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Wu Y, Yi M, Niu M, Zhou B, Mei Q, Wu K. Beyond success: unveiling the hidden potential of radiotherapy and immunotherapy in solid tumors. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2024; 44:739-760. [PMID: 38837878 PMCID: PMC11260771 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12576] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, particularly with immune checkpoint inhibitors, has significantly transformed cancer treatment. Despite its success, many patients struggle to respond adequately or sustain long-lasting clinical improvement. A growing consensus has emerged that radiotherapy (RT) enhances the response rate and overall efficacy of immunotherapy. Although combining RT and immunotherapy has been extensively investigated in preclinical models and has shown promising results, establishing itself as a dynamic and thriving area of research, clinical evidence for this combination strategy over the past five years has shown both positive and disappointing results, suggesting the need for a more nuanced understanding. This review provides a balanced and updated analysis of the combination of immunotherapy and RT. We summarized the preclinical mechanisms through which RT boosts antitumor immune responses and mainly focused on the outcomes of recently updated clinical trials, including those that may not have met expectations. We investigated the optimization of the therapeutic potential of this combined strategy, including key challenges, such as fractionation and scheduling, lymph node irradiation, and toxicity. Finally, we offered insights into the prospects and challenges associated with the clinical translation of this combination therapy, providing a realistic perspective on the current state of research and potential future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuze Wu
- Department of OncologyTongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubeiP. R. China
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Breast SurgeryZhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated HospitalHangzhouZhejiangP. R. China
| | - Mengke Niu
- Department of OncologyTongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubeiP. R. China
| | - Binghan Zhou
- Department of OncologyTongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubeiP. R. China
| | - Qi Mei
- Department of OncologyTongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubeiP. R. China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Cancer CenterShanxi Bethune HospitalShanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanShanxiP. R. China
- Cancer CenterTongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubeiP. R. China
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2
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Song D, Ding Y. A new target of radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy: regulatory T cells. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1330099. [PMID: 38259489 PMCID: PMC10800811 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1330099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is one important treatment for malignant tumours. It is widely believed today that radiotherapy has not only been used as a local tumour treatment method, but also can induce systemic anti-tumour responses by influencing the tumour microenvironment, but its efficacy is limited by the tumour immunosuppression microenvironment. With the advancement of technology, immunotherapy has entered a golden age of rapid development, gradually occupying a place in clinical tumour treatment. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) widely distributing in the tumour microenvironment play an important role in mediating tumour development. This article analyzes immunotherapy, the interaction between Tregs, tumours and radiotherapy. It briefly introduces immunotherapies targeting Tregs, aiming to provide new strategies for radiotherapy combined with Immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yun Ding
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
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3
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Tong F, Sun Y, Zhu Y, Sha H, Ni J, Qi L, Gu Q, Zhu C, Xi W, Liu B, Kong W, Du J. Making "cold" tumors "hot"- radiotherapy remodels the tumor immune microenvironment of pancreatic cancer to benefit from immunotherapy: a case report. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1277810. [PMID: 38179049 PMCID: PMC10765511 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1277810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have limited efficacy in metastatic pancreatic cancer due to the complex tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Studies have shown that radiotherapy can cause cell lesions to release tumor antigens and then take part in the remodeling of the tumor environment and the induction of ectopic effects via regional and systemic immunoregulation. Here, we reported a case of advanced metastatic pancreatic cancer treated with immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy and a sharp shift of the TIME from T3 to T2 was also observed. One hepatic metastasis within the planning target volume (PTV) was evaluated complete response (CR), the other one was evaluated partial response (PR) and 2 hepatic metastases outside the PTV were surprisingly considered PR. In the study, we found that immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy achieved significant therapeutic benefits, which may provide a new strategy for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Tong
- Department of oncology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center of Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of oncology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yahui Zhu
- Department of oncology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huizi Sha
- Department of oncology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiayao Ni
- Department of oncology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center of Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Qi
- Department of oncology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qing Gu
- National Institute of Healthcare Data Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co, Ltd, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjing Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co, Ltd, Nanjing, China
| | - Baorui Liu
- Department of oncology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiwei Kong
- Department of oncology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Juan Du
- Department of oncology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center of Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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4
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Liu S, Wang W, Hu S, Jia B, Tuo B, Sun H, Wang Q, Liu Y, Sun Z. Radiotherapy remodels the tumor microenvironment for enhancing immunotherapeutic sensitivity. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:679. [PMID: 37833255 PMCID: PMC10575861 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06211-2] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has transformed traditional treatments, with immune checkpoint blockade being particularly prominent. However, immunotherapy has minimal benefit for patients in most types of cancer and is largely ineffective in some cancers (such as pancreatic cancer and glioma). A synergistic anti-tumor response may be produced through the combined application with traditional tumor treatment methods. Radiotherapy (RT) not only kills tumor cells but also triggers the pro-inflammatory molecules' release and immune cell infiltration, which remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME). Therefore, the combination of RT and immunotherapy is expected to achieve improved efficacy. In this review, we summarize the effects of RT on cellular components of the TME, including T cell receptor repertoires, different T cell subsets, metabolism, tumor-associated macrophages and other myeloid cells (dendritic cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, neutrophils and eosinophils). Meanwhile, non-cellular components such as lactate and extracellular vesicles are also elaborated. In addition, we discuss the impact of different RT modalities on tumor immunity and issues related to the clinical practice of combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senbo Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Institute of Interconnected Intelligent Health Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wenkang Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Shengyun Hu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Bin Jia
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Baojing Tuo
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Institute of Interconnected Intelligent Health Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Haifeng Sun
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qiming Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, 450001, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, 450001, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Zhenqiang Sun
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
- Henan Institute of Interconnected Intelligent Health Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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5
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Zhang Z, Liu X, Chen D, Yu J. Radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy: the dawn of cancer treatment. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:258. [PMID: 35906199 PMCID: PMC9338328 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01102-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 85.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) is delivered for purposes of local control, but can also exert systemic effect on remote and non-irradiated tumor deposits, which is called abscopal effect. The view of RT as a simple local treatment has dramatically changed in recent years, and it is now widely accepted that RT can provoke a systemic immune response which gives a strong rationale for the combination of RT and immunotherapy (iRT). Nevertheless, several points remain to be addressed such as the interaction of RT and immune system, the identification of the best schedules for combination with immunotherapy (IO), the expansion of abscopal effect and the mechanism to amplify iRT. To answer these crucial questions, we roundly summarize underlying rationale showing the whole immune landscape in RT and clinical trials to attempt to identify the best schedules of iRT. In consideration of the rarity of abscopal effect, we propose that the occurrence of abscopal effect induced by radiation can be promoted to 100% in view of molecular and genetic level. Furthermore, the “radscopal effect” which refers to using low-dose radiation to reprogram the tumor microenvironment may amplify the occurrence of abscopal effect and overcome the resistance of iRT. Taken together, RT could be regarded as a trigger of systemic antitumor immune response, and with the help of IO can be used as a radical and systemic treatment and be added into current standard regimen of patients with metastatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengfu Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong University Cancer Center, Yantai Road, No. 2999, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jiyan Road, No. 440, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Dawei Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong University Cancer Center, Yantai Road, No. 2999, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Jinming Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong University Cancer Center, Yantai Road, No. 2999, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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6
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Donlon NE, Power R, Hayes C, Reynolds JV, Lysaght J. Radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and the tumour microenvironment: Turning an immunosuppressive milieu into a therapeutic opportunity. Cancer Lett 2021; 502:84-96. [PMID: 33450360 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has revolutionised the treatment of solid tumours, yet most patients do not derive a clinical benefit. Resistance to ICB is often contingent on the tumour microenvironment (TME) and modulating aspects of this immunosuppressive milieu is a goal of combination treatment approaches. Radiation has been used for over a century in the management of cancer with more than half of all cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. Here, we outline the rationale behind combining radiotherapy with ICB, a potential synergy through mutually beneficial remodelling of the TME. We discuss the pleiotropic effects radiation has on the TME including immunogenic cell death, activation of cytosolic DNA sensors, remodelling the stroma and vasculature, and paradoxical infiltration of both anti-tumour and suppressive immune cell populations. These events depend on the radiation dose and fractionation and optimising these parameters will be key to develop safe and effective combination regimens. Finally, we highlight ongoing efforts that combine radiation, immunotherapy and inhibitors of DNA damage response, which can help achieve a favourable equilibrium between the immunogenic and tolerogenic effects of radiation on the immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- N E Donlon
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity St James' Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital Dublin, Ireland
| | - R Power
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity St James' Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital Dublin, Ireland
| | - C Hayes
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity St James' Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital Dublin, Ireland
| | - J V Reynolds
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity St James' Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital Dublin, Ireland
| | - J Lysaght
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity St James' Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital Dublin, Ireland.
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7
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Zhu S, Xu Z, Zeng Y, Long Y, Fan G, Ding Q, Wen Y, Cao J, Dai T, Han W, Xie Y. ADNP Upregulation Promotes Bladder Cancer Cell Proliferation via the AKT Pathway. Front Oncol 2020; 10:491129. [PMID: 33240802 PMCID: PMC7680929 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.491129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP), which is involved in embryonic development and neurogenesis, has been proven to be upregulated in some human tumors. However, its role in bladder cancer (BC) has never been studied. Objective We aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which ADNP promotes the progression of BC. Methods ADNP expressions in BC cell lines and paired BC and adjacent normal tissues were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Colony formation, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), trypan blue exclusion assay, flow cytometry, and nude mice tumorigenesis assay were performed to explore the effects of ADNP on growth of BC in vivo and in vitro. The impacts of ADNP on AKT signaling pathways were measured by Western blot. Results The expression of ADNP mRNA and protein was significantly upregulated in BC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis of 221 BC and 51 adjacent normal tissue paraffin sections indicated that ADNP expression was significantly associated with histological classification and pathological T and N stages. Survival analysis revealed that patients with high ADNP expression have worse prognosis with respect to overall survival and progression-free disease. ADNP knockdown markedly delayed propagation of BC in vitro and the development of BC in vivo. ADNP overexpression showed the opposite effect. In addition, ADNP can markedly promote G1-S cell cycle transition in BC cells. On the molecular level, we confirmed that ADNP mediated acceleration of G1-S transition was associated with activation of the AKT pathways in BC. Conclusion ADNP is overexpressed in BC and promotes BC growth partly through AKT pathways. ADNP is crucial in predicting the outcome of BC patients and may be a potential therapeutic target in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Zhu
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Zhenzhou Xu
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Zeng
- Clinical Translational Research Center, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Long
- Clinical Translational Research Center, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Gang Fan
- Department of Urology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, The 6th Affliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qi Ding
- Clinical Translational Research Center, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Yuheng Wen
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Jian Cao
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Tao Dai
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Weiqing Han
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Yu Xie
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China
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8
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Hou PF, Zhu LJ, Pan Y, Sun XC, Pu J. The relationship between regulatory T cells and radiation therapy. Cancer Radiother 2020; 24:81-84. [PMID: 32046914 DOI: 10.1016/j.canrad.2019.07.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) is an effective treatment for cancer. Approximately, 70% of cancer patients receive RT in China. The immune-modulating effect of radiation therapy have gained considerable interest in recent years and there have been multiple reports of synergy between radiation and immunotherapy. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a group of T cell subsets with immunosuppressive function, which is correlated with cancer. Tregs are involved in the pathogenesis, development, treatment and prognosis of tumors by cell-cell contact, cytokines, and cell metabolism. Based on the immunological characteristics of Tregs, this article reviews the interaction between RT and immune molecules, aiming to provide new ideas for RT combined with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- P-F Hou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Lianshui County People's Hospital, Lianshui, China
| | - L-J Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Lianshui County People's Hospital, Lianshui, China
| | - Y Pan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Lianshui County People's Hospital, Lianshui, China
| | - X-C Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - J Pu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Lianshui County People's Hospital, Lianshui, China.
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9
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Peng Q, Lin K, Shen Y, Zhou P, Fan S, Shen Y, Zhu Y. Identification of potential genes and pathways for response prediction of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer by systemic biological analysis. Oncol Lett 2019; 17:492-501. [PMID: 30655792 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9598] [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] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by radical surgery is the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no effective biomarkers for predicting patients who may benefit from neoadjuvant treatment. The aim of the current study was to screen potential crucial genes and pathways associated with the response to CRT in rectal cancer, and provide valid biological information to assist further investigation of CRT optimization. In the current study, differentially expressed (DE) genes were identified from the tumor samples of responders and non-responders to neoadjuvant CRT in the GSE35452 gene expression profile. Seven hub genes and one significant module were identified from the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Functional enrichment analysis of all the DE genes and the hub genes, retrieved from PPI network analysis, revealed their associations with CRT response. Genes were identified that may be used to discriminate patients who would or would not clinically benefit from neoadjuvant CRT. Several important pathways enriched by the DE genes, hub genes and selected module were identified, and revealed to be closely associated with radiation response, including excision repair, homologous recombination, Ras signaling pathway, the forkhead box O signaling pathway, focal adhesion and the Wnt signaling pathway. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that the identified gene signatures and pathways may be used as molecular biomarkers for predicting CRT response. Furthermore, combinations of these biomarkers may be helpful for optimizing CRT treatment and promoting understanding of the molecular basis of response differences; this needs to be confirmed by further experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiliang Peng
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China.,Institute of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Soochow University, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China.,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Radiation Oncology, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China
| | - Kaisu Lin
- Department of Oncology, Nantong Rich Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu 226010, P.R. China
| | - Yi Shen
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China.,Institute of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Soochow University, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China.,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Radiation Oncology, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China
| | - Shaonan Fan
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China.,Institute of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Soochow University, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China.,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Radiation Oncology, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China
| | - Yuntian Shen
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China.,Institute of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Soochow University, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China.,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Radiation Oncology, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China
| | - Yaqun Zhu
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China.,Institute of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Soochow University, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China.,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Radiation Oncology, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China
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10
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Persa E, Balogh A, Sáfrány G, Lumniczky K. The effect of ionizing radiation on regulatory T cells in health and disease. Cancer Lett 2015; 368:252-61. [PMID: 25754816 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Revised: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Treg cells are key elements of the immune system which are responsible for the immune suppressive phenotype of cancer patients. Interaction of Treg cells with conventional anticancer therapies might fundamentally influence cancer therapy response rates. Radiotherapy, apart from its direct tumor cell killing potential, has a contradictory effect on the antitumor immune response: it augments certain immune parameters, while it depresses others. Treg cells are intrinsically radioresistant due to reduced apoptosis and increased proliferation, which leads to their systemic and/or intratumoral enrichment. While physiologically Treg suppression is not enhanced by irradiation, this is not the case in a tumorous environment, where Tregs acquire a highly suppressive phenotype, which is further increased by radiotherapy. This is the reason why the interest for combined radiotherapy and immunotherapy approaches focusing on the abrogation of Treg suppression has increased in cancer therapy in the last few years. Here we summarize the basic mechanisms of Treg radiation response both in healthy and cancerous environments and discuss Treg-targeted pre-clinical and clinical immunotherapy approaches used in combination with radiotherapy. Finally, the discrepant findings regarding the predictive value of Tregs in therapy response are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eszter Persa
- Frédéric Joliot-Curie National Research Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrea Balogh
- Frédéric Joliot-Curie National Research Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Géza Sáfrány
- Frédéric Joliot-Curie National Research Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Katalin Lumniczky
- Frédéric Joliot-Curie National Research Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, Budapest, Hungary.
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11
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Akt Promotes Irradiation-Induced Regulatory T-Cell Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Am J Med Sci 2013; 346:123-7. [DOI: 10.1097/maj.0b013e31826ceed0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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