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Dagar G, Gupta A, Shankar A, Chauhan R, Macha MA, Bhat AA, Das D, Goyal R, Bhoriwal S, Pandita RK, Prasad CP, Sarkar PS, Pandita TK, Singh M. The future of cancer treatment: combining radiotherapy with immunotherapy. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1409300. [PMID: 39044839 PMCID: PMC11263218 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1409300] [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: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) and immunotherapy (IT) are the powerful tools for cancer treatment which act through the stimulation of immune response, and evidence suggest that combinatorial actions of these therapies may augment each other's beneficial effect through complex synergistic mechanisms. These molecular strategies are designed to target rapidly dividing cancer cells by either directly or indirectly inducing DNA damage. However, when cells detect DNA damage, they activate a range of signalling pathways known as the DNA damage response (DDR) to repair. Strategies are being developed to interfere with the DDR pathways in cancer cells to ensure their damage-induced degeneration. The stability of a cell's genetic material is largely dependent on the efficacy of DNA repair and therefore, an in-depth understanding of DNA damages and repair mechanism(s) in cancer cells is important to develop a promising therapeutic strategies for ensuring the efficacy of damage-induced tumor cell death. In recent years, a wide range of small molecule drugs have been developed which are currently being employed to combat the DNA repair deficiencies associated with tumor cells. Sequential or concurrent use of these two modalities significantly enhances the anti-tumor response, however with a concurrent probability of increased incidence of symptomatic adverse effects. With advent of newer IT agents, and administration of higher doses of radiation per fraction, such effects are more difficult to predict owing to the paucity of randomized trial data. It is well established that anti cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), anti- Programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1), anti-Programmed cell death one ligand 1 (PD-L1) can be safely administered with RT and many studies have demonstrated survival benefit with such combination for patients with metastatic malignancy. However, the biology of radioimmunotherapy (RT/IT) is still an open area where research need to be focused to determine optimum dosage specially the interaction of the RT/IT pathways to determine optimum dosing schedule. In the current article we have summarised the possible intracellular immunological events that might be triggered when RT and IT modalities are combined with the DDR antagonists and highlighted present clinical practices, outcome, and toxicity profile of this novel treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunjan Dagar
- Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ashna Gupta
- Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Abhishek Shankar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ravi Chauhan
- Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Muzafar A. Macha
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Pulwama, Jammu And Kashmir, India
| | - Ajaz A. Bhat
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Dayasagar Das
- Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Rajeev Goyal
- Department of Biochemistry, Lady Harding Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Sandeep Bhoriwal
- Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Raj K. Pandita
- Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine, Texas A and M College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Chandra Prakash Prasad
- Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Partha S. Sarkar
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Tej K. Pandita
- Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine, Texas A and M College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mayank Singh
- Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Zhang P, Tao C, Lu Y, Li P, Wang X, Dai Y, Xi Y, Shimura T, Li X, Fang J, Yang L, He D, Guo P. Epigenetic Reprogramming Potentiates ICAM1 Antibody Drug Conjugates in Preclinical Models of Melanoma. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2400203. [PMID: 38874532 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Therapeutic benefits and underlying biomechanism(s) of antibody drug conjugates (ADC) in combination with other targeted therapeutics are largely unknown. Here, the synergy between ADC and epigenetic drug decitabine (DAC), a clinically approved DNA methylation inhibitor, in multiple preclinical models of melanoma specifically investigated. Mechanistically, the underlying biomechanisms of how DAC cooperatively worked with ICAM1 antibody conjugated DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor DXd (I1-DXd) is elucidated. DAC treatment significantly enhanced anti-tumor efficacy of I1-DXd by upregulating antigen expression, enhancing antibody internalization and potentiating tumor sensitivity by epigenetically reprogramming of melanoma. Meanwhile, I1-DXd/DAC combination also exerted regulatory effects on tumor microenvironment (TME) by enhancing tumor infiltration of innate and adaptive immune cells and improving penetration of ADCs with a boosted antitumor immunity. This study provides a rational ADC combination strategy for solid tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Changjuan Tao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Key Laboratory of Head and Neck Cancer Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Ye Lu
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Peijing Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Key Laboratory of Head and Neck Cancer Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Xing Wang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Yujie Dai
- MabPlex International, Yantai, Shandong, 264006, China
| | - Yun Xi
- Department of Pathology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Takaya Shimura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Xinfang Li
- MabPlex International, Yantai, Shandong, 264006, China
| | - Jianmin Fang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Dawei He
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Guo
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
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Yang X, Sun Y, Zhang H, Liu F, Chen Q, Shen Q, Kong Z, Wei Q, Shen JW, Guo Y. CaCO 3 nanoplatform for cancer treatment: drug delivery and combination therapy. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:6876-6899. [PMID: 38506154 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr05986c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The use of nanocarriers for drug delivery has opened up exciting new possibilities in cancer treatment. Among them, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanocarriers have emerged as a promising platform due to their exceptional biocompatibility, biosafety, cost-effectiveness, wide availability, and pH-responsiveness. These nanocarriers can efficiently encapsulate a variety of small-molecule drugs, proteins, and nucleic acids, as well as co-encapsulate multiple drugs, providing targeted and sustained drug release with minimal side effects. However, the effectiveness of single-drug therapy using CaCO3 nanocarriers is limited by factors such as multidrug resistance, tumor metastasis, and recurrence. Combination therapy, which integrates multiple treatment modalities, offers a promising approach for tackling these challenges by enhancing efficacy, leveraging synergistic effects, optimizing therapy utilization, tailoring treatment approaches, reducing drug resistance, and minimizing side effects. CaCO3 nanocarriers can be employed for combination therapy by integrating drug therapy with photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, sonodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, radiofrequency ablation therapy, and imaging. This review provides an overview of recent advancements in CaCO3 nanocarriers for drug delivery and combination therapy in cancer treatment over the past five years. Furthermore, insightful perspectives on future research directions and development of CaCO3 nanoparticles as nanocarriers in cancer treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorong Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China.
| | - Yue Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China.
| | - Hong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China.
| | - Fengrui Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China.
| | - Qin Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China.
| | - Qiying Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China.
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Zhe Kong
- Center for Advanced Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Key Laboratory of Novel Materials for Sensor of Zhejiang Province, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Qiaolin Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China.
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
- State Key Lab of Silicon Materials, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Jia-Wei Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China.
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Yong Guo
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China.
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
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Guo J, Tang B, Fu J, Zhu X, Xie W, Wang N, Ding Z, Song Z, Yang Y, Xu G, Xiao X. High-plex spatial transcriptomic profiling reveals distinct immune components and the HLA class I/DNMT3A/CD8 modulatory axis in mismatch repair-deficient endometrial cancer. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024; 47:573-585. [PMID: 37847338 PMCID: PMC11090934 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00885-8] [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] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Tumors bearing mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd) are characterized by a high load of neoantigens and are believed to trigger immunogenic reactions upon immune checkpoint blockade treatment such as anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. However, the mechanisms are still ill-defined, as multiple cancers with MMRd exhibit variable responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In endometrial cancer (EC), a distinct tumor microenvironment (TME) exists that may correspond to treatment-related efficacies. We aimed to characterize EC patients with aberrant MMR pathways to identify molecular subtypes predisposed to respond to ICI therapies. METHODS We applied digital spatial profiling, a high-plex spatial transcriptomic approach covering over 1,800 genes, to obtain a highly resolved TME landscape in 45 MMRd-EC patients. We cross-validated multiple biomarkers identified using immunohistochemistry and multiplexed immunofluorescence using in-study and independent cohorts totaling 123 MMRd-EC patients and validated our findings using external TCGA data from microsatellite instability endometrial cancer (MSI-EC) patients. RESULTS High-plex spatial profiling identified a 14-gene signature in the MMRd tumor-enriched regions stratifying tumors into "hot", "intermediate" and "cold" groups according to their distinct immune profiles, a finding highly consistent with the corresponding CD8 + T-cell infiltration status. Our validation studies further corroborated an existing coregulatory network involving HLA class I and DNMT3A potentially bridged through dynamic crosstalk incorporating CCL5. CONCLUSION Our study confirmed the heterogeneous TME status within MMRd-ECs and showed that these ECs can be stratified based on potential biomarkers such as HLA class I, DNMT3A and CD8 in pathological settings for improved ICI therapeutic efficacy in this subset of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Guo
- Department of Pathology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, China
| | - Baijie Tang
- Department of Pathology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Fu
- Department of Pathology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuan Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenlong Xie
- Department of Pathology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Mills Institute for Personalized Cancer Care, Jinan, China
| | - Zhiyong Ding
- Mills Institute for Personalized Cancer Care, Jinan, China
| | - Zhentao Song
- Mills Institute for Personalized Cancer Care, Jinan, China
| | - Yue Yang
- Department of Pathology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Department of Pathology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xue Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
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5
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Russo S, Feola S, Feodoroff M, Chiaro J, Antignani G, Fusciello M, D’Alessio F, Hamdan F, Pellinen T, Mölsä R, Tripodi L, Pastore L, Grönholm M, Cerullo V. Low-dose decitabine enhances the efficacy of viral cancer vaccines for immunotherapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200766. [PMID: 38596301 PMCID: PMC10869747 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy requires a specific antitumor CD8+ T cell-driven immune response; however, upon genetic and epigenetic alterations of the antigen processing and presenting components, cancer cells escape the CD8+ T cell recognition. As a result, poorly immunogenic tumors are refractory to conventional immunotherapy. In this context, the use of viral cancer vaccines in combination with hypomethylating agents represents a promising strategy to prevent cancer from escaping immune system recognition. In this study, we evaluated the sensitivity of melanoma (B16-expressing ovalbumin) and metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (4T1) cell lines to FDA-approved low-dose decitabine in combination with PeptiCRAd, an adenoviral anticancer vaccine. The two models showed different sensitivity to decitabine in vitro and in vivo when combined with PeptiCRAd. In particular, mice bearing syngeneic 4T1 cancer showed higher tumor growth control when receiving the combinatorial treatment compared to single controls in association with a higher expression of MHC class I on cancer cells and reduction in Tregs within the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, remodeling of the CD8+ T cell infiltration and cytotoxic activity toward cancer cells confirmed the effect of decitabine in enhancing anticancer vaccines in immunotherapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Russo
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sara Feola
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michaela Feodoroff
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jacopo Chiaro
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gabriella Antignani
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Manlio Fusciello
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Federica D’Alessio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology and CEINGE, Naples University, 24 Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Firas Hamdan
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teijo Pellinen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riikka Mölsä
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lorella Tripodi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology and CEINGE, Naples University, 24 Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.a.r.l, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Lucio Pastore
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology and CEINGE, Naples University, 24 Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.a.r.l, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mikaela Grönholm
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology and CEINGE, Naples University, 24 Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Xiong D, Zhang L, Sun ZJ. Targeting the epigenome to reinvigorate T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Mil Med Res 2023; 10:59. [PMID: 38044445 PMCID: PMC10694991 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-023-00496-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy using immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized the field of cancer treatment; however, ICI efficacy is constrained by progressive dysfunction of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which is termed T cell exhaustion. This process is driven by diverse extrinsic factors across heterogeneous tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Simultaneously, tumorigenesis entails robust reshaping of the epigenetic landscape, potentially instigating T cell exhaustion. In this review, we summarize the epigenetic mechanisms governing tumor microenvironmental cues leading to T cell exhaustion, and discuss therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic regulators for immunotherapies. Finally, we outline conceptual and technical advances in developing potential treatment paradigms involving immunostimulatory agents and epigenetic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
| | - Zhi-Jun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, School and and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
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7
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Liang Y, Wang L, Ma P, Ju D, Zhao M, Shi Y. Enhancing anti-tumor immune responses through combination therapies: epigenetic drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1308264. [PMID: 38077327 PMCID: PMC10704038 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1308264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are processes that affect gene expression and cellular functions without involving changes in the DNA sequence. This abnormal or unstable expression of genes regulated by epigenetics can trigger cancer and other various diseases. The immune cells involved in anti-tumor responses and the immunogenicity of tumors may also be affected by epigenomic changes. This holds significant implications for the development and application of cancer immunotherapy, epigenetic therapy, and their combined treatments in the fight against cancer. We provide an overview of recent research literature focusing on how epigenomic changes in immune cells influence immune cell behavior and function, as well as the immunogenicity of cancer cells. And the combined utilization of epigenetic medications with immune checkpoint inhibitors that focus on immune checkpoint molecules [e.g., Programmed Death 1 (PD-1), Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Protein 4 (CTLA-4), T cell Immunoglobulin and Mucin Domain (TIM-3), Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 (LAG-3)] present in immune cells and stromal cells associated with tumors. We highlight the potential of small-molecule inhibitors targeting epigenetic regulators to amplify anti-tumor immune responses. Moreover, we discuss how to leverage the intricate relationship between cancer epigenetics and cancer immunology to create treatment regimens that integrate epigenetic therapies with immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liang
- Precision Pharmacy and Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Wuchang Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan Wuchang Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Peijun Ma
- Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongen Ju
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Minggao Zhao
- Precision Pharmacy and Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yun Shi
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
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8
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Stiff PJ, Mehrotra S, Potkul RK, Banerjee S, Walker C, Drakes ML. Selinexor in Combination with Decitabine Attenuates Ovarian Cancer in Mice. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4541. [PMID: 37760508 PMCID: PMC10526280 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-grade serous ovarian cancer is a lethal gynecologic disease. Conventional therapies, such as platinum-based chemotherapy, are rendered inadequate for disease management as most advanced disease patients develop resistance to this therapy and soon relapse, leading to poor prognosis. Novel immunotherapy and targeted therapy are currently under investigation as treatment options for ovarian cancer, but so far with little success. Epigenetic changes, such as aberrant DNA methylation, have been reported in resistance to platinum-based therapy. Decitabine is a hypomethylating agent which is effective against platinum-resistant disease and also exhibits several anti-tumor immune functions. Selinexor is a selective inhibitor of nuclear protein export. It restored platinum sensitivity in patient-derived ovarian cancer cell lines and is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. We hypothesized that these two agents used in combination could elicit more potent anti-tumor immune responses in vivo than either agent used alone. METHODS These studies were designed to investigate the efficacy of these two agents used in combination to treat ovarian cancer by assessing murine models for changes in disease pathology and in anti-tumor responses. RESULTS Decitabine priming followed by selinexor treatment significantly limited ascites formation and tumor size. This combination of agents also promoted T cell effector function as measured by granzyme B secretion. Treatment of mice with decitabine and selinexor led to the significant release of a broader range of macrophage and T cell cytokines and chemokines above control PBS and vehicle and above decitabine or selinexor treatment alone. CONCLUSIONS These results reveal crucial information for the design of clinical trials which may advance therapy outcomes in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J. Stiff
- Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | | | - Ronald K. Potkul
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Swarnali Banerjee
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA
| | | | - Maureen L. Drakes
- Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
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9
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Sozio F, Schioppa T, Laffranchi M, Salvi V, Tamassia N, Bianchetto-Aguilera FM, Tiberio L, Bonecchi R, Bosisio D, Parmentier M, Bottazzi B, Leone R, Russo E, Bernardini G, Garofalo S, Limatola C, Gismondi A, Sciumè G, Mantovani A, Del Prete A, Sozzani S. CCRL2 Expression by Specialized Lung Capillary Endothelial Cells Controls NK-cell Homing in Lung Cancer. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:1280-1295. [PMID: 37343073 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Patterns of receptors for chemotactic factors regulate the homing of leukocytes to tissues. Here we report that the CCRL2/chemerin/CMKLR1 axis represents a selective pathway for the homing of natural killer (NK) cells to the lung. C-C motif chemokine receptor-like 2 (CCRL2) is a nonsignaling seven-transmembrane domain receptor able to control lung tumor growth. CCRL2 constitutive or conditional endothelial cell targeted ablation, or deletion of its ligand chemerin, were found to promote tumor progression in a Kras/p53Flox lung cancer cell model. This phenotype was dependent on the reduced recruitment of CD27- CD11b+ mature NK cells. Other chemotactic receptors identified in lung-infiltrating NK cells by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), such as Cxcr3, Cx3cr1, and S1pr5, were found to be dispensable in the regulation of NK-cell infiltration of the lung and lung tumor growth. scRNA-seq identified CCRL2 as the hallmark of general alveolar lung capillary endothelial cells. CCRL2 expression was epigenetically regulated in lung endothelium and it was upregulated by the demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza). In vivo administration of low doses of 5-Aza induced CCRL2 upregulation, increased recruitment of NK cells, and reduced lung tumor growth. These results identify CCRL2 as an NK-cell lung homing molecule that has the potential to be exploited to promote NK cell-mediated lung immune surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sozio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur-Italia, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Schioppa
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mattia Laffranchi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur-Italia, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Salvi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Nicola Tamassia
- Department of Medicine, Section of General Pathology, University of Verona, Italy
| | | | - Laura Tiberio
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Raffaella Bonecchi
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Bosisio
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marc Parmentier
- WELBIO and I.R.I.B.H.M., Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Roberto Leone
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Russo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur-Italia, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bernardini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur-Italia, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Garofalo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy
| | - Angela Gismondi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur-Italia, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sciumè
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur-Italia, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Mantovani
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- The William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Annalisa Del Prete
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvano Sozzani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur-Italia, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy
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10
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Zhang C, Sheng Y, Sun X, Wang Y. New insights for gynecological cancer therapies: from molecular mechanisms and clinical evidence to future directions. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:891-925. [PMID: 37368179 PMCID: PMC10584725 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10113-2] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Advanced and recurrent gynecological cancers lack effective treatment and have poor prognosis. Besides, there is urgent need for conservative treatment for fertility protection of young patients. Therefore, continued efforts are needed to further define underlying therapeutic targets and explore novel targeted strategies. Considerable advancements have been made with new insights into molecular mechanisms on cancer progression and breakthroughs in novel treatment strategies. Herein, we review the research that holds unique novelty and potential translational power to alter the current landscape of gynecological cancers and improve effective treatments. We outline the advent of promising therapies with their targeted biomolecules, including hormone receptor-targeted agents, inhibitors targeting epigenetic regulators, antiangiogenic agents, inhibitors of abnormal signaling pathways, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, agents targeting immune-suppressive regulators, and repurposed existing drugs. We particularly highlight clinical evidence and trace the ongoing clinical trials to investigate the translational value. Taken together, we conduct a thorough review on emerging agents for gynecological cancer treatment and further discuss their potential challenges and future opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxue Zhang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Female Tumor Reproductive Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaru Sheng
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Female Tumor Reproductive Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Sun
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Female Tumor Reproductive Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Yudong Wang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Female Tumor Reproductive Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
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11
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Gerton TJ, Green A, Campisi M, Chen M, Gjeci I, Mahadevan N, Lee CAA, Mishra R, Vo HV, Haratani K, Li ZH, Hasselblatt KT, Testino B, Connor T, Lian CG, Elias KM, Lizotte P, Ivanova EV, Barbie DA, Dinulescu DM. Development of a Patient-Derived 3D Immuno-Oncology Platform to Potentiate Immunotherapy Responses in Ascites-Derived Circulating Tumor Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4128. [PMID: 37627156 PMCID: PMC10452550 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164128] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is responsible for the majority of gynecology cancer-related deaths. Patients in remission often relapse with more aggressive forms of disease within 2 years post-treatment. Alternative immuno-oncology (IO) strategies, such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) targeting the PD-(L)1 signaling axis, have proven inefficient so far. Our aim is to utilize epigenetic modulators to maximize the benefit of personalized IO combinations in ex vivo 3D patient-derived platforms and in vivo syngeneic models. Using patient-derived tumor ascites, we optimized an ex vivo 3D screening platform (PDOTS), which employs autologous immune cells and circulating ascites-derived tumor cells, to rapidly test personalized IO combinations. Most importantly, patient responses to platinum chemotherapy and poly-ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors in 3D platforms recapitulate clinical responses. Furthermore, similar to clinical trial results, responses to ICB in PDOTS tend to be low and positively correlated with the frequency of CD3+ immune cells and EPCAM+/PD-L1+ tumor cells. Thus, the greatest response observed with anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy alone is seen in patient-derived HGSOC ascites, which present with high levels of systemic CD3+ and PD-L1+ expression in immune and tumor cells, respectively. In addition, priming with epigenetic adjuvants greatly potentiates ICB in ex vivo 3D testing platforms and in vivo tumor models. We further find that epigenetic priming induces increased tumor secretion of several key cytokines known to augment T and NK cell activation and cytotoxicity, including IL-6, IP-10 (CXCL10), KC (CXCL1), and RANTES (CCL5). Moreover, epigenetic priming alone and in combination with ICB immunotherapy in patient-derived PDOTS induces rapid upregulation of CD69, a reliable early activation of immune markers in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Consequently, this functional precision medicine approach could rapidly identify personalized therapeutic combinations able to potentiate ICB, which is a great advantage, especially given the current clinical difficulty of testing a high number of potential combinations in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Gerton
- Division of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Allen Green
- Division of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marco Campisi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Minyue Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Iliana Gjeci
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Navin Mahadevan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Catherine A. A. Lee
- Division of Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ranjan Mishra
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ha V. Vo
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Koji Haratani
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ze-Hua Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Kathleen T. Hasselblatt
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Bryanna Testino
- Division of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Trevor Connor
- Division of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Christine G. Lian
- Division of Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kevin M. Elias
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Patrick Lizotte
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Elena V. Ivanova
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - David A. Barbie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Daniela M. Dinulescu
- Division of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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12
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Kornepati AVR, Rogers CM, Sung P, Curiel TJ. The complementarity of DDR, nucleic acids and anti-tumour immunity. Nature 2023; 619:475-486. [PMID: 37468584 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06069-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapy is a first-line treatment for selected cancers, yet the mechanisms of its efficacy remain incompletely understood. Furthermore, only a minority of patients with cancer benefit from ICB, and there is a lack of fully informative treatment response biomarkers. Selectively exploiting defects in DNA damage repair is also a standard treatment for cancer, spurred by enhanced understanding of the DNA damage response (DDR). DDR and ICB are closely linked-faulty DDR produces immunogenic cancer neoantigens that can increase the efficacy of ICB therapy, and tumour mutational burden is a good but imperfect biomarker for the response to ICB. DDR studies in ICB efficacy initially focused on contributions to neoantigen burden. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that ICB efficacy is complicated by the immunogenic effects of nucleic acids generated from exogenous DNA damage or endogenous processes such as DNA replication. Chemotherapy, radiation, or selective DDR inhibitors (such as PARP inhibitors) can generate aberrant nucleic acids to induce tumour immunogenicity independently of neoantigens. Independent of their functions in immunity, targets of immunotherapy such as cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) or PD-L1 can crosstalk with DDR or the DNA repair machinery to influence the response to DNA-damaging agents. Here we review the rapidly evolving, multifaceted interfaces between DDR, nucleic acid immunogenicity and immunotherapy efficacy, focusing on ICB. Understanding these interrelated processes could explain ICB treatment failures and reveal novel exploitable therapeutic vulnerabilities in cancers. We conclude by addressing major unanswered questions and new research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand V R Kornepati
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Cody M Rogers
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Patrick Sung
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA
- University of Texas Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Tyler J Curiel
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- University of Texas Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- Dartmouth Health, Dartmouth Cancer Center and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA.
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13
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Wang B, Han Y, Zhang Y, Zhao Q, Wang H, Wei J, Meng L, Xin Y, Jiang X. Overcoming acquired resistance to cancer immune checkpoint therapy: potential strategies based on molecular mechanisms. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:120. [PMID: 37386520 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01073-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 to boost tumor-specific T lymphocyte immunity have opened up new avenues for the treatment of various histological types of malignancies, with the possibility of durable responses and improved survival. However, the development of acquired resistance to ICI therapy over time after an initial response remains a major obstacle in cancer therapeutics. The potential mechanisms of acquired resistance to ICI therapy are still ambiguous. In this review, we focused on the current understanding of the mechanisms of acquired resistance to ICIs, including the lack of neoantigens and effective antigen presentation, mutations of IFN-γ/JAK signaling, and activation of alternate inhibitory immune checkpoints, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, epigenetic modification, and dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. Further, based on these mechanisms, potential therapeutic strategies to reverse the resistance to ICIs, which could provide clinical benefits to cancer patients, are also briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
- Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yin Han
- Cancer Prevention and Treatment Institute of Chengdu, Department of Pathology, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Yuyu Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Qin Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
- Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Cancer Prevention and Treatment Institute of Chengdu, Department of Pathology, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Huanhuan Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Jinlong Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Lingbin Meng
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Ying Xin
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Xin Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China.
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
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14
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Yang J, Xu J, Wang W, Zhang B, Yu X, Shi S. Epigenetic regulation in the tumor microenvironment: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:210. [PMID: 37217462 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01480-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Over decades, researchers have focused on the epigenetic control of DNA-templated processes. Histone modification, DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, RNA modification, and noncoding RNAs modulate many biological processes that are crucial to the development of cancers. Dysregulation of the epigenome drives aberrant transcriptional programs. A growing body of evidence suggests that the mechanisms of epigenetic modification are dysregulated in human cancers and might be excellent targets for tumor treatment. Epigenetics has also been shown to influence tumor immunogenicity and immune cells involved in antitumor responses. Thus, the development and application of epigenetic therapy and cancer immunotherapy and their combinations may have important implications for cancer treatment. Here, we present an up-to-date and thorough description of how epigenetic modifications in tumor cells influence immune cell responses in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and how epigenetics influence immune cells internally to modify the TME. Additionally, we highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic regulators for cancer immunotherapy. Harnessing the complex interplay between epigenetics and cancer immunology to develop therapeutics that combine thereof is challenging but could yield significant benefits. The purpose of this review is to assist researchers in understanding how epigenetics impact immune responses in the TME, so that better cancer immunotherapies can be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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15
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Kruchen A, Johann PD, Rekowski L, Müller I. Epigenetic Modification of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Derived from Bone Marrow and Embryonal Tumors to Facilitate Immunotherapeutic Approaches in Pediatric Malignancies. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:2121-2135. [PMID: 36975506 PMCID: PMC10047030 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45030136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are part of the bone marrow architecture and contribute to the homeostasis of hematopoietic stem cells. Moreover, they are known to regulate immune effector cells. These properties of MSC are pivotal under physiologic conditions, and they may aberrantly also protect malignant cells. MSCs are also found in the leukemic stem cell niche of the bone marrow and as part of the tumor microenvironment. Here, they protect malignant cells from chemotherapeutic drugs and from immune effector cells in immunotherapeutic approaches. Modulation of these mechanisms may improve the efficacy of therapeutic regimens. We investigated the effect of the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA, Vorinostat™) on the immunomodulatory effect and cytokine profile of MSC derived from bone marrow and pediatric tumors. The immune phenotype of MSC was not markedly affected. SAHA-treated MSC showed reduced immunomodulatory effects on T cell proliferation and NK cell cytotoxicity. This effect was accompanied by an altered cytokine profile of MSC. While untreated MSC inhibited the production of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines, SAHA treatment led to a partial increase in IFNγ and TNFα secretion. These alterations of the immunosuppressive milieu might be beneficial for immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kruchen
- Division of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Clinic of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Pascal-David Johann
- Swabian Children’s Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital, Klinikum Augsburg, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156 Augsburg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laura Rekowski
- Division of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Clinic of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ingo Müller
- Division of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Clinic of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-40-7410-52720; Fax: +49-40-7410-40175
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16
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Stillson NJ, Anderson KE, Reich NO. In silico study of selective inhibition mechanism of S-adenosyl-L-methionine analogs for human DNA methyltransferase 3A. Comput Biol Chem 2023; 102:107796. [PMID: 36495748 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2022.107796] [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: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms leading to transcriptional regulation, including DNA methylation, are frequently dysregulated in diverse cancers. Interfering with aberrant DNA methylation performed by DNA cytosine methyltransferases (DNMTs) is a clinically validated approach. In particular, the selective inhibition of the de novo DNMT3A and DNMT3B enzymes, whose expression is limited to early embryogenesis, adult stem cells, and in cancers, is particularly attractive; such selectivity is likely to attenuate the dose limiting toxicity shown by current, non-selective DNMT inhibitors. We use molecular dynamics (MD) based computational analysis to study known small molecule binders of DNMT3A, then propose reversible, tight binding, and selective inhibitors that exploit the Asn1192/Arg688 difference between the maintenance DNMT1 and DNMT3A near the active site. A similar strategy exploiting the presence of a unique active site cysteine Cys666 is used to propose DNMT3A-selective irreversible inhibitors. We report our results of relative binding energies of the known and proposed compounds estimated using MM/GBSA and umbrella sampling (US) techniques, and our evaluation of other end-point binding free energy calculation methods for these receptors. These calculations offer insight into the potential for small molecules to selectively target the active site of DNMT3A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel J Stillson
- The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California, Santa Barbara 93106-9510, USA
| | - Kyle E Anderson
- The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California, Santa Barbara 93106-9510, USA
| | - Norbert O Reich
- The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California, Santa Barbara 93106-9510, USA.
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17
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Targeting Epigenetic Mechanisms: A Boon for Cancer Immunotherapy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11010169. [PMID: 36672677 PMCID: PMC9855697 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010169] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is rapidly emerging as a promising approach against cancer. In the last decade, various immunological mechanisms have been targeted to induce an increase in the immune response against cancer cells. However, despite promising results, many patients show partial response, resistance, or serious toxicities. A promising way to overcome this is the use of immunotherapeutic approaches, in combination with other potential therapeutic approaches. Aberrant epigenetic modifications play an important role in carcinogenesis and its progression, as well as in the functioning of immune cells. Thus, therapeutic approaches targeting aberrant epigenetic mechanisms and the immune response might provide an effective antitumor effect. Further, the recent development of potent epigenetic drugs and immunomodulators gives hope to this combinatorial approach. In this review, we summarize the synergy mechanism between epigenetic therapies and immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer, and discuss recent advancements in the translation of this approach.
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18
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dos Reis FD, Jerónimo C, Correia MP. Epigenetic modulation and prostate cancer: Paving the way for NK cell anti-tumor immunity. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1152572. [PMID: 37090711 PMCID: PMC10113550 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1152572] [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: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunoepigenetics is a growing field, as there is mounting evidence on the key role played by epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of tumor immune cell recognition and control of immune cell anti-tumor responses. Moreover, it is increasingly acknowledgeable a tie between epigenetic regulation and prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression. PCa is intrinsically a cold tumor, with scarce immune cell infiltration and low inflammatory tumor microenvironment. However, Natural Killer (NK) cells, main anti-tumor effector immune cells, have been frequently linked to improved PCa prognosis. The role that epigenetic-related mechanisms might have in regulating both NK cell recognition of PCa tumor cells and NK cell functions in PCa is still mainly unknown. Epigenetic modulating drugs have been showing boundless therapeutic potential as anti-tumor agents, however their role in immune cell regulation and recognition is scarce. In this review, we focused on studies addressing modulation of epigenetic mechanisms involved in NK cell-mediated responses, including both the epigenetic modulation of tumor cell NK ligand expression and NK cell receptor expression and function in different tumor models, highlighting studies in PCa. The integrated knowledge from diverse epigenetic modulation mechanisms promoting NK cell-mediated immunity in various tumor models might open doors for the development of novel epigenetic-based therapeutic options for PCa management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa D. dos Reis
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Master Program in Oncology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Margareta P. Correia
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Margareta P. Correia,
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19
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Xu T, Liu Z, Huang L, Jing J, Liu X. Modulating the tumor immune microenvironment with nanoparticles: A sword for improving the efficiency of ovarian cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1057850. [PMID: 36532066 PMCID: PMC9751906 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1057850] [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: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
With encouraging antitumor effects, immunotherapy represented by immune checkpoint blockade has developed into a mainstream cancer therapeutic modality. However, only a minority of ovarian cancer (OC) patients could benefit from immunotherapy. The main reason is that most OC harbor a suppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Emerging studies suggest that M2 tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), T regulatory cells (Tregs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are enriched in OC. Thus, reversing the suppressive TIME is considered an ideal candidate for improving the efficiency of immunotherapy. Nanoparticles encapsulating immunoregulatory agents can regulate immunocytes and improve the TIME to boost the antitumor immune response. In addition, some nanoparticle-mediated photodynamic and photothermal therapy can directly kill tumor cells and induce tumor immunogenic cell death to activate antigen-presenting cells and promote T cell infiltration. These advantages make nanoparticles promising candidates for modulating the TIME and improving OC immunotherapy. In this review, we analyzed the composition and function of the TIME in OC and summarized the current clinical progress of OC immunotherapy. Then, we expounded on the promising advances in nanomaterial-mediated immunotherapy for modulating the TIME in OC. Finally, we discussed the obstacles and challenges in the clinical translation of this novel combination treatment regimen. We believe this resourceful strategy will open the door to effective immunotherapy of OC and benefit numerous patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jing Jing
- *Correspondence: Xiaowei Liu, ; Jing Jing,
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20
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Gutierrez WR, Scherer A, Rytlewski JD, Laverty EA, Sheehan AP, McGivney GR, Brockman QR, Knepper-Adrian V, Roughton GA, Quelle DE, Gordon DJ, Monga V, Dodd RD. Augmenting chemotherapy with low-dose decitabine through an immune-independent mechanism. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e159419. [PMID: 36227698 PMCID: PMC9746804 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.159419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA methyltransferase inhibitor decitabine has classically been used to reactivate silenced genes and as a pretreatment for anticancer therapies. In a variation of this idea, this study explores the concept of adding low-dose decitabine (DAC) following administration of chemotherapy to bolster therapeutic efficacy. We find that addition of DAC following treatment with the chemotherapy agent gemcitabine improves survival and slows tumor growth in a mouse model of high-grade sarcoma. Unlike prior studies in epithelial tumor models, DAC did not induce a robust antitumor T cell response in sarcoma. Furthermore, DAC synergizes with gemcitabine independently of the immune system. Mechanistic analyses demonstrate that the combination therapy induces biphasic cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Therapeutic efficacy was sequence dependent, with gemcitabine priming cells for treatment with DAC through inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase. This study identifies an apparently unique application of DAC to augment the cytotoxic effects of conventional chemotherapy in an immune-independent manner. The concepts explored in this study represent a promising paradigm for cancer treatment by augmenting chemotherapy through addition of DAC to increase tolerability and improve patient response. These findings have widespread implications for the treatment of sarcomas and other aggressive malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wade R. Gutierrez
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program
- Medical Scientist Training Program
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Department of Internal Medicine
| | - Amanda Scherer
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Department of Internal Medicine
| | | | | | - Alexa P. Sheehan
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Department of Internal Medicine
- Molecular Medicine Graduate Program
| | - Gavin R. McGivney
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Department of Internal Medicine
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
| | - Qierra R. Brockman
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Department of Internal Medicine
- Molecular Medicine Graduate Program
| | | | | | - Dawn E. Quelle
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program
- Medical Scientist Training Program
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Molecular Medicine Graduate Program
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology
- Department of Pathology, and
| | - David J. Gordon
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Varun Monga
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Department of Internal Medicine
| | - Rebecca D. Dodd
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program
- Medical Scientist Training Program
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Department of Internal Medicine
- Molecular Medicine Graduate Program
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21
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Roussot N, Ghiringhelli F, Rébé C. Tumor Immunogenic Cell Death as a Mediator of Intratumor CD8 T-Cell Recruitment. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223672. [PMID: 36429101 PMCID: PMC9688834 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of anticancer treatments relies on a long-term response which can be mediated by the immune system. Thus, the concept of immunogenic cell death (ICD) describes the capacity of dying cancer cells, under chemotherapy or physical stress, to express or release danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). These DAMPs are essential to activate dendritic cells (DCs) and to stimulate an antigen presentation to CD8 cytotoxic cells. Then, activated CD8 T cells exert their antitumor effects through cytotoxic molecules, an effect which is transitory due to the establishment of a feedback loop leading to T-cell exhaustion. This phenomenon can be reversed using immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs), such as anti-PD-1, PD-L1 or CTLA-4 Abs. However, the blockade of these checkpoints is efficient only if the CD8 T cells are recruited within the tumor. The CD8 T-cell chemoattraction is mediated by chemokines. Hence, an important question is whether the ICD can not only influence the DC activation and resulting CD8 T-cell activation but can also favor the chemokine production at the tumor site, thus triggering their recruitment. This is the aim of this review, in which we will decipher the role of some chemokines (and their specific receptors), shown to be released during ICD, on the CD8 T-cell recruitment and antitumor response. We will also analyze the clinical applications of these chemokines as predictive or prognostic markers or as new targets which should be used to improve patients' response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Roussot
- Cancer Biology Transfer Platform, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, F-21000 Dijon, France
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche INSERM LNC-UMR1231, F-21000 Dijon, France
- UFR Sciences de Santé, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - François Ghiringhelli
- Cancer Biology Transfer Platform, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, F-21000 Dijon, France
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche INSERM LNC-UMR1231, F-21000 Dijon, France
- UFR Sciences de Santé, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, F-21000 Dijon, France
- Genetic and Immunology Medical Institute, F-21000 Dijon, France
- Correspondence: (F.G.); (C.R.)
| | - Cédric Rébé
- Cancer Biology Transfer Platform, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, F-21000 Dijon, France
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche INSERM LNC-UMR1231, F-21000 Dijon, France
- UFR Sciences de Santé, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
- Correspondence: (F.G.); (C.R.)
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22
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Hsieh CH, Kuan WH, Chang WL, Kuo IY, Liu H, Shieh DB, Liu H, Tan B, Wang YC. Dysregulation of SOX17/NRF2 axis confers chemoradiotherapy resistance and emerges as a novel therapeutic target in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:90. [PMID: 36310172 PMCID: PMC9618214 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00873-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer-associated death worldwide with a dismal overall 5-year survival rate of less than 20%. The standard first-line therapy for advanced ESCC is concomitant chemo-radiation therapy (CCRT); however, patients usually develop resistance, resulting in unfavorable outcomes. Therefore, it is urgent to identify the mechanisms underlying CCRT resistance and develop effective treatment strategies. Methods Patients’ endoscopic biopsy tumor tissues obtained before CCRT treatment were used to perform RNA-seq and GSEA analysis. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and promoter reporter analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between SOX17 and NRF2. Xenograft mouse models were used to study the role of SOX17/NRF2 axis in tumor growth and the efficacy of carboxymethyl cellulose-coated zero-valent-iron (ZVI@CMC). Results In this study, a notable gene expression signature associated with NRF2 activation was observed in the poor CCRT responders. Further, IHC staining of endoscopic biopsy of 164 ESCC patients revealed an inverse correlation between NRF2 and SOX17, a tumor-suppressive transcription factor with low expression in ESCC due to promoter hypermethylation. Using ChIP and promoter reporter analyses, we demonstrated that SOX17 was a novel upstream transcriptional suppressor of NRF2. In particular, SOX17low/NRF2high nuclear level significantly correlated with poor CCRT response and poor survival, indicating that the dysregulation of SOX17/NRF2 axis played a pivotal role in CCRT resistance and tumor progression. Notably, the in-house developed nanoparticle ZVI@CMC functioned as an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferases to restore expression of SOX17 that downregulated NRF2, thereby overcoming the resistance in ESCC. Additionally, the combination of ZVI@CMC with radiation treatment significantly augmented anticancer efficacy to inhibit tumor growth in CCRT resistant cancer. Conclusion This study identifies a novel SOX17low/NRF2high signature in ESCC patients with poor prognosis, recognizes SOX17 as a transcriptional repressor of NRF2, and provides a promising strategy targeting SOX17/NRF2 axis to overcome resistance. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12929-022-00873-4.
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23
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Wang J, Ren M, Yu J, Hu M, Wang X, Ma W, Jiang X, Cui J. Single-cell RNA sequencing highlights the functional role of human endogenous retroviruses in gallbladder cancer. EBioMedicine 2022; 85:104319. [PMCID: PMC9626538 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104319] [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: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gallbladder cancer (GBC), the most common malignancy of the biliary tract, shows late diagnosis and low survival rate and requires continued search for new diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are specifically prone to be reactivated in diverse cancers and are implicated in cancer progression and immunotherapy. Methods Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on tumor tissues and paired adjacent tissues from 4 GBC patients. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was applied to measure enhancer activity of HERV sequences. Findings We dissected the cellular diversity and described the HERV transcriptomic landscape for GBC. We found that HERVs were transcribed in a cell type-specific manner and different HERV families were associated with diverse biological effects. HERVs could function as enhancers, presumably causing altered expression of neighboring genes. The transcription level of HERVH was gradually elevated with the malignant transformation of epithelial cells, suggesting HERVH may be a potential early diagnostic biomarker of GBC. HHLA2, a newly emerging immune checkpoint, was derived by HERVH, exhibited an expressional correlation with HERVH, and was identified as a promising target for immunotherapy. Interpretation Exploring the transcriptional landscape and potential functional impact of HERVs highlights the important role of HERVs in GBC and provides a fresh perspective on managing GBC. Funding This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31970176, 81972256) and the research grants from the Innovation Capacity Building Project of Jiangsu province (BM2020019).
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Key Words
- gallbladder cancer
- single-cell rna sequencing
- human endogenous retrovirus
- enhancer
- immune checkpoint
- hervh
- gbc, gallbladder cancer
- herv, human endogenous retrovirus
- scrna-seq, single-cell rna sequencing
- tme, tumor microenvironment
- wta, whole transcriptome analysis
- deg, differentially expressed gene
- cnv, copy number variation
- go, gene ontology
- nk cell, natural killer cell
- nkt cell, natural killer t cell
- dc, dendritic cell
- ics, intermediate cell state
- hhla2, human endogenous retrovirus-h long terminal repeat-associating 2
- cd4+ th cell, cd4+ t helper cell
- igg, immunoglobulin g
- cdc, conventional dc
- mo-dc, monocyte-derived dc
- caf, cancer-associated fibroblast
- ecm, extracellular matrix
- icaf, inflammatory caf
- myocaf, myo-cancer-associated fibroblast
- te, transposable element
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghan Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Meng Ren
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China,Nanjing Advanced Academy of Life and Health, Nanjing 211135, China
| | - Jundan Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mingtai Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wencong Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Xiaoqing Jiang
- Department of Biliary Tract Surgery I, the Third Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China,Corresponding author.
| | - Jie Cui
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China,Nanjing Advanced Academy of Life and Health, Nanjing 211135, China,Corresponding author.
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24
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Zhen J, Ke Y, Pan J, Zhou M, Zeng H, Song G, Yu Z, Fu B, Liu Y, Huang D, Wu H. ZNF320 is a hypomethylated prognostic biomarker involved in immune infiltration of hepatocellular carcinoma and associated with cell cycle. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:8411-8436. [PMID: 36287187 PMCID: PMC9648795 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most deadly and common malignant cancers around the world, and the prognosis of HCC patients is not optimistic. ZNF320 belongs to Krüppel like zinc finger gene family. However, no studies have focused on the influence of ZNF320 in HCC. We first analyzed ZNF320 expression in HCC by using data from TCGA and ICGC, then conducted a joint analysis with TIMER and UALCAN, and validated by immunohistochemistry in clinical HCC samples. Then we applied UALCAN to explore the correlation between ZNF320 expression and clinicopathological characteristics. Consequently, using Kaplan-Meier Plotter analysis and the Cox regression, we can predict the prognostic value of ZNF320 for HCC patients. Next, the analysis by GO, KEGG, and GSEA revealed that ZNF320 was significantly correlated to cell cycle and immunity. Finally, TIMER and GEPIA analysis verified that ZNF320 expression is closely related to tumor infiltrating immune cells (TIIC), including B cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. The analysis of the TCGA and ICGC data sets revealed that ZNF320 expression was significantly correlated with m6A related genes (RBMX, YTHDF1, and METTL3). In conclusion, ZNF320 may be a prognostic biomarker related to immunity as a candidate for liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhen
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yun Ke
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jingying Pan
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Minqin Zhou
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hong Zeng
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Gelin Song
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zichuan Yu
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bidong Fu
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Da Huang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Honghu Wu
- Department of Science and Technology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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25
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Zhang T, Zhang C, Fu Z, Gao Q. Immune Modulatory Effects of Molecularly Targeted Therapy and Its Repurposed Usage in Cancer Immunotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14091768. [PMID: 36145516 PMCID: PMC9505720 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The fast evolution of anti-tumor agents embodies a deeper understanding of cancer pathogenesis. To date, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are three pillars of the paradigm for cancer treatment. The success of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) implies that reinstatement of immunity can efficiently control tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. However, only a fraction of patients benefit from ICI therapy, which turns the spotlight on developing safe therapeutic strategies to overcome the problem of an unsatisfactory response. Molecular-targeted agents were designed to eliminate cancer cells with oncogenic mutations or transcriptional targets. Intriguingly, accumulating shreds of evidence demonstrate the immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive capacity of targeted agents. By virtue of the high attrition rate and cost of new immunotherapy exploration, drug repurposing may be a promising approach to discovering combination strategies to improve response to immunotherapy. Indeed, many clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of the combination of targeted agents and immunotherapy have been completed. Here, we review and discuss the effects of targeted anticancer agents on the tumor immune microenvironment and explore their potential repurposed usage in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiancheng Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chenhao Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zile Fu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-21-6403-7181
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26
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Chiappinelli KB, Baylin SB. Inhibiting DNA methylation improves antitumor immunity in ovarian cancer. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:160186. [PMID: 35838045 PMCID: PMC9282922 DOI: 10.1172/jci160186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells resist the immune response in a process known as immune editing or immune evasion. Therapies that target the immune system have revolutionized cancer treatment; however, immunotherapies have been ineffective for the majority of ovarian cancer cases. In this issue of the JCI, Chen, Xie, et al. hypothesized that hypomethylating agent (HMA) treatment would induce antitumor immunity to sensitize patients with ovarian cancer to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. The authors performed a phase II clinical trial to test the combination of guadecitabine, a second-generation HMA, along with pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1. The trial included a group of 35 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. While the clinical benefit from the combined HMA plus immune checkpoint blockade regimen was lower than hoped, the correlate analyses gave important information about which patients with ovarian cancer may be more likely to respond to immune therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine B Chiappinelli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine and.,GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Stephen B Baylin
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
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27
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Activating STING1-dependent immune signaling in TP53 mutant and wild-type acute myeloid leukemia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2123227119. [PMID: 35759659 PMCID: PMC9271208 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2123227119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTis) reexpress hypermethylated genes in cancers and leukemias and also activate endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), leading to interferon (IFN) signaling, in a process known as viral mimicry. In the present study we show that in the subset of acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) with mutations in TP53, associated with poor prognosis, DNMTis, important drugs for treatment of AML, enable expression of ERVs and IFN and inflammasome signaling in a STING-dependent manner. We previously reported that in solid tumors poly ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) combined with DNMTis to induce an IFN/inflammasome response that is dependent on STING1 and is mechanistically linked to generation of a homologous recombination defect (HRD). We now show that STING1 activity is actually increased in TP53 mutant compared with wild-type (WT) TP53 AML. Moreover, in TP53 mutant AML, STING1-dependent IFN/inflammatory signaling is increased by DNMTi treatment, whereas in AMLs with WT TP53, DNMTis alone have no effect. While combining DNMTis with PARPis increases IFN/inflammatory gene expression in WT TP53 AML cells, signaling induced in TP53 mutant AML is still several-fold higher. Notably, induction of HRD in both TP53 mutant and WT AMLs follows the pattern of STING1-dependent IFN and inflammatory signaling that we have observed with drug treatments. These findings increase our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie DNMTi + PARPi treatment, and also DNMTi combinations with immune therapies, suggesting a personalized approach that statifies by TP53 status, for use of such therapies, including potential immune activation of STING1 in AML and other cancers.
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Grace BE, Backlund CM, Morgan DM, Kang BH, Singh NK, Huisman BD, Rappazzo CG, Moynihan KD, Maiorino L, Dobson CS, Kyung T, Gordon KS, Holec PV, Mbah OCT, Garafola D, Wu S, Love JC, Wittrup KD, Irvine DJ, Birnbaum ME. Identification of Highly Cross-Reactive Mimotopes for a Public T Cell Response in Murine Melanoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:886683. [PMID: 35812387 PMCID: PMC9260506 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.886683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
While immune checkpoint blockade results in durable responses for some patients, many others have not experienced such benefits. These treatments rely upon reinvigorating specific T cell-antigen interactions. However, it is often unknown what antigens are being recognized by T cells or how to potently induce antigen-specific responses in a broadly applicable manner. Here, we characterized the CD8+ T cell response to a murine model of melanoma following combination immunotherapy to determine the basis of tumor recognition. Sequencing of tumor-infiltrating T cells revealed a repertoire of highly homologous TCR sequences that were particularly expanded in treated mice and which recognized an antigen from an endogenous retrovirus. While vaccination against this peptide failed to raise a protective T cell response in vivo, engineered antigen mimotopes induced a significant expansion of CD8+ T cells cross-reactive to the original antigen. Vaccination with mimotopes resulted in killing of antigen-loaded cells in vivo yet showed modest survival benefit in a prophylactic vaccine paradigm. Together, this work demonstrates the identification of a dominant tumor-associated antigen and generation of mimotopes which can induce robust functional T cell responses that are cross-reactive to the endogenous antigen across multiple individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth E. Grace
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Coralie M. Backlund
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Duncan M. Morgan
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Byong H. Kang
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Nishant K. Singh
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Brooke D. Huisman
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - C. Garrett Rappazzo
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Kelly D. Moynihan
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Laura Maiorino
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Connor S. Dobson
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Taeyoon Kyung
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Khloe S. Gordon
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Patrick V. Holec
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | - Daniel Garafola
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Shengwei Wu
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - J. Christopher Love
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - K. Dane Wittrup
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Darrell J. Irvine
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Michael E. Birnbaum
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Michael E. Birnbaum,
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De Beck L, Awad RM, Basso V, Casares N, De Ridder K, De Vlaeminck Y, Gnata A, Goyvaerts C, Lecocq Q, San José-Enériz E, Verhulst S, Maes K, Vanderkerken K, Agirre X, Prosper F, Lasarte JJ, Mondino A, Breckpot K. Inhibiting Histone and DNA Methylation Improves Cancer Vaccination in an Experimental Model of Melanoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:799636. [PMID: 35634329 PMCID: PMC9134079 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.799636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has improved the treatment of malignant skin cancer of the melanoma type, yet overall clinical response rates remain low. Combination therapies could be key to meet this cogent medical need. Because epigenetic hallmarks represent promising combination therapy targets, we studied the immunogenic potential of a dual inhibitor of histone methyltransferase G9a and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) in the preclinical B16-OVA melanoma model. Making use of tumor transcriptomic and functional analyses, methylation-targeted epigenetic reprogramming was shown to induce tumor cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro coinciding with transient tumor growth delay and an IFN-I response in immune-competent mice. In consideration of a potential impact on immune cells, the drug was shown not to interfere with dendritic cell maturation or T-cell activation in vitro. Notably, the drug promoted dendritic cell and, to a lesser extent, T-cell infiltration in vivo, yet failed to sensitize tumor cells to programmed cell death-1 inhibition. Instead, it increased therapeutic efficacy of TCR-redirected T cell and dendritic cell vaccination, jointly increasing overall survival of B16-OVA tumor-bearing mice. The reported data confirm the prospect of methylation-targeted epigenetic reprogramming in melanoma and sustain dual G9a and DNMT inhibition as a strategy to tip the cancer-immune set-point towards responsiveness to active and adoptive vaccination against melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien De Beck
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Hematology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robin Maximilian Awad
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Veronica Basso
- Lymphocyte Activation Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Noelia Casares
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Kirsten De Ridder
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yannick De Vlaeminck
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alessandra Gnata
- Lymphocyte Activation Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Cleo Goyvaerts
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Quentin Lecocq
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Edurne San José-Enériz
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Stefaan Verhulst
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ken Maes
- Laboratory of Hematology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Medical Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karin Vanderkerken
- Laboratory of Hematology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Xabier Agirre
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Felipe Prosper
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Juan José Lasarte
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Anna Mondino
- Lymphocyte Activation Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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CXC Chemokine Signaling in Progression of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Theranostic Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052642. [PMID: 35269786 PMCID: PMC8910147 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) are often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to nonspecific symptoms and ineffective screening approaches. Although chemotherapy has been available and widely used for the treatment of advanced EOC, the overall prognosis remains dismal. As part of the intrinsic defense mechanisms against cancer development and progression, immune cells are recruited into the tumor microenvironment (TME), and this process is directed by the interactions between different chemokines and their receptors. In this review, the functional significance of CXC chemokine ligands/chemokine receptors (CXCL/CXCR) and their roles in modulating EOC progression are summarized. The status and prospects of CXCR/CXCL-based theranostic strategies in EOC management are also discussed.
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31
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Liu Z, Ren Y, Weng S, Xu H, Li L, Han X. A New Trend in Cancer Treatment: The Combination of Epigenetics and Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:809761. [PMID: 35140720 PMCID: PMC8818678 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.809761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, immunotherapy has become a hot spot in the treatment of tumors. As an emerging treatment, it solves many problems in traditional cancer treatment and has now become the main method for cancer treatment. Although immunotherapy is promising, most patients do not respond to treatment or develop resistance. Therefore, in order to achieve a better therapeutic effect, combination therapy has emerged. The combination of immune checkpoint inhibition and epigenetic therapy is one such strategy. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the key mechanisms of how epigenetic mechanisms affect cancer immune responses and reveal the key role of epigenetic processes in regulating immune cell function and mediating anti-tumor immunity. In addition, we highlight the outlook of combined epigenetic and immune regimens, particularly the combination of immune checkpoint blockade with epigenetic agents, to address the limitations of immunotherapy alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuqing Ren
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Siyuan Weng
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lifeng Li
- Internet Medical and System Applications of National Engineering Laboratory, Zhengzhou, China
- Medical School, Huanghe Science and Technology University, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xinwei Han, ; Lifeng Li,
| | - Xinwei Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xinwei Han, ; Lifeng Li,
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32
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Epigenetics and cancer – A dependence relationship. FORUM OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.2478/fco-2022-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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33
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Ghoneum A, Almousa S, Warren B, Abdulfattah AY, Shu J, Abouelfadl H, Gonzalez D, Livingston C, Said N. Exploring the clinical value of tumor microenvironment in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 77:83-98. [PMID: 33476723 PMCID: PMC8286277 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Platinum resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer (OvCa) is rising at an alarming rate, with recurrence of chemo-resistant high grade serous OvCa (HGSC) in roughly 75 % of all patients. Additionally, HGSC has an abysmal five-year survival rate, standing at 39 % and 17 % for FIGO stages III and IV, respectively. Herein we review the crucial cellular interactions between HGSC cells and the cellular and non-cellular components of the unique peritoneal tumor microenvironment (TME). We highlight the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM), ascitic fluid as well as the mesothelial cells, tumor associated macrophages, neutrophils, adipocytes and fibroblasts in platinum-resistance. Moreover, we underscore the importance of other immune-cell players in conferring resistance, including natural killer cells, myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) and T-regulatory cells. We show the clinical relevance of the key platinum-resistant markers and their correlation with the major pathways perturbed in OvCa. In parallel, we discuss the effect of immunotherapies in re-sensitizing platinum-resistant patients to platinum-based drugs. Through detailed analysis of platinum-resistance in HGSC, we hope to advance the development of more effective therapy options for this aggressive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alia Ghoneum
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Sameh Almousa
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Bailey Warren
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Ammar Yasser Abdulfattah
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA; Alexandria University School of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Junjun Shu
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA; The Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Hebatullah Abouelfadl
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA; Department of Genetics, Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Daniela Gonzalez
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Christopher Livingston
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Neveen Said
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA; Departments of Urology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
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34
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Li X, Zhang M, Cai S, Wu Y, You Y, Wang X, Wang L. Concentration-Dependent Decitabine Effects on Primary NK Cells Viability, Phenotype, and Function in the Absence of Obvious NK Cells Proliferation-Original Article. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:755662. [PMID: 34759824 PMCID: PMC8573336 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.755662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells can evade innate immune killing by modulating natural killer (NK) cells receptors and their cognate ligands in tumor cells, thus it may be possible to restore proper expression of immune receptors or ligands with immune sensitive drugs. Decitabine, as a hypomethylation agent, was approved for the treatment of AML and myelodysplastic syndrome. While clinical responses were contributed by epigenetic effects and the induction of cancer cell apoptosis, decitabine also has immune-mediated anti-tumor effects. After exposure to various concentration of decitabine for 24 h, the primary NK cells (AML-NK cells) cytotoxicity and receptor expression (NKG2D and NKp46) displayed parabola-shaped response, while U-shaped response was seen in cytokine release (IFN-γ and IL-10), and these effects were regulated by ERK and STAT3 phosphorylation level. Furthermore, AML-NK cells function displayed different response when the competitive MEK and STAT3 inhibitors applied respectively. Thus, we could conclude that the different dose of decitabine makes various effects on AML-NK cells function and receptors expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Institution of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Institution of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sisi Cai
- Institution of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaohui Wu
- Institution of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong You
- Institution of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xianghong Wang
- Institution of Hematology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Wang
- Institution of Hematology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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35
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Taylor K, Loo Yau H, Chakravarthy A, Wang B, Shen SY, Ettayebi I, Ishak CA, Bedard PL, Abdul Razak A, R Hansen A, Spreafico A, Cescon D, Butler MO, Oza AM, Lheureux S, Stjepanovic N, Van As B, Boross-Harmer S, Wang L, Pugh TJ, Ohashi PS, Siu LL, De Carvalho DD. An open-label, phase II multicohort study of an oral hypomethylating agent CC-486 and durvalumab in advanced solid tumors. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-000883. [PMID: 32753546 PMCID: PMC7406114 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate whether administration of the oral DNA hypomethylating agent CC-486 enhances the poor response rate of immunologically ‘cold’ solid tumors to immune checkpoint inhibitor durvalumab. Experimental design PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitor naïve patients with advanced microsatellite stable colorectal cancer; platinum resistant ovarian cancer; and estrogen receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer were enrolled in this single-institution, investigator-initiated trial. Two 28 day regimens, regimen A (CC-486 300 mg QD Days 1–14 (cycles 1–3 only) in combination with durvalumab 1500 mg intravenous day 15) and regimen B (CC-486 100 mg QD days 1–21 (cycle 1 and beyond), vitamin C 500 mg once a day continuously and durvalumab 1500 mg intravenous day 15) were investigated. Patients underwent paired tumor biopsies and serial peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collection for immune-profiling, transcriptomic and epigenomic analyzes. Results A total of 28 patients were enrolled, 19 patients treated on regimen A and 9 on regimen B. The combination of CC-486 and durvalumab was tolerable. Regimen B, with a lower dose of CC-486 extended over a longer treatment course, showed less grade 3/4 adverse effects. Global LINE-1 methylation assessment of serial PBMCs and genome-wide DNA methylation profile in paired tumor biopsies demonstrated minimal changes in global methylation in both regimens. The lack of robust tumor DNA demethylation was accompanied by an absence of the expected ‘viral mimicry’ inflammatory response, and consequently, no clinical responses were observed. The disease control rate was 7.1%. The median progression-free survival was 1.9 months (95% CI 1.5 to 2.3) and median overall survival was 5 months (95% CI 4.5 to 10). Conclusions The evaluated treatment schedules of CC-486 in combination with durvalumab did not demonstrate robust pharmacodynamic or clinical activity in selected immunologically cold solid tumors. Lessons learned from this biomarker-rich study should inform continued drug development efforts using these agents. Trial registration number NCT02811497.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty Taylor
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Helen Loo Yau
- Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ankur Chakravarthy
- Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Genetics and Epigenetics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ben Wang
- Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Immuno-Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shu Yi Shen
- Genetics and Epigenetics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ilias Ettayebi
- Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charles A Ishak
- Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Genetics and Epigenetics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Philippe L Bedard
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Albiruni Abdul Razak
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aaron R Hansen
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna Spreafico
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dave Cescon
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marcus O Butler
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amit M Oza
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephanie Lheureux
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Neda Stjepanovic
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brendan Van As
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah Boross-Harmer
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa Wang
- Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Trevor J Pugh
- Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Genomics, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pamela S Ohashi
- Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Immuno-Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lillian L Siu
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel D De Carvalho
- Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada .,Genetics and Epigenetics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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36
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Han P, Hou Y, Zhao Y, Liu Y, Yu T, Sun Y, Wang H, Xu P, Li G, Sun T, Hu X, Liu X, Li L, Peng J, Zhou H, Hou M. Low-dose decitabine modulates T-cell homeostasis and restores immune tolerance in immune thrombocytopenia. Blood 2021; 138:674-688. [PMID: 33876188 PMCID: PMC8394906 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020008477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous clinical study showed that low-dose decitabine exhibited sustained responses in nearly half of patients with refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The long-term efficacy of decitabine in ITP is not likely due to its simple role in increasing platelet production. Whether decitabine has the potential to restore immune tolerance in ITP is unknown. In this study, we analyzed the effect of decitabine on T-cell subpopulations in ITP in vitro and in vivo. We found that low-dose decitabine promoted the generation and differentiation of regulatory T (Treg) cells and augmented their immunosuppressive function. Splenocytes from CD61 knockout mice immunized with CD61+ platelets were transferred into severe combined immunodeficient mouse recipients to induce a murine model of ITP. Low-dose decitabine alleviated thrombocytopenia and restored the balance between Treg and helper T (Th) cells in active ITP mice. Treg deletion and depletion offset the effect of decitabine in restoring CD4+ T-cell subpopulations in ITP mice. For patients who received low-dose decitabine, the quantity and function of Treg cells were substantially improved, whereas Th1 and Th17 cells were suppressed compared with the pretreatment levels. Next-generation RNA-sequencing and cytokine analysis showed that low-dose decitabine rebalanced T-cell homeostasis, decreased proinflammatory cytokines, and downregulated phosphorylated STAT3 in patients with ITP. STAT3 inhibition analysis suggested that low-dose decitabine might restore Treg cells by inhibiting STAT3 activation. In conclusion, our data indicate that the immunomodulatory effect of decitabine provides one possible mechanistic explanation for the sustained response achieved by low-dose decitabine in ITP.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Animals
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Middle Aged
- Blood Platelets/immunology
- Decitabine/administration & dosage
- Immune Tolerance/drug effects
- Immunologic Factors/administration & dosage
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, SCID
- Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/drug therapy
- Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/immunology
- Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/pathology
- Recovery of Function/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/pathology
- Th1 Cells/immunology
- Th1 Cells/pathology
- Th17 Cells/immunology
- Th17 Cells/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yu Hou
- Department of Hematology
- Shangdong Key Laboratory of Immunochematology, and
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tao Sun
- Department of Hematology
- Shangdong Key Laboratory of Immunochematology, and
| | - Xiang Hu
- Department of Hematology
- Shangdong Key Laboratory of Immunochematology, and
| | - Xinguang Liu
- Department of Hematology
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lizhen Li
- Department of Hematology
- Shangdong Key Laboratory of Immunochematology, and
| | - Jun Peng
- Department of Hematology
- Shangdong Key Laboratory of Immunochematology, and
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hai Zhou
- Department of Hematology
- Shangdong Key Laboratory of Immunochematology, and
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ming Hou
- Department of Hematology
- Shangdong Key Laboratory of Immunochematology, and
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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37
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Epigenetic Regulation of Cancer Immune Cells. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 83:377-383. [PMID: 34182142 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The epigenetic regulation of immune response involves reversible and heritable changes that do not alter the DNA sequence. Though there have been extensive studies accomplished relating to epigenetic changes in cancer cells, recent focus has been shifted on epigenetic-mediated changes in the immune cells including T cells, Macrophages, Natural Killer cells and anti-tumor immune responses. This review compiles the most relevant and recent literature related to the role of epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation and histone modifications in immune cells of wide range of cancers. We also include recent research with respect to role of the most relevant transcription factors that epigenetically control the anti-tumor immune response. Finally, a statement of future direction that promises to look forward for strategies to improve immunotherapy in cancer.
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38
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Kang TG, Park HJ, Moon J, Lee JH, Ha SJ. Enriching CCL3 in the Tumor Microenvironment Facilitates T cell Responses and Improves the Efficacy of Anti-PD-1 Therapy. Immune Netw 2021; 21:e23. [PMID: 34277113 PMCID: PMC8263215 DOI: 10.4110/in.2021.21.e23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemokines are key factors that influence the migration and maintenance of relevant immune cells into an infected tissue or a tumor microenvironment. Therefore, it is believed that the controlled administration of chemokines in the tumor microenvironment may be an effective immunotherapy against cancer. Previous studies have shown that CCL3, also known as macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha, facilitates the recruitment of dendritic cells (DCs) for the presentation of tumor Ags and promotes T cell activation. Here, we investigated the role of CCL3 in regulating the tumor microenvironment using a syngeneic mouse tumor model. We observed that MC38 tumors overexpressing CCL3 (CCL3-OE) showed rapid regression compared with the wild type MC38 tumors. Additionally, these CCL3-OE tumors showed an increase in the proliferative and functional tumor-infiltrating T cells. Furthermore, PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade accelerated tumor regression in the CCL3-OE tumor microenvironment. Next, we generated a modified CCL3 protein for pre-clinical use by fusing recombinant CCL3 (rCCL3) with a non-cytolytic hybrid Fc (HyFc). Administering a controlled dose of rCCL3-HyFc via subcutaneous injections near tumors was effective in tumor regression and improved survival along with activated myeloid cells and augmented T cell responses. Furthermore, combination therapy of rCCL3-HyFc with PD-1 blockade exhibited prominent effect to tumor regression. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that appropriate concentrations of CCL3 in the tumor microenvironment would be an effective adjuvant to promote anti-tumor immune responses, and suggest that administering a long-lasting form of CCL3 in combination with PD-1 blockers can have clinical applications in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Gun Kang
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science & Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea.,Brain Korea 21 (BK21) FOUR Program, Yonsei Education & Research Center for Biosystems, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Hyo Jin Park
- Yuhan Corporation, Chemistry & Chemical Biology Team, Yuhan R&D Institute, Seoul 06927, Korea
| | - Jihyun Moon
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science & Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea.,Brain Korea 21 (BK21) FOUR Program, Yonsei Education & Research Center for Biosystems, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - June Hyung Lee
- Yuhan Corporation, Biologics Discovery Team, Seoul 06927, Korea
| | - Sang-Jun Ha
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science & Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea.,Brain Korea 21 (BK21) FOUR Program, Yonsei Education & Research Center for Biosystems, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
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39
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Polycomb repressive complex 2 mutations predict survival benefit in advanced cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. IMMUNO-ONCOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY 2021; 10:100035. [PMID: 35757234 PMCID: PMC9216430 DOI: 10.1016/j.iotech.2021.100035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Numerous biomarkers are being tested to enhance the ability of clinicians to predict responses and prognosis after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is a histone methyltransferase family that plays a major role in chromatin silencing. Preclinical evidence implicates PRC2 components such as enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in immune resistance. This study aimed to assess the clinical relevance of PRC2 mutations in the clinical outcome of ICI-treated patients. Materials and methods Next-generation sequencing (NGS) data from tumor samples of patients treated with ICIs (anti-PD-1/PD-L1, anti-CTLA-4 or both) were interrogated for alterations in PRC2-related genes. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to assess the association between altered and unaltered PRC2-related genes with overall survival. Results Somatic NGS data from 1662 advanced-stage, ICI-treated patients with various primaries (lung, melanoma, bladder, kidney, head neck, esophagogastric, glioma, colorectal, breast, unknown primary) were examined. Seventy patients (4%) harbored truncating or missense mutations or fusions in EZH2 (2.4%), EZH1 (1.2%), SUZ12 (0.9%) or EED (0.7%) genes. Patients carrying alterations in PRC2 genes had significantly longer median overall survival (44 months) compared with those with unaltered tumors (18 months, log-rank P=0.0174). These findings were validated in two additional cohorts of patients (n=313) with various primaries (melanoma, lung, bladder, head neck, anal, sarcoma) who were treated with ICIs. Conclusions Inactivating mutations in the PRC2 chromatin silencing machinery, although rare, may predict favorable outcomes in ICI-treated patients with metastatic cancers. This warrants prospective confirmation, and suggests that epigenetic regulators could serve as surrogate markers to guide ICI treatment decisions. The PRC2 complex is a histone methyltransferase family involved in chromatin silencing. This study assessed the clinical relevance of PRC2 mutations in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Next-generation sequencing data from metastatic patients treated with ICIs showed alterations in EZH2, EZH1, SUZ12 and EED. Patients with alterations in PRC2 genes had longer overall survival compared with those with unaltered tumors. These findings were validated in two additional cohorts with various primaries treated with ICIs. Epigenetic regulators could serve as surrogate markers to guide ICI treatment decisions.
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40
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Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in type 2 diabetes mellitus: the emerging therapeutic approach. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 385:497-518. [PMID: 34050823 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-021-03461-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The umbilical cord has been proved to be an easy-access, reliable, and useful source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for clinical applications due to its primitive, immunomodulatory, non-immunogenic, secretory and paracrine, migratory, proliferative, and multipotent properties. This set of characteristics has recently attracted great research interest in the fields of nanotechnology and regenerative medicine and cellular therapy. Accumulating evidence supports a pronounced therapeutic potential of MSC in many different pathologies, from hematology to immunology, wound-healing, tissue regeneration, and oncology. Diabetes mellitus, branded the epidemic of the century, is considered a chronic metabolic disorder, representing a major burden for health system sustainability and an important public health challenge to modern societies. The available treatments for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) still rely mainly on combinations of oral antidiabetic agents with lifestyle and nutritional adjustments. Despite the continuous development of novel and better hypoglycemic drugs, their efficacy is limited in the installment and progression of silent T2DM complications. T2DM comorbidities and mortality rates still make it a serious, common, costly, and long-term manageable disease. Recently, experimental models, preclinical observations, and clinical studies have provided some insights and preliminary promising results using umbilical cord MSCs to treat and manage diabetes. This review focuses on the latest research and applications of human-derived umbilical cord MSC in the treatment and management of T2DM, exploring and systematizing the key effects of both umbilical cord MSC and its factor-rich secretome accordingly with the major complications associated to T2DM.
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41
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Licht JD, Bennett RL. Leveraging epigenetics to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:115. [PMID: 34001289 PMCID: PMC8130138 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01100-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epigenetic mechanisms regulate chromatin accessibility patterns that govern interaction of transcription machinery with genes and their cis-regulatory elements. Mutations that affect epigenetic mechanisms are common in cancer. Because epigenetic modifications are reversible many anticancer strategies targeting these mechanisms are currently under development and in clinical trials. Main body Here we review evidence suggesting that epigenetic therapeutics can deactivate immunosuppressive gene expression or reprogram tumor cells to activate antigen presentation mechanisms. In addition, the dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms commonly observed in cancer may alter the immunogenicity of tumor cells and effectiveness of immunotherapies. Conclusions Therapeutics targeting epigenetic mechanisms may be helpful to counter immune evasion and improve the effectiveness of immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Licht
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida Health Cancer Center, Cancer Genetics Research Complex, University of Florida, 2033 Mowry Road, Box 103633, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Richard L Bennett
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida Health Cancer Center, Cancer Genetics Research Complex, University of Florida, 2033 Mowry Road, Box 103633, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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42
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Enhancing CAR-T cell efficacy in solid tumors by targeting the tumor microenvironment. Cell Mol Immunol 2021; 18:1085-1095. [PMID: 33785843 PMCID: PMC8093220 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00655-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has achieved successful outcomes against hematological malignancies and provided a new impetus for treating solid tumors. However, the efficacy of CAR-T cells for solid tumors remains unsatisfactory. The tumor microenvironment has an important role in interfering with and inhibiting the effector function of immune cells, among which upregulated inhibitory checkpoint receptors, soluble suppressive cytokines, altered chemokine expression profiles, aberrant vasculature, complicated stromal composition, hypoxia and abnormal tumor metabolism are major immunosuppressive mechanisms. In this review, we summarize the inhibitory factors that affect the function of CAR-T cells in tumor microenvironment and discuss approaches to improve CAR-T cell efficacy for solid tumor treatment by targeting those barriers.
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43
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Van Acker HH, Ma S, Scolaro T, Kaech SM, Mazzone M. How metabolism bridles cytotoxic CD8 + T cells through epigenetic modifications. Trends Immunol 2021; 42:401-417. [PMID: 33867272 PMCID: PMC9681987 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In the direct competition for metabolic resources between cancer cells and tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, the latter are bound to lose out. These effector lymphocytes are therefore rendered exhausted or dysfunctional. Emerging insights into the mechanisms of T cell unresponsiveness in the tumor microenvironment (TME) point towards epigenetic mechanisms as crucial regulatory factors. In this review, we discuss the effects of characteristic components of the TME, i.e. glucose/amino acid dearth with elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), on DNA methylation and histone modifications in CD8+ T cells. We then take a closer look at the translational potential of epigenetic interventions that aim to improve current immunotherapeutic strategies, including the adoptive transfer of T cell receptor (TCR) or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineered T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heleen H Van Acker
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, VIB - KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Shixin Ma
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tommaso Scolaro
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, VIB - KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Susan M Kaech
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Massimiliano Mazzone
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, VIB - KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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44
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Xu N, Tse B, Yang L, Tang TCY, Haber M, Micklethwaite K, Dolnikov A. Priming Leukemia with 5-Azacytidine Enhances CAR T Cell Therapy. Immunotargets Ther 2021; 10:123-140. [PMID: 33954150 PMCID: PMC8091475 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s296161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Despite the success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in clinical studies, a significant proportion of responding patients eventually relapsed, with the latter correlating with low CAR T cell expansion and persistence. Methods and Results Using patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models of CD19+ B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), we show that priming leukemia-bearing mice with 5-azacytidine (AZA) enhances CAR T cell therapy. AZA given 1 day prior to CAR T cell infusion delayed leukemia growth and promoted CAR T cell expansion and effector function. Priming leukemia cells with AZA increased CAR T cell/target cell conjugation and target cell killing, promoted CAR T cell divisions and expanded IFNγ+ effector T cells in co-cultures with CD19+ leukemia Nalm-6 and Raji cells. Transcriptome analysis revealed activation of diverse immune pathways in leukemia cells isolated from mice treated with AZA. We propose that epigenetic priming with AZA induces transcriptional changes that sensitize tumor cells to subsequent CAR T cell treatment. Among the candidate genes up-regulated by AZA is TNFSF4 which encodes OX40L, one of the strongest T cell co-stimulatory ligands. OX40L binds OX40, the TNF receptor superfamily member highly specific for activated T cells. TNFSF4 is heterogeneously expressed in a panel of pediatric PDXs, and high TNFSF4 expression correlated with increased CAR T cell numbers identified in co-cultures with individual PDXs. High OX40L expression in Nalm-6 cells increased their susceptibility to CAR T cell killing while OX40L blockade reduced leukemia cell killing. Conclusion We propose that treatment with AZA activates OX40L/OX40 co-stimulatory signaling in CAR T cells. Our data suggest that the clinical use of AZA before CAR T cells could be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Xu
- Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Benjamin Tse
- Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lu Yang
- Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tiffany C Y Tang
- Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kenneth Micklethwaite
- Blood Transplant and Cell Therapies Program, Department of Hematology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Cellular Therapies Laboratory, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alla Dolnikov
- Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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45
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Yap TA, Parkes EE, Peng W, Moyers JT, Curran MA, Tawbi HA. Development of Immunotherapy Combination Strategies in Cancer. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:1368-1397. [PMID: 33811048 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Harnessing the immune system to treat cancer through inhibitors of CTLA4 and PD-L1 has revolutionized the landscape of cancer. Rational combination strategies aim to enhance the antitumor effects of immunotherapies, but require a deep understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of the immune system and robust preclinical and clinical drug development strategies. We review the current approved immunotherapy combinations, before discussing promising combinatorial approaches in clinical trials and detailing innovative preclinical model systems being used to develop rational combinations. We also discuss the promise of high-order immunotherapy combinations, as well as novel biomarker and combinatorial trial strategies. SIGNIFICANCE: Although immune-checkpoint inhibitors are approved as dual checkpoint strategies, and in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy and angiogenesis inhibitors for multiple cancers, patient benefit remains limited. Innovative approaches are required to guide the development of novel immunotherapy combinations, ranging from improvements in preclinical tumor model systems to biomarker-driven trial strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Yap
- Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. .,Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Khalifa Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Eileen E Parkes
- Oxford Institute of Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Weiyi Peng
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Justin T Moyers
- Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Michael A Curran
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Hussein A Tawbi
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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46
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Dhatchinamoorthy K, Colbert JD, Rock KL. Cancer Immune Evasion Through Loss of MHC Class I Antigen Presentation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:636568. [PMID: 33767702 PMCID: PMC7986854 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.636568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 372] [Impact Index Per Article: 124.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility class I (MHC I) molecules bind peptides derived from a cell's expressed genes and then transport and display this antigenic information on the cell surface. This allows CD8 T cells to identify pathological cells that are synthesizing abnormal proteins, such as cancers that are expressing mutated proteins. In order for many cancers to arise and progress, they need to evolve mechanisms to avoid elimination by CD8 T cells. MHC I molecules are not essential for cell survival and therefore one mechanism by which cancers can evade immune control is by losing MHC I antigen presentation machinery (APM). Not only will this impair the ability of natural immune responses to control cancers, but also frustrate immunotherapies that work by re-invigorating anti-tumor CD8 T cells, such as checkpoint blockade. Here we review the evidence that loss of MHC I antigen presentation is a frequent occurrence in many cancers. We discuss new insights into some common underlying mechanisms through which some cancers inactivate the MHC I pathway and consider some possible strategies to overcome this limitation in ways that could restore immune control of tumors and improve immunotherapy.
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47
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Petroni G, Buqué A, Zitvogel L, Kroemer G, Galluzzi L. Immunomodulation by targeted anticancer agents. Cancer Cell 2021; 39:310-345. [PMID: 33338426 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2020.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
At odds with conventional chemotherapeutics, targeted anticancer agents are designed to inhibit precise molecular alterations that support oncogenesis or tumor progression. Despite such an elevated degree of molecular specificity, many clinically employed and experimental targeted anticancer agents also mediate immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive effects that (at least in some settings) influence therapeutic efficacy. Here, we discuss the main immunomodulatory effects of targeted anticancer agents and explore potential avenues to harness them in support of superior clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Petroni
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aitziber Buqué
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laurence Zitvogel
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, Villejuif, France; INSERM U1015, Villejuif, France; Center of Clinical Investigations in Biotherapies of Cancer (CICBT) 1428, Villejuif, France; Faculty of Medicine, Paris-Saclay University, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Equipe Labellisée Par La Ligue Contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France; Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France; Suzhou Institute for Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Suzhou, China; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Université de Paris, Paris, France.
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48
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Wong KK, Hassan R, Yaacob NS. Hypomethylating Agents and Immunotherapy: Therapeutic Synergism in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Front Oncol 2021; 11:624742. [PMID: 33718188 PMCID: PMC7947882 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.624742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Decitabine and guadecitabine are hypomethylating agents (HMAs) that exert inhibitory effects against cancer cells. This includes stimulation of anti-tumor immunity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients. Treatment of AML and MDS patients with the HMAs confers upregulation of cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) expression including the highly immunogenic CTA NY-ESO-1. This leads to activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells for elimination of cancer cells, and it establishes the feasibility to combine cancer vaccine with HMAs to enhance vaccine immunogenicity. Moreover, decitabine and guadecitabine induce the expression of immune checkpoint molecules in AML cells. In this review, the accumulating knowledge on the immunopotentiating properties of decitabine and guadecitabine in AML and MDS patients are presented and discussed. In summary, combination of decitabine or guadecitabine with NY-ESO-1 vaccine enhances vaccine immunogenicity in AML patients. T cells from AML patients stimulated with dendritic cell (DC)/AML fusion vaccine and guadecitabine display increased capacity to lyse AML cells. Moreover, decitabine enhances NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity or CD123-specific chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T cells antileukemic activities against AML. Furthermore, combination of either HMAs with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy may circumvent their resistance. Finally, clinical trials of either HMAs combined with cancer vaccines, NK cell infusion or ICB therapy in relapsed/refractory AML and high-risk MDS patients are currently underway, highlighting the promising efficacy of HMAs and immunotherapy synergy against these malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kah Keng Wong
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Rosline Hassan
- Department of Haematology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Nik Soriani Yaacob
- Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
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49
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Loo Yau H, Bell E, Ettayebi I, de Almeida FC, Boukhaled GM, Shen SY, Allard D, Morancho B, Marhon SA, Ishak CA, Gonzaga IM, da Silva Medina T, Singhania R, Chakravarthy A, Chen R, Mehdipour P, Pommey S, Klein C, Amarante-Mendes GP, Roulois D, Arribas J, Stagg J, Brooks DG, De Carvalho DD. DNA hypomethylating agents increase activation and cytolytic activity of CD8 + T cells. Mol Cell 2021; 81:1469-1483.e8. [PMID: 33609448 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate that DNA hypomethylating agent (HMA) treatment can directly modulate the anti-tumor response and effector function of CD8+ T cells. In vivo HMA treatment promotes CD8+ T cell tumor infiltration and suppresses tumor growth via CD8+ T cell-dependent activity. Ex vivo, HMAs enhance primary human CD8+ T cell activation markers, effector cytokine production, and anti-tumor cytolytic activity. Epigenomic and transcriptomic profiling shows that HMAs vastly regulate T cell activation-related transcriptional networks, culminating with over-activation of NFATc1 short isoforms. Mechanistically, demethylation of an intragenic CpG island immediately downstream to the 3' UTR of the short isoform was associated with antisense transcription and alternative polyadenylation of NFATc1 short isoforms. High-dimensional single-cell mass cytometry analyses reveal a selective effect of HMAs on a subset of human CD8+ T cell subpopulations, increasing both the number and abundance of a granzyme Bhigh, perforinhigh effector subpopulation. Overall, our findings support the use of HMAs as a therapeutic strategy to boost anti-tumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Loo Yau
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Emma Bell
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
| | - Ilias Ettayebi
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Felipe Campos de Almeida
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; Instituto de Investigação em Imunologia, Institutos Nacionais de Ciência e Tecnologia (INCT-iii), São Paulo 05403-900, Brazil
| | - Giselle M Boukhaled
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Shu Yi Shen
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
| | - David Allard
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Beatriz Morancho
- Preclinical Research Program, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) and CIBERONC, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sajid A Marhon
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
| | - Charles A Ishak
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
| | - Isabela M Gonzaga
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
| | - Tiago da Silva Medina
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada; Translational Immuno-oncology Laboratory, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01509-001, Brazil
| | - Rajat Singhania
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
| | - Ankur Chakravarthy
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
| | - Raymond Chen
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Parinaz Mehdipour
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
| | - Sandra Pommey
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Christian Klein
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Gustavo P Amarante-Mendes
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; Instituto de Investigação em Imunologia, Institutos Nacionais de Ciência e Tecnologia (INCT-iii), São Paulo 05403-900, Brazil
| | - David Roulois
- UMR U1236, INSERM, Université de Rennes 1, EFS, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Joaquín Arribas
- Preclinical Research Program, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) and CIBERONC, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain; Cancer Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - John Stagg
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - David G Brooks
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Daniel D De Carvalho
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada.
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50
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Feng S, De Carvalho DD. Clinical advances in targeting epigenetics for cancer therapy. FEBS J 2021; 289:1214-1239. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.15750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shengrui Feng
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre University Health Network Toronto ON Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics University of Toronto ON Canada
| | - Daniel D. De Carvalho
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre University Health Network Toronto ON Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics University of Toronto ON Canada
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