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Vahidi S, Zabeti Touchaei A, Samadani AA. IL-15 as a key regulator in NK cell-mediated immunotherapy for cancer: From bench to bedside. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 133:112156. [PMID: 38669950 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112156] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Interleukin 15 (IL-15) has emerged as a crucial factor in the relationship between natural killer (NK) cells and immunotherapy for cancer. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of IL-15 in NK cell-mediated immunotherapy. First, the key role of IL-15 signaling in NK cell immunity is discussed, highlighting its regulation of NK cell functions and antitumor properties. Furthermore, the use of IL-15 or its analogs in clinical trials as a therapeutic strategy for various cancers, including the genetic modification of NK cells to produce IL-15, has been explored. The potential of IL-15-based therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T and NK cell infusion along with IL-15 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and other treatments, has been examined. This review also addresses the challenges and advantages of incorporating IL-15 in cell-based immunotherapy. Additionally, unresolved questions regarding the detection and biological significance of the soluble IL-15/IL-15Rα complex, as well as the potential role of IL-15/IL-15Rα in human cancer and the immunological consequences of prolonged exposure to soluble IL-15 for NK cells, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sogand Vahidi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | | | - Ali Akbar Samadani
- Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Trauma Institute, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
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2
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Ren Z, Zhang X, Fu YX. Facts and Hopes on Chimeric Cytokine Agents for Cancer Immunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:2025-2038. [PMID: 38190116 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Cytokines are key mediators of immune responses that can modulate the antitumor activity of immune cells. Cytokines have been explored as a promising cancer immunotherapy. However, there are several challenges to cytokine therapy, especially a lack of tumor targeting, resulting in high toxicity and limited efficacy. To overcome these limitations, novel approaches have been developed to engineer cytokines with improved properties, such as chimeric cytokines. Chimeric cytokines are fusion proteins that combine different cytokine domains or link cytokines to antibodies (immunocytokines) or other molecules that can target specific receptors or cells. Chimeric cytokines can enhance the selectivity and stability of cytokines, leading to reduced toxicity and improved efficacy. In this review, we focus on two promising cytokines, IL2 and IL15, and summarize the current advances and challenges of chimeric cytokine design and application for cancer immunotherapy. Most of the current approaches focus on increasing the potency of cytokines, but another important goal is to reduce toxicity. Cytokine engineering is promising for cancer immunotherapy as it can enhance tumor targeting while minimizing adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xuhao Zhang
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang-Xin Fu
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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3
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Zhang J, Li AM, Kansler ER, Li MO. Cancer immunity by tissue-resident type 1 innate lymphoid cells and killer innate-like T cells. Immunol Rev 2024; 323:150-163. [PMID: 38506480 PMCID: PMC11102320 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13319] [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] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Cancer progression can be restrained by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in a process termed cancer immunosurveillance. Based on how lymphocytes are activated and recruited to the tumor tissue, cancer immunity is either pre-wired, in which innate lymphocytes and innate-like T cells are directly recruited to and activated in tumors following their differentiation in primary lymphoid organs; or priming-dependent, in which conventional adaptive T cells are first primed by cognate antigens in secondary lymphoid organs before homing to and reactivated in tumors. While priming-dependent cancer immunity has been a focus of cancer immunology research for decades, in part due to historical preconception of cancer theory and tumor model choice as well as clinical success of conventional adaptive T cell-directed therapeutic programs, recent studies have revealed that pre-wired cancer immunity mediated by tissue-resident type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s) and killer innate-like T cells (ILTCKs) is an integral component of the cancer immunosurveillance process. Herein we review the distinct ontogenies and cancer-sensing mechanisms of ILC1s and ILTCKs in murine genetic cancer models as well as the conspicuously conserved responses in human malignancies. How ILC1s and ILTCKs may be targeted to broaden the scope of cancer immunotherapy beyond conventional adaptive T cells is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Albert M. Li
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emily R. Kansler
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ming O. Li
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
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4
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Zhang X, Wang J, Tan Y, Chen C, Tang S, Zhao S, Qin Q, Huang H, Duan S. Nanobodies in cytokine‑mediated immunotherapy and immunoimaging (Review). Int J Mol Med 2024; 53:12. [PMID: 38063273 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2023.5336] [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: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are the main regulators of innate and adaptive immunity, mediating communications between the cells of the immune system and regulating biological functions, including cell motility, differentiation, growth and apoptosis. Cytokines and cytokine receptors have been used in the treatment of tumors and autoimmune diseases, and to intervene in cytokine storms. Indeed, the use of monoclonal antibodies to block cytokine‑receptor interactions, as well as antibody‑cytokine fusion proteins has exhibited immense potential for the treatment of tumors and autoimmune diseases. Compared with these traditional types of antibodies, nanobodies not only maintain a high affinity and specificity, but also have the advantages of high thermal stability, a high capacity for chemical manipulation, low immunogenicity, good tissue permeability, rapid clearance and economic production. Thus, nanobodies have extensive potential for use in the diagnosis and treatment of cytokine‑related diseases. The present review summarizes the application of nanobodies in cytokine‑mediated immunotherapy and immunoimaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 545005, P.R. China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Medicine, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 545005, P.R. China
| | - Ying Tan
- Department of Medicine, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 545005, P.R. China
| | - Chaoting Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 545005, P.R. China
| | - Shuang Tang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 545005, P.R. China
| | - Shimei Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 545005, P.R. China
| | - Qiuhong Qin
- Department of Medicine, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 545005, P.R. China
| | - Hansheng Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 545005, P.R. China
| | - Siliang Duan
- Department of Medicine, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 545005, P.R. China
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5
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Awad RM, De Vlaeminck Y, Meeus F, Ertveldt T, Zeven K, Ceuppens H, Goyvaerts C, Verdonck M, Salguero G, Raes G, Devoogdt N, Breckpot K. In vitro modelling of local gene therapy with IL-15/IL-15Rα and a PD-L1 antagonist in melanoma reveals an interplay between NK cells and CD4 + T cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18995. [PMID: 37923822 PMCID: PMC10624833 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45948-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Blockade of the immune checkpoint axis consisting of programmed death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 alleviates the functional inhibition of tumor-infiltrating lymphoid cells yet weakly induces their expansion. Exogenous cytokines could further expand lymphoid cells and thus synergize with αPD-L1 therapy. However, systemic delivery of most cytokines causes severe toxicity due to unspecific expansion of immune cells in the periphery. Here, we modelled local delivery of cytokines and αPD-L1 therapeutics to immune cell-containing in vitro melanoma tumors. Three-dimensional tumor models consisting of 624-MEL cells were co-cultured with human peripheral blood lymphoid cells (PBLs) in presence of the cytokines IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, IL-21 and IFN-γ. To model local gene therapy, melanoma tumors were modified with lentiviral vectors encoding IL-15 fused to IL-15Rα (IL-15/IL-15Rα) and K2-Fc, a fusion of a human PD-L1 specific single domain antibody to immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 Fc. To evaluate the interplay between PBL fractions, NK cells, CD4+ T cells or CD8+ T cells were depleted. Tumor cell killing was followed up using real time imaging and immune cell expansion and activation was evaluated with flow cytometry. Among the tested cytokines, IL-15 was the most potent cytokine in stimulating tumor cell killing and expanding both natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells. Gene-based delivery of IL-15/IL-15Rα to tumor cells, shows expansion of NK cells, activation of NK cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and killing of tumor spheroids. Both NK cells and CD8+ T cells are necessary for tumor cell killing and CD4+ T-cell activation was reduced without NK cells. Co-delivery of K2-Fc improved tumor cell killing coinciding with increased activation of NK cells, which was independent of bystander T cells. CD4+ or CD8+ T cells were not affected by the co-delivery of K2-Fc even though NK-cell activation impacted CD4+ T-cell activation. This study demonstrates that gene-based delivery of IL-15/IL-15Rα to tumor cells effectively mediates anti-tumor activity and sensitizes the tumor microenvironment for therapy with αPD-L1 therapeutics mainly by impacting NK cells. These findings warrant further investigation of gene-based IL-15 and K2-Fc delivery in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Maximilian Awad
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Department of Biomedical Sciences (BMWE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Yannick De Vlaeminck
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Department of Biomedical Sciences (BMWE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fien Meeus
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Department of Biomedical Sciences (BMWE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thomas Ertveldt
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Department of Biomedical Sciences (BMWE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Katty Zeven
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hannelore Ceuppens
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Department of Biomedical Sciences (BMWE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cleo Goyvaerts
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Department of Biomedical Sciences (BMWE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Magali Verdonck
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Department of Biomedical Sciences (BMWE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gustavo Salguero
- Advanced Therapies Unit, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud-IDCBIS, 111611, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Geert Raes
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Department of Biomedical Sciences (BMWE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
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Wu M, Wu S, Chen Y, Sun L, Zhou J. Immune Activation Effects at Different Irradiated Sites and Optimal Timing of Radioimmunotherapy in Patients with Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer: a Real-World Analysis. Biol Proced Online 2023; 25:24. [PMID: 37710179 PMCID: PMC10503112 DOI: 10.1186/s12575-023-00217-y] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In view of the limited data on radiotherapy (RT) combined with immunotherapy in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), this study aimed to identify the immune activation effect on different sites and the survival outcomes of radioimmunotherapy at different treatment stages. METHODS Forty-five patients diagnosed with ES-SCLC were included in this retrospective analysis. We collected the overall survival (OS) of the patients,, recorded the blood cell counts before, during, and after RT, and derived blood index ratios such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII). The datasets were analyzed using the Spearman rank correlation test, Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test and logistic regression. RESULTS Among the selected blood indices, the delta-NLR/PLR/Sll correlated with different irradiated organs, and the mean ranks of these three indices were the lowest in the brain-irradiated group during immunotherapy. Additionally, adjunct first-line immunotherapy with RT demonstrated a significant improvement compared to second- or third-line therapy and subsequent therapies. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that compared to other organs, the strongest immune activation effect occurs with brain RT, and ES-SCLC patients who received radioimmunotherapy (RIT) earlier achieved higher OS rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Suzhou Cancer Center Core Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Shihao Wu
- Medical School, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Yuetong Chen
- Suzhou Cancer Center Core Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liangchao Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China.
| | - Jundong Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- Suzhou Cancer Center Core Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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Ren R, Xiong C, Ma R, Wang Y, Yue T, Yu J, Shao B. The recent progress of myeloid-derived suppressor cell and its targeted therapies in cancers. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e323. [PMID: 37547175 PMCID: PMC10397484 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.323] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are an immature group of myeloid-derived cells generated from myeloid cell precursors in the bone marrow. MDSCs appear almost exclusively in pathological conditions, such as tumor progression and various inflammatory diseases. The leading function of MDSCs is their immunosuppressive ability, which plays a crucial role in tumor progression and metastasis through their immunosuppressive effects. Since MDSCs have specific molecular features, and only a tiny amount exists in physiological conditions, MDSC-targeted therapy has become a promising research direction for tumor treatment with minimal side effects. In this review, we briefly introduce the classification, generation and maturation process, and features of MDSCs, and detail their functions under various circumstances. The present review specifically demonstrates the environmental specificity of MDSCs, highlighting the differences between MDSCs from cancer and healthy individuals, as well as tumor-infiltrating MDSCs and circulating MDSCs. Then, we further describe recent advances in MDSC-targeted therapies. The existing and potential targeted drugs are divided into three categories, monoclonal antibodies, small-molecular inhibitors, and peptides. Their targeting mechanisms and characteristics have been summarized respectively. We believe that a comprehensive in-depth understanding of MDSC-targeted therapy could provide more possibilities for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesDepartment of OrthodonticsWest China Hospital of StomatologySichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Chenyi Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologySichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Runyu Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologySichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yixuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologySichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Tianyang Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologySichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Jiayun Yu
- Department of RadiotherapyCancer Center and State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Bin Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologySichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
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Cody JW, Ellis-Connell AL, O’Connor SL, Pienaar E. Mathematical modeling indicates that regulatory inhibition of CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity can limit efficacy of IL-15 immunotherapy in cases of high pre-treatment SIV viral load. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011425. [PMID: 37616311 PMCID: PMC10482305 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapeutic cytokines can activate immune cells against cancers and chronic infections. N-803 is an IL-15 superagonist that expands CD8+ T cells and increases their cytotoxicity. N-803 also temporarily reduced viral load in a limited subset of non-human primates infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), a model of HIV. However, viral suppression has not been observed in all SIV cohorts and may depend on pre-treatment viral load and the corresponding effects on CD8+ T cells. Starting from an existing mechanistic mathematical model of N-803 immunotherapy of SIV, we develop a model that includes activation of SIV-specific and non-SIV-specific CD8+ T cells by antigen, inflammation, and N-803. Also included is a regulatory counter-response that inhibits CD8+ T cell proliferation and function, representing the effects of immune checkpoint molecules and immunosuppressive cells. We simultaneously calibrate the model to two separate SIV cohorts. The first cohort had low viral loads prior to treatment (≈3-4 log viral RNA copy equivalents (CEQ)/mL), and N-803 treatment transiently suppressed viral load. The second had higher pre-treatment viral loads (≈5-7 log CEQ/mL) and saw no consistent virus suppression with N-803. The mathematical model can replicate the viral and CD8+ T cell dynamics of both cohorts based on different pre-treatment viral loads and different levels of regulatory inhibition of CD8+ T cells due to those viral loads (i.e. initial conditions of model). Our predictions are validated by additional data from these and other SIV cohorts. While both cohorts had high numbers of activated SIV-specific CD8+ T cells in simulations, viral suppression was precluded in the high viral load cohort due to elevated inhibition of cytotoxicity. Thus, we mathematically demonstrate how the pre-treatment viral load can influence immunotherapeutic efficacy, highlighting the in vivo conditions and combination therapies that could maximize efficacy and improve treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan W. Cody
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Amy L. Ellis-Connell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Shelby L. O’Connor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Elsje Pienaar
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
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Martomo SA, Patel J. Evaluation of the clinical molecule anti-human-PD-L1/IL-15 KD033 in the human-PD-1/PD-L1-expressing murine model demonstrates PD-L1 targeting of IL-15 in vivo. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:1941-1950. [PMID: 36454338 PMCID: PMC10198867 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03331-0] [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: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
KD033 is a clinical-stage immunocytokine composed of a high-affinity anti-human-PD-L1 antibody and the human IL-15/ IL-15 receptor sushi-domain complex. We have previously shown that KD033-surrogate, the anti-mouse-PD-L1/IL-15 immunocytokine, was efficacious in several syngeneic murine tumor models including those that were refractory to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint blockers. KD033-surrogate showed better efficacy than the combination treatment of its component, anti-PD-L1 antibody with the non-targeting IL-15. KD033-surrogate was also efficacious in both low and high PD-L1-expressing tumors. In this study, we have utilized double knock-in mice expressing functional human PD-1/PD-L1 to show that the clinical molecule, KD033, reproduced the anti-tumor efficacy observed with KD033-surrogate in the syngeneic models. KD033 was equally efficacious in reducing the growth of human-PD-L1 positive (hPDL1+) and negative (hPDL1-) MC38 murine tumors. We observed similar peripheral pharmacodynamics changes in KD033-treated mice bearing either hPDL1+ or hPDL1- MC38 tumors. However, different transcriptomic profiles were observed between KD033-treated hPDL1+ and hPDL1- MC38 tumors with marked changes involving mostly downregulated genes in hPDL1- tumors in addition to the immune-related genes changes observed in both hPDL1+ and hPDL1- MC38 tumors. Cytotoxic and myeloid cell signatures were upregulated in both tumors with relatively greater increases observed in hPDL1- MC38 tumors. These effects of KD033 treatment in PD-L1 positive and negative tumors demonstrate the role of PD-L1 in targeting of IL-15 cytokine in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella A Martomo
- Kadmon Corporation, a Sanofi Company, 450 East 29th Street, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| | - Jeegar Patel
- Kadmon Corporation, a Sanofi Company, 450 East 29th Street, New York, NY, 10016, USA
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10
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Veschi V, Turdo A, Stassi G. Novel insights into cancer stem cells targeting: CAR-T therapy and epigenetic drugs as new pillars in cancer treatment. FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE 2023; 3:1120090. [PMID: 39086678 PMCID: PMC11285630 DOI: 10.3389/fmmed.2023.1120090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent the most aggressive subpopulation present in the tumor bulk retaining invasive capabilities, metastatic potential and high expression levels of drug efflux pumps responsible for therapy resistance. Cancer is still an incurable disease due to the inefficacy of standard regimens that spare this subpopulation. Selective targeting of CSCs is still an unmet need in cancer research field. Aberrant epigenetic reprogramming promotes the initiation and maintenance of CSCs, which are able to escape the immune system defense. Promising therapeutic approaches able to induce the selective inhibition of this stem-like small subset include immunotherapy alone or in combination with epigenetic compounds. These strategies are based on the specific expression of epitopes and/or epigenetic alterations present only in the CSC and not in the other cancer cells or normal cells. Thus, the combined approach utilizing CAR-T immunotherapy along with epigenetic probes may overcome the barriers of treatment ineffectiveness towards a more precision medicine approach in patients with known specific alterations of CSCs. In this perspective article we will shed new lights on the future applications of epi-immunotherapy in tumors enriched in CSCs, along with its potential side-effects, limitations and the development of therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Veschi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alice Turdo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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11
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Stravokefalou V, Stellas D, Karaliota S, Nagy BA, Valentin A, Bergamaschi C, Dimas K, Pavlakis GN. Heterodimeric IL-15 (hetIL-15) reduces circulating tumor cells and metastasis formation improving chemotherapy and surgery in 4T1 mouse model of TNBC. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1014802. [PMID: 36713398 PMCID: PMC9880212 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1014802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a viable approach in cancer therapy, with cytokines being of great interest. Interleukin IL-15 (IL-15), a cytokine that supports cytotoxic immune cells, has been successfully tested as an anti-cancer and anti-metastatic agent, but combinations with conventional chemotherapy and surgery protocols have not been extensively studied. We have produced heterodimeric IL-15 (hetIL-15), which has shown anti-tumor efficacy in several murine cancer models and is being evaluated in clinical trials for metastatic cancers. In this study, we examined the therapeutic effects of hetIL-15 in combination with chemotherapy and surgery in the 4T1 mouse model of metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). hetIL-15 monotherapy exhibited potent anti-metastatic effects by diminishing the number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and by controlling tumor cells colonization of the lungs. hetIL-15 treatment in combination with doxorubicin resulted in enhanced anti-metastatic activity and extended animal survival. Systemic immune phenotype analysis showed that the chemoimmunotherapeutic regimen shifted the tumor-induced imbalance of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) in favor of cytotoxic effector cells, by simultaneously decreasing PMN-MDSCs and increasing the frequency and activation of effector (CD8+T and NK) cells. Tumor resection supported by neoadjuvant and adjuvant administration of hetIL-15, either alone or in combination with doxorubicin, resulted in the cure of approximately half of the treated animals and the development of anti-4T1 tumor immunity. Our findings demonstrate a significant anti-metastatic potential of hetIL-15 in combination with chemotherapy and surgery and suggest exploring the use of this regimen for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Stravokefalou
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, United States,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Dimitris Stellas
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, United States,Department of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Sevasti Karaliota
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, United States,Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Bethany A. Nagy
- Laboratory Animal Sciences Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Antonio Valentin
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Cristina Bergamaschi
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Konstantinos Dimas
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece,*Correspondence: Konstantinos Dimas, ; George N. Pavlakis,
| | - George N. Pavlakis
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, United States,*Correspondence: Konstantinos Dimas, ; George N. Pavlakis,
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12
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Shen J, Zou Z, Guo J, Cai Y, Xue D, Liang Y, Wang W, Peng H, Fu YX. An engineered concealed IL-15-R elicits tumor-specific CD8+T cell responses through PD-1-cis delivery. J Exp Med 2022; 219:213502. [PMID: 36165896 PMCID: PMC9521244 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20220745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy releases the inhibition of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) but weakly induces TIL proliferation. Exogenous IL-15 could further expand TILs and thus synergize with αPD-L1 therapy. However, systemic delivery of IL-15 extensively expands peripheral NK cells, causing severe toxicity. To redirect IL-15 to intratumoral PD-1+CD8+T effector cells instead of NK cells for better tumor control and lower toxicity, we engineered an anti-PD-1 fusion with IL-15-IL-15Rα, whose activity was geographically concealed by immunoglobulin Fc region with an engineered linker (αPD-1-IL-15-R) to bypass systemic NK cells. Systematic administration of αPD-1-IL-15-R elicited extraordinary antitumor efficacy with undetectable toxicity. Mechanistically, cis-delivery of αPD-1-IL-15-R vastly expands tumor-specific CD8+T cells for tumor rejection. Additionally, αPD-1-IL-15-R upregulated PD-1 and IL-15Rβ on T cells to create a feedforward activation loop, thus rejuvenating TILs, not only resulting in tumor control in situ, but also suppressing tumor metastasis. Collectively, renavigating IL-15 to tumor-specific PD-1+CD8+T cells, αPD-1-IL-15-R elicits effective systemic antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Shen
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuangzhi Zou
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jingya Guo
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yueqi Cai
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Diyuan Xue
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Liang
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenyan Wang
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Peng
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang-Xin Fu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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13
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Ma S, Caligiuri MA, Yu J. Harnessing IL-15 signaling to potentiate NK cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy. Trends Immunol 2022; 43:833-847. [PMID: 36058806 PMCID: PMC9612852 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, a crucial component of the innate immune system, have long been of clinical interest for their antitumor properties. Almost every aspect of NK cell immunity is regulated by interleukin-15 (IL-15), a cytokine in the common γ-chain family. Several current clinical trials are using IL-15 or its analogs to treat various cancers. Moreover, NK cells are being genetically modified to produce membrane-bound or secretory IL-15. Here, we discuss the key role of IL-15 signaling in NK cell immunity and provide an up-to-date overview of IL-15 in NK cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoubao Ma
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA
| | - Michael A Caligiuri
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA.
| | - Jianhua Yu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA.
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14
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Minnar CM, Chariou PL, Horn LA, Hicks KC, Palena C, Schlom J, Gameiro SR. Tumor-targeted interleukin-12 synergizes with entinostat to overcome PD-1/PD-L1 blockade-resistant tumors harboring MHC-I and APM deficiencies. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004561. [PMID: 35764364 PMCID: PMC9240938 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has achieved unprecedented success in treating multiple cancer types. However, clinical benefit remains modest for most patients with solid malignancies due to primary or acquired resistance. Tumor-intrinsic loss of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) and aberrations in antigen processing machinery (APM) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) pathways have been shown to play an important role in ICB resistance. While a plethora of combination treatments are being investigated to overcome ICB resistance, there are few identified preclinical models of solid tumors harboring these deficiencies to explore therapeutic interventions that can bypass ICB resistance. Here, we investigated the combination of the epigenetic modulator entinostat and the tumor-targeted immunocytokine NHS-IL12 in three different murine tumor models resistant to αPD-1/αPD-L1 (anti-programmed cell death protein 1/anti-programmed death ligand 1) and harboring MHC-I, APM, and IFN-γ response deficiencies and differing tumor mutational burden (TMB). Methods Entinostat and NHS-IL12 were administered to mice bearing TC-1/a9 (lung, HPV16 E6/E7+), CMT.64 lung, or RVP3 sarcoma tumors. Antitumor efficacy and survival were monitored. Comprehensive tumor microenvironment (TME) and spleen analysis of immune cells, cytokines, and chemokines was performed. Additionally, whole transcriptomic analysis was carried out on TC-1/a9 tumors. Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets were analyzed for translational relevance. Results We demonstrate that the combination of entinostat and NHS-IL12 therapy elicits potent antitumor activity and survival benefit through prolonged activation and tumor infiltration of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, across αPD-1/αPD-L1 refractory tumors irrespective of TMB, including in the IFN-γ signaling-impaired RVP3 tumor model. The combination therapy promoted M1-like macrophages and activated antigen-presenting cells while decreasing M2-like macrophages and regulatory T cells in a tumor-dependent manner. This was associated with increased levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9), and CXCL13 in the TME. Further, the combination therapy synergized to promote MHC-I and APM upregulation, and enrichment of JAK/STAT (janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription), IFN-γ-response and antigen processing-associated pathways. A biomarker signature of the mechanism involved in these studies is associated with patients’ overall survival across multiple tumor types. Conclusions Our findings provide a rationale for combining the tumor-targeting NHS-IL12 with the histone deacetylase inhibitor entinostat in the clinical setting for patients unresponsive to αPD-1/αPD-L1 and/or with innate deficiencies in tumor MHC-I, APM expression, and IFN-γ signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M Minnar
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Paul L Chariou
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lucas A Horn
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kristin C Hicks
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Claudia Palena
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sofia R Gameiro
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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15
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Holder PG, Lim SA, Huang CS, Sharma P, Dagdas YS, Bulutoglu B, Sockolosky JT. Engineering interferons and interleukins for cancer immunotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 182:114112. [PMID: 35085624 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are a class of potent immunoregulatory proteins that are secreted in response to various stimuli and act locally to regulate many aspects of human physiology and disease. Cytokines play important roles in cancer initiation, progression, and elimination, and thus, there is a long clinical history associated with the use of recombinant cytokines to treat cancer. However, the use of cytokines as therapeutics has been limited by cytokine pleiotropy, complex biology, poor drug-like properties, and severe dose-limiting toxicities. Nevertheless, cytokines are crucial mediators of innate and adaptive antitumor immunity and have the potential to enhance immunotherapeutic approaches to treat cancer. Development of immune checkpoint inhibitors and combination immunotherapies has reinvigorated interest in cytokines as therapeutics, and a variety of engineering approaches are emerging to improve the safety and effectiveness of cytokine immunotherapy. In this review we highlight recent advances in cytokine biology and engineering for cancer immunotherapy.
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16
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The use of supercytokines, immunocytokines, engager cytokines, and other synthetic cytokines in immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2022; 19:192-209. [PMID: 35043005 PMCID: PMC8803834 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00786-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines exert powerful immunomodulatory effects that are critical to physiology and pathology in humans. The application of natural cytokines in clinical studies has not been clearly established, and there are often problems associated with toxicity or lack of efficacy. The key reasons can be attributed to the pleiotropy of cytokine receptors and undesired activation of off-target cells. With a deeper understanding of the structural principles and functional signals of cytokine-receptor interactions, artificial modification of cytokine signaling through protein engineering and synthetic immunology has become an increasingly feasible and powerful approach. Engineered cytokines are designed to selectively target cells. Herein, the theoretical and experimental evidence of cytokine engineering is reviewed, and the "supercytokines" resulting from structural enhancement and the "immunocytokines" generated by antibody fusion are described. Finally, the "engager cytokines" formed by the crosslinking of cytokines and bispecific immune engagers and other synthetic cytokines formed by nonnatural analogs are also discussed.
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17
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Wolfarth AA, Dhar S, Goon JB, Ezeanya UI, Ferrando-Martínez S, Lee BH. Advancements of Common Gamma-Chain Family Cytokines in Cancer Immunotherapy. Immune Netw 2022; 22:e5. [PMID: 35291658 PMCID: PMC8901704 DOI: 10.4110/in.2022.22.e5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Swati Dhar
- NeoImmuneTech, Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
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18
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Bilotta MT, Antignani A, Fitzgerald DJ. Managing the TME to improve the efficacy of cancer therapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:954992. [PMID: 36341428 PMCID: PMC9630343 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.954992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) influences tumor growth, metastatic spread and response to treatment. Often immunosuppression, mediated by the TME, impairs a beneficial response. The complexity of the tumor composition challenges our abilities to design new and more effective therapies. Going forward we will need to 'manage' the content and or functionality of the TME to improve treatment outcomes. Currently, several different kinds of treatments are available to patients with cancer: there are the traditional approaches of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery; there are targeted agents that inhibit kinases associated with oncogenic pathways; there are monoclonal antibodies that target surface antigens often delivering toxic payloads or cells and finally there are antibodies and biologics that seek to overcome the immunosuppression caused by elements within the TME. How each of these therapies interact with the TME is currently under intense and widespread investigation. In this review we describe how the TME and its immunosuppressive components can influence both tumor progression and response to treatment focusing on three particular tumor types, classic Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL), Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). And, finally, we offer five approaches to manipulate or manage the TME to improve outcomes for cancer patients.
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19
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Huang J, Zhang L, Chen J, Wan D, Zhou L, Zheng S, Qiao Y. The Landscape of Immune Cells Indicates Prognosis and Applicability of Checkpoint Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:744951. [PMID: 34650926 PMCID: PMC8510566 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.744951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tumor-infiltrating immune cells are important components of tumor microenvironment (TME), and their composition reflects the confrontation between host immune system and tumor cells. However, the relationship between the composition of infiltrating immune cells, prognosis, and the applicability of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) needs systematic examination. Methods Cell-Type Identification by Estimating Relative Subsets of RNA Transcripts (CIBERSORT) was applied to evaluate the infiltration of immune cells based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) cohort. Diagnostic and prognostic models were constructed based on immune cells, and the models were validated by two external cohorts. The relationship between immune cells and PD-L1 was evaluated by Spearman correlation, and the finding was validated in our in-house HCC sample. Result Patients in TCGA LIHC cohort were classified into six subtypes with different prognosis based on the proportion of tumor-infiltrating immune cells simulated via CIBERSORT. Among 22 types of immune cells, intratumoral PD-L1 mRNA level exhibited linear relationship with the fraction of five types of immune cells (M1 macrophages, plasma cells, CD8+ T cells, resting mast cells, and regulatory T cells), and M1 macrophages showed the strongest relevance (R = 0.26, p < 0.001). Immunohistochemistry of our in-house HCC specimens verified this conclusion. Moreover, intratumoral mRNA levels of M1 macrophage-associated cytokines were positively correlated with PD-L1 level. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that the prognosis of HCC patients was associated with the pattern of infiltrating immune cells in TME, and macrophage-associated cytokines might be a potential non-invasive marker for predicting the PD-L1 level for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiacheng Huang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Center (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, China.,Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lele Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Center (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, China.,Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianxiang Chen
- Pharmacy Institute and Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.,Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicines from Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dalong Wan
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Center (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Center (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, China.,Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiting Qiao
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Center (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, China
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20
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Pires IS, Hammond PT, Irvine DJ. Engineering Strategies for Immunomodulatory Cytokine Therapies - Challenges and Clinical Progress. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2021; 4:2100035. [PMID: 34734110 PMCID: PMC8562465 DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202100035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cytokines are immunoregulatory proteins involved in many pathological states with promising potential as therapeutic agents. A diverse array of cytokines have been studied in preclinical disease models since the 1950s, some of which became successful biopharmaceutical products with the advancement of recombinant protein technology in the 1980s. However, following these early approvals, clinical translation of these natural immune signaling molecules has been limited due to their pleiotropic action in many cell types, and the fact that they have evolved to act primarily locally in tissues. These characteristics, combined with poor pharmacokinetics, have hindered the delivery of cytokines via systemic administration routes due to dose-limiting toxicities. However, given their clinical potential and recent clinical successes in cancer immunotherapy, cytokines continue to be extensively pursued in preclinical and clinical studies, and a range of molecular and formulation engineering strategies are being applied to reduce treatment toxicity while maintaining or enhancing therapeutic efficacy. This review provides a brief background on the characteristics of cytokines and their history as clinical therapeutics, followed by a deeper discussion on the engineering strategies developed for cytokine therapies with a focus on the translational relevance of these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan S Pires
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Paula T Hammond
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Darrell J Irvine
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
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21
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Ran J, Wang J, Dai Z, Miao Y, Gan J, Zhao C, Guan Q. Irradiation-Induced Changes in the Immunogenicity of Lung Cancer Cell Lines: Based on Comparison of X-rays and Carbon Ions. Front Public Health 2021; 9:666282. [PMID: 33968889 PMCID: PMC8101633 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.666282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing the immunogenicity of tumors is considered to be an effective means to improve the synergistic immune effect of radiotherapy. Carbon ions have become ideal radiation for combined immunotherapy due to their particular radiobiological advantages. However, the difference in time and dose of immunogenic changes induced by Carbon ions and X-rays has not yet been fully clarified. To further explore the immunogenicity differences between carbon ions and X-rays induced by radiation in different "time windows" and "dose windows." In this study, we used principal component analysis (PCA) to screen out the marker genes from the single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of CD8+ T cells and constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Also, ELISA was used to test the exposure levels of HMGB1, IL-10, and TGF-β under different "time windows" and "dose windows" of irradiation with X-rays and carbon ions for A549, H520, and Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) cell lines. The results demonstrated that different marker genes were involved in different processes of immune effect. HMGB1 was significantly enriched in the activated state, while the immunosuppressive factors TGF-β and IL-10 were mainly enriched in the non-functional state. Both X-rays and Carbon ions promoted the exposure of HMGB1, IL-10, and TGF-β in a time-dependent manner. X-rays but not Carbon ions increased the HMGB1 exposure level in a dose-dependent manner. Besides, compared with X-rays, carbon ions increased the exposure of HMGB1 while relatively reduced the exposure levels of immunosuppressive factors IL-10 and TGF-β. Therefore, we speculate that Carbon ions may be more advantageous than conventional X-rays in inducing immune effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juntao Ran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiangtao Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ziying Dai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yandong Miao
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jian Gan
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chengpeng Zhao
- Department of Oncology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Quanlin Guan
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Department of Oncology Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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22
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Seddiki N, Picard F, Dupaty L, Lévy Y, Godot V. The Potential of Immune Modulation in Therapeutic HIV-1 Vaccination. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030419. [PMID: 32726934 PMCID: PMC7565497 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We discuss here some of the key immunological elements that are at the crossroads and need to be combined to develop a potent therapeutic HIV-1 vaccine. Therapeutic vaccines have been commonly used to enhance and/or recall pre-existing HIV-1-specific cell-mediated immune responses aiming to suppress virus replication. The current success of immune checkpoint blockers in cancer therapy renders them very attractive to use in HIV-1 infected individuals with the objective to preserve the function of HIV-1-specific T cells from exhaustion and presumably target the persistent cellular reservoir. The major latest advances in our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for virus reactivation during therapy-suppressed individuals provide the scientific basis for future combinatorial therapeutic vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabila Seddiki
- Inserm, U955, Equipe 16, 94000 Créteil, France; (F.P.); (L.D.); (Y.L.); (V.G.)
- Faculté de médecine, Université Paris Est, 94000 Créteil, France
- Vaccine Research Institute (VRI), 94000 Créteil, France
- INSERM U955 Equipe 16, Université Paris-Est Créteil, Vaccine Research Institute (VRI), 51, Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94010 Créteil, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-01-4981-3902; Fax: +33-01-4981-3709
| | - Florence Picard
- Inserm, U955, Equipe 16, 94000 Créteil, France; (F.P.); (L.D.); (Y.L.); (V.G.)
- Vaccine Research Institute (VRI), 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Léa Dupaty
- Inserm, U955, Equipe 16, 94000 Créteil, France; (F.P.); (L.D.); (Y.L.); (V.G.)
- Vaccine Research Institute (VRI), 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Yves Lévy
- Inserm, U955, Equipe 16, 94000 Créteil, France; (F.P.); (L.D.); (Y.L.); (V.G.)
- Faculté de médecine, Université Paris Est, 94000 Créteil, France
- Vaccine Research Institute (VRI), 94000 Créteil, France
- AP-HP Hôpital H. Mondor—A. Chenevier, Service d’Immunologie clinique et maladies infectieuses, 94010 Créteil, France
| | - Véronique Godot
- Inserm, U955, Equipe 16, 94000 Créteil, France; (F.P.); (L.D.); (Y.L.); (V.G.)
- Faculté de médecine, Université Paris Est, 94000 Créteil, France
- Vaccine Research Institute (VRI), 94000 Créteil, France
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