Targeting sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 3 inhibits T-cell exhaustion and regulates recruitment of proinflammatory macrophages to improve antitumor efficacy of CAR-T cells against solid tumor

Cancer stem cell biomarkers and related signalling pathways

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a distinct subset of neoplastic cells characterised by their heightened capacity for tumorigenesis. These cells are implicated in the facilitation of cancer metastasis, recurrence, and resistance to conventional therapeutic interventions. Extensive scientific research has been devoted to the identification of biomarkers and the elucidation of molecular mechanisms in order to improve targeted therapeutic approaches. Accurate identification of cancer stem cells based on biomarkers can provide a theoretical basis for drug combinations of malignant tumours. Targeted biomarker-based therapies also offer a silver lining for patients with advanced malignancies. This review aims comprehensively to consolidate the latest findings on CSCs biomarkers, targeted agents as well as biomarkers associated signalling pathways in well-established cancer types, thereby contributing to improved prognostic outcomes.

Effects and action mechanism of gonadotropins on ovarian follicular cells: A novel role of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate (S1P). A review

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) control antral follicular growth by regulating several processes, such as the synthesis of hormones and signaling molecules, proliferation, survival, apoptosis, luteinization, and ovulation. To exert these effects, gonadotropins bind to their respective Gs protein-coupled receptors, activating the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway or recruiting Gq proteins to activate protein kinase C (PKC) signaling. Although the action mechanism of FSH and LH is clear, recently, it has been shown that both gonadotropins promote the synthesis of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in granulosa and theca cells through the activation of sphingosine kinase 1. Moreover, the inhibition of SPHKs reduces S1P synthesis, cell viability, and the proliferation of follicular cells in response to gonadotropins, and the addition of S1P to the culture medium increases the proliferation of granulosa and theca cells without apparent effects on sexual steroid synthesis. Therefore, we consider that S1P is a crucial signaling molecule that complements the canonical gonadotropin pathway to promote the proliferation and viability of granulosa and theca cells.

Looking ahead to targeting macrophages by CAR T- or NK-cells in blood cancers

INTRODUCTION

The bone marrow microenvironment (BME) is critical for healthy hematopoiesis and is often disrupted in hematologic malignancies. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a major cell type in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and play a significant role in tumor growth and progression. Targeting TAMs and modulating their polarization is a promising strategy for cancer therapy.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we discuss the importance of TME and different multiple possible targets to modulate immunosuppressive TAMs such as: CD123, Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptors, CD19/CD1d, CCR4/CCL22, CSF1R (CD115), CD24, CD40, B7 family proteins, MARCO, CD47, CD163, CD204, CD206 and folate receptors.

EXPERT OPINION

Innovative approaches to combat the immunosuppressive milieu of the tumor microenvironment in hematologic malignancies are of high clinical significance and may lead to increased survival, improved quality of life, and decreased toxicity of cancer therapies. Standard procedures will likely involve a combination of CAR T/NK-cell therapies with other treatments, leading to more comprehensive cancer care.

NFS1 as a Candidate Prognostic Biomarker for Gastric Cancer Correlated with Immune Infiltrates

Background

Cysteine desulfurase (NFS1) is closely associated with the occurrence and development of human tumors, but its relationship with the prognosis and immunity of gastric cancer (GC) patients remains unclear.

Methods

To study the relationship between NFS1 and GC, GC-related data of TCGA were downloaded and analyzed. At the same time, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) and Kaplan‒Meier Plotter were used for relevant online analysis. Clinical samples were collected for immunohistochemical testing to validate the results.

Results

The mRNA and protein levels of NFS1 in GC tissues were significantly higher than those in normal tissues. In terms of the operating characteristic curve (ROC), the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.793, indicating that NFS1 had a high diagnostic value for GC. Further analysis showed that NFS1 expression was highly correlated with the depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and tumor stage. Survival analysis showed that patients with high expression of NFS1 had a poorer prognosis, and NFS1 was an independent risk factor. Enrichment analysis by GO, KEGG, and GSEA showed that NFS1 was enriched in immune-related pathways. The expression of NFS1 was significantly positively correlated with the proportion of macrophages M0 and plasma cells but negatively correlated with the proportion of B cells memory, monocytes, and mast cells resting. In addition, NFS1 expression was significantly correlated with TMB levels and responses to immunotherapy.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that NFS1 may be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prediction of prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy in GC.

Reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment to improve CAR-T cell-based cancer immunotherapy

In many hematologic malignancies, the adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has demonstrated notable success; nevertheless, further improvements are necessary to optimize treatment efficacy. Current CAR-T therapies are particularly discouraging for solid tumor treatment. The immunosuppressive microenvironment of tumors affects CAR-T cells, limiting the treatment's effectiveness and safety. Therefore, enhancing CAR-T cell infiltration capacity and resolving the immunosuppressive responses within the tumor microenvironment could boost the anti-tumor effect. Specific strategies include structurally altering CAR-T cells combined with targeted therapy, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. Overall, monitoring the tumor microenvironment and the status of CAR-T cells is beneficial in further investigating the viability of such strategies and advancing CAR-T cell therapy.

The potential role of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and one branch connected with tissue-resident memory in non-luminal breast cancer

Advances in understanding the pathological mechanisms of breast cancer have resulted in the emergence of novel therapeutic strategies. However, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a molecular subtype of breast cancer with a poor prognosis, lacks classical and general therapeutic targets, hindering the clinical application of several therapies to breast cancer. As insights into the unique immunity and molecular mechanisms of TNBC have become more extensive, immunotherapy has gradually become a valuable complementary approach to classical radiotherapy and chemotherapy. CD8+ cells are significant actors in the tumor immunity cycle; thus, research on TNBC immunotherapy is increasingly focused in this direction. Recently, CD8+ tissue-resident memory (TRM) cells, a subpopulation of CD8+ cells, have been explored in relation to breast cancer and found to seemingly play an undeniably important role in tumor surveillance and lymphocytic infiltration. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the mechanisms and relative targets of CD8+ T cells, and discuss the features and potential applications of CD8+ TRM cells in non-luminal breast cancer immunotherapy.

CAR-based immunotherapy for breast cancer: peculiarities, ongoing investigations, and future strategies

Surgery, chemotherapy, and endocrine therapy have improved the overall survival and postoperative recurrence rates of Luminal A, Luminal B, and HER2-positive breast cancers but treatment modalities for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) with poor prognosis remain limited. The effective application of the rapidly developing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy in hematological tumors provides new ideas for the treatment of breast cancer. Choosing suitable and specific targets is crucial for applying CAR-T therapy for breast cancer treatment. In this paper, we summarize CAR-T therapy's effective targets and potential targets in different subtypes based on the existing research progress, especially for TNBC. CAR-based immunotherapy has resulted in advancements in the treatment of breast cancer. CAR-macrophages, CAR-NK cells, and CAR-mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may be more effective and safer for treating solid tumors, such as breast cancer. However, the tumor microenvironment (TME) of breast tumors and the side effects of CAR-T therapy pose challenges to CAR-based immunotherapy. CAR-T cells and CAR-NK cells-derived exosomes are advantageous in tumor therapy. Exosomes carrying CAR for breast cancer immunotherapy are of immense research value and may provide a treatment modality with good treatment effects. In this review, we provide an overview of the development and challenges of CAR-based immunotherapy in treating different subtypes of breast cancer and discuss the progress of CAR-expressing exosomes for breast cancer treatment. We elaborate on the development of CAR-T cells in TNBC therapy and the prospects of using CAR-macrophages, CAR-NK cells, and CAR-MSCs for treating breast cancer.

Engineered Adoptive T-Cell Therapies for Breast Cancer: Current Progress, Challenges, and Potential

Breast cancer remains a significant health challenge, and novel treatment approaches are critically needed. This review presents an in-depth analysis of engineered adoptive T-cell therapies (E-ACTs), an innovative frontier in cancer immunotherapy, focusing on their application in breast cancer. We explore the evolving landscape of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T-cell receptor (TCR) T-cell therapies, highlighting their potential and challenges in targeting breast cancer. The review addresses key obstacles such as target antigen selection, the complex breast cancer tumor microenvironment, and the persistence of engineered T-cells. We discuss the advances in overcoming these barriers, including strategies to enhance T-cell efficacy. Finally, our comprehensive analysis of the current clinical trials in this area provides insights into the future possibilities and directions of E-ACTs in breast cancer treatment.