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Chen M, Chen F, Gao Z, Li X, Hu L, Yang S, Zhao S, Song Z. CAFs and T cells interplay: The emergence of a new arena in cancer combat. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:117045. [PMID: 38955088 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117045] [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: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The interaction between the immune system and the tumor matrix has a huge impact on the progression and treatment of cancer. This paper summarizes and discusses the crosstalk between T cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs can also produce inhibitors that counteract the function of T cells and promote tumor immune escape, while T cells can also engage in complex two-way interactions with CAFs through direct cell contact, the exchange of soluble factors such as cytokines, and the remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Precise targeted intervention can effectively reverse tumor-promoting crosstalk between T cells and CAFs, improve anti-tumor immune response, and provide a new perspective for cancer treatment. Therefore, it is important to deeply understand the mechanism of crosstalk between T cells and CAFs. This review aims to outline the underlying mechanisms of these interactions and discuss potential therapeutic strategies that may become fundamental tools in the treatment of cancer, especially hard-to-cure cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjie Chen
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhaofeng Gao
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoping Li
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lingyu Hu
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuying Yang
- Department of intensive medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Siqi Zhao
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Zhengwei Song
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China.
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Milosevic V, Östman A. Interactions between cancer-associated fibroblasts and T-cells: functional crosstalk with targeting and biomarker potential. Ups J Med Sci 2024; 129:10710. [PMID: 38863724 PMCID: PMC11165253 DOI: 10.48101/ujms.v129.10710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a heterogeneous cell population recognized as a key component of the tumour microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblasts are known to play an important role in maintaining and remodelling the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the tumour stroma, supporting cancer progression and inhibiting the immune system's response against cancer cells. This review aims to summarize the immunomodulatory roles of CAFs, particularly focussing on their T-cell suppressive effects. Cancer-associated fibroblasts have several ways by which they can affect the tumour's immune microenvironment (TIME). For example, their interactions with macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) create an immunosuppressive milieu that can indirectly affect T-cell anticancer immunity and enable immune evasion. In addition, a number of recent studies have confirmed CAF-mediated direct suppressive effects on T-cell anticancer capacity through ECM remodelling, promoting the expression of immune checkpoints, cytokine secretion and the release of extracellular vesicles. The consequential impact of CAFs on T-cell function is then reflected in affecting T-cell proliferation and apoptosis, migration and infiltration, differentiation and exhaustion. Emerging evidence highlights the existence of specific CAF subsets with distinct capabilities to modulate the immune landscape of TME in various cancers, suggesting the possibility of their exploitation as possible prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladan Milosevic
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Arne Östman
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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3
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Qiang L, Hoffman MT, Ali LR, Castillo JI, Kageler L, Temesgen A, Lenehan P, Wang SJ, Bello E, Cardot-Ruffino V, Uribe GA, Yang A, Dougan M, Aguirre AJ, Raghavan S, Pelletier M, Cremasco V, Dougan SK. Transforming Growth Factor-β Blockade in Pancreatic Cancer Enhances Sensitivity to Combination Chemotherapy. Gastroenterology 2023; 165:874-890.e10. [PMID: 37263309 PMCID: PMC10526623 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Transforming growth factor-b (TGFb) plays pleiotropic roles in pancreatic cancer, including promoting metastasis, attenuating CD8 T-cell activation, and enhancing myofibroblast differentiation and deposition of extracellular matrix. However, single-agent TGFb inhibition has shown limited efficacy against pancreatic cancer in mice or humans. METHODS We evaluated the TGFβ-blocking antibody NIS793 in combination with gemcitabine/nanoparticle (albumin-bound)-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX (folinic acid [FOL], 5-fluorouracil [F], irinotecan [IRI] and oxaliplatin [OX]) in orthotopic pancreatic cancer models. Single-cell RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate changes in tumor cell state and the tumor microenvironment. RESULTS Blockade of TGFβ with chemotherapy reduced tumor burden in poorly immunogenic pancreatic cancer, without affecting the metastatic rate of cancer cells. Efficacy of combination therapy was not dependent on CD8 T cells, because response to TGFβ blockade was preserved in CD8-depleted or recombination activating gene 2 (RAG2-/-) mice. TGFβ blockade decreased total α-smooth muscle actin-positive fibroblasts but had minimal effect on fibroblast heterogeneity. Bulk RNA sequencing on tumor cells sorted ex vivo revealed that tumor cells treated with TGFβ blockade adopted a classical lineage consistent with enhanced chemosensitivity, and immunofluorescence for cleaved caspase 3 confirmed that TGFβ blockade increased chemotherapy-induced cell death in vivo. CONCLUSIONS TGFβ regulates pancreatic cancer cell plasticity between classical and basal cell states. TGFβ blockade in orthotropic models of pancreatic cancer enhances sensitivity to chemotherapy by promoting a classical malignant cell state. This study provides scientific rationale for evaluation of NIS793 with FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine/nanoparticle (albumin-bound) paclitaxel chemotherapy backbone in the clinical setting and supports the concept of manipulating cancer cell plasticity to increase the efficacy of combination therapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Qiang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Megan T Hoffman
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lestat R Ali
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jaime I Castillo
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lauren Kageler
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ayantu Temesgen
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Patrick Lenehan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - S Jennifer Wang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elisa Bello
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Victoire Cardot-Ruffino
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Giselle A Uribe
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Annan Yang
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael Dougan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrew J Aguirre
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Srivatsan Raghavan
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marc Pelletier
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Viviana Cremasco
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Tamaddon M, Azimzadeh M, Gifani P, Tavangar SM. Single-cell transcriptome analysis for cancer and biology of the pancreas: A review on recent progress. Front Genet 2023; 14:1029758. [PMID: 37091793 PMCID: PMC10115972 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1029758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell sequencing has become one of the most used techniques across the wide field of biology. It has enabled researchers to investigate the whole transcriptome at the cellular level across tissues, which unlocks numerous potentials for basic and applied studies in future diagnosis and therapy. Here, we review the impact of single-cell RNA sequencing, as the prominent single-cell technique, in pancreatic biology and cancer. We discuss the most recent findings about pancreatic physiology and pathophysiology owing to this technological advancement in the past few years. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, researchers have been able to discover cellular heterogeneity across healthy cell types, as well as cancer tissues of the pancreas. We will discuss the new immunological targets and new molecular mechanisms of progression in the microenvironment of pancreatic cancer studied using single-cell RNA sequencing. The scope is not limited to cancer tissues, and we cover novel developmental, evolutionary, physiological, and heterogenic insights that have also been achieved recently for pancreatic tissues. We cover all biological insights derived from the single-cell RNA sequencing data, discuss the corresponding pros and cons, and finally, conclude how future research can move better by utilizing single-cell analysis for pancreatic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Tamaddon
- Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Azimzadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
- Stem Cell Biology Research Center, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Peyman Gifani
- AI VIVO Ltd., Bioinnovation Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Genetic Department, Institute of Systems Biology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Seyed Mohammad Tavangar
- Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pathology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Seyed Mohammad Tavangar,
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5
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Metropulos AE, Munshi HG, Principe DR. The difficulty in translating the preclinical success of combined TGFβ and immune checkpoint inhibition to clinical trial. EBioMedicine 2022; 86:104380. [PMID: 36455409 PMCID: PMC9706619 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the treatment paradigm for solid tumors. However, even in cancers generally considered ICI-sensitive, responses can vary significantly. Thus, there is an ever-increasing interest in identifying novel means of improving therapeutic responses, both for cancers in which ICIs are indicated and those for which they have yet to show significant anti-tumor activity. To this end, Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) signaling is emerging as an important barrier to the efficacy of ICIs. Accordingly, several preclinical studies now support the use of combined TGFβ and immune checkpoint blockade, with near-uniform positive results across a wide range of tumor types. However, as these approaches have started to emerge in clinical trials, the addition of TGFβ inhibitors has often failed to show a meaningful benefit beyond the current generation of ICIs alone. Here, we summarize landmark clinical studies exploring combined TGFβ and immune checkpoint blockade. These studies not only reinforce the difficulty in translating results from rodents to clinical trials in immune-oncology but also underscore the need to re-evaluate the design of trials exploring this approach, incorporating both mechanism-driven combination strategies and novel, predictive biomarkers to identify the patients most likely to derive clinical benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hidayatullah G Munshi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
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6
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Yang L, Zhang X, Huang X, Dong X, Jing S, Zhang Y, Zhao B, Wang Z, Qu H. Correlation between IFNAR1 expression in peripheral blood T lymphocytes and inflammatory cytokines, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and chemosensitivity in patients with colorectal cancer. Cytokine 2022; 159:156008. [PMID: 36063748 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.156008] [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: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
IFN-α receptor (IFNAR) is critical for maintaining the crosstalk between cancer cells and lymphocytes. We investigated IFNAR1 expression in peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and explored their relationships with plasma cytokines, chemosensitivity and infiltrated T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of colorectal cancer (CRC). The levels of IFNAR1, IFN-γ, and PD1 in peripheral T cells were tested using flow cytometry. Immunohistochemical staining of IFNAR1 in CRC tissues was performed. A cytometric bead array was used to determine the plasma concentrations of cytokines. In CRC patients, IFNAR1 levels were significantly increased in peripheral blood T cells, and plasma IL-6 levels were also significantly increased. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that IFNAR1 expression in CD8+ T cells was negatively associated with plasma IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNFα. IFNAR1 expression in CD4+ T cells was positively associated with TME infiltrated levels of CD8+ T cells. The levels of CD8+ T cells with IFNAR1 and plasma IFN-γ were associated with chemosensitivity. Collectively, IFNAR1 levels in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were significantly upregulated in CRC patients and positively associated with T-cell infiltration. IFNAR1 may be a chemotherapy biomarker for predicting response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China; Medical Research Center, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Xiaojing Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Xiaoxi Huang
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Xichen Dong
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Shui Jing
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Yudong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Baocheng Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.
| | - Zhenjun Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.
| | - Hao Qu
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.
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7
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Zhang T, Ren Y, Yang P, Wang J, Zhou H. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:897. [PMID: 36284087 PMCID: PMC9596464 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05351-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal cancer with a prominent extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and poor prognosis. High levels of ECM proteins derived from tumour cells reduce the efficacy of conventional cancer treatment paradigms and contribute to tumour progression and metastasis. As abundant tumour-promoting cells in the ECM, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are promising targets for novel anti-tumour interventions. Nonetheless, related clinical trials are hampered by the lack of specific markers and elusive differences between CAF subtypes. Here, we review the origins and functional diversity of CAFs and show how they create a tumour-promoting milieu, focusing on the crosstalk between CAFs, tumour cells, and immune cells in the tumour microenvironment. Furthermore, relevant clinical advances and potential therapeutic strategies relating to CAFs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Zhang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yanxian Ren
- grid.412643.60000 0004 1757 2902Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Yang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jufang Wang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Heng Zhou
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
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8
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Liu J, Yu Y, Liu C, Gao C, Zhuang J, Liu L, Wu Q, Ma W, Zhang Q, Sun C. Combinatorial regimens of chemotherapeutic agents: A new perspective on raising the heat of the tumor immune microenvironment. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1035954. [PMID: 36304169 PMCID: PMC9593050 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1035954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Harnessing the broad immunostimulatory capabilities of chemotherapy in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors has improved immunotherapy outcomes in patients with cancer. Certain chemotherapeutic agents can extensively modify the tumor microenvironment (TME), resulting in the reprogramming of local immune responses. Although chemotherapeutic agents with an enhanced generation of potent anti-tumor immune responses have been tested in preclinical animal models and clinical trials, this strategy has not yet shown substantial therapeutic efficacy in selected difficult-to-treat cancer types. In addition, the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agent-based monotherapy in eliciting a long-term anti-tumor immune response is restricted by the immunosuppressive TME. To enhance the immunomodulatory effect of chemotherapy, researchers have made many attempts, mainly focusing on improving the targeted distribution of chemotherapeutic agents and designing combination therapies. Here, we focused on the mechanisms of the anti-tumor immune response to chemotherapeutic agents and enumerated the attempts to advance the use of chemo-immunotherapy. Furthermore, we have listed the important considerations in designing combinations of these drugs to maximize efficacy and improve treatment response rates in patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyang Liu
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yang Yu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Cun Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Chundi Gao
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jing Zhuang
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Lijuan Liu
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, China
- Department of Special Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qibiao Wu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Wenzhe Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Qiming Zhang
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- Department of Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Qiming Zhang, ; Changgang Sun,
| | - Changgang Sun
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, China
- *Correspondence: Qiming Zhang, ; Changgang Sun,
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Rudloff U. Emerging kinase inhibitors for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2022; 27:345-368. [PMID: 36250721 PMCID: PMC9793333 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2022.2134346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest solid organ cancers. In the absence of specific warning symptoms pancreatic cancer is diagnosed notoriously late. Current systemic chemotherapy regimens extend survival by a mere few months. With the advances in genetic, proteomic, and immunological profiling there is strong rationale to test kinase inhibitors to improve outcome. AREAS COVERED This review article provides a comprehensive summary of approved treatments and past, present, and future developments of kinase inhibitors in pancreatic cancer. Emerging roles of protein kinase inhibitors are discussed in the context of the unique stroma, the lack of high-prevalence therapeutic targets and rapid emergence of acquired resistance, novel immuno-oncology kinase targets, and recent medicinal chemistry advances. EXPERT OPINION Due to the to-date frequent failure of protein kinase inhibitors indiscriminately administered to unselected pancreatic cancer patients, there is a shift toward the development of these agents in molecularly defined subgroups which are more likely to respond. The development of accurate biomarkers to select patients who are the best candidates based on a detailed understanding of mechanism of action, pro-survival roles, and mediation of resistance of targeted kinases will be critical for the future development of protein kinase inhibitors in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udo Rudloff
- Rare Tumor Initiative, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
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10
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Principe DR, Kamath SD, Korc M, Munshi HG. The immune modifying effects of chemotherapy and advances in chemo-immunotherapy. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 236:108111. [PMID: 35016920 PMCID: PMC9271143 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the treatment paradigm for several malignancies. While the use of single-agent or combined ICIs has achieved acceptable disease control rates in a variety of solid tumors, such approaches have yet to show substantial therapeutic efficacy in select difficult-to-treat cancer types. Recently, select chemotherapy regimens are emerging as extensive modifiers of the tumor microenvironment, leading to the reprogramming of local immune responses. Accordingly, data is now emerging to suggest that certain anti-neoplastic agents modulate various immune cell processes, most notably the cross-presentation of tumor antigens, leukocyte trafficking, and cytokine biosynthesis. As such, the combination of ICIs and cytotoxic chemotherapy are beginning to show promise in many cancers that have long been considered poorly responsive to ICI-based immunotherapy. Here, we discuss past and present attempts to advance chemo-immunotherapy in these difficult-to-treat cancer histologies, mechanisms through which select chemotherapies modify tumor immunogenicity, as well as important considerations when designing such approaches to maximize efficacy and improve therapeutic response rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Principe
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Suneel D Kamath
- Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Murray Korc
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Hidayatullah G Munshi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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11
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Koppensteiner L, Mathieson L, O’Connor RA, Akram AR. Cancer Associated Fibroblasts - An Impediment to Effective Anti-Cancer T Cell Immunity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:887380. [PMID: 35479076 PMCID: PMC9035846 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.887380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of functionally efficient cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in the Tumour nest is crucial in mediating a successful immune response to cancer. The detection and elimination of cancer cells by CTL can be impaired by cancer-mediated immune evasion. In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that not only neoplastic cells themselves, but also cells of the tumour microenvironment (TME) exert immunosuppressive functions and thereby play an integral part in the immune escape of cancer. The most abundant stromal cells of the TME, cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), promote tumour progression via multiple pathways and play a role in dampening the immune response to cancer. Recent research indicates that T cells react to CAF signalling and establish bidirectional crosstalk that plays a significant role in the tumour immune response. This review discusses the various mechanisms by which the CAF/T cell crosstalk may impede anti-cancer immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Koppensteiner
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Layla Mathieson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Richard A. O’Connor
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ahsan R. Akram
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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