1
|
Pathania AS. Immune Microenvironment in Childhood Cancers: Characteristics and Therapeutic Challenges. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2201. [PMID: 38927907 PMCID: PMC11201451 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment is pivotal in cancer initiation, advancement, and regulation. Its molecular and cellular composition is critical throughout the disease, as it can influence the balance between suppressive and cytotoxic immune responses within the tumor's vicinity. Studies on the tumor immune microenvironment have enriched our understanding of the intricate interplay between tumors and their immunological surroundings in various human cancers. These studies illuminate the role of significant components of the immune microenvironment, which have not been extensively explored in pediatric tumors before and may influence the responsiveness or resistance to therapeutic agents. Our deepening understanding of the pediatric tumor immune microenvironment is helping to overcome challenges related to the effectiveness of existing therapeutic strategies, including immunotherapies. Although in the early stages, targeted therapies that modulate the tumor immune microenvironment of pediatric solid tumors hold promise for improved outcomes. Focusing on various aspects of tumor immune biology in pediatric patients presents a therapeutic opportunity that could improve treatment outcomes. This review offers a comprehensive examination of recent literature concerning profiling the immune microenvironment in various pediatric tumors. It seeks to condense research findings on characterizing the immune microenvironment in pediatric tumors and its impact on tumor development, metastasis, and response to therapeutic modalities. It covers the immune microenvironment's role in tumor development, interactions with tumor cells, and its impact on the tumor's response to immunotherapy. The review also discusses challenges targeting the immune microenvironment for pediatric cancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anup Singh Pathania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Characterization of the Tumor Microenvironment in Jaw Osteosarcomas, towards Prognostic Markers and New Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041004. [PMID: 36831348 PMCID: PMC9954580 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background-The purpose of this study was to investigate the bone resorption, as well as the vascular and immune microenvironment, of jaw osteosarcomas (JO) and to correlate these features with patient clinical outcomes. Methods-We studied 50 JO biopsy samples by immunohistochemical analysis of tissue microarrays (TMAs). We investigated the bone remodeling markers RANK/RANKL/OPG, the endothelial glycoprotein CD146, and biomarkers of the immune environment (CD163 and CD68 of macrophages, CD4+ and CD8+ of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and an immune checkpoint PD-1/PD-L1). The biomarkers were analyzed for their influence on progression (recurrence and metastasis), overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Results-A strong and significant correlation has been found between CD163 staining and lower OS and DFS. The level of CD4+ and CD8+ staining was low and non-significantly associated with survival outcomes. High levels of RANK and RANKL were found in the tumor samples and correlated with lower DFS. Conclusion-Our findings suggest that CD163+ TAMs represent markers of poor prognosis in JO. Targeting TAMs could represent a valuable therapeutic strategy in JO.
Collapse
|
3
|
Xu L, Li L, Pan C, Song J, Zhang C, Wu X, Hu F, Liu X, Zhang Z, Zhang Z. Erythropoietin signaling in peripheral macrophages is required for systemic β-amyloid clearance. EMBO J 2022; 41:e111038. [PMID: 36215698 PMCID: PMC9670197 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022111038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Impaired clearance of beta-amyloid (Aβ) is a primary cause of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ clearance in the periphery contributes to reducing brain Aβ levels and preventing Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. We show here that erythropoietin (EPO) increases phagocytic activity, levels of Aβ-degrading enzymes, and Aβ clearance in peripheral macrophages via PPARγ. Erythropoietin is also shown to suppress Aβ-induced inflammatory responses. Deletion of EPO receptor in peripheral macrophages leads to increased peripheral and brain Aβ levels and exacerbates Alzheimer's-associated brain pathologies and behavioral deficits in AD-model mice. Moreover, erythropoietin signaling is impaired in peripheral macrophages of old AD-model mice. Exogenous erythropoietin normalizes impaired EPO signaling and dysregulated functions of peripheral macrophages in old AD-model mice, promotes systemic Aβ clearance, and alleviates disease progression. Erythropoietin treatment may represent a potential therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Xu
- School of Basic Medical SciencesNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of Ministry of HealthNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Department of Neurology, Sir Run Run HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Lei Li
- School of Basic Medical SciencesNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Cai‐Long Pan
- School of Basic Medical SciencesNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of Ministry of HealthNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jing‐Jing Song
- School of Basic Medical SciencesNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Chen‐Yang Zhang
- School of Basic Medical SciencesNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiang‐Hui Wu
- School of Basic Medical SciencesNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Fan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xue Liu
- School of Basic Medical SciencesNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhiren Zhang
- Institute of ImmunologyArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Zhi‐Yuan Zhang
- School of Basic Medical SciencesNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of Ministry of HealthNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Department of Neurology, Sir Run Run HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu ProvinceNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vignjević Petrinović S, Jauković A, Milošević M, Bugarski D, Budeč M. Targeting Stress Erythropoiesis Pathways in Cancer. Front Physiol 2022; 13:844042. [PMID: 35694408 PMCID: PMC9174937 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.844042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-related anemia (CRA) is a common multifactorial disorder that adversely affects the quality of life and overall prognosis in patients with cancer. Safety concerns associated with the most common CRA treatment options, including intravenous iron therapy and erythropoietic-stimulating agents, have often resulted in no or suboptimal anemia management for many cancer patients. Chronic anemia creates a vital need to restore normal erythropoietic output and therefore activates the mechanisms of stress erythropoiesis (SE). A growing body of evidence demonstrates that bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) signaling, along with glucocorticoids, erythropoietin, stem cell factor, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and hypoxia-inducible factors, plays a pivotal role in SE. Nevertheless, a chronic state of SE may lead to ineffective erythropoiesis, characterized by the expansion of erythroid progenitor pool, that largely fails to differentiate and give rise to mature red blood cells, further aggravating CRA. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge on the emerging roles for stress erythroid progenitors and activated SE pathways in tumor progression, highlighting the urgent need to suppress ineffective erythropoiesis in cancer patients and develop an optimal treatment strategy as well as a personalized approach to CRA management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Vignjević Petrinović
- Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Jauković
- Laboratory for Experimental Hematology and Stem Cells, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Maja Milošević
- Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Diana Bugarski
- Laboratory for Experimental Hematology and Stem Cells, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mirela Budeč
- Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang YZ, Zeb A, Cheng LF. Exploring the molecular mechanism of hepatitis virus inducing hepatocellular carcinoma by microarray data and immune infiltrates analysis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1032819. [PMID: 36439183 PMCID: PMC9697180 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1032819] [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: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of new cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide reached 910,000, ranking the sixth, 80% HCC is associated with viruses, so exploring the molecular mechanism of viral carcinogenicity is imperative. The study showed that both HBV and HCV associated HCC and non-viral HCC have the same molecular phenotype (low gene expression and inhibition of immune pathways), but in the tumor immune micro-environment, there is excessive M2-type macrophage polarization in virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. To address this phenomenon, the data sets were analyzed and identified five hub genes (POLR2A, POLR2B, RPL5, RPS6, RPL23A) involved in viral gene expression and associated with PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway activation by six algorithms. In addition, numerous studies have reported that M2-type macrophages participate in the hepatic fibro-pathological process of the development of HCC and are regulated by the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway. On this basis, the study showed that hepatitis virus causes abnormal expression of hub genes, leading to the activation of the pathway, which in turn promote the differentiation of M2-type macrophages and eventually promote the formation of liver fibrosis, leading to the occurrence of HCC. In addition, these hub genes are regulated by transcription factors and m6A enzyme, and have good prognosis and diagnostic value. With regard to drug reuse, the results suggest that patients with virus-related HCC for whom Cytidine triphosphate disodium salt and Guanosine-5'-Triphosphate are used as supplementary therapy, and may have a better prognosis. In conclusion, the study has identified novel molecules that are carcinogenic to hepatitis viruses and are expected to serve as molecular markers and targets for diagnosis and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Zheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Amir Zeb
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Lu-Feng Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Huang Q, Liang X, Ren T, Huang Y, Zhang H, Yu Y, Chen C, Wang W, Niu J, Lou J, Guo W. The role of tumor-associated macrophages in osteosarcoma progression - therapeutic implications. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2021; 44:525-539. [PMID: 33788151 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-021-00598-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant bone tumor. Compared with previous treatment modalities, such as amputation, more recent comprehensive treatment modalities based on neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with limb salvage surgery have improved the survival rates of patients. Osteosarcoma treatment has, however, not further improved in recent years. Therefore, attention has shifted to the tumor microenvironment (TME) in which osteosarcoma cells are embedded. Therapeutic targets in the TME may be key to improving osteosarcoma treatment. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most common immune cells within the TME. TAMs in osteosarcoma may account for over 50% of the immune cells, and may play important roles in tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, immunosuppression, drug resistance and metastasis. Knowledge on the role of TAMs in the development, progression and treatment of osteosarcoma is gradually improving, although different or even opposing opinions still remain. CONCLUSIONS TAMs may participate in the malignant progression of osteosarcoma through self-polarization, the promotion of blood vessel and lymphatic vessel formation, immunosuppression, and drug resistance. Besides, various immune checkpoint proteins expressed on the surface of TAMs, such as PD-1 and CD47, provide the possibility of the application of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Several clinical trials have been carried out and/or are in progress. Mifamotide and the immune checkpoint inhibitor Camrelizumab were both found to be effective in prolonging progression-free survival. Thus, TAMs may serve as attractive therapeutic targets. Targeting TAMs as a complementary therapy is expected to improve the prognosis of osteosarcoma. Further efforts may be made to identify potential beneficiaries of TAM-targeted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingshan Huang
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Liang
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Ren
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
| | - Hongliang Zhang
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
| | - Yiyang Yu
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
| | - Chenglong Chen
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
| | - Jianfang Niu
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
| | - Jingbing Lou
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China. .,Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|