1
|
Davodabadi F, Sarhadi M, Arabpour J, Sargazi S, Rahdar A, Díez-Pascual AM. Breast cancer vaccines: New insights into immunomodulatory and nano-therapeutic approaches. J Control Release 2022; 349:844-875. [PMID: 35908621 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is known to be a highly heterogeneous disease that is clinically subdivided into four primary molecular subtypes, each having distinct morphology and clinical implications. These subtypes are principally defined by hormone receptors and other proteins involved (or not involved) in BC development. BC therapeutic vaccines [including peptide-based vaccines, protein-based vaccines, nucleic acid-based vaccines (DNA/RNA vaccines), bacterial/viral-based vaccines, and different immune cell-based vaccines] have emerged as an appealing class of cancer immunotherapeutics when used alone or combined with other immunotherapies. Employing the immune system to eliminate BC cells is a novel therapeutic modality. The benefit of active immunotherapies is that they develop protection against neoplastic tissue and readjust the immune system to an anti-tumor monitoring state. Such immunovaccines have not yet shown effectiveness for BC treatment in clinical trials. In recent years, nanomedicines have opened new windows to increase the effectiveness of vaccinations to treat BC. In this context, some nanoplatforms have been designed to efficiently deliver molecular, cellular, or subcellular vaccines to BC cells, increasing the efficacy and persistence of anti-tumor immunity while minimizing undesirable side effects. Immunostimulatory nano-adjuvants, liposomal-based vaccines, polymeric vaccines, virus-like particles, lipid/calcium/phosphate nanoparticles, chitosan-derived nanostructures, porous silicon microparticles, and selenium nanoparticles are among the newly designed nanostructures that have been used to facilitate antigen internalization and presentation by antigen-presenting cells, increase antigen stability, enhance vaccine antigenicity and remedial effectivity, promote antigen escape from the endosome, improve cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses, and produce humoral immune responses in BC cells. Here, we summarized the existing subtypes of BC and shed light on immunomodulatory and nano-therapeutic strategies for BC vaccination. Finally, we reviewed ongoing clinical trials on BC vaccination and highlighted near-term opportunities for moving forward.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Davodabadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Science, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Sarhadi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan 9816743463, Iran
| | - Javad Arabpour
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saman Sargazi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan 9816743463, Iran.
| | - Abbas Rahdar
- Department of Physics, University of Zabol, Zabol 98613-35856, Iran.
| | - Ana M Díez-Pascual
- Universidad de Alcalá, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Química Analítica, Química Física e Ingeniería Química, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, Km. 33.6, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gupta R, Jit BP, Kumar S, Mittan S, Tanwer P, Ray MD, Mathur S, Perumal V, Kumar L, Rath GK, Sharma A. Leveraging epigenetics to enhance the efficacy of cancer-testis antigen: a potential candidate for immunotherapy. Epigenomics 2022; 14:865-886. [DOI: 10.2217/epi-2021-0479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy in women. The phenotype is characterized by delayed diagnosis, recurrence and drug resistance. Inherent immunogenicity potential, oncogenic function and expression of cancer-testis/germline antigen (CTA) in ovarian cancer render them a potential candidate for immunotherapy. Revolutionary clinical findings indicate that tumor antigen-mediated T-cell and dendritic cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches provide an excellent strategy for targeting tumors. Currently, dendritic cell vaccination for the treatment of B-cell lymphoma and CTA-based T-cell receptor transduced T-cell therapy involving MAGE-A4 and NY-ESO-1 are well documented and shown to be effective. This review highlighted the mechanical aspects of epigenetic drugs that can elicit a CTA-based humoral and cellular immune response and implicate T-cell and dendritic cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, National Cancer Institute – India, Jhajjar Campus, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Bimal Prasad Jit
- Department of Biochemistry, National Cancer Institute – India, Jhajjar Campus, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, National Cancer Institute – India, Jhajjar Campus, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Sandeep Mittan
- Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY 10467, USA
| | - Pranay Tanwer
- Laboratory Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - M D Ray
- Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Sandeep Mathur
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Vanamail Perumal
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Lalit Kumar
- Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - G K Rath
- Department of Radiotherapy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Ashok Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, National Cancer Institute – India, Jhajjar Campus, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Xiao J, McGill JR, Nasir A, Lekan A, Johnson B, Wilkins DJ, Pearson GW, Tanner K, Goodarzi H, Glasgow E, Schlegel R, Agarwal S. Identifying drivers of breast cancer metastasis in progressively invasive subpopulations of zebrafish-xenografted MDA-MB-231. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:16. [PMID: 35614362 PMCID: PMC9133282 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00080-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is the primary cause of the high mortality rate among human cancers. Efforts to identify therapeutic agents targeting cancer metastasis frequently fail to demonstrate efficacy in clinical trials despite strong preclinical evidence. Until recently, most preclinical studies used mouse models to evaluate anti-metastatic agents. Mouse models are time-consuming and expensive. In addition, an important drawback is that mouse models inadequately model the early stages of metastasis which plausibly leads to the poor correlation with clinical outcomes. Here, we report an in vivo model based on xenografted zebrafish embryos where we select for progressively invasive subpopulations of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. A subpopulation analogous to circulating tumor cells found in human cancers was selected by injection of MDA-MB-231 cells into the yolk sacs of 2 days post-fertilized zebrafish embryos and selecting cells that migrated to the tail. The selected subpopulation derived from MDA-MB-231 cells were increasingly invasive in zebrafish. Isolation of these subpopulations and propagation in vitro revealed morphological changes consistent with activation of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition program. Differential gene analysis and knockdown of genes identified gene-candidates (DDIT4, MT1X, CTSD, and SERPINE1) as potential targets for anti-metastasis therapeutics. Furthermore, RNA-splicing analysis reinforced the importance of BIRC5 splice variants in breast cancer metastasis. This is the first report using zebrafish to isolate and expand progressively invasive populations of human cancer cells. The model has potential applications in understanding the metastatic process, identification and/or development of therapeutics that specifically target metastatic cells and formulating personalized treatment strategies for individual cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.,Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Joseph R McGill
- Hemostasis Branch, Division of Plasma Protein Therapeutics, Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Apsra Nasir
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Alexander Lekan
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Bailey Johnson
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Devan J Wilkins
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.,Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Gray W Pearson
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kandice Tanner
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hani Goodarzi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eric Glasgow
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Richard Schlegel
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Seema Agarwal
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang L, Zeng D, Wang Q, Liu L, Lu T, Gao Y. Screening and Identification of Novel Potential Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Brain Metastases. Front Oncol 2022; 11:784096. [PMID: 35096583 PMCID: PMC8792448 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.784096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases represent a major cause of mortality among patients with breast cancer, and few effective targeted treatment options are currently available. Development of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) is therefore urgently needed. In this study, we compared the gene expression profiles of the brain metastatic cell line MDA-MB-231-BR (231-BR) and its parental MDA-MB-231, and identified a total of 84 genes in the primary screening through a series of bioinformatic analyses, including construction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks by STRING database, identification of hub genes by applying of MCODE and Cytohubba algorithms, identification of leading-edge subsets of Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), and identification of most up-regulated genes. Eight genes were identified as candidate genes due to their elevated expression in brain metastatic 231-BR cells and prognostic values in patients with BCBM. Then we knocked down the eight individual candidate genes in 231-BR cells and evaluated their impact on cell migration through a wound-healing assay, and four of them (KRT19, FKBP10, GSK3B and SPANXB1) were finally identified as key genes. Furthermore, the expression of individual key genes showed a correlation with the infiltration of major immune cells in the brain tumor microenvironment (TME) as analyzed by Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), suggesting possible roles of them in regulation of the tumor immune response in TME. Therefore, the present work may provide new potential biomarkers for BCBM. Additionally, using GSEA, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Enrichment Analysis, we determined the top enriched cellular functions or pathways in 231-BR cells, which may help better understand the biology governing the development and progression of BCBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Beijing, China.,Cancer Institute of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Zeng
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Experimental Center for Basic Medical Teaching, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Lu
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Beijing, China.,Cancer Institute of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Haque S, Cook K, Sahay G, Sun C. RNA-Based Therapeutics: Current Developments in Targeted Molecular Therapy of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13101694. [PMID: 34683988 PMCID: PMC8537780 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly heterogeneous and aggressive cancer that has the highest mortality rate out of all breast cancer subtypes. Conventional clinical treatments targeting ER, PR, and HER2 receptors have been unsuccessful in the treatment of TNBC, which has led to various research efforts in developing new strategies to treat TNBC. Targeted molecular therapy of TNBC utilizes knowledge of key molecular signatures of TNBC that can be effectively modulated to produce a positive therapeutic response. Correspondingly, RNA-based therapeutics represent a novel tool in oncology with their ability to alter intrinsic cancer pathways that contribute to poor patient prognosis. Current RNA-based therapeutics exist as two major areas of investigation-RNA interference (RNAi) and RNA nanotherapy, where RNAi utilizes principles of gene silencing, and RNA nanotherapy utilizes RNA-derived nanoparticles to deliver chemotherapeutics to target cells. RNAi can be further classified as therapeutics utilizing either small interfering RNA (siRNA) or microRNA (miRNA). As the broader field of gene therapy has advanced significantly in recent years, so too have efforts in the development of effective RNA-based therapeutic strategies for treating aggressive cancers, including TNBC. This review will summarize key advances in targeted molecular therapy of TNBC, describing current trends in treatment using RNAi, combination therapies, and recent efforts in RNA immunotherapy, utilizing messenger RNA (mRNA) in the development of cancer vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sakib Haque
- College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; (S.H.); (G.S.)
| | - Kiri Cook
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA;
| | - Gaurav Sahay
- College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; (S.H.); (G.S.)
| | - Conroy Sun
- College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; (S.H.); (G.S.)
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-503-346-4699
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Urizar-Arenaza I, Benedicto A, Perez-Valle A, Osinalde N, Akimov V, Muñoa-Hoyos I, Rodriguez JA, Asumendi A, Boyano MD, Blagoev B, Kratchmarova I, Subiran N. The multifunctional role of SPANX-A/D protein subfamily in the promotion of pro-tumoural processes in human melanoma. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3583. [PMID: 33574425 PMCID: PMC7878863 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83169-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human sperm protein associated with the nucleus on the X chromosome (SPANX) genes encode a protein family (SPANX-A, -B, -C and -D), whose expression is limited to the testis and spermatozoa in normal tissues and various tumour cells. SPANX-A/D proteins have been detected in metastatic melanoma cells, but their contribution to cancer development and the underlying molecular mechanisms of skin tumourigenesis remain unknown. Combining functional and proteomic approaches, the present work describes the presence of SPANX-A/D in primary and metastatic human melanoma cells and how it promotes pro-tumoural processes such as cell proliferation, motility and migration. We provide insights into the molecular features of skin tumourigenesis, describing for the first time a multifunctional role of the SPANX-A/D protein family in nuclear function, energy metabolism and cell survival, considered key hallmarks of cancer. A better comprehension of the SPANX-A/D protein subfamily and its molecular mechanisms will help to describe new aspects of tumour cell biology and develop new therapeutic targets and tumour-directed pharmacological drugs for skin tumours.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Itziar Urizar-Arenaza
- Department of Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940, Leioa, Spain. .,Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain.
| | - Aitor Benedicto
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Arantza Perez-Valle
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Nerea Osinalde
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Vyacheslav Akimov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Iraia Muñoa-Hoyos
- Department of Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940, Leioa, Spain.,Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jose Antonio Rodriguez
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Aintzane Asumendi
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Maria Dolores Boyano
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Blagoy Blagoev
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Irina Kratchmarova
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Nerea Subiran
- Department of Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940, Leioa, Spain. .,Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Human Endogenous Retrovirus K Rec forms a Regulatory Loop with MITF that Opposes the Progression of Melanoma to an Invasive Stage. Viruses 2020; 12:v12111303. [PMID: 33202765 PMCID: PMC7696977 DOI: 10.3390/v12111303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The HML2 subfamily of HERV-K (henceforth HERV-K) represents the most recently endogenized retrovirus in the human genome. While the products of certain HERV-K genomic copies are expressed in normal tissues, they are upregulated in several pathological conditions, including various tumors. It remains unclear whether HERV-K(HML2)-encoded products overexpressed in cancer contribute to disease progression or are merely by-products of tumorigenesis. Here, we focus on the regulatory activities of the Long Terminal Repeats (LTR5_Hs) of HERV-K and the potential role of the HERV-K-encoded Rec in melanoma. Our regulatory genomics analysis of LTR5_Hs loci indicates that Melanocyte Inducing Transcription Factor (MITF) (also known as binds to a canonical E-box motif (CA(C/T)GTG) within these elements in proliferative type of melanoma, and that depletion of MITF results in reduced HERV-K expression. In turn, experimentally depleting Rec in a proliferative melanoma cell line leads to lower mRNA levels of MITF and its predicted target genes. Furthermore, Rec knockdown leads to an upregulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal associated genes and an enhanced invasion phenotype of proliferative melanoma cells. Together these results suggest the existence of a regulatory loop between MITF and Rec that may modulate the transition from proliferative to invasive stages of melanoma. Because HERV-K(HML2) elements are restricted to hominoid primates, these findings might explain certain species-specific features of melanoma progression and point to some limitations of animal models in melanoma studies.
Collapse
|
8
|
Lazar I, Fabre B, Feng Y, Khateb A, Turko P, Martinez Gomez JM, Frederick DT, Levesque MP, Feld L, Zhang G, Zhang T, James B, Shklover J, Avitan-Hersh E, Livneh I, Scortegagna M, Brown K, Larsson O, Topisirovic I, Wolfenson H, Herlyn M, Flaherty K, Dummer R, Ronai ZA. SPANX Control of Lamin A/C Modulates Nuclear Architecture and Promotes Melanoma Growth. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 18:1560-1573. [PMID: 32571981 PMCID: PMC7541784 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms regulating nuclear organization control fundamental cellular processes, including the cell and chromatin organization. Their disorganization, including aberrant nuclear architecture, has been often implicated in cellular transformation. Here, we identify Lamin A, among proteins essential for nuclear architecture, as SPANX (sperm protein associated with the nucleus on the X chromosome), a cancer testis antigen previously linked to invasive tumor phenotypes, interacting protein in melanoma. SPANX interaction with Lamin A was mapped to the immunoglobulin fold-like domain, a region critical for Lamin A function, which is often mutated in laminopathies. SPANX downregulation in melanoma cell lines perturbed nuclear organization, decreased cell viability, and promoted senescence-associated phenotypes. Moreover, SPANX knockdown (KD) in melanoma cells promoted proliferation arrest, a phenotype mediated in part by IRF3/IL1A signaling. SPANX KD in melanoma cells also prompted the secretion of IL1A, which attenuated the proliferation of naïve melanoma cells. Identification of SPANX as a nuclear architecture complex component provides an unexpected insight into the regulation of Lamin A and its importance in melanoma. IMPLICATIONS: SPANX, a testis protein, interacts with LMNA and controls nuclear architecture and melanoma growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ikrame Lazar
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine, Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Bertrand Fabre
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine, Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yongmei Feng
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Ali Khateb
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine, Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Patrick Turko
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Mitchell P Levesque
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lea Feld
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine, Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Gao Zhang
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Tongwu Zhang
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Brian James
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Jeny Shklover
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine, Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Emily Avitan-Hersh
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine, Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ido Livneh
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine, Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Marzia Scortegagna
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Kevin Brown
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Ola Larsson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ivan Topisirovic
- Lady Davis Institute, Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital, Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, Departments of Experimental Medicine and Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Haguy Wolfenson
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine, Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Keith Flaherty
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ze'ev A Ronai
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Dashti S, Taherian-Esfahani Z. Cellular immune responses against cancer-germline genes in cancers. Hum Antibodies 2019; 28:57-64. [PMID: 31356200 DOI: 10.3233/hab-190392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-germline genes are a class of genes that are normally expressed in testis, trophoblast and few somatic tissues but abnormally expressed in tumor tissues. Their expression signature indicates that they can induce cellular immune responses, thus being applied as targets in cancer immunotherapy. OBJECTIVES To obtain the data of cellular immune responses against cancer-germline genes in cancer. METHODS We searched PubMed/Medline with the key words cancer-germline antigen, cancer-testis antigen, CD4+ T cell, CD8+ T cell and cancer. RESULTS About 40 cancer-germline genes have been shown to induce T cell specific responses in cancer patients. Melanoma, lung and breast cancer are among the mostly assessed cancer types. Several epitopes have been identified which can be used in immunotherapy of cancer. CONCLUSION Cellular immune responses against cancer-germline genes are indicative of appropriateness of these genes as therapeutic targets.
Collapse
|
10
|
Tavakoli Koudehi A, Mahjoubi B, Mirzaei R, Shabani S, Mahjoubi F. AKAP4, SPAG9 and NY-ESO-1 in Iranian Colorectal Cancer Patients as Probable Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2018; 19:463-469. [PMID: 29480665 PMCID: PMC5980935 DOI: 10.22034/apjcp.2018.19.2.463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common gastrointestinal cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the world. Cancer-Testis Antigens (CTAs) are a group of tumor-associated proteins which typically are expressed in normal reproductive cells of men, but their expression in normal somatic cells is silenced. CTAs, due to their limited expression pattern, are considered as promising targets for cancer diagnosis and immuno-therapy. Methods: Expression of AKAP4, SPAG9 and CTAG1B genes from the CTAs family was studied in both tumor and normal tissues of 62 Iranian CRC patients by RT-PCR with the aim of finding biomarkers for early detection and anticipated progression. Statistical analysis was performed SPSS software V22.0 to assess the significance of any associations. Results: Elevated expression of SPAG9 and AKAP4 genes was observed in approximately 66% and 44% of tumours, respectively, as compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues. While a significant association was found between AKAP4 gene expression and metastasis (P-value: 0.045), expression of the CTAG1B (NY-ESO-1) gene was not observed in our cases. Conclusion: AKAP4 and SPAG9 genes may find use as diagnostic biomarkers for CRC and AKAP4 may play an important role in progression to metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ameneh Tavakoli Koudehi
- Department of Clinical Genetics, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB),Tehran,Iran.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Burdelski C, Jakani-Karimi N, Jacobsen F, Möller-Koop C, Minner S, Simon R, Sauter G, Steurer S, Clauditz TS, Wilczak W. IMP3 overexpression occurs in various important cancer types and is linked to aggressive tumor features: A tissue microarray study on 8,877 human cancers and normal tissues. Oncol Rep 2017; 39:3-12. [PMID: 29115542 PMCID: PMC5783598 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.6072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
IMP3 is an RNA binding protein required for ribosomal RNA processing, which has been suggested to be a prognostic marker in a large variety of human types of cancer. However, available data on the prevalence of IMP3 expression are largely discrepant. To systematically investigate the epidemiology and clinical relevance of IMP3 expression in human cancers we employed a two-step tissue microarrays (TMAs) approach. First, a normal tissue TMA and a multi-tumor TMA were analyzed for immunohistochemically detectable expression of IMP3 in 76 different normal tissue types and 3889 cancer samples from 95 different tumor categories. In a second step, we searched for associations between IMP3 expression and tumor phenotype and patient prognosis in TMAs containing 697 urinary bladder cancers, 1711 colon cancers, 343 esophageal adenocarcinomas, 251 esophageal squamous cell cancers, 673 lung cancers), 275 pancreatic cancers and 230 stomach cancers. In normal tissues, unequivocal IMP3 expression was found in placenta, lymphocytes and some types of glandular epithelial cells. In cancers, at least one case with weak expression could be found in 76 out of 95 (80%) different tumor types and 64 entities (67%) had at least one tumor with strong positivity. IMP3 expression was most frequently found in testicular cancer (including 71% seminomas and 96% non-seminomas), neuroblastoma (88%), and squamous cell cancer of various origins. Significant associations were found between IMP3 and adverse tumor features in esophageal adenocarcinomas and cancers of the urinary bladder, lung, stomach, and pancreas. In summary, IMP3 was frequently expressed in many different tumor types, and was typically associated with aggressive tumor features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Burdelski
- General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery Department and Clinic, University Medical Center Hamburg‑Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nilofar Jakani-Karimi
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Frank Jacobsen
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christina Möller-Koop
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Minner
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ronald Simon
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Guido Sauter
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Steurer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Till S Clauditz
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Waldemar Wilczak
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mahmoud F, Shields B, Makhoul I, Avaritt N, Wong HK, Hutchins LF, Shalin S, Tackett AJ. Immune surveillance in melanoma: From immune attack to melanoma escape and even counterattack. Cancer Biol Ther 2017; 18:451-469. [PMID: 28513269 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2017.1323596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmacologic inhibition of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) and the programmed death receptor-1 (PD1) has resulted in unprecedented durable responses in metastatic melanoma. However, resistance to immunotherapy remains a major challenge. Effective immune surveillance against melanoma requires 4 essential steps: activation of the T lymphocytes, homing of the activated T lymphocytes to the melanoma microenvironment, identification and episode of melanoma cells by activated T lymphocytes, and the sensitivity of melanoma cells to apoptosis. At each of these steps, there are multiple factors that may interfere with the immune surveillance machinery, thus allowing melanoma cells to escape immune attack and develop resistance to immunotherapy. We provide a comprehensive review of the complex immune surveillance mechanisms at play in melanoma, and a detailed discussion of how these mechanisms may allow for the development of intrinsic or acquired resistance to immunotherapeutic modalities, and potential avenues for overcoming this resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fade Mahmoud
- a Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology , University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock , Arkansas , USA
| | - Bradley Shields
- b Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock , Arkansas , USA
| | - Issam Makhoul
- a Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology , University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock , Arkansas , USA
| | - Nathan Avaritt
- b Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock , Arkansas , USA
| | - Henry K Wong
- c Department of Dermatology , University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock , Arkansas , USA
| | - Laura F Hutchins
- a Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology , University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock , Arkansas , USA
| | - Sara Shalin
- d Departments of Pathology and Dermatology , University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock , Arkansas , USA
| | - Alan J Tackett
- b Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock , Arkansas , USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Taherian-Esfahani Z, Abedin-Do A, Nikpayam E, Tasharofi B, Ghahghaei Nezamabadi A, Ghafouri-Fard S. Cancer-Testis Antigens: A Novel Group of Tumor Biomarkers in Ovarian Cancers. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF CANCER PREVENTION 2016. [DOI: 10.17795/ijcp-4993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
14
|
Woods K, Pasam A, Jayachandran A, Andrews MC, Cebon J. Effects of epithelial to mesenchymal transition on T cell targeting of melanoma cells. Front Oncol 2014; 4:367. [PMID: 25566505 PMCID: PMC4269118 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2014.00367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma cells can switch phenotype in a manner similar to epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this perspective article, we address the effects of such phenotype switching on T cell targeting of tumor cells. During the EMT-like switch in phenotype, a concomitant change in expression of multiple tumor antigens occurs. Melanoma cells undergoing EMT escape from killing by T cells specific for antigens whose expression is downregulated by this process. We discuss melanoma antigens whose expression is influenced by EMT. We assess the effect of changes in the expressed tumor antigen repertoire on T-cell mediated tumor recognition and killing. In addition to escape from T cell immunity via changes in antigen expression, mesenchymal-like melanoma cells are generally more resistant to classical chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, we demonstrate that when targeting antigens whose expression is unaltered during EMT, the capacity of T cells to kill melanoma cell lines in vitro is not influenced by their phenotype. When considering immune therapies such as cancer vaccination, these data suggest escape from T cell killing due to phenotype switching in melanoma could potentially be avoided by careful selection of target antigen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Woods
- Cancer Immunobiology Laboratory, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne-Austin Branch, Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre , Melbourne, VIC , Australia ; School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
| | - Anupama Pasam
- Cancer Immunobiology Laboratory, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne-Austin Branch, Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre , Melbourne, VIC , Australia ; School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
| | - Aparna Jayachandran
- Cancer Immunobiology Laboratory, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne-Austin Branch, Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre , Melbourne, VIC , Australia ; School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
| | - Miles C Andrews
- Cancer Immunobiology Laboratory, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne-Austin Branch, Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre , Melbourne, VIC , Australia ; School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
| | - Jonathan Cebon
- Cancer Immunobiology Laboratory, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne-Austin Branch, Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre , Melbourne, VIC , Australia ; School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
A Panel of Cancer Testis Antigens and Clinical Risk Factors to Predict Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer. J Biomark 2014; 2014:272683. [PMID: 26317029 PMCID: PMC4437385 DOI: 10.1155/2014/272683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Revised: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/31/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third common carcinoma with a high rate of mortality worldwide and several studies have investigated some molecular and clinicopathological markers for diagnosis and prognosis of its malignant phenotypes. The aim of this study is to evaluate expression frequency of PAGE4, SCP-1, and SPANXA/D cancer testis antigen (CTA) genes as well as some clinical risk markers to predict liver metastasis of colorectal cancer patients. The expression frequency of PAGE4, SCP-1, and SPANXA/D cancer/testis antigen (CTA) genes was obtained using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay in 90 colorectal tumor samples including both negative and positive liver metastasis tumors. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the association of three studied genes and clinical risk factors with CRC liver metastasis. The frequency of PAGE4 and SCP-1 genes expression was significantly higher in the primary tumours with liver metastasis when statistically compared with primary tumors with no liver metastasis (P < 0.05). Among all clinical risk factors studied, the lymph node metastasis and the depth of invasion were statistically correlated with liver metastasis of CRC patients. In addition, using multiple logistic regression, we constructed a model based on PAGE4 and lymph node metastasis to predict liver metastasis of CRC.
Collapse
|
16
|
Widmer DS, Cheng PF, Eichhoff OM, Belloni BC, Zipser MC, Schlegel NC, Javelaud D, Mauviel A, Dummer R, Hoek KS. Systematic classification of melanoma cells by phenotype-specific gene expression mapping. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2012; 25:343-53. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2012.00986.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
|
17
|
Waaler J, Machon O, von Kries JP, Wilson SR, Lundenes E, Wedlich D, Gradl D, Paulsen JE, Machonova O, Dembinski JL, Dinh H, Krauss S. Novel synthetic antagonists of canonical Wnt signaling inhibit colorectal cancer cell growth. Cancer Res 2011; 71:197-205. [PMID: 21199802 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-1282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Canonical Wnt signaling is deregulated in several types of human cancer where it plays a central role in tumor cell growth and progression. Here we report the identification of 2 new small molecules that specifically inhibit canonical Wnt pathway at the level of the destruction complex. Specificity was verified in various cellular reporter systems, a Xenopus double-axis formation assay and a gene expression profile analysis. In human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, the new compounds JW67 and JW74 rapidly reduced active β-catenin with a subsequent downregulation of Wnt target genes, including AXIN2, SP5, and NKD1. Notably, AXIN2 protein levels were strongly increased after compound exposure. Long-term treatment with JW74 inhibited the growth of tumor cells in both a mouse xenograft model of CRC and in Apc(Min) mice (multiple intestinal neoplasia, Min). Our findings rationalize further preclinical and clinical evaluation of these new compounds as novel modalities for cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jo Waaler
- Section for Cellular and Genetic Therapy, Institute of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, and Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Forskningsparken, Oslo, Norway.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Salemi M, Calogero AE, Zaccarello G, Castiglione R, Cosentino A, Campagna C, Vicari E, Rappazzo G. Expression of SPANX proteins in normal prostatic tissue and in prostate cancer. Eur J Histochem 2011; 54:e41. [PMID: 20839415 PMCID: PMC3167315 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2010.e41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The sperm protein associated with the nucleus in the X chromosome (SPANX) gene family encodes for proteins that are not only expressed in germ cells, but also in a number of tumors. In addition, SPANX genes map in an interval of the X chromosome (namely, Xq27), which has been found to be associated with familial prostate cancer by linkage analysis. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate SPANX protein expression in normal prostate tissues and in prostate carcinoma. For this purpose, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections obtained from 15 normal (at autopsy) donors and 12 men with prostate cancer were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. About 40% of both normal and tumor prostate samples resulted SPANX positive. Signals were exclusively within the nucleus in normal prostate cells, whereas both nuclear and cytoplasmic positivity was observed in tumor cells. In conclusion, these findings showed that SPANX genes are expressed in both normal and tumor prostate gland, but the latter showed a peculiar cytoplasmic staining positivity. This suggests a possible association between SPANX over expression and prostate cancer development. Additional studies are needed to corroborate this hypothesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Salemi
- Section of Endocrinology, Andrology and Internal Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, Policlinico G. Rodolico, via S. Sofia 78, Catania, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
Tissue microarrays (TMAs) have become a standard tool for tissue-based research during the last decade. In cancer research, depending on the available data attached to the arrayed tissue, three main types of arrays are commonly manufactured. Prevalence TMAs have no further data available and are suited to estimate the frequency of the occurrence of a particular alteration. Progression arrays include tissues of different stages of disease, and are instrumental to study the role of a marker protein for tumor initiation, progression, or metastatic growth. Prognosis TMAs contain tissues with patient follow-up data. These TMAs are the key to uncover the clinical impact of molecular markers. In combination with normal tissue arrays representing healthy tissues, prevalence, progression, and prognosis TMAs allow for a rapid and comprehensive analysis of molecular markers in human cancers. TMAs are also successfully used for many noncancer applications, such as Alzheimer's or inflammatory disease research.
Collapse
|
20
|
Olkhanud PB, Baatar D, Bodogai M, Hakim F, Gress R, Anderson RL, Deng J, Xu M, Briest S, Biragyn A. Breast cancer lung metastasis requires expression of chemokine receptor CCR4 and regulatory T cells. Cancer Res 2009; 69:5996-6004. [PMID: 19567680 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-4619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 223] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality. More needs to be learned about mechanisms that control this process. In particular, the role of chemokine receptors in metastasis remains controversial. Here, using a highly metastatic breast cancer (4T1) model, we show that lung metastasis is a feature of only a proportion of the tumor cells that express CCR4. Moreover, the primary tumor growing in mammary pads activates remotely the expression of TARC/CCL17 and MDC/CCL22 in the lungs. These chemokines acting through CCR4 attract both tumor and immune cells. However, CCR4-mediated chemotaxis was not sufficient to produce metastasis, as tumor cells in the lung were efficiently eliminated by natural killer (NK) cells. Lung metastasis required CCR4(+) regulatory T cells (Treg), which directly killed NK cells using beta-galactoside-binding protein. Thus, strategies that abrogate any part of this process should improve the outcome through activation of effector cells and prevention of tumor cell migration. We confirm this prediction by killing CCR4(+) cells through delivery of TARC-fused toxins or depleting Tregs and preventing lung metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Purevdorj B Olkhanud
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|