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Perevalova AM, Kononchuk VV, Kalinina TS, Kozlov VV, Gulyaeva LF, Pustylnyak VO. Smoking-Mediated miR-301a/IRF1 Axis Controlling Immunotherapy Response in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma Revealed by Bioinformatic Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2208. [PMID: 38927914 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122208] [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: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Smoking is an established risk factor for a variety of malignant tumors, the most well-known of which is lung cancer. Various molecular interactions are known to link tobacco smoke exposure to lung cancer, but new data are still emerging on the effects of smoking on lung cancer development, progression, and tumor response to therapy. In this study, we reveal in further detail the previously established association between smoking and hsa-mir-301a activity in lung squamous cell carcinoma, LUSC. Using different bioinformatic tools, we identified IRF1 as a key smoking-regulated target of hsa-mir-301a in LUSC. We further confirmed this relationship experimentally using clinical LUSC tissue samples and intact lung tissue samples. Thus, increased hsa-mir-301a levels, decreased IRF1 mRNA levels, and their negative correlation were shown in LUSC tumor samples. Additional bioinformatic investigation for potential pathways impacted by such a mechanism demonstrated IRF1's multifaceted role in controlling the antitumor immune response in LUSC. IRF1 was then shown to affect tumor immune infiltration, the expression of immune checkpoint molecules, and the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy. As a result, here we suggest a smoking-regulated mir301a/IRF1 molecular axis that could modulate the antitumor immune response and immunotherapy efficacy in LUSC, opening up novel opportunities for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina M Perevalova
- Zelman Institute for the Medicine and Psychology, Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova Street, 1, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, 630117 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Vladislav V Kononchuk
- Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, 630117 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Tatiana S Kalinina
- Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, 630117 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Vadim V Kozlov
- Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, 630117 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Novosibirsk Regional Oncology Center, 630108 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Lyudmila F Gulyaeva
- Zelman Institute for the Medicine and Psychology, Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova Street, 1, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, 630117 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Vladimir O Pustylnyak
- Zelman Institute for the Medicine and Psychology, Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova Street, 1, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, 630117 Novosibirsk, Russia
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2
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Kumarasamy V, Wang J, Frangou C, Wan Y, Dynka A, Rosenheck H, Dey P, Abel EV, Knudsen ES, Witkiewicz AK. The Extracellular Niche and Tumor Microenvironment Enhance KRAS Inhibitor Efficacy in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1115-1132. [PMID: 38294344 PMCID: PMC10982648 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-2504] [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: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease that lacks effective treatment options, highlighting the need for developing new therapeutic interventions. Here, we assessed the response to pharmacologic inhibition of KRAS, the central oncogenic driver of PDAC. In a panel of PDAC cell lines, inhibition of KRASG12D with MRTX1133 yielded variable efficacy in suppressing cell growth and downstream gene expression programs in 2D cultures. On the basis of CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screens, ITGB1 was identified as a target to enhance the therapeutic response to MRTX1133 by regulating mechanotransduction signaling and YAP/TAZ expression, which was confirmed by gene-specific knockdown and combinatorial drug synergy. Interestingly, MRTX1133 was considerably more efficacious in 3D cell cultures. Moreover, MRTX1133 elicited a pronounced cytostatic effect in vivo and controlled tumor growth in PDAC patient-derived xenografts. In syngeneic models, KRASG12D inhibition led to tumor regression that did not occur in immune-deficient hosts. Digital spatial profiling on tumor tissues indicated that MRTX1133-mediated KRAS inhibition enhanced IFNγ signaling and induced antigen presentation that modulated the tumor microenvironment. Further investigation of the immunologic response using single-cell sequencing and multispectral imaging revealed that tumor regression was associated with suppression of neutrophils and influx of effector CD8+ T cells. Together, these findings demonstrate that both tumor cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic events contribute to response to MRTX1133 and credential KRASG12D inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy for a large percentage of patients with PDAC. SIGNIFICANCE Pharmacologic inhibition of KRAS elicits varied responses in pancreatic cancer 2D cell lines, 3D organoid cultures, and xenografts, underscoring the importance of mechanotransduction and the tumor microenvironment in regulating therapeutic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishnu Kumarasamy
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Jianxin Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Costakis Frangou
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Yin Wan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Andrew Dynka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Hanna Rosenheck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Prasenjit Dey
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Ethan V. Abel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Erik S. Knudsen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Agnieszka K. Witkiewicz
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
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3
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Schenkel JM, Pauken KE. Localization, tissue biology and T cell state - implications for cancer immunotherapy. Nat Rev Immunol 2023; 23:807-823. [PMID: 37253877 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-023-00884-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Tissue localization is a critical determinant of T cell immunity. CD8+ T cells are contact-dependent killers, which requires them to physically be within the tissue of interest to kill peptide-MHC class I-bearing target cells. Following their migration and extravasation into tissues, T cells receive many extrinsic cues from the local microenvironment, and these signals shape T cell differentiation, fate and function. Because major organ systems are variable in their functions and compositions, they apply disparate pressures on T cells to adapt to the local microenvironment. Additional complexity arises in the context of malignant lesions (either primary or metastatic), and this has made understanding the factors that dictate T cell function and longevity in tumours challenging. Moreover, T cell differentiation state influences how cues from the microenvironment are interpreted by tissue-infiltrating T cells, highlighting the importance of T cell state in the context of tissue biology. Here, we review the intertwined nature of T cell differentiation state, location, survival and function, and explain how dysfunctional T cell populations can adopt features of tissue-resident memory T cells to persist in tumours. Finally, we discuss how these factors have shaped responses to cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason M Schenkel
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Kristen E Pauken
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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4
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Malyshkina A, Brüggemann A, Paschen A, Dittmer U. Cytotoxic CD4 + T cells in chronic viral infections and cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1271236. [PMID: 37965314 PMCID: PMC10642198 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1271236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells play an important role in immune responses against pathogens and cancer cells. Although their main task is to provide help to other effector immune cells, a growing number of infections and cancer entities have been described in which CD4+ T cells exhibit direct effector functions against infected or transformed cells. The most important cell type in this context are cytotoxic CD4+ T cells (CD4+ CTL). In infectious diseases anti-viral CD4+ CTL are mainly found in chronic viral infections. Here, they often compensate for incomplete or exhausted CD8+ CTL responses. The induction of CD4+ CTL is counter-regulated by Tregs, most likely because they can be dangerous inducers of immunopathology. In viral infections, CD4+ CTL often kill via the Fas/FasL pathway, but they can also facilitate the exocytosis pathway of killing. Thus, they are very important effectors to keep persistent virus in check and guarantee host survival. In contrast to viral infections CD4+ CTL attracted attention as direct anti-tumor effectors in solid cancers only recently. Anti-tumor CD4+ CTL are defined by the expression of cytolytic markers and have been detected within the lymphocyte infiltrates of different human cancers. They kill tumor cells in an antigen-specific MHC class II-restricted manner not only by cytolysis but also by release of IFNγ. Thus, CD4+ CTL are interesting tools for cure approaches in chronic viral infections and cancer, but their potential to induce immunopathology has to be carefully taken into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Malyshkina
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alicia Brüggemann
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Annette Paschen
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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5
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Luo H, Wang W, Mai J, Yin R, Cai X, Li Q. The nexus of dynamic T cell states and immune checkpoint blockade therapy in the periphery and tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1267918. [PMID: 37881432 PMCID: PMC10597640 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1267918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies, that is, using monoclonal antibodies to reinvigorate tumor-reactive, antigen-specific T cells from the inhibitory effects of CTLA-4, PD-1 and PD-L1 immune checkpoints, have revolutionized the therapeutic landscape of modern oncology. However, only a subset of patients can benefit from the ICB therapy. Biomarkers associated with ICB response, resistance and prognosis have been subjected to intensive research in the past decade. Early studies focused on the analysis of tumor specimens and their residing microenvironment. However, biopsies can be challenging to obtain in clinical practice, and do not reflect the dynamic changes of immunological parameters during the ICB therapy. Recent studies have investigated profiles of antigen-specific T cells derived from the peripheral compartment using multi-omics approaches. By tracking the clonotype and diversity of tumor-reactive T cell receptor repertoire, these studies collectively establish that de novo priming of antigen-specific T cells in peripheral blood occurs throughout the course of ICB, whereas preexisting T cells prior to ICB are exhausted to various degrees. Here, we review what is known about ICB-induced T cell phenotypic and functional changes in cancer patients both within the tumor microenvironment and in the peripheral compartment. A better understanding of parameters influencing the response to ICBs will provide rationales for developing novel diagnostics and combinatorial therapeutic strategies to maximize the clinical efficacies of ICB therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Luo
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Laboratory Medicine and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wenxiang Wang
- Xinxiang Central Hospital, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Jia Mai
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Laboratory Medicine and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rutie Yin
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Laboratory Medicine and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xuyu Cai
- Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qintong Li
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Laboratory Medicine and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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6
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Mellman I, Chen DS, Powles T, Turley SJ. The cancer-immunity cycle: Indication, genotype, and immunotype. Immunity 2023; 56:2188-2205. [PMID: 37820582 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The cancer-immunity cycle provides a framework to understand the series of events that generate anti-cancer immune responses. It emphasizes the iterative nature of the response where the killing of tumor cells by T cells initiates subsequent rounds of antigen presentation and T cell stimulation, maintaining active immunity and adapting it to tumor evolution. Any step of the cycle can become rate-limiting, rendering the immune system unable to control tumor growth. Here, we update the cancer-immunity cycle based on the remarkable progress of the past decade. Understanding the mechanism of checkpoint inhibition has evolved, as has our view of dendritic cells in sustaining anti-tumor immunity. We additionally account for the role of the tumor microenvironment in facilitating, not just suppressing, the anti-cancer response, and discuss the importance of considering a tumor's immunological phenotype, the "immunotype". While these new insights add some complexity to the cycle, they also provide new targets for research and therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel S Chen
- Engenuity Life Sciences, Burlingame, CA, USA; Synthetic Design Lab, Burlingame, CA, USA
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7
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Han J, Wu M, Liu Z. Dysregulation in IFN-γ signaling and response: the barricade to tumor immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1190333. [PMID: 37275859 PMCID: PMC10233742 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1190333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) has been identified as a crucial factor in determining the responsiveness to immunotherapy. Produced primarily by natural killer (NK) and T cells, IFN-γ promotes activation, maturation, proliferation, cytokine expression, and effector function in immune cells, while simultaneously inducing antigen presentation, growth arrest, and apoptosis in tumor cells. However, tumor cells can hijack the IFN-γ signaling pathway to mount IFN-γ resistance: rather than increasing antigenicity and succumbing to death, tumor cells acquire stemness characteristics and express immunosuppressive molecules to defend against antitumor immunity. In this review, we summarize the potential mechanisms of IFN-γ resistance occurring at two critical stages: disrupted signal transduction along the IFNG/IFNGR/JAK/STAT pathway, or preferential expression of specific interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Elucidating the molecular mechanisms through which tumor cells develop IFN-γ resistance help identify promising therapeutic targets to improve immunotherapy, with broad application value in conjugation with targeted, antibody or cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiashu Han
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (CAMS), Beijing, China
| | - Mengwei Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (CAMS), Beijing, China
| | - Ziwen Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (CAMS), Beijing, China
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8
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Zhang T, Forde PM, Sullivan RJ, Sharon E, Barksdale E, Selig W, Ebbinghaus S, Fusaro G, Gunenc D, Battle D, Burns R, Hurlbert MS, Stewart M, Atkins MB. Addressing resistance to PD-1/PD-(L)1 pathway inhibition: considerations for combinatorial clinical trial designs. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-006555. [PMID: 37137552 PMCID: PMC10163527 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
With multiple PD-(L)1 inhibitors approved across dozens of indications by the US Food and Drug Administration, the number of patients exposed to these agents in adjuvant, first-line metastatic, second-line metastatic, and refractory treatment settings is increasing rapidly. Although some patients will experience durable benefit, many have either no clinical response or see their disease progress following an initial response to therapy. There is a significant need to identify therapeutic approaches to overcome resistance and confer clinical benefits for these patients. PD-1 pathway blockade has the longest history of use in melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Therefore, these settings also have the most extensive clinical experience with resistance. In 2021, six non-profit organizations representing patients with these diseases undertook a year-long effort, culminating in a 2-day workshop (including academic, industry, and regulatory participants) to understand the challenges associated with developing effective therapies for patients previously exposed to anti-PD-(L)1 agents and outline recommendations for designing clinical trials in this setting. This manuscript presents key discussion themes and positions reached through this effort, with a specific focus on the topics of eligibility criteria, comparators, and endpoints, as well as tumor-specific trial design options for combination therapies designed to treat patients with melanoma, NSCLC, or RCC after prior PD-(L)1 pathway blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, UT Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Patrick M Forde
- Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ryan J Sullivan
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elad Sharon
- Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | - Gina Fusaro
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Co Summit, Summit, New Jersey, USA
| | - Damla Gunenc
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, UT Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Dena Battle
- Kidney Cancer Research Alliance, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
| | - Robyn Burns
- Melanoma Research Foundation, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Marc S Hurlbert
- Melanoma Research Alliance, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Mark Stewart
- Friends of Cancer Research, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Michael B Atkins
- Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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9
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Kumarasamy V, Frangou C, Wang J, Wan Y, Dynka A, Rosenheck H, Dey P, Abel EV, Knudsen ES, Witkiewicz AK. Pharmacologically targeting KRAS G12D in PDAC models: tumor cell intrinsic and extrinsic impact. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.18.533261. [PMID: 37162905 PMCID: PMC10168422 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.18.533261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease for which new therapeutic interventions are needed. Here we assessed the cellular response to pharmacological KRAS inhibition, which target the central oncogenic factor in PDAC. In a panel of PDAC cell lines, pharmaceutical inhibition of KRAS G12D allele, with MRTX1133 yields variable efficacy in the suppression of cell growth and downstream gene expression programs in 2D culture. CRISPR screens identify new drivers for enhanced therapeutic response that regulate focal adhesion and signaling cascades, which were confirmed by gene specific knockdowns and combinatorial drug synergy. Interestingly, MRTX1133 is considerably more efficacious in the context of 3D cell cultures and in vivo PDAC patient-derived xenografts. In syngeneic models, KRAS G12D inhibition elicits potent tumor regression that did not occur in immune-deficient hosts. Digital spatial profiling on tumor tissues indicates that MRTX1133 activates interferon-γ signaling and induces antigen presentation that modulate the tumor microenvironment. Further investigation on the immunological response using single cell sequencing and multispectral imaging reveals that tumor regression is associated with suppression of neutrophils and influx of effector CD8 + T-cells. Thus, both tumor cell intrinsic and extrinsic events contribute to response and credential KRAS G12D inhibition as promising strategy for a large percentage of PDAC tumors.
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10
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Olivera I, Bolaños E, Gonzalez-Gomariz J, Hervas-Stubbs S, Mariño KV, Luri-Rey C, Etxeberria I, Cirella A, Egea J, Glez-Vaz J, Garasa S, Alvarez M, Eguren-Santamaria I, Guedan S, Sanmamed MF, Berraondo P, Rabinovich GA, Teijeira A, Melero I. mRNAs encoding IL-12 and a decoy-resistant variant of IL-18 synergize to engineer T cells for efficacious intratumoral adoptive immunotherapy. Cell Rep Med 2023:100978. [PMID: 36933554 PMCID: PMC10040457 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.100978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) gene transfer enhances the therapeutic potency of adoptive T cell therapies. We previously reported that transient engineering of tumor-specific CD8 T cells with IL-12 mRNA enhanced their systemic therapeutic efficacy when delivered intratumorally. Here, we mix T cells engineered with mRNAs to express either single-chain IL-12 (scIL-12) or an IL-18 decoy-resistant variant (DRIL18) that is not functionally hampered by IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP). These mRNA-engineered T cell mixtures are repeatedly injected into mouse tumors. Pmel-1 T cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic T cells electroporated with scIL-12 or DRIL18 mRNAs exert powerful therapeutic effects in local and distant melanoma lesions. These effects are associated with T cell metabolic fitness, enhanced miR-155 control on immunosuppressive target genes, enhanced expression of various cytokines, and changes in the glycosylation profile of surface proteins, enabling adhesiveness to E-selectin. Efficacy of this intratumoral immunotherapeutic strategy is recapitulated in cultures of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells on IL-12 and DRIL18 mRNA electroporation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Olivera
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Elixabet Bolaños
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jose Gonzalez-Gomariz
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sandra Hervas-Stubbs
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karina V Mariño
- Laboratorio de Glicómica Funcional y Molecular, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad de Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
| | - Carlos Luri-Rey
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iñaki Etxeberria
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Assunta Cirella
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Josune Egea
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Javier Glez-Vaz
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Saray Garasa
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maite Alvarez
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Iñaki Eguren-Santamaria
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sonia Guedan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Clinic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi iSunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel F Sanmamed
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gabriel A Rabinovich
- Laboratorio de Glicomedicina, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad de Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad de Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
| | - Alvaro Teijeira
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain; Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
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Cui Z, Wang S, Hao Y, Chen Y. Higher serum β2-microglobulin is a predictive biomarker for cognitive impairment in spinal cord injury. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15372. [PMID: 37193029 PMCID: PMC10183166 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15372] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Recent studies have suggested that high levels of β2-microglobulin are linked to cognitive deterioration; however, it is unclear how this connects to spinal cord injury (SCI). This study sought to determine whether there was any association between cognitive decline and serum β2-microglobulin levels in patients with SCI. Methods A total of 96 patients with SCI and 56 healthy volunteers were enrolled as study participants. At the time of enrollment, specific baseline data including age, gender, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), smoking, and alcohol use were recorded. Each participant was assessed by a qualified physician using the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scale. Serum β2-microglobulin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reagent for β2-microglobulin. Results A total of 152 participants were enrolled, with 56 in the control group and 96 in the SCI group. There were no significant baseline data differences between the two groups (p > 0.05). The control group had a MoCA score of 27.4 ± 1.1 and the SCI group had a score of 24.3 ± 1.5, with the difference being significant (p < 0.05). The serum ELISA results revealed that the levels of β2-microglobulin in the SCI group were considerably higher (p < 0.05) than those in the control group (2.08 ± 0.17 g/mL compared to 1.57 ± 0.11 g/mL). The serum β2-microglobulin level was used to categorize the patients with SCI into four groups. As serum β2-microglobulin levels increased, the MoCA score reduced (p < 0.05). After adjustment of baseline data, further regression analysis showed that serum β2-microglobulin level remained an independent risk factor for post-SCI cognitive impairment. Conclusions Patients with SCI had higher serum levels of β2-microglobulin, which may be a biomarker for cognitive decline following SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghao Cui
- Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Bone Biomechanics Engineering Laboratory of Shandong Province, Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Center (School of Biomedical Sciences), Neck-Shoulder and Lumbocrural Pain Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Shandong University of TCM, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yanke Hao
- Orthopedics Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of TCM, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yuanzhen Chen
- Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Bone Biomechanics Engineering Laboratory of Shandong Province, Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Center (School of Biomedical Sciences), Neck-Shoulder and Lumbocrural Pain Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
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12
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Wang X, Yang X, Wang Y, Chen Y, Yang Y, Shang S, Wang W, Wang Y. Combination of Expanded Allogeneic NK Cells and T Cell-Based Immunotherapy Exert Enhanced Antitumor Effects. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010251. [PMID: 36612246 PMCID: PMC9818244 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010251] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies based on immune checkpoint blockade, neoantigen-reactive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and T cell receptor-engineered T cells (TCR-T) have achieved favorable clinical outcomes in tumor treatment. However, sustained immune response and tumor regression have been observed only in a few patients due to immune escape. Natural killer (NK) cells can mediate direct tumor lysis and target cancer cells with low or no expression of human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I) that are no longer recognized by T cells during immune escape. Therefore, the combination of T cell-based immunotherapy and NK cell therapy is a promising strategy for improving antitumor response and response rate. However, allogeneic NK cells for adoptive cell therapy have been limited by both the required cell number and quality. Here, we developed an efficient manufacturing system that relies on genetically modified K562 cells for the expansion of high-quality NK cells derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. NK cells with the optimal expansion and activity were identified by comparing the different culture systems. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the cooperation of NK cells with tumor-reactive T cells or with NY-ESO-1-specific TCR-T cells further enhanced tumors lysis, especially against tumors with downregulated HLA-I expression. The advantages of HLA-mismatch and non-rejection by other allogeneic immune cells demonstrated the potential of "off-the-shelf" NK cells with the capacity to target tumors for immunotherapy. Our results indicate that the combination strategy based on T cell and allogeneic NK cell immunotherapy might have potential for overcoming the barrier of immune incompetence caused by HLA-I downregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xuejiao Yang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yueping Wang
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yunshuo Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Siqi Shang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Wenbo Wang
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
- LeaLing Biopharma Company, Ltd., Suzhou 215000, China
- Correspondence: (W.W.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yueying Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
- Correspondence: (W.W.); (Y.W.)
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Punekar SR, Weber JS. Intratumoral Therapy to Make a "Cold" Tumor "Hot": The Jury Is Still Out. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:5007-5009. [PMID: 36161479 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-2427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Tilsotolimod, an oligodeoxynucleotide TLR9 agonist, administered intratumorally, has been clinically evaluated. This compound has demonstrated the ability to induce changes within the tumor microenvironment, to convert noninflamed cold tumors into inflamed hot tumors, with the hope that these tumors will be more responsive to immune checkpoint blockade. See related article by Babiker et al., p. 5079.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salman R Punekar
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Jeffrey S Weber
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
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Patterson A, Auslander N. Mutated processes predict immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy benefit in metastatic melanoma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5151. [PMID: 36123351 PMCID: PMC9485158 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32838-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI) therapy has revolutionized treatment for advanced melanoma; however, only a subset of patients benefit from this treatment. Despite considerable efforts, the Tumor Mutation Burden (TMB) is the only FDA-approved biomarker in melanoma. However, the mechanisms underlying TMB association with prolonged ICI survival are not entirely understood and may depend on numerous confounding factors. To identify more interpretable ICI response biomarkers based on tumor mutations, we train classifiers using mutations within distinct biological processes. We evaluate a variety of feature selection and classification methods and identify key mutated biological processes that provide improved predictive capability compared to the TMB. The top mutated processes we identify are leukocyte and T-cell proliferation regulation, which demonstrate stable predictive performance across different data cohorts of melanoma patients treated with ICI. This study provides biologically interpretable genomic predictors of ICI response with substantially improved predictive performance over the TMB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Patterson
- Genomics and Computational Biology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania - Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Noam Auslander
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Thier B, Zhao F, Stupia S, Brüggemann A, Koch J, Schulze N, Horn S, Coch C, Hartmann G, Sucker A, Schadendorf D, Paschen A. Innate immune receptor signaling induces transient melanoma dedifferentiation while preserving immunogenicity. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-003863. [PMID: 35697379 PMCID: PMC9196182 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immune-stimulatory agents, like agonists of the innate immune receptor RIG-I, are currently tested in clinical trials as an intratumoral treatment option for patients with unresectable melanoma, aiming to enhance anti-tumor T cell responses. Switching of melanoma toward a dedifferentiated cell state has recently been linked to T cell and therapy resistance. It remains to be determined whether RIG-I agonists affect melanoma differentiation, potentially leading to T cell resistance. Methods Patient metastases-derived melanoma cell lines were treated with the synthetic RIG-I agonist 3pRNA, and effects on tumor cell survival, phenotype and differentiation were determined. Transcriptomic data sets from cell lines and metastases were analyzed for associations between RIG-I (DDX58) and melanoma differentiation markers and used to define signaling pathways involved in RIG-I-driven dedifferentiation. The impact of 3pRNA-induced melanoma dedifferentiation on CD8 T cell activation was studied in autologous tumor T cell models. Results RIG-I activation by 3pRNA induced apoptosis in a subpopulation of melanoma cells, while the majority of tumor cells switched into a non-proliferative cell state. Those persisters displayed a dedifferentiated cell phenotype, marked by downregulation of the melanocytic lineage transcription factor MITF and its target genes, including melanoma differentiation antigens (MDA). Transition into the MITFlow/MDAlow cell state was JAK-dependent, with some cells acquiring nerve growth factor receptor expression. MITFlow/MDAlow persisters switched back to the proliferative differentiated cell state when RIG-I signaling declined. Consistent with our in vitro findings, an association between melanoma dedifferentiation and high RIG-I (DDX58) levels was detected in transcriptomic data from patient metastases. Notably, despite their dedifferentiated cell phenotype, 3pRNA-induced MITFlow/MDAlow persisters were still efficiently targeted by autologous CD8 tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs). Conclusions Our results demonstrate that RIG-I signaling in melanoma cells drives a transient phenotypic switch toward a non-proliferative dedifferentiated persister cell state. Despite their dedifferentiation, those persisters are highly immunogenic and sensitive toward autologous TILs, challenging the concept of melanoma dedifferentiation as a general indicator of T cell resistance. In sum, our findings support the application of RIG-I agonists as a therapeutic tool for the generation of long-term clinical benefit in non-resectable melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Thier
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen/Düsseldorf, Essen, Germany
| | - Fang Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen/Düsseldorf, Essen, Germany
| | - Simone Stupia
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen/Düsseldorf, Essen, Germany
| | - Alicia Brüggemann
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen/Düsseldorf, Essen, Germany
| | - Johannes Koch
- Imaging Center Campus Essen, Center of Medical Biotechnology (ZMB), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Nina Schulze
- Imaging Center Campus Essen, Center of Medical Biotechnology (ZMB), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Susanne Horn
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christoph Coch
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Nextevidence GmbH, Grünwald, Germany
| | - Gunther Hartmann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Antje Sucker
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen/Düsseldorf, Essen, Germany
| | - Dirk Schadendorf
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen/Düsseldorf, Essen, Germany
| | - Annette Paschen
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen/Düsseldorf, Essen, Germany
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