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Bertoli E, De Carlo E, Bortolot M, Stanzione B, Del Conte A, Spina M, Bearz A. Targeted Therapy in Mesotheliomas: Uphill All the Way. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1971. [PMID: 38893092 PMCID: PMC11171080 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16111971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive and lethal disease with few therapeutic opportunities. Platinum-pemetrexed chemotherapy is the backbone of first-line treatment for MM. The introduction of immunotherapy (IO) has been the only novelty of the last decades, allowing an increase in survival compared to standard chemotherapy (CT). However, IO is not approved for epithelioid histology in many countries. Therefore, therapy for relapsed MM remains an unmet clinical need, and the prognosis of MM remains poor, with an average survival of only 18 months. Increasing evidence reveals MM complexity and heterogeneity, of which histological classification fails to explain. Thus, scientific focus on possibly new molecular markers or cellular targets is increasing, together with the search for target therapies directed towards them. The molecular landscape of MM is characterized by inactivating tumor suppressor alterations, the most common of which is found in CDKN2A, BAP1, MTAP, and NF2. In addition, cellular targets such as mesothelin or metabolic enzymes such as ASS1 could be potentially amenable to specific therapies. This review examines the major targets and relative attempts of therapeutic approaches to provide an overview of the potential prospects for treating this rare neoplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Bertoli
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (E.B.); (E.D.C.); (M.B.); (B.S.); (A.D.C.); (M.S.)
| | - Elisa De Carlo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (E.B.); (E.D.C.); (M.B.); (B.S.); (A.D.C.); (M.S.)
| | - Martina Bortolot
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (E.B.); (E.D.C.); (M.B.); (B.S.); (A.D.C.); (M.S.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Brigida Stanzione
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (E.B.); (E.D.C.); (M.B.); (B.S.); (A.D.C.); (M.S.)
| | - Alessandro Del Conte
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (E.B.); (E.D.C.); (M.B.); (B.S.); (A.D.C.); (M.S.)
| | - Michele Spina
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (E.B.); (E.D.C.); (M.B.); (B.S.); (A.D.C.); (M.S.)
| | - Alessandra Bearz
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (E.B.); (E.D.C.); (M.B.); (B.S.); (A.D.C.); (M.S.)
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Kalla C, Ott G, Finotello F, Niewola-Staszkowska K, Conza GD, Lahn M, van der Veen L, Schüler J, Falkenstern-Ge R, Kopecka J, Riganti C. The highly selective and oral phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta (PI3K-δ) inhibitor roginolisib induces apoptosis in mesothelioma cells and increases immune effector cell composition. Transl Oncol 2024; 43:101857. [PMID: 38412661 PMCID: PMC10907864 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeting aberrantly expressed kinases in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a promising therapeutic strategy. We here investigated the effect of the novel and highly selective Phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta (PI3K-δ) inhibitor roginolisib (IOA-244) on MPM cells and on the immune cells in MPM microenvironment. To this aim, we analyzed the expression of PI3K-δ by immunohistochemistry in specimens from primary MPM, cell viability and death in three different MPM cell lines treated with roginolisib alone and in combination with ipatasertib (AKT inhibitor) and sapanisertib (mTOR inhibitor). In a co-culture model of patient-derived MPM cells, autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells and fibroblasts, the tumor cell viability and changes in immune cell composition were investigated after treatment of roginolisib with nivolumab and cisplatin. PI3K-δ was detected in 66/89 (74%) MPM tumors and was associated with reduced overall survival (12 vs. 25 months, P=0.0452). Roginolisib induced apoptosis in MPM cells and enhanced the anti-tumor efficacy of AKT and mTOR kinase inhibitors by suppressing PI3K-δ/AKT/mTOR and ERK1/2 signaling. Furthermore, the combination of roginolisib with chemotherapy and immunotherapy re-balanced the immune cell composition, increasing effector T-cells and reducing immune suppressive cells. Overall, roginolisib induces apoptosis in MPM cells and increases the antitumor immune cell effector function when combined with nivolumab and cisplatin. These results provide first insights on the potential of roginolisib as a therapeutic agent in patients with MPM and its potential in combination with established immunotherapy regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Kalla
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Auerbachstrasse 112, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany; Department of Clinical Pathology, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Auerbachstrasse 112, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital, University of Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - German Ott
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Auerbachstrasse 112, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Francesca Finotello
- Department of Molecular Biology, Digital Science Center (DiSC), Universität Innsbruck, Innrain 15, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Giusy Di Conza
- iOnctura SA, Avenue Secheron 15, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Michael Lahn
- iOnctura SA, Avenue Secheron 15, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Julia Schüler
- Charles River Germany GmbH, Am Flughafen 12, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Roger Falkenstern-Ge
- Department of Molecular and Pneumonological Oncology, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Auerbachstrasse 112, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Joanna Kopecka
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, via Nizza 44, 10126, Torino, Italy; Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", via Nizza 44, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Chiara Riganti
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, via Nizza 44, 10126, Torino, Italy; Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", via Nizza 44, 10126, Torino, Italy; Interdepartmental Center "G.Scansetti" for the study of asbestos and other toxic particulates, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy.
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3
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Cao X, Wang Z, Jiao Y, Diao W, Geng Q, Zhao L, Wang Z, Wang X, Zhang M, Xu J, Wang B, Deng T, Xiao C. Dihydroartemisinin alleviates erosive bone destruction by modifying local Treg cells in inflamed joints: A novel role in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 130:111795. [PMID: 38447418 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111795] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Treg cell-based therapy has exhibited promising efficacy in combatting rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) exerts broad immunomodulatory effects across various diseases, with its recent spotlight on T-cell regulation in autoimmune conditions. The modulation of DHA on Treg cells and its therapeutic role in RA has yet to be fully elucidated. This study seeks to unveil the influence of DHA on Treg cells in RA and furnish innovative substantiation for the potential of DHA to ameliorate RA. To this end, we initially scrutinized the impact of DHA-modulated Treg cells on osteoclast (OC) formation in vitro using Treg cell-bone marrow-derived monocyte (BMM) coculture systems. Subsequently, employing the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model, we validated the efficacy of DHA and probed its influence on Treg cells in the spleen and popliteal lymph nodes (PLN). Finally, leveraging deep proteomic analysis with data-independent acquisition (DIA) and parallel accumulation-serial fragmentation (PASEF) technology, we found the alterations in the Treg cell proteome in PLN by proteomic analysis. Our findings indicate that DHA augmented suppressive Treg cells, thereby impeding OC formation in vitro. Consistently, DHA mitigated erosive joint destruction and osteoclastogenesis by replenishing splenic and joint-draining lymph node Treg cells in CIA rats. Notably, DHA induced alterations in the Treg cell proteome in PLN, manifesting distinct upregulation of alloantigen Col2a1 (Type II collagen alfa 1 chain) and CD8a (T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain) in Treg cells, signifying DHA's targeted modulation of Treg cells, rendering them more adept at sustaining immune tolerance and impeding bone erosion. These results unveil a novel facet of DHA in the treatment of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Cao
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China; Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhaoran Wang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China; Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Yi Jiao
- China-Japan Friendship Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
| | - Wenya Diao
- China-Japan Friendship Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
| | - Qishun Geng
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China; Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Lu Zhao
- China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Zihan Wang
- China-Japan Friendship Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
| | - Xing Wang
- China-Japan Friendship Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
| | - Mengxiao Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Jiahe Xu
- China-Japan Friendship School of Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Bailiang Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Tingting Deng
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Cheng Xiao
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China; Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Department of Emergency, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
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García-Díaz N, Wei Q, Taskén K. Small molecule inhibitors targeting regulatory T cells for cancer treatment. Eur J Immunol 2024; 54:e2350448. [PMID: 37937687 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are important controllers of the immune system homeostasis by preventing disproportionate immune responses. In the context of cancer, Tregs contribute to tumor development by suppressing other immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Infiltration of Tregs in the TME has been associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients. Thus, understanding the mechanisms underlying Treg recruitment and suppressive functions is essential for developing cancer immunotherapies to boost antitumor immune responses. While antibody-based strategies targeting Tregs have shown promise, small molecule inhibitors offer distinct advantages, including oral bioavailability and the ability to penetrate the TME and target intracellular proteins. Here, we provide an overview of small molecule inhibitors that have demonstrated efficacy in modulating Tregs activity in cancer and highlight the need for phenotypic assays to characterize therapeutic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria García-Díaz
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Qian Wei
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kjetil Taskén
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Spiliopoulou P, Kaur P, Hammett T, Di Conza G, Lahn M. Targeting T regulatory (T reg) cells in immunotherapy-resistant cancers. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2024; 7:2. [PMID: 38318526 PMCID: PMC10838381 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Primary or secondary (i.e., acquired) resistance is a common occurrence in cancer patients and is often associated with high numbers of T regulatory (Treg) cells (CD4+CD25+FOXP3+). The approval of ipilimumab and the development of similar pharmacological agents targeting cell surface proteins on Treg cells demonstrates that such intervention may overcome resistance in cancer patients. Hence, the clinical development and subsequent approval of Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen-4 (CTLA-4) targeting agents can serve as a prototype for similar agents. Such new agents aspire to be highly specific and have a reduced toxicity profile while increasing effector T cell function or effector T/T regulatory (Teff/Treg) ratio. While clinical development with large molecules has shown the greatest advancement, small molecule inhibitors that target immunomodulation are increasingly entering early clinical investigation. These new small molecule inhibitors often target specific intracellular signaling pathways [e.g., phosphoinositide-3-kinase delta (PI3K-δ)] that play an important role in regulating the function of Treg cells. This review will summarize the lessons currently applied to develop novel clinical agents that target Treg cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavlina Spiliopoulou
- Department of Drug Development Program, Phase I Unit, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Center, Glasgow G12 0YN, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Paramjit Kaur
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Tracey Hammett
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Giusy Di Conza
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Michael Lahn
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
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6
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Vitale C, Griggio V, Perutelli F, Coscia M. CAR-modified Cellular Therapies in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Is the Uphill Road Getting Less Steep? Hemasphere 2023; 7:e988. [PMID: 38044959 PMCID: PMC10691795 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has been more challenging for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) compared to other settings. One of the main reasons is the CLL-associated state of immune dysfunction that specifically involves patient-derived T cells. Here, we provide an overview of the clinical results obtained with CAR T-cell therapy in CLL, describing the identified immunologic reasons for the inferior efficacy. Novel CAR T-cell formulations, such as lisocabtagene maraleucel, administered alone or in combination with the Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib, are currently under investigation. These approaches are based on the rationale that improving the quality of the T-cell source and of the CAR T-cell product may deliver a more functional therapeutic weapon. Further strategies to boost the efficacy of CAR T cells should rely not only on the production of CAR T cells with an improved cellular composition but also on additional changes. Such alterations could include (1) the coadministration of immunomodulatory agents capable of counteracting CLL-related immunological alterations, (2) the design of improved CAR constructs (such as third- and fourth-generation CARs), (3) the incorporation into the manufacturing process of immunomodulatory compounds overcoming the T-cell defects, and (4) the use of allogeneic CAR T cells or alternative CAR-modified cellular vectors. These strategies may allow to develop more effective CAR-modified cellular therapies capable of counteracting the more aggressive and still incurable forms of CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candida Vitale
- University Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Valentina Griggio
- University Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Perutelli
- University Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Marta Coscia
- University Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
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van der Veen L, Schmitt M, Deken MA, Lahn M. Non-Clinical Toxicology Evaluation of the Novel Non-ATP Competitive Oral PI3 Kinase Delta Inhibitor Roginolisib. Int J Toxicol 2023; 42:515-534. [PMID: 37667445 PMCID: PMC10629260 DOI: 10.1177/10915818231200419] [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] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Roginolisib (IOA-244) is a novel, non-ATP competitive phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) delta inhibitor that regulates Akt/mTOR signaling. Roginolisib was administered once daily to rats and dogs in dose-range finding (DRF) and 4-week GLP toxicology studies. Free plasma levels of roginolisib exceeded the cellular target engagement IC90 for PI3Kδ for ≥12 hours at doses of 5 mg/kg, the IC90 for PI3Kβ for ≥2 hours at doses ≥15 mg/kg, and the IC50 for PI3Kα for ≥2 hours at dose levels ≥45 mg/kg. Toxicity in rats occurred at doses ≥100 mg/kg. In dogs, we observed dose-dependent skin and gastrointestinal toxicity and doses ≥30 mg/kg had a greater incidence of mortality. Lymphoid tissue toxicity occurred in both species. Toxicities in dogs observed at the ≥15 mg/kg dose, affecting the digestive mucosa, liver, and skin, cleared after treatment cessation. Doses ≤75 mg/kg were tolerated in rats and the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) in rats was 15 mg/kg. Due to mainly epithelial lesions of the skin at 5 mg/kg and necrotizing damage of the intestinal epithelia at ≥15 mg/kg, no NOAEL was determined in dogs. However, the adverse effects observed in dogs at 5 mg/kg were considered monitorable and reversible in patients with advanced malignancies. Furthermore, the PK profile subsequently proved to be a decisive factor for achieving selective PI3Kδ inhibition without the toxicities observed in dogs. As the result of the unique PK profile of roginolisib, patients were able to take daily roginolisib without dose modification and showed pharmacodynamic PI3Kδ inhibition over several months without gastrointestinal or dermatologic toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Schmitt
- Chemical and Preclinical Safety Merck KGaA, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Marcel A. Deken
- Oncology Department, iOnctura BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Lahn
- Oncology Department, iOnctura SA, Geneva, Switzerland
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Glaviano A, Foo ASC, Lam HY, Yap KCH, Jacot W, Jones RH, Eng H, Nair MG, Makvandi P, Geoerger B, Kulke MH, Baird RD, Prabhu JS, Carbone D, Pecoraro C, Teh DBL, Sethi G, Cavalieri V, Lin KH, Javidi-Sharifi NR, Toska E, Davids MS, Brown JR, Diana P, Stebbing J, Fruman DA, Kumar AP. PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling transduction pathway and targeted therapies in cancer. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:138. [PMID: 37596643 PMCID: PMC10436543 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01827-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 198.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The PI3K/AKT/mTOR (PAM) signaling pathway is a highly conserved signal transduction network in eukaryotic cells that promotes cell survival, cell growth, and cell cycle progression. Growth factor signalling to transcription factors in the PAM axis is highly regulated by multiple cross-interactions with several other signaling pathways, and dysregulation of signal transduction can predispose to cancer development. The PAM axis is the most frequently activated signaling pathway in human cancer and is often implicated in resistance to anticancer therapies. Dysfunction of components of this pathway such as hyperactivity of PI3K, loss of function of PTEN, and gain-of-function of AKT, are notorious drivers of treatment resistance and disease progression in cancer. In this review we highlight the major dysregulations in the PAM signaling pathway in cancer, and discuss the results of PI3K, AKT and mTOR inhibitors as monotherapy and in co-administation with other antineoplastic agents in clinical trials as a strategy for overcoming treatment resistance. Finally, the major mechanisms of resistance to PAM signaling targeted therapies, including PAM signaling in immunology and immunotherapies are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Glaviano
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Aaron S C Foo
- Department of Surgery, National University Hospital Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hiu Y Lam
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117600, Singapore
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - Kenneth C H Yap
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117600, Singapore
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - William Jacot
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut du Cancer de Montpellier, Inserm U1194, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Robert H Jones
- Cardiff University and Velindre Cancer Centre, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Huiyan Eng
- Department of Surgery, National University Hospital Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117600, Singapore
| | - Madhumathy G Nair
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Pooyan Makvandi
- The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, 324000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Birgit Geoerger
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, Inserm U1015, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Matthew H Kulke
- Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard D Baird
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Jyothi S Prabhu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Daniela Carbone
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Camilla Pecoraro
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniel B L Teh
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, and Neurobiology Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Surgery, National University Hospital Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117600, Singapore
| | - Vincenzo Cavalieri
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Kevin H Lin
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Eneda Toska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew S Davids
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer R Brown
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrizia Diana
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Justin Stebbing
- Division of Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - David A Fruman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, 216 Sprague Hall, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Alan P Kumar
- Department of Surgery, National University Hospital Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117600, Singapore.
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Li Y, Li Y, Yang Y, Deng Y, Ni X, Zhao B, Yan Z, He W, Li Y, Li S, Liu L, Lu D. Synergistic efficacy of PI3Kδ inhibitor with anti-PD-1 mAbs in immune-humanized PDX model of endocrine resistance hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18498. [PMID: 37533997 PMCID: PMC10392091 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18498] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Endocrine resistance hormone receptor-positive (HR+) advanced breast cancer (ABC) is generally insensitive to immunecheckpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This study sought to determine whether PI3Kδ inhibitor could enhance the sensitivity of endocrine resistance HR + advanced BC to ICIs by reducing immune evasion. Methods Patient-derived HR + ABC xenografts were implanted into immune-humanized NSG mice and subsequently treated with YY20394 (PI3Kδ inhibitor) and camrelizumab. The mice were monitored for tumor progression, biochemical blood indicators, and peripheral blood T-cell subsets. The xenografted tumors were collected at the end of the treatment cycle and subjected to HE staining, immunohistochemistry and protein phosphorylation analysis. Besides, the xenografted tumors were also used to isolate primary breast cancer cells (BCCs) and regulatory T-cells (Tregs), which were subsequently used to evaluate drug sensitivity in vitro. Results The humanized PDX model showed a favorable initial treatment response to camrelizumab combined with YY20394 and manageable toxicity. YY20394 plus camrelizumab showed a strong inhibitory effect on HR + BC in vivo mediated by suppression of Treg activity and an increased proportion of CD8+ T cells. Mice bearing tumors treated with YY20394 and camrelizumab had less invasion, mitotic figures, and ki67 expression, while having higher IL-12 expression compared with other groups. Mechanistically, YY20394 only effectively inhibited the PI3K pathway and proliferation activity in Tregs but not in BCCs. Conclusion Our study suggests PI3Kδ inhibitor could the enhance the efficacy of ICIs in HR + BC PDX models by combating immune suppression and provides a feasible approach that may overcome the resistance of ICIs in HR + BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjue Li
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, PR China
| | - Yiwen Li
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, PR China
| | - Yu Yang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, PR China
| | - Yuwei Deng
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Oncology Hospital of Harbin Medical University, PR China
| | - Xiangdong Ni
- Department of Oncology, Hegang People's Hospital, PR China
| | - Bochen Zhao
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Shenzhen University, PR China
| | - Zhaoqi Yan
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, PR China
| | - Wen He
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, PR China
| | - Yixin Li
- Department of Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Shantou University, PR China
| | - Shuhui Li
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, PR China
| | - Linbo Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, PR China
| | - Dan Lu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, PR China
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10
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Ceja-Gálvez HR, Renteria-Flores FI, Nicoletti F, Hernández-Bello J, Macedo-Ojeda G, Muñoz-Valle JF. Severe COVID-19: Drugs and Clinical Trials. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12082893. [PMID: 37109231 PMCID: PMC10142549 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12082893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
By January of 2023, the COVID-19 pandemic had led to a reported total of 6,700,883 deaths and 662,631,114 cases worldwide. To date, there have been no effective therapies or standardized treatment schemes for this disease; therefore, the search for effective prophylactic and therapeutic strategies is a primary goal that must be addressed. This review aims to provide an analysis of the most efficient and promising therapies and drugs for the prevention and treatment of severe COVID-19, comparing their degree of success, scope, and limitations, with the aim of providing support to health professionals in choosing the best pharmacological approach. An investigation of the most promising and effective treatments against COVID-19 that are currently available was carried out by employing search terms including "Convalescent plasma therapy in COVID-19" or "Viral polymerase inhibitors" and "COVID-19" in the Clinicaltrials.gov and PubMed databases. From the current perspective and with the information available from the various clinical trials assessing the efficacy of different therapeutic options, we conclude that it is necessary to standardize certain variables-such as the viral clearance time, biomarkers associated with severity, hospital stay, requirement of invasive mechanical ventilation, and mortality rate-in order to facilitate verification of the efficacy of such treatments and to better assess the repeatability of the most effective and promising results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazael Ramiro Ceja-Gálvez
- Institute of Research in Biomedical Sciences, University Center of Health Sciences (CUCS), University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Francisco Israel Renteria-Flores
- Institute of Research in Biomedical Sciences, University Center of Health Sciences (CUCS), University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Jorge Hernández-Bello
- Institute of Research in Biomedical Sciences, University Center of Health Sciences (CUCS), University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Gabriela Macedo-Ojeda
- Institute of Research in Biomedical Sciences, University Center of Health Sciences (CUCS), University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - José Francisco Muñoz-Valle
- Institute of Research in Biomedical Sciences, University Center of Health Sciences (CUCS), University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
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11
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Facile preparation of a metal-phenolic network-based lymph node targeting nanovaccine for antitumor immunotherapy. Acta Biomater 2023; 158:510-524. [PMID: 36603733 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.12.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cancer vaccines are being explored for enhanced cancer immunotherapy and prophylaxis. Some of their prevailing weaknesses, however, such as complicated preparation, poor biocompatibility, and failure to elicit strong cellular immune responses, have limited their further clinical applications. Here, we reported a multifunctional nanovaccine that was prepared in a quick and simple way. During the self-assembly of metal-phenolic networks (MPNs), the antigen ovalbumin (OVA) and immunoreactive chlorogenic acid (CHA) were simultaneously loaded. Owing to its dual pH and reduction sensitivities, the nanovaccine could deliver antigens into the cytoplasm of dendritic cells (DCs) and facilitate the cross-presentation of antigens. Moreover, the results of in vivo immunization assays demonstrated that the nanovaccine significantly excited the antigen presentation of DCs and provoked a robust cellular immune response with the restrained activation of regulatory T cells (Tregs), by targeting lymph nodes and executing the function of CHA. In vivo antitumor assays indicated that the nanovaccine with good biocompatibility afforded conspicuous cancer treatment and prevention effects. Overall, the nanovaccine presented in this study shows a promise for potentiating cancer immunotherapy by the lymph node-targeted delivery. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cancer nanovaccines can be used for cancer immunotherapy. However, some existing shortcomings, such as cumbersome preparation, poor biocompatibility, and failure to elicit strong immune responses, limit the clinical application of cancer nanovaccines. This study developed a multifunctional nanovaccine that was readily prepared through the self-assembly of metal-phenolic networks. The nanovaccine with dual pH and reduction sensitivities could efficiently promote the antigen lysosome escape and cross-presentation. In vivo, it efficiently delivered antigen into lymph nodes and provoked strong cellular immune responses, and thus it showed significant cancer immunotherapy and prevention effect.
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12
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Wang Z, Zhou H, Xu J, Wang J, Niu T. Safety and efficacy of dual PI3K-δ, γ inhibitor, duvelisib in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoid neoplasms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective clinical trials. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1070660. [PMID: 36685572 PMCID: PMC9845779 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1070660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Duvelisib is the first FDA-approved oral dual inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase PI3K-delta (PI3K-δ) and PI3K-gamma (PI3K-γ). Although many clinical studies support the efficacy of duvelisib, the safety of duvelisib remains with great attention. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of duvelisib in treating different relapsed or refractory (RR) lymphoid neoplasm types. Methods We searched prospective clinical trials from PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov. For efficacy analysis, Overall response rate (ORR), complete response rate (CR), partial response rate (PR), rate of stable disease (SDR), rate of progressive disease (PDR), median progression-free survival (mPFS), 12-/24-month PFS, and 12-month overall survival (OS) were assessed. For safety analysis, the incidences of any grade and grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and treatment-related discontinuation and death were evaluated. Subgroup analysis based on the disease type was performed. Results We included 11 studies and 683 patients, including 305 chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), 187 B-cell indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL), 39 B-cell aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (aNHL), and 152 T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (T-NHL) patients. The pooled ORR in CLL/SLL, iNHL, aNHL and T-NHL was 70%, 70%, 28% and 47%, respectively. Additionally, the pooled ORR in CLL/SLL patients with or without TP53 mutation/17p-deletion (62% vs. 74%, p=0.45) and in follicular lymphoma (FL) or other iNHL (69% vs. 57%, p=0.38) had no significant differences. Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients had higher pooled ORR than other aNHL (68% vs. 17%, p=0.04). Angioimmunoblastic TCL (AITL) patients had higher pooled ORR than other PTCL patients (67% vs. 42%, p=0.01). The pooled incidence of any grade, grade ≥3, serious AEs, treatment-related discontinuation and death was 99%, 79%, 63%, 33% and 3%, respectively. The most frequent any-grade AEs were diarrhea (47%), ALT/AST increase (39%), and neutropenia (38%). The most frequent grade ≥3 AEs were neutropenia (25%), ALT/AST increased (16%), diarrhea (12%), and anemia (12%). Conclusion Generally, duvelisib could offer favorable efficacy in patients with RR CLL/SLL, iNHL, MCL, and AITL. Risk and severity in duvelisib treatment may be mitigated through proper identification and management.
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13
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Shan F, Somasundaram A, Bruno TC, Workman CJ, Vignali DAA. Therapeutic targeting of regulatory T cells in cancer. Trends Cancer 2022; 8:944-961. [PMID: 35853825 PMCID: PMC9588644 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The success of immunotherapy in oncology underscores the vital role of the immune system in cancer development. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) maintain a fine balance between autoimmunity and immune suppression. They have multiple roles in the tumor microenvironment (TME) but act particularly in suppressing T cell activation. This review focuses on the detrimental and sometimes beneficial roles of Tregs in tumors, our current understanding of recruitment and stabilization of Tregs within the TME, and current Treg-targeted therapeutics. Research identifying subpopulations of Tregs and their respective functions and interactions within the complex networks of the TME will be crucial to develop the next generation of immunotherapies. Through these advances, Treg-targeted immunotherapy could have important implications for the future of oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Shan
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Ashwin Somasundaram
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Tullia C Bruno
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA; Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Creg J Workman
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Dario A A Vignali
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA; Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA.
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14
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Lauder SN, Smart K, Bart VMT, Pires A, Scott J, Milutinovic S, Godkin A, Vanhaesebroeck B, Gallimore A. Treg-driven tumour control by PI3Kδ inhibition limits myeloid-derived suppressor cell expansion. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:1595-1602. [PMID: 35986086 PMCID: PMC9596434 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01917-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have demonstrated that blocking the PI3Kδ signalling enzyme (by administering a small molecule inhibitor, PI-3065) can potently improve the anti-tumour T-cell response through direct inhibition of Tregs. This treatment also has a negative impact on MDSC numbers but the primary mechanism driving this effect has remained unclear. METHODS The 4T1 breast cancer mouse model was used in combination with PI-3065 to gain insights into the effect of PI3Kδ inhibition on MDSCs. RESULTS PI-3065 treatment resulted in a concomitant reduction in MDSC expansion and tumour size. However, targeting Tregs independent of PI-3065 was also associated with reduced tumour volume and MDSC numbers. Surgical removal of tumours resulted in a rapid and significant decline in MDSC numbers, whilst ex vivo studies using cells from PI-3065-treated mice demonstrated no direct effect of the inhibitor on MDSC activity. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that MDSCs are not inhibited directly by PI-3065 treatment but that their reduced recruitment and immunosuppression within the tumour microenvironment is an indirect consequence of PI3Kδ-inhibition-driven tumour control. This indicates that PI3Kδ inhibition drives tumour immunity by breaking down multiple immunosuppressive pathways through both direct mechanisms (on Treg) and indirect mechanisms, secondary to tumour control (on MDSCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Lauder
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, SIURI, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
| | - Kathryn Smart
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, SIURI, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Valentina M T Bart
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, SIURI, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Ana Pires
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, SIURI, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Jake Scott
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, SIURI, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Stefan Milutinovic
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, SIURI, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Andrew Godkin
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, SIURI, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Bart Vanhaesebroeck
- UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Awen Gallimore
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, SIURI, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
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15
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Signaling pathways and targeted therapies in lung squamous cell carcinoma: mechanisms and clinical trials. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:353. [PMID: 36198685 PMCID: PMC9535022 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01200-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death across the world. Unlike lung adenocarcinoma, patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) have not benefitted from targeted therapies. Although immunotherapy has significantly improved cancer patients' outcomes, the relatively low response rate and severe adverse events hinder the clinical application of this promising treatment in LSCC. Therefore, it is of vital importance to have a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of LSCC as well as the inner connection among different signaling pathways, which will surely provide opportunities for more effective therapeutic interventions for LSCC. In this review, new insights were given about classical signaling pathways which have been proved in other cancer types but not in LSCC, including PI3K signaling pathway, VEGF/VEGFR signaling, and CDK4/6 pathway. Other signaling pathways which may have therapeutic potentials in LSCC were also discussed, including the FGFR1 pathway, EGFR pathway, and KEAP1/NRF2 pathway. Next, chromosome 3q, which harbors two key squamous differentiation markers SOX2 and TP63 is discussed as well as its related potential therapeutic targets. We also provided some progress of LSCC in epigenetic therapies and immune checkpoints blockade (ICB) therapies. Subsequently, we outlined some combination strategies of ICB therapies and other targeted therapies. Finally, prospects and challenges were given related to the exploration and application of novel therapeutic strategies for LSCC.
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16
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Zhao Y, Bai Y, Shen M, Li Y. Therapeutic strategies for gastric cancer targeting immune cells: Future directions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:992762. [PMID: 36225938 PMCID: PMC9549957 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.992762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignancy with a high incidence and mortality, and the emergence of immunotherapy has brought survival benefits to GC patients. Compared with traditional therapy, immunotherapy has the advantages of durable response, long-term survival benefits, and lower toxicity. Therefore, targeted immune cells are the most promising therapeutic strategy in the field of oncology. In this review, we introduce the role and significance of each immune cell in the tumor microenvironment of GC and summarize the current landscape of immunotherapy in GC, which includes immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell therapy (ACT), dendritic cell (DC) vaccines, reduction of M2 tumor-associated macrophages (M2 TAMs), N2 tumor-associated neutrophils (N2 TANs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), effector regulatory T cells (eTregs), and regulatory B cells (Bregs) in the tumor microenvironment and reprogram TAMs and TANs into tumor killer cells. The most widely used immunotherapy strategies are the immune checkpoint inhibitor programmed cell death 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) antibody, cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) antibody, and chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) in ACT, and these therapeutic strategies have significant anti-tumor efficacy in solid tumors and hematological tumors. Targeting other immune cells provides a new direction for the immunotherapy of GC despite the relatively weak clinical data, which have been confirmed to restore or enhance anti-tumor immune function in preclinical studies and some treatment strategies have entered the clinical trial stage, and it is expected that more and more effective immune cell–based therapeutic methods will be developed and applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuansong Bai
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Meili Shen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Yapeng Li, ; Meili Shen,
| | - Yapeng Li
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis Technology of High Performance Polymer, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Yapeng Li, ; Meili Shen,
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17
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Prospect of ULK1 modulators in targeting regulatory T cells. Bioorg Chem 2022; 129:106141. [PMID: 36137312 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells play an instrumental role in coordinating immune homeostasis via potent inhibitory effects. Defects in Treg cells lead to autoimmunity, but an overwhelming proportion of Treg cells encourages cancer progression. Hence, targeting Treg cells has emerged as a promising approach for mitigating disease severity. Recent studies have revealed that kinases are a critical component for tuning the fate of Treg cells, but the entire network of Treg-modulating kinases is still unclear. Here, we propose that the autophagy-activating UNC-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) is a candidate for Treg cell modulation. While accumulating evidence has highlighted the role of autophagy-related kinases in Treg cells, the ULK1-Treg cell axis is yet to be examined. In this review, we predicted the potential role of ULK1 in Treg cell modulation. Furthermore, we summarized current ULK1 activators and inhibitors that can be investigated as Treg-targeting strategies, which might have beneficial outcomes in autoimmunity and cancer.
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18
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Yan Y, Huang L, Liu Y, Yi M, Chu Q, Jiao D, Wu K. Metabolic profiles of regulatory T cells and their adaptations to the tumor microenvironment: implications for antitumor immunity. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:104. [PMID: 35948909 PMCID: PMC9364625 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01322-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterized by the expression of the critical transcription factor forkhead box protein P3, regulatory T (Treg) cells are an essential part of the immune system, with a dual effect on the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Targeting Tregs to reestablish the proinflammatory and immunogenic tumor microenvironment (TME) is an increasingly attractive strategy for cancer treatment and has been emphasized in recent years. However, attempts have been significantly hindered by the subsequent autoimmunity after Treg ablation owing to systemic loss of their suppressive capacity. Cellular metabolic reprogramming is acknowledged as a hallmark of cancer, and emerging evidence suggests that elucidating the underlying mechanisms of how intratumoral Tregs acquire metabolic fitness and superior immunosuppression in the TME may contribute to clinical benefits. In this review, we discuss the common and distinct metabolic profiles of Tregs in peripheral tissues and the TME, as well as the differences between Tregs and other conventional T cells in their metabolic preferences. By focusing on the critical roles of different metabolic programs, such as glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid oxidation, fatty acid synthesis, and amino acid metabolism, as well as their essential regulators in modulating Treg proliferation, migration, and function, we hope to provide new insights into Treg cell-targeted antitumor immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuheng Yan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Lan Huang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yiming Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qian Chu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Dechao Jiao
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China. .,Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
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19
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Dwivedi M, Tiwari S, Kemp EH, Begum R. Implications of regulatory T cells in anti-cancer immunity: from pathogenesis to therapeutics. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10450. [PMID: 36082331 PMCID: PMC9445387 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an essential role in maintaining immune tolerance and suppressing inflammation. However, Tregs present major hurdle in eliciting potent anti-cancer immune responses. Therefore, curbing the activity of Tregs represents a novel and efficient way towards successful immunotherapy of cancer. Moreover, there is an emerging interest in harnessing Treg-based strategies for augmenting anti-cancer immunity in different types of the disease. This review summarises the crucial mechanisms of Tregs’ mediated suppression of anti-cancer immunity and strategies to suppress or to alter such Tregs to improve the immune response against tumors. Highlighting important clinical studies, the review also describes current Treg-based therapeutic interventions in cancer, and discusses Treg-suppression by molecular targeting, which may emerge as an effective cancer immunotherapy and as an alternative to detrimental chemotherapeutic agents. Tregs are crucial in maintaining immune tolerance and suppressing inflammation. Tregs present a major obstacle to eliciting potent anti-tumor immune responses. The review summarizes current Treg-based therapeutic interventions in cancer. Treg can be an effective cancer immunotherapy target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitesh Dwivedi
- C. G. Bhakta Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Uka Tarsadia University, Tarsadi, Surat, Gujarat, 394350, India
- Corresponding author.
| | - Sanjay Tiwari
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Raebareli, Lucknow, 226002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - E. Helen Kemp
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - Rasheedunnisa Begum
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, 390 002, Gujarat, India
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20
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Immunosuppressive cells in cancer: mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:61. [PMID: 35585567 PMCID: PMC9118588 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01282-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 77.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies like the adoptive transfer of gene-engineered T cells and immune checkpoint inhibitors are novel therapeutic modalities for advanced cancers. However, some patients are refractory or resistant to these therapies, and the mechanisms underlying tumor immune resistance have not been fully elucidated. Immunosuppressive cells such as myeloid-derived suppressive cells, tumor-associated macrophages, tumor-associated neutrophils, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and tumor-associated dendritic cells are critical factors correlated with immune resistance. In addition, cytokines and factors secreted by tumor cells or these immunosuppressive cells also mediate the tumor progression and immune escape of cancers. Thus, targeting these immunosuppressive cells and the related signals is the promising therapy to improve the efficacy of immunotherapies and reverse the immune resistance. However, even with certain success in preclinical studies or in some specific types of cancer, large perspectives are unknown for these immunosuppressive cells, and the related therapies have undesirable outcomes for clinical patients. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the phenotype, function, and potential therapeutic targets of these immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment.
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21
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Tumor-Associated Regulatory T Cells in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Current Advances and Future Perspectives. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:4355386. [PMID: 35497874 PMCID: PMC9054468 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4355386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most threatening malignant tumors to human health, with the overall 5-year survival rate being less than 30%. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a functional subset of T cells, maintain immunologic immunological self-tolerance and homeostasis. Accumulating evidence has uncovered their implicated roles in various cancers in recent years. In NSCLC, they are associated with staging, therapeutic efficacy, and prognosis by infiltrating in tissues and thereby attenuating immunologic anticancer effects in patients. Tumor-associated Tregs display distinct immune signatures in NSCLC compared to thymus-derived Tregs, playing an important role in remodeling the tumor microenvironment (TME). Targeting Tregs has become a novel direction for NSCLC patients, such as disrupting their immune-suppressive functions, blocking their trafficking into tumors, and inhibiting their development and/or activation. This review is aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms of tumor-associated Tregs in NSCLC and providing therapeutic targets relevant to Tregs.
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22
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Yu J, Zhang H, Zhang Y, Zhan Y, Ma S, Hu T, Zhang N, Lou Y, Bao H, Xu Z, Zhong D, Miao L, Diao X. Absorption, metabolism, and excretion of [ 14C]YY-20394, a highly selective PI3K-delta inhibitor in humans. Xenobiotica 2022; 52:254-264. [PMID: 35373704 DOI: 10.1080/00498254.2022.2062581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jinghua Yu
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Drug Research and Translational Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Yan Zhan
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Sheng Ma
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Drug Research and Translational Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Tao Hu
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Yangtong Lou
- Shanghai Yingli Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 2829 Jinke Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hanying Bao
- Shanghai Yingli Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 2829 Jinke Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zusheng Xu
- Shanghai Yingli Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 2829 Jinke Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Dafang Zhong
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Liyan Miao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Drug Research and Translational Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Xingxing Diao
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201210, China
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23
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Targeting oncogene and non-oncogene addiction to inflame the tumour microenvironment. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2022; 21:440-462. [PMID: 35292771 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00415-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the clinical management of multiple tumours. However, only a few patients respond to ICIs, which has generated considerable interest in the identification of resistance mechanisms. One such mechanism reflects the ability of various oncogenic pathways, as well as stress response pathways required for the survival of transformed cells (a situation commonly referred to as 'non-oncogene addiction'), to support tumour progression not only by providing malignant cells with survival and/or proliferation advantages, but also by establishing immunologically 'cold' tumour microenvironments (TMEs). Thus, both oncogene and non-oncogene addiction stand out as promising targets to robustly inflame the TME and potentially enable superior responses to ICIs.
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24
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Scott J, Rees L, Gallimore A, Lauder SN. PI3K Isoform Immunotherapy for Solid Tumours. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2022; 436:369-392. [PMID: 36243853 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-06566-8_16] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Improving the anti-tumour T cell response as a consequence of immunotherapy can result in eradication of tumour burden, however, the majority of patients fail with current treatment regimens and so novel immunotherapies with greater efficacy and improved tolerability are needed. The phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) family members that are directly involved in cell signalling comprise PI3Kα, PI3Kβ, PI3Kδ and PI3Kγ, with the latter two isoforms expressed primarily by leukocytes. The survival and optimal function of regulatory T cells (Treg) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) is dependent on PI3Kδ, whereas tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), use PI3Kγ. Blocking these signalling isoforms can boost development of effective anti-cancer immune responses and result in control of tumour burden. The dependence on different PI3K isoforms in immune cells makes targeting this pathway an attractive approach for tumour immunotherapy. Herein, we discuss how inhibiting specific PI3K isoforms in pro-tumoural Tregs, MDSCS and TAMs can unleash a powerful anti-tumour immune response, driven by CD8+ T cells, capable of controlling tumour burden and consider how the immune response to therapy needs careful investigation, to identify both the correlates of successful treatment and those that impede the generation of robust anti-tumour responses. Furthermore, we review how combination immunotherapy approaches with both PI3K inhibitors and subsequent immune checkpoint blockade can potentiate the efficacy of monotherapy. Finally, we discuss the recent advances in the use of PI3K isoform-specific inhibitors as an immunotherapy for solid tumours in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Scott
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, SIURI, Cardiff, C14 4XN, UK
| | - Lauren Rees
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, SIURI, Cardiff, C14 4XN, UK
| | - Awen Gallimore
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, SIURI, Cardiff, C14 4XN, UK
| | - Sarah N Lauder
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, SIURI, Cardiff, C14 4XN, UK.
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25
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Cameron B, Zaheer SA, Dominguez-Villar M. Control of CD4+ T Cell Differentiation and Function by PI3K Isoforms. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2022; 436:197-216. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-06566-8_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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26
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Baraibar I, Mirallas O, Saoudi N, Ros J, Salvà F, Tabernero J, Élez E. Combined Treatment with Immunotherapy-Based Strategies for MSS Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6311. [PMID: 34944931 PMCID: PMC8699573 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246311] [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: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, deepening knowledge of the complex interactions between the immune system and cancer cells has led to the advent of effective immunotherapies that have revolutionized the therapeutic paradigm of several cancer types. However, colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the tumor types in which immunotherapy has proven less effective. While there is solid clinical evidence for the therapeutic role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) and in highly microsatellite instable (MSI-H) metastatic CRC (mCRC), blockade of CTLA-4 or PD-L1/PD-1 as monotherapy has not conferred any major clinical benefit to patients with MMR-proficient (pMMR) or microsatellite stable (MSS) mCRC, reflecting 95% of the CRC population. There thus remains a high unmet medical need for the development of novel immunotherapy approaches for the vast majority of patients with pMMR or MSS/MSI-low (MSI-L) mCRC. Defining the molecular mechanisms for immunogenicity in mCRC and mediating immune resistance in MSS mCRC is needed to develop predictive biomarkers and effective therapeutic combination strategies. Here we review available clinical data from combinatorial therapeutic approaches using immunotherapy-based strategies for MSS mCRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iosune Baraibar
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron, 119, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (O.M.); (N.S.); (J.R.); (F.S.); (J.T.); (E.É.)
- Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oriol Mirallas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron, 119, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (O.M.); (N.S.); (J.R.); (F.S.); (J.T.); (E.É.)
| | - Nadia Saoudi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron, 119, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (O.M.); (N.S.); (J.R.); (F.S.); (J.T.); (E.É.)
- Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Ros
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron, 119, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (O.M.); (N.S.); (J.R.); (F.S.); (J.T.); (E.É.)
- Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Salvà
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron, 119, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (O.M.); (N.S.); (J.R.); (F.S.); (J.T.); (E.É.)
- Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Tabernero
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron, 119, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (O.M.); (N.S.); (J.R.); (F.S.); (J.T.); (E.É.)
- Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Élez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron, 119, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (O.M.); (N.S.); (J.R.); (F.S.); (J.T.); (E.É.)
- Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
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27
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Chuckran CA, Cillo AR, Moskovitz J, Overacre-Delgoffe A, Somasundaram AS, Shan F, Magnon GC, Kunning SR, Abecassis I, Zureikat AH, Luketich J, Pennathur A, Sembrat J, Rojas M, Merrick DT, Taylor SE, Orr B, Modugno F, Buckanovich R, Schoen RE, Kim S, Duvvuri U, Zeh H, Edwards R, Kirkwood JM, Coffman L, Ferris RL, Bruno TC, Vignali DAA. Prevalence of intratumoral regulatory T cells expressing neuropilin-1 is associated with poorer outcomes in patients with cancer. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabf8495. [PMID: 34878821 PMCID: PMC9022491 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abf8495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Chuckran
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Graduate Program of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Anthony R Cillo
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jessica Moskovitz
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Abigail Overacre-Delgoffe
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Ashwin S Somasundaram
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Feng Shan
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Integrative Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Grant C Magnon
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Sheryl R Kunning
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Irina Abecassis
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Amer H Zureikat
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and UPMC Pancreatic Cancer Program, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - James Luketich
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Arjun Pennathur
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - John Sembrat
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Mauricio Rojas
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Daniel T Merrick
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Sarah E Taylor
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Brian Orr
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology Division, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Francesmary Modugno
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Women's Cancer Research Center, Magee-Women's Research Institute and Foundation and Hillman Cancer Center and Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Ron Buckanovich
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Robert E Schoen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Seungwon Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Umamaheswar Duvvuri
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Herbert Zeh
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Robert Edwards
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - John M Kirkwood
- Departments of Medicine, Dermatology, and Translational Science, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Lan Coffman
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Robert L Ferris
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Tullia C Bruno
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Dario A A Vignali
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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28
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Abu-Eid R, Ward FJ. Targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway: A therapeutic strategy in COVID-19 patients. Immunol Lett 2021; 240:1-8. [PMID: 34562551 PMCID: PMC8457906 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Some COVID-19 patients suffer complications from anti-viral immune responses which can lead to both a dangerous cytokine storm and development of blood-borne factors that render severe thrombotic events more likely. The precise immune response profile is likely, therefore, to determine and predict patient outcomes and also represents a target for intervention. Anti-viral T cell exhaustion in the early stages is associated with disease progression. Dysregulation of T cell functions, which precedes cytokine storm development and neutrophil expansion in alveolar tissues heralds damaging pathology.T cell function, cytokine production and factors that attract neutrophils to the lung can be modified through targeting molecules that can modulate T cell responses. Manipulating T cell responses by targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway could provide the means to control the immune response in COVID-19 patients. During the initial anti-viral response, T cell effector function can be enhanced by delaying anti-viral exhaustion through inhibiting PI3K and Akt. Additionally, immune dysregulation can be addressed by enhancing immune suppressor functions by targeting downstream mTOR, an important intracellular modulator of cellular metabolism. Targeting this signalling pathway also has potential to prevent formation of thrombi due to its role in platelet activation. Furthermore, this signalling pathway is essential for SARS-cov-2 virus replication in host cells and its inhibition could, therefore, reduce viral load. The ultimate goal is to identify targets that can quickly control the immune response in COVID-19 patients to improve patient outcome. Targeting different levels of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway could potentially achieve this during each stage of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha Abu-Eid
- Institute of Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, AB25 2ZD, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom; Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, AB25 2ZD, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom.
| | - Frank James Ward
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, AB25 2ZD, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom.
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29
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Kuchroo JR, Hafler DA, Sharpe AH, Lucca LE. The double-edged sword: Harnessing PD-1 blockade in tumor and autoimmunity. Sci Immunol 2021; 6:eabf4034. [PMID: 34739340 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abf4034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhi R Kuchroo
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Evergrande Center for Immunological Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David A Hafler
- Departments of Neurology and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Arlene H Sharpe
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Evergrande Center for Immunological Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Liliana E Lucca
- Departments of Neurology and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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30
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Tarantelli C, Argnani L, Zinzani PL, Bertoni F. PI3Kδ Inhibitors as Immunomodulatory Agents for the Treatment of Lymphoma Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5535. [PMID: 34771694 PMCID: PMC8582887 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of small molecules able to block specific or multiple isoforms of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) has already been an active field of research for many years in the cancer field. PI3Kδ inhibitors are among the targeted agents most extensively studied for the treatment of lymphoma patients and PI3Kδ inhibitors are already approved by regulatory agencies. More recently, it became clear that the anti-tumor activity of PI3K inhibitors might not be due only to a direct effect on the cancer cells but it can also be mediated via inhibition of the kinases in non-neoplastic cells present in the tumor microenvironment. T-cells represent an important component of the tumor microenvironment and they comprise different subpopulations that can have both anti- and pro-tumor effects. In this review article, we discuss the effects that PI3Kδ inhibitors exert on the immune system with a particular focus on the T-cell compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Tarantelli
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland;
| | - Lisa Argnani
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (L.A.); (P.L.Z.)
- Istituto di Ematologia “Seràgnoli”, Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Zinzani
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (L.A.); (P.L.Z.)
- Istituto di Ematologia “Seràgnoli”, Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Bertoni
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland;
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
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31
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Zhang S, Dai Q, Zhang B, Liu S, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Chen D, Zong N, Wang H, Ding J, Gao Q, Wen Y. Syngeneic bone marrow transplantation in combination with PI3K inhibitor reversed hyperglycemia in later-stage streptozotocin-induced diabetes. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:1642. [PMID: 34988151 PMCID: PMC8667114 DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-3329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Background Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a multiple factor autoimmune disease characterized by T cell-mediated immune destruction of islet β cells. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) has been a novel strategy for patients with new-onset T1D, but not for those with a later diagnosis. Disturbance of regulatory T cells (Tregs) likely contributes to poor response after transplantation in later-stage T1D. Inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/Akt signaling maintains Tregs’ homeostasis. Methods We built a later-stage streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T1D mouse model. Syngeneic bone marrow transplantation (syn-BMT) was performed 20 days after the onset of diabetes in combination with BKM120 (a PI3K inhibitor). Meanwhile, another group of STZ-diabetic mice were transplanted with bone marrow cells cocultured with BKM120 in vitro for 24 h. Fasting glucose and glucose tolerance were recorded during the entire experimental observation after syn-BMT. Samples were collected 126 days after syn-BMT. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to detect the effect of PI3K inhibitor combined with syn-BMT on morphology of the T1D pancreas. CD4+CD25− T cells and CD4+CD25+ T cells were sorted by magnetic cell sorting (MACS), then fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were used to detect the effect of PI3K inhibitor on modulating immune disorder and restoring the function of Treg cells. Results Our investigation showed syn-BMT in combination with BKM120 effectively maintained normoglycemia in later-stage T1D. The disease remission effects may be induced by the rebalance of Th17/Tregs dysregulation and restoration of Tregs’ immunosuppressive function by BKM120 after syn-BMT. Conclusions These results may reveal important connections for PI3K/Akt inhibition and Tregs’ homeostasis in T1D after transplantation. AHSCT combining immunoregulatory strategies such as PI3K inhibition may be a promising therapeutic approach in later-stage T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyun Zhang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Center of Translational Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianqian Dai
- Department of Basic Medicine, Center of Translational Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Center of Translational Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Siyang Liu
- Department of Basic Medicine, Center of Translational Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Center of Translational Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yixue Zhang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Center of Translational Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Dongyue Chen
- Department of Basic Medicine, Center of Translational Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Ningning Zong
- Department of Basic Medicine, Center of Translational Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongwei Wang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Center of Translational Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingjing Ding
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Qian Gao
- Department of Basic Medicine, Center of Translational Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanting Wen
- Department of Basic Medicine, Center of Translational Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
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32
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Vanhaesebroeck B, Perry MWD, Brown JR, André F, Okkenhaug K. PI3K inhibitors are finally coming of age. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:741-769. [PMID: 34127844 PMCID: PMC9297732 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00209-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 210] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Overactive phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in cancer and immune dysregulation has spurred extensive efforts to develop therapeutic PI3K inhibitors. Although progress has been hampered by issues such as poor drug tolerance and drug resistance, several PI3K inhibitors have now received regulatory approval - the PI3Kα isoform-selective inhibitor alpelisib for the treatment of breast cancer and inhibitors mainly aimed at the leukocyte-enriched PI3Kδ in B cell malignancies. In addition to targeting cancer cell-intrinsic PI3K activity, emerging evidence highlights the potential of PI3K inhibitors in cancer immunotherapy. This Review summarizes key discoveries that aid the clinical translation of PI3Kα and PI3Kδ inhibitors, highlighting lessons learnt and future opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew W D Perry
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jennifer R Brown
- CLL Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fabrice André
- Institut Gustave Roussy, INSERM U981, Université Paris Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Klaus Okkenhaug
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Isoyama S, Mori S, Sugiyama D, Kojima Y, Tada Y, Shitara K, Hinohara K, Dan S, Nishikawa H. Cancer immunotherapy with PI3K and PD-1 dual-blockade via optimal modulation of T cell activation signal. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2020-002279. [PMID: 34446575 PMCID: PMC8395371 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-002279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) induces durable clinical responses in patients with various types of cancer. However, its limited clinical efficacy requires the development of better approaches. In addition to immune checkpoint molecules, tumor-infiltrating immunosuppressive cells including regulatory T cells (Tregs) play crucial roles in the immune suppressive tumor microenvironment. While phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibition as a Treg-targeted treatment has been implicated in animal models, its effects on human Tregs and on the potential impairment of effector T cells are required to be clarified for successful cancer immunotherapy. Methods The impact of a selective-PI3K inhibitor ZSTK474 with or without anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody on Tregs and CD8+ T cells were examined with in vivo animal models and in vitro experiments with antigen specific and non-specific fashions using peripheral blood from healthy individuals and cancer patients. Phenotypes and functions of Tregs and effector T cells were examined with comprehensive gene and protein expression assays. Results Improved antitumor effects by the PI3K inhibitor in combination with ICB, particularly PD-1 blockade, were observed in mice and humans. Although administration of the PI3K inhibitor at higher doses impaired activation of CD8+ T cells as well as Tregs, the optimization (doses and timing) of this combination treatment selectively decreased intratumoral Tregs, resulting in increased tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in the treated mice. Moreover, on the administration of the PI3K inhibitor with the optimal dose for selectively deleting Tregs, PI3K signaling was inhibited not only in Tregs but also in activated CD8+ T cells, leading to the enhanced generation of tumor antigen-specific memory CD8+ T cells which contributed to durable antitumor immunity. These opposing outcomes between Tregs and CD8+ T cells were attributed to the high degree of dependence on T cell signaling in the former but not in the latter. Conclusions PI3K inhibitor in the combination with ICB with the optimized protocol fine-tuned T cell activation signaling for antitumor immunity via decreasing Tregs and optimizing memory CD8+ T cell responses, illustrating a promising combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Isoyama
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Tokyo/Kashiwa, Japan.,Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Cancer Chemotherapy Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan.,R&D Center, Zenyaku Kogyo Co Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Mori
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Tokyo/Kashiwa, Japan.,R&D Center, Zenyaku Kogyo Co Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sugiyama
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kojima
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuko Tada
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Tokyo/Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Kohei Shitara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Hinohara
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shingo Dan
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Cancer Chemotherapy Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Tokyo/Kashiwa, Japan .,Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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Chandrasekaran S, Funk CR, Kleber T, Paulos CM, Shanmugam M, Waller EK. Strategies to Overcome Failures in T-Cell Immunotherapies by Targeting PI3K-δ and -γ. Front Immunol 2021; 12:718621. [PMID: 34512641 PMCID: PMC8427697 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.718621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PI3K-δ and PI3K-γ are critical regulators of T-cell differentiation, senescence, and metabolism. PI3K-δ and PI3K-γ signaling can contribute to T-cell inhibition via intrinsic mechanisms and regulation of suppressor cell populations, including regulatory T-cells and myeloid derived suppressor cells in the tumor. We examine an exciting new role for using selective inhibitors of the PI3K δ- and γ-isoforms as modulators of T-cell phenotype and function in immunotherapy. Herein we review the current literature on the implications of PI3K-δ and -γ inhibition in T-cell biology, discuss existing challenges in adoptive T-cell therapies and checkpoint blockade inhibitors, and highlight ongoing efforts and future directions to incorporate PI3K-δ and PI3K-γ as synergistic T-cell modulators in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Chandrasekaran
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Christopher Ronald Funk
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Troy Kleber
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Chrystal M. Paulos
- Department of Surgery/Microbiology & Immunology, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Mala Shanmugam
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Edmund K. Waller
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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35
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Lauder SN, Vanhaesebroeck B, Gallimore A. Sequential targeting of PI3Kδ and LAG3 as an effective anti-cancer approach. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:467-469. [PMID: 33824480 PMCID: PMC8368216 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01285-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging studies have demonstrated the potential of PI3Kδ blockade as an immunotherapy for solid tumours. In pre-clinical models, we recently demonstrated that anti-LAG3 immune checkpoint blockade vastly potentiated PI3Kδ-based immunotherapy, enabling successful tumour control in all treated mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Lauder
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, SIURI, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Bart Vanhaesebroeck
- UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, University College London, London, UK
| | - Awen Gallimore
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, SIURI, Cardiff, UK
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36
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Nishikawa H, Koyama S. Mechanisms of regulatory T cell infiltration in tumors: implications for innovative immune precision therapies. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002591. [PMID: 34330764 PMCID: PMC8327843 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
With the broad application of cancer immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors in multiple cancer types, the immunological landscape in the tumor microenvironment (TME) has become enormously important for determining the optimal cancer treatment. Tumors can be immunologically divided into two categories: inflamed and non-inflamed based on the extent of immune cell infiltration and their activation status. In general, immunotherapies are preferable for the inflamed tumors than for non-inflamed tumors. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), an immunosuppressive subset of CD4+ T cells, play an essential role in maintaining self-tolerance and immunological homeostasis. In tumor immunity, Tregs compromise immune surveillance against cancer in healthy individuals and impair the antitumor immune response in tumor-bearing hosts. Tregs, therefore, accelerate immune evasion by tumor cells, leading to tumor development and progression in various types of cancer. Therefore, Tregs are considered to be a crucial therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy. Abundant Tregs are observed in the TME in many types of cancer, both in inflamed and non-inflamed tumors. Diverse mechanisms of Treg accumulation, activation, and survival in the TME have been uncovered for different tumor types, indicating the importance of understanding the mechanism of Treg infiltration in each patient when selecting the optimal Treg-targeted therapy. Here, we review recent advances in the understanding of mechanisms leading to Treg abundance in the TME to optimize Treg-targeted therapy. Furthermore, in addition to the conventional strategies targeting cell surface molecules predominantly expressed by Tregs, reagents targeting molecules and signaling pathways specifically employed by Tregs for infiltration, activation, and survival in each tumor type are illustrated as novel Treg-targeted therapies. The effectiveness of immune precision therapy depends on conditions in the TME of each cancer patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Tokyo/Chiba, Japan .,Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shohei Koyama
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Tokyo/Chiba, Japan.,Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Compared with traditional cancer treatment methods, tumor-targeted immunotherapy can combine targeted therapy and immunotherapy with long-lasting responses to achieve synergistic therapy, which brings hope to the complete cure of cancer. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the newest and most up-to-date advances in tumor-targeted immunotherapy, including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) targeted immunotherapy, regulatory T (Treg) cells targeted immunotherapy, tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs) targeted immunotherapy and immune checkpoints targeted immunotherapy. EXPERT OPINION Immunotherapy can restore anti-tumor immunity in the tumor microenvironment and produce a lasting immune surveillance effect. Smart multifunctional nano delivery system can effectively combine targeted therapy with immunotherapy, which has attracted extensive attention. With the deepening of research, more and more tumor-targeted immunotherapy enter into the clinical trial phases, especially antibodies and inhibitors. Tumor-targeted immunotherapy is a promising approach for conquering cancer and bringing hope for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuelin Fang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Aihua Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Lei Ye
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Guangxi Zhai
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
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Recruitment and Expansion of Tregs Cells in the Tumor Environment-How to Target Them? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081850. [PMID: 33924428 PMCID: PMC8069615 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The immune response against cancer is generated by effector T cells, among them cytotoxic CD8+ T cells that destroy cancer cells and helper CD4+ T cells that mediate and support the immune response. This antitumor function of T cells is tightly regulated by a particular subset of CD4+ T cells, named regulatory T cells (Tregs), through different mechanisms. Even if the complete inhibition of Tregs would be extremely harmful due to their tolerogenic role in impeding autoimmune diseases in the periphery, the targeted blockade of their accumulation at tumor sites or their targeted depletion represent a major therapeutic challenge. This review focuses on the mechanisms favoring Treg recruitment, expansion and stabilization in the tumor microenvironment and the therapeutic strategies developed to block these mechanisms. Abstract Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are present in a large majority of solid tumors and are mainly associated with a poor prognosis, as their major function is to inhibit the antitumor immune response contributing to immunosuppression. In this review, we will investigate the mechanisms involved in the recruitment, amplification and stability of Tregs in the tumor microenvironment (TME). We will also review the strategies currently developed to inhibit Tregs’ deleterious impact in the TME by either inhibiting their recruitment, blocking their expansion, favoring their plastic transformation into other CD4+ T-cell subsets, blocking their suppressive function or depleting them specifically in the TME to avoid severe deleterious effects associated with Treg neutralization/depletion in the periphery and normal tissues.
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Rangel Rivera GO, Knochelmann HM, Dwyer CJ, Smith AS, Wyatt MM, Rivera-Reyes AM, Thaxton JE, Paulos CM. Fundamentals of T Cell Metabolism and Strategies to Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:645242. [PMID: 33815400 PMCID: PMC8014042 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.645242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging reports show that metabolic pathways can be targeted to enhance T cell-mediated immunity to tumors. Yet, tumors consume key metabolites in the host to survive, thus robbing T cells of these nutrients to function and thrive. T cells are often deprived of basic building blocks for energy in the tumor, including glucose and amino acids needed to proliferate or produce cytotoxic molecules against tumors. Immunosuppressive molecules in the host further compromise the lytic capacity of T cells. Moreover, checkpoint receptors inhibit T cell responses by impairing their bioenergetic potential within tumors. In this review, we discuss the fundamental metabolic pathways involved in T cell activation, differentiation and response against tumors. We then address ways to target metabolic pathways to improve the next generation of immunotherapies for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo O Rangel Rivera
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Hannah M Knochelmann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Connor J Dwyer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Aubrey S Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Megan M Wyatt
- Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Amalia M Rivera-Reyes
- Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jessica E Thaxton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Orthopaedics and Physical Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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40
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Aydin E, Faehling S, Saleh M, Llaó Cid L, Seiffert M, Roessner PM. Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment: What Do We Need to Consider When Treating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia With PI3K Inhibitors? Front Immunol 2021; 11:595818. [PMID: 33552053 PMCID: PMC7857022 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.595818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) and their downstream proteins constitute a signaling pathway that is involved in both normal cell growth and malignant transformation of cells. Under physiological conditions, PI3K signaling regulates various cellular functions such as apoptosis, survival, proliferation, and growth, depending on the extracellular signals. A deterioration of these extracellular signals caused by mutational damage in oncogenes or growth factor receptors may result in hyperactivation of this signaling cascade, which is recognized as a hallmark of cancer. Although higher activation of PI3K pathway is common in many types of cancer, it has been therapeutically targeted for the first time in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), demonstrating its significance in B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling and malignant B-cell expansion. The biological activity of the PI3K pathway is not only limited to cancer cells but is also crucial for many components of the tumor microenvironment, as PI3K signaling regulates cytokine responses, and ensures the development and function of immune cells. Therefore, the success or failure of the PI3K inhibition is strongly related to microenvironmental stimuli. In this review, we outline the impacts of PI3K inhibition on the tumor microenvironment with a specific focus on CLL. Acknowledging the effects of PI3K inhibitor-based therapies on the tumor microenvironment in CLL can serve as a rationale for improved drug development, explain treatment-associated adverse events, and suggest novel combinatory treatment strategies in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebru Aydin
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Faehling
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mariam Saleh
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Molecular Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Laura Llaó Cid
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Bioscience, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martina Seiffert
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp M Roessner
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Marelli G, Chard Dunmall LS, Yuan M, Di Gioia C, Miao J, Cheng Z, Zhang Z, Liu P, Ahmed J, Gangeswaran R, Lemoine N, Wang Y. A systemically deliverable Vaccinia virus with increased capacity for intertumoral and intratumoral spread effectively treats pancreatic cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e001624. [PMID: 33500259 PMCID: PMC7839893 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal cancers and is refractory to immunotherapeutic interventions. Oncolytic viruses are a promising new treatment option, but current platforms demonstrate limited efficacy, especially for inaccessible and metastatic cancers that require systemically deliverable therapies. We recently described an oncolytic vaccinia virus (VV), VVLΔTKΔN1L, which has potent antitumor activity, and a regime to enhance intravenous delivery of VV by pharmacological inhibition of pharmacological inhibition of PI3 Kinase δ (PI3Kδ) to prevent virus uptake by macrophages. While these platforms improve the clinical prospects of VV, antitumor efficacy must be improved. METHODS VVLΔTKΔN1L was modified to improve viral spread within and between tumors via viral B5R protein modification, which enhanced production of the extracellular enveloped virus form of VV. Antitumor immunity evoked by viral treatment was improved by arming the virus with interleukin-21, creating VVL-21. Efficacy, functional activity and synergy with α-programmed cell death protein 1 (α-PD1) were assessed after systemic delivery to murine and Syrian hamster models of pancreatic cancer. RESULTS VVL-21 could reach tumors after systemic delivery and demonstrated antitumor efficacy in subcutaneous, orthotopic and disseminated models of pancreatic cancer. The incorporation of modified B5R improved intratumoural accumulation of VV. VVL-21 treatment increased the numbers of effector CD8+ T cells within the tumor, increased circulating natural killer cells and was able to polarize macrophages to an M1 phenotype in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, treatment with VVL-21 sensitized tumors to the immune checkpoint inhibitor α-PD1. CONCLUSIONS Intravenously administered VVL-21 successfully remodeled the suppressive tumor-microenvironment to promote antitumor immune responses and improve long-term survival in animal models of pancreatic cancer. Importantly, treatment with VVL-21 sensitized tumors to the immune checkpoint inhibitor α-PD1. Combination of PI3Kδ inhibition, VVL-21 and α-PD1 creates an effective platform for treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Marelli
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Louisa S Chard Dunmall
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Ming Yuan
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Carmela Di Gioia
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jinxin Miao
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Academy of Chinese Medicine Science, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenguo Cheng
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhongxian Zhang
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jahangir Ahmed
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Rathi Gangeswaran
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Nicholas Lemoine
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yaohe Wang
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Galgani M, Bruzzaniti S, La Rocca C, Micillo T, de Candia P, Bifulco M, Matarese G. Immunometabolism of regulatory T cells in cancer. Mol Aspects Med 2020; 77:100936. [PMID: 33250195 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2020.100936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are known to orchestrate the regulatory mechanisms aimed at suppressing pathological auto-reactive immune responses and are thus key in ensuring the maintenance of immune homeostasis. On the other hand, the presence of Treg cells with enhanced suppressive capability in a plethora of human cancers represents a major obstacle to an effective anti-cancer immune response. A relevant research effort has thus been dedicated to comprehend Treg cell biology, leading to a continuously refining characterization of their phenotype and function and unveiling the central role of metabolism in ensuring Treg cell fitness in cancer. Here we focus on how the peculiar biochemical characteristics of the tumor microenvironment actually support Treg cell metabolic activation and favor their selective survival and proliferation. Moreover, we examine the key metabolic pathways that may become useful targets of novel treatments directed at hampering tumor resident Treg cell proficiency, thus representing the next research frontier in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Galgani
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131, Napoli, Italy; Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per l'Endocrinologia e l'Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Sara Bruzzaniti
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per l'Endocrinologia e l'Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), 80131, Napoli, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudia La Rocca
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per l'Endocrinologia e l'Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Teresa Micillo
- Unità di Neuroimmunologia, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, 00179, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Bifulco
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Matarese
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131, Napoli, Italy; Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per l'Endocrinologia e l'Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), 80131, Napoli, Italy.
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Abstract
Virtually all aspects of T and B lymphocyte development, homeostasis, activation, and effector function are impacted by the interaction of their clonally distributed antigen receptors with antigens encountered in their respective environments. Antigen receptors mediate their effects by modulating intracellular signaling pathways that ultimately impinge on the cytoskeleton, bioenergetic pathways, transcription, and translation. Although these signaling pathways are rather well described at this point, especially those steps that are most receptor-proximal, how such pathways contribute to more quantitative aspects of lymphocyte function is still being elucidated. One of the signaling pathways that appears to be involved in this “tuning” process is controlled by the lipid kinase PI3K. Here we review recent key findings regarding both the triggering/enhancement of PI3K signals (via BCAP and ICOS) as well as their regulation (via PIK3IP1 and PHLPP) and how these signals integrate and determine cellular processes. Lymphocytes display tremendous functional plasticity, adjusting their metabolism and gene expression programs to specific conditions depending on their tissue of residence and the nature of the infectious threat to which they are responding. We give an overview of recent findings that have contributed to this model, with a focus on T cells, including what has been learned from patients with gain-of-function mutations in PI3K as well as lessons from cancer immunotherapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Murter
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Lawrence P Kane
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
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44
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Lauder SN, Smart K, Kersemans V, Allen D, Scott J, Pires A, Milutinovic S, Somerville M, Smart S, Kinchesh P, Lopez-Guadamillas E, Hughes E, Jones E, Scurr M, Godkin A, Friedman LS, Vanhaesebroeck B, Gallimore A. Enhanced antitumor immunity through sequential targeting of PI3Kδ and LAG3. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:e000693. [PMID: 33093155 PMCID: PMC7583804 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite striking successes, immunotherapies aimed at increasing cancer-specific T cell responses are unsuccessful in most patients with cancer. Inactivating regulatory T cells (Treg) by inhibiting the PI3Kδ signaling enzyme has shown promise in preclinical models of tumor immunity and is currently being tested in early phase clinical trials in solid tumors. METHODS Mice bearing 4T1 mammary tumors were orally administered a PI3Kδ inhibitor (PI-3065) daily and tumor growth, survival and T cell infiltrate were analyzed in the tumor microenvironment. A second treatment schedule comprised PI3Kδ inhibitor with anti-LAG3 antibodies administered sequentially 10 days later. RESULTS As observed in human immunotherapy trials with other agents, immunomodulation by PI3Kδ-blockade led to 4T1 tumor regressor and non-regressor mice. Tumor infiltrating T cells in regressors were metabolically fitter than those in non-regressors, with significant enrichments of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, T cell factor 1 (TCF1)+ T cells and CD69- T cells, compatible with induction of a sustained tumor-specific T cell response. Treg numbers were significantly reduced in both regressor and non-regressor tumors compared with untreated tumors. The remaining Treg in non-regressor tumors were however significantly enriched with cells expressing the coinhibitory receptor LAG3, compared with Treg in regressor and untreated tumors. This striking difference prompted us to sequentially block PI3Kδ and LAG3. This combination enabled successful therapy of all mice, demonstrating the functional importance of LAG3 in non-regression of tumors on PI3Kδ inhibition therapy. Follow-up studies, performed using additional cancer cell lines, namely MC38 and CT26, indicated that a partial initial response to PI3Kδ inhibition is an essential prerequisite to a sequential therapeutic benefit of anti-LAG3 antibodies. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that LAG3 is a key bottleneck to successful PI3Kδ-targeted immunotherapy and provide a rationale for combining PI3Kδ/LAG3 blockade in future clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nicol Lauder
- Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University Department of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Kathryn Smart
- Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University Department of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Danny Allen
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jake Scott
- Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University Department of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Ana Pires
- Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University Department of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Stefan Milutinovic
- Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University Department of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Michelle Somerville
- Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University Department of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Sean Smart
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul Kinchesh
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Ellyn Hughes
- Cancer Biomarker Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Emma Jones
- Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University Department of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Martin Scurr
- Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University Department of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Andrew Godkin
- Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University Department of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Bart Vanhaesebroeck
- UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, University College London, London, UK
| | - Awen Gallimore
- Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University Department of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
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45
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Flerin NC, Pinioti S, Menga A, Castegna A, Mazzone M. Impact of Immunometabolism on Cancer Metastasis: A Focus on T Cells and Macrophages. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2020; 10:a037044. [PMID: 31615868 PMCID: PMC7461771 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a037044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite improved treatment options, cancer remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with 90% of this mortality correlated to the development of metastasis. Since metastasis has such an impact on treatment success, disease outcome, and global health, it is important to understand the different steps and factors playing key roles in this process, how these factors relate to immune cell function and how we can target metabolic processes at different steps of metastasis in order to improve cancer treatment and patient prognosis. Recent insights in immunometabolism direct to promising therapeutic targets for cancer treatment, however, the specific contribution of metabolism on antitumor immunity in different metastatic niches warrant further investigation. Here, we provide an overview of what is so far known in the field of immunometabolism at different steps of the metastatic cascade, and what may represent the next steps forward. Focusing on metabolic checkpoints in order to translate these findings from in vitro and mouse studies to the clinic has the potential to revolutionize cancer immunotherapy and greatly improve patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina C Flerin
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven B3000, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven B3000, Belgium
| | - Sotiria Pinioti
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven B3000, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven B3000, Belgium
| | - Alessio Menga
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven B3000, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven B3000, Belgium
| | - Alessandra Castegna
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari 70125, Italy
- IBIOM-CNR, Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Research Council, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Mazzone
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven B3000, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven B3000, Belgium
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46
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Li DY, Xiong XZ. ICOS + Tregs: A Functional Subset of Tregs in Immune Diseases. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2104. [PMID: 32983168 PMCID: PMC7485335 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have reported the pathological effect of ICOS+ T cells, but ICOS signals also widely participate in anti-inflammatory responses, particularly ICOS+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. The ICOS signaling pathway endows Tregs with increased generation, proliferation, and survival abilities. Furthermore, there is enough evidence to suggest a superior capacity of ICOS+ Tregs, which is partly attributable to IL-10 induced by ICOS, yet the associated mechanism needs further investigation. In this review, we discuss the complicated role of ICOS+ Tregs in several classical autoimmune diseases, allergic diseases, and cancers and investigate the related therapeutic applications in these diseases. Moreover, we identify ICOS as a potential biomarker for disease treatment and prognostic prediction. In addition, we believe that anti-ICOS/ICOSL monoclonal antibodies exhibit excellent clinical application potential. A thorough understanding of the effect of ICOS+ Tregs and the holistic role of ICOS toward the immune system will help to improve the therapeutic schedule of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Yang Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xian-Zhi Xiong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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47
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Marmorino F, Boccaccino A, Germani MM, Falcone A, Cremolini C. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in pMMR Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Tough Challenge. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2317. [PMID: 32824490 PMCID: PMC7465130 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of checkpoint inhibitors provided remarkable achievements in several solid tumors but only 5% of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients, i.e., those with bearing microsatellite instable (MSI-high)/deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) tumors, benefit from this approach. The favorable effect of immunotherapy in these patients has been postulated to be due to an increase in neoantigens due to their higher somatic mutational load, also associated with an abundant infiltration of immune cells in tumor microenvironment (TME). While in patients with dMMR tumors checkpoint inhibitors allow achieving durable response with dramatic survival improvement, current results in patients with microsatellite stable (MSS or MSI-low)/proficient DNA mismatch repair (pMMR) tumors are disappointing. These tumors show low mutational load and absence of "immune-competent" TME, and are intrinsically resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Modifying the interplay among cancer cells, TME and host immune system is the aim of multiple lines of research in order to enhance the immunogenicity of pMMR mCRC, and exploit immunotherapy also in this field. Here, we focus on the rationale behind ongoing clinical trials aiming at extending the efficacy of immunotherapy beyond the MSI-high/dMMR subgroup with particular regard to academic no-profit studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Marmorino
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, via Risorgimento 36, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.M.); (A.B.); (M.M.G.); (A.F.)
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Boccaccino
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, via Risorgimento 36, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.M.); (A.B.); (M.M.G.); (A.F.)
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Maria Germani
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, via Risorgimento 36, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.M.); (A.B.); (M.M.G.); (A.F.)
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alfredo Falcone
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, via Risorgimento 36, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.M.); (A.B.); (M.M.G.); (A.F.)
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Cremolini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, via Risorgimento 36, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.M.); (A.B.); (M.M.G.); (A.F.)
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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48
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Advances in Anti-Cancer Immunotherapy: Car-T Cell, Checkpoint Inhibitors, Dendritic Cell Vaccines, and Oncolytic Viruses, and Emerging Cellular and Molecular Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071826. [PMID: 32645977 PMCID: PMC7408985 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike traditional cancer therapies, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy that are typically non-specific, cancer immunotherapy harnesses the high specificity of a patient’s own immune system to selectively kill cancer cells. The immune system is the body’s main cancer surveillance system, but cancers may evade destruction thanks to various immune-suppressing mechanisms. We therefore need to deploy various immunotherapy-based strategies to help bolster the anti-tumour immune responses. These include engineering T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to specifically recognise tumour neoantigens, inactivating immune checkpoints, oncolytic viruses and dendritic cell (DC) vaccines, which have all shown clinical benefit in certain cancers. However, treatment efficacy remains poor due to drug-induced adverse events and immunosuppressive tendencies of the tumour microenvironment. Recent preclinical studies have unveiled novel therapies such as anti-cathepsin antibodies, galectin-1 blockade and anti-OX40 agonistic antibodies, which may be utilised as adjuvant therapies to modulate the tumour microenvironment and permit more ferocious anti-tumour immune response.
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49
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Dwyer CJ, Arhontoulis DC, Rangel Rivera GO, Knochelmann HM, Smith AS, Wyatt MM, Rubinstein MP, Atkinson C, Thaxton JE, Neskey DM, Paulos CM. Ex vivo blockade of PI3K gamma or delta signaling enhances the antitumor potency of adoptively transferred CD8 + T cells. Eur J Immunol 2020; 50:1386-1399. [PMID: 32383488 PMCID: PMC7496332 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201948455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive T cell transfer therapy induces objective responses in patients with advanced malignancies. Despite these results, some individuals do not respond due to the generation of terminally differentiated T cells during the expansion protocol. As the gamma and delta catalytic subunits in the PI3K pathway are abundant in leukocytes and involved in cell activation, we posited that blocking both subunits ex vivo with the inhibitor IPI‐145 would prevent their differentiation, thereby increasing antitumor activity in vivo. However, IPI‐145 treatment generated a product with reduced antitumor activity. Instead, T cells inhibited of PI3Kγ (IPI‐549) or PI3Kδ (CAL‐101 or TGR‐1202) alone were more potent in vivo. While T cells coinhibited of PI3Kγ and PI3Kδ were less differentiated, they were functionally impaired, indicated by reduced production of effector cytokines after antigenic re‐encounter and decreased persistence in vivo. Human CAR T cells expanded with either a PI3Kγ or PI3Kδ inhibitor possessed a central memory phenotype compared to vehicle cohorts. We also found that PI3Kδ‐inhibited CARs lysed human tumors in vitro more effectively than PI3Kγ‐expanded or traditionally expanded CAR T cells. Our data imply that sole blockade of PI3Kγ or PI3Kδ generates T cells with remarkable antitumor properties, a discovery that has substantial clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor J Dwyer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Dimitrios C Arhontoulis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Guillermo O Rangel Rivera
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Hannah M Knochelmann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Aubrey S Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Megan M Wyatt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Mark P Rubinstein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Carl Atkinson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Department of Surgery, Transplant Immunobiology Laboratory, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jessica E Thaxton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Department of Orthopedics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - David M Neskey
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Developmental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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50
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Ferguson MS, Chard Dunmall LS, Gangeswaran R, Marelli G, Tysome JR, Burns E, Whitehead MA, Aksoy E, Alusi G, Hiley C, Ahmed J, Vanhaesebroeck B, Lemoine NR, Wang Y. Transient Inhibition of PI3Kδ Enhances the Therapeutic Effect of Intravenous Delivery of Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus. Mol Ther 2020; 28:1263-1275. [PMID: 32145202 PMCID: PMC7210704 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-targeting oncolytic viruses such as vaccinia virus (VV) are attractive cancer therapeutic agents that act through multiple mechanisms to provoke both tumor lysis and anti-tumor immune responses. However, delivery of these agents remains restricted to intra-tumoral administration, which prevents effective targeting of inaccessible and disseminated tumor cells. In the present study we have identified transient pharmacological inhibition of the leukocyte-enriched phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ (PI3Kδ) as a novel mechanism to potentiate intravenous delivery of oncolytic VV to tumors. Pre-treatment of immunocompetent mice with the PI3Kδ-selective inhibitor IC87114 or the clinically approved idelalisib (CAL-101), prior to intravenous delivery of a tumor-tropic VV, dramatically improved viral delivery to tumors. This occurred via an inhibition of viral attachment to, but not internalization by, systemic macrophages through perturbation of signaling pathways involving RhoA/ROCK, AKT, and Rac. Pre-treatment using PI3Kδ-selective inhibitors prior to intravenous delivery of VV resulted in enhanced anti-tumor efficacy and significantly prolonged survival compared to delivery without PI3Kδ inhibition. These results indicate that effective intravenous delivery of oncolytic VV may be clinically achievable and could be useful in improving anti-tumor efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Ferguson
- Centre for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Louisa S Chard Dunmall
- Centre for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Rathi Gangeswaran
- Centre for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Giulia Marelli
- Centre for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - James R Tysome
- Centre for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK; Otolaryngology Department, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emily Burns
- Centre for Cell Signalling, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Maria A Whitehead
- UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Ezra Aksoy
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Ghassan Alusi
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Barts Health NHS Trust, The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, Whitechapel, London E1 1BB, UK
| | - Crispin Hiley
- Centre for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jay Ahmed
- Centre for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Bart Vanhaesebroeck
- UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Nicholas R Lemoine
- Centre for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK; National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Sino-British Research Centre for Molecular Oncology, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaohe Wang
- Centre for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK; National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Sino-British Research Centre for Molecular Oncology, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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