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Efe G, Rustgi AK, Prives C. p53 at the crossroads of tumor immunity. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:983-995. [PMID: 39009816 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00796-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The p53 tumor suppressor protein has a plethora of cell-intrinsic functions and consequences that impact diverse cell types and tissues. Recent studies are beginning to unravel how wild-type and mutant p53 work in distinct ways to modulate tumor immunity. This sets up a disequilibrium between tumor immunosurveillance and escape therefrom. The ability to exploit this emerging knowledge for translational approaches may shape immunotherapy and targeted therapeutics in the future, especially in combinatorial settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Efe
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anil K Rustgi
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Carol Prives
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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2
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Nakamura T, Sasaki S, Sato Y, Harashima H. Cancer Immunotherapy with Lipid Nanoparticles Loaded with a Stimulator of Interferon Genes Agonist against Renal Tumor Lung Metastasis. Pharmaceutics 2023; 16:31. [PMID: 38258042 PMCID: PMC10819482 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010031] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has a poor prognosis, and the major organ of metastasis is the lung. Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is the first-line therapy, but the response rates are low. Thus, the development of a more effective immunotherapy against metastatic RCC would be highly desirable. We previously demonstrated how a stimulator of an interferon gene (STING) agonist-loaded lipid nanoparticles (STING-LNPs) significantly activates natural killer (NK) cells and induces an antitumor effect against cases of melanoma lung metastasis that have shown ICI resistance. In this study, we evaluated the potential of using STING-LNPs in the treatment of lung metastatic RCC (Renca). An intravenous injection of STING-LNPs drastically decreased the amount of Renca tumor colonies. In contrast, monotherapies using ICIs showed no antitumor effect, and even a combination of ICI and STING-LNP therapies failed to enhance the antitumor effects. The main effector cells would be NK cells, and the activation of NK cells by the STING-LNPs may avoid the increased expression of immune checkpoint molecules. These findings provide useful insights into the development of an effective immunotherapy against metastatic RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Nakamura
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | | | | | - Hideyoshi Harashima
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
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3
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Rubatto M, Borriello S, Sciamarrelli N, Pala V, Tonella L, Ribero S, Quaglino P. Exploring the role of epigenetic alterations and non-coding RNAs in melanoma pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies. Melanoma Res 2023; 33:462-474. [PMID: 37788101 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is a rare but highly lethal type of skin cancer whose incidence is increasing globally. Melanoma is characterized by high resistance to therapy and relapse. Despite significant advances in the treatment of metastatic melanoma, many patients experience progression due to resistance mechanisms. Epigenetic changes, including alterations in chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA rearrangements, contribute to neoplastic transformation, metastasis, and drug resistance in melanoma. This review summarizes current research on epigenetic mechanisms in melanoma and their therapeutic potential. Specifically, we discuss the role of histone acetylation and methylation in gene expression regulation and melanoma pathobiology, as well as the promising results of HDAC inhibitors and DNMT inhibitors in clinical trials. We also examine the dysregulation of non-coding RNA, particularly miRNAs, and their potential as targets for melanoma therapy. Finally, we highlight the challenges of epigenetic therapies, such as the complexity of epigenetic mechanisms combined with immunotherapies and the need for combination therapies to overcome drug resistance. In conclusion, epigenetic changes may be reversible, and the use of combination therapy between traditional therapies and epigenetically targeted drugs could be a viable solution to reverse the increasing number of patients who develop treatment resistance or even prevent it. While several clinical trials are underway, the complexity of these mechanisms presents a significant challenge to the development of effective therapies. Further research is needed to fully understand the role of epigenetic mechanisms in melanoma and to develop more effective and targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Rubatto
- Department of Medical Sciences, Dermatologic Clinic, University of Turin Medical School, Turin, Italy
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4
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Elanany MM, Mostafa D, Hamdy NM. Remodeled tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) parade via natural killer cells reprogramming in breast cancer. Life Sci 2023; 330:121997. [PMID: 37536617 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the main cause of cancer-related mortality among women globally. Despite substantial advances in the identification and management of primary tumors, traditional therapies including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation cannot completely eliminate the danger of relapse and metastatic illness. Metastasis is controlled by microenvironmental and systemic mechanisms, including immunosurveillance. This led to the evolvement of immunotherapies that has gained much attention in the recent years for cancer treatment directed to the innate immune system. The long forgotten innate immune cells known as natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as novel targets for more effective therapeutics for BC. Normally, NK cells has the capacity to identify and eradicate tumor cells either directly or by releasing cytotoxic granules, chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines. Yet, NK cells are exposed to inhibitory signals by cancer cells, which causes them to become dysfunctional in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in BC, supporting tumor escape and spread. Potential mechanisms of NK cell dysfunction in BC metastasis have been recently identified. Understanding these immunologic pathways driving BC metastasis will lead to improvements in the current immunotherapeutic strategies. In the current review, we highlight how BC evades immunosurveillance by rendering NK cells dysfunctional and we shed the light on novel NK cell- directed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona M Elanany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dina Mostafa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Nadia M Hamdy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt.
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5
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El-Aziz MKA, Dawoud A, Kiriacos CJ, Fahmy SA, Hamdy NM, Youness RA. Decoding hepatocarcinogenesis from a noncoding RNAs perspective. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:1982-2009. [PMID: 37450612 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Being a leading lethal malignancy worldwide, the pathophysiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has gained a lot of interest. Yet, underlying mechanistic basis of the liver tumorigenesis is poorly understood. The role of some coding genes and their respective translated proteins, then later on, some noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as microRNAs have been extensively studied in context of HCC pathophysiology; however, the implication of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in HCC is indeed less investigated. As a subclass of the ncRNAs which has been elusive for long time ago, lncRNAs was found to be involved in plentiful cellular functions such as DNA, RNA, and proteins regulation. Hence, it is undisputed that lncRNAs dysregulation profoundly contributes to HCC via diverse etiologies. Accordingly, lncRNAs represent a hot research topic that requires prime focus in HCC. In this review, the authors discuss breakthrough discoveries involving lncRNAs and circRNAs dysregulation that have contributed to the contemporary concepts of HCC pathophysiology and how these concepts could be leveraged as potential novel diagnostic and prognostic HCC biomarkers. Further, this review article sheds light on future trends, thereby discussing the pathological roles of lncRNAs and circRNAs in HCC proliferation, migration, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Along this line of reasoning, future recommendations of how these targets could be exploited to achieve effective HCC-related drug development is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa K Abd El-Aziz
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, Egypt
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biology and Biochemistry Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alyaa Dawoud
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Caroline J Kiriacos
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sherif Ashraf Fahmy
- Chemistry Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nadia M Hamdy
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rana A Youness
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biology and Biochemistry Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo, Egypt
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
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6
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Afra F, Mahboobipour AA, Salehi Farid A, Ala M. Recent progress in the immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: Non-coding RNA-based immunotherapy may improve the outcome. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115104. [PMID: 37393866 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most lethal cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) significantly improved the prognosis of HCC; however, the therapeutic response remains unsatisfactory in a substantial proportion of patients or needs to be further improved in responders. Herein, other methods of immunotherapy, including vaccine-based immunotherapy, adoptive cell therapy, cytokine delivery, kynurenine pathway inhibition, and gene delivery, have been adopted in clinical trials. Although the results were not encouraging enough to expedite their marketing. A major proportion of human genome is transcribed into non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Preclinical studies have extensively investigated the roles of ncRNAs in different aspects of HCC biology. HCC cells reprogram the expression pattern of numerous ncRNAs to decrease the immunogenicity of HCC, exhaust the cytotoxic and anti-cancer function of CD8 + T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and M1 macrophages, and promote the immunosuppressive function of T Reg cells, M2 macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Mechanistically, cancer cells recruit ncRNAs to interact with immune cells, thereby regulating the expression of immune checkpoints, functional receptors of immune cells, cytotoxic enzymes, and inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Interestingly, prediction models based on the tissue expression or even serum levels of ncRNAs could predict response to immunotherapy in HCC. Moreover, ncRNAs markedly potentiated the efficacy of ICIs in murine models of HCC. This review article first discusses recent advances in the immunotherapy of HCC, then dissects the involvement and potential application of ncRNAs in the immunotherapy of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Afra
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Ali Mahboobipour
- Tracheal Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Salehi Farid
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Moein Ala
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Tan G, Spillane KM, Maher J. The Role and Regulation of the NKG2D/NKG2D Ligand System in Cancer. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1079. [PMID: 37626965 PMCID: PMC10452210 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The family of human NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL) consists of eight stress-induced molecules. Over 80% of human cancers express these ligands on the surface of tumour cells and/or associated stromal elements. In mice, NKG2D deficiency increases susceptibility to some types of cancer, implicating this system in immune surveillance for malignancy. However, NKG2DL can also be shed, released via exosomes and trapped intracellularly, leading to immunosuppressive effects. Moreover, NKG2D can enhance chronic inflammatory processes which themselves can increase cancer risk and progression. Indeed, tumours commonly deploy a range of countermeasures that can neutralise or even corrupt this surveillance system, tipping the balance away from immune control towards tumour progression. Consequently, the prognostic impact of NKG2DL expression in human cancer is variable. In this review, we consider the underlying biology and regulation of the NKG2D/NKG2DL system and its expression and role in a range of cancer types. We also consider the opportunities for pharmacological modulation of NKG2DL expression while cautioning that such interventions need to be carefully calibrated according to the biology of the specific cancer type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Tan
- CAR Mechanics Group, Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK;
| | | | - John Maher
- CAR Mechanics Group, Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK;
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne BN21 2UD, UK
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
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Mekky RY, Ragab MF, Manie T, Attia AA, Youness RA. MALAT-1: Immunomodulatory lncRNA hampering the innate and the adaptive immune arms in triple negative breast cancer. Transl Oncol 2023; 31:101653. [PMID: 36907052 PMCID: PMC10025146 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known as hot immunogenic tumor. Yet, it is one of the most aggressive BC subtypes. TNBC evolve several tactics to evade the immune surveillance phenomena, one of which is shedding of natural killer (NK) cells activating immune ligands such as MICA/B and/or by inducing the expression of the immune checkpoints such as PD-L1 and B7-H4. MALAT-1 is an oncogenic lncRNA. MALAT-1 immunogenic profile is not well investigated. AIM The study aims at exploring the immunogenic role of MALAT-1 in TNBC patients and cell lines and to identify its molecular mechanism in altering both innate and adaptive immune cells present at the tumor microenvironment of TNBC METHODS: BC patients (n = 35) were recruited. Primary NK cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes were isolated from normal individuals using the negative selection method. MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured and transfected by several oligonucleotides by lipofection technique. Screening of ncRNAs was performed using q-RT-PCR. Immunological functional analysis experiments were performed upon co-culturing primary natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes using LDH assay. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify potential microRNAs targeted by MALAT-1. RESULTS MALAT-1 expression was significantly upregulated in BC patinets with a profound expression in TNBC patients compared to their normal counterparts. Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between MALAT-1, tumor size and lymph node metastasis. Knocking down of MALAT-1 in MDA-MB-231 cells resulted in a significant induction of MICA/B, repression of PD-L1 and B7-H4 expression levels. Enhancement of cytotoxic activity of co-cultured NK and CD8+ cells with MALAT-1 siRNAs transfected MDA-MB-231 cells. In silico analysis revealed that miR-34a and miR-17-5p are potential targets to MALAT-1; accordingly, they were found to be downregulated in BC patients. Forcing the expression of miR-34a in MDA-MB-231 cells resulted in a significant induction in MICA/B levels. Ectopic expression of miR-17-5p in MDA-MB-231 cells significantly repressed the expression of PD-L1 and B7-H4 checkpoints. Validations of MALAT-1/miR-34a" and "MALAT-1/miR-17-5p axes were performed by a series of co-transfections and functional assessment of cytotoxic profile of primary immune cells. CONCLUSION This study proposes a novel epigenetic alteration exerted by TNBC cells mainly by inducing the expression of MALAT-1 lncRNA. MALAT-1 mediates innate and adaptive immune suppression events partially via targeting miR-34a/MICA/B and miR-175p/PD-L1/B7-H4 axes in TNBC patients and cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radwa Y Mekky
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA University), Cairo 12622, Egypt
| | - Mai F Ragab
- Pharmacology Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Tamer Manie
- Department of Breast Surgery, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Abdelrahman A Attia
- General Surgery Department, Ain Shams University, Demerdash Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rana A Youness
- Biology and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo 11835, Egypt.
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Anestopoulos I, Kyriakou S, Tragkola V, Paraskevaidis I, Tzika E, Mitsiogianni M, Deligiorgi MV, Petrakis G, Trafalis DT, Botaitis S, Giatromanolaki A, Koukourakis MI, Franco R, Pappa A, Panayiotidis MI. Targeting the epigenome in malignant melanoma: Facts, challenges and therapeutic promises. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108301. [PMID: 36283453 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108301] [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: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the most lethal type of skin cancer with high rates of mortality. Although current treatment options provide a short-clinical benefit, acquired-drug resistance highlights the low 5-year survival rate among patients with advanced stage of the disease. In parallel, the involvement of an aberrant epigenetic landscape, (e.g., alterations in DNA methylation patterns, histone modifications marks and expression of non-coding RNAs), in addition to the genetic background, has been also associated with the onset and progression of melanoma. In this review article, we report on current therapeutic options in melanoma treatment with a focus on distinct epigenetic alterations and how their reversal, by specific drug compounds, can restore a normal phenotype. In particular, we concentrate on how single and/or combinatorial therapeutic approaches have utilized epigenetic drug compounds in being effective against malignant melanoma. Finally, the role of deregulated epigenetic mechanisms in promoting drug resistance to targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors is presented leading to the development of newly synthesized and/or improved drug compounds capable of targeting the epigenome of malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Anestopoulos
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - S Kyriakou
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - V Tragkola
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - I Paraskevaidis
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - E Tzika
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - M V Deligiorgi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - G Petrakis
- Saint George Hospital, Chania, Crete, Greece
| | - D T Trafalis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - S Botaitis
- Department of Surgery, Alexandroupolis University Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace School of Medicine, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - A Giatromanolaki
- Department of Pathology, Democritus University of Thrace, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - M I Koukourakis
- Radiotherapy / Oncology, Radiobiology & Radiopathology Unit, Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - R Franco
- Redox Biology Centre, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA; School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - A Pappa
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - M I Panayiotidis
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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Deng Y, Xiao M, Wan AH, Li J, Sun L, Liang H, Wang QP, Yin S, Bu X, Wan G. RNA and RNA Derivatives: Light and Dark Sides in Cancer Immunotherapy. Antioxid Redox Signal 2022; 37:1266-1290. [PMID: 35369726 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2022.0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Immunotherapy, which utilizes the patient's immune system to fight tumor cells, has been approved for the treatment of some types of advanced cancer. Recent Advances: The complexity and diversity of tumor immunity are responsible for the varying response rates toward current immunotherapy strategies and highlight the importance of exploring regulators in tumor immunotherapy. Several genetic factors have proved to be critical regulators of tumor immunotherapy. RNAs, including messenger RNAs and non-coding RNAs, play vital and diverse roles in tumorigenesis, metastasis, drug resistance, and immunotherapy response. RNA modifications, including N6-methyladenosine methylation, are involved in tumor immunity. Critical Issues: A critical issue is the lack of summary of the regulatory RNA molecules and their derivatives in mediating immune activities in human cancers that could provide potential applications for tumor immunotherapeutic strategy. Future Directions: This review summarizes the dual roles (the light and dark sides) of RNA and its derivatives in tumor immunotherapy and discusses the development of RNA-based therapies as novel immunotherapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 1266-1290.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Deng
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (Cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Xiao
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (Cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Arabella H Wan
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiarui Li
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (Cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Sun
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (Cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Heng Liang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (Cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiao-Ping Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sheng Yin
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (Cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianzhang Bu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (Cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guohui Wan
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (Cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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11
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Deng X, Terunuma H. Harnessing NK Cells to Control Metastasis. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10122018. [PMID: 36560427 PMCID: PMC9781233 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, tumor immunotherapy has produced remarkable results in tumor treatment. Nevertheless, its effects are severely limited in patients with low or absent pre-existing T cell immunity. Accordingly, metastasis remains the major cause of tumor-associated death. On the other hand, natural killer (NK) cells have the unique ability to recognize and rapidly act against tumor cells and surveil tumor cell dissemination. The role of NK cells in metastasis prevention is undisputable as an increase in the number of these cells mostly leads to a favorable prognosis. Hence, it is reasonable to consider that successful metastasis involves evasion of NK-cell-mediated immunosurveillance. Therefore, harnessing NK cells to control metastasis is promising. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are the seeds for distant metastasis, and the number of CTCs detected in the blood of patients with tumor is associated with a worse prognosis, whereas NK cells can eliminate highly motile CTCs especially in the blood. Here, we review the role of NK cells during metastasis, particularly the specific interactions of NK cells with CTCs, which may provide essential clues on how to harness the power of NK cells against tumor metastasis. As a result, a new way to prevent or treat metastatic tumor may be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewen Deng
- Biotherapy Institute of Japan Inc., 2-4-8 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0051, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-5632-6080; Fax: +81-3-5632-6083
| | - Hiroshi Terunuma
- Biotherapy Institute of Japan Inc., 2-4-8 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0051, Japan
- N2 Clinic Yotsuya, 5F 2-6 Samon-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0017, Japan
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12
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The Roles of MiRNAs (MicroRNAs) in Melanoma Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314775. [PMID: 36499102 PMCID: PMC9736803 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314775] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, characterized by life-threatening and rapidly spreading progression. Traditional targeted therapy can alleviate tumors by inactivating hyperactive kinases such as BRAF or MEK but inevitably encounters drug resistance. The advent of immunotherapy has revolutionized melanoma treatment and significantly improved the prognosis of melanoma patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are intricately involved in innate and adaptive immunity and are implicated in melanoma immunotherapy. This systematic review describes the roles of miRNAs in regulating the functions of immune cells in skin and melanoma, as well as the involvement of miRNAs in pharmacology including the effect, resistance and immune-related adverse events of checkpoint inhibitors such as PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors, which are used for treating cutaneous, uveal and mucosal melanoma. The expressions and functions of miRNAs in immunotherapy employing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and Toll-like receptor 9 agonists are also discussed. The prospect of innovative therapeutic strategies such as the combined administration of miRNAs and immune checkpoint inhibitors and the nanotechnology-based delivery of miRNAs are also provided. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between miRNAs and immunotherapy is crucial for the discovery of reliable biomarkers and for the development of novel miRNA-based therapeutics against melanoma.
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Otmani K, Rouas R, Lewalle P. OncomiRs as noncoding RNAs having functions in cancer: Their role in immune suppression and clinical implications. Front Immunol 2022; 13:913951. [PMID: 36189271 PMCID: PMC9523483 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.913951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, microRNAs have been established as central players in tumorigenesis, but above all, they have opened an important door for our understanding of immune and tumor cell communication. This dialog is largely due to onco-miR transfer from tumor cells to cells of the tumor microenvironment by exosome. This review outlines recent advances regarding the role of oncomiRs in enhancing cancer and how they modulate the cancer-related immune response in the tumor immune microenvironment.MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a type of noncoding RNA that are important posttranscriptional regulators of messenger RNA (mRNA) translation into proteins. By regulating gene expression, miRNAs enhance or inhibit cancer development and participate in several cancer biological processes, including proliferation, invasion metastasis, angiogenesis, chemoresistance and immune escape. Consistent with their widespread effects, miRNAs have been categorized as oncogenes (oncomiRs) or tumor suppressor (TS) miRNAs. MiRNAs that promote tumor growth, called oncomiRs, inhibit messenger RNAs of TS genes and are therefore overexpressed in cancer. In contrast, TS miRNAs inhibit oncogene messenger RNAs and are therefore underexpressed in cancer. Endogenous miRNAs regulate different cellular pathways in all cell types. Therefore, they are not only key modulators in cancer cells but also in the cells constituting their microenvironments. Recently, it was shown that miRNAs are also involved in intercellular communication. Indeed, miRNAs can be transferred from one cell type to another where they regulate targeted gene expression. The primary carriers for the transfer of miRNAs from one cell to another are exosomes. Exosomes are currently considered the primary carriers for communication between the tumor and its surrounding stromal cells to support cancer progression and drive immune suppression. Exosome and miRNAs are seen by many as a hope for developing a new class of targeted therapy. This review outlines recent advances in understanding the role of oncomiRs in enhancing cancer and how they promote its aggressive characteristics and deeply discusses the role of oncomiRs in suppressing the anticancer immune response in its microenvironment. Additionally, further understanding the mechanism of oncomiR-related immune suppression will facilitate the use of miRNAs as biomarkers for impaired antitumor immune function, making them ideal immunotherapy targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Otmani
- Experimental Hematology Laboratory, Hematology Department, Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels, Belgium
- Hematology Department, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Khalid Otmani,
| | - Redouane Rouas
- Hematology Department, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Hematological Cell Therapy Unit, Hematology Department, Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philippe Lewalle
- Experimental Hematology Laboratory, Hematology Department, Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels, Belgium
- Hematology Department, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Hematological Cell Therapy Unit, Hematology Department, Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels, Belgium
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p53: From Fundamental Biology to Clinical Applications in Cancer. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11091325. [PMID: 36138802 PMCID: PMC9495382 DOI: 10.3390/biology11091325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary p53 tumour suppressor gene is the most altered in cancer. Several decades of research have established that it is of pivotal importance in prompting neoplastic phenomena, including cancer initiation and progression. However, it has crucial functions for cellular life. Knowledge and awareness about these multifaceted properties should be part of the cultural background of all scientists. In this review, we describe and discuss the multifaceted roles of p53, from its discovery to clinical applications in cancer therapy. Abstract p53 tumour suppressor gene is our major barrier against neoplastic transformation. It is involved in many cellular functions, including cell cycle arrest, senescence, DNA repair, apoptosis, autophagy, cell metabolism, ferroptosis, immune system regulation, generation of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial function, global regulation of gene expression, miRNAs, etc. Its crucial importance is denounced by the high percentage of amino acid sequence identity between very different species (Homo sapiens, Drosophila melanogaster, Rattus norvegicus, Danio rerio, Canis lupus familiaris, Gekko japonicus). Many of its activities allowed life on Earth (e.g., repair from radiation-induced DNA damage) and directly contribute to its tumour suppressor function. In this review, we provide paramount information on p53, from its discovery, which is an interesting paradigm of science evolution, to potential clinical applications in anti-cancer treatment. The description of the fundamental biology of p53 is enriched by specific information on the structure and function of the protein as well by tumour/host evolutionistic perspectives of its role.
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Chitadze G, Kabelitz D. Immune surveillance in glioblastoma: role of the NKG2D system and novel cell-based therapeutic approaches. Scand J Immunol 2022; 96:e13201. [PMID: 35778892 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma, formerly known as Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent and most aggressive brain tumor in adults. The brain is an immunopriviledged organ and the blood brain barrier shields the brain from immune surveillance. In this review we discuss the composition of the immunosuppressive tumor micromilieu and potential immune escape mechanisms in GBM. In this respect, we focus on the role of the NKG2D receptor/ligand system. NKG2D ligands are frequently expressed on GBM tumor cells and can activate NKG2D-expressing killer cells including NK cells and γδ T cells. Soluble NKG2D ligands, however, contribute to tumor escape from immunological attack. We also discuss the current immunotherapeutic strategies to improve the survival of GBM patients. Such approaches include the modulation of the NKG2D receptor/ligand system, the application of checkpoint inhibitors, the adoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded and/or modified immune cells, or the application of antibodies and antibody constructs to target cytotoxic effector cells in vivo. In view of the multitude of pursued strategies, there is hope for improved overall survival of GBM patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guranda Chitadze
- Unit for Hematological Diagnostics, Department of Internal Medicine II
| | - Dieter Kabelitz
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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Dinavahi SS, Chen YC, Punnath K, Berg A, Herlyn M, Foroutan M, Huntington ND, Robertson GP. Targeting WEE1/AKT restores p53-dependent NK cell activation to induce immune checkpoint blockade responses in 'cold' melanoma. Cancer Immunol Res 2022; 10:757-769. [PMID: 35439317 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment. Unfortunately, most tumor types do not respond to immunotherapy due to a lack of immune infiltration or 'cold' tumor microenvironment (TME), a contributing factor in treatment failure. Activation of the p53 pathway can increase apoptosis of cancer cells, leading to enhanced antigen presentation, and can stimulate natural killer (NK) cells through expression of stress ligands. Therefore, modulation of the p53 pathway in cancer cells with wildtype TP53 has the potential to enhance tumor immunogenicity to NK cells, produce an inflammatory TME, and ultimately lead to tumor regression. In this study, we report simultaneous targeting of the AKT/WEE1 pathways is a novel and tolerable approach to synergistically induce p53 activation to inhibit tumor development. This approach reduced the growth of melanoma cells and induced plasma membrane surface localization of the ER-resident protein calreticulin, an indicator of immunogenic cell death (ICD). Increase in ICD led to enhanced expression of stress ligands recognized by the activating NK cell receptor NKG2D, promoting tumor lysis. WEE1/AKT inhibition resulted in recruitment and activation of immune cells, including NK cells, in the TME, triggering an inflammatory cascade that transformed the 'cold' TME of B16F10 melanoma into a 'hot' TME that responded to anti-PD-1, resulting in complete regression of established tumors. These results suggest that AKT/WEE1 pathway inhibition is a potential approach to broaden the utility of class-leading anti-PD-1 therapies by enhancing p53-mediated, NK cell-dependent tumor inflammation and supports the translation of this novel approach to further improve response rates for metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yu-Chi Chen
- Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Kishore Punnath
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Arthur Berg
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Gavin P Robertson
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
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17
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Li C, Liu F, Sun L, Liu Z, Zeng Y. Natural killer cell-related gene signature predicts malignancy of glioma and the survival of patients. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:230. [PMID: 35236310 PMCID: PMC8892793 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09230-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Natural killer (NK) cells-based therapies are one of the most promising strategies against cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the natural killer cell related genes and its prognostic value in glioma. Methods The Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) was used to develop the natural killer cell-related signature. Risk score was built by multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. A cohort of 326 glioma samples with whole transcriptome expression data from the CGGA database was included for discovery. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets was used for validation. GO and KEGG were used to reveal the biological process and function associated with the natural killer cell-related signature. We also collected the clinical pathological features of patients with gliomas to analyze the association with tumor malignancy and patients’ survival. Results We screened for NK-related genes to build a prognostic signature, and identified the risk score based on the signature. We found that NK-related risk score was independent of various clinical factors. Nature-killer cell gene expression is correlated with clinicopathological features of gliomas. Innovatively, we demonstrated the tight relation between the risk score and immune checkpoints, and found NK-related risk score combined with PD1/PDL1 patients could predict the patient outcome. Conclusion Natural killer cell-related gene signature can predict malignancy of glioma and the survival of patients, these results might provide new view for the research of glioma malignancy and individual immunotherapy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09230-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglong Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Fangkun Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Lunquan Sun
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.,Center for Molecular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Zhixiong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Yu Zeng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
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18
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de Bruyn DP, Beasley AB, Verdijk RM, van Poppelen NM, Paridaens D, de Keizer ROB, Naus NC, Gray ES, de Klein A, Brosens E, Kiliç E. Is Tissue Still the Issue? The Promise of Liquid Biopsy in Uveal Melanoma. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020506. [PMID: 35203714 PMCID: PMC8962331 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the second most frequent type of melanoma. Therapeutic options for UM favor minimally invasive techniques such as irradiation for vision preservation. As a consequence, no tumor material is obtained. Without available tissue, molecular analyses for gene expression, mutation or copy number analysis cannot be performed. Thus, proper patient stratification is impossible and patients’ uncertainty about their prognosis rises. Minimally invasive techniques have been studied for prognostication in UM. Blood-based biomarker analysis has become more common in recent years; however, no clinically standardized protocol exists. This review summarizes insights in biomarker analysis, addressing new insights in circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, extracellular vesicles, proteomics, and metabolomics. Additionally, medical imaging can play a significant role in staging, surveillance, and prognostication of UM and is addressed in this review. We propose that combining multiple minimally invasive modalities using tumor biomarkers should be the way forward and warrant more attention in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniël P. de Bruyn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (D.P.d.B.); (N.M.v.P.); (D.P.); (N.C.N.)
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.d.K.); (E.B.)
- Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aaron B. Beasley
- Centre for Precision Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia; (A.B.B.); (E.S.G.)
| | - Robert M. Verdijk
- The Rotterdam Eye Hospital, 3011 BH Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (R.M.V.); (R.O.B.d.K.)
- Department of Pathology, Section Ophthalmic Pathology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Natasha M. van Poppelen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (D.P.d.B.); (N.M.v.P.); (D.P.); (N.C.N.)
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.d.K.); (E.B.)
- Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dion Paridaens
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (D.P.d.B.); (N.M.v.P.); (D.P.); (N.C.N.)
- The Rotterdam Eye Hospital, 3011 BH Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (R.M.V.); (R.O.B.d.K.)
| | | | - Nicole C. Naus
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (D.P.d.B.); (N.M.v.P.); (D.P.); (N.C.N.)
- Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elin S. Gray
- Centre for Precision Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia; (A.B.B.); (E.S.G.)
| | - Annelies de Klein
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.d.K.); (E.B.)
- Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erwin Brosens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.d.K.); (E.B.)
- Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Emine Kiliç
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (D.P.d.B.); (N.M.v.P.); (D.P.); (N.C.N.)
- Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-107030683
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19
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Zhang Z, Huang Q, Yu L, Zhu D, Li Y, Xue Z, Hua Z, Luo X, Song Z, Lu C, Zhao T, Liu Y. The Role of miRNA in Tumor Immune Escape and miRNA-Based Therapeutic Strategies. Front Immunol 2022; 12:807895. [PMID: 35116035 PMCID: PMC8803638 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.807895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor immune escape is a critical step in the malignant progression of tumors and one of the major barriers to immunotherapy, making immunotherapy the most promising therapeutic approach against tumors today. Tumor cells evade immune surveillance by altering the structure of their own, or by causing abnormal gene and protein expression, allowing for unrestricted development and invasion. These genetic or epigenetic changes have been linked to microRNAs (miRNAs), which are important determinants of post-transcriptional regulation. Tumor cells perform tumor immune escape by abnormally expressing related miRNAs, which reduce the killing effect of immune cells, disrupt the immune response, and disrupt apoptotic pathways. Consequently, there is a strong trend toward thoroughly investigating the role of miRNAs in tumor immune escape and utilizing them in tumor treatment. However, because of the properties of miRNAs, there is an urgent need for a safe, targeted and easily crossed biofilm vehicle to protect and deliver them in vivo, and exosomes, with their excellent biological properties, have successfully beaten traditional vehicles to provide strong support for miRNA therapy. This review summarizes the multiple roles of miRNAs in tumor immune escape and discusses their potential applications as an anti-tumor therapy. Also, this work proposes exosomes as a new opportunity for miRNA therapy, to provide novel ideas for the development of more effective tumor-fighting therapeutic approaches based on miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengjia Zhang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qingcai Huang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Liuchunyang Yu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Dongjie Zhu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zeyu Xue
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenglai Hua
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyi Luo
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqian Song
- Institute of Basic Theory, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Lu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yuanyan Liu, ; Cheng Lu, ; Ting Zhao,
| | - Ting Zhao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yuanyan Liu, ; Cheng Lu, ; Ting Zhao,
| | - Yuanyan Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yuanyan Liu, ; Cheng Lu, ; Ting Zhao,
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20
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Du H, Tang Y, Ren X, Zhang F, Yang W, Cheng L, Gao Y. A prognostic model for cervical cancer based on ferroptosis-related genes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:991178. [PMID: 36313765 PMCID: PMC9614331 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.991178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ferroptosis is widely involved in the occurrence and development of various cancers, but a specific mechanism involving ferroptosis in cervical cancer is still unclear. METHODS Based on the expressions of ferroptosis-related genes, a prognostic model was constructed using lasso regression, and the overall predictive performance of this model was verified. An in-depth analysis of the prognostic model was then conducted. RESULTS The prognostic model showed good predictive performance in both the validation and test sets. Mechanism analysis indicated that differences in the tumor microenvironment were the basis of the predictive ability of the model. Notably, CA9 mRNA was significantly overexpressed in cervical carcinoma, tissues but not in normal cervix tissues. A pair of ceRNAs (CA9/ULBP2) could be involved in the carcinogenesis and development of cervical cancer, and the potential target might be hsa-miR-34a. In addition, predicted miRNAs and drugs for these DEGs were identified. CONCLUSIONS We constructed a prognostic model with good predictive performance, based on the expression of ferroptosis-related genes. Further research found that the ceRNA pairs of ULBP2/CA9 could regulate cervical cancer through hsa-miR-34a. These results identified the mechanism of ferroptosis in cervical cancer, and might provide novel therapeutics for cervical cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijun Du
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Molecular Probes and Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yumei Tang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Dali University, Dali, China
- Shanxi Keda Research Institute, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiaoying Ren
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Molecular Probes and Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Molecular Probes and Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Wei Yang
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Molecular Probes and Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Le Cheng
- BGI-Yunnan, Kunming, China
- *Correspondence: Le Cheng, ; Yunan Gao,
| | - Yunan Gao
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Molecular Probes and Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- *Correspondence: Le Cheng, ; Yunan Gao,
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21
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Johnson RL, Cummings M, Thangavelu A, Theophilou G, de Jong D, Orsi NM. Barriers to Immunotherapy in Ovarian Cancer: Metabolic, Genomic, and Immune Perturbations in the Tumour Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6231. [PMID: 34944851 PMCID: PMC8699358 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A lack of explicit early clinical signs and effective screening measures mean that ovarian cancer (OC) often presents as advanced, incurable disease. While conventional treatment combines maximal cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy, patients frequently develop chemoresistance and disease recurrence. The clinical application of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) aims to restore anti-cancer T-cell function in the tumour microenvironment (TME). Disappointingly, even though tumour infiltrating lymphocytes are associated with superior survival in OC, ICB has offered limited therapeutic benefits. Herein, we discuss specific TME features that prevent ICB from reaching its full potential, focussing in particular on the challenges created by immune, genomic and metabolic alterations. We explore both recent and current therapeutic strategies aiming to overcome these hurdles, including the synergistic effect of combination treatments with immune-based strategies and review the status quo of current clinical trials aiming to maximise the success of immunotherapy in OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Racheal Louise Johnson
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Michele Cummings
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (M.C.); (N.M.O.)
| | - Amudha Thangavelu
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Georgios Theophilou
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Diederick de Jong
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Nicolas Michel Orsi
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (M.C.); (N.M.O.)
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22
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Alemohammad H, Najafzadeh B, Asadzadeh Z, Baghbanzadeh A, Ghorbaninezhad F, Najafzadeh A, Safarpour H, Bernardini R, Brunetti O, Sonnessa M, Fasano R, Silvestris N, Baradaran B. The importance of immune checkpoints in immune monitoring: A future paradigm shift in the treatment of cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 146:112516. [PMID: 34906767 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The growth and development of cancer are directly correlated to the suppression of the immune system. A major breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy depends on various mechanisms to detect immunosuppressive factors that inhibit anti-tumor immune responses. Immune checkpoints are expressed on many immune cells such as T-cells, regulatory B cells (Bregs), dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer cells (NKs), regulatory T (Tregs), M2-type macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Immune inhibitory molecules, including CTLA-4, TIM-3, TIGIT, PD-1, and LAG-3, normally inhibit immune responses via negatively regulating immune cell signaling pathways to prevent immune injury. However, the up-regulation of inhibitory immune checkpoints during tumor progression on immune cells suppresses anti-tumor immune responses and promotes immune escape in cancer. It has recently been indicated that cancer cells can up-regulate various pathways of the immune checkpoints. Therefore, targeting immune inhibitory molecules through antibodies or miRNAs is a promising therapeutic strategy and shows favorable results. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are introduced as a new immunotherapy strategy that enhance immune cell-induced antitumor responses in many patients. In this review, we highlighted the function of each immune checkpoint on different immune cells and therapeutic strategies aimed at using monoclonal antibodies and miRNAs against inhibitory receptors. We also discussed current challenges and future strategies for maximizing these FDA-approved immunosuppressants' effectiveness and clinical success in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Alemohammad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Basira Najafzadeh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zahra Asadzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Baghbanzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Arezoo Najafzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hossein Safarpour
- Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Renato Bernardini
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, Catania, Italy
| | - Oronzo Brunetti
- Medical Oncological Unite, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Margherita Sonnessa
- Functional Biomorphology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - Rossella Fasano
- Medical Oncological Unite, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncological Unite, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" of Bari, Bari, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Pharmaceutical Analysis Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Nguyen MHT, Luo YH, Li AL, Tsai JC, Wu KL, Chung PJ, Ma N. miRNA as a Modulator of Immunotherapy and Immune Response in Melanoma. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1648. [PMID: 34827646 PMCID: PMC8615556 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a promising therapy for the treatment of cancers, including melanoma, that improved benefit clinical outcomes. However, a subset of melanoma patients do not respond or acquire resistance to immunotherapy, which limits their clinical applicability. Recent studies have explored the reasons related to the resistance of melanoma to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Of note, miRNAs are the regulators of not only cancer progression but also of the response between cancer cells and immune cells. Investigation of miRNA functions within the tumor microenvironment have suggested that miRNAs could be considered as key partners in immunotherapy. Here, we reviewed the known mechanism by which melanoma induces resistance to immunotherapy and the role of miRNAs in immune responses and the microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai-Huong Thi Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 320317, Taiwan; (M.-H.T.N.); (A.-L.L.); (K.-L.W.); (P.-J.C.)
| | - Yueh-Hsia Luo
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan 320317, Taiwan;
| | - An-Lun Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 320317, Taiwan; (M.-H.T.N.); (A.-L.L.); (K.-L.W.); (P.-J.C.)
| | - Jen-Chieh Tsai
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan;
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350401, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Lin Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 320317, Taiwan; (M.-H.T.N.); (A.-L.L.); (K.-L.W.); (P.-J.C.)
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan 325208, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jung Chung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 320317, Taiwan; (M.-H.T.N.); (A.-L.L.); (K.-L.W.); (P.-J.C.)
| | - Nianhan Ma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 320317, Taiwan; (M.-H.T.N.); (A.-L.L.); (K.-L.W.); (P.-J.C.)
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24
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Shi D, Jiang P. A Different Facet of p53 Function: Regulation of Immunity and Inflammation During Tumor Development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:762651. [PMID: 34733856 PMCID: PMC8558413 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.762651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As a key transcription factor, the evolutionarily conserved tumor suppressor p53 (encoded by TP53) plays a central role in response to various cellular stresses. A variety of biological processes are regulated by p53 such as cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, senescence and metabolism. Besides these well-known roles of p53, accumulating evidence show that p53 also regulates innate immune and adaptive immune responses. p53 influences the innate immune system by secreted factors that modulate macrophage function to suppress tumourigenesis. Dysfunction of p53 in cancer affects the activity and recruitment of T and myeloid cells, resulting in immune evasion. p53 can also activate key regulators in immune signaling pathways which support or impede tumor development. Hence, it seems that the tumor suppressor p53 exerts its tumor suppressive effect to a considerable extent by modulating the immune response. In this review, we concisely discuss the emerging connections between p53 and immune responses, and their impact on tumor progression. Understanding the role of p53 in regulation of immunity will help to developing more effective anti-tumor immunotherapies for patients with TP53 mutation or depletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
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25
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Bléry M, Mrabet-Kraiem M, Morel A, Lhospice F, Bregeon D, Bonnafous C, Gauthier L, Rossi B, Remark R, Cornen S, Anceriz N, Viaud N, Trichard S, Carpentier S, Joulin-Giet A, Grondin G, Liptakova V, Kim Y, Daniel L, Haffner A, Macagno N, Pouyet L, Perrot I, Paturel C, Morel Y, Steinle A, Romagné F, Narni-Mancinelli E, Vivier E. Targeting MICA/B with cytotoxic therapeutic antibodies leads to tumor control. OPEN RESEARCH EUROPE 2021; 1:107. [PMID: 35967081 PMCID: PMC7613279 DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.13314.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Background: MICA and MICB are tightly regulated stress-induced proteins that trigger the immune system by binding to the activating receptor NKG2D on cytotoxic lymphocytes. MICA and MICB are highly polymorphic molecules with prevalent expression on several types of solid tumors and limited expression in normal/healthy tissues, making them attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. Methods: We have generated a series of anti-MICA and MICB cross-reactive antibodies with the unique feature of binding to the most prevalent isoforms of both these molecules. Results: The anti-MICA and MICB antibody MICAB1, a human IgG1 Fc-engineered monoclonal antibody (mAb), displayed potent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) of MICA/B-expressing tumor cells in vitro. However, it showed insufficient efficiency against solid tumors in vivo, which prompted the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADC). Indeed, optimal tumor control was achieved with MICAB1-ADC format in several solid tumor models, including patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and carcinogen-induced tumors in immunocompetent MICAgen transgenic mice. Conclusions: These data indicate that MICA and MICB are promising targets for cytotoxic immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Veronika Liptakova
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Younghoon Kim
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Laurent Daniel
- Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Aurélie Haffner
- Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Macagno
- Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Alexander Steinle
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | | | - Eric Vivier
- Innate Pharma, Marseille, France
- Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Marseille, France
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26
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Bléry M, Mrabet-Kraiem M, Morel A, Lhospice F, Bregeon D, Bonnafous C, Gauthier L, Rossi B, Remark R, Cornen S, Anceriz N, Viaud N, Trichard S, Carpentier S, Joulin-Giet A, Grondin G, Liptakova V, Kim Y, Daniel L, Haffner A, Macagno N, Pouyet L, Perrot I, Paturel C, Morel Y, Steinle A, Romagné F, Narni-Mancinelli E, Vivier E. Targeting MICA/B with cytotoxic therapeutic antibodies leads to tumor control. OPEN RESEARCH EUROPE 2021; 1:107. [PMID: 35967081 PMCID: PMC7613279 DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.13314.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Background: MICA and MICB are tightly regulated stress-induced proteins that trigger the immune system by binding to the activating receptor NKG2D on cytotoxic lymphocytes. MICA and MICB are highly polymorphic molecules with prevalent expression on several types of solid tumors and limited expression in normal/healthy tissues, making them attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. Methods: We have generated a series of anti-MICA and MICB cross-reactive antibodies with the unique feature of binding to the most prevalent isoforms of both these molecules. Results: The anti-MICA and MICB antibody MICAB1, a human IgG1 Fc-engineered monoclonal antibody (mAb), displayed potent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) of MICA/B-expressing tumor cells in vitro. However, it showed insufficient efficiency against solid tumors in vivo, which prompted the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADC). Indeed, optimal tumor control was achieved with MICAB1-ADC format in several solid tumor models, including patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and carcinogen-induced tumors in immunocompetent MICAgen transgenic mice. Conclusions: These data indicate that MICA and MICB are promising targets for cytotoxic immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Veronika Liptakova
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Younghoon Kim
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Laurent Daniel
- Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Aurélie Haffner
- Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Macagno
- Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Alexander Steinle
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | | | - Eric Vivier
- Innate Pharma, Marseille, France
- Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Marseille, France
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27
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Machuldova A, Houdova L, Kratochvilova K, Leba M, Jindra P, Ostasov P, Maceckova D, Klieber R, Gmucova H, Sramek J, Holubova M. Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in MICA and MICB Genes Could Play a Role in the Outcome in AML Patients after HSCT. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10204636. [PMID: 34682758 PMCID: PMC8537017 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10204636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
NKG2D and its ligands, MICA and MICB, are known as the key regulators of NK cells. NK cells are the first reconstituted cells after the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); therefore, it is crucial to understand their role in HSCT outcome. In the presented study, we investigated the single amino acid changes across the exons 2–4 of MICA and MICB genes, and point mutations within the NKG2D gene, which defines the type of NKG2D haploblock (HNK/LNK) in the donors (n = 124), as well as in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (n = 78). In our cohort, we found that graft from a donor with at least one MICA allele containing glycine at position 14 (MICA-14Gly) is significantly associated with deterioration of a patient’s overall survival (OS) (p < 0.05). We also observed a negative effect of MICB-58 (Lys → Glu) polymorphism on relapse-free survival (RFS), although it was not statistically significant in multivariate analysis (p = 0.069). To our knowledge, this is the first work describing the role of MICA-14 and MICB-58 polymorphisms on HSCT outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Machuldova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Immunotherapy, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, 323 00 Pilsen, Czech Republic; (P.O.); (D.M.); (R.K.)
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, 301 66 Pilsen, Czech Republic;
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (M.H.)
| | - Lucie Houdova
- NTIS, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of West Bohemia, 301 00 Pilsen, Czech Republic; (L.H.); (K.K.); (M.L.)
| | - Katerina Kratochvilova
- NTIS, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of West Bohemia, 301 00 Pilsen, Czech Republic; (L.H.); (K.K.); (M.L.)
| | - Martin Leba
- NTIS, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of West Bohemia, 301 00 Pilsen, Czech Republic; (L.H.); (K.K.); (M.L.)
| | - Pavel Jindra
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital Pilsen, 304 60 Pilsen, Czech Republic; (P.J.); (H.G.)
| | - Pavel Ostasov
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Immunotherapy, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, 323 00 Pilsen, Czech Republic; (P.O.); (D.M.); (R.K.)
| | - Diana Maceckova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Immunotherapy, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, 323 00 Pilsen, Czech Republic; (P.O.); (D.M.); (R.K.)
| | - Robin Klieber
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Immunotherapy, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, 323 00 Pilsen, Czech Republic; (P.O.); (D.M.); (R.K.)
| | - Hana Gmucova
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital Pilsen, 304 60 Pilsen, Czech Republic; (P.J.); (H.G.)
| | - Jiri Sramek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, 301 66 Pilsen, Czech Republic;
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital Pilsen, 304 60 Pilsen, Czech Republic; (P.J.); (H.G.)
| | - Monika Holubova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Immunotherapy, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, 323 00 Pilsen, Czech Republic; (P.O.); (D.M.); (R.K.)
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital Pilsen, 304 60 Pilsen, Czech Republic; (P.J.); (H.G.)
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (M.H.)
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28
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Wozniak M, Czyz M. The Functional Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194848. [PMID: 34638331 PMCID: PMC8508152 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most lethal skin cancer, with increasing incidence worldwide. The molecular events that drive melanoma development and progression have been extensively studied, resulting in significant improvements in diagnostics and therapeutic approaches. However, a high drug resistance to targeted therapies and adverse effects of immunotherapies are still a major challenge in melanoma treatment. Therefore, the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of melanomagenesis and cancer response to treatment is of great importance. Recently, many studies have revealed the close association of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) with the development of many cancers, including melanoma. These RNA molecules are able to regulate a plethora of crucial cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, migration, invasion and apoptosis through diverse mechanisms, and even slight dysregulation of their expression may lead to tumorigenesis. lncRNAs are able to bind to protein complexes, DNA and RNAs, affecting their stability, activity, and localization. They can also regulate gene expression in the nucleus. Several functions of lncRNAs are context-dependent. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the involvement of lncRNAs in melanoma. Their possible role as prognostic markers of melanoma response to treatment and in resistance to therapy is also discussed.
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Alves E, McLeish E, Blancafort P, Coudert JD, Gaudieri S. Manipulating the NKG2D Receptor-Ligand Axis Using CRISPR: Novel Technologies for Improved Host Immunity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:712722. [PMID: 34456921 PMCID: PMC8397441 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.712722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The activating immune receptor natural killer group member D (NKG2D) and its cognate ligands represent a fundamental surveillance system of cellular distress, damage or transformation. Signaling through the NKG2D receptor-ligand axis is critical for early detection of viral infection or oncogenic transformation and the presence of functional NKG2D ligands (NKG2D-L) is associated with tumor rejection and viral clearance. Many viruses and tumors have developed mechanisms to evade NKG2D recognition via transcriptional, post-transcriptional or post-translational interference with NKG2D-L, supporting the concept that circumventing immune evasion of the NKG2D receptor-ligand axis may be an attractive therapeutic avenue for antiviral therapy or cancer immunotherapy. To date, the complexity of the NKG2D receptor-ligand axis and the lack of specificity of current NKG2D-targeting therapies has not allowed for the precise manipulation required to optimally harness NKG2D-mediated immunity. However, with the discovery of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins, novel opportunities have arisen in the realm of locus-specific gene editing and regulation. Here, we give a brief overview of the NKG2D receptor-ligand axis in humans and discuss the levels at which NKG2D-L are regulated and dysregulated during viral infection and oncogenesis. Moreover, we explore the potential for CRISPR-based technologies to provide novel therapeutic avenues to improve and maximize NKG2D-mediated immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Alves
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Emily McLeish
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA, Australia
- The Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Jerome D. Coudert
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, WA, Australia
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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30
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Lees A, Sessler T, McDade S. Dying to Survive-The p53 Paradox. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3257. [PMID: 34209840 PMCID: PMC8268032 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The p53 tumour suppressor is best known for its canonical role as "guardian of the genome", activating cell cycle arrest and DNA repair in response to DNA damage which, if irreparable or sustained, triggers activation of cell death. However, despite an enormous amount of work identifying the breadth of the gene regulatory networks activated directly and indirectly in response to p53 activation, how p53 activation results in different cell fates in response to different stress signals in homeostasis and in response to p53 activating anti-cancer treatments remains relatively poorly understood. This is likely due to the complex interaction between cell death mechanisms in which p53 has been activated, their neighbouring stressed or unstressed cells and the local stromal and immune microenvironment in which they reside. In this review, we evaluate our understanding of the burgeoning number of cell death pathways affected by p53 activation and how these may paradoxically suppress cell death to ensure tissue integrity and organismal survival. We also discuss how these functions may be advantageous to tumours that maintain wild-type p53, the understanding of which may provide novel opportunity to enhance treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Lees
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK;
| | | | - Simon McDade
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK;
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31
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Khalaf K, Hana D, Chou JTT, Singh C, Mackiewicz A, Kaczmarek M. Aspects of the Tumor Microenvironment Involved in Immune Resistance and Drug Resistance. Front Immunol 2021; 12:656364. [PMID: 34122412 PMCID: PMC8190405 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.656364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and ever-changing "rogue organ" composed of its own blood supply, lymphatic and nervous systems, stroma, immune cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). These complex components, utilizing both benign and malignant cells, nurture the harsh, immunosuppressive and nutrient-deficient environment necessary for tumor cell growth, proliferation and phenotypic flexibility and variation. An important aspect of the TME is cellular crosstalk and cell-to-ECM communication. This interaction induces the release of soluble factors responsible for immune evasion and ECM remodeling, which further contribute to therapy resistance. Other aspects are the presence of exosomes contributed by both malignant and benign cells, circulating deregulated microRNAs and TME-specific metabolic patterns which further potentiate the progression and/or resistance to therapy. In addition to biochemical signaling, specific TME characteristics such as the hypoxic environment, metabolic derangements, and abnormal mechanical forces have been implicated in the development of treatment resistance. In this review, we will provide an overview of tumor microenvironmental composition, structure, and features that influence immune suppression and contribute to treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalil Khalaf
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Doris Hana
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Jadzia Tin-Tsen Chou
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Chandpreet Singh
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Andrzej Mackiewicz
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Mariusz Kaczmarek
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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Lone SN, Bhat AA, Wani NA, Karedath T, Hashem S, Nisar S, Singh M, Bagga P, Das BC, Bedognetti D, Reddy R, Frenneaux MP, El-Rifai W, Siddiqi MA, Haris M, Macha MA. miRNAs as novel immunoregulators in cancer. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 124:3-14. [PMID: 33926791 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.04.013] [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: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The immune system is a well-known vital regulator of tumor growth, and one of the main hallmarks of cancer is evading the immune system. Immune system deregulation can lead to immune surveillance evasion, sustained cancer growth, proliferation, and metastasis. Tumor-mediated disruption of the immune system is accomplished by different mechanisms that involve extensive crosstalk with the immediate microenvironment, which includes endothelial cells, immune cells, and stromal cells, to create a favorable tumor niche that facilitates the development of cancer. The essential role of non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) in the mechanism of cancer cell immune evasion has been highlighted in recent studies. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate a wide range of post-transcriptional gene expression in a cell. Recent studies have focused on the function that miRNAs play in controlling the expression of target proteins linked to immune modulation. Studies show that miRNAs modulate the immune response in cancers by regulating the expression of different immune-modulatory molecules associated with immune effector cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, B-cells, and natural killer cells, as well as those present in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. This review explores the relationship between miRNAs, their altered patterns of expression in tumors, immune modulation, and the functional control of a wide range of immune cells, thereby offering detailed insights on the crosstalk of tumor-immune cells and their use as prognostic markers or therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saife N Lone
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Kashmir, Ganderbal, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Molecular and Metabolic Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nissar A Wani
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Kashmir, Ganderbal, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | | | - Sheema Hashem
- Molecular and Metabolic Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sabah Nisar
- Molecular and Metabolic Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mayank Singh
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (BRAIRCH), AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | - Puneet Bagga
- Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Bhudev Chandra Das
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Davide Bedognetti
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunogenomics, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ravinder Reddy
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | - Wael El-Rifai
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Mushtaq A Siddiqi
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, India
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Molecular and Metabolic 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, India.
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Role of p53-miRNAs circuitry in immune surveillance and cancer development: A potential avenue for therapeutic intervention. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 124:15-25. [PMID: 33875349 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The genome's guardian, p53, is a master regulatory transcription factor that occupies sequence-specific response elements in many genes and modulates their expression. The target genes transcribe both coding RNA and non-coding RNA involved in regulating several biological processes such as cell division, differentiation, and cell death. Besides, p53 also regulates tumor immunology via regulating the molecules related to the immune response either directly or via regulating other molecules, including microRNAs (miRNAs). At the post-transcriptional level, the regulations of genes by miRNAs have been an emerging mechanism. Interestingly, p53 and various miRNAs cross-talk at different regulation levels. The cross-talk between p53 and miRNAs creates loops, turns, and networks that can influence cell metabolism, cell fate, cellular homeostasis, and tumor formation. Further, p53-miRNAs circuit has also been insinuated in the regulation of immune surveillance machinery. There are several examples of p53-miRNAs circuitry where p53 regulates immunomodulatory miRNA expression, such as miR-34a and miR-17-92. Similarly, a reverse process occurs in which miRNAs such as miR-125b and miR-let-7 regulate the expression of p53. Thus, the p53-miRNAs circuitry connects the immunomodulatory pathways and may shift the pro-inflammatory balance towards the pro-tumorigenic condition. In this review, we discuss the influence of p53-miRNAs circuitry in modulating the immune response in cancer development. We assume that thorough studies on the p53-miRNAs circuitry in various cancers may prove useful in developing effective new cancer therapeutics for successfully combating this disease.
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Cancer Stem Cells Are Possible Key Players in Regulating Anti-Tumor Immune Responses: The Role of Immunomodulating Molecules and MicroRNAs. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071674. [PMID: 33918136 PMCID: PMC8037840 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review provides a critical overview of the state of the art of the characterization of the immunological profile of a rare component of the tumors, denominated cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer initiating cells (CICs). These cells are endowed with the ability to form and propagate tumors and resistance to therapies, including the most innovative approaches. These investigations contribute to understanding the mechanisms regulating the interaction of CSCs/CICs with the immune system and identifying novel therapeutic approaches to render these cells visible and susceptible to immune responses. Abstract Cancer cells endowed with stemness properties and representing a rare population of cells within malignant lesions have been isolated from tumors with different histological origins. These cells, denominated as cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer initiating cells (CICs), are responsible for tumor initiation, progression and resistance to therapies, including immunotherapy. The dynamic crosstalk of CSCs/CICs with the tumor microenvironment orchestrates their fate and plasticity as well as their immunogenicity. CSCs/CICs, as observed in multiple studies, display either the aberrant expression of immunomodulatory molecules or suboptimal levels of molecules involved in antigen processing and presentation, leading to immune evasion. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) that can regulate either stemness properties or their immunological profile, with in some cases dual functions, can provide insights into these mechanisms and possible interventions to develop novel therapeutic strategies targeting CSCs/CICs and reverting their immunogenicity. In this review, we provide an overview of the immunoregulatory features of CSCs/CICs including miRNA profiles involved in the regulation of the interplay between stemness and immunological properties.
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Machuldova A, Holubova M, Caputo VS, Cedikova M, Jindra P, Houdova L, Pitule P. Role of Polymorphisms of NKG2D Receptor and Its Ligands in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Human Stem Cell Transplantation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:651751. [PMID: 33868289 PMCID: PMC8044845 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.651751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells possess key regulatory function in various malignant diseases, including acute myeloid leukemia. NK cell activity is driven by signals received through ligands binding activating or inhibitory receptors. Their activity towards elimination of transformed or virally infected cells can be mediated through MICA, MICB and ULBP ligands binding the activating receptor NKG2D. Given the efficiency of NK cells, potential target cells developed multiple protecting mechanisms to overcome NK cells killing on various levels of biogenesis of NKG2D ligands. Targeted cells can degrade ligand transcripts via microRNAs or modify them at protein level to prevent their presence at cell surface via shedding, with added benefit of shed ligands to desensitize NKG2D receptor and avert the threat of destruction via NK cells. NK cells and their activity are also indispensable during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, crucial treatment option for patients with malignant disease, including acute myeloid leukemia. Function of both NKG2D and its ligands is strongly affected by polymorphisms and particular allelic variants, as different alleles can play variable roles in ligand-receptor interaction, influencing NK cell function and HSCT outcome differently. For example, role of amino acid exchange at position 129 in MICA or at position 98 in MICB, as well as the role of other polymorphisms leading to different shedding of ligands, was described. Finally, match or mismatch between patient and donor in NKG2D ligands affect HSCT outcome. Having the information beyond standard HLA typing prior HSCT could be instrumental to find the best donor for the patient and to optimize effects of treatment by more precise patient-donor match. Here, we review recent research on the NKG2D/NKG2D ligand biology, their regulation, description of their polymorphisms across the populations of patients with AML and the influence of particular polymorphisms on HSCT outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Machuldova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Immunotherapy, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia
| | - Monika Holubova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Immunotherapy, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia.,Department of Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital Pilsen, Pilsen, Czechia
| | - Valentina S Caputo
- Hugh & Josseline Langmuir Center for Myeloma Research, Center for Hematology, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Cancer Biology and Therapy Laboratory, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Miroslava Cedikova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Immunotherapy, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia
| | - Pavel Jindra
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital Pilsen, Pilsen, Czechia
| | - Lucie Houdova
- NTIS, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of West Bohemia, Pilsen, Czechia
| | - Pavel Pitule
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Immunotherapy, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia
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Li WJ, Wang Y, Liu R, Kasinski AL, Shen H, Slack FJ, Tang DG. MicroRNA-34a: Potent Tumor Suppressor, Cancer Stem Cell Inhibitor, and Potential Anticancer Therapeutic. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:640587. [PMID: 33763422 PMCID: PMC7982597 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.640587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Overwhelming evidence indicates that virtually all treatment-naive tumors contain a subpopulation of cancer cells that possess some stem cell traits and properties and are operationally defined as cancer cell stem cells (CSCs). CSCs manifest inherent heterogeneity in that they may exist in an epithelial and proliferative state or a mesenchymal non-proliferative and invasive state. Spontaneous tumor progression, therapeutic treatments, and (epi)genetic mutations may also induce plasticity in non-CSCs and reprogram them into stem-like cancer cells. Intrinsic cancer cell heterogeneity and induced cancer cell plasticity, constantly and dynamically, generate a pool of CSC subpopulations with varying levels of epigenomic stability and stemness. Despite the dynamic and transient nature of CSCs, they play fundamental roles in mediating therapy resistance and tumor relapse. It is now clear that the stemness of CSCs is coordinately regulated by genetic factors and epigenetic mechanisms. Here, in this perspective, we first provide a brief updated overview of CSCs. We then focus on microRNA-34a (miR-34a), a tumor-suppressive microRNA (miRNA) devoid in many CSCs and advanced tumors. Being a member of the miR-34 family, miR-34a was identified as a p53 target in 2007. It is a bona fide tumor suppressor, and its expression is dysregulated and downregulated in various human cancers. By targeting stemness factors such as NOTCH, MYC, BCL-2, and CD44, miR-34a epigenetically and negatively regulates the functional properties of CSCs. We shall briefly discuss potential reasons behind the failure of the first-in-class clinical trial of MRX34, a liposomal miR-34a mimic. Finally, we offer several clinical settings where miR-34a can potentially be deployed to therapeutically target CSCs and advanced, therapy-resistant, and p53-mutant tumors in order to overcome therapy resistance and curb tumor relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Jess Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States.,Experimental Therapeutics Graduate Program, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Yunfei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States.,Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Ruifang Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Andrea L Kasinski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Haifa Shen
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Frank J Slack
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Dean G Tang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States.,Experimental Therapeutics Graduate Program, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
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The NKG2D ligand ULBP4 is not expressed by human monocytes. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246726. [PMID: 33556116 PMCID: PMC7870063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The C-type lectin-like receptor NKG2D contributes to the immunosurveillance of virally infected and malignant cells by cytotoxic lymphocytes. A peculiar and puzzling feature of the NKG2D-based immunorecognition system is the high number of ligands for this single immunoreceptor. In humans, there are a total of eight NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL) comprising two members of the MIC (MICA, MICB) and six members of the ULBP family of glycoproteins (ULBP1 to ULBP6). While MICA has been extensively studied with regard to its biochemistry, cellular expression and function, very little is known about the NKG2DL ULBP4. This is, at least in part, due to its rather restricted expression by very few cell lines and tissues. Recently, constitutive ULBP4 expression by human monocytes was reported, questioning the view of tissue-restricted ULBP4 expression. Here, we scrutinized ULBP4 expression by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and monocytes by analyzing ULBP4 transcripts and ULBP4 surface expression. In contrast to MICA, there was no ULBP4 expression detectable, neither by freshly isolated monocytes nor by PAMP-activated monocytes. However, a commercial antibody erroneously indicated surface ULBP4 on monocytes due to a non-ULBP4-specific binding activity, emphasizing the critical importance of validated reagents for life sciences. Collectively, our data show that ULBP4 is not expressed by monocytes, and likely also not by other peripheral blood immune cells, and therefore exhibits an expression pattern rather distinct from other human NKG2DL.
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Heinemann A, Paschen A. Tumor suppressors control ULBP2, an innate surface ligand of the lymphocyte immune receptor NKG2D. Oncoimmunology 2021; 1:535-536. [PMID: 22754777 PMCID: PMC3382901 DOI: 10.4161/onci.19406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The activating receptor NKG2D, expressed on different innate and adaptive cytotoxic lymphocytes, has been demonstrated to play an important role in anti-tumor immunity. Now evidence is provided that tumor suppressors control expression of its ligand ULBP2 supporting the role of this receptor-ligand system as an innate barrier against tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Heinemann
- Department of Dermatology; University Hospital Essen; Essen, Germany
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Meng F, Yang M, Chen Y, Chen W, Wang W. miR-34a induces immunosuppression in colorectal carcinoma through modulating a SIRT1/NF-κB/B7-H3/TNF-α axis. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:2247-2259. [PMID: 33492448 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02862-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although a number of studies have revealed the important roles of miR-34a in cancer, the regulatory roles of miR-34a in cancer immune response remain largely unknown. Our present study demonstrated a mechanism underlying miR-34a-mediated cancer immune evasion via a SIRT1/NF-κB/B7-H3/TNF-α axis. miR-34a upregulated B7-H3, an important immune checkpoint molecule, through direct inhibition of SIRT1 and consequent acetylation of NF-κB subunit p65 (a-p65), which promoted B7-H3 transcription by direct binding to its promoter. The elevated B7-H3 induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α. This was further confirmed in the colon of Mir34a-deficient mice, where Sirt1 expression was boosted, and the expressions of a-p65, B7h3, and Tnf were repressed. Consequently, the in vivo inhibitory activity of miR-34a on colorectal cancer (CRC) was eradicated by the reinforced B7-H3 and TNF-α. In conclusion, our study uncovered an etiological mechanism underlying miR-34a-mediated CRC immune evasion through inhibition of SIRT1 and promotion of NF-κB/B7-H3/TNF-α axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanyi Meng
- Center for Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Yunxuan Building #1339, Wenjing Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Man Yang
- Center for Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Yunxuan Building #1339, Wenjing Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yinshuang Chen
- Center for Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Yunxuan Building #1339, Wenjing Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Weichang Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China. .,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Tumor Immunology, Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Shizhi Street 188, Suzhou, 215006, China.
| | - Weipeng Wang
- Center for Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Yunxuan Building #1339, Wenjing Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, 215123, China.
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Stock C. Circulating Tumor Cells: Does Ion Transport Contribute to Intravascular Survival, Adhesion, Extravasation, and Metastatic Organotropism? Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 182:139-175. [DOI: 10.1007/112_2021_68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Baugh R, Khalique H, Seymour LW. Convergent Evolution by Cancer and Viruses in Evading the NKG2D Immune Response. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3827. [PMID: 33352921 PMCID: PMC7766243 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) receptor and its family of NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) are key components in the innate immune system, triggering NK, γδ and CD8+ T cell-mediated immune responses. While surface NKG2DL are rarely found on healthy cells, expression is significantly increased in response to various types of cellular stress, viral infection, and tumour cell transformation. In order to evade immune-mediated cytotoxicity, both pathogenic viruses and cancer cells have evolved various mechanisms of subverting immune defences and preventing NKG2DL expression. Comparisons of the mechanisms employed following virus infection or malignant transformation reveal a pattern of converging evolution at many of the key regulatory steps involved in NKG2DL expression and subsequent immune responses. Exploring ways to target these shared steps in virus- and cancer-mediated immune evasion may provide new mechanistic insights and therapeutic opportunities, for example, using oncolytic virotherapy to re-engage the innate immune system towards cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Leonard W. Seymour
- Anticancer Viruses and Cancer Vaccines Research Group, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK; (R.B.); (H.K.)
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Lazăr AD, Dinescu S, Costache M. The Non-Coding Landscape of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma: A Possible Route to Efficient Targeted Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113378. [PMID: 33203119 PMCID: PMC7696690 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Considered to be highly lethal if not diagnosed in early stages, cutaneous malignant melanoma is among the most aggressive and treatment-resistant human cancers, and its incidence continues to rise, largely due to ultraviolet radiation exposure, which is the main carcinogenic factor. Over the years, researchers have started to unveil the molecular mechanisms by which malignant melanoma can be triggered and sustained, in order to establish specific, reliable biomarkers that could aid the prognosis and diagnosis of this fatal disease, and serve as targets for development of novel efficient therapies. The high mutational burden and heterogeneous nature of melanoma shifted the main focus from the genetic landscape to epigenetic and epitranscriptomic modifications, aiming at elucidating the role of non-coding RNA molecules in the fine tuning of melanoma progression. Here we review the contribution of microRNAs and lncRNAs to melanoma invasion, metastasis and acquired drug resistance, highlighting their potential for clinical applications as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea D. Lazăr
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.L.); (M.C.)
| | - Sorina Dinescu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.L.); (M.C.)
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, 050663 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Marieta Costache
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.L.); (M.C.)
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, 050663 Bucharest, Romania
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Simiczyjew A, Dratkiewicz E, Mazurkiewicz J, Ziętek M, Matkowski R, Nowak D. The Influence of Tumor Microenvironment on Immune Escape of Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8359. [PMID: 33171792 PMCID: PMC7664679 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The low efficiency of currently-used anti-cancer therapies poses a serious challenge, especially in the case of malignant melanoma, a cancer characterized by elevated invasiveness and relatively high mortality rate. The role of the tumor microenvironment in the progression of melanoma and its acquisition of resistance to treatment seems to be the main focus of recent studies. One of the factors that, in normal conditions, aids the organism in its fight against the cancer and, following the malignant transformation, adapts to facilitate the development of the tumor is the immune system. A variety of cell types, i.e., T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic and natural killer cells, as well as neutrophils, support the growth and invasiveness of melanoma cells, utilizing a plethora of mechanisms, including secretion of pro-inflammatory molecules, induction of inhibitory receptors expression, or depletion of essential nutrients. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the processes regulated by tumor-associated cells that promote the immune escape of melanoma cells. The described mechanisms offer potential new targets for anti-cancer treatment and should be further studied to improve currently-employed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Simiczyjew
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Ewelina Dratkiewicz
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Justyna Mazurkiewicz
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Marcin Ziętek
- Department of Oncology and Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (R.M.)
- Wroclaw Comprehensive Cancer Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Matkowski
- Department of Oncology and Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (R.M.)
- Wroclaw Comprehensive Cancer Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Nowak
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
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Lu H, Ma Y, Wang M, Shen J, Wu H, Li J, Gao N, Gu Y, Zhang X, Zhang G, Shi T, Chen W. B7-H3 confers resistance to Vγ9Vδ2 T cell-mediated cytotoxicity in human colon cancer cells via the STAT3/ULBP2 axis. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 70:1213-1226. [PMID: 33119798 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02771-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy based on γδT cells has limited efficiency in solid tumors, including colon cancer (CC). The immune evasion of tumor cells may be the main cause of the difficulties of γδT cell-based treatment. In the present study, we explored whether and how B7-H3 regulates the resistance of CC cells to the cytotoxicity of Vγ9Vδ2 (Vδ2) T cells. We observed that B7-H3 overexpression promoted, while B7-H3 knockdown inhibited, CC cell resistance to the killing effect of Vδ2 T cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we showed that B7-H3-mediated CC cell resistance to the cytotoxicity of Vδ2 T cells involved a molecular pathway comprising STAT3 activation and decreased ULBP2 expression. ULBP2 blockade or knockdown abolished the B7-H3 silencing-induced increase in the cytotoxicity of Vδ2 T cells to CC cells. Furthermore, cryptotanshinone, a STAT3 phosphorylation inhibitor, reversed the B7-H3 overexpression-induced decrease in ULBP2 expression and attenuated the killing effect of Vδ2 T cells on CC cells. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between the expression of B7-H3 and ULBP2 in the tumor tissues of CC patients. Our results suggest that the B7-H3-mediated STAT3/ULBP2 axis may be a potential candidate target for improving the efficiency of γδT cell-based immunotherapy in CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Lu
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 708 Renmin Road, Suzhou, 215100, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, 708 Renmin Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanchao Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, 708 Renmin Road, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Tumor Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 708 Renmin Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Mingyuan Wang
- Suzhou Red Cross Blood Center, 355 Shizi Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Jin Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Hongya Wu
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 708 Renmin Road, Suzhou, 215100, Jiangsu, China
| | - Juntao Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Nan Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanzheng Gu
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 708 Renmin Road, Suzhou, 215100, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xueguang Zhang
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 708 Renmin Road, Suzhou, 215100, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guangbo Zhang
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 708 Renmin Road, Suzhou, 215100, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tongguo Shi
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 708 Renmin Road, Suzhou, 215100, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, 708 Renmin Road, Suzhou, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Tumor Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 708 Renmin Road, Suzhou, China.
| | - Weichang Chen
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 708 Renmin Road, Suzhou, 215100, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, 708 Renmin Road, Suzhou, China.
- , 50 Donghuan Road, Suzhou, 215100, Jiangsu, China.
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Zhou Y, An H, Wu G. MicroRNA-6071 Suppresses Glioblastoma Progression Through the Inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway by Binding to ULBP2. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:9429-9441. [PMID: 33061429 PMCID: PMC7520159 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s265791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of microRNA-6071 (miR-6071) on glioblastoma (GBM) and its potential mechanisms. Methods In this study, the expressions of miR-6071 and UL16 binding protein 2 (ULBP2) were measured by qRT-RCR in GBM tissues and cells. The prognostic values of miR-6071 and ULBP2 were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier methods using the data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The cell clones, proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion in GBM cells were detected by colony formation assay, EdU assay, flow cytometry, wound-healing assay and transwell assay. The targeting relationship between miR-6071 and ULBP2 was predicted by Targetscan 7.2 and further verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Moreover, the expressions of Bax, caspase-3, Bcl-2, matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase (PI3K), p-PI3K, protein kinase B (AKT), p-AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p-mTOR were measured by Western blot. Results miR-6071 was lowly expressed and ULBP2 was highly expressed in GBM tissues and cells. miR-6071 significantly repressed the proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted apoptosis in GBM cells. Moreover, miR-6071 also inhibited the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in GBM cells. Additionally, miR-6071 has been shown to negatively regulate ULBP2 expression. We also confirmed that ULBP2 could reverse the effects of miR-6071 on GBM cells through regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that miR-6071 could suppress cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as promote apoptosis through the inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway by binding to ULBP2 in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyan Zhou
- Second Department of Neurology, Rongcheng People's Hospital, Shandong Province, Rongcheng, Shandong 264300, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongwei An
- Surgery of Lingcheng, Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Dezhou City, Dezhou, Shandong 253500, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Wu
- Department of Neurology, Yan'an Hospital of Kunming, Kunming, Yunnan 650051, People's Republic of China
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Saw PE, Xu X, Chen J, Song EW. Non-coding RNAs: the new central dogma of cancer biology. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2020; 64:22-50. [PMID: 32930921 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-020-1700-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The central dogma of molecular biology states that the functions of RNA revolve around protein translation. Until the last decade, most researches were geared towards characterization of RNAs as intermediaries in protein translation, namely, messenger RNAs (mRNAs) as temporary copies of genetic information, ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) as a main component of ribosome, or translators of codon sequence (tRNAs). The statistical reality, however, is that these processes account for less than 2% of the genome, and insufficiently explain the functionality of 98% of transcribed RNAs. Recent discoveries have unveiled thousands of unique non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and shifted the perception of them from being "junk" transcriptional products to "yet to be elucidated"-and potentially monumentally important-RNAs. Most ncRNAs are now known as key regulators in various networks in which they could lead to specific cellular responses and fates. In major cancers, ncRNAs have been identified as both oncogenic drivers and tumor suppressors, indicating a complex regulatory network among these ncRNAs. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the various ncRNAs and their functional roles in cancer, and the pre-clinical and clinical development of ncRNA-based therapeutics. A deeper understanding of ncRNAs could facilitate better design of personalized therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phei Er Saw
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Xiaoding Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Jianing Chen
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Er-Wei Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China. .,Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
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Lazarova M, Wels WS, Steinle A. Arming cytotoxic lymphocytes for cancer immunotherapy by means of the NKG2D/NKG2D-ligand system. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020; 20:1491-1501. [PMID: 32726145 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1803273] [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: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The activating NKG2D receptor plays a central role in the immune recognition and elimination of abnormal self-cells by cytotoxic lymphocytes. NKG2D binding to cell stress-inducible ligands (NKG2DL) up-regulated on cancer cells facilitates their immunorecognition. Yet tumor cells utilize various escape mechanisms to avert NKG2D-based immunosurveillance. Hence, therapeutic strategies targeting the potent NKG2D/NKG2DL axis and such immune escape mechanisms become increasingly attractive in cancer therapy. AREAS COVERED This perspective provides a brief introduction into the NKG2D/NKG2DL axis and its relevance for cancer immune surveillance. Subsequently, the most advanced therapeutic approaches targeting the NKG2D system are presented focusing on NKG2D-CAR engineered immune cells and antibody-mediated strategies to inhibit NKG2DL shedding by tumors. EXPERT OPINION Thus far, NKG2D-CAR engineered lymphocytes represent the most advanced therapeutic approach utilizing the NKG2D system. Similarly to other tumor-targeting CAR approaches, NKG2D-CAR cells demonstrate powerful on-target activity, but may also cause off-tumor toxicities or lose efficacy, if NKG2DL expression by tumors is reduced. However, NKG2D-CAR cells also act on the tumor microenvironment curtailing its immunosuppressive properties, thus providing an independent therapeutic benefit. The potency of tumoricidal NKG2D-expressing lymphocytes can be further boosted by enhancing NKG2DL expression through small molecules and therapeutic antibodies inhibiting tumor-associated shedding of NKG2DL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya Lazarova
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt , Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Winfried S Wels
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy , Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt , Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz , Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alexander Steinle
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt , Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt , Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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MicroRNAs as Key Players in Melanoma Cell Resistance to MAPK and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124544. [PMID: 32604720 PMCID: PMC7352536 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in the use of targeted and immune therapies have revolutionized the clinical management of melanoma patients, prolonging significantly their overall and progression-free survival. However, both targeted and immune therapies suffer limitations due to genetic mutations and epigenetic modifications, which determine a great heterogeneity and phenotypic plasticity of melanoma cells. Acquired resistance of melanoma patients to inhibitors of BRAF (BRAFi) and MEK (MEKi), which block the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, limits their prolonged use. On the other hand, immune checkpoint inhibitors improve the outcomes of patients in only a subset of them and the molecular mechanisms underlying lack of responses are under investigation. There is growing evidence that altered expression levels of microRNAs (miRNA)s induce drug-resistance in tumor cells and that restoring normal expression of dysregulated miRNAs may re-establish drug sensitivity. However, the relationship between specific miRNA signatures and acquired resistance of melanoma to MAPK and immune checkpoint inhibitors is still limited and not fully elucidated. In this review, we provide an updated overview of how miRNAs induce resistance or restore melanoma cell sensitivity to mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors (MAPKi) as well as on the relationship existing between miRNAs and immune evasion by melanoma cell resistant to MAPKi.
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microRNAs in the Antitumor Immune Response and in Bone Metastasis of Breast Cancer: From Biological Mechanisms to Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082805. [PMID: 32316552 PMCID: PMC7216039 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, and the occurrence of metastasis drastically worsens the prognosis and reduces overall survival. Understanding the biological mechanisms that regulate the transformation of malignant cells, the consequent metastatic transformation, and the immune surveillance in the tumor progression would contribute to the development of more effective and targeted treatments. In this context, microRNAs (miRNAs) have proven to be key regulators of the tumor-immune cells crosstalk for the hijack of the immunosurveillance to promote tumor cells immune escape and cancer progression, as well as modulators of the metastasis formation process, ranging from the preparation of the metastatic site to the transformation into the migrating phenotype of tumor cells. In particular, their deregulated expression has been linked to the aberrant expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes to promote tumorigenesis. This review aims at summarizing the role and functions of miRNAs involved in antitumor immune response and in the metastasis formation process in breast cancer. Additionally, miRNAs are promising targets for gene therapy as their modulation has the potential to support or inhibit specific mechanisms to negatively affect tumorigenesis. With this perspective, the most recent strategies developed for miRNA-based therapeutics are illustrated.
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Zahedipour F, Jamialahmadi K, Karimi G. The role of noncoding RNAs and sirtuins in cancer drug resistance. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 877:173094. [PMID: 32243871 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a rising and major health issue around the world. The acquisition of resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is a great obstacle for the effective treatment of nearly all cancers. Drug resistance is regulated by multiple factors and mechanisms including genetic mutations, abnormal expression of some cellular transporters such as multidrug resistance (MDR) transporters, changes in apoptotic pathways, cancer stem cells, tumor microenvironment, and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Evidence clearly indicates a key role for sirtuins in several characteristics of cancer drug resistance. Recent studies demonstrated the crucial impact of some ncRNAs on sirtuins expression leading to modulation of chemotherapy resistance in cancers. In this review, we will focus on the current findings about the impacts of ncRNAs on the sirtuins pathway and their role in drug resistance of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Zahedipour
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Jamialahmadi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Karimi
- School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Pharmaceutical Research Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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