1
|
Ghosh MK, Kumar S, Begam S, Ghosh S, Basu M. GBM immunotherapy: Exploring molecular and clinical frontiers. Life Sci 2024; 356:123018. [PMID: 39214286 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.123018] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
GBM is the most common, aggressive, and intracranial primary brain tumor; it originates from the glial progenitor cells, has poor overall survival (OS), and has limited treatment options. In this decade, GBM immunotherapy is in trend and preferred over several conventional therapies, due to their better patient survival outcome. This review explores the clinical trials of several immunotherapeutic approaches (immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs), CAR T-cell therapy, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapy) with their efficacy and safety. Despite significant progress, several challenges (viz., immunosuppressive microenvironment, heterogeneity, and blood-brain barrier (BBB)) were experienced that hamper their immunotherapeutic potential. Furthermore, these challenges were clinically studied to be resolved by multiple combinatorial approaches, discussed in the later part of the review. Thus, this review suggests the clinical use and potential of immunotherapy in GBM and provides the holistic recent knowledge and future perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mrinal K Ghosh
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB), TRUE Campus, CN-6, Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India.
| | - Sunny Kumar
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB), TRUE Campus, CN-6, Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
| | - Sabana Begam
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB), TRUE Campus, CN-6, Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
| | - Sayani Ghosh
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB), TRUE Campus, CN-6, Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
| | - Malini Basu
- Department of Microbiology, Dhruba Chand Halder College, Dakshin Barasat, South 24 Parganas, PIN-743372, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jones AB, Tuy K, Hawkins CC, Quinn CH, Saad J, Gary SE, Beierle EA, Ding L, Rochlin KM, Lamb LS, Hjelmeland AB. Temozolomide and the PARP Inhibitor Niraparib Enhance Expression of Natural Killer Group 2D Ligand ULBP1 and Gamma-Delta T Cell Cytotoxicity in Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2852. [PMID: 39199623 PMCID: PMC11352900 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16162852] [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: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is an immunologically cold tumor, but several immunotherapy-based strategies show promise, including the administration of ex vivo expanded and activated cytotoxic gamma delta T cells. Cytotoxicity is partially mediated through interactions with natural killer group 2D ligands (NKG2DL) on tumor cells. We sought to determine whether the addition of the blood-brain barrier penetrant PARP inhibitor niraparib to the standard of care DNA alkylator temozolomide (TMZ) could upregulate NKG2DL, thereby improving immune cell recognition. Changes in viability were consistent with prior publications as there was a growth inhibitory effect of the combination of TMZ and niraparib. However, decreases in viability did not always correlate with changes in NKG2DL mRNA. ULBP1/Mult-1 mRNA was increased with the combination therapy in comparison to either drug alone in two of the three cell types tested, even though viability was consistently decreased. mRNA expression correlated with protein levels and ULBP1/MULT-1 cell surface protein was significantly increased with TMZ and niraparib treatment in four of the five cell types tested. Gamma delta T cell-mediated cytotoxicity at a 10:1 effector-to-target ratio was significantly increased upon pretreatment of cells derived from a GBM PDX with TMZ and niraparib in comparison to the control or either drug alone. Together, these data demonstrate that the combination of PARP inhibition, DNA alkylation, and gamma delta T cell therapy has the potential for the treatment of GBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amber B. Jones
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (A.B.J.); (K.T.); (C.C.H.); (J.S.); (S.E.G.)
| | - Kaysaw Tuy
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (A.B.J.); (K.T.); (C.C.H.); (J.S.); (S.E.G.)
| | - Cyntanna C. Hawkins
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (A.B.J.); (K.T.); (C.C.H.); (J.S.); (S.E.G.)
| | - Colin H. Quinn
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Joelle Saad
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (A.B.J.); (K.T.); (C.C.H.); (J.S.); (S.E.G.)
| | - Sam E. Gary
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (A.B.J.); (K.T.); (C.C.H.); (J.S.); (S.E.G.)
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Elizabeth A. Beierle
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Lei Ding
- In8Bio, Inc., New York, NY 10118, USA; (L.D.); (K.M.R.); (L.S.L.)
| | - Kate M. Rochlin
- In8Bio, Inc., New York, NY 10118, USA; (L.D.); (K.M.R.); (L.S.L.)
| | - Lawrence S. Lamb
- In8Bio, Inc., New York, NY 10118, USA; (L.D.); (K.M.R.); (L.S.L.)
| | - Anita B. Hjelmeland
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (A.B.J.); (K.T.); (C.C.H.); (J.S.); (S.E.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Qi Y, Hu L, Ji C, Yang X, Yao J, Chen D, Yao Y. B7-H4 reduces the infiltration of CD8+T cells and induces their anti-tumor dysfunction in gliomas. Neoplasia 2024; 54:101007. [PMID: 38796932 PMCID: PMC11152750 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2024.101007] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
B7-H4 is a promising immune checkpoint molecule in tumor immunotherapy. Our previous study showed that high B7-H4 expression was strongly correlated with deficiency in tumor infiltrated lymphocytes (TILs) in glioma patients. On this basis, we investigated the impact of B7-H4 on CD8+TILs in gliomas and the associated molecular mechanism here. B7-H4-positive tumor samples (n=129) from our glioma cohort were used to assess B7-H4 expression and CD8+TIL quantification by immunohistochemistry. CD8+TILs from five glioma patients cultured with B7-H4 protein were used to evaluate anti-tumor dysfunction by flow cytometry and ELISpot. An orthotopic murine glioma model was used to investigate the role of B7-H4 in glioma CD8+TILs by immunohisto- chemistry and flow cytometry. CD8+TILs from glioma patients cultured with B7-H4 protein were used to explore the potential molecular mechanism by RNA sequencing and western blot. Our results showed that glioma CD8+TIL density was negatively correlated with B7-H4 expression both in glioma patient cohort (P < 0.05) and orthotopic glioma murine model (P < 0.01). B7-H4 also lowered the expression of CD137 and CD103 (P < 0.05 for both) in glioma CD8+TILs and reduced their secretion of the anti-tumor cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α (P < 0.01 for both) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, B7-H4 was found to induce early dysfunction of glioma CD8+TILs by downregulating the phosphorylation of AKT and eNOS (P < 0.05 for both). In conclusion, B7-H4 reduced the infiltration of glioma CD8+TILs and induced an anti-tumor dysfunction phenotype. B7-H4 may also impair the anti-tumor function of glioma CD8+TILs via the AKT-eNOS pathway. These results indicated that B7-H4 may serve as a potential target in future glioma immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China; Immunology Laboratory, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
| | - Lang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China; Immunology Laboratory, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunxia Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China; Immunology Laboratory, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China; Immunology Laboratory, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiakai Yao
- Immunology Laboratory, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Di Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China; Immunology Laboratory, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yu Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China; Immunology Laboratory, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Savage WM, Yeary MD, Tang AJ, Sperring CP, Argenziano MG, Adapa AR, Yoh N, Canoll P, Bruce JN. Biomarkers of immunotherapy in glioblastoma. Neurooncol Pract 2024; 11:383-394. [PMID: 39006524 PMCID: PMC11241363 DOI: 10.1093/nop/npae028] [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: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain cancer, comprising half of all malignant brain tumors. Patients with GBM have a poor prognosis, with a median survival of 14-15 months. Current therapies for GBM, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical resection, remain inadequate. Novel therapies are required to extend patient survival. Although immunotherapy has shown promise in other cancers, including melanoma and non-small lung cancer, its efficacy in GBM has been limited to subsets of patients. Identifying biomarkers of immunotherapy response in GBM could help stratify patients, identify new therapeutic targets, and develop more effective treatments. This article reviews existing and emerging biomarkers of clinical response to immunotherapy in GBM. The scope of this review includes immune checkpoint inhibitor and antitumoral vaccination approaches, summarizing the variety of molecular, cellular, and computational methodologies that have been explored in the setting of anti-GBM immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William M Savage
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NY-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mitchell D Yeary
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NY-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Anthony J Tang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NY-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Colin P Sperring
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NY-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael G Argenziano
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NY-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Arjun R Adapa
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NY-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nina Yoh
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NY-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Peter Canoll
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NY-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NY-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jeffrey N Bruce
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NY-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Di L, Li M, Lei X, Xie W, Liu G, Wang Y, Zhang W, Zhu WG. Caspase-4 in glioma indicates deterioration and unfavorable prognosis by affecting tumor cell proliferation and immune cell recruitment. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17443. [PMID: 39075190 PMCID: PMC11286837 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65018-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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common malignant tumors of the central nervous system, accounting for approximately 80% of all malignant brain tumors. Accumulating evidence suggest that pyroptosis plays an essential role in the progression of cancer. Unfortunately, the effect of the pyroptosis-related factor caspase-4 (CASP4) on immunotherapy and drug therapy for tumors has not been comprehensively investigated. In this study, we systematically screened six hub genes by pooling differential pyroptosis-related genes in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) glioma data and the degree of centrality of index-related genes in the protein-protein interaction network. We performed functional and pathway enrichment analyses of the six hub genes to explore their biological functions and potential molecular mechanisms. We then investigated the importance of CASP4 using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of glioma patients. TCGA and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) databases showed that reduced CASP4 expression leads to the potent clinical deterioration of glioma patients. Computational analysis of the effect of CASP4 on the infiltration level and recruitment of glioma immune cells revealed that CASP4 expression was closely associated with a series of tumor-suppressive immune checkpoint molecules, chemokines, and chemokine receptors. We also found that aberrant CASP4 expression correlated with chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity. Finally, analysis at the cellular and tissue levels indicated an increase in CASP4 expression in glioma, and that CASP4 inhibition significantly inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells. Thus, CASP4 is implicated as a new prognostic biomarker for gliomas with the potential to further guide immunotherapy and chemotherapy strategies for glioma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Longjiang Di
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Mengyan Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genomic Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xianli Lei
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Wenting Xie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Guoqiang Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yongqing Wang
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Wei-Guo Zhu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genomic Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Wan Nan Medical College, Wuhu, 241006, China.
- International Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li X, Gou W, Zhang X. Neuroinflammation in Glioblastoma: Progress and Perspectives. Brain Sci 2024; 14:687. [PMID: 39061427 PMCID: PMC11274945 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14070687] [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: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common and malignant primary brain tumor, with high morbidity and mortality. Despite an aggressive, multimodal treatment regimen, including surgical resection followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the prognosis of glioblastoma patients remains poor. One formidable challenge to advancing glioblastoma therapy is the complexity of the tumor microenvironment. The tumor microenvironment of glioblastoma is a highly dynamic and heterogeneous system that consists of not only cancerous cells but also various resident or infiltrating inflammatory cells. These inflammatory cells not only provide a unique tumor environment for glioblastoma cells to develop and grow but also play important roles in regulating tumor aggressiveness and treatment resistance. Targeting the tumor microenvironment, especially neuroinflammation, has increasingly been recognized as a novel therapeutic approach in glioblastoma. In this review, we discuss the components of the tumor microenvironment in glioblastoma, focusing on neuroinflammation. We discuss the interactions between different tumor microenvironment components as well as their functions in regulating glioblastoma pathogenesis and progression. We will also discuss the anti-tumor microenvironment interventions that can be employed as potential therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xiaoqin Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ye W, Liang X, Chen G, Chen Q, Zhang H, Zhang N, Huang Y, Cheng Q, Chen X. NDC80/HEC1 promotes macrophage polarization and predicts glioma prognosis via single-cell RNA-seq and in vitro experiment. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14850. [PMID: 39021287 PMCID: PMC11255415 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14850] [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: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glioma is the most frequent and lethal form of primary brain tumor. The molecular mechanism of oncogenesis and progression of glioma still remains unclear, rendering the therapeutic effect of conventional radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgical resection insufficient. In this study, we sought to explore the function of HEC1 (highly expressed in cancer 1) in glioma; a component of the NDC80 complex in glioma is crucial in the regulation of kinetochore. METHODS Bulk RNA and scRNA-seq analyses were used to infer HEC1 function, and in vitro experiments validated its function. RESULTS HEC1 overexpression was observed in glioma and was indicative of poor prognosis and malignant clinical features, which was confirmed in human glioma tissues. High HEC1 expression was correlated with more active cell cycle, DNA-associated activities, and the formation of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, including interaction with immune cells, and correlated strongly with infiltrating immune cells and enhanced expression of immune checkpoints. In vitro experiments and RNA-seq further confirmed the role of HEC1 in promoting cell proliferation, and the expression of DNA replication and repair pathways in glioma. Coculture assay confirmed that HEC1 promotes microglial migration and the transformation of M1 phenotype macrophage to M2 phenotype. CONCLUSION Altogether, these findings demonstrate that HEC1 may be a potential prognostic marker and an immunotherapeutic target in glioma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weijie Ye
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Institute of Clinical PharmacologyCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xisong Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Ge Chen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Institute of Clinical PharmacologyCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Qiao Chen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Institute of Clinical PharmacologyCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated HospitalChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Yuanfei Huang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Institute of Clinical PharmacologyCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Institute of Clinical PharmacologyCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Squalli Houssaini A, Lamrabet S, Nshizirungu JP, Senhaji N, Sekal M, Karkouri M, Bennis S. Glioblastoma Vaccines as Promising Immune-Therapeutics: Challenges and Current Status. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:655. [PMID: 38932383 PMCID: PMC11209492 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor. Standard treatments including surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, have failed to significantly improve the prognosis of glioblastoma patients. Currently, immunotherapeutic approaches based on vaccines, chimeric antigen-receptor T-cells, checkpoint inhibitors, and oncolytic virotherapy are showing promising results in clinical trials. The combination of different immunotherapeutic approaches is proving satisfactory and promising. In view of the challenges of immunotherapy and the resistance of glioblastomas, the treatment of these tumors requires further efforts. In this review, we explore the obstacles that potentially influence the efficacy of the response to immunotherapy and that should be taken into account in clinical trials. This article provides a comprehensive review of vaccine therapy for glioblastoma. In addition, we identify the main biomarkers, including isocitrate dehydrogenase, epidermal growth factor receptor, and telomerase reverse transcriptase, known as potential immunotherapeutic targets in glioblastoma, as well as the current status of clinical trials. This paper also lists proposed solutions to overcome the obstacles facing immunotherapy in glioblastomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asmae Squalli Houssaini
- Laboratory of Biomedical and Translational Research, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dental Medicine of Fez, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30070, Morocco;
| | - Salma Lamrabet
- Laboratory of Biomedical and Translational Research, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dental Medicine of Fez, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30070, Morocco;
| | - Jean Paul Nshizirungu
- Biology Department, School of Science, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali P.O. Box 3900, Rwanda;
| | - Nadia Senhaji
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes 50000, Morocco;
| | - Mohammed Sekal
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Research in Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dental Medicine of Fez, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30070, Morocco;
| | - Mehdi Karkouri
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Ibn Rochd University Hospital of Casablanca, Casablanca 20250, Morocco;
- Laboratory of Cellular and molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca, Hassan II University, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
| | - Sanae Bennis
- Laboratory of Biomedical and Translational Research, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dental Medicine of Fez, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30070, Morocco;
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Nusraty S, Boddeti U, Zaghloul KA, Brown DA. Microglia in Glioblastomas: Molecular Insight and Immunotherapeutic Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1972. [PMID: 38893093 PMCID: PMC11171200 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16111972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and devastating primary brain tumors, with a median survival of 15 months following diagnosis. Despite the intense treatment regimen which routinely includes maximal safe neurosurgical resection followed by adjuvant radio- and chemotherapy, the disease remains uniformly fatal. The poor prognosis associated with GBM is multifactorial owing to factors such as increased proliferation, angiogenesis, and metabolic switching to glycolytic pathways. Critically, GBM-mediated local and systemic immunosuppression result in inadequate immune surveillance and ultimately, tumor-immune escape. Microglia-the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS)-play crucial roles in mediating the local immune response in the brain. Depending on the specific pathological cues, microglia are activated into either a pro-inflammatory, neurotoxic phenotype, known as M1, or an anti-inflammatory, regenerative phenotype, known as M2. In either case, microglia secrete corresponding pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that either promote or hinder tumor growth. Herein, we review the interplay between GBM cells and resident microglia with a focus on contemporary studies highlighting the effect of GBM on the subtypes of microglia expressed, the associated cytokines/chemokines secreted, and ultimately, their impact on tumor pathogenesis. Finally, we explore how understanding the intricacies of the tumor-immune landscape can inform novel immunotherapeutic strategies against this devastating disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Desmond A. Brown
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (S.N.); (U.B.); (K.A.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lin H, Liu C, Hu A, Zhang D, Yang H, Mao Y. Understanding the immunosuppressive microenvironment of glioma: mechanistic insights and clinical perspectives. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:31. [PMID: 38720342 PMCID: PMC11077829 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01544-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), the predominant and primary malignant intracranial tumor, poses a formidable challenge due to its immunosuppressive microenvironment, thereby confounding conventional therapeutic interventions. Despite the established treatment regimen comprising surgical intervention, radiotherapy, temozolomide administration, and the exploration of emerging modalities such as immunotherapy and integration of medicine and engineering technology therapy, the efficacy of these approaches remains constrained, resulting in suboptimal prognostic outcomes. In recent years, intensive scrutiny of the inhibitory and immunosuppressive milieu within GBM has underscored the significance of cellular constituents of the GBM microenvironment and their interactions with malignant cells and neurons. Novel immune and targeted therapy strategies have emerged, offering promising avenues for advancing GBM treatment. One pivotal mechanism orchestrating immunosuppression in GBM involves the aggregation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), glioma-associated macrophage/microglia (GAM), and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Among these, MDSCs, though constituting a minority (4-8%) of CD45+ cells in GBM, play a central component in fostering immune evasion and propelling tumor progression, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. MDSCs deploy intricate immunosuppressive mechanisms that adapt to the dynamic tumor microenvironment (TME). Understanding the interplay between GBM and MDSCs provides a compelling basis for therapeutic interventions. This review seeks to elucidate the immune regulatory mechanisms inherent in the GBM microenvironment, explore existing therapeutic targets, and consolidate recent insights into MDSC induction and their contribution to GBM immunosuppression. Additionally, the review comprehensively surveys ongoing clinical trials and potential treatment strategies, envisioning a future where targeting MDSCs could reshape the immune landscape of GBM. Through the synergistic integration of immunotherapy with other therapeutic modalities, this approach can establish a multidisciplinary, multi-target paradigm, ultimately improving the prognosis and quality of life in patients with GBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaxian Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ankang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Duanwu Zhang
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ying Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Narsinh KH, Perez E, Haddad AF, Young JS, Savastano L, Villanueva-Meyer JE, Winkler E, de Groot J. Strategies to Improve Drug Delivery Across the Blood-Brain Barrier for Glioblastoma. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2024; 24:123-139. [PMID: 38578405 PMCID: PMC11016125 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-024-01338-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Glioblastoma remains resistant to most conventional treatments. Despite scientific advances in the past three decades, there has been a dearth of effective new treatments. New approaches to drug delivery and clinical trial design are needed. RECENT FINDINGS We discuss how the blood-brain barrier and tumor microenvironment pose challenges for development of effective therapies for glioblastoma. Next, we discuss treatments in development that aim to overcome these barriers, including novel drug designs such as nanoparticles and antibody-drug conjugates, novel methods of drug delivery, including convection-enhanced and intra-arterial delivery, and novel methods to enhance drug penetration, such as blood-brain barrier disruption by focused ultrasound and laser interstitial thermal therapy. Lastly, we address future opportunities, positing combination therapy as the best strategy for effective treatment, neoadjuvant and window-of-opportunity approaches to simultaneously enhance therapeutic effectiveness with interrogation of on-treatment biologic endpoints, and adaptive platform and basket trials as imperative for future trial design. New approaches to GBM treatment should account for the blood-brain barrier and immunosuppression by improving drug delivery, combining treatments, and integrating novel clinical trial designs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazim H Narsinh
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Edgar Perez
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alexander F Haddad
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jacob S Young
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Luis Savastano
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Javier E Villanueva-Meyer
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ethan Winkler
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John de Groot
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Thenuwara G, Javed B, Singh B, Tian F. Biosensor-Enhanced Organ-on-a-Chip Models for Investigating Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment Dynamics. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:2865. [PMID: 38732975 PMCID: PMC11086276 DOI: 10.3390/s24092865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma, an aggressive primary brain tumor, poses a significant challenge owing to its dynamic and intricate tumor microenvironment. This review investigates the innovative integration of biosensor-enhanced organ-on-a-chip (OOC) models as a novel strategy for an in-depth exploration of glioblastoma tumor microenvironment dynamics. In recent years, the transformative approach of incorporating biosensors into OOC platforms has enabled real-time monitoring and analysis of cellular behaviors within a controlled microenvironment. Conventional in vitro and in vivo models exhibit inherent limitations in accurately replicating the complex nature of glioblastoma progression. This review addresses the existing research gap by pioneering the integration of biosensor-enhanced OOC models, providing a comprehensive platform for investigating glioblastoma tumor microenvironment dynamics. The applications of this combined approach in studying glioblastoma dynamics are critically scrutinized, emphasizing its potential to bridge the gap between simplistic models and the intricate in vivo conditions. Furthermore, the article discusses the implications of biosensor-enhanced OOC models in elucidating the dynamic features of the tumor microenvironment, encompassing cell migration, proliferation, and interactions. By furnishing real-time insights, these models significantly contribute to unraveling the complex biology of glioblastoma, thereby influencing the development of more accurate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gayathree Thenuwara
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman Lower, D07 H6K8 Dublin, Ireland; (G.T.); (B.J.)
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
| | - Bilal Javed
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman Lower, D07 H6K8 Dublin, Ireland; (G.T.); (B.J.)
- Nanolab Research Centre, FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Camden Row, D08 CKP1 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Baljit Singh
- MiCRA Biodiagnostics Technology Gateway, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), D24 FKT9 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Furong Tian
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman Lower, D07 H6K8 Dublin, Ireland; (G.T.); (B.J.)
- Nanolab Research Centre, FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Camden Row, D08 CKP1 Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Huang M, Liu Y, Peng J, Cheng Y. Causal effects of immune cells in glioblastoma: a Bayesian Mendelian Randomization study. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1375723. [PMID: 38742049 PMCID: PMC11089213 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1375723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly malignant brain tumor, and immune cells play a crucial role in its initiation and progression. The immune system's cellular components, including various types of lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, among others, engage in intricate interactions with GBM. However, the precise nature of these interactions remains to be conclusively determined. Method In this study, a comprehensive two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to elucidate the causal relationship between immune cell features and the incidence of GBM. Utilizing publicly available genetic data, we investigated the causal associations between 731 immune cell signatures and the risk of GBM. Subsequently, we conducted a reverse Mendelian randomization analysis to rule out reverse causation. Finally, it was concluded that there is a unidirectional causal relationship between three subtypes of immune cells and GBM. Comprehensive sensitivity analyses were employed to validate the results robustness, heterogeneity, and presence of horizontal pleiotropy. To enhance the accuracy of our results, we concurrently subjected them to Bayesian analysis. Results After conducting MR analyses, we identified 10 immune phenotypes that counteract glioblastoma, with the most protective being FSC-A on Natural Killer T cells (OR = 0.688, CI = 0.515-0.918, P = 0.011). Additionally, we found 11 immune cell subtypes that promote GBM incidence, including CD62L- HLA DR++ monocyte % monocyte (OR = 1.522, CI = 1.004-2.307, P = 0.048), CD4+CD8+ T cell % leukocyte (OR = 1.387, CI = 1.031-1.866, P = 0.031). Following the implementation of reverse MR analysis, where glioblastoma served as the exposure variable and the outcomes included 21 target immune cell subtypes, we discerned that only three cell subtypes (CD45 on CD33+ HLA DR+ CD14dim, CD33+ HLA DR+ Absolute Count, and IgD+ CD24+ B cell Absolute Count) exhibited a unidirectional causal association with glioblastoma. Conclusion Our study has genetically demonstrated the close relationship between immune cells and GBM, guiding future clinical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingsheng Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yiheng Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Peng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ding Y, Jiang Y, Zeng H, Zhou M, Zhou X, Yu Z, Pan J, Geng X, Zhu Y, Zheng H, Huang S, Gong Y, Huang H, Xiong C, Huang D. Identification of a robust biomarker LAPTM4A for glioma based on comprehensive computational biology and experimental verification. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:6954-6989. [PMID: 38613802 PMCID: PMC11087115 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205736] [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: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioma, a highly invasive and deadly form of human neoplasm, presents a pressing need for the exploration of potential therapeutic targets. While the lysosomal protein transmembrane 4A (LATPM4A) has been identified as a risk factor in pancreatic cancer patients, its role in glioma remains unexplored. METHODS The analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEG) was conducted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) glioma dataset and the Genotype Tissue Expression (GTEx) dataset. Through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), the key glioma-related genes were identified. Among these, by using Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis and univariate/multivariate COX methods, LAPTM4A emerged as the most influential gene. Moreover, the bioinformatics methods and experimental verification were employed to analyze its relationships with diagnosis, clinical parameters, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis, immune cell infiltration, immunotherapy, drug sensitivity, and ceRNA network. RESULTS Our findings revealed that LAPTM4A was up-regulated in gliomas and was associated with clinicopathological features, leading to poor prognosis. Furthermore, functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that LATPM4A played a role in the immune system and cancer progression. In vitro experiments indicated that LAPTM4A may influence metastasis through the EMT pathway in glioma. Additionally, we found that LAPTM4A was associated with the tumor microenvironment (TME) and immunotherapy. Notably, drug sensitivity analysis revealed that patients with high LAPTM4A expression were sensitive to doxorubicin, which contributed to a reduction in LAPTM4A expression. Finally, we uncovered the FGD5-AS1-hsa-miR-103a-3p-LAPTM4A axis as a facilitator of glioma progression. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our study identifies LATPM4A as a promising biomarker for prognosis and immune characteristics in glioma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongqi Ding
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Yike Jiang
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Hong Zeng
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Minqin Zhou
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Xuanrui Zhou
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Zichuan Yu
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Jingying Pan
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Xitong Geng
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Yanting Zhu
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Hao Zheng
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Shuhan Huang
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Yiyang Gong
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Huabin Huang
- Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Chengfeng Xiong
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Da Huang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Liu Z, Yang L, Wu W, Chen Z, Xie Z, Shi D, Cai N, Zhuo S. Prognosis and therapeutic significance of IGF-1R-related signaling pathway gene signature in glioma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1375030. [PMID: 38665430 PMCID: PMC11043541 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1375030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Glioma is the most common cancer of the central nervous system with poor therapeutic response and clinical prognosis. Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling is implicated in tumor development and progression and induces apoptosis of cancer cells following functional inhibition. However, the relationship between the IGF-1R-related signaling pathway genes and glioma prognosis or immunotherapy/chemotherapy is poorly understood. Methods LASSO-Cox regression was employed to develop a 16-gene risk signature in the TCGA-GBMLGG cohort, and all patients with glioma were divided into low-risk and high-risk subgroups. The relationships between the risk signature and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), immunotherapy response, and chemotherapy response were then analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the HSP90B1 level in clinical glioma tissue. Results The gene risk signature yielded superior predictive efficacy in prognosis (5-year area under the curve: 0.875) and can therefore serve as an independent prognostic indicator in patients with glioma. The high-risk subgroup exhibited abundant immune infltration and elevated immune checkpoint gene expression within the TIME. Subsequent analysis revealed that patients in the high-risk subgroup benefited more from chemotherapy. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that HSP90B1 was overexpressed in glioma, with significantly higher levels observed in glioblastoma than in astrocytoma or oligodendrocytoma. Conclusion The newly identified 16-gene risk signature demonstrates a robust predictive capacity for glioma prognosis and plays a pivotal role in the TIME, thereby offering valuable insights for the exploration of novel biomarkers and targeted therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liangwang Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Wenqi Wu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zejun Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhengxing Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Daoming Shi
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ning Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shenghua Zhuo
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Cuccarini V, Savoldi F, Mardor Y, Last D, Pellegatta S, Mazzi F, Bruzzone MG, Anghileri E, Pollo B, Maddaloni L, Russo C, Bocchi E, Pinzi V, Eoli M, Aquino D. Response assessment of GBM during immunotherapy by delayed contrast treatment response assessment maps. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1374737. [PMID: 38651109 PMCID: PMC11033465 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1374737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Assessing the treatment response of glioblastoma multiforme during immunotherapy (IT) is an open issue. Treatment response assessment maps (TRAMs) might help distinguish true tumor progression (TTP) and pseudoprogression (PsP) in this setting. Methods We recruited 16 naïve glioblastoma patients enrolled in a phase II trial consisting of the Stupp protocol (a standardized treatment for glioblastoma involving combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide, followed by adjuvant temozolomide) plus IT with dendritic cells. Patients were followed up till progression or death; seven underwent a second surgery for suspected progression. Clinical, immunological, and MRI data were collected from all patients and histology in case of second surgery. Patients were classified as responders (progression-free survival, PFS > 12 months), and non-responders (PFS ≤ 12), HIGH-NK (natural killer cells, i.e., immunological responders), and LOW-NK (immunological non-responders) based on immune cell counts in peripheral blood. TRAMs differentiate contrast-enhancing lesions with different washout dynamics into hypothesized tumoral (conventionally blue-colored) vs. treatment-related (red-colored). Results Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, a threshold of -0.066 in VBlue/VCE (volume of the blue portion of tumoral area/volume of contrast enhancement) variation between values obtained in the MRI performed before PsP/TTP and at TTP/PSP allowed to discriminate TTP from PsP with a sensitivity of 71.4% and a specificity of 100%. Among HIGH-NK patients, at month 6 there was a significant reduction compared to baseline and month 2 in median "blue" volumes. Discussion In conclusion, in our pilot study TRAMs support the discrimination between tumoral and treatment-related enhancing features in immunological responders vs. non-responders, the distinction between PsP and TTP, and might provide surrogate markers of immunological response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Cuccarini
- Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Savoldi
- Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Yael Mardor
- Advanced Technology Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - David Last
- Advanced Technology Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Serena Pellegatta
- Molecular Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Mazzi
- Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Bruzzone
- Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Anghileri
- Molecular Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Bianca Pollo
- Neuro-Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Maddaloni
- Molecular Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Camilla Russo
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica e delle Tecnologie dell’Informazione (DIETI), Università Degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Elisa Bocchi
- Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Pinzi
- Radiotherapy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Marica Eoli
- Molecular Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Aquino
- Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Brown CE, Hibbard JC, Alizadeh D, Blanchard MS, Natri HM, Wang D, Ostberg JR, Aguilar B, Wagner JR, Paul JA, Starr R, Wong RA, Chen W, Shulkin N, Aftabizadeh M, Filippov A, Chaudhry A, Ressler JA, Kilpatrick J, Myers-McNamara P, Chen M, Wang LD, Rockne RC, Georges J, Portnow J, Barish ME, D'Apuzzo M, Banovich NE, Forman SJ, Badie B. Locoregional delivery of IL-13Rα2-targeting CAR-T cells in recurrent high-grade glioma: a phase 1 trial. Nat Med 2024; 30:1001-1012. [PMID: 38454126 PMCID: PMC11031404 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-02875-1] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy is an emerging strategy to improve treatment outcomes for recurrent high-grade glioma, a cancer that responds poorly to current therapies. Here we report a completed phase I trial evaluating IL-13Rα2-targeted CAR-T cells in 65 patients with recurrent high-grade glioma, the majority being recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM). Primary objectives were safety and feasibility, maximum tolerated dose/maximum feasible dose and a recommended phase 2 dose plan. Secondary objectives included overall survival, disease response, cytokine dynamics and tumor immune contexture biomarkers. This trial evolved to evaluate three routes of locoregional T cell administration (intratumoral (ICT), intraventricular (ICV) and dual ICT/ICV) and two manufacturing platforms, culminating in arm 5, which utilized dual ICT/ICV delivery and an optimized manufacturing process. Locoregional CAR-T cell administration was feasible and well tolerated, and as there were no dose-limiting toxicities across all arms, a maximum tolerated dose was not determined. Probable treatment-related grade 3+ toxicities were one grade 3 encephalopathy and one grade 3 ataxia. A clinical maximum feasible dose of 200 × 106 CAR-T cells per infusion cycle was achieved for arm 5; however, other arms either did not test or achieve this dose due to manufacturing feasibility. A recommended phase 2 dose will be refined in future studies based on data from this trial. Stable disease or better was achieved in 50% (29/58) of patients, with two partial responses, one complete response and a second complete response after additional CAR-T cycles off protocol. For rGBM, median overall survival for all patients was 7.7 months and for arm 5 was 10.2 months. Central nervous system increases in inflammatory cytokines, including IFNγ, CXCL9 and CXCL10, were associated with CAR-T cell administration and bioactivity. Pretreatment intratumoral CD3 T cell levels were positively associated with survival. These findings demonstrate that locoregional IL-13Rα2-targeted CAR-T therapy is safe with promising clinical activity in a subset of patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02208362 .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine E Brown
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
| | - Jonathan C Hibbard
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Darya Alizadeh
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - M Suzette Blanchard
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Heini M Natri
- The Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Dongrui Wang
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, and Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Julie R Ostberg
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Brenda Aguilar
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jamie R Wagner
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jinny A Paul
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Renate Starr
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Robyn A Wong
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Wuyang Chen
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Noah Shulkin
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Maryam Aftabizadeh
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Aleksandr Filippov
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ammar Chaudhry
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Julie A Ressler
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Julie Kilpatrick
- Department of Clinical Research, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Paige Myers-McNamara
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Mike Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Leo D Wang
- Departments of Immuno-Oncology and Pediatrics, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Russell C Rockne
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Joseph Georges
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jana Portnow
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Michael E Barish
- Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Massimo D'Apuzzo
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | | | - Stephen J Forman
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Behnam Badie
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Hu A, Sun L, Lin H, Liao Y, Yang H, Mao Y. Harnessing innate immune pathways for therapeutic advancement in cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:68. [PMID: 38523155 PMCID: PMC10961329 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01765-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The innate immune pathway is receiving increasing attention in cancer therapy. This pathway is ubiquitous across various cell types, not only in innate immune cells but also in adaptive immune cells, tumor cells, and stromal cells. Agonists targeting the innate immune pathway have shown profound changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and improved tumor prognosis in preclinical studies. However, to date, the clinical success of drugs targeting the innate immune pathway remains limited. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that activation of the innate immune pathway can paradoxically promote tumor progression. The uncertainty surrounding the therapeutic effectiveness of targeted drugs for the innate immune pathway is a critical issue that needs immediate investigation. In this review, we observe that the role of the innate immune pathway demonstrates heterogeneity, linked to the tumor development stage, pathway status, and specific cell types. We propose that within the TME, the innate immune pathway exhibits multidimensional diversity. This diversity is fundamentally rooted in cellular heterogeneity and is manifested as a variety of signaling networks. The pro-tumor effect of innate immune pathway activation essentially reflects the suppression of classical pathways and the activation of potential pro-tumor alternative pathways. Refining our understanding of the tumor's innate immune pathway network and employing appropriate targeting strategies can enhance our ability to harness the anti-tumor potential of the innate immune pathway and ultimately bridge the gap from preclinical to clinical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Li Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Hao Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yuheng Liao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), and Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine (Ministry of Education), and Molecular and Cell Biology Lab, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
| | - Ying Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Memari E, Khan D, Alkins R, Helfield B. Focused ultrasound-assisted delivery of immunomodulating agents in brain cancer. J Control Release 2024; 367:283-299. [PMID: 38266715 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.01.034] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Focused ultrasound (FUS) combined with intravascularly circulating microbubbles can transiently increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to enable targeted therapeutic delivery to the brain, the clinical testing of which is currently underway in both adult and pediatric patients. Aside from traditional cancer drugs, this technique is being extended to promote the delivery of immunomodulating therapeutics to the brain, including antibodies, immune cells, and cytokines. In this manner, FUS approaches are being explored as a tool to improve and amplify the effectiveness of immunotherapy for both primary and metastatic brain cancer, a particularly challenging solid tumor to treat. Here, we present an overview of the latest groundbreaking research in FUS-assisted delivery of immunomodulating agents to the brain in pre-clinical models of brain cancer, and place it within the context of the current immunotherapy approaches. We follow this up with a discussion on new developments and emerging strategies for this rapidly evolving approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elahe Memari
- Department of Physics, Concordia University, Montreal H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Dure Khan
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Ryan Alkins
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Brandon Helfield
- Department of Physics, Concordia University, Montreal H4B 1R6, Canada; Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal H4B 1R6, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abadi B, Abdesheikhi J, Sedghy F, Mahmoodi M, Fallah H. Silibinin improved the function of T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) co-cultured with U-87 MG cell line. AVICENNA JOURNAL OF PHYTOMEDICINE 2024; 14:166-176. [PMID: 38966629 PMCID: PMC11221771 DOI: 10.22038/ajp.2023.22935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Objective Silibinin has exhibited antitumor activities. However, there are few reports about the immunomodulatory properties of silibinin on T lymphocyte function in the tumor microenvironment. Here, we determined the effects of silibinin on T cells of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), cultivated alone or with a human cell line of glioblastoma (U-87 MG). Materials and Methods The proliferation of T lymphocytes was assessed by MTT test in the presence of silibinin (15 and 45 µM). Also, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), the activity of superoxide dismutase-3 (SOD3), and the levels of two cytokines interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor growth beta (TGF-β) were compared between treated and untreated PBMCs alone or co-cultured with U-87 cells. Results According to our results, silibinin raised the TAC levels and SOD3 activity in the PBMCs and in the co-culture condition. Moreover, silibinin-treated PBMCs showed higher IFN-γ levels and lower TGF-β levels. Interestingly, silibinin protected PBMCs against the U-87-induced suppression. Conclusion Altogether, these results proposed the immunomodulatory potential of silibinin on T cells of PBMCs, as well as its partially protective effects on PBMCs against the suppression induced by U-87 MG cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Banafshe Abadi
- Herbal and Traditional Medicines Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Brain Cancer Research Core, Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Kerman, Iran
- Equal first author
| | - Jahangir Abdesheikhi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Equal first author
| | - Farnaz Sedghy
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Merat Mahmoodi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hossein Fallah
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Stepanenko AA, Sosnovtseva AO, Valikhov MP, Chernysheva AA, Abramova OV, Pavlov KA, Chekhonin VP. Systemic and local immunosuppression in glioblastoma and its prognostic significance. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1326753. [PMID: 38481999 PMCID: PMC10932993 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1326753] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The effectiveness of tumor therapy, especially immunotherapy and oncolytic virotherapy, critically depends on the activity of the host immune cells. However, various local and systemic mechanisms of immunosuppression operate in cancer patients. Tumor-associated immunosuppression involves deregulation of many components of immunity, including a decrease in the number of T lymphocytes (lymphopenia), an increase in the levels or ratios of circulating and tumor-infiltrating immunosuppressive subsets [e.g., macrophages, microglia, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and regulatory T cells (Tregs)], as well as defective functions of subsets of antigen-presenting, helper and effector immune cell due to altered expression of various soluble and membrane proteins (receptors, costimulatory molecules, and cytokines). In this review, we specifically focus on data from patients with glioblastoma/glioma before standard chemoradiotherapy. We discuss glioblastoma-related immunosuppression at baseline and the prognostic significance of different subsets of circulating and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (lymphocytes, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, Tregs, natural killer (NK) cells, neutrophils, macrophages, MDSCs, and dendritic cells), including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), focus on the immune landscape and prognostic significance of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant gliomas, proneural, classical and mesenchymal molecular subtypes, and highlight the features of immune surveillance in the brain. All attempts to identify a reliable prognostic immune marker in glioblastoma tissue have led to contradictory results, which can be explained, among other things, by the unprecedented level of spatial heterogeneity of the immune infiltrate and the significant phenotypic diversity and (dys)functional states of immune subpopulations. High NLR is one of the most repeatedly confirmed independent prognostic factors for shorter overall survival in patients with glioblastoma and carcinoma, and its combination with other markers of the immune response or systemic inflammation significantly improves the accuracy of prediction; however, more prospective studies are needed to confirm the prognostic/predictive power of NLR. We call for the inclusion of dynamic assessment of NLR and other blood inflammatory markers (e.g., absolute/total lymphocyte count, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index, and systemic immune response index) in all neuro-oncology studies for rigorous evaluation and comparison of their individual and combinatorial prognostic/predictive significance and relative superiority.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksei A. Stepanenko
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Neurobiology, V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Translational Medicine, N. I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasiia O. Sosnovtseva
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Neurobiology, V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Marat P. Valikhov
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Neurobiology, V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Translational Medicine, N. I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia A. Chernysheva
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Neurobiology, V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga V. Abramova
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Neurobiology, V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Konstantin A. Pavlov
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Neurobiology, V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir P. Chekhonin
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Neurobiology, V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Translational Medicine, N. I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Zhang Z, Xu X, Du J, Chen X, Xue Y, Zhang J, Yang X, Chen X, Xie J, Ju S. Redox-responsive polymer micelles co-encapsulating immune checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents for glioblastoma therapy. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1118. [PMID: 38320994 PMCID: PMC10847518 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44963-3] [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: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) for glioblastoma (GBM) is promising but its clinical efficacy is seriously challenged by the blood-tumor barrier (BTB) and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Here, anti-programmed death-ligand 1 antibodies (aPD-L1) are loaded into a redox-responsive micelle and the ICB efficacy is further amplified by paclitaxel (PTX)-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD) via a co-encapsulation approach for the reinvigoration of local anti-GBM immune responses. Consequently, the micelles cross the BTB and are retained in the reductive tumor microenvironment without altering the bioactivity of aPD-L1. The ICB efficacy is enhanced by the aPD-L1 and PTX combination with suppression of primary and recurrent GBM, accumulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and induction of long-lasting immunological memory in the orthotopic GBM-bearing mice. The co-encapsulation approach facilitating efficient antibody delivery and combining with chemotherapeutic agent-induced ICD demonstrate that the chemo-immunotherapy might reprogram local immunity to empower immunotherapy against GBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqi Zhang
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Xu
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jiawei Du
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yonger Xue
- Center for BioDelivery Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jianqiong Zhang
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore.
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, NUS Center for Nanomedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore.
| | - Jinbing Xie
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Shenghong Ju
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Losurdo A, Di Muzio A, Cianciotti BC, Dipasquale A, Persico P, Barigazzi C, Bono B, Feno S, Pessina F, Santoro A, Simonelli M. T Cell Features in Glioblastoma May Guide Therapeutic Strategies to Overcome Microenvironment Immunosuppression. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:603. [PMID: 38339353 PMCID: PMC10854506 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and lethal primary brain tumor, bearing a survival estimate below 10% at five years, despite standard chemoradiation treatment. At recurrence, systemic treatment options are limited and the standard of care is not well defined, with inclusion in clinical trials being highly encouraged. So far, the use of immunotherapeutic strategies in GBM has not proved to significantly improve patients' prognosis in the treatment of newly diagnosed GBM, nor in the recurrent setting. Probably this has to do with the unique immune environment of the central nervous system, which harbors several immunosuppressive/pro-tumorigenic factors, both soluble (e.g., TGF-β, IL-10, STAT3, prostaglandin E2, and VEGF) and cellular (e.g., Tregs, M2 phenotype TAMs, and MDSC). Here we review the immune composition of the GBMs microenvironment, specifically focusing on the phenotype and function of the T cell compartment. Moreover, we give hints on the therapeutic strategies, such as immune checkpoint blockade, vaccinations, and adoptive cell therapy, that, interacting with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, might both target in different ways the tumor microenvironment and potentiate the activity of standard therapies. The path to be followed in advancing clinical research on immunotherapy for GBM treatment relies on a twofold strategy: testing combinatorial treatments, aiming to restore active immune anti-tumor responses, tackling immunosuppression, and additionally, designing more phase 0 and window opportunity trials with solid translational analyses to gain deeper insight into the on-treatment shaping of the GBM microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Losurdo
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (A.L.); (A.D.M.); (A.D.); (P.P.); (C.B.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy;
| | - Antonio Di Muzio
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (A.L.); (A.D.M.); (A.D.); (P.P.); (C.B.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy;
| | - Beatrice Claudia Cianciotti
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (B.C.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Angelo Dipasquale
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (A.L.); (A.D.M.); (A.D.); (P.P.); (C.B.); (A.S.)
| | - Pasquale Persico
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (A.L.); (A.D.M.); (A.D.); (P.P.); (C.B.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy;
| | - Chiara Barigazzi
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (A.L.); (A.D.M.); (A.D.); (P.P.); (C.B.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy;
| | - Beatrice Bono
- Department of Neurosurgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy;
| | - Simona Feno
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (B.C.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Federico Pessina
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy;
- Department of Neurosurgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy;
| | - Armando Santoro
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (A.L.); (A.D.M.); (A.D.); (P.P.); (C.B.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy;
| | - Matteo Simonelli
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (A.L.); (A.D.M.); (A.D.); (P.P.); (C.B.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Teer L, Yaddanapudi K, Chen J. Biophysical Control of the Glioblastoma Immunosuppressive Microenvironment: Opportunities for Immunotherapy. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:93. [PMID: 38247970 PMCID: PMC10813491 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11010093] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
GBM is the most aggressive and common form of primary brain cancer with a dismal prognosis. Current GBM treatments have not improved patient survival, due to the propensity for tumor cell adaptation and immune evasion, leading to a persistent progression of the disease. In recent years, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been identified as a critical regulator of these pro-tumorigenic changes, providing a complex array of biomolecular and biophysical signals that facilitate evasion strategies by modulating tumor cells, stromal cells, and immune populations. Efforts to unravel these complex TME interactions are necessary to improve GBM therapy. Immunotherapy is a promising treatment strategy that utilizes a patient's own immune system for tumor eradication and has exhibited exciting results in many cancer types; however, the highly immunosuppressive interactions between the immune cell populations and the GBM TME continue to present challenges. In order to elucidate these interactions, novel bioengineering models are being employed to decipher the mechanisms of immunologically "cold" GBMs. Additionally, these data are being leveraged to develop cell engineering strategies to bolster immunotherapy efficacy. This review presents an in-depth analysis of the biophysical interactions of the GBM TME and immune cell populations as well as the systems used to elucidate the underlying immunosuppressive mechanisms for improving current therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Landon Teer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA;
| | - Kavitha Yaddanapudi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Immuno-Oncology Program, Brown Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Division of Immunotherapy, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Joseph Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Lorimer IAJ. Potential roles for efferocytosis in glioblastoma immune evasion. Neurooncol Adv 2024; 6:vdae012. [PMID: 38616895 PMCID: PMC11012614 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdae012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is an aggressive and incurable brain cancer. This cancer establishes both local and systemic immunosuppression that creates a major obstacle to effective immunotherapies. Many studies point to tumor-resident myeloid cells (primarily microglia and macrophages) as key mediators of this immunosuppression. Myeloid cells exhibit a high level of plasticity with respect to their phenotype and are capable of both stimulating and repressing immune responses. How glioblastomas recruit myeloid cells and exploit them to avoid the immune system is an active area of research. Macrophages can acquire an immunosuppressive phenotype as a consequence of exposure to cytokines such as TGFB1 or IL4; in addition, macrophages can acquire an immunosuppressive phenotype as a consequence of the engulfment of apoptotic cells, a process referred to as efferocytosis. There is substantial evidence that glioblastoma cells are able to secrete cytokines and other factors that induce an immunosuppressive phenotype in macrophages and microglia. However, less is known about the contribution of efferocytosis to immunosuppression in glioblastoma. Here I review the literature in this area and discuss the potential of efferocytosis inhibition to improve glioblastoma response to immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian A J Lorimer
- Cancer Research Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Fadul CE, Thakur A, Kim J, Kassay-McAllister J, Schalk D, Lopes MB, Donahue J, Purow B, Dillon P, Le T, Schiff D, Liu Q, Lum LG. Phase I study targeting newly diagnosed grade 4 astrocytoma with bispecific antibody armed T cells (EGFR BATs) in combination with radiation and temozolomide. J Neurooncol 2024; 166:321-330. [PMID: 38263486 PMCID: PMC10834565 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-024-04564-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the safety, feasibility, and immunologic responses of treating grade 4 astrocytomas with multiple infusions of anti-CD3 x anti-EGFR bispecific antibody (EGFRBi) armed T cells (EGFR BATs) in combination with radiation and chemotherapy. METHODS This phase I study used a 3 + 3 dose escalation design to test the safety and feasibility of intravenously infused EGFR BATs in combination with radiation and temozolomide (TMZ) in patients with newly diagnosed grade 4 astrocytomas (AG4). After finding the feasible dose, an expansion cohort with unmethylated O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) tumors received weekly EGFR BATs without TMZ. RESULTS The highest feasible dose was 80 × 109 EGFR BATs without dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) in seven patients. We could not escalate the dose because of the limited T-cell expansion. There were no DLTs in the additional cohort of three patients with unmethylated MGMT tumors who received eight weekly infusions of EGFR BATs without TMZ. EGFR BATs infusions induced increases in glioma specific anti-tumor cytotoxicity by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (p < 0.03) and NK cell activity (p < 0.002) ex vivo, and increased serum concentrations of IFN-γ (p < 0.03), IL-2 (p < 0.007), and GM-CSF (p < 0.009). CONCLUSION Targeting AG4 with EGFR BATs at the maximum feasible dose of 80 × 109, with or without TMZ was safe and induced significant anti-tumor-specific immune responses. These results support further clinical trials to examine the efficacy of this adoptive cell therapy in patients with MGMT-unmethylated GBM. CLINICALTRIALS gov Identifier: NCT03344250.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camilo E Fadul
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-Oncology, University of Virginia Health System, P.O. Box 800394, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
| | - Archana Thakur
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Division Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jungeun Kim
- Office of Clinical Research, School of Medicine, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jessica Kassay-McAllister
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Division Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Dana Schalk
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Division Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - M Beatriz Lopes
- Department of Pathology, Divisions of Neuropathology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Joseph Donahue
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Benjamin Purow
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-Oncology, University of Virginia Health System, P.O. Box 800394, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Patrick Dillon
- Division Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Tri Le
- Division Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - David Schiff
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-Oncology, University of Virginia Health System, P.O. Box 800394, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Qin Liu
- Biostatistics Unit, Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lawrence G Lum
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Division Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Reghu G, Vemula PK, Bhat SG, Narayanan S. Harnessing the innate immune system by revolutionizing macrophage-mediated cancer immunotherapy. J Biosci 2024; 49:63. [PMID: 38864238 PMCID: PMC11286319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a promising and safer alternative to conventional cancer therapies. It involves adaptive T-cell therapy, cancer vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) based therapies. However, most of these modalities encounter restrictions in solid tumours owing to a dense, highly hypoxic and immune-suppressive microenvironment as well as the heterogeneity of tumour antigens. The elevated intra-tumoural pressure and mutational rates within fastgrowing solid tumours present challenges in efficient drug targeting and delivery. The tumour microenvironment is a dynamic niche infiltrated by a variety of immune cells, most of which are macrophages. Since they form a part of the innate immune system, targeting macrophages has become a plausible immunotherapeutic approach. In this review, we discuss several versatile approaches (both at pre-clinical and clinical stages) such as the direct killing of tumour-associated macrophages, reprogramming pro-tumour macrophages to anti-tumour phenotypes, inhibition of macrophage recruitment into the tumour microenvironment, novel CAR macrophages, and genetically engineered macrophages that have been devised thus far. These strategies comprise a strong and adaptable macrophage-toolkit in the ongoing fight against cancer and by understanding their significance, we may unlock the full potential of these immune cells in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gayatri Reghu
- Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi 682 022, India
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Tan AK, Henry A, Goffart N, van Logtestijn S, Bours V, Hol EM, Robe PA. Limited Effects of Class II Transactivator-Based Immunotherapy in Murine and Human Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:193. [PMID: 38201622 PMCID: PMC10778432 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010193] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The major histocompatibility complex type II is downregulated in glioblastoma (GB) due to the silencing of the major transcriptional regulator class II transactivator (CIITA). We investigated the pro-immunogenic potential of CIITA overexpression in mouse and human GB. METHODS The intracerebral growth of wildtype GL261-WT cells was assessed following contralateral injection of GL261-CIITA cells or flank injections with GL261-WT or GL261-CIITA cells. Splenocytes obtained from mice implanted intracerebrally with GL261-WT, GL261-CIITA cells or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were transferred to other mice and subsequently implanted intracerebrally with GL261-WT. Human GB cells and (syngeneic) GB-infiltrating immune cells were isolated from surgical samples and co-cultured with GB cells expressing CIITA or not, followed by RT-qPCR assessment of the expression of key immune regulators. RESULTS Intracerebral vaccination of GL261-CIITA significantly reduced the subsequent growth of GL261-WT cells implanted contralaterally. Vaccination with GL261-WT or -CIITA subcutaneously, however, equivalently retarded the intracerebral growth of GL261 cells. Adoptive cell transfer experiments showed a similar antitumor potential of lymphocytes harvested from mice implanted intracerebrally with GL261-WT or -CIITA. Human GB-infiltrating myeloid cells and lymphocytes were not activated when cultured with CIITA-expressing GB cells. Tumor-infiltrating NK cells remained mostly inactivated when in co-culture with GB cells, regardless of CIITA. CONCLUSION these results question the therapeutic potential of CIITA-mediated immunotherapy in glioblastoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A. Katherine Tan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU) Brain Center, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (A.K.T.); (E.M.H.)
| | - Aurelie Henry
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Goffart
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Sofie van Logtestijn
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU) Brain Center, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (A.K.T.); (E.M.H.)
| | - Vincent Bours
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Elly M. Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU) Brain Center, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (A.K.T.); (E.M.H.)
| | - Pierre A. Robe
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU) Brain Center, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (A.K.T.); (E.M.H.)
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU) Brain Center, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Nafe R, Hattingen E. Cellular Components of the Tumor Environment in Gliomas-What Do We Know Today? Biomedicines 2023; 12:14. [PMID: 38275375 PMCID: PMC10813739 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
A generation ago, the molecular properties of tumor cells were the focus of scientific interest in oncology research. Since then, it has become increasingly apparent that the tumor environment (TEM), whose major components are non-neoplastic cell types, is also of utmost importance for our understanding of tumor growth, maintenance and resistance. In this review, we present the current knowledge concerning all cellular components within the TEM in gliomas, focusing on their molecular properties, expression patterns and influence on the biological behavior of gliomas. Insight into the TEM of gliomas has expanded considerably in recent years, including many aspects that previously received only marginal attention, such as the phenomenon of phagocytosis of glioma cells by macrophages and the role of the thyroid-stimulating hormone on glioma growth. We also discuss other topics such as the migration of lymphocytes into the tumor, phenotypic similarities between chemoresistant glioma cells and stem cells, and new clinical approaches with immunotherapies involving the cells of TEM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reinhold Nafe
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinics of Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Schleusenweg 2-16, D-60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
| | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is among the deadliest malignancies facing modern oncology. While our understanding of certain aspects of GBM biology has significantly increased over the last decade, other aspects, such as the role of bioactive metals in GBM progression, remain understudied. Iron is the most abundant transition metal found within the earth's crust and plays an intricate role in human physiology owing to its ability to participate in oxidation-reduction reactions. The importance of iron homeostasis in human physiology is apparent when examining the clinical consequences of iron deficiency or iron overload. Despite this, the role of iron in GBM progression has not been well described. Here, we review and synthesize the existing literature examining iron's role in GBM progression and patient outcomes, as well as provide a survey of iron's effects on the major cell types found within the GBM microenvironment at the molecular and cellular level. Iron represents an accessible target given the availability of already approved iron supplements and chelators. Improving our understanding of iron's role in GBM biology may pave the way for iron-modulating approaches to improve patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh Shenoy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - James R Connor
- Department of Neurosurgery, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Batchu S, Hanafy KA, Redjal N, Godil SS, Thomas AJ. Single-cell analysis reveals diversity of tumor-associated macrophages and their interactions with T lymphocytes in glioblastoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20874. [PMID: 38012322 PMCID: PMC10682178 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48116-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive primary CNS malignancy and clinical outcomes have remained stagnant despite introduction of new treatments. Understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME) in which tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) interact with T cells has been of great interest. Although previous studies examining TAMs in GBM have shown that certain TAMs are associated with specific clinical and/or pathologic features, these studies used an outdated M1/M2 paradigm of macrophage polarization and failed to include the continuum of TAM states in GBM. Perhaps most significantly, the interactions of TAMs with T cells have yet to be fully explored. Our study uses single-cell RNA sequencing data from adult IDH-wildtype GBM, with the primary aim of deciphering the cellular interactions of the 7 TAM subtypes with T cells in the GBM TME. Furthermore, the interactions discovered herein are compared to IDH-mutant astrocytoma, allowing for focus on the cellular ecosystem unique to GBM. The resulting ligand-receptor interactions, signaling sources, and global communication patterns discovered provide a framework for future studies to explore methods of leveraging the immune system for treating GBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sai Batchu
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, 08103, USA
| | - Khalid A Hanafy
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, 08103, USA
- Department of Neurology, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Navid Redjal
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, 08103, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Saniya S Godil
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, 08103, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Ajith J Thomas
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, 08103, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Slika H, Karimov Z, Alimonti P, Abou-Mrad T, De Fazio E, Alomari S, Tyler B. Preclinical Models and Technologies in Glioblastoma Research: Evolution, Current State, and Future Avenues. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16316. [PMID: 38003507 PMCID: PMC10671665 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216316] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary central nervous system tumor and one of the most debilitating cancers. The prognosis of patients with glioblastoma remains poor, and the management of this tumor, both in its primary and recurrent forms, remains suboptimal. Despite the tremendous efforts that are being put forward by the research community to discover novel efficacious therapeutic agents and modalities, no major paradigm shifts have been established in the field in the last decade. However, this does not mirror the abundance of relevant findings and discoveries made in preclinical glioblastoma research. Hence, developing and utilizing appropriate preclinical models that faithfully recapitulate the characteristics and behavior of human glioblastoma is of utmost importance. Herein, we offer a holistic picture of the evolution of preclinical models of glioblastoma. We further elaborate on the commonly used in vitro and vivo models, delving into their development, favorable characteristics, shortcomings, and areas of potential improvement, which aids researchers in designing future experiments and utilizing the most suitable models. Additionally, this review explores progress in the fields of humanized and immunotolerant mouse models, genetically engineered animal models, 3D in vitro models, and microfluidics and highlights promising avenues for the future of preclinical glioblastoma research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Slika
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (H.S.); (Z.K.); (S.A.)
| | - Ziya Karimov
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (H.S.); (Z.K.); (S.A.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Paolo Alimonti
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (P.A.); (E.D.F.)
| | - Tatiana Abou-Mrad
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon;
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Emerson De Fazio
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (P.A.); (E.D.F.)
| | - Safwan Alomari
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (H.S.); (Z.K.); (S.A.)
| | - Betty Tyler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (H.S.); (Z.K.); (S.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Wang Y, Fenyö D. Proteogenomics Reveal the Overexpression of HLA-I in Cancer. J Proteome Res 2023; 22:3625-3639. [PMID: 37857377 PMCID: PMC10629274 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
An accurate quantification of HLA class I gene expression is important in understanding the interplay with the tumor microenvironment of antitumor cytotoxic T cell activities. Because HLA-I sequences are highly variable, standard RNAseq and mass spectrometry-based quantification workflows using common genome and protein sequence references do not provide HLA-I allele specific quantifications. Here, we used personalized HLA-I nucleotide and protein reference sequences based on the subjects' HLA-I genotypes and surveyed tumor and adjacent normal samples from patients across nine cancer types. Mass spectrometry using data dependent acquisition data was validated to be sufficient to estimate HLA-A protein expression at the allele level. We found that HLA-I proteins were present in significantly higher levels in tumors compared to adjacent normal tissues from 41 to 63% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma, and clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients, and this was driven by increased levels of HLA-I gene transcripts. Most immune cell types are universally enriched in HLA-I high tumors, while endothelial and neuronal cells showed divergent relationships with HLA-I. Pathway analysis revealed that tumor senescence and autophagy activity influence the level of HLA-I proteins in glioblastoma. Genes correlated to HLA-I protein expression are mostly the ones directly involved in HLA-I function in immune response and cell death, while glycosylation genes are exclusively co-expressed with HLA-I at the protein level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Institute
for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School
of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, United States
| | - David Fenyö
- Institute
for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School
of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, United States
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Tang OY, Binder ZA, O'Rourke DM, Bagley SJ. Optimizing CAR-T Therapy for Glioblastoma. Mol Diagn Ther 2023; 27:643-660. [PMID: 37700186 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-023-00671-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies have transformed the management of hematologic malignancies but have not yet demonstrated consistent efficacy in solid tumors. Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults and remains a major unmet medical need. Attempts at harnessing the potential of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for glioblastoma have resulted in glimpses of promise but have been met with substantial challenges. In this focused review, we discuss current and future strategies being developed to optimize chimeric antigen receptor T cells for efficacy in patients with glioblastoma, including the identification and characterization of new target antigens, reversal of T-cell dysfunction with novel chimeric antigen receptor constructs, regulatable platforms, and gene knockout strategies, and the use of combination therapies to overcome the immune-hostile microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Y Tang
- Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02903, USA
| | - Zev A Binder
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Donald M O'Rourke
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Stephen J Bagley
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Zhu L, Wang X, Ding M, Yu N, Zhang Y, Wu H, Zhang Q, Liu J, Li J. Prodrug-loaded semiconducting polymer hydrogels for deep-tissue sono-immunotherapy of orthotopic glioblastoma. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:6823-6833. [PMID: 37623749 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm00585b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Although immunotherapy has achieved great success in the treatment of a variety of tumors, its efficacy for glioblastoma (GBM) is still limited. Both the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and poor penetration of immunotherapeutic agents into tumors contributed to the poor anti-glioma immunity. Herein, we develop an injectable prodrug-loaded hydrogel delivery system with sono-activatable properties for sonodynamic therapy (SDT)-triggered immunomodulation for GBM treatment. The prodrug alginate hydrogels (APN), which contain semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPNs) and the NLG919 prodrug linked by singlet oxygen (1O2)-cleavable linkers, are in situ formed via coordination of alginate solution with Ca2+ in the TME. SPNs serve as sonosensitizers to produce 1O2 upon ultrasound (US) irradiation for SDT. The generated 1O2 not only induce immunogenic cell death, but also break 1O2-cleavable linkers to precisely activate the NLG919 prodrug. Antitumor immunity is significantly amplified due to the reversal of immunosuppression mediated by indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase-dependent tryptophan metabolism. This smart prodrug hydrogel platform potently inhibits tumor growth in orthotopic glioma-bearing mice. Collectively, this work provides a sono-activatable hydrogel platform for precise sono-immunotherapy against GBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liyun Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Xing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Mengbin Ding
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Ningyue Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Yijing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Hongwei Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Qin Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Jiansheng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Jingchao Li
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Karandikar PV, Suh L, Gerstl JVE, Blitz SE, Qu QR, Won SY, Gessler FA, Arnaout O, Smith TR, Peruzzi PP, Yang W, Friedman GK, Bernstock JD. Positioning SUMO as an immunological facilitator of oncolytic viruses for high-grade glioma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1271575. [PMID: 37860820 PMCID: PMC10582965 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1271575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viral (OV) therapies are promising novel treatment modalities for cancers refractory to conventional treatment, such as glioblastoma, within the central nervous system (CNS). Although OVs have received regulatory approval for use in the CNS, efficacy is hampered by obstacles related to delivery, under-/over-active immune responses, and the "immune-cold" nature of most CNS malignancies. SUMO, the Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier, is a family of proteins that serve as a high-level regulator of a large variety of key physiologic processes including the host immune response. The SUMO pathway has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of both wild-type viruses and CNS malignancies. As such, the intersection of OV biology with the SUMO pathway makes SUMOtherapeutics particularly interesting as adjuvant therapies for the enhancement of OV efficacy alone and in concert with other immunotherapeutic agents. Accordingly, the authors herein provide: 1) an overview of the SUMO pathway and its role in CNS malignancies; 2) describe the current state of CNS-targeted OVs; and 3) describe the interplay between the SUMO pathway and the viral lifecycle and host immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paramesh V. Karandikar
- T. H. Chan School of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lyle Suh
- T. H. Chan School of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jakob V. E. Gerstl
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sarah E. Blitz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Qing Rui Qu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sae-Yeon Won
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Omar Arnaout
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Timothy R. Smith
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Pier Paolo Peruzzi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Multidisciplinary Brain Protection Program, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Gregory K. Friedman
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Joshua D. Bernstock
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Faisal SM, Castro MG, Lowenstein PR. Combined cytotoxic and immune-stimulatory gene therapy using Ad-TK and Ad-Flt3L: Translational developments from rodents to glioma patients. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2839-2860. [PMID: 37574780 PMCID: PMC10556227 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are the most prevalent and devastating primary malignant brain tumors in adults. Despite substantial advances in understanding glioma biology, there have been no regulatory drug approvals in the US since bevacizumab in 2009 and tumor treating fields in 2011. Recent phase III clinical trials have failed to meet their prespecified therapeutic primary endpoints, highlighting the need for novel therapies. The poor prognosis of glioma patients, resistance to chemo-radiotherapy, and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment underscore the need for the development of novel therapies. Gene therapy-based immunotherapeutic strategies that couple the ability of the host immune system to specifically kill glioma cells and develop immunological memory have shown remarkable progress. Two adenoviral vectors expressing Ad-HSV1-TK/GCV and Ad-Flt3L have shown promising preclinical data, leading to FDA approval of a non-randomized, phase I open-label, first in human trial to test safety, cytotoxicity, and immune-stimulatory efficiency in high-grade glioma patients (NCT01811992). This review provides a thorough overview of immune-stimulatory gene therapy highlighting recent advancements, potential drawbacks, future directions, and recommendations for future implementation of clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Syed M Faisal
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA; Rogel Cancer Centre, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
| | - Maria G Castro
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA; Rogel Cancer Centre, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
| | - Pedro R Lowenstein
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA; Rogel Cancer Centre, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Sun Z, Sun X, Yuan Y, Li H, Li X, Yao Z. FCGR2B as a prognostic and immune microenvironmental marker for gliomas based on transcriptomic analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e35084. [PMID: 37713871 PMCID: PMC10508392 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000035084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
To explore the expression and prognosis of Fc fragment of IgG low affinity IIb receptor (FCGR2B) in glioma and its relationship with immune microenvironment, so as to provide potential molecular targets for the treatment of glioma. We analyzed the gene expression of FCGR2B using the Cancer Genome Atlas database, Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas, Gene Expression Omnibus database and other glioma related databases. Moreover, we generated survival receiver operating characteristic curve, carried out univariate and multivariate Cox analysis and nomograph construction, and analyzed the relationship between FCGR2B and prognosis. According to the median of FCGR2B gene expression value, the differential expression analysis was carried out by high and low grouping method, and the gene ontology, Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes, and gene set enrichment analysis enrichment analysis were carried out to explore the possible mechanism. Then, the correlation between immune score of glioma and prognosis, World Health Organization grade and FCGR2B expression was analyzed. Finally, the correlation between FCGR2B expression and the proportion of tumor infiltrating immune cells, immune checkpoints, tumor mutation load and immune function was analyzed. The expression of FCGR2B in gliomas was higher than that in normal tissues and was associated with poor prognosis. Independent prognostic analysis showed that FCGR2B was an independent prognostic factor for glioma. The analysis of gene ontology and gene set enrichment analysis showed that FCGR2B was closely related to immune-related functions. The analysis of immune scores and prognosis, World Health Organization grade and FCGR2B expression in gliomas indicated that patients with high immune scores had significantly poorer overall survival and higher tumor pathological grade. In addition, immune scores were significantly positively correlated with the expression of FCGR2B. The analysis of tumor infiltrating immune cells suggested that the expression level of FCGR2B affected the immune activity of TME. In addition, the expression of FCGR2B was positively correlated with almost all immune checkpoint molecules including CD28, CD44, TNFSF14, PDCD1LG2, LAIR1, and CD48 and was significantly positively correlated with tumor mutation load. All immunobiological functions of the high expression group of FCGR2B were significantly inhibited. FCGR2B may play an important role in the occurrence, development and invasion of tumor by influencing the tumor microenvironment of immunosuppression. FCGR2B may be an important target for the treatment of glioma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery and Radiology, The Third Hospital of Shijiazhuang City, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaoli Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery and Radiology, The Third Hospital of Shijiazhuang City, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yaqin Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery and Radiology, The Third Hospital of Shijiazhuang City, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hongsheng Li
- Department of Neurology, The People Hospital of Xingtai City, Xingtai, China
| | - Xiaona Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The People Hospital of Linxi County, Xingtai, China
| | - Zhigang Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery and Radiology, The Third Hospital of Shijiazhuang City, Shijiazhuang, China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Yasinjan F, Xing Y, Geng H, Guo R, Yang L, Liu Z, Wang H. Immunotherapy: a promising approach for glioma treatment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1255611. [PMID: 37744349 PMCID: PMC10512462 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1255611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are the most prevalent primary malignant brain tumors worldwide, with glioblastoma (GBM) being the most common and aggressive type. Despite two decades of relentless pursuit in exploring novel therapeutic approaches for GBM, there is limited progress in improving patients' survival outcomes. Numerous obstacles impede the effective treatment of GBM, including the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), the blood-brain barrier, and extensive heterogeneity. Despite these challenges, immunotherapies are emerging as a promising avenue that may offer new hope for the treatment of gliomas. There are four main types of immunotherapies for gliomas, immune checkpoint blockades, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies, vaccines, and oncolytic viruses. In addition, gene therapy, bispecific antibody therapy, and combine therapy are also briefly introduced in this review. The significant role of TME in the process of immunotherapies has been emphasized in many studies. Although immunotherapy is a promising treatment for gliomas, enormous effort is required to overcome the existing barriers to its success. Owing to the rapid development and increasing attention paid to immunotherapies for gliomas, this article aims to review the recent advances in immunotherapies for gliomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feroza Yasinjan
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yang Xing
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Huayue Geng
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Rui Guo
- Clinical Laboratory, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ziling Liu
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Hu J, Xu L, Fu W, Sun Y, Wang N, Zhang J, Yang C, Zhang X, Zhou Y, Wang R, Zhang H, Mou R, Du X, Li X, Hu S, Xie R. Development and validation a prognostic model based on natural killer T cells marker genes for predicting prognosis and characterizing immune status in glioblastoma through integrated analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:286. [PMID: 37650991 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01217-7] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive and unstoppable malignancy. Natural killer T (NKT) cells, characterized by specific markers, play pivotal roles in many tumor-associated pathophysiological processes. Therefore, investigating the functions and complex interactions of NKT cells is great interest for exploring GBM. METHODS We acquired a single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset of GBM from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to further screen genes subpopulations. Subsequently, we integrated the GBM cohorts from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) databases to describe different subtypes by consensus clustering and developed a prognostic model by least absolute selection and shrinkage operator (LASSO) and multivariate Cox regression analysis. We further investigated differences in survival rates and clinical characteristics among different risk groups. Furthermore, a nomogram was developed by combining riskscore with the clinical characteristics. We investigated the abundance of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) by CIBERSORT and single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithms. Immunotherapy efficacy assessment was done with the assistance of Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) and The Cancer Immunome Atlas (TCIA) databases. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) experiments and immunohistochemical profiles of tissues were utilized to validate model genes. RESULTS We identified 945 NKT cells marker genes from scRNA-seq data. Through further screening, 107 genes were accurately identified, of which 15 were significantly correlated with prognosis. We distinguished GBM samples into two distinct subtypes and successfully developed a robust prognostic prediction model. Survival analysis indicated that high expression of NKT cell marker genes was significantly associated with poor prognosis in GBM patients. Riskscore can be used as an independent prognostic factor. The nomogram was demonstrated remarkable utility in aiding clinical decision making. Tumor immune microenvironment analysis revealed significant differences of immune infiltration characteristics between different risk groups. In addition, the expression levels of immune checkpoint-associated genes were consistently elevated in the high-risk group, suggesting more prominent immune escape but also a stronger response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS By integrating scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq data analysis, we successfully developed a prognostic prediction model that incorporates two pivotal NKT cells marker genes, namely, CD44 and TNFSF14. This model has exhibited outstanding performance in assessing the prognosis of GBM patients. Furthermore, we conducted a preliminary investigation into the immune microenvironment across various risk groups that contributes to uncover promising immunotherapeutic targets specific to GBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiahe Hu
- Department of Digestive Internal Medicine, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenchao Fu
- The Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Research, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yanan Sun
- Department of Digestive Internal Medicine, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiheng Zhang
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chengyun Yang
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China
- Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- Department of Digestive Internal Medicine, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Yuxin Zhou
- Department of Digestive Internal Medicine, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Rongfang Wang
- Department of Digestive Internal Medicine, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Haoxin Zhang
- Department of Digestive Internal Medicine, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Ruishu Mou
- Department of Digestive Internal Medicine, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Xinlian Du
- Department of Digestive Internal Medicine, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Xuedong Li
- Department of Digestive Internal Medicine, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Shaoshan Hu
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Rui Xie
- Department of Digestive Internal Medicine, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Liu X, Zhao Z, Dai W, Liao K, Sun Q, Chen D, Pan X, Feng L, Ding Y, Wei S. The Development of Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4308. [PMID: 37686584 PMCID: PMC10486426 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM) is a highly aggressive form of brain cancer that poses a significant challenge for treatment in neuro-oncology, and the survival status of patients after relapse usually means rapid deterioration, thus becoming the leading cause of death among patients. In recent years, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma by stimulating the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, which could be used in combination with other treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy to improve outcomes for patients with recurrent glioblastoma. This therapy combines several key methods such as the use of monoclonal antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy, checkpoint inhibitors, oncolytic viral therapy cancer vaccines, and combination strategies. In this review, we mainly document the latest immunotherapies for the treatment of glioblastoma and especially focus on rGBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Liu
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; (X.L.); (Y.D.)
| | - Zihui Zhao
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China;
| | - Wufei Dai
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering Research, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China;
| | - Kuo Liao
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China;
| | - Qi Sun
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (Q.S.); (L.F.)
| | - Dongjiang Chen
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, USC Keck Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA;
| | - Xingxin Pan
- Department of Oncology, Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
| | - Lishuang Feng
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (Q.S.); (L.F.)
| | - Ying Ding
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; (X.L.); (Y.D.)
| | - Shiyou Wei
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Lee SH, Kim SH, Nam TM, Jang JH, Kim KH, Lee YS, Kim MS, Kim MS, Jin SY, Lee M, Lee SH, Kim YZ. Epigenetic Regulation of the Expression of T Cell Stimulatory and Inhibitory Factors by Histone H3 Lysine Modification Enzymes and Its Prognostic Roles in Glioblastoma. J Korean Med Sci 2023; 38:e258. [PMID: 37605497 PMCID: PMC10442499 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to identify the specific T cell co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory factors that play prognostic roles in patients with glioblastoma. Additionally, the unique histone H3 modification enzymes that regulate the expression levels of these specific co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory factors were investigated. METHODS The medical records of 84 patients newly diagnosed with glioblastoma at our institution from January 2006 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for T cell co-stimulatory factors (CD27, CD28, CD137, OX40, and ICOS), T cell co-inhibitory factors (CTLA4, PD1, PD-L1, TIM3, and CD200R), and histone H3 lysine modification enzymes (MLL4, RIZ, EZH1, NSD2, KDM5c, JMJD1a, UTX, and JMJD5) was performed on archived paraffin-embedded tissues obtained by biopsy or resection. Quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed for specific factors, which demonstrated causal relationships, in order to validate the findings of the IHC examinations. RESULTS The mean follow-up duration was 27.5 months (range, 4.1-43.5 months). During this period, 76 patients (90.5%) died, and the mean OS was 19.4 months (95% confidence interval, 16.3-20.9 months). Linear positive correlations were observed between the expression levels of CD28 and JMJD1a (R2 linear = 0.982) and those of CD137 and UTX (R2 linear = 1.528). Alternatively, significant negative correlations were observed between the expression levels of CTLA4 and RIZ (R2 linear = -1.746) and those of PD-L1 and EZH1 (R2 linear = -2.118); these relationships were confirmed by qRT-PCR. In the multivariate analysis, increased expression levels of CD28 (P = 0.042), and CD137 (P = 0.009), and decreased expression levels of CTLA4 (P = 0.003), PD-L1 (P = 0.020), and EZH1 (P = 0.040) were significantly associated with longer survival. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the expression of certain T cell co-stimulatory factors, such as CD28 and CD 137, and co-inhibitory factors, such as CTLA4 and PD-L1 are associated with prognosis of glioblastoma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sang Hyuk Lee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea
| | - Seung Hwan Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea
| | - Taek Min Nam
- Department of Neurosurgery, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea
| | - Ji Hwan Jang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea
| | - Kyu Hong Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea
| | - Young-Sam Lee
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Korea
- Well Aging Research Center, Division of Biotechnology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Korea
| | - Minseok S Kim
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Korea
- Translational Responsive Medicine Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Korea
| | - Mee-Seon Kim
- Department of Pathology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea
| | - Sung Yup Jin
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea
| | - Moonok Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea
| | - Sung-Hun Lee
- Cancer Research Institute, Clinomics Inc., Suwon, Korea
| | - Young Zoon Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Li XP, Guo ZQ, Wang BF, Zhao M. EGFR alterations in glioblastoma play a role in antitumor immunity regulation. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1236246. [PMID: 37601668 PMCID: PMC10436475 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1236246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is the most frequently altered gene in glioblastoma (GBM), which plays an important role in tumor development and anti-tumor immune response. While current molecular targeted therapies against the EGFR signaling pathway and its downstream key molecules have not demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes in GBM. Whereas tumor immunotherapies, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors, have shown durable antitumor responses in many cancers. However, the clinical efficacy is limited in patients carrying EGFR alterations, indicating that EGFR signaling may involve tumor immune response. Recent studies reveal that EGFR alterations not only promote GBM cell proliferation but also influence immune components in the tumor microenvironment (TME), leading to the recruitment of immunosuppressive cells (e.g., M2-like TAMs, MDSCs, and Tregs), and inhibition of T and NK cell activation. Moreover, EGFR alterations upregulate the expression of immunosuppressive molecules or cytokines (such as PD-L1, CD73, TGF-β). This review explores the role of EGFR alterations in establishing an immunosuppressive TME and hopes to provide a theoretical basis for combining targeted EGFR inhibitors with immunotherapy for GBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bao-Feng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Puig-Saenz C, Pearson JRD, Thomas JE, McArdle SEB. A Holistic Approach to Hard-to-Treat Cancers: The Future of Immunotherapy for Glioblastoma, Triple Negative Breast Cancer, and Advanced Prostate Cancer. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2100. [PMID: 37626597 PMCID: PMC10452459 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy represents an attractive avenue for cancer therapy due to its tumour specificity and relatively low frequency of adverse effects compared to other treatment modalities. Despite many advances being made in the field of cancer immunotherapy, very few immunotherapeutic treatments have been approved for difficult-to-treat solid tumours such as triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and advanced prostate cancer (PCa). The anatomical location of some of these cancers may also make them more difficult to treat. Many trials focus solely on immunotherapy and have failed to consider or manipulate, prior to the immunotherapeutic intervention, important factors such as the microbiota, which itself is directly linked to lifestyle factors, diet, stress, social support, exercise, sleep, and oral hygiene. This review summarises the most recent treatments for hard-to-treat cancers whilst factoring in the less conventional interventions which could tilt the balance of treatment in favour of success for these malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carles Puig-Saenz
- The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, College Drive, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK; (C.P.-S.); (J.R.D.P.); (J.E.T.)
- Centre for Systems Health and Integrated Metabolic Research, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, College Drive, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Joshua R. D. Pearson
- The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, College Drive, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK; (C.P.-S.); (J.R.D.P.); (J.E.T.)
- Centre for Systems Health and Integrated Metabolic Research, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, College Drive, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Jubini E. Thomas
- The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, College Drive, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK; (C.P.-S.); (J.R.D.P.); (J.E.T.)
- Centre for Systems Health and Integrated Metabolic Research, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, College Drive, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Stéphanie E. B. McArdle
- The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, College Drive, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK; (C.P.-S.); (J.R.D.P.); (J.E.T.)
- Centre for Systems Health and Integrated Metabolic Research, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, College Drive, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Shireman JM, Gonugunta N, Zhao L, Pattnaik A, Distler E, Her S, Wang X, Das R, Galipeau J, Dey M. GM-CSF and IL-7 fusion cytokine engineered tumor vaccine generates long-term Th-17 memory cells and increases overall survival in aged syngeneic mouse models of glioblastoma. Aging Cell 2023; 22:e13864. [PMID: 37165998 PMCID: PMC10352573 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related immune dysfunctions, such as decreased T-cell output, are closely related to pathologies like cancers and lack of vaccine efficacy among the elderly. Engineered fusokine, GIFT-7, a fusion of interleukin 7 (IL-7) and GM-CSF, can reverse aging-related lymphoid organ atrophy. We generated a GIFT-7 fusokine tumor vaccine and employed it in aged syngeneic mouse models of glioblastoma and found that peripheral vaccination with GIFT-7TVax resulted in thymic regeneration and generated durable long-term antitumor immunity specifically in aged mice. Global cytokine analysis showed increased pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β in the vaccinated group that resulted in hyperactivation of dendritic cells. In addition, GIFT-7 vaccination resulted in increased T-cell trafficking to the brain and robust Th-17 long-term effector memory T-cell formation. TCR-seq analysis showed increased productive frequency among detected rearrangements within the vaccinated group. Overall, our data demonstrate that aging immune system can be therapeutically augmented to generate lasting antitumor immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jack M. Shireman
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, UW Carbone Cancer Center,MadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Nikita Gonugunta
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, UW Carbone Cancer Center,MadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, UW Carbone Cancer Center,MadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Akshita Pattnaik
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, UW Carbone Cancer Center,MadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Emily Distler
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, UW Carbone Cancer Center,MadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Skyler Her
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, UW Carbone Cancer Center,MadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Xiaohu Wang
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, UW Carbone Cancer Center,MadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Rahul Das
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and OncologyUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, UW Carbone Cancer Center,MadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Jaques Galipeau
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and OncologyUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, UW Carbone Cancer Center,MadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Mahua Dey
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, UW Carbone Cancer Center,MadisonWisconsinUSA
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Yuile A, Wei JQ, Mohan AA, Hotchkiss KM, Khasraw M. Interdependencies of the Neuronal, Immune and Tumor Microenvironment in Gliomas. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2856. [PMID: 37345193 PMCID: PMC10216320 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102856] [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: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common primary brain malignancy and are universally fatal. Despite significant breakthrough in understanding tumor biology, treatment breakthroughs have been limited. There is a growing appreciation that major limitations on effective treatment are related to the unique and highly complex glioma tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME consists of multiple different cell types, broadly categorized into tumoral, immune and non-tumoral, non-immune cells. Each group provides significant influence on the others, generating a pro-tumor dynamic with significant immunosuppression. In addition, glioma cells are highly heterogenous with various molecular distinctions on the cellular level. These variations, in turn, lead to their own unique influence on the TME. To develop future treatments, an understanding of this complex TME interplay is needed. To this end, we describe the TME in adult gliomas through interactions between its various components and through various glioma molecular phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Yuile
- Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Reserve Road, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
- The Brain Cancer Group, North Shore Private Hospital, 3 Westbourne Street, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Joe Q. Wei
- Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Reserve Road, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Aditya A. Mohan
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kelly M. Hotchkiss
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Mustafa Khasraw
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Gillette JS, Wang EJ, Dowd RS, Toms SA. Barriers to overcoming immunotherapy resistance in glioblastoma. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1175507. [PMID: 37275361 PMCID: PMC10232794 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1175507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor, known for its poor prognosis and high recurrence rate. Current standard of care includes surgical resection followed by combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Although immunotherapies have yielded promising results in hematological malignancies, their successful application in GBM remains limited due to a host of immunosuppressive factors unique to GBM. As a result of these roadblocks, research efforts have focused on utilizing combinatorial immunotherapies that target networks of immune processes in GBM with promising results in both preclinical and clinical trials, although limitations in overcoming the immunosuppressive factors within GBM remain. In this review, we aim to discuss the intrinsic and adaptive immune resistance unique to GBM and to summarize the current evidence and outcomes of engineered and non-engineered treatments targeted at overcoming GBM resistance to immunotherapy. Additionally, we aim to highlight the most promising strategies of targeted GBM immunotherapy combinatorial treatments and the insights that may directly improve the current patient prognosis and clinical care.
Collapse
|
48
|
Zdioruk M, Jimenez-Macias JL, Nowicki MO, Manz KE, Pennell KD, Koch MS, Finkelberg T, Wu B, Boucher P, Takeda Y, Li W, Piranlioglu R, Ling AL, Chiocca EA, Lawler SE. PPRX-1701, a nanoparticle formulation of 6'-bromoindirubin acetoxime, improves delivery and shows efficacy in preclinical GBM models. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101019. [PMID: 37060903 PMCID: PMC10213750 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101019] [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: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
Derivatives of the Chinese traditional medicine indirubin have shown potential for the treatment of cancer through a range of mechanisms. This study investigates the impact of 6'-bromoindirubin-3'-acetoxime (BiA) on immunosuppressive mechanisms in glioblastoma (GBM) and evaluates the efficacy of a BiA nanoparticle formulation, PPRX-1701, in immunocompetent mouse GBM models. Transcriptomic studies reveal that BiA downregulates immune-related genes, including indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), a critical enzyme in the tryptophan-kynurenine-aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Trp-Kyn-AhR) immunosuppressive pathway in tumor cells. BiA blocks interferon-γ (IFNγ)-induced IDO1 protein expression in vitro and enhances T cell-mediated tumor cell killing in GBM stem-like cell co-culture models. PPRX-1701 reaches intracranial murine GBM and significantly improves survival in immunocompetent GBM models in vivo. Our results indicate that BiA improves survival in murine GBM models via effects on important immunotherapeutic targets in GBM and that it can be delivered efficiently via PPRX-1701, a nanoparticle injectable formulation of BiA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mykola Zdioruk
- Harvey Cushing Neurooncology Laboratories, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jorge-Luis Jimenez-Macias
- Harvey Cushing Neurooncology Laboratories, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Michal Oskar Nowicki
- Harvey Cushing Neurooncology Laboratories, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Katherine E Manz
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Kurt D Pennell
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Marilin S Koch
- Harvey Cushing Neurooncology Laboratories, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tomer Finkelberg
- Harvey Cushing Neurooncology Laboratories, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Bin Wu
- Phosphorex, Inc, Hopkinton, MA 01748, USA; Cytodigm, Inc., Hopkinton, MA 01748, USA
| | | | | | - Weiyi Li
- Phosphorex, Inc, Hopkinton, MA 01748, USA
| | - Raziye Piranlioglu
- Harvey Cushing Neurooncology Laboratories, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alexander L Ling
- Harvey Cushing Neurooncology Laboratories, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - E Antonio Chiocca
- Harvey Cushing Neurooncology Laboratories, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sean E Lawler
- Harvey Cushing Neurooncology Laboratories, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Dai X, Ye L, Li H, Dong X, Tian H, Gao P, Dong J, Cheng H. Crosstalk between microglia and neural stem cells influences the relapse of glioblastoma in GBM immunological microenvironment. Clin Immunol 2023; 251:109333. [PMID: 37088298 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between immunocytes and Neural Stem Cells (NSCs) in glioblastoma multiforme still remains unclear. Here, microglial cells and NSCs in peri-tumoral tissue were analyzed via single-cell whole-transcriptome sequencing. Results showed that two clusters of putative NSCs (the EGFR+BCAN+ cell cluster, and the FABPT+H19+ cell cluster) exhibited immune-related functions. Two clusters of putative microglia (the XIST+PDK4+ and APOC1+CCL3+ cell clusters) exhibited the function of glial cell activation. The results of ligand receptor network analysis disclosed significant interactions between the APOC1+CCL3+ microglia and the NSCs. Correlation analysis on the overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) with 102 potential molecular targets in the TCGA database showed that a much larger number of molecules were correlated with RFS than with OS (34.31% vs. 8.82%), nine of them were validated in clinical specimens. In conclusion, crosstalk between APOC1+CCL3+ microglia and multiple molecule-labeled NSCs distal to the tumor core play certain roles on the recurrence of GBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xingliang Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Lei Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Huaixu Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Xuchen Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215004, PR China
| | - Haotiao Tian
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Peng Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, PR China.
| | - Jun Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215004, PR China.
| | - Hongwei Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Duan W, Yu M, Chen J. BRD4: New Hope in the Battle Against Glioblastoma. Pharmacol Res 2023; 191:106767. [PMID: 37061146 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
The BET family proteins, comprising BRD2, BRD3 and BRD4, represent epigenetic readers of acetylated histone marks that play pleiotropic roles in the tumorigenesis and growth of multiple human malignancies, including glioblastoma (GBM). A growing body of investigation has proven BET proteins as valuable therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Recently, several BRD4 inhibitors and degraders have been reported to successfully suppress GBM in preclinical and clinical studies. However, the precise role and mechanism of BRD4 in the pathogenesis of GBM have not been fully elucidated or summarized. This review focuses on summarizing the roles and mechanisms of BRD4 in the context of the initiation and development of GBM. In addition, several BRD4 inhibitors have been evaluated for therapeutic purposes as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immune therapies. Here, we provide a critical appraisal of studies evaluating various BRD4 inhibitors and degraders as novel treatment strategies against GBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weichen Duan
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Miao Yu
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Jiajia Chen
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China.
| |
Collapse
|