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Cheng OJ, Lebish EJ, Jensen O, Jacenik D, Trivedi S, Cacioppo JG, Aubé J, Beswick EJ, Leung DT. Mucosal-associated invariant T cells modulate innate immune cells and inhibit colon cancer growth. Scand J Immunol 2024; 100:e13391. [PMID: 38773691 PMCID: PMC11315626 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13391] [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: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are innate-like T cells that can be activated by microbial antigens and cytokines and are abundant in mucosal tissues including the colon. MAIT cells have cytotoxic and pro-inflammatory functions and have potentials for use as adoptive cell therapy. However, studies into their anti-cancer activity, including their role in colon cancer, are limited. Using an animal model of colon cancer, we showed that peritumoral injection of in vivo-expanded MAIT cells into RAG1-/- mice with MC38-derived tumours inhibits tumour growth compared to control. Multiplex cytokine analyses showed that tumours from the MAIT cell-treated group have higher expression of markers for eosinophil-activating cytokines, suggesting a potential association between eosinophil recruitment and tumour inhibition. In a human peripheral leukocyte co-culture model, we showed that leukocytes stimulated with MAIT ligand showed an increase in eotaxin-1 production and activation of eosinophils, associated with increased cancer cell killing. In conclusion, we showed that MAIT cells have a protective role in a murine colon cancer model, associated with modulation of the immune response to cancer, potentially involving eosinophil-associated mechanisms. Our results highlight the potential of MAIT cells for non-donor restricted colon cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia J. Cheng
- Division of Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Eric J. Lebish
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Owen Jensen
- Division of Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Damian Jacenik
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Shubhanshi Trivedi
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Jackson G. Cacioppo
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - Jeffrey Aubé
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - Ellen J. Beswick
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| | - Daniel T. Leung
- Division of Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
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2
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Lopez-Perez D, Prados-Lopez B, Galvez J, Leon J, Carazo A. Eosinophils in Colorectal Cancer: Emerging Insights into Anti-Tumoral Mechanisms and Clinical Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6098. [PMID: 38892286 PMCID: PMC11172675 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Eosinophils are myeloid effector cells whose main homing is the gastrointestinal tract. There, they take part in type I and type II immune responses. They also contribute to other non-immunological homeostatic functions like mucus production, tissue regeneration, and angiogenesis. In colorectal cancer (CRC), eosinophils locate in the center of the tumor and in the front of invasion and play an anti-tumoral role. They directly kill tumor cells by releasing cytotoxic compounds and eosinophil extracellular traps or indirectly by activating other immune cells via cytokines. As CRC progresses, the number of infiltrating eosinophils decreases. Although this phenomenon is not fully understood, it is known that some changes in the microenvironmental milieu and microbiome can affect eosinophil infiltration. Importantly, a high number of intratumoral eosinophils is a favorable prognostic factor independent from the tumor stage. Moreover, after immunotherapy, responding patients usually display eosinophilia, so eosinophils could be a good biomarker candidate to monitor treatment outcomes. Finally, even though eosinophils seem to play an interesting anti-tumoral role in CRC, much more research is needed to fully understand their interactions in the CRC microenvironment. This review explores the multifaceted roles of eosinophils in colorectal cancer, highlighting their anti-tumoral effects, prognostic significance, and potential as a biomarker for treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lopez-Perez
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18012 Granada, Spain
- Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Belen Prados-Lopez
- Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Julio Galvez
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18012 Granada, Spain
- Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18016 Granada, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red para Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBER-EHD), Center for Biomedical Research, University of Granada, 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Josefa Leon
- Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18016 Granada, Spain
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario San Cecilio de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Angel Carazo
- Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18016 Granada, Spain
- Unidad de Gestión de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario San Cecilio de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
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Brand CL, Hunger RE, Seyed Jafari SM. Eosinophilic granulocytes as a potential prognostic marker for cancer progression and therapeutic response in malignant melanoma. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1366081. [PMID: 38756652 PMCID: PMC11096470 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1366081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The importance of eosinophilic granulocytes in cancer has been widely discussed in recent years. The current study reviews the evidence on the role of eosinophilic granulocytes in melanoma as a prognostic marker for cancer progression and the efficacy of treatment with modern immune checkpoint inhibitors. A total of 33 human clinical studies were included in the review, with heterogeneous data due to differences in patients populations, study design and inclusion of small study groups. However, 28 of the 33 studies suggested that eosinophilic granulocytes could be used as a prognostic biomarker for outcome and/or potential response to systemic treatment and/or occurrence of adverse events in melanoma patients. Nevertheless, the exact role of eosinophils remains to be elucidated. Further prospective, larger and better controlled studies are warranted to clarify the significance of eosinophilic granulocytes in patients with melanoma, in more details.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Seyed Morteza Seyed Jafari
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Hospital of Bern, University Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Coccimiglio M, Chiodo F, van Kooyk Y. The sialic acid-Siglec immune checkpoint: an opportunity to enhance immune responses and therapy effectiveness in melanoma. Br J Dermatol 2024; 190:627-635. [PMID: 38197441 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljad517] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Modulation of immune responses through immune checkpoint blockade has revolutionized cutaneous melanoma treatment. However, it is still the case that not all patients respond successfully to these therapies, indicating the presence of as yet unknown resistance mechanisms. Hence, it is crucial to find novel targets to improve therapy efficacy. One of the described resistance mechanisms is regulated by immune inhibitory Siglec receptors, which are engaged by the carbohydrates sialic acids expressed on tumour cells, contributing to programmed cell death protein-1 (PD1)-like immune suppression mechanisms. In this review, we provide an overview on the regulation of sialic acid synthesis, its expression in melanoma, and the contribution of the sialic acid-Siglec axis to tumour development and immune suppressive mechanisms in the tumour microenvironment. Finally, we highlight potential sialic acid-Siglec axis-related therapeutics to improve the treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Coccimiglio
- Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Fabrizio Chiodo
- Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Italian National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Yvette van Kooyk
- Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Cheng OJ, Lebish EJ, Jensen O, Jacenik D, Trivedi S, Cacioppo J, Aubé J, Beswick EJ, Leung DT. MAIT Cells Modulate Innate Immune Cells and Inhibit Colon Cancer Growth. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.16.575894. [PMID: 38293128 PMCID: PMC10827136 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.16.575894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are innate-like T cells that can be activated by microbial antigens and cytokines and are abundant in mucosal tissues including the colon. MAIT cells have cytotoxic and pro-inflammatory functions and have potentials for use as adoptive cell therapy. However, studies into their anti-cancer activity, including their role in colon cancer, are limited. Using an animal model of colon cancer, we show that peritumoral injection of in vivo-expanded MAIT cells into RAG1-/- mice with MC38-derived tumors inhibits tumor growth compared to control. Multiplex cytokine analyses show that tumors from the MAIT cell-treated group have higher expression of markers for eosinophil-activating cytokines, suggesting an association between eosinophil recruitment and tumor inhibition. In a human peripheral leukocyte co-culture model, we show that leukocytes stimulated with MAIT ligand show an increase in eotaxin-1 production and activation of eosinophils, associated with increased cancer cell killing. In conclusion, we show that MAIT cells have a protective role in a murine colon cancer model, associated with modulation of the immune response to cancer, potentially involving eosinophil-associated mechanisms. Our results highlight the potential of MAIT cells for non-donor restricted colon cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia J. Cheng
- Division of Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Eric J. Lebish
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Owen Jensen
- Division of Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Damian Jacenik
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Shubhanshi Trivedi
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Jackson Cacioppo
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - Jeffrey Aubé
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - Ellen J. Beswick
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| | - Daniel T. Leung
- Division of Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
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Georgescu SR, Mitran CI, Mitran MI, Matei C, Constantin C, Neagu M, Tampa M. Apprising Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Cutaneous Melanoma—Persistent Updating. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12091506. [PMID: 36143291 PMCID: PMC9505119 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12091506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of melanoma, a very aggressive skin cancer, has increased over the past few decades. Although there are well-established clinical, dermoscopic and histopathological criteria, the diagnosis is often performed late, which has important implications on the patient’s clinical outcome. Unfortunately, melanoma is one of the most challenging tumors to diagnose because it is a heterogeneous neoplasm at the clinical, histopathological, and molecular level. The use of reliable biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression is becoming a standard of care in modern medicine. In this review, we discuss the latest studies, which highlight findings from the genomics, epitranscriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics areas, pointing out different genes, molecules and cells as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cutaneous melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Roxana Georgescu
- Department of Dermatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, “Victor Babes” Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 030303 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristina Iulia Mitran
- Department of Microbiology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (C.I.M.); (M.I.M.)
| | - Madalina Irina Mitran
- “Cantacuzino” National Medico-Military Institute for Research and Development, 011233 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (C.I.M.); (M.I.M.)
| | - Clara Matei
- Department of Dermatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Carolina Constantin
- Immunology Department, “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
- Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Monica Neagu
- Immunology Department, “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
- Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 030018 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mircea Tampa
- Department of Dermatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, “Victor Babes” Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 030303 Bucharest, Romania
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Caliman E, Fancelli S, Ottanelli C, Mazzoni F, Paglialunga L, Lavacchi D, Michelet MRG, Giommoni E, Napolitano B, Scolari F, Voltolini L, Comin CE, Pillozzi S, Antonuzzo L. Absolute eosinophil count predicts clinical outcomes and toxicity in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with immunotherapy. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2022; 32:100603. [PMID: 35792426 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2022.100603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have led to a paradigm shift in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. We investigated absolute eosinophil count (AEC) as a predictor of clinical outcomes and toxicity in NSCLC patients receiving ICIs. MATERIALS AND METHODS AEC was retrospectively collected at baseline and during treatment from 158 advanced NSCLC patients treated with single agent anti-PD1/anti-PDL1 monoclonal antibody in first or subsequent line of therapy at Medical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence (Italy), between January 2016 to October 2020. RESULTS We found a significant association between high baseline AEC (≥130/μL) and better clinical outcomes. The response rates were 64.4% and 35.6% for patients with high and low AEC, respectively (p = 0.009). The high-AEC group showed a significantly longer PFS and OS than the low-AEC group (mPFS = 7.0 months, 95% CI 5.0-10.0 vs 2.5 months, 95% CI 2.0-4.0, p = 0.007 and mOS = 9.0 months, CI 95% 7.0-15.0 vs 5.5 months, 95% CI 4.0-8.0, p = 0.009, respectively). An increased risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) was reported in the high-AEC group (p = 0.133). IrAEs resulted an independent prognostic factor for both better outcomes (mPFS = 8.0 months, 95% CI 7.0-12.0 vs 2.0 months, 95% CI 2.0-3.0, p<0.001; mOS = 13.0 months 95% CI 9.0-19.0 vs 4.0 months 95% CI 3.0-6-0, p<0.001) and response to ICIs (response rate = 33.8% vs 14.9%, disease control rate = 72.0% vs 32.1%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION High baseline AEC value (≥130/μL) is a predictive biomarker of clinical benefit and irAEs occurrence in NSCLC patients treated with ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Caliman
- Clinical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Fancelli
- Clinical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
| | | | | | - Luca Paglialunga
- Clinical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniele Lavacchi
- Clinical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Elisa Giommoni
- Medical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Federico Scolari
- Medical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Luca Voltolini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy; Thoracic Surgery Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Camilla Eva Comin
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy; Section of Surgery, Histopathology and Molecular Pathology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Serena Pillozzi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Antonuzzo
- Clinical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy; Medical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
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