1
|
Werner W, Kuzminskaya M, Lurje I, Tacke F, Hammerich L. Overcoming Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Liver Cancer with Combination Therapy: Stronger Together? Semin Liver Dis 2024. [PMID: 38806159 DOI: 10.1055/a-2334-8311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Primary liver cancer, represented mainly by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), is one of the most common and deadliest tumors worldwide. While surgical resection or liver transplantation are the best option in early disease stages, these tumors often present in advanced stages and systemic treatment is required to improve survival time. The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has had a positive impact especially on the treatment of advanced cancers, thereby establishing immunotherapy as part of first-line treatment in HCC and CCA. Nevertheless, low response rates reflect on the usually cold or immunosuppressed tumor microenvironment of primary liver cancer. In this review, we aim to summarize mechanisms of resistance leading to tumor immune escape with a special focus on the composition of tumor microenvironment in both HCC and CCA, also reflecting on recent important developments in ICI combination therapy. Furthermore, we discuss how combination of ICIs with established primary liver cancer treatments (e.g. multikinase inhibitors and chemotherapy) as well as more complex combinations with state-of-the-art therapeutic concepts may reshape the tumor microenvironment, leading to higher response rates and long-lasting antitumor immunity for primary liver cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Werner
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Kuzminskaya
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Isabella Lurje
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Linda Hammerich
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li MY, Liu YH, Wei F, Zhang P, Sun XD, Wang M, Du XH, Ye JF, Qiu W, Shi XJ, Ji B, Wang YC, Jiang C, Chai WG, Huang B, Liu XK, Chen QM, Fu Y, Hu XT, Chen LG, He JX, Chai KY, Gou ZM, Yang T, Wang GY, Jiang YF, Fan ZQ, Lv GY. Identification of prognostic biomarkers for cholangiocarcinoma by combined analysis of molecular characteristics of clinical MVI subtypes and molecular subtypes. Genomics 2024; 116:110889. [PMID: 38901654 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2024.110889] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is widely noted for its high degree of malignancy, rapid progression, and limited therapeutic options. This study was carried out on transcriptome data of 417 CCA samples from different anatomical locations. The effects of lipid metabolism related genes and immune related genes as CCA classifiers were compared. Key genes were derived from MVI subtypes and better molecular subtypes. Pathways such as epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell cycle were significantly activated in MVI-positive group. CCA patients were classified into three (four) subtypes based on lipid metabolism (immune) related genes, with better prognosis observed in lipid metabolism-C1, immune-C2, and immune-C4. IPTW analysis found that the prognosis of lipid metabolism-C1 was significantly better than that of lipid metabolism-C2 + C3 before and after correction. KRT16 was finally selected as the key gene. And knockdown of KRT16 inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of CCA cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Yue Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Ya-Hui Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Feng Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Du
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jun-Feng Ye
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Wei Qiu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiao-Ju Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Bai Ji
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Ying-Chao Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Chao Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Wen-Gang Chai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xing-Kai Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Qing-Min Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yu Fu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xin-Tong Hu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Genetic Diagnosis Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Li-Guo Chen
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Genetic Diagnosis Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jia-Xue He
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Genetic Diagnosis Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Kai-Yuan Chai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhao-Ming Gou
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Tian Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China; Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University (Navy Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Guang-Yi Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yan-Fang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Genetic Diagnosis Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Zhong-Qi Fan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Guo-Yue Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tomlinson JL, Li B, Yang J, Loeuillard E, Stumpf HE, Kuipers H, Watkins R, Carlson DM, Willhite J, O'Brien DR, Graham RP, Chen X, Smoot RL, Dong H, Gores GJ, Ilyas SI. Syngeneic murine models with distinct immune microenvironments represent subsets of human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. J Hepatol 2024; 80:892-903. [PMID: 38458319 PMCID: PMC11141161 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a poorly immunogenic malignancy associated with limited survival. Syngeneic immunocompetent mouse models of CCA are an essential tool to elucidate the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), understand mechanisms of tumor immune evasion, and test novel immunotherapeutic strategies. The scope of this study was to develop and characterize immunocompetent CCA models with distinct genetic drivers, and correlate tumor genomics, immunobiology, and therapeutic response. METHODS A multifaceted approach including scRNA-seq, CITE-seq, whole exome and bulk RNA sequencing was employed. FDA-approved PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies were tested in humanized PD-1/PD-L1 mice (HuPD-H1). RESULTS A genetic mouse model of intrahepatic CCA (iCCA) driven by intrabiliary transduction of Fbxw7ΔF/Akt that mimics human iCCA was generated. From the Fbxw7ΔF/Akt tumors, a murine cell line (FAC) and syngeneic model with genetic and phenotypic characteristics of human iCCA were developed. Established SB1 (YAPS127A/Akt) and KPPC (KrasG12Dp53L/L) models were compared to the FAC model. Although the models had transcriptomic similarities, they had substantial differences as well. Mutation patterns of FAC, SB1, and KPPC cells matched different mutational signatures in Western and Japanese CCA patient cohorts. KPPC tumors had a high tumor mutation burden. FAC tumors had a T cell-infiltrated TIME, while SB1 tumors had a preponderance of suppressive myeloid cells. FAC, SB1, and KPPC tumors matched different immune signatures in human iCCA cohorts. Moreover, FAC, SB1, and KPPC tumor-bearing HuPD-H1 mice displayed differential responses to nivolumab or durvalumab. CONCLUSIONS Syngeneic iCCA models display a correlation between tumor genotype and TIME phenotype, with differential responses to FDA-approved immunotherapies. This study underscores the importance of leveraging multiple preclinical models to understand responses to immunotherapy in different genetic subsets of human CCA. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Understanding the relationship between tumor genotype and the phenotype of the immune microenvironment is an unmet need in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Herein, we use syngeneic murine models of intrahepatic CCA with different genetic drivers to demonstrate a correlation between tumor genotype and immune microenvironment phenotype in murine models, which is associated with differential responses to FDA-approved immunotherapies. This information will help guide other preclinical studies. Additionally, it emphasizes that immune checkpoint inhibition in patients with CCA is not a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Our observations suggest that, as for targeted therapies, patients should be stratified and selected for treatment according to their tumor genetics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Binbin Li
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jingchun Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Emilien Loeuillard
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Hannah E Stumpf
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Ryan Watkins
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Jessica Willhite
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Daniel R O'Brien
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Rondell P Graham
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Rory L Smoot
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Haidong Dong
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Gregory J Gores
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Sumera I Ilyas
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vogel A, Sahai V, Hollebecque A, Vaccaro GM, Melisi D, Al Rajabi RM, Paulson AS, Borad MJ, Gallinson D, Murphy AG, Oh DY, Dotan E, Catenacci DV, Van Cutsem E, Lihou CF, Zhen H, Veronese ML, Abou-Alfa GK. An open-label study of pemigatinib in cholangiocarcinoma: final results from FIGHT-202. ESMO Open 2024; 9:103488. [PMID: 38838500 PMCID: PMC11190465 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2024.103488] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusions and rearrangements are clinically actionable genomic alterations in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Pemigatinib is a selective, potent, oral inhibitor of FGFR1-3 and demonstrated efficacy in patients with previously treated, advanced/metastatic CCA with FGFR2 alterations in FIGHT-202 (NCT02924376). We report final outcomes from the extended follow-up period. PATIENTS AND METHODS The multicenter, open-label, single-arm, phase II FIGHT-202 study enrolled patients ≥18 years old with previously treated advanced/metastatic CCA with FGFR2 fusions or rearrangements (cohort A), other FGF/FGFR alterations (cohort B), or no FGF/FGFR alterations (cohort C). Patients received once-daily oral pemigatinib 13.5 mg in 21-day cycles (2 weeks on, 1 week off) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) in cohort A assessed as per RECIST v1.1 by an independent review committee; secondary endpoints included duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. RESULTS FIGHT-202 enrolled 147 patients (cohort A, 108; cohort B, 20; cohort C, 17; unconfirmed FGF/FGFR alterations, 2). By final analysis, 145 (98.6%) had discontinued treatment due to progressive disease (71.4%), withdrawal by patient (8.2%), or adverse events (AEs; 6.8%). Median follow-up was 45.4 months. The ORR in cohort A was 37.0% (95% confidence interval 27.9% to 46.9%); complete and partial responses were observed in 3 and 37 patients, respectively. Median DOR was 9.1 (6.0-14.5) months; median PFS and OS were 7.0 (6.1-10.5) months and 17.5 (14.4-22.9) months, respectively. The most common treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs) were hyperphosphatemia (58.5%), alopecia (49.7%), and diarrhea (47.6%). Overall, 15 (10.2%) patients experienced TEAEs leading to pemigatinib discontinuation; intestinal obstruction and acute kidney injury (n = 2 each) occurred most frequently. CONCLUSIONS Pemigatinib demonstrated durable response and prolonged OS with manageable AEs in patients with previously treated, advanced/metastatic CCA with FGFR2 alterations in the extended follow-up period of FIGHT-202.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Vogel
- Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Toronto General Hospital, Toronto; Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada.
| | - V Sahai
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | | | | | - D Melisi
- Università degli studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - A G Murphy
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - D-Y Oh
- Seoul National University Hospital, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Integrated Major in Innovative Medical Science, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - E Dotan
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia
| | | | - E Van Cutsem
- University Hospitals Gasthuisberg, Leuven & University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - H Zhen
- Incyte Corporation, Wilmington, USA
| | - M L Veronese
- Incyte International Biosciences Sàrl, Morges, Switzerland
| | - G K Abou-Alfa
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York; Weill Medical College at Cornell University, New York, USA; Trinity College Dublin School of Medicine, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li CC, Liu M, Lee HP, Wu W, Ma L. Heterogeneity in Liver Cancer Immune Microenvironment: Emerging Single-Cell and Spatial Perspectives. Semin Liver Dis 2024. [PMID: 38788780 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1787152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Primary liver cancer is a solid malignancy with a high mortality rate. The success of immunotherapy has shown great promise in improving patient care and highlights a crucial need to understand the complexity of the liver tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Recent advances in single-cell and spatial omics technologies, coupled with the development of systems biology approaches, are rapidly transforming the landscape of tumor immunology. Here we review the cellular landscape of liver TIME from single-cell and spatial perspectives. We also discuss the cellular interaction networks within the tumor cell community in regulating immune responses. We further highlight the challenges and opportunities with implications for biomarker discovery, patient stratification, and combination immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caiyi Cherry Li
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Meng Liu
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Hsin-Pei Lee
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Wenqi Wu
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lichun Ma
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
- Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lee SH, Song SY. Recent Advancement in Diagnosis of Biliary Tract Cancer through Pathological and Molecular Classifications. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1761. [PMID: 38730713 PMCID: PMC11083053 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091761] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Biliary tract cancers (BTCs), including intrahepatic, perihilar, and distal cholangiocarcinomas, as well as gallbladder cancer, are a diverse group of cancers that exhibit unique molecular characteristics in each of their anatomic and pathological subtypes. The pathological classification of BTCs compromises distinct growth patterns, including mass forming, periductal infiltrating, and intraductal growing types, which can be identified through gross examination. The small-duct and large-duct types of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma have been recently introduced into the WHO classification. The presentation of typical clinical symptoms, as well as the extensive utilization of radiological, endoscopic, and molecular diagnostic methods, is thoroughly detailed in the description. To overcome the limitations of traditional tissue acquisition methods, new diagnostic modalities are being explored. The treatment landscape is also rapidly evolving owing to the emergence of distinct subgroups with unique molecular alterations and corresponding targeted therapies. Furthermore, we emphasize the crucial aspects of diagnosing BTC in practical clinical settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Hoon Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05030, Republic of Korea;
| | - Si Young Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03772, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Shi R, Chang L, Shi L, Zhang Z, Zhang L, Li X. Development and validation of a prognostic model for cervical cancer by combination of machine learning and high-throughput sequencing. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY 2024; 50:108241. [PMID: 38452717 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2024.108241] [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: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer holds the highest morbidity and mortality rates among female reproductive tract tumors. However, the curative outcomes for patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer remain unsatisfactory. There is a lack of comprehensive prognostic indicators for cervical cancer. This study aims to develop a model that evaluates the prognosis of cervical cancer in combination of high-throughput sequencing and various machine learning algorithms. METHODS In this study, we combined two single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) projects and TCGA data for cervical cancer to obtain shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A LASSO regression and several learners were applied for signature feature selection. Six machine learning algorithms including Linear Discriminant Analysis, Naive Bayes, K Nearest Neighbors, Decision Tree, Random Forest, and eXtreme Gradient Boosting were utilized to construct a prognostic model for cervical cancer. External validation was conducted using the CGCI-HTMCP-CC dataset, and the accuracy of the model was assessed through ROC curve analysis. RESULTS The results demonstrated the successful construction of a prognostic model based on DEGs from bulk- and scRNA-seq data. Ten genes CXCL8, DLC1, GRN, MPLKIP, PRDX1, RUNX1, SNX3, TFRC, UBE2V2, and UQCRC1 were screened by feature selection and applied for model construction. Random Forest exhibited the best performance in predicting the risk of cervical cancer. Patients in the high-risk group presented worse overall survival compared to those in the low-risk group. CONCLUSION Conclusively, our model based on DEGs from bulk-seq and scRNA-seq data effectively evaluates the prognosis of cervical cancer and provides valuable insights for comprehensive clinical management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Linlin Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Liya Shi
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Zhouxiang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Limin Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350212, China.
| | - Xiaona Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Nishida N, Kudo M. Genetic/Epigenetic Alteration and Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Transforming the Immune Microenvironment with Molecular-Targeted Agents. Liver Cancer 2024; 13:136-149. [PMID: 38751556 PMCID: PMC11095601 DOI: 10.1159/000534443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, leading to limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. So far, standard systemic therapy for advanced iCCA has been a combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin. However, recent advancements in the understanding of the molecular characteristics of iCCA have opened new possibilities for molecular-targeted therapies and immunotherapy. Summary Reportedly, 9-36% of iCCA cases have an inflamed tumor immune microenvironment (TME) based on the immune gene expression signature, which is characterized by the presence of immune cells involved in anti-tumor immune responses. The majority of iCCA cases have a non-inflamed TME with a lack of effector T cells, rendering immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) ineffective in these cases. Interestingly, alterations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR2) gene and IDH1/2 gene mutations are often observed in the non-inflamed TME in iCCA. Several mechanisms have been reported for the role of driver mutations on the establishment of TME unique for iCCA. For example, IDH1/2 mutations, which cause an increase in DNA methylation, are associated with the downregulation and hypermethylation of antigen processing and presentation machinery, which may contribute to the establishment of a non-inflamed TME. Therefore, inhibitors targeting IDH1/2 may restore the DNA methylation and expression status of molecules involved in antigen presentation, potentially improving the efficacy of ICIs. FGFR inhibitors may also have the potential to modulate immunosuppressive TME by inhibitingthe suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 and activating the interferon-γ signaling as a consequence of inhibition of the FGFR signal. From this perspective, understanding the molecular characteristics of iCCA, including the TME and driver mutations, is essential for the effective application of ICIs and molecular-targeted therapies. Key Messages Combination approaches that target both the tumor and immune system hold promise for improving the outcomes of patients with iCCA. Further research and clinical trials are needed to validate these approaches and optimize the treatment strategies for iCCA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naoshi Nishida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osakasayama, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osakasayama, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cantallops Vilà P, Ravichandra A, Agirre Lizaso A, Perugorria MJ, Affò S. Heterogeneity, crosstalk, and targeting of cancer-associated fibroblasts in cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatology 2024; 79:941-958. [PMID: 37018128 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) comprises diverse tumors of the biliary tree and is characterized by late diagnosis, short-term survival, and chemoresistance. CCAs are mainly classified according to their anatomical location and include diverse molecular subclasses harboring inter-tumoral and intratumoral heterogeneity. Besides the tumor cell component, CCA is also characterized by a complex and dynamic tumor microenvironment where tumor cells and stromal cells crosstalk in an intricate network of interactions. Cancer-associated fibroblasts, one of the most abundant cell types in the tumor stroma of CCA, are actively involved in cholangiocarcinogenesis by participating in multiple aspects of the disease including extracellular matrix remodeling, immunomodulation, neo-angiogenesis, and metastasis. Despite their overall tumor-promoting role, recent evidence indicates the presence of transcriptional and functional heterogeneous CAF subtypes with tumor-promoting and tumor-restricting properties. To elucidate the complexity and potentials of cancer-associated fibroblasts as therapeutic targets in CCA, this review will discuss the origin of cancer-associated fibroblasts, their heterogeneity, crosstalk, and role during tumorigenesis, providing an overall picture of the present and future perspectives toward cancer-associated fibroblasts targeting CCA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Aashreya Ravichandra
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Aloña Agirre Lizaso
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Maria J Perugorria
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERehd, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Silvia Affò
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Duan XP, Qin BD, Jiao XD, Liu K, Wang Z, Zang YS. New clinical trial design in precision medicine: discovery, development and direction. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:57. [PMID: 38438349 PMCID: PMC10912713 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01760-0] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
In the era of precision medicine, it has been increasingly recognized that individuals with a certain disease are complex and different from each other. Due to the underestimation of the significant heterogeneity across participants in traditional "one-size-fits-all" trials, patient-centered trials that could provide optimal therapy customization to individuals with specific biomarkers were developed including the basket, umbrella, and platform trial designs under the master protocol framework. In recent years, the successive FDA approval of indications based on biomarker-guided master protocol designs has demonstrated that these new clinical trials are ushering in tremendous opportunities. Despite the rapid increase in the number of basket, umbrella, and platform trials, the current clinical and research understanding of these new trial designs, as compared with traditional trial designs, remains limited. The majority of the research focuses on methodologies, and there is a lack of in-depth insight concerning the underlying biological logic of these new clinical trial designs. Therefore, we provide this comprehensive review of the discovery and development of basket, umbrella, and platform trials and their underlying logic from the perspective of precision medicine. Meanwhile, we discuss future directions on the potential development of these new clinical design in view of the "Precision Pro", "Dynamic Precision", and "Intelligent Precision". This review would assist trial-related researchers to enhance the innovation and feasibility of clinical trial designs by expounding the underlying logic, which be essential to accelerate the progression of precision medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Peng Duan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bao-Dong Qin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Jiao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan-Sheng Zang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ren H, Liu C, Zhang C, Wu H, Zhang J, Wang Z, Chen L, Wang H, Shao C, Zhou L. A cuproptosis-related gene expression signature predicting clinical prognosis and immune responses in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma detected by single-cell RNA sequence analysis. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:92. [PMID: 38431620 PMCID: PMC10908169 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03251-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholangiocarcinoma represents a malignant neoplasm originating from the hepatobiliary tree, with a subset of tumors developing inside the liver. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ICC) commonly exhibit an asymptomatic presentation, rendering both diagnosis and treatment challenging. Cuproptosis, an emerging regulated cell death pathway induced by copper ions, has garnered attention recently. As cancer cells show altered copper metabolism and comparatively higher copper needs, cuproptosis may play a role in the development of ICC. However, studies investigating this possibility are currently lacking. METHODS Single-cell and bulk RNA sequence data were analyzed, and correlations were established between the expression of cuproptosis-related molecules and ICC patient survival. Genes with predicting survival were used to create a CUPT score using Cox and LASSO regression and tumor mutation burden (TMB) analysis. The CIBERSORT software was employed to characterize immune cell infiltration within the tumors. Furthermore, immune infiltration prediction, biological function enrichment, and drug sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the potential implications of the cuproptosis-related signature. The effects of silencing solute carrier family 39 member 4 gene (SLC39A4) expression using siRNA were investigated using assays measuring cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration. Key genes of cuproptosis were detected by western blotting. RESULTS The developed CUPT score divided patients into high and low CUPT score groups. Those with a low score had significantly better prognosis and longer survival. In contrast, high CUPT scores were associated with worse clinical outcomes and significantly higher TMB. Comparisons of the two groups also indicated differences in the immune infiltrate present in the tumors. Finally, we were able to identify 95 drugs potentially affecting the cuproptosis pathway. Some of these might be effective in the treatment of ICC. The in vitro experiments revealed that suppressing the expression of SLC39A4 in ICC cell lines resulted in reduced cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration. It also led to an increase in cell death and the upregulation of key genes associated with cuproptosis, namely ferredoxin 1 (FDX1) and dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (DLAT). These findings strongly suggest that this cuproptosis-associated molecule may play a pivotal role in the development and metastasis of ICC. CONCLUSIONS Changes in the expression of a cuproptosis-related gene signature can predict the clinical prognosis of ICC with considerable accuracy. This supports the notion that cuproptosis influences the diversity and complexity of the immune microenvironment, mutational landscape, and biological behavior of ICC. Understanding this pathway better may hold promise for the development of innovative strategies in the management of this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hefei Ren
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Institute of Aging & Tissue Regeneration, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer and Stress and Cancer Research Unit of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2019RU043), Ren-Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Hongkun Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Jiafeng Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Zhenhua Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Huiquan Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Chenghao Shao
- Department of Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China.
| | - Lin Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
O'Rourke CJ, Salati M, Rae C, Carpino G, Leslie H, Pea A, Prete MG, Bonetti LR, Amato F, Montal R, Upstill-Goddard R, Nixon C, Sanchon-Sanchez P, Kunderfranco P, Sia D, Gaudio E, Overi D, Cascinu S, Hogdall D, Pugh S, Domingo E, Primrose JN, Bridgewater J, Spallanzani A, Gelsomino F, Llovet JM, Calvisi DF, Boulter L, Caputo F, Lleo A, Jamieson NB, Luppi G, Dominici M, Andersen JB, Braconi C. Molecular portraits of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who diverge as rapid progressors or long survivors on chemotherapy. Gut 2024; 73:496-508. [PMID: 37758326 PMCID: PMC10894814 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-330748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cytotoxic agents are the cornerstone of treatment for patients with advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), despite heterogeneous benefit. We hypothesised that the pretreatment molecular profiles of diagnostic biopsies can predict patient benefit from chemotherapy and define molecular bases of innate chemoresistance. DESIGN We identified a cohort of advanced iCCA patients with comparable baseline characteristics who diverged as extreme outliers on chemotherapy (survival <6 m in rapid progressors, RP; survival >23 m in long survivors, LS). Diagnostic biopsies were characterised by digital pathology, then subjected to whole-transcriptome profiling of bulk and geospatially macrodissected tissue regions. Spatial transcriptomics of tumour-infiltrating myeloid cells was performed using targeted digital spatial profiling (GeoMx). Transcriptome signatures were evaluated in multiple cohorts of resected cancers. Signatures were also characterised using in vitro cell lines, in vivo mouse models and single cell RNA-sequencing data. RESULTS Pretreatment transcriptome profiles differentiated patients who would become RPs or LSs on chemotherapy. Biologically, this signature originated from altered tumour-myeloid dynamics, implicating tumour-induced immune tolerogenicity with poor response to chemotherapy. The central role of the liver microenviroment was confrmed by the association of the RPLS transcriptome signature with clinical outcome in iCCA but not extrahepatic CCA, and in liver metastasis from colorectal cancer, but not in the matched primary bowel tumours. CONCLUSIONS The RPLS signature could be a novel metric of chemotherapy outcome in iCCA. Further development and validation of this transcriptomic signature is warranted to develop precision chemotherapy strategies in these settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colm J O'Rourke
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Massimiliano Salati
- Division of Oncology, Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Modena, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Colin Rae
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Guido Carpino
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Holly Leslie
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Antonio Pea
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Maria G Prete
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Luca R Bonetti
- Division of Pathology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco Amato
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Robert Montal
- Cancer Biomarkers Research Group, Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida, Spain
| | | | - Colin Nixon
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Cancer Research Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | - Daniela Sia
- Liver Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, BCLC Group, Liver Unit and Pathology Department, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Eugenio Gaudio
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Diletta Overi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Stefano Cascinu
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Dan Hogdall
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Sian Pugh
- Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Enric Domingo
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Andrea Spallanzani
- Division of Oncology, Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio Gelsomino
- Division of Oncology, Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Josep M Llovet
- Translational Research in Hepatic Oncology, Liver Unit, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg Faculty of Medicine, Regensburg, Germany
- Medical, Surgical, and Clinical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Luke Boulter
- MRC HGU, The University of Edinburgh MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Edinburgh, UK
- CRUK Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow-Edinburgh, UK
| | - Francesco Caputo
- Division of Oncology, Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Ana Lleo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Nigel B Jamieson
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- CRUK Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow-Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gabriele Luppi
- Division of Oncology, Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Massimo Dominici
- Division of Oncology, Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Jesper B Andersen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Chiara Braconi
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- CRUK Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow-Edinburgh, UK
- Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Monge C, Xie C, Myojin Y, Coffman-D'Annibale KL, Hrones D, Brar G, Wang S, Budhu A, Figg WD, Cam M, Finney R, Levy EB, Kleiner DE, Steinberg SM, Wang XW, Redd B, Wood BJ, Greten TF. Combined immune checkpoint inhibition with durvalumab and tremelimumab with and without radiofrequency ablation in patients with advanced biliary tract carcinoma. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e6912. [PMID: 38205877 PMCID: PMC10904979 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current standard of care for advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) is gemcitabine, cisplatin plus anti-PD1/PD-L1, but response rates are modest. The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of durvalumab (anti-PD-L1) and tremelimumab (anti-CTLA-4), with and without an interventional radiology (IR) procedure in advanced BTC. METHODS Eligible patients with advanced BTC who had received or refused at least one prior line of systemic therapy were treated with tremelimumab and durvalumab for four combined doses followed by monthly durvalumab alone with and without an IR procedure until the progression of disease or unacceptable toxicity. Objective response was assessed through CT or MRI by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST, version 1.1) every 8 weeks. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded and managed. The primary endpoint was 6-month progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS Twenty-three patients with advanced BTC were enrolled; 17 patients were assigned to treatment with durvalumab and tremelimumab (Durva/Treme); and 6 patients were treated with the combination of durvalumab, tremelimumab plus IR procedure (Durva/Treme + IR). The best clinical responses in the Durva/Treme arm were partial response (n = 1), stable disease (n = 5), progressive disease (n = 5), and in the Durva/Treme + IR arm: partial response (n = 0), stable disease (n = 3), progressive disease (n = 3). The median PFS was 2.2 months (95% CI: 1.3-3.1 months) in the Durva/Treme arm and 2.9 months (95% CI: 1.9-4.7 months) in the Durva/Treme + IR arm (p = 0.27). The median OS was 5.1 months (95% CI: 2.5-6.9 months) in the Durva/Treme arm and 5.8 months (95% CI: 2.9-40.1 months) in the Durva/Treme + IR arm (p = 0.31). The majority of AEs were grades 1-2. CONCLUSION Durva/Treme and Durva/Treme + IR showed similar efficacy. With a manageable safety profile. Larger studies are needed to fully characterize the efficacy of Durva/Treme ± IR in advanced BTC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Monge
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Changqing Xie
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuta Myojin
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kelley L Coffman-D'Annibale
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Donna Hrones
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gagandeep Brar
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sophie Wang
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Anuradha Budhu
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - William D Figg
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Maggie Cam
- Center for Collaborative Bioinformatics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard Finney
- Center for Collaborative Bioinformatics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Elliot B Levy
- Center for Interventional Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - David E Kleiner
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Seth M Steinberg
- Biostatistics and Data Management Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Xin Wei Wang
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Bernadette Redd
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Bradford J Wood
- Center for Collaborative Bioinformatics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Tim F Greten
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Liu W, Wang H, Zhao Q, Tao C, Qu W, Hou Y, Huang R, Sun Z, Zhu G, Jiang X, Fang Y, Gao J, Wu X, Yang Z, Ping R, Chen J, Yang R, Chu T, Zhou J, Fan J, Tang Z, Yang D, Shi Y. Multiomics analysis reveals metabolic subtypes and identifies diacylglycerol kinase α (DGKA) as a potential therapeutic target for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2024; 44:226-250. [PMID: 38143235 PMCID: PMC10876206 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12513] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a highly heterogeneous and lethal hepatobiliary tumor with few therapeutic strategies. The metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells plays an essential role in the development of tumors, while the metabolic molecular classification of iCCA is largely unknown. Here, we performed an integrated multiomics analysis and metabolic classification to depict differences in metabolic characteristics of iCCA patients, hoping to provide a novel perspective to understand and treat iCCA. METHODS We performed integrated multiomics analysis in 116 iCCA samples, including whole-exome sequencing, bulk RNA-sequencing and proteome analysis. Based on the non-negative matrix factorization method and the protein abundance of metabolic genes in human genome-scale metabolic models, the metabolic subtype of iCCA was determined. Survival and prognostic gene analyses were used to compare overall survival (OS) differences between metabolic subtypes. Cell proliferation analysis, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, colony formation assay, RNA-sequencing and Western blotting were performed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of diacylglycerol kinase α (DGKA) in iCCA cells. RESULTS Three metabolic subtypes (S1-S3) with subtype-specific biomarkers of iCCA were identified. These metabolic subtypes presented with distinct prognoses, metabolic features, immune microenvironments, and genetic alterations. The S2 subtype with the worst survival showed the activation of some special metabolic processes, immune-suppressed microenvironment and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)/AT-rich interactive domain 1A (ARID1A) mutations. Among the S2 subtype-specific upregulated proteins, DGKA was further identified as a potential drug target for iCCA, which promoted cell proliferation by enhancing phosphatidic acid (PA) metabolism and activating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. CONCLUSION Via multiomics analyses, we identified three metabolic subtypes of iCCA, revealing that the S2 subtype exhibited the poorest survival outcomes. We further identified DGKA as a potential target for the S2 subtype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiren Liu
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Huqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of LifeomicsBeijingP. R. China
| | - Qianfu Zhao
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Chenyang Tao
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Weifeng Qu
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Yushan Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of LifeomicsBeijingP. R. China
| | - Run Huang
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Zimei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of LifeomicsBeijingP. R. China
| | - Guiqi Zhu
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Xifei Jiang
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Yuan Fang
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Jun Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Xiaoling Wu
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Zhixiang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of LifeomicsBeijingP. R. China
| | - Rongyu Ping
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of LifeomicsBeijingP. R. China
| | - Jiafeng Chen
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Rui Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Tianhao Chu
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Jia Fan
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Zheng Tang
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Dong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of LifeomicsBeijingP. R. China
| | - Yinghong Shi
- Department of Liver Surgery and TransplantationLiver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of EducationShanghaiP. R. China
- Research Unit of Liver cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Li C, Bie L, Chen M, Ying J. Therapeutic significance of tumor microenvironment in cholangiocarcinoma: focus on tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2023; 4:1310-1327. [PMID: 38213535 PMCID: PMC10776604 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly aggressive type of adenocarcinoma distinguished by its invasiveness. Depending on specific anatomical positioning within the biliary tree, CCA can be categorized into intrahepatic CCA (ICCA), perihilar CCA (pCCA) and distal CCA (dCCA). In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the global prevalence of CCA. Unfortunately, many CCA patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, which makes surgical resection impossible. Although systemic chemotherapy is frequently used as the primary treatment for advanced or recurrent CCA, its effectiveness is relatively low. Therefore, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising avenue for advancing cancer treatment research. CCA exhibits a complex immune environment within the stromal tumor microenvironment (TME), comprising a multifaceted immune landscape and a tumor-reactive stroma. A deeper understanding of this complex TME is indispensable for identifying potential therapeutic targets. Thus, targeting tumor immune microenvironment holds promise as an effective therapeutic strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqun Li
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary & Gastric Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, Zhejiang, China
- Postgraduate training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou 310022, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Bie
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Wuhan No.1 Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Muhua Chen
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary & Gastric Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jieer Ying
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary & Gastric Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Chu Z, Zhang B, Zhou X, Yuan H, Gao C, Liu L, Xiao Y, Zhang J, Hong J, Liang J, Chen D, Yao N. A DNA/RNA heteroduplex oligonucleotide coupling asparagine depletion restricts FGFR2 fusion-driven intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 34:102047. [PMID: 37869260 PMCID: PMC10589379 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.102047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Pemigatinib, a pan-FGFR inhibitor, is approved to treat intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) harboring FGFR2 fusion mutations. Improving its targeting of FGFR2 fusions remains an unmet clinical need due to its pan selectivity and resistance. Here, we report a cholesterol-conjugated DNA/RNA heteroduplex oligonucleotide targeting the chimeric site in FGFR2-AHCYL1 (F-A Cho-HDO) that accumulates in ICC through endocytosis of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), which is highly expressed in both human and murine ICC. F-A Cho-HDO was determined to be a highly specific, sustainable, and well-tolerated agent for inhibiting ICC progression through posttranscriptional suppression of F-A in ICC patient-derived xenograft mouse models. Moreover, we identified an EGFR-orchestrated bypass signaling axis that partially offset the efficacy of F-A Cho-HDO. Mechanistically, EGFR-induced STAT1 upregulation promoted asparagine (Asn) synthesis through direct transcriptional upregulation of asparagine synthetase (ASNS) and dictated cell survival by preventing p53-dependent cell cycle arrest. Asn restriction with ASNase or ASNS inhibitors reduced the intracellular Asn, thereby reactivating p53 and sensitizing ICC to F-A Cho-HDO. Our findings highlight the application of genetic engineering therapies in ICC harboring FGFR2 fusions and reveal an axis of adaptation to FGFR2 inhibition that presents a rationale for the clinical evaluation of a strategy combining FGFR2 inhibitors with Asn depletion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Chu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Baohuan Zhang
- Morphology Experimental Teaching Center, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Xuxuan Zhou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Hui Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital, Huizhou, Guangdong 516001, China
| | - Chongqing Gao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Lihao Liu
- School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Jichun Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Jian Hong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Junjie Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Dong Chen
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Nan Yao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gehl V, O'Rourke CJ, Andersen JB. Immunogenomics of cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatology 2023:01515467-990000000-00649. [PMID: 37972940 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The development of cholangiocarcinoma spans years, if not decades, during which the immune system becomes corrupted and permissive to primary tumor development and metastasis. This involves subversion of local immunity at tumor sites, as well as systemic immunity and the wider host response. While immune dysfunction is a hallmark of all cholangiocarcinoma, the specific steps of the cancer-immunity cycle that are perturbed differ between patients. Heterogeneous immune functionality impacts the evolutionary development, pathobiological behavior, and therapeutic response of these tumors. Integrative genomic analyses of thousands of primary tumors have supported a biological rationale for immune-based stratification of patients, encompassing immune cell composition and functionality. However, discerning immune alterations responsible for promoting tumor initiation, maintenance, and progression from those present as bystander events remains challenging. Functionally uncoupling the tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressing roles of immune profiles will be critical for identifying new immunomodulatory treatment strategies and associated biomarkers for patient stratification. This review will discuss the immunogenomics of cholangiocarcinoma, including the impact of genomic alterations on immune functionality, subversion of the cancer-immunity cycle, as well as clinical implications for existing and novel treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virag Gehl
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Golino JL, Bian J, Wang X, Fu J, Zhu XB, Yeo J, Kelly M, Escorcia FE, Cam M, Xie C. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals cancer stem-like cells and dynamics in tumor microenvironment during cholangiocarcinoma progression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1250215. [PMID: 38020927 PMCID: PMC10667919 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1250215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignancy of the bile ducts that is driven by activities of cancer stem-like cells and characterized by a heterogeneous tumor microenvironment. To better understand the transcriptional profiles of cancer stem-like cells and dynamics in the tumor microenvironment during the progression of cholangiocarcinoma, we performed single-cell RNA analysis on cells collected from three different timepoints of tumorigenesis in a YAP/AKT mouse model. Bulk RNA sequencing data from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas program) and ICGC cohorts were used to verify and support the finding. In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to assess the stemness of cancer stem-like cells. We identified Tm4sf1high malignant cells as cancer stem-like cells. Across timepoints of cholangiocarcinoma formation in YAP/AKT mice, we found dynamic change in cancer stem-like cell/stromal/immune cell composition. Nevertheless, the dynamic interaction among cancer stem-like cells, immune cells, and stromal cells at different timepoints was elaborated. Collectively, these data serve as a useful resource for better understanding cancer stem-like cell and malignant cell heterogeneity, stromal cell remodeling, and immune cell reprogramming. It also sheds new light on transcriptomic dynamics during cholangiocarcinoma progression at single-cell resolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jihye L. Golino
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jing Bian
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Xin Wang
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jianyang Fu
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Xiao Bin Zhu
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Julie Yeo
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Michael Kelly
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Freddy E. Escorcia
- Molecular Imaging Branch, Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- NCI CCR Liver Cancer Program, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Maggie Cam
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Changqing Xie
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- NCI CCR Liver Cancer Program, Bethesda, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Greten TF, Villanueva A, Korangy F, Ruf B, Yarchoan M, Ma L, Ruppin E, Wang XW. Biomarkers for immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:780-798. [PMID: 37726418 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00816-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are now widely used for the treatment of patients with advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Two different ICI-containing regimens, atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and tremelimumab plus durvalumab, are now approved standard-of-care first-line therapies in this setting. However, and despite substantial improvements in survival outcomes relative to sorafenib, most patients with advanced-stage HCC do not derive durable benefit from these regimens. Advances in genome sequencing including the use of single-cell RNA sequencing (both of tumour material and blood samples), as well as immune cell identification strategies and other techniques such as radiomics and analysis of the microbiota, have created considerable potential for the identification of novel predictive biomarkers enabling the accurate selection of patients who are most likely to derive benefit from ICIs. In this Review, we summarize data on the immunology of HCC and the outcomes in patients receiving ICIs for the treatment of this disease. We then provide an overview of current biomarker use and developments in the past 5 years, including gene signatures, circulating tumour cells, high-dimensional flow cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing as well as approaches involving the microbiome, radiomics and clinical markers. Novel concepts for further biomarker development in HCC are then discussed including biomarker-driven trials, spatial transcriptomics and integrated 'big data' analysis approaches. These concepts all have the potential to better identify patients who are most likely to benefit from ICIs and to promote the development of new treatment approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim F Greten
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Augusto Villanueva
- Divisions of Liver Disease and Hematology/Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Firouzeh Korangy
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Benjamin Ruf
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark Yarchoan
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lichun Ma
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eytan Ruppin
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xin W Wang
- Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Liver Carcinogenesis Section, Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Cogliati B, Yashaswini CN, Wang S, Sia D, Friedman SL. Friend or foe? The elusive role of hepatic stellate cells in liver cancer. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 20:647-661. [PMID: 37550577 PMCID: PMC10671228 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00821-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a substantial risk factor for the development and progression of liver cancer, which includes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). Studies utilizing cell fate mapping and single-cell transcriptomics techniques have identified quiescent perisinusoidal hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) as the primary source of activated collagen-producing HSCs and liver cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in HCC and liver metastasis, complemented in iCCA by contributions from portal fibroblasts. At the same time, integrative computational analysis of single-cell, single-nucleus and spatial RNA sequencing data have revealed marked heterogeneity among HSCs and CAFs, with distinct subpopulations displaying unique gene expression signatures and functions. Some of these subpopulations have divergent roles in promoting or inhibiting liver fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis. In this Review, we discuss the dual roles of HSC subpopulations in liver fibrogenesis and their contribution to liver cancer promotion, progression and metastasis. We review the transcriptomic and functional similarities between HSC and CAF subpopulations, highlighting the pathways that either promote or prevent fibrosis and cancer, and the immunological landscape from which these pathways emerge. Insights from ongoing studies will yield novel strategies for developing biomarkers, assessing prognosis and generating new therapies for both HCC and iCCA prevention and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Cogliati
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Shuang Wang
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniela Sia
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Nishida N. The role of FGFR inhibitors in the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma-unveiling the future challenges in drug therapy. Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2023; 12:790-794. [PMID: 37886210 PMCID: PMC10598302 DOI: 10.21037/hbsn-23-411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
|
22
|
Affo S, Filliol A, Gores GJ, Schwabe RF. Fibroblasts in liver cancer: functions and therapeutic translation. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 8:748-759. [PMID: 37385282 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(23)00111-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Accumulation of fibroblasts in the premalignant or malignant liver is a characteristic feature of liver cancer, but has not been therapeutically leveraged despite evidence for pathophysiologically relevant roles in tumour growth. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a largely non-desmoplastic tumour, in which fibroblasts accumulate predominantly in the pre-neoplastic fibrotic liver and regulate the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma development through a balance of tumour-suppressive and tumour-promoting mediators. By contrast, cholangiocarcinoma is desmoplastic, with cancer-associated fibroblasts contributing to tumour growth. Accordingly, restoring the balance from tumour-promoting to tumour-suppressive fibroblasts and mediators might represent a strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma prevention, whereas in cholangiocarcinoma, fibroblasts and their mediators could be leveraged for tumour treatment. Importantly, fibroblast mediators regulating hepatocellular carcinoma development might exert opposite effects on cholangiocarcinoma growth. This Review translates the improved understanding of tumour-specific, location-specific, and stage-specific roles of fibroblasts and their mediators in liver cancer into novel and rational therapeutic concepts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Affo
- Department of Liver, Digestive System, and Metabolism, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aveline Filliol
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gregory J Gores
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Zhu C, Ma J, Zhu K, Yu L, Zheng B, Rao D, Zhang S, Dong L, Gao Q, Zhang X, Xie D. Spatial immunophenotypes predict clinical outcome in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100762. [PMID: 37360908 PMCID: PMC10285646 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a severe malignant tumour that shows only modest responses to immunotherapy. We aimed to identify the spatial immunophenotypes of iCCA and delineate potential immune escape mechanisms. Method Multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) was performed to quantitatively evaluate the distribution of 16 immune cell subsets in intratumour, invasive margin and peritumour areas in a cohort of 192 treatment-naïve patients with iCCA. Multiregion unsupervised clustering was used to determine three spatial immunophenotypes, and multiomics analyses were carried out to explore functional differences.Results: iCCA displayed a region-specific distribution of immune cell subsets with abundant CD15+ neutrophil infiltration in intratumour areas. Three spatial immunophenotypes encompassing inflamed (35%), excluded (35%) and ignored (30%) phenotypes were identified. The inflamed phenotype showed characteristics of abundant immune cell infiltration in intratumour areas, increased PD-L1 expression and relatively favourable overall survival. The excluded phenotype with a moderate prognosis was characterized by immune cell infiltration restricted to the invasive margin or peritumour areas and upregulation of activated hepatic stellate cells, extracellular matrix and Notch signalling pathways. The ignored phenotype, with scarce immune cell infiltration across all subregions, was associated with MAPK signalling pathway elevation and a poor prognosis. The excluded and ignored phenotypes, constituting non-inflamed phenotypes, shared features of an increased angiogenesis score, TGF-β and Wnt-β catenin pathway upregulation and were enriched for BAP1 mutations and FGFR2 fusions. Conclusion We identified three spatial immunophenotypes with different overall prognoses in iCCA. Tailored therapies based on the distinct immune evasion mechanisms of the spatial immunophenotypes are needed. Impact and implications The contribution of immune cell infiltration in the invasive margin and peritumour areas has been proved. We explored the multiregional immune contexture of 192 patients to identify three spatial immunophenotypes in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). By integrating genomic and transcriptomic data, phenotype-specific biological behaviours and potential immune escape mechanisms were analysed. Our findings provide a rationale to develop personalized therapies for iCCA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunbin Zhu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jiaqiang Ma
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Kai Zhu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lei Yu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bohao Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Dongning Rao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Liangqing Dong
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Center for Tumor Diagnosis & Therapy, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200540, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Diyang Xie
- Department of Hepatic Oncology, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Liu D, Shi Y, Chen H, Nisar MA, Jabara N, Langwinski N, Mattson S, Nagaoka K, Bai X, Lu S, Huang CK. Molecular profiling reveals potential targets in cholangiocarcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:4053-4071. [PMID: 37476584 PMCID: PMC10354586 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i25.4053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a devastating malignancy and has a very poor prognosis if tumors spread outside the liver. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the CCA progression will likely yield therapeutic approaches toward treating this deadly disease. AIM To determine the molecular pathogenesis in CCA progression. METHODS In silico analysis, in vitro cell culture, CCA transgenic animals, histological, and molecular assays were adopted to determine the molecular pathogenesis. RESULTS The transcriptomic data of human CCA samples were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TGCA, CHOL), European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI, GAD00001001076), and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO, GSE107943) databases. Using Gene set enrichment analysis, the cell cycle and Notch related pathways were demonstrated to be significantly activated in CCA in TCGA and GEO datasets. We, through differentially expressed genes, found several cell cycle and notch associated genes were significantly up-regulated in cancer tissues when compared with the non-cancerous control samples. The associated genes, via quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting assays, were further examined in normal human cholangiocytes, CCA cell lines, mouse normal bile ducts, and mouse CCA tumors established by specifically depleting P53 and expressing KrasG12D mutation in the liver. Consistently, we validated that the cell cycle and Notch pathways are up-regulated in CCA cell lines and mouse CCA tumors. Interestingly, targeting cell cycle and notch pathways using small molecules also exhibited significant beneficial effects in controlling tumor malignancy. More importantly, we demonstrated that several cell cycle and Notch associated genes are significantly associated with poor overall survival and disease-free survival using the Log-Rank test. CONCLUSION In summary, our study comprehensively analyzed the gene expression pattern of CCA samples using publicly available datasets and identified the cell cycle and Notch pathways are potential therapeutic targets in this deadly disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China
| | - Yang Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China
| | - Hongze Chen
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Muhammad Azhar Nisar
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Nicholas Jabara
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Noah Langwinski
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Sophia Mattson
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Katsuya Nagaoka
- Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, United States
| | - Xuewei Bai
- Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, United States
| | - Shaolei Lu
- Department of Pathology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, United States
| | - Chiung-Kuei Huang
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ilyas SI, Affo S, Goyal L, Lamarca A, Sapisochin G, Yang JD, Gores GJ. Cholangiocarcinoma - novel biological insights and therapeutic strategies. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:470-486. [PMID: 37188899 PMCID: PMC10601496 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00770-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In the past 5 years, important advances have been made in the scientific understanding and clinical management of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The cellular immune landscape of CCA has been characterized and tumour subsets with distinct immune microenvironments have been defined using molecular approaches. Among these subsets, the identification of 'immune-desert' tumours that are relatively devoid of immune cells emphasizes the need to consider the tumour immune microenvironment in the development of immunotherapy approaches. Progress has also made in identifying the complex heterogeneity and diverse functions of cancer-associated fibroblasts in this desmoplastic cancer. Assays measuring circulating cell-free DNA and cell-free tumour DNA are emerging as clinical tools for detection and monitoring of the disease. Molecularly targeted therapy for CCA has now become a reality, with three drugs targeting oncogenic fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusions and one targeting neomorphic, gain-of-function variants of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) obtaining regulatory approval. By contrast, immunotherapy using immune-checkpoint inhibitors has produced disappointing results in patients with CCA, underscoring the requirement for novel immune-based treatment strategies. Finally, liver transplantation for early stage intrahepatic CCA under research protocols is emerging as a viable therapeutic option in selected patients. This Review highlights and provides in-depth information on these advances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sumera I Ilyas
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Silvia Affo
- Liver, Digestive System and Metabolism Research, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lipika Goyal
- Department of Medicine, Mass General Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Angela Lamarca
- Department of Oncology, OncoHealth Institute, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation, Manchester, UK
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Gonzalo Sapisochin
- Ajmera Transplant Program and HPB Surgical Oncology, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ju Dong Yang
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gregory J Gores
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Manthopoulou E, Ramai D, Dhar J, Samanta J, Ioannou A, Lusina E, Sacco R, Facciorusso A. Cholangiocarcinoma in the Era of Immunotherapy. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1062. [PMID: 37376451 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11061062] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract, with aggressive behavior, and portends a poor prognosis. Traditionally, it is classified according to its site of involvement as intrahepatic, perihilar, and distal cholangiocarcinoma. A host of genetic and epigenetic factors have been involved in its pathogenesis. Chemotherapy has remained the standard first-line treatment over the last decade, with a disappointing median overall survival of 11 months for locally advanced and metastatic CCA. The advent of immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of many pancreaticobiliary malignancies, offering durable responses with a safe therapeutic profile. To date, there have been no significant advances in the management of CCA. Novel immunotherapeutic methods, such as cancer vaccines, adoptive cell therapy, and combinations of immune checkpoint inhibitors with other agents, are currently under investigation and may improve prognosis with overall survival. Efforts to find robust biomarkers for response to treatment along with multiple clinical trials are also ongoing in this regard. In this review, we present an overview of the current advances and the future perspectives of immunotherapy in the management of CCA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Manthopoulou
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Savvas Oncology Hospital of Athens, 11522 Athens, Greece
| | - Daryl Ramai
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT 801385, USA
| | - Jahnvi Dhar
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sohana Multi-Speciality Hospital, Mohali 140308, India
- Department of Gastroenterology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Jayanta Samanta
- Department of Gastroenterology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Alexandros Ioannou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Alexandra General Hospital, Lourou 4-2, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Ekaterina Lusina
- Therapeutic Unit, Gastroenterology Department, Chaika Clinics, Lesnaya Street 9, 125196 Moscow, Russia
| | - Rodolfo Sacco
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto 1, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Antonio Facciorusso
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto 1, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Cho SY, Hwang H, Kim YH, Yoo BC, Han N, Kong SY, Baek MJ, Kim KH, Lee MR, Park JG, Han SS, Lee WJ, Park C, Park JB, Kim JY, Park SJ, Woo SM. Refining Classification of Cholangiocarcinoma Subtypes via Proteogenomic Integration Reveals New Therapeutic Prospects. Gastroenterology 2023; 164:1293-1309. [PMID: 36898552 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.02.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (iCCs) are characterized by their rarity, difficult diagnosis, and overall poor prognosis. The iCC molecular classification for developing precision medicine strategies was investigated. METHODS Comprehensive genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and phosphoproteomic analyses were performed on treatment-naïve tumor samples from 102 patients with iCC who underwent surgical resection with curative intent. An organoid model was constructed for testing therapeutic potential. RESULTS Three clinically supported subtypes (stem-like, poorly immunogenic, and metabolism) were identified. NCT-501 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 [ALDH1A1] inhibitor) exhibited synergism with nanoparticle albumin-bound-paclitaxel in the organoid model for the stem-like subtype. The oncometabolite dysregulations were associated with different clinical outcomes in the stem-like and metabolism subtypes. The poorly immunogenic subtype harbors the non-T-cell tumor infiltration. Integrated multiomics analysis not only reproduced the 3 subtypes but also showed heterogeneity in iCC. CONCLUSIONS This large-scale proteogenomic analysis provides information beyond that obtained with genomic analysis, allowing the functional impact of genomic alterations to be discerned. These findings may assist in the stratification of patients with iCC and in developing rational therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soo Young Cho
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea; Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Heeyoun Hwang
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju, Republic of Korea; Critical Diseases Diagnostics Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Hee Kim
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea; Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Byong Chul Yoo
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea; Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Nayoung Han
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Young Kong
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea; Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, Republic of Korea; Deparment of Laboratory Medicine, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Jeong Baek
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Hee Kim
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea; Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Rim Lee
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea; Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Gwang Park
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Sik Han
- Center for Liver and Pancreatobiliary Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Jin Lee
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea; Center for Liver and Pancreatobiliary Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Charny Park
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Bae Park
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea; Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Young Kim
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju, Republic of Korea; Critical Diseases Diagnostics Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sang-Jae Park
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea; Center for Liver and Pancreatobiliary Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sang Myung Woo
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea; Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, Republic of Korea; Center for Liver and Pancreatobiliary Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Golino JL, Wang X, Bian J, Ruf B, Kelly M, Karim BO, Cam MC, Xie C. Anti-Cancer Activity of Verteporfin in Cholangiocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092454. [PMID: 37173920 PMCID: PMC10177077 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a heterogenous malignancy that arises from the biliary epithelium and has a poor clinical prognosis. The Hippo/yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway has been reported to affect various aspects of tumorigenesis, with high expression of YAP1 being negatively associated with survival in CCA patients. Thus, we investigated the antitumoral effect of verteporfin, a YAP1 pathway inhibitor, in YAP1/AKT hydrodynamic tail vein injected murine models. We also used flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to analyze the change in the immune cell profile and malignant cell stemness following verteporfin treatment. Our results demonstrated reduced liver weight and tumor formation in verteporfin-treated groups compared to that of a vehicle-treated group. Immune cell profiling through flow cytometry showed that relative to the vehicle, verteporfin induced a higher ratio of tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) M1/M2 and increased the percentage of activated CD8 T cell population (CD8+CD25+ and CD8+CD69+). scRNA-seq analysis showed significantly increased TAM M1 populations following verteporfin treatment and decreased proportions of stem-like cells within the malignant cell population. In summary, this study indicates that in CCA YAP/AKT murine models, verteporfin reduces tumorigenesis by polarizing anti-tumoral TAM and activating CD8 T cells and decreasing stem-like malignant cell proportions in the tumor microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jihye L Golino
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jing Bian
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Benjamin Ruf
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michael Kelly
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Baktiar O Karim
- Molecular Histopathology Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Maggie C Cam
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Changqing Xie
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Minini M, Fouassier L. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Extracellular Matrix: Therapeutical Strategies for Modulating the Cholangiocarcinoma Microenvironment. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:4185-4196. [PMID: 37185432 PMCID: PMC10137461 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30040319] [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: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last decade, immunotherapy has radically changed perspectives on anti-tumor treatments. However, solid tumor treatment by immunotherapy has not met expectations. Indeed, poor clinical response to treatment has highlighted the need to understand and avoid immunotherapy resistance. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second cause of hepatic cancer-related deaths because of drug inefficacy and chemo-resistance in a majority of patients. Thus, intense research is ongoing to better understand the mechanisms involved in the chemo-resistance processes. The tumor microenvironment (TME) may be involved in tumor therapy resistance by limiting drug access. Indeed, cells such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) alter TME by producing in excess an aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM). Interestingly, CAFs are the dominant stromal component in CCA that secrete large amounts of stiff ECM. Stiff ECM could contribute to immune exclusion by limiting anti-tumor T-cells drop-in. Herein, we summarize features, functions, and interactions among CAFs, tumor-associated ECM, and immune cells in TME. Moreover, we discuss the strategies targeting CAFs and the remodeling of the ECM to improve immunotherapy and drug therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Minini
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Laura Fouassier
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, 75012 Paris, France
- Association Pour L'étude des Cancers et Affections des Voies Biliaires (ACABi), 75012 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Gao CQ, Chu ZZ, Zhang D, Xiao Y, Zhou XY, Wu JR, Yuan H, Jiang YC, Chen D, Zhang JC, Yao N, Chen KY, Hong J. Serine/threonine kinase TBK1 promotes cholangiocarcinoma progression via direct regulation of β-catenin. Oncogene 2023; 42:1492-1507. [PMID: 36928362 PMCID: PMC10154201 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02651-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly heterogeneous and metastatic malignancy with a poor prognosis even after curative hepatectomy. Studies exploring its pathogenesis and identifying effective therapeutic targets are urgently needed. In this study, we found that TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), a serine/threonine-protein kinase, showed a dynamic increase during the different stages of murine spontaneous CCA carcinogenesis (hyperplasia, dysplasia, and CCA). TBK1 was upregulated in human tissues, including intrahepatic (n = 182) and extrahepatic (n = 40) CCA tissues, compared with nontumor tissues, and the elevated expression of TBK1 was positively correlated with larger tumour diameter, lymph node metastasis, and advanced TNM stage. Functional studies indicated that TBK1 promoted CCA growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. TBK1 directly interacts with β-catenin, promoting its phosphorylation at the S552 site and its nuclear translocation, which further activates EMT-related transcriptional reprogramming. GSK-8612, a TBK1 inhibitor or a kinase-inactivating mutation, effectively suppresses the above processes. In addition, we found that low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), which mediates the endocytosis of cholesterol, was upregulated in CCA. Therefore, we designed a cholesterol-conjugated DNA/RNA heteroduplex oligonucleotide targeting TBK1 (Cho-TBK1-HDO), which could accumulate in CCA cells via LDLR, reduce the TBK1 mRNA level and inhibit intrahepatic metastasis of CCA. Besides, in the experimental group of 182 ICC patients, high TBK1 expression combined with high nuclear β-catenin expression predicted a worse prognosis. In summary, TBK1 might serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with CCA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chong-Qing Gao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Chu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Di Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- Department of Hepatological Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China
| | - Xing-Yan Zhou
- School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China
| | - Jun-Ru Wu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Hui Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital, Huizhou, 516001, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu-Chuan Jiang
- Department of Hepatological Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China
| | - Dong Chen
- Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ji-Chun Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Nan Yao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China.
| | - Kai-Yun Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Hospital Of Integrated Traditional And West Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China.
| | - Jian Hong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China. .,Department of Hepatological Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Heij L, Bednarsch J, Tan X, Rosin M, Appinger S, Reichel K, Pecina D, Doukas M, van Dam RM, Garcia Vallejo J, Ulmer F, Lang S, Luedde T, Rocha FG, Sivakumar S, Neumann UP. Expression of Checkpoint Molecules in the Tumor Microenvironment of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Implications for Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060851. [PMID: 36980192 PMCID: PMC10047585 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The tumor microenvironment (TME) in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) influences the immune environment. Checkpoint blockade is promising, but reliable biomarkers to predict response to treatment are still lacking. Materials and Methods: The levels of checkpoint molecules (PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, LAG-3, ICOS, TIGIT, TIM-3, CTLA-4), macrophages (CD68), and T cells (CD4 and CD8 cells) were assessed by multiplexed immunofluorescence in 50 intrahepatic cases. Associations between marker expression, immune cells, and region of expression were studied in the annotated regions of tumor, interface, sclerotic tumor, and tumor-free tissue. Results: ICCA demonstrated CD4_TIM-3 high densities in the tumor region of interest (ROI) compared to the interface (p = 0.014). CD8_PD-L1 and CD8_ICOS densities were elevated in the sclerotic tumor compared to the interface (p = 0.011 and p = 0.031, respectively). In a multivariate model, high expression of CD8_PD-L2 (p = 0.048) and CD4_ICOS_TIGIT (p = 0.011) was associated with nodal metastases. Conclusions: High densities of PD-L1 were more abundant in the sclerotic tumor region; this is meaningful for the stratification of immunotherapy. Lymph node metastasis correlates with CD4_ICOS_TIGIT co-expression and CD8_PD-L2 expression, indicating the checkpoint expression profile of patients with a poor prognosis. Also, multiple co-expressions occur, and this potentially suggests a role for combination therapy with different immune checkpoint targets than just PD-1 blockade monotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Heij
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, 6211 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
| | - Jan Bednarsch
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Xiuxiang Tan
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, 6211 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Mika Rosin
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Simone Appinger
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Konrad Reichel
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Dana Pecina
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Michail Doukas
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald M. van Dam
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC), 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
- GROW—School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6211 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Juan Garcia Vallejo
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology, VU University Medical Center, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Florian Ulmer
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Sven Lang
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Tom Luedde
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Flavio G. Rocha
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Shivan Sivakumar
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Ulf Peter Neumann
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC), 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Lai W, Liao J, Li X, Liang P, He L, Huang K, Liang X, Wang Y. Characterization of the microenvironment in different immune-metabolism subtypes of cervical cancer with prognostic significance. Front Genet 2023; 14:1067666. [PMID: 36816023 PMCID: PMC9935837 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1067666] [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: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Immune cell infiltration and metabolic reprogramming may have great impact on the tumorigenesis and progression of malignancies. The interaction between these two factors in cervical cancer remains to be clarified. Here we constructed a gene set containing immune and metabolism related genes and we applied this gene set to molecular subtyping of cervical cancer. Methods: Bulk sequencing and single-cell sequencing data were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database respectively. Immune and metabolism related genes were collected from Immport and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) database respectively. Unsupervised consensus clustering was performed to identify the molecular subtypes. Cibersort was applied to evaluate the immune cells infiltration status. Differential expression analysis and Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed to characterize the molecular pattern of different subtypes. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used for prognosis prediction model construction and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used for performance evaluation. The hub genes in the model were verified in single-cell sequencing dataset and clinical specimens. In vitro experiments were performed to validate the findings in our research. Results: Three subtypes were identified with prognostic implications. C1 subgroup was in an immunosuppressive state with activation of mitochondrial cytochrome P450 metabolism, C2 had poor immune cells infiltration and was characterized by tRNA anabolism, and the C3 subgroup was in an inflammatory state with activation of aromatic amino acid synthesis. The area under the ROC curve of the constructed model was 0.8, which showed better performance than clinical features. IMPDH1 was found to be significantly upregulated in tumor tissue and it was demonstrated that IMPDH1 could be a novel therapeutic target in vitro. Discussion: In summary, our findings suggested novel molecular subtypes of cervical cancer with distinct immunometabolic profiles and uncovered a novel therapeutic target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wujiang Lai
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinrong Liao
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Li
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peili Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Center for Reproductive Medicine/Department of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis/BioResource Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liqing He
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Keke Huang
- Department of Obstetrics, Shunde Hospital, The First People’s Hospital of Shunde, Southern Medical University, Foshan, Guangdong, China,*Correspondence: Keke Huang, ; Xiaomei Liang, ; Yifeng Wang,
| | - Xiaomei Liang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Keke Huang, ; Xiaomei Liang, ; Yifeng Wang,
| | - Yifeng Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Keke Huang, ; Xiaomei Liang, ; Yifeng Wang,
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary liver cancer. Its incidence is low in the Western world but is rising globally. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy have been the only treatment options for decades. Progress in our molecular understanding of the disease and the identification of druggable targets, such as IDH1 mutations and FGFR2 fusions, has provided new treatment options. Immunotherapy has emerged as a potent strategy for many different types of cancer and has shown efficacy in combination with chemotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma. In this Review, we discuss findings related to key immunological aspects of cholangiocarcinoma, including the heterogeneous landscape of immune cells within the tumour microenvironment, the immunomodulatory effect of the microbiota and IDH1 mutations, and the association of immune-related signatures and patient outcomes. We introduce findings from preclinical immunotherapy studies, discuss future immune-mediated treatment options, and provide a summary of results from clinical trials testing immune-based approaches in patients with cholangiocarcinoma. This Review provides a thorough survey of our knowledge on immune signatures and immunotherapy in cholangiocarcinoma.
Collapse
|
34
|
Zhao X, Gao FW, Jiang KY, Yang J, Xie QY, Gong J, Yang MY, Mao TY, Lei ZH. Laparoscopic or open liver resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1096714. [PMID: 36937400 PMCID: PMC10014898 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1096714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although laparoscopic hepatectomy has been widely used in the treatment of benign and malignant liver diseases, its applicability in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare the short-term and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic hepatectomy (Lap-ICC) and open hepatectomy (Open-ICC) in ICC patients. Methods The PubMed, Web of science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and other databases were searched for the relevant literature. The research data were extracted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results Seventeen studies, including 3975 ICC patients, were selected for the meta-analysis. Compared to Open-ICC, Lap-ICC had lower rates of lymph node dissection (OR=0.44, P=0.01) and metastasis (OR=0.58, P=0.03), along with less intraoperative bleeding (MD=-128.43 ml, P<0.01) lower blood transfusion rate (OR=0.43, P<0.01), shorter hospital stay (MD=-2.75 day, P<0.01), higher R0 resection rate (OR=1.60, P<0.01), and lower tumor recurrence rate (OR=0.67, P=0.01). However, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of operation time, number of lymph node dissection, incision margin distance, overall complications rate, severe complications rate, and the 1-, 3- and 5-year DFS and OS rates. Conclusion Laparoscopic hepatectomy is partially superior to open hepatectomy in terms of less bleeding, shorter hospital stay and higher R0 resection rate, while the long-term efficacy of the two approaches is similar.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhao
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The People’s Hospital of Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China
- Diagnosis and Treatment Center for Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas and Spleen System Diseases of Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China
| | - Feng-wei Gao
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The People’s Hospital of Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China
- Diagnosis and Treatment Center for Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas and Spleen System Diseases of Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China
- North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
- *Correspondence: Feng-wei Gao, ; Ze-hua Lei,
| | - Kang-yi Jiang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The People’s Hospital of Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China
- Diagnosis and Treatment Center for Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas and Spleen System Diseases of Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The People’s Hospital of Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China
- Diagnosis and Treatment Center for Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas and Spleen System Diseases of Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China
| | - Qing-yun Xie
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The People’s Hospital of Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China
- Diagnosis and Treatment Center for Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas and Spleen System Diseases of Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China
| | - Jie Gong
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The People’s Hospital of Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China
- Diagnosis and Treatment Center for Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas and Spleen System Diseases of Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China
| | - Man-yu Yang
- North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Tian-yang Mao
- North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Ze-hua Lei
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The People’s Hospital of Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China
- Diagnosis and Treatment Center for Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas and Spleen System Diseases of Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China
- *Correspondence: Feng-wei Gao, ; Ze-hua Lei,
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Harding JJ, Khalil DN, Fabris L, Abou-Alfa GK. Rational development of combination therapies for biliary tract cancers. J Hepatol 2023; 78:217-228. [PMID: 36150578 PMCID: PMC11111174 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Biliary tract cancers are an uncommon set of gastrointestinal malignancies that are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Most patients present with incurable locally advanced or metastatic disease. The pathophysiology of biliary tract cancer can be exploited for direct therapeutic benefit, and indeed, chemotherapy, precision medicine, immunotherapy and combination treatments are now applied as both standard-of-care and investigational therapies. In the first-line setting, the immune-based chemotherapy combination of durvalumab plus gemcitabine and cisplatin has recently been shown to improve survival compared to chemotherapy alone. In the second-line, precision medicine can be employed in those with select genetic alterations in IDH1/2 (isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2), FGFR2 (fibroblast growth factor receptor 2), KRAS, BRAF, ERBB2, NTRK (neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase), ROS, RET, and/or deficiencies in mismatch repair enzymes. In those patients without targetable genetic alterations, fluoropyridine doublets lead to modest improvements in outcomes. Next-generation sequencing is critical for direct patient care and to help elucidate genomic mechanisms of resistance in a research context. Currently, multiple clinical trials are ongoing - hence, this review seeks to provide an update on evolving standards of care and ongoing investigational agents, limitations to current treatments, and a framework for effective combination drug development for the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James J Harding
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Weill Medical College at Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Danny N Khalil
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Weill Medical College at Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Luca Fabris
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, and Division of General Medicine, Padua University-Hospital, Padua, Italy; Digestive Disease Section, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ghassan K Abou-Alfa
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Weill Medical College at Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Huang J, Zhao C, Zhang X, Zhao Q, Zhang Y, Chen L, Dai G. Hepatitis B virus pathogenesis relevant immunosignals uncovering amino acids utilization related risk factors guide artificial intelligence-based precision medicine. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1079566. [PMID: 36569318 PMCID: PMC9780394 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1079566] [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: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Although immune microenvironment-related chemokines, extracellular matrix (ECM), and intrahepatic immune cells are reported to be highly involved in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related diseases, their roles in diagnosis, prognosis, and drug sensitivity evaluation remain unclear. Here, we aimed to study their clinical use to provide a basis for precision medicine in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) via the amalgamation of artificial intelligence. Methods: High-throughput liver transcriptomes from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), NODE (https://www.bio.sino.org/node), the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and our in-house hepatocellular carcinoma patients were collected in this study. Core immunosignals that participated in the entire diseases course of hepatitis B were explored using the "Gene set variation analysis" R package. Using ROC curve analysis, the impact of core immunosignals and amino acid utilization related gene on hepatocellular carcinoma patient's clinical outcome were calculated. The utility of core immunosignals as a classifier for hepatocellular carcinoma tumor tissue was evaluated using explainable machine-learning methods. A novel deep residual neural network model based on immunosignals was constructed for the long-term overall survival (LS) analysis. In vivo drug sensitivity was calculated by the "oncoPredict" R package. Results: We identified nine genes comprising chemokines and ECM related to hepatitis B virus-induced inflammation and fibrosis as CLST signals. Moreover, CLST was co-enriched with activated CD4+ T cells bearing harmful factors (aCD4) during all stages of hepatitis B virus pathogenesis, which was also verified by our hepatocellular carcinoma data. Unexpectedly, we found that hepatitis B virus-hepatocellular carcinoma patients in the CLSThighaCD4high subgroup had the shortest overall survival (OS) and were characterized by a risk gene signature associated with amino acids utilization. Importantly, characteristic genes specific to CLST/aCD4 showed promising clinical relevance in identifying patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma via explainable machine learning. In addition, the 5-year long-term overall survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients can be effectively classified by CLST/aCD4 based GeneSet-ResNet model. Subgroups defined by CLST and aCD4 were significantly involved in the sensitivity of hepatitis B virus-hepatocellular carcinoma patients to chemotherapy treatments. Conclusion: CLST and aCD4 are hepatitis B virus pathogenesis-relevant immunosignals that are highly involved in hepatitis B virus-induced inflammation, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Gene set variation analysis derived immunogenomic signatures enabled efficient diagnostic and prognostic model construction. The clinical application of CLST and aCD4 as indicators would be beneficial for the precision management of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China,*Correspondence: Jun Huang, ; Liping Chen, ; Guifu Dai,
| | - Chunbei Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xinhe Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qiaohui Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yanting Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Jun Huang, ; Liping Chen, ; Guifu Dai,
| | - Guifu Dai
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China,*Correspondence: Jun Huang, ; Liping Chen, ; Guifu Dai,
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Immunosuppressive role of SPP1-CD44 in the tumor microenvironment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma assessed by single-cell RNA sequencing. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022:10.1007/s00432-022-04498-w. [PMID: 36469154 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04498-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To demonstrate the biological function of Secreted Phosphoprotein 1(SPP1) and its immune suppressive role in the progression intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). METHODS We collected 62,770 cells' published transcriptome data of nine patients whose paired adjacent liver and tumor tissues were both available. We applied differential gene expression analysis to screen potential ICC marker genes, survival analysis to verify the prognostic value of SPP1, and correlation analysis to decipher factors that are related to SPP1 expression. The CellChat was used to distinguish interactions between cancer and T cells. CytoSig was applied to query cytokines that modulate CD44. Further, we established a proliferation score and correlated the score with inhibitory signals to determine the proliferation-suppressive function of SPP1-CD44. RESULTS SPP1 expression is significantly upregulated in tumoral epitheliums, and patients with higher SPP1 expression have worse survival (P < 0.05). Tumor cells communicate with T cells via SPP1-CD44 interactions. The average expression of SPP1 in malignant cells (SPP1m) and CD44 in T cells (CD44t) is moderately negatively correlated with T cell proliferation score. Immunosuppressive cytokine TGFβ-3 identified as an inducer of CD44 and was significantly negatively correlated with proliferation score (R = - 0.88, P < 0.01), and the negative correlation was aggravated in samples with high CD44 expression. CONCLUSION SPP1 is a prognostic marker of ICC and is associated with the genome heterogeneity. SPP1-CD44 hinders sustained proliferation of T cells, but immunosuppressive T cells in the tumor microenvironment may evade this inhibition by reducing CD44 expression.
Collapse
|
38
|
Chung A, Nasralla D, Quaglia A. Understanding the Immunoenvironment of Primary Liver Cancer: A Histopathology Perspective. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:1149-1169. [PMID: 36349146 PMCID: PMC9637345 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s382310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most common cancers worldwide, primary liver cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality. Hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma represent the majority of primary liver cancer cases. Despite advances in the development of novel anti-cancer therapies that exploit targets within the immune system, survival rates from liver cancer remain poor. Furthermore, responses to immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, have revealed limited and variable responses amongst patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, although combination immunotherapies have shown recent breakthroughs in clinical trials. This has shifted the focus towards improving our understanding of the underlying immune and molecular characteristics of liver tumours that may influence their response to immune-modulating treatments. In this review, we outline the complex interactions that occur in the tumour microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, respectively, from a histopathological perspective. We explore the potential role of a classification system based on immune-specific characteristics within each cancer type, the importance of understanding inter- and intra-tumoural heterogeneity and consider the future role of histopathology and novel technologies within this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annabelle Chung
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK,Correspondence: Annabelle Chung, Department of Cellular Pathology, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK, Tel +44 20 7794 0500 ext. 35641, Email
| | - David Nasralla
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Alberto Quaglia
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Molecular Profile and Prognostic Value of BAP1 Mutations in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Genomic Database Analysis. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12081247. [PMID: 36013199 PMCID: PMC9410256 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12081247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Recent years have witnessed the advent of molecular profiling for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), and new techniques have led to the identification of several molecular alterations. Precision oncology approaches have been widely evaluated and are currently under assessment, as shown by the recent development of a wide range of agents targeting Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR) 2, Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1 (IDH-1), and BRAF. However, several knowledge gaps persist in the understanding of the genomic landscape of this hepatobiliary malignancy. Methods. In the current study, we aimed to comprehensively analyze clinicopathological features of BAP1-mutated iCCA patients in public datasets to increase the current knowledge on the molecular and biological profile of iCCA. Results. The current database study, including 772 iCCAs, identified BAP1 mutations in 120 cases (15.7%). According to our analysis, no differences in terms of overall survival and relapse-free survival were observed between BAP1-mutated and BAP1 wild-type patients receiving radical surgery. In addition, IDH1, PBRM1, and ARID1A mutations were the most commonly co-altered genes in BAP1-mutated iCCAs. Conclusions. The genomic characterization of iCCA is destined to become increasingly important, and more efforts aimed to implement iCCA genomics analysis are warranted.
Collapse
|
40
|
Chen R, Zheng D, Li Q, Xu S, Ye C, Jiang Q, Yan F, Jia Y, Zhang X, Ruan J. Immunotherapy of cholangiocarcinoma: Therapeutic strategies and predictive biomarkers. Cancer Lett 2022; 546:215853. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
|