development. The review also delves into autophagy's context-dependent roles in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and the tumor microenvironment (TME). It also discusses the therapeutic effectiveness of autophagy for several cancers. The recent implication of autophagy in the control of both innate and antibody-mediated immune systems made it a center of attention to evaluating its role concerning tumor antigens and treatments of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afia Ayub
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tejgaon College, National University, Gazipur, 1704, Bangladesh
| | - Md Kamrul Hasan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tejgaon College, National University, Gazipur, 1704, Bangladesh.
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, L8S 4K1, Canada.
- Department of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
| | - Zimam Mahmud
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh.
| | - Md Sabbir Hossain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tejgaon College, National University, Gazipur, 1704, Bangladesh
| | - Yearul Kabir
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh.
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2
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Hartupee C, Nagalo BM, Chabu CY, Tesfay MZ, Coleman-Barnett J, West JT, Moaven O. Pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment is a major therapeutic barrier and target. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1287459. [PMID: 38361931 PMCID: PMC10867137 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1287459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is projected to become the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Limitations in early detection and treatment barriers contribute to the lack of substantial success in the treatment of this challenging-to-treat malignancy. Desmoplasia is the hallmark of PDAC microenvironment that creates a physical and immunologic barrier. Stromal support cells and immunomodulatory cells face aberrant signaling by pancreatic cancer cells that shifts the complex balance of proper repair mechanisms into a state of dysregulation. The product of this dysregulation is the desmoplastic environment that encases the malignant cells leading to a dense, hypoxic environment that promotes further tumorigenesis, provides innate systemic resistance, and suppresses anti-tumor immune invasion. This desmoplastic environment combined with the immunoregulatory events that allow it to persist serve as the primary focus of this review. The physical barrier and immune counterbalance in the tumor microenvironment (TME) make PDAC an immunologically cold tumor. To convert PDAC into an immunologically hot tumor, tumor microenvironment could be considered alongside the tumor cells. We discuss the complex network of microenvironment molecular and cellular composition and explore how they can be targeted to overcome immuno-therapeutic challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conner Hartupee
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University (LSU) Health, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Bolni Marius Nagalo
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR, United States
- The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Chiswili Y. Chabu
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Mulu Z. Tesfay
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Joycelynn Coleman-Barnett
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University (LSU) Health, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Louisiana Cancer Research Center, Louisiana State University (LSU) Health, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - John T. West
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Louisiana Cancer Research Center, Louisiana State University (LSU) Health, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Omeed Moaven
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University (LSU) Health, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Louisiana Cancer Research Center, Louisiana State University (LSU) Health, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Louisiana State University - Louisiana Children's Medical Center (LSU - LCMC) Cancer Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
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3
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He C, Wang D, Shukla SK, Hu T, Thakur R, Fu X, King RJ, Kollala SS, Attri KS, Murthy D, Chaika NV, Fujii Y, Gonzalez D, Pacheco CG, Qiu Y, Singh PK, Locasale JW, Mehla K. Vitamin B6 Competition in the Tumor Microenvironment Hampers Antitumor Functions of NK Cells. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:176-193. [PMID: 37931287 PMCID: PMC10784745 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Nutritional factors play crucial roles in immune responses. The tumor-caused nutritional deficiencies are known to affect antitumor immunity. Here, we demonstrate that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells can suppress NK-cell cytotoxicity by restricting the accessibility of vitamin B6 (VB6). PDAC cells actively consume VB6 to support one-carbon metabolism, and thus tumor cell growth, causing VB6 deprivation in the tumor microenvironment. In comparison, NK cells require VB6 for intracellular glycogen breakdown, which serves as a critical energy source for NK-cell activation. VB6 supplementation in combination with one-carbon metabolism blockage effectively diminishes tumor burden in vivo. Our results expand the understanding of the critical role of micronutrients in regulating cancer progression and antitumor immunity, and open new avenues for developing novel therapeutic strategies against PDAC. SIGNIFICANCE The nutrient competition among the different tumor microenvironment components drives tumor growth, immune tolerance, and therapeutic resistance. PDAC cells demand a high amount of VB6, thus competitively causing NK-cell dysfunction. Supplying VB6 with blocking VB6-dependent one-carbon metabolism amplifies the NK-cell antitumor immunity and inhibits tumor growth in PDAC models. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunbo He
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Dezhen Wang
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Surendra K. Shukla
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Tuo Hu
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Ravi Thakur
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Xiao Fu
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Ryan J. King
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Sai Sundeep Kollala
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Kuldeep S. Attri
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Divya Murthy
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Nina V. Chaika
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Yuki Fujii
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Daisy Gonzalez
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Camila G. Pacheco
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Yudong Qiu
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Pankaj K. Singh
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Jason W. Locasale
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kamiya Mehla
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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4
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Lukácsi S, Munkácsy G, Győrffy B. Harnessing Hyperthermia: Molecular, Cellular, and Immunological Insights for Enhanced Anticancer Therapies. Integr Cancer Ther 2024; 23:15347354241242094. [PMID: 38818970 PMCID: PMC11143831 DOI: 10.1177/15347354241242094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Hyperthermia, the raising of tumor temperature (≥39°C), holds great promise as an adjuvant treatment for cancer therapy. This review focuses on 2 key aspects of hyperthermia: its molecular and cellular effects and its impact on the immune system. Hyperthermia has profound effects on critical biological processes. Increased temperatures inhibit DNA repair enzymes, making cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy and radiation. Elevated temperatures also induce cell cycle arrest and trigger apoptotic pathways. Furthermore, hyperthermia modifies the expression of heat shock proteins, which play vital roles in cancer therapy, including enhancing immune responses. Hyperthermic treatments also have a significant impact on the body's immune response against tumors, potentially improving the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Mild systemic hyperthermia (39°C-41°C) mimics fever, activating immune cells and raising metabolic rates. Intense heat above 50°C can release tumor antigens, enhancing immune reactions. Using photothermal nanoparticles for targeted heating and drug delivery can also modulate the immune response. Hyperthermia emerges as a cost-effective and well-tolerated adjuvant therapy when integrated with immunotherapy. This comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for the selection of patient-specific treatments and the guidance of future experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szilvia Lukácsi
- HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gyöngyi Munkácsy
- HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory for Drug Research and Development, Budapest, Hungary
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5
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Meng Z, Rodriguez Ehrenfried A, Tan CL, Steffens LK, Kehm H, Zens S, Lauenstein C, Paul A, Schwab M, Förster JD, Salek M, Riemer AB, Wu H, Eckert C, Leonhardt CS, Strobel O, Volkmar M, Poschke I, Offringa R. Transcriptome-based identification of tumor-reactive and bystander CD8 + T cell receptor clonotypes in human pancreatic cancer. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadh9562. [PMID: 37967201 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adh9562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is generally refractory to immune checkpoint blockade, although patients with genetically unstable tumors can show modest therapeutic benefit. We previously demonstrated the presence of tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells in PDAC samples. Here, we charted the tumor-infiltrating T cell repertoire in PDAC by combining single-cell transcriptomics with functional testing of T cell receptors (TCRs) for reactivity against autologous tumor cells. On the basis of a comprehensive dataset including 93 tumor-reactive and 65 bystander TCR clonotypes, we delineated a gene signature that effectively distinguishes between these T cell subsets in PDAC, as well as in other tumor indications. This revealed a high frequency of tumor-reactive TCR clonotypes in three genetically unstable samples. In contrast, the T cell repertoire in six genetically stable PDAC tumors was largely dominated by bystander T cells. Nevertheless, multiple tumor-reactive TCRs were successfully identified in each of these samples, thereby providing a perspective for personalized immunotherapy in this treatment-resistant indication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zibo Meng
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Tumors, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022 Wuhan, China
| | - Aaron Rodriguez Ehrenfried
- Division of Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Tumors, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute for Translational Oncology by DKFZ (HI-TRON), 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Chin Leng Tan
- Division of Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Tumors, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laura K Steffens
- Division of Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Tumors, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hannes Kehm
- Division of Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Tumors, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Zens
- Division of Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Tumors, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Lauenstein
- Division of Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Tumors, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alina Paul
- Division of Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Tumors, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marius Schwab
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Tumors, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonas D Förster
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Vaccine Design, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mogjiborahman Salek
- Division of Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Vaccine Design, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Angelika B Riemer
- Division of Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Vaccine Design, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Heshui Wu
- Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022 Wuhan, China
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022 Wuhan, China
| | - Christoph Eckert
- Pathology Institute, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carl-Stephan Leonhardt
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oliver Strobel
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Volkmar
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Tumors, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute for Translational Oncology by DKFZ (HI-TRON), 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Isabel Poschke
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Tumors, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Immune Monitoring Unit, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rienk Offringa
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Tumors, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022 Wuhan, China
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6
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Cheng NC, Vonderheide RH. Immune vulnerabilities of mutant KRAS in pancreatic cancer. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:928-936. [PMID: 37524642 PMCID: PMC10592263 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
The 40-year desire to target the mutant Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) gene (mKRAS) therapeutically is being realized with more and more broadly applicable and tumor-specific small-molecule inhibitors. Immunologically, mKRAS has equal desirability as a target. Tumor KRAS signaling plays a large role in shaping the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment, especially in pancreatic cancer, leaving mKRAS inhibitors with potentially powerful immune modulatory capabilities that could be exploited in immunological-oncological combinations. mKRAS is itself an immunological antigen, a 'shared neoepitope' linked to the oncogenic process, validated biochemically and immunologically. Novel approaches in the clinic are taking advantage of the fact that mKRAS peptides are naturally processed and presented in tumors by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah C Cheng
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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7
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Ashrafizadeh M, Zhang W, Zou R, Sethi G, Klionsky DJ, Zhang X. A bioinformatics analysis, pre-clinical and clinical conception of autophagy in pancreatic cancer: Complexity and simplicity in crosstalk. Pharmacol Res 2023; 194:106822. [PMID: 37336429 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a serious gastrointestinal tract disease for which the 5-year survival rate is less than 10%, even in developed countries such as the USA. The genomic profile alterations and dysregulated biological mechanisms commonly occur in PC. Macroautophagy/autophagy is a cell death process that is maintained at a basal level in physiological conditions, whereas its level often changes during tumorigenesis. The function of autophagy in human cancers is dual and can be oncogenic and onco-suppressor. Autophagy is a potent controller of tumorigenesis in PC. The supportive autophagy in PC escalates the growth rate of PC cells and its suppression can mediate cell death. Autophagy also determines the metastasis of PC cells, and it can control the EMT in affecting migration. Moreover, starvation and hypoxia can stimulate glycolysis, and glycolysis induction can be mediated by autophagy in enhancing tumorigenesis in PC. Furthermore, protective autophagy stimulates drug resistance and gemcitabine resistance in PC cells, and its inhibition can enhance radiosensitivity. Autophagy can degrade MHC-I to mediate immune evasion and also regulates polarization of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Modulation of autophagy activity is provided by silibinin, ursolic acid, chrysin and huaier in the treatment of PC. Non-coding RNAs are also controllers of autophagy in PC and its inhibition can improve therapy response in patients. Moreover, mitophagy shows dysregulation in PC, which can enhance the proliferation of PC cells. Therefore, a bioinformatics analysis demonstrates the dysregulation of autophagy-related proteins and genes in PC as biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China; Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Rongjun Zou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong, China
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology and NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Daniel J Klionsky
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Xianbin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China.
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8
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Yi Q, Wang J, Liu T, Yao Y, Loveless I, Subedi K, Toor J, Adrianto I, Xiao H, Chen B, Crawford H, Fang D, Zhou L, Mi QS. scRNA-Seq and imaging mass cytometry analyses unveil iNKT cells-mediated anti-tumor immunity in pancreatic cancer liver metastasis. Cancer Lett 2023; 561:216149. [PMID: 36990268 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are innate-like T cells that are abundant in liver sinusoids and play a critical role in tumor immunity. However, the role of iNKT cells in pancreatic cancer liver metastasis (PCLM) has not been fully explored. In this study, we employed a hemi-spleen pancreatic tumor cell injection mouse model of PCLM, a model that closely mimics clinical conditions in humans, to explore the role of iNKT cells in PCLM. Activation of iNKT cells with α-galactosylceramide (αGC) markedly increased immune cell infiltration and suppressed PCLM progression. Via single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) we profiled over 30,000 immune cells from normal liver and PCLM with or without αGC treatment and were able to characterize the global changes of the immune cells in the tumor microenvironment upon αGC treatment, identifying a total of 12 subpopulations. Upon treatment with αGC, scRNA-Seq and flow cytometry analyses revealed increased cytotoxic activity of iNKT/NK cells and skewing CD4 T cells towards a cytotoxic Th1 profile and CD8 T cells towards a cytotoxic profile, characterized by higher proliferation and reduced exhaustion marker PD1 expression. Moreover, αGC treatment excluded tumor associated macrophages. Lastly, imaging mass cytometry analysis uncovered the reduced epithelial to mesenchymal transition related markers and increased active CD4 and CD8 T cells in PCLM with αGC treatment. Overall, our findings uncover the protective function of activated iNKT cells in pancreatic cancer liver metastasis through increased NK and T cell immunity and decreased tumor associated macrophages.
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9
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Kaur K, Jewett A. Supercharged NK Cell-Based Immuotherapy in Humanized Bone Marrow Liver and Thymus (Hu-BLT) Mice Model of Oral, Pancreatic, Glioblastoma, Hepatic, Melanoma and Ovarian Cancers. Crit Rev Immunol 2023; 43:13-25. [PMID: 37938193 DOI: 10.1615/critrevimmunol.2023050618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we review a number of in vitro and in vivo studies regarding the efficacy of supercharged NK (sNK) cell therapy in elimination or treatment of cancer. We have performed studies using six different types of cancer models of oral, pancreatic, glioblastoma, melanoma, hepatic and ovarian cancers using hu-BLT mice. Our in vitro studies demonstrated that primary NK cells preferentially target cancer stem-like cells (CSCs)/poorly differentiated tumors whereas sNK cells target both CSCs/poorly-differentiated and well-differentiated tumors significantly higher than primary activated NK cells. Our in vivo studies in humanized-BLT mice showed that sNK cells alone or in combination with other cancer therapeutics prevented tumor growth and metastasis. In addition, sNK cells were able to increase IFN-γ secretion and cytotoxic function by the immune cells in bone marrow, spleen, gingiva, pancreas and peripheral blood. Furthermore, sNK cells were able to increase the expansion and function of CD8+ T cells both in in vitro and in vivo studies. Overall, our studies demonstrated that sNK cells alone or in combination with other cancer therapeutics were not only effective against eliminating aggressive cancers, but were also able to increase the expansion and function of CD8+ T cells to further target cancer cells, providing a successful approach to eradicate and cure cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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10
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Panahi M, Rezagholizadeh F, Mollazadehghomi S, Farhangnia P, Niya MHK, Ajdarkosh H, Tameshkel FS, Heshmati SM. The association between CD3+ and CD8+tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and prognosis in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2023; 35:100699. [PMID: 36996584 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2023.100699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC), with more than 250,000 deaths each year, is the eighth leading cause of death worldwide, with a five-year survival of less than 5% and a median recurrence time between 5 and 23 months. The association between PDAC and CD3+/CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and the extent of tumor spread and clinical outcomes has been recently shown. This study aimed to determine and compare the density of TILs and their association with disease prognosis in patients with PDAC. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, we collected PDAC tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues from 64 patients with TIL-positive PDAC. The immunohistochemistry method was used for the detection of the expression levels of CD3+ and CD8+ TILs in PDAC tissues. Also, the completed follow-up history was evaluated for at least five years. RESULTS The frequency of intratumoral and peritumoral TILs was 20 (31.2%) and 44 (68.8%), respectively. The mean density of CD3+ TILs and CD8+ TILs was 67.73%±20.17% and 69.45%±17.82%, respectively. The density of CD3+ TILs and CD8+ TILs was not associated with overall survival nor metastasis-free survival of the patients and tumor grade. However, the density of TILs was significantly lower in those patients who experienced tumor recurrence than those without this recurrence. CONCLUSION TILs density was high in patients with PDAC. The density of both CD3+ and CD8+ TILs was significantly lower in patients who experienced tumor recurrence. Thus, this study suggests that tracking and determining the density of CD3+ and CD8+ TILs might be effective in predicting PDAC recurrence.
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11
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Baleeiro RB, Bouwens CJ, Liu P, Di Gioia C, Dunmall LSC, Nagano A, Gangeswaran R, Chelala C, Kocher HM, Lemoine NR, Wang Y. MHC class II molecules on pancreatic cancer cells indicate a potential for neo-antigen-based immunotherapy. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2080329. [PMID: 35655709 PMCID: PMC9154752 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2080329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
MHC class II expression is a hallmark of professional antigen-presenting cells and key to the induction of CD4+ T helper cells. We found that these molecules are ectopically expressed on tumor cells in a large proportion of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and on several PDAC cell lines. In contrast to the previous reports that tumoral expression of MHC-II in melanoma enabled tumor cells to evade immunosurveillance, the expression of MHC-II on PDAC cells neither protected cancer cells from Fas-mediated cell death nor caused T-cell suppression by engagement with its ligand LAG-3 on activated T-cells. In fact and surprisingly, the MHC-II/LAG-3 pathway contributed to CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell cytotoxicity toward MHC-II-positive PDAC cells. By combining bioinformatic tools and cell-based assays, we identified a number of immunogenic neo-antigens that can be presented by the patients' HLA class II alleles. Furthermore, CD4+ T-cells stimulated with neo-antigens were capable of recognizing and killing a human PDAC cell line expressing the mutated genes. To expand this approach to a larger number of PDAC patients, we show that co-treatment with IFN-γ and/or MEK/HDAC inhibitors induced tumoral MHC-II expression on MHC-II-negative tumors that are IFN-γ-resistant. Taken together, our data point to the possibility of harnessing MHC-II expression on PDAC cells for neo-antigen-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato B. Baleeiro
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Christian J. Bouwens
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Peng Liu
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Carmela Di Gioia
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Louisa S. Chard Dunmall
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Ai Nagano
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Rathistevy Gangeswaran
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Claude Chelala
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Hemant M. Kocher
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Nicholas R. Lemoine
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Research Centre for Molecular Oncology, National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou UniversitySino-British, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yaohe Wang
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Research Centre for Molecular Oncology, National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou UniversitySino-British, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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12
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Kaur K, Ko MW, Chen F, Jewett A. Defective NK cell expansion, cytotoxicity, and lack of ability to differentiate tumors from a pancreatic cancer patient in a long term follow-up: implication in the progression of cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:1033-1047. [PMID: 34559307 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03044-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The majority of the previous reports on NK cells use cross-sectional studies to establish the status of patient NK cell function, however such studies fail to evaluate the immune status of the patients on a continuous basis from the disease-free stage to progression of cancer. In this study, we performed a prospective study of the immune function by continuously monitoring the NK numbers, expansion and function of a pancreatic cancer patient from 1/6/2016 to 2/14/2019. The results indicated that at initial stages of the disease where no overt disease was identified, the patient had consistently higher percentages of NK and B cells and lower percentages of CD3 + T cells in the peripheral blood. The percentages of CD14 + monocytes were similar at the initial stages of the disease, and at the later stages of the disease, it increased and remained higher in the patient when compared to those from healthy donors. The numbers of expanded NK cells and the cytotoxic function, as well as secretion of IFN-γ from primary and osteoclast expanded patient NK cells remained consistently low throughout the years of follow up. Similarly, the majority of cytokines in patient's serum remained lower with the exception of IL-6 which was higher. The IFN-γ secreted from the patients' NK cells had much lower ability to differentiate the poorly differentiated oral tumors as assessed by their lack of ability to upregulate differentiation antigens. Overall, before any evidence of overt disease, patient NK cells exhibited significant dysfunction. Intervention at the stage of no disease or minimal disease may be important for the prevention of pancreatic cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Meng-Wei Ko
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Franklin Chen
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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13
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Current Limitations and Novel Perspectives in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040985. [PMID: 35205732 PMCID: PMC8870068 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review article presents a synopsis of the key clinical developments, their limitations, and future perspectives in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. In the first part, we summarize the available treatments for pancreatic cancer patients according to tumor stage, as well as the most relevant clinical trials over the past two decades. Despite this progress, there is still much to be improved in terms of patient survival. Therefore, in the second part, we consider various components of the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer, looking for the key drivers of therapy resistance and tumor progression, which may lead to the discovery of new potential targets. We also discuss the most prominent molecules targeting the stroma and immune compartment that are being investigated in either preclinical or clinical trials. Finally, we also outline interesting venues for further research, such as possible combinations of therapies that may have the potential for clinical application. Abstract Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, largely due to its aggressive development. Consequently, treatment options are often palliative, as only one-fifth of patients present with potentially curable tumors. The only available treatment with curative intent is surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. However, even for patients that are eligible for surgery, the 5-year OS remains below 10%. Hence, there is an urgent need to find new therapeutic regimens. In the first part of this review, we discuss the tumor staging method and its impact on the corresponding current standard-of-care treatments for PDAC. We also consider the key clinical trials over the last 20 years that have improved patient survival. In the second part, we provide an overview of the major components and cell types involved in PDAC, as well as their respective roles and interactions with each other. A deeper knowledge of the interactions taking place in the TME may lead to the discovery of potential new therapeutic targets. Finally, we discuss promising treatment strategies targeting specific components of the TME and potential combinations thereof. Overall, this review provides an overview of the current challenges and future perspectives in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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14
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Güven E. Gene Expression Characteristics of Tumor and Adjacent Non-Tumor Tissues of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) In-Silico. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 20:e3092. [PMID: 35891953 PMCID: PMC9284245 DOI: 10.30498/ijb.2021.292558.3092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the deadliest and most prevalent cancer is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Microarray has become an important tool in the research of PDAC genes and target therapeutic drugs. OBJECTIVES This study intends to clarify the promising prognostic and biomarker targets in PDAC using GSE78229 and GSE62452 datasets, publicly accessible at the Gene Expression Omnibus database. MATERIALS AND METHODS Utilizing GEOquery, Bio base, gplots, and ggplot2 packages in the R program, this study detects 428 differentially expressed genes that are further applied to build a co-expression network by the weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA). The turquoise module presented a higher correlation with PDAC progression. 79 candidate genes were selected based on the co-expression and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. In addition, the functional enrichment analysis was studied. RESULTS Five significant KEGG pathways linked to PDAC were detected, in which the endoplasmic reticulum protein processing pathway was remarked to be vital. The resulting 19 hub genes as HSPA4, PABPC1, HSP90B1, PPP1CC, USP9X, EIF2S3, MSN, RAB10, BMPR2, P4HB, UBC, B2M, SLC25A5, MMP7, SPTBN1, RALB, DNAJB1, CENPE, and PDIA6 were identified by the Network Analyst web tool founded on PPI network by the STRING. These were identified as the most connected hub proteins. The quantification of the expression of levels and survival probabilities were analyzed overall survival (OS) of the real hub genes and were investigated by Kaplan-Meier (KM) plotter through The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) database. CONCLUSIONS The protein-protein interactions and KEGG pathway enrichment by DAVID indicated that some pathways were involved in PDAC, such as "pathways in cancer (hsa05200)", "protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum (hsa04141)", "antigen processing and presentation (hsa04612)", "dopaminergic synapse (hsa04728)", and "measles (hsa05162)"; in which these pathways, the "protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum (hsa04141)", was further studied because of its closely relationship with PDAC. The rest of the hub genes reviewed throughout the study might be promising targets for diagnosing and treating PDAC and relevant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emine Güven
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Düzce University, Yörük/Düzce Merkez/Düzce, 81620, Turkey
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15
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Cuyler J, Murthy P, Spada NG, McGuire TF, Lotze MT, Xie XQ. Sequestsome-1/p62-targeted small molecules for pancreatic cancer therapy. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:362-370. [PMID: 34592447 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by heightened autophagy and systemic immune dysfunction. Modest improvements in clinical outcomes have been demonstrated in completed clinical trials targeting autophagy with combination hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and chemotherapy. Recent mechanistic insights into the role of autophagy-dependent immune evasion have prompted the need for more precise and druggable targets of autophagy inhibition. Sequestosome-1 (SQSTM-1) is a multidomain scaffold protein with well-established roles in autophagy, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)- and NF-κB-related signaling pathways. SQSTM1 overexpression is frequently observed in PDAC, correlating with clinical stage and outcome. Given the unique molecular structure of SQSTM-1 and its diverse activity, identifying means of limiting SQSTM-1-dependent autophagy to promote an effective immune response in PDAC could be a promising treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Cuyler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; National Center of Excellence for Computational Drug Abuse Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Pranav Murthy
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Neal G Spada
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Terence F McGuire
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; National Center of Excellence for Computational Drug Abuse Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Michael T Lotze
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Department of Immunology and Bioengineering, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Xiang-Qun Xie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; National Center of Excellence for Computational Drug Abuse Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Department of Computational Biology and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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16
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Narayanan S, Vicent S, Ponz-Sarvisé M. PDAC as an Immune Evasive Disease: Can 3D Model Systems Aid to Tackle This Clinical Problem? Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:787249. [PMID: 34957115 PMCID: PMC8703167 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.787249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with a high mortality rate. The presence of a dense desmoplastic stroma rich in fibroblasts, extracellular matrix, and immune cells plays a critical role in disease progression, therapy response and is a distinguishing feature of PDAC. PDAC is currently treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy in selected cases which results in long-term survival only in a small percentage of patients. Cancer therapies that incorporate immunotherapy-based techniques have become increasingly common in recent years. While such a strategy has been shown to be effective for immunogenic, “hot” tumors like melanoma and lung cancer, thus far PDAC patients display poor responses to this therapeutic approach. Various factors, such as low tumor mutational burden, increased infiltration of immunosuppressive cells, like MDSCs and Treg cells promote tolerance and immune deviation, further aggravating adaptive immunity in PDAC. In this review we will elaborate on the ability of PDAC tumors to evade immune detection. We will also discuss various 3D model system that can be used as a platform in preclinical research to investigate rational combinations of immunotherapy with chemotherapy or targeted therapy, to prime the immune microenvironment to enhance antitumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruthi Narayanan
- Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Medical Oncology Department, Pamplona, Spain
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Silve Vicent
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Silve Vicent, ; Mariano Ponz-Sarvisé,
| | - Mariano Ponz-Sarvisé
- Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Medical Oncology Department, Pamplona, Spain
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Silve Vicent, ; Mariano Ponz-Sarvisé,
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Truong LH, Pauklin S. Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment and Cellular Composition: Current Understandings and Therapeutic Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5028. [PMID: 34638513 PMCID: PMC8507722 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13195028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal human solid tumors, despite great efforts in improving therapeutics over the past few decades. In PDAC, the distinct characteristic of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is the main barrier for developing effective treatments. PDAC TME is characterized by a dense stroma, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and immune cells populations that crosstalk to the subpopulations of neoplastic cells that include cancer stem cells (CSCs). The heterogeneity in TME is also exhibited in the diversity and dynamics of acellular components, including the Extracellular matrix (ECM), cytokines, growth factors, and secreted ligands to signaling pathways. These contribute to drug resistance, metastasis, and relapse in PDAC. However, clinical trials targeting TME components have often reported unexpected results and still have not benefited patients. The failures in those trials and various efforts to understand the PDAC biology demonstrate the highly heterogeneous and multi-faceted TME compositions and the complexity of their interplay within TME. Hence, further functional and mechanistic insight is needed. In this review, we will present a current understanding of PDAC biology with a focus on the heterogeneity in TME and crosstalk among its components. We also discuss clinical challenges and the arising therapeutic opportunities in PDAC research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Siim Pauklin
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Old Road, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK;
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18
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Wandmacher AM, Letsch A, Sebens S. Challenges and Future Perspectives of Immunotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164235. [PMID: 34439389 PMCID: PMC8391691 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Immunotherapeutic agents harness the patient’s immune system to fight cancer cells. Especially immune checkpoint inhibitors, a certain group of immunotherapeutic agents, have recently improved treatment options for many cancer types. Unfortunately, clinical trials testing of these agents in pancreatic cancer patients have not confirmed promising results from laboratory experiments. Several characteristics of pancreatic cancer biology, especially the profound tumour microenvironment that inhibits the successful identification and elimination of tumour cells by immune cells seems to be responsible for the lacking efficacy of immunotherapeutics in pancreatic cancer. We summarise recently published clinical trials investigating immunotherapeutic strategies in pancreatic cancer patients and available data on how these treatments influence pancreatic cancer biology. Moreover, we identify potential strategies to improve experimental and clinical studies in order to generate more conclusive data and improve patient outcomes in the future. Abstract To date, extensive efforts to harness immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have yielded disappointing results in clinical trials. These strategies mainly focused on cancer vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibitors alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic or targeted agents. However, the growing preclinical and clinical data sets from these efforts have established valuable insights into the immunological characteristics of PDAC biology. Most notable are the immunosuppressive role of the tumour microenvironment (TME) and PDAC’s characteristically poor immunogenicity resulting from tumour intrinsic features. Moreover, PDAC tumour heterogeneity has been increasingly well characterized and may additionally limit a “one-fits-all” immunotherapeutic strategy. In this review, we first outline mechanisms of immunosuppression and immune evasion in PDAC. Secondly, we summarize recently published data on preclinical and clinical efforts to establish immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of PDAC including diverse combinatorial treatment approaches aiming at overcoming this resistance towards immunotherapeutic strategies. Particularly, these combinatorial treatment approaches seek to concomitantly increase PDAC antigenicity, boost PDAC directed T-cell responses, and impair the immunosuppressive character of the TME in order to allow immunotherapeutic agents to unleash their full potential. Eventually, the thorough understanding of the currently available data on immunotherapeutic treatment strategies of PDAC will enable researchers and clinicians to develop improved treatment regimens and to design innovative clinical trials to overcome the pronounced immunosuppression of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maxi Wandmacher
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (A.M.W.); (A.L.)
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Kiel University and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Anne Letsch
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (A.M.W.); (A.L.)
| | - Susanne Sebens
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Kiel University and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Patched 1-interacting Peptide Represses Fibrosis in Pancreatic Cancer to Augment the Effectiveness of Immunotherapy. J Immunother 2021; 43:121-133. [PMID: 31834207 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is resistant to immunotherapy. As a factor of resistance, the dense fibrosis of this cancer acts as a barrier to inhibit immune cell infiltration into a tumor. We examined the influence of a Hedgehog signal inhibitor, Patched 1-interacting peptide, on fibrosis, infiltration of immune cells, and immunotherapeutic effects on PDAC. We found that this peptide inhibited proliferation and migration of cancer-associated fibroblasts and cancer cells. Furthermore, this peptide reduced the production of extracellular matrix and transforming growth factor β1 in cancer-associated fibroblasts and induced expression of HLA-ABC in PDAC cells and interferon-γ in lymphocytes. In vivo, the peptide suppressed fibrosis of PDAC and increased immune cell infiltration into tumors. The combination of this peptide and an anti-programmed death-1 antibody augmented the antitumor effect, and this combination showed the same effect in experiments using cancer cells and autologous lymphocytes. These results indicate that, in addition to the direct effect of tumor suppression, the Patched 1-interacting peptide increases the infiltration of immune cells by reducing fibrosis of PDAC and consequently enhances the effect of immunotherapy. Therefore, treatment with this peptide may be a novel therapy with 2 different mechanisms: direct tumor suppression and enhancing the immune response against PDAC.
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20
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Michelakos T, Cai L, Villani V, Sabbatino F, Kontos F, Fernández-Del Castillo C, Yamada T, Neyaz A, Taylor MS, Deshpande V, Kurokawa T, Ting DT, Qadan M, Weekes CD, Allen JN, Clark JW, Hong TS, Ryan DP, Wo JY, Warshaw AL, Lillemoe KD, Ferrone S, Ferrone CR. Tumor Microenvironment Immune Response in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients Treated With Neoadjuvant Therapy. J Natl Cancer Inst 2021; 113:182-191. [PMID: 32497200 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djaa073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) and chemoradiation have been used to downstage borderline and locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Whether neoadjuvant therapy-induced tumor immune response contributes to the improved survival is unknown. Therefore, we evaluated whether neoadjuvant therapy induces an immune response towards PDAC. METHODS Clinicopathological variables were collected for surgically resected PDACs at the Massachusetts General Hospital (1998-2016). Neoadjuvant regimens included FOLFIRINOX with or without chemoradiation, proton chemoradiation (25 Gy), photon chemoradiation (50.4 Gy), or no neoadjuvant therapy. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II expression and immune cell infiltration (CD4+, FoxP3+, CD8+, granzyme B+ cells, and M2 macrophages) were analyzed immunohistochemically and correlated with clinicopathologic variables. The antitumor immune response was compared among neoadjuvant therapy regimens. All statistical tests were 2-sided. RESULTS Two hundred forty-eight PDAC patients were included. The median age was 64 years and 50.0% were female. HLA-A defects were less frequent in the FOLFIRINOX cohort (P = .006). HLA class II expression was lowest in photon and highest in proton patients (P = .02). The FOLFIRINOX cohort exhibited the densest CD8+ cell infiltration (P < .001). FOLFIRINOX and proton patients had the highest CD4+ and lowest T regulatory (FoxP3+) cell density, respectively. M2 macrophage density was statistically significantly higher in the treatment-naïve group (P < .001) in which dense M2 macrophage infiltration was an independent predictor of poor overall survival. CONCLUSIONS Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX with or without chemoradiation may induce immunologically relevant changes in the tumor microenvironment. It may reduce HLA-A defects, increase CD8+ cell density, and decrease T regulatory cell and M2 macrophage density. Therefore, neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX therapy may benefit from combinations with checkpoint inhibitors, which can enhance patients' antitumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodoros Michelakos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lei Cai
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Vincenzo Villani
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francesco Sabbatino
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Filippos Kontos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Teppei Yamada
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Azfar Neyaz
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Martin S Taylor
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vikram Deshpande
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tomohiro Kurokawa
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David T Ting
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Motaz Qadan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Colin D Weekes
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jill N Allen
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Clark
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Theodore S Hong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David P Ryan
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Y Wo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew L Warshaw
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keith D Lillemoe
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cristina R Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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21
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Marijt KA, Griffioen L, Blijleven L, van der Burg SH, van Hall T. Cross-presentation of a TAP-independent signal peptide induces CD8 T immunity to escaped cancers but necessitates anchor replacement. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 71:289-300. [PMID: 34142235 PMCID: PMC8783882 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02984-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells frequently display defects in their antigen-processing pathway and thereby evade CD8 T cell immunity. We described a novel category of cancer antigens, named TEIPP, that emerge on cancers with functional loss of the peptide pump TAP. TEIPPs are non-mutated neoantigens despite their ‘self’ origin by virtue of their absence on normal tissues. Here, we describe the development of a synthetic long peptide (SLP) vaccine for the most immunogenic TEIPP antigen identified thus far, derived from the TAP-independent LRPAP1 signal sequence. LRPAP121–30-specific CD8 T cells were present in blood of all tested healthy donors as well as patients with non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma. SLPs with natural flanking, however, failed to be cross-presented by monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Since the C-terminus of LRPAP121–30 is an unconventional and weakly binding serine (S), we investigated if replacement of this anchor would result in efficient cross-presentation. Exchange into a valine (V) resulted in higher HLA-A2 binding affinity and enhanced T cell stimulation. Importantly, CD8 T cells isolated using the V-variant were able to bind tetramers with the natural S-variant and respond to TAP-deficient cancer cells. A functional screen with an array of N-terminal and C-terminal extended SLPs pointed at the 24-mer V-SLP, elongated at the N-terminus, as most optimal vaccine candidate. This SLP was efficiently cross-presented and consistently induced a strong polyclonal LRPAP121–30-specific CD8 T cells from the endogenous T cell repertoire. Thus, we designed a TEIPP SLP vaccine from the LRPAP1 signal sequence ready for validation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen A Marijt
- Department of Medical Oncology, C7-P, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Griffioen
- Department of Medical Oncology, C7-P, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Blijleven
- Department of Medical Oncology, C7-P, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, C7-P, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Thorbald van Hall
- Department of Medical Oncology, C7-P, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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22
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Dillard P, Casey N, Pollmann S, Vernhoff P, Gaudernack G, Kvalheim G, Wälchli S, Inderberg EM. Targeting KRAS mutations with HLA class II-restricted TCRs for the treatment of solid tumors. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1936757. [PMID: 34235003 PMCID: PMC8216182 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.1936757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell receptor (TCR) redirected T cells are considered as the next generation of care for the treatment of numerous solid tumors. KRAS mutations are driver neoantigens that are expressed in over 25% of all cancers and are thus regarded as ideal targets for Adoptive Cell Therapy (ACT). We have isolated four KRAS-specific TCRs from a long-term surviving pancreatic cancer patient vaccinated with a mix of mutated KRAS peptides. The sequence of these TCRs could be identified and expressed in primary cells. We demonstrated stable expression of all TCRs as well as target-specific functionality when expressing T cells were co-incubated with target cells presenting KRAS peptides. In addition, these TCRs were all partially co-receptor independent since they were functional in both CD4 and CD8 T cells, thus indicating high affinity. Interestingly, we observed that certain TCRs were able to recognize several KRAS mutations in complex with their cognate Human leukocyte antigen (HLA), suggesting that, here, the point mutations were less important for the HLA binding and TCR recognition, whereas others were single-mutation restricted. Finally, we demonstrated that these peptides were indeed processed and presented, since HLA-matched antigen presenting cells exogenously loaded with KRAS proteins were recognized by TCR-transduced T cells. Taken together, our data demonstrate that KRAS mutations are immunogenic for CD4 T cells and are interesting targets for TCR-based cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Dillard
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nicholas Casey
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sylvie Pollmann
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Patrik Vernhoff
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gustav Gaudernack
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gunnar Kvalheim
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sébastien Wälchli
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Else Marit Inderberg
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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23
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Wu Y, Zeng H, Yu Q, Huang H, Fervers B, Chen ZS, Lu L. A Circulating Exosome RNA Signature Is a Potential Diagnostic Marker for Pancreatic Cancer, a Systematic Study. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112565. [PMID: 34073722 PMCID: PMC8197236 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Most patients with pancreatic cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage due to the lack of tools with high sensitivity and specificity for early detection. Aberrant gene expression occurs in pancreatic cancer, which can be packaged into nanoparticles (also known as exosomes or nano-sized extracellular vesicles) and then released into blood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of a circulating exosome RNA signature in pancreatic cancer. Our findings indicate that the circulating exosome RNA signature is a potential marker for the early detection or diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Abstract Several exosome proteins, miRNAs and KRAS mutations have been investigated in the hope of carrying out the early detection of pancreatic cancer with high sensitivity and specificity, but they have proven to be insufficient. Exosome RNAs, however, have not been extensively evaluated in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of circulating exosome RNAs in pancreatic cancer detection. By retrieving RNA-seq data from publicly accessed databases, differential expression and random-effects meta-analyses were performed. The results showed that pancreatic cancer had a distinct circulating exosome RNA signature in healthy individuals, and that the top 10 candidate exosome RNAs could distinguish patients from healthy individuals with an area under the curve (AUC) of 1.0. Three (HIST2H2AA3, LUZP6 and HLA-DRA) of the 10 genes in exosomes had similar differential patterns to those in tumor tissues based on RNA-seq data. In the validation dataset, the levels of these three genes in exosomes displayed good performance in distinguishing cancer from both chronic pancreatitis (AUC = 0.815) and healthy controls (AUC = 0.8558), whereas a slight difference existed between chronic pancreatitis and healthy controls (AUC = 0.586). Of the three genes, the level of HIST2H2AA3 was positively associated with KRAS status. However, there was no significant difference in the levels of the three genes across the disease stages (stages I–IV). These findings indicate that circulating exosome RNAs have a potential early detection value in pancreatic cancer, and that a distinct exosome RNA signature exists in distinguishing pancreatic cancer from healthy individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixing Wu
- Department of Endocrinology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, China;
| | - Hongmei Zeng
- National Central Cancer Registry, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China;
| | - Qing Yu
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA;
| | - Huatian Huang
- Department of Imaging, Guizhou Qianxinan People’s Hospital, Xingyi 652400, China;
| | - Beatrice Fervers
- Département Prévention Cancer Environnement, Centre Léon Bérard—Université Lyon 1, 69008 Lyon, France;
- UMR Inserm 1296 “Radiations: Défense, Santé, Environnement”, Centre Léon Bérard, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. John’s University, New York, NY 11439, USA;
| | - Lingeng Lu
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Center for Biomedical Data Science, Yale University, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Correspondence:
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24
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Dhatchinamoorthy K, Colbert JD, Rock KL. Cancer Immune Evasion Through Loss of MHC Class I Antigen Presentation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:636568. [PMID: 33767702 PMCID: PMC7986854 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.636568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 371] [Impact Index Per Article: 123.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility class I (MHC I) molecules bind peptides derived from a cell's expressed genes and then transport and display this antigenic information on the cell surface. This allows CD8 T cells to identify pathological cells that are synthesizing abnormal proteins, such as cancers that are expressing mutated proteins. In order for many cancers to arise and progress, they need to evolve mechanisms to avoid elimination by CD8 T cells. MHC I molecules are not essential for cell survival and therefore one mechanism by which cancers can evade immune control is by losing MHC I antigen presentation machinery (APM). Not only will this impair the ability of natural immune responses to control cancers, but also frustrate immunotherapies that work by re-invigorating anti-tumor CD8 T cells, such as checkpoint blockade. Here we review the evidence that loss of MHC I antigen presentation is a frequent occurrence in many cancers. We discuss new insights into some common underlying mechanisms through which some cancers inactivate the MHC I pathway and consider some possible strategies to overcome this limitation in ways that could restore immune control of tumors and improve immunotherapy.
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25
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Principe DR, Korc M, Kamath SD, Munshi HG, Rana A. Trials and tribulations of pancreatic cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Lett 2021; 504:1-14. [PMID: 33549709 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment in the last decade, and strategies to re-activate cytotoxic immunity are now standard of care in several malignancies. Despite rapid advances in immunotherapy for most solid cancers, progress in immunotherapy against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been exceptionally difficult. This is true for several approaches, most notably immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and GM-CSF cell-based vaccines (GVAX). Though many immunotherapies have been explored in clinical trials, few have shown significant therapeutic efficacy. Further, many have shown high rates of serious adverse effects and dose-limiting toxicities, and to date, immunotherapy regimens have not been successfully implemented in PDAC. Here, we provide a comprehensive summary of the key clinical trials exploring immunotherapy in PDAC, followed by a brief discussion of emerging molecular mechanisms that may explain the relative failure of immunotherapy in pancreas cancer thus far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Principe
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Murray Korc
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Suneel D Kamath
- Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Hidayatullah G Munshi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ajay Rana
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
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26
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Schmiechen ZC, Stromnes IM. Mechanisms Governing Immunotherapy Resistance in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Front Immunol 2021; 11:613815. [PMID: 33584701 PMCID: PMC7876239 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.613815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal malignancy with an overall 5-year survival rate of 10%. Disease lethality is due to late diagnosis, early metastasis and resistance to therapy, including immunotherapy. PDA creates a robust fibroinflammatory tumor microenvironment that contributes to immunotherapy resistance. While previously considered an immune privileged site, evidence demonstrates that in some cases tumor antigen-specific T cells infiltrate and preferentially accumulate in PDA and are central to tumor cell clearance and long-term remission. Nonetheless, PDA can rapidly evade an adaptive immune response using a myriad of mechanisms. Mounting evidence indicates PDA interferes with T cell differentiation into potent cytolytic effector T cells via deficiencies in naive T cell priming, inducing T cell suppression or promoting T cell exhaustion. Mechanistic research indicates that immunotherapy combinations that change the suppressive tumor microenvironment while engaging antigen-specific T cells is required for treatment of advanced disease. This review focuses on recent advances in understanding mechanisms limiting T cell function and current strategies to overcome immunotherapy resistance in PDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe C. Schmiechen
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Ingunn M. Stromnes
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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27
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NLRP3 as Putative Marker of Ipilimumab-Induced Cardiotoxicity in the Presence of Hyperglycemia in Estrogen-Responsive and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207802. [PMID: 33096896 PMCID: PMC7589802 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperglycemia, obesity and metabolic syndrome are negative prognostic factors in breast cancer patients. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment, achieving unprecedented efficacy in multiple malignancies. However, ICIs are associated with immune-related adverse events involving cardiotoxicity. We aimed to study if hyperglycemia could affect ipilimumab-induced anticancer efficacy and enhance its cardiotoxicity. Human cardiomyocytes and estrogen-responsive and triple-negative breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines) were exposed to ipilimumab under high glucose (25 mM); low glucose (5.5 mM); high glucose and co-administration of SGLT-2 inhibitor (empagliflozin); shifting from high glucose to low glucose. Study of cell viability and the expression of new putative biomarkers of cardiotoxicity and resistance to ICIs (NLRP3, MyD88, cytokines) were quantified through ELISA (Cayman Chemical) methods. Hyperglycemia during treatment with ipilimumab increased cardiotoxicity and reduced mortality of breast cancer cells in a manner that is sensitive to NLRP3. Notably, treatment with ipilimumab and empagliflozin under high glucose or shifting from high glucose to low glucose reduced significantly the magnitude of the effects, increasing responsiveness to ipilimumab and reducing cardiotoxicity. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence that hyperglycemia exacerbates ipilimumab-induced cardiotoxicity and decreases its anticancer efficacy in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. This study sets the stage for further tests on other breast cancer cell lines and primary cardiomyocytes and for preclinical trials in mice aimed to decrease glucose through nutritional interventions or administration of gliflozines during treatment with ipilimumab.
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28
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Abstract
Worldwide, approximately half a million people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year, with mortality rates of more than 90%. T cells within pancreatic tumors are generally infrequent and incapable of eliciting antitumor immunity. Thus, pancreatic cancer is considered an "immunologically cold" tumor. However, recent studies clearly show that when T-cell immunity in pancreatic cancer is sufficiently induced, T cells become effective weapons. This fact suggests that to improve pancreatic cancer patients' clinical outcomes, we need to unveil the complex immune biology of this disease. In this review, we discuss the elements of tumor immunogenicity in the specific context of pancreatic malignancy.
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29
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Balhorn R, Balhorn MC. Therapeutic applications of the selective high affinity ligand drug SH7139 extend beyond non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to many other types of solid cancers. Oncotarget 2020; 11:3315-3349. [PMID: 32934776 PMCID: PMC7476732 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27709] [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: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
SH7139, the first of a series of selective high affinity ligand (SHAL) oncology drug candidates designed to target and bind to the HLA-DR proteins overexpressed by B-cell lymphomas, has demonstrated exceptional efficacy in the treatment of Burkitt lymphoma xenografts in mice and a safety profile that may prove to be unprecedented for an oncology drug. The aim of this study was to determine how frequently the HLA-DRs targeted by SH7139 are expressed by different subtypes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and by other solid cancers that have been reported to express HLA-DR. Binding studies conducted with SH7129, a biotinylated analog of SH7139, reveal that more than half of the biopsy sections obtained from patients with different types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma express the HLA-DRs targeted by SH7139. Similar analyses of tumor biopsy tissue obtained from patients diagnosed with eighteen other solid cancers show the majority of these tumors also express the HLA-DRs targeted by SH7139. Cervical, ovarian, colorectal and prostate cancers expressed the most HLA-DR. Only a few esophageal and head and neck tumors bound the diagnostic. Within an individual’s tumor, cell to cell differences in HLA-DR target expression varied by only 2 to 3-fold while the expression levels in tumors obtained from different patients varied as much as 10 to 100-fold. The high frequency with which SH7129 was observed to bind to these cancers suggests that many patients diagnosed with B-cell lymphomas, myelomas, and other non-hematological cancers should be considered potential candidates for new therapies such as SH7139 that target HLA-DR-expressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rod Balhorn
- SHAL Technologies Inc., Livermore, CA 94550, USA
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30
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Hegde S. Pancreatic Cancer Immuno-oncology in the Era of Precision Medicine. Indian J Surg Oncol 2020; 12:118-127. [PMID: 33994737 DOI: 10.1007/s13193-020-01192-6] [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: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic malignancies carry a dismal prognosis globally, with pancreatic adenocarcinomas (PDAC) being particularly aggressive and stubborn. Unfortunately, several therapeutic strategies that show promise in other cancers have failed to make sizeable impact on pancreatic tumor outcomes. Responses to immunotherapies are especially rare in pancreatic cancer, and patients are in need of innovative approaches that can result in more durable responses. Current research in preclinical models and humans has suggested this resistance is due to a uniquely inflammatory and dysfunctional tumor microenvironment; these findings lay the groundwork for targeting these barriers and improving outcomes. Clinical analyses have also revealed unprecedented heterogeneity in tumor and stromal biology of PDAC, underscoring the need for more personalized approaches and combinatorial therapies. This review will highlight the current state of translational research focusing on PDAC immunity, summarize ongoing clinical efforts to tackle PDAC vulnerabilities, and underscore some unresolved challenges in implementing therapies more broadly. A better understanding of immune contexture and tumor heterogeneity in this disease will greatly accelerate drug discovery and implementation of precision medicine for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samarth Hegde
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA
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31
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Tsujikawa T, Crocenzi T, Durham JN, Sugar EA, Wu AA, Onners B, Nauroth JM, Anders RA, Fertig EJ, Laheru DA, Reiss K, Vonderheide RH, Ko AH, Tempero MA, Fisher GA, Considine M, Danilova L, Brockstedt DG, Coussens LM, Jaffee EM, Le DT. Evaluation of Cyclophosphamide/GVAX Pancreas Followed by Listeria-Mesothelin (CRS-207) with or without Nivolumab in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3578-3588. [PMID: 32273276 PMCID: PMC7727397 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-3978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Two studies in previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer have been completed combining GVAX pancreas vaccine (GM-CSF-secreting allogeneic pancreatic tumor cells) with cyclophosphamide (Cy) and CRS-207 (live, attenuated Listeria monocytogenes-expressing mesothelin). In the current study, we compared Cy/GVAX followed by CRS-207 with (Arm A) or without nivolumab (Arm B). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who received one prior therapy for metastatic disease and RECIST measurable disease were randomized 1:1 to receive treatment on Arm A or Arm B. The primary objective was to compare overall survival (OS) between the arms. Additional objectives included assessment of progression-free survival, safety, tumor responses, CA19-9 responses, and immunologic correlates. RESULTS Ninety-three patients were treated (Arm A, 51; Arm B, 42). The median OS in Arms A and B were 5.9 [95% confidence interval (CI), 4.7-8.6] and 6.1 (95% CI, 3.5-7.0) months, respectively, with an HR of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.55-1.34). Objective responses were seen in 3 patients using immune-related response criteria (4%, 2/51, Arm A; 2%, 1/42, Arm B). The grade ≥3 related adverse event rate, whereas higher in Arm A (35.3% vs. 11.9%) was manageable. Changes in the microenvironment, including increase in CD8+ T cells and a decrease in CD68+ myeloid cells, were observed in long-term survivors in Arm A only. CONCLUSIONS Although the study did not meet its primary endpoint of improvement in OS of Arm A over Arm B, the OS was comparable with standard therapy. Objective responses and immunologic changes in the tumor microenvironment were evident.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Todd Crocenzi
- Providence Portland Medical Center, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jennifer N Durham
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elizabeth A Sugar
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Annie A Wu
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Beth Onners
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Julie M Nauroth
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Robert A Anders
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniel A Laheru
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kim Reiss
- Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Robert H Vonderheide
- Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrew H Ko
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | | | | | - Michael Considine
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ludmila Danilova
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | - Elizabeth M Jaffee
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dung T Le
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland.
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32
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Sliker BH, Goetz BT, Barnes R, King H, Maurer HC, Olive KP, Solheim JC. HLA-B influences integrin beta-1 expression and pancreatic cancer cell migration. Exp Cell Res 2020; 390:111960. [PMID: 32194036 PMCID: PMC7182497 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.111960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules present antigenic peptides to cytotoxic T cells, causing lysis of malignant cells. Transplantation biology studies have implicated HLA class I molecules in cell migration, but there has been little evidence presented that they influence cancer cell migration, a contributing factor in metastasis. In this study, we examined the effect of HLA-B on pancreatic cancer cell migration. HLA-B siRNA transfection increased the migration of the S2-013 pancreatic cancer cells but, in contrast, reduced migration of the PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cell lines. Integrin molecules have previously been implicated in the upregulation of pancreatic cancer cell migration, and knockdown of HLA-B in S2-013 cells heightened the expression of integrin beta 1 (ITGB1), but in the PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cells HLA-B knockdown diminished ITGB1 expression. A transmembrane sequence in an S2-013 HLA-B heavy chain matches a corresponding sequence in HLA-B in the BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cell line, and knockdown of BxPC-3 HLA-B mimics the effect of S2-013 HLA-B knockdown on migration. In total, our findings indicate that HLA-B influences the expression of ITGB1 in pancreatic cancer cells, with concurrent distinctions in transmembrane sequences and effects on the migration of the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailee H Sliker
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases and the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Benjamin T Goetz
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases and the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Raina Barnes
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases and the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Hannah King
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases and the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - H Carlo Maurer
- Columbia University Department of Medicine and the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kenneth P Olive
- Columbia University Department of Medicine and the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joyce C Solheim
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases and the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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Autophagy promotes immune evasion of pancreatic cancer by degrading MHC-I. Nature 2020; 581:100-105. [PMID: 32376951 PMCID: PMC7296553 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2229-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 611] [Impact Index Per Article: 152.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Immune evasion is a major obstacle for cancer treatment. Common mechanisms include impaired antigen presentation through mutations or loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I), which has been implicated in resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy1–3. However, in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a malignancy refractory to most therapies including ICB4, mutations causing MHC-I loss are rarely found5 despite the frequent downregulation of MHC-I expression6–8. Here we find that, in PDAC, MHC-I molecules are selectively targeted for lysosomal degradation through an autophagy-dependent mechanism that involves the autophagy cargo receptor NBR1. PDAC cells display reduced MHC-I cell surface expression and instead demonstrate predominant localization within autophagosomes and lysosomes. Notably, autophagy inhibition restores surface MHC-I levels, leading to improved antigen presentation, enhanced anti-tumour T cell response and reduced tumour growth in syngeneic hosts. Accordingly, anti-tumour effects of autophagy inhibition are reversed by depleting CD8+ T cells or reducing surface MHC-I expression. Autophagy inhibition, either genetically or pharmacologically with Chloroquine (CQ), synergizes with dual ICB (anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4), and leads to an enhanced anti-tumour immune response. Our findings uncover a role for enhanced autophagy/lysosome function in immune evasion through selective targeting of MHC-I molecules for degradation, and provide a rationale for the combination of autophagy inhibition and dual ICB as a therapeutic strategy against PDAC.
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Fan JQ, Wang MF, Chen HL, Shang D, Das JK, Song J. Current advances and outlooks in immunotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer 2020; 19:32. [PMID: 32061257 PMCID: PMC7023714 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01151-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an incurable cancer resistant to traditional treatments, although a limited number of early-stage patients can undergo radical resection. Immunotherapies for the treatment of haematological malignancies as well as solid tumours have been substantially improved over the past decades, and impressive results have been obtained in recent preclinical and clinical trials. However, PDAC is likely the exception because of its unique tumour microenvironment (TME). In this review, we summarize the characteristics of the PDAC TME and focus on the network of various tumour-infiltrating immune cells, outlining the current advances in PDAC immunotherapy and addressing the effect of the PDAC TME on immunotherapy. This review further explores the combinations of different therapies used to enhance antitumour efficacy or reverse immunodeficiencies and describes optimizable immunotherapeutic strategies for PDAC. The concordant combination of various treatments, such as targeting cancer cells and the stroma, reversing suppressive immune reactions and enhancing antitumour reactivity, may be the most promising approach for the treatment of PDAC. Traditional treatments, especially chemotherapy, may also be optimized for individual patients to remodel the immunosuppressive microenvironment for enhanced therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-qiao Fan
- Third General Surgery Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Meng-Fei Wang
- Third General Surgery Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Hai-Long Chen
- Third General Surgery Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Dong Shang
- Third General Surgery Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jugal K. Das
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station, TX USA
| | - Jianxun Song
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station, TX USA
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Ligeiro D, Rao M, Maia A, Castillo M, Beltran A, Maeurer M. B Cells in the Gastrointestinal Tumor Microenvironment with a Focus on Pancreatic Cancer: Opportunities for Precision Medicine? ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1273:175-195. [PMID: 33119882 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-49270-0_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We review state-of-the-art in translational and clinical studies focusing on the tumor microenvironment (TME) with a focus on tumor-infiltrating B cells (TIBs). The TME is a dynamic matrix of mutations, immune-regulatory networks, and distinct cell-to-cell interactions which collectively impact on disease progress. We discuss relevant findings concerning B cells in pancreatic cancer, the concepts of "bystander" B cells, the role of antigen-specific B cells contributing to augmenting anticancer-directed immune responses, the role of B cells as prognostic markers for response to checkpoint inhibitors (ICBs), and the potential use in adoptive cell tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dário Ligeiro
- Immunogenetics Unit, Lisbon Centre for Blood and Transplantation (Instituto Português do Sangue e Transplantação, IPST), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Martin Rao
- Immunosurgery Unit, Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andreia Maia
- Department of Pathology, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mireia Castillo
- Department of Pathology, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Antonio Beltran
- Department of Pathology, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Markus Maeurer
- Immunosurgery Unit, Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal.
- I Med Clinical University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
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Rapid Affinity Maturation of Novel Anti-PD-L1 Antibodies by a Fast Drop of the Antigen Concentration and FACS Selection of Yeast Libraries. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:6051870. [PMID: 31976323 PMCID: PMC6959147 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6051870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The affinity engineering is a key step to increase the efficacy of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and yeast surface display is the most widely used and powerful affinity maturation approach, achieving picomolar binding affinities. In this study, we provide an optimization of the yeast surface display methodology, applied to the generation of potentially therapeutic high affinity antibodies targeting the immune checkpoint PD-L1. In this approach, we coupled a 10-cycle error-prone mutagenesis of heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 of an anti‐PD-L1 scFv, previously identified by phage display, with high-throughput sequencing, to generate scFv-yeast libraries with high mutant frequency and diversity. In addition, we set up a novel, faster and effective selection scheme by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, based on a fast drop of the antigen concentration between the first and the last selection cycles, unlike the gradual decrease typical of current selection protocols. In this way we isolated 6 enriched mutated scFv-yeast clones overall, showing an affinity improvement for soluble PD-L1 protein compared to the parental scFv. As a proof of the potency of the novel approach, we confirmed that the antibodies converted from all the mutated scFvs retained the affinity improvement. Remarkably, the best PD-L1 binder among them also bound with a higher affinity to PD-L1 expressed in its native conformation on human-activated lymphocytes, and it was able to stimulate lymphocyte proliferation in vitro more efficiently than its parental antibody. This optimized technology, besides the identification of a new potential checkpoint inhibitor, provides a tool for the quick isolation of high affinity binders.
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Kaur K, Kozlowska AK, Topchyan P, Ko MW, Ohanian N, Chiang J, Cook J, Maung PO, Park SH, Cacalano N, Fang C, Jewett A. Probiotic-Treated Super-Charged NK Cells Efficiently Clear Poorly Differentiated Pancreatic Tumors in Hu-BLT Mice. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 12:cancers12010063. [PMID: 31878338 PMCID: PMC7017229 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract: Background and Aims: We have previously demonstrated that the stage of differentiation of tumors has profound effect on the function of NK cells, and that stem-like/poorly differentiated tumors were preferentially targeted by the NK cells. Therefore, in this study we determined the role of super-charged NK cells in immune mobilization, lysis, and differentiation of stem-like/undifferentiated tumors implanted in the pancreas of humanized-BLT (hu-BLT) mice fed with or without AJ2 probiotics. The phenotype, growth rate and metastatic potential of pancreatic tumors differentiated by the NK cells (NK-differentiated) or patient derived differentiated or stem-like/undifferentiated pancreatic tumors were investigated. Methods: Pancreatic tumor implantation was performed in NSG and hu-BLT mice. Stage of differentiation of tumors was determined using our published criteria for well-differentiated tumors exhibiting higher surface expression of MHC- class I, CD54, and PD-L1 (B7H1) and lower expression of CD44 receptors. The inverse was seen for poorly-differentiated tumors. Results: Stem-like/undifferentiated pancreatic tumors grew rapidly and formed large tumors and exhibited lower expression of above-mentioned differentiation antigens in the pancreas of NSG and hu-BLT mice. Unlike stem-like/undifferentiated tumors, NK-differentiated MP2 (MiaPaCa-2) tumors or patient-derived differentiated tumors were not able to grow or grew smaller tumors, and were unable to metastasize in NSG or hu-BLT mice, and they were susceptible to chemotherapeutic drugs. Stem-like/undifferentiated pancreatic tumors implanted in the pancreas of hu-BLT mice and injected with super-charged NK cells formed much smaller tumors, proliferated less, and exhibited differentiated phenotype. When differentiation of stem-like tumors by the NK cells was prevented by the addition of antibodies to IFN-γ and TNF-α, tumors grew rapidly and metastasized, and they remained resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs. Greater numbers of immune cells infiltrated the tumors of NK-injected and AJ2-probiotic bacteria-fed mice. Moreover, increased IFN-γ secretion in the presence of decreased IL-6 was seen in tumors resected and cultured from NK-injected and AJ2 fed mice. Tumor-induced decreases in NK cytotoxicity and IFN-γ secretion were restored/increased within PBMCs, spleen, and bone marrow when mice received NK cells and were fed with AJ2. Conclusion: NK cells prevent growth of pancreatic tumors through lysis and differentiation, thereby curtailing the growth and metastatic potential of stem-like/undifferentiated-tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - Anna Karolina Kozlowska
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
| | - Paytsar Topchyan
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - Meng-Wei Ko
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - Nick Ohanian
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - Jessica Chiang
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - Jessica Cook
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - Phyu Ou Maung
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - So-Hyun Park
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - Nicholas Cacalano
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Changge Fang
- BioPro Diagnostics, LLC, 4919 Brook Hills Drive, Annandale, VA 22003, USA;
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-310-968-4994; Fax: +1-310-794-7109
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Andersson R, Pereira CF, Bauden M, Ansari D. Is immunotherapy the holy grail for pancreatic cancer? Immunotherapy 2019; 11:1435-1438. [PMID: 31747808 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2019-0164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Roland Andersson
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University & Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Carlos-Filipe Pereira
- Molecular Medicine & Gene Therapy, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, BMC A12, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Monika Bauden
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University & Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniel Ansari
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University & Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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Elaileh A, Saharia A, Potter L, Baio F, Ghafel A, Abdelrahim M, Heyne K. Promising new treatments for pancreatic cancer in the era of targeted and immune therapies. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:1871-1888. [PMID: 31598392 PMCID: PMC6780661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality among men and women in the United States. Its incidence has been on the rise, with a projected two-fold increase by 2030. PDAC carries a poor prognosis due to a lack of effective screening tools, limited understanding of pathophysiology, and ineffective treatment modalities. Recently, there has been a revolution in the world of oncology with the advent of novel treatments to combat this disease. However, the 5-year survival of PDAC remains unchanged at a dismal 8%. The aim of this review is to bring together several studies and identify various recent modalities that have been promising in treating PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Elaileh
- Department of General Surgery, Houston Methodist HospitalHouston, Texas, USA
| | - Ashish Saharia
- Department of General Surgery, Houston Methodist HospitalHouston, Texas, USA
| | - Lucy Potter
- Department of General Surgery, Houston Methodist HospitalHouston, Texas, USA
| | - Flavio Baio
- Department of General Surgery, Houston Methodist HospitalHouston, Texas, USA
| | - Afnan Ghafel
- Department of Radiology, The University of JordanAmman, Jordan
| | - Maen Abdelrahim
- Department of General Surgery, Houston Methodist HospitalHouston, Texas, USA
| | - Kirk Heyne
- Department of General Surgery, Houston Methodist HospitalHouston, Texas, USA
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Sivaram N, McLaughlin PA, Han HV, Petrenko O, Jiang YP, Ballou LM, Pham K, Liu C, van der Velden AW, Lin RZ. Tumor-intrinsic PIK3CA represses tumor immunogenecity in a model of pancreatic cancer. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:3264-3276. [PMID: 31112530 PMCID: PMC6668699 DOI: 10.1172/jci123540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of tumor-infiltrating T cells is associated with favorable patient outcomes, yet most pancreatic cancers are immunologically silent and resistant to currently available immunotherapies. Here we show using a syngeneic orthotopic implantation model of pancreatic cancer that Pik3ca regulates tumor immunogenicity. Genetic silencing of Pik3ca in KrasG12D/Trp53R172H-driven pancreatic tumors resulted in infiltration of T cells, complete tumor regression, and 100% survival of immunocompetent host mice. By contrast, Pik3ca-null tumors implanted in T cell-deficient mice progressed and killed all of the animals. Adoptive transfer of tumor antigen-experienced T cells eliminated Pik3ca-null tumors in immunodeficient mice. Loss of PIK3CA or inhibition of its effector, AKT, increased the expression of MHC Class I and CD80 on tumor cells. These changes contributed to the increased susceptibility of Pik3ca-null tumors to T cell surveillance. Our results indicate that tumor cell PIK3CA-AKT signaling limits T cell recognition and clearance of pancreatic cancer cells. Strategies that target this pathway may yield an effective immunotherapy for this cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nithya Sivaram
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Patrick A. McLaughlin
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Han V. Han
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Oleksi Petrenko
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Ya-Ping Jiang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Lisa M. Ballou
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Kien Pham
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, New Jersey Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University School of Medicine, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, New Jersey Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University School of Medicine, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Adrianus W.M. van der Velden
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Richard Z. Lin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Medical Service, Northport VA Medical Center, Northport, New York, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Despite all efforts, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a disease that causes substantial morbidity and mortality, with a 5-year survival rate of 7%. Innovative paradigms for treating PDAC are urgently needed. RECENT FINDINGS We discuss the advances and difficulties in using immunotherapy and developing immunotherapeutic vaccines for PDAC. Current excitement about antigen-specific immunotherapy has been propelled by advances in multiple areas, such as next-generation sequencing to identify neoantigens and manufacturing to produce immunotherapeutic vaccines. Antigen-specific immunotherapy is being actively explored in clinical trials. As the field of immunotherapy matures and as our understanding of the complex interactions between tumor and host develops, we hope to identify new methods for treating and managing PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie A Wu
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans Street, Room 488, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Elizabeth Jaffee
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans Street, Room 488, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Valerie Lee
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans Street, Room 488, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
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Perkowska A, Flisikowska T, Perleberg C, Flisikowski K, Stachowiak M, Nowacka-Woszuk J, Saur D, Kind A, Schnieke A, Switonski M. The expression of TAP1 candidate gene, but not its polymorphism and methylation, is associated with colonic polyp formation in a porcine model of human familial adenomatous polyposis. Anim Biotechnol 2019; 31:306-313. [PMID: 30950765 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2019.1590377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In humans, the dysfunction of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene causes hereditary familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). The severity of polyposis varies between individuals, but genetic basis for this is in large part unknown. This variability also occurs in our porcine model of FAP, based on an APC1311 mutation (orthologous to human APC1309). Since loss of TAP1 function can lead to CRC in humans, we searched for germline polymorphisms in APC1311/+ pigs with low (LP) and high (HP) levels of polyposis, as well as in wild-type pigs representing six breeds and a commercial line. The distribution of 40 identified polymorphic variants was similar in the LP and HP pigs. In contrast, the TAP1 transcript level was significantly higher in normal colon mucosa of HP pigs than in LP pigs. Moreover, six SNPs showed significant effects on TAP1 promoter activity, but no correlation with severity of polyposis was observed. Analysis of DNA methylation in the promoter region showed that one CpG site differed significantly between LP and HP pigs. We conclude that TAP1 genotype may not itself be associated with polyposis, but our findings concerning its expression suggest a role in the development of polyps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Perkowska
- Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Tatiana Flisikowska
- Chair of Livestock Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Carolin Perleberg
- Chair of Livestock Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | | | - Monika Stachowiak
- Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Joanna Nowacka-Woszuk
- Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Dieter Saur
- Klinikum Rechts der Isar II, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Kind
- Chair of Livestock Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Angelika Schnieke
- Chair of Livestock Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Marek Switonski
- Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Deicher A, Andersson R, Tingstedt B, Lindell G, Bauden M, Ansari D. Targeting dendritic cells in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Cell Int 2018; 18:85. [PMID: 29946224 PMCID: PMC6006559 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-018-0585-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DC) are an integral part of the tumor microenvironment. Pancreatic cancer is characterized by reduced number and function of DCs, which impacts antigen presentation and contributes to immune tolerance. Recent data suggest that exosomes can mediate communication between pancreatic cancer cells and DCs. Furthermore, levels of DCs may serve as prognostic factors. There is also growing evidence for the effectiveness of vaccination with DCs pulsed with tumor antigens to initiate adaptive cytolytic immune responses via T cells. Most experience with DC-based vaccination has been gathered for MUC1 and WT1 antigens, where clinical studies in advanced pancreatic cancer have provided encouraging results. In this review, we highlight the role of DC in the course, prognosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Deicher
- 1Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University and Skåne University Hospital, 221 85 Lund, Sweden.,2Faculty of Medicine, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roland Andersson
- 1Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University and Skåne University Hospital, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Bobby Tingstedt
- 1Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University and Skåne University Hospital, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Gert Lindell
- 1Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University and Skåne University Hospital, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Monika Bauden
- 1Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University and Skåne University Hospital, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniel Ansari
- 1Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University and Skåne University Hospital, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
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Sahin IH, Askan G, Hu ZI, O'Reilly EM. Immunotherapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: an emerging entity? Ann Oncol 2018; 28:2950-2961. [PMID: 28945842 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdx503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The genomic-plasticity of the immune system creates a broad immune repertoire engaged to tackle cancer cells. Promising clinical activity has been observed with several immune therapy strategies in solid tumors including melanoma, lung, kidney, and bladder cancers, albeit as yet immunotherapy-based treatment approaches in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remain to have proven value. While translational and early clinical studies have demonstrated activation of antitumor immunity, most recent late-phase clinical trials have not confirmed the early promise in PDAC except in MSI-High PDAC patients. These results may in part be explained by multiple factors, including the poorly immunogenic nature of PDAC along with immune privilege, the complex tumor microenvironment, and the genetic plasticity of PDAC cells. These challenges have led to disappointments in the field, nonetheless they have also advanced our understanding that may tailor the future steps for immunotherapy for PDAC. Therefore, there is significant hope that progress is on the horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- I H Sahin
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta
| | - G Askan
- Department of Pathology, Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York
| | - Z I Hu
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Health System, New York
| | - E M O'Reilly
- Department of Pathology, Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
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45
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RNA sequencing analyses reveal novel differentially expressed genes and pathways in pancreatic cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 8:42537-42547. [PMID: 28418924 PMCID: PMC5522086 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression microarrays have identified many tumor markers and therapeutic targets for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, microarray profilings have limited sensitivity and are prone to cross-hybridization between homologous DNA fragments. Here, we perform a transcriptome analysis of paired tumor and adjacent benign pancreatic tissues from 10 patients who underwent resection for PDAC. We identify a total of 2736 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with false discovery rate less than 0.05, including 1554 upregulated, 1182 downregulated, and 6 microRNAs (miR-614, miR-217, miR-27b, miR-4451, miR-3609, and miR-612). Overexpression of five DEGs, i.e. KRT16, HOXA10, CDX1, SI, and SERPINB5 in tumors is confirmed by RT-PCR in 20 additional tissues. Overexpression of KRT16 in PDAC is also verified on protein level. In addition, top canonical pathways such as granulocyte adhesion and diapedesis pathway have been identified. Our study represents a comprehensive characterization of the PDAC transcriptome and provides insight to the mechanisms of pancreatic carcinogenesis and potential biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer.
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46
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Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease with a devastating 5-year overall survival of only approximately 7%. Although just 4% of all malignant diseases are accounted to PDAC, it will become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths before 2030. Immunotherapy has proven to be a promising therapeutic option in various malignancies such as melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), microsatellite instability-high gastrointestinal cancer, urinary tract cancer, kidney cancer, and others. In this review, we summarize recent findings about immunological aspects of PDAC with the focus on the proposed model of the "cancer immunity cycle". By this model, a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanism in achieving a T-cell response against cancer cells is provided. There is currently great interest in the field around designing novel immunotherapy combination studies for PDAC based on a sound understanding of the underlying immunobiology.
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Schwaiger T, Knittler MR, Grund C, Roemer-Oberdoerfer A, Kapp JF, Lerch MM, Mettenleiter TC, Mayerle J, Blohm U. Newcastle disease virus mediates pancreatic tumor rejection via NK cell activation and prevents cancer relapse by prompting adaptive immunity. Int J Cancer 2017; 141:2505-2516. [PMID: 28857157 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the 8th most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and the tumor with the poorest prognosis of all solid malignancies. In 1957, it was discovered that Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has oncolytic properties on tumor cells. To study the oncolytic properties of NDV in pancreatic cancer a single dose was administered intravenously in a syngeneic orthotopic tumor model using two different murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines (DT6606PDA, Panc02). Tumor growth was monitored and immune response was analyzed. A single treatment with NDV inhibited DT6606PDA tumor growth in mice and prevented recurrence for a period of three months. Tumor infiltration and systemic activation of NK cells, cytotoxic and helper T-cells was enhanced. NDV-induced melting of Panc02 tumors until d7 pi, but they recurred displaying unrestricted tumor growth, low immunogenicity and inhibition of tumor-specific immune response. Arrest of DT6606PDA tumor growth and rejection was mediated by activation of NK cells and a specific antitumor immune response via T-cells. Panc02 tumors rapidly decreased until d7 pi, but henceforth tumors characterized by the ability to perform immune-regulatory functions reappeared. Our results demonstrated that NDV-activated immune cells are able to reject tumors provided that an adaptive antitumor immune response can be initiated. However, activated NK cells that are abundant in Panc02 tumors lead to outgrowth of nonimmunogenic tumor cells with inhibitory properties. Our study emphasizes the importance of an adaptive immune response, which is initiated by NDV to mediate long-term tumor surveillance in addition to direct oncolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Schwaiger
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.,Department of Medicine A, University Medicine, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Michael R Knittler
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christian Grund
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Angela Roemer-Oberdoerfer
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Markus M Lerch
- Department of Medicine A, University Medicine, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Thomas C Mettenleiter
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Julia Mayerle
- Department of Medicine A, University Medicine, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Klinikum der LMU München-Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Blohm
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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48
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Reha J, Katz SC. Regional immunotherapy for liver and peritoneal metastases. J Surg Oncol 2017; 116:46-54. [PMID: 28543176 DOI: 10.1002/jso.24641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a biologically aggressive disease, with liver and peritoneal metastases being a frequent cause of death. We examine how the pancreatic carcinoma microenvironment and immunosuppressive landscape favor tumor progression. Immunotherapy has shown promise in select solid tumors, yet challenges remain in applying these gains to stage IV pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We discuss how regional therapy strategies may be leveraged to open new avenues for treating pancreatic carcinoma metastases with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Reha
- Department of Surgery, Roger Williams Medical Center, RI/Boston University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Steven C Katz
- Department of Surgery, Roger Williams Medical Center, RI/Boston University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island
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49
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NLRC5/CITA: A Key Player in Cancer Immune Surveillance. Trends Cancer 2017; 3:28-38. [PMID: 28718425 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells need to escape immune surveillance for successful tumor growth. Loss of MHC class I has been described as a major immune evasion strategy in many cancers. MHC class I transactivator (CITA), NLRC5 [nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeats containing (NLR) family, caspase activation and recruitment domain (CARD) domain containing 5], is a key transcription coactivator of MHC class I genes. Recent genetic studies have revealed that NLRC5 is a major target for cancer immune evasion mechanisms. The reduced expression or activity of NLRC5 caused by promoter methylation, copy number loss, or somatic mutations is associated with defective MHC class I expression, impaired cytotoxic T cell activation, and poor patient prognosis. Here, we review the role of NLRC5 in cancer immune evasion and the future prospects for cancer research.
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50
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Hall M, Liu H, Malafa M, Centeno B, Hodul PJ, Pimiento J, Pilon-Thomas S, Sarnaik AA. Expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from human pancreatic tumors. J Immunother Cancer 2016; 4:61. [PMID: 27777771 PMCID: PMC5067894 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-016-0164-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We evaluated whether tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) could be expanded from surgically resected tumors from pancreatic cancer patients. METHODS Tumors were resected from pancreatic cancer patients. Tumors were minced into fragments and cultured in media containing high dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) for up to 6 weeks. T cell phenotype, activation markers, and reactivity were measured. RESULTS TIL expansion was measured in 19 patient samples. The majority of these TIL were CD4+ T cells and were highly activated. Purified CD8+ T cells produced IFN-γ in response to HLA-matched pancreatic tumor targets. PD-1 blockade and 4-1BB stimulation were demonstrated as effective strategies to improve effective TIL yield, including the production of tumor-reactive pancreatic TIL. CONCLUSIONS TIL expanded from pancreatic tumors are functional and able to respond to pancreatic tumor associated antigens. PD-1 blockade, 41BB stimulation, and CD8+ T cell enrichment are effective strategies to improve TIL yield and tumor reactivity. These results support the development of adoptive cell therapy strategies using TIL for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- MacLean Hall
- Department of Immunology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Immunology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Mokenge Malafa
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Barbara Centeno
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Pamela J Hodul
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL USA
| | - José Pimiento
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Shari Pilon-Thomas
- Department of Immunology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL USA.,Cutaneous Oncology Program, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 10920 N. McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
| | - Amod A Sarnaik
- Department of Immunology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL USA.,Cutaneous Oncology Program, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 10920 N. McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
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