1
|
Chan YT, Zhang C, Wu J, Lu P, Xu L, Yuan H, Feng Y, Chen ZS, Wang N. Biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic options in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:189. [PMID: 39242496 PMCID: PMC11378508 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02101-z] [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: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is a global health challenge, causing a significant social-economic burden. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant type of primary liver cancer, which is highly heterogeneous in terms of molecular and cellular signatures. Early-stage or small tumors are typically treated with surgery or ablation. Currently, chemotherapies and immunotherapies are the best treatments for unresectable tumors or advanced HCC. However, drug response and acquired resistance are not predictable with the existing systematic guidelines regarding mutation patterns and molecular biomarkers, resulting in sub-optimal treatment outcomes for many patients with atypical molecular profiles. With advanced technological platforms, valuable information such as tumor genetic alterations, epigenetic data, and tumor microenvironments can be obtained from liquid biopsy. The inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity of HCC are illustrated, and these collective data provide solid evidence in the decision-making process of treatment regimens. This article reviews the current understanding of HCC detection methods and aims to update the development of HCC surveillance using liquid biopsy. Recent critical findings on the molecular basis, epigenetic profiles, circulating tumor cells, circulating DNAs, and omics studies are elaborated for HCC diagnosis. Besides, biomarkers related to the choice of therapeutic options are discussed. Some notable recent clinical trials working on targeted therapies are also highlighted. Insights are provided to translate the knowledge into potential biomarkers for detection and diagnosis, prognosis, treatment response, and drug resistance indicators in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yau-Tuen Chan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Cheng Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Junyu Wu
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Pengde Lu
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Lin Xu
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Hongchao Yuan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Yibin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen S, Gong F, Liu S, Xie Y, Ye X, Lin X, Wang X, Zheng Q, Liu Q, Sun Y. IL-21- and CXCL9-engineered GPC3-specific CAR-T cells combined with PD-1 blockade enhance cytotoxic activities against hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:204. [PMID: 39196390 PMCID: PMC11358300 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-024-01473-2] [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: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The application of CAR-T cells in solid tumors poses several challenges, including poor T cell homing ability, limited infiltration of T cells and an immunosuppressive tumor environment. In this study, we developed a novel approach to address these obstacles by designing GPC3-specific CAR-T cell that co-express IL-21 and CXCL9 (21 × 9 GPC3 CAR-T cells) and blocking the PD-1 expression on it. The proliferation, cell phenotype, cytokine secretion and cell migration of indicated CAR-T cells were evaluated in vitro. The cytotoxic activities of genetically engineered CAR-T cells were accessed in vitro and in vivo. Compared to conventional GPC3 CAR-T cells, the 21 × 9 GPC3 CAR-T cells demonstrated superior proliferation, cytokine secretion and chemotaxis capabilities in vitro. Furthermore, when combined with PD-1 blockade, the 21 × 9 GPC3 CAR-T cells exhibited enhanced proliferation, cytokine secretion and enrichment of effector T cells such as CTL, NKT and TEM cells. In xenograft tumor models, the PD-1 blocked 21 × 9 GPC3 CAR-T cells effectively suppressed HCC xenograft growth and increased T cell infiltration. Overall, our study successfully generated GPC3 CAR-T cells expressing both IL-21 and CXCL9, demonstrated that combining PD-1 blockade can further enhance CAR-T cell function by promoting proliferation, cytokine secretion, chemotaxis and antitumor activity. These findings present a hopeful and potentially effective strategy for GPC3-positive HCC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Fusheng Gong
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Shijia Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Yunqing Xie
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Xingming Ye
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Xiaowei Lin
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Xiangru Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Qiuhong Zheng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
- Xiamen Humanity Hospital, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Qinying Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Yang Sun
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China.
- Department of Gynecology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li D, Zhang T, Guo Y, Bi C, Liu M, Wang G. Biological impact and therapeutic implication of tumor-associated macrophages in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:498. [PMID: 38997297 PMCID: PMC11245522 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06888-z] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is a complex space comprised of normal, cancer and immune cells. The macrophages are considered as the most abundant immune cells in tumor microenvironment and their function in tumorigenesis is interesting. Macrophages can be present as M1 and M2 polarization that show anti-cancer and oncogenic activities, respectively. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) mainly have M2 polarization and they increase tumorigenesis due to secretion of factors, cytokines and affecting molecular pathways. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among predominant tumors of liver that in spite of understanding its pathogenesis, the role of tumor microenvironment in its progression still requires more attention. The presence of TAMs in HCC causes an increase in growth and invasion of HCC cells and one of the reasons is induction of glycolysis that such metabolic reprogramming makes HCC distinct from normal cells and promotes its malignancy. Since M2 polarization of TAMs stimulates tumorigenesis in HCC, molecular networks regulating M2 to M1 conversion have been highlighted and moreover, drugs and compounds with the ability of targeting TAMs and suppressing their M2 phenotypes or at least their tumorigenesis activity have been utilized. TAMs increase aggressive behavior and biological functions of HCC cells that can result in development of therapy resistance. Macrophages can provide cell-cell communication in HCC by secreting exosomes having various types of biomolecules that transfer among cells and change their activity. Finally, non-coding RNA transcripts can mainly affect polarization of TAMs in HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deming Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, PR China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, PR China
| | - Ye Guo
- Department of Intervention, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, PR China
| | - Cong Bi
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, PR China.
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Oral Radiology, School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110002, PR China.
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Intervention, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Amorós-Pérez B, Rivas-Pardo B, Gómez del Moral M, Subiza JL, Martínez-Naves E. State of the Art in CAR-T Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors: Is There a Sweeter Future? Cells 2024; 13:725. [PMID: 38727261 PMCID: PMC11083689 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has proven to be a powerful treatment for hematological malignancies. The situation is very different in the case of solid tumors, for which no CAR-T-based therapy has yet been approved. There are many factors contributing to the absence of response in solid tumors to CAR-T cells, such as the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), T cell exhaustion, or the lack of suitable antigen targets, which should have a stable and specific expression on tumor cells. Strategies being developed to improve CAR-T-based therapy for solid tumors include the use of new-generation CARs such as TRUCKs or bi-specific CARs, the combination of CAR therapy with chemo- or radiotherapy, the use of checkpoint inhibitors, and the use of oncolytic viruses. Furthermore, despite the scarcity of targets, a growing number of phase I/II clinical trials are exploring new solid-tumor-associated antigens. Most of these antigens are of a protein nature; however, there is a clear potential in identifying carbohydrate-type antigens associated with tumors, or carbohydrate and proteoglycan antigens that emerge because of aberrant glycosylations occurring in the context of tumor transformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Amorós-Pérez
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ORL, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (B.A.-P.); (B.R.-P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
- Inmunotek S.L., 28805 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Benigno Rivas-Pardo
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ORL, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (B.A.-P.); (B.R.-P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Gómez del Moral
- Department of Cellular Biology, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Eduardo Martínez-Naves
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ORL, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (B.A.-P.); (B.R.-P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhou XQ, Li YP, Dang SS. Precision targeting in hepatocellular carcinoma: Exploring ligand-receptor mediated nanotherapy. World J Hepatol 2024; 16:164-176. [PMID: 38495282 PMCID: PMC10941735 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i2.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and poses a major challenge to global health due to its high morbidity and mortality. Conventional chemotherapy is usually targeted to patients with intermediate to advanced stages, but it is often ineffective and suffers from problems such as multidrug resistance, rapid drug clearance, nonspecific targeting, high side effects, and low drug accumulation in tumor cells. In response to these limitations, recent advances in nanoparticle-mediated targeted drug delivery technologies have emerged as breakthrough approaches for the treatment of HCC. This review focuses on recent advances in nanoparticle-based targeted drug delivery systems, with special attention to various receptors overexpressed on HCC cells. These receptors are key to enhancing the specificity and efficacy of nanoparticle delivery and represent a new paradigm for actively targeting and combating HCC. We comprehensively summarize the current understanding of these receptors, their role in nanoparticle targeting, and the impact of such targeted therapies on HCC. By gaining a deeper understanding of the receptor-mediated mechanisms of these innovative therapies, more effective and precise treatment of HCC can be achieved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xia-Qing Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Ya-Ping Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Shuang-Suo Dang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu J, Park K, Shen Z, Lee H, Geetha P, Pakyari M, Chai L. Immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and their cross talks in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1285370. [PMID: 38173713 PMCID: PMC10762788 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1285370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a challenging malignancy with limited treatment options beyond surgery and chemotherapy. Recent advancements in targeted therapies and immunotherapy, including PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies, have shown promise, but their efficacy has not met expectations. Biomarker testing and personalized medicine based on genetic mutations and other biomarkers represent the future direction for HCC treatment. To address these challenges and opportunities, this comprehensive review discusses the progress made in targeted therapies and immunotherapies for HCC, focusing on dissecting the rationales, opportunities, and challenges for combining these modalities. The liver's unique physiology and the presence of fibrosis in many HCC patients pose additional challenges to drug delivery and efficacy. Ongoing efforts in biomarker development and combination therapy design, especially in the context of immunotherapies, hold promise for improving outcomes in advanced HCC. Through exploring the advancements in biomarkers and targeted therapies, this review provides insights into the challenges and opportunities in the field and proposes strategies for rational combination therapy design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kevin Park
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Ziyang Shen
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hannah Lee
- University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| | | | - Mohammadreza Pakyari
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Li Chai
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu Q, Song Q, Luo C, Wei J, Xu Y, Zhao L, Wang Y. A novel bispecific antibody as an immunotherapeutic agent in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Immunol 2023; 162:125-132. [PMID: 37677989 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2023.08.007] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common and highly fatal malignancies in humans worldwide with increasing prevalence and limited therapeutic options. For many decades, many researchers have attempted to find effective curative methods for HCC and great strides have been made. GPC3 is overexpressed in HCC, but not in normal liver, making it a rational immunotherapeutic target for HCC. GC33, a humanized mAb directed against GPC3, is a safe and well-tolerated therapy choice for patients with HCC, which tested in a phase I trial in advanced HCC patients. Phase II trials of GC33 to evaluate its efficacy and safety in advanced or metastatic HCC, showed no significant differences in overall survival and progression-free survival compared with the placebo. Retrospective analysis indicates that high drug exposure and high CD16 expression may contribute to the clinical efficacy of GC33. Chugai Pharmaceutical has restarted its Phase I trial of GC33, continuing to explore its clinical value targeting GPC3 in solid tumors. To enhance the antitumor potency of GC33, we designed a GPC3/CD16A bispecific antibody (QDEB). In this study, we obtained QDEB at high purity and assessed its effectiveness in the therapy of HCC compared with GC33. In vitro cytotoxicity assays and in vivo experiments demonstrated that QDEB could enhance anti-tumor efficacy compared with GC33. CD16A activation and increased cytokines release were associated with higher anti-tumor activity. In conclusion, this bispecific antibody may possibly help develop new therapeutic strategies for HCC and develop new treatment options in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingxia Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, PR China; Sanhome R&D Centre, Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nanjing 221116, PR China
| | - Qifeng Song
- Sanhome R&D Centre, Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nanjing 221116, PR China
| | - Cheng Luo
- Sanhome R&D Centre, Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nanjing 221116, PR China
| | - Jian Wei
- Sanhome R&D Centre, Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nanjing 221116, PR China
| | - Yao Xu
- Sanhome R&D Centre, Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nanjing 221116, PR China
| | - Liwen Zhao
- Sanhome R&D Centre, Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nanjing 221116, PR China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, PR China; Sanhome R&D Centre, Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nanjing 221116, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ugonabo O, Udoh UAS, Rajan PK, Reeves H, Arcand C, Nakafuku Y, Joshi T, Finley R, Pierre SV, Sanabria JR. The Current Status of the Liver Liquid Biopsy in MASH Related HCC: Overview and Future Directions. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1369. [PMID: 37759769 PMCID: PMC10526956 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is one of the major risk factors for chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The incidence of MASH in Western countries continues to rise, driving HCC as the third cause of cancer-related death worldwide. HCC has become a major global health challenge, partly from the obesity epidemic promoting metabolic cellular disturbances but also from the paucity of biomarkers for its early detection. Over 50% of HCC cases are clinically present at a late stage, where curative measures are no longer beneficial. Currently, there is a paucity of both specific and sensitive biological markers for the early-stage detection of HCC. The search for biological markers in the diagnosis of early HCC in high-risk populations is intense. We described the potential role of surrogates for a liver biopsy in the screening and monitoring of patients at risk for nesting HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Onyinye Ugonabo
- Department of Medicine, Marshall University School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA; (O.U.); (T.J.)
| | - Utibe-Abasi Sunday Udoh
- Marshall Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Marshall University School of Medicine, Huntington, WV 25703, USA; (U.-A.S.U.); (P.K.R.); (Y.N.); (S.V.P.)
- Department of Surgery, Marshall University School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA; (H.R.); (C.A.); (R.F.)
| | - Pradeep Kumar Rajan
- Marshall Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Marshall University School of Medicine, Huntington, WV 25703, USA; (U.-A.S.U.); (P.K.R.); (Y.N.); (S.V.P.)
- Department of Surgery, Marshall University School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA; (H.R.); (C.A.); (R.F.)
| | - Heather Reeves
- Department of Surgery, Marshall University School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA; (H.R.); (C.A.); (R.F.)
| | - Christina Arcand
- Department of Surgery, Marshall University School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA; (H.R.); (C.A.); (R.F.)
| | - Yuto Nakafuku
- Marshall Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Marshall University School of Medicine, Huntington, WV 25703, USA; (U.-A.S.U.); (P.K.R.); (Y.N.); (S.V.P.)
- Department of Surgery, Marshall University School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA; (H.R.); (C.A.); (R.F.)
| | - Tejas Joshi
- Department of Medicine, Marshall University School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA; (O.U.); (T.J.)
| | - Rob Finley
- Department of Surgery, Marshall University School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA; (H.R.); (C.A.); (R.F.)
| | - Sandrine V. Pierre
- Marshall Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Marshall University School of Medicine, Huntington, WV 25703, USA; (U.-A.S.U.); (P.K.R.); (Y.N.); (S.V.P.)
| | - Juan Ramon Sanabria
- Marshall Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Marshall University School of Medicine, Huntington, WV 25703, USA; (U.-A.S.U.); (P.K.R.); (Y.N.); (S.V.P.)
- Department of Surgery, Marshall University School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA; (H.R.); (C.A.); (R.F.)
- Department of Nutrition and Metabolomic Core Facility, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Han Z, Dai H, Chen X, Gao L, Chen X, Yan C, Ye R, Li Y. Delta-radiomics models based on multi-phase contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging can preoperatively predict glypican-3-positive hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1138239. [PMID: 37601639 PMCID: PMC10435992 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1138239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the value of multi-phase contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) based on the delta radiomics model for identifying glypican-3 (GPC3)-positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: One hundred and twenty-six patients with pathologically confirmed HCC (training cohort: n = 88 and validation cohort: n = 38) were retrospectively recruited. Basic information was obtained from medical records. Preoperative multi-phase CE-MRI images were reviewed, and the 3D volumes of interest (VOIs) of the whole tumor were delineated on non-contrast T1-weighted imaging (T1), arterial phase (AP), portal venous phase (PVP), delayed phase (DP), and hepatobiliary phase (HBP). One hundred and seven original radiomics features were extracted from each phase, and delta-radiomics features were calculated. After a two-step feature selection strategy, radiomics models were built using two classification algorithms. A nomogram was constructed by combining the best radiomics model and clinical risk factors. Results: Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (p = 0.013) was significantly related to GPC3-positive HCC. The optimal radiomics model is composed of eight delta-radiomics features with the AUC of 0.805 and 0.857 in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The nomogram integrated the radiomics score, and AFP performed excellently (training cohort: AUC = 0.844 and validation cohort: AUC = 0.862). The calibration curve showed good agreement between the nomogram-predicted probabilities and GPC3 actual expression in both training and validation cohorts. Decision curve analysis further demonstrates the clinical practicality of the nomogram. Conclusion: Multi-phase CE-MRI based on the delta-radiomics model can non-invasively predict GPC3-positive HCC and can be a useful method for individualized diagnosis and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zewen Han
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- School of Medical Imaging, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hanting Dai
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- School of Medical Imaging, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Chen
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Lanmei Gao
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaojie Chen
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Chuan Yan
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Rongping Ye
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yueming Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology (Fujian Medical University), Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Labadie KP, Lehnert AL, Kenoyer AL, Hamlin DK, Ludwig AD, Utria AF, Daniel SK, Mihailovic TN, Prossnitz A, Orozco JJ, Li Y, Wilbur DS, Miyaoka RS, Park JO. Glypican-3 targeted positron emission tomography detects sub-centimeter tumors in a xenograft model of hepatocellular carcinoma. EJNMMI Res 2023; 13:35. [PMID: 37103671 PMCID: PMC10140215 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-023-00980-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early intrahepatic recurrence is common after surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Insensitive and nonspecific diagnostic imaging contributes to EIR and results in missed treatment opportunities. In addition, novel modalities are needed to identify targets amenable for targeted molecular therapy. In this study, we evaluated a zirconium-89 radiolabeled glypican-3 (GPC3) targeting antibody conjugate (89Zr-αGPC3) for use in positron emission tomography (PET) for detection of small, GPC3+ HCC in an orthotopic murine model. Athymic nu/J mice received hepG2, a GPC3+ human HCC cell line, into the hepatic subcapsular space. Tumor-bearing mice were imaged by PET/computerized tomography (CT) 4 days after tail vein injection of 89Zr-αGPC3. Livers were then excised for the tumors to be identified, measured, bisected, and then serially sectioned at 500 μm increments. Sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT for 89Zr-αGPC3-avid tumors were assessed using tumor confirmation on histologic sections as the gold standard. RESULTS In tumor-bearing mice, 89Zr-αGPC3 avidly accumulated in the tumor within four hours of injection with ongoing accumulation over time. There was minimal off-target deposition and rapid bloodstream clearance. Thirty-eight of 43 animals had an identifiable tumor on histologic analysis. 89Zr-αGPC3 immuno-PET detected all 38 histologically confirmed tumors with a sensitivity of 100%, with the smallest tumor detected measuring 330 μm in diameter. Tumor-to-liver ratios of 89Zr-αGPC3 uptake were high, creating excellent spatial resolution for ease of tumor detection on PET/CT. Two of five tumors that were observed on PET/CT were not identified on histologic analysis, yielding a specificity of 60%. CONCLUSIONS 89Zr-αGPC3 avidly accumulated in GPC3+ tumors with minimal off-target sequestration. 89Zr-αGPC3 immuno-PET yielded a sensitivity of 100% and detected sub-millimeter tumors. This technology may improve diagnostic sensitivity of small HCC and select GPC3+ tumors for targeted therapy. Human trials are warranted to assess its impact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin P Labadie
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Health Sciences Bldg. Room BB-442, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195-6410, USA
| | - Adrienne L Lehnert
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Aimee L Kenoyer
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, 100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Donald K Hamlin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 616 NE Northlake Pl., Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Andrew D Ludwig
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Health Sciences Bldg. Room BB-442, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195-6410, USA
| | - Alan F Utria
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Health Sciences Bldg. Room BB-442, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195-6410, USA
| | - Sara K Daniel
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Health Sciences Bldg. Room BB-442, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195-6410, USA
| | - Tara N Mihailovic
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Health Sciences Bldg. Room BB-442, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195-6410, USA
| | - Alexander Prossnitz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Johnnie J Orozco
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, 100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Yawen Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 616 NE Northlake Pl., Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - D Scott Wilbur
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 616 NE Northlake Pl., Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Robert S Miyaoka
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - James O Park
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Health Sciences Bldg. Room BB-442, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195-6410, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ozer M, Goksu SY, Akagunduz B, George A, Sahin I. Adoptive Cell Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Review of Clinical Trials. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061808. [PMID: 36980692 PMCID: PMC10046758 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become the new reference standard in first-line HCC treatment, replacing tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as sorafenib. Many clinical trials with different combinations are already in development to validate novel immunotherapies for the treatment of patients with HCC. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT), also known as cellular immunotherapy, with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) or gene-modified T cells expressing novel T cell receptors (TCR) may represent a promising alternative approach to modify the immune system to recognize tumor cells with better clinical outcomes. In this review, we briefly discuss the overview of ACT as a promising treatment modality in HCC, along with recent updates of ongoing clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammet Ozer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Suleyman Yasin Goksu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Baran Akagunduz
- Department of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Erzincan Binali Yildirim University, Erzincan 24100, Turkey
| | - Andrew George
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02915, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02915, USA
- Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02915, USA
| | - Ilyas Sahin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
- University of Florida Health Cancer Center, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-352-273-9873
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Yang H, Wang L. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans in cancer: Pathogenesis and therapeutic potential. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 157:251-291. [PMID: 36725112 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are glycoproteins that consist of a proteoglycan "core" protein and covalently attached heparan sulfate (HS) chain. HSPGs are ubiquitously expressed in mammalian cells on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and secretory vesicles. Within HSPGs, the protein cores determine when and where HSPG expression takes place, and the HS chains mediate most of HSPG's biological roles through binding various protein ligands, including cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and receptors, morphogens, proteases, protease inhibitors, and ECM proteins. Through these interactions, HSPGs modulate cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis to display essential functions in physiology and pathology. Under physiological conditions, the expression and localization of HSPGs are finely regulated to orchestrate their physiological functions, and this is disrupted in cancer. The HSPG dysregulation elicits multiple oncogenic signaling, including growth factor signaling, ECM and Integrin signaling, chemokine and immune signaling, cancer stem cell, cell differentiation, apoptosis, and senescence, to prompt cell transformation, proliferation, tumor invasion and metastasis, tumor angiogenesis and inflammation, and immunotolerance. These oncogenic roles make HSPGs an attractive pharmacological target for anti-cancer therapy. Several therapeutic strategies have been under development, including anti-HSPG antibodies, peptides and HS mimetics, synthetic xylosides, and heparinase inhibitors, and shown promising anti-cancer efficacy. Therefore, much progress has been made in this line of study. However, it needs to bear in mind that the roles of HSPGs in cancer can be either oncogenic or tumor-suppressive, depending on the HSPG and the cancer cell type with the underlying mechanisms that remain obscure. Further studies need to address these to fill the knowledge gap and rationalize more efficient therapeutic targeting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hua Yang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Lianchun Wang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States; Bryd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Li N, Dong T, Wang P, Li Q, Nie F. Predicting glypican-3 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma: A comprehensive analysis using combined contrast-enhanced ultrasound and clinical factors. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2023; 85:407-420. [PMID: 37638421 DOI: 10.3233/ch-231912] [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: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Glypican-3 (GPC3) has emerged as a significant marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has garnered considerable attention as an immunotherapeutic target. In this study, we propose a combination of preoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging features and clinical factors to predict the positive expression of GPC3 in HCC patients. METHODS We retrospectively included 30 cases of GPC3-negative HCC and 115 cases of GPC3-positive HCC patients who underwent conventional ultrasound and CEUS evaluation. We assessed and compared the clinical characteristics, conventional ultrasound features, and CEUS features between the two groups of HCC patients. Based on the clinical and ultrasound features between the two groups, we developed a binary logistic regression model for predicting GPC3-positive HCC. RESULTS A total of 145 HCC patients were included in this study. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that AFP > 20 ng/mL (OR = 4.047; 95% CI: 1.467-11.16; p = 0.007), arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) (OR = 12.557; 95% CI: 3.608-43.706; p < 0.001), and asynchronous perfusion (OR = 4.209; 95% CI: 1.206-14.691; p = 0.024) were predictive factors for GPC3-positive HCC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to predict GPC3-positive expression. The model combining the three independent predictive factors showed good predictive performance (AUC 0.817, 95% CI: 0.731-0.902, sensitivity: 91.3%, specificity: 60.0%). This combined model demonstrated excellent discriminatory ability to predict GPC3-positive HCC. CONCLUSION Preoperative integration of CEUS features and clinical factors can non-invasively and effectively identify GPC3-positive HCC patients, providing valuable assistance in making personalized treatment decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nana Li
- Ultrasound Medical Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Tiantian Dong
- Ultrasound Medical Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Peihua Wang
- Ultrasound Medical Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Qi Li
- Ultrasound Medical Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Fang Nie
- Ultrasound Medical Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Prognostic Role of Molecular and Imaging Biomarkers for Predicting Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment Efficacy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194647. [PMID: 36230569 PMCID: PMC9564154 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Molecular biomarkers play a marginal role in clinical practice for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis, surveillance and treatment monitoring. Radiological biomarker: alpha-fetoprotein is still a lone protagonist in this field. The potential role of molecular biomarkers in the assessment of prognosis and treatment results could reduce the health costs faced by standard radiology. The majority of efforts are oriented towards early HCC detection, but the field faces an important challenge to find adequate biomarkers for advanced HCC management. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide and the fourth cause of tumor-related death. Imaging biomarkers are based on computed tomography, magnetic resonance, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and are widely applied in HCC diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Unfortunately, in the field of molecular biomarkers, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is still the only recognized tool for HCC surveillance in both diagnostic and follow-up purposes. Other molecular biomarkers have little roles in clinical practice regarding HCC, mainly for the detection of early-stage HCC, monitoring the response to treatments and analyzing tumor prognosis. In the last decades no important improvements have been achieved in this field and imaging biomarkers maintain the primacy in HCC diagnosis and follow-up. Despite the still inconsistent role of molecular biomarkers in surveillance and early HCC detection, they could play an outstanding role in prognosis estimation and treatment monitoring with a potential reduction in health costs faced by standard radiology. An important challenge resides in identifying sufficiently sensitive and specific biomarkers for advanced HCC for prognostic evaluation and detection of tumor progression, overcoming imaging biomarker sensitivity. The aim of this review is to analyze the current molecular and imaging biomarkers in advanced HCC.
Collapse
|
15
|
Mossenta M, Busato D, Dal Bo M, Macor P, Toffoli G. Novel Nanotechnology Approaches to Overcome Drug Resistance in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Glypican 3 as a Useful Target for Innovative Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:10038. [PMID: 36077433 PMCID: PMC9456072 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most lethal tumor, with a 5-year survival rate of 18%. Early stage HCC is potentially treatable by therapies with curative intent, whereas chemoembolization/radioembolization and systemic therapies are the only therapeutic options for intermediate or advanced HCC. Drug resistance is a critical obstacle in the treatment of HCC that could be overcome by the use of targeted nanoparticle-based therapies directed towards specific tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) to improve drug delivery. Glypican 3 (GPC3) is a member of the glypican family, heparan sulfate proteoglycans bound to the cell surface via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. The high levels of GPC3 detected in HCC and the absence or very low levels in normal and non-malignant liver make GPC3 a promising TAA candidate for targeted nanoparticle-based therapies. The use of nanoparticles conjugated with anti-GPC3 agents may improve drug delivery, leading to a reduction in severe side effects caused by chemotherapy and increased drug release at the tumor site. In this review, we describe the main clinical features of HCC and the common treatment approaches. We propose the proteoglycan GPC3 as a useful TAA for targeted therapies. Finally, we describe nanotechnology approaches for anti-GPC3 drug delivery systems based on NPs for HCC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Mossenta
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Davide Busato
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Michele Dal Bo
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Paolo Macor
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Toffoli
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kines RC, Schiller JT. Harnessing Human Papillomavirus' Natural Tropism to Target Tumors. Viruses 2022; 14:1656. [PMID: 36016277 PMCID: PMC9413966 DOI: 10.3390/v14081656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are small non-enveloped DNA tumor viruses established as the primary etiological agent for the development of cervical cancer. Decades of research have elucidated HPV's primary attachment factor to be heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG). Importantly, wounding and exposure of the epithelial basement membrane was found to be pivotal for efficient attachment and infection of HPV in vivo. Sulfation patterns on HSPG's become modified at the site of wounds as they serve an important role promoting tissue healing, cell proliferation and neovascularization and it is these modifications recognized by HPV. Analogous HSPG modification patterns can be found on tumor cells as they too require the aforementioned processes to grow and metastasize. Although targeting tumor associated HSPG is not a novel concept, the use of HPV to target and treat tumors has only been realized in recent years. The work herein describes how decades of basic HPV research has culminated in the rational design of an HPV-based virus-like infrared light activated dye conjugate for the treatment of choroidal melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - John T. Schiller
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhang B, Li W, Fan D, Tian W, Zhou J, Ji Z, Song Y. Advances in the study of CD47-based bispecific antibody in cancer immunotherapy. Immunology 2022; 167:15-27. [PMID: 35575882 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor therapy has entered the era of immunotherapy. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb), immune checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T), cytokine-induced killer (CIK),tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and other cellular immunotherapies have become the focus of current research. The CD47/SIRPα target is becoming another popular tumor immunotherapy target following the PDCD1/CD247(PD1/PD-L1) checkpoint inhibitor. In recent years, a large number of CD47/SIRPα mAbs, fusion proteins, and CD47/SIRPα-based bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are undergoing preclinical and clinical trials and have good curative effects in the treatment of hematological tumors and solid tumors. They bring new vitality and hope for the treatment of patients with advanced tumors. This review summarizes the research progress of CD47/SIRPα-based BsAbs with different targets for tumor treatment. There are 12 and 9 BsAbs in clinical trials and pre-clinical research, respectively. We report on the mechanism of 15 BsAb molecules with different target and analyze the efficacy and safety of preclinical and clinical trials, discuss the issues that may be faced in the development of CD47-based BsAbs, and dual target molecules, and summarize their development prospects. This review provides a reference for the safety and effectiveness of BsAbs in clinical application and in the future development of antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Binglei Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Department of Hematology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Henan Academy of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Dandan Fan
- Henan Academy of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wenzhi Tian
- ImmuneOnco Biopharmaceuticals (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhenyu Ji
- Henan Academy of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yongping Song
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Department of Hematology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Dituri F, Gigante G, Scialpi R, Mancarella S, Fabregat I, Giannelli G. Proteoglycans in Cancer: Friends or Enemies? A Special Focus on Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081902. [PMID: 35454809 PMCID: PMC9024587 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Proteoglycans affect multiple molecular and cellular processes during the progression of solid tumors with a highly desmoplastic stroma, such as HCC. Due to their role in enhancing or limiting the traits of cancer cells underlying their aggressiveness, such as proliferation, angiogenesis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and stemness, these macromolecules could be exploited as molecular targets or therapeutic agents. Proteoglycans, such as biglycan, versican, syndecan-1, glypican-3, and agrin, promote HCC cell proliferation, EMT, and angiogenesis, while endostatin and proteoglycan 4 were shown to impair cancer neovascularization or to enhance the sensitivity of HCC cells to drugs, such as sorafenib and regorafenib. Based on this evidence, interventional strategies involving the use of humanized monoclonal antibodies, T cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors, or recombinant proteins mimicking potentially curative proteoglycans, are being employed or may be adopted in the near future for the treatment of HCC. Abstract Proteoglycans are a class of highly glycosylated proteins expressed in virtually all tissues, which are localized within membranes, but more often in the pericellular space and extracellular matrix (ECM), and are involved in tissue homeostasis and remodeling of the stromal microenvironment during physiological and pathological processes, such as tissue regeneration, angiogenesis, and cancer. In general, proteoglycans can perform signaling activities and influence a range of physical, chemical, and biological tissue properties, including the diffusivity of small electrolytes and nutrients and the bioavailability of growth factors. While the dysregulated expression of some proteoglycans is observed in many cancers, whether they act as supporters or limiters of neoplastic progression is still a matter of controversy, as the tumor promoting or suppressive function of some proteoglycans is context dependent. The participation of multiple proteoglycans in organ regeneration (as demonstrated for the liver in hepatectomy mouse models) and in cancer suggests that these molecules actively influence cell growth and motility, thus contributing to key events that characterize neoplastic progression. In this review, we outline the main roles of proteoglycans in the physiology and pathology of cancers, with a special mention to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), highlighting the translational potential of proteoglycans as targets or therapeutic agents for the treatment of this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Dituri
- National Institute of Gastroenterology Saverio de Bellis, IRCCS Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (G.G.); (R.S.); (S.M.); (G.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Gianluigi Gigante
- National Institute of Gastroenterology Saverio de Bellis, IRCCS Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (G.G.); (R.S.); (S.M.); (G.G.)
| | - Rosanna Scialpi
- National Institute of Gastroenterology Saverio de Bellis, IRCCS Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (G.G.); (R.S.); (S.M.); (G.G.)
| | - Serena Mancarella
- National Institute of Gastroenterology Saverio de Bellis, IRCCS Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (G.G.); (R.S.); (S.M.); (G.G.)
| | - Isabel Fabregat
- Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), CIBEREHD and University of Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology Saverio de Bellis, IRCCS Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (G.G.); (R.S.); (S.M.); (G.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zheng X, Liu X, Lei Y, Wang G, Liu M. Glypican-3: A Novel and Promising Target for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:824208. [PMID: 35251989 PMCID: PMC8889910 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.824208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a membrane-associated proteoglycan that is specifically up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) although rarely or not expressed in normal liver tissues, making it a perfect diagnostic and treatment target for HCC. Several GPC3-based clinical trials are ongoing and recently several innovative GPC3-targeted therapeutic methods have emerged with exciting results, including GPC3 vaccine, anti-GPC3 immunotoxin, combined therapy with immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs), and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T or NK cells. Here, we review the value of GPC3 in the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC, together with its signaling pathways, with a specific focus on GPC3-targeted treatments of HCC and some prospects for the future GPC3-based therapeutic strategies in HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiufeng Zheng
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xun Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanna Lei
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Gang Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Shao L, Yu X, Han Q, Zhang X, Lu N, Zhang C. Enhancing anti-tumor efficacy and immune memory by combining 3p-GPC-3 siRNA treatment with PD-1 blockade in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2010894. [PMID: 36524206 PMCID: PMC9746623 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.2010894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a high mortality rate and presents a major challenge for human health. Activation of multiple oncogenes has been reported to be strongly associated with the progression of HCC. Moreover, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and the host immune system are also implicated in the development of malignant HCC tumors. Glypican-3 (GPC-3), a proteoglycan involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis, is aberrantly expressed in HCC. We synthesized a short 5'-triphosphate (3p) RNA targeting GPC-3, 3p-GPC-3 siRNA, and found that it effectively inhibited subcutaneous HCC growth by raising type I IFN levels in tumor cells and serum and promoting tumor cell apoptosis. Moreover, 3p-GPC-3 siRNA was able to enhance the activation of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells while reducing the proportion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the TME. Most intriguingly, a blocking anti-PD-1 antibody improved the anti-tumor effect of 3p-GPC-3 siRNA, predominantly by activating the immune response, reversing immune exhaustion, and improving immune memory. Our study suggests that the combination of 3p-GPC-3 siRNA administration and PD-1 blockade may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liwei Shao
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China,College of Life Sciences, Ludong University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Qiuju Han
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xinke Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Nan Lu
- Institute of Diagnostics, School of Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Cai Zhang
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China,CONTACT Cai Zhang , Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Li D, Lin S, Hong J, Ho M. Immunotherapy for hepatobiliary cancers: Emerging targets and translational advances. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 156:415-449. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
22
|
Bakrania A, Zheng G, Bhat M. Nanomedicine in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A New Frontier in Targeted Cancer Treatment. Pharmaceutics 2021; 14:41. [PMID: 35056937 PMCID: PMC8779722 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14010041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death and is associated with a dismal median survival of 2-9 months. The fundamental limitations and ineffectiveness of current HCC treatments have led to the development of a vast range of nanotechnologies with the goal of improving the safety and efficacy of treatment for HCC. Although remarkable success has been achieved in nanomedicine research, there are unique considerations such as molecular heterogeneity and concomitant liver dysfunction that complicate the translation of nanotheranostics in HCC. This review highlights the progress, challenges, and targeting opportunities in HCC nanomedicine based on the growing literature in recent years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Bakrania
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada;
- Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2N2, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada;
| | - Gang Zheng
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada;
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Mamatha Bhat
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada;
- Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2N2, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Zhao J, Lin L, Luo Y, Cai Q, Jiang X, Liao C, Wei H. Optimization of GPC3-specific chimeric antigen receptor structure and its effect on killing hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Bioengineered 2021; 12:3674-3683. [PMID: 34261411 PMCID: PMC8806505 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1950261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
To investigate the effect of optimized GPC3-specific chimeric antigen receptor (GPC3-CAR) structure on killing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. We constructed three lentiviral expression vectors with different CAR structures by genetic engineering and molecular cloning techniques. These three CAR structures shared the same intracellular signaling region consisting of 4-1BB and CD3ζ, but had different hinge and transmembrane regions. Specifically, GPC3-O4-CAR contained an optimized CD8α hinge region and a 4-1BB transmembrane domain; GPC3-CD8-CAR contained an optimized CD8α hinge region and a CD8α transmembrane domain; and GPC3-ori-CAR contained an original CD8α hinge region and a 4-1BB transmembrane domain. With similar transfection efficiency, it was observed by fluorescence microscopy that GPC3-O4-CAR expression on the surface of 293 T cells was much higher than those of the other two. Cytotoxicity experiments showed that T or NK cells with GPC3-O4-CAR structure were more lethal and could secrete more IFN-γ than the other two. In conclusion, GPC3-O4-CAR can be efficiently and stably expressed on the cell surface. Moreover, both the killing effect of transduced T and NK cells on GPC3-positive HCC cells and release of IFN-γ are increased.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, China
| | - Lijuan Lin
- Department of Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, China
| | - Yihua Luo
- ImmunoCares Co. Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Qinghe Cai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, China
| | - Xiaojie Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, China
| | - Changxi Liao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, China
| | - Huimin Wei
- The Advanced Institute of Translational Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Liu Y, Liu G, Wang J, Zheng ZY, Jia L, Rui W, Huang D, Zhou ZX, Zhou L, Wu X, Lin S, Zhao X, Lin X. Chimeric STAR receptors using TCR machinery mediate robust responses against solid tumors. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:13/586/eabb5191. [PMID: 33762437 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abb5191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapies have demonstrated high response rate and durable disease control for the treatment of B cell malignancies. However, in the case of solid tumors, CAR-T cells have shown limited efficacy, which is partially attributed to intrinsic defects in CAR signaling. Here, we construct a double-chain chimeric receptor, termed as synthetic T cell receptor (TCR) and antigen receptor (STAR), which incorporates antigen-recognition domain of antibody and constant regions of TCR that engage endogenous CD3 signaling machinery. Under antigen-free conditions, STAR does not trigger tonic signaling, which has been reported to cause exhaustion of traditional CAR-T cells. Upon antigen stimulation, STAR mediates strong and sensitive TCR-like signaling, and STAR-T cells exhibit less susceptibility to dysfunction and better proliferation than traditional 28zCAR-T cells. In addition, STAR-T cells show higher antigen sensitivity than CAR-T cells, which holds potential to reduce the risk of antigen loss-induced tumor relapse in clinical use. In multiple solid tumor models, STAR-T cells prominently outperformed BBzCAR-T cells and generated better or equipotent antitumor effects to 28zCAR-T cells without causing notable toxicity. With these favorable features endowed by native TCR-like signaling, STAR-T cells may provide clinical benefit in treating refractory solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Liu
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Guangna Liu
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jiasheng Wang
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhe-Yu Zheng
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lemei Jia
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wei Rui
- China Immunotech (Beijing) Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Daosheng Huang
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhi-Xiao Zhou
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Liqun Zhou
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xin Wu
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Song Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xueqiang Zhao
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Xin Lin
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China. .,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Huang SL, Wang YM, Wang QY, Feng GG, Wu FQ, Yang LM, Zhang XH, Xin HW. Mechanisms and Clinical Trials of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Immunotherapy. Front Genet 2021; 12:691391. [PMID: 34306031 PMCID: PMC8296838 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.691391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common and lethal tumors worldwide, is usually not diagnosed until the disease is advanced, which results in ineffective intervention and unfavorable prognosis. Small molecule targeted drugs of HCC, such as sorafenib, provided only about 2.8 months of survival benefit, partially due to cancer stem cell resistance. There is an urgent need for the development of new treatment strategies for HCC. Tumor immunotherapies, including immune check point inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) and bispecific antibodies (BsAb), have shown significant potential. It is known that the expression level of glypican-3 (GPC3) was significantly increased in HCC compared with normal liver tissues. A bispecific antibody (GPC3-S-Fabs) was reported to recruit NK cells to target GPC3 positive cancer cells. Besides, bispecific T-cell Engagers (BiTE), including GPC3/CD3, an aptamer TLS11a/CD3 and EpCAM/CD3, were recently reported to efficiently eliminate HCC cells. It is known that immune checkpoint proteins programmed death-1 (PD-1) binding by programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) activates immune checkpoints of T cells. Anti-PD-1 antibody was reported to suppress HCC progression. Furthermore, GPC3-based HCC immunotherapy has been shown to be a curative approach to prolong the survival time of patients with HCC in clinically trials. Besides, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor may inhibit the migration, invasion and angiogenesis of HCC. Here we review the cutting-edge progresses on mechanisms and clinical trials of HCC immunotherapy, which may have significant implication in our understanding of HCC and its immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Li Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Lianjiang People's Hospital, Zhanjiang, China.,Doctoral Scientific Research Center, Lianjiang People's Hospital, Zhanjiang, China.,Guangdong Medical University Affiliated Lianjiang People's Hospital, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yu-Ming Wang
- Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China.,School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | | | - Guang-Gui Feng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Lianjiang People's Hospital, Zhanjiang, China.,Guangdong Medical University Affiliated Lianjiang People's Hospital, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Fu-Qing Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Lianjiang People's Hospital, Zhanjiang, China.,Guangdong Medical University Affiliated Lianjiang People's Hospital, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Liu-Ming Yang
- Doctoral Scientific Research Center, Lianjiang People's Hospital, Zhanjiang, China.,Guangdong Medical University Affiliated Lianjiang People's Hospital, Zhanjiang, China.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lianjiang People's Hospital, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Xi-He Zhang
- Doctoral Scientific Research Center, Lianjiang People's Hospital, Zhanjiang, China.,Guangdong Medical University Affiliated Lianjiang People's Hospital, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Hong-Wu Xin
- Laboratory of Oncology, Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Yu S, Li Z, Li J, Zhao S, Wu S, Liu H, Bi X, Li D, Dong J, Duan S, Hammock BD. Generation of Dual functional Nanobody-Nanoluciferase Fusion and its potential in Bioluminescence Enzyme Immunoassay for trace Glypican-3 in Serum. SENSORS AND ACTUATORS. B, CHEMICAL 2021; 336:129717. [PMID: 35250176 PMCID: PMC8896807 DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2021.129717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a serological biomarker for the diagnosis of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but it is a challenging task to develop a bioassay for determination of the trace GPC3 in serum. In this study, Bioluminescense immunoassay based on bifunctional nanobody-nanoluciferase fusion was developed with the ultra-sensitive feature to achieve this goal. First, nanobodies special against GPC-3 binder as biological recognition element were generated by immunization and phage display technology. Second, The best clone GPN2 was fused with nanoluciferase as a dual-functional immunoreagent to establish an ultra-sensitive bioluminescence enzyme immunoassay (BLEIA), which is 30 and 5 times more sensitive than the traditional colorimetric assay and fluorescent assay, respectively. The cross-reactivity analysis of BLEIA showed that there was no cross-reactivity with HCC related tumor markers AFP, CEA, CA19-9 and GPC1/GPC2. The limit of detection (LOD) of developed BLEIA was 1.5 ng/mL, which assured its application in the diagnosis of GPC3 in 94 serum samples. This study indicates that BLEIA based on nanobody-nanoluciferase fusion could be used as a useful tool for the diagnosis of HCC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Yu
- Medical College, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Zhenfeng Li
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UCD Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, California 95616
| | - Jingzhang Li
- Liuzhou People’s Hospital, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Shimei Zhao
- Medical College, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Shanguang Wu
- Medical College, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Hongjing Liu
- Medical College, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Xiongjie Bi
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Dongyang Li
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UCD Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, California 95616
| | - Jiexian Dong
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UCD Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, California 95616
- Research Center for Innovative Anti-Cancer Drugs, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518057, China
- Corresponding author: Siliang Duan, and Jiexian Dong,
| | - Siliang Duan
- Medical College, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
- Corresponding author: Siliang Duan, and Jiexian Dong,
| | - Bruce D. Hammock
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UCD Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, California 95616
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Radiomics, Radiogenomics, and Next-Generation Molecular Imaging to Augment Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 26:108-115. [PMID: 32205534 DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and [F]F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography are invaluable in the clinical evaluation of human cancers. Radiomics and radiogenomics tools may allow clinicians to standardize interpretation of these conventional imaging modalities, while better linking radiographic hallmarks to disease biology and prognosis. These advances, coupled with next-generation positron emission tomography imaging tracers capable of providing biologically relevant tumor information, may further expand the tools available in our armamentarium against human cancers. We present current imaging methods and explore emerging research that may improve diagnosis and monitoring of local, oligometastatic, and disseminated cancers exhibiting heterogeneous uptake of [F]F-fluorodeoxyglucose, using hepatocellular carcinoma as an example.
Collapse
|
28
|
Gerlza T, Trojacher C, Kitic N, Adage T, Kungl AJ. Development of Molecules Antagonizing Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans. Semin Thromb Hemost 2021; 47:316-332. [PMID: 33794555 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1725067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) occur in almost every tissue of the human body and consist of a protein core, with covalently attached glycosaminoglycan polysaccharide chains. These glycosaminoglycans are characterized by their polyanionic nature, due to sulfate and carboxyl groups, which are distributed along the chain. These chains can be modified by different enzymes at varying positions, which leads to huge diversity of possible structures with the complexity further increased by varying chain lengths. According to their location, HSPGs are divided into different families, the membrane bound, the secreted extracellular matrix, and the secretory vesicle family. As members of the extracellular matrix, they take part in cell-cell communication processes on many levels and with different degrees of involvement. Of particular therapeutic interest is their role in cancer and inflammation as well as in infectious diseases. In this review, we give an overview of the current status of medical approaches to antagonize HSPG function in pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Gerlza
- Karl-Franzens University Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graz, Austria
| | - Christina Trojacher
- Karl-Franzens University Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graz, Austria
| | - Nikola Kitic
- Karl-Franzens University Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Andreas J Kungl
- Karl-Franzens University Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graz, Austria.,Antagonis Biotherapeutics GmbH, Graz, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Grillo PK, Győrffy B, Götte M. Prognostic impact of the glypican family of heparan sulfate proteoglycans on the survival of breast cancer patients. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 147:1937-1955. [PMID: 33742285 PMCID: PMC8164625 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03597-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Dysregulated expression of proteoglycans influences the outcome and progression of numerous cancers. Several studies have investigated the role of individual glypicans in cancer, however, the impact of the whole glypican family of heparan sulfate proteoglycans on prognosis of a large patient cohort of breast cancer patients has not yet been investigated. In the present study, our aim was to investigate the prognostic power of the glypicans in breast cancer patients. Methods We used a public database including both gene expression data and survival information for 3951 breast cancer patients to determine the prognostic value of glypicans on relapse-free survival using Cox regression analysis. Moreover, we performed quantitative Real-Time PCR to determine glypican gene expression levels in seven representative breast cancer cell lines. Results We found that high GPC3 levels were associated with a better prognosis in overall breast cancer patients. When stratified by hormone receptor status, we found that in worse prognosis subtypes low GPC1 levels correlate with a longer relapse-free survival, and in more favorable subtypes low GPC6 was associated with longer survival. Conclusion Our study concludes that glypicans could act as subtype-specific biomarkers for the prognosis of breast cancer patients and sparks hope for future research on glypicans possibly eventually providing targets for the treatment of the disease. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00432-021-03597-4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Karin Grillo
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Münster University Hospital, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 11, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- Department of Bioinformatics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- TTK Momentum Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Martin Götte
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Münster University Hospital, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 11, 48149, Münster, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Vacchelli E, Aranda F, Eggermont A, Galon J, Sautès-Fridman C, Zitvogel L, Kroemer G, Galluzzi L. Trial Watch: Tumor-targeting monoclonal antibodies in cancer therapy. Oncoimmunology 2021; 3:e27048. [PMID: 24605265 PMCID: PMC3937194 DOI: 10.4161/onci.27048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 11/01/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In 1997, for the first time in history, a monoclonal antibody (mAb), i.e., the chimeric anti-CD20 molecule rituximab, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in cancer patients. Since then, the panel of mAbs that are approved by international regulatory agencies for the treatment of hematopoietic and solid malignancies has not stopped to expand, nowadays encompassing a stunning amount of 15 distinct molecules. This therapeutic armamentarium includes mAbs that target tumor-associated antigens, as well as molecules that interfere with tumor-stroma interactions or exert direct immunostimulatory effects. These three classes of mAbs exert antineoplastic activity via distinct mechanisms, which may or may not involve immune effectors other than the mAbs themselves. In previous issues of OncoImmunology, we provided a brief scientific background to the use of mAbs, all types confounded, in cancer therapy, and discussed the results of recent clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of this approach. Here, we focus on mAbs that primarily target malignant cells or their interactions with stromal components, as opposed to mAbs that mediate antineoplastic effects by activating the immune system. In particular, we discuss relevant clinical findings that have been published during the last 13 months as well as clinical trials that have been launched in the same period to investigate the therapeutic profile of hitherto investigational tumor-targeting mAbs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Vacchelli
- Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; INSERM, U848; Villejuif, France ; Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer; Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France ; Université Paris-Sud/Paris XI; Paris, France
| | - Fernando Aranda
- Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; INSERM, U848; Villejuif, France ; Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer; Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France
| | | | - Jérôme Galon
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V; Sorbonne Paris Cité; Paris, France ; Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI; Paris, France ; INSERM, U872; Paris, France ; Equipe 15, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France
| | - Catherine Sautès-Fridman
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI; Paris, France ; INSERM, U872; Paris, France ; Equipe 13, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France
| | - Laurence Zitvogel
- Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; INSERM, U1015; CICBT507; Villejuif, France
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Pôle de Biologie; Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou; AP-HP; Paris, France ; Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms; Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; INSERM, U848; Villejuif, France ; Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer; Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France ; Université Paris Descartes/Paris V; Sorbonne Paris Cité; Paris, France
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; Université Paris Descartes/Paris V; Sorbonne Paris Cité; Paris, France ; Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer; Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Adoptive Cell Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Biological Rationale and First Results in Early Phase Clinical Trials. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020271. [PMID: 33450845 PMCID: PMC7828372 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020271] [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: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is quickly increasing worldwide. In unresectable HCC, the cornerstone of systemic treatments is switching from tyrosine kinase inhibitors to immune checkpoints inhibitors (ICI). Next to ICI, adoptive cell transfer represents another promising field of immunotherapy. Targeting tumor associated antigens such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), glypican-3 (GPC3), or New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma-1 (NY-ESO-1), T cell receptor (TCR) engineered T cells and chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) engineered T cells are emerging as potentially effective therapies, with objective responses reported in early phase trials. In this review, we address the biological rationale of TCR/CAR engineered T cells in advanced HCC, their mechanisms of action, and results from recent clinical trials.
Collapse
|
32
|
Alshehri MA, Alshehri MM, Albalawi NN, Al-Ghamdi MA, Al-Gayyar MMH. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans and their modification as promising anticancer targets in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:173. [PMID: 33552290 PMCID: PMC7798035 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12434] [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: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of primary liver cancer. Despite advancements in the treatment strategies of HCC, there is an urgent requirement to identify and develop novel therapeutic drugs that do not lead to resistance. These novel agents should have the potential to influence the primary mechanisms participating in the pathogenesis of HCC. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are major elements of the extracellular matrix that perform structural and signaling functions. HSPGs protect against invasion of tumor cells by preventing cell infiltration and intercellular adhesion. Several enzymes, such as heparanase, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and sulfatase-2, have been reported to affect HSPGs, leading to their degradation and thus enhancing tumor invasion. In addition, some compounds that are produced from the degradation of HSPGs, including glypican-3 and syndecan-1, enhance tumor progression. Thus, the identification of enzymes that affect HSPGs or their degradation products in HCC may lead to the development of novel therapeutic targets. The present review discusses the main enzymes and compounds associated with HSPGs, and their involvement with the pathogenicity of HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Alshehri
- PharmD Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moath M Alshehri
- PharmD Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naif N Albalawi
- PharmD Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moshari A Al-Ghamdi
- PharmD Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed M H Al-Gayyar
- PharmD Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Huang Y, Ge W, Zhou J, Gao B, Qian X, Wang W. The Role of Tumor Associated Macrophages in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Cancer 2021; 12:1284-1294. [PMID: 33531974 PMCID: PMC7847664 DOI: 10.7150/jca.51346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and represents a classic paradigm of inflammation-related cancer. Various inflammation-related risk factors jointly contribute to the development of chronic inflammation in the liver. Chronic inflammation, in turn, leads to continuous cycles of destruction-regeneration in the liver, contributing to HCC development and progression. Tumor associated macrophages are abundant in the tumor microenvironment of HCC, promoting chronic inflammation and HCC progression. Hence, better understanding of the mechanism by which tumor associated macrophages contribute to the pathogenesis of HCC would allow for the development of novel macrophage-targeting immunotherapies. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the mechanisms by which macrophages promote HCC development and progression, as well as information from ongoing therapies and clinical trials assessing the efficacy of macrophage-modulating therapies in HCC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009
| | - Wenhao Ge
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009
| | - Jiarong Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009
| | - Bingqiang Gao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009
| | - Xiaohui Qian
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009
| | - Weilin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009.,Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Hussein NH, Amin NS, El Tayebi HM. GPI-AP: Unraveling a New Class of Malignancy Mediators and Potential Immunotherapy Targets. Front Oncol 2020; 10:537311. [PMID: 33344222 PMCID: PMC7746843 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.537311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
With millions of cases diagnosed annually and high economic burden to cover expensive costs, cancer is one of the most difficult diseases to treat due to late diagnosis and severe adverse effects from conventional therapy. This creates an urgent need to find new targets for early diagnosis and therapy. Progress in research revealed the key steps of carcinogenesis. They are called cancer hallmarks. Zooming in, cancer hallmarks are characterized by ligands binding to their cognate receptor and so triggering signaling cascade within cell to make response for stimulus. Accordingly, understanding membrane topology is vital. In this review, we shall discuss one type of transmembrane proteins: Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Proteins (GPI-APs), with specific emphasis on those involved in tumor cells by evading immune surveillance and future applications for diagnosis and immune targeted therapy.
Collapse
|
35
|
Shih TC, Wang L, Wang HC, Wan YJY. Glypican-3: A molecular marker for the detection and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma ☆. LIVER RESEARCH 2020; 4:168-172. [PMID: 33384879 PMCID: PMC7771890 DOI: 10.1016/j.livres.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with a fairly poor prognosis (5-year survival of less than 50%). Using sorafenib, the only food and drug administration (FDA)-approved drug, HCC cannot be effectively treated; it can only be controlled at most for a couple of months. There is a great need to develop efficacious treatment against this debilitating disease. Glypican-3 (GPC3), a member of the glypican family that attaches to the cell surface by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor, is overexpressed in HCC cases and is elevated in the serum of a large proportion of patients with HCC. GPC3 expression contributes to HCC growth and metastasis. Furthermore, several different types of antibodies targeting GPC3 have been developed. The aim of this review is to summarize the current literatures on the GPC3 expression in human HCC, molecular mechanisms of GPC3 regulation and antibodies targeting GPC3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Chieh Shih
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Lijun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Hsiao-Chi Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Yu-Jui Yvonne Wan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA,Corresponding author. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA. (Y.-J.Y. Wan)
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Onyeisi JOS, Ferreira BZF, Nader HB, Lopes CC. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans as targets for cancer therapy: a review. Cancer Biol Ther 2020; 21:1087-1094. [PMID: 33180600 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2020.1838034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) play important roles in cancer initiation and progression, by interacting with the signaling pathways that affect proliferation, adhesion, invasion and angiogenesis. These roles suggest the possibility of various strategies of regulation of these molecules. In this review, we demonstrated that the anticancer drugs can regulate the heparan sulfate proteoglycans activity in different ways: some act directly in core protein, and can bind to a specific type of HSPG. Others drugs interact with glycosaminoglycans chains, and others can act directly in enzymes that regulate HSPGs levels. We also demonstrated that the HSPGs drug targets can be divided into four groups: monoclonal antibodies, antitumor antibiotic, natural products, and mimetics peptide. Interestingly, many drugs demonstrated in this review are approved by FDA and is used in cancer therapy (Food and Drug Administration) like trastuzumab, panitumumab, bleomycin and bisphosphonate zoledronic acid (ASCO) or are in clinical trials like codrituzumab and genistein. This review should help researchers to understand the mechanism of action of anticancer drugs existing and also may inspire the discovery of new drugs that regulate the heparan sulfate proteoglycans activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Oyie Sousa Onyeisi
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo , São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Bianca Zaia Franco Ferreira
- Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo , Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Helena Bonciani Nader
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo , São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Carla Cristina Lopes
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo , São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo , Diadema, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Alannan M, Fayyad-Kazan H, Trézéguet V, Merched A. Targeting Lipid Metabolism in Liver Cancer. Biochemistry 2020; 59:3951-3964. [PMID: 32930581 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells are highly dependent on different metabolic pathways for sustaining their survival, growth, and proliferation. Lipid metabolism not only provides the energetic needs of the cells but also provides the raw material for cellular growth and the signaling molecules for many oncogenic pathways. Mainly processed in the liver, lipids play an essential role in the physiology of this organ and in the pathological progression of many diseases such as metabolic syndrome and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The progression of HCC is associated with inflammation and complex metabolic reprogramming, and its prognosis remains poor because of the lack of effective therapies despite many years of dedicated research. Defects in hepatic lipid metabolism induce abnormal gene expression and rewire many cellular pathways involved in oncogenesis and metastasis, implying that interfering with lipid metabolism within the tumor and the surrounding microenvironment may be a novel therapeutic approach for treating liver cancer patients. Therefore, this review focuses on the latest advances in drugs targeting lipid metabolism and leading to promising outcomes in preclinical studies and some ongoing clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malak Alannan
- miRCaDe team, Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, BMGIC, U1035, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.,Faculty of Sciences I, Lebanese University, Rafik Hariri Campus, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Hussein Fayyad-Kazan
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Faculty of Sciences I, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Véronique Trézéguet
- miRCaDe team, Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, BMGIC, U1035, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Aksam Merched
- miRCaDe team, Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, BMGIC, U1035, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Wagner J, Wickman E, DeRenzo C, Gottschalk S. CAR T Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors: Bright Future or Dark Reality? Mol Ther 2020; 28:2320-2339. [PMID: 32979309 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has garnered significant excitement due to its success for hematological malignancies in clinical studies leading to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of three CD19-targeted CAR T cell products. In contrast, the clinical experience with CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors and brain tumors has been less encouraging, with only a few patients achieving complete responses. Clinical and preclinical studies have identified multiple "roadblocks," including (1) a limited array of targetable antigens and heterogeneous antigen expression, (2) limited T cell fitness and survival before reaching tumor sites, (3) an inability of T cells to efficiently traffic to tumor sites and penetrate physical barriers, and (4) an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Herein, we review these challenges and discuss strategies that investigators have taken to improve the effector function of CAR T cells for the adoptive immunotherapy of solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Wagner
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Elizabeth Wickman
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Christopher DeRenzo
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan Signaling in Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186588. [PMID: 32916872 PMCID: PMC7554799 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last few decades, heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans (HSPGs) have been an intriguing subject of study for their complex structural characteristics, their finely regulated biosynthetic machinery, and the wide range of functions they perform in living organisms from development to adulthood. From these studies, key roles of HSPGs in tumor initiation and progression have emerged, so that they are currently being explored as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancers. The multifaceted nature of HSPG structure/activity translates in their capacity to act either as inhibitors or promoters of tumor growth and invasion depending on the tumor type. Deregulation of HSPGs resulting in malignancy may be due to either their abnormal expression levels or changes in their structure and functions as a result of the altered activity of their biosynthetic or remodeling enzymes. Indeed, in the tumor microenvironment, HSPGs undergo structural alterations, through the shedding of proteoglycan ectodomain from the cell surface or the fragmentation and/or desulfation of HS chains, affecting HSPG function with significant impact on the molecular interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment, and tumor cell behavior. Here, we overview the structural and functional features of HSPGs and their signaling in the tumor environment which contributes to tumorigenesis and cancer progression.
Collapse
|
40
|
Abstract
Glypicans are a family of heparan sulfate proteoglycans that are attached to the cell membrane via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. Glypicans interact with multiple ligands, including morphogens, growth factors, chemokines, ligands, receptors, and components of the extracellular matrix through their heparan sulfate chains and core protein. Therefore, glypicans can function as coreceptors to regulate cell proliferation, cell motility, and morphogenesis. In addition, some glypicans are abnormally expressed in cancers, possibly involved in tumorigenesis, and have the potential to be cancer-specific biomarkers. Here, we provide a brief review focusing on the expression of glypicans in various cancers and their potential to be targets for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Madeline R Spetz
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Mitchell Ho
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Dal Bo M, De Mattia E, Baboci L, Mezzalira S, Cecchin E, Assaraf YG, Toffoli G. New insights into the pharmacological, immunological, and CAR-T-cell approaches in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Drug Resist Updat 2020; 51:100702. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2020.100702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
42
|
Shi D, Shi Y, Kaseb AO, Qi X, Zhang Y, Chi J, Lu Q, Gao H, Jiang H, Wang H, Yuan D, Ma H, Wang H, Li Z, Zhai B. Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Glypican-3 T-Cell Therapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Results of Phase I Trials. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3979-3989. [PMID: 32371538 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-3259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Our preclinical studies demonstrated the potential of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-glypican-3 (GPC3) T-cell therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We report herein the first published results of CAR-GPC3 T-cell therapy for HCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS In two prospective phase I studies, adult patients with advanced GPC3+ HCC (Child-Pugh A) received autologous CAR-GPC3 T-cell therapy following cyclophosphamide- and fludarabine-induced lymphodepletion. The primary objective was to assess the treatment's safety. Adverse events were graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 4.03). Tumor responses were evaluated using the RECIST (version 1.1). RESULTS A total of 13 patients received a median of 19.9 × 108 CAR-GPC3 T cells by a data cutoff date of July 24, 2019. We observed pyrexia, decreased lymphocyte count, and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in 13, 12, and nine patients, respectively. CRS (grade 1/2) was reversible in eight patients. One patient experienced grade 5 CRS. No patients had grade 3/4 neurotoxicity. The overall survival rates at 3 years, 1 year, and 6 months were 10.5%, 42.0%, and 50.3%, respectively, according to the Kaplan-Meier method. We confirmed two partial responses. One patient with sustained stable disease was alive after 44.2 months. CAR T-cell expansion tended to be positively associated with tumor response. CONCLUSIONS This report demonstrated the initial safety profile of CAR-GPC3 T-cell therapy. We observed early signs of antitumor activity of CAR-GPC3 T cells in patients with advanced HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donghua Shi
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaoping Shi
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ahmed O Kaseb
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Xingxing Qi
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiachang Chi
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Lu
- Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Hua Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - Hong Ma
- CARsgen Therapeutics Corp., Houston, Texas
| | - Hongyang Wang
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zonghai Li
- CARsgen Therapeutics Ltd., Shanghai, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Zhai
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Liu X, Wen J, Yi H, Hou X, Yin Y, Ye G, Wu X, Jiang X. Split chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells targeting glypican-3 suppress hepatocellular carcinoma growth with reduced cytokine release. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2020; 12:1758835920910347. [PMID: 32215059 PMCID: PMC7065297 DOI: 10.1177/1758835920910347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Human glypican-3 (hGPC3) is a protein highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but limited in normal tissues, making it an ideal target for immunotherapy. The adoptive transfer of hGPC3-specific chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells for HCC treatment has been conducted in clinical trials. Due to the rigid construction, conventional CAR-T cells have some intrinsic limitations, like uncontrollable overactivation and inducing severe cytokine release syndrome. Methods: We redesigned the hGPC3-specific CAR by splitting the traditional CAR into two parts. By using coculturing assays and a xenograft mouse model, the in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity and cytokine release of the split anti-hGPC3 CAR-T cells were evaluated against various HCC cell lines and compared with conventional CAR-T cells. Results: In vitro data demonstrated that split anti-hGPC3 CAR-T cells could recognize and lyse hGPC3+ HepG2 and Huh7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Impressively, split anti-hGPC3 CAR-T cells produced and released a significantly lower amount of proinflammatory cytokines, including IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, and GM-CSF, than conventional CAR-T cells. When injected into immunodeficient mice inoculated subcutaneously with HepG2 cells, our split anti-hGPC3 CAR-T cells could suppress HCC tumor growth, but released significantly lower levels of cytokines than conventional CAR-T cells. Conclusions: We describe here for the first time the use of split anti-hGPC3 CAR-T cells to treat HCC; split anti-hGPC3 CAR-T cells could suppress tumor growth and reduce cytokine release, and represent a more versatile and safer alternative to conventional CAR-T cells treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianyun Wen
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Honglei Yi
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaorui Hou
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Yin
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guofu Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuedong Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Tonghe Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xiaotao Jiang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Liu S, Wang M, Zheng C, Zhong Q, Shi Y, Han X. Diagnostic value of serum glypican-3 alone and in combination with AFP as an aid in the diagnosis of liver cancer. Clin Biochem 2020; 79:54-60. [PMID: 32087138 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2020.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, a series of studies have been published to examine the possible diagnostic and prognostic values of glypican-3 (GPC3) in liver cancer with conflicting results observed. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the values of preoperative serum GPC3 alone and in combination with AFP for the diagnosis of liver cancer. METHODS An enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to quantify serum GPC3 in hepatocellular carcinoma group (HCC, n = 210), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma group (ICC, n = 36), combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma group (cHCC-CC, n = 8), metastatic liver cancer group (MLC, n = 10) and normal controls (NC, n = 134). RESULTS The area under the curve (AUC) of GPC3 for HCC versus NC was 0.879, with a sensitivity of 79.52% at an optimal cutoff value of 0.0414 ng/mL; when GPC3 was combined with AFP, the AUC and sensitivity were increased to 0.925 and 88.10%, respectively. In addition, 43 of 68 AFP-negative patients had elevated GPC3 levels. Furthermore, the positive rate of GPC3 was significantly higher than the that of AFP for HCC in early stage. CONCLUSIONS Serum GPC3 was superior to AFP for the diagnosis of early-stage HCC, and may be complementary to AFP for distinguishing HCC from NC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuxia Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.17, Panjiayuannanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China; Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Study on Anticancer Molecular Targeted Drugs, No.17, Panjiayuannanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Minjie Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.17, Panjiayuannanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Cuiling Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.17, Panjiayuannanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Qiaofeng Zhong
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Study on Anticancer Molecular Targeted Drugs, No.17, Panjiayuannanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yuankai Shi
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Study on Anticancer Molecular Targeted Drugs, No.17, Panjiayuannanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xiaohong Han
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.17, Panjiayuannanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China; Clinical Pharmacology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.41 Damucang Hutong, Xicheng District, Beijing 100032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Guo M, Zhang H, Zheng J, Liu Y. Glypican-3: A New Target for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Cancer 2020; 11:2008-2021. [PMID: 32127929 PMCID: PMC7052944 DOI: 10.7150/jca.39972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type. The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma is concealed, its progress is rapid, its prognosis is poor, and the mortality rate is high. Therefore, novel molecular targets for hepatocellular carcinoma early diagnosis and development of targeted therapy are critically needed. Glypican-3, a cell-surface glycoproteins in which heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan chains are covalently linked to a protein core, is overexpressed in HCC tissues but not in the healthy adult liver. Thus, Glypican-3 is becoming a promising candidate for liver cancer diagnosis and immunotherapy. Up to now, Glypican-3 has been a reliable immunohistochemical marker for hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis, and soluble Glypican-3 in serum has becoming a promising marker for liquid biopsy. Moreover, various immunotherapies targeting Glypican-3 have been developed, including Glypican-3 vaccines, anti- Glypican-3 immunotoxin and chimeric-antigen-receptor modified cells. In this review, we summarize and analyze the structure and physicochemical properties of Glypican-3 molecules, then review their biological functions and applications in clinical diagnosis, and explore the diagnosis and treatment strategies based on Glypican-3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meng Guo
- National Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology &Institute of Immunology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hailing Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianming Zheng
- Department of Pathology ,Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yangfang Liu
- Department of Pathology ,Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Wang W, Wei C. Advances in the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Genes Dis 2020; 7:308-319. [PMID: 32884985 PMCID: PMC7452544 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2020.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers globally. In contrast to the declining death rates observed for all other common cancers such as breast, lung, and prostate cancers, the death rates for HCC continue to increase by ~2–3% per year because HCC is frequently diagnosed late and there is no curative therapy for an advanced HCC. The early diagnosis of HCC is truly a big challenge. Over the past years, the early diagnosis of HCC has relied on surveillance with ultrasonography (US) and serological assessments of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). However, the specificity and sensitivity of US/AFP is not satisfactory enough to detect early onset HCC. Recent technological advancements offer hope for early HCC diagnosis. Herein, we review the progress made in HCC diagnostics, with a focus on emerging imaging techniques and biomarkers for early disease diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiyi Wang
- Xiamen Amplly Bio-engineering Co., Ltd, Xiamen, PR China
| | - Chao Wei
- Xiamen Amplly Bio-engineering Co., Ltd, Xiamen, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Siracusano G, Tagliamonte M, Buonaguro L, Lopalco L. Cell Surface Proteins in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Bench to Bedside. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010041. [PMID: 31991677 PMCID: PMC7157713 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell surface proteins act as the go-between in carrying the information from the extracellular environment to the intracellular signaling proteins. However, these proteins are often deregulated in neoplastic diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma. This review discusses several recent studies that have investigated the role of cell surface proteins in the occurrence and progression of HCC, highlighting the possibility to use them as biomarkers of the disease and/or targets for vaccines and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Siracusano
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-022643-4957
| | - Maria Tagliamonte
- Cancer Immunoregulation Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori IRCCS, “Fondazione Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.T.); (L.B.)
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Cancer Immunoregulation Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori IRCCS, “Fondazione Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.T.); (L.B.)
| | - Lucia Lopalco
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Elgundi Z, Papanicolaou M, Major G, Cox TR, Melrose J, Whitelock JM, Farrugia BL. Cancer Metastasis: The Role of the Extracellular Matrix and the Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan Perlecan. Front Oncol 2020; 9:1482. [PMID: 32010611 PMCID: PMC6978720 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is the dissemination of tumor cells to new sites, resulting in the formation of secondary tumors. This process is complex and is spatially and temporally regulated by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. One important extrinsic factor is the extracellular matrix, the non-cellular component of tissues. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are constituents of the extracellular matrix, and through their heparan sulfate chains and protein core, modulate multiple events that occur during the metastatic cascade. This review will provide an overview of the role of the extracellular matrix in the events that occur during cancer metastasis, primarily focusing on perlecan. Perlecan, a basement membrane HSPG is a key component of the vascular extracellular matrix and is commonly associated with events that occur during the metastatic cascade. Its contradictory role in these events will be discussed and we will highlight the recent advances in cancer therapies that target HSPGs and their modifying enzymes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zehra Elgundi
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Papanicolaou
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gretel Major
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas R Cox
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James Melrose
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Raymond Purves Bone and Joint Research Laboratories, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
| | - John M Whitelock
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Brooke L Farrugia
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Melbourne School of Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Li N, Wei L, Liu X, Bai H, Ye Y, Li D, Li N, Baxa U, Wang Q, Lv L, Chen Y, Feng M, Lee B, Gao W, Ho M. A Frizzled-Like Cysteine-Rich Domain in Glypican-3 Mediates Wnt Binding and Regulates Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tumor Growth in Mice. Hepatology 2019; 70:1231-1245. [PMID: 30963603 PMCID: PMC6783318 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Wnt signaling is one of the key regulators of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor progression. In addition to the classical receptor frizzled (FZD), various coreceptors including heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are involved in Wnt activation. Glypican-3 (GPC3) is an HSPG that is overexpressed in HCC and functions as a Wnt coreceptor that modulates HCC cell proliferation. These features make GPC3 an attractive target for liver cancer therapy. However, the precise interaction of GPC3 and Wnt and how GPC3, Wnt, and FZD cooperate with each other are poorly understood. In this study, we established a structural model of GPC3 containing a putative FZD-like cysteine-rich domain at its N-terminal lobe. We found that F41 and its surrounding residues in GPC3 formed a Wnt-binding groove that interacted with the middle region located between the lipid thumb domain and the index finger domain of Wnt3a. Mutating residues in this groove significantly inhibited Wnt3a binding, β-catenin activation, and the transcriptional activation of Wnt-dependent genes. In contrast with the heparan sulfate chains, the Wnt-binding groove that we identified in the protein core of GPC3 seemed to promote Wnt signaling in conditions when FZD was not abundant. Specifically, blocking this domain using an antibody inhibited Wnt activation. In HCC cells, mutating residue F41 on GPC3 inhibited activation of β-catenin in vitro and reduced xenograft tumor growth in nude mice compared with cells expressing wild-type GPC3. Conclusion: Our investigation demonstrates a detailed interaction of GPC3 and Wnt3a, reveals the precise mechanism of GPC3 acting as a Wnt coreceptor, and provides a potential target site on GPC3 for Wnt blocking and HCC therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, P.R. China
| | - Liwen Wei
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, P.R. China.,Bio-medical Center, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, P.R. China
| | - Hongjun Bai
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yvonne Ye
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Dan Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.,School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Nan Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ulrich Baxa
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Qun Wang
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Ling Lv
- Liver Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, P.R. China
| | - Yun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, P.R. China
| | - Mingqian Feng
- Bio-medical Center, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
| | - Byungkook Lee
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Wei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, P.R. China.,Corresponding to: Dr. Wei Gao, School of Basic Medical Science, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Road, Xuehai Building, Room A110, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, P.R. China. Tel: 86-25-86869471; Fax: 86-25-86869471, . Dr. Mitchell Ho, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 37 Convent Drive, Room 5002, Bethesda, MD 20892-4264. Tel: (240)760-7848; Fax: (301)402-1344;
| | - Mitchell Ho
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.,Corresponding to: Dr. Wei Gao, School of Basic Medical Science, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Road, Xuehai Building, Room A110, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, P.R. China. Tel: 86-25-86869471; Fax: 86-25-86869471, . Dr. Mitchell Ho, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 37 Convent Drive, Room 5002, Bethesda, MD 20892-4264. Tel: (240)760-7848; Fax: (301)402-1344;
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Tian Z, Hou X, Liu W, Han Z, Wei L. Macrophages and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Biosci 2019; 9:79. [PMID: 31572568 PMCID: PMC6761725 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-019-0342-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most prevalent and lethal cancers in the human population. HCC is an inflammation-associated cancer caused by different etiological factors. The chronic inflammation leads to continuous cycles of hepatocytes destructive-regenerative process and contributes to HCC initiation and progression. Macrophages play a crucial role in chronic liver inflammation. The tumor microenvironment plays a key role in the progression of HCC. Tumor-associated macrophages are a well-known component of the tumor microenvironment and abundantly infiltrate HCC microenvironment. The roles of macrophages in the development and progression of HCC have been recognized. The deep understanding of macrophages in HCC will be critical for developing effective HCC therapy. Targeting of macrophages might provide novel therapeutic approaches for HCC patients and is an emerging field of interest. This review summarizes the knowledge on the contribution of macrophages in the development and progression of HCC, as well as potential immunotherapy being explored in targeting macrophages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Tian
- Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 China
- Department of General Surgery, Wuxi People’s Hospital Affiliated Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, 214000 China
| | - Xiaojuan Hou
- Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 China
| | - Wenting Liu
- Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 China
| | - Zhipeng Han
- Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 China
| | - Lixin Wei
- Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 China
| |
Collapse
|