1
|
Pesini C, Artal L, Paúl Bernal J, Sánchez Martinez D, Pardo J, Ramírez-Labrada A. In-depth analysis of the interplay between oncogenic mutations and NK cell-mediated cancer surveillance in solid tumors. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2379062. [PMID: 39036370 PMCID: PMC11259085 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2024.2379062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in antitumoral and antiviral responses. Yet, cancer cells can alter themselves or the microenvironment through the secretion of cytokines or other factors, hindering NK cell activation and promoting a less cytotoxic phenotype. These resistance mechanisms, often referred to as the "hallmarks of cancer" are significantly influenced by the activation of oncogenes, impacting most, if not all, of the described hallmarks. Along with oncogenes, other types of genes, the tumor suppressor genes are frequently mutated or modified during cancer. Traditionally, these genes have been associated with uncontrollable tumor growth and apoptosis resistance. Recent evidence suggests oncogenic mutations extend beyond modulating cell death/proliferation programs, influencing cancer immunosurveillance. While T cells have been more studied, the results obtained highlight NK cells as emerging key protagonists for enhancing tumor cell elimination by modulating oncogenic activity. A few recent studies highlight the crucial role of oncogenic mutations in NK cell-mediated cancer recognition, impacting angiogenesis, stress ligands, and signaling balance within the tumor microenvironment. This review will critically examine recent discoveries correlating oncogenic mutations to NK cell-mediated cancer immunosurveillance, a relatively underexplored area, particularly in the era dominated by immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cells. Building on these insights, we will explore opportunities to improve NK cell-based immunotherapies, which are increasingly recognized as promising alternatives for treating low-antigenic tumors, offering significant advantages in terms of safety and manufacturing suitability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Pesini
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Radiology, Pediatry and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Laura Artal
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Institute of Carbochemistry (ICB-CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jorge Paúl Bernal
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Diego Sánchez Martinez
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Aragón I + D Foundation (ARAID), Government of Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Julián Pardo
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Radiology, Pediatry and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ariel Ramírez-Labrada
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Zaragoza, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen Y, Yu D, Qian H, Shi Y, Tao Z. CD8 + T cell-based cancer immunotherapy. J Transl Med 2024; 22:394. [PMID: 38685033 PMCID: PMC11057112 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05134-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The immune system in humans is a defense department against both exogenous and endogenous hazards, where CD8+ T cells play a crucial role in opposing pathological threats. Various immunotherapies based on CD8+ T cells have emerged in recent decades, showing their promising results in treating intractable diseases. However, in the fight against the constantly changing and evolving cancers, the formation and function of CD8+ T cells can be challenged by tumors that might train a group of accomplices to resist the T cell killing. As cancer therapy stepped into the era of immunotherapy, understanding the physiological role of CD8+ T cells, studying the machinery of tumor immune escape, and thereby formulating different therapeutic strategies become the imperative missions for clinical and translational researchers to fulfill. After brief basics of CD8+ T cell-based biology is covered, this review delineates the mechanisms of tumor immune escape and discusses different cancer immunotherapy regimens with their own advantages and setbacks, embracing challenges and perspectives in near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanxia Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China
| | - Dingning Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, 312000, China
| | - Hui Qian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China
- Zhenjiang Key Laboratory of High Technology Research on Exosomes Foundation and Transformation Application, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China
| | - Yinghong Shi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China.
- Zhenjiang Key Laboratory of High Technology Research on Exosomes Foundation and Transformation Application, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China.
| | - Zhimin Tao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China.
- Zhenjiang Key Laboratory of High Technology Research on Exosomes Foundation and Transformation Application, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China.
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cui Y, Chen Y, Zhao P, Li S, Cheng Y, Ren X. Peripheral NK cells identified as the predictor of response in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer patients treated with first-line immunotherapy plus chemotherapy. Clin Transl Oncol 2024:10.1007/s12094-024-03479-4. [PMID: 38662170 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-024-03479-4] [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: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although immunotherapy improves outcomes in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), the search for biomarkers predicting treatment success is crucial. Natural killer (NK) cells are potential indicators in various cancers, however, their precise role in ES-SCLC prognosis remains unclear. METHODS In this retrospective study, 33 patients with ES-SCLC treated with first-line immuno-chemotherapy were enrolled. The peripheral NK cell percentage and its longitudinal dynamics were analyzed using flow cytometry. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated as hazard ratio (HR) and compared statistically. RESULTS The median PFS was better in the group with normal baseline NK cell levels than the low group (7.0 vs. 4.6 months; HR = 0.17; 95% CI 0.07-0.41; P < 0.0001), but there was no association with OS (14.9 vs. 10.3 months; HR = 0.55; 95% CI 0.23-1.31; P = 0.171). Furthermore, the NK cell% for 95.0% of patients increased after immunochemotherapy in the clinical response group (P = 0.0047), which led to a better median PFS (6.3 vs. 2.1 months; HR = 0.23; 95% CI 0.05-0.98; P < 0.0001) and OS (14.9 vs. 5.9 months; HR = 0.20; 95% CI 0.04-1.02; P < 0.0001). Similar trends were observed with NK cell% changes up to disease progression, improving PFS (6.5 vs. 4.3; HR = 0.41; 95% CI 0.12-0.92; P = 0.0049) and OS (17.4 vs. 9.7; HR = 0.42; 95% CI 0.17-1.02; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION In patients with ES-SCLC, the percentage and changes in peripheral NK cells can predict the response to combined immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Cui
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Yanping Chen
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Peiyan Zhao
- Translational Oncology Research Lab, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Big Data Center of Clinical, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Ying Cheng
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, China.
| | - Xiubao Ren
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China.
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Xu J, Wang Y, Yang Y, Wang W, Gu A, Han B, Shurin GV, Zhong R, Shurin MR, Zhong H. Schwann cell-derived exosomes promote lung cancer progression via miRNA-21-5p. Glia 2024; 72:692-707. [PMID: 38192185 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Schwann cells (SCs), the primary glial cells of the peripheral nervous system, which have been identified in many solid tumors, play an important role in cancer development and progression by shaping the tumor immunoenvironment and supporting the development of metastases. Using different cellular, molecular, and genetic approaches with integrated bioinformatics analysis and functional assays, we revealed the role of human SC-derived exosomal miRNAs in lung cancer progression in vitro and in vivo. We found that exosomal miRNA-21 from SCs up-regulated the proliferation, motility, and invasiveness of human lung cancer cells in vitro, which requires functional Rab small GTPases Rab27A and Rab27B in SCs for exosome release. We also revealed that SC exosomal miRNA-21-5p regulated the functional activation of tumor cells by targeting metalloprotease inhibitor RECK in tumor cells. Integrated bioinformatic analyses showed that hsa-miRNA-21-5p is associated with poor prognosis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma and can promote lung cancer progression through multiple signaling pathways including the MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and TNF signaling. Furthermore, in mouse xenograft models, SC exosomes and SC exosomal hsa-miRNA-21-5p augmented human lung cancer cell growth and lymph node metastasis in vivo. Together our data revealed, for the first time, that SC-secreted exosomes and exosomal miRNA-21-5p promoted the proliferation, motility, and spreading of human lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Thus, exosomal miRNA-21 may play an oncogenic role in SC-accelerated progression of lung cancer and this pathway may serve as a new therapeutic target for further evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianlin Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weimin Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Aiqin Gu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Baohui Han
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Galina V Shurin
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Runbo Zhong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Michael R Shurin
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hua Zhong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kaneko Y, Miyato H, Tojo M, Futoh Y, Takahashi K, Kimura Y, Saito A, Ohzawa H, Yamaguchi H, Sata N, Kitayama J, Hosoya Y. Splenectomy has opposite effects on the growth of primary compared with metastatic tumors in a murine colon cancer model. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4496. [PMID: 38402307 PMCID: PMC10894273 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54768-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The spleen is a key source of circulating and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. However, the effect of splenectomy on tumor growth remains unclear. At 3 weeks after splenectomy, we subcutaneously injected LuM1 cells into BALB/c mice and evaluated the growth of primary tumors and lung metastases at 4 weeks after tumor inoculation. In addition, we examined the phenotypes of immune cells in peripheral blood by using flow cytometry and in tumor tissue by using multiplex immunohistochemistry. The growth of primary tumors was reduced in splenectomized mice compared with the sham-operated group. Conversely, splenectomized mice had more lung metastases. Splenectomized mice had fewer CD11b+cells, especially monocytic MDSCs (CD11b+Gr-1neg-lowLy6chigh), and NK cells (CD49b+CD335+). The proportion of NK cells was inversely correlated with the number of lung metastases. In splenectomized mice, the density of CD3+ and granzyme B+ CD8+ T cells was increased, with fewer M2-type macrophages in primary tumors, but NK cells were decreased markedly in lung. Splenectomy concurrently enhances T cell-mediated acquired immunity by reducing the number of monocytic MDSCs and suppresses innate immunity by decreasing the number of NK cells. Splenectomy has opposite effects on primary and metastatic lesions through differential regulation on these two immune systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Kaneko
- Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Hideyo Miyato
- Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Mineyuki Tojo
- Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Yurie Futoh
- Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Kazuya Takahashi
- Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Yuki Kimura
- Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Akira Saito
- Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Ohzawa
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Jichi Medical University Hospital, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Hironori Yamaguchi
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Jichi Medical University Hospital, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Naohiro Sata
- Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Joji Kitayama
- Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan.
| | - Yoshinori Hosoya
- Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ma W, Zhou T, Song M, Liu J, Chen G, Zhan J, Ji L, Luo F, Gao X, Li P, Xia X, Huang Y, Zhang L. Genomic and transcriptomic profiling of combined small-cell lung cancer through microdissection: unveiling the transformational pathway of mixed subtype. J Transl Med 2024; 22:189. [PMID: 38383412 PMCID: PMC10880258 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04968-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Combined small-cell lung carcinoma (cSCLC) represents a rare subtype of SCLC, the mechanisms governing the evolution of cancer genomes and their impact on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) within distinct components of cSCLC remain elusive. METHODS Here, we conducted whole-exome and RNA sequencing on 32 samples from 16 cSCLC cases. RESULTS We found striking similarities between two components of cSCLC-LCC/LCNEC (SCLC combined with large-cell carcinoma/neuroendocrine) in terms of tumor mutation burden (TMB), tumor neoantigen burden (TNB), clonality structure, chromosomal instability (CIN), and low levels of immune cell infiltration. In contrast, the two components of cSCLC-ADC/SCC (SCLC combined with adenocarcinoma/squamous-cell carcinoma) exhibited a high level of tumor heterogeneity. Our investigation revealed that cSCLC originated from a monoclonal source, with two potential transformation modes: from SCLC to SCC (mode 1) and from ADC to SCLC (mode 2). Therefore, cSCLC might represent an intermediate state, potentially evolving into another histological tumor morphology through interactions between tumor and TIME surrounding it. Intriguingly, RB1 inactivation emerged as a factor influencing TIME heterogeneity in cSCLC, possibly through neoantigen depletion. CONCLUSIONS Together, these findings delved into the clonal origin and TIME heterogeneity of different components in cSCLC, shedding new light on the evolutionary processes underlying this enigmatic subtype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Ma
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengmeng Song
- Geneplus-Beijing Institute, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaqing Liu
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhua Zhan
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyan Ji
- Geneplus-Beijing Institute, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Luo
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Gao
- Geneplus-Beijing Institute, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Pansong Li
- Geneplus-Beijing Institute, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuefeng Xia
- Geneplus-Beijing Institute, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Eglenen-Polat B, Kowash RR, Huang HC, Siteni S, Zhu M, Chen K, Bender ME, Mender I, Stastny V, Drapkin BJ, Raj P, Minna JD, Xu L, Shay JW, Akbay EA. A telomere-targeting drug depletes cancer initiating cells and promotes anti-tumor immunity in small cell lung cancer. Nat Commun 2024; 15:672. [PMID: 38253555 PMCID: PMC10803750 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44861-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
There are few effective treatments for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) underscoring the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. This study focuses on exploiting telomerase, a critical SCLC dependency as a therapeutic target. A prominent characteristic of SCLC is their reliance on telomerase activity, a key enzyme essential for their continuous proliferation. Here we utilize a nucleoside analog, 6-Thio-2'-deoxyguanosine (6TdG) currently in phase II clinical trials, that is preferentially incorporated by telomerase into telomeres leading to telomere dysfunction. Using preclinical mouse and human derived models we find low intermittent doses of 6TdG inhibit tumor growth and reduce metastatic burden. Anti-tumor efficacy correlates with a reduction in a subpopulation of cancer initiating like cells (CICs) identified by their expression of L1CAM/CD133 and highest telomerase activity. 6TdG treatment also leads to activation of innate and adaptive anti-tumor responses. Mechanistically, 6TdG depletes CICs and induces type-I interferon signaling leading to tumor immune visibility by activating tumor cell STING signaling. We also observe increased sensitivity to irradiation after 6TdG treatment in both syngeneic and humanized SCLC xenograft models both of which are dependent on the presence of host immune cells. This study underscores the immune-enhancing and metastasis-reducing effects of 6TdG, employing a range of complementary in vitro and in vivo SCLC preclinical models providing a potential therapeutic approach to SCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Buse Eglenen-Polat
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ryan R Kowash
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hai-Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Silvia Siteni
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Mingrui Zhu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kenian Chen
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population & Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Matthew E Bender
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ilgen Mender
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Victor Stastny
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Benjamin J Drapkin
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Prithvi Raj
- Department of Immunology and Microbiome Research Laboratory University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - John D Minna
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas TX, Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jerry W Shay
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Esra A Akbay
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Canova S, Trevisan B, Abbate MI, Colonese F, Sala L, Baggi A, Bianchi SP, D'Agostino A, Cortinovis DL. Novel Therapeutic Options for Small Cell Lung Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 2023; 25:1277-1294. [PMID: 37870696 PMCID: PMC10640463 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-023-01465-7] [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] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this review is to focus on the recent advances in the molecular knowledge of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and potential promising new treatment strategies, like targeting the DNA damage pathway, epigenetics, angiogenesis, and oncogenic drivers. RECENT FINDINGS In the last few years, the addition of immunotherapy to chemotherapy has led to significant improvements in clinical outcomes in this complex neoplasia. Nevertheless, the prognosis remains dismal. Recently, numerous genomic alterations have been identified, and they may be useful to classify SCLC into different molecular subtypes (SCLC-A, SCLC-I, SCLC-Y, SCLC-P). SCLC accounts for 10-20% of all lung cancers, most patients have an extensive disease at the diagnosis, and it is characterized by poor prognosis. Despite the progresses in the knowledge of the disease, efficacious targeted treatments are still lacking. In the near future, the molecular characterisation of SCLC will be fundamental to find more effective treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Canova
- SC Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Benedetta Trevisan
- SC Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- Department of Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Brescia, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Ida Abbate
- SC Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Francesca Colonese
- SC Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Luca Sala
- SC Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Alice Baggi
- SC Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- Department of Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Brescia, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sofia Paola Bianchi
- Radiation Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna D'Agostino
- SC Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Diego Luigi Cortinovis
- SC Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy.
- Medicine and Surgery Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chen Y, Li H, Fan Y. Shaping the tumor immune microenvironment of SCLC: Mechanisms, and opportunities for immunotherapy. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 120:102606. [PMID: 37579532 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a very aggressive neuroendocrine tumor with a poor prognosis. Whereas immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach for treating SCLC, its unique tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) might limit patient responses. To fully characterize the TIME and understand the mechanism of its formation with respect to SCLC is crucial. The recent rapid development of multi-omics technologies has rapidly advanced knowledge of TIME features and the regulatory mechanisms associated with SCLC. This review summarizes the TIME features of SCLC as well as shaping the TIME according to the genomics, epigenomics, and metabolomics of tumors. Future opportunities and challenges for immunotherapy are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunfei Chen
- Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China; Postgraduate Training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China; Postgraduate Training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
| | - Yun Fan
- Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China; Postgraduate Training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Atay S. A 15-Gene-Based Risk Signature for Predicting Overall Survival in SCLC Patients Who Have Undergone Surgical Resection. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5219. [PMID: 37958393 PMCID: PMC10649828 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215219] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a malignancy with a poor prognosis whose treatment has not progressed for decades. The survival benefit of surgery and the selection of surgical candidates are still controversial in SCLC. This study is the first report to identify transcriptomic alterations associated with prognosis and propose a gene expression-based risk signature that can be used to predict overall survival (OS) in SCLC patients who have undergone potentially curative surgery. An integrative transcriptome analysis of three gene expression datasets (GSE30219, GSE43346, and GSE149507) revealed 1734 up-regulated and 2907 down-regulated genes. Cox-Mantel test, Cox regression, and Lasso regression analyses were used to identify genes to be included in the risk signature. EGAD00001001244 and GSE60052-cohorts were used for internal and external validation, respectively. Overall survival was significantly poorer in patients with high-risk scores compared to the low-risk group. The discriminatory performance of the risk signature was superior to other parameters. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk signature has the potential to be an independent predictor of prognosis. The prognostic genes were enriched in pathways including regulation of transcription, cell cycle, cell metabolism, and angiogenesis. Determining the roles of the identified prognostic genes in the pathogenesis of SCLC may contribute to the development of new treatment strategies. The risk signature needs to be validated in a larger cohort of patients to test its usefulness in clinical decision-making.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sevcan Atay
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Jiang J, Liu Y, Zeng Y, Fang B, Chen Y. Annihilation of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer by NKG2D CAR-T Cells Produced from T Cells from Peripheral Blood of Healthy Donors. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2023; 43:445-454. [PMID: 37819621 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2023.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Some progress has been made in immunotherapy with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting NKG2D-NKG2DL with the purpose of eradicating solid tumors. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been shown to express NKG2DL. This study hence evaluated the therapeutic effect of NKG2D CAR-T cells on NSCLC. Accordingly, NKG2D CAR-T cells were obtained from diverse human autologous T cell sources. T cells from peripheral blood T lymphocytes of healthy volunteers (without NKG2D CAR insertion) were used as NT-T cells. Coculture of effector cells (CAR-T cells or NT-T cells) with target cells (NSCLC cells such as PC-9 or NCL-H460 cells) was performed at different ratios. The cytotoxicity of CAR-T cells was examined using lactate dehydrogenase assay kits. Murine xenograft assay was conducted to investigate the in vivo antitumor effect of CAR-T cells. Cytokines secreted from CAR-T cells were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CAR-T cell infiltration into xenografts was observed through immunochemical assay. Based on the results, NKG2DL was highly expressed in NSCLC cells. Compared with NT-T cells, NKG2D CAR-T cells from different sources of T cells delivered stronger toxicity, and secreted more effector and memory function-related cytokines to NSCLC cells, and those from the peripheral blood of healthy donors (H-T cells) exhibited the strongest effect. Furthermore, compared with NT-T cells, H-T cells and NKG2D CAR-T cells from NSCLC patients' peripheral blood diminished tumor, improved survival, increased body weight and tumor-infiltrating capacity, and upregulated serum IFN-γ level in NOG mice. Collectively speaking, NKG2D CAR-T cells exhibit a robust effect on eradicating NSCLC in a NKG2DL-dependent manner, thus making themselves a promising therapeutic candidate for NSCLC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinhong Jiang
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui City, China
| | - Yonghua Liu
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui City, China
| | - Yuxiao Zeng
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui City, China
| | - Bingmu Fang
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui City, China
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Moliner L, Zhang B, Lamberti G, Ardizzoni A, Byers LA, Califano R. Novel therapeutic strategies for recurrent SCLC. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 186:104017. [PMID: 37150311 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104017] [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: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic options for patients with relapsed SCLC are limited, and the prognosis in this setting remains poor. While clinical outcomes for frontline treatment have modestly improved with the introduction of immunotherapy, treatment in the second-line setting persists almost unchanged. In this review, current treatment options and recent advances in molecular biology are described. Emerging therapeutic options in this setting and potential strategies to improve clinical outcomes of these patients are also addressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Moliner
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK
| | - Bingnan Zhang
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Giuseppe Lamberti
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Andrea Ardizzoni
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Lauren A Byers
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Raffaele Califano
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK; Division of Cancer Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9NT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kowash RR, Akbay EA. Tumor intrinsic and extrinsic functions of CD73 and the adenosine pathway in lung cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1130358. [PMID: 37033953 PMCID: PMC10079876 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1130358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The adenosine pathway is an exciting new target in the field of cancer immunotherapy. CD73 is the main producer of extracellular adenosine. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has one of the highest CD73 expression signatures among all cancer types and the presence of common oncogenic drivers of NSCLC, such as mutant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and KRAS, correlate with increased CD73 expression. Current immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies only benefit a subset of patients, and it has proved challenging to understand which patients might respond even with the current understanding of predictive biomarkers. The adenosine pathway is well known to disrupt cytotoxic function of T cells, which is currently the main target of most clinical agents. Data thus far suggests that combining ICB therapies already in the clinic with adenosine pathway inhibitors provides promise for the treatment of lung cancer. However, antigen loss or lack of good antigens limits efficacy of ICB; simultaneous activation of other cytotoxic immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells can be explored in these tumors. Clinical trials harnessing both T and NK cell activating treatments are still in their early stages with results expected in the coming years. In this review we provide an overview of new literature on the adenosine pathway and specifically CD73. CD73 is thought of mainly for its role as an immune modulator, however recent studies have demonstrated the tumor cell intrinsic properties of CD73 are potentially as important as its role in immune suppression. We also highlight the current understanding of this pathway in lung cancer, outline ongoing studies examining therapies in combination with adenosine pathway targeting, and discuss future prospects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan R. Kowash
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Esra A. Akbay
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Fousek K, Horn LA, Qin H, Dahut M, Iida M, Yacubovich D, Hamilton DH, Thomas A, Schlom J, Palena C. An Interleukin-15 Superagonist Enables Antitumor Efficacy of Natural Killer Cells Against All Molecular Variants of SCLC. J Thorac Oncol 2023; 18:350-368. [PMID: 36410696 PMCID: PMC9974560 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION SCLC is a highly aggressive tumor with a 5-year survival rate of less than 6%. A heterogeneous disease, SCLC is classified into four subtypes that include tumors with neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine features. Immune checkpoint blockade has been recently added for the frontline treatment of SCLC; however, this therapy has only led to modest clinical improvements. The lack of clinical benefit in a cancer type known to have a high tumor mutational burden has been attributed to poor T-cell infiltration and low expression of MHC-class I in most SCLC tumors. In an attempt to devise a more effective immunotherapeutic regimen, this study investigated an alternate approach on the basis of the use of the clinical-stage interleukin-15 superagonist, N-803. METHODS Preclinical models of SCLC spanning all molecular subtypes were used to evaluate the susceptibility of SCLC to natural killer (NK)-mediated lysis in vitro, including NK cells activated by N-803. Antitumor activity of N-803 was evaluated in vivo with a xenograft model of SCLC. RESULTS In vitro and in vivo data revealed differences in susceptibility of SCLC subtypes to lysis by NK cells and that NK cells activated by N-803 effectively lyse SCLC tumor cells across all variant subtypes, regardless of their expression of MHC-class I. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the potential of a novel immune-based intervention using a cytokine-based therapeutic option for the treatment of SCLC. We hypothesize that N-803 may provide benefit to most patients with SCLC, including those with immunologically cold tumors lacking MHC expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Fousek
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lucas A. Horn
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Haiyan Qin
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Madeline Dahut
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Masafumi Iida
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Dan Yacubovich
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Duane H. Hamilton
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Anish Thomas
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Claudia Palena
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Cui Y, Zhao P, Cheng Y, Ren X. Potential value of efficacy prediction and treatment of natural killer cells in extensive stage small cell lung cancer. Thorac Cancer 2023; 14:864-872. [PMID: 36861174 PMCID: PMC10067358 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the emergence of immunotherapy has broken the deadlock of extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), the study of markers for predicting efficacy is the key to the breakthrough of immunotherapy, and exploring more innovative, efficient and safe treatment models is also an important research direction of ES-SCLC. As an important part of inherent immunity, natural killer (NK) cells have become a hot spot because activated NK cells can directly kill tumor cells and may also influence tumor microenvironment immunomodulation. To date, emerging experimental research on NK cells in tumor therapy and immunoregulation has been published, but specific reviews of its role in ES-SCLC are limited. Hence, in this review, we briefly summarize the current status of immunotherapy and the exploration of biomarker in ES-SCLCs, with focus on the potential value of efficacy prediction and treatment of NK cells, and finally discuss the limitations and development prospects of NK cells in ES-SCLC immunotherapy research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Cui
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Peiyan Zhao
- Translational Oncology Research Lab, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Ying Cheng
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Xiubao Ren
- Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wang S, Hu S, Huang S, Su L, Guo Q, Wu B, Ye J, Zhang D, Zhang Y, Zhang W, Wei Y. Better survival and prognosis in SCLC survivors after combined second primary malignancies: A SEER database-based study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e32772. [PMID: 36820587 PMCID: PMC9907942 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000032772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
With recent advances in treatment modalities, the survival time for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has increased, along with the likelihood of recurrence of a second primary tumor. However, patient treatment options and prognosis remain uncertain. This research evaluated the survival rates of patients with SCLC with a second malignancy, aiming to provide new insights and statistics on whether to proceed with more active therapy. SCLC patients were selected based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, updated on April 15, 2021. We defined those with SCLC followed by other cancers (1st of 2 or more primaries) in the sequence number as S-second primary malignant cancer (S-SPM). Those who had other cancers followed by SCLC (2nd of 2 or more primaries) were defined as OC-SCLC. We performed Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, life table analysis, univariate analysis, stratified analysis, and multiple regression analysis of patient data. We considered the difference statistically meaningful at P < .05. After selection, data for 88,448 participants from the SEER database was included in our analysis. The mean survival time for patients with S-SPM was 69.349 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 65.939, 72.759), and the medium duration of survival was 34 months (95% CI: 29.900, 38.100). Univariate analysis showed that for overall survival, the hazard ratio (HR) of S-SPM was 0.367 (95% CI: 0.351, 0.383), which was 0.633 lower than that of patients with solitary SCLC and 0.606 lower than that of patients with OC-SCLC. For cancer-specific survival (CSS), the HR of S-SPM was 0.285 (95% CI: 0.271, 0.301), which was 0.715 lower than for patients with solitary SCLC and 0.608 lower than that for patients with OC-SCLC. Multiple regression analysis showed that the HR values of S-SPM were lower than those of patients with single SCLC and those with OC-SCLC, before and after adjustment for variables. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that patients with S-SPM had significantly better survival times than the other groups. The survival time and prognosis of patients with S-SPM were clearly superior to those with single SCLC and OC-SCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silin Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Sheng Hu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shengfei Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lang Su
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qiang Guo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bo Wu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiayue Ye
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Deyuan Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wenxiong Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yiping Wei
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- * Correspondence: Yiping Wei, Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, China (e-mail: )
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Challenges in the treatment of small cell lung cancer in the era of immunotherapy and molecular classification. Lung Cancer 2023; 175:88-100. [PMID: 36493578 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2022.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
For many years the standard of care for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has remained unchanged. Despite decades of active research, current treatment options are limited and the prognosis of patients with extended disease (ED) SCLC remains poor. The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represents an exception and the only recent approval for ED-SCLC. However, the magnitude of benefit obtained with immunotherapy in SCLC is much more modest than that observed in other malignancies. Different pro-immunogenic or immunosuppressive features within the tumor microenvironment of SCLC may either modulate the sensitivity to immunotherapy or conversely dampen the efficacy of ICIs. Beside immunotherapy, a deeper understanding of the molecular biology of SCLC has led to the identification of new therapeutic targets for this lethal malignancy. Recent epigenetic and gene expression studies have resulted into a new molecular classification of four distinct subtypes of SCLC, defined by the relative expression of key transcription regulators and each characterized by specific therapeutic vulnerabilities. This review discusses the rationale for immunotherapy in SCLC and summarizes the main ICIs-trials in this tumor. We provide also an overview of new potential therapeutic opportunities and their integration with the new molecular classification of SCLC.
Collapse
|
18
|
Wu J, Feng J, Zhang Q, He Y, Xu C, Wang C, Li W. Epigenetic regulation of stem cells in lung cancer oncogenesis and therapy resistance. Front Genet 2023; 14:1120815. [PMID: 37144123 PMCID: PMC10151750 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1120815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics plays an important role in regulating stem cell signaling, as well as in the oncogenesis of lung cancer and therapeutic resistance. Determining how to employ these regulatory mechanisms to treat cancer is an intriguing medical challenge. Lung cancer is caused by signals that cause aberrant differentiation of stem cells or progenitor cells. The different pathological subtypes of lung cancer are determined by the cells of origin. Additionally, emerging studies have demonstrated that the occurrence of cancer treatment resistance is connected to the hijacking of normal stem cell capability by lung cancer stem cells, especially in the processes of drug transport, DNA damage repair, and niche protection. In this review, we summarize the principles of the epigenetic regulation of stem cell signaling in relation to the emergence of lung cancer and resistance to therapy. Furthermore, several investigations have shown that the tumor immune microenvironment in lung cancer affects these regulatory pathways. And ongoing experiments on epigenetics-related therapeutic strategies provide new insight for the treatment of lung cancer in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiayang Wu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Med-X Center for Manufacturing, Center of Precision Medicine, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaming Feng
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiran Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Med-X Center for Manufacturing, Center of Precision Medicine, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yazhou He
- Department of oncology, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Oncology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Chuan Xu
- Department of Oncology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Chengdi Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Med-X Center for Manufacturing, Center of Precision Medicine, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Weimin Li, ; Chengdi Wang,
| | - Weimin Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Med-X Center for Manufacturing, Center of Precision Medicine, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Weimin Li, ; Chengdi Wang,
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Leung ELH, Fan XX, Huang JM, Huang C, Lin H, Cao YB. Holistic immunomodulation for small cell lung cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 88:96-105. [PMID: 36470543 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by a high mortality rate, rapid growth, and early metastasis, which lead to a poor prognosis. Moreover, limited clinical treatment options further lower the survival rate of patients. Therefore, novel technology and agents are urgently required to enhance clinical efficacy. In this review, from a holistic perspective, we summarized the therapeutic targets, agents and strategies with the most potential for treating SCLC, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy, immunomodulating antibodies, traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), and the microbiota, which have been found recently to improve the clinical outcomes and prognosis of SCLC. Multiomics technologies can be integrated to develop effective diagnostic methods and identify new targets for new drug discovery in SCLC. We discussed in depth the feasibility, potential, and challenges of these new strategies, as well as their combinational treatments, which may provide promising alternatives for enhancing the clinical efficacy of SCLC in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Lai-Han Leung
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao Special Administrative Region of China; MOE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macao Special Administrative Region of China.
| | - Xing-Xing Fan
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Ju-Min Huang
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao Special Administrative Region of China; MOE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Chen Huang
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Hong Lin
- Zhuhai Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Ya-Bing Cao
- Department of Oncology, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao Special Administrative Region of China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kirk NA, Kim KB, Park KS. Effect of chromatin modifiers on the plasticity and immunogenicity of small-cell lung cancer. Exp Mol Med 2022; 54:2118-2127. [PMID: 36509828 PMCID: PMC9794818 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00905-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) are often involved in maintaining homeostasis. Loss of tumor suppressor functions causes cellular plasticity that drives numerous types of cancer, including small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), an aggressive type of lung cancer. SCLC is largely driven by numerous loss-of-function mutations in TSGs, often in those encoding chromatin modifiers. These mutations present a therapeutic challenge because they are not directly actionable. Alternatively, understanding the resulting molecular changes may provide insight into tumor intervention strategies. We hypothesize that despite the heterogeneous genomic landscape in SCLC, the impacts of mutations in patient tumors are related to a few important pathways causing malignancy. Specifically, alterations in chromatin modifiers result in transcriptional dysregulation, driving mutant cells toward a highly plastic state that renders them immune evasive and highly metastatic. This review will highlight studies in which imbalance of chromatin modifiers with opposing functions led to loss of immune recognition markers, effectively masking tumor cells from the immune system. This review also discusses the role of chromatin modifiers in maintaining neuroendocrine characteristics and the role of aberrant transcriptional control in promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition during tumor development and progression. While these pathways are thought to be disparate, we highlight that the pathways often share molecular drivers and mediators. Understanding the relationships among frequently altered chromatin modifiers will provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of SCLC development and progression and therefore may reveal preventive and therapeutic vulnerabilities of SCLC and other cancers with similar mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A. Kirk
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDepartment of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Kee-Beom Kim
- grid.258803.40000 0001 0661 1556BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566 Republic of Korea
| | - Kwon-Sik Park
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDepartment of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Guo W, Qiao T, Li T. The role of stem cells in small-cell lung cancer: evidence from chemoresistance to immunotherapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 87:160-169. [PMID: 36371027 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive subtype of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 15% among all lung cancers. Despite the ability of chemotherapy, the first-line treatment for SCLC, to rapidly shrink tumors, nearly all patients experience recurrence and metastasis within a few months. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small population of tumor cells responsible for tumorigenesis, metastasis, and recurrence after treatment, which play a crucial role in chemoresistance by promoting DNA repair and expression of drug resistance-associated proteins. Thus, targeting CSCs has been successful in certain malignancies. Tumor therapy has entered the era of immunotherapy and numerous preclinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of immunotherapeutic approaches targeting CSCs, such as tumor vaccines and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell, and the feasibility of combining them with chemotherapy. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the interaction between CSCs and immune system is essential to facilitate the advances of new immunotherapies approaches targeting CSCs as well as combination with standard drugs such as chemotherapy. This narrative review summarizes the mechanisms of chemoresistance of CSCs in SCLC and the latest advances in targeted therapies. Thereafter, we discuss the effects of CSCs on tumor immune microenvironment in SCLC and corresponding immunotherapeutic approaches. Eventually, we propose that the combination of immunotherapy targeting CSCs with standard drugs is a promising direction for SCLC therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Guo
- Department of Pathology, Xianyang Central Hospital, Xianyang 712000, China
| | - Tianyun Qiao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Tian Li
- School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Sun X, Liu L, Wan T, Huang Q, Chen J, Luo R, Liu J. The prognostic impact of the immune microenvironment in small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix: PD-L1 and immune cell subtypes. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:348. [PMCID: PMC9664608 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02716-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
We investigate the correlation between programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and tumor-associated immune cell (TAIC) density in small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix (SCNEC) and their correlation with clinicopathologic features.
Methods
PD-L1 and mismatch repair protein (MMR) expression in cancer cells and the density of TAIC were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 89 SCNEC patients. The combined positive score (CPS), tumor proportion score (TPS), and immune cell score (ICS) of PD-L1 were measured, along with their correlation with clinicopathologic features in SCNEC patients using statistical analyses.
Results
CPS of PD-L1 ≥ 1 was seen in 68.5% of patients, positive TPS and ICS of PD-L1 were detected in 59.6% and 33.7% of patients, respectively. PD-L1CPS was higher in tumor-infiltrating immune cells (r = 0.387, p = 0.001) and positively correlated with programmed cell death-1 and forkhead box P3 + regulatory T cell (FOXP3 + Treg) infiltration (r = 0.443, p < 0.001; r = 0.532, p < 0.001). There was no statistical correlation between PD-L1 and MMR status. PD-L1CPS and PD-L1ICS positivity were independent prognostic factors, correlating with a favorable survival (HR (95%CI) = 0.363(0.139–0.950), p = 0.039 and HR (95% CI) = 0.199(0.050–0.802), p = 0.023, respectively). PD-L1ICS positivity was an independent indicator of recurrence in SCNEC patients and associated with better disease-free survival (HR (95% CI) = 0.124(0.036–0425), p = 0.001). TAIC and MMR levels had no statistical impact on survival results.
Conclusions
PD-L1 positivity was seen in over half of SCNEC tumors. It may work synergistically with FOXP3 + Treg and other infiltrating immune cells to support an adaptive immune response. PD-L1 positivity may be a favorable prognostic factor in SCNEC.
Collapse
|
23
|
Ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis in the tumor microenvironment: Perspectives for immunotherapy of SCLC. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:273-285. [PMID: 35288298 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive form of lung cancer characterized by dismal prognosis. Although SCLC may initially respond well to platinum-based chemotherapy, it ultimately relapses and is almost universally resistant to this treatment. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been approved as the first- and third-line therapeutic regimens for extensive-stage or relapsed SCLC, respectively. Despite this, only a minority of patients with SCLC respond to ICIs partly due to a lack of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Transforming the immune "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors that are more likely to respond to ICIs is the main challenge for SCLC therapy. Ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis represent the newly discovered immunogenic cell death (ICD) forms. Promoting ICD may alter the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the influx of TILs, and combination of their inducers and ICIs plays a synergistical role in enhancing antitumor effects. Nevertheless, the combination of the above two modalities has not been systematically discussed in SCLC therapy. In the present review, we summarize the roles of distinct ICD mechanisms on antitumor immunity and recent advances of ferroptosis-, necroptosis- and pyroptosis-inducing agents, and present perspectives on these cell death mechanisms in immunotherapy of SCLC.
Collapse
|
24
|
Luo H, Shan J, Zhang H, Song G, Li Q, Xu CX. Targeting the epigenetic processes to enhance antitumor immunity in small cell lung cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:960-970. [PMID: 35189321 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and modulation of chromatin states, drives aberrant transcription that promotes initiation and progression of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Accumulating evidence has proven crucial roles of epigenetic machinery in modulating immune cell functions and antitumor immune response. Epigenetics-targeting drugs such as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and histone methyltransferase inhibitors involved in preclinical and clinical trials may trigger antitumor immunity. Herein, we summarize the impact of epigenetic processes on tumor immunogenicity and antitumor immune cell functions in SCLC. Furthermore, we review current clinical trials of epigenetic therapy against SCLC and the mechanisms of epigenetic inhibitors to boost antitumor immunity. Eventually, we discuss the opportunities of developing therapeutic regimens combining epigenetic agents with immunotherapy for SCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Luo
- College of Bioengineering, Key Lab of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China; School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China; Cancer Center, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
| | - Jinlu Shan
- Cancer Center, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401120, China.
| | - Guanbin Song
- College of Bioengineering, Key Lab of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
| | - Qing Li
- College of Bioengineering, Key Lab of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
| | - Cheng-Xiong Xu
- School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Contreras-Sanzón E, Prado-Garcia H, Romero-Garcia S, Nuñez-Corona D, Ortiz-Quintero B, Luna-Rivero C, Martínez-Cruz V, Carlos-Reyes Á. Histone deacetylases modulate resistance to the therapy in lung cancer. Front Genet 2022; 13:960263. [PMID: 36263432 PMCID: PMC9574126 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.960263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The acetylation status of histones located in both oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes modulate cancer hallmarks. In lung cancer, changes in the acetylation status are associated with increased cell proliferation, tumor growth, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a group of enzymes that take part in the elimination of acetyl groups from histones. Thus, HDACs regulate the acetylation status of histones. Although several therapies are available to treat lung cancer, many of these fail because of the development of tumor resistance. One mechanism of tumor resistance is the aberrant expression of HDACs. Specific anti-cancer therapies modulate HDACs expression, resulting in chromatin remodeling and epigenetic modification of the expression of a variety of genes. Thus, HDACs are promising therapeutic targets to improve the response to anti-cancer treatments. Besides, natural compounds such as phytochemicals have potent antioxidant and chemopreventive activities. Some of these compounds modulate the deregulated activity of HDACs (e.g. curcumin, apigenin, EGCG, resveratrol, and quercetin). These phytochemicals have been shown to inhibit some of the cancer hallmarks through HDAC modulation. The present review discusses the epigenetic mechanisms by which HDACs contribute to carcinogenesis and resistance of lung cancer cells to anticancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Heriberto Prado-Garcia
- Laboratorio de Onco-Inmunobiologia, Departamento de Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosio Villegas, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Susana Romero-Garcia
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - David Nuñez-Corona
- Posgrado de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Blanca Ortiz-Quintero
- Departamento de Investigación en Bioquímica, Unidad de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosio Villegas, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Cesar Luna-Rivero
- Servicio de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosio Villegas, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Victor Martínez-Cruz
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Ángeles Carlos-Reyes
- Laboratorio de Onco-Inmunobiologia, Departamento de Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosio Villegas, Ciudad de México, México
- *Correspondence: Ángeles Carlos-Reyes,
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Pan Y, Hao Y, Han H, Chen T, Ding H, Labbe KE, Shum E, Guidry K, Hu H, Sherman F, Geng K, Stephens J, Chafitz A, Tang S, Huang HY, Peng C, Almonte C, Lopes JE, Losey HC, Winquist RJ, Velcheti V, Zhang H, Wong KK. Nemvaleukin alfa, a novel engineered IL-2 fusion protein, drives antitumor immunity and inhibits tumor growth in small cell lung cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004913. [PMID: 36472839 PMCID: PMC9462379 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a deadly disease with a 5-year survival of less than 7%. The addition of immunotherapy to chemotherapy was recently approved as first-line treatment; however, the improved clinical benefit is modest, highlighting an urgent need for new treatment strategies. Nemvaleukin alfa, a novel engineered interleukin-2 fusion protein currently in phase I-III studies, is designed to selectively expand cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells. Here, using a novel SCLC murine model, we investigated the effects of a mouse version of nemvaleukin (mNemvaleukin) on tumor growth and antitumor immunity. METHODS A novel Rb1 -/- p53 -/- p130 -/- SCLC model that mimics human disease was generated. After confirming tumor burden by MRI, mice were randomized into four treatment groups: vehicle, mNemvaleukin alone, chemotherapy (cisplatin+etoposide) alone, or the combination of mNemvaleukin and chemotherapy. Tumor growth was measured by MRI and survival was recorded. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and peripheral blood immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cytokine and chemokine secretion were quantified and transcriptomic analysis was performed to characterize the immune gene signatures. RESULTS mNemvaleukin significantly inhibited SCLC tumor growth, which was further enhanced by the addition of chemotherapy. Combining mNemvaleukin with chemotherapy provided the most significant survival benefit. Profiling of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes revealed mNemvaleukin expanded the total number of tumor-infiltrating NK and CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, mNemvaleukin increased the frequencies of activated and proliferating NK and CD8+ T cells in tumors. Similar immune alterations were observed in the peripheral blood of mNemvaleukin-treated mice. Of note, combining mNemvaleukin with chemotherapy had the strongest effects in activating effector and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. mNemvaleukin alone, and in combination with chemotherapy, promoted proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production, which was further confirmed by transcriptomic analysis. CONCLUSIONS mNemvaleukin, a novel cytokine-based immunotherapy, significantly inhibited murine SCLC tumor growth and prolonged survival, which was further enhanced by the addition of chemotherapy. mNemvaleukin alone, and in combination with chemotherapy, drove a strong antitumor immune program elicited by cytotoxic immune cells. Our findings support the evaluation of nemvaleukin alone or in combination with chemotherapy in clinical trials for the treatment of SCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanwang Pan
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yuan Hao
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, Office of Science and Research, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Han Han
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ting Chen
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hailin Ding
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kristen E Labbe
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Elaine Shum
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kayla Guidry
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hai Hu
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Fiona Sherman
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ke Geng
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Janaye Stephens
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alison Chafitz
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sittinon Tang
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hsin-Yi Huang
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Chengwei Peng
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christina Almonte
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - Vamsidhar Velcheti
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hua Zhang
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kwok-Kin Wong
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Corbett V, Hallenbeck P, Rychahou P, Chauhan A. Evolving role of seneca valley virus and its biomarker TEM8/ANTXR1 in cancer therapeutics. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:930207. [PMID: 36090051 PMCID: PMC9458967 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.930207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses have made a significant inroad in cancer drug development. Numerous clinical trials are currently investigating oncolytic viruses both as single agents or in combination with various immunomodulators. Oncolytic viruses (OV) are an integral pillar of immuno-oncology and hold potential for not only delivering durable anti-tumor responses but also converting “cold” tumors to “hot” tumors. In this review we will discuss one such promising oncolytic virus called Seneca Valley Virus (SVV-001) and its therapeutic implications. SVV development has seen seismic evolution over the past decade and now boasts of being the only OV with a practically applicable biomarker for viral tropism. We discuss relevant preclinical and clinical data involving SVV and how bio-selecting for TEM8/ANTXR1, a negative tumor prognosticator can lead to first of its kind biomarker driven oncolytic viral cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Corbett
- Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Piotr Rychahou
- Department of Surgery, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Aman Chauhan
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- *Correspondence: Aman Chauhan,
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Dowlati A, Abbas A, Chan T, Henick B, Wang X, Doshi P, Fu P, Patel J, Kuo F, Chang H, Balli D. Immune Checkpoint Blockade Outcome in Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Its Relationship With Retinoblastoma Mutation Status and Function. JCO Precis Oncol 2022; 6:e2200257. [PMID: 36044718 PMCID: PMC9489185 DOI: 10.1200/po.22.00257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in conjunction with chemotherapy is approved for the treatment of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Although specific genomic abnormalities such as KEAP1 and STK11 gene mutations are associated with resistance to ICB in non-SCLC, no genomic abnormality has been found in association with resistance to ICB in SCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS We first analyzed a retrospective cohort of 42 patients with SCLC treated with single-agent ICB or ICB combination (data set A). We then validated our results in a large prospective clinical trial of 460 patients (CheckMate 032, data set B). DNA and RNA sequencing were performed. RESULTS In data set A, patients treated with ICB with RB1 wild-type (WT) had a median overall survival (OS) of 23.1 months (95% CI, 9 to 37.5), whereas the RB1 mutant OS was 5 months (95% CI, 2.5 to 26; P = .04). Differentially expressed gene analysis between RB1 mutant and RB1 WT samples indicated the enrichment of downregulated immune-related genes and an immune exclusion phenotype among RB1 mutant but not in the RB1 WT tumor samples. We then assessed results from 460 patients enrolled in CheckMate 032, a trial of nivolumab (NIVO) or NIVO + ipilimumab only in SCLC. In this large cohort, RB1 WT patients had significantly improved outcome with NIVO therapy compared with mutant patients (hazard ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.01; P = .041). High RB1 loss-of-function (LOF) signature scores significantly associated with neuroendocrine subtypes (ASCL1 and NeuroD1). However, neuroendocrine subtypes did not associate with OS. Remarkably, patients with lower RB1 LOF scores had longer OS following treatment with NIVO. CONCLUSION SCLC patients with RB1 WT status or lower RB1 LOF signature scores by transcriptomics have better outcomes with ICB monotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Dowlati
- University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Ata Abbas
- University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Timothy Chan
- Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Brian Henick
- Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | | | - Parul Doshi
- Bristol Myers Squibb, New York, NY
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, CA
| | - Pingfu Fu
- University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | | | - Fengshen Kuo
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Ma C, Zhao J, Wu Y, Wang J, Wang H. Diagnostic value of abnormal chromosome 3p genes in small‑cell lung cancer. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:209. [PMID: 35720498 PMCID: PMC9185142 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13330] [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: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) remains a great challenge. Changes in chromosome 3p (chr3) genes are usually observed in the pathogenesis of lung cancer, which suggests that these chr3 genes may be a diagnostic marker in the early stage of SCLC. The present study explored the diagnostic value of the chr3 gene in SCLC using Bioinformatics. Furthermore, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to reveal the expression patterns of diagnostic biomarkers in human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells and in the SCLC cell line NCI-H146. A total of 33 differentially expressed (DE) chr3 genes and 1,156 module genes associated with clinical features of patients with SCLC were identified and functional enrichment analysis indicated that all these genes were significantly enriched in cell cycle terms. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated that the overlapping genes of the DE-chr3 and module genes, namely cell division cycle 25 A (CDC25A), FYVE and coiled-coil domain autophagy adaptor 1 (FYCO1) and lipid raft linker 1 (RFTN1), were relatively accurate in distinguishing normal from SCLC samples, and may thus be considered diagnostic biomarkers. CDC25A was overexpressed in SCLC samples, while FYCO1 and RFTN1 were highly expressed in normal samples, as evidenced by the RT-qPCR results. Single-gene gene set enrichment analysis suggested that the diagnostic biomarkers were significantly associated with cell cycle, ATP-binding cassette transporter, immune cell differentiation, immune response and multiple respiratory disease pathways. Furthermore, a total of 141 drugs were predicted by The Comparative Toxicogenomics Database to be able to modulate the expression of the diagnostic biomarkers, of which 8 drugs were shared among the three aforementioned diagnostic biomarkers. The present study identified three novel and powerful diagnostic biomarkers for SCLC based on chr3 genes. Suggestions for the development and selection of drugs for clinical treatment based on diagnostic biomarkers were also provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunxu Ma
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650000, P.R. China
| | - Jihua Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650000, P.R. China
| | - Ying Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650000, P.R. China
| | - Jun Wang
- College of Physical Education, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, P.R. China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650000, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells that are critical to the body's antitumor and antimetastatic defense. As such, novel therapies are being developed to utilize NK cells as part of a next generation of immunotherapies to treat patients with metastatic disease. Therefore, it is essential for us to examine how metastatic cancer cells and NK cells interact with each other throughout the metastatic cascade. In this Review, we highlight the recent body of work that has begun to answer these questions. We explore how the unique biology of cancer cells at each stage of metastasis alters fundamental NK cell biology, including how cancer cells can evade immunosurveillance and co-opt NK cells into cells that promote metastasis. We also discuss the translational potential of this knowledge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isaac S. Chan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, and
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Andrew J. Ewald
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a rapidly growing, highly metastatic, and relatively immune-cold lung cancer subtype. Historically viewed in the laboratory and clinic as a single disease, new discoveries suggest that SCLC comprises multiple molecular subsets. Expression of MYC family members and lineage-related transcription factors ASCL1, NEUROD1, and POU2F3 (and, in some studies, YAP1) define unique molecular states that have been associated with distinct responses to a variety of therapies. However, SCLC tumors exhibit a high degree of intratumoral heterogeneity, with recent studies suggesting the existence of tumor cell plasticity and phenotypic switching between subtype states. While SCLC plasticity is correlated with, and likely drives, therapeutic resistance, the mechanisms underlying this plasticity are still largely unknown. Subtype states are also associated with immune-related gene expression, which likely impacts response to immune checkpoint blockade and may reveal novel targets for alternative immunotherapeutic approaches. In this review, we synthesize recent discoveries on the mechanisms of SCLC plasticity and how these processes may impinge on antitumor immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kate D Sutherland
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Abbie S Ireland
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Trudy G Oliver
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
c-Myc Targets HDAC3 to Suppress NKG2DL Expression and Innate Immune Response in N-Type SCLC through Histone Deacetylation. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030457. [PMID: 35158730 PMCID: PMC8833590 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Natural killer group 2, member D ligand (NKG2DL) is the most relevant ligand of NK cells to perform immune surveillance and is rarely expressed in most small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with the unclear mechanism. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the NKG2DL deficiency in C-MYC (MYC)-amplificated N-type SCLC (SCLC-N) with less immune infiltrate. Our data showed that c-Myc was the suppressor of NKG2DL in SCLC-N. Further, c-Myc suppressed the transcription of NKG2DL by recruiting HDAC3 to deacetylate H3K9ac at the promoter of MICA and MICB in SCLC-N and inhibited the cytotoxicity of NK cells. The above findings revealed the role of c-Myc/HDAC3 axis in the regulation of NKG2DL expression, supplying a new perception for comprehending the mechanism of SCLC-N immune escape, which was poorly understood and providing the therapeutic targets that SCLC-N may benefit from. Abstract SCLC is an aggressive malignancy with a very poor prognosis and limited effective therapeutic options. Despite the high tumor mutational burden, responses to immunotherapy are rare in SCLC patients, which may be due to the lack of immune surveillance. Here, we aimed to examine the role and mechanism of oncogene MYC in the regulation of NKG2DL, the most relevant NK-activating ligand in SCLC-N. Western Blotting, Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Co-Immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and Cytotoxicity assay were used on H2227 cells, H446 cells, and other SCLC cell lines, and we found that c-Myc negatively regulated NKG2DL expression in SCLC-N cells. Mechanistically, c-Myc recruited HDAC3 to deacetylate H3K9ac at the promoter regions of MICA and MICB, suppressing the MICA/B expression of SCLC-N cells and the cytotoxicity of NK cells. Treatment with selective HDAC3 inhibitor up-regulated the expression of NKG2DL on SCLC-N cells and increased the cytotoxicity of NK cells. Furthermore, analysis of the CCLE and Kaplan-Meier plotter data performed the negative correlation between MYC and NKG2DL in SCLC-N cells and the correlation with the prognosis of lung cancer patients. Collectively, the results provided the new insight into the role and mechanism of c-Myc/HDAC3 axis in NKG2DL expression and innate immune escape of SCLC-N, suggesting the potential target for SCLC-N immunotherapy.
Collapse
|
33
|
Chen Y, Jin Y, Hu X, Chen M. Infiltrating T lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment of small cell lung cancer: a state of knowledge review. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022; 148:881-895. [PMID: 34997864 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03895-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have brought new hope for the treatment of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) over the past decades. However, the overall response rate is limited, and is lower than that in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This is in part because of the lack of pre-existing tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TITLs), especially cytotoxic T cells (CTLs), in the SCLC tumor microenvironment (TME), resulting in insufficient anti-tumor immune response. To unleash the full potential of ICIs, the trafficking and infiltration of TITLs to the tumor is necessary and tightly regulated, the highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment blunts the infiltration and function of TITLs that reach the tumor in SCLC. Here, we review the characteristics of TITLs, the effects of various factors on T cell infiltration, and possible strategies to restore or promote T cell infiltration in the TME of SCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yamei Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Ying Jin
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China.,Department of Medical Oncology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Xiao Hu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China. .,Department of Radiation Oncology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Ming Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China. .,Department of Radiation Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Jiang W, Zheng F, Yao T, Gong F, Zheng W, Yao N. IFI30 as a prognostic biomarker and correlation with immune infiltrates in glioma. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:1686. [PMID: 34988195 PMCID: PMC8667103 DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-5569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background Increased evidence indicates that the tumour microenvironment (TME) plays an essential role in the development, treatment and prognosis of glioma. High expression of interferon-gamma-inducible protein 30 (IFI30) is associated with the malignant phenotype, but the effect of IFI30 on the tumour immune microenvironment and its potential role in the carcinogenesis of glioma remain unknown. Methods The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data of 33 types of human cancer were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Genomic Data Commons (GDC). R software was used to perform analyses, such as the expression of IFI30 in pan-cancer, evaluation of IFI30 as a prognostic biomarker in glioma, the relationship between IFI30 expression and clinical characteristics, and immune checkpoint. TIMER was used to analyse the correlation of IFI30 expression level with immune cell infiltration, and also to conduct survival analysis for immune cells and IFI30 in low grade glioma (LGG). DAVID was used for Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotations and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) for pathway analysis of the genes similar to IFI30 in glioma. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the high- and low-IFI30 expression groups were determined by DESeq2. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was then conducted to identify IFI30-related functional significance based on the hallmark gene set. Results Dysregulated expression of IFI30 was associated with human cancers. High IFI30 expression was associated with poor overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and progression-free interval (PFI). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified IFI30 as an independent predictor for glioma. Meanwhile, IFI30 overexpression significantly correlated with high-grade tumours, poor OS, and immune infiltration. In addition, IFI30-associated genes significantly enriched the hallmark tumour progression-related clusters and cancer pathways. Conclusions IFI30 is a prognostic biomarker correlated with immune infiltrates and acts as an oncogene in glioma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Jiang
- Department of Neurology, the Second People's Hospital of Wuxi, Wuxi, China
| | - Feifei Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Taotao Yao
- Rehabilitation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fang Gong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Wenjie Zheng
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ninghua Yao
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Liu Z, Liu J, Liu X, Wang X, Xie Q, Zhang X, Kong X, He M, Yang Y, Deng X, Yang L, Qi Y, Li J, Liu Y, Yuan L, Diao L, He F, Li D. CTR-DB, an omnibus for patient-derived gene expression signatures correlated with cancer drug response. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 50:D1184-D1199. [PMID: 34570230 PMCID: PMC8728209 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, only some cancer patients can benefit from chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Drug resistance continues to be a major and challenging problem facing current cancer research. Rapidly accumulated patient-derived clinical transcriptomic data with cancer drug response bring opportunities for exploring molecular determinants of drug response, but meanwhile pose challenges for data management, integration, and reuse. Here we present the Cancer Treatment Response gene signature DataBase (CTR-DB, http://ctrdb.ncpsb.org.cn/), a unique database for basic and clinical researchers to access, integrate, and reuse clinical transcriptomes with cancer drug response. CTR-DB has collected and uniformly reprocessed 83 patient-derived pre-treatment transcriptomic source datasets with manually curated cancer drug response information, involving 28 histological cancer types, 123 drugs, and 5139 patient samples. These data are browsable, searchable, and downloadable. Moreover, CTR-DB supports single-dataset exploration (including differential gene expression, receiver operating characteristic curve, functional enrichment, sensitizing drug search, and tumor microenvironment analyses), and multiple-dataset combination and comparison, as well as biomarker validation function, which provide insights into the drug resistance mechanism, predictive biomarker discovery and validation, drug combination, and resistance mechanism heterogeneity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China.,College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Jiale Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xinyue Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Qiaosheng Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xinlei Zhang
- Beijing Geneworks Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiangya Kong
- Beijing Geneworks Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing 100101, China
| | - Mengqi He
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yuting Yang
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xinru Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Lele Yang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Yaning Qi
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Jiajun Li
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Liying Yuan
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Lihong Diao
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Fuchu He
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Dong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China.,College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Liguori NR, Lee Y, Borges W, Zhou L, Azzoli C, El-Deiry WS. Absence of Biomarker-Driven Treatment Options in Small Cell Lung Cancer, and Selected Preclinical Candidates for Next Generation Combination Therapies. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:747180. [PMID: 34531756 PMCID: PMC8438120 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.747180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for about 15% of all lung cancers. In SCLC, more than other malignancies, the standard of care is based on clinical demonstration of efficacy, and less on a mechanistic understanding of why certain treatments work better than others. This is in large part due to the virulence of the disease, and lack of clinically or biologically relevant biomarkers beyond routine histopathology. While first line therapies work in the majority of patients with extensive stage disease, development of resistance is nearly universal. Although neuroendocrine features, Rb and p53 mutations are common, the current lack of actionable biomarkers has made it difficult to develop more effective treatments. Some progress has been made with the application of immune checkpoint inhibitors. There are new agents, such as lurbinectedin, that have completed late-phase clinical testing while other agents are still in the pre-clinical phase. ONC201/TIC10 is an imipridone with strong in vivo and in vitro antitumor properties and activity against neuroendocrine tumors in phase 1 clinical testing. ONC201 activates the cellular integrated stress response and induces the TRAIL pro-apoptotic pathway. Combination treatment of lurbinectedin with ONC201 are currently being investigated in preclinical studies that may facilitate translation into clinical trials for SCLC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R. Liguori
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Young Lee
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - William Borges
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Lanlan Zhou
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Lifespan Health System and Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Cancer Center at Brown University, Thoracic Oncology, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Christopher Azzoli
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Lifespan Health System and Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Cancer Center at Brown University, Thoracic Oncology, Providence, RI, United States
- Hematology/Oncology Division, Department of Medicine, Lifespan Health System and Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Wafik S. El-Deiry
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Lifespan Health System and Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Cancer Center at Brown University, Thoracic Oncology, Providence, RI, United States
- Hematology/Oncology Division, Department of Medicine, Lifespan Health System and Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Hamilton G, Plangger A. The Impact of NK Cell-Based Therapeutics for the Treatment of Lung Cancer for Biologics: Targets and Therapy. Biologics 2021; 15:265-277. [PMID: 34262255 PMCID: PMC8273903 DOI: 10.2147/btt.s290305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer has a dismal prognosis and novel targeted therapies leave still room for major improvements and better outcomes. Immunotherapy targeting immune checkpoint (IC) proteins, either as single agents or in combination with chemotherapy, is active but responders constitute only approximately 10-15% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Other effector immune cells such as CAR-T cells or NK cells may help to overcome the limitations of the IC inhibitor therapies for lung cancer. NK cells can kill tumor cells without previous priming and are present in the circulatory system and lymphoid organs. Tissue-residing NK cells differ from peripheral effector cells and, in case of the lung, comprise CD56bright CD16-negative populations showing high cytokine release but low cytotoxicity in contrast to the circulating CD56dim CD16-positive NK cells exhibiting high cytotoxic efficacy. This local attenuation of NK cell killing potency seems due to a specific stage of NK differentiation, immunosuppressive factors as well as presence of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (TREGs). Improved NK cell-based immunotherapies involve IL-2-stimulated effector cells, NK cells expanded with the help of cytokines, permanent NK cell lines, induced pluripotent stem cell-derived NK cells and NK cells armed with chimeric antigen receptors. Compared to CAR T cell therapy, NK cells administration is devoid of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and cytokine-release syndrome. Although NK cells are clearly active against lung cancer cells, the low-cytotoxicity differentiation state in lung tumors, the presence of immunosuppressive leucocyte populations, limited infiltration and adverse conditions of the microenvironment need to be overcome. This goal may be achieved in the future using large numbers of activated and armed NK cells as provided by novel methods in NK cell isolation, expansion and stimulation of cytotoxic activity, including combinations with monoclonal antibodies in antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC). This review discusses the basic characteristics of NK cells and the potential of NK cell preparations in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Hamilton
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adelina Plangger
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Hu Z, Xu X, Wei H. The Adverse Impact of Tumor Microenvironment on NK-Cell. Front Immunol 2021; 12:633361. [PMID: 34177887 PMCID: PMC8226132 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.633361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cells are considered an important component of innate immunity, which is the first line of defensing against tumors and viral infections in the absence of prior sensitization. NK cells express an array of germline-encoded receptors, which allow them to eliminate abnormal cells and were previously considered a homogenous population of innate lymphocytes, with limited phenotypic and functional diversity. Although their characteristics are related to their developmental origins, other factors, such as tumors and viral infections, can influence their phenotype. Here, we provide an overview of NK cells in the context of the tumor microenvironment, with a primary focus on their phenotypes, functions, and roles in tumor micro-environment. A comprehensive understanding of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment will provide a theoretical basis for the development of NK cell immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziming Hu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China
| | - Xiuxiu Xu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China
| | - Haiming Wei
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Xie S, Wu Z, Qi Y, Wu B, Zhu X. The metastasizing mechanisms of lung cancer: Recent advances and therapeutic challenges. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 138:111450. [PMID: 33690088 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the common malignant tumors that threaten human life with serious incidence and high mortality. According to the histopathological characteristics, lung cancer is mainly divided into non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLC accounts for about 80-85% of lung cancers. In fact, lung cancer metastasis is a major cause of treatment failure in clinical patients. The underlying reason is that the mechanisms of lung cancer metastasis are still not fully understood. The metastasis of lung cancer cells is controlled by many factors, including the interaction of various components in the lung cancer microenvironment, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transformation, and metastasis of cancer cells through blood vessels and lymphatics. The molecular relationships are even more intricate. Further study on the mechanisms of lung cancer metastasis and in search of effective therapeutic targets can bring more reference directions for clinical drug research and development. This paper focuses on the factors affecting lung cancer metastasis and connects with related molecular mechanisms of the lung cancer metastasis and mechanisms of lung cancer to specific organs, which mainly reviews the latest research progress of NSCLC metastasis. Besides, in this paper, experimental models of lung cancer and metastasis, mechanisms in SCLC transfer and the challenges about clinical management of lung cancer are also discussed. The review is intended to provide reference value for the future research in this field and promising treatment clues for clinical patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shimin Xie
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Zhengguo Wu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Yantian District People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yi Qi
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang), Zhanjiang, China
| | - Binhua Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang), Zhanjiang, China; The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, China.
| | - Xiao Zhu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang), Zhanjiang, China; The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, China; The Key Lab of Zhanjiang for R&D Marine Microbial Resources in the Beibu Gulf Rim, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|