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Pesini C, Artal L, Paúl Bernal J, Sánchez Martinez D, Pardo J, Ramírez-Labrada A. In-depth analysis of the interplay between oncogenic mutations and NK cell-mediated cancer surveillance in solid tumors. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2379062. [PMID: 39036370 PMCID: PMC11259085 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2024.2379062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in antitumoral and antiviral responses. Yet, cancer cells can alter themselves or the microenvironment through the secretion of cytokines or other factors, hindering NK cell activation and promoting a less cytotoxic phenotype. These resistance mechanisms, often referred to as the "hallmarks of cancer" are significantly influenced by the activation of oncogenes, impacting most, if not all, of the described hallmarks. Along with oncogenes, other types of genes, the tumor suppressor genes are frequently mutated or modified during cancer. Traditionally, these genes have been associated with uncontrollable tumor growth and apoptosis resistance. Recent evidence suggests oncogenic mutations extend beyond modulating cell death/proliferation programs, influencing cancer immunosurveillance. While T cells have been more studied, the results obtained highlight NK cells as emerging key protagonists for enhancing tumor cell elimination by modulating oncogenic activity. A few recent studies highlight the crucial role of oncogenic mutations in NK cell-mediated cancer recognition, impacting angiogenesis, stress ligands, and signaling balance within the tumor microenvironment. This review will critically examine recent discoveries correlating oncogenic mutations to NK cell-mediated cancer immunosurveillance, a relatively underexplored area, particularly in the era dominated by immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cells. Building on these insights, we will explore opportunities to improve NK cell-based immunotherapies, which are increasingly recognized as promising alternatives for treating low-antigenic tumors, offering significant advantages in terms of safety and manufacturing suitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Pesini
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Radiology, Pediatry and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Laura Artal
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Institute of Carbochemistry (ICB-CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jorge Paúl Bernal
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Diego Sánchez Martinez
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Aragón I + D Foundation (ARAID), Government of Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Julián Pardo
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Radiology, Pediatry and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ariel Ramírez-Labrada
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Zaragoza, Spain
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2
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Yao H, Huang C, Zou J, Liang W, Zhao Y, Yang K, Zhong Z, Zhou S, Li J, Li Y, Xu L, Huang K, Lian G. Extracellular vesicle-packaged lncRNA from cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes immune evasion by downregulating HLA-A in pancreatic cancer. J Extracell Vesicles 2024; 13:e12484. [PMID: 39041344 PMCID: PMC11263977 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterised by immune evasion that contribute to poor prognosis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a pivotal role in orchestrating the PDAC tumour microenvironment. We investigated the role of CAF-derived extracellular vesicle (EV)-packaged long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in immune evasion and explored gene therapy using engineered EVs loading small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) as a potential therapeutic strategy. Our findings highlight the significance of EV-packaged lncRNA RP11-161H23.5 from CAF in promoting PDAC immune evasion by downregulating HLA-A expression, a key component of antigen presentation. Mechanistically, RP11-161H23.5 forms a complex with CNOT4, a subunit of the mRNA deadenylase CCR4-NOT complex, enhancing the degradation of HLA-A mRNA by shortening its poly(A) tail. This immune evasion mechanism compromises the anti-tumour immune response. To combat this, we propose an innovative approach utilising engineered EVs as natural and biocompatible nanocarriers for siRNA-based gene therapy and this strategy holds promise for enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapy in PDAC. Overall, our study sheds light on the critical role of CAF-derived EV-packaged lncRNA RP11-161H23.5/CNOT4/HLA-A axis in PDAC immune evasion and presents a novel avenue for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanming Yao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Geriatrics Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's HospitalGuangdong Academy of Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Department of GastroenterologySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene RegulationSun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Chengzhi Huang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's HospitalGuangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Jinmao Zou
- Department of GastroenterologySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene RegulationSun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Weiling Liang
- Department of GastroenterologySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of GastroenterologySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene RegulationSun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Kege Yang
- Department of GastroenterologySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene RegulationSun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ziyi Zhong
- Department of GastroenterologySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene RegulationSun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Shurui Zhou
- Department of GastroenterologySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene RegulationSun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Jiajia Li
- Department of NephrologySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yaqing Li
- Department of GastroenterologySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene RegulationSun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Lishu Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Geriatrics Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's HospitalGuangdong Academy of Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Kaihong Huang
- Department of GastroenterologySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene RegulationSun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Guoda Lian
- Department of GastroenterologySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene RegulationSun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
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3
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Bi S, Zhu J, Huang L, Feng W, Peng L, Leng L, Wang Y, Shan P, Kong W, Zhu S. Comprehensive Analysis of the Function and Prognostic Value of TAS2Rs Family-Related Genes in Colon Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6849. [PMID: 38999959 PMCID: PMC11241446 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25136849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
In the realm of colon carcinoma, significant genetic and epigenetic diversity is observed, underscoring the necessity for tailored prognostic features that can guide personalized therapeutic strategies. In this study, we explored the association between the type 2 bitter taste receptor (TAS2Rs) family-related genes and colon cancer using RNA-sequencing and clinical datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Our preliminary analysis identified seven TAS2Rs genes associated with survival using univariate Cox regression analysis, all of which were observed to be overexpressed in colon cancer. Subsequently, based on these seven TAS2Rs prognostic genes, two colon cancer molecular subtypes (Cluster A and Cluster B) were defined. These subtypes exhibited distinct prognostic and immune characteristics, with Cluster A characterized by low immune cell infiltration and less favorable outcomes, while Cluster B was associated with high immune cell infiltration and better prognosis. Finally, we developed a robust scoring system using a gradient boosting machine (GBM) approach, integrated with the gene-pairing method, to predict the prognosis of colon cancer patients. This machine learning model could improve our predictive accuracy for colon cancer outcomes, underscoring its value in the precision oncology framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzhen Bi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Liting Huang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Wanting Feng
- Institute of Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Lulu Peng
- Institute of Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Liangqi Leng
- Institute of Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Yin Wang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Peipei Shan
- Institute of Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Weikaixin Kong
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sujie Zhu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
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Nakamura K, Yaguchi T, Murata M, Ota Y, Mikoshiba A, Kiniwa Y, Okuyama R, Kawakami Y. Tumor eradication by triplet therapy with BRAF inhibitor, TLR 7 agonist, and PD-1 antibody for BRAF-mutated melanoma. Cancer Sci 2024. [PMID: 38894534 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Programmed death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitors are commonly used to treat various cancers, including melanoma. However, their efficacy as monotherapy is limited, and combination immunotherapies are being explored to improve outcomes. In this study, we investigated a combination immunotherapy involving an anti-PD-1 antibody that blocks the major adaptive immune-resistant mechanisms, a BRAF inhibitor that inhibits melanoma cell proliferation, and multiple primary immune-resistant mechanisms, such as cancer cell-derived immunosuppressive cytokines, and a Toll-like receptor 7 agonist that enhances innate immune responses that promote antitumor T-cell induction and functions. Using a xenogeneic nude mouse model implanted with human BRAF-mutated melanoma, a BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib was found to restore T-cell-stimulatory activity in conventional dendritic cells by reducing immunosuppressive cytokines, including interleukin 6, produced by human melanoma. Additionally, intravenous administration of the Toll-like receptor 7 agonist DSR6434 enhanced tumor growth inhibition by vemurafenib through stimulating the plasmacytoid dendritic cells/interferon-α/natural killer cell pathways and augmenting the T-cell-stimulatory activity of conventional dendritic cells. In a syngeneic mouse model implanted with murine BRAF-mutated melanoma, the vemurafenib and DSR6434 combination synergistically augmented the induction of melanoma antigen gp100-specific T cells and inhibited tumor growth. Notably, only triplet therapy with vemurafenib, DSR6434, and the anti-PD-1 antibody resulted in complete regression of SIY antigen-transduced BRAF-mutated melanoma in a CD8 T-cell-dependent manner. These findings indicate that a triple-combination strategy targeting adaptive and primary resistant mechanisms while enhancing innate immune responses that promote tumor-specific T cells may be crucial for effective tumor eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Nakamura
- Division of Cellular Signaling, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Dermatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Nagano, Japan
| | - Tomonori Yaguchi
- Division of Cellular Signaling, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masashi Murata
- Cancer Research Unit, Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Yosuke Ota
- Cancer Research Unit, Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Asuka Mikoshiba
- Department of Dermatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Nagano, Japan
| | - Yukiko Kiniwa
- Department of Dermatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Nagano, Japan
| | - Ryuhei Okuyama
- Department of Dermatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Nagano, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kawakami
- Division of Cellular Signaling, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Chiba, Japan
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Pollack IF, Felker J, Frederico SC, Raphael I, Kohanbash G. Immunotherapy for pediatric low-grade gliomas. Childs Nerv Syst 2024:10.1007/s00381-024-06491-9. [PMID: 38884777 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-024-06491-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGGs) are the most common brain tumor types affecting children. Although gross-total resection remains the treatment of choice, many tumors are not amenable to complete removal, because they either involve midline structures, such as the optic chiasm or hypothalamus, and are not conducive to aggressive resection, or have diffuse biological features and blend with the surrounding brain. Historically, radiation therapy was used as the second-line option for disease control, but with the recognition that this often led to adverse long-term sequelae, particularly in young children, conventional chemotherapy assumed a greater role in initial therapy for unresectable tumors. A variety of agents demonstrated activity, but long-term disease control was suboptimal, with more than 50% of tumors exhibiting disease progression within 5 years. More recently, it has been recognized that a high percentage of these tumors in children exhibit constitutive activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway because of BRAF translocations or mutations, NFI mutations, or a host of other anomalies that converged on MAPK. This led to phase 1, 2, and 3 trials that explored the activity of blocking this signaling pathway, and the efficacy of this approach compared to conventional chemotherapy. Despite initial promise of these strategies, not all children tolerate this therapy, and many tumors resume growth once MAPK inhibition is stopped, raising concern that long-term and potentially life-long treatment will be required to maintain tumor control, even among responders. This observation has led to interest in other treatments, such as immunotherapy, that may delay or avoid the need for additional treatments. This chapter will summarize the place of immunotherapy in the current armamentarium for these tumors and discuss prior results and future options to improve disease control, with a focus on our prior efforts and experience in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian F Pollack
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA.
| | - James Felker
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA
| | - Stephen C Frederico
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA
| | - Itay Raphael
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA
| | - Gary Kohanbash
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA
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Sibal PA, Matsumura S, Ichinose T, Bustos‐Villalobos I, Morimoto D, Eissa IR, Abdelmoneim M, Aboalela MAM, Mukoyama N, Tanaka M, Naoe Y, Kasuya H. STING activator 2'3'-cGAMP enhanced HSV-1-based oncolytic viral therapy. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:1259-1277. [PMID: 38400597 PMCID: PMC11076993 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) can selectively replicate in tumor cells and remodel the microenvironment of immunologically cold tumors, making them a promising strategy to evoke antitumor immunity. Similarly, agonists of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-interferon (IFN) pathway, the main cellular antiviral system, provide antitumor benefits by inducing the activation of dendritic cells (DC). Considering how the activation of the STING-IFN pathway could potentially inhibit OV replication, the use of STING agonists alongside OV therapy remains largely unexplored. Here, we explored the antitumor efficacy of combining an HSV-1-based OV, C-REV, with a membrane-impermeable STING agonist, 2'3'-GAMP. Our results demonstrated that tumor cells harbor a largely defective STING-IFN pathway, thereby preventing significant antiviral IFN induction regardless of the permeability of the STING agonist. In vivo, the combination therapy induced more proliferative KLRG1-high PD1-low CD8+ T-cells and activated CD103+ DC in the tumor site and increased tumor-specific CD44+ CD8+ T-cells in the lymph node. Overall, the combination therapy of C-REV with 2'3'-cGAMP elicited antitumor immune memory responses and significantly enhanced systemic antitumor immunity in both treated and non-treated distal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Angela Sibal
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of MedicineNagoya UniversityJapan
- Department of Surgery II, Graduate School of MedicineNagoya UniversityJapan
| | - Shigeru Matsumura
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of MedicineNagoya UniversityJapan
| | - Toru Ichinose
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of MedicineNagoya UniversityJapan
| | | | - Daishi Morimoto
- Department of Surgery II, Graduate School of MedicineNagoya UniversityJapan
| | - Ibrahim R. Eissa
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of MedicineNagoya UniversityJapan
- Department of Surgery II, Graduate School of MedicineNagoya UniversityJapan
- Faculty of ScienceTanta UniversityEgypt
| | - Mohamed Abdelmoneim
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of MedicineNagoya UniversityJapan
- Department of Surgery II, Graduate School of MedicineNagoya UniversityJapan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineZagazig UniversityEgypt
| | - Mona Alhussein Mostafa Aboalela
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of MedicineNagoya UniversityJapan
- Department of Surgery II, Graduate School of MedicineNagoya UniversityJapan
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of MedicineZagazig UniversityEgypt
| | - Nobuaki Mukoyama
- Department of Otolaryngology Graduate School of MedicineNagoya UniversityJapan
| | | | - Yoshinori Naoe
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of MedicineNagoya UniversityJapan
| | - Hideki Kasuya
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of MedicineNagoya UniversityJapan
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Jiang Z, Huang Q, Chang Y, Qiu Y, Cheng H, Yang M, Ruan S, Ji S, Sun J, Wang Z, Xu S, Liang R, Dai X, Wu K, Li B, Li D, Zhao H. LILRB2 promotes immune escape in breast cancer cells via enhanced HLA-A degradation. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024:10.1007/s13402-024-00947-5. [PMID: 38656573 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-024-00947-5] [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] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Increased expression of leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor subfamily B member 2 (LILRB2) is associated with immune evasion in breast cancer (BC). The aim of this study to elucidate the role of LILRB2 in BC progression. METHODS LILRB2 expression in tumor tissues was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Human leukocyte antigen A (HLA-A) expression in BC cells was detected by Western blotting, and HLA-A ubiquitination was detected by immunoprecipitation and histidine pulldown assay. An in-situ tumor model was established in nude BALB/c mice to verify the role of LILRB2 in immune escape. Finally, the functions and potential mechanisms of LILRB2 in BC progression were explored using in silico data. RESULTS LILRB2 was upregulated in BC tissues and cells, and correlated positively with poor prognosis. LILRB2 promoted BC progression by downregulating HLA-A expression. Mechanistically, LILRB2 facilitates the ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of HLA-A by promoting the interaction between the ubiquitin ligase membrane-associated ring finger protein 9 (MARCH9) and HLA-A. In syngeneic graft mouse models, LILRB2-expressing BC cells evaded CD8 + T cells and inhibited the secretion of cytokines by the cytotoxic CD8 + T cells. CONCLUSION LILRB2 downregulates HLA-A to promote immune evasion in BC cells and is a promising new target for BC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Jiang
- Department of Internal Oncology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, 200025, Shanghai, China
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianru Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, 200025, Shanghai, China
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yujie Chang
- Department of Internal Oncology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, 200025, Shanghai, China
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiran Qiu
- Breast Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Cheng
- Department of Rheumatism and Immunology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Center for Cancer Immunology Research, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Mengdi Yang
- Department of Internal Oncology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, 200025, Shanghai, China
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shunyi Ruan
- Department of Internal Oncology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, 200025, Shanghai, China
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Suyuan Ji
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, 200025, Shanghai, China
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Internal Oncology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyu Wang
- Department of Internal Oncology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengyuan Xu
- College of Arts and Science, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Rui Liang
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, 200025, Shanghai, China
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueyu Dai
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, 200025, Shanghai, China
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kejin Wu
- Breast Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Li
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, 200025, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Dan Li
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, 200025, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Internal Oncology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, China.
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8
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Gao Y, Wu R, Pei Z, Ke C, Zeng D, Li X, Zhang Y. Cell cycle associated protein 1 associates with immune infiltration and ferroptosis in gastrointestinal cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28794. [PMID: 38586390 PMCID: PMC10998105 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28794] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Cell Cycle-Associated Protein 1 (CAPRIN1) play an important role in cell proliferation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response. Nonetheless, its role in tumor immunity and ferroptosis is largely unknown in gastrointestinal cancer patients. Methods Through comprehensive bioinformatics, we investigate CAPRIN1 expression patterns and its role in diagnosis, functional signaling pathways, tumor immune infiltration and ferroptosis of different gastrointestinal cancer subtypes. Besides, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immune blot were used to validate our esophagus cancer clinical data. The ferroptotic features of CAPRIN1 in vitro were assessed through knockdown assays in esophagus cancer cells. Results CAPRIN1 expression was significantly upregulated, correlated with poor prognosis, and served as an independent risk factor for most gastrointestinal cancer. Moreover, CAPRIN1 overexpression positively correlated with gene markers of most infiltrating immune cells, and immune checkpoints. CAPRIN1 knockdown significantly decreased the protein level of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules. We also identified a link between CAPRIN1 and ferroptosis-related genes in gastrointestinal cancer. Knockdown of CAPRIN1 significantly increased the production of lipid reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde. Inhibition of CAPRIN1 expression promoted ferroptotic cell death induced by RAS-selective lethal 3 and erastin in human esophagus cancer cells. Conclusion Collectively, our results demonstrate that CAPRIN1 is aberrantly expressed in gastrointestinal cancer, is associated with poor prognosis, and could potentially influence immune infiltration and ferroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Taihe Hospital, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China
| | - Ruimin Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Taihe Hospital, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Zhijun Pei
- Department of Pharmacy, Taihe Hospital, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Changbin Ke
- Department of Pharmacy, Taihe Hospital, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Daobing Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, Taihe Hospital, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Xiaohui Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Taihe Hospital, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
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9
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Shi G, Synowiec J, Singh J, Heller R. Modification of the tumor microenvironment enhances immunity with plasmid gene therapy. Cancer Gene Ther 2024; 31:641-648. [PMID: 38337037 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00728-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Local intratumor delivery with electroporation of low levels of plasmids encoding molecules, induces an antitumor effect without causing systemic toxicity. However, previous studies have predominately focused on the function of the delivered molecule encoded within the plasmid, and ignored the plasmid vector. In this study, we found vectors pUMVC3 and pVax1 induced upregulation of MHC class I (MHC-I) and PD-L1 on tumor cell surface. These molecules participate in a considerable number of immunoregulatory functions through their interactions with and activating inhibitory immune cell receptors. MHC molecules are well-known for their role in antigen (cross-) presentation, thereby functioning as key players in the communication between immune cells and tumor cells. Increased PD-L1 expression on tumor cells is an important monitor of tumor growth and the effectiveness of immune inhibitor therapy. Results from flow cytometry confirmed increased expression of MHC-I and PDL-1 on B16F10, 4T1, and KPC tumor cell lines. Preliminary animal data from tumor-bearing models, B16F10 melanoma, 4T1 breast cancer and KPC pancreatic cancer mouse models showed that tumor growth was attenuated after pUMVC3 intratumoral electroporation. Our data also documented that pSTAT1 signaling pathway might not be associated with plasmid vectors' function of upregulating MHC-I, PD-L1 on tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilan Shi
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Jody Synowiec
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Julie Singh
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Richard Heller
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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10
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Hamidi S, Hu MI. RET kinase inhibitors for the treatment of RET-altered thyroid cancers: Current knowledge and future directions. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2024; 85:118-126. [PMID: 38342224 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
RET gain-of-function mutations are the most common drivers in medullary thyroid carcinoma, while RET fusions are identified in 5-10% of papillary thyroid carcinomas. Thus, RET plays a major role in the tumorigenesis of thyroid neoplasia, making it a valuable therapeutic target. Over a decade ago, multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) were first shown to have variable degrees of anti-RET activity. Despite some clinical efficacy in RET-altered thyroid cancers, significant off-target activity of MKIs led to marked toxicities limiting their use. More recently, two potent, highly selective RET inhibitors, selpercatinib and pralsetinib, were shown to have notable efficacy in RET-altered cancers, associated with more tolerable side effect profiles than those of MKIs. However, these treatments are non-curative, and emerging evidence suggests that patients who progress on therapy acquire mutations conferring drug resistance. Thus, the quest for a more definitive treatment for advanced, RET-altered thyroid cancers continues. This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the association of germline mutations of the RET proto-oncogene with the multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2 syndromes. In this timely review, we summarize the current state-of-the-art treatment strategies for RET-altered thyroid cancers, their limitations, as well as future therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hamidi
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Mimi I Hu
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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11
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Dinter L, Karitzky PC, Schulz A, Wurm AA, Mehnert MC, Sergon M, Tunger A, Lesche M, Wehner R, Müller A, Käubler T, Niessner H, Dahl A, Beissert S, Schmitz M, Meier F, Seliger B, Westphal D. BRAF and MEK inhibitor combinations induce potent molecular and immunological effects in NRAS-mutant melanoma cells: Insights into mode of action and resistance mechanisms. Int J Cancer 2024; 154:1057-1072. [PMID: 38078628 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
About 25% of melanoma harbor activating NRAS mutations, which are associated with aggressive disease therefore requiring a rapid antitumor intervention. However, no efficient targeted therapy options are currently available for patients with NRAS-mutant melanoma. MEK inhibitors (MEKi) appear to display a moderate antitumor activity and also immunological effects in NRAS-mutant melanoma, providing an ideal backbone for combination treatments. In our study, the MEKi binimetinib, cobimetinib and trametinib combined with the BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) encorafenib, vemurafenib and dabrafenib were investigated for their ability to inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis and alter the expression of immune modulatory molecules in sensitive NRAS-mutant melanoma cells using two- and three-dimensional cell culture models as well as RNA sequencing analyses. Furthermore, NRAS-mutant melanoma cells resistant to the three BRAFi/MEKi combinations were established to characterize the mechanisms contributing to their resistance. All BRAFi induced a stress response in the sensitive NRAS-mutant melanoma cells thereby significantly enhancing the antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity of the MEKi analyzed. Furthermore, BRAFi/MEKi combinations upregulated immune relevant molecules, such as ICOS-L, components of antigen-presenting machinery and the "don't eat me signal" molecule CD47 in the melanoma cells. The BRAFi/MEKi-resistant, NRAS-mutant melanoma cells counteracted the molecular and immunological effects of BRAFi/MEKi by upregulating downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway molecules, inhibiting apoptosis and promoting immune escape mechanisms. Together, our study reveals potent molecular and immunological effects of BRAFi/MEKi in sensitive NRAS-mutant melanoma cells that may be exploited in new combinational treatment strategies for patients with NRAS-mutant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Dinter
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Paula C Karitzky
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander Schulz
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander A Wurm
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Department of Translational Medical Oncology, NCT Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, NCT Dresden, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marie-Christin Mehnert
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Mildred Sergon
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Antje Tunger
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mathias Lesche
- DRESDEN-Concept Genome Center, Technology Platform at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rebekka Wehner
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anja Müller
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Theresa Käubler
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Heike Niessner
- Department of Dermatology, Oncology, University Medical Center, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Dahl
- DRESDEN-Concept Genome Center, Technology Platform at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Beissert
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Schmitz
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Friedegund Meier
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Skin Cancer Center at the University Cancer Center Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Medical School "Theodor Fontane", Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dana Westphal
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
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12
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Wilbur HC, Azad NS. Immunotherapy for the treatment of biliary tract cancer: an evolving landscape. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2024; 16:17588359241235799. [PMID: 38449562 PMCID: PMC10916472 DOI: 10.1177/17588359241235799] [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: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Biliary tract cancers (BTCs), consisting of intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, are an aggressive, heterogeneous malignancy. They are most often diagnosed in the locally advanced or metastatic setting, at which point treatment consists of systemic therapy or best supportive care. Our understanding of the tumor microenvironment and the molecular classification has led to the identification of targetable mutations, such as isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2. Despite the identification of these genomic alterations, until recently, little advancement had been made in the first-line setting for advanced BTC. While immunotherapy (IO) has revolutionized the treatment of many malignancies, the use of IO in BTC had yielded limited results prior to TOPAZ-1. In this review, we discuss the systemic therapeutic advances for BTC over the past decade, the rationale for immunotherapy in BTC, prior trials utilizing IO in BTC, and current and emerging immune-based therapeutic options. We further analyze the culmination of these advances, which resulted in the approval of durvalumab with gemcitabine and cisplatin for the first-line treatment of BTC per TOPAZ-1. We also discuss the results of KEYNOTE-966, which similarly reported improved clinical outcomes with the use of pembrolizumab in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Catherine Wilbur
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nilofer S. Azad
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, 401 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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13
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Qin S, Xu Y, Yu S, Han W, Fan S, Ai W, Zhang K, Wang Y, Zhou X, Shen Q, Gong K, Sun L, Zhang Z. Molecular classification and tumor microenvironment characteristics in pheochromocytomas. eLife 2024; 12:RP87586. [PMID: 38407266 PMCID: PMC10942623 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Pheochromocytomas (PCCs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors that originate from chromaffin cells in the adrenal gland. However, the cellular molecular characteristics and immune microenvironment of PCCs are incompletely understood. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on 16 tissues from 4 sporadic unclassified PCC patients and 1 hereditary PCC patient with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. We found that intra-tumoral heterogeneity was less extensive than the inter-individual heterogeneity of PCCs. Further, the unclassified PCC patients were divided into two types, metabolism-type (marked by NDUFA4L2 and COX4I2) and kinase-type (marked by RET and PNMT), validated by immunohistochemical staining. Trajectory analysis of tumor evolution revealed that metabolism-type PCC cells display phenotype of consistently active metabolism and increased metastasis potential, while kinase-type PCC cells showed decreased epinephrine synthesis and neuron-like phenotypes. Cell-cell communication analysis showed activation of the annexin pathway and a strong inflammation reaction in metabolism-type PCCs and activation of FGF signaling in the kinase-type PCC. Although multispectral immunofluorescence staining showed a lack of CD8+ T cell infiltration in both metabolism-type and kinase-type PCCs, only the kinase-type PCC exhibited downregulation of HLA-I molecules that possibly regulated by RET, suggesting the potential of combined therapy with kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy for kinase-type PCCs; in contrast, the application of immunotherapy to metabolism-type PCCs (with antigen presentation ability) is likely unsuitable. Our study presents a single-cell transcriptomics-based molecular classification and microenvironment characterization of PCCs, providing clues for potential therapeutic strategies to treat PCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Qin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Yawei Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Shimiao Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Wencong Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Shiheng Fan
- Shenzhen Institute of Ladder for Cancer ResearchShenzhenChina
| | - Wenxiang Ai
- Shenzhen Institute of Ladder for Cancer ResearchShenzhenChina
| | - Kenan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Yizhou Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Xuehong Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Qi Shen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Kan Gong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Luyang Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
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14
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Zhang Y, Feng Y, Zhao Y, Feng Y, Li M, Wang W, Ni Z, Zhu H, Wang Y. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals that the immunosuppression landscape induced by chronic stress promotes colorectal cancer metastasis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23552. [PMID: 38169984 PMCID: PMC10758883 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23552] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The high prevalence of depressive disorders in individuals with cancer and their contribution to tumour progression is a topic that is gradually gaining attention. Recent evidence has shown that there are prominent connections between immune gene variants and mood disorders. The homeostasis of the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) and the infiltration and activation of immune cells play a very important role in the antitumour effect. In this study, we established a compound mouse model with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and orthotopic colorectal cancer to simulate colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with depression. Using 10✕Genomics single-cell transcriptome sequencing technology, we profiled nearly 30,000 cells from tumour samples of 8 mice from the control and CUMS groups, revealed that immune cells in tumours under a chronic stress state trend toward a more immunosuppressive and exhaustive status, and described the crosstalk between the overall inflammatory environment and immunosuppressive landscape to provide mechanistic information or efficacious strategies for immune-oncology treatments in CRC with depressive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingru Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ying Feng
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yiyang Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yuanyuan Feng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Mengyao Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wenkai Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhongya Ni
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Huirong Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
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15
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Xie Y, Jiang H. The exploration of mitochondrial-related features helps to reveal the prognosis and immunotherapy methods of colorectal cancer. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2024; 7:e1914. [PMID: 37903487 PMCID: PMC10809275 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer cell survival, proliferation, and metabolism are all intertwined with mitochondria. However, a complete description of how the features of mitochondria relate to the tumor microenvironment (TME) and immunological landscape of colorectal cancer (CRC) has yet to be made. We performed subgroup analysis on CRC patient data obtained from the databases using non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) clustering. Construct a prognostic model using the mitochondrial-related gene (MRG) risk score, and then compare it to other models for accuracy. Comprehensive analyses of the risk score, in conjunction with the TME and immune landscape, were performed, and the relationship between the model and different types of cell death, radiation and chemotherapy, and drug resistance was investigated. Results from immunohistochemistry and single-cell sequencing were utilized to verify the model genes, and a drug sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate possible therapeutic medicines. The pan-cancer analysis is utilized to further investigate the role of genes in a wider range of malignancies. METHODS AND RESULTS We found that CRC patients based on MRG were divided into two groups with significant differences in survival outcomes and TME between groups. The predictive power of the risk score was further shown by building a prognostic model and testing it extensively in both internal and external cohorts. Multiple immune therapeutic responses and the expression of immunological checkpoints demonstrate that the risk score is connected to immunotherapy success. The correlation analysis of the risk score provide more ideas and guidance for prognostic models in clinical treatment. CONCLUSION The TME, immune cell infiltration, and responsiveness to immunotherapy in CRC were all thoroughly evaluated on the basis of MRG features. The comparative validation of multiple queues and models combined with clinical data ensures the effectiveness and clinical practicality of MRG features. Our studies help clinicians create individualized treatment programs for individuals with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun‐hui Xie
- Center of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Third People's Hospital of ChengduAffiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong UniversityChengduChina
| | - Hui‐zhong Jiang
- College of GraduateGuizhou University of Traditional Chinese MedicineGuiyangChina
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16
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Bestion E, Rachid M, Tijeras-Raballand A, Roth G, Decaens T, Ansaldi C, Mezouar S, Raymond E, Halfon P. Ezurpimtrostat, A Palmitoyl-Protein Thioesterase-1 Inhibitor, Combined with PD-1 Inhibition Provides CD8 + Lymphocyte Repopulation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Target Oncol 2024; 19:95-106. [PMID: 38133710 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-023-01019-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palmitoyl-protein thioesterase-1 (PPT1) is a clinical stage druggable target for inhibiting autophagy in cancer. OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine the cellular and molecular activity of targeting PPT1 using ezurpimtrostat, in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody. METHODS In this study we used a transgenic immunocompetent mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma. RESULTS Herein, we revealed that inhibition of PPT1 using ezurpimtrostat decreased the liver tumor burden in a mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma by inducing the penetration of lymphocytes into tumors when combined with anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1). Inhibition of PPT1 potentiates the effects of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy by increasing the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I at the surface of liver cancer cells and modulates immunity through recolonization and activation of cytotoxic CD8+ lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS Ezurpimtrostat turns cold tumors into hot tumors and, thus, could improve T cell-mediated immunotherapies in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloïne Bestion
- Genoscience Pharma, 10, Rue d'Iéna, 13006, Marseille, France
| | - Madani Rachid
- Genoscience Pharma, 10, Rue d'Iéna, 13006, Marseille, France
| | | | - Gael Roth
- Centre hospitalouniversitaire Grenoble Alpes/Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Centre national de la recherché scienti-fique, Unité mixte de recherche 5309-Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale U1209, University Grenoble Alpes/Hepato-Gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology Department, 38043, Grenoble, France
| | - Thomas Decaens
- Centre hospitalouniversitaire Grenoble Alpes/Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Centre national de la recherché scienti-fique, Unité mixte de recherche 5309-Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale U1209, University Grenoble Alpes/Hepato-Gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology Department, 38043, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Soraya Mezouar
- Genoscience Pharma, 10, Rue d'Iéna, 13006, Marseille, France
- Etablissement français du sang, Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Anthropologie bio-culturelle, droit, éthique et santé, "Biologie des Groupes Sanguins", Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Eric Raymond
- Genoscience Pharma, 10, Rue d'Iéna, 13006, Marseille, France
- Oncology Department, Groupe Hospitalier Paris Saint Joseph, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Halfon
- Genoscience Pharma, 10, Rue d'Iéna, 13006, Marseille, France.
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17
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Wu X, Li T, Jiang R, Yang X, Guo H, Yang R. Targeting MHC-I molecules for cancer: function, mechanism, and therapeutic prospects. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:194. [PMID: 38041084 PMCID: PMC10693139 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01899-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecules of Major histocompatibility class I (MHC-I) load peptides and present them on the cell surface, which provided the immune system with the signal to detect and eliminate the infected or cancerous cells. In the context of cancer, owing to the crucial immune-regulatory roles played by MHC-I molecules, the abnormal modulation of MHC-I expression and function could be hijacked by tumor cells to escape the immune surveillance and attack, thereby promoting tumoral progression and impairing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Here we reviewed and discussed the recent studies and discoveries related to the MHC-I molecules and their multidirectional functions in the development of cancer, mainly focusing on the interactions between MHC-I and the multiple participators in the tumor microenvironment and highlighting the significance of targeting MHC-I for optimizing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy and a deeper understanding of the dynamic nature and functioning mechanism of MHC-I in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Wu
- Department of Urology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tianhang Li
- Department of Urology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Surgical Research Center, Institute of Urology, Southeast University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Jiang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of Urology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongqian Guo
- Department of Urology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Rong Yang
- Department of Urology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
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18
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Shiloh R, Lubin R, David O, Geron I, Okon E, Hazan I, Zaliova M, Amarilyo G, Birger Y, Borovitz Y, Brik D, Broides A, Cohen-Kedar S, Harel L, Kristal E, Kozlova D, Ling G, Shapira Rootman M, Shefer Averbuch N, Spielman S, Trka J, Izraeli S, Yona S, Elitzur S. Loss of function of ENT3 drives histiocytosis and inflammation through TLR-MAPK signaling. Blood 2023; 142:1740-1751. [PMID: 37738562 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023020714] [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: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Histiocytoses are inflammatory myeloid neoplasms often driven by somatic activating mutations in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade genes. H syndrome is an inflammatory genetic disorder caused by germ line loss-of-function mutations in SLC29A3, encoding the lysosomal equilibrative nucleoside transporter 3 (ENT3). Patients with H syndrome are predisposed to develop histiocytosis, yet the mechanism is unclear. Here, through phenotypic, molecular, and functional analysis of primary cells from a cohort of patients with H syndrome, we reveal the molecular pathway leading to histiocytosis and inflammation in this genetic disorder. We show that loss of function of ENT3 activates nucleoside-sensing toll-like receptors (TLR) and downstream MAPK signaling, inducing cytokine secretion and inflammation. Importantly, MEK inhibitor therapy led to resolution of histiocytosis and inflammation in a patient with H syndrome. These results demonstrate a yet-unrecognized link between a defect in a lysosomal transporter and pathological activation of MAPK signaling, establishing a novel pathway leading to histiocytosis and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Shiloh
- The Rina Zaizov Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Ruth Lubin
- The Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Odeya David
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Pediatric Ambulatory Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Joyce and Irving Goldman Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Ifat Geron
- The Rina Zaizov Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Elimelech Okon
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Idit Hazan
- The Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Marketa Zaliova
- Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague, Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Second Faculty of Medicine of Charles University Prague and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Gil Amarilyo
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Yehudit Birger
- The Rina Zaizov Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Yael Borovitz
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Institute of Nephrology, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Dafna Brik
- The Rina Zaizov Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Arnon Broides
- Pediatric Ambulatory Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Joyce and Irving Goldman Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Pediatric Immunology Clinic, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Sarit Cohen-Kedar
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Division of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Liora Harel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Eyal Kristal
- Pediatric Ambulatory Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Joyce and Irving Goldman Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Pediatric Immunology Clinic, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Daria Kozlova
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Pathology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Galina Ling
- Pediatric Ambulatory Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Joyce and Irving Goldman Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | | | - Noa Shefer Averbuch
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Pediatric Genetics Clinic, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel
- The Jesse and Sara Lea Shafer Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, National Center for Childhood Diabetes, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Shiri Spielman
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Pediatrics A, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Jan Trka
- Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague, Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Second Faculty of Medicine of Charles University Prague and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Shai Izraeli
- The Rina Zaizov Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
| | - Simon Yona
- The Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sarah Elitzur
- The Rina Zaizov Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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19
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Malviya M, Aretz Z, Molvi Z, Lee J, Pierre S, Wallisch P, Dao T, Scheinberg DA. Challenges and solutions for therapeutic TCR-based agents. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:58-82. [PMID: 37455333 PMCID: PMC11141734 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Recent development of methods to discover and engineer therapeutic T-cell receptors (TCRs) or antibody mimics of TCRs, and to understand their immunology and pharmacology, lag two decades behind therapeutic antibodies. Yet we have every expectation that TCR-based agents will be similarly important contributors to the treatment of a variety of medical conditions, especially cancers. TCR engineered cells, soluble TCRs and their derivatives, TCR-mimic antibodies, and TCR-based CAR T cells promise the possibility of highly specific drugs that can expand the scope of immunologic agents to recognize intracellular targets, including mutated proteins and undruggable transcription factors, not accessible by traditional antibodies. Hurdles exist regarding discovery, specificity, pharmacokinetics, and best modality of use that will need to be overcome before the full potential of TCR-based agents is achieved. HLA restriction may limit each agent to patient subpopulations and off-target reactivities remain important barriers to widespread development and use of these new agents. In this review we discuss the unique opportunities for these new classes of drugs, describe their unique antigenic targets, compare them to traditional antibody therapeutics and CAR T cells, and review the various obstacles that must be overcome before full application of these drugs can be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Malviya
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
| | - Zita Aretz
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Zaki Molvi
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Jayop Lee
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
| | - Stephanie Pierre
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Tri-Institutional Medical Scientist Program, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Patrick Wallisch
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Pharmacology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Tao Dao
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
| | - David A. Scheinberg
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Pharmacology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
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20
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Yan D. Hope and Challenges: Immunotherapy in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC Patients. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2916. [PMID: 38001917 PMCID: PMC10669068 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11112916] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the preferred initial treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring sensitive EGFR mutations. Sadly, remission is transient, and no approved effective treatment options are available for EGFR-TKI-advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLCs. Although immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) induces sustained cancer remission in a subset of NSCLCs, ICI therapy exhibits limited activity in most EGFR-mutant NSCLCs. Mechanistically, the strong oncogenic EGFR signaling in EGFR-mutant NSCLCs contributes to a non-inflamed tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), characterized by a limited number of CD8+ T cell infiltration, a high number of regulatory CD4+ T cells, and an increased number of inactivated infiltrated T cells. Additionally, EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients are generally non-smokers with low levels of PD-L1 expression and tumor mutation burden. Promisingly, a small population of EGFR-mutant NSCLCs still durably respond to ICI therapy. The hope of ICI therapy from pre-clinical studies and clinical trials is reviewed in EGFR-mutant NSCLCs. The challenges of application ICI therapy in EGFR-mutant NSCLCs are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yan
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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21
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Ghorani E, Swanton C, Quezada SA. Cancer cell-intrinsic mechanisms driving acquired immune tolerance. Immunity 2023; 56:2270-2295. [PMID: 37820584 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Immune evasion is a hallmark of cancer, enabling tumors to survive contact with the host immune system and evade the cycle of immune recognition and destruction. Here, we review the current understanding of the cancer cell-intrinsic factors driving immune evasion. We focus on T cells as key effectors of anti-cancer immunity and argue that cancer cells evade immune destruction by gaining control over pathways that usually serve to maintain physiological tolerance to self. Using this framework, we place recent mechanistic advances in the understanding of cancer immune evasion into broad categories of control over T cell localization, antigen recognition, and acquisition of optimal effector function. We discuss the redundancy in the pathways involved and identify knowledge gaps that must be overcome to better target immune evasion, including the need for better, routinely available tools that incorporate the growing understanding of evasion mechanisms to stratify patients for therapy and trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Ghorani
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK; Department of Medical Oncology, Imperial College London Hospitals, London, UK.
| | - Charles Swanton
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK; Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Sergio A Quezada
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK; Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Hematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK.
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22
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Fagin JA, Krishnamoorthy GP, Landa I. Pathogenesis of cancers derived from thyroid follicular cells. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:631-650. [PMID: 37438605 PMCID: PMC10763075 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00598-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The genomic simplicity of differentiated cancers derived from thyroid follicular cells offers unique insights into how oncogenic drivers impact tumour phenotype. Essentially, the main oncoproteins in thyroid cancer activate nodes in the receptor tyrosine kinase-RAS-BRAF pathway, which constitutively induces MAPK signalling to varying degrees consistent with their specific biochemical mechanisms of action. The magnitude of the flux through the MAPK signalling pathway determines key elements of thyroid cancer biology, including differentiation state, invasive properties and the cellular composition of the tumour microenvironment. Progression of disease results from genomic lesions that drive immortalization, disrupt chromatin accessibility and cause cell cycle checkpoint dysfunction, in conjunction with a tumour microenvironment characterized by progressive immunosuppression. This Review charts the genomic trajectories of these common endocrine tumours, while connecting them to the biological states that they confer.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Fagin
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Gnana P Krishnamoorthy
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Iñigo Landa
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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23
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Liu JL, Yang M, Bai JG, Liu Z, Wang XS. “Cold” colorectal cancer faces a bottleneck in immunotherapy. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 15:240-250. [PMID: 36908324 PMCID: PMC9994051 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i2.240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The advent of immunotherapy and the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are changing the way we think about cancer treatment. ICIs have shown clinical benefits in a variety of tumor types, and ICI-based immunotherapy has shown effective clinical outcomes in immunologically “hot” tumors. However, for immunologically “cold” tumors such as colorectal cancer (CRC), only a limited number of patients are currently benefiting from ICIs due to limitations such as individual differences and low response rates. In this review, we discuss the classification and differences between hot and cold CRC and the current status of research on cold CRC, and summarize the treatment strategies and challenges of immunotherapy for cold CRC. We also explain the mechanism, biology, and role of immunotherapy for cold CRC, which will help clarify the future development of immunotherapy for cold CRC and discovery of more emerging strategies for the treatment of cold CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Liang Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Jun-Ge Bai
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xi-Shan Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
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24
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Kang JJ, Ko A, Kil SH, Mallen-St Clair J, Shin DS, Wang MB, Srivatsan ES. EGFR pathway targeting drugs in head and neck cancer in the era of immunotherapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188827. [PMID: 36309124 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are cell surface receptors that bind growth factor ligands and initiate cellular signaling. Of the 20 classes of RTKs, 7 classes, I-V, VIII, and X, are linked to head and neck cancers (HNCs). We focus on the first class of RTK, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), as it is the most thoroughly studied class. EGFR overexpression is observed in 20% of tumors, and expression of EGFR variant III is seen in 15% of aggressive chemoradiotherapy resistant HNCs. Currently, the EGFR monoclonal antibody (mAb) cetuximab is the only FDA approved RTK-targeting drug for the treatment of HNCs. Clinical trials have also included EGFR mAbs, with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and small molecule inhibitors targeting the EGFR, MAPK, and mTOR pathways. Additionally, Immunotherapy has been found to be effective in 15 to 20% of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNC as a monotherapy. Thus, attempts are underway for the combinatorial treatment of immunotherapy and EGFR mAbs to determine if the recruitment of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment can overcome EGFR resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Kang
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Albert Ko
- Department of Surgery, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System/UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sang Hoon Kil
- Department of Surgery, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System/UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jon Mallen-St Clair
- Department of Otolaryngology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Sanghoon Shin
- Department of Medicine, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System/UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marilene B Wang
- Department of Surgery, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System/UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Head and Neck Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eri S Srivatsan
- Department of Surgery, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System/UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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25
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MEK inhibition enhances presentation of targetable MHC-I tumor antigens in mutant melanomas. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2208900119. [PMID: 36454758 PMCID: PMC9894220 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2208900119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Combining multiple therapeutic strategies in NRAS/BRAF mutant melanoma-namely MEK/BRAF kinase inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and targeted immunotherapies-may offer an improved survival benefit by overcoming limitations associated with any individual therapy. Still, optimal combination, order, and timing of administration remains under investigation. Here, we measure how MEK inhibition (MEKi) alters anti-tumor immunity by utilizing quantitative immunopeptidomics to profile changes in the peptide major histocompatibility molecules (pMHC) repertoire. These data reveal a collection of tumor antigens whose presentation levels are selectively augmented following therapy, including several epitopes present at over 1,000 copies per cell. We leveraged the tunable abundance of MEKi-modulated antigens by targeting four epitopes with pMHC-specific T cell engagers and antibody drug conjugates, enhancing cell killing in tumor cells following MEK inhibition. These results highlight drug treatment as a means to enhance immunotherapy efficacy by targeting specific upregulated pMHCs and provide a methodological framework for identifying, quantifying, and therapeutically targeting additional epitopes of interest.
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26
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Noman MZ, Bocci IA, Karam M, Moer KV, Bosseler M, Kumar A, Berchem G, Auclair C, Janji B. The β-carboline Harmine improves the therapeutic benefit of anti-PD1 in melanoma by increasing the MHC-I-dependent antigen presentation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:980704. [PMID: 36458012 PMCID: PMC9705972 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.980704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Harmine is a dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) inhibitor that displays a number of biological and pharmacological properties. Also referred to as ACB1801 molecule, we have previously reported that harmine increases the presentation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I-dependent antigen on melanoma cells. Here, we show that ACB1801 upregulates the mRNA expression of several proteins of the MHC-I such as Transporter Associated with antigen Processing TAP1 and 2, Tapasin and Lmp2 (hereafter referred to as MHC-I signature) in melanoma cells. Treatment of mice bearing melanoma B16-F10 with ACB1801 inhibits the growth and weight of tumors and induces a profound modification of the tumor immune landscape. Strikingly, combining ACB1801 with anti-PD1 significantly improves its therapeutic benefit in B16-F10 melanoma-bearing mice. These results suggest that, by increasing the MHC-I, ACB1801 can be combined with anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapy to improve the survival benefit in cancer patients displaying a defect in MHC-I expression. This is further supported by data showing that i) high expression levels of TAP1, Tapasin and Lmp2 was observed in melanoma patients that respond to anti-PD1; ii) the survival is significantly improved in melanoma patients who express high MHC-I signature relative to those expressing low MHC-I signature; and iii) high expression of MHC-I signature in melanoma patients was correlated with increased expression of CD8 and NK cell markers and overexpression of proinflammatory chemokines involved in the recruitment of CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Zaeem Noman
- Tumor Immunotherapy and Microenvironment (TIME) group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Irene Adelaide Bocci
- Tumor Immunotherapy and Microenvironment (TIME) group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Manale Karam
- AC Bioscience, Biopôle, Route de la Corniche 4, Epalinges, Switzerland
- AC Biotech, Villejuif Biopark, Villejuif, France
| | - Kris Van Moer
- Tumor Immunotherapy and Microenvironment (TIME) group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Manon Bosseler
- Tumor Immunotherapy and Microenvironment (TIME) group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Akinchan Kumar
- Tumor Immunotherapy and Microenvironment (TIME) group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Guy Berchem
- Tumor Immunotherapy and Microenvironment (TIME) group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, Centre Hospitalier du Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Christian Auclair
- AC Bioscience, Biopôle, Route de la Corniche 4, Epalinges, Switzerland
- AC Biotech, Villejuif Biopark, Villejuif, France
| | - Bassam Janji
- Tumor Immunotherapy and Microenvironment (TIME) group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
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27
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Triple Combination of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and BRAF/MEK Inhibitors in BRAFV600 Melanoma: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225489. [PMID: 36428582 PMCID: PMC9688939 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), namely programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) or cytotoxic t-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, are currently the standard of care for the treatment of advanced melanoma, with robust and durable responses in a subset of patients. For BRAFV600-mutant melanoma, treatment with BRAF and MEK inhibitors has resulted in high objective response rates, but most responses are short-lived. Preclinical data suggest that BRAF and MEK inhibitors result in immunomodulatory changes in the tumor microenvironment; early data in murine models further suggest that these changes could enhance sensitivity to ICIs. Subsequently, the notion of combining the two therapy modalities for a more effective response was further evolved in early phase clinical trials. In this review, we analyzed the results of recent phase 2 and 3 clinical trials investigating the combination of ICIs with targeted therapy in BRAFV600-mutated advanced melanoma. Furthermore, we evaluated the results of recent studies investigating the first-line treatment sequencing of ipilimumab/nivolumab and BRAF/MEK inhibitors in these patients. We discussed the study limitations and interpreted how these recent advances could be incorporated into the treatment landscape of advanced BRAFV600-mutant melanoma.
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Burska AN, Ilyassova B, Dildabek A, Khamijan M, Begimbetova D, Molnár F, Sarbassov DD. Enhancing an Oxidative "Trojan Horse" Action of Vitamin C with Arsenic Trioxide for Effective Suppression of KRAS-Mutant Cancers: A Promising Path at the Bedside. Cells 2022; 11:3454. [PMID: 36359850 PMCID: PMC9657932 DOI: 10.3390/cells11213454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The turn-on mutations of the KRAS gene, coding a small GTPase coupling growth factor signaling, are contributing to nearly 25% of all human cancers, leading to highly malignant tumors with poor outcomes. Targeting of oncogenic KRAS remains a most challenging task in oncology. Recently, the specific G12C mutant KRAS inhibitors have been developed but with a limited clinical outcome because they acquire drug resistance. Alternatively, exploiting a metabolic breach of KRAS-mutant cancer cells related to a glucose-dependent sensitivity to oxidative stress is becoming a promising indirect cancer targeting approach. Here, we discuss the use of a vitamin C (VC) acting in high dose as an oxidative "Trojan horse" agent for KRAS-mutant cancer cells that can be potentiated with another oxidizing drug arsenic trioxide (ATO) to obtain a potent and selective cytotoxic impact. Moreover, we outline the advantages of VC's non-natural enantiomer, D-VC, because of its distinctive pharmacokinetics and lower toxicity. Thus, the D-VC and ATO combination shows a promising path to treat KRAS-mutant cancers in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata N. Burska
- Department of Biology, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Aruzhan Dildabek
- Department of Biology, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Medina Khamijan
- Department of Biology, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Dinara Begimbetova
- National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Ferdinand Molnár
- Department of Biology, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Dos D. Sarbassov
- Department of Biology, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
- National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
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Zhang Q, Xiu B, Zhang L, Chen M, Chi W, Li L, Guo R, Xue J, Yang B, Huang X, Shao ZM, Huang S, Chi Y, Wu J. Immunosuppressive lncRNA LINC00624 promotes tumor progression and therapy resistance through ADAR1 stabilization. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004666. [PMID: 36252997 PMCID: PMC9577936 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the success of HER2-targeted therapy in achieving prolonged survival in approximately 50% of treated individuals, treatment resistance is still an important challenge for HER2+ breast cancer (BC) patients. The influence of both adaptive and innate immune responses on the therapeutic outcomes of HER2+BC patients has been extensively demonstrated. METHODS Long non-coding RNAs expressed in non-pathological complete response (pCR) HER2 positive BC were screened and validated by RNA-seq. Survival analysis were made by Kaplan-Meier method. Cell death assay and proliferation assay were performed to confirm the phenotype of LINC00624. RT-qPCR and western blot were used to assay the IFN response. Xenograft mouse model were used for in vivo confirmation of anti-neu treatment resistance. RNA pull-down and immunoblot were used to confirm the interaction of ADAR1 and LINC00624. ADAR1 recombinant protein were purified from baculovirus expression system. B16-OVA cells were used to study antigen presentation both in vitro and in vivo. Flow cytometry was used to determine the tumor infiltrated immune cells of xenograft model. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) were used for in vivo treatment. RESULTS In this study, we found that LINC00624 blocked the antitumor effect of HER2- targeted therapy both in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting type I interferon (IFN) pathway activation. The double-stranded RNA-like structure of LINC00624 can bind and be edited by the adenosine (A) to inosine (I) RNA-editing enzyme adenosine deaminase RNA specific 1 (ADAR1), and this editing has been shown to release the growth inhibition and attenuate the innate immune response caused by the IFN response. Notably, LINC00624 promoted the stabilization of ADAR1 by inhibiting its ubiquitination-induced degradation triggered by β-TrCP. In contrast, LINC00624 inhibited major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen presentation and limited CD8+T cell infiltration in the cancer microenvironment, resulting in immune checkpoint blockade inhibition and anti-HER2 treatment resistance mediated through ADAR1. CONCLUSIONS In summary, these results suggest that LINC00624 is a cancer immunosuppressive lncRNA and targeting LINC00624 through ASOs in tumors expressing high levels of LINC00624 has great therapeutic potential in future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bingqiu Xiu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liyi Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiru Chi
- Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lun Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Rong Guo
- Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Breast Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jingyan Xue
- Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Benlong Yang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyan Huang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Shao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shenglin Huang
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yayun Chi
- Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiong Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Taghizadeh-Hesary F, Akbari H, Bahadori M, Behnam B. Targeted Anti-Mitochondrial Therapy: The Future of Oncology. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13101728. [PMID: 36292613 PMCID: PMC9602426 DOI: 10.3390/genes13101728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Like living organisms, cancer cells require energy to survive and interact with their environment. Mitochondria are the main organelles for energy production and cellular metabolism. Recently, investigators demonstrated that cancer cells can hijack mitochondria from immune cells. This behavior sheds light on a pivotal piece in the cancer puzzle, the dependence on the normal cells. This article illustrates the benefits of new functional mitochondria for cancer cells that urge them to hijack mitochondria. It describes how functional mitochondria help cancer cells’ survival in the harsh tumor microenvironment, immune evasion, progression, and treatment resistance. Recent evidence has put forward the pivotal role of mitochondria in the metabolism of cancer stem cells (CSCs), the tumor components responsible for cancer recurrence and metastasis. This theory highlights the mitochondria in cancer biology and explains how targeting mitochondria may improve oncological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzad Taghizadeh-Hesary
- ENT and Head and Neck Research Center and Department, The Five Senses Health Institute, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1445613131, Iran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1445613131, Iran
- Correspondence: or (F.T.-H.); or (B.B.); Tel.: +98-912-608-6713 (F.T.-H.); Tel.: +1-407-920-4420 (B.B.)
| | - Hassan Akbari
- Department of Pathology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran P.O. Box 4739-19395, Iran
- Traditional Medicine School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran P.O. Box 14155-6559, Iran
| | - Moslem Bahadori
- Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran P.O. Box 14155-6559, Iran
| | - Babak Behnam
- Department of Regulatory Affairs, Amarex Clinical Research, Germantown, MD 20874, USA
- Correspondence: or (F.T.-H.); or (B.B.); Tel.: +98-912-608-6713 (F.T.-H.); Tel.: +1-407-920-4420 (B.B.)
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[Application of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in EGFR Mutant
Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer]. ZHONGGUO FEI AI ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF LUNG CANCER 2022; 25:671-677. [PMID: 36172732 PMCID: PMC9549429 DOI: 10.3779/j.issn.1009-3419.2022.102.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have greatly improved the survival rate of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients without driver mutation. Compared with wild-type tumors, tumors with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations have greater heterogeneity in immune microenvironment characteristics such as programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and tumor mutational burden (TMB). Whether ICIs is suitable for NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation has been controversial. Clinical studies have shown that immunomonotherapy has no significant effect on patients with EGFR mutant NSCLC. ICIs combined with chemotherapy and antiangiogenic drugs show good survival benefits. This paper overviews the clinical research and related mechanism of ICIs single drug or combination therapy inadvanced NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation.
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Yu J, Wu X, Song J, Zhao Y, Li H, Luo M, Liu X. Loss of MHC-I antigen presentation correlated with immune checkpoint blockade tolerance in MAPK inhibitor-resistant melanoma. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:928226. [PMID: 36091815 PMCID: PMC9459091 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.928226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade and MAPK-targeted combined therapy is a promising regimen for advanced melanoma patients. However, the clinical benefit from this combo regimen remains limited, especially in patients who acquired resistance to MAPK-targeted therapy. Here, we systematically characterized the immune landscape during MAPK-targeted therapy in patients and mouse melanoma models. We observed that both the abundance of tumor-infiltrated T cells and the expression of immune-related genes were upregulated in the drug-responsive period, but downregulated in the resistance period, implying that acquired drug resistance dampens the antitumor immune response. Further transcriptomic dissection indicated that loss of MHC-I antigen presentation on tumor cells plays a critical role in the reduction of T cell infiltration during drug resistance. Survival analysis demonstrates that loss of antigen presentation and reduction of T-cell infiltration during acquired drug resistance are associated with poorer clinical response and prognosis of anti-PD-1 therapy in melanoma patients. In addition, we identified that alterations in the MAPK inhibitor resistance-related oncogenic signaling pathway closely correlated with deficiency of MHC-I antigen presentation, including activation of the PI3K-mTOR, MAPK, and Wnt pathways. In conclusion, our research illuminates that decreased infiltration of T cells is associated with acquired drug resistance during MAPK-targeted therapy, which may underlie the cross-resistance to immune checkpoint blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yu
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xi Wu
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jinen Song
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yujie Zhao
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huifang Li
- Research Core Facility, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Min Luo
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaowei Liu, ; Min Luo,
| | - Xiaowei Liu
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaowei Liu, ; Min Luo,
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Avery TY, Köhler N, Zeiser R, Brummer T, Ruess DA. Onco-immunomodulatory properties of pharmacological interference with RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway hyperactivation. Front Oncol 2022; 12:931774. [PMID: 35965494 PMCID: PMC9363660 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.931774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperactivation of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK cascade - a mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway – has a well-known association with oncogenesis of leading tumor entities, including non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal carcinoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Increasing evidence shows that genetic alterations leading to RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway hyperactivation mediate contact- and soluble-dependent crosstalk between tumor, tumor microenvironment (TME) and the immune system resulting in immune escape mechanisms and establishment of a tumor-sustaining environment. Consequently, pharmacological interruption of this pathway not only leads to tumor-cell intrinsic disruptive effects but also modification of the TME and anti-tumor immunomodulation. At the same time, the importance of ERK signaling in immune cell physiology and potentiation of anti-tumor immune responses through ERK signaling inhibition within immune cell subsets has received growing appreciation. Specifically, a strong case was made for targeted MEK inhibition due to promising associated immune cell intrinsic modulatory effects. However, the successful transition of therapeutic agents interrupting RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK hyperactivation is still being hampered by significant limitations regarding durable efficacy, therapy resistance and toxicity. We here collate and summarize the multifaceted role of RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling in physiology and oncoimmunology and outline the rationale and concepts for exploitation of immunomodulatory properties of RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK inhibition while accentuating the role of MEK inhibition in combinatorial and intermittent anticancer therapy. Furthermore, we point out the extensive scientific efforts dedicated to overcoming the challenges encountered during the clinical transition of various therapeutic agents in the search for the most effective and safe patient- and tumor-tailored treatment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Yul Avery
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Center of Surgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Thomas Yul Avery, ; Dietrich Alexander Ruess,
| | - Natalie Köhler
- Department of Medicine I - Medical Center, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Robert Zeiser
- Department of Medicine I - Medical Center, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium Deutsches Konsortium Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tilman Brummer
- German Cancer Consortium Deutsches Konsortium Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research (IMMZ), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF), Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dietrich Alexander Ruess
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Center of Surgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium Deutsches Konsortium Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Thomas Yul Avery, ; Dietrich Alexander Ruess,
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Zhang Z, Bu L, Luo J, Guo J. Targeting protein kinases benefits cancer immunotherapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188738. [PMID: 35660645 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Small-molecule kinase inhibitors have been well established and successfully developed in the last decades for cancer target therapies. However, intrinsic or acquired drug resistance is becoming the major barrier for their clinical application. With the development of immunotherapies, in particular the discovery of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the combination of ICIs with other therapies have recently been extensively explored, among which combination of ICIs with kinase inhibitors achieves promising clinical outcome in a plethora of cancer types. Here we comprehensively summarize the potent roles of protein kinases in modulating immune checkpoints both in tumor and immune cells, and reshaping tumor immune microenvironments by evoking innate immune response and neoantigen generation or presentation. Moreover, the clinical trial and approval of combined administration of kinase inhibitors with ICIs are collected, highlighting the precise strategies to benefit cancer immune therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengkun Zhang
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Lang Bu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Junhang Luo
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
| | - Jianping Guo
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
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Knoche SM, Larson AC, Brumfield GL, Cate S, Hildebrand WH, Solheim JC. Major histocompatibility complex class I molecule expression by pancreatic cancer cells is regulated by activation and inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor. Immunol Res 2022; 70:371-391. [PMID: 35303241 PMCID: PMC9203924 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-022-09262-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest neoplasms, with a dismal 5-year survival rate of only 10%. The ability of pancreatic cancer cells to evade the immune system hinders an anti-tumor response and contributes to the poor survival rate. Downregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I cell-surface expression can aid in immune evasion by preventing endogenous tumor antigens from being presented to cytotoxic T cells. Earlier studies suggested that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling can decrease MHC class I expression on certain cancer cell types. However, even though erlotinib (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets EGFR) is an approved drug for advanced pancreatic cancer treatment, the impact of EGFR inhibition or stimulation on pancreatic cancer cell MHC class I surface expression has not previously been analyzed. In this current study, we discovered that EGFR affects MHC class I mRNA and protein expression by human pancreatic cancer cell lines. We demonstrated that cell-surface MHC class I expression is downregulated upon EGFR activation, and the MHC class I level at the surface is elevated following EGFR inhibition. Furthermore, we found that EGFR associates with MHC class I molecules. By defining a role in pancreatic cancer cells for activated EGFR in reducing MHC class I expression and by revealing that EGFR inhibitors can boost MHC class I expression, our work supports further investigation of combined usage of EGFR inhibitors with immunotherapies against pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelby M Knoche
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer & Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Alaina C Larson
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer & Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Gabrielle L Brumfield
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer & Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Steven Cate
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - William H Hildebrand
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Joyce C Solheim
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer & Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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Unmasking the suppressed immunopeptidome of EZH2 mutated diffuse large B-cell lymphomas with combination drug treatment. Blood Adv 2022; 6:4107-4121. [PMID: 35561310 PMCID: PMC9327544 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021006069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Exploring the repertoire of peptides presented on major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) has been utilized to identify targets for immunotherapy in many hematological malignancies. However, there is a paucity of such data for diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL), which might be explained by the profound downregulation of MHC expression in many DLBCLs, and in particular in the Enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) -mutated subgroup. Epigenetic drug treatment, especially in the context of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), restored MHC expression in DLBCL. DLBCL MHC-presented peptides were identified via mass spectrometry following tazemetostat or decitabine treatments alone, or in combination with IFN-γ. Such treatment synergistically increased MHC class I surface protein expression up to 50-fold and class II expression up to 3-fold. Peptides presented on MHC complexes increased to a similar extent for MHC class I and class II. Overall, these treatments restored the diversity of the immunopeptidome to levels described in healthy B cells for 2 out of 3 cell lines and allowed the systematic search for new targets for immunotherapy. Consequently, we identified multiple MHC ligands from regulator of G protein signaling 13 (RGS13) and E2F transcription factor 8 (E2F8) on different MHC alleles, none of which have been described in healthy tissues and therefore represent tumor-specific MHC ligands, which are unmasked only after drug treatment. Overall, our results show that EZH2 inhibition in combination with decitabine and IFN-γ can expand the repertoire of MHC ligands presented on DLBCLs by revealing suppressed epitopes, thus allowing the systematic analysis and identification of new potential immunotherapy targets.
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Corgnac S, Damei I, Gros G, Caidi A, Terry S, Chouaib S, Deloger M, Mami-Chouaib F. Cancer stem-like cells evade CD8 +CD103 + tumor-resident memory T (T RM) lymphocytes by initiating an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition program in a human lung tumor model. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004527. [PMID: 35418483 PMCID: PMC9014106 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer stem cells (CSC) define a population of rare malignant cells endowed with ‘stemness’ properties, such as self-renewing, multipotency and tumorigenicity. They are responsible for tumor initiation and progression, and could be associated with resistance to immunotherapies by negatively regulating antitumor immune response and acquiring molecular features enabling escape from CD8 T-cell immunity. However, the immunological hallmarks of human lung CSC and their potential interactions with resident memory T (TRM) cells within the tumor microenvironment have not been investigated. Methods We generated a non-small cell lung cancer model, including CSC line and clones, and autologous CD8+CD103+ TRM and CD8+CD103− non-TRM clones, to dissect out immune properties of CSC and their susceptibility to specific T-cell-mediated cytotoxic activity. Results Unlike their parental tumor cells, lung CSC are characterized by the initiation of an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition program defined by upregulation of the SNAIL1 transcription factor and downregulation of phosphorylated-GSK-3β and cell surface E-cadherin. Acquisition of a CSC profile results in partial resistance to TRM-cell-mediated cytotoxicity, which correlates with decreased surface expression of the CD103 ligand E-cadherin and human leukocyte antigen-A2-neoepitope complexes. On the other hand, CSC gained expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and thereby sensitivity to leukocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1-dependent non-TRM-cell-mediated killing. Cytotoxicity is inhibited by anti-ICAM-1 and anti-major histocompatibility complex class I neutralizing antibodies further emphasizing the role of LFA-1/ICAM-1 interaction in T-cell receptor-dependent lytic function. Conclusion Our data support the rational design of immunotherapeutic strategies targeting CSC to optimize their responsiveness to local CD8+CD103+ TRM cells for more efficient anticancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Corgnac
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Fac. de Médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Isabelle Damei
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Fac. de Médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Gwendoline Gros
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Fac. de Médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Aziza Caidi
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Fac. de Médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.,Gustave Roussy, Plateforme de Bioinformatique, Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM US23, CNRS UMS 3655, Villejuif, France
| | - Stéphane Terry
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Fac. de Médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Salem Chouaib
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Fac. de Médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.,Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE
| | - Marc Deloger
- Gustave Roussy, Plateforme de Bioinformatique, Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM US23, CNRS UMS 3655, Villejuif, France
| | - Fathia Mami-Chouaib
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Fac. de Médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
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Regulation of the antigen presentation machinery in cancer and its implication for immune surveillance. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:825-837. [PMID: 35343573 PMCID: PMC9162455 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Evading immune destruction is one of the hallmarks of cancer. A key mechanism of immune evasion deployed by tumour cells is to reduce neoantigen presentation through down-regulation of the antigen presentation machinery. MHC-I and MHC-II proteins are key components of the antigen presentation machinery responsible for neoantigen presentation to CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes, respectively. Their expression in tumour cells is modulated by a complex interplay of genomic, transcriptomic and post translational factors involving multiple intracellular antigen processing pathways. Ongoing research investigates mechanisms invoked by cancer cells to abrogate MHC-I expression and attenuate anti-tumour CD8+ cytotoxic T cell response. The discovery of MHC-II on tumour cells has been less characterized. However, this finding has triggered further interest in utilising tumour-specific MHC-II to harness sustained anti-tumour immunity through the activation of CD4+ T helper cells. Tumour-specific expression of MHC-I and MHC-II has been associated with improved patient survival in most clinical studies. Thus, their reactivation represents an attractive way to unleash anti-tumour immunity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of physiologically conserved or novel mechanisms utilised by tumour cells to reduce MHC-I or MHC-II expression. It outlines current approaches employed at the preclinical and clinical trial interface towards reversing these processes in order to improve response to immunotherapy and survival outcomes for patients with cancer.
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39
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Michelakos T, Kontos F, Kurokawa T, Cai L, Sadagopan A, Krijgsman D, Weichert W, Durrant LG, Kuppen PJK, R Ferrone C, Ferrone S. Differential role of HLA-A and HLA-B, C expression levels as prognostic markers in colon and rectal cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-004115. [PMID: 35277460 PMCID: PMC8919449 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The association of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I expression levels with the clinical course of many malignancies reflects their crucial role in the recognition and elimination of malignant cells by cognate T cells and NK cells. In colorectal cancer, results regarding this association are conflicting. The potential pathogenetic and therapeutic implications of this association prompted us to perform a large patient-level pooled analysis assessing the role of the expression level of HLA class I loci gene products in colon and rectal cancer. Experimental design Included studies provided patient-level data on HLA class I expression levels determined by immunohistochemistry on surgical specimens. Expression levels of the HLA class I loci gene products (HLA-A, HLA-B/C) were correlated with common genetic events and survival. Results Data from 5 studies including 2863 patients were used. In the 1620 colon cancer patients, lower HLA-A, HLA-B/C and total HLA class I expression levels were associated with microsatellite instability (p=0.044, p=0.008 and p=0.022, respectively), higher frequency of BRAF mutations (p<0.001, p=0.021 and p<0.001, respectively) and lower frequency of KRAS mutations (p=0.001, ns and p=0.002, respectively). In the 1243 rectal cancer patients, HLA-A expression was higher in tumors treated with neoadjuvant radiation (p=0.024). High HLA-B/C, but not HLA-A, expression level was an independent predictor of favorable overall survival in colon (p=0.006) and rectal (p<0.001) cancer. Conclusions T-cells and HLA-B/C antigens, rather than NK cells and HLA-A antigens, likely play an important role in controlling colon/rectal cancer growth. Colon/rectal cancer patients may benefit from strategies that upregulate HLA-B/C and trigger or enhance T cell immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodoros Michelakos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Filippos Kontos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tomohiro Kurokawa
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lei Cai
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ananthan Sadagopan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Danielle Krijgsman
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Wilko Weichert
- Institute of Pathology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Lindy G Durrant
- Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Nottingham, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK
| | - Peter J K Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cristina R Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Mu D, Guo J, Yu W, Zhang J, Ren X, Han Y. Downregulation of
PD‐L1
and
HLA‐I
in non‐small cell lung cancer with
ALK
fusion. Thorac Cancer 2022; 13:1153-1163. [PMID: 35253386 PMCID: PMC9013653 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14372] [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: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early clinical trials indicate that patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)‐driven non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have a lower response rate to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) antibody therapy. However, the specific mechanism underlying this remains unclear. To further explore the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment and determine the potential mechanism of immunotherapy resistance in patients with ALK, we selected another important immune‐related molecule, major histocompatibility complex class I (HLA‐I), as the focus of our study. Methods We collected the biopsy samples of 140 patients with NSCLC. The number of CD8+ T cells and HLA‐I/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression were determined by immunohistochemistry. Disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method, and their relationship with patient clinical characteristics analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression. In addition, we treated ALK‐positive lung cancer cells with ALK inhibitors in vitro to observe changes of HLA‐I. Results ALK positivity was associated with low membrane PD‐L1 and HLA‐I expression. However, these two indicators were not associated with the prognosis of patients with stage I–IIIa NSCLC. Inhibition of ALK could upregulate HLA‐I membrane expression to a certain extent. Conclusion Patients with ALK fusion showed downregulation of PD‐L1 and HLA‐I expression on the tumor cell membrane. Inhibition of ALK and its downstream signaling pathway can reverse it. These results suggest that the appropriate combination therapy should be considered for patients with ALK fusion and using targeted therapy at the proper time may increase patient benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Mu
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital Tianjin China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy Tianjin China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer Tianjin China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy Tianjin China
| | - Jingjing Guo
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital Tianjin China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy Tianjin China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer Tianjin China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy Tianjin China
| | - Wenwen Yu
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital Tianjin China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy Tianjin China
- Department of Biotherapy Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital Tianjin China
| | - Jiali Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital Tianjin China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy Tianjin China
- Department of Biotherapy Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital Tianjin China
| | - Xiubao Ren
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital Tianjin China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy Tianjin China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer Tianjin China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy Tianjin China
- Department of Biotherapy Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital Tianjin China
| | - Ying Han
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital Tianjin China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy Tianjin China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer Tianjin China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy Tianjin China
- Department of Biotherapy Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital Tianjin China
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41
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Yang Y, Zhang X, Gao Y, Dong Y, Wang D, Huang Y, Qu T, Fan B, Li Q, Zhang C, Cui X, Zhang B. Research progress in immunotherapy of NSCLC with EGFR sensitive mutations. Oncol Res 2022; 29:63-74. [PMID: 35236543 PMCID: PMC9110674 DOI: 10.3727/096504022x16462176651719] [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] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is a malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality across the world. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors for lung cancer has improved the prognosis of some lung cancer patients to a greater extent and provided a new direction for the clinical treatment of lung cancer. Immunotherapy still has limitations in terms of its appropriate population and adverse reactions. Particularly for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, there has been no major breakthrough in current immunotherapy. Whether immunotherapy can bring new benefits after drug resistance is induced by tyrosine kinase inhibitor-targeted therapy and whether the combination of immunotherapy with other treatments can improve the prognosis remain to be studied in depth. In this article, we provide a detailed review of the relevant characteristics of the tumor microenvironment of NSCLC with EGFR mutation and the current research on immunotherapy for NSCLC with EGFR mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudie Yang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Dalian Fifth Peoples Hospital, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Yajie Gao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Yan Dong
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Yanping Huang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Tianhao Qu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Buqun Fan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Qizheng Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Chunxia Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Xiaonan Cui
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
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Sadagopan A, Michelakos T, Boyiadzis G, Ferrone C, Ferrone S. Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I Antigen-Processing Machinery Upregulation by Anticancer Therapies in the Era of Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Review. JAMA Oncol 2022; 8:462-473. [PMID: 34940799 PMCID: PMC8930447 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.5970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Although typically impressive, objective responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) occur in only 12.5% of patients with advanced cancer. The majority of patients do not respond due to cell-intrinsic resistance mechanisms, including human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigen-processing machinery (APM) defects. The APM defects, which have a negative effect on neoantigen presentation to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), are present in the majority of malignant tumors. These defects are caused by gene variations in less than 25% of cases and by dysregulated signaling and/or epigenetic changes in most of the remaining cases, making them frequently correctable. This narrative review summarizes the growing clinical evidence that chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and, to a lesser extent, radiotherapy can correct HLA class I APM defects in cancer cells and improve responses to ICIs. OBSERVATIONS Most chemotherapeutics enhance HLA class I APM component expression and function in cancer cells, tumor CTL infiltration, and responses to ICIs in preclinical and clinical models. Despite preclinical evidence, radiotherapy does not appear to upregulate HLA class I expression in patients and does not enhance the efficacy of ICIs in clinical settings. The latter findings underscore the need to optimize the dose and schedule of radiation and timing of ICI administration to maximize their immunogenic synergy. By increasing DNA and chromatin accessibility, epigenetic agents (histone deacetylase inhibitors, DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, and EZH2 inhibitors) enhance HLA class I APM component expression and function in many cancer types, a crucial contributor to their synergy with ICIs in patients. Furthermore, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors and BRAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitors are effective at upregulating HLA class I expression in EGFR- and BRAF-variant tumors, respectively; these changes may contribute to the clinical responses induced by these inhibitors in combination with ICIs. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This narrative review summarizes evidence indicating that chemotherapy and targeted therapies are effective at enhancing HLA class I APM component expression and function in cancer cells. The resulting increased immunogenicity and recognition and elimination of cancer cells by cognate CTLs contributes to the antitumor activity of these therapies as well as to their synergy with ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananthan Sadagopan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Theodoros Michelakos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriella Boyiadzis
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cristina Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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43
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Taylor BC, Balko JM. Mechanisms of MHC-I Downregulation and Role in Immunotherapy Response. Front Immunol 2022; 13:844866. [PMID: 35296095 PMCID: PMC8920040 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.844866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has become a key therapeutic strategy in the treatment of many cancers. As a result, research efforts have been aimed at understanding mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy and how anti-tumor immune response can be therapeutically enhanced. It has been shown that tumor cell recognition by the immune system plays a key role in effective response to T cell targeting therapies in patients. One mechanism by which tumor cells can avoid immunosurveillance is through the downregulation of Major Histocompatibility Complex I (MHC-I). Downregulation of MHC-I has been described as a mechanism of intrinsic and acquired resistance to immunotherapy in patients with cancer. Depending on the mechanism, the downregulation of MHC-I can sometimes be therapeutically restored to aid in anti-tumor immunity. In this article, we will review current research in MHC-I downregulation and its impact on immunotherapy response in patients, as well as possible strategies for therapeutic upregulation of MHC-I.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandie C. Taylor
- Department of Medicine, Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Justin M. Balko
- Department of Medicine, Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- *Correspondence: Justin M. Balko,
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44
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Roetman JJ, Apostolova MKI, Philip M. Viral and cellular oncogenes promote immune evasion. Oncogene 2022; 41:921-929. [PMID: 35022539 PMCID: PMC8851748 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02145-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Thirteen percent of cancers worldwide are associated with viral infections. While many human oncogenic viruses are widely endemic, very few infected individuals develop cancer. This raises the question why oncogenic viruses encode viral oncogenes if they can replicate and spread between human hosts without causing cancer. Interestingly, viral infection triggers innate immune signaling pathways that in turn activate tumor suppressors such as p53, suggesting that tumor suppressors may have evolved not primarily to prevent cancer, but to thwart viral infection. Here, we summarize and compare several major immune evasion strategies used by viral and non-viral cancers, with a focus on oncogenes that play dual roles in promoting tumorigenicity and immune evasion. By highlighting important and illustrative examples of how oncogenic viruses evade the immune system, we aim to shed light on how non-viral cancers avoid immune detection. Further study and understanding of how viral and non-viral oncogenes impact immune function could lead to improved strategies to combine molecular therapies targeting oncoproteins in combination with immunomodulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J Roetman
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Minna K I Apostolova
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Mary Philip
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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45
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Hou P, Wang YA. Conquering oncogenic KRAS and its bypass mechanisms. Theranostics 2022; 12:5691-5709. [PMID: 35966590 PMCID: PMC9373815 DOI: 10.7150/thno.71260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of KRAS signaling is common in cancer, which has catalyzed heroic drug development efforts to target KRAS directly or its downstream signaling effectors. Recent works have yielded novel small molecule drugs with promising preclinical and clinical activities. Yet, no matter how a cancer is addicted to a specific target - cancer's genetic and biological plasticity fashions a variety of resistance mechanisms as a fait accompli, limiting clinical benefit of targeted interventions. Knowledge of these mechanisms may inform combination strategies to attack both oncogenic KRAS and subsequent bypass mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Hou
- Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA.,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA.,Lead contact
| | - Y Alan Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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46
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Yarchoan M, Cope L, Ruggieri AN, Anders RA, Noonan AM, Goff LW, Goyal L, Lacy J, Li D, Patel AK, He AR, Abou-Alfa GK, Spencer K, Kim EJ, Davis SL, McRee AJ, Kunk PR, Goyal S, Liu Y, Dennison L, Xavier S, Mohan AA, Zhu Q, Wang-Gillam A, Poklepovic A, Chen HX, Sharon E, Lesinski GB, Azad NS. Multicenter randomized phase II trial of atezolizumab with or without cobimetinib in biliary tract cancers. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:152670. [PMID: 34907910 DOI: 10.1172/jci152670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDMEK inhibitors have limited activity in biliary tract cancers (BTCs) as monotherapy but are hypothesized to enhance responses to programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibition.METHODSThis open-label phase II study randomized patients with BTC to atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1) as monotherapy or in combination with cobimetinib (MEK inhibitor). Eligible patients had unresectable BTC with 1 to 2 lines of prior therapy in the metastatic setting, measurable disease, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status less than or equal to 1. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS).RESULTSSeventy-seven patients were randomized and received study therapy. The trial met its primary endpoint, with a median PFS of 3.65 months in the combination arm versus 1.87 months in the monotherapy arm (HR 0.58, 90% CI 0.35-0.93, 1-tail P = 0.027). One patient in the combination arm (3.3%) and 1 patient in the monotherapy arm (2.8%) had a partial response. Combination therapy was associated with more rash, gastrointestinal events, CPK elevations, and thrombocytopenia. Exploratory analysis of tumor biopsies revealed enhanced expression of antigen processing and presentation genes and an increase in CD8/FoxP3 ratios with combination treatment. Patients with higher baseline or lower fold changes in expression of certain inhibitory ligands (LAG3, BTLA, VISTA) on circulating T cells had evidence of greater clinical benefit from the combination.CONCLUSIONThe combination of atezolizumab plus cobimetinib prolonged PFS as compared with atezolizumab monotherapy, but the low response rate in both arms highlights the immune-resistant nature of BTCs.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov NCT03201458.FUNDINGNational Cancer Institute (NCI) Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd.; NCI, NIH (R01 CA228414-01 and UM1CA186691); NCI's Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Gastrointestinal Cancers (P50 CA062924); NIH Center Core Grant (P30 CA006973); and the Passano Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leslie Cope
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | - Laura W Goff
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Lipika Goyal
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jill Lacy
- Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Daneng Li
- City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Anuj K Patel
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Aiwu R He
- Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ghassan K Abou-Alfa
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York, USA.,Weill Medical College at Cornell University, New York City, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - Autumn J McRee
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Paul R Kunk
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Subir Goyal
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yuan Liu
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | | | | | - Qingfeng Zhu
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrea Wang-Gillam
- Washington University in St. Louis, Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Andrew Poklepovic
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Helen X Chen
- NCI Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Elad Sharon
- NCI Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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47
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Maggs L, Sadagopan A, Moghaddam AS, Ferrone S. HLA class I antigen processing machinery defects in antitumor immunity and immunotherapy. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:1089-1101. [PMID: 34489208 PMCID: PMC8651070 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigen-processing machinery (APM) plays a crucial role in the synthesis and expression of HLA class I tumor antigen-derived peptide complexes; the latter mediate the recognition and elimination of malignant cells by cognate T cells. Defects in HLA class I APM component expression and/or function are frequently found in cancer cells, providing them with an immune escape mechanism that has relevance in the clinical course of the disease and in the response to T-cell-based immunotherapy. The majority of HLA class I APM defects (>75%) are caused by epigenetic mechanisms or dysregulated signaling and therefore can be corrected by strategies that counteract the underlying mechanisms. Their application in oncology is likely to improve responses to T-cell-based immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Maggs
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ananthan Sadagopan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ali Sanjari Moghaddam
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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48
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Ma L, Diao B, Huang Z, Wang B, Yu J, Meng X. The efficacy and possible mechanisms of immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating non-small cell lung cancer patients with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2021; 41:1314-1330. [PMID: 34699691 PMCID: PMC8696228 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have greatly improved the survival for patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without driver mutations. Compared with wild‐type tumors, tumors with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations show more heterogeneity in the expression level of programmed cell death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1), tumor mutational burden (TMB), and other immune microenvironment characteristics. Whether ICIs are suitable for NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations is still worth exploring. In previous studies, no significantly improved benefits were observed with immunotherapy monotherapy in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation. Here, we summarized and analyzed data from the clinical trials of ICIs or combined therapy in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations. We also focused on the mechanisms affecting the efficacy of ICIs in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations, the characteristics of potential responders, and provided insights into areas worth further investigations in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ma
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250117, Shandong, P. R. China.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Bowen Diao
- Department of Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832061, Xinjiang, P. R. China
| | - Zhaoqin Huang
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250117, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Bin Wang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250117, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Jinming Yu
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250117, Shandong, P. R. China.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Xiangjiao Meng
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250117, Shandong, P. R. China.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, Shandong, P. R. China
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49
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Henry KE, Mack KN, Nagle VL, Cornejo M, Michel AO, Fox IL, Davydova M, Dilling TR, Pillarsetty N, Lewis JS. ERK Inhibition Improves Anti-PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Preclinical Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:2026-2034. [PMID: 34349003 PMCID: PMC8492510 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-1112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) do not benefit from immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) along the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. Variable PD-L1 expression in PDAC indicates a potential access issue of PD-L1-targeted therapy. To monitor target engagement of PD-L1-targeted therapy, we generated a PD-L1-targeted PET tracer labeled with zirconium-89 (89Zr). As the MAPK signaling pathway (MEK and ERK) is known to modulate PD-L1 expression in other tumor types, we used [89Zr]Zr-DFO-anti-PD-L1 as a tool to noninvasively assess whether manipulation of the MAPK signaling cascade could be leveraged to modulate PD-L1 expression and thereby immunotherapeutic outcomes in PDAC. In this study, we observed that the inhibition of MEK or ERK is sufficient to increase PD-L1 expression, which we hypothesized could be leveraged for anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint therapy. We found that the combination of ERK inhibition and anti-PD-L1 therapy corresponded with a significant improvement of overall survival in a syngeneic mouse model of PDAC. Furthermore, IHC analysis indicates that the survival benefit may be CD8+ T-cell mediated. The therapeutic and molecular imaging tool kit developed could be exploited to better structure clinical trials and address the therapeutic gaps in challenging malignancies such as PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Henry
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
| | - Kyeara N Mack
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Veronica L Nagle
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Mike Cornejo
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Adam O Michel
- Laboratory for Comparative Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Weill Cornell Medicine & The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Ian L Fox
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Maria Davydova
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Thomas R Dilling
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | | | - Jason S Lewis
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Departments of Pharmacology and Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
- Radiochemistry and Molecular Imaging Probes Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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50
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Absolute quantification of tumor antigens using embedded MHC-I isotopologue calibrants. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2111173118. [PMID: 34497125 PMCID: PMC8449407 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2111173118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Absolute quantification measurements (copies per cell) of peptide major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) antigens are necessary to inform targeted immunotherapy drug design; however, existing methods for absolute quantification have critical limitations. Here, we present a platform termed SureQuant-IsoMHC, utilizing a series of pMHC isotopologues and internal standard-triggered targeted mass spectrometry to generate an embedded multipoint calibration curve to determine endogenous pMHC concentrations for a panel of 18 tumor antigens. We apply SureQuant-IsoMHC to measure changes in expression of our target panel in a melanoma cell line treated with a MEK inhibitor and translate this approach to estimate antigen concentrations in melanoma tumor biopsies.
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