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Kwon SY, Thi-Thu Ngo H, Son J, Hong Y, Min JJ. Exploiting bacteria for cancer immunotherapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024:10.1038/s41571-024-00908-9. [PMID: 38840029 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-024-00908-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of cancer but continues to be constrained by limited response rates, acquired resistance, toxicities and high costs, which necessitates the development of new, innovative strategies. The discovery of a connection between the human microbiota and cancer dates back 4,000 years, when local infection was observed to result in tumour eradication in some individuals. However, the true oncological relevance of the intratumoural microbiota was not recognized until the turn of the twentieth century. The intratumoural microbiota can have pivotal roles in both the pathogenesis and treatment of cancer. In particular, intratumoural bacteria can either promote or inhibit cancer growth via remodelling of the tumour microenvironment. Over the past two decades, remarkable progress has been made preclinically in engineering bacteria as agents for cancer immunotherapy; some of these bacterial products have successfully reached the clinical stages of development. In this Review, we discuss the characteristics of intratumoural bacteria and their intricate interactions with the tumour microenvironment. We also describe the many strategies used to engineer bacteria for use in the treatment of cancer, summarizing contemporary data from completed and ongoing clinical trials. The work described herein highlights the potential of bacteria to transform the landscape of cancer therapy, bridging ancient wisdom with modern scientific innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Young Kwon
- Institute for Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Hien Thi-Thu Ngo
- Institute for Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Jinbae Son
- CNCure Biotech, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeongjin Hong
- Institute for Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
- CNCure Biotech, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
- National Immunotherapy Innovation Center, Chonnam National University, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Joon Min
- Institute for Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea.
- CNCure Biotech, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea.
- National Immunotherapy Innovation Center, Chonnam National University, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea.
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Kang X, Lau HCH, Yu J. Modulating gut microbiome in cancer immunotherapy: Harnessing microbes to enhance treatment efficacy. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101478. [PMID: 38631285 PMCID: PMC11031381 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101478] [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: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a robust approach against cancer, yet its efficacy has varied among individuals, accompanied by the occurrence of immune-related adverse events. As a result, the efficacy of immunotherapy is far from satisfactory, and enormous efforts have been invested to develop strategies to improve patient outcomes. The gut microbiome is now well acknowledged for its critical role in immunotherapy, with better understanding on host-microbes interaction in the context of cancer treatment. Also, an increasing number of trials have been conducted to evaluate the potential and feasibility of microbiome-targeting approaches to enhance efficacy of cancer treatment in patients. Here, the role of the gut microbiome and metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, tryptophan metabolites) in immunotherapy and the underlying mechanisms are explored. The application of microbiome-targeting approaches that aim to improve immunotherapy efficacy (e.g., fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, dietary intervention) is also elaborated, with further discussion on current challenges and suggestions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Kang
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong; Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Harry Cheuk-Hay Lau
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
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Mei T, Wang T, Zhou Q. Multi-omics and artificial intelligence predict clinical outcomes of immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:60. [PMID: 38554212 PMCID: PMC10981593 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-024-01324-0] [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: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, various types of immunotherapy, particularly the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed cell death 1 or programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), have revolutionized the management and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer. PD-L1 is frequently used as a biomarker for predicting the likely benefit of immunotherapy for patients. However, some patients receiving immunotherapy have high response rates despite having low levels of PD-L1. Therefore, the identification of this group of patients is extremely important to improve prognosis. The tumor microenvironment contains tumor, stromal, and infiltrating immune cells with its composition differing significantly within tumors, between tumors, and between individuals. The omics approach aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of each patient through high-throughput extracted features, promising a more comprehensive characterization of this complex ecosystem. However, features identified by high-throughput methods are complex and present analytical challenges to clinicians and data scientists. It is thus feasible that artificial intelligence could assist in the identification of features that are beyond human discernment as well as in the performance of repetitive tasks. In this paper, we review the prediction of immunotherapy efficacy by different biomarkers (genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, microbiomic, and radiomic), together with the use of artificial intelligence and the challenges and future directions of these fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Mei
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Qinghua Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000, China.
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Zhang M, Liu J, Xia Q. Role of gut microbiome in cancer immunotherapy: from predictive biomarker to therapeutic target. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:84. [PMID: 37770953 PMCID: PMC10537950 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00442-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as an effective treatment for various types of cancers. Recent studies have highlighted a significant correlation between the gut microbiome and patients' response to immunotherapy. Several characteristics of the gut microbiome, such as community structures, taxonomic compositions, and molecular functions, have been identified as crucial biomarkers for predicting immunotherapy response and immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Unlike other -omics, the gut microbiome can serve as not only biomarkers but also potential targets for enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy. Approaches for modulating the gut microbiome include probiotics/prebiotics supplementation, dietary interventions, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and antibiotic administration. This review primarily focuses on elucidating the potential role of the gut microbiome in predicting the response to cancer immunotherapy and improving its efficacy. Notably, we explore reasons behind inconsistent findings observed in different studies, and highlight the underlying benefits of antibiotics in liver cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengwei Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinkai Liu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Xia
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai, China
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Marascio N, Scarlata GGM, Romeo F, Cicino C, Trecarichi EM, Quirino A, Torti C, Matera G, Russo A. The Role of Gut Microbiota in the Clinical Outcome of Septic Patients: State of the Art and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119307. [PMID: 37298258 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119307] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is a life-threatening multiple-organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, with high mortality worldwide; 11 million deaths per year are attributable to sepsis in high-income countries. Several research groups have reported that septic patients display a dysbiotic gut microbiota, often related to high mortality. Based on current knowledge, in this narrative review, we revised original articles, clinical trials, and pilot studies to evaluate the beneficial effect of gut microbiota manipulation in clinical practice, starting from an early diagnosis of sepsis and an in-depth analysis of gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Marascio
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, "Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Guido Maria Scarlata
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, "Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Romeo
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University, "Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Claudia Cicino
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, "Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Enrico Maria Trecarichi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University, "Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Angela Quirino
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, "Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carlo Torti
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University, "Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovanni Matera
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, "Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Alessandro Russo
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University, "Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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Xu Y, Zuo F, Wang H, Jing J, He X. The current landscape of predictive and prognostic biomarkers for immune checkpoint blockade in ovarian cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1045957. [PMID: 36389711 PMCID: PMC9647049 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1045957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has evoked a prominent shift in anticancer therapy. Durable clinical antitumor activity to ICB has been observed in patients with ovarian cancer (OC). However, only a subset of patients derive clinical benefit, and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) caused by ICB therapy can lead to permanent tissue damage and even fatal consequences. It is thus urgent to develop predictive biomarkers to optimize patient outcomes and minimize toxicity risk. Herein, we review current predictive and prognostic biomarkers for checkpoint immunotherapy in OC and highlight emerging biomarkers to guide treatment with ICB. The prevalent biomarkers, such as PD-L1 expression status, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, mutational burden, and immune gene signatures, are further discussed. We provide a state-of-the-art survey on prognostic and predictive biomarkers for checkpoint immunotherapy and offer valuable information for guiding precision immunotherapy
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jing Jing
- *Correspondence: Jing Jing, ; Xiujing He,
| | - Xiujing He
- *Correspondence: Jing Jing, ; Xiujing He,
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