1
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Saw PE, Liu Q, Wong PP, Song E. Cancer stem cell mimicry for immune evasion and therapeutic resistance. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:1101-1112. [PMID: 38925125 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are heterogeneous, possess self-renewal attributes, and orchestrate important crosstalk in tumors. We propose that the CSC state represents "mimicry" by cancer cells that leads to phenotypic plasticity. CSC mimicry is suggested as CSCs can impersonate immune cells, vasculo-endothelia, or lymphangiogenic cells to support cancer growth. CSCs facilitate both paracrine and juxtracrine signaling to prime tumor-associated immune and stromal cells to adopt pro-tumoral phenotypes, driving therapeutic resistance. Here, we outline the ingenuity of CSCs' mimicry in their quest to evade immune detection, which leads to immunotherapeutic resistance, and highlight CSC-mimicry-targeted therapeutic strategies for robust immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phei Er Saw
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Nanhai Clinical Translational Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, 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, China
| | - Ping-Pui Wong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Nanhai Clinical Translational Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Erwei Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Nanhai Clinical Translational Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Zenith Institute of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510120, China.
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2
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Zhao X, Shao S, Hu L. The recent advancement of TCR-T cell therapies for cancer treatment. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024; 56:663-674. [PMID: 38557898 PMCID: PMC11187488 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapies involve infusing engineered immune cells into cancer patients to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. Adoptive cell therapy, as a form of living drug, has undergone explosive growth over the past decade. The recognition of tumor antigens by the T-cell receptor (TCR) is one of the natural mechanisms that the immune system used to eliminate tumor cells. TCR-T cell therapy, which involves introducing exogenous TCRs into patients' T cells, is a novel cell therapy strategy. TCR-T cell therapy can target the entire proteome of cancer cells. Engineering T cells with exogenous TCRs to help patients combat cancer has achieved success in clinical trials, particularly in treating solid tumors. In this review, we examine the progress of TCR-T cell therapy over the past five years. This includes the discovery of new tumor antigens, protein engineering techniques for TCR, reprogramming strategies for TCR-T cell therapy, clinical studies on TCR-T cell therapy, and the advancement of TCR-T cell therapy in China. We also propose several potential directions for the future development of TCR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhao
- />Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell SystemsShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyCenter for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
| | - Shuai Shao
- />Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell SystemsShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyCenter for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
| | - Lanxin Hu
- />Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell SystemsShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyCenter for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
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3
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Emilius L, Bremm F, Binder AK, Schaft N, Dörrie J. Tumor Antigens beyond the Human Exome. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4673. [PMID: 38731892 PMCID: PMC11083240 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
With the advent of immunotherapeutics, a new era in the combat against cancer has begun. Particularly promising are neo-epitope-targeted therapies as the expression of neo-antigens is tumor-specific. In turn, this allows the selective targeting and killing of cancer cells whilst healthy cells remain largely unaffected. So far, many advances have been made in the development of treatment options which are tailored to the individual neo-epitope repertoire. The next big step is the achievement of efficacious "off-the-shelf" immunotherapies. For this, shared neo-epitopes propose an optimal target. Given the tremendous potential, a thorough understanding of the underlying mechanisms which lead to the formation of neo-antigens is of fundamental importance. Here, we review the various processes which result in the formation of neo-epitopes. Broadly, the origin of neo-epitopes can be categorized into three groups: canonical, noncanonical, and viral neo-epitopes. For the canonical neo-antigens that arise in direct consequence of somatic mutations, we summarize past and recent findings. Beyond that, our main focus is put on the discussion of noncanonical and viral neo-epitopes as we believe that targeting those provides an encouraging perspective to shape the future of cancer immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisabeth Emilius
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.E.); (F.B.); (A.K.B.); (J.D.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Franziska Bremm
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.E.); (F.B.); (A.K.B.); (J.D.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Amanda Katharina Binder
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.E.); (F.B.); (A.K.B.); (J.D.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.E.); (F.B.); (A.K.B.); (J.D.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Dörrie
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.E.); (F.B.); (A.K.B.); (J.D.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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4
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Cherkasova EA, Chen L, Childs RW. Mechanistic regulation of HERV activation in tumors and implications for translational research in oncology. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1358470. [PMID: 38379771 PMCID: PMC10877039 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1358470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcription of distinct loci of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) and in some cases, translation of these transcripts have been consistently observed in many types of cancer. It is still debated whether HERV activation serves as a trigger for carcinogenesis or rather occurs as a consequence of epigenetic alterations and other molecular sequelae that characterize cellular transformation. Here we review the known molecular and epigenetic mechanisms of HERV activation in cancer cells as well as its potential contribution to carcinogenesis. Further, we describe the use of HERV expression in cancer diagnostic and characterize the potential of HERV-derived antigens to serve as novel targets for cancer immunotherapy. We believe this review, which summarizes both what is known as well as unknown in this rapidly developing field, will boost interest in research on the therapeutic potential of targeting HERV elements in tumors and the impact of HERV activation in oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Richard W. Childs
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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5
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Liang Y, Qu X, Shah NM, Wang T. Towards targeting transposable elements for cancer therapy. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:123-140. [PMID: 38228901 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00653-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) represent almost half of the human genome. Historically deemed 'junk DNA', recent technological advancements have stimulated a wave of research into the functional impact of TEs on gene-regulatory networks in evolution and development, as well as in diseases including cancer. The genetic and epigenetic evolution of cancer involves the exploitation of TEs, whereby TEs contribute directly to cancer-specific gene activities. This Review provides a perspective on the role of TEs in cancer as being a 'double-edged sword', both promoting cancer evolution and representing a vulnerability that could be exploited in cancer therapy. We discuss how TEs affect transcriptome regulation and other cellular processes in cancer. We highlight the potential of TEs as therapeutic targets for cancer. We also summarize technical hurdles in the characterization of TEs with genomic assays. Last, we outline open questions and exciting future research avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghao Liang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Xuan Qu
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nakul M Shah
- Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
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6
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Dopkins N, Singh B, Michael S, Zhang P, Marston JL, Fei T, Singh M, Feschotte C, Collins N, Bendall ML, Nixon DF. Ribosomal profiling of human endogenous retroviruses in healthy tissues. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:5. [PMID: 38166631 PMCID: PMC10759522 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09909-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are the germline embedded proviral fragments of ancient retroviral infections that make up roughly 8% of the human genome. Our understanding of HERVs in physiology primarily surrounds their non-coding functions, while their protein coding capacity remains virtually uncharacterized. Therefore, we applied the bioinformatic pipeline "hervQuant" to high-resolution ribosomal profiling of healthy tissues to provide a comprehensive overview of translationally active HERVs. We find that HERVs account for 0.1-0.4% of all translation in distinct tissue-specific profiles. Collectively, our study further supports claims that HERVs are actively translated throughout healthy tissues to provide sequences of retroviral origin to the human proteome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Dopkins
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
| | - Bhavya Singh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Stephanie Michael
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Panpan Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Jez L Marston
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Tongyi Fei
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Manvendra Singh
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, City Campus, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cedric Feschotte
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Nicholas Collins
- Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Matthew L Bendall
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Douglas F Nixon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
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7
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Nicholas B, Skipp P. What do cancer-specific CD8+ T cells see? The contribution of immunopeptidomics. Essays Biochem 2023; 67:957-965. [PMID: 37503576 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Immunopeptidomics is the survey of all peptides displayed on a cell or tissue when bound to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules using tandem mass spectrometry. When attempting to determine the targets of tumour-specific CD8+ T cells, a survey of the potential ligands in tumour tissues is invaluable, and, in comparison with in-silico predictions, provides greater certainty of the existence of individual epitopes, as immunopeptidomics-confirmed CD8+ T-cell epitopes are known to be immunogenic, and direct observation should avoid the risk of autoreactivity which could arise following immunisation with structural homologues. The canonical sources of CD8+ T-cell tumour specific epitopes, such as tumour associated antigens, may be well conserved between patients and tumour types, but are often only weakly immunogenic. Direct observation of tumour-specific neoantigens by immunopeptidomics is rare, although valuable. Thus, there has been increasing interest in the non-canonical origins of tumour-reactive CD8+ T-cell epitopes, such as those arising from proteasomal splicing events, translational/turnover defects and alternative open reading frame reads. Such epitopes can be identified in silico, although validation is more challenging. Non-self CD8+ T-cell epitopes such as viral epitopes may be useful in certain cancer types with known viral origins, however these have been relatively unexplored with immunopeptidomics to date, possibly due to the paucity of source viral proteins in tumour tissues. This review examines the latest evidence for canonical, non-canonical and non-human CD8+ T-cell epitopes identified by immunopeptidomics, and concludes that the relative contribution for each of these sources to anti-tumour CD8+ T-cell reactivity is currently uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Nicholas
- Centre for Proteomic Research, Biological Sciences and Institute for Life Sciences, Building 85, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, U.K
| | - Paul Skipp
- Centre for Proteomic Research, Biological Sciences and Institute for Life Sciences, Building 85, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, U.K
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8
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Wen X, Shen J, De Miglio MR, Zeng D, Sechi LA. Endogenous retrovirus group FRD member 1 is a potential biomarker for prognosis and immunotherapy for kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1252905. [PMID: 37780849 PMCID: PMC10534008 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1252905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The activation of endogenous retroviral (ERV) genes in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) suggests the necessity for further research on their functions. Methods In this study, KIRC and healthy cohorts were obtained from TGGA and GEO datasets. Subsequently, differential analysis and functional annotation were conducted using GO, KEGG, and GSEA. Clinical outcomes were then observed and utilized in the development of a nomogram. Results We observed the general low expression of ERVFRD-1 in KIRC tumors compared to normal tissue (P < 0.001) across multiple cohorts. Differential analysis and functional annotation using GO, KEGG, GSEA analysis revealed significant involvement of ERVFRD-1 in tumor immunoregulation: a close relation to the infiltration levels of mast cells and Treg cell (P < 0.001) and occurrence with a variety of immune markers. Methylation status was then applied to uncover potential mechanisms of ERVFRD-1 in KIRC. Notably, higher expression levels of ERVFRD-1 were associated with extended overall survival, disease-specific survival, and progression-free survival. Finally, based on Cox regression analysis, we constructed a nomogram incorporating ERVFRD-1, pathologic T, and age, which exhibited promising predictive power in assessing the survival outcomes of KIRC patients. Discussion To sum up, our study suggests that ERVFRD-1 plays a role in regulating immunological activity within the tumor microenvironment and is associated with overall survival in KIRC patients. ERVFRD-1 may therefore be a sensitive biomarker for diagnosis, immunotherapy, and prognosis assessment of KIRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofen Wen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiaxin Shen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Maria Rosaria De Miglio
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - De Zeng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Leonardo A. Sechi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Struttura Complessa (SC) Microbiologia e Virologia, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Sassari, Italy
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Kobayashi S, Tokita S, Moniwa K, Kitahara K, Iuchi H, Matsuo K, Kakizaki H, Kanaseki T, Torigoe T. Proteogenomic identification of an immunogenic antigen derived from human endogenous retrovirus in renal cell carcinoma. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e167712. [PMID: 37606040 PMCID: PMC10543709 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.167712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cells can recognize tumor antigens displayed by HLA class I molecules and eliminate tumor cells. Despite their low tumor mutation burden, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is often beneficial in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Here, using a proteogenomic approach, we directly and comprehensively explored the HLA class I-presenting peptidome of RCC tissues and demonstrated that the immunopeptidomes contain a small subset of peptides derived from human endogenous retroviruses (hERV). A comparison between tumor and normal kidney tissues revealed tumor-associated hERV antigens, one of which was immunogenic and recognized by host tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). Stimulation with the hERV antigen induced reactive CD8+ T cells in healthy donor-derived (HD-derived) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). These results highlight the presence of antitumor CD8+ T cell surveillance against hERV3895 antigens, suggesting their clinical applications in patients with RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
- Department of Renal and Urologic Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Serina Tokita
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
- Joint Research Center for Immunoproteogenomics and
| | - Keigo Moniwa
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Hidehiro Kakizaki
- Department of Renal and Urologic Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kanaseki
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
- Joint Research Center for Immunoproteogenomics and
| | - Toshihiko Torigoe
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
- Joint Research Center for Immunoproteogenomics and
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10
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Schindler NR, Braun DA. Antigenic targets in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. KIDNEY CANCER 2023; 7:81-91. [PMID: 38014393 PMCID: PMC10475986 DOI: 10.3233/kca-230006] [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: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the management of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but most patients still do not receive a long-term benefit from these therapies, and many experience off-target, immune-related adverse effects. RCC is also different from many other ICI-responsive tumors, as it has only a modest mutation burden, and total neoantigen load does not correlate with ICI response. In order to improve the efficacy and safety of immunotherapies for RCC, it is therefore critical to identify the antigens that are targeted in effective anti-tumor immunity. In this review, we describe the potential classes of target antigens, and provide examples of previous and ongoing efforts to investigate and target antigens in RCC, with a focus on clear cell histology. Ultimately, we believe that a concerted antigen discovery effort in RCC will enable an improved understanding of response and resistance to current therapies, and lay a foundation for the future development of "precision" antigen-directed immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R. Schindler
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David A. Braun
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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11
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Wolf MM, Rathmell WK, de Cubas AA. Immunogenicity in renal cell carcinoma: shifting focus to alternative sources of tumour-specific antigens. Nat Rev Nephrol 2023; 19:440-450. [PMID: 36973495 PMCID: PMC10801831 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-023-00700-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) comprises a group of malignancies arising from the kidney with unique tumour-specific antigen (TSA) signatures that can trigger cytotoxic immunity. Two classes of TSAs are now considered potential drivers of immunogenicity in RCC: small-scale insertions and deletions (INDELs) that result in coding frameshift mutations, and activation of human endogenous retroviruses. The presence of neoantigen-specific T cells is a hallmark of solid tumours with a high mutagenic burden, which typically have abundant TSAs owing to non-synonymous single nucleotide variations within the genome. However, RCC exhibits high cytotoxic T cell reactivity despite only having an intermediate non-synonymous single nucleotide variation mutational burden. Instead, RCC tumours have a high pan-cancer proportion of INDEL frameshift mutations, and coding frameshift INDELs are associated with high immunogenicity. Moreover, cytotoxic T cells in RCC subtypes seem to recognize tumour-specific endogenous retrovirus epitopes, whose presence is associated with clinical responses to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Here, we review the distinct molecular landscapes in RCC that promote immunogenic responses, discuss clinical opportunities for discovery of biomarkers that can inform therapeutic immune checkpoint blockade strategies, and identify gaps in knowledge for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M Wolf
- Department of Medicine, Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - W Kimryn Rathmell
- Department of Medicine, Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Aguirre A de Cubas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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12
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Atay C, Medina-Echeverz J, Hochrein H, Suter M, Hinterberger M. Armored modified vaccinia Ankara in cancer immunotherapy. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 379:87-142. [PMID: 37541728 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy relies on unleashing the patient´s immune system against tumor cells. Cancer vaccines aim to stimulate both the innate and adaptive arms of immunity to achieve durable clinical responses. Some roadblocks for a successful cancer vaccine in the clinic include the tumor antigen of choice, the adjuvants employed to strengthen antitumor-specific immune responses, and the risks associated with enhancing immune-related adverse effects in patients. Modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) belongs to the family of poxviruses and is a versatile vaccine platform that combines several attributes crucial for cancer therapy. First, MVA is an excellent inducer of innate immune responses leading to type I interferon secretion and induction of T helper cell type 1 (Th1) immune responses. Second, it elicits robust and durable humoral and cellular immunity against vector-encoded heterologous antigens. Third, MVA has enormous genomic flexibility, which allows for the expression of multiple antigenic and costimulatory entities. And fourth, its replication deficit in human cells ensures a excellent safety profile. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of how MVA induces innate and adaptive immune responses. Furthermore, we will give an overview of the tumor-associated antigens and immunomodulatory molecules that have been used to armor MVA and describe their clinical use. Finally, the route of MVA immunization and its impact on therapeutic efficacy depending on the immunomodulatory molecules expressed will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cigdem Atay
- Bavarian Nordic GmbH, Fraunhoferstr.13, Planegg, Germany
| | | | | | - Mark Suter
- Prof. em. University of Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract
Our defenses against infection rely on the ability of the immune system to distinguish invading pathogens from self. This task is exceptionally challenging, if not seemingly impossible, in the case of retroviruses that have integrated almost seamlessly into the host. This review examines the limits of innate and adaptive immune responses elicited by endogenous retroviruses and other retroelements, the targets of immune recognition, and the consequences for host health and disease. Contrary to theoretical expectation, endogenous retroelements retain substantial immunogenicity, which manifests most profoundly when their epigenetic repression is compromised, contributing to autoinflammatory and autoimmune disease and age-related inflammation. Nevertheless, recent evidence suggests that regulated immune reactivity to endogenous retroelements is integral to immune system development and function, underpinning cancer immunosurveillance, resistance to infection, and responses to the microbiota. Elucidation of the interaction points with endogenous retroelements will therefore deepen our understanding of immune system function and contribution to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Kassiotis
- Retroviral Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom;
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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14
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Kitsou K, Lagiou P, Magiorkinis G. Human endogenous retroviruses in cancer: Oncogenesis mechanisms and clinical implications. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28350. [PMID: 36428242 PMCID: PMC10108094 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) are viral sequences integrated into the human genome, resulting from the infection of human germ-line cells by ancient exogenous retroviruses. Despite losing their replication and retrotransposition abilities, HERVs appear to have been co-opted in human physiological functions while their aberrant expression is linked to human disease. The role of HERVs in multiple malignancies has been demonstrated, however, the extent to which HERV activation and expression participate in the development of cancer is not yet fully comprehended. In this review article, we discuss the presumed role of HERVs in carcinogenesis and their promising diagnostic and prognostic implications. Additionally, we explore recent data on the HERVs in cancer therapeutics, either through the manipulation of their expression, to induce antitumor innate immunity responses or as cancer immunotherapy targets. Finally, more precise and higher resolution high-throughput sequencing approaches will further elucidate HERV participation in human physiological and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina Kitsou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens, Goudi, Greece
| | - Pagona Lagiou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens, Goudi, Greece
| | - Gkikas Magiorkinis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens, Goudi, Greece
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15
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Rangel SC, da Silva MD, da Silva AL, dos Santos JDMB, Neves LM, Pedrosa A, Rodrigues FM, Trettel CDS, Furtado GE, de Barros MP, Bachi ALL, Romano CM, Nali LHDS. Human endogenous retroviruses and the inflammatory response: A vicious circle associated with health and illness. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1057791. [PMID: 36518758 PMCID: PMC9744114 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1057791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) are derived from ancient exogenous retroviral infections that have infected our ancestors' germline cells, underwent endogenization process, and were passed throughout the generations by retrotransposition and hereditary transmission. HERVs comprise 8% of the human genome and are critical for several physiological activities. Yet, HERVs reactivation is involved in pathological process as cancer and autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize the multiple aspects of HERVs' role within the human genome, as well as virological and molecular aspects, and their fusogenic property. We also discuss possibilities of how the HERVs are possibly transactivated and participate in modulating the inflammatory response in health conditions. An update on their role in several autoimmune, inflammatory, and aging-related diseases is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Coelho Rangel
- UNISA Research Center, Universidade Santo Amaro, Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Amanda Lopes da Silva
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Lucas Melo Neves
- UNISA Research Center, Universidade Santo Amaro, Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Pedrosa
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, (3004-504), Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Caio dos Santos Trettel
- Interdisciplinary Program in Health Sciences, Institute of Physical Activity Sciences and Sports (ICAFE), Cruzeiro do Sul University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Eustáquio Furtado
- Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Applied Research Institute, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços – S. Martinho do Bispo, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marcelo Paes de Barros
- Interdisciplinary Program in Health Sciences, Institute of Physical Activity Sciences and Sports (ICAFE), Cruzeiro do Sul University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - André Luis Lacerda Bachi
- UNISA Research Center, Universidade Santo Amaro, Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Malta Romano
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil,Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP (LIM52), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Henrique Da Silva Nali
- UNISA Research Center, Universidade Santo Amaro, Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil,*Correspondence: Luiz Henrique Da Silva Nali, ;
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16
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Langbein LE, El Hajjar R, Kim WY, Yang H. The convergence of tumor suppressors on the type I interferon pathway in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and its therapeutic implications. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 323:C1417-C1429. [PMID: 36154696 PMCID: PMC9662805 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00255.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene/hypoxia inducible factor (VHL/HIF) axis lays the groundwork for tumorigenesis and is the target of many therapeutic agents. HIF activation alone, however, is largely insufficient for kidney tumor development, and secondary mutations in PBRM1, BAP1, SETD2, KDM5C, or other tumor suppressor genes are strong enablers of tumorigenesis. Interestingly, it has been discovered that VHL loss and subsequent HIF activation results in upregulation of a negative feedback loop mediated by ISGF3, a transcription factor activated by type I interferon (IFN). Secondary mutations in the aforementioned tumor suppressor genes all partially disable this negative feedback loop to facilitate tumor growth. The convergence of several cancer genes on this pathway suggests that it plays an important role in ccRCC development and maintenance. Tumors with secondary mutations that dampen the negative feedback loop may be exquisitely sensitive to its reactivation, and pharmacological activation of ISGF3 either alone or in combination with other therapies could be an effective method to treat patients with ccRCC. In this review, we examine the relevance of the type I IFN pathway to ccRCC, synthesize our current knowledge of the ccRCC tumor suppressors in its regulation, and explore how this may impact the future treatment of patients with ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Langbein
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, & Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Rayan El Hajjar
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, & Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - William Y Kim
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, & Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Haifeng Yang
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, & Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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17
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Nagel R, Pataskar A, Champagne J, Agami R. Boosting Antitumor Immunity with an Expanded Neoepitope Landscape. Cancer Res 2022; 82:3637-3649. [PMID: 35904353 PMCID: PMC9574376 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-1525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Immune-checkpoint blockade therapy has been successfully applied to many cancers, particularly tumors that harbor a high mutational burden and consequently express a high abundance of neoantigens. However, novel approaches are needed to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy for treating tumors that lack a high load of classic genetically derived neoantigens. Recent discoveries of broad classes of nongenetically encoded and inducible neoepitopes open up new avenues for therapeutic development to enhance sensitivity to immunotherapies. In this review, we discuss recent work on neoantigen discovery, with an emphasis on novel classes of noncanonical neoepitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remco Nagel
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Abhijeet Pataskar
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Julien Champagne
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Reuven Agami
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Erasmus MC, Rotterdam University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Corresponding Author: Reuven Agami, Division of Oncogenomics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Phone: 3102-0512-2079; E-mail:
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18
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Denize T, Hou Y, Pignon JC, Walton E, West DJ, Freeman GJ, Braun DA, Wu CJ, Gupta S, Motzer RJ, Atkins MB, McDermott D, Choueiri TK, Shukla SA, Signoretti S. Transcriptomic Correlates of Tumor Cell PD-L1 Expression and Response to Nivolumab Monotherapy in Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:4045-4055. [PMID: 35802667 PMCID: PMC9481706 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-0923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE PD-L1 expression on tumor cells (TC) is associated with response to anti-PD-1-based therapies in some tumor types, but its significance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is uncertain. We leveraged tumor heterogeneity to identify molecular correlates of TC PD-L1 expression in ccRCC and assessed their role in predicting response to anti-PD-1 monotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN RNA sequencing was performed on paired TC PD-L1 positive and negative areas isolated from eight ccRCC tumors and transcriptomic features associated with PD-L1 status were identified. A cohort of 232 patients with metastatic ccRCC from the randomized CheckMate-025 (CM-025) trial was used to confirm the findings and correlate transcriptomic profiles with clinical outcomes. RESULTS In both the paired samples and the CM-025 cohort, TC PD-L1 expression was associated with combined overexpression of immune- and cell proliferation-related pathways, upregulation of T-cell activation signatures, and increased tumor-infiltrating immune cells. In the CM-025 cohort, TC PD-L1 expression was not associated with clinical outcomes. A molecular RCC subtype characterized by combined overexpression of immune- and cell proliferation-related pathways (previously defined by unsupervised clustering of transcriptomic data) was enriched in TC PD-L1 positive tumors and displayed longer progression-free survival (HR, 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.83) and higher objective response rate (30% vs. 0%, P = 0.04) on nivolumab compared with everolimus. CONCLUSIONS Both TC-extrinsic (immune-related) and TC-intrinsic (cell proliferation-related) mechanisms are likely intertwined in the regulation of TC PD-L1 expression in ccRCC. The quantitation of these transcriptional programs may better predict benefit from anti-PD-1-based therapy compared with TC PD-L1 expression alone in ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Denize
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Yue Hou
- Translational Immunogenomics Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Jean-Christophe Pignon
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Emily Walton
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Destiny J. West
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Gordon J. Freeman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - David A. Braun
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Center of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Catherine J. Wu
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | | | - Robert J. Motzer
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | | | - David McDermott
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - Toni K. Choueiri
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - Sachet A. Shukla
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Department of Hematopoietic Biology and Malignancy, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
- Corresponding authors: Sabina Signoretti, M.D., Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Thorn Building 504A, 75 Francis Street; Boston, MA 02115, +1 617-525-7437, , Sachet A. Shukla, Ph.D. Hematopoietic Biology and Malignancy, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA, +1 515-708-1252,
| | - Sabina Signoretti
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Corresponding authors: Sabina Signoretti, M.D., Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Thorn Building 504A, 75 Francis Street; Boston, MA 02115, +1 617-525-7437, , Sachet A. Shukla, Ph.D. Hematopoietic Biology and Malignancy, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA, +1 515-708-1252,
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19
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Abstract
Germline loss-of-function mutations of the VHL tumor suppressor gene cause von Hippel–Lindau disease, which is associated with an increased risk of hemangioblastomas, clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCCs), and paragangliomas. This Review describes mechanisms involving the VHL gene product in oxygen sensing, protein degradation, and tumor development and current therapeutic strategies targeting these mechanisms. The VHL gene product is the substrate recognition subunit of a ubiquitin ligase that targets the α subunit of the heterodimeric hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) transcription factor for proteasomal degradation when oxygen is present. This oxygen dependence stems from the requirement that HIFα be prolyl-hydroxylated on one (or both) of two conserved prolyl residues by members of the EglN (also called PHD) prolyl hydroxylase family. Deregulation of HIF, and particularly HIF2, drives the growth of VHL-defective ccRCCs. Drugs that inhibit the HIF-responsive gene product VEGF are now mainstays of ccRCC treatment. An allosteric HIF2 inhibitor was recently approved for the treatment of ccRCCs arising in the setting of VHL disease and has advanced to phase III testing for sporadic ccRCCs based on promising phase I/II data. Orally available EglN inhibitors are being tested for the treatment of anemia and ischemia. Five of these agents have been approved for the treatment of anemia in the setting of chronic kidney disease in various countries around the world.
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20
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Sources of Cancer Neoantigens beyond Single-Nucleotide Variants. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710131. [PMID: 36077528 PMCID: PMC9455963 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of checkpoint blockade therapy against cancer has unequivocally shown that cancer cells can be effectively recognized by the immune system and eliminated. However, the identity of the cancer antigens that elicit protective immunity remains to be fully explored. Over the last decade, most of the focus has been on somatic mutations derived from non-synonymous single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small insertion/deletion mutations (indels) that accumulate during cancer progression. Mutated peptides can be presented on MHC molecules and give rise to novel antigens or neoantigens, which have been shown to induce potent anti-tumor immune responses. A limitation with SNV-neoantigens is that they are patient-specific and their accurate prediction is critical for the development of effective immunotherapies. In addition, cancer types with low mutation burden may not display sufficient high-quality [SNV/small indels] neoantigens to alone stimulate effective T cell responses. Accumulating evidence suggests the existence of alternative sources of cancer neoantigens, such as gene fusions, alternative splicing variants, post-translational modifications, and transposable elements, which may be attractive novel targets for immunotherapy. In this review, we describe the recent technological advances in the identification of these novel sources of neoantigens, the experimental evidence for their presentation on MHC molecules and their immunogenicity, as well as the current clinical development stage of immunotherapy targeting these neoantigens.
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21
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Alarcon NO, Jaramillo M, Mansour HM, Sun B. Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines—Antigen Discovery and Adjuvant Delivery Platforms. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071448. [PMID: 35890342 PMCID: PMC9325128 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, vaccines have played a significant role in protecting public and personal health against infectious diseases and proved their great potential in battling cancers as well. This review focused on the current progress of therapeutic subunit vaccines for cancer immunotherapy. Antigens and adjuvants are key components of vaccine formulations. We summarized several classes of tumor antigens and bioinformatic approaches of identification of tumor neoantigens. Pattern recognition receptor (PRR)-targeting adjuvants and their targeted delivery platforms have been extensively discussed. In addition, we emphasized the interplay between multiple adjuvants and their combined delivery for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neftali Ortega Alarcon
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.O.A.); (M.J.); (H.M.M.)
| | - Maddy Jaramillo
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.O.A.); (M.J.); (H.M.M.)
| | - Heidi M. Mansour
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.O.A.); (M.J.); (H.M.M.)
- The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
- BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Bo Sun
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.O.A.); (M.J.); (H.M.M.)
- The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-520-621-6420
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22
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Genitourinary (GU) cancers have greatly benefited from immunotherapy treatments, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, the durable clinical response rate for these agents remains relatively low, calling for more innovative immunotherapy approaches. Adoptive cell therapy has shown a significant advancement in the treatment of cancer in recent years and represents a great potential for the treatment of GU cancers. This review summarizes the current advancements in cellular therapy strategies for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, and prostate and penile cancers. Further, current and past clinical trials of adoptive cell therapy in GU tumors are reviewed. Finally, a perspective on the future of cell therapy in GU tumors is discussed.
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23
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Barisic S, Childs RW. Graft-Versus-Solid-Tumor Effect: From Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation to Adoptive Cell Therapies. Stem Cells 2022; 40:556-563. [PMID: 35325242 PMCID: PMC9216497 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxac021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
After allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), donor lymphocytes may contribute to the regression of hematological malignancies and select solid tumors, a phenomenon referred to as the graft-versus-tumor effect (GVT). However, this immunologic reaction is frequently limited by either poor specificity resulting in graft-versus-host disease or the frequency of tumor-specific T cells being too low to induce a complete and sustained anti-tumor response. Over the past 2 decades, it has become clear that the driver of GVT following allogeneic HSCT is T-cell-mediated recognition of antigens presented on tumor cells. With that regard, even though the excitement for using HSCT in solid tumors has declined, clinical trials of HSCT in solid tumors provided proof of concept and valuable insights leading to the discovery of tumor antigens and the development of targeted adoptive cell therapies for cancer. In this article, we review the results of clinical trials of allogeneic HSCT in solid tumors. We focus on lessons learned from correlative studies of these trials that hold the potential for the creation of tumor-specific immunotherapies with greater efficacy and safety for the treatment of malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Barisic
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Richard W Childs
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Corresponding author: Richard W. Childs, MD, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Room 3-5330, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Tel: +1 301 451 7128;
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24
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Cleyle J, Hardy MP, Minati R, Courcelles M, Durette C, Lanoix J, Laverdure JP, Vincent K, Perreault C, Thibault P. Immunopeptidomic analyses of colorectal cancers with and without microsatellite instability. Mol Cell Proteomics 2022; 21:100228. [PMID: 35367648 PMCID: PMC9134101 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2022.100228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and the incidence of this disease is expected to increase as global socioeconomic changes occur. Immune checkpoint inhibition therapy is effective in treating a minority of colorectal cancer tumors; however, microsatellite stable tumors do not respond well to this treatment. Emerging cancer immunotherapeutic strategies aim to activate a cytotoxic T cell response against tumor-specific antigens, presented exclusively at the cell surface of cancer cells. These antigens are rare and are most effectively identified with a mass spectrometry-based approach, which allows the direct sampling and sequencing of these peptides. Although the few tumor-specific antigens identified to date are derived from coding regions of the genome, recent findings indicate that a large proportion of tumor-specific antigens originate from allegedly noncoding regions. Here, we employed a novel proteogenomic approach to identify tumor antigens in a collection of colorectal cancer-derived cell lines and biopsy samples consisting of matched tumor and normal adjacent tissue. The generation of personalized cancer databases paired with mass spectrometry analyses permitted the identification of more than 30,000 unique MHC I-associated peptides. We identified 19 tumor-specific antigens in both microsatellite stable and unstable tumors, over two-thirds of which were derived from noncoding regions. Many of these peptides were derived from source genes known to be involved in colorectal cancer progression, suggesting that antigens from these genes could have therapeutic potential in a wide range of tumors. These findings could benefit the development of T cell-based vaccines, in which T cells are primed against these antigens to target and eradicate tumors. Such a vaccine could be used in tandem with existing immune checkpoint inhibition therapies, to bridge the gap in treatment efficacy across subtypes of colorectal cancer with varying prognoses. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD028309.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Cleyle
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marie-Pierre Hardy
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Robin Minati
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mathieu Courcelles
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chantal Durette
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Joel Lanoix
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-Philippe Laverdure
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Krystel Vincent
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Claude Perreault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Pierre Thibault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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25
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Targeting the gut and tumor microbiota in cancer. Nat Med 2022; 28:690-703. [PMID: 35440726 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-01779-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms within the gut and other niches may contribute to carcinogenesis, as well as shaping cancer immunosurveillance and response to immunotherapy. Our understanding of the complex relationship between different host-intrinsic microorganisms, as well as the multifaceted mechanisms by which they influence health and disease, has grown tremendously-hastening development of novel therapeutic strategies that target the microbiota to improve treatment outcomes in cancer. Accordingly, the evaluation of a patient's microbial composition and function and its subsequent targeted modulation represent key elements of future multidisciplinary and precision-medicine approaches. In this Review, we outline the current state of research toward harnessing the microbiome to better prevent and treat cancer.
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26
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Bersanelli M, Casartelli C, Buti S, Porta C. Renal cell carcinoma and viral infections: A dangerous relationship? World J Nephrol 2022; 11:1-12. [PMID: 35117975 PMCID: PMC8790307 DOI: 10.5527/wjn.v11.i1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-related cancers in humans are widely recognized, but in the case of renal cancer, the link with the world of viruses is not clearly established in humans, despite being known in animal biology. In the present review, we aimed to explore the literature on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) for a possible role of viruses in human RCC tumorigenesis and immune homeostasis, hypothesizing the contribution of viruses to the immunogenicity of this tumor. A scientific literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases with the keywords “virus” or “viruses” or “viral infection” matched with (“AND”) “renal cell carcinoma” or “kidney cancer” or “renal cancer” or “renal carcinoma” or “renal tumor” or “RCC”. The retrieved findings evidenced two main aspects testifying to the relationship between RCC and viruses: The presence of viruses within the tumor, especially in non-clear cell RCC cases, and RCC occurrence in cases with pre-existing chronic viral infections. Some retrieved translational and clinical data suggest the possible contribution of viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus, to the marked immunogenicity of sarcomatoid RCC. In addition, it was revealed the possible role of endogenous retrovirus reactivation in RCC oncogenesis, introducing new fascinating hypotheses about this tumor’s immunogenicity and likeliness of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Bersanelli
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma 43126, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma 43126, Italy
| | - Chiara Casartelli
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma 43126, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma 43126, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Buti
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma 43126, Italy
| | - Camillo Porta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari ‘A. Moro’, Bari 70121, Italy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Policlinico Consorziale, Bari 70124, Italy
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27
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Müller MD, Holst PJ, Nielsen KN. A Systematic Review of Expression and Immunogenicity of Human Endogenous Retroviral Proteins in Cancer and Discussion of Therapeutic Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1330. [PMID: 35163254 PMCID: PMC8836156 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of ancient retroviral infections that have become fixed in the human genome. While HERV genes are typically silenced in healthy somatic cells, there are numerous reports of HERV transcription and translation across a wide spectrum of cancers, while T and B cell responses against HERV proteins have been detected in cancer patients. This review systematically categorizes the published evidence on the expression of and adaptive immune response against specific HERVs in distinct cancer types. A systematic literature search was performed using Medical Search Headings (MeSH) in the PubMed/Medline database. Papers were included if they described the translational activity of HERVs. We present multiple tables that pair the protein expression of specific HERVs and cancer types with information on the quality of the evidence. We find that HERV-K is the most investigated HERV. HERV-W (syncytin-1) is the second-most investigated, while other HERVs have received less attention. From a therapeutic perspective, HERV-K and HERV-E are the only HERVs with experimental demonstration of effective targeted therapies, but unspecific approaches using antiviral and demethylating agents in combination with chemo- and immunotherapies have also been investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikkel Dons Müller
- Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark;
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28
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Endogenous Retroviral Elements in Human Development and Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11121332. [PMID: 34945804 PMCID: PMC8708524 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11121332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), which are critical to normal embryologic development and downregulated during normal maturation, have been implicated in a variety of cancers. Abnormal persistent production of HERVs has been suggested to play a role in oncogenesis and to confer stem cell properties to cells. We recently demonstrated that the most recently incorporated HERV element (HERV-K HML-2) has been associated with the pathogenesis of the embryonal atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT), shifting our understanding of embryonal tumor development. HML-2 expression is vital for proper human development and its expression is suppressed via methylation or chromatin remodeling as cells differentiate. We previously found that dysfunctional chromatin remodeling due to loss of SMARCB1 expression induces HML-2 envelope (env) expression, impairing cellular differentiation and migration, and facilitating tumor growth in AT/RT. Epigenetic dysregulation in other embryonal tumors with concomitant expression of stem-cell markers may facilitate HML-2 expression. Future studies could utilize HML-2 as potential diagnostic criteria, use its expression as a treatment biomarker, and investigate the efficacy of therapies targeting cells with high HML-2 expression.
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29
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Vitiello GAF, Ferreira WAS, Cordeiro de Lima VC, Medina TDS. Antiviral Responses in Cancer: Boosting Antitumor Immunity Through Activation of Interferon Pathway in the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:782852. [PMID: 34925363 PMCID: PMC8674309 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.782852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, it became apparent that cancers either associated with viral infections or aberrantly expressing endogenous retroviral elements (EREs) are more immunogenic, exhibiting an intense intra-tumor immune cell infiltration characterized by a robust cytolytic apparatus. On the other hand, epigenetic regulation of EREs is crucial to maintain steady-state conditions and cell homeostasis. In line with this, epigenetic disruptions within steady-state cells can lead to cancer development and trigger the release of EREs into the cytoplasmic compartment. As such, detection of viral molecules by intracellular innate immune sensors leads to the production of type I and type III interferons that act to induce an antiviral state, thus restraining viral replication. This knowledge has recently gained momentum due to the possibility of triggering intratumoral activation of interferon responses, which could be used as an adjuvant to elicit strong anti-tumor immune responses that ultimately lead to a cascade of cytokine production. Accordingly, several therapeutic approaches are currently being tested using this rationale to improve responses to cancer immunotherapies. In this review, we discuss the immune mechanisms operating in viral infections, show evidence that exogenous viruses and endogenous retroviruses in cancer may enhance tumor immunogenicity, dissect the epigenetic control of EREs, and point to interferon pathway activation in the tumor milieu as a promising molecular predictive marker and immunotherapy target. Finally, we briefly discuss current strategies to modulate these responses within tumor tissues, including the clinical use of innate immune receptor agonists and DNA demethylating agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wallax Augusto Silva Ferreira
- Translational Immuno-Oncology Group, International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Cytogenomics and Environmental Mutagenesis, Environment Section (SAMAM), Evandro Chagas Institute, Ananindeua, Brazil
| | | | - Tiago da Silva Medina
- Translational Immuno-Oncology Group, International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Oncogenomics and Therapeutic Innovation, São Paulo, Brazil
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30
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Nali LH, Olival GS, Montenegro H, da Silva IT, Dias-Neto E, Naya H, Spangenberg L, Penalva-de-Oliveira AC, Romano CM. Human endogenous retrovirus and multiple sclerosis: A review and transcriptome findings. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021; 57:103383. [PMID: 34922254 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.103383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease with an unknown etiology. Both genetic and environmental factors are believed to trigger MS autoimmunity. Among the environmental factors, infectious agents have been extensively investigated, and the Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs), especially HERV-W, are believed to be associated with MS pathogenesis. HERVs are derived from ancestral infections and comprise around 8% of the human genome. Although most HERVs are silenced, retroviral genes may be expressed with virion formation. There is extensive evidence of the relationship between HERV-W and MS, including higher levels of HERV-W expression in MS patients, HERV-W protein detection in MS plaques, and the HERV-W env protein inducing an inflammatory response in in vitro and in vivo models. Here we discuss possible links of HERVs and the pathogenesis of MS and present new data regarding the diversity of HERVs expression in samples derived from MS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz H Nali
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, LIM-52 (LIMHC) Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil; Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, Rua Prof. Enéas de Siqueira Neto, 340, São Paulo 04829-300, Brazil
| | - Guilherme S Olival
- Departamento de Neurologia Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, R. Dr. Cesário Mota Júnior, 112, São Paulo 01221-020 Brazil
| | | | - Israel T da Silva
- Laboratory of Medical Genomics, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01525-001, Brazil
| | - Emmanuel Dias-Neto
- Laboratory of Medical Genomics, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01525-001, Brazil; Laboratory of Neurosciences (LIM-27), Institute of Psychiatry, São Paulo Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hugo Naya
- Unidad de Bioinformática Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, CP11400 Montevideo, Uruguay; Departamento de Producción Animal y Pasturas, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Av. Gral. Eugenio Garzón 780, CP12900 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucia Spangenberg
- Unidad de Bioinformática Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, CP11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Augusto C Penalva-de-Oliveira
- Departamento de Neurologia Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, R. Dr. Cesário Mota Júnior, 112, São Paulo 01221-020 Brazil; Departamento de Neurologia, Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 165, São Paulo 01246-900, Brazil
| | - Camila M Romano
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, LIM-52 (LIMHC) Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil; Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP (LIM52), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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31
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Kitsou K, Iliopoulou M, Spoulou V, Lagiou P, Magiorkinis G. Viral Causality of Human Cancer and Potential Roles of Human Endogenous Retroviruses in the Multi-Omics Era: An Evolutionary Epidemiology Review. Front Oncol 2021; 11:687631. [PMID: 34778024 PMCID: PMC8586426 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.687631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Being responsible for almost 12% of cancers worldwide, viruses are among the oldest known and most prevalent oncogenic agents. The quality of the evidence for the in vivo tumorigenic potential of microorganisms varies, thus accordingly, viruses were classified in 4 evidence-based categories by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2009. Since then, our understanding of the role of viruses in cancer has significantly improved, firstly due to the emergence of high throughput sequencing technologies that allowed the “brute-force” recovery of unknown viral genomes. At the same time, multi-omics approaches unravelled novel virus-host interactions in stem-cell biology. We now know that viral elements, either exogenous or endogenous, have multiple sometimes conflicting roles in human pathophysiology and the development of cancer. Here we integrate emerging evidence on viral causality in human cancer from basic mechanisms to clinical studies. We analyze viral tumorigenesis under the scope of deep-in-time human-virus evolutionary relationships and critically comment on the evidence through the eyes of clinical epidemiology, firstly by reviewing recognized oncoviruses and their mechanisms of inducing tumorigenesis, and then by examining the potential role of integrated viruses in our genome in the process of carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina Kitsou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Immunobiology and Vaccinology Research Laboratory, First Department of Peadiatrics, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Iliopoulou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vana Spoulou
- Immunobiology and Vaccinology Research Laboratory, First Department of Peadiatrics, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Pagona Lagiou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Gkikas Magiorkinis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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32
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Au L, Hatipoglu E, Robert de Massy M, Litchfield K, Beattie G, Rowan A, Schnidrig D, Thompson R, Byrne F, Horswell S, Fotiadis N, Hazell S, Nicol D, Shepherd STC, Fendler A, Mason R, Del Rosario L, Edmonds K, Lingard K, Sarker S, Mangwende M, Carlyle E, Attig J, Joshi K, Uddin I, Becker PD, Sunderland MW, Akarca A, Puccio I, Yang WW, Lund T, Dhillon K, Vasquez MD, Ghorani E, Xu H, Spencer C, López JI, Green A, Mahadeva U, Borg E, Mitchison M, Moore DA, Proctor I, Falzon M, Pickering L, Furness AJS, Reading JL, Salgado R, Marafioti T, Jamal-Hanjani M, Kassiotis G, Chain B, Larkin J, Swanton C, Quezada SA, Turajlic S. Determinants of anti-PD-1 response and resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Cancer Cell 2021; 39:1497-1518.e11. [PMID: 34715028 PMCID: PMC8599450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
ADAPTeR is a prospective, phase II study of nivolumab (anti-PD-1) in 15 treatment-naive patients (115 multiregion tumor samples) with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) aiming to understand the mechanism underpinning therapeutic response. Genomic analyses show no correlation between tumor molecular features and response, whereas ccRCC-specific human endogenous retrovirus expression indirectly correlates with clinical response. T cell receptor (TCR) analysis reveals a significantly higher number of expanded TCR clones pre-treatment in responders suggesting pre-existing immunity. Maintenance of highly similar clusters of TCRs post-treatment predict response, suggesting ongoing antigen engagement and survival of families of T cells likely recognizing the same antigens. In responders, nivolumab-bound CD8+ T cells are expanded and express GZMK/B. Our data suggest nivolumab drives both maintenance and replacement of previously expanded T cell clones, but only maintenance correlates with response. We hypothesize that maintenance and boosting of a pre-existing response is a key element of anti-PD-1 mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis Au
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK; Renal and Skin Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Emine Hatipoglu
- Renal and Skin Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK; Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Hematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Marc Robert de Massy
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Hematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Kevin Litchfield
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Gordon Beattie
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Hematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Andrew Rowan
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Desiree Schnidrig
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Rachael Thompson
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Fiona Byrne
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Stuart Horswell
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Nicos Fotiadis
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Imaging Centre, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Steve Hazell
- Department of Pathology, the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - David Nicol
- Department of Urology, the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Scott T C Shepherd
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK; Renal and Skin Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Annika Fendler
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Robert Mason
- Renal and Skin Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Lyra Del Rosario
- Renal and Skin Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Kim Edmonds
- Renal and Skin Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Karla Lingard
- Renal and Skin Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Sarah Sarker
- Renal and Skin Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Mary Mangwende
- Renal and Skin Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Eleanor Carlyle
- Renal and Skin Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Jan Attig
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Kroopa Joshi
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Hematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Imran Uddin
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Hematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Pablo D Becker
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Hematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Mariana Werner Sunderland
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Hematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Ayse Akarca
- Department of Cellular Pathology, University College London Hospital, London NW1 2BU, UK
| | - Ignazio Puccio
- Department of Cellular Pathology, University College London Hospital, London NW1 2BU, UK
| | - William W Yang
- Department of Cellular Pathology, University College London Hospital, London NW1 2BU, UK
| | - Tom Lund
- Translational Immune Oncology Lab, Centre for Molecular Pathology, The Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton SM2 5PT, UK
| | - Kim Dhillon
- Department of Cellular Pathology, University College London Hospital, London NW1 2BU, UK
| | - Marcos Duran Vasquez
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Hematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Ehsan Ghorani
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Hematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Hang Xu
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Charlotte Spencer
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - José I López
- Department of Pathology, Cruces University Hospital, Biocruces-Bizkaia Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Anna Green
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, St Thomas' Hospital, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Ula Mahadeva
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, St Thomas' Hospital, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Elaine Borg
- Department of Cellular Pathology, University College London Hospital, London NW1 2BU, UK
| | - Miriam Mitchison
- Department of Cellular Pathology, University College London Hospital, London NW1 2BU, UK
| | - David A Moore
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK; Department of Cellular Pathology, University College London Hospital, London NW1 2BU, UK
| | - Ian Proctor
- Department of Cellular Pathology, University College London Hospital, London NW1 2BU, UK
| | - Mary Falzon
- Department of Cellular Pathology, University College London Hospital, London NW1 2BU, UK
| | - Lisa Pickering
- Renal and Skin Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Andrew J S Furness
- Renal and Skin Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - James L Reading
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Hematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Roberto Salgado
- Division of Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne VIC 300, Australia; Department of Pathology, GZA-ZNA Hospitals, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Teresa Marafioti
- Department of Cellular Pathology, University College London Hospital, London NW1 2BU, UK
| | - Mariam Jamal-Hanjani
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK; Cancer Metastasis Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK; Department of Medical Oncology, University College London Hospitals, London NW1 2BU, UK
| | - George Kassiotis
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Benny Chain
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - James Larkin
- Renal and Skin Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Charles Swanton
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK; Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK; Department of Medical Oncology, University College London Hospitals, London NW1 2BU, UK; University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Sergio A Quezada
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Hematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK.
| | - Samra Turajlic
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK; Renal and Skin Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK.
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33
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Mao J, Zhang Q, Cong YS. Human endogenous retroviruses in development and disease. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:5978-5986. [PMID: 34849202 PMCID: PMC8604659 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.10.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) represent ∼8% of human genome, deriving from exogenous retroviral infections of germ line cells occurred millions of years ago and being inherited by the offspring in a Mendelian fashion. Most of HERVs are nonprotein-coding because of the accumulation of mutations, insertions, deletions, and/or truncations. It has been long thought that HERVs were "junk DNA". However, it is now known that HERVs are involved in various biological processes through encoding proteins, acting as promoters/enhancers, or lncRNAs to affect human health and disease. In this review, we summarized recent findings about HERVs, with implications in embryonic development, pluripotency, cancer, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Mao
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Sheng Cong
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China
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34
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Dittmar T, Weiler J, Luo T, Hass R. Cell-Cell Fusion Mediated by Viruses and HERV-Derived Fusogens in Cancer Initiation and Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5363. [PMID: 34771528 PMCID: PMC8582398 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell fusion is a well-known, but still scarcely understood biological phenomenon, which might play a role in cancer initiation, progression and formation of metastases. Although the merging of two (cancer) cells appears simple, the entire process is highly complex, energy-dependent and tightly regulated. Among cell fusion-inducing and -regulating factors, so-called fusogens have been identified as a specific type of proteins that are indispensable for overcoming fusion-associated energetic barriers and final merging of plasma membranes. About 8% of the human genome is of retroviral origin and some well-known fusogens, such as syncytin-1, are expressed by human (cancer) cells. Likewise, enveloped viruses can enable and facilitate cell fusion due to evolutionarily optimized fusogens, and are also capable to induce bi- and multinucleation underlining their fusion capacity. Moreover, multinucleated giant cancer cells have been found in tumors derived from oncogenic viruses. Accordingly, a potential correlation between viruses and fusogens of human endogenous retroviral origin in cancer cell fusion will be summarized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Dittmar
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, 58448 Witten, Germany;
| | - Julian Weiler
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, 58448 Witten, Germany;
| | - Tianjiao Luo
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Ralf Hass
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
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35
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McDonald JI, Diab N, Arthofer E, Hadley M, Kanholm T, Rentia U, Gomez S, Yu A, Grundy EE, Cox O, Topper MJ, Xing X, Strissel PL, Strick R, Wang T, Baylin SB, Chiappinelli KB. Epigenetic Therapies in Ovarian Cancer Alter Repetitive Element Expression in a TP53-Dependent Manner. Cancer Res 2021; 81:5176-5189. [PMID: 34433584 PMCID: PMC8530980 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-4243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian carcinomas are particularly deadly due to intratumoral heterogeneity, resistance to standard-of-care therapies, and poor response to alternative treatments such as immunotherapy. Targeting the ovarian carcinoma epigenome with DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) or histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) increases immune signaling and recruits CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells to fight ovarian carcinoma in murine models. This increased immune activity is caused by increased transcription of repetitive elements (RE) that form double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and trigger an IFN response. To understand which REs are affected by epigenetic therapies in ovarian carcinoma, we assessed the effect of DNMTi and HDACi on ovarian carcinoma cell lines and patient samples. Subfamily-level (TEtranscripts) and individual locus-level (Telescope) analysis of REs showed that DNMTi treatment upregulated more REs than HDACi treatment. Upregulated REs were predominantly LTR and SINE subfamilies, and SINEs exhibited the greatest loss of DNA methylation upon DNMTi treatment. Cell lines with TP53 mutations exhibited significantly fewer upregulated REs with epigenetic therapy than wild-type TP53 cell lines. This observation was validated using isogenic cell lines; the TP53-mutant cell line had significantly higher baseline expression of REs but upregulated fewer upon epigenetic treatment. In addition, p53 activation increased expression of REs in wild-type but not mutant cell lines. These data give a comprehensive, genome-wide picture of RE chromatin and transcription-related changes in ovarian carcinoma after epigenetic treatment and implicate p53 in RE transcriptional regulation. SIGNIFICANCE: This study identifies the repetitive element targets of epigenetic therapies in ovarian carcinoma and indicates a role for p53 in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- James I McDonald
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, D.C
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Noor Diab
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, D.C
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Elisa Arthofer
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, D.C
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Melissa Hadley
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, D.C
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Tomas Kanholm
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, D.C
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
- The Institute for Biomedical Sciences at the George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Uzma Rentia
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, D.C
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Stephanie Gomez
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, D.C
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
- The Institute for Biomedical Sciences at the George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Angela Yu
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, D.C
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Erin E Grundy
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, D.C
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
- The Institute for Biomedical Sciences at the George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Olivia Cox
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, D.C
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Michael J Topper
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Xiaoyun Xing
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Pamela L Strissel
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Reiner Strick
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ting Wang
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Stephen B Baylin
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Katherine B Chiappinelli
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, D.C.
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
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36
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Lu T, Zhang Z, Zhu J, Wang Y, Jiang P, Xiao X, Bernatchez C, Heymach JV, Gibbons DL, Wang J, Xu L, Reuben A, Wang T. Deep learning-based prediction of the T cell receptor-antigen binding specificity. NAT MACH INTELL 2021; 3:864-875. [PMID: 36003885 PMCID: PMC9396750 DOI: 10.1038/s42256-021-00383-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Neoantigens play a key role in the recognition of tumor cells by T cells. However, only a small proportion of neoantigens truly elicit T cell responses, and fewer clues exist as to which neoantigens are recognized by which T cell receptors (TCRs). We built a transfer learning-based model, named pMHC-TCR binding prediction network (pMTnet), to predict TCR-binding specificities of neoantigens, and T cell antigens in general, presented by class I major histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs). pMTnet was comprehensively validated by a series of analyses, and showed advance over previous work by a large margin. By applying pMTnet in human tumor genomics data, we discovered that neoantigens were generally more immunogenic than self-antigens, but HERV-E, a special type of self-antigen that is re-activated in kidney cancer, is more immunogenic than neoantigens. We further discovered that patients with more clonally expanded T cells exhibiting better affinity against truncal, rather than subclonal, neoantigens, had more favorable prognosis and treatment response to immunotherapy, in melanoma and lung cancer but not in kidney cancer. Predicting TCR-neoantigen/antigen pairs is one of the most daunting challenges in modern immunology. However, we achieved an accurate prediction of the pairing only using the TCR sequence (CDR3β), antigen sequence, and class I MHC allele, and our work revealed unique insights into the interactions of TCRs and pMHCs in human tumors using pMTnet as a discovery tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianshi Lu
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA, 75390
| | - Ze Zhang
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA, 75390
| | - James Zhu
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA, 75390
| | - Yunguan Wang
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA, 75390
| | - Peixin Jiang
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA, 77030
| | - Xue Xiao
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA, 75390
| | - Chantale Bernatchez
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA, 77030
| | - John V. Heymach
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA, 77030
| | - Don L. Gibbons
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA, 77030
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
| | - Lin Xu
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA, 75390
| | - Alexandre Reuben
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA, 77030.,Corresponding authors: (1) Tao Wang, Ph.D., Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA; (lead contact). (2) Alexandre Reuben, Ph.D., Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA;
| | - Tao Wang
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA, 75390.,Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA, 75390.,Corresponding authors: (1) Tao Wang, Ph.D., Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA; (lead contact). (2) Alexandre Reuben, Ph.D., Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA;
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37
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Implications of Antigen Selection on T Cell-Based Immunotherapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14100993. [PMID: 34681217 PMCID: PMC8537967 DOI: 10.3390/ph14100993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many immunotherapies rely on CD8+ effector T cells to recognize and kill cognate tumor cells. These T cell-based immunotherapies include adoptive cell therapy, such as CAR T cells or transgenic TCR T cells, and anti-cancer vaccines which expand endogenous T cell populations. Tumor mutation burden and the choice of antigen are among the most important aspects of T cell-based immunotherapies. Here, we highlight various classes of cancer antigens, including self, neojunction-derived, human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-derived, and somatic nucleotide variant (SNV)-derived antigens, and consider their utility in T cell-based immunotherapies. We further discuss the respective anti-tumor/anti-self-properties that influence both the degree of immunotolerance and potential off-target effects associated with each antigen class.
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38
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Srivastava RM, Purohit TA, Chan TA. Diverse Neoantigens and the Development of Cancer Therapies. Semin Radiat Oncol 2021; 30:113-128. [PMID: 32381291 DOI: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the manifestation of uncontrolled cellular growth and immune escape mechanisms. Unrestrained tumor growth can be associated with incidental errors in the genome during replication and genotoxic agents can alter the structure and sequence of our DNA. Among all genetic aberrations in cancer, only limited number of mutations can produce immunogenic antigens which have the potential to bind human leukocyte antigen class I or human leukocyte antigen class II, and help activate the adaptive immune system. These neoantigens can be recognized by CD8+ and CD4+ neoantigen-specific T lymphocytes. Recently, several immune checkpoint targeting drugs have been approved for clinical use. Primarily, these drugs expand and facilitate the cytotoxic activity of neoantigen-specific T cells to eradicate tumors. Differential drug response across cancers could be attributed, at least in part, to differences in the 'tumor antigen landscape' and 'antigen presentation pathway' in patients. Although tumor mutational burden correlates with response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in many cancer types and has evolved as a broad biomarker, a comprehensive understanding of the neoantigen landscape and the function of cognate T cell responses is lacking and is needed for improved patient selection criteria and neoantigen vaccine design. Here, we review cancer neoantigens, their implications for antitumor responses, the dynamics of neoantigen-specific T cells, and the advancement of neoantigen-based therapy in proposed clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghvendra M Srivastava
- Immunogenomics and Precision Oncology Platform, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Tanaya A Purohit
- Immunogenomics and Precision Oncology Platform, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Timothy A Chan
- Immunogenomics and Precision Oncology Platform, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
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39
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Jansz N, Faulkner GJ. Endogenous retroviruses in the origins and treatment of cancer. Genome Biol 2021; 22:147. [PMID: 33971937 PMCID: PMC8108463 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02357-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are emerging as promising therapeutic targets in cancer. As remnants of ancient retroviral infections, ERV-derived regulatory elements coordinate expression from gene networks, including those underpinning embryogenesis and immune cell function. ERV activation can promote an interferon response, a phenomenon termed viral mimicry. Although ERV expression is associated with cancer, and provisionally with autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, ERV-mediated inflammation is being explored as a way to sensitize tumors to immunotherapy. Here we review ERV co-option in development and innate immunity, the aberrant contribution of ERVs to tumorigenesis, and the wider biomedical potential of therapies directed at ERVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Jansz
- Mater Research Institute - University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia.
| | - Geoffrey J Faulkner
- Mater Research Institute - University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia. .,Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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40
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Weyerer V, Strissel PL, Stöhr C, Eckstein M, Wach S, Taubert H, Brandl L, Geppert CI, Wullich B, Cynis H, Beckmann MW, Seliger B, Hartmann A, Strick R. Endogenous Retroviral-K Envelope Is a Novel Tumor Antigen and Prognostic Indicator of Renal Cell Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:657187. [PMID: 33968761 PMCID: PMC8100683 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.657187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the ten most common cancers for men and women with an approximate 75% overall 5-year survival. Sixteen histological tumor subtypes exist and the most common are papillary, chromophobe and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) representing 85% of all RCC. Although epigenetically silenced, endogenous retroviral (ERV) genes become activated in tumors and function to ignite immune responses. Research has intensified to understand ERV protein function and their role as tumor antigens and targets for cancer (immune) therapy. ERV-K env is overexpressed and implicated as a therapeutic target for breast cancer, however studies in RCC are limited. In this investigation a human RCC tissue microarray (TMA) (n=374) predominantly consisting of the most common histological tumor subtypes was hybridized with an ERV-K env antibody and correlated with patient clinical data. TMA results showed the highest amount of ERV-K env protein expression and the strongest significant membrane expression in ccRCC versus other RCC subtypes. High ERV-K env total protein expression of all tumor subtypes significantly correlated with low tumor grading and a longer disease specific survival using multivariable analyses. Cell proliferation and invasion were assayed using the kidney cell lines HEK293 with wild-type p53 and a ccRCC cell line MZ1257RC mutated for p53. Transfecting these cell lines with a codon optimized ERV-K113 env overexpressing CMV vector was performed with or without 5’-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine (Aza) treatment to sustain promoter de-methylation. MZ1257RC showed induction of ERV-K113 expression and significantly increased both proliferation and invasion in the presence or absence of Aza. HEK293 cells demonstrated a restriction of ERV-K113 env expression and invasion with no changes in proliferation in the absence of Aza. However, in the presence of Aza despite increased ERV-K113 env expression, an inhibition of HEK293 proliferation and a further restriction of invasion was found. This study supports ERV-K env as a single prognostic indicator for better survival of RCC, which we propose represents a new tumor antigen. In addition, ERV-K env significantly regulates proliferation and invasion depending on p53 status and Aza treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Weyerer
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Pamela L Strissel
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center, European Metropolitan Area Erlangen-Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Adjunct Affiliation With Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Christine Stöhr
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Eckstein
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sven Wach
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Helge Taubert
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lisa Brandl
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carol I Geppert
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wullich
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle, Germany
| | - Matthias W Beckmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center, European Metropolitan Area Erlangen-Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Reiner Strick
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center, European Metropolitan Area Erlangen-Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Translational Research Centre (TRC), Erlangen, Germany
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41
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Braun DA, Bakouny Z, Hirsch L, Flippot R, Van Allen EM, Wu CJ, Choueiri TK. Beyond conventional immune-checkpoint inhibition - novel immunotherapies for renal cell carcinoma. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2021; 18:199-214. [PMID: 33437048 PMCID: PMC8317018 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-020-00455-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The management of advanced-stage renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been transformed by the development of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Nonetheless, most patients do not derive durable clinical benefit from these agents. Importantly, unlike other immunotherapy-responsive solid tumours, most RCCs have only a moderate mutational burden, and paradoxically, high levels of tumour CD8+ T cell infiltration are associated with a worse prognosis in patients with this disease. Building on the successes of antibodies targeting the PD-1 and CTLA4 immune checkpoints, multiple innovative immunotherapies are now in clinical development for the treatment of patients with RCC, including ICIs with novel targets, co-stimulatory pathway agonists, modified cytokines, metabolic pathway modulators, cell therapies and therapeutic vaccines. However, the successful development of such novel immune-based treatments and of immunotherapy-based combinations will require a disease-specific framework that incorporates a deep understanding of RCC immunobiology. In this Review, using the structure provided by the well-described cancer-immunity cycle, we outline the key steps required for a successful antitumour immune response in the context of RCC, and describe the development of promising new immunotherapies within the context of this framework. With this approach, we summarize and analyse the most encouraging targets of novel immune-based therapies within the RCC microenvironment, and review the landscape of emerging antigen-directed therapies for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Braun
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ziad Bakouny
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laure Hirsch
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Ronan Flippot
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Eliezer M Van Allen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Catherine J Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Toni K Choueiri
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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42
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Xu Y, Miller CP, Warren EH, Tykodi SS. Current status of antigen-specific T-cell immunotherapy for advanced renal-cell carcinoma. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021; 17:1882-1896. [PMID: 33667140 PMCID: PMC8189101 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1870846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In renal-cell carcinoma (RCC), tumor-reactive T-cell responses can occur spontaneously or in response to systemic immunotherapy with cytokines and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Cancer vaccines and engineered T-cell therapies are designed to selectively augment tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell responses with the goal to elicit tumor regression and avoid toxicities associated with nonspecific immunotherapies. In this review, we provide an overview of the central role of T-cell immunity in the treatment of advanced RCC. Clinical outcomes for antigen-targeted vaccines or other T-cell-engaging therapies for RCC are summarized and evaluated, and emerging new strategies to enhance the effectiveness of antigen-specific therapy for RCC are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexin Xu
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Chris P Miller
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Edus H Warren
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Scott S Tykodi
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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43
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Golkaram M, Salmans ML, Kaplan S, Vijayaraghavan R, Martins M, Khan N, Garbutt C, Wise A, Yao J, Casimiro S, Abreu C, Macedo D, Costa AL, Alvim C, Mansinho A, Filipe P, Marques da Costa P, Fernandes A, Borralho P, Ferreira C, Aldeia F, Malaquias J, Godsey J, So A, Pawlowski T, Costa L, Zhang S, Liu L. HERVs establish a distinct molecular subtype in stage II/III colorectal cancer with poor outcome. NPJ Genom Med 2021; 6:13. [PMID: 33589643 PMCID: PMC7884730 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-021-00177-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most lethal malignancies. The extreme heterogeneity in survival rate is driving the need for new prognostic biomarkers. Human endogenous retroviruses (hERVs) have been suggested to influence tumor progression, oncogenesis and elicit an immune response. We examined multiple next-generation sequencing (NGS)-derived biomarkers in 114 CRC patients with paired whole-exome and whole-transcriptome sequencing (WES and WTS, respectively). First, we demonstrate that the median expression of hERVs can serve as a potential biomarker for prognosis, relapse, and resistance to chemotherapy in stage II and III CRC. We show that hERV expression and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating T-lymphocytes (TILs) synergistically stratify overall and relapse-free survival (OS and RFS): the median OS of the CD8-/hERV+ subgroup was 29.8 months compared with 37.5 months for other subgroups (HR = 4.4, log-rank P < 0.001). Combing NGS-based biomarkers (hERV/CD8 status) with clinicopathological factors provided a better prediction of patient survival compared to clinicopathological factors alone. Moreover, we explored the association between genomic and transcriptomic features of tumors with high hERV expression and establish this subtype as distinct from previously described consensus molecular subtypes of CRC. Overall, our results underscore a previously unknown role for hERVs in leading to a more aggressive subtype of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Marta Martins
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular - João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | - Sandra Casimiro
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular - João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Abreu
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Daniela Macedo
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Lúcia Costa
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cecília Alvim
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - André Mansinho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular - João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Filipe
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Marques da Costa
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal.,Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Afonso Fernandes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular - João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paula Borralho
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristina Ferreira
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Fernando Aldeia
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Malaquias
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Alex So
- Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Luis Costa
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular - João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal. .,Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | | | - Li Liu
- Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA, USA.
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44
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Grundy EE, Diab N, Chiappinelli KB. Transposable element regulation and expression in cancer. FEBS J 2021; 289:1160-1179. [PMID: 33471418 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 45% of the human genome is composed of transposable elements (TEs). Expression of these elements is tightly regulated during normal development. TEs may be expressed at high levels in embryonic stem cells but are epigenetically silenced in terminally differentiated cells. As part of the global 'epigenetic dysregulation' that cells undergo during transformation from normal to cancer, TEs can lose epigenetic silencing and become transcribed, and, in some cases, active. Here, we summarize recent advances detailing the consequences of TE activation in cancer and describe how these understudied residents of our genome can both aid tumorigenesis and potentially be harnessed for anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Grundy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.,The GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.,The Institute for Biomedical Sciences at The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Noor Diab
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.,The GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Katherine B Chiappinelli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.,The GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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45
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Natoli M, Gallon J, Lu H, Amgheib A, Pinato DJ, Mauri FA, Marafioti T, Akarca AU, Ullmo I, Ip J, Aboagye EO, Brown R, Karadimitris A, Ghaem-Maghami S. Transcriptional analysis of multiple ovarian cancer cohorts reveals prognostic and immunomodulatory consequences of ERV expression. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2020-001519. [PMID: 33436485 PMCID: PMC7805370 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) play a role in a variety of biological processes, including embryogenesis and cancer. DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi)-induced ERV expression triggers interferon responses in ovarian cancer cells via the viral sensing machinery. Baseline expression of ERVs also occurs in cancer cells, though this process is poorly understood and previously unexplored in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Here, the prognostic and immunomodulatory consequences of baseline ERV expression was assessed in EOC. METHODS ERV expression was assessed using EOC transcriptional data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and from an independent cohort (Hammersmith Hospital, HH), as well as from untreated or DNMTi-treated EOC cell lines. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression defined an ERV expression score to predict patient prognosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was conducted on the HH cohort. Combination of DNMTi treatment with γδ T cells was tested in vitro, using EOC cell lines and patient-derived tumor cells. RESULTS ERV expression was found to define clinically relevant subsets of EOC patients. An ERV prognostic score was successfully generated in TCGA and validated in the independent cohort. In EOC patients from this cohort, a high ERV score was associated with better survival (log-rank p=0.0009) and correlated with infiltration of CD8+PD1+T cells (r=0.46, p=0.0001). In the TCGA dataset, a higher ERV score was found in BRCA1/2 mutant tumors, compared to wild type (p=0.015), while a lower ERV score was found in CCNE1 amplified tumors, compared to wild type (p=0.019). In vitro, baseline ERV expression dictates the level of ERV induction in response to DNMTi. Manipulation of an ERV expression threshold by DNMTi resulted in improved EOC cell killing by cytotoxic immune cells. CONCLUSIONS These findings uncover the potential for baseline ERV expression to robustly inform EOC patient prognosis, influence tumor immune infiltration and affect antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Natoli
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - John Gallon
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Haonan Lu
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ala Amgheib
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - David J Pinato
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Francesco A Mauri
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Teresa Marafioti
- Department of Pathology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Ayse U Akarca
- Department of Pathology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Ines Ullmo
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jacey Ip
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Eric O Aboagye
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Robert Brown
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Pathology, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
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46
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Nishida K, Kawashima A, Kanazawa T, Kidani Y, Yoshida T, Hirata M, Yamamoto K, Yamamoto Y, Sawada M, Kato R, Kato T, Hatano K, Ujike T, Fujita K, Uemura M, Morimoto-Okazawa A, Iwahori K, Yamasaki M, Ohkura N, Sakaguchi S, Nonomura N, Doki Y, Wada H. Clinical importance of the expression of CD4+CD8+ T cells in renal cell carcinoma. Int Immunol 2020; 32:347-357. [PMID: 31950169 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxaa004] [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: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE CD4+CD8+ T cells are expressed in some cancer patients including those with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, no reports have mentioned the clinical importance of this expression. We evaluated the expression of CD4+CD8+ T cells in patients with various cancer types to clarify clinical characteristics and prognostic importance significantly correlating with these T cells. METHODS Expression of CD4+CD8+ T cells was evaluated using flowcytometry in tissue-infiltrating lymphocytes extracted from 260 cancer tissues including 104 RCC samples. RNA sequencing and characterization and regression (Citrus) was used to determine characteristics. The prognostic importance of CD4+CD8+ T cells was evaluated by Cox regression analysis. RESULTS Among eight cancer types, expression of CD4+CD8+ T cells was significantly highest in RCC patients. According to the expression of CD4+CD8+ T cells in adjacent normal tissue-infiltrating lymphocytes, 24 patients (23.1%) were defined as being positive for CD4+CD8+ with an expression higher than 9.29% in RCC patients. Citrus showed CD8+PD-1+TIM-3+CD103- T cells to be a specific subpopulation of CD4+CD8+ T cells. RNA sequencing revealed that CD4+CD8+ T cells had significantly lower diversity than the other T cells and shared most T-cell receptor clones with CD8+ not CD4+ T cells. Expression of CD4+CD8+ T cells was identified as an independent predictor of overall survival (hazard ratio: 0.11, 95% confidence interval: 0.01-0.86, P = 0.035) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS The expression of CD4+CD8+ T cells was significantly up-regulated in RCC patients and correlated significantly with prognostic importance in surgically treated RCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Nishida
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumour Immunology, Suita, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Suita, Japan
| | - Atsunari Kawashima
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kanazawa
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumour Immunology, Suita, Japan.,Drug Discovery & Disease Research Laboratory, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Yujiro Kidani
- Drug Discovery & Disease Research Laboratory, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan.,Department of Basic Research in Tumour Immunology, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Yoshida
- Drug Discovery & Disease Research Laboratory, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan.,Department of Basic Research in Tumour Immunology, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Michinari Hirata
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumour Immunology, Suita, Japan.,Drug Discovery & Disease Research Laboratory, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Kei Yamamoto
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumour Immunology, Suita, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoko Yamamoto
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumour Immunology, Suita, Japan
| | - Masaaki Sawada
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumour Immunology, Suita, Japan
| | - Ryo Kato
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumour Immunology, Suita, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Suita, Japan
| | - Taigo Kato
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Department of Urological Immuno-Oncology, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koji Hatano
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ujike
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Fujita
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Motohide Uemura
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Department of Urological Immuno-Oncology, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Kota Iwahori
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumour Immunology, Suita, Japan
| | | | - Naganari Ohkura
- Department of Basic Research in Tumour Immunology, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shimon Sakaguchi
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Centre, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Norio Nonomura
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Doki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Suita, Japan
| | - Hisashi Wada
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumour Immunology, Suita, Japan
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47
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Minati R, Perreault C, Thibault P. A Roadmap Toward the Definition of Actionable Tumor-Specific Antigens. Front Immunol 2020; 11:583287. [PMID: 33424836 PMCID: PMC7793940 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.583287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) has considerably accelerated during the past decade due to the improvement of proteogenomic detection methods. This provides new opportunities for the development of novel antitumoral immunotherapies to mount an efficient T cell response against one or multiple types of tumors. While the identification of mutated antigens originating from coding exons has provided relatively few TSA candidates, the possibility of enlarging the repertoire of targetable TSAs by looking at antigens arising from non-canonical open reading frames opens up interesting avenues for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we outline the potential sources of TSAs and the mechanisms responsible for their expression strictly in cancer cells. In line with the heterogeneity of cancer, we propose that discrete families of TSAs may be enriched in specific cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Minati
- École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Claude Perreault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Pierre Thibault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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48
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Wu B, Gan Y, Xu Y, Wu Z, Xu G, Wang P, Wang C, Meng Z, Li M, Zhang J, Zhuang H, Zhang X, Yang L, Li J, Gan X, Yu X, Huang W, Gu Y, Xu R. Identification of the novel Np17 oncogene in human leukemia. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:23647-23667. [PMID: 33226963 PMCID: PMC7762455 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We previously defined the HERV-K Np9 as a viral oncogene. Here we report the discovery of a novel oncogene, Np17, which is homologous to the viral Np9 gene and predominantly present in Hominoidea. Np17 is located on chromosome 8, consists of 7 exons, and encodes a 16.8kDa nuclear protein with149 amino-acid residue. Functionally, knockdown of Np17 induced growth inhibition of leukemia cells, whereas enforced expression of Np17 promoted growth of leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo. In human leukemia, Np17 was detected in 59.65% (34/57) of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients examined and associated with refractory/relapsed AML. Mechanistically, Np17 decreased p53 levels and its mechanism might be involved in recruiting nuclear MDM2 to p53 for ubiquitin-mediated degradation. These findings reveal that Np17 is a novel oncogene associated with refractory/relapsed leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Wu
- Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.,Cancer Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Yichao Gan
- Cancer Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.,Cancer Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Zhaoxing Wu
- Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.,Cancer Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Ganyu Xu
- College of Letters and Sciences, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.,Cancer Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Cancer Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Zhipeng Meng
- Molecular Oncology Program and Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Mengyuan Li
- Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.,Cancer Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Jiawei Zhang
- Molecular Oncology Program and Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Haifeng Zhuang
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Xuzhao Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Linlin Yang
- Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.,Cancer Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Jinfan Li
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoxian Gan
- Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Xiaofang Yu
- Cancer Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Wendong Huang
- Molecular Oncology Program and Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Ying Gu
- Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.,Cancer Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Rongzhen Xu
- Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.,Cancer Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
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49
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Ficial M, Jegede OA, Sant'Angelo M, Hou Y, Flaifel A, Pignon JC, Braun DA, Wind-Rotolo M, Sticco-Ivins MA, Catalano PJ, Freeman GJ, Sharpe AH, Hodi FS, Motzer RJ, Wu CJ, Atkins MB, McDermott DF, Shukla SA, Choueiri TK, Signoretti S. Expression of T-Cell Exhaustion Molecules and Human Endogenous Retroviruses as Predictive Biomarkers for Response to Nivolumab in Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 27:1371-1380. [PMID: 33219016 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-3084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We sought to validate levels of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating cells (TIC) expressing PD-1 but not TIM-3 and LAG-3 (IF biomarker; Pignon and colleagues, 2019) and to investigate human endogenous retroviruses (hERV) as predictors of response to anti-PD-1 in a randomized trial of nivolumab (nivo) versus everolimus (evero) in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC; CheckMate-025). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Tumor tissues (nivo: n = 116, evero: n = 107) were analyzed by multiparametric immunofluorescence (IF) and qRT-PCR. Genomic/transcriptomic analyses were performed in a subset of samples. Clinical endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and durable response rate (DRR, defined as complete response or partial response with a PFS ≥ 12 months). RESULTS In the nivo (but not evero) arm, patients with high-IF biomarker density (24/116, 20.7%) had higher ORR (45.8% vs. 19.6%, P = 0.01) and DRR (33.3% vs. 14.1%, P = 0.03) and longer median PFS (9.6 vs. 3.7 months, P = 0.03) than patients with low-IF biomarker. By RNA sequencing, several inflammatory pathways (q < 0.1) and immune-related gene signature scores (q < 0.05) were enriched in the high-IF biomarker group. When combined with the IF biomarker, tumor cell (TC) PD-L1 expression (≥1%) further separated clinical outcomes in the nivo arm. ERVE-4 expression was associated with increased DRR and longer PFS in nivo-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS High levels of CD8+ TIC expressing PD-1 but not TIM-3 and LAG-3 and ERVE-4 expression predicted response to nivo (but not to evero) in patients with mccRCC. Combination of the IF biomarker with TC PD-L1 improved its predictive value, confirming our previous findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Ficial
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Opeyemi A Jegede
- Department of Data Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Miriam Sant'Angelo
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yue Hou
- Translational Immunogenomics Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Abdallah Flaifel
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jean-Christophe Pignon
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David A Braun
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Paul J Catalano
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Data Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gordon J Freeman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Arlene H Sharpe
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - F Stephen Hodi
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Immune-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Robert J Motzer
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Catherine J Wu
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - David F McDermott
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Medical Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sachet A Shukla
- Translational Immunogenomics Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Toni K Choueiri
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sabina Signoretti
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
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50
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Saini SK, Ørskov AD, Bjerregaard AM, Unnikrishnan A, Holmberg-Thydén S, Borch A, Jensen KV, Anande G, Bentzen AK, Marquard AM, Tamhane T, Treppendahl MB, Gang AO, Dufva IH, Szallasi Z, Ternette N, Pedersen AG, Eklund AC, Pimanda J, Grønbæk K, Hadrup SR. Human endogenous retroviruses form a reservoir of T cell targets in hematological cancers. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5660. [PMID: 33168830 PMCID: PMC7653045 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19464-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) form a substantial part of the human genome, but mostly remain transcriptionally silent under strict epigenetic regulation, yet can potentially be reactivated by malignant transformation or epigenetic therapies. Here, we evaluate the potential for T cell recognition of HERV elements in myeloid malignancies by mapping transcribed HERV genes and generating a library of 1169 potential antigenic HERV-derived peptides predicted for presentation by 4 HLA class I molecules. Using DNA barcode-labeled MHC-I multimers, we find CD8+ T cell populations recognizing 29 HERV-derived peptides representing 18 different HERV loci, of which HERVH-5, HERVW-1, and HERVE-3 have more profound responses; such HERV-specific T cells are present in 17 of the 34 patients, but less frequently in healthy donors. Transcriptomic analyses reveal enhanced transcription of the HERVs in patients; meanwhile DNA-demethylating therapy causes a small and heterogeneous enhancement in HERV transcription without altering T cell recognition. Our study thus uncovers T cell recognition of HERVs in myeloid malignancies, thereby implicating HERVs as potential targets for immunotherapeutic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Kumar Saini
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andreas Due Ørskov
- Department of Haematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne-Mette Bjerregaard
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ashwin Unnikrishnan
- Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Staffan Holmberg-Thydén
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Haematology, Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Annie Borch
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kathrine Valentini Jensen
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Govardhan Anande
- Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Amalie Kai Bentzen
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andrea Marion Marquard
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tripti Tamhane
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Anne Ortved Gang
- Department of Haematology, Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Inge Høgh Dufva
- Department of Haematology, Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Zoltan Szallasi
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Bioinformatics, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Computational Health Informatics Program (CHIP), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicola Ternette
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anders Gorm Pedersen
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Bioinformatics, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Aron Charles Eklund
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Bioinformatics, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - John Pimanda
- Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Haematology Department, South Eastern Area Laboratory Services, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Kirsten Grønbæk
- Department of Haematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sine Reker Hadrup
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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