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Zhang C, Aida M, Saggu S, Yu H, Zhou L, Rehman H, Jiao K, Liu R, Wang L, Wang Q. Androgen deprivation therapy exacerbates Alzheimer's-associated cognitive decline via increased brain immune cell infiltration. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn8709. [PMID: 38905345 PMCID: PMC11192088 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn8709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer is associated with an increased risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The mechanistic connection between ADT and AD-related cognitive impairment in patients with prostate cancer remains elusive. We established a clinically relevant prostate cancer-bearing AD mouse model to explore this. Both tumor-bearing and ADT induce complex changes in immune and inflammatory responses in peripheral blood and in the brain. ADT disrupts the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and promotes immune cell infiltration into the brain, enhancing neuroinflammation and gliosis without affecting the amyloid plaque load. Moreover, treatment with natalizumab, an FDA-approved drug targeting peripheral immune cell infiltration, reduces neuroinflammation and improves cognitive function in this model. Our study uncovers an inflammatory mechanism, extending beyond amyloid pathology, that underlies ADT-exacerbated cognitive deficits, and suggests natalizumab as a potentially effective treatment in alleviating the detrimental effects of ADT on cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhang
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Mae Aida
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Shalini Saggu
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Haiyan Yu
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Lianna Zhou
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Hasibur Rehman
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Kai Jiao
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Runhua Liu
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Lizhong Wang
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Comprehensive Neuroscience Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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2
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Muralidhar A, Gamat-Huber M, Vakkalanka S, McNeel DG. Sequence of androgen receptor-targeted vaccination with androgen deprivation therapy affects anti-prostate tumor efficacy. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008848. [PMID: 38772685 PMCID: PMC11110578 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2024-008848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the primary treatment for recurrent and metastatic prostate cancer. In addition to direct antitumor effects, ADT has immunomodulatory effects such as promoting T-cell infiltration and enhancing antigen processing/presentation. Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that ADT also leads to increased expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and increased recognition of prostate tumor cells by AR-specific CD8+T cells. We have also demonstrated that ADT combined with a DNA vaccine encoding the AR significantly slowed tumor growth and improved the survival of prostate tumor-bearing mice. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of the timing and sequencing of ADT with vaccination on the tumor immune microenvironment in murine prostate cancer models to further increase the antitumor efficacy of vaccines. METHODS Male FVB mice implanted with Myc-CaP tumor cells, or male C57BL/6 mice implanted with TRAMP-C1 prostate tumor cells, were treated with a DNA vaccine encoding AR (pTVG-AR) and ADT. The sequence of administration was evaluated for its effect on tumor growth, and tumor-infiltrating immune populations were characterized. RESULTS Vaccination prior to ADT (pTVG-AR → ADT) significantly enhanced antitumor responses and survival. This was associated with increased tumor infiltration by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, including AR-specific CD8+T cells. Depletion of CD8+T cells prior to ADT significantly worsened overall survival. Following ADT treatment, however, Gr1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) increased, and this was associated with fewer infiltrating T cells and reduced tumor growth. Inhibiting Gr1+MDSCs recruitment, either by using a CXCR2 antagonist or by cycling androgen deprivation with testosterone replacement, improved antitumor responses and overall survival. CONCLUSION Vaccination prior to ADT significantly improved antitumor responses, mediated in part by increased infiltration of CD8+T cells following ADT. Targeting MDSC recruitment following ADT further enhanced antitumor responses. These findings suggest logical directions for future clinical trials to improve the efficacy of prostate cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusha Muralidhar
- Cancer Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Melissa Gamat-Huber
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Sita Vakkalanka
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Douglas G McNeel
- Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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3
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Jeon D, Hill E, Moseman JE, McNeel DG. Combining toll-like receptor agonists with immune checkpoint blockade affects antitumor vaccine efficacy. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008799. [PMID: 38702146 PMCID: PMC11086196 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2024-008799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND T cell checkpoint receptors are expressed when T cells are activated, and modulation of the expression or signaling of these receptors can alter the function of T cells and their antitumor efficacy. We previously found that T cells activated with cognate antigen had increases in the expression of PD-1, and this was attenuated in the presence of multiple toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, notably TLR3 plus TLR9. In the current report, we sought to investigate whether combining TLR agonists with immune checkpoint blockade can further augment vaccine-mediated T cell antitumor immunity in murine tumor models. METHODS TLR agonists (TLR3 plus TLR9) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (antibodies targeting PD-1, CTLA-4, LAG-3, TIM-3 or VISTA) were combined and delivered with vaccines or vaccine-activated CD8+T cells to E.G7-OVA or MyC-CaP tumor-bearing mice. Tumors were assessed for growth and then collected and analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS Immunization of E.G7-OVA tumor-bearing mice with SIINFEKL peptide vaccine, coadministered with TLR agonists and αCTLA-4, demonstrated greater antitumor efficacy than immunization with TLR agonists or αCTLA-4 alone. Conversely, the antitumor efficacy was abrogated when vaccine and TLR agonists were combined with αPD-1. TLR agonists suppressed PD-1 expression on regulatory T cells (Tregs) and activated this population. Depletion of Tregs in tumor-bearing mice led to greater antitumor efficacy of this combination therapy, even in the presence of αPD-1. Combining vaccination with TLR agonists and αCTLA-4 or αLAG-3 showed greater antitumor than with combinations with αTIM-3 or αVISTA. CONCLUSION The combination of TLR agonists and αCTLA-4 or αLAG-3 can further improve the efficacy of a cancer vaccine, an effect not observed using αPD-1 due to activation of Tregs when αPD-1 was combined with TLR3 and TLR9 agonists. These data suggest that optimal combinations of TLR agonists and immune checkpoint blockade may improve the efficacy of human anticancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghwan Jeon
- Cancer Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ethan Hill
- Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jena E Moseman
- Cancer Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Douglas G McNeel
- Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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4
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Abstract
Prostate cancer is a leading cause of death in men worldwide. For over 30 years, growing interest has focused on the development of vaccines as treatments for prostate cancer, with the goal of using vaccines to activate immune cells capable of targeting prostate cancer to either eradicate recurrent disease or at least delay disease progression. This interest has been prompted by the prevalence and long natural history of the disease and by the fact that the prostate is an expendable organ. Thus, an immune response elicited by vaccination might not need to target the tumour uniquely but could theoretically target any prostate tissue. To date, different vaccine approaches and targets for prostate cancer have been evaluated in clinical trials. Overall, five approaches have been assessed in randomized phase III trials and sipuleucel-T was approved as a treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, being the only vaccine approved to date by the FDA as a treatment for cancer. Most vaccine approaches showed safety and some evidence of immunological activity but had poor clinical activity when used as monotherapies. However, increased activity has been observed when these vaccines were used in combination with other immune-modulating therapies. This evidence suggests that, in the future, prostate cancer vaccines might be used to activate and expand tumour-specific T cells as part of combination approaches with agents that target tumour-associated immune mechanisms of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ichwaku Rastogi
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Anusha Muralidhar
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Douglas G McNeel
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
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5
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Olson BM, Chaudagar K, Bao R, Saha SS, Hong C, Li M, Rameshbabu S, Chen R, Thomas A, Patnaik A. BET Inhibition Sensitizes Immunologically Cold Rb-Deficient Prostate Cancer to Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:751-764. [PMID: 37014264 PMCID: PMC10239341 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-22-0369] [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: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Non-T-cell-inflamed immunologically "cold" tumor microenvironments (TME) are associated with poor responsiveness to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and can be sculpted by tumor cell genomics. Here, we evaluated how retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor-suppressor loss-of-function (LOF), one of the most frequent alterations in human cancer and associated with lineage plasticity, poor prognosis, and therapeutic outcomes, alters the TME, and whether therapeutic strategies targeting the molecular consequences of Rb loss enhance ICB efficacy. We performed bioinformatics analysis to elucidate the impact of endogenous Rb LOF on the immune TME in human primary and metastatic tumors. Next, we used isogenic murine models of Rb-deficient prostate cancer for in vitro and in vivo mechanistic studies to examine how Rb loss and bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) domain inhibition (BETi) reprograms the immune landscape, and evaluated in vivo therapeutic efficacy of BETi, singly and in combination with ICB and androgen deprivation therapy. Rb loss was enriched in non-T-cell-inflamed tumors, and Rb-deficient murine tumors demonstrated decreased immune infiltration in vivo. The BETi JQ1 increased immune infiltration into the TME through enhanced tumor cell STING/NF-κB activation and type I IFN signaling within tumor cells, resulting in differential macrophage and T-cell-mediated tumor growth inhibition and sensitization of Rb-deficient prostate cancer to ICB. BETi can reprogram the immunologically cold Rb-deficient TME via STING/NF-κB/IFN signaling to sensitize Rb-deficient prostate cancer to ICB. These data provide the mechanistic rationale to test combinations of BETi and ICB in clinical trials of Rb-deficient prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M. Olson
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology; Emory University, Atlanta, GA
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Kiranj Chaudagar
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Riyue Bao
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Center for Research Informatics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Cancer Bioinformatics Services, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Sweta Sharma Saha
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Christina Hong
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology; Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Marguerite Li
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology; Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Srikrishnan Rameshbabu
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Raymond Chen
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Alison Thomas
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology; Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Akash Patnaik
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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6
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Wang J, Zhou K, Zhu H, Wei F, Ma S, Kan Y, Li B, Mao L. Current status and progress of the development of prostate cancer vaccines. J Cancer 2023; 14:835-842. [PMID: 37056394 PMCID: PMC10088880 DOI: 10.7150/jca.80803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
At present, common treatments of prostate cancer mainly include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. However, patients have high recurrence rate after treatment, and are prone to castration-resistant prostate cancer. Tumor vaccine is based on tumor specific antigen (TSA) and tumor associated antigen (TAA) to activate specific immune response of the body to cancer cells. With continuous maturity of tumor vaccine technology, different forms of prostate cancer vaccines have been developed, such as cellular vaccines, extracellular-based anti-tumor vaccines, polypeptide vaccines, and nucleic acid vaccines. In this review, we summarize current status and progress in the development of prostate cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221000, China
| | - Kaichen Zhou
- Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221000, China
| | - Huihuang Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biological Cancer Therapy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, China
| | - Fukun Wei
- Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221000, China
| | - Sai Ma
- Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221000, China
| | - Yi Kan
- Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221000, China
| | - Bingheng Li
- Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221000, China
| | - Lijun Mao
- Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221000, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biological Cancer Therapy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, China
- ✉ Corresponding author: Lijun Mao, E-mail:
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7
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Losada-García A, Cortés-Ramírez SA, Cruz-Burgos M, Morales-Pacheco M, Cruz-Hernández CD, Gonzalez-Covarrubias V, Perez-Plascencia C, Cerbón MA, Rodríguez-Dorantes M. Hormone-Related Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases: A Complex Interplay to be Discovered. Front Genet 2022; 12:673180. [PMID: 35111194 PMCID: PMC8801914 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.673180] [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: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neoplasic transformation is a continuous process that occurs in the body. Even before clinical signs, the immune system is capable of recognizing these aberrant cells and reacting to suppress them. However, transformed cells acquire the ability to evade innate and adaptive immune defenses through the secretion of molecules that inhibit immune effector functions, resulting in tumor progression. Hormones have the ability to modulate the immune system and are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Hormones can control both the innate and adaptive immune systems in men and women. For example androgens reduce immunity through modulating the production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators. Women are more prone than men to suffer from autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis and others. This is linked to female hormones modulating the immune system. Patients with autoimmune diseases consistently have an increased risk of cancer, either as a result of underlying immune system dysregulation or as a side effect of pharmaceutical treatments. Epidemiological data on cancer incidence emphasize the link between the immune system and cancer. We outline and illustrate the occurrence of hormone-related cancer and its relationship to the immune system or autoimmune diseases in this review. It is obvious that some observations are contentious and require explanation of molecular mechanisms and validation. As a result, future research should clarify the molecular pathways involved, including any causal relationships, in order to eventually allocate information that will aid in the treatment of hormone-sensitive cancer and autoimmune illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Losada-García
- Laboratorio de Oncogenomica Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - SA Cortés-Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Oncogenomica Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - M Cruz-Burgos
- Laboratorio de Oncogenomica Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - M Morales-Pacheco
- Laboratorio de Oncogenomica Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica, Mexico City, Mexico
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Carlos Perez-Plascencia
- Unidad de Genómica y Cáncer, Subdirección de Investigación Básica, INCan, SSA and Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - MA Cerbón
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - M Rodríguez-Dorantes
- Laboratorio de Oncogenomica Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica, Mexico City, Mexico
- *Correspondence: M Rodríguez-Dorantes,
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8
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Burleson M, Deng JJ, Qin T, Duong TM, Yan Y, Gu X, Das D, Easley A, Liss MA, Yew PR, Bedolla R, Kumar AP, Huang THM, Zou Y, Chen Y, Chen CL, Huang H, Sun LZ, Boyer TG. GLI3 Is Stabilized by SPOP Mutations and Promotes Castration Resistance via Functional Cooperation with Androgen Receptor in Prostate Cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2022; 20:62-76. [PMID: 34610962 PMCID: PMC9258906 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Although the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway has been implicated in promoting malignant phenotypes of prostate cancer, details on how it is activated and exerts its oncogenic role during prostate cancer development and progression is less clear. Here, we show that GLI3, a key SHH pathway effector, is transcriptionally upregulated during androgen deprivation and posttranslationally stabilized in prostate cancer cells by mutation of speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP). GLI3 is a substrate of SPOP-mediated proteasomal degradation in prostate cancer cells and prostate cancer driver mutations in SPOP abrogate GLI3 degradation. Functionally, GLI3 is necessary and sufficient for the growth and migration of androgen receptor (AR)-positive prostate cancer cells, particularly under androgen-depleted conditions. Importantly, we demonstrate that GLI3 physically interacts and functionally cooperates with AR to enrich an AR-dependent gene expression program leading to castration-resistant growth of xenografted prostate tumors. Finally, we identify an AR/GLI3 coregulated gene signature that is highly correlated with castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer and predictive of disease recurrence. Together, these findings reveal that hyperactivated GLI3 promotes castration-resistant growth of prostate cancer and provide a rationale for therapeutic targeting of GLI3 in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). IMPLICATIONS: We describe two clinically relevant mechanisms leading to hyperactivated GLI3 signaling and enhanced AR/GLI3 cross-talk, suggesting that GLI3-specific inhibitors might prove effective to block prostate cancer development or delay CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke Burleson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Janice J Deng
- Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Tai Qin
- Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Thu Minh Duong
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Yuqian Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Xiang Gu
- Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Debodipta Das
- Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Acarizia Easley
- Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Michael A Liss
- Department of Urology, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - P Renee Yew
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Roble Bedolla
- Department of Urology, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | | | - Tim Hui-Ming Huang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Yi Zou
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Yidong Chen
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Chun-Liang Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Haojie Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Lu-Zhe Sun
- Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
| | - Thomas G Boyer
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
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9
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Want MY, Karasik E, Gillard B, McGray AJR, Battaglia S. Inhibition of WHSC1 Allows for Reprogramming of the Immune Compartment in Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168742. [PMID: 34445452 PMCID: PMC8395944 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy initially demonstrated promising results in prostate cancer (PCa), but the modest or negative results of many recent trials highlight the need to overcome the poor immunogenicity of this cancer. The design of effective therapies for PCa is challenged by the limited understanding of the interface between PCa cells and the immune system in mediating therapeutic resistance. Prompted by our recent observations that elevated WHSC1, a histone methyltransferase known to promote progression of numerous cancers, can silence antigen processing and presentation in PCa, we performed a single-cell analysis of the intratumoral immune dynamics following in vivo pharmacological inhibition of WHSC1 in mice grafted with TRAMP C2 cells. We observed an increase in cytotoxic T and NK cells accumulation and effector function, accompanied by a parallel remodeling of the myeloid compartment, as well as abundant shifts in key ligand–receptor signaling pathways highlighting changes in cell-to-cell communication driven by WHSC1 inhibition. This comprehensive profiling of both immune and molecular changes during the course of WHSC1 blockade deepens our fundamental understanding of how anti-tumor immune responses develop and can be enhanced therapeutically for PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muzamil Y. Want
- Department of Immunology, Division of Translational Immuno Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (M.Y.W.); (A.J.R.M.)
| | - Ellen Karasik
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (E.K.); (B.G.)
| | - Bryan Gillard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (E.K.); (B.G.)
| | - A. J. Robert McGray
- Department of Immunology, Division of Translational Immuno Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (M.Y.W.); (A.J.R.M.)
| | - Sebastiano Battaglia
- Department of Immunology, Division of Translational Immuno Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (M.Y.W.); (A.J.R.M.)
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
- Correspondence:
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10
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Guldvik IJ, Ekseth L, Kishan AU, Stensvold A, Inderberg EM, Lilleby W. Circulating Tumor Cell Persistence Associates with Long-Term Clinical Outcome to a Therapeutic Cancer Vaccine in Prostate Cancer. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11070605. [PMID: 34206815 PMCID: PMC8303369 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11070605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
De novo metastatic or recurrence of prostate cancer (PC) remains life-threatening. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are noninvasive biomarkers and provide unique information that could enable tailored treatment. This study evaluated the impact of CTCs in PC patients eligible for peptide vaccine therapy. Twenty-seven patients were tested for CTCs with the CellCollector® device (Detector CANCER01(DC01)) during short-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) before cancer vaccine treatment (cohort 1) or salvage radiation (cohort 2). CTC counts were compared to clinicopathological parameters. In cohort 1, CTCs were correlated to immune responses, serum protein profiles, and clinical outcomes. In cohort 2, captured CTCs were further profiled for expression of PSMA, PAP, and PD-L1. Nine out of 22 patients (40.9%) in cohort 1 were CTC positive. These patients demonstrated vaccine-specific immune response (p = 0.009) and long-term prostate cancer-specific survival (log-rank, p = 0.008). All five patients in cohort 2 had CTCs at recurrence (count range 18–31), and 4/5 had CTCs positive for PSMA, PAP, and PD-L1. The DC01 CTC detection provides information beyond current clinical practice. Despite the small size of cohort 1, a correlation between CTC detection and outcome was shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Jenny Guldvik
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
- Correspondence:
| | - Lina Ekseth
- Faculty of Clinical Medicine, University of Stettin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Amar U. Kishan
- Department of Radiotherapy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
| | - Andreas Stensvold
- Department of Oncology, Østfold Hospital Trust, 1714 Kalnes, Norway;
| | - Else Marit Inderberg
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Wolfgang Lilleby
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway;
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11
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Kanayama M, Lu C, Luo J, Antonarakis ES. AR Splicing Variants and Resistance to AR Targeting Agents. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2563. [PMID: 34071114 PMCID: PMC8197115 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, advances in prostate cancer research have led to discovery and development of novel biomarkers and effective treatments. As treatment options diversify, it is critical to further develop and use optimal biomarkers for the purpose of maximizing treatment benefit and minimizing unwanted adverse effects. Because most treatments for prostate cancer target androgen receptor (AR) signaling, aberrations affecting this drug target are likely to emerge following the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), and it is conceivable that such aberrations may play a role in drug resistance. Among the many AR aberrations, we and others have been studying androgen receptor splice variants (AR-Vs), especially AR-V7, and have conducted preclinical and clinical studies to develop and validate the clinical utility of AR-V7 as a prognostic and potential predictive biomarker. In this review, we first describe mechanisms of AR-V generation, regulation and their functions from a molecular perspective. We then discuss AR-Vs from a clinical perspective, focusing on the significance of AR-Vs detected in different types of human specimens and AR-Vs as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayuko Kanayama
- Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (M.K.); (C.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Changxue Lu
- Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (M.K.); (C.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Jun Luo
- Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (M.K.); (C.L.); (J.L.)
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Emmanuel S. Antonarakis
- Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (M.K.); (C.L.); (J.L.)
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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12
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Zahm CD, Moseman JE, Delmastro LE, G Mcneel D. PD-1 and LAG-3 blockade improve anti-tumor vaccine efficacy. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1912892. [PMID: 33996265 PMCID: PMC8078506 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.1912892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Concurrent blockade of different checkpoint receptors, notably PD-1 and CTLA-4, elicits greater anti-tumor activity for some tumor types, and the combination of different checkpoint receptor inhibitors is an active area of clinical research. We have previously demonstrated that anti-tumor vaccination, by activating CD8 + T cells, increases the expression of PD-1, CTLA-4, LAG-3 and other inhibitory receptors, and the anti-tumor efficacy of vaccination can be increased with checkpoint blockade. In the current study, we sought to determine whether anti-tumor vaccination might be further improved with combined checkpoint blockade. Using an OVA-expressing mouse tumor model, we found that CD8 + T cells activated in the presence of professional antigen presenting cells (APC) expressed multiple checkpoint receptors; however, T cells activated without APCs expressed LAG-3 alone, suggesting that LAG-3 might be a preferred target in combination with vaccination. Using three different murine tumor models, and peptide or DNA vaccines targeting three tumor antigens, we assessed the effects of vaccines with blockade of PD-1 and/or LAG-3 on tumor growth. We report that, in each model, the anti-tumor efficacy of vaccination was increased with PD-1 and/or LAG-3 blockade. However, combined PD-1 and LAG-3 blockade elicited the greatest anti-tumor effect when combined with vaccination in a MycCaP prostate cancer model in which PD-1 blockade alone with vaccination targeting a “self” tumor antigen had less efficacy. These results suggest anti-tumor vaccination might best be combined with concurrent blockade of both PD-1 and LAG-3, and potentially other checkpoint receptors whose expression is increased on CD8 + T cells following vaccine-mediated activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Zahm
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Jena E Moseman
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Lauren E Delmastro
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Douglas G Mcneel
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
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13
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Gamat-Huber M, Jeon D, Johnson LE, Moseman JE, Muralidhar A, Potluri HK, Rastogi I, Wargowski E, Zahm CD, McNeel DG. Treatment Combinations with DNA Vaccines for the Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC). Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102831. [PMID: 33008010 PMCID: PMC7601088 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The only vaccine approved by FDA as a treatment for cancer is sipuleucel-T, a therapy for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Most investigators studying anti-tumor vaccines believe they will be most effective as parts of combination therapies, rather than used alone. Unfortunately, the cost and complexity of sipuleucel-T makes it difficult to feasibly be used in combination with many other agents. In this review article we discuss the use of DNA vaccines as a simpler vaccine approach that has demonstrated efficacy in several animal species. We discuss the use of DNA vaccines in combination with traditional treatments for mCRPC, and other immune-modulating treatments, in preclinical and early clinical trials for patients with mCRPC. Abstract Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is a challenging disease to treat, with poor outcomes for patients. One antitumor vaccine, sipuleucel-T, has been approved as a treatment for mCRPC. DNA vaccines are another form of immunotherapy under investigation. DNA immunizations elicit antigen-specific T cells that cause tumor cell lysis, which should translate to meaningful clinical responses. They are easily amenable to design alterations, scalable for large-scale manufacturing, and thermo-stable for easy transport and distribution. Hence, they offer advantages over other vaccine formulations. However, clinical trials with DNA vaccines as a monotherapy have shown only modest clinical effects against tumors. Standard therapies for CRPC including androgen-targeted therapies, radiation therapy and chemotherapy all have immunomodulatory effects, which combined with immunotherapies such as DNA vaccines, could potentially improve treatment. In addition, many investigational drugs are being developed which can augment antitumor immunity, and together with DNA vaccines can further enhance antitumor responses in preclinical models. We reviewed the literature available prior to July 2020 exploring the use of DNA vaccines in the treatment of prostate cancer. We also examined various approved and experimental therapies that could be combined with DNA vaccines to potentially improve their antitumor efficacy as treatments for mCRPC.
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14
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Huang H, Li J, Shen J, Lin L, Wu X, Xiang S, Li Y, Xu Y, Zhao Q, Zhao Y, Kaboli PJ, Li M, Li X, Wang W, Wen Q, Xiao Z. Increased ABCC4 Expression Induced by ERRα Leads to Docetaxel Resistance via Efflux of Docetaxel in Prostate Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1474. [PMID: 33014785 PMCID: PMC7493678 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Docetaxel is a major treatment for advanced prostate cancer (PCa); however, its resistance compromises clinical effectiveness. Estrogen receptor-related receptor alpha (ERRα) belongs to an orphan nuclear receptor superfamily and was recently found to be closely involved in cancer. In the present study, we found that ERRα was involved in docetaxel resistance in PCa. Overexpression of ERRα conferred docetaxel resistance in PCa cell lines, and cells with ERRα downregulation were more sensitive to docetaxel. Among the drug resistance-related genes, ABCC4 demonstrated synchronous expression after ERRα manipulation in cells. Moreover, both ERRα and ABCC4 were overexpressed in the docetaxel-resistant cell, which could be reversed by ERRα knockdown. The knockdown of ERRα also reversed the reduced drug accumulation in the docetaxel-resistant cell. We also demonstrated for the first time that ABCC4 was a direct target of ERRα as determined by the CHIP and luciferase assays. Bioinformatics analysis revealed high expression of ERRα and ABCC4 in PCa patients, and a number of potential ERRα/ABCC4 targets were predicted. In conclusion, our study demonstrated a critical role for ERRα in docetaxel resistance by directly targeting ABCC4 and stressed the importance of ERRα as a potential therapeutic target for drug-resistant PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houbao Huang
- Department of Urology, Yijishan Affiliated Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Hospital (T.C.M) Affiliated to Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jing Shen
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Ling Lin
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Xu Wu
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Shixin Xiang
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Yawei Li
- Department of Urology, Yijishan Affiliated Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Yujie Xu
- Department of Urology, Yijishan Affiliated Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Qijie Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Yueshui Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Parham Jabbarzadeh Kaboli
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Mingxing Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Weiping Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Affiliated Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Qinglian Wen
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhangang Xiao
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
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15
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Ben-Batalla I, Vargas-Delgado ME, von Amsberg G, Janning M, Loges S. Influence of Androgens on Immunity to Self and Foreign: Effects on Immunity and Cancer. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1184. [PMID: 32714315 PMCID: PMC7346249 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well-known that sex hormones can directly and indirectly influence immune cell function. Different studies support a suppressive role of androgens on different components of the immune system by decreasing antibody production, T cell proliferation, NK cytotoxicity, and stimulating the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Androgen receptors have also been detected in many different cells of hematopoietic origin leading to direct effects of their ligands on the development and function of the immune system. The immunosuppressive properties of androgens could contribute to gender dimorphisms in autoimmune and infectious disease and thereby also hamper immune surveillance of tumors. Consistently, females generally are more prone to autoimmunity, while relatively less susceptible to infections, and have lower incidence and mortality of the majority of cancers compared to males. Some studies show that androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can induce expansion of naïve T cells and increase T-cell responses. Emerging clinical data also reveal that ADT might enhance the efficacy of various immunotherapies including immune checkpoint blockade. In this review, we will discuss the potential role of androgens and their receptors in the immune responses in the context of different diseases. A particular focus will be on cancer, highlighting the effect of androgens on immune surveillance, tumor biology and on the efficacy of anti-cancer therapies including emerging immune therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Ben-Batalla
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - María Elena Vargas-Delgado
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gunhild von Amsberg
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Martini-Clinic, Prostate Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Janning
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Division of Personalized Medical Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sonja Loges
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Division of Personalized Medical Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
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16
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Kyriakopoulos CE, Eickhoff JC, Ferrari AC, Schweizer MT, Wargowski E, Olson BM, McNeel DG. Multicenter Phase I Trial of a DNA Vaccine Encoding the Androgen Receptor Ligand-binding Domain (pTVG-AR, MVI-118) in Patients with Metastatic Prostate Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:5162-5171. [PMID: 32513836 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-0945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Preclinical studies demonstrated that a DNA vaccine (pTVG-AR, MVI-118) encoding the androgen receptor ligand-binding domain (AR LBD) augmented antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, delayed prostate cancer progression and emergence of castration-resistant disease, and prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice. This vaccine was evaluated in a multicenter phase I trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) who had recently begun androgen deprivation therapy were randomly assigned to receive pTVG-AR on one of two treatment schedules over one year, and with or without GM-CSF as a vaccine adjuvant. Patients were followed for 18 months. Primary objectives were safety and immune response. Secondary objectives included median time to PSA progression, and 18-month PSA-PFS (PPFS). RESULTS Forty patients were enrolled at three centers. Twenty-seven patients completed treatment and 18 months of follow-up. Eleven patients (28%) had a PSA progression event before the 18-month time point. No grade 3 or 4 adverse events were observed. Of 30 patients with samples available for immune analysis, 14 (47%) developed Th1-type immunity to the AR LBD, as determined by IFNγ and/or granzyme B ELISPOT. Persistent IFNγ immune responses were observed irrespective of GM-CSF adjuvant. Patients who developed T-cell immunity had a significantly prolonged PPFS compared with patients without immunity (HR = 0.01; 95% CI, 0.0-0.21; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS pTVG-AR was safe and immunologically active in patients with mCSPC. Association between immunity and PPFS suggests that treatment may delay the time to castration resistance, consistent with preclinical findings, and will be prospectively evaluated in future trials.See related commentary by Shenderov and Antonarakis, p. 5056.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos E Kyriakopoulos
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jens C Eickhoff
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.,Department of Biostatistics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Anna C Ferrari
- Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center for Cancer Care, New York, New York
| | - Michael T Schweizer
- University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ellen Wargowski
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | | | - Douglas G McNeel
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.
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17
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Wang H, Xu H, Duan Y, Chen L. MicroRNA-337-3p suppresses cell viability, apoptosis, and autophagy by modulating PPARγ expression in androgen-dependent human prostate cancer. ALL LIFE 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/26895293.2020.1736188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hanfeng Xu
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Youjun Duan
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Libo Chen
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, People’s Republic of China
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18
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Olson B, Patnaik A. Utilizing precision medicine to modulate the prostate tumor microenvironment and enhance immunotherapy. Urol Oncol 2019; 37:535-542. [PMID: 30503851 PMCID: PMC8725604 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The last two decades of cancer research have seen two major advancements in our ability to treat cancer: precision medicine and immunotherapy. While these approaches have shown striking anticancer efficacy in numerous malignancies, they have not shown similar success and applicability in advanced prostate cancer patients. The fields of precision medicine and immunotherapy have come to realize that targeted therapies are capable of not only inhibiting tumor cell growth, but also promoting antitumor immunity by modulating the tumor microenvironment. Here we examine how personalized medicine can be used to target the tumor immune microenvironment in prostate cancer, with the goal of enhancing clinical responses to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Olson
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology and Department of Urology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
| | - Akash Patnaik
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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19
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Özdemir BC, Dotto GP. Sex Hormones and Anticancer Immunity. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:4603-4610. [PMID: 30890551 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The impact of sex hormones on anticancer immunity deserves attention due to the importance of the immune system in cancer therapy and the recognition of sex differences in immunity. Cancer is ultimately the result of failed immune surveillance, and the diverging effects of male and female sex hormones on anticancer immunity could contribute to the higher cancer incidence and poorer outcome in men. Estrogens and androgens affect the number and function of immune cells, an effect that depends on cell type, tumor microenvironment, and the age and reproductive status of the individual. Despite the recent progress in immuno-oncology, our current understanding of the interplay between sex hormones and anticancer immune responses is in its infancy. In this review, we will focus on the impact of sex hormones on anticancer immunity and immunotherapy. We will discuss the potential role of the changing hormone levels in anticancer immunity during aging and in the context of menopausal hormone therapies and oral contraception. We will review emerging data on sex differences in PD-L1 expression and potential biomarkers predictive for the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors such as the microbiome and consider ongoing clinical trials evaluating the potential impact of hormone deprivation therapies to increase response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in breast and prostate cancer. Finally, we will point to areas of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berna C Özdemir
- Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland. .,International Cancer Prevention Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Gian-Paolo Dotto
- International Cancer Prevention Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland. .,Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland.,Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts
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20
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Plourde G. Case Report # 8—Treatment Modalities in Development. Prostate Cancer 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-815966-8.00008-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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