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Luo X, Qiu Y, Fitzsimonds ZR, Wang Q, Chen Q, Lei YL. Immune escape of head and neck cancer mediated by the impaired MHC-I antigen presentation pathway. Oncogene 2024; 43:388-394. [PMID: 38177410 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02912-2] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Tumor immune evasion is a hallmark of Head and Neck Cancers. The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the first-line setting has transformed the management of these tumors. Unfortunately, the response rate of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas (HNSCC) to ICIs is below 15%, regardless of the human papillomavirus (HPV) status, which might be partially related with impaired antigen presentation machinery (APM). Mechanistically, HNSCC cells are usually defective in the expression of MHC-I associated APM, while this transcriptional pathway is critical for the activation of tumor-killing effector T-cells. To specifically illuminate the phenomenon and seek for therapeutic strategies, this review summarizes the most recently identified role of genetic and functional dysregulation of the MHC-I pathway, specifically through changes at the genetic, epigenetic, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels, which substantially contributes to HNSCC immune escape and ICI resistance. Several treatment modalities can be potentially exploited to restore APM signaling in tumors, which improves anti-tumor immunity through the activation of interferons, vaccines or rimantadine against HPV and the inhibition of EGFR, SHP-2, PI3K and MEK. Additionally, the combinatorial use of radiotherapy or cytotoxic agents with ICIs can synergize to potentiate APM signaling. Future directions would include further dissection of MHC-I related APM signaling in HNSCC and whether reversing this inhibition in combination with ICIs would elicit a more robust immune response leading to improved response rates in HNSCC. Therapeutic approaches to restore the MHC-I antigen presentation machinery in Head and Neck Cancer. (Red color texts represent the according strategies and the outcomes).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Oral Medicine, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Qiu
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zackary R Fitzsimonds
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rogel Cancer Center, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Qiuhao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Oral Medicine, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Oral Medicine, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yu Leo Lei
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rogel Cancer Center, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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2
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Kinney BLC, Gunti S, Kansal V, Parrish CJ, Saba NF, Teng Y, Henry MK, Su FY, Kwong GA, Schmitt NC. Rescue of NLRC5 expression restores antigen processing machinery in head and neck cancer cells lacking functional STAT1 and p53. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:10. [PMID: 38231444 PMCID: PMC10794329 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03589-y] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The antigen processing machinery (APM) components needed for a tumor cell to present an antigen to a T cell are expressed at low levels in solid tumors, constituting an important mechanism of immune escape. More than most other solid tumors, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells tend to have low APM expression, rendering them insensitive to immune checkpoint blockade and most other forms of immunotherapy. In HNSCC, this APM deficiency is largely driven by high levels of EGFR and SHP2, leading to low expression and activation of STAT1; however, recent studies suggest that p53, which is often mutated in HNSCCs, may also play a role. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the extent to which STAT1 and p53 individually regulate APM component expression in HNSCC cells. We found that in cells lacking functional p53, APM expression could still be induced by interferon-gamma or DNA-damaging chemotherapy (cisplatin) as long as STAT1 expression remained intact; when both transcription factors were knocked down, APM component expression was abolished. When we bypassed these deficient pathways by rescuing the expression of NLRC5, APM expression was also restored. These results suggest that dual loss of functional STAT1 and p53 may render HNSCC cells incapable of processing and presenting antigens, but rescue of downstream NLRC5 expression may be an attractive strategy for restoring sensitivity to T cell-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan L C Kinney
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Head and Neck Cancer Program, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 550 Peachtree Street NE, 11Th Floor Otolaryngology, Atlanta, GA, 30308, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sreenivasulu Gunti
- National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Vikash Kansal
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Head and Neck Cancer Program, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 550 Peachtree Street NE, 11Th Floor Otolaryngology, Atlanta, GA, 30308, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Nabil F Saba
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yong Teng
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Fang-Yi Su
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gabriel A Kwong
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nicole C Schmitt
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Head and Neck Cancer Program, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 550 Peachtree Street NE, 11Th Floor Otolaryngology, Atlanta, GA, 30308, USA.
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Kansy BA, Wehrs TP, Bruderek K, Si Y, Ludwig S, Droege F, Hasskamp P, Henkel U, Dominas N, Hoffmann TK, Horn PA, Schuler M, Gauler TC, Lindemann M, Lang S, Bankfalvi A, Brandau S. HPV-associated head and neck cancer is characterized by distinct profiles of CD8 + T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:4367-4383. [PMID: 38019346 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03571-8] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Patients with HPV--localized head and neck cancer (HNC) show inferior outcomes after surgery and radiochemotherapy compared to HPV-associated cancers. The underlying mechanisms remain elusive, but differences in immune status and immune activity may be implicated. In this study, we analyzed immune profiles of CD8+ T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in HPV+ versus HPV- disease.The overall frequency of CD8+ T cells was reduced in HNC versus healthy donors but substantially increased after curative therapy (surgery and/or radiochemotherapy). In HPV+ patients, this increase was associated with significant induction of peripheral blood CD8+/CD45RA-/CD62L- effector memory cells. The frequency of HPV-antigen-specific CD8+ cells was low even in patients with virally associated tumors and dropped to background levels after curative therapy. Pre-therapeutic counts of circulating monocytic MDSC, but not PMN-MDSC, were increased in patients with HPV- disease. This increase was accompanied by reduced fractions of terminally differentiated CD8+ effector cells. HPV- tumors showed reduced infiltrates of CD8+ and CD45RO+ immune cells compared with HPV+ tumors. Importantly, frequencies of tumor tissue-infiltrating PMN-MDSC were increased, while percentages of Granzyme B+ and Ki-67+ CD8 T cells were reduced in patients with HPV- disease.We report differences in frequencies and relative ratios of MDSC and effector T cells in HPV- HNC compared with more immunogenic HPV-associated disease. Our data provide new insight into the immunological profiles of these two tumor entities and may be utilized for more tailored immunotherapeutic approaches in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A Kansy
- Research Division, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Tim P Wehrs
- Research Division, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Kirsten Bruderek
- Research Division, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Yu Si
- Research Division, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sonja Ludwig
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Freya Droege
- Research Division, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Pia Hasskamp
- Research Division, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Uta Henkel
- Research Division, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Nina Dominas
- Research Division, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas K Hoffmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Peter A Horn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Martin Schuler
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas C Gauler
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Monika Lindemann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Stephan Lang
- Research Division, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Agnes Bankfalvi
- Institute of Pathology, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sven Brandau
- Research Division, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
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Mireștean CC, Iancu RI, Iancu DPT. Active Immune Phenotype in Head and Neck Cancer: Reevaluating the Iso-Effect Fractionation Based on the Linear Quadratic (LQ) Model-A Narrative Review. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:4805-4816. [PMID: 37232820 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30050362] [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: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Altered fractionation concepts and especially moderate hypo-fractionation are evaluated as alternatives to standard treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), associated with or not concurrent with or sequential to chemotherapy. The calculation of the iso-equivalent dose regimens has as its starting point the linear quadratic (LQ) formalism traditionally based on the "4Rs" of radiobiology. The higher rates of therapeutic failure after radiotherapy of HNSCC are associated with the heterogeneity of radio-sensibility. The identification of genetic signatures and radio-resistance scores aims to improve the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy and to conceptualize personalized fractionation schemes. The new data regarding the involvement of the sixth "R" of radiobiology in HNSCC, especially for the HPV-driven subtype, but also for the "immune active" minority of HPV-negative HNSCCs, bring to the fore a multifactorial variation of the α/β ratio. The involvement of the antitumor immune response and the dose/fractionation/volume factors as well as the therapeutic sequence in the case of new multimodal treatments including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) could be included as an additional term in the quadratic linear formalism especially for hypo-fractionation regimens. This term should take into account the dual immunomodulatory effect (immunosuppressant and stimulator of antitumor immunity) of radiotherapy, which varies from case to case and can bring benefit or a detrimental effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camil Ciprian Mireștean
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
- Railways Clinical Hospital Iasi, Department of Surgery, 700506 Iași, Romania
| | - Roxana Irina Iancu
- Faculty of Dental Medicine, Oral Pathology Department, "Gr. T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, "St. Spiridon" Emergency Universitary Hospital, 700111 Iași, Romania
| | - Dragoș Petru Teodor Iancu
- Faculty of Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Department, "Gr. T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Regional Institute of Oncology, Department of Radiation Oncology, 700483 Iași, Romania
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5
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Ruffin AT, Li H, Vujanovic L, Zandberg DP, Ferris RL, Bruno TC. Improving head and neck cancer therapies by immunomodulation of the tumour microenvironment. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:173-188. [PMID: 36456755 PMCID: PMC9992112 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-022-00531-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Targeted immunotherapy has improved patient survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but less than 20% of patients produce a durable response to these treatments. Thus, new immunotherapies that consider all key players of the complex HNSCC tumour microenvironment (TME) are necessary to further enhance tumour-specific T cell responses in patients. HNSCC is an ideal tumour type in which to evaluate immune and non-immune cell differences because of two distinct TME aetiologies (human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative disease), multiple anatomic sites for tumour growth, and clear distinctions between patients with locally advanced disease and those with recurrent and/or metastatic disease. Recent technological and scientific advancements have provided a more complete picture of all cellular constituents within this complex TME and have evaluated the interplay of both immune and non-immune cells within HNSCC. Here, we include a comprehensive analysis of the complete ecosystem of the HNSCC TME, performed utilizing data-rich resources such as The Cancer Genome Atlas, and cutting-edge techniques, such as single-cell RNA sequencing, high-dimensional flow cytometry and spatial multispectral imaging, to generate improved treatment strategies for this diverse disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayana T Ruffin
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumour Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Graduate Program of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Housaiyin Li
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumour Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology (MGDB) Graduate Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lazar Vujanovic
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumour Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Dan P Zandberg
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumour Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Robert L Ferris
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Tumour Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Tullia C Bruno
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Tumour Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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De Virgilio A, Costantino A, Rizzo D, Crescio C, Gallus R, Spriano G, Mercante G, Festa BM, Accorona R, Pignataro L, Capaccio P, Bussu F. Do We Have Enough Evidence to Specifically Recommend Transoral Robotic Surgery in HPV-Driven Oropharyngeal Cancer? A Systematic Review. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020160. [PMID: 36839432 PMCID: PMC9959572 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020160] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: International guidelines include transoral robotic surgery (TORS) as an option for selected oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs). In the perspective of treatment de-intensification, many surgeons have started recommending and performing TORS preferentially in p16- positive OPSCC in order to reduce the long-term morbidity related to chemoradiotherapy. The aim of the present review is to analyze the current evidence supporting the above-cited strategy. Materials and Methods: The study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Twenty-two studies were included in this review, with a total of 3992 patients treated with primary TORS. The majority of patients were classified as HPV+ (n = 3655, 91.6%), and 8.2% (n = 327) as HPV-. The HPV status was unknown in only 10 (0.3%) patients. In particular, only five of the included studies compared survival outcomes of HPV-positive patients with HPV-negative ones treated with primary TORS, and only two of these found a significant improvement in survival in the HPV-driven cohort. Discussion: The current literature does not clarify whether HPV+ OPSCCs treated with TORS, alone or with adjuvant treatments, are associated with a better oncologic and/or functional outcome compared to those treated with radio- or chemoradiotherapy. However, TORS alone obtained good oncological outcomes in a high percentage of cases in the reviewed series. Recent data, on the other hand, suggest that TORS could represent a promising strategy for intensifying treatments in HPV- OPSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando De Virgilio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini, 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20089 Milan, Italy
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Costantino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini, 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20089 Milan, Italy
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Rizzo
- Division of Otolaryngology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Claudia Crescio
- Division of Otolaryngology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Roberto Gallus
- Mater Hospital Olbia, Strada Statale 125 Orientale Sarda, 07026 Olbia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Spriano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini, 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20089 Milan, Italy
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mercante
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini, 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20089 Milan, Italy
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Festa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini, 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20089 Milan, Italy
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-8224-7550; Fax: +39-02-8224-7550
| | - Remo Accorona
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Pignataro
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Pasquale Capaccio
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Bussu
- Division of Otolaryngology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Khadela A, Shah Y, Mistry P, Mansuri M, Sureja D, Bodiwala K. A review of efficacy and safety of cetuximab and bevacizumab-based monoclonal antibodies in head and neck cancer. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 40:66. [PMID: 36583766 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01939-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A combination of monoclonal antibodies prescribed along with the conventional standard of care has a potential to provide significant improvement in patients suffering from head and neck cancer. This combination has also shown a significant decrease in toxicities and improved overall quality of life. Cetuximab acts by inhibiting the human epidermal growth factors as its overexpression in head and neck tumours that are responsible for treatment failure, resistance, and metastasis. Whereas, bevacizumab acts by inhibiting the vascular endothelial growth factor since its overexpression leads to induction of tumour angiogenesis. Current research has not shown any remarkable beneficial effect in disease outcomes. Thus, the addition of these monoclonal antibodies to the standard regimen for head and neck cancer can be considered a prospect that might be beneficial. Cetuximab has already been included as an option under special recommendations in recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer by NCCN in a platinum-based regimen as well as in combination with radiation therapy. This review outlines the applicability of cetuximab and bevacizumab in the treatment of head and neck cancer as well as the clinical trials performed that give an idea about the efficacy and safety of these monoclonal antibodies. Based upon the literature reviewed, it can be deduced that immunotherapy is to be adopted and different targets are to be explored in it in order to combat head and neck cancer. Currently, immunotherapeutic drugs of two major targets have been discussed. These agents are even effective in combination with other therapeutic modalities that are not being able to achieve desirable outcomes due to issues such as resistance and toxicities. Thus, newer targets as well as newer agents acting on established targets are to be explored in order to improve disease outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avinash Khadela
- Department of Pharmacology, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India.
| | - Yesha Shah
- Pharm.D Section, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Priya Mistry
- Pharm.D Section, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Mustakim Mansuri
- Department of Pharmacology, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Dipen Sureja
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Kunjan Bodiwala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Quality Assurance, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
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8
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Ferris RL, Moskovitz J, Kunning S, Ruffin AT, Reeder C, Ohr J, Gooding WE, Kim S, Karlovits BJ, Vignali DAA, Duvvuri U, Johnson JT, Petro D, Heron DE, Clump DA, Bruno TC, Bauman JE. Phase I Trial of Cetuximab, Radiotherapy, and Ipilimumab in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:1335-1344. [PMID: 35091445 PMCID: PMC9164766 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-0426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Concurrent radiotherapy with cetuximab, an anti-EGFR mAb, is a standard treatment for locally advanced head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC). Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4-positive (CTLA-4+) regulatory T cells (Treg) dampen cellular immunity and correlate negatively with clinical outcomes. This phase I study added ipilimumab, an anti-CTLA-4 mAb, to cetuximab-radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS A (3 + 3) design was used to establish the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of ipilimumab, added at week 5 for four, every-3-week doses to fixed, standard cetuximab-radiotherapy. Eligible subjects had stage III to IVb, high-risk [human papillomavirus-negative (HPV-)] or intermediate-risk HPV-positive (HPV+)] HNSCC. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as any grade 4 adverse event (AE) except in-field radiation dermatitis or immune-related (ir) AE requiring ≥2 weeks of systemic steroids. Baseline tumor and serial blood specimens were collected for immune correlatives. RESULTS From July 2013 to May 2016, 18 patients enrolled. Two of 6 in cohort 1 (ipilimumab 3 mg/kg) experienced grade 3 dermatologic DLTs, triggering deescalation of ipilimumab to 1 mg/kg. Dose level -1 was expanded to N = 12 without DLT. irAE included: grade 1, 2, and 3 dermatitis (2, 1, and 3 cases), grade 4 colitis (1), and grade 1 hyperthyroidism (1). Three-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival were 72% [90% confidence interval (CI), 57-92] and 72% (90% CI, 56-92). High expression of coinhibitory receptors PD1/LAG3/CD39 on baseline tumor-infiltrating Treg was associated with worse DFS (HR = 5.6; 95% CI, 0.83-37.8; P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS The RP2D for ipilimumab plus standard cetuximab-radiotherapy is 1 mg/kg in weeks 5, 8, 11, and 14. The regimen is tolerable and yields acceptable survival without cytotoxic chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L. Ferris
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jessica Moskovitz
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sheryl Kunning
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ayana T. Ruffin
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - James Ohr
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Seungwon Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Dario A. A. Vignali
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Umamaheswar Duvvuri
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jonas T. Johnson
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Dwight E. Heron
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Bons Secours Mercy Health, Dept of Radiation Oncology, Youngstown, OH
| | - David A. Clump
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Tullia C. Bruno
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Julie E. Bauman
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, USA
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9
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Polesel J, Menegaldo A, Tirelli G, Giacomarra V, Guerrieri R, Baboci L, Casarotto M, Lupato V, Fanetti G, Boscolo-Rizzo P, Fratta E. Prognostic Significance of PD-L1 Expression In Patients With Primary Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:787864. [PMID: 34900743 PMCID: PMC8655333 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.787864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background At present, the prognostic significance of programmed cell death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) patients is still controversial. In this study, we aim to synthesize relevant studies that have assessed the prognostic value of PD-L1 in patients with primary OPSCC treated according to the current standard-of-care. Methods A systematic search of Medline/PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted to define the prognostic role of PD-L1 expression in OPSCC. All studies published before July 31, 2021 were screened. Summary hazard ratios (sHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Results A total of 1522 OPSCC patients from 12 studies were included. PD-L1 expression in OPSCC tumor cells (TCs) was significantly associated with longer overall survival (sHR=0.63, 95% CI 0.50-0.79), and progression-free survival (sHR=0.62, 95% CI 0.49-0.79). A benefit in survival was also observed in PD-L1-positive OPSCC patients who underwent surgery (sHR=0.34, 95% CI 0.18-0.65). Finally, although PD-L1-positive expression was related to better outcomes both in HPV-negative and HPV-positive OPSCC, the difference reached the statistical significance only in the HPV-positive subgroup (sHR=0.37, 95% CI 0.19-0.73). No heterogeneity emerged between studies for all considered outcomes, with I2 ranging from 0% for progression-free survival to 11% for overall survival. Conclusions PD-L1 expression on TCs associated with improved survival in OPSCC. In particular, HPV-positive OPSCC most benefited from PD-L1 expression when compared to the PD-L1 negative counterpart. Thus, PD-L1 might represent a useful biomarker to stratify prognosis in OPSCC in addition to HPV status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Polesel
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Anna Menegaldo
- Unit of Otolaryngology, AULSS 2 - Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Tirelli
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Vittorio Giacomarra
- Division of Otolaryngology, General Hospital "S. Maria degli Angeli", Pordenone, Italy
| | - Roberto Guerrieri
- Division of Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Lorena Baboci
- Division of Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Casarotto
- Division of Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Valentina Lupato
- Division of Otolaryngology, General Hospital "S. Maria degli Angeli", Pordenone, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fanetti
- Division of Radiotherapy, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Paolo Boscolo-Rizzo
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Fratta
- Division of Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
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10
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Vitiello GAF, Ferreira WAS, Cordeiro de Lima VC, Medina TDS. Antiviral Responses in Cancer: Boosting Antitumor Immunity Through Activation of Interferon Pathway in the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:782852. [PMID: 34925363 PMCID: PMC8674309 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.782852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, it became apparent that cancers either associated with viral infections or aberrantly expressing endogenous retroviral elements (EREs) are more immunogenic, exhibiting an intense intra-tumor immune cell infiltration characterized by a robust cytolytic apparatus. On the other hand, epigenetic regulation of EREs is crucial to maintain steady-state conditions and cell homeostasis. In line with this, epigenetic disruptions within steady-state cells can lead to cancer development and trigger the release of EREs into the cytoplasmic compartment. As such, detection of viral molecules by intracellular innate immune sensors leads to the production of type I and type III interferons that act to induce an antiviral state, thus restraining viral replication. This knowledge has recently gained momentum due to the possibility of triggering intratumoral activation of interferon responses, which could be used as an adjuvant to elicit strong anti-tumor immune responses that ultimately lead to a cascade of cytokine production. Accordingly, several therapeutic approaches are currently being tested using this rationale to improve responses to cancer immunotherapies. In this review, we discuss the immune mechanisms operating in viral infections, show evidence that exogenous viruses and endogenous retroviruses in cancer may enhance tumor immunogenicity, dissect the epigenetic control of EREs, and point to interferon pathway activation in the tumor milieu as a promising molecular predictive marker and immunotherapy target. Finally, we briefly discuss current strategies to modulate these responses within tumor tissues, including the clinical use of innate immune receptor agonists and DNA demethylating agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wallax Augusto Silva Ferreira
- Translational Immuno-Oncology Group, International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Cytogenomics and Environmental Mutagenesis, Environment Section (SAMAM), Evandro Chagas Institute, Ananindeua, Brazil
| | | | - Tiago da Silva Medina
- Translational Immuno-Oncology Group, International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Oncogenomics and Therapeutic Innovation, São Paulo, Brazil
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11
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Powell SF, Vu L, Spanos WC, Pyeon D. The Key Differences between Human Papillomavirus-Positive and -Negative Head and Neck Cancers: Biological and Clinical Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5206. [PMID: 34680354 PMCID: PMC8533896 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a unique malignancy associated with two distinct risk factors: exposure to typical carcinogens and infection of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV encodes the potent oncoproteins E6 and E7, which bypass many important oncogenic processes and result in cancer development. In contrast, HPV-negative HNSCC is developed through multiple mutations in diverse oncogenic driver genes. While the risk factors associated with HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCCs are discrete, HNSCC patients still show highly complex molecular signatures, immune infiltrations, and treatment responses even within the same anatomical subtypes. Here, we summarize the current understanding of biological mechanisms, treatment approaches, and clinical outcomes in comparison between HPV-positive and -negative HNSCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven F. Powell
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA;
| | - Lexi Vu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | - William C. Spanos
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA;
| | - Dohun Pyeon
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
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12
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Liu X, Liu P, Chernock RD, Kuhs KAL, Lewis JS, Li H, Gay HA, Thorstad WL, Wang X. Impact of human papillomavirus on the tumor microenvironment in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Int J Cancer 2021; 150:521-531. [PMID: 34655477 PMCID: PMC8665085 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence has elucidated the clinicopathological significance of tumor microenvironment (TME) cells. However, TME differences associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) have not been well characterized. In our study, we comprehensively determined the TME infiltration patterns in 315 OPSCC patients, and systematically correlated the TME phenotypes with genomic characteristics and clinical features of OPSCCs. In this way, we observed the enrichment of high endothelial cells and adaptive immune cells in HPV-positive (HPV+) OPSCCs, in contrast to the enrichment of fibroblasts and capillary endothelial cells in HPV- negative (HPV-) OPSCCs. By focusing on immune checkpoint genes, we constructed a coexpression network using genes that were differentially expressed between HPV+ and HPV- OPSCCs. Functional analysis of the network indicated that HPV+ OPSCCs had elevated immune activities by promoting adaptive immune response and suppressing activities related to extracellular matrix organization. Subsequently, clinical analysis showed that identified TME-relevant genes were closely associated with the prognosis and therapy response in OPSCC. Importantly, results from the TME analysis were further validated using an independent OPSCC cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago,University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Rebecca D. Chernock
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Krystle A. Lang Kuhs
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - James S. Lewis
- Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN,Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Hua Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL,Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL,Cancer Center at Illinois, Urbana, IL
| | - Hiram A. Gay
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Wade L. Thorstad
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago,University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
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13
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Hsieh RW, Borson S, Tsagianni A, Zandberg DP. Immunotherapy in Recurrent/Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck. Front Oncol 2021; 11:705614. [PMID: 34540672 PMCID: PMC8440813 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.705614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer is the 6th most common cancer worldwide with the most common histology being squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). While the majority of patients present at a stage where curative intent therapy is possible, when patients recur and/or develop metastatic disease, outcomes are generally poor, especially with systemic therapy alone, and they lag behind other solid tumors. Over the last decade immunotherapy has revolutionized the field of oncology, and anti-PD-1-based therapy has changed the standard of care in recurrent/metastatic (R/M) HNSCC as well. With these gains have come new questions to continue to move the field forward. In this review, we discuss the tumor immune microenvironment and predictive biomarkers and current status and future directions for immunotherapy in recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronan W Hsieh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Steven Borson
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Anastasia Tsagianni
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Dan P Zandberg
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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14
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Dong H, Shu X, Xu Q, Zhu C, Kaufmann AM, Zheng ZM, Albers AE, Qian X. Current Status of Human Papillomavirus-Related Head and Neck Cancer: From Viral Genome to Patient Care. Virol Sin 2021; 36:1284-1302. [PMID: 34152564 PMCID: PMC8692589 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-021-00413-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection identified as a definitive human carcinogen is increasingly being recognized for its role in carcinogenesis of human cancers. Up to 38%–80% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in oropharyngeal location (OPSCC) and nearly all cervical cancers contain the HPV genome which is implicated in causing cancer through its oncoproteins E6 and E7. Given by the biologically distinct HPV-related OPSCC and a more favorable prognosis compared to HPV-negative tumors, clinical trials on de-escalation treatment strategies for these patients have been studied. It is therefore raised the questions for the patient stratification if treatment de-escalation is feasible. Moreover, understanding the crosstalk of HPV-mediated malignancy and immunity with clinical insights from the proportional response rate to immune checkpoint blockade treatments in patients with HNSCC is of importance to substantially improve the treatment efficacy. This review discusses the biology of HPV-related HNSCC as well as successful clinically findings with promising candidates in the pipeline for future directions. With the advent of various sequencing technologies, further biomolecules associated with HPV-related HNSCC progression are currently being identified to be used as potential biomarkers or targets for clinical decisions throughout the continuum of cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoru Dong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, China
| | - Xinhua Shu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, China
| | - Chen Zhu
- Department of Cancer Prevention, Cancer Hospital University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, China
| | - Andreas M Kaufmann
- Clinic for Gynecology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, 12203, Germany
| | - Zhi-Ming Zheng
- Tumor Virus RNA Biology Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Andreas E Albers
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, 13353, Germany
| | - Xu Qian
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, China.
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15
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Isaguliants M, Krasnyak S, Smirnova O, Colonna V, Apolikhin O, Buonaguro FM. Genetic instability and anti-HPV immune response as drivers of infertility associated with HPV infection. Infect Agent Cancer 2021; 16:29. [PMID: 33971936 PMCID: PMC8111735 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-021-00368-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection common among men and women of reproductive age worldwide. HPV viruses are associated with epithelial lesions and cancers. HPV infections have been shown to be significantly associated with many adverse effects in reproductive function. Infection with HPVs, specifically of high-oncogenic risk types (HR HPVs), affects different stages of human reproduction, resulting in a series of adverse outcomes: 1) reduction of male fertility (male infertility), characterized by qualitative and quantitative semen alterations; 2) impairment of couple fertility with increase of blastocyst apoptosis and reduction of endometrial implantation of trophoblastic cells; 3) defects of embryos and fetal development, with increase of spontaneous abortion and spontaneous preterm birth. The actual molecular mechanism(s) by which HPV infection is involved remain unclear. HPV-associated infertility as Janus, has two faces: one reflecting anti-HPV immunity, and the other, direct pathogenic effects of HPVs, specifically, of HR HPVs on the infected/HPV-replicating cells. Adverse effects observed for HR HPVs differ depending on the genotype of infecting virus, reflecting differential response of the host immune system as well as functional differences between HPVs and their individual proteins/antigens, including their ability to induce genetic instability/DNA damage. Review summarizes HPV involvement in all reproductive stages, evaluate the adverse role(s) played by HPVs, and identifies mechanisms of viral pathogenicity, common as well as specific for each stage of the reproduction process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Isaguliants
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia. .,Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia. .,Riga Stradiņs University, Riga, Latvia. .,Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Stepan Krasnyak
- Research Institute of Urology and Interventional Radiology named after N.A. Lopatkin, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga Smirnova
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia.,Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedecine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vincenza Colonna
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati-Traverso", National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Oleg Apolikhin
- Research Institute of Urology and Interventional Radiology named after N.A. Lopatkin, Moscow, Russia
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16
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Bhatt KH, Neller MA, Srihari S, Crooks P, Lekieffre L, Aftab BT, Liu H, Smith C, Kenny L, Porceddu S, Khanna R. Profiling HPV-16-specific T cell responses reveals broad antigen reactivities in oropharyngeal cancer patients. J Exp Med 2021; 217:151975. [PMID: 32716518 PMCID: PMC7537390 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20200389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapeutics targeting the human papillomavirus (HPV)–16 E6 and E7 proteins have achieved limited success in HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). Here we have conducted proteome-wide profiling of HPV-16–specific T cell responses in a cohort of 66 patients with HPV-associated OPC and 22 healthy individuals. Unexpectedly, HPV-specific T cell responses from OPC patients were not constrained to the E6 and E7 antigens; they also recognized E1, E2, E4, E5, and L1 proteins as dominant targets for virus-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. Multivariate analysis incorporating tumor staging, treatment status, and smoking history revealed that treatment status had the most significant impact on HPV-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cell immunity. Specifically, the breadth and overall strength of HPV-specific T cell responses were significantly higher before the commencement of curative therapy than after therapy. These data provide the first glimpse of the overall human T cell response to HPV in a clinical setting and offer groundbreaking insight into future development of cellular immunotherapies for HPV-associated OPC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunal H Bhatt
- QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development, Tumour Immunology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michelle A Neller
- QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development, Tumour Immunology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sriganesh Srihari
- QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development, Tumour Immunology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Pauline Crooks
- QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development, Tumour Immunology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lea Lekieffre
- QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development, Tumour Immunology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Blake T Aftab
- Department of Preclinical and Translational Sciences, Atara Biotherapeutics, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Howard Liu
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Corey Smith
- QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development, Tumour Immunology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Liz Kenny
- School of Medicine, The University of Queensland and Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sandro Porceddu
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rajiv Khanna
- School of Medicine, The University of Queensland and Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
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17
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Al-Sahaf S, Hendawi NB, Ollington B, Bolt R, Ottewell PD, Hunter KD, Murdoch C. Increased Abundance of Tumour-Associated Neutrophils in HPV-Negative Compared to HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Is Mediated by IL-1R Signalling. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2021; 2:604565. [PMID: 35047989 PMCID: PMC8757728 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2021.604565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancer is increasing and HPV is now implicated in the aetiology of more than 60% of all oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC). In OPSCC, innate immune cells such as neutrophils and macrophages generally correlate with poor prognosis, whilst adaptive immune cells, such as lymphocytes, tend to correlate with improved prognosis. This may, in part, be due to differences in the immune response within the tumour microenvironment leading to the recruitment of specific tumour-associated leukocyte sub-populations. In this study, we aimed to examine if differences exist in the levels of infiltrated leukocyte sub-populations, with particular emphasis on tumour-associated neutrophils (TAN), and to determine the mechanism of chemokine-induced leukocyte recruitment in HPV-positive compared to HPV-negative OPSCC. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that HPV-negative OPSCC contained significantly more neutrophils than HPV-positive tumours, whilst levels of CD68+ macrophages and CD3+ lymphocytes were similar. Using a 3D tissue culture model to represent tumour-stromal interactions, we demonstrated that HPV-negative tumour-stromal co-cultures expressed significantly higher levels of CXCL8, leading to increased neutrophil recruitment compared to their HPV-positive counterparts. HPV-negative OPSCC cells have previously been shown to express higher levels of IL-1 than their HPV-positive counterparts, indicating that this cytokine may be responsible for driving increased chemokine production in the HPV-negative 3D model. Inhibition of IL-1R in the tumour-stromal models using the receptor-specific antagonist, anakinra, dramatically reduced chemokine secretion and significantly impaired neutrophil and monocyte recruitment, suggesting that this tumour-stromal response is mediated by the IL-1/IL-1R axis. Here, we identify a mechanism by which HPV-negative OPSCC may recruit more TAN than HPV-positive OPSCC. Since TAN are associated with poor prognosis in OPSCC, our study identifies potential therapeutic targets aimed at redressing the chemokine imbalance to reduce innate immune cell infiltration with the aim of improving patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarmad Al-Sahaf
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Naeima B. Hendawi
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Bethany Ollington
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Bolt
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Penelope D. Ottewell
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Keith D. Hunter
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Craig Murdoch
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Craig Murdoch
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18
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Bauwens L, Baltres A, Fiani DJ, Zrounba P, Buiret G, Fleury B, Benzerdjeb N, Grégoire V. Prevalence and distribution of cervical lymph node metastases in HPV-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Radiother Oncol 2021; 157:122-129. [PMID: 33545255 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2021.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OP-SCC), the prevalence and distribution of clinical and pathological lymph node metastasis in the neck have been extensively reported. It served as the basis for consensus recommendations on the selection of the lymph node levels in the neck requiring a treatment. The objective of the study is to compare the prevalence and distribution of neck node metastases in HPV+ and HPV- OP-SCC from a large series of patients with OP-SCC who underwent a cervical lymph-node dissection (LND) as part of their treatment. METHODS The study concentrated on OP-SCC patients treated by various neck node dissection (LND) procedures from January 2014 to December 2018 in 3 French institutions. Patients with prior head and neck cancer, prior neck surgery, the use of induction chemotherapy, or patients with carcinoma of unknown primary were excluded. HPV-status was assessed by p16 immunohistochemistry. For each patient, the clinical and the pathological nodal status, as well as the distribution of the positive nodes in each neck level (from Ia to V) were reported. RESULTS Two-hundred and sixty-three patients were included (126 p16-negative (p16-), and 137 p16-positive (p16+). The rate of clinical positive node (cN+) reached 54% and 88.3% in the p16- and p16+ groups, respectively (p < 0.001); the corresponding rate of pathological positive node (pN+) reached 61.9% and 91.2%, respectively (p < 0.001). Regarding the clinical lymph node distribution, in p16+ patients, more positive nodes were observed in the ipsilateral level IV (p = 0.003), and less positive nodes were observed in the contralateral levels III and IV (p = 0.003 and p = 0.045, respectively). Regarding the pathologic lymph node distribution in the ipsilateral neck, in the cN0 patients, no significant difference was observed between p16- and p16+ patients (p = 0.33 to 1); in the cN+ patients, the nodes were distributed in levels Ib, II, III, IV and V without differences between the p16- and the p16+ patients. In the contralateral neck of p16- patients, nodes metastases were mainly observed in levels II, III and IV, whereas for the p16+ patients, positive nodes were only observed in level II (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the higher prevalence of cN+ and pN+ in p16+ OP-SCC patients, but without meaningful difference in the distribution of the lymph node drainage between p16- and p16+ OP-SCC. It indicates that no difference should be made between p16- and p16+ patients regarding the extend of neck treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aline Baltres
- Pathology Department, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | | | | | - Guillaume Buiret
- Surgical Department, Centre Hospitalier de Valence, Valence, France
| | - Bertrand Fleury
- Radiation Oncology Department, Centre Marie Curie, Valence, France
| | - Nazim Benzerdjeb
- Pathology Department, Centre Hopsitalier Lyon Sud, Pierre-Bénite, France
| | - Vincent Grégoire
- Radiation Oncology Department, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
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19
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Bhat AA, Yousuf P, Wani NA, Rizwan A, Chauhan SS, Siddiqi MA, Bedognetti D, El-Rifai W, Frenneaux MP, Batra SK, Haris M, Macha MA. Tumor microenvironment: an evil nexus promoting aggressive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and avenue for targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:12. [PMID: 33436555 PMCID: PMC7804459 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00419-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a very aggressive disease with a poor prognosis for advanced-stage tumors. Recent clinical, genomic, and cellular studies have revealed the highly heterogeneous and immunosuppressive nature of HNSCC. Despite significant advances in multimodal therapeutic interventions, failure to cure and recurrence are common and account for most deaths. It is becoming increasingly apparent that tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in HNSCC tumorigenesis, promotes the evolution of aggressive tumors and resistance to therapy, and thereby adversely affects the prognosis. A complete understanding of the TME factors, together with the highly complex tumor-stromal interactions, can lead to new therapeutic interventions in HNSCC. Interestingly, different molecular and immune landscapes between HPV+ve and HPV-ve (human papillomavirus) HNSCC tumors offer new opportunities for developing individualized, targeted chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) regimen. This review highlights the current understanding of the complexity between HPV+ve and HPV-ve HNSCC TME and various tumor-stromal cross-talk modulating processes, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), anoikis resistance, angiogenesis, immune surveillance, metastatic niche, therapeutic resistance, and development of an aggressive tumor phenotype. Furthermore, we summarize the recent developments and the rationale behind CIT strategies and their clinical applications in HPV+ve and HPV-ve HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajaz A Bhat
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Parvaiz Yousuf
- Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Kashmir, Ganderbal, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Nissar A Wani
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Arshi Rizwan
- Department of Nephrology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Shyam S Chauhan
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Mushtaq A Siddiqi
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Davide Bedognetti
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunogenomics, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Wael El-Rifai
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar. .,Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Jammu & Kashmir, India.
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20
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Ben Elhadj M, Fourati A, El Amine O, Goucha A, El May A, El May MV, Mokni Baizig N. Prevalence and Prognostic Value of HPV among Tunisian Patients with Laryngeal Cancer and Relationship between DNA HPV and p16, IGF-1R, Survivin, p53 Expressions. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2020; 129:863-871. [PMID: 32364419 DOI: 10.1177/0003489420918280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Tobacco and alcohol are the main etiological factors common to laryngeal cancers. However, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) constitutes an alternative risk factor according to several studies. In Tunisia, despite the annual increasing incidence of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), the prevalence and prognostic significance of HPV have never been explored.In this study, we sought to highlight HPV DNA in 70 biopsies of laryngeal cancer, and to analyze the status of HPV infection in association with p53, p16, survivin, and IGF-1R expressions. METHODS HPV high risk (HPV HR) DNA was detected in tumors by in situ hybridization. However, the expression of p53, p16, survivin and IGF-1R were stained by immunohistochemistry test. The correlations of HPV status with clinicopathological parameters, overall survival, disease-free survival and proteins expressions were statistically evaluated. RESULTS HPV HR DNA was detected in 39 out of 70 (55.71%) laryngeal tumors. HPV+ patients have a better overall survival (P = .081) and long disease-free-survival (P = .016) with a low rate of recurrence (P = .006) than HPV- patients. No significant correlations were found between HPV HR status and clinicopathological parameters (all P > .005). Moreover, HPV+ tumors were not associated with expression of p53, p16 and survivin. However, HPV HR status correlates with weak to moderate IGF-1R expression (P = .043). CONCLUSION The substantial detection of HPV HR in LSCC tumors suggest that this virus plays an important part in laryngeal cancer in Tunisia. It is a good prognostic factor. In addition, HPV infection could act to block the pathway of IGF-1R expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariem Ben Elhadj
- Departement of Immuno-Histo-Cytology, Salah Azaiez Cancer Institute, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research unit 17/ES/13 Faculty of Medicine, Tunis, Tunisia, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Asma Fourati
- Departement of Immuno-Histo-Cytology, Salah Azaiez Cancer Institute, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research unit 17/ES/13 Faculty of Medicine, Tunis, Tunisia, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Olfa El Amine
- Departement of Immuno-Histo-Cytology, Salah Azaiez Cancer Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Aida Goucha
- Departement of Immuno-Histo-Cytology, Salah Azaiez Cancer Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ahmed El May
- Departement of Immuno-Histo-Cytology, Salah Azaiez Cancer Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Michèle-Veronique El May
- Research unit 17/ES/13 Faculty of Medicine, Tunis, Tunisia, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Nehla Mokni Baizig
- Departement of Immuno-Histo-Cytology, Salah Azaiez Cancer Institute, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research unit 17/ES/13 Faculty of Medicine, Tunis, Tunisia, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
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21
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Kim MH, Kim JH, Lee JM, Choi JW, Jung D, Cho H, Kang H, Hong MH, Heo SJ, Kim SH, Choi EC, Kim DH, Park YM, Kim S, Yoon SO, Koh YW, Cho BC, Kim HR. Molecular subtypes of oropharyngeal cancer show distinct immune microenvironment related with immune checkpoint blockade response. Br J Cancer 2020; 122:1649-1660. [PMID: 32235905 PMCID: PMC7251088 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-0796-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) exhibits diverse immunological properties; however, their implications for immunotherapy are unknown. Methods We analysed 37 surgically resected and nine recurrent or metastatic anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-treated OPC tumours. OPCs were classified into immune-rich (IR), mesenchymal (MS) and xenobiotic (XB) subtypes based on RNA-sequencing data. Results All IR type tumours were human papillomavirus (HPV) positive, most XB types were HPV negative, and MS types showed mixed HPV status. The IR type showed an enriched T cell exhaustion signature with PD-1+ CD8+ T cells and type I macrophages infiltrating the tumour nest on multiplex immunohistochemistry. The MS type showed an exclusion of CD8+ T cells from the tumour nest and high MS and tumour growth factor-β signatures. The XB type showed scant CD8+ T cell infiltration and focal CD73 expression. The IR type was associated with a favourable response signature during anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy and showed a high APOBEC mutation signature, whereas the MS and XB types showed resistance signature upregulation. Among anti-PD-1/PD-L1-treated OPC patients, the IR type showed a favourable clinical response (3/4 patients), whereas the XB type showed early progression (3/3 patients). Conclusion Our analysis classified OPCs into three subtypes with distinct immune microenvironments that are potentially related to the response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Hwan Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hwan Kim
- Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Min Lee
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Woo Choi
- Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Pharmacology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongmin Jung
- Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hojin Cho
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyundeok Kang
- Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Min Hee Hong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Jin Heo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Heon Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Chang Choi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Da Hee Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Min Park
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangwoo Kim
- Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun Och Yoon
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Woo Koh
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung Chul Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Ryun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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22
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Saulle I, Vicentini C, Clerici M, Biasin M. An Overview on ERAP Roles in Infectious Diseases. Cells 2020; 9:E720. [PMID: 32183384 PMCID: PMC7140696 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) aminopeptidases ERAP1 and ERAP2 (ERAPs) are crucial enzymes shaping the major histocompatibility complex I (MHC I) immunopeptidome. In the ER, these enzymes cooperate in trimming the N-terminal residues from precursors peptides, so as to generate optimal-length antigens to fit into the MHC class I groove. Alteration or loss of ERAPs function significantly modify the repertoire of antigens presented by MHC I molecules, severely affecting the activation of both NK and CD8+ T cells. It is, therefore, conceivable that variations affecting the presentation of pathogen-derived antigens might result in an inadequate immune response and onset of disease. After the first evidence showing that ERAP1-deficient mice are not able to control Toxoplasma gondii infection, a number of studies have demonstrated that ERAPs are control factors for several infectious organisms. In this review we describe how susceptibility, development, and progression of some infectious diseases may be affected by different ERAPs variants, whose mechanism of action could be exploited for the setting of specific therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irma Saulle
- Cattedra di Immunologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche L. Sacco”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (M.B.)
- Cattedra di Immunologia, Dipartimento di Fisiopatologia Medico-Chirurgica e dei Trapianti Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Chiara Vicentini
- Cattedra di Immunologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche L. Sacco”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Mario Clerici
- Cattedra di Immunologia, Dipartimento di Fisiopatologia Medico-Chirurgica e dei Trapianti Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy;
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Mara Biasin
- Cattedra di Immunologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche L. Sacco”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (M.B.)
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23
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Qian X, Leonard F, Wenhao Y, Sudhoff H, Hoffmann TK, Ferrone S, Kaufmann AM, Albers AE. Immunotherapeutics for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma stem cells. HNO 2020; 68:94-99. [PMID: 31996933 DOI: 10.1007/s00106-020-00819-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cell (CSC)-related therapy resistance has become a new obstacle to the successful application of cancer treatment and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is no exception to this finding. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is highly immune-suppressive, and recently the immune suppression and invasion of HNSCC-CSCs have been characterized. These characteristics have received research and clinical attention because they would enable the stratification of patients into specific cancer subtypes and, consequently, the establishment of new therapeutic approaches with improved efficacy. This review discusses the feasibility of CSC-targeted strategies and their incorporation with nanotechnology to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Qian
- Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - F Leonard
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Y Wenhao
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - H Sudhoff
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medizinische Fakultät OWL, Klinikum Bielefeld, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - T K Hoffmann
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - S Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachussets General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A M Kaufmann
- Clinic for Gynecology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - A E Albers
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
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24
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Ramesh PS, Devegowda D, Singh A, Thimmulappa RK. NRF2, p53, and p16: Predictive biomarkers to stratify human papillomavirus associated head and neck cancer patients for de-escalation of cancer therapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2020; 148:102885. [PMID: 32062315 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.102885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with HPV associated (HPV+ve) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), particularly oropharyngeal cancer, show better treatment response, higher survival rates, and lower risks of recurrence as compared to HPV-ve HNSCC patients. Despite increased sensitivity to treatment modality, HPV+ve HNSCC patients are subjected to the same intensive anti-cancer therapy as HPV-ve HNSCC patients and thus subjecting them to unwarranted long-term toxicity. To identify predictive biomarkers for risk-stratification, we have analyzed the mutational spectrum, and the evidence suggests that gain-of-function mutations in the NRF2 pathway are highly prevalent in HPV-ve HNSCC. At the same time, it is rare in HPV+ve HNSCC tumors. We have reviewed the importance of gain-of-NRF2 function and loss of p53 in the prognosis of HNSCC patients and discussed a predictive scoring system using a combination of HPV status (p16), NRF2 pathway and p53 to stratify HPV+ve HNSCC into good versus poor responders, which could immensely help in guiding future de-escalation treatment approaches in patients with HPV+ve HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pushkal S Ramesh
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Devananda Devegowda
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Anju Singh
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Rajesh K Thimmulappa
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India.
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25
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Differential effect of GLUT1 overexpression on survival and tumor immune microenvironment of human papilloma virus type 16-positive and -negative cervical cancer. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13301. [PMID: 31527827 PMCID: PMC6746783 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49928-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1) has been proposed as a prognosticator in various cancers associated with therapeutic resistance and immune evasion; however little data is available on the role of GLUT1 in cervical cancer. Most cervical cancers are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), but studies on the treatment response and prognosis depending on the HPV subtype, are conflicting. This hypothesis-generating study aims to investigate the prognostic impact of GLUT1 in cervical cancer, in conjunction with HPV subtype. Clinicopathologic factors, along with mRNA expression data were obtained using The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Tumor HPV status and immune cell scores were extracted from previous publications. In total, 298 patients were analyzed. High GLUT1 expression was associated with old age, squamous cell carcinoma, high tumor stage, pelvic lymph node metastases, and low hysterectomy rate. Multivariate survival analysis revealed that high GLUT1 expression (Hazard ratio (HR) 2.57, p = 0.002) and HPV16 subtype (HR 0.56, p = 0.033) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. In the subgroup analysis, poor prognostic impact of high GLUT1 expression was maintained in HPV16-positive group (p < 0.001), but not in HPV16-negative group (p = 0.495). Decreased immune cell scores of CD8+ T cells, B cells, and Th1 cells by high GLUT1 expression were observed only in HPV16-positive group. In conclusion, these results suggested that GLUT1 expression and HPV16 subtype might have an independent prognostic value in cervical cancer. GLUT1-mediated immunomodulation might be an important cause of treatment failure, especially in HPV16-positive group.
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26
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Baruah P, Bullenkamp J, Wilson POG, Lee M, Kaski JC, Dumitriu IE. TLR9 Mediated Tumor-Stroma Interactions in Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-Positive Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Up-Regulate PD-L1 and PD-L2. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1644. [PMID: 31379843 PMCID: PMC6648892 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The co-inhibitory receptor PD-1 is expressed in many tumors including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and is an important immunotherapy target. However, the role of PD-1 ligands, PD-L1, and particularly PD-L2, in the tumor-stromal cell interactions that cause a tumor-permissive environment in HNSCC is not completely understood and is the focus of our study. Methods: Expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in situ in HNSCC tumor tissue. Co-cultures were established between stromal cells (fibroblasts and macrophages) and human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines (HNSCCs) and PD-1 ligands expression was analyzed using flow cytometry. Results: PD-L1 and PD-L2 were expressed both in tumor cells and stroma in HNSCC tissue in situ. In vitro, basal expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2 was low in HNSCCs and high on fibroblasts and macrophages. Interestingly, HPV-positive but not HPV-negative HNSCCs increased the expression of both PD-1 ligands on fibroblasts upon co-culture. This effect was not observed with macrophages. Conversely, both fibroblasts and macrophages increased PD-1 ligands on HPV-positive HNSCCs, whilst this was not observed in HPV-negative HNSCCs. Crucially, we demonstrate that up-regulation of PD-L1 and PD-L2 on fibroblasts by HPV-positive HNSCCs is mediated via TLR9. Conclusions: This work demonstrates in an in vitro model that HPV-positive HNSCCs regulate PD-L1/2 expression on fibroblasts via TLR9. This may open novel avenues to modulate immune checkpoint regulator PD-1 and its ligands by targeting TLR9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paramita Baruah
- Department of Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT), St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute and Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica Bullenkamp
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute and Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Philip O. G. Wilson
- Department of Pathology, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Lee
- Department of Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT), St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Juan Carlos Kaski
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute and Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ingrid E. Dumitriu
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute and Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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27
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Reeves E, Wood O, Ottensmeier CH, King EV, Thomas GJ, Elliott T, James E. HPV Epitope Processing Differences Correlate with ERAP1 Allotype and Extent of CD8 + T-cell Tumor Infiltration in OPSCC. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:1202-1213. [PMID: 31151965 PMCID: PMC6640044 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) predicts survival in many cancer types. In HPV-driven cancers, cervical and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (CSCC and OPSCC, respectively), numbers of infiltrating T cells, particularly CD8+ T cells, and presentation of HPV E6/E7 epitopes are associated with improved prognosis. Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) regulates the presented peptide repertoire, trimming peptide precursors prior to MHC I loading. ERAP1 is polymorphic, and allotypic variation of ERAP1 enzyme activity has an impact on the presented peptide repertoire. Individual SNPs are associated with incidence and outcome in a number of diseases, including CSCC. Here, we highlight the requirement for ERAP1 in the generation of HPV E6/E7 epitopes and show that the functional activity of ERAP1 allotype combinations identified in OPSCC correlate with tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T-cell (CD8)/TIL (CD8/TIL) status of the tumor. Functional analyses revealed that ERAP1 allotype combinations associated with CD8/TILlow tumors have a reduced capacity to generate both a model antigen SIINFEHL and the HPV-16 E782-90 epitope LLMGTLGIV from N-terminally extended precursor peptides. In contrast, ERAP1 allotypes from CD8/TILhigh tumors generated the epitopes efficiently. These data reveal that ERAP1 function correlates with CD8/TIL numbers and, by implication, prognosis, suggesting that the presentation of HPV-16 epitopes at the cell surface, resulting in an anti-HPV T-cell response, may depend on the ERAP1 allotype combinations expressed within an individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Reeves
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Wood
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Christian H Ottensmeier
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Emma V King
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth J Thomas
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Elliott
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Edward James
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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Faraji F, Fung N, Zaidi M, Gourin CC, Eisele DW, Rooper LM, Fakhry C. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte quantification stratifies early-stage human papillomavirus oropharynx cancer prognosis. Laryngoscope 2019; 130:930-938. [PMID: 31070246 DOI: 10.1002/lary.28044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To evaluate if a simple method for assessing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in primary tumor specimens improves the prognostic value of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, 8th Edition (AJCC8) cancer staging system in human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-OPC). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective study. METHODS In this study, TIL density was quantified on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained specimens from patients presenting to Johns Hopkins Hospital between 2009 and 2017 who underwent primary surgical therapy and had primary tumor specimens available for analysis. The prognostic effect of TIL density was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models considering recurrence-free survival (RFS) as the primary outcome. RESULTS This study included 132 patients. Ninety-five percent were classified by clinical criteria with AJCC8 early-stage disease (stage I: 82%, stage II: 13%). After 84 months of follow-up, 15 recurrences were observed. Among clinically early-stage disease, TILhigh status was associated with improved RFS compared to TILlow (P = .002). Adjusted analysis showed TILhigh status was associated with 79% lower risk of recurrence than TILlow (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.210, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.061-0.723). In clinical stage I disease, TILhigh status was associated with improved RFS compared to TILlow in both univariate and multivariate analyses (hazard ratio: 0.235, P = .021; aHR: 0.218; 95% CI: 0.058-0.822). TIL density similarly stratified risk in pathologically staged disease. CONCLUSIONS In patients with AJCC8 stage I disease, low TIL density was associated with diminished RFS. Our data suggest that assessing TIL density on H&E-stained primary tumor specimens may enhance the prognostic resolution of the AJCC8 staging criteria for HPV-OPC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 130:930-938, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhoud Faraji
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego Health, San Diego, California
| | - Nicholas Fung
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Munfarid Zaidi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Christine C Gourin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - David W Eisele
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lisa M Rooper
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Carole Fakhry
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
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29
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Wang HF, Wang SS, Tang YJ, Chen Y, Zheng M, Tang YL, Liang XH. The Double-Edged Sword-How Human Papillomaviruses Interact With Immunity in Head and Neck Cancer. Front Immunol 2019; 10:653. [PMID: 31001266 PMCID: PMC6454067 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have remarkably better prognosis, which differs from HPV-negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) with respect to clinical, genomic, molecular, and immunological aspects, especially having the characteristics of high levels of immune cell infiltration and high degrees of immunosuppression. This review will summarize immune evasion mechanisms in HPV-positive HNSCC, analyze the host various immune responses to HPV and abundant numbers of infiltrating immune cell, and discuss the differences between HPV-positive HNSCC with cervical cancer. A deeper understanding of the immune landscape will help new concepts to emerge in immune-checkpoint oncology, which might be a valuable add-on to established concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Fan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology (Sichuan University), Chengdu, China
| | - Sha-Sha Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology (Sichuan University), Chengdu, China
| | - Ya-Jie Tang
- Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Oral Pathology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology (Sichuan University), Chengdu, China
| | - Min Zheng
- Department of Stomatology, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhoushan, China
| | - Ya-Ling Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Oral Pathology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology (Sichuan University), Chengdu, China
| | - Xin-Hua Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology (Sichuan University), Chengdu, China
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30
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Chaudhary S, Ganguly K, Muniyan S, Pothuraju R, Sayed Z, Jones DT, Batra SK, Macha MA. Immunometabolic Alterations by HPV Infection: New Dimensions to Head and Neck Cancer Disparity. J Natl Cancer Inst 2019; 111:233-244. [PMID: 30615137 PMCID: PMC6410958 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djy207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer, with high morbidity and mortality. Racial disparity in HNSCC is observed between African Americans (AAs) and whites, effecting both overall and 5-year survival, with worse prognosis for AAs. In addition to socio-economic status and demographic factors, many epidemiological studies have also identified factors including coexisting human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, primary tumor location, and a variety of somatic mutations that contribute to the prognostic incongruities in HNSCC patients among AAs and whites. Recent research also suggests HPV-induced dysregulation of tumor metabolism and immune microenvironment as the major regulators of HNSCC patient prognosis. Outcomes of several preclinical and clinical studies on targeted therapeutics warrant the need to elucidate the inherent mechanistic and population-based disparities underlying patient responses. This review systematically reports the underlying reasons for inconsistency in disease prognosis and therapy responses among HNSCC patients from different racial populations. The focus of this review is twofold: aside from discussing the causes of racial disparity, we also seek to identify the consequences of such disparity in terms of HPV infection and its associated mutational, metabolic, and immune landscapes. Considering the clinical impact of differential patient outcomes among AA and white populations, understanding the underlying cause of this disparity may pave the way for novel precision therapy for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjib Chaudhary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Koelina Ganguly
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Sakthivel Muniyan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Ramesh Pothuraju
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Zafar Sayed
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Dwight T Jones
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
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31
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Dharmaraj N, Piotrowski SL, Huang C, Newton JM, Golfman LS, Hanoteau A, Koshy ST, Li AW, Pulikkathara MX, Zhang B, Burks JK, Mooney DJ, Lei YL, Sikora AG, Young S. Anti-tumor immunity induced by ectopic expression of viral antigens is transient and limited by immune escape. Oncoimmunology 2019; 8:e1568809. [PMID: 30906661 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1568809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapeutic treatments in head and neck cancer clinical trials include cancer vaccines targeting foreign viral antigens or mutational neoantigens derived from cancer-expressed proteins. Anti-tumor immune responses place cancer cells under selective pressure to lose or downregulate target antigens; therefore, vaccination against virus- or host- "driver" oncogenes are proposed as a strategy to overcome immune escape. Herein, we demonstrate the impact of immunogenic viral antigens on anti-tumor response and immune editing in MOC2-E6E7, a syngeneic murine oral cancer cell line expressing HPV-16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins. Using orthotopic syngeneic models, we observed in vivo tumor growth kinetics of MOC2-E6E7 is delayed in immunocompetent mice compared to parental MOC2 tumors. In contrast, tumor growth remained similar in Rag1-/- mice lacking adaptive immunity. MOC2-E6E7 tumors demonstrated an "inflamed" or immune-activated tumor microenvironment and greater infiltration of CD8+ T cells compared to MOC2. By real-time PCR, we detected downregulation of E6 and E7 genes in MOC2-E6E7 tumors only in immunocompetent mice, suggesting the loss of ectopic viral antigen expression due to immune editing. We then assessed the efficacy of a biomaterials-based mesoporous silica rod (MSR) cancer vaccine targeting HPV-16 E7 in our model. Vaccination induced robust infiltration of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, which led to tumor growth delay and modestly prolonged survival in MOC2-E6E7 tumors. Increased efficacy was seen in a separate head and neck cancer tumor model, mEER, which obligately expresses E7 antigen. Collectively, our data highlight the need for both immunogenicity and 'driver' status of target antigens to be considered in cancer vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeraja Dharmaraj
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Dentistry, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Stacey L Piotrowski
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Dentistry, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Chen Huang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jared M Newton
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Leonard S Golfman
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Dentistry, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Aurelie Hanoteau
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sandeep T Koshy
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Wyss Institute Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.,Exploratory Immuno-Oncology, Novartis Institute of Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Aileen W Li
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Wyss Institute Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Bing Zhang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jared K Burks
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David J Mooney
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Wyss Institute Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yu L Lei
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Andrew G Sikora
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Simon Young
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Dentistry, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of BioEngineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
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32
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The role of NF-κB and miRNA in oral cancer and cancer stem cells with or without HPV16 infection. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205518. [PMID: 30372446 PMCID: PMC6205583 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A small subpopulation of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) present in almost all tumors is responsible for drug resistance and tumor recurrence. The role of NF-kB and miRNA in close association with essential risk factors, tobacco, alcohol and high risk HPV infection during oral carcinogenesis and its prognosis is not well understood. We have isolated cancer stem like SP cells from both HPV+/-ve oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines and primary tumors, which formed orospheres, expressed stemness markers Oct4, Sox-2, CD133 and CD117. These cells showed differentially upregulated expression of NF-kB proteins and selective overexpression of viral oncogenes E6/E7 only in HPV16+ve cells which formed higher number of orospheres, overexpressed c-Rel and selectively activated p65 that heterodimerized with p50 to show higher DNA binding activity. Further, selective over expression of miR-21 and miR-155 and downregulation of miR-34a were demonstrated by HPV+ve CSCs which overexpress HPV16 oncogene E6 that is responsible for the maintenance of stemness. While, HPV-ve CSCs show exclusively p50 homodimeriztion, poor differentiation and worst prognosis, HPV infection induced participation of p65 along with deregulated expression of specific miRNAs led to well differentiation of tumors and better prognosis.
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33
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Prevc A, Niksic Zakelj M, Kranjc S, Cemazar M, Scancar J, Kosjek T, Strojan P, Sersa G. Electrochemotherapy with cisplatin or bleomycin in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Improved effectiveness of cisplatin in HPV-positive tumors. Bioelectrochemistry 2018; 123:248-254. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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34
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Albers AE, Qian X, Kaufmann AM, Mytilineos D, Ferris RL, Hoffmann TK, DeLeo AB. Phenotype of p53 wild-type epitope-specific T cells in the circulation of patients with head and neck cancer. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10716. [PMID: 30013227 PMCID: PMC6048165 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29067-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) specific for non-mutated, wild type (wt) sequence p53 peptides derived from wt or mutant p53 molecules expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) have been detected in the circulation of patients with this disease. The frequency and differentiation/maturation phenotypes of these anti-tumor specific CTL can reflect the host’s immunologic response. Therefore, we investigated the frequency and phenotypes of wt sequence p53 peptide-specific CTL in patients with HNSCC (n = 33) by flow cytometric analysis using HLA-A*0201 tetrameric peptides (tet) complexed with the wt sequence p53264–272 or p53149–157 peptide and co-staining with phenotypic markers. One main finding was that increasing frequencies of tet+ CD8+ T cells in patients’ circulation correlated with increased frequencies of inactive naïve tet+ cells, while those with effector memory and terminally differentiated phenotypes, which are associated with positive anti-tumor immune responses, decreased. We also found that the frequency of circulating tet+ CD8+ T cells negatively correlated with p53 expression in tumor tissues and tumor stage. Our findings support further clinical-based investigations to define the frequencies and phenotypes of wt sequence p53 peptide-specific CD8+ T cells to predict disease severity, enhance selection of patients for inclusion in vaccination trials and highlight prerequisites to enhance immune susceptibility by activation of inactive naïve tet+ T cells and/or enhancing circulating effector T cell activity by checkpoint blockage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas E Albers
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Xu Qian
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas M Kaufmann
- Clinic for Gynecology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daphne Mytilineos
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Robert L Ferris
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Thomas K Hoffmann
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Albert B DeLeo
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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35
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Taberna M, Mena M, Pavón MA, Alemany L, Gillison ML, Mesía R. Human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer. Ann Oncol 2018. [PMID: 28633362 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdx304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is now recognised as the principal cause of the increasing incidence rates of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) in some parts of the world. The primary risk factor for developing HPV-related OPSCC is oral HPV-infection and the majority of oral HPV-infections are acquired by oral sex. Progression into an OPSCC includes persistent infection with evasion of immune response in the microenvironment, the activation of viral early genes (E6, E7) in basal epithelial cells, the deregulation of cell cycle and the accumulation of chromosomal instability. Patients affected by HPV-related OPSCC tend to be younger and have better outcomes. This observation has lead current research to evaluate treatment de-escalation options to reduce long-term associated morbidity. Moreover, a different molecular profile for HPV-related OPSCC has been described, opening new options for targeted therapy and immunotherapy approaches. This paper comprehensively reviews our accumulated knowledge regarding the role of HPV in OPSCC spanning from infection to cancer development, including its clinical diagnosis, management and preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Taberna
- Department of Medical Oncology;; Cancer Epidemiology Research Program, IDIBELL, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona;; Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona;.
| | - M Mena
- Cancer Epidemiology Research Program, IDIBELL, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona;; CIBER in primary and secondary prevention of viral induced cancers (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - M A Pavón
- Cancer Epidemiology Research Program, IDIBELL, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona
| | - L Alemany
- Cancer Epidemiology Research Program, IDIBELL, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona;; Epidemiology and Public Health, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red: Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - M L Gillison
- Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA
| | - R Mesía
- Department of Medical Oncology;; Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona
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Hladíková K, Partlová S, Koucký V, Bouček J, Fonteneau JF, Zábrodský M, Tachezy R, Grega M, Špíšek R, Fialová A. Dysfunction of HPV16-specific CD8+ T cells derived from oropharyngeal tumors is related to the expression of Tim-3 but not PD-1. Oral Oncol 2018; 82:75-82. [PMID: 29909905 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2018.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 infection is one of the most important etiological agents of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with HPV-associated carcinomas of the head and neck were reported to have a better clinical outcome than patients with HPV-negative tumors. Because HPV16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins are highly immunogenic and constitutively expressed, HPV-specific T cell immunity may play the key role in improving the prognosis of these patients. METHODS Tumor-derived T cells were expanded in high levels of IL-2 and stimulated with HPV16 E6/E7 peptides in the presence or absence of anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody nivolumab and soluble Tim-3. RESULTS HPV16-specific tumor-infiltrating T cells were present in 73.1% of HPV-associated oropharyngeal tumors. HPV16 specific CD8+ TILs were able to produce IFNγ upon specific stimulation and predominantly expressed PD-1 but not Tim-3. Specific IFNγ production was further enhanced after a blockade of both PD-1 and Tim-3 pathways but not after a PD-1 blockade alone. Additionally, the specific stimulation of anti-HPV16 CD8+ T cells suppressed Tim-3 upregulation after the PD-1 blockade. CONCLUSION Our data provide the rationale for combination cancer immunotherapy approaches, including the dual blockade of PD-1 and Tim-3 and, potentially, the use of HPV16-directed therapeutic vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Hladíková
- Sotio, Jankovcova 1518/2, 170 00 Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Vladimír Koucký
- Sotio, Jankovcova 1518/2, 170 00 Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Úvalu 84, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Bouček
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Úvalu 84, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic; Institute of Microbiology ASCR, v.v.i., Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Michal Zábrodský
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Úvalu 84, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ruth Tachezy
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 5, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Grega
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Špíšek
- Sotio, Jankovcova 1518/2, 170 00 Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Fialová
- Sotio, Jankovcova 1518/2, 170 00 Prague, Czech Republic.
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37
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Prevc A, Kranjc S, Cemazar M, Todorovic V, Zegura B, Novak M, Filipic M, Flezar MS, Kirbis IS, Rotter A, Brozic A, Zakelj MN, Poljak M, Hosnjak L, Groselj B, Strojan P, Sersa G. Dose-Modifying Factor of Radiation Therapy with Concurrent Cisplatin Treatment in HPV-Positive Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Preclinical Study. Radiat Res 2018; 189:644-651. [PMID: 29652621 DOI: 10.1667/rr14984.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important etiological factor in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Compared to HPV-negative tumors, HPV-positive oropharyngeal SCC has shown a better response to nonsurgical treatments. In this study, we determined the dose-modifying factors for HPV-positive tumors with single-dose irradiation, with or without low radiosensitizing doses of cisplatin. In vitro, we determined an increased radiosensitivity of HPV-positive SCC, which might be a consequence of HPV-induced changes in the cell cycle regulation and DNA damage response, leading to increased cell death. Additionally, compared to HPV-negative tumors, 30% higher radiosensitivity of HPV-positive tumors was determined by tumor growth delay monitoring in immunodeficient mice in vivo. Concurrent cisplatin treatment had an additive effect in both HPV-negative and HPV-positive tumors, resulting in 20% better response in HPV-positive tumors than in HPV-negative tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajda Prevc
- Departments of a Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simona Kranjc
- Departments of a Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Departments of a Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,d Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Todorovic
- Departments of a Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bojana Zegura
- e Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matjaz Novak
- e Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Metka Filipic
- e Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | | | - Ana Rotter
- f Marine Biology Station, National Institute of Biology, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
| | - Andreja Brozic
- b Cytopathology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Martina Niksic Zakelj
- Departments of a Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mario Poljak
- h Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lea Hosnjak
- h Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Blaz Groselj
- c Radiation Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Primoz Strojan
- c Radiation Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Departments of a Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,i Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Abstract
Checkpoint inhibitors have recently gained FDA approval for the treatment of cisplatin-resistant recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) by outperforming standard of care chemotherapy and inducing durable responses in a subset of patients. These monoclonal antibodies unleash the patient's own immune system to target cancer cells. HNSCC is a good target for these agents as there is ample evidence of active immunosurveillance in the head and neck and a number of immune evasion mechanisms by which HNSCCs form progressive disease including via the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. As HNSCCs typically possess a moderately high mutation burden, they should express numerous mutation-derived antigen targets for immune detection. However, with response rates less than 20% in clinical trials, there is a need for biomarkers to screen patients as well as clinical trials evaluating novel combinations to improve outcomes. The aim of this review is to provide historical and mechanistic context for the use of checkpoint inhibitors in head and neck cancer and provide a perspective on the role of novel checkpoints, biomarkers, and combination therapies that are evolving in the near term for patients with HNSCC.
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Albers AE, Qian X, Kaufmann AM, Coordes A. Meta analysis: HPV and p16 pattern determines survival in patients with HNSCC and identifies potential new biologic subtype. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16715. [PMID: 29196639 PMCID: PMC5711807 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16918-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Consistent discrepancies in the p16/HPV-positivity have been observed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). It is therefore questionable, if all HPV+ and/or p16+ tested cancers are HPV-driven. Patients down-staged according to the HPV-dependant TNM are at risk for undertreatment and data in clinical trials may be skewed due to false patient inclusion. We performed a meta-analysis to classify clinical outcomes of the distinct subgroups with combined p16 and HPV detection. 25 out of 1677 publications fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The proportion of the subgroups was 35.6% for HPV+/p16+, 50.4% for HPV-/p16-, 6.7% for HPV-/p16+ and 7.3% for HPV+/P16-. The HPV+/p16+ subgroup had a significantly improved 5-year overall-survival (OS) and disease-free-survival in comparison to others both for HNSCC and oropharyngeal cancers. The 5-year OS of the HPV-/p16+ HNSCC was intermediate while HPV+/p16- and HPV-/p16- had the shortest survival outcomes. The clearly distinct survival of HPV-/p16+ cancers may characterize a new relevant HPV-independent subtype yet to be biologically characterized. The possibility also exists that in some HPV+/p16+ cancers HPV is an innocent bystander and p16 is independently positive. Therefore, in perspective, HPV-testing should distinguish between bystander HPV and truly HPV-driven cancers to avoid potential undertreatment in HPV+ but non-HPV-driven HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas E Albers
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Berlin Institute of Health, Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Xu Qian
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Berlin Institute of Health, Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas M Kaufmann
- Clinic for Gynecology, Charité - Berlin Institute of Health, Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annekatrin Coordes
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Berlin Institute of Health, Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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40
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Kidd LC, Chaing S, Chipollini J, Giuliano AR, Spiess PE, Sharma P. Relationship between human papillomavirus and penile cancer-implications for prevention and treatment. Transl Androl Urol 2017; 6:791-802. [PMID: 29184775 PMCID: PMC5673821 DOI: 10.21037/tau.2017.06.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Penile cancer is a rare disease in the United States, but rates are increasing, causing concern. Several risk factors have been associated with the disease, including human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Knowledge of HPV pathogenesis has led to the development of a vaccine, which has proven instrumental in reducing the incidence of female HPV-related cancers, but results in men have yet to be elucidated. Fortunately, rates of vaccination are up-trending in both males and females in the past several years. In addition, targeted therapies are the focus of several ongoing research efforts. Some of these therapeutics are currently in use, while several are in trials. With continued patient education and research, both treatment and prevention of HPV-related pre-malignant lesions and penile cancer will likely diminish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Kidd
- Department of Urology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Sharon Chaing
- Department of Urology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Juan Chipollini
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Anna R Giuliano
- Center for Infection Research in Cancer (CIRC), Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Philippe E Spiess
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Pranav Sharma
- Department of Urology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
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41
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Steinbach A, Riemer AB. Immune evasion mechanisms of human papillomavirus: An update. Int J Cancer 2017; 142:224-229. [PMID: 28865151 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most frequently sexually transmitted agent in the world. It can cause cervical and other anogenital malignancies, and oropharyngeal cancer. HPV has the unique ability to persist in the host's epithelium for a long time-longer than most viruses do-which is necessary to complete its replication cycle. To this end, HPV has developed a variety of immune evasion mechanisms, which unfortunately also favor the progression of the disease from infection to chronic dysplasia and eventually to cancer. This article summarizes the current knowledge about HPV immune evasion strategies. A special emphasis lies in HPV-mediated changes of the antigen processing machinery, which is generating epitopes for T cells and contributes to the detectability of infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Steinbach
- Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Vaccine Design, German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Angelika B Riemer
- Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Vaccine Design, German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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42
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Lechner A, Schlößer H, Rothschild SI, Thelen M, Reuter S, Zentis P, Shimabukuro-Vornhagen A, Theurich S, Wennhold K, Garcia-Marquez M, Tharun L, Quaas A, Schauss A, Isensee J, Hucho T, Huebbers C, von Bergwelt-Baildon M, Beutner D. Characterization of tumor-associated T-lymphocyte subsets and immune checkpoint molecules in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oncotarget 2017; 8:44418-44433. [PMID: 28574843 PMCID: PMC5546490 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The composition of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) reflects biology and immunogenicity of cancer. Here, we characterize T-cell subsets and expression of immune checkpoint molecules in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We analyzed TIL subsets in primary tumors (n = 34), blood (peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC); n = 34) and non-cancerous mucosa (n = 7) of 34 treatment-naïve HNSCC patients and PBMC of 15 healthy controls. Flow cytometry analyses revealed a highly variable T-cell infiltration mainly of an effector memory phenotype (CD45RA-/CCR7-). Naïve T cells (CD45RA+/CCR7+) were decreased in the microenvironment compared to PBMC of patients, while regulatory T cells (CD4+/CD25+/CD127low and CD4+/CD39+) were elevated. Furthermore, we performed digital image analyses of entire cross sections of HNSCC to define the 'Immunoscore' (CD3+ and CD8+ cell infiltration in tumor core and invasive margin) and quantified MHC class I expression on tumor cells by immunohistochemistry. Immune checkpoint molecules cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) were increased in TILs compared to peripheral T cells in flow-cytometric analysis. Human papillomavirus (HPV) positive tumors showed higher numbers of TILs, but a similar composition of T-cell subsets and checkpoint molecule expression compared to HPV negative tumors. Taken together, the tumor microenvironment of HNSCC is characterized by a strong infiltration of regulatory T cells and high checkpoint molecule expression on T-cell subsets. In view of increasingly used immunotherapies, a detailed knowledge of TILs and checkpoint molecule expression on TILs is of high translational relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Lechner
- Cologne Interventional Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hans Schlößer
- Cologne Interventional Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sacha I. Rothschild
- Cologne Interventional Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- University Hospital Basel, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Thelen
- Cologne Interventional Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sabrina Reuter
- Cologne Interventional Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Peter Zentis
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexander Shimabukuro-Vornhagen
- Cologne Interventional Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO), University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sebastian Theurich
- Cologne Interventional Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO), University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wennhold
- Cologne Interventional Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Maria Garcia-Marquez
- Cologne Interventional Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lars Tharun
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexander Quaas
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Astrid Schauss
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Jörg Isensee
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Experimental Anesthesiology and Pain Research, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Tim Hucho
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Experimental Anesthesiology and Pain Research, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Christian Huebbers
- Jean-Uhrmacher Institute for Clinical ENT Research, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael von Bergwelt-Baildon
- Cologne Interventional Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO), University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Dirk Beutner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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43
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Steinbach A, Winter J, Reuschenbach M, Blatnik R, Klevenz A, Bertrand M, Hoppe S, von Knebel Doeberitz M, Grabowska AK, Riemer AB. ERAP1 overexpression in HPV-induced malignancies: A possible novel immune evasion mechanism. Oncoimmunology 2017; 6:e1336594. [PMID: 28811980 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1336594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune evasion of tumors poses a major challenge for immunotherapy. For human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced malignancies, multiple immune evasion mechanisms have been described, including altered expression of antigen processing machinery (APM) components. These changes can directly influence epitope presentation and thus T-cell responses against tumor cells. To date, the APM had not been studied systematically in a large array of HPV+ tumor samples. Therefore in this study, systematic expression analysis of the APM was performed on the mRNA and protein level in a comprehensive collection of HPV16+ cell lines. Subsequently, HPV+ cervical tissue samples were examined by immunohistochemistry. ERAP1 (endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1) was the only APM component consistently altered - namely overexpressed - in HPV16+ tumor cell lines. ERAP1 was also found to be overexpressed in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer samples; expression levels were increasing with disease stage. On the functional level, the influence of ERAP1 expression levels on HPV16 E7-derived epitope presentation was investigated by mass spectrometry and in cytotoxicity assays with HPV16-specific T-cell lines. ERAP1 overexpression did not cause a complete destruction of any of the HPV epitopes analyzed, however, an influence of ERAP1 overexpression on the presentation levels of certain HPV epitopes could be demonstrated by HPV16-specific CD8+ T-cells. These showed enhanced killing toward HPV16+ CaSki cells whose ERAP1 expression had been attenuated to normal levels. ERAP1 overexpression may thus represent a novel immune evasion mechanism in HPV-induced malignancies, in cases when presentation of clinically relevant epitopes is reduced by overactivity of this peptidase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Steinbach
- Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Vaccine Design, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan Winter
- Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Miriam Reuschenbach
- Department of Applied Tumor Biology, Institute of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Renata Blatnik
- Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Vaccine Design, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexandra Klevenz
- Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Miriam Bertrand
- Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Hoppe
- Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Vaccine Design, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Agnieszka K Grabowska
- Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Angelika B Riemer
- Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Vaccine Design, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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44
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Saloura V, Fatima A, Zewde M, Kiyotani K, Brisson R, Park JH, Ikeda Y, Vougiouklakis T, Bao R, Khattri A, Seiwert T, Cipriani N, Lingen M, Vokes E, Nakamura Y. Characterization of the T-Cell Receptor Repertoire and Immune Microenvironment in Patients with Locoregionally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:4897-4907. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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45
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Rodriguez-Garcia A, Minutolo NG, Robinson JM, Powell DJ. T-cell target antigens across major gynecologic cancers. Gynecol Oncol 2017; 145:426-435. [PMID: 28377094 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2017.03.510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapies have achieved remarkable success in treating different forms of cancer including melanoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, bladder cancer, synovial cell sarcoma, and multiple myeloma using immune checkpoint blockade or gene-engineered T-cells. Although gynecologic cancers have not been historically classified as immunogenic tumors, growing evidence has shown that they are in fact able to elicit endogenous antitumor immune responses suggesting that patients with these cancers may benefit from immunotherapy. Modest clinical success has been accomplished in early trials using immunotherapeutic modalities for major gynecologic cancers including ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancer. Unlike solid cancers with high mutational burdens, or hematologic malignancies where target antigens are expressed homogenously and exclusively by tumor cells, identifying tumor-restricted antigens has been challenging when designing a T-cell targeted therapy for gynecologic tumors. Nevertheless, mounting preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that targeting shared, viral or patient-specific mutated antigens expressed by gynecologic tumors with T-cells may improve patient outcome. Here we review the strengths and weaknesses of targeting these various antigens, as well as provide insight into the future of immunotherapy for gynecologic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Rodriguez-Garcia
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nicholas G Minutolo
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John M Robinson
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, MD Anderson Cooper Cancer Center, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Daniel J Powell
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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46
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Abstract
HNSCC is a heterogeneous group of tumors located in the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx. Originally, tobacco and alcohol exposures were the main risk factors for HNSCC. In the last two decades, HPV infections have been identified as a risk factor for HNSCC, especially for oropharyngeal tumors. Whereas the HPV-induced oropharyngeal carcinomas predominantly express the HPV16 related E6 and E7 oncoproteins, the HPV-negative HNSCC are associated with an overexpression of p53. However, if the therapy successes for HPV-negative and HPV-positive HNSCCs are compared, there are significantly higher total survival rates for HPV-positive oropharyngeal tumors compared to HPV-negative tumors. It is important to understand this phenomenon in order to improve and adapt therapy concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Wollenberg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Schleswig-Holstein Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany.
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47
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Spiess PE, Dhillon J, Baumgarten AS, Johnstone PA, Giuliano AR. Pathophysiological basis of human papillomavirus in penile cancer: Key to prevention and delivery of more effective therapies. CA Cancer J Clin 2016; 66:481-495. [PMID: 27314890 DOI: 10.3322/caac.21354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Answer questions and earn CME/CNE Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis is a rare malignancy in the United States, with a significantly higher incidence-up to 20 to 30 times greater-in areas of Africa and South America. This can be explained in part by the significantly greater prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among high-risk males often having unprotected sex with multiple sexual partners. Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been implicated as the infectious pathway by which several these penile neoplasms originate from precursor lesions. In this regard, a fundamental understanding of HPV in penile carcinogenesis can have meaningful implications in understanding 1) the diagnosis of HPV-related precursor penile lesions, 2) targeting HPV-specific molecular pathways, and 3) cancer prevention. Using vaccination programs not only may improve patient outcomes but also may minimize the need for highly aggressive and often debilitating surgical resection. CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66:481-495. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe E Spiess
- Associate Member, Department of Genitourinary Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Jasreman Dhillon
- Assistant Member, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Adam S Baumgarten
- Urology Resident Physician, Department of Genitourinary Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Peter A Johnstone
- Senior Member, Department of Radiation Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Anna R Giuliano
- Senior Member, Department of Infection and Cancer, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
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48
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Selcuk OT. Human papillomavirus positive oropharyngeal cancer: The general information. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejenta.2016.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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49
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Zolkind P, Dunn GP, Lin T, Griffith M, Griffith OL, Uppaluri R. Neoantigens in immunotherapy and personalized vaccines: Implications for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Oncol 2016; 71:169-176. [PMID: 27751760 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2016.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The recent success of immunotherapies has demonstrated the potency of tumor-specific immune cells in mediating tumor rejection and generating durable tumor immunity. Our understanding of the scientific basis of these responses results from the confluence of a better comprehension of the cancer immunoediting process and the revolution in next generation sequencing of cancer genomes. Recent evidence suggests that T cell specificity for cancer cell expressed mutant proteins - termed neoantigens - is an important component of immune mediated tumor rejection. Improved neoantigen prediction algorithms have made it possible to predict and monitor immune responses to checkpoint inhibitors and adoptively transferred autologous lymphocytes and have enabled the development of tumor-specific therapeutic vaccines. Herein, we review the current research on cancer neoantigens in immunotherapies and its implications for the future of head and neck cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Zolkind
- Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
| | - Gavin P Dunn
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States; Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
| | - Tianxiang Lin
- Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
| | - Malachi Griffith
- McDonnell Genome Institute and Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
| | - Obi L Griffith
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
| | - Ravindra Uppaluri
- Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States; Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States.
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CD8 + T cell response to human papillomavirus 16 E7 is able to predict survival outcome in oropharyngeal cancer. Eur J Cancer 2016; 67:141-151. [PMID: 27669501 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2016.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Immunological response to human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development and progression of HPV16+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) (accounting for the majority of viral associated cases) is largely unknown and may provide important insights for new therapeutic strategies. METHODS In this prospective clinical trial (UKCRN11945), we examined cell-mediated immune responses to HPV16 E2, E6 and E7 in peripheral blood using IFN-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay. CD56+, CD4+, CD8+ and regulatory T cell frequencies were also discerned by flow cytometry. Fifty-one study participants with oropharyngeal carcinoma were recruited. Control subjects were those undergoing tonsillectomy for benign disease. All patients were treated with curative intent by radiotherapy ± chemotherapy. Disease-specific survival was investigated by multivariate analysis. RESULTS HPV16 DNA was detected in 41/51 of the OPSCC participants. T cell responses against HPV16 E6 or E7 peptides were detected in 33/51 evaluable patients, respectively and correlated with HPV status. Matched pre- and post-treatment T cell responses were available for 39/51 OPSCC cases. Within the whole cohort, elevated post-treatment CD8+ response to HPV16 E7 correlated with longer disease free survival (multivariate DFS p < 0.03). Within the HPV + OPSCC cohort, a significant increase in regulatory T cells (p < 0.02) was noted after treatment. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to provide survival data in OPSCC stratified by cell-mediated immune response to HPV16 peptides. Within the HPV16+ OPSCC cohort, enhanced immunoreactivity to antigen E7 was linked to improved survival. An increase in regulatory T cell frequencies after treatment may suggest that immunosuppression can contribute to a reduced HPV-specific cell-mediated response.
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