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Walsh MJ, Ali LR, Lenehan P, Kureshi CT, Kureshi R, Dougan M, Knipe DM, Dougan SK. Blockade of innate inflammatory cytokines TNF α, IL-1 β, or IL-6 overcomes virotherapy-induced cancer equilibrium to promote tumor regression. IMMUNOTHERAPY ADVANCES 2023; 3:ltad011. [PMID: 37461742 PMCID: PMC10349916 DOI: 10.1093/immadv/ltad011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapeutics can lead to immune equilibrium in which the immune response controls tumor cell expansion without fully eliminating the cancer. The factors involved in this equilibrium remain incompletely understood, especially those that would antagonize the anti-tumor immune response and lead to tumor outgrowth. We previously demonstrated that continuous treatment with a non-replicating herpes simplex virus 1 expressing interleukin (IL)-12 induces a state of cancer immune equilibrium highly dependent on interferon-γ. We profiled the IL-12 virotherapy-induced immune equilibrium in murine melanoma, identifying blockade of innate inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), IL-1β, or IL-6 as possible synergistic interventions. Antibody depletions of each of these cytokines enhanced survival in mice treated with IL-12 virotherapy and helped to overcome equilibrium in some tumors. Single-cell RNA-sequencing demonstrated that blockade of inflammatory cytokines resulted in downregulation of overlapping inflammatory pathways in macrophages, shifting immune equilibrium towards tumor clearance, and raising the possibility that TNFα blockade could synergize with existing cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Walsh
- Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Program in Virology, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lestat R Ali
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick Lenehan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Courtney T Kureshi
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rakeeb Kureshi
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Dougan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David M Knipe
- Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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2
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Ventre KS, Roehle K, Bello E, Bhuiyan AM, Biary T, Crowley SJ, Bruck PT, Heckler M, Lenehan PJ, Ali LR, Stump CT, Lippert V, Clancy-Thompson E, Conce Alberto WD, Hoffman MT, Qiang L, Pelletier M, Akin JJ, Dougan M, Dougan SK. cIAP1/2 Antagonism Induces Antigen-Specific T Cell-Dependent Immunity. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:991-1003. [PMID: 36881882 PMCID: PMC10036868 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy has failed in pancreatic cancer and other poorly responsive tumor types in part due to inadequate T cell priming. Naive T cells can receive costimulation not only via CD28 but also through TNF superfamily receptors that signal via NF-κB. Antagonists of the ubiquitin ligases cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein (cIAP)1/2, also called second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (SMAC) mimetics, induce degradation of cIAP1/2 proteins, allowing for the accumulation of NIK and constitutive, ligand-independent activation of alternate NF-κB signaling that mimics costimulation in T cells. In tumor cells, cIAP1/2 antagonists can increase TNF production and TNF-mediated apoptosis; however, pancreatic cancer cells are resistant to cytokine-mediated apoptosis, even in the presence of cIAP1/2 antagonism. Dendritic cell activation is enhanced by cIAP1/2 antagonism in vitro, and intratumoral dendritic cells show higher expression of MHC class II in tumors from cIAP1/2 antagonism-treated mice. In this study, we use in vivo mouse models of syngeneic pancreatic cancer that generate endogenous T cell responses ranging from moderate to poor. Across multiple models, cIAP1/2 antagonism has pleiotropic beneficial effects on antitumor immunity, including direct effects on tumor-specific T cells leading to overall increased activation, increased control of tumor growth in vivo, synergy with multiple immunotherapy modalities, and immunologic memory. In contrast to checkpoint blockade, cIAP1/2 antagonism does not increase intratumoral T cell frequencies. Furthermore, we confirm our previous findings that even poorly immunogenic tumors with a paucity of T cells can experience T cell-dependent antitumor immunity, and we provide transcriptional clues into how these rare T cells coordinate downstream immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine S. Ventre
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Kevin Roehle
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA
| | - Elisa Bello
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Aladdin M. Bhuiyan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Tamara Biary
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Stephanie J. Crowley
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Patrick T. Bruck
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Max Heckler
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Patrick J. Lenehan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Lestat R. Ali
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Courtney T. Stump
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Victoria Lippert
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Eleanor Clancy-Thompson
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Winiffer D. Conce Alberto
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Megan T. Hoffman
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Li Qiang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Marc Pelletier
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA
| | - James J. Akin
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA
| | - Michael Dougan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Stephanie K. Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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3
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Ferris RL, Harrington K, Schoenfeld JD, Tahara M, Esdar C, Salmio S, Schroeder A, Bourhis J. Inhibiting the inhibitors: Development of the IAP inhibitor xevinapant for the treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 113:102492. [PMID: 36640618 PMCID: PMC11227656 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2022.102492] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Standard of care for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA SCCHN) is surgery followed by chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or definitive CRT. However, approximately 50 % of patients with LA SCCHN develop disease recurrence or metastasis within 2 years of completing treatment, and the outcome for these patients is poor. Despite this, the current treatment landscape for LA SCCHN has remained relatively unchanged for more than 2 decades, and novel treatment options are urgently required. One of the key causes of disease recurrence is treatment resistance, which commonly occurs due to cancer cells' ability to evade apoptosis. Evasion of apoptosis has been in part attributed to the overexpression of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). IAPs, including X-linked IAP (XIAP) and cellular IAP 1 and 2 (cIAP1/2), are a class of proteins that regulate apoptosis induced by intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. IAPs have been shown to be overexpressed in SCCHN, are associated with poor clinical outcomes, and are, therefore, a rational therapeutic target. To date, several IAP inhibitors have been investigated; however, only xevinapant, a potent, oral, small-molecule IAP inhibitor, has shown clinical proof of concept when combined with CRT. Specifically, xevinapant demonstrated superior efficacy in combination with CRT vs placebo + CRT in a randomized, double-blind, phase 2 trial in patients with unresected LA SCCHN. Here, we describe the current treatment landscape in LA SCCHN and provide the rationale for targeting IAPs and the clinical data reported for xevinapant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Ferris
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | | | | | - Makoto Tahara
- National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
| | | | | | | | - Jean Bourhis
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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4
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Lugani S, Halabi EA, Oh J, Kohler R, Peterson H, Breakefield XO, Chiocca EAA, Miller MA, Garris C, Weissleder R. Dual Immunostimulatory Pathway Agonism through a Synthetic Nanocarrier Triggers Robust Anti-Tumor Immunity in Murine Glioblastoma. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2208782. [PMID: 36427266 PMCID: PMC10197197 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202208782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Myeloid cells are abundant, create a highly immunosuppressive environment in glioblastoma (GBM), and thus contribute to poor immunotherapy responses. Based on the hypothesis that small molecules can be used to stimulate myeloid cells to elicit anti-tumor effector functions, a synthetic nanoparticle approach is developed to deliver dual NF-kB pathway-inducing agents into these cells via systemic administration. Synthetic, cyclodextrin-adjuvant nanoconstructs (CANDI) with high affinity for tumor-associated myeloid cells are dually loaded with a TLR7 and 8 (Toll-like receptor, 7 and 8) agonist (R848) and a cIAP (cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein) inhibitor (LCL-161) to dually activate these myeloid cells. Here CANDI is shown to: i) readily enter the GBM tumor microenvironment (TME) and accumulate at high concentrations, ii) is taken up by tumor-associated myeloid cells, iii) potently synergize payloads compared to monotherapy, iv) activate myeloid cells, v) fosters a "hot" TME with high levels of T effector cells, and vi) controls the growth of murine GBM as mono- and combination therapies with anti-PD1. Multi-pathway targeted myeloid stimulation via the CANDI platform can efficiently drive anti-tumor immunity in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Lugani
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114
- Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, 69120 Heidelberg
| | - Elias A. Halabi
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Juhyun Oh
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Rainer Kohler
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Hannah Peterson
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Xandra O. Breakefield
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - E. Antonio A. Chiocca
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Miles A. Miller
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Christopher Garris
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Ralph Weissleder
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115
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5
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A Review of the Current Impact of Inhibitors of Apoptosis Proteins and Their Repression in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071671. [PMID: 35406442 PMCID: PMC8996962 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) family of proteins has emerged as a potential pharmacological target in cancer. Abnormal expression of IAPs can lead to dysregulated cell suicide, promoting the development of different pathologies. In several cancer types, members of this protein family are overexpressed while their natural antagonist (Smac) appears to be downregulated, contributing to the acquisition of resistance to traditional therapy. The development of compounds that mimic the action of Smac showed promise in the re-sensitization of the cell suicide defense mechanism in cancer cells, particularly in combination with other treatments. Interaction with other molecules, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, in the tumor microenvironment reveals a complex interplay between IAPs and cancer. Abstract The Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) family possesses the ability to inhibit programmed cell death through different mechanisms; additionally, some of its members have emerged as important regulators of the immune response. Both direct and indirect activity on caspases or the modulation of survival pathways, such as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), have been implicated in mediating its effects. As a result, abnormal expression of inhibitor apoptosis proteins (IAPs) can lead to dysregulated apoptosis promoting the development of different pathologies. In several cancer types IAPs are overexpressed, while their natural antagonist, the second mitochondrial-derived activator of caspases (Smac), appears to be downregulated, potentially contributing to the acquisition of resistance to traditional therapy. Recently developed Smac mimetics counteract IAP activity and show promise in the re-sensitization to apoptosis in cancer cells. Given the modest impact of Smac mimetics when used as a monotherapy, pairing of these compounds with other treatment modalities is increasingly being explored. Modulation of molecules such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) present in the tumor microenvironment have been suggested to contribute to putative therapeutic efficacy of IAP inhibition, although published results do not show this consistently underlining the complex interaction between IAPs and cancer.
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6
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Roehle K, Qiang L, Ventre KS, Heid D, Ali LR, Lenehan P, Heckler M, Crowley SJ, Stump CT, Ro G, Godicelj A, Bhuiyan AM, Yang A, Quiles Del Rey M, Biary T, Luoma AM, Bruck PT, Tegethoff JF, Nopper SL, Li J, Byrne KT, Pelletier M, Wucherpfennig KW, Stanger BZ, Akin JJ, Mancias JD, Agudo J, Dougan M, Dougan SK. cIAP1/2 antagonism eliminates MHC class I-negative tumors through T cell-dependent reprogramming of mononuclear phagocytes. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabf5058. [PMID: 34011631 PMCID: PMC8406785 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abf5058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Loss of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) sensing are major causes of primary and acquired resistance to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. Thus, additional treatment options are needed for tumors that lose expression of MHC class I. The cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins 1 and 2 (cIAP1/2) regulate classical and alternative nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling. Induction of noncanonical NF-κB signaling with cIAP1/2 antagonists mimics costimulatory signaling, augmenting antitumor immunity. We show that induction of noncanonical NF-κB signaling induces T cell-dependent immune responses, even in β2-microglobulin (β2M)-deficient tumors, demonstrating that direct CD8 T cell recognition of tumor cell-expressed MHC class I is not required. Instead, T cell-produced lymphotoxin reprograms both mouse and human macrophages to be tumoricidal. In wild-type mice, but not mice incapable of antigen-specific T cell responses, cIAP1/2 antagonism reduces tumor burden by increasing phagocytosis of live tumor cells. Efficacy is augmented by combination with CD47 blockade. Thus, activation of noncanonical NF-κB stimulates a T cell-macrophage axis that curtails growth of tumors that are resistant to checkpoint blockade because of loss of MHC class I or IFN-γ sensing. These findings provide a potential mechanism for controlling checkpoint blockade refractory tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Roehle
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Li Qiang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Katherine S Ventre
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Daniel Heid
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lestat R Ali
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Patrick Lenehan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Max Heckler
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stephanie J Crowley
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Courtney T Stump
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Gabrielle Ro
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Anže Godicelj
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aladdin M Bhuiyan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Annan Yang
- Division of Radiation and Genome Stability, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Maria Quiles Del Rey
- Division of Radiation and Genome Stability, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Tamara Biary
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Adrienne M Luoma
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Patrick T Bruck
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jana F Tegethoff
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Svenja L Nopper
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jinyang Li
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Katelyn T Byrne
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marc Pelletier
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kai W Wucherpfennig
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ben Z Stanger
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - James J Akin
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Joseph D Mancias
- Division of Radiation and Genome Stability, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Judith Agudo
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael Dougan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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7
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Pemmaraju N, Chen NC, Verstovsek S. Immunotherapy and Immunomodulation in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2021; 35:409-429. [PMID: 33641877 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Myeloproliferative neoplasms are characterized by chronic inflammation. The discovery of constitutively active JAK-STAT signaling associated with driver mutations has led to clinical and translational breakthroughs. Insights into the other pathways and novel factors of potential importance are being actively investigated. Various classes of agents with immunomodulating or immunosuppressive properties have been used with varying degrees of success in treating myeloproliferative neoplasms. Early clinical trials are investigating the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors, cell-based immunotherapies, and SMAC mimetics. The dynamic landscape of immunotherapy and immunomodulation in myeloproliferative neoplasms is the topic of the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Pemmaraju
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard #3000, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Natalie C Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas School of Health Sciences at Houston, 6431 Fannin, MSB 1.150, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Srdan Verstovsek
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard #428, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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8
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Zhou X, Sun SC. Targeting ubiquitin signaling for cancer immunotherapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:16. [PMID: 33436547 PMCID: PMC7804490 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00421-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has become an attractive approach of cancer treatment with tremendous success in treating various advanced malignancies. The development and clinical application of immune checkpoint inhibitors represent one of the most extraordinary accomplishments in cancer immunotherapy. In addition, considerable progress is being made in understanding the mechanism of antitumor immunity and characterizing novel targets for developing additional therapeutic approaches. One active area of investigation is protein ubiquitination, a post-translational mechanism of protein modification that regulates the function of diverse immune cells in antitumor immunity. Accumulating studies suggest that E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases form a family of potential targets to be exploited for enhancing antitumor immunity in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Zhou
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 7455 Fannin Street, Box 902, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Shao-Cong Sun
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 7455 Fannin Street, Box 902, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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9
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Zhang YL, Duan XD, Feng L, Jiang WD, Wu P, Liu Y, Kuang SY, Tang L, Zhou XQ. Soybean glycinin impaired immune function and caused inflammation associated with PKC-ζ/NF-κb and mTORC1 signaling in the intestine of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 106:393-403. [PMID: 32800984 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Glycinin is a major protein and antinutritional factor of soybean. However, how dietary glycinin affect intestinal immune function of fish were largely unknown. In this study, we used juvenile grass carp as a model to investigate the impacts of glycinin on intestinal immune function of fish and involved mechanisms. We set three treatments including control, glycinin and glycinin + glutamine in this trial. For immune components, results revealed that compared with control group, glycinin group had lower acid phosphatase activities in the foregut, midgut and hindgut, lower C3 and C4 content, and lower mRNA abundances of IgM, IgZ, hepcidin, LEAP-2A, LEAP-2B and β-defensin-1 in the midgut and hindgut rather than foregut of grass carp. For pro-inflammatory cytokines and relevant signaling, glycinin elevated mRNA abundances of IL-1β, IL-8, IL-12p35, IL-12p40 and IL-17D in the midgut and IL-1β, IFN-γ2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p35, IL-12p40 and IL-17D in the hindgut, and increased protein abundances of PKC-ζ and nuclear NF-κB p65 in the midgut and hindgut in comparison to control. For anti-inflammatory cytokines and relevant signaling, glycinin reduced mRNA abundances of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, IL-4/13B (rather than IL-4/13A), IL-10 and IL-11 in the midgut and hindgut, and reduced p-mTOR (Ser 2448), p-S6K1 (Thr 389) and p-4EBP1 (Thr 37/46) protein abundances in the midgut and hindgut rather than foregut. Co-administration of glutamine with glycinin could partially enhance intestinal function and reduce intestinal inflammation compared with glycinin treatment. Concluded, glycinin decreased intestinal immune components and caused intestinal inflammation associated with PKC-ζ/NF-κB and mTORC1 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Lin Zhang
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Xu-Dong Duan
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Lin Feng
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China; Fish Nutrition and Safety Production University Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China; Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Wei-Dan Jiang
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China; Fish Nutrition and Safety Production University Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China; Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Pei Wu
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China; Fish Nutrition and Safety Production University Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China; Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China; Fish Nutrition and Safety Production University Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China; Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Sheng-Yao Kuang
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Academy of Animal Science, Chengdu, 610066, China
| | - Ling Tang
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Academy of Animal Science, Chengdu, 610066, China
| | - Xiao-Qiu Zhou
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China; Fish Nutrition and Safety Production University Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China; Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China.
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10
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Nakajima K, Ino Y, Yamazaki-Itoh R, Naito C, Shimasaki M, Takahashi M, Esaki M, Nara S, Kishi Y, Shimada K, Hiraoka N. IAP inhibitor, Embelin increases VCAM-1 levels on the endothelium, producing lymphocytic infiltration and antitumor immunity. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1838812. [PMID: 33178497 PMCID: PMC7595596 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1838812] [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] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing unmet need for successful immunotherapeutic interventions. Lymphocyte extravasation via tumor tissue endothelial cells (TECs) is required for lymphocyte infiltration into tumor sites. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of dysfunctional TECs in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and identify chemical compounds that boost tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) numbers. We performed immunohistochemical detection and clinicopathological analysis of VCAM-1 on TECs, which is essential for lymphocyte trafficking. We characterized the gene expression profiles of TECs from fresh PDAC tissues. We isolated compounds that upregulated VCAM-1 and E-selectin expression in TECs and examined their biological activities. Compared to endothelial cells from chronic pancreatitis tissue, TECs showed significantly lower VCAM-1 and E-selectin expression and significant weaknesses in lymphocyte adhesion and transmigration, resulting in decreased T cell infiltration around vessels. Patients with a relatively high percentage of VCAM-1+ vessels among all vessels in PDAC tissue had an improved prognosis. A bioinformatics survey demonstrated that TNFR1 signaling was involved in abnormal VCAM-1 and E-selectin expression in TECs. We screened compounds affecting TNFR1 signaling, and the IAP inhibitor, Embelin, induced these molecules on TECs and enhanced T cell adhesion to TECs and transmigration. Furthermore, in vivo, Embelin enhanced tumor-infiltrating T cell numbers, leading to an antitumor immune response. Embelin accelerates TIL infiltration and the antitumor immune response by recovering VCAM-1 expression in TECs. Our strategy may be a therapeutic approach for accelerating the immunotherapeutic response in immune-quiescent tumors, leading to clinical trials’ success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosei Nakajima
- Division of Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Ino
- Division of Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Analytical Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rie Yamazaki-Itoh
- Division of Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chie Naito
- Division of Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mari Shimasaki
- Division of Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mami Takahashi
- Central Animal Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minoru Esaki
- Hepato-Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nara
- Hepato-Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoji Kishi
- Hepato-Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Shimada
- Hepato-Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Hiraoka
- Division of Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Analytical Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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11
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Lei W, Duan R, Li J, Liu X, Huston A, Boyce BF, Yao Z. The IAP Antagonist SM-164 Eliminates Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Metastasis to Bone and Lung in Mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7004. [PMID: 32332865 PMCID: PMC7181667 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64018-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The most challenging issue for breast cancer (BC) patients is metastasis to other organs because current therapies do not prevent or eliminate metastatic BC. Here, we show that SM-164, a small molecule inhibitor, which degrades inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), eliminated early-stage metastases and reduced progression of advanced BC metastasis from MDA-MB-231 BC cells in bones and lungs of nude mice. Mechanistically, SM-164-induced BC cell death is TNFα-dependent, with TNFα produced by IL-4-polarized macrophages triggering MDA-MB-231 cell apoptosis in combination with SM-164. SM-164 also inhibited expression of RANKL, which mediates interactions between metastatic BC and host microenvironment cells and induces osteoclast-mediated osteolysis. SM-164 did not kill adriamycin-resistant BC cells, while adriamycin inhibited SM-164-resistant BC cell growth, similar to parental cells. We conclude that SM-164 is a promising therapeutic agent for early stage bone and lung metastasis from triple-negative breast cancer that should be given prior to conventional chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lei
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.,Department of Medical Imaging, Henan University First Affiliated Hospital, 357 Ximen Street, Kaifeng, Henan, 475001, P.R. China
| | - Rong Duan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Jinbo Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Alissa Huston
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Brendan F Boyce
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Zhenqiang Yao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
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12
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Hofmann MH, Mani R, Engelhardt H, Impagnatiello MA, Carotta S, Kerenyi M, Lorenzo-Herrero S, Böttcher J, Scharn D, Arnhof H, Zoephel A, Schnitzer R, Gerstberger T, Sanderson MP, Rajgolikar G, Goswami S, Vasu S, Ettmayer P, Gonzalez S, Pearson M, McConnell DB, Kraut N, Muthusamy N, Moll J. Selective and Potent CDK8/19 Inhibitors Enhance NK-Cell Activity and Promote Tumor Surveillance. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 19:1018-1030. [PMID: 32024684 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in controlling cancer. Multiple extracellular receptors and internal signaling nodes tightly regulate NK activation. Cyclin-dependent kinases of the mediator complex (CDK8 and CDK19) were described as a signaling intermediates in NK cells. Here, we report for the first time the development and use of CDK8/19 inhibitors to suppress phosphorylation of STAT1S727 in NK cells and to augment the production of the cytolytic molecules perforin and granzyme B (GZMB). Functionally, this resulted in enhanced NK-cell-mediated lysis of primary leukemia cells. Treatment with the CDK8/19 inhibitor BI-1347 increased the response rate and survival of mice bearing melanoma and breast cancer xenografts. In addition, CDK8/19 inhibition augmented the antitumoral activity of anti-PD-1 antibody and SMAC mimetic therapy, both agents that promote T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Treatment with the SMAC mimetic compound BI-8382 resulted in an increased number of NK cells infiltrating EMT6 tumors. Combination of the CDK8/19 inhibitor BI-1347, which augments the amount of degranulation enzymes, with the SMAC mimetic BI-8382 resulted in increased survival of mice carrying the EMT6 breast cancer model. The observed survival benefit was dependent on an intermittent treatment schedule of BI-1347, suggesting the importance of circumventing a hyporesponsive state of NK cells. These results suggest that CDK8/19 inhibitors can be combined with modulators of the adaptive immune system to inhibit the growth of solid tumors, independent of their activity on cancer cells, but rather through promoting NK-cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rajeswaran Mani
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | | | | | - Marc Kerenyi
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Seila Lorenzo-Herrero
- Department of Functional Biology, Universidad de Oviedo, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria del Principado de Asturias (IISPA), IUOPA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jark Böttcher
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dirk Scharn
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Girish Rajgolikar
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Swagata Goswami
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Sumithira Vasu
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - Segundo Gonzalez
- Department of Functional Biology, Universidad de Oviedo, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria del Principado de Asturias (IISPA), IUOPA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Mark Pearson
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Norbert Kraut
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Natarajan Muthusamy
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jürgen Moll
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
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13
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The Immuno-Modulatory Effects of Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein Antagonists in Cancer Immunotherapy. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010207. [PMID: 31947615 PMCID: PMC7017284 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of cancer cells is their ability to evade cell death via apoptosis. The inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are a family of proteins that act to promote cell survival. For this reason, upregulation of IAPs is associated with a number of cancer types as a mechanism of resistance to cell death and chemotherapy. As such, IAPs are considered a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment, based on the role of IAPs in resistance to apoptosis, tumour progression and poor patient prognosis. The mitochondrial protein smac (second mitochondrial activator of caspases), is an endogenous inhibitor of IAPs, and several small molecule mimetics of smac (smac-mimetics) have been developed in order to antagonise IAPs in cancer cells and restore sensitivity to apoptotic stimuli. However, recent studies have revealed that smac-mimetics have broader effects than was first attributed. It is now understood that they are key regulators of innate immune signalling and have wide reaching immuno-modulatory properties. As such, they are ideal candidates for immunotherapy combinations. Pre-clinically, successful combination therapies incorporating smac-mimetics and oncolytic viruses, as with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, have been reported, and clinical trials incorporating smac-mimetics and immune checkpoint blockade are ongoing. Here, the potential of IAP antagonism to enhance immunotherapy strategies for the treatment of cancer will be discussed.
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14
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Ye W, Gunti S, Allen CT, Hong Y, Clavijo PE, Van Waes C, Schmitt NC. ASTX660, an antagonist of cIAP1/2 and XIAP, increases antigen processing machinery and can enhance radiation-induced immunogenic cell death in preclinical models of head and neck cancer. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1710398. [PMID: 32002309 PMCID: PMC6959437 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1710398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) antagonists have shown activity in preclinical models of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and work across several cancer types has demonstrated diverse immune stimulatory effects including enhancement of T cell, NK cell, and dendritic cell function. However, tumor-cell-intrinsic mechanisms for this immune upregulation have been largely unexplored. In this study, we show that ASTX660, an antagonist of cIAP1/2 and XIAP, induces expression of immunogenic cell death (ICD) markers in sensitive HNSCC cell lines in vitro. Experiments in syngeneic mouse models of HNSCC showed that ASTX660 can also enhance radiation-induced ICD in vivo. On a functional level, ASTX660 also enhanced killing of multiple murine cell lines by cytotoxic tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and when combined with XRT, stimulated clonal expansion of antigen-specific T lymphocytes and expression of MHC class I on the surface of tumor cells. Flow cytometry experiments in several human HNSCC cell lines showed that MHC class I (HLA-A,B,C) was reliably upregulated in response to ASTX660 + TNFα, while increases in other antigen processing machinery (APM) components were variable among different cell lines. These findings suggest that ASTX660 may enhance anti-tumor immunity both by promoting ICD and by enhancing antigen processing and presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenda Ye
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Medical Research Scholars Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sreenivasulu Gunti
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Clint T Allen
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Youji Hong
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Paul E Clavijo
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carter Van Waes
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nicole C Schmitt
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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15
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Koch PD, Rodell CB, Kohler RH, Pittet MJ, Weissleder R. Myeloid Cell-Targeted Nanocarriers Efficiently Inhibit Cellular Inhibitor of Apoptosis for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:94-104.e5. [PMID: 31902676 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2019.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Immune-checkpoint blockers can promote sustained clinical responses in a subset of cancer patients. Recent research has shown that a subpopulation of tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells functions as gatekeepers, sensitizing tumors to anti-PD-1 treatment via production of interleukin-12 (IL-12). Hypothesizing that myeloid cell-targeted nanomaterials could be used to deliver small-molecule IL-12 inducers, we performed high-content image-based screening to identify the most efficacious small-molecule compounds. Using one lead candidate, LCL161, we created a myeloid-targeted nanoformulation that induced IL-12 production in intratumoral myeloid cells in vivo, slowed tumor growth as a monotherapy, and had no significant systemic toxicity. These results pave the way for developing combination immunotherapeutics by harnessing IL-12 production for immunostimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Koch
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Christopher B Rodell
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Rainer H Kohler
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Mikael J Pittet
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ralph Weissleder
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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16
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Rizk J, Kaplinsky J, Agerholm R, Kadekar D, Ivars F, Agace WW, Wong WWL, Szucs MJ, Myers SA, Carr SA, Waisman A, Bekiaris V. SMAC mimetics promote NIK-dependent inhibition of CD4 + T H17 cell differentiation. Sci Signal 2019; 12:eaaw3469. [PMID: 31455723 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aaw3469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (SMAC) mimetics (SMs) are selective antagonists of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), which activate noncanonical NF-κB signaling and promote tumor cell death. Through gene expression analysis, we found that treatment of CD4+ T cells with SMs during T helper 17 (TH17) cell differentiation disrupted the balance between two antagonistic transcription factor modules. Moreover, proteomics analysis revealed that SMs altered the abundance of proteins associated with cell cycle, mitochondrial activity, and the balance between canonical and noncanonical NF-κB signaling. Whereas SMs inhibited interleukin-17 (IL-17) production and ameliorated TH17 cell-driven inflammation, they stimulated IL-22 secretion. Mechanistically, SM-mediated activation of NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) and the transcription factors RelB and p52 directly suppressed Il17a expression and IL-17A protein production, as well as the expression of a number of other immune genes. Induction of IL-22 production correlated with the NIK-dependent reduction in cMAF protein abundance and the enhanced activity of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Last, SMs also increased IL-9 and IL-13 production and, under competing conditions, favored the differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells into TH2 cells rather than TH17 cells. These results demonstrate that SMs shape the gene expression and protein profiles of TH17 cells and inhibit TH17 cell-driven autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Rizk
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 202, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Joseph Kaplinsky
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 202, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Rasmus Agerholm
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 202, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Darshana Kadekar
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 202, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Fredrik Ivars
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - William W Agace
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 202, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - W Wei-Lynn Wong
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthew J Szucs
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Samuel A Myers
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Steven A Carr
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ari Waisman
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Str. 67, Mainz 55131, Germany
| | - Vasileios Bekiaris
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 202, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark.
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17
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Dougan SK, Dougan M. SMAC mimetics throw a molecular switch to control T H17 responses. Sci Signal 2019; 12:12/596/eaay3986. [PMID: 31455724 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aay3986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
IL-17 produced by TH17 cells plays a central role in numerous protective and pathologic immune responses. In this issue of Science Signaling, Rizk et al. define a molecular switch controlled by the cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins that regulates TH17 immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA. .,Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael Dougan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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18
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Clancy‐Thompson E, Chen GZ, LaMarche NM, Ali LR, Jeong H, Crowley SJ, Boelaars K, Brenner MB, Lynch L, Dougan SK. Transnuclear mice reveal Peyer's patch iNKT cells that regulate B-cell class switching to IgG1. EMBO J 2019; 38:e101260. [PMID: 31304630 PMCID: PMC6627243 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2018101260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue-resident iNKT cells maintain tissue homeostasis and peripheral surveillance against pathogens; however, studying these cells is challenging due to their low abundance and poor recovery from tissues. We here show that iNKT transnuclear mice, generated by somatic cell nuclear transfer, have increased tissue resident iNKT cells. We examined expression of PLZF, T-bet, and RORγt, as well as cytokine/chemokine profiles, and found that both monoclonal and polyclonal iNKT cells differentiated into functional subsets that faithfully replicated those seen in wild-type mice. We detected iNKT cells from tissues in which they are rare, including adipose, lung, skin-draining lymph nodes, and a previously undescribed population in Peyer's patches (PP). PP-NKT cells produce the majority of the IL-4 in Peyer's patches and provide indirect help for B-cell class switching to IgG1 in both transnuclear and wild-type mice. Oral vaccination with α-galactosylceramide shows enhanced fecal IgG1 titers in iNKT cell-sufficient mice. Transcriptional profiling reveals a unique signature of PP-NKT cells, characterized by tissue residency. We thus define PP-NKT as potentially important for surveillance for mucosal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gui Zhen Chen
- Department of Cancer Immunology and VirologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMAUSA
| | - Nelson M LaMarche
- Department of RheumatologyBrigham and Women's HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Program in ImmunologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Lestat R Ali
- Department of Cancer Immunology and VirologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMAUSA
| | - Hee‐Jin Jeong
- Department of Cancer Immunology and VirologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMAUSA
- Present address:
Hongik UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Stephanie J Crowley
- Department of Cancer Immunology and VirologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMAUSA
| | - Kelly Boelaars
- Department of Cancer Immunology and VirologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMAUSA
- VU University AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Michael B Brenner
- Department of RheumatologyBrigham and Women's HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Program in ImmunologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Lydia Lynch
- Department of RheumatologyBrigham and Women's HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Program in ImmunologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and VirologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMAUSA
- Program in ImmunologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
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19
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Balachandran VP, Beatty GL, Dougan SK. Broadening the Impact of Immunotherapy to Pancreatic Cancer: Challenges and Opportunities. Gastroenterology 2019; 156:2056-2072. [PMID: 30660727 PMCID: PMC6486864 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 278] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is projected to become the second deadliest cancer in the United States by 2025, with 5-year survival at less than 10%. In other recalcitrant cancers, immunotherapy has shown unprecedented response rates, including durable remissions after drug discontinuation. However, responses to immunotherapy in PDAC are rare. Accumulating evidence in mice and humans suggests that this remarkable resistance is linked to the complex, dueling role of the immune system in simultaneously promoting and restraining PDAC. In this review, we highlight the rationale that supports pursuing immunotherapy in PDAC, outline the key barriers that limit immunotherapy efficacy, and summarize the primary preclinical and clinical efforts to sensitize PDAC to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinod P Balachandran
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Service, Department of Surgery, David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
| | - Gregory L Beatty
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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20
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Dougan M, Dranoff G, Dougan SK. Cancer Immunotherapy: Beyond Checkpoint Blockade. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CANCER BIOLOGY 2019; 3:55-75. [PMID: 37539076 PMCID: PMC10400018 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cancerbio-030518-055552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Blocking antibodies to the immune checkpoint receptors or their ligands have revolutionized the treatment of diverse malignancies. Many tumors are recognized by adaptive immunity, but these adaptive responses can be inhibited by immunosuppressive mechanisms within the tumor, often through pathways outside of the currently targeted checkpoints. For this reason, only a minority of cancer patients achieve durable responses to current immunotherapies. Multiple novel approaches strive to expand immunotherapy's reach. These may include targeting alternative immune checkpoints. However, many investigational strategies look beyond checkpoint blockade. These include cellular therapies to bypass endogenous immunity and efforts to stimulate new adaptive antitumor responses using vaccines, adjuvants, and combinations with cytotoxic therapy, as well as strategies to inhibit innate immune suppression and modulate metabolism within the tumor microenvironment. The challenge for immunotherapy going forward will be to select rational strategies for overcoming barriers to effective antitumor responses from the myriad possible targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Dougan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Glenn Dranoff
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
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21
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Cong H, Xu L, Wu Y, Qu Z, Bian T, Zhang W, Xing C, Zhuang C. Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (IAP) Antagonists in Anticancer Agent Discovery: Current Status and Perspectives. J Med Chem 2019; 62:5750-5772. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Cong
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan 750004, China
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Lijuan Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan 750004, China
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yougen Wu
- College of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, 58 Renmin Avenue, Haikou 570228, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Zhuo Qu
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Tengfei Bian
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Wannian Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan 750004, China
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chengguo Xing
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Chunlin Zhuang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan 750004, China
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
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22
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Abstract
The inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are a family of proteins that were chiefly known for their ability to inhibit apoptosis by blocking caspase activation or activity. Recent research has shown that cellular IAP1 (cIAP1), cIAP2, and X-linked IAP (XIAP) also regulate signaling by receptors of the innate immune system by ubiquitylating their substrates. These IAPs thereby act at the intersection of pathways leading to cell death and inflammation. Mutation of IAP genes can impair tissue homeostasis and is linked to several human diseases. Small-molecule IAP antagonists have been developed to treat certain malignant, infectious, and inflammatory diseases. Here, we will discuss recent advances in our understanding of the functions of cIAP1, cIAP2, and XIAP; the consequences of their mutation or dysregulation; and the therapeutic potential of IAP antagonist drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najoua Lalaoui
- Cell Signalling and Cell Death, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3050, Australia
| | - David Lawrence Vaux
- Cell Signalling and Cell Death, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3050, Australia
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23
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Miles MA, Hawkins CJ. Mutagenic assessment of chemotherapy and Smac mimetic drugs in cells with defective DNA damage response pathways. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14421. [PMID: 30258062 PMCID: PMC6158240 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32517-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA damaging therapies can spur the formation of therapy-related cancers, due to mis-repair of lesions they create in non-cancerous cells. This risk may be amplified in patients with impaired DNA damage responses. We disabled key DNA damage response pathways using genetic and pharmacological approaches, and assessed the impact of these deficiencies on the mutagenicity of chemotherapy drugs or the "Smac mimetic" GDC-0152, which kills tumor cells by targeting XIAP, cIAP1 and 2. Doxorubicin and cisplatin provoked mutations in more surviving cells deficient in ATM, p53 or the homologous recombination effector RAD51 than in wild type cells, but suppressing non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) by disabling DNA-PKcs prevented chemotherapy-induced mutagenesis. Vincristine-induced mutagenesis required p53 and DNA-PKcs but was not affected by ATM status, consistent with it provoking ATM-independent p53-mediated activation of caspases and CAD, which creates DNA lesions in surviving cells that could be mis-repaired by NHEJ. Encouragingly, GDC-0152 failed to stimulate mutations in cells with proficient or defective DNA damage response pathways. This study highlights the elevated oncogenic risk associated with treating DNA repair-deficient patients with genotoxic anti-cancer therapies, and suggests a potential advantage for Smac mimetic drugs over traditional therapies: a reduced risk of therapy-related cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Miles
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christine J Hawkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.
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24
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Dougan SK, Dougan M. Regulation of innate and adaptive antitumor immunity by IAP antagonists. Immunotherapy 2018; 10:787-796. [PMID: 29807457 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2017-0185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of the T-cell co-inhibitory checkpoint receptors or their ligands CTLA-4, PD-1 and PD-L1 using monoclonal antibodies has proven to be highly effective against many cancers. Yet many cancers remain resistant to checkpoint blockade, and durable remissions occur in only a minority of patients. Novel approaches to enhancing antitumor responses are thus necessary in order to expand the reach of these treatments. The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein family comprises a diverse group of proteins, many of which have immunoregulatory roles. Small molecule IAP antagonists have been developed and are undergoing early phase clinical testing. These drugs were initially developed to promote tumor cell apoptosis; however, a considerable body of work now indicates that IAP antagonists induce antitumor activity through modulation of innate and adaptive immunity. Primarily through inhibition of cellular (c)-IAP1 and c-IAP2, IAP antagonists can activate alternative NF-κB signaling, promoting B-cell survival, activation of dendritic cells and delivering a broad co-stimulatory signal to T cells. At the same time, IAP antagonists can promote tumor cell intrinsic sensitization to innate immune signals, and enhance tumor cell killing by inflammatory cytokines and phagocytic macrophages. These drugs thus represent an attractive investigational approach to immunotherapy, providing a positive signaling counterpart to the relief of signal inhibition conferred by checkpoint blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael Dougan
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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