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Lefler DS, Manobianco SA, Bashir B. Immunotherapy resistance in solid tumors: mechanisms and potential solutions. Cancer Biol Ther 2024; 25:2315655. [PMID: 38389121 PMCID: PMC10896138 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2315655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
While the emergence of immunotherapies has fundamentally altered the management of solid tumors, cancers exploit many complex biological mechanisms that result in resistance to these agents. These encompass a broad range of cellular activities - from modification of traditional paradigms of immunity via antigen presentation and immunoregulation to metabolic modifications and manipulation of the tumor microenvironment. Intervening on these intricate processes may provide clinical benefit in patients with solid tumors by overcoming resistance to immunotherapies, which is why it has become an area of tremendous research interest with practice-changing implications. This review details the major ways cancers avoid both natural immunity and immunotherapies through primary (innate) and secondary (acquired) mechanisms of resistance, and it considers available and emerging therapeutic approaches to overcoming immunotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S. Lefler
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Steven A. Manobianco
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Babar Bashir
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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2
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Gampa G, Spinosa P, Getz J, Zhong Y, Halpern W, Esen E, Davies J, Chou C, Kwong M, Wang Y, Arenzana TL, Shivva V, Huseni M, Hsieh R, Schartner J, Koerber JT, Rutz S, Hosseini I. Preclinical and translational pharmacology of afucosylated anti-CCR8 antibody for depletion of tumour-infiltrating regulatory T cells. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:2033-2052. [PMID: 38486310 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16326] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE RO7502175 is an afucosylated antibody designed to eliminate C-C motif chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8)+ Treg cells in the tumour microenvironment through enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We report findings from preclinical studies characterizing pharmacology, pharmacokinetics (PK)/pharmacodynamics (PD) and safety profile of RO7502175 and discuss the translational PK/PD approach used to inform first-in-human (FiH) dosing strategy and clinical development in solid tumour indications. KEY RESULTS RO7502175 demonstrated selective ADCC against human CCR8+ Treg cells from dissociated tumours in vitro. In cynomolgus monkeys, RO7502175 exhibited a biphasic concentration-time profile consistent with immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibodies, reduced CCR8+ Treg cells in the blood, induced minimal and transient cytokine secretion, and was well tolerated with a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of 100 mg·kg-1. Moreover, RO7502175 caused minimal cytokine release from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro. A quantitative model was developed to capture surrogate anti-murine CCR8 antibody PK/PD and tumour dynamics in mice and RO7502175 PK/PD in cynomolgus monkeys. Subsequently, the model was used to project RO7502175 human PK and receptor occupancy (RO) in patients. Because traditional approaches resulted in a low FiH dose for this molecule, even with its superior preclinical safety profile, an integrated approach based on the totality of preclinical data and modelling insights was used for starting dose selection. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS This work demonstrates a translational research strategy for collecting and utilizing relevant nonclinical data, developing a mechanistic PK/PD model and using a comprehensive approach to inform clinical study design for RO7502175.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gautham Gampa
- Department of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Phillip Spinosa
- Department of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jennifer Getz
- Department of Bioanalytical Sciences, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yu Zhong
- Department of Safety Assessment, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Wendy Halpern
- Department of Safety Assessment, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Emel Esen
- Department of Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - John Davies
- Department of Safety Assessment, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Cassie Chou
- Department of Early Clinical Development, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mandy Kwong
- Department of Biochemical Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yingyun Wang
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Teresita L Arenzana
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Vittal Shivva
- Department of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mahrukh Huseni
- Department of Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Robert Hsieh
- Department of Early Clinical Development, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jill Schartner
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - James T Koerber
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sascha Rutz
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Iraj Hosseini
- Department of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
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3
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Zhou L, Velegraki M, Wang Y, Mandula JK, Chang Y, Liu W, Song NJ, Kwon H, Xiao T, Bolyard C, Hong F, Xin G, Ma Q, Rubinstein MP, Wen H, Li Z. Spatial and functional targeting of intratumoral Tregs reverses CD8+ T cell exhaustion and promotes cancer immunotherapy. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e180080. [PMID: 38787791 PMCID: PMC11245154 DOI: 10.1172/jci180080] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Intratumoral Tregs are key mediators of cancer immunotherapy resistance, including anti-programmed cell death (ligand) 1 [anti-PD-(L)1] immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). The mechanisms driving Treg infiltration into the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the consequence on CD8+ T cell exhaustion remain elusive. Here, we report that heat shock protein gp96 (also known as GRP94) was indispensable for Treg tumor infiltration, primarily through the roles of gp96 in chaperoning integrins. Among various gp96-dependent integrins, we found that only LFA-1 (αL integrin), and not αV, CD103 (αE), or β7 integrin, was required for Treg tumor homing. Loss of Treg infiltration into the TME by genetic deletion of gp96/LFA-1 potently induced rejection of tumors in multiple ICB-resistant murine cancer models in a CD8+ T cell-dependent manner, without loss of self-tolerance. Moreover, gp96 deletion impeded Treg activation primarily by suppressing IL-2/STAT5 signaling, which also contributed to tumor regression. By competing for intratumoral IL-2, Tregs prevented the activation of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, drove thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box protein (TOX) induction, and induced bona fide CD8+ T cell exhaustion. By contrast, Treg ablation led to striking CD8+ T cell activation without TOX induction, demonstrating clear uncoupling of the 2 processes. Our study reveals that the gp96/LFA-1 axis plays a fundamental role in Treg biology and suggests that Treg-specific gp96/LFA-1 targeting represents a valuable strategy for cancer immunotherapy without inflicting autoinflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhou
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Maria Velegraki
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Yi Wang
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - J K Mandula
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Yuzhou Chang
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics
| | - Weiwei Liu
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - No-Joon Song
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Hyunwoo Kwon
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, USA
| | - Tong Xiao
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Chelsea Bolyard
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Feng Hong
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, USA
| | - Gang Xin
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, USA
| | - Qin Ma
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics
| | - Mark P. Rubinstein
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, USA
| | - Haitao Wen
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, USA
| | - Zihai Li
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, USA
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Wang M, Chen S, He X, Yuan Y, Wei X. Targeting inflammation as cancer therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:13. [PMID: 38520006 PMCID: PMC10960486 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01528-7] [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] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammation has accompanied human beings since the emergence of wounds and infections. In the past decades, numerous efforts have been undertaken to explore the potential role of inflammation in cancer, from tumor development, invasion, and metastasis to the resistance of tumors to treatment. Inflammation-targeted agents not only demonstrate the potential to suppress cancer development, but also to improve the efficacy of other therapeutic modalities. In this review, we describe the highly dynamic and complex inflammatory tumor microenvironment, with discussion on key inflammation mediators in cancer including inflammatory cells, inflammatory cytokines, and their downstream intracellular pathways. In addition, we especially address the role of inflammation in cancer development and highlight the action mechanisms of inflammation-targeted therapies in antitumor response. Finally, we summarize the results from both preclinical and clinical studies up to date to illustrate the translation potential of inflammation-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manni Wang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, Block3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyuan Chen
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, Block3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuemei He
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, Block3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Yuan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, Block3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Lin H, Xu Y, Lin C. Heterogeneity and subtypes of CD4 + regulatory T cells: implications for tumor therapy. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1291796. [PMID: 38250084 PMCID: PMC10796559 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1291796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
In the conventional view, CD4+ regulatory T cell (Treg) represents a subset of lymphocytes that involve the perception and negative regulation of the immune response. CD4+Treg plays an important role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis and immune tolerance. However, recent studies have revealed that CD4+Treg do not suppress the immune response in some diseases, but promote inflammatory injury or inhibit tissue remodeling, suggesting the functional heterogeneity of CD4+Treg. Their involvement in tumor pathogenesis is more complex than previously understood. This article reviews the relevant research on the heterogeneity of CD4+Treg, subtype classification, and their relationship with tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanqing Lin
- Department of Otolaryngology, Fujian Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- National Regional Medical Center, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuanteng Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Fujian Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- National Regional Medical Center, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chang Lin
- Department of Otolaryngology, Fujian Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- National Regional Medical Center, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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6
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Whiteside SK, Grant FM, Alvisi G, Clarke J, Tang L, Imianowski CJ, Zhang B, Evans AC, Wesolowski AJ, Conti AG, Yang J, Lauder SN, Clement M, Humphreys IR, Dooley J, Burton O, Liston A, Alloisio M, Voulaz E, Langhorne J, Okkenhaug K, Lugli E, Roychoudhuri R. Acquisition of suppressive function by conventional T cells limits antitumor immunity upon T reg depletion. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eabo5558. [PMID: 38100544 PMCID: PMC7615475 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abo5558] [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: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells contribute to immune homeostasis but suppress immune responses to cancer. Strategies to disrupt Treg cell-mediated cancer immunosuppression have been met with limited clinical success, but the underlying mechanisms for treatment failure are poorly understood. By modeling Treg cell-targeted immunotherapy in mice, we find that CD4+ Foxp3- conventional T (Tconv) cells acquire suppressive function upon depletion of Foxp3+ Treg cells, limiting therapeutic efficacy. Foxp3- Tconv cells within tumors adopt a Treg cell-like transcriptional profile upon ablation of Treg cells and acquire the ability to suppress T cell activation and proliferation ex vivo. Suppressive activity is enriched among CD4+ Tconv cells marked by expression of C-C motif receptor 8 (CCR8), which are found in mouse and human tumors. Upon Treg cell depletion, CCR8+ Tconv cells undergo systemic and intratumoral activation and expansion, and mediate IL-10-dependent suppression of antitumor immunity. Consequently, conditional deletion of Il10 within T cells augments antitumor immunity upon Treg cell depletion in mice, and antibody blockade of IL-10 signaling synergizes with Treg cell depletion to overcome treatment resistance. These findings reveal a secondary layer of immunosuppression by Tconv cells released upon therapeutic Treg cell depletion and suggest that broader consideration of suppressive function within the T cell lineage is required for development of effective Treg cell-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Whiteside
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Francis M Grant
- Immunology Programme, Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Giorgia Alvisi
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - James Clarke
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Leqi Tang
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Charlotte J Imianowski
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Baojie Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Alexander C Evans
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Alexander J Wesolowski
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Alberto G Conti
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Sarah N Lauder
- Division of Infection and Immunity/System Immunity University Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Mathew Clement
- Division of Infection and Immunity/System Immunity University Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Ian R Humphreys
- Division of Infection and Immunity/System Immunity University Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - James Dooley
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Oliver Burton
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Adrian Liston
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Marco Alloisio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Voulaz
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Jean Langhorne
- Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Klaus Okkenhaug
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Enrico Lugli
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Rahul Roychoudhuri
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
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7
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Sadeghlar F, Seelemann J, Vogt A, Möhring C, Zhou T, Mahn R, Kornek M, Lukacs-Kornek V, Casares N, Lasarte JJ, Sarobe P, van Beekum C, Matthaei H, Manekeller S, Kalff J, Schmidt-Wolf IGH, Strassburg CP, Gonzalez-Carmona MA. Regulatory T Cell Inhibition by P60 Combined with Adenoviral AFP Transduced Dendritic Cells for Immunotherapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Immunol Invest 2023; 52:966-984. [PMID: 37846958 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2023.2261980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Vaccination with tumor-associated antigen-pulsed dendritic cells leads to specific T-cell response against hepatocellular carcinoma. However, clinical response has been shown to be limited. High regulatory T-cell count is associated with poor prognosis and seems to mediate immune tolerance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Forkhead box P3-peptide inhibitor P60 has been shown to specifically inhibit regulatory T-cell function in murine models. Aim of this study was to investigate whether P60 can improve the immune response induced by vaccination with adenovirus-transduced dendritic cells expressing alpha-fetoprotein in subcutaneous and orthotopic murine models for hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS Mice developing subcutaneous or orthotopic HCC received daily treatment with P60 starting at different tumor stages. Additionally, mice were vaccinated twice with dendritic cells expressing alpha-fetoprotein. RESULTS In a preventive setting prior to tumor engraftment, vaccination with alpha-fetoprotein-expressing dendritic cells significantly decreased tumor growth in a subcutaneous model (p = .0256), but no further effects were achieved by addition of P60. However, P60 enhanced the antitumoral effect of a vaccination with alpha-fetoprotein-expressing dendritic cells in established subcutaneous and orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma characterized by high Treg levels (p = .011). CONCLUSION In this study, we showed that vaccination with alpha-fetoprotein-expressing dendritic cells in combination with a specific inhibition of regulatory T-cells by using P60 leads to synergistic tumor inhibition and prolonged survival. This emphasizes the importance of regulatory T-cells inhibition for obtaining an effective antitumoral immune response in hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julia Seelemann
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Annabelle Vogt
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Möhring
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Taotao Zhou
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Robert Mahn
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Miroslaw Kornek
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Veronika Lukacs-Kornek
- Institute for Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology, University Hospital of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Bonn, Germany
| | - Noelia Casares
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Juan José Lasarte
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pablo Sarobe
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Cornelius van Beekum
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Hanno Matthaei
- Department of Visceral Surgery, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Steffen Manekeller
- Department of Visceral Surgery, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jörg Kalff
- Department of Visceral Surgery, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ingo G H Schmidt-Wolf
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Integrated Oncology (CIO), University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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8
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Shan F, Cillo AR, Cardello C, Yuan DY, Kunning SR, Cui J, Lampenfeld C, Williams AM, McDonough AP, Pennathur A, Luketich JD, Kirkwood JM, Ferris RL, Bruno TC, Workman CJ, Benos PV, Vignali DAA. Integrated BATF transcriptional network regulates suppressive intratumoral regulatory T cells. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eadf6717. [PMID: 37713508 PMCID: PMC11045170 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adf6717] [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: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Human regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial regulators of tissue repair, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. However, it is challenging to inhibit the suppressive function of Tregs for cancer therapy without affecting immune homeostasis. Identifying pathways that may distinguish tumor-restricted Tregs is important, yet the transcriptional programs that control intratumoral Treg gene expression, and that are distinct from Tregs in healthy tissues, remain largely unknown. We profiled single-cell transcriptomes of CD4+ T cells in tumors and peripheral blood from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and those in nontumor tonsil tissues and peripheral blood from healthy donors. We identified a subpopulation of activated Tregs expressing multiple tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) genes (TNFR+ Tregs) that is highly enriched in the tumor microenvironment (TME) compared with nontumor tissue and the periphery. TNFR+ Tregs are associated with worse prognosis in HNSCC and across multiple solid tumor types. Mechanistically, the transcription factor BATF is a central component of a gene regulatory network that governs key aspects of TNFR+ Tregs. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated BATF knockout in human activated Tregs in conjunction with bulk RNA sequencing, immunophenotyping, and in vitro functional assays corroborated the central role of BATF in limiting excessive activation and promoting the survival of human activated Tregs. Last, we identified a suite of surface molecules reflective of the BATF-driven transcriptional network on intratumoral Tregs in patients with HNSCC. These findings uncover a primary transcriptional regulator of highly suppressive intratumoral Tregs, highlighting potential opportunities for therapeutic intervention in cancer without affecting immune homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Shan
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Integrative Systems Biology Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anthony R. Cillo
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Carly Cardello
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Daniel Y. Yuan
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sheryl R. Kunning
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jian Cui
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Caleb Lampenfeld
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Asia M. Williams
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Alexandra P. McDonough
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Arjun Pennathur
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - James D. Luketich
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - John M. Kirkwood
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Robert L. Ferris
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Tullia C. Bruno
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Creg J. Workman
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Panayiotis V. Benos
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Dario A. A. Vignali
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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9
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Nicola Candia AJ, Garcia Fallit M, Peña Agudelo JA, Pérez Küper M, Gonzalez N, Moreno Ayala MA, De Simone E, Giampaoli C, Casares N, Seilicovich A, Lasarte JJ, Zanetti FA, Candolfi M. Targeting FOXP3 Tumor-Intrinsic Effects Using Adenoviral Vectors in Experimental Breast Cancer. Viruses 2023; 15:1813. [PMID: 37766222 PMCID: PMC10537292 DOI: 10.3390/v15091813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The regulatory T cell master transcription factor, Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), has been detected in cancer cells; however, its role in breast tumor pathogenesis remains controversial. Here we assessed Foxp3 tumor intrinsic effects in experimental breast cancer using a Foxp3 binder peptide (P60) that impairs Foxp3 nuclear translocation. Cisplatin upregulated Foxp3 expression in HER2+ and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Foxp3 inhibition with P60 enhanced chemosensitivity and reduced cell survival and migration in human and murine breast tumor cells. We also developed an adenoviral vector encoding P60 (Ad.P60) that efficiently transduced breast tumor cells, reduced cell viability and migration, and improved the cytotoxic response to cisplatin. Conditioned medium from transduced breast tumor cells contained lower levels of IL-10 and improved the activation of splenic lymphocytes. Intratumoral administration of Ad.P60 in breast-tumor-bearing mice significantly reduced tumor infiltration of Tregs, delayed tumor growth, and inhibited the development of spontaneous lung metastases. Our results suggest that Foxp3 exerts protumoral intrinsic effects in breast cancer cells and that gene-therapy-mediated blockade of Foxp3 could constitute a therapeutic strategy to improve the response of these tumors to standard treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro J. Nicola Candia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121A6B, Argentina; (A.J.N.C.); (A.S.)
| | - Matías Garcia Fallit
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121A6B, Argentina; (A.J.N.C.); (A.S.)
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121A6B, Argentina
| | - Jorge A. Peña Agudelo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121A6B, Argentina; (A.J.N.C.); (A.S.)
| | - Melanie Pérez Küper
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121A6B, Argentina; (A.J.N.C.); (A.S.)
| | - Nazareno Gonzalez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121A6B, Argentina; (A.J.N.C.); (A.S.)
| | - Mariela A. Moreno Ayala
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121A6B, Argentina; (A.J.N.C.); (A.S.)
| | - Emilio De Simone
- Cátedra de Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1428BFA, Argentina
| | - Carla Giampaoli
- Cátedra de Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1428BFA, Argentina
| | - Noelia Casares
- Program Immunology and Immunotherapy, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA, CUN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (N.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Adriana Seilicovich
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121A6B, Argentina; (A.J.N.C.); (A.S.)
| | - Juan José Lasarte
- Program Immunology and Immunotherapy, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA, CUN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (N.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Flavia A. Zanetti
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología “Dr. Cesar Milstein”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Saladillo C1440FFX, Buenos Aires, Argentina;
| | - Marianela Candolfi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121A6B, Argentina; (A.J.N.C.); (A.S.)
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10
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Fujie R, Kurowarabe K, Yamada Y, Fujiwara K, Nakatani H, Tsutsumi K, Hayashi R, Kawahata H, Miyamoto M, Ozawa M, Katakai T, Takahama Y, Ohigashi I, Hayasaka H. Endogenous CCL21-Ser deficiency reduces B16-F10 melanoma growth by enhanced antitumor immunity. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19215. [PMID: 37664721 PMCID: PMC10469598 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19215] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The chemokine CCL21 regulates immune and cancer cell migration through its receptor CCR7. The Ccl21a gene encodes the isoform CCL21-Ser, predominantly expressed in the thymic medulla and the secondary lymphoid tissues. This study examined the roles of CCL21-Ser in the antitumor immune response in Ccl21a-knockout (KO) mice. The Ccl21a-KO mice showed significantly decreased growth of B16-F10 and YUMM1.7 melanomas and increased growth of MC38 colon cancer, despite no significant difference in LLC lung cancer and EO771 breast cancer. The B16-F10 tumor in Ccl21a-KO mice showed melanoma-specific activated CD8+ T cell and NK cell infiltration and higher Treg counts than wild-type mice. B16-F10 tumors in Ccl21a-KO mice showed a reduction in the positive correlation between the ratio of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to activated CD8+ T cells and tumor weight. In Ccl21a-KO tumor, the intratumoral Tregs showed lower co-inhibitory receptors TIM-3 and TIGIT. Taken together, these results suggest that endogenous CCL21-Ser supports melanoma growth in vivo by maintaining Treg function and suppressing antitumor immunity by CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryonosuke Fujie
- Department of Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1, Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Kaoru Kurowarabe
- Department of Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1, Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Yuki Yamada
- Faculty of Science & Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1, Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Kakeru Fujiwara
- Department of Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1, Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Hayato Nakatani
- Faculty of Science & Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1, Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Kenta Tsutsumi
- Faculty of Science & Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1, Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Ryota Hayashi
- Department of Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1, Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Hinami Kawahata
- Faculty of Science & Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1, Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Megumi Miyamoto
- Department of Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1, Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Madoka Ozawa
- Department of Immunology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Tomoya Katakai
- Department of Immunology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Haruko Hayasaka
- Department of Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1, Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
- Faculty of Science & Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1, Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
- Research Institute for Science and Technology, Kindai University, 3-4-1, Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
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11
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Ibrahim YS, Amin AH, Jawhar ZH, Alghamdi MA, Al-Awsi GRL, Shbeer AM, Al-Ghamdi HS, Gabr GA, Ramírez-Coronel AA, Almulla AF. "To be or not to Be": Regulatory T cells in melanoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 118:110093. [PMID: 37023699 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
In spite of progresses in the therapy of different malignancies, melanoma still remains as one of lethal types of skin tumor. Melanoma is almost easily treatable by surgery alone with higher overall survival rates when it is diagnosed at early stages. However, survival rates are decreased remarkably upon survival if the tumor is progressed to advanced metastatic stages. Immunotherapeutics have been prosperous in the development of anti-tumor responses in patients with melanoma through promotion of the tumor-specific effector T cells in vivo; nonetheless, suitable clinical outcomes have not been satisfactory. One of the underlying causes of the unfavorable clinical outcomes might stem from adverse effects of regulatory T (Treg) cell, which is a prominent mechanism of tumor cells to escape from tumor-specific immune responses. Evidence shows that a poor prognosis and low survival rate in patients with melanoma can be attributed to a higher Treg cell number and function in these subjects. As a result, to promote melanoma-specific anti-tumor responses, depletion of Treg cells appears to be a promising approach; even though the clinical efficacy of different approaches to attain appropriate Treg cell depletion has been inconsistent. Here in this review, the main purpose is to assess the role of Treg cells in the initiation and perpetuation of melanoma and to discuss effective strategies for Treg cell modulation with the aim of melanoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousif Saleh Ibrahim
- Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques, Al-maarif University College, Ramadi, Al-Anbar, Iraq
| | - Ali H Amin
- Deanship of Scientific Research, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia; Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Zanko Hassan Jawhar
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Lebanese French University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq; Clinical Biochemistry Department, College of Health Sciences, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Mohammad A Alghamdi
- Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Albaha University, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Abdullah M Shbeer
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hasan S Al-Ghamdi
- Internal Medicine Department, Division of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Albaha University, Albaha City, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gamal A Gabr
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia; Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI), Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Andrés Alexis Ramírez-Coronel
- Catholic University of Cuenca, Azogues Campus, Ecuador; University of Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina; National University of Education, Azogues, Ecuador; CES University, Colombia
| | - Abbas F Almulla
- Medical Laboratory Technology Department, College of Medical Technology, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
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12
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Starska-Kowarska K. The Role of Different Immunocompetent Cell Populations in the Pathogenesis of Head and Neck Cancer-Regulatory Mechanisms of Pro- and Anti-Cancer Activity and Their Impact on Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1642. [PMID: 36980527 PMCID: PMC10046400 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061642] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most aggressive and heterogeneous groups of human neoplasms. HNSCC is characterized by high morbidity, accounting for 3% of all cancers, and high mortality with ~1.5% of all cancer deaths. It was the most common cancer worldwide in 2020, according to the latest GLOBOCAN data, representing the seventh most prevalent human malignancy. Despite great advances in surgical techniques and the application of modern combinations and cytotoxic therapies, HNSCC remains a leading cause of death worldwide with a low overall survival rate not exceeding 40-60% of the patient population. The most common causes of death in patients are its frequent nodal metastases and local neoplastic recurrences, as well as the relatively low response to treatment and severe drug resistance. Much evidence suggests that the tumour microenvironment (TME), tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and circulating various subpopulations of immunocompetent cells, such regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Tregs), cytotoxic CD3+CD8+ T cells (CTLs) and CD3+CD4+ T helper type 1/2/9/17 (Th1/Th2/Th9/Th17) lymphocytes, T follicular helper cells (Tfh) and CD56dim/CD16bright activated natural killer cells (NK), carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumour-associated neutrophils (N1/N2 TANs), as well as tumour-associated macrophages (M1/M2 phenotype TAMs) can affect initiation, progression and spread of HNSCC and determine the response to immunotherapy. Rapid advances in the field of immuno-oncology and the constantly growing knowledge of the immunosuppressive mechanisms and effects of tumour cancer have allowed for the use of effective and personalized immunotherapy as a first-line therapeutic procedure or an essential component of a combination therapy for primary, relapsed and metastatic HNSCC. This review presents the latest reports and molecular studies regarding the anti-tumour role of selected subpopulations of immunocompetent cells in the pathogenesis of HNSCC, including HPV+ve (HPV+) and HPV-ve (HPV-) tumours. The article focuses on the crucial regulatory mechanisms of pro- and anti-tumour activity, key genetic or epigenetic changes that favour tumour immune escape, and the strategies that the tumour employs to avoid recognition by immunocompetent cells, as well as resistance mechanisms to T and NK cell-based immunotherapy in HNSCC. The present review also provides an overview of the pre- and clinical early trials (I/II phase) and phase-III clinical trials published in this arena, which highlight the unprecedented effectiveness and limitations of immunotherapy in HNSCC, and the emerging issues facing the field of HNSCC immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Starska-Kowarska
- Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical Physiology, Medical University of Lodz, Żeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland; ; Tel.: +48-604-541-412
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, EnelMed Center Expert, Drewnowska 58, 91-001 Lodz, Poland
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13
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Chen FY, Geng CA, Chou CK, Zheng JB, Yang Y, Wang YF, Li TZ, Li P, Chen JJ, Chen X. Distepharinamide, a novel dimeric proaporphine alkaloid from Diploclisia glaucescens, inhibits the differentiation and proliferative expansion of CD4 +Foxp3 + regulatory T cells. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 107:154482. [PMID: 36202057 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) represent the primary cellular mechanism of tumor immune evasion. Elimination of Treg activity by the pharmacological agent may enhance anti-tumor immune responses. However, Treg-eliminating agents, especially those with small molecules, are rarely reported. PURPOSE To identify small molecule inhibitors of Treg cells from natural products. METHODS Compounds from Diploclisia glaucescens were isolated by column chromatography, and structures were identified by spectroscopic evidence and quantum calculations. The tet-On system for Foxp3-GFP expression in Jurkat T cells was generated to screen Treg inhibitors based on Foxp3 expression. The effect of the compound on TNF-induced proliferative expansion of naturally occurring Tregs (nTregs) and TGF-β-induced generation of Tregs (iTregs) from naive CD4+ Tcells was further examined. RESULTS A novel dimeric proaporphine alkaloid, designated as distepharinamide (DSA) with a symmetric structure isolated from the stems of D. glaucescens, restrained the doxycycline (Doxy)-induced Foxp3-tGFP expression, decreased the half-life of Foxp3 mRNA as well as reduced the mRNA levels of chemokine receptors (CCR4, CCR8 and CCR10) in Jurkat T cells with inducible Foxp3-tGFP expression. In lymphocytes or purified Tregs from wild-type C57BL/6 mice or from C57BL/6-Tg(Foxp3-DTR/EGFP)23.2Spar/Mmjax mice, DSA markedly inhibited TNF-induced proliferative expansion of Tregs present in the unfractionated CD4+ T cells, accompanied by the down-regulation of TNFR2, CD25 and CTLA4 expression on Tregs. Furthermore, DSA potently inhibited TGF-β-induced differentiation of Foxp3-expressing iTregs. Importantly, the expression of Foxp3 mRNA by both nTregs and iTregs was decreased by DSA treatment. Nevertheless, DSA at the same concentrations did not inhibit the proliferation of conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells stimulated by anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies. CONCLUSION DSA, a novel dimeric proaporphine alkaloid, potently inhibited the expansion of nTregs and generation of iTregs. Therefore, DSA or its analogs may merit further investigation as novel immunotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Yang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Science, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Chang-An Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Chon-Kit Chou
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Science, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Jing-Bin Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Science, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Science, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Yi-Fei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Science, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Tian-Ze Li
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Science, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Ji-Jun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Science, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China.
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14
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Shan F, Somasundaram A, Bruno TC, Workman CJ, Vignali DAA. Therapeutic targeting of regulatory T cells in cancer. Trends Cancer 2022; 8:944-961. [PMID: 35853825 PMCID: PMC9588644 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The success of immunotherapy in oncology underscores the vital role of the immune system in cancer development. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) maintain a fine balance between autoimmunity and immune suppression. They have multiple roles in the tumor microenvironment (TME) but act particularly in suppressing T cell activation. This review focuses on the detrimental and sometimes beneficial roles of Tregs in tumors, our current understanding of recruitment and stabilization of Tregs within the TME, and current Treg-targeted therapeutics. Research identifying subpopulations of Tregs and their respective functions and interactions within the complex networks of the TME will be crucial to develop the next generation of immunotherapies. Through these advances, Treg-targeted immunotherapy could have important implications for the future of oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Shan
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Ashwin Somasundaram
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Tullia C Bruno
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA; Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Creg J Workman
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Dario A A Vignali
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA; Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA.
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15
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Zhou X, Ni Y, Liang X, Lin Y, An B, He X, Zhao X. Mechanisms of tumor resistance to immune checkpoint blockade and combination strategies to overcome resistance. Front Immunol 2022; 13:915094. [PMID: 36189283 PMCID: PMC9520263 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.915094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has rapidly transformed the treatment paradigm for various cancer types. Multiple single or combinations of ICB treatments have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, providing more options for patients with advanced cancer. However, most patients could not benefit from these immunotherapies due to primary and acquired drug resistance. Thus, a better understanding of the mechanisms of ICB resistance is urgently needed to improve clinical outcomes. Here, we focused on the changes in the biological functions of CD8+ T cells to elucidate the underlying resistance mechanisms of ICB therapies and summarized the advanced coping strategies to increase ICB efficacy. Combinational ICB approaches and individualized immunotherapies require further in-depth investigation to facilitate longer-lasting efficacy and a more excellent safety of ICB in a broader range of patients.
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16
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Regulatory T Cell Depletion Using a CRISPR Fc-Optimized CD25 Antibody. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158707. [PMID: 35955841 PMCID: PMC9369266 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are major drivers behind immunosuppressive mechanisms and present a major hurdle for cancer therapy. Tregs are characterized by a high expression of CD25, which is a potentially valuable target for Treg depletion to alleviate immune suppression. The preclinical anti-CD25 (αCD25) antibody, clone PC-61, has met with modest anti-tumor activity due to its capacity to clear Tregs from the circulation and lymph nodes, but not those that reside in the tumor. The optimization of the Fc domain of this antibody clone has been shown to enhance the intratumoral Treg depletion capacity. Here, we generated a stable cell line that produced optimized recombinant Treg-depleting antibodies. A genome engineering strategy in which CRISPR-Cas9 was combined with homology-directed repair (CRISPR-HDR) was utilized to optimize the Fc domain of the hybridoma PC-61 for effector functions by switching it from its original rat IgG1 to a mouse IgG2a isotype. In a syngeneic tumor mouse model, the resulting αCD25-m2a (mouse IgG2a isotype) antibody mediated the effective depletion of tumor-resident Tregs, leading to a high effector T cell (Teff) to Treg ratio. Moreover, a combination of αCD25-m2a and an αPD-L1 treatment augmented tumor eradication in mice, demonstrating the potential for αCD25 as a cancer immunotherapy.
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17
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Insights into the therapeutic potential of histone deacetylase inhibitor/immunotherapy combination regimens in solid tumors. CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF SPANISH ONCOLOGY SOCIETIES AND OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE OF MEXICO 2022; 24:1262-1273. [PMID: 35066777 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-022-02779-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Solid tumors including skin, lung, breast, colon, and prostate cancers comprise the most diagnosed cancers worldwide. Treatment of such cancers is still challenging specially in the advanced/metastatic setting. The growing understanding of the tumor microenvironment has revolutionized the cancer therapy paradigms. Targeting programmed death-1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 immune checkpoint has been extensively studied over this decade as a new trend in the management of hard-to-treat cancers by harnessing the power of the immune system to eradicate the tumors. Yet, low response rate and resistance were observed when immunotherapies were tested as monotherapy. This urged the need to develop combinatorial regimens of immunotherapy with other immune modulatory agents to enhance its therapeutic potential and help in reverting the resistance. Epigenetic modifiers such as histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) showed favorable effects on modulating the tumor microenvironment along with the host immune cells. This qualified HDACIs as an attractive candidate class to be tested in combination with immunotherapy. In this review we cover the ongoing clinical trials that investigate the safety and/or the efficacy of HDACI/immunotherapy combinations in solid tumors including skin cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and recapitulates areas for future research.
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18
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Xin C, Huang B, Chen M, Yan H, Zhu K, Chen L, Jiang C, Zhang J, Wu Y. Construction and validation of an immune-related LncRNA prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma. Cytokine 2022; 156:155923. [PMID: 35667281 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.155923] [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: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Herein, based on mRNA data from TCGA database, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples were subjected to a single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA). Then, HCC samples were finally classified into high-, middle-, and low-immunity groups using K-means consensus clustering (K = 3) according to ssGSEA scores. After the tumor microenvironment of HCC patients was further analyzed using ESTIMATE algorithm, the results indicated high immune score, stromal score, ESTIMATE score and low tumor purity in high-immunity group. HLA family genes and PD-L1(CD274) were remarkably highly expressed in high-immunity group. Immune-related lncRNAs were required by analyzing differentially expressed genes in high- and low-immunity groups. Differential expression analysis was undertaken on HCC samples, with normal samples as the control. After immune-related lncRNAs and differentially expressed lncRNAs were intersected, 321 differentially expressed immune-related lncRNAs were acquired. Later, the prognostic model based on immune-related lncRNAs was obtained following the Cox regression analysis of previous samples. According to the riskScore, the samples in TCGA-LIHC were divided into high- and low-risk groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, ROC curve, and independence analysis confirmed that the immune-related lncRNAs prognostic model was an important factor independent from clinical characteristics. We further analyzed the difference in immune microenvironment and mutational landscapes in both risk groups. Prominent differences were shown in multiple immunity-related gene sets and immune cells in both groups. The mutation rate of TP53 in high-risk group was much higher than the low-risk one. All these conclusions offered references to prognostic evaluations and personalized treatments for patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Xin
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic General Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315000, China.
| | - Bin Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic General Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315000, China
| | - Mingliang Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic General Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315000, China
| | - Huanjun Yan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic General Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315000, China
| | - Kelei Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic General Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315000, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic General Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315000, China
| | - Cunbing Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic General Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315000, China
| | - Jianlei Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic General Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315000, China
| | - Yifeng Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic General Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315000, China
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19
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Immunosuppressive cells in cancer: mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:61. [PMID: 35585567 PMCID: PMC9118588 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01282-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 77.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies like the adoptive transfer of gene-engineered T cells and immune checkpoint inhibitors are novel therapeutic modalities for advanced cancers. However, some patients are refractory or resistant to these therapies, and the mechanisms underlying tumor immune resistance have not been fully elucidated. Immunosuppressive cells such as myeloid-derived suppressive cells, tumor-associated macrophages, tumor-associated neutrophils, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and tumor-associated dendritic cells are critical factors correlated with immune resistance. In addition, cytokines and factors secreted by tumor cells or these immunosuppressive cells also mediate the tumor progression and immune escape of cancers. Thus, targeting these immunosuppressive cells and the related signals is the promising therapy to improve the efficacy of immunotherapies and reverse the immune resistance. However, even with certain success in preclinical studies or in some specific types of cancer, large perspectives are unknown for these immunosuppressive cells, and the related therapies have undesirable outcomes for clinical patients. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the phenotype, function, and potential therapeutic targets of these immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment.
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20
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Propper DJ, Balkwill FR. Harnessing cytokines and chemokines for cancer therapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:237-253. [PMID: 34997230 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00588-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 320] [Impact Index Per Article: 160.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
During the past 40 years, cytokines and cytokine receptors have been extensively investigated as either cancer targets or cancer treatments. A strong preclinical rationale supports therapeutic strategies to enhance the growth inhibitory and immunostimulatory effects of interferons and interleukins, including IL-2, IL-7, IL-12 and IL-15, or to inhibit the inflammatory and tumour-promoting actions of cytokines such as TNF, IL-1β and IL-6. This rationale is underscored by the discovery of altered and dysregulated cytokine expression in all human cancers. These findings prompted clinical trials of several cytokines or cytokine antagonists, revealing relevant biological activity but limited therapeutic efficacy. However, most trials involved patients with advanced-stage disease, which might not be the optimal setting for cytokine-based therapy. The advent of more effective immunotherapies and an increased understanding of the tumour microenvironment have presented new approaches to harnessing cytokine networks in the treatment of cancer, which include using cytokine-based therapies to enhance the activity or alleviate the immune-related toxicities of other treatments as well as to target early stage cancers. Many challenges remain, especially concerning delivery methods, context dependencies, and the pleiotropic, redundant and often conflicting actions of many cytokines. Herein, we discuss the lessons learnt from the initial trials of single-agent cytokine-based therapies and subsequent efforts to better exploit such agents for the treatment of solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Propper
- Centre for the Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Frances R Balkwill
- Centre for the Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
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21
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Gao R, Shi GP, Wang J. Functional Diversities of Regulatory T Cells in the Context of Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:833667. [PMID: 35371055 PMCID: PMC8969660 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.833667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a subset of CD4+ T cells with their immunosuppressive activities to block abnormal or excessive immune responses to self and non-autoantigens. Tregs express the transcription factor Foxp3, maintain the immune homeostasis, and prevent the initiation of anti-tumor immune effects in various ways as their mechanisms to modulate tumor development. Recognition of different phenotypes and functions of intratumoral Tregs has offered the possibilities to develop therapeutic strategies by selectively targeting Tregs in cancers with the aim of alleviating their immunosuppressive activities from anti-tumor immune responses. Several Treg-based immunotherapeutic approaches have emerged to target cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4, glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor, CD25, indoleamine-2, 3-dioxygenase-1, and cytokines. These immunotherapies have yielded encouraging outcomes from preclinical studies and early-phase clinical trials. Further, dual therapy or combined therapy has been approved to be better choices than single immunotherapy, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. In this short review article, we discuss our current understanding of the immunologic characteristics of Tregs, including Treg differentiation, development, therapeutic efficacy, and future potential of Treg-related therapies among the general cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Pathophysiology, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Guo-Ping Shi
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Pathophysiology, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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22
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Chen BJ, Zhao JW, Zhang DH, Zheng AH, Wu GQ. Immunotherapy of Cancer by Targeting Regulatory T cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 104:108469. [PMID: 35008005 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells maintain immune homeostasis by inhibiting abnormal/overactive immune responses to both autogenic and nonautogenic antigens. Treg cells play an important role in immune tolerance, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, organ transplantation, and tumor diseases. Treg cells have two functional characteristics: T cell anergy and immunosuppression. Treg cells remain immune unresponsive to high concentrations of interleukin-2 and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies. In addition, the activation of Treg cells after TCR-mediated signal stimulation inhibits the activation and proliferation of effector T cells. In the process of tumor development, Treg cells accumulate locally in the tumor and lead to tumor escape by inducing anergy and immunosuppression. It is believed that targeted elimination of Treg cells can activate tumor-specific effector T cells and improve the efficiency of cancer immunotherapy. Therefore, inhibition/clearance of Treg cells is a promising strategy for enhancing antitumor immunity. Here, we review studies of cancer immunotherapies targeting Treg cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Jin Chen
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing-Wen Zhao
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Da-Hong Zhang
- Department of Urology Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ai-Hong Zheng
- Department of Oncology Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Guo-Qing Wu
- Department of Oncology Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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23
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Zhulai G, Oleinik E. Targeting regulatory T cells in anti-PD-1/PD-L1 cancer immunotherapy. Scand J Immunol 2021; 95:e13129. [PMID: 34936125 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The programmed death (PD)-1/PD-ligand (PD-L) pathway and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for the maintenance of immune tolerance. Their activation in the tumor microenvironment contributes to the evasion of the transformed cells from the immune surveillance and the suppression of an antitumor immune response. Therefore, PD-1/PD-L1 and Tregs are important targets for cancer immunotherapy. Our review focuses on the current role of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in Treg development and function in the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss combination therapy with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and Treg-modulating agents affecting the adenosinergic pathway, TGF-β signaling, immune checkpoints, and other approaches to downregulation of Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina Zhulai
- Institute of Biology, Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Petrozavodsk, Russian Federation
| | - Eugenia Oleinik
- Institute of Biology, Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Petrozavodsk, Russian Federation
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24
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Haddadi MH, Negahdari B. Clinical and diagnostic potential of regulatory T cell markers: From bench to bedside. Transpl Immunol 2021; 70:101518. [PMID: 34922022 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2021.101518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are heterogeneous immune cell populations residing in the thymus and peripheral lymphatic tissues. This immune cell plays a central and critical role in maintaining immune tolerance against undesirable immune responses. Treg cells' phenotypic heterogeneity caused by different pathological conditions makes their identification and differentiation from non-suppressive T cells difficult. On the other hand, using nonspecific markers and variable isolation panels leads to undesirable outcomes. There are a variety of markers to identify functional Treg cells, including CD25, FOXP3, and CTLA-4, as well as the epigenetic signature of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), which can be used for both natural and induced Treg cells. Phenotypic heterogeneity is a major concern in Treg purification when using nonspecific markers, which can be addressed by utilizing suitable isolation panels designed for different purposes. This review presents a clinical framework for Treg detection and isolation, focusing on Treg markers such as CD25, FOXP3, CTLA-4, CD127, GPA-33, and TSDR demethylation to design Treg isolation panels suitable for different Treg therapy purposes. The current review also highlights new reliable Treg markers applicable for different purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Babak Negahdari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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25
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Maeda Y, Wada H, Sugiyama D, Saito T, Irie T, Itahashi K, Minoura K, Suzuki S, Kojima T, Kakimi K, Nakajima J, Funakoshi T, Iida S, Oka M, Shimamura T, Doi T, Doki Y, Nakayama E, Ueda R, Nishikawa H. Depletion of central memory CD8 + T cells might impede the antitumor therapeutic effect of Mogamulizumab. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7280. [PMID: 34907192 PMCID: PMC8671535 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are important negative regulators of immune homeostasis, but in cancers they tone down the anti-tumor immune response. They are distinguished by high expression levels of the chemokine receptor CCR4, hence their targeting by the anti-CCR4 monoclonal antibody mogamulizumab holds therapeutic promise. Here we show that despite a significant reduction in peripheral effector Treg cells, clinical responses are minimal in a cohort of patients with advanced CCR4-negative solid cancer in a phase Ib study (NCT01929486). Comprehensive immune-monitoring reveals that the abundance of CCR4-expressing central memory CD8+ T cells that are known to play roles in the antitumor immune response is reduced. In long survivors, characterised by lower CCR4 expression in their central memory CD8+ T cells possessed and/or NK cells with an exhausted phenotype, cell numbers are eventually maintained. Our study thus shows that mogamulizumab doses that are currently administered to patients in clinical studies may not differentiate between targeting effector Treg cells and central memory CD8+ T cells, and dosage refinement might be necessary to avoid depletion of effector components during immune therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Female
- Humans
- Immunotherapy
- Killer Cells, Natural/drug effects
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Male
- Memory T Cells/drug effects
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Receptors, CCR4/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, CCR4/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- Treatment Outcome
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Grants
- Research Activity Start-up grant no. 15H06878, for Young Scientists (B) grant no. 17K15738 from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.the Projects for Cancer Research by Therapeutic Evolution [P-CREATE, no. 17cm0106322h0002]
- Scientific Research (B) grant no. 19H03729 from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.
- the Development of Technology for Patient Stratification Biomarker Discovery grant [no.19ae0101074s0401] from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (S) grant no. 17H06162, for Challenging Exploratory Research grant no. 16K15551, from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan; the Projects for Cancer Research by Therapeutic Evolution [P-CREATE, no. 16cm0106301h0001, the Development of Technology for Patient Stratification Biomarker Discovery grant [no.19ae0101074s0401] from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), the National Cancer Center Research and Development Fund [no. 28-A-7 and 31-A-7]
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Maeda
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Tokyo, 104-0045/Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
| | - Hisashi Wada
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Daisuke Sugiyama
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Takuro Saito
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Takuma Irie
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Tokyo, 104-0045/Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
| | - Kota Itahashi
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Tokyo, 104-0045/Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
| | - Kodai Minoura
- Department of Systems Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Susumu Suzuki
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan
| | - Takashi Kojima
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kakimi
- Department of Immunotherapeutics, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Jun Nakajima
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Takeru Funakoshi
- Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Iida
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya City University Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Mikio Oka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama 701-0192, Japan
| | - Teppei Shimamura
- Department of Systems Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Doi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Doki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Eiichi Nakayama
- Faculty of Health and Welfare, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Ryuzo Ueda
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan.
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Tokyo, 104-0045/Chiba, 277-8577, Japan.
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
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26
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Nava S, Lisini D, Frigerio S, Bersano A. Dendritic Cells and Cancer Immunotherapy: The Adjuvant Effect. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212339. [PMID: 34830221 PMCID: PMC8620771 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are immune specialized cells playing a critical role in promoting immune response against antigens, and may represent important targets for therapeutic interventions in cancer. DCs can be stimulated ex vivo with pro-inflammatory molecules and loaded with tumor-specific antigen(s). Protocols describing the specific details of DCs vaccination manufacturing vary widely, but regardless of the employed protocol, the DCs vaccination safety and its ability to induce antitumor responses is clearly established. Many years of studies have focused on the ability of DCs to provide overall survival benefits at least for a selection of cancer patients. Lessons learned from early trials lead to the hypothesis that, to improve the efficacy of DCs-based immunotherapy, this should be combined with other treatments. Thus, the vaccine’s ultimate role may lie in the combinatorial approaches of DCs-based immunotherapy with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, more than in monotherapy. In this review, we address some key questions regarding the integration of DCs vaccination with multimodality therapy approaches for cancer treatment paradigms.
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27
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Kos K, de Visser KE. The Multifaceted Role of Regulatory T Cells in Breast Cancer. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CANCER BIOLOGY-SERIES 2021; 5:291-310. [PMID: 34632244 PMCID: PMC7611782 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cancerbio-042920-104912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The microenvironment of breast cancer hosts a dynamic cross talk between diverse players of the immune system. While cytotoxic immune cells are equipped to control tumor growth and metastasis, tumor-corrupted immunosuppressive immune cells strive to impair effective immunity and promote tumor progression. Of these, regulatory T cells (Tregs), the gatekeepers of immune homeostasis, emerge as multifaceted players involved in breast cancer. Intriguingly, clinical observations suggest that blood and intratumoral Tregs can have strong prognostic value, dictated by breast cancer subtype. Accordingly, emerging preclinical evidence shows that Tregs occupy a central role in breast cancer initiation and progression and provide critical support to metastasis formation. Here, Tregs are not only important for immune escape but also promote tumor progression independent of their immune regulatory capacity. Combining insights into Treg biology with advances made across the rapidly growing field of immuno-oncology is expected to set the stage for the design of more effective immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Kos
- Division of Tumor Biology and Immunology, Oncode Institute, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karin E de Visser
- Division of Tumor Biology and Immunology, Oncode Institute, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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28
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Dahlhoff J, Manz H, Steinfatt T, Delgado-Tascon J, Seebacher E, Schneider T, Wilnit A, Mokhtari Z, Tabares P, Böckle D, Rasche L, Martin Kortüm K, Lutz MB, Einsele H, Brandl A, Beilhack A. Transient regulatory T-cell targeting triggers immune control of multiple myeloma and prevents disease progression. Leukemia 2021; 36:790-800. [PMID: 34584204 PMCID: PMC8885410 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01422-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma remains a largely incurable disease of clonally expanding malignant plasma cells. The bone marrow microenvironment harbors treatment-resistant myeloma cells, which eventually lead to disease relapse in patients. In the bone marrow, CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are highly abundant amongst CD4+ T cells providing an immune protective niche for different long-living cell populations, e.g., hematopoietic stem cells. Here, we addressed the functional role of Tregs in multiple myeloma dissemination to bone marrow compartments and disease progression. To investigate the immune regulation of multiple myeloma, we utilized syngeneic immunocompetent murine multiple myeloma models in two different genetic backgrounds. Analyzing the spatial immune architecture of multiple myeloma revealed that the bone marrow Tregs accumulated in the vicinity of malignant plasma cells and displayed an activated phenotype. In vivo Treg depletion prevented multiple myeloma dissemination in both models. Importantly, short-term in vivo depletion of Tregs in mice with established multiple myeloma evoked a potent CD8 T cell- and NK cell-mediated immune response resulting in complete and stable remission. Conclusively, this preclinical in-vivo study suggests that Tregs are an attractive target for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Dahlhoff
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Center for Interdisciplinary Clinical Research, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Graduate School of Life Sciences, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hannah Manz
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Center for Interdisciplinary Clinical Research, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Graduate School of Life Sciences, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tim Steinfatt
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Center for Interdisciplinary Clinical Research, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Graduate School of Life Sciences, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Julia Delgado-Tascon
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Center for Interdisciplinary Clinical Research, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Elena Seebacher
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Center for Interdisciplinary Clinical Research, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Theresa Schneider
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Center for Interdisciplinary Clinical Research, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Amy Wilnit
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Center for Interdisciplinary Clinical Research, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Zeinab Mokhtari
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Center for Interdisciplinary Clinical Research, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Paula Tabares
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Center for Interdisciplinary Clinical Research, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - David Böckle
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Leo Rasche
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - K Martin Kortüm
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Manfred B Lutz
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, Würzburg University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Brandl
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Center for Interdisciplinary Clinical Research, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Beilhack
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. .,Center for Interdisciplinary Clinical Research, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. .,Graduate School of Life Sciences, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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29
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Hatzioannou A, Boumpas A, Papadopoulou M, Papafragkos I, Varveri A, Alissafi T, Verginis P. Regulatory T Cells in Autoimmunity and Cancer: A Duplicitous Lifestyle. Front Immunol 2021; 12:731947. [PMID: 34539668 PMCID: PMC8446642 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.731947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells, possess a strategic role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis, and their function has been closely linked to development of diverse pathologies including autoimmunity and cancer. Comprehensive studies in various disease contexts revealed an increased plasticity as a characteristic of Treg cells. Although Treg cell plasticity comes in various flavors, the major categories enclose the loss of Foxp3 expression, which is the master regulator of Treg cell lineage, giving rise to “ex-Treg” cells and the “fragile” Treg cells in which FOXP3 expression is retained but accompanied by the engagement of an inflammatory program and attenuation of the suppressive activity. Treg cell plasticity possess a tremendous therapeutic potential either by inducing Treg cell de-stabilization to promote anti-tumor immunity, or re-enforcing Treg cell stability to attenuate chronic inflammation. Herein, we review the literature on the Treg cell plasticity with lessons learned in autoimmunity and cancer and discuss challenges and open questions with potential therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Hatzioannou
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Athina Boumpas
- Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery & Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Miranta Papadopoulou
- Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery & Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Iosif Papafragkos
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece.,Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Tolerance, Division of Basic Sciences, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Athina Varveri
- Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery & Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Themis Alissafi
- Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery & Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Panayotis Verginis
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery & Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece.,Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Tolerance, Division of Basic Sciences, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
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30
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Satoh K, Kobayashi Y, Fujimaki K, Hayashi S, Ishida S, Sugiyama D, Sato T, Lim K, Miyamoto M, Kozuma S, Kadokura M, Wakita K, Hata M, Hirahara K, Amano M, Watanabe I, Okamoto A, Tuettenberg A, Jonuleit H, Tanemura A, Maruyama S, Agatsuma T, Wada T, Nishikawa H. Novel anti-GARP antibody DS-1055a augments anti-tumor immunity by depleting highly suppressive GARP+ regulatory T cells. Int Immunol 2021; 33:435-446. [PMID: 34235533 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxab027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells, which are essential for maintaining self-tolerance, inhibit anti-tumor immunity, consequently hindering protective cancer immunosurveillance, and hampering effective anti-tumor immune responses in tumor-bearing hosts. Here, we show that depletion of Treg cells via targeting glycoprotein A repetitions predominant (GARP) induces effective anti-tumor immune responses. GARP was specifically expressed by highly suppressive Treg cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of multiple cancer types in humans. In the periphery, GARP was selectively induced in Treg cells, but not in effector T cells, by polyclonal stimulation. DS-1055a, a novel afucosylated anti-human GARP monoclonal antibody, efficiently depleted GARP+ Treg cells, leading to the activation of effector T cells. Moreover, DS-1055a decreased FoxP3+CD4+ T cells in the TME and exhibited remarkable anti-tumor activity in humanized mice bearing HT-29 tumors. We propose that DS-1055a is a new Treg-cell-targeted cancer immunotherapy agent with augmentation of anti-tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Satoh
- Early Clinical Development Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Yoichi Kobayashi
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.,Department of Nephrology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Kaori Fujimaki
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Shinko Hayashi
- Oncology Research Laboratories I, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Saori Ishida
- Oncology Research Laboratories I, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sugiyama
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Takahiko Sato
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Kyungtaek Lim
- Translational Research Department, Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co., Ltd., Tokyo 134-8630, Japan
| | - Megumi Miyamoto
- Oncology Research Laboratories I, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Shiho Kozuma
- Translational Science Department I, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Michinori Kadokura
- Modality Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Kenichi Wakita
- Translational Science Department I, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Masato Hata
- Oncology Research Laboratories I, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Kazuki Hirahara
- Biologics Planning Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Gunma 370-0503, Japan
| | - Masato Amano
- Modality Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Ichiro Watanabe
- Biological Research Department, Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co., Ltd., Tokyo 134-8630, Japan
| | - Atsushi Okamoto
- Translational Research Department, Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co., Ltd., Tokyo 134-8630, Japan
| | - Andrea Tuettenberg
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz 55131, Germany
| | - Helmut Jonuleit
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz 55131, Germany
| | - Atsushi Tanemura
- Department of Dermatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shoichi Maruyama
- Department of Nephrology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Toshinori Agatsuma
- Oncology Research Laboratories I, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Teiji Wada
- Oncology Research Laboratories I, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.,Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
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31
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Regulatory T cells and vaccine effectiveness in older adults. Challenges and prospects. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 96:107761. [PMID: 34162139 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery of lymphocytes with immunosuppressive activity, increasing interest has arisen in their possible influence on the immune response induced by vaccines. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for maintaining peripheral tolerance, preventing autoimmune diseases, and limiting chronic inflammatory diseases. However, they also limit beneficial immune responses by suppressing anti-infectious and anti-tumor immunity. Mounting evidence suggests that Tregs are involved, at least in part, in the low effectiveness of immunization against various diseases where it has been difficult to obtain protective vaccines. Interestingly, increased activity of Tregs is associated with aging, suggesting a key role for these cells in the lower vaccine effectiveness observed in older people. In this review, we analyze the impact of Tregs on vaccination, with a focus on older adults. Finally, we address an overview of current strategies for Tregs modulation with potential application to improve the effectiveness of future vaccines targeting older populations.
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32
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Overview of Cellular Immunotherapies within Transfusion Medicine for the Treatment of Malignant Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105120. [PMID: 34066067 PMCID: PMC8151282 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the years, transfusion medicine has developed into a broad, multidisciplinary field that covers different clinical patient services such as apheresis technology and the development of stem cell transplantation. Recently, the discipline has found a niche in development and production of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) for immunotherapy and regenerative medicine purposes. In clinical trials, cell-based immunotherapies have shown encouraging results in the treatment of multiple cancers and autoimmune diseases. However, there are many parameters such as safety, a high level of specificity, and long-lasting efficacy that still need to be optimized to maximize the potential of cell-based immunotherapies. Thus, only a few have gained FDA approval, while the majority of them are studied in the context of investigator-initiated trials (IITs), where modern, academically oriented transfusion centers can play an important role. In this review, we summarize existing and contemporary cellular immunotherapies, which are already a part of modern transfusion medicine or are likely to become so in the future.
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33
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Glasner A, Plitas G. Tumor resident regulatory T cells. Semin Immunol 2021; 52:101476. [PMID: 33906820 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2021.101476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The immune system mediates powerful effector mechanisms to protect against a diversity of pathogens and equally as important regulatory functions, to limit collateral damage of inflammation, prevent misguided immune responses to "self", and promote tissue repair. Inadequate regulatory control can lead to a variety of inflammatory disorders including autoimmunity, metabolic syndrome, allergies, and progression of malignancies. Cancers evolve complex mechanisms to thwart immune eradication including coopting normal host regulatory processes. This is most evident in the analysis of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), where a preponderance of immunosuppressive immune cells, such as regulatory T (Treg) cells are found. Treg cells express the X-chromosome linked transcription factor Foxp3 and play a crucial role in maintaining immune homeostasis by suppressing inflammatory responses in diverse biological settings. Treg cells in the tumor microenvironment promote tumor development and progression by dampening anti-tumor immune responses, directly supporting the survival of transformed cells through elaboration of growth factors, and interacting with accessory cells in tumors such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Current insights into the phenotype and function of tumor associated Treg cells have opened up opportunities for their selective targeting in cancer with the goal of alleviating their suppression of anti-tumor immune responses while maintaining overall immune homeostasis. Here, we review Treg cell biology in the context of the tumor microenvironment (TME), and the important role they play in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariella Glasner
- Immunology Program and Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - George Plitas
- Immunology Program and Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA; Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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34
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Compared with traditional cancer treatment methods, tumor-targeted immunotherapy can combine targeted therapy and immunotherapy with long-lasting responses to achieve synergistic therapy, which brings hope to the complete cure of cancer. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the newest and most up-to-date advances in tumor-targeted immunotherapy, including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) targeted immunotherapy, regulatory T (Treg) cells targeted immunotherapy, tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs) targeted immunotherapy and immune checkpoints targeted immunotherapy. EXPERT OPINION Immunotherapy can restore anti-tumor immunity in the tumor microenvironment and produce a lasting immune surveillance effect. Smart multifunctional nano delivery system can effectively combine targeted therapy with immunotherapy, which has attracted extensive attention. With the deepening of research, more and more tumor-targeted immunotherapy enter into the clinical trial phases, especially antibodies and inhibitors. Tumor-targeted immunotherapy is a promising approach for conquering cancer and bringing hope for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuelin Fang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Aihua Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Lei Ye
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Guangxi Zhai
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
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35
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Chen Q, Sun T, Jiang C. Recent Advancements in Nanomedicine for 'Cold' Tumor Immunotherapy. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2021; 13:92. [PMID: 34138315 PMCID: PMC8006526 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-021-00622-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Although current anticancer immunotherapies using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been reported with a high clinical success rate, numerous patients still bear 'cold' tumors with insufficient T cell infiltration and low immunogenicity, responding poorly to ICI therapy. Considering the advancements in precision medicine, in-depth mechanism studies on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) among cold tumors are required to improve the treatment for these patients. Nanomedicine has emerged as a promising drug delivery system in anticancer immunotherapy, activates immune function, modulates the TIME, and has been applied in combination with other anticancer therapeutic strategies. This review initially summarizes the mechanisms underlying immunosuppressive TIME in cold tumors and addresses the recent advancements in nanotechnology for cold TIME reversal-based therapies, as well as a brief talk about the feasibility of clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinjun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Ministry of Education), State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Pharmaceutics, and School of Pharmacy, Research Center on Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Sun
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Ministry of Education), State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Pharmaceutics, and School of Pharmacy, Research Center on Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Ministry of Education), State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Pharmaceutics, and School of Pharmacy, Research Center on Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
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36
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Metabolic profiles of regulatory T cells in the tumour microenvironment. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:2417-2427. [DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02881-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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37
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Wimmers F, Aarntzen EH, Schreibelt G, Jacobs JF, Ja Punt C, Figdor CG, de Vries IJM. Early predictive value of multifunctional skin-infiltrating lymphocytes in anticancer immunotherapy. Oncoimmunology 2021; 3:e27219. [PMID: 24653961 PMCID: PMC3960298 DOI: 10.4161/onci.27219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioassays that predict clinical outcome are essential to optimize cellular anticancer immunotherapy. We have recently developed a robust and simple skin test to evaluate the capacity of tumor-specific T cells to migrate, recognize their targets and exert effector functions. This bioassay detects T cells with an elevated antineoplastic potential and hence rapidly identifies patients responding to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Wimmers
- Department of Tumor Immunology; Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Hjg Aarntzen
- Department of Medical Oncology; Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerty Schreibelt
- Department of Tumor Immunology; Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Joannes Fm Jacobs
- Department of Laboratory Medicine; Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis Ja Punt
- Department of Medical Oncology; Academic Medical Center; University of Amsterdam; Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carl G Figdor
- Department of Tumor Immunology; Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - I Jolanda M de Vries
- Department of Tumor Immunology; Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands ; Department of Medical Oncology; Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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38
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Dey Sarkar R, Sinha S, Biswas N. Manipulation of Inflammasome: A Promising Approach Towards Immunotherapy of Lung Cancer. Int Rev Immunol 2021; 40:171-182. [PMID: 33508984 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2021.1876044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation has emerged as a key player at different stages of cancer development. A prominent signaling pathway for acute and chronic inflammation is the activation of the caspase-1 inflammasomes. These are complexes that assemble on activation of certain nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat containing proteins (NLRs), AIM2-like receptors (ALRs), or pyrin due to activation via PAMPs or DAMPs. Of these, five complexes-NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, Pyrin, and AIM2 are of importance in the context of cancer for their activities in modulating immune responses, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Inflammasomes have emerged as clinically relevant in multiple forms of cancer making them highly promising targets for cancer therapy. As lungs are a tissue niche that is prone to inflammation owing to its exposure to external substances, inflammasomes play a vital role in the development and pathogenesis of lung cancer. Therefore, manipulation of inflammasome by various immunomodulatory means could prove a full-proof strategy for the treatment of lung cancer. Here, in this review, we tried to explore the various strategies to target the inflammasomes for the treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupak Dey Sarkar
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, India
| | - Samraj Sinha
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, India
| | - Nabendu Biswas
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, India
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39
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Koukourakis MI, Giatromanolaki A. Lymphopenia and intratumoral lymphocytic balance in the era of cancer immuno-radiotherapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 159:103226. [PMID: 33482348 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The immune response has been recognized as a major tumor-eradication component of radiotherapy. OBJECTIVE This review studies, under a clinical perspective, two contrasting effects of radiotherapy, namely immunosuppression and radiovaccination. MATERIALS AND METHODS We critically reviewed the available clinical and experimental experience on radiotherapy-induced lymphopenia. RESULTS Radiation-induced tumor damage promotes radio-vaccination, enhances cytotoxic immune responses, and potentiates immunotherapy. Nevertheless, radiotherapy induces systemic and intratumoral lymphopenia. The above effects are directly related to radiotherapy fractionation and field size/location, and tumor characteristics. DISCUSSION Hypofractionated stereotactic and accelerated irradiation better promotes radio-vaccination and produces less severe lymphopenia. Adopting cytoprotective policies and combining lympho-stimulatory agents or agents blocking regulatory lymphocyte activity are awaited to unmask the radio-vaccination effect, enhancing the efficacy immuno-radiotherapy. CONCLUSION Radiation-induced lymphopenia and immunosuppression are important issues that should be considered in the design of immuno-radiotherapy clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael I Koukourakis
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece.
| | - Alexandra Giatromanolaki
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece
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40
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Bayati F, Mohammadi M, Valadi M, Jamshidi S, Foma AM, Sharif-Paghaleh E. The Therapeutic Potential of Regulatory T Cells: Challenges and Opportunities. Front Immunol 2021; 11:585819. [PMID: 33519807 PMCID: PMC7844143 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.585819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are an immunosuppressive subgroup of CD4+ T cells which are identified by the expression of forkhead box protein P3 (Foxp3). The modulation capacity of these immune cells holds an important role in both transplantation and the development of autoimmune diseases. These cells are the main mediators of self-tolerance and are essential for avoiding excessive immune reactions. Tregs play a key role in the induction of peripheral tolerance that can prevent autoimmunity, by protecting self-reactive lymphocytes from the immune reaction. In contrast to autoimmune responses, tumor cells exploit Tregs in order to prevent immune cell recognition and anti-tumor immune response during the carcinogenesis process. Recently, numerous studies have focused on unraveling the biological functions and principles of Tregs and their primary suppressive mechanisms. Due to the promising and outstanding results, Tregs have been widely investigated as an alternative tool in preventing graft rejection and treating autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, targeting Tregs for the purpose of improving cancer immunotherapy is being intensively evaluated as a desirable and effective method. The purpose of this review is to point out the characteristic function and therapeutic potential of Tregs in regulatory immune mechanisms in transplantation tolerance, autoimmune diseases, cancer therapy, and also to discuss that how the manipulation of these mechanisms may increase the therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Bayati
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Research & Development Department, Aryogen Pharmed, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mahsa Mohammadi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Valadi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeid Jamshidi
- Research & Development Department, Aryogen Pharmed, Karaj, Iran
| | - Arron Munggela Foma
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Sharif-Paghaleh
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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41
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42
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Economopoulou P, Kotsantis I, Psyrri A. Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy Response in Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3377. [PMID: 33203092 PMCID: PMC7696050 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) encompasses cellular and non-cellular components which play an important role in tumor evolution, invasion, and metastasis. A complicated interplay between tumor cells and adjacent TME cells, such as stromal cells, immune cells, inflammatory cells, and cytokines, leads to severe immunosuppression and the proliferation of cancer cells in several solid tumors. An immunosuppressive TME has a significant impact on treatment resistance and may guide response to immunotherapy. In head and neck cancer (HNC), immunotherapeutic drugs have been incorporated in everyday clinical practice. However, despite an exceptional rate of durable responses, only a low percentage of patients respond. In this review, we will focus on the complex interactions occurring in this dynamic system, the TME, which orchestrate key events that lead to tumor progression, immune escape, and resistance. Furthermore, we will summarize current clinical trials that depict the TME as a potential therapeutic target for improved patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amanda Psyrri
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece; (P.E.); (I.K.)
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43
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Bashaw AA, Zhou C, Yu M, Tolley L, Leggatt GR, Frazer IH, Chandra J. Regulatory T Cells but Not IL-10 Impair Cell-Mediated Immunity in Human Papillomavirus E7+ Hyperplastic Epithelium. J Invest Dermatol 2020; 141:1264-1273.e3. [PMID: 33129828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
High-risk human papillomavirus infection can induce cervical and other intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive cancers. A transgenic mouse expressing keratin 14 promotor-driven HPV16 E7 oncoprotein exhibits epithelial hyperplasia and mimics many features of human papillomavirus-related intraepithelial precancers. We have previously demonstrated that HPV16 E7-mediated epithelial hyperplasia suppresses T helper type 1 responses to intradermally delivered antigen and directs differentiation of CD4+ T cells towards a Foxp3+ regulatory phenotype (Treg). Here we establish that Foxp3+ Treg expansion from a transferred naive T-cell population is driven directly by the hyperplastic skin and is independent of pre-existing immune-modulated lymphocytes. However, depletion of endogenous CD25+ Tregs before priming of adoptively transferred T cells significantly improves antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell responses but not T helper type 1 responses. Deletion of IL-10 had no effect on Treg expansion, epidermal dendritic cell alteration, and suppression of induced T helper type 1 immunity in HPV16 E7-driven hyperplastic mice. Thus, HPV16 E7-mediated epithelial hyperplasia promotes expansion of peripheral Tregs in response to intradermal immunization that suppress antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell responses independently of IL-10, but depletion of these Tregs is not sufficient to restore T helper type 1 immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abate Assefa Bashaw
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Chenhao Zhou
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Meihua Yu
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Lynn Tolley
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Graham R Leggatt
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Ian H Frazer
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Janin Chandra
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Australia.
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44
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Zeng G, Jin L, Ying Q, Chen H, Thembinkosi MC, Yang C, Zhao J, Ji H, Lin S, Peng R, Zhang M, Sun D. Regulatory T Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy: Basic Research Outcomes and Clinical Directions. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:10411-10421. [PMID: 33116895 PMCID: PMC7586057 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s265828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a promising approach that has recently gained its importance in treating cancer. Despite various approaches of immunotherapies being used to target cancer cells, they are either not effective against all types of cancer or for all patients. Although efforts are being made to improve the cancer immunotherapy in all possible ways, one important hindrance that lowers the immune response to kill cancer cells is the infiltration of Regulatory T (Treg) cells into the tumor cells, favoring tumor progression, on one hand, and inhibiting the activation of T cells to respond to cancer cells, on the other hand. Therefore, new anti-cancer drugs and vaccines fail to show promising results against cancer. This is due to the infiltration of Treg cells into the tumor region and suppression of anti-cancer activity. Thus, regardless of various types of immunotherapies being practiced, understanding the mechanisms of how Treg cells favor tumor progression and inhibition of anti-cancer activity is worthwhile. Therefore, the review highlights the importance of Tregs cells and how depletion of Treg cells can pave the way to an effective immunotherapy by activating the immune responses against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoming Zeng
- Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China.,China Metallurgical Construction Engineering Group Co., Ltd., Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Libo Jin
- Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, People's Republic of China.,Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province & Engineering Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Pharmaceutical Development of Growth Factors, Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinsi Ying
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, People's Republic of China
| | - Haojie Chen
- Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Chunguang Yang
- Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinlong Zhao
- Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Ji
- Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, People's Republic of China
| | - Sue Lin
- Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, People's Republic of China
| | - Renyi Peng
- Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, People's Republic of China
| | - Maolan Zhang
- Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, People's Republic of China
| | - Da Sun
- Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, People's Republic of China
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45
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Fantini MC, Favale A, Onali S, Facciotti F. Tumor Infiltrating Regulatory T Cells in Sporadic and Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer: The Red Little Riding Hood and the Wolf. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6744. [PMID: 32937953 PMCID: PMC7555219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells represent a class of specialized T lymphocytes that suppress unwanted immune responses and size the activation of the immune system whereby limiting collateral damages in tissues involved by inflammation. In cancer, the accumulation of Tregs is generally associated with poor prognosis. Many lines of evidence indicate that Tregs accumulation in the tumor microenvironment (TME) suppresses the immune response against tumor-associated antigens (TAA), thus promoting tumor progression in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSLC), breast carcinoma and melanoma. In colorectal cancer (CRC) the effect of Tregs accumulation is debated. Some reports describe the association of high number of Tregs in CRC stroma with a better prognosis while others failed to find any association. These discordant results stem from the heterogeneity of the immune environment generated in CRC in which anticancer immune response may coexists with tumor promoting inflammation. Moreover, different subsets of Tregs have been identified that may exert different effects on cancer progression depending on tumor stage and their location within the tumor mass. Finally, Tregs phenotypic plasticity may be induced by cytokines released in the TME by dysplastic and other tumor-infiltrating cells thus affecting their functional role in the tumor. Here, we reviewed the recent literature about the role of Tregs in CRC and in colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC), where inflammation is the main driver of tumor initiation and progression. We tried to explain when and how Tregs can be considered to be the "good" or the "bad" in the colon carcinogenesis process on the basis of the available data concluding that the final effect of Tregs on sporadic CRC and CAC depends on their localization within the tumor, the subtype of Tregs involved and their phenotypic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Claudio Fantini
- Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Agnese Favale
- Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Sara Onali
- CEMAD-IBD UNIT-Unità Operativa Complessa di Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Federica Facciotti
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20139 Milan, Italy;
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46
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Therapeutic Strategies for Overcoming Immunotherapy Resistance Mediated by Immunosuppressive Factors of the Glioblastoma Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071960. [PMID: 32707672 PMCID: PMC7409093 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Various mechanisms of treatment resistance have been reported for glioblastoma (GBM) and other tumors. Resistance to immunotherapy in GBM patients may be caused by acquisition of immunosuppressive ability by tumor cells and an altered tumor microenvironment. Although novel strategies using an immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), such as anti-programmed cell death-1 antibody, have been clinically proven to be effective in many types of malignant tumors, such strategies may be insufficient to prevent regrowth in recurrent GBM. The main cause of GBM recurrence may be the existence of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment involving immunosuppressive cytokines, extracellular vesicles, chemokines produced by glioma and glioma-initiating cells, immunosuppressive cells, etc. Among these, recent research has paid attention to various immunosuppressive cells—including M2-type macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells—that cause immunosuppression in GBM microenvironments. Here, we review the epidemiological features, tumor immune microenvironment, and associations between the expression of immune checkpoint molecules and the prognosis of GBM. We also reviewed various ongoing or future immunotherapies for GBM. Various strategies, such as a combination of ICI therapies, might overcome these immunosuppressive mechanisms in the GBM microenvironment.
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47
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Zamarin D, Hamid O, Nayak-Kapoor A, Sahebjam S, Sznol M, Collaku A, Fox FE, Marshall MA, Hong DS. Mogamulizumab in Combination with Durvalumab or Tremelimumab in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors: A Phase I Study. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:4531-4541. [PMID: 32586937 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-0328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The study goal was to determine safety, antitumor activity, and pharmacodynamic profile of mogamulizumab, an anti-C-C chemokine receptor 4 (anti-CCR4) mAb targeting effector regulatory T cells (eTreg), in combination with mAb checkpoint inhibitors durvalumab or tremelimumab. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a multicenter, phase I, dose escalation study, followed by disease-specific cohort expansion (NCT02301130). Mogamulizumab dose escalation proceeded with concurrent dose escalation of durvalumab or tremelimumab in patients with advanced solid tumors. Cohort expansion occurred with mogamulizumab 1 mg/kg plus durvalumab 10 mg/kg or tremelimumab 10 mg/kg in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. RESULTS Forty patients were enrolled during dose escalation, followed by 24 patients during dose expansion. No dose-limiting toxicities occurred during dose escalation. No new or unexpected toxicities were seen. Tolerability, the primary endpoint, was acceptable utilizing mogamulizumab 1 mg/kg plus durvalumab or tremelimumab 10 mg/kg in the combined dose escalation and dose expansion cohorts (each n = 19). At these doses, the objective response rate was 5.3% (95% confidence interval, 0.1%-26.0%; one partial response) with each combination treatment. At all doses, mogamulizumab treatment led to almost complete depletion of peripheral eTregs, as well as reduction of intratumoral Tregs in the majority of patients. There was no clear correlation of clinical response with peripheral or intratumoral reduction in CCR4+ eTregs or with baseline degree of CCR4+ expression. CONCLUSIONS Mogamulizumab in combination with durvalumab or tremelimumab did not result in potent antitumor efficacy in patients with advanced solid tumors. Tolerability of mogamulizumab 1 mg/kg combined with durvalumab or tremelimumab 10 mg/kg was acceptable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Omid Hamid
- The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Solmaz Sahebjam
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | | | - Agron Collaku
- Kyowa Kirin Pharmaceutical Development, Inc., Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Floyd E Fox
- Kyowa Kirin Pharmaceutical Development, Inc., Princeton, New Jersey
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48
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Cervantes-Villagrana RD, Albores-García D, Cervantes-Villagrana AR, García-Acevez SJ. Tumor-induced neurogenesis and immune evasion as targets of innovative anti-cancer therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:99. [PMID: 32555170 PMCID: PMC7303203 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-0205-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Normal cells are hijacked by cancer cells forming together heterogeneous tumor masses immersed in aberrant communication circuits that facilitate tumor growth and dissemination. Besides the well characterized angiogenic effect of some tumor-derived factors; others, such as BDNF, recruit peripheral nerves and leukocytes. The neurogenic switch, activated by tumor-derived neurotrophins and extracellular vesicles, attracts adjacent peripheral fibers (autonomic/sensorial) and neural progenitor cells. Strikingly, tumor-associated nerve fibers can guide cancer cell dissemination. Moreover, IL-1β, CCL2, PGE2, among other chemotactic factors, attract natural immunosuppressive cells, including T regulatory (Tregs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and M2 macrophages, to the tumor microenvironment. These leukocytes further exacerbate the aberrant communication circuit releasing factors with neurogenic effect. Furthermore, cancer cells directly evade immune surveillance and the antitumoral actions of natural killer cells by activating immunosuppressive mechanisms elicited by heterophilic complexes, joining cancer and immune cells, formed by PD-L1/PD1 and CD80/CTLA-4 plasma membrane proteins. Altogether, nervous and immune cells, together with fibroblasts, endothelial, and bone-marrow-derived cells, promote tumor growth and enhance the metastatic properties of cancer cells. Inspired by the demonstrated, but restricted, power of anti-angiogenic and immune cell-based therapies, preclinical studies are focusing on strategies aimed to inhibit tumor-induced neurogenesis. Here we discuss the potential of anti-neurogenesis and, considering the interplay between nervous and immune systems, we also focus on anti-immunosuppression-based therapies. Small molecules, antibodies and immune cells are being considered as therapeutic agents, aimed to prevent cancer cell communication with neurons and leukocytes, targeting chemotactic and neurotransmitter signaling pathways linked to perineural invasion and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Daniel Cervantes-Villagrana
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV-IPN), 07360, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Damaris Albores-García
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Florida International University (FIU), Miami, Florida, 33199, USA
| | - Alberto Rafael Cervantes-Villagrana
- Laboratorio de investigación en Terapéutica Experimental, Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químicas, Área de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas (UAZ), Zacatecas, México
| | - Sara Judit García-Acevez
- Dirección de Proyectos e Investigación, Grupo Diagnóstico Médico Proa, 06400 CDMX, Cuauhtémoc, México
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49
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van Willigen WW, Bloemendal M, Boers-Sonderen MJ, de Groot JWB, Koornstra RHT, van der Veldt AAM, Haanen JBAG, Boudewijns S, Schreibelt G, Gerritsen WR, de Vries IJM, Bol KF. Response and survival of metastatic melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibition for recurrent disease on adjuvant dendritic cell vaccination. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1738814. [PMID: 33457087 PMCID: PMC7790511 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1738814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination with autologous dendritic cells (DC) loaded ex vivo with melanoma-associated antigens is currently being tested as an adjuvant treatment modality for resected locoregional metastatic (stage III) melanoma. Based on its mechanism of action, DC vaccination might potentiate the clinical efficacy of concurrent or sequential immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of ICI administered following recurrent disease during, or after, adjuvant DC vaccination. To this end, we retrospectively analyzed clinical responses of 51 melanoma patients with either irresectable stage III or stage IV disease treated with first- or second-line ICI following recurrence on adjuvant DC vaccination. Patients were analyzed according to the form of ICI administered: PD-1 inhibition monotherapy (nivolumab or pembrolizumab), ipilimumab monotherapy or combined treatment with ipilimumab and nivolumab. Treatment with first- or second-line PD-1 inhibition monotherapy after recurrence on adjuvant DC vaccination resulted in a response rate of 52%. In patients treated with ipilimumab monotherapy and ipilimumab-nivolumab response rates were 35% and 75%, respectively. In conclusion, ICI is effective in melanoma patients with recurrent disease on adjuvant DC vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter W van Willigen
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Martine Bloemendal
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Rutger H T Koornstra
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Rijnstate, Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - Astrid A M van der Veldt
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John B A G Haanen
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Steve Boudewijns
- Department of Medical Oncology, Bravis Hospital, Roosendaal, The Netherlands
| | - Gerty Schreibelt
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - I Jolanda M de Vries
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kalijn F Bol
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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50
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Abstract
The immune system has evolved complex effector mechanisms to protect the host against a diversity of pathogenic organisms and regulatory adaptations that can curtail pathological sequelae of inflammatory events, prevent autoimmunity, and assist in tissue repair. Cancers, by virtue of their local manifestations of tissue dysfunction and destruction, inflammation, and genomic instability, can evoke these protective mechanisms, which support the progression of tumors and prevent their immune eradication. Central to these processes is a subset of CD4+ T cells, known as regulatory T (Treg) cells, that express the X chromosome–linked transcription factor FOXP3. In addition to their critical role in controlling autoimmunity and suppressing inflammatory responses in diverse biological settings, Treg cells are ubiquitously present in the tumor microenvironment where they promote tumor development and progression by dampening antitumor immune responses. Furthermore, Treg cells can directly support the survival of transformed cells through the elaboration of growth factors and interacting with accessory cells in tumors such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Current insights into the biology of tumor-associated Treg cells have opened up opportunities for their selective targeting in cancer, with the goal of alleviating their suppression of antitumor immune responses while maintaining overall immune homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Plitas
- Immunology Program and Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA;,
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alexander Y. Rudensky
- Immunology Program and Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA;,
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
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