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Zhang Y, Xie J, Wu H, Huang J, Zheng D, Wang S, Jia X, He Z, Gong Y, Ju L, Sun Q. NK cell based immunotherapy against oral squamous cell carcinoma. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1440764. [PMID: 39192980 PMCID: PMC11347299 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1440764] [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: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a major subtype of head and neck cancers, presents significant challenges due to its aggressive feature and limited therapeutic efficacy of conventional treatments. In response to these challenges, Natural Killer (NK) cells, a vital component of the innate immune system, are being explored for their therapeutic potential in OSCC due to their inherent ability to target and eliminate cancer cells without prior sensitization. This review uniquely focuses on the evolving role of NK cells specifically in OSCC, incorporating recent advancements in CAR-NK cell engineering and personalized therapy approaches that have not been comprehensively covered in previous reviews. The mechanisms through which NK cells exert cytotoxic effects on tumor cells include direct killing through the engagement of natural cytotoxic receptors and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), making them promising agents in cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, the article explores recent advancements in engineering NK cells to enhance their antitumor activity, such as the modification with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to target specific tumor antigens. Clinical implications of NK cell-based therapies, including the challenges of integrating these treatments with existing protocols and the potential for personalized therapy, are examined. The review highlights the promise of NK cell therapies in improving outcomes for OSCC patients and outlines future directions for research in this dynamic field of oncological immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jianming Xie
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Anyuan People’s hospital, Ganzhou, China
| | - Haoran Wu
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinhui Huang
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Danna Zheng
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shaotong Wang
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueqiang Jia
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zongzhong He
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Gong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Linling Ju
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Qiurong Sun
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
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2
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Fiorin A, López Pablo C, Lejeune M, Hamza Siraj A, Della Mea V. Enhancing AI Research for Breast Cancer: A Comprehensive Review of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte Datasets. JOURNAL OF IMAGING INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE 2024:10.1007/s10278-024-01043-8. [PMID: 38806950 DOI: 10.1007/s10278-024-01043-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
The field of immunology is fundamental to our understanding of the intricate dynamics of the tumor microenvironment. In particular, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) assessment emerges as essential aspect in breast cancer cases. To gain comprehensive insights, the quantification of TILs through computer-assisted pathology (CAP) tools has become a prominent approach, employing advanced artificial intelligence models based on deep learning techniques. The successful recognition of TILs requires the models to be trained, a process that demands access to annotated datasets. Unfortunately, this task is hampered not only by the scarcity of such datasets, but also by the time-consuming nature of the annotation phase required to create them. Our review endeavors to examine publicly accessible datasets pertaining to the TIL domain and thereby become a valuable resource for the TIL community. The overall aim of the present review is thus to make it easier to train and validate current and upcoming CAP tools for TIL assessment by inspecting and evaluating existing publicly available online datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Fiorin
- Oncological Pathology and Bioinformatics Research Group, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), C/Esplanetes no 14, 43500, Tortosa, Spain.
- Department of Pathology, Hospital de Tortosa Verge de la Cinta (HTVC), Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), C/Esplanetes no 14, 43500, Tortosa, Spain.
- Department of Computer Engineering and Mathematics, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Tarragona, Spain.
| | - Carlos López Pablo
- Oncological Pathology and Bioinformatics Research Group, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), C/Esplanetes no 14, 43500, Tortosa, Spain.
- Department of Pathology, Hospital de Tortosa Verge de la Cinta (HTVC), Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), C/Esplanetes no 14, 43500, Tortosa, Spain.
- Department of Computer Engineering and Mathematics, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Tarragona, Spain.
| | - Marylène Lejeune
- Oncological Pathology and Bioinformatics Research Group, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), C/Esplanetes no 14, 43500, Tortosa, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Hospital de Tortosa Verge de la Cinta (HTVC), Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), C/Esplanetes no 14, 43500, Tortosa, Spain
- Department of Computer Engineering and Mathematics, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Tarragona, Spain
| | - Ameer Hamza Siraj
- Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Della Mea
- Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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Zhang Q, Wang J, Zhang J, Wang Y, Wang Y, Liu F. Cancer-associated fibroblasts-induced remodeling of tumor immune microenvironment via Jagged1 in glioma. Cell Signal 2024; 115:111016. [PMID: 38128708 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.111016] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Tumor immunosuppression are prominent characteristics of brain glioma. Current standard modality including surgical resection and chemoradiotherapy do not significantly improve clinical outcomes. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that regard as important stromal cells in tumor microenvironment have been confirmed to play crucial roles in tumor development. However, the effects of CAFs on tumor immunosuppression in glioma are not well expounded. In this study, we report that CAFs contributes to the formation of glioma immunosuppressive microenvironment. Specifically, we found that glioma-derived Jagged1 enhanced the proliferation and PD-L1 expression of CAFs in vitro. Importantly, we discovered that Notch1, c-Myc and PD-L1 expression were significantly increased in high Jagged1-expressing gliomas, moreover, we further confirmed that Notch1 and PD-L1 expression located on the CAFs in glioma tissues. We also found that glioma-derived Jagged1 promotes the increase of tumor-infiltrating macrophages, M2 macrophages and Foxp3 Treg cells, as well as no significance of M1 macrophages and CD8+ T cells, indicating potential immunosuppression. This study opens up novel therapeutic strategies reversing CAF immunosuppression for gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China; Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China
| | - Jialin Wang
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing 100070, China
| | - Junwen Zhang
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing 100070, China
| | - Youwen Wang
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing 100070, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.
| | - Fusheng Liu
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing 100070, China.
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4
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Zheng J, Hao H. The importance of cancer-associated fibroblasts in targeted therapies and drug resistance in breast cancer. Front Oncol 2024; 13:1333839. [PMID: 38273859 PMCID: PMC10810416 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1333839] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a substantial role in the tumor microenvironment, exhibiting a strong association with the advancement of various types of cancer, including breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. CAFs represent the most abundant mesenchymal cell population in breast cancer. Through diverse mechanisms, including the release of cytokines and exosomes, CAFs contribute to the progression of breast cancer by influencing tumor energy metabolism, promoting angiogenesis, impairing immune cell function, and remodeling the extracellular matrix. Moreover, CAFs considerably impact the response to treatment in breast cancer. Consequently, the development of interventions targeting CAFs has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach in the management of breast cancer. This article provides an analysis of the role of CAFs in breast cancer, specifically in relation to diagnosis, treatment, drug resistance, and prognosis. The paper succinctly outlines the diverse mechanisms through which CAFs contribute to the malignant behavior of breast cancer cells, including proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. Furthermore, the article emphasizes the potential of CAFs as valuable tools for early diagnosis, targeted therapy, treatment resistance, and prognosis assessment in breast cancer, thereby offering novel approaches for targeted therapy and overcoming treatment resistance in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hua Hao
- Department of Pathology, Yangpu Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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Qiu J, Qian D, Jiang Y, Meng L, Huang L. Circulating tumor biomarkers in early-stage breast cancer: characteristics, detection, and clinical developments. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1288077. [PMID: 37941557 PMCID: PMC10628786 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1288077] [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: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality owing to the ability of these tumors to metastasize via the vascular system even in the early stages of progression. While ultrasonography and mammography have enabled the more reliable detection of early-stage breast cancer, these approaches entail high rates of false positive and false negative results Mammograms also expose patients to radiation, raising clinical concerns. As such, there is substantial interest in the development of more accurate and efficacious approaches to diagnosing breast cancer in its early stages when patients are more likely to benefit from curative treatment efforts. Blood-based biomarkers derived from the tumor microenvironment (TME) have frequently been studied as candidate targets that can enable tumor detection when used for patient screening. Through these efforts, many promising biomarkers including tumor antigens, circulating tumor cell clusters, microRNAs, extracellular vesicles, circulating tumor DNA, metabolites, and lipids have emerged as targets that may enable the detection of breast tumors at various stages of progression. This review provides a systematic overview of the TME characteristics of early breast cancer, together with details on current approaches to detecting blood-based biomarkers in affected patients. The limitations, challenges, and prospects associated with different experimental and clinical platforms employed in this context are also discussed at length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Qiu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shaoxing People’s Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Da Qian
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery-Hand Surgery, Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Changshu No.1 People’s Hospital, Changshu, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuancong Jiang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shaoxing People’s Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liwei Meng
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shaoxing People’s Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liming Huang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shaoxing People’s Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
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Zhi W, Wang Y, Jiang C, Gong Y, Chen Q, Mao X, Deng W, Zhao S. PLEKHA4 is a novel prognostic biomarker that reshapes the tumor microenvironment in lower-grade glioma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1128244. [PMID: 37818357 PMCID: PMC10560889 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1128244] [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: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Lower-grade glioma (LGG) is a primary intracranial tumor that carry a high risk of malignant transformation and limited therapeutic options. Emerging evidence indicates that the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a superior predictor for tumor progression and therapy response. PLEKHA4 has been demonstrated to be a biomarker for LGG that correlate with immune infiltration. However, the fundamental mechanism by which PLEKHA4 contributes to LGG is still poorly understood. Methods Multiple bioinformatic tools, including Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA2), Shiny Methylation Analysis Resource Tool (SMART), etc., were incorporated to analyze the PLEKHA4. ESTIMATE, ssGSEA, CIBERSORT, TIDE and CellMiner algorithms were employed to determine the association of PLEKHA4 with TME, immunotherapy response and drug sensitivities. Immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based tissue microarrays and M2 macrophage infiltration assay were conducted to verify their associations. Results PLEKHA4 expression was found to be dramatically upregulated and strongly associated with unfavorable overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) in LGG patients, as well as their poor clinicopathological characteristics. Cox regression analysis identified that PLEKHA4 was an independent prognostic factor. Methylation analysis revealed that DNA methylation correlates with PLEKHA4 expression and indicates a better outcome in LGG. Moreover, PLEKHA4 was remarkably correlated with immune responses and TME remodeling, as evidenced by its positive correlation with particular immune marker subsets and the putative infiltration of immune cells. Surprisingly, the proportion of M2 macrophages in TME was strikingly higher than others, inferring that PLEKHA4 may regulate the infiltration and polarization of M2 macrophages. Evidence provided by IHC-based tissue microarrays and M2 macrophage infiltration assay further validated our findings. Moreover, PLEKHA4 expression was found to be significantly correlated with chemokines, interleukins, and their receptors, further supporting the critical role of PLEKHA4 in reshaping the TME. Additionally, we found that PLEKHA4 expression was closely associated with drug sensitivities and immunotherapy responses, indicating that PLEKHA4 expression also had potential clinical significance in guiding immunotherapy and chemotherapy in LGG. Conclusion PLEKHA4 plays a pivotal role in reshaping the TME of LGG patients, and may serve as a potential predictor for LGG prognosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqian Zhi
- College of Life Science and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ye Wang
- College of Life Science and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chenyu Jiang
- College of Life Science and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuqin Gong
- College of Life Science and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiuyan Chen
- College of Life Science and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiang Mao
- Institute of Hygiene Toxicology, Wuhan Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wensheng Deng
- College of Life Science and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shasha Zhao
- College of Life Science and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Urzì O, Gasparro R, Costanzo E, De Luca A, Giavaresi G, Fontana S, Alessandro R. Three-Dimensional Cell Cultures: The Bridge between In Vitro and In Vivo Models. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12046. [PMID: 37569426 PMCID: PMC10419178 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Although historically, the traditional bidimensional in vitro cell system has been widely used in research, providing much fundamental information regarding cellular functions and signaling pathways as well as nuclear activities, the simplicity of this system does not fully reflect the heterogeneity and complexity of the in vivo systems. From this arises the need to use animals for experimental research and in vivo testing. Nevertheless, animal use in experimentation presents various aspects of complexity, such as ethical issues, which led Russell and Burch in 1959 to formulate the 3R (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) principle, underlying the urgent need to introduce non-animal-based methods in research. Considering this, three-dimensional (3D) models emerged in the scientific community as a bridge between in vitro and in vivo models, allowing for the achievement of cell differentiation and complexity while avoiding the use of animals in experimental research. The purpose of this review is to provide a general overview of the most common methods to establish 3D cell culture and to discuss their promising applications. Three-dimensional cell cultures have been employed as models to study both organ physiology and diseases; moreover, they represent a valuable tool for studying many aspects of cancer. Finally, the possibility of using 3D models for drug screening and regenerative medicine paves the way for the development of new therapeutic opportunities for many diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ornella Urzì
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D), Section of Biology and Genetics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (O.U.); (R.G.); (E.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Roberta Gasparro
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D), Section of Biology and Genetics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (O.U.); (R.G.); (E.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Elisa Costanzo
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D), Section of Biology and Genetics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (O.U.); (R.G.); (E.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Angela De Luca
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, SC Scienze e Tecnologie Chirurgiche, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (A.D.L.); (G.G.)
| | - Gianluca Giavaresi
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, SC Scienze e Tecnologie Chirurgiche, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (A.D.L.); (G.G.)
| | - Simona Fontana
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D), Section of Biology and Genetics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (O.U.); (R.G.); (E.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Riccardo Alessandro
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D), Section of Biology and Genetics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (O.U.); (R.G.); (E.C.); (R.A.)
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8
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Ying-Rui M, Bu-Fan B, Deng L, Rong S, Qian-Mei Z. Targeting the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in breast cancer. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1199152. [PMID: 37448962 PMCID: PMC10338072 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1199152] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer has a high occurrence rate globally and its treatment has demonstrated clinical efficacy with the use of systemic chemotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade. Insufficient cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration and the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells within tumours are the primary factors responsible for the inadequate clinical effectiveness of breast cancer treatment. The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) represents a pivotal protein in the innate immune response. Upon activation, STING triggers the activation and enhancement of innate and adaptive immune functions, resulting in therapeutic benefits for malignant tumours. The STING signalling pathway in breast cancer is influenced by various factors such as deoxyribonucleic acid damage response, tumour immune microenvironment, and mitochondrial function. The use of STING agonists is gaining momentum in breast cancer research. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase-STING pathway, its agonists, and the latest findings related to their application in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ma Ying-Rui
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bai Bu-Fan
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liu Deng
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi Rong
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhou Qian-Mei
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
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9
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Onkar SS, Carleton NM, Lucas PC, Bruno TC, Lee AV, Vignali DAA, Oesterreich S. The Great Immune Escape: Understanding the Divergent Immune Response in Breast Cancer Subtypes. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:23-40. [PMID: 36620880 PMCID: PMC9833841 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-0475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer, the most common type of cancer affecting women, encompasses a collection of histologic (mainly ductal and lobular) and molecular subtypes exhibiting diverse clinical presentation, disease trajectories, treatment options, and outcomes. Immunotherapy has revolutionized treatment for some solid tumors but has shown limited promise for breast cancers. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of the complex interactions between tumor and immune cells in subtypes of breast cancer at the cellular and microenvironmental levels. We aim to provide a perspective on opportunities for future immunotherapy agents tailored to specific features of each subtype of breast cancer. SIGNIFICANCE Although there are currently over 200 ongoing clinical trials testing immunotherapeutics, such as immune-checkpoint blockade agents, these are largely restricted to the triple-negative and HER2+ subtypes and primarily focus on T cells. With the rapid expansion of new in vitro, in vivo, and clinical data, it is critical to identify and highlight the challenges and opportunities unique for each breast cancer subtype to drive the next generation of treatments that harness the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayali S. Onkar
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Graduate Program of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Neil M. Carleton
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Peter C Lucas
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Tullia C Bruno
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Adrian V Lee
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Dario AA Vignali
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Steffi Oesterreich
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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Thiery J. Modulation of the antitumor immune response by cancer-associated fibroblasts: mechanisms and targeting strategies to hamper their immunosuppressive functions. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2022; 3:598-629. [PMID: 36338519 PMCID: PMC9630350 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2022.00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are highly heterogeneous players that shape the tumor microenvironment and influence tumor progression, metastasis formation, and response to conventional therapies. During the past years, some CAFs subsets have also been involved in the modulation of immune cell functions, affecting the efficacy of both innate and adaptive anti-tumor immune responses. Consequently, the implication of these stromal cells in the response to immunotherapeutic strategies raised major concerns. In this review, current knowledge of CAFs origins and heterogeneity in the tumor stroma, as well as their effects on several immune cell populations that explain their immunosuppressive capabilities are summarized. The current development of therapeutic strategies for targeting this population and their implication in the field of cancer immunotherapy is also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome Thiery
- INSERM, UMR 1186, 94800 Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, 94805 Villejuif, France
- University Paris Saclay, Faculty of Medicine, 94270 Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
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11
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Inflammation: A New Look at an Old Problem. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094596. [PMID: 35562986 PMCID: PMC9100490 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pro-inflammatory stress is inherent in any cells that are subject to damage or threat of damage. It is defined by a number of universal components, including oxidative stress, cellular response to DNA damage, unfolded protein response to mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress, changes in autophagy, inflammasome formation, non-coding RNA response, formation of an inducible network of signaling pathways, and epigenetic changes. The presence of an inducible receptor and secretory phenotype in many cells is the cause of tissue pro-inflammatory stress. The key phenomenon determining the occurrence of a classical inflammatory focus is the microvascular inflammatory response (exudation, leukocyte migration to the alteration zone). This same reaction at the systemic level leads to the development of life-critical systemic inflammation. From this standpoint, we can characterize the common mechanisms of pathologies that differ in their clinical appearance. The division of inflammation into alternative variants has deep evolutionary roots. Evolutionary aspects of inflammation are also described in the review. The aim of the review is to provide theoretical arguments for the need for an up-to-date theory of the relationship between key human pathological processes based on the integrative role of the molecular mechanisms of cellular and tissue pro-inflammatory stress.
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Yu Z, Cheng L, Liu X, Zhang L, Cao H. Increased Expression of INHBA Is Correlated With Poor Prognosis and High Immune Infiltrating Level in Breast Cancer. FRONTIERS IN BIOINFORMATICS 2022; 2:729902. [PMID: 36304286 PMCID: PMC9580937 DOI: 10.3389/fbinf.2022.729902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Inhibin, beta A (INHBA) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily and is associated with carcinogenesis and cancer progression in several types of human cancers. However, its significance in breast cancer has not been evaluated. Here, we investigated the prognostic value of INHBA and its correlation with tumor-infiltration immune cells in the microenvironment of breast cancer. Methods: In this study, we analyzed the INHBA expression profile in the Oncomine database and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource 2.0 (TIMER2.0) site. Using Breast Cancer Gene-Expression Miner (bc-GenExMiner v4.7) tool and the UALCAN cancer database, we further evaluated the correlation of INHBA expression with clinicopathological factors in breast cancer. Then, we assessed the clinical prognostic value of INHBA using Kaplan–Meier Plotter and the PrognoScan databases. The correlations between INHBA and tumor-infiltrating immune cells were investigated via TIMER2.0. In addition, correlations between INHBA expression and gene markers of immune infiltrates were analyzed by TIMER2.0 and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2. Results: Compared with the level in normal tissues, the INHBA mRNA expression was upregulated in different subtypes of breast cancer, and its expression was positively correlated with progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 status, and PAM50 subtypes but negatively related to age and basal-like status. The INHBA protein was also highly expressed in primary breast cancer and closely related to the pathological stage. Patients with high INHBA expression levels showed worse overall survival, relapse-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival. Also, high INHBA expression was significantly associated with worse overall survival and relapse-free survival in positive lymph nodes. Of interest, INHBA expression was negatively correlated with infiltrating levels of activated NK cells, NKT, and CD4+ T cells but was positively correlated with tumor infiltration of CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, especially macrophages and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Moreover, INHBA expression showed strong correlations with various markers of monocytes/macrophages and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Conclusion: High INHBA expression is correlated with poor prognosis and the infiltration of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. These findings suggest that INHBA may be involved in immune escape and can serve as a potential biomarker of prognosis and tumor-infiltrating immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeying Yu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Cheng
- School of Basic Medical Science, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinlian Liu
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Lushun Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Hui Cao
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Hui Cao,
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Allam A, Yakou M, Pang L, Ernst M, Huynh J. Exploiting the STAT3 Nexus in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts to Improve Cancer Therapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:767939. [PMID: 34858425 PMCID: PMC8632218 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.767939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of a heterogenous population of cells that exist alongside the extracellular matrix and soluble components. These components can shape an environment that is conducive to tumor growth and metastatic spread. It is well-established that stromal cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the TME play a pivotal role in creating and maintaining a growth-permissive environment for tumor cells. A growing body of work has uncovered that tumor cells recruit and educate CAFs to remodel the TME, however, the mechanisms by which this occurs remain incompletely understood. Recent studies suggest that the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a key transcription factor that regulates the function of CAFs, and their crosstalk with tumor and immune cells within the TME. CAF-intrinsic STAT3 activity within the TME correlates with tumor progression, immune suppression and eventually the establishment of metastases. In this review, we will focus on the roles of STAT3 in regulating CAF function and their crosstalk with other cells constituting the TME and discuss the utility of targeting STAT3 within the TME for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Allam
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Marina Yakou
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Lokman Pang
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthias Ernst
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Jennifer Huynh
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
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Capitani N, Patrussi L, Baldari CT. Nature vs. Nurture: The Two Opposing Behaviors of Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes in the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011221. [PMID: 34681881 PMCID: PMC8540886 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Similar to Janus, the two-faced god of Roman mythology, the tumor microenvironment operates two opposing and often conflicting activities, on the one hand fighting against tumor cells, while on the other hand, favoring their proliferation, survival and migration to other sites to establish metastases. In the tumor microenvironment, cytotoxic T cells-the specialized tumor-cell killers-also show this dual nature, operating their tumor-cell directed killing activities until they become exhausted and dysfunctional, a process promoted by cancer cells themselves. Here, we discuss the opposing activities of immune cells populating the tumor microenvironment in both cancer progression and anti-cancer responses, with a focus on cytotoxic T cells and on the molecular mechanisms responsible for the efficient suppression of their killing activities as a paradigm of the power of cancer cells to shape the microenvironment for their own survival and expansion.
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