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Naba A. Mechanisms of assembly and remodelling of the extracellular matrix. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024:10.1038/s41580-024-00767-3. [PMID: 39223427 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00767-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the complex meshwork of proteins and glycans that forms the scaffold that surrounds and supports cells. It exerts key roles in all aspects of metazoan physiology, from conferring physical and mechanical properties on tissues and organs to modulating cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation and migration. Understanding the mechanisms that orchestrate the assembly of the ECM scaffold is thus crucial to understand ECM functions in health and disease. This Review discusses novel insights into the compositional diversity of matrisome components and the mechanisms that lead to tissue-specific assemblies and architectures tailored to support specific functions. The Review then highlights recently discovered mechanisms, including post-translational modifications and metabolic pathways such as amino acid availability and the circadian clock, that modulate ECM secretion, assembly and remodelling in homeostasis and human diseases. Last, the Review explores the potential of 'matritherapies', that is, strategies to normalize ECM composition and architecture to achieve a therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Naba
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
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2
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Crespo-Bravo M, Hettich A, Thorlacius-Ussing J, Cox TR, Karsdal MA, Willumsen N. Type XII collagen is elevated in serum from patients with solid tumors: a non-invasive biomarker of activated fibroblasts. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:166. [PMID: 39048763 PMCID: PMC11269340 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-024-01431-y] [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: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME) and extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial in cancer research due to their impact on tumor progression. Collagens, major ECM components, regulate cell signaling and behavior. Of the 28 reported collagens, type XII collagen is known to be vital for ECM organization. Over-produced by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), its upregulation correlates with poor survival in various cancers. This study aimed to develop an ELISA for quantifying circulating type XII collagen as a cancer biomarker. A specific ELISA targeting the C-terminal of type XII collagen was developed and used to analyze serum samples from cancer patients (n = 203) and healthy controls (n = 33). Additionally, type XII collagen expression was assessed in CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) from different tissues, both under TGF-β stimulated and non-stimulated conditions. The nordicPRO-C12 ELISA demonstrated robustness and specificity for type XII collagen. PRO-C12 levels were significantly elevated in patients with various cancers compared to healthy controls and effectively distinguished between cancer patients and controls. Findings were validated using gene expression data. Furthermore, Western blot analysis revealed increased type XII collagen expression in both CAFs and NFs upon TGF-β1 stimulation, suggesting a potential role of TGF-β1 in modulating the expression of type XII collagen in cancerous and normal tissue microenvironments. This study unveils a promising avenue for harnessing PRO-C12 as a non-invasive serum biomarker, enabling the quantification of type XII collagen fragments in cancer patients. Further investigations are warranted to explore the potential of PRO-C12 across different cancer types and disease stages, shedding light on its multifaceted role in cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Crespo-Bravo
- Nordic Bioscience A/S, 2730, Herlev, Denmark.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Annika Hettich
- Nordic Bioscience A/S, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Thomas R Cox
- Matrix and Metastasis Lab, Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Reese-Petersen AL, Breisnes HW, Gabor D, Rønnow SR, Manoel B, Bajaj M, Arenstorff CSV, Aighobahi E, Vestermark R, Karsdal MA. Biomarker-guided drug development provides value for patients, payers and drug developers: lessons learned from 25 years in the biomarker industry. Biomarkers 2024; 29:222-232. [PMID: 38606909 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2024.2342016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is an urgent, persistent, need for better biomarkers in clinical drug development. More informative biomarkers can increase the likelihood of drug advancement or approval, and implementing biomarkers increases the success rate in drug development. Biomarkers may guide decisions and allow resources to be directed to the projects most likely to succeed. However, biomarkers that are validated to high standards are needed, reflecting biological and pathological processes accurately. Such biomarkers are needed to develop treatments faster, and to improve and guide clinical trial design by selecting and de-selecting patients. METHODS In this review based on the authors' previous published experience and interaction with pharmaceutical- and biomarker stakeholders, we highlight the use and value of biomarkers in clinical development according to the BEST guidelines. We highlight the value of 3 types of biomarkers that may provide optimal value to stakeholders: diagnostic, prognostic and pharmacodynamic biomarkers. RESULTS A more appropriate clinical trial design, increasing the ratio between benefits and side effects, may come from a more tailored biomarker-approach identifying suitable molecular endotypes of patients to treat. DISCUSSION Biomarkers may guide drug developers in selecting the optimal projects to progress, when designing clinical studies and development paths. Biomarkers may aid in the diagnosis and prognostic assessment of patients and assist in matching the molecular endotype to the selected treatment, which improves the success rate of clinical development progression. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive ideation framework for how to utilize biomarkers in clinical development, with a focus on utility for patients, payers and drug developers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel Gabor
- Research and Development, Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Sarah R Rønnow
- Research and Development, Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Bruna Manoel
- Research and Development, Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mayuur Bajaj
- Research and Development, Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Elijah Aighobahi
- Research and Development, Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Rune Vestermark
- Research and Development, Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Morten A Karsdal
- Research and Development, Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
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Mai Z, Lin Y, Lin P, Zhao X, Cui L. Modulating extracellular matrix stiffness: a strategic approach to boost cancer immunotherapy. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:307. [PMID: 38693104 PMCID: PMC11063215 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06697-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The interplay between extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness and the tumor microenvironment is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in cancer progression and the efficacy of immunotherapy. This review comprehensively discusses the key factors regulating ECM remodeling, including the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts and the accumulation and crosslinking of ECM proteins. Furthermore, it provides a detailed exploration of how ECM stiffness influences the behaviors of both tumor and immune cells. Significantly, the impact of ECM stiffness on the response to various immunotherapy strategies, such as immune checkpoint blockade, adoptive cell therapy, oncolytic virus therapy, and therapeutic cancer vaccines, is thoroughly examined. The review also addresses the challenges in translating research findings into clinical practice, highlighting the need for more precise biomaterials that accurately mimic the ECM and the development of novel therapeutic strategies. The insights offered aim to guide future research, with the potential to enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhao Mai
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Yunfan Lin
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Pei Lin
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinyuan Zhao
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China.
| | - Li Cui
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China.
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5
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Lv D, Fei Y, Chen H, Wang J, Han W, Cui B, Feng Y, Zhang P, Chen J. Crosstalk between T lymphocyte and extracellular matrix in tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1340702. [PMID: 38690275 PMCID: PMC11058664 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1340702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex three-dimensional structure composed of proteins, glycans, and proteoglycans, constituting a critical component of the tumor microenvironment. Complex interactions among immune cells, extracellular matrix, and tumor cells promote tumor development and metastasis, consequently influencing therapeutic efficacy. Hence, elucidating these interaction mechanisms is pivotal for precision cancer therapy. T lymphocytes are an important component of the immune system, exerting direct anti-tumor effects by attacking tumor cells or releasing lymphokines to enhance immune effects. The ECM significantly influences T cells function and infiltration within the tumor microenvironment, thereby impacting the behavior and biological characteristics of tumor cells. T cells are involved in regulating the synthesis, degradation, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix through the secretion of cytokines and enzymes. As a result, it affects the proliferation and invasive ability of tumor cells as well as the efficacy of immunotherapy. This review discusses the mechanisms underlying T lymphocyte-ECM interactions in the tumor immune microenvironment and their potential application in immunotherapy. It provides novel insights for the development of innovative tumor therapeutic strategies and drug.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jiao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Center for Stomatology and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Macdonald JK, Clift CL, Saunders J, Zambrzycki SC, Mehta AS, Drake RR, Angel PM. Differential Protease Specificity by Collagenase as a Novel Approach to Serum Proteomics That Includes Identification of Extracellular Matrix Proteins without Enrichment. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024; 35:487-497. [PMID: 38329320 PMCID: PMC10921462 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Circulating extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are serological biomarkers of interest due to their association with pathologies involving disease processes such as fibrosis and cancers. In this study, we investigate the potential for serum biomarker research using differential protease specificity (DPS), leveraging alternate protease specificity as a targeting mechanism to selectively digest circulating ECM protein serum proteins. A proof-of-concept study is presented using serum from patients with cirrhotic liver or hepatocellular carcinoma. The approach uses collagenase DPS for digestion of deglycosylated serum and liquid-chromatography-trapped ion mobility-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-TIMS-MS/MS) to enhance the detection of ECM proteins in serum. It requires no sample enrichment and minimizes the albumin average precursor intensity readout to less than 1.2%. We further demonstrate the capabilities for using the method as a high-throughput matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) assay coupled with reference library searching. A goal is to improve the depth and breadth of biofluid proteomics for noninvasive assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade K. Macdonald
- Department of Cell and Molecular
Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, United States
| | | | | | - Stephen C. Zambrzycki
- Department of Cell and Molecular
Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, United States
| | - Anand S. Mehta
- Department of Cell and Molecular
Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, United States
| | - Richard R. Drake
- Department of Cell and Molecular
Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, United States
| | - Peggi M. Angel
- Department of Cell and Molecular
Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, United States
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龙 世, 吴 翠, 曾 柱. [The Three-dimensional Environment of Type Ⅰ Collagen Gels With Varying Stiffness Modulates the Immunological Functions of NK Cells]. SICHUAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF SICHUAN UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCE EDITION 2024; 55:81-86. [PMID: 38322517 PMCID: PMC10839474 DOI: 10.12182/20240160401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Objective To construct type Ⅰ collagen gels with different stiffness and to investigate the effects of three-dimensional (3D) culture environments of the gels on the morphology, free migration ability, and cell killing function of natural killer (NK) cells. Methods Type Ⅰ collagen was isolated from the tails of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and collagen gels with different levels of stiffnesses were prepared accordingly. The microstructure of the collagen gels was observed by laser confocal microscopy. The stiffness of the collagen gels was assessed by measuring the plateau modulus with a rheometer. NK-92MI cells were cultured in collagen gels with different levels of stiffness. The morphology of NK-92MI cells was observed by inverted microscope. High content imaging system was used to record the free migration process of NK-92MI cells and analyze the migration speed and distance. NK-92MI cells were cultured with type Ⅰ collagen gels with different levels of stiffness for 24 h and 48 h and, then, co-cultured with human colorectal DLD-1, a human adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line. CCK8 assay was performed to determine the proliferation rate of DLD-1 cells and analyze the cell killing ability of NK-92MI cells. Results Low-stiffness type Ⅰ collagen gel and high-stiffness type Ⅰ collagen gel with the respective stiffness of (10.970±2.10) Pa and (114.50±3.40) Pa were successfully prepared. Compared with those cultured with the low-stiffness type Ⅰ collagen gel, the NK-92MI cells in the high-stiffness type Ⅰ collagen gel showed a more elongated shape (P<0.05), the mean area of the cells was reduced ([69.88±26.97] μm2 vs. [46.59±21.62] μm2, P<0.05), the roundness of the cells decreased (0.82±0.12 vs. 0.78±0.18, P<0.05), cell migration speed decreased ([2.50±0.91] μm/min vs. [1.70±0.72] μm/min, P<0.001) and the migration distance was shortened ([147.10±53.74] μm vs. [98.03± 40.95] μm, P<0.0001), with all the differences being statistically significant. Compared with those cultured with the low-stiffness type Ⅰ collagen gel, NK-92MI cells cultured with high-stiffness type Ⅰ collagen gel for 24 h could promote DLD-1 cell proliferation, with the proliferation rate being (46.39±12.79)% vs. (65.87±4.45)% (P<0.05) and reduce the cell killing ability. Comparison of the cells cultured for 48 h led to similar results, with the proliferation rates being (31.36±2.88)% vs. (74.57±2.16)% (P<0.05), and the differences were all statistically significant. Conclusion The 3D culture environment of type Ⅰ collagen gels with different levels of stiffness alters the morphology, migration ability, and killing function of NK-92MI cells. This study provides the research basis for exploring and understanding the mechanisms by which the biomechanical microenvironment affects the immune response of NK cells, as well as laying the theoretical foundation for optimizing immunotherapy protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- 世棋 龙
- 贵州医科大学基础医学院/生物与工程学院 免疫学教研室 (贵阳 550029)School of Basic Medicine/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550029, China
| | - 翠芳 吴
- 贵州医科大学基础医学院/生物与工程学院 免疫学教研室 (贵阳 550029)School of Basic Medicine/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550029, China
| | - 柱 曾
- 贵州医科大学基础医学院/生物与工程学院 免疫学教研室 (贵阳 550029)School of Basic Medicine/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550029, China
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Fejza A, Carobolante G, Poletto E, Camicia L, Schinello G, Di Siena E, Ricci G, Mongiat M, Andreuzzi E. The entanglement of extracellular matrix molecules and immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer: a systematic review of the literature. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1270981. [PMID: 37854588 PMCID: PMC10579931 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1270981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as a core pillar of cancer therapy as single agents or in combination regimens both in adults and children. Unfortunately, ICIs provide a long-lasting therapeutic effect in only one third of the patients. Thus, the search for predictive biomarkers of responsiveness to ICIs remains an urgent clinical need. The efficacy of ICIs treatments is strongly affected not only by the specific characteristics of cancer cells and the levels of immune checkpoint ligands, but also by other components of the tumor microenvironment, among which the extracellular matrix (ECM) is emerging as key player. With the aim to comprehensively describe the relation between ECM and ICIs' efficacy in cancer patients, the present review systematically evaluated the current literature regarding ECM remodeling in association with immunotherapeutic approaches. Methods This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO, CRD42022351180). PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were comprehensively searched from inception to January 2023. Titles, abstracts and full text screening was performed to exclude non eligible articles. The risk of bias was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. Results After employing relevant MeSH and key terms, we identified a total of 5070 studies. Among them, 2540 duplicates, 1521 reviews or commentaries were found and excluded. Following title and abstract screening, the full text was analyzed, and 47 studies meeting the eligibility criteria were retained. The studies included in this systematic review comprehensively recapitulate the latest observations associating changes of the ECM composition following remodeling with the traits of the tumor immune cell infiltration. The present study provides for the first time a broad view of the tight association between ECM molecules and ICIs efficacy in different tumor types, highlighting the importance of ECM-derived proteolytic products as promising liquid biopsy-based biomarkers to predict the efficacy of ICIs. Conclusion ECM remodeling has an important impact on the immune traits of different tumor types. Increasing evidence pinpoint at ECM-derived molecules as putative biomarkers to identify the patients that would most likely benefit from ICIs treatments. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022351180, identifier CRD42022351180.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albina Fejza
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, UBT-Higher Education Institute, Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - Greta Carobolante
- Department of Research and Diagnosis, Division of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Evelina Poletto
- Department of Research and Diagnosis, Division of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Camicia
- Department of Research and Diagnosis, Division of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Giorgia Schinello
- Department of Research and Diagnosis, Division of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Emanuele Di Siena
- Department of Research and Diagnosis, Division of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mongiat
- Department of Research and Diagnosis, Division of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Eva Andreuzzi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
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Roy AM, Iyer R, Chakraborty S. The extracellular matrix in hepatocellular carcinoma: Mechanisms and therapeutic vulnerability. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101170. [PMID: 37652015 PMCID: PMC10518608 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101170] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is influenced by a "disorganized" extracellular matrix (ECM) that sensitizes cancer cells toward mechanical stress, signaling, and structural alterations. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), lack of knowledge about key ECM proteins driving the TME refractory to targeted therapies poses a barrier to the identification of new therapeutic targets. Herein, we discuss the contributions of various ECM components that impact hepatocytes and their surrounding support network during tumorigenesis. In addition, the underpinnings by which ECM proteins transduce mechanical signals to the liver TME are detailed. Finally, in view of the bidirectional feedback between the ECM, transformed hepatocytes, and immune cells, we highlight the potential role of the ECM disorganization process in shaping responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies. Our comprehensive characterization of these ECM components may provide a roadmap for innovative therapeutic approaches to restrain HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arya Mariam Roy
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Renuka Iyer
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
| | - Sayan Chakraborty
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; Program of Developmental Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263.
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Wang H, Jin J, Zhang C, Gong F, Hu B, Wu X, Guan M, Xia D. Multifunctional Drugs-Loaded Carbomol Hydrogel Promotes Diabetic Wound Healing via Antimicrobial and Immunoregulation. Gels 2023; 9:761. [PMID: 37754442 PMCID: PMC10530860 DOI: 10.3390/gels9090761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic wound healing poses a significant clinical dilemma. Bacterial infection and immune dysregulation are the predominant reasons. However, conventional wound dressings with a single treatment approach often limit therapeutic efficacy and continue working with difficulty. These limitations cause high treatment failure for diabetic wounds. In this study, we developed a multiple drug-loaded carbomer hydrogel containing Que/Van/Rif (QVR-CBMG) for the simultaneous treatment of infection and immune dysregulation. Honeycomb-like QVR-CBMG hydrogel exhibits excellent abilities to eliminate bacterial infection and biofilms in vitro. Moreover, QVR-CBMG hydrogel possesses an immunomodulatory capacity via affecting the Sirt3/SOD2 signaling pathway to promote M2 macrophages. Furthermore, QVR-CBMG hydrogel effectively promotes wound healing in diabetic rats through several mechanisms. The multidrug-loaded wound dressing not only eliminates bacterial infection and facilitated angiogenesis but also promotes collagen deposition and remodulates the local immune microenvironment in the areas of wounds. In summary, this synthetic strategy to eliminate infection and regulate immune disorders has potential translational value for the prevention and management of diabetic wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hehui Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China; (H.W.); (C.Z.); (F.G.); (B.H.); (X.W.)
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China;
| | - Jiale Jin
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China;
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China; (H.W.); (C.Z.); (F.G.); (B.H.); (X.W.)
| | - Fangyi Gong
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China; (H.W.); (C.Z.); (F.G.); (B.H.); (X.W.)
| | - Baiwen Hu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China; (H.W.); (C.Z.); (F.G.); (B.H.); (X.W.)
| | - Xiaochuan Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China; (H.W.); (C.Z.); (F.G.); (B.H.); (X.W.)
| | - Ming Guan
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China;
| | - Dongdong Xia
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China; (H.W.); (C.Z.); (F.G.); (B.H.); (X.W.)
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Harper EI, Weeraratna AT. A Wrinkle in TIME: How Changes in the Aging ECM Drive the Remodeling of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:1973-1981. [PMID: 37671471 PMCID: PMC10654931 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARY Cancer is an age-related disease, with the majority of patients receiving their diagnosis after the age of 60 and most mortality from cancer occurring after this age. The tumor microenvironment changes drastically with age, which in turn affects cancer progression and treatment efficacy. Age-related changes to individual components of the microenvironment have received well-deserved attention over the past few decades, but the effects of aging at the interface of two or more microenvironmental components have been vastly understudied. In this perspective, we discuss the relationship between the aging extracellular matrix and the aging immune system, how they affect the tumor microenvironment, and how these multidisciplinary studies may open avenues for new therapeutics. Cancer is a disease of aging. With a rapidly aging population, we need to better understand the age-related changes that drive tumor progression, ranging from secreted changes to biophysical and immune changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth I. Harper
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Ashani T. Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans Street, Room 485, Baltimore, MD 21205
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Hasselbalch HC, Junker P, Skov V, Kjær L, Knudsen TA, Larsen MK, Holmström MO, Andersen MH, Jensen C, Karsdal MA, Willumsen N. Revisiting Circulating Extracellular Matrix Fragments as Disease Markers in Myelofibrosis and Related Neoplasms. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4323. [PMID: 37686599 PMCID: PMC10486581 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Philadelphia chromosome-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) arise due to acquired somatic driver mutations in stem cells and develop over 10-30 years from the earliest cancer stages (essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera) towards the advanced myelofibrosis stage with bone marrow failure. The JAK2V617F mutation is the most prevalent driver mutation. Chronic inflammation is considered to be a major pathogenetic player, both as a trigger of MPN development and as a driver of disease progression. Chronic inflammation in MPNs is characterized by persistent connective tissue remodeling, which leads to organ dysfunction and ultimately, organ failure, due to excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Considering that MPNs are acquired clonal stem cell diseases developing in an inflammatory microenvironment in which the hematopoietic cell populations are progressively replaced by stromal proliferation-"a wound that never heals"-we herein aim to provide a comprehensive review of previous promising research in the field of circulating ECM fragments in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of MPNs. We address the rationales and highlight new perspectives for the use of circulating ECM protein fragments as biologically plausible, noninvasive disease markers in the management of MPNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Carl Hasselbalch
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; (V.S.); (L.K.); (T.A.K.); (M.K.L.)
| | - Peter Junker
- Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark;
| | - Vibe Skov
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; (V.S.); (L.K.); (T.A.K.); (M.K.L.)
| | - Lasse Kjær
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; (V.S.); (L.K.); (T.A.K.); (M.K.L.)
| | - Trine A. Knudsen
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; (V.S.); (L.K.); (T.A.K.); (M.K.L.)
| | - Morten Kranker Larsen
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; (V.S.); (L.K.); (T.A.K.); (M.K.L.)
| | - Morten Orebo Holmström
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Herlev Hospital, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.O.H.); (M.H.A.)
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Herlev Hospital, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.O.H.); (M.H.A.)
| | - Christina Jensen
- Nordic Bioscience A/S, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (C.J.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
| | - Morten A. Karsdal
- Nordic Bioscience A/S, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (C.J.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
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13
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Flies DB, Langermann S, Jensen C, Karsdal MA, Willumsen N. Regulation of tumor immunity and immunotherapy by the tumor collagen extracellular matrix. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1199513. [PMID: 37662958 PMCID: PMC10470046 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1199513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been known for decades that the tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) is dysfunctional leading to loss of tissue architecture and promotion of tumor growth. The altered ECM and tumor fibrogenesis leads to tissue stiffness that act as a physical barrier to immune cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment (TME). It is becoming increasingly clear that the ECM plays important roles in tumor immune responses. A growing body of data now indicates that ECM components also play a more active role in immune regulation when dysregulated ECM components act as ligands to interact with receptors on immune cells to inhibit immune cell subpopulations in the TME. In addition, immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors that are approved to treat cancer are often hindered by ECM changes. In this review we highlight the ways by which ECM alterations affect and regulate immunity in cancer. More specifically, how collagens and major ECM components, suppress immunity in the complex TME. Finally, we will review how our increased understanding of immune and immunotherapy regulation by the ECM is leading towards novel disruptive strategies to overcome immune suppression.
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14
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Tumor decellularization reveals proteomic and mechanical characteristics of the extracellular matrix of primary liver cancer. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 146:213289. [PMID: 36724550 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Tumor initiation and progression are critically dependent on interaction of cancer cells with their cellular and extracellular microenvironment. Alterations in the composition, integrity, and mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) dictate tumor processes including cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Also in primary liver cancer, consisting of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), the dysregulation of the extracellular environment by liver fibrosis and tumor desmoplasia is pertinent. Yet, the exact changes occurring in liver cancer ECM remain uncharacterized and underlying tumor-promoting mechanisms remain largely unknown. Herein, an integrative molecular and mechanical approach is used to extensively characterize the ECM of HCC and CCA tumors by utilizing an optimized decellularization technique. We identified a myriad of proteins in both tumor and adjacent liver tissue, uncovering distinct malignancy-related ECM signatures. The resolution of this approach unveiled additional ECM-related proteins compared to large liver cancer transcriptomic datasets. The differences in ECM protein composition resulted in divergent mechanical properties on a macro- and micro-scale that are tumor-type specific. Furthermore, the decellularized tumor ECM was employed to create a tumor-specific hydrogel that supports patient-derived tumor organoids, which provides a new avenue for personalized medicine applications. Taken together, this study contributes to a better understanding of alterations to composition, stiffness, and collagen alignment of the tumor ECM that occur during liver cancer development.
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15
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Ziogas DC, Theocharopoulos C, Koutouratsas T, Haanen J, Gogas H. Mechanisms of resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma: What we have to overcome? Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 113:102499. [PMID: 36542945 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2022.102499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Marching into the second decade after the approval of ipilimumab, it is clear that immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have dramatically improved the prognosis of melanoma. Although the current edge is already high, with a 4-year OS% of 77.9% for adjuvant nivolumab and a 6.5-year OS% of 49% for nivolumab/ipilimumab combination in the metastatic setting, a high proportion of patients with advanced melanoma have no benefit from immunotherapy, or experience an early disease relapse/progression in the first few months of treatment, surviving much less. Reasonably, the primary and acquired resistance to ICIs has entered into the focus of clinical research with positive (e.g., nivolumab and relatlimab combination) and negative feedbacks (e.g., nivolumab with pegylated-IL2, pembrolizumab with T-VEC, nivolumab with epacadostat, and combinatorial triplets of BRAF/MEK inhibitors with immunotherapy). Many intrinsic (intracellular or intra-tumoral) but also extrinsic (systematic) events are considered to be involved in the development of this resistance to ICIs: i) melanoma cell immunogenicity (e.g., tumor mutational burden, antigen-processing machinery and immunogenic cell death, neoantigen affinity and heterogeneity, genomic instability, melanoma dedifferentiation and phenotypic plasticity), ii) immune cell trafficking, T-cell priming, and cell death evasion, iii) melanoma neovascularization, cellular TME components(e.g., Tregs, CAFs) and extracellular matrix modulation, iv) metabolic antagonism in the TME(highly glycolytic status, upregulated CD39/CD73/adenosine pathway, iDO-dependent tryptophan catabolism), v) T-cell exhaustion and negative immune checkpoints, and vi) gut microbiota. In the present overview, we discuss how these parameters compromise the efficacy of ICIs, with an emphasis on the lessons learned by the latest melanoma studies; and in parallel, we describe the main ongoing approaches to overcome the resistance to immunotherapy. Summarizing this information will improve the understanding of how these complicated dynamics contribute to immune escape and will help to develop more effective strategies on how anti-tumor immunity can surpass existing barriers of ICI-refractory melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios C Ziogas
- First Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
| | - Charalampos Theocharopoulos
- First Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
| | - Tilemachos Koutouratsas
- First Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
| | - John Haanen
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Helen Gogas
- First Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
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16
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Li Y, Li F, Sun Z, Li J. A review of literature: role of long noncoding RNA TPT1-AS1 in human diseases. CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF SPANISH ONCOLOGY SOCIETIES AND OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE OF MEXICO 2023; 25:306-315. [PMID: 36112261 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-022-02947-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Human diseases are multifactorial processes mainly driven by the intricate interactions of genetic and environmental factors. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a type of non-coding RNAs with more than 200 nucleotides. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the dysregulation of lncRNAs is associated with complex biological as well as pathological processes through various mechanism, especially the regulation of gene transcription and related signal transduction pathways. Moreover, an increasing number of studies have explored lncRNA-based clinical applications in different diseases. For instance, the lncRNA Tumor Protein Translationally Controlled 1 (TPT1) Antisense RNA 1 (TPT1-AS1) was found to be dysregulated in several types of disease and strongly associated with patient prognosis and diverse clinical features. Recent studies have also documented that TPT1-AS1 modulates numerous biological processes through multiple mechanisms, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, invasion, migration, radiosensitivity, chemosensitivity, stemness, and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. Furthermore, TPT1-AS1 was regarded as a promising biomarker for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of several human diseases. In this review, we summarize the role of TPT1-AS1 in human diseases with the aspects of its expression, relevant clinical characteristics, molecular mechanisms, biological functions, and subsequent clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshedong Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Fulei Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshedong Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Zongzong Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshedong Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
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17
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Caron JM, Han X, Lary CW, Sathyanarayana P, Remick SC, Ernstoff MS, Herlyn M, Brooks PC. Targeting the secreted RGDKGE collagen fragment reduces PD‑L1 by a proteasome‑dependent mechanism and inhibits tumor growth. Oncol Rep 2023; 49:44. [PMID: 36633146 PMCID: PMC9868893 DOI: 10.3892/or.2023.8481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Structural alterations of collagen impact signaling that helps control tumor progression and the responses to therapeutic intervention. Integrins represent a class of receptors that include members that mediate collagen signaling. However, a strategy of directly targeting integrins to control tumor growth has demonstrated limited activity in the clinical setting. New molecular understanding of integrins have revealed that these receptors can regulate both pro‑ and anti‑tumorigenic functions in a cell type‑dependent manner. Therefore, designing strategies that block pro‑tumorigenic signaling, without impeding anti‑tumorigenic functions, may lead to development of more effective therapies. In the present study, evidence was provided for a novel signaling cascade in which β3‑integrin‑mediated binding to a secreted RGDKGE‑containing collagen fragment stimulates an autocrine‑like signaling pathway that differentially governs the activity of both YAP and (protein kinase‑A) PKA, ultimately leading to alterations in the levels of immune checkpoint molecule PD‑L1 by a proteasome dependent mechanism. Selectively targeting this collagen fragment, reduced nuclear YAP levels, and enhanced PKA and proteasome activity, while also exhibiting significant antitumor activity in vivo. The present findings not only provided new mechanistic insight into a previously unknown autocrine‑like signaling pathway that may provide tumor cells with the ability to regulate PD‑L1, but our findings may also help in the development of more effective strategies to control pro‑tumorigenic β3‑integrin signaling without disrupting its tumor suppressive functions in other cellular compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M. Caron
- MaineHealth Institute for Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA
| | - Xianghua Han
- MaineHealth Institute for Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA
| | - Christine W. Lary
- MaineHealth Institute for Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA
| | - Pradeep Sathyanarayana
- MaineHealth Institute for Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA
| | - Scot C. Remick
- MaineHealth Institute for Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA
| | - Marc S. Ernstoff
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Developmental Therapeutics Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | - Peter C. Brooks
- MaineHealth Institute for Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA,Correspondence to: Dr Peter C. Brooks, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, 81 Research Drive, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA, E-mail:
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18
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Type XXII Collagen Complements Fibrillar Collagens in the Serological Assessment of Tumor Fibrosis and the Outcome in Pancreatic Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233763. [PMID: 36497023 PMCID: PMC9738409 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating fragments of type III collagen, measured by PRO-C3, has shown promising results as a tumor fibrosis biomarker. However, the fibrotic tumor microenvironment consists of many other collagens with diverse functions and unexplored biomarker potential. One example hereof is type XXII collagen (COL22). In this study, we investigated the biomarker potential of COL22 by measuring this in serum. An ELISA, named PRO-C22, was developed and measured in two serum cohorts consisting of patients with various solid tumors (n = 220) and healthy subjects (n = 33) (Cohort 1), and patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) (n = 34), and healthy subjects (n = 20) (Cohort 2). In Cohort 1, PRO-C22 was elevated in the serum from patients with solid tumors, compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.01 to p < 0.0001), and the diagnostic accuracy (AUROC) ranged from 0.87 to 0.98, p < 0.0001. In Cohort 2, the high levels of PRO-C22, in patients with PDAC, were predictive of a worse overall survival (HR = 4.52, 95% CI 1.90−10.7, p = 0.0006) and this remained significant after adjusting for PRO-C3 (HR = 4.27, 95% CI 1.24−10.4, p = 0.0013). In conclusion, PRO-C22 has diagnostic biomarker potential in various solid tumor types and prognostic biomarker potential in PDAC. Furthermore, PRO-C22 complemented PRO-C3 in predicting mortality, suggesting an additive prognostic value when quantifying different collagens.
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19
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Popovic A, Tartare-Deckert S. Role of extracellular matrix architecture and signaling in melanoma therapeutic resistance. Front Oncol 2022; 12:924553. [PMID: 36119516 PMCID: PMC9479148 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.924553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is critical for maintaining tissue homeostasis therefore its production, assembly and mechanical stiffness are highly regulated in normal tissues. However, in solid tumors, increased stiffness resulting from abnormal ECM structural changes is associated with disease progression, an increased risk of metastasis and poor survival. As a dynamic and key component of the tumor microenvironment, the ECM is becoming increasingly recognized as an important feature of tumors, as it has been shown to promote several hallmarks of cancer via biochemical and biomechanical signaling. In this regard, melanoma cells are highly sensitive to ECM composition, stiffness and fiber alignment because they interact directly with the ECM in the tumor microenvironment via cell surface receptors, secreted factors or enzymes. Importantly, seeing as the ECM is predominantly deposited and remodeled by myofibroblastic stromal fibroblasts, it is a key avenue facilitating their paracrine interactions with melanoma cells. This review gives an overview of melanoma and further describes the critical roles that ECM properties such as ECM remodeling, ECM-related proteins and stiffness play in cutaneous melanoma progression, tumor cell plasticity and therapeutic resistance. Finally, given the emerging importance of ECM dynamics in melanoma, future perspectives on therapeutic strategies to normalize the ECM in tumors are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Popovic
- Université Côte d’Azur, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M), Nice, France
- Team Microenvironnement, Signaling and Cancer, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Sophie Tartare-Deckert
- Université Côte d’Azur, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M), Nice, France
- Team Microenvironnement, Signaling and Cancer, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
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20
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Xu J, Cao W, Wang P, Liu H. Tumor-Derived Membrane Vesicles: A Promising Tool for Personalized Immunotherapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070876. [PMID: 35890175 PMCID: PMC9318328 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-derived membrane vesicles (TDMVs) are non-invasive, chemotactic, easily obtained characteristics and contain various tumor-borne substances, such as nucleic acid and proteins. The unique properties of tumor cells and membranes make them widely used in drug loading, membrane fusion and vaccines. In particular, personalized vectors prepared using the editable properties of cells can help in the design of personalized vaccines. This review focuses on recent research on TDMV technology and its application in personalized immunotherapy. We elucidate the strengths and challenges of TDMVs to promote their application from theory to clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabin Xu
- School of Stomatology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China; (J.X.); (P.W.)
- Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Wenqiang Cao
- Zhuhai Jinan Selenium Source Nanotechnology Co., Ltd., Jinan University, Zhuhai 519000, China;
| | - Penglai Wang
- School of Stomatology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China; (J.X.); (P.W.)
- Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Zhuhai Jinan Selenium Source Nanotechnology Co., Ltd., Jinan University, Zhuhai 519000, China;
- Correspondence:
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21
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Fromme JE, Zigrino P. The Role of Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Skin Tumor Progression and Therapeutic Resistance. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:864302. [PMID: 35558554 PMCID: PMC9086898 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.864302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix remodeling in the skin results from a delicate balance of synthesis and degradation of matrix components, ensuring tissue homeostasis. These processes are altered during tumor invasion and growth, generating a microenvironment that supports growth, invasion, and metastasis. Apart from the cellular component, the tumor microenvironment is rich in extracellular matrix components and bound factors that provide structure and signals to the tumor and stromal cells. The continuous remodeling in the tissue compartment sustains the developing tumor during the various phases providing matrices and proteolytic enzymes. These are produced by cancer cells and stromal fibroblasts. In addition to fostering tumor growth, the expression of specific extracellular matrix proteins and proteinases supports tumor invasion after the initial therapeutic response. Lately, the expression and structural modification of matrices were also associated with therapeutic resistance. This review will focus on the significant alterations in the extracellular matrix components and the function of metalloproteinases that influence skin cancer progression and support the acquisition of therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E. Fromme
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Mildred Scheel School of Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (MSSO ABCD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Paola Zigrino
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- *Correspondence: Paola Zigrino,
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22
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Willumsen N, Jensen C, Green G, Nissen NI, Neely J, Nelson DM, Pedersen RS, Frederiksen P, Chen IM, Boisen MK, Johansen AZ, Madsen DH, Svane IM, Lipton A, Leitzel K, Ali SM, Erler JT, Hurkmans DP, Mathijssen RHJ, Aerts J, Eslam M, George J, Christiansen C, Bissel MJ, Karsdal MA. Fibrotic activity quantified in serum by measurements of type III collagen pro-peptides can be used for prognosis across different solid tumor types. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:204. [PMID: 35332383 PMCID: PMC8948122 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04226-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Due to activation of fibroblast into cancer-associated fibroblasts, there is often an increased deposition of extracellular matrix and fibrillar collagens, e.g. type III collagen, in the tumor microenvironment (TME) that leads to tumor fibrosis (desmoplasia). Tumor fibrosis is closely associated with treatment response and poor prognosis for patients with solid tumors. To assure that the best possible treatment option is provided for patients, there is medical need for identifying patients with high (or low) fibrotic activity in the TME. Measuring unique collagen fragments such as the pro-peptides released into the bloodstream during fibrillar collagen deposition in the TME can provide a non-invasive measure of the fibrotic activity. Based on data from 8 previously published cohorts, this review provides insight into the prognostic value of quantifying tumor fibrosis by measuring the pro-peptide of type III collagen in serum of a total of 1692 patients with different solid tumor types and discusses the importance of tumor fibrosis for understanding prognosis and for potentially guiding future drug development efforts that aim at overcoming the poor outcome associated with a fibrotic TME.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christina Jensen
- Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Neel I Nissen
- Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Inna M Chen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mogens K Boisen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Astrid Z Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Daniel H Madsen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Allan Lipton
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Kim Leitzel
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | | | - Janine T Erler
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daan P Hurkmans
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ron H J Mathijssen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joachim Aerts
- Department of Pulmonology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mohammed Eslam
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jacob George
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Mina J Bissel
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Morten A Karsdal
- Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
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23
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Nissen NI, Johansen AZ, Chen I, Johansen JS, Pedersen RS, Hansen CP, Karsdal MA, Willumsen N. Collagen Biomarkers Quantify Fibroblast Activity In Vitro and Predict Survival in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:819. [PMID: 35159087 PMCID: PMC8833921 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of novel tools to understand tumour-fibrosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and novel anti-fibrotic treatments are highly needed. We established a pseudo-3D in vitro model including humane pancreatic fibroblasts (PFs) and pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in combination with clinical collagen biomarkers, as a translational anti-fibrotic drug screening tool. Furthermore, we investigated the prognostic potential of serum collagen biomarkers in 810 patients with PDAC. PFs and CAFs were cultured in Ficoll-media. Cells were treated w/wo TGF-ß1 and the anti-fibrotic compound ALK5i. Biomarkers measuring the formation of type III (PRO-C3) and VI (PRO-C6) collagens were measured by ELISA in supernatant at days 3, 6, 9, and 12. PRO-C3 and PRO-C6, and their association with overall survival (OS), were evaluated in serum with PDAC (n = 810). PRO-C3 and PRO-C6 were upregulated in CAFs compared to PFs (p < 0.0001.). TGF-ß1 increased PRO-C3 in both PFs and CAFs (p < 0.0001). The anti-fibrotic compound ALK5i inhibited both PRO-C3 and PRO-C6 (p < 0.0001). High serum levels of PRO-C3 and PRO-C6 in patients with PDAC were associated with short OS (PRO-C3: HR = 1.48, 95%CI: 1.29-1.71, p < 0.0001 and PRO-C6: HR = 1.31, 95%CI: 1.14-1.50, p = 0.0002). PRO-C3 and PRO-C6 have the potential to be used both pre-clinically and clinically as a measure of tumor fibrosis and CAF activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neel I. Nissen
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen (UCPH), 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (R.S.P.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
| | - Astrid Z. Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital—Herlev and Gentofte, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (A.Z.J.); (I.C.); (J.S.J.)
| | - Inna Chen
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital—Herlev and Gentofte, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (A.Z.J.); (I.C.); (J.S.J.)
| | - Julia S. Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital—Herlev and Gentofte, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (A.Z.J.); (I.C.); (J.S.J.)
- Department of Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital—Herlev and Gentofte, 2730 Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rasmus S. Pedersen
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (R.S.P.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carsten P. Hansen
- Department of Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Morten A. Karsdal
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (R.S.P.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
| | - Nicholas Willumsen
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (R.S.P.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
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24
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Pires A, Burnell S, Gallimore A. Exploiting ECM remodelling to promote immune-mediated tumour destruction. Curr Opin Immunol 2022; 74:32-38. [PMID: 34627015 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2021.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy represents a significant breakthrough in cancer treatment mainly due to the ability to harness the activities of cancer-specific T cells. Despite this, most cancers remain resistant to T cell attack. Many reasons have been proposed to explain this, ranging from a lack of antigenicity through to the immunosuppressive effects of the tumour microenvironment. In this review, we examine the relationship between the immune system and a key component of the tumour microenvironment, namely the extracellular matrix (ECM). Specifically, we explore the reciprocal effects of immune cells and the tumour ECM and how the processes underpinning this relationship act to either promote or restrain tumour progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Pires
- Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Burnell
- Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Awen Gallimore
- Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
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25
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Thorseth ML, Carretta M, Jensen C, Mølgaard K, Jürgensen HJ, Engelholm LH, Behrendt N, Willumsen N, Madsen DH. Uncovering Mediators of Collagen Degradation in the Tumor Microenvironment. Matrix Biol Plus 2022; 13:100101. [PMID: 35198964 PMCID: PMC8841889 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2022.100101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Collagen cleavage in tumors is primarily mediated by FAP+ cancer-associated fibroblasts. Collagen fibers are cleaved in an MMP-dependent manner. Released collagen fragments are internalized by M2-like tumor-associated macrophages and cancer-associated fibroblasts. The mannose receptor is central in collagen internalization by tumor-associated macrophages.
Increased remodeling of the extracellular matrix in malignant tumors has been shown to correlate with tumor aggressiveness and a poor prognosis. This remodeling involves degradation of the original extracellular matrix (ECM) and deposition of a new tumor-supporting ECM. The main constituent of the ECM is collagen and collagen turnover mainly occurs in a sequential manner, where initial proteolytic cleavage of the insoluble fibers is followed by cellular internalization of large well-defined collagen fragments for lysosomal degradation. However, despite extensive research in the field, a lack of consensus on which cell types within the tumor microenvironment express the involved proteases still exists. Furthermore, the relative contribution of different cell types to collagen internalization is not well-established. Here, we developed quantitative ex vivo collagen degradation assays and show that the proteases responsible for the initial collagen cleavage in two murine syngeneic tumor models are matrix metalloproteinases produced by cancer-associated fibroblasts and that collagen degradation fragments are endocytosed primarily by tumor-associated macrophages and cancer-associated fibroblasts from the tumor stroma. Using tumors from mannose receptor-deficient mice, we show that this receptor is essential for collagen-internalization by tumor-associated macrophages. Together, these findings identify the cell types responsible for the entire collagen degradation pathway, from initial cleavage to endocytosis of fragments for intracellular degradation.
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26
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Rømer AMA, Thorseth ML, Madsen DH. Immune Modulatory Properties of Collagen in Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:791453. [PMID: 34956223 PMCID: PMC8692250 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.791453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
During tumor growth the extracellular matrix (ECM) undergoes dramatic remodeling. The normal ECM is degraded and substituted with a tumor-specific ECM, which is often of higher collagen density and increased stiffness. The structure and collagen density of the tumor-specific ECM has been associated with poor prognosis in several types of cancer. However, the reason for this association is still largely unknown. Collagen can promote cancer cell growth and migration, but recent studies have shown that collagens can also affect the function and phenotype of various types of tumor-infiltrating immune cells such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and T cells. This suggests that tumor-associated collagen could have important immune modulatory functions within the tumor microenvironment, affecting cancer progression as well as the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. The effects of tumor-associated collagen on immune cells could help explain why a high collagen density in tumors is often correlated with a poor prognosis. Knowledge about immune modulatory functions of collagen could potentially identify targets for improving current cancer therapies or for development of new treatments. In this review, the current knowledge about the ability of collagen to influence T cell activity will be summarized. This includes direct interactions with T cells as well as induction of immune suppressive activity in other immune cells such as macrophages. Additionally, the potential effects of collagen on the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Mette Askehøj Rømer
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Marie-Louise Thorseth
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel Hargbøl Madsen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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27
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Abstract
Melanoma is the most lethal skin cancer that originates from the malignant transformation of melanocytes. Although melanoma has long been regarded as a cancerous malignancy with few therapeutic options, increased biological understanding and unprecedented innovations in therapies targeting mutated driver genes and immune checkpoints have substantially improved the prognosis of patients. However, the low response rate and inevitable occurrence of resistance to currently available targeted therapies have posed the obstacle in the path of melanoma management to obtain further amelioration. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying melanoma pathogenesis more comprehensively, which might lead to more substantial progress in therapeutic approaches and expand clinical options for melanoma therapy. In this review, we firstly make a brief introduction to melanoma epidemiology, clinical subtypes, risk factors, and current therapies. Then, the signal pathways orchestrating melanoma pathogenesis, including genetic mutations, key transcriptional regulators, epigenetic dysregulations, metabolic reprogramming, crucial metastasis-related signals, tumor-promoting inflammatory pathways, and pro-angiogenic factors, have been systemically reviewed and discussed. Subsequently, we outline current progresses in therapies targeting mutated driver genes and immune checkpoints, as well as the mechanisms underlying the treatment resistance. Finally, the prospects and challenges in the development of melanoma therapy, especially immunotherapy and related ongoing clinical trials, are summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weinan Guo
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 127 of West Changle Road, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Huina Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 127 of West Changle Road, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chunying Li
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 127 of West Changle Road, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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28
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Wang S, Yuan Q, Zhao W, Zhou W. Circular RNA RBM33 contributes to extracellular matrix degradation via miR-4268/EPHB2 axis in abdominal aortic aneurysm. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12232. [PMID: 34820156 PMCID: PMC8603816 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex vascular disease involving expansion of the abdominal aorta. Extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation is crucial to AAA pathogenesis, however, the specific molecular mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate differentially expressed circular RNAs (DEcircRNAs) involved in ECM degradation of AAA. Methods Transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the DEcircRNAs between the AAA tissues and normal tissues. The expression of circRNAs in tissues and cells was validated using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). Overexpression of circRNAs in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) treated with angiotensin II (Ang II) was employed to explore its effect on ECM degradation of AAA. Bioinformatic technology, luciferase reporter gene assay, RT-qPCR, and rescue experiment were employed to evaluate the regulatory mechanism of circRNA. Results We identified 65 DEcircRNAs in AAA tissues compared with normal abdominal aortic tissues, including 30 up-regulated and 35 down-regulated circRNAs, which were mainly involved in inflammation and ECM-related functions and pathways. Moreover, circRBM33 was significantly increased in AAA tissues and Ang II-induced VSMCs compared with control samples. Overexpression of circRBM33 increased the expression of ECM-related molecule matrix metalloproteinase-2 and reduced the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 expression. Mechanistically, miR-4268 targeted binding to circRBM33 and inhibited the luciferase activity of circRBM33. Overexpression of circRBM33 induced the expression of EPH receptor B2 (EPHB2), and this effect was countered by miR-4268 mimics. Conclusions Overall, our data suggest that circRBM33 might be involved in AAA progression by regulating ECM degradation via the miR-4268/EPHB2 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhi Wang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qingwen Yuan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wenpeng Zhao
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Weimin Zhou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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29
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Vijver SV, Singh A, Mommers-Elshof ETAM, Meeldijk J, Copeland R, Boon L, Langermann S, Flies D, Meyaard L, Ramos MIP. Collagen Fragments Produced in Cancer Mediate T Cell Suppression Through Leukocyte-Associated Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor 1. Front Immunol 2021; 12:733561. [PMID: 34691040 PMCID: PMC8529287 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.733561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex structure comprised of tumor, immune and stromal cells, vasculature, and extracellular matrix (ECM). During tumor development, ECM homeostasis is dysregulated. Collagen remodeling by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) generates specific collagen fragments, that can be detected in the circulation of cancer patients and correlate with poor disease outcome. Leukocyte-Associated Immunoglobulin-like Receptor-1 (LAIR-1) is an inhibitory collagen receptor expressed on immune cells in the TME and in the circulation. We hypothesized that in addition to ECM collagen, collagen fragments produced in cancer can mediate T cell immunosuppression through LAIR-1. Our analyses of TCGA datasets show that cancer patients with high tumor mRNA expression of MMPs, collagen I and LAIR-1 have worse overall survival. We show that in vitro generated MMP1 or MMP9 collagen I fragments bind to and trigger LAIR-1. Importantly, LAIR-1 triggering by collagen I fragments inhibits CD3 signaling and IFN-γ secretion in a T cell line. LAIR-2 is a soluble homologue of LAIR-1 with higher affinity for collagen and thereby acts as a decoy receptor. Fc fusion proteins of LAIR-2 have potential as cancer immunotherapeutic agents and are currently being tested in clinical trials. We demonstrate that collagen fragment-induced inhibition of T cell function could be reversed by LAIR-2 fusion proteins. Overall, we show that collagen fragments produced in cancer can mediate T cell suppression through LAIR-1, potentially contributing to systemic immune suppression. Blocking the interaction of LAIR-1 with collagen fragments could be an added benefit of LAIR-1-directed immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia V Vijver
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Akashdip Singh
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Eline T A M Mommers-Elshof
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jan Meeldijk
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Louis Boon
- Polpharma Biologics, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Linde Meyaard
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - M Inês Pascoal Ramos
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
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30
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Jensen C, Nissen NI, Von Arenstorff CS, Karsdal MA, Willumsen N. Serological assessment of collagen fragments and tumor fibrosis may guide immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:326. [PMID: 34656158 PMCID: PMC8520279 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02133-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite the overall clinical success of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for treating patients with solid tumors, a large number of patients do not benefit from this approach. Consequently, there is a need for predictive biomarkers. The most prevalent biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression and tumor mutational burden (TMB) do not reliably predict response to ICIs across different solid tumor types suggesting that a broader view of regulating factors in the tumor microenvironment is needed. Emerging evidence indicates that one central common denominator of resistance to ICIs may be fibrotic activity characterized by extracellular matrix (ECM) and collagen production by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). A fibroblast-and collagen-rich stroma attenuates immunotherapy response by contributing to inhibition and exclusion of T cells. Here we review opportunities and limitations in the utilization of the most prevalent biomarkers for ICIs and elaborate on the unique opportunities with biomarkers originating from the activated fibroblasts producing an impermeable ECM. We propose that ECM and collagen biomarkers measured non-invasively may be a novel and practical approach to optimize treatment strategies and improve patient selection for ICI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Jensen
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, 2730, Herlev, Denmark.
| | - Neel I Nissen
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
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31
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Hirani P, Gauthier V, Allen CE, Wight TN, Pearce OMT. Targeting Versican as a Potential Immunotherapeutic Strategy in the Treatment of Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:712807. [PMID: 34527586 PMCID: PMC8435723 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.712807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing body of literature links events associated with the progression and severity of immunity and inflammatory disease with the composition of the tissue extracellular matrix as defined by the matrisome. One protein in the matrisome that is common to many inflammatory diseases is the large proteoglycan versican, whose varied function is achieved through multiple isoforms and post-translational modifications of glycosaminoglycan structures. In cancer, increased levels of versican are associated with immune cell phenotype, disease prognosis and failure to respond to treatment. Whether these associations between versican expression and tumour immunity are the result of a direct role in the pathogenesis of tumours is not clear. In this review, we have focused on the role of versican in the immune response as it relates to tumour progression, with the aim of determining whether our current understanding of the immunobiology of versican warrants further study as a cancer immunotherapy target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Hirani
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valentine Gauthier
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carys E Allen
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas N Wight
- Matrix Biology Program, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Oliver M T Pearce
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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32
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Karsdal MA, Genovese F, Rasmussen DGK, Bay-Jensen AC, Mortensen JH, Holm Nielsen S, Willumsen N, Jensen C, Manon-Jensen T, Jennings L, Reese-Petersen AL, Henriksen K, Sand JM, Bager C, Leeming DJ. Considerations for understanding protein measurements: Identification of formation, degradation and more pathological relevant epitopes. Clin Biochem 2021; 97:11-24. [PMID: 34453894 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is a need for precision medicine and an unspoken promise of an optimal approach for identification of the right patients for value-based medicine based on big data. However, there may be a misconception that measurement of proteins is more valuable than measurement of fewer selected biomarkers. In population-based research, variation may be somewhat eliminated by quantity. However, this fascination of numbers may limit the attention to and understanding of the single. This review highlights that protein measurements (with collagens as examples) may mean different things depending on the targeted epitope - formation or degradation of tissues, and even signaling potential of proteins. DESIGN AND METHODS PubMed was searched for collagen, neo-epitope, biomarkers. RESULTS Ample examples of assays with specific epitopes, either pathological such as HbA1c, or domain specific such as pro-peptides, which total protein arrays would not have identified were evident. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that big data may be considered as the funnel of data points, in which most important parameters will be selected. If the technical precision is low or the biological accuracy is limited, and we include suboptimal quality of biomarkers, disguised as big data, we may not be able to fulfill the promise of helping patients searching for the optimal treatment. Alternatively, if the technical precision of the total protein quantification is high, but we miss the functional domains with the most considerable biological meaning, we miss the most important and valuable information of a given protein. This review highlights that measurements of the same protein in different ways may provide completely different meanings. We need to understand the pathological importance of each epitope quantified to maximize protein measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Karsdal
- Nordic Bioscience, Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark.
| | - F Genovese
- Nordic Bioscience, Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - D G K Rasmussen
- Nordic Bioscience, Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - A C Bay-Jensen
- Nordic Bioscience, Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - J H Mortensen
- Nordic Bioscience, Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - S Holm Nielsen
- Nordic Bioscience, Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - N Willumsen
- Nordic Bioscience, Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - C Jensen
- Nordic Bioscience, Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - T Manon-Jensen
- Nordic Bioscience, Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | | | - K Henriksen
- Nordic Bioscience, Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - J M Sand
- Nordic Bioscience, Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - C Bager
- Nordic Bioscience, Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - D J Leeming
- Nordic Bioscience, Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
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33
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Nissen NI, Kehlet S, Johansen AZ, Chen IM, Karsdal M, Johansen JS, Diab HMH, Jørgensen LN, Sun S, Manon-Jensen T, He Y, Langholm L, Willumsen N. Noninvasive prognostic biomarker potential of quantifying the propeptides of Type XI collagen alpha-1 chain (PRO-C11) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Int J Cancer 2021; 149:228-238. [PMID: 33687786 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Type XI collagen has been associated with tumor fibrosis and aggressiveness in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The propeptide on Type XI collagen is released into the circulation after proteolytic processing at either amino acid 253 or 511. This allows for a noninvasive biomarker approach to quantify Type XI collagen production. We developed two ELISA-based biomarkers, targeting the two enzymatic cleavage sites (PRO-C11-253 and PRO-C11-511). In a discovery cohort including serum from patients with PDAC (n = 39, Stages 1-4), chronic pancreatitis (CP, n = 12) and healthy controls (n = 20), PRO-C11-511, but not PRO-C11-253, was significantly upregulated in patients with PDAC and CP compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, PRO-C11-511 levels >75th percentile were associated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR, 95% CI: 3.40, 1.48-7.83). The PRO-C11-511 biomarker potential was validated in serum from 686 patients with PDAC. Again, high levels of PRO-C11-511 (>75th percentile) were associated with poor OS (HR, 95% CI: 1.68, 1.40-2.02). Furthermore, PRO-C11-511 remained significant after adjusting for clinical risk factors (HR, 95% CI: 1.50, 1.22-1.86). In conclusion, quantifying serum levels of Type XI collagen with PRO-C11-511 predicts poor OS in patients with PDAC. This supports that Type XI collagen is important for PDAC biology and that PRO-C11-511 has prognostic noninvasive biomarker potential for patients with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neel Ingemann Nissen
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Astrid Z Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Inna M Chen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Karsdal
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Julia S Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Medicine, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hadi M H Diab
- Digestive Disease Center, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars N Jørgensen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Digestive Disease Center, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shu Sun
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Yi He
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Lasse Langholm
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev, Denmark
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34
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Ramos MIP, Tian L, de Ruiter EJ, Song C, Paucarmayta A, Singh A, Elshof E, Vijver SV, Shaik J, Bosiacki J, Cusumano Z, Jensen C, Willumsen N, Karsdal MA, Liu L, Langermann S, Willems S, Flies D, Meyaard L. Cancer immunotherapy by NC410, a LAIR-2 Fc protein blocking human LAIR-collagen interaction. eLife 2021; 10:62927. [PMID: 34121658 PMCID: PMC8225389 DOI: 10.7554/elife.62927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Collagens are a primary component of the extracellular matrix and are functional ligands for the inhibitory immune receptor leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor (LAIR)-1. LAIR-2 is a secreted protein that can act as a decoy receptor by binding collagen with higher affinity than LAIR-1. We propose that collagens promote immune evasion by interacting with LAIR-1 expressed on immune cells, and that LAIR-2 releases LAIR-1-mediated immune suppression. Analysis of public human datasets shows that collagens, LAIR-1 and LAIR-2 have unique and overlapping associations with survival in certain tumors. We designed a dimeric LAIR-2 with a functional IgG1 Fc tail, NC410, and showed that NC410 increases human T cell expansion and effector function in vivo in a mouse xenogeneic-graft versus-host disease model. In humanized mouse tumor models, NC410 reduces tumor growth that is dependent on T cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of human tumors shows that NC410 binds to collagen-rich areas where LAIR-1+ immune cells are localized. Our findings show that NC410 might be a novel strategy for cancer immunotherapy for immune-excluded tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ines Pascoal Ramos
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Akashdip Singh
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Eline Elshof
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Saskia V Vijver
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Stefan Willems
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Linde Meyaard
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Han X, Caron JM, Lary CW, Sathyanarayana P, Vary C, Brooks PC. An RGDKGE-Containing Cryptic Collagen Fragment Regulates Phosphorylation of Large Tumor Suppressor Kinase-1 and Controls Ovarian Tumor Growth by a Yes-Associated Protein-Dependent Mechanism. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:527-544. [PMID: 33307038 PMCID: PMC7927278 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2020.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The growth and spread of malignant tumors, such as ovarian carcinomas, are governed in part by complex interconnected signaling cascades occurring between stromal and tumor cells. These reciprocal cross-talk signaling networks operating within the local tissue microenvironment may enhance malignant tumor progression. Understanding how novel bioactive molecules generated within the tumor microenvironment regulate signaling pathways in distinct cellular compartments is critical for the development of more effective treatment paradigms. Herein, we provide evidence that blocking cellular interactions with an RGDKGE-containing collagen peptide that selectively binds integrin β3 on ovarian tumor cells enhances the phosphorylation of the hippo effector kinase large tumor suppressor kinase-1 and reduces nuclear accumulation of yes-associated protein and its target gene c-Myc. Selectively targeting this RGDKGE-containing collagen fragment inhibited ovarian tumor growth and the development of ascites fluid in vivo. These findings suggest that this bioactive collagen fragment may represent a previously unknown regulator of the hippo effector kinase large tumor suppressor kinase-1 and regulate ovarian tumor growth by a yes-associated protein-dependent mechanism. Taken together, these data not only provide new mechanistic insight into how a unique collagen fragment may regulate ovarian cancer, but in addition may help provide a useful new alternative strategy to control ovarian tumor progression based on selectively disrupting a previously unappreciated signaling cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- XiangHua Han
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, Maine
| | - Jennifer M Caron
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, Maine
| | - Christine W Lary
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, Maine
| | - Pradeep Sathyanarayana
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, Maine
| | - Calvin Vary
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, Maine
| | - Peter C Brooks
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, Maine.
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36
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Immune Therapy Resistance and Immune Escape of Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030551. [PMID: 33535559 PMCID: PMC7867077 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The genetic adaptability of malignant cells and their consequent heterogeneity even within the same patient poses a great obstacle to cancer patient treatment. This review summarizes the data obtained in the last decade on different preclinical mice models as well as on various immunotherapeutic clinical trials in distinct solid and hematopoietic cancers on how the immune system can be implemented in tumor therapy. Moreover, the different intrinsic and extrinsic escape strategies utilized by the tumor to avoid elimination by the immune system are recapitulated together with the different approaches proposed to overcome them in order to succeed and/or to enhance therapy efficacy. Abstract Immune therapy approaches such as checkpoint inhibitors or adoptive cell therapy represent promising therapeutic options for cancer patients, but their efficacy is still limited, since patients frequently develop innate or acquired resistances to these therapies. Thus, one major goal is to increase the efficiency of immunotherapies by overcoming tumor-induced immune suppression, which then allows for immune-mediated tumor clearance. Innate resistance to immunotherapies could be caused by a low immunogenicity of the tumor itself as well as an immune suppressive microenvironment composed of cellular, physical, or soluble factors leading to escape from immune surveillance and disease progression. So far, a number of strategies causing resistance to immunotherapy have been described in various clinical trials, which broadly overlap with the immunoediting processes of cancers. This review summarizes the novel insights in the development of resistances to immune therapy as well as different approaches that could be employed to overcome them.
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37
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Wang S, Bager CL, Karsdal MA, Chondros D, Taverna D, Willumsen N. Blood-based extracellular matrix biomarkers as predictors of survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma receiving pegvorhyaluronidase alfa. J Transl Med 2021; 19:39. [PMID: 33478521 PMCID: PMC7819178 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-02701-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Extensive extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is a hallmark of metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDA). We investigated fragments of collagen types III (C3M, PRO-C3), VI (PRO-C6), and VIII (C8-C), and versican (VCANM) in plasma as biomarkers for predicting progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with mPDA treated with pegvorhyaluronidase alfa, a biologic that degrades the ECM component hyaluronan (HA), in a randomized phase 2 study (HALO109-202). Methods HALO109-202 comprised a discovery cohort (Stage 1, n = 94) and a validation cohort (Stage 2, n = 95). Plasma ECM biomarkers were analyzed by ELISAs. Univariate Cox regression analysis and Kaplan–Meier plots evaluated predictive associations between biomarkers, PFS and OS in patients treated with pegvorhyaluronidase alfa plus nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine (PAG) versus nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine (AG) alone. Results PFS was improved with PAG vs. AG in Stage 1 patients with high C3M/PRO-C3 ratio (median cut-off): median PFS (mPFS) 8.0 vs. 5.3 months, P = 0.031; HR = 0.40; 95% CI 0.17–0.92). High C3M/PRO-C3 ratio was validated in Stage 2 patients by predicting a PFS benefit of PAG vs. AG (mPFS: 8.8 vs. 3.4 months, P = 0.046; HR = 0.46; 95% CI 0.21–0.98). OS was also improved in patients with high C3M/PRO-C3 ratio treated with PAG vs. AG (mOS 13.8 vs 8.5 months, P = 0.009; HR = 0.35; 95% CI 0.16–0.77). Interestingly, high C3M/PRO-C3 ratio predicted for a PFS benefit to PAG vs. AG both in patients with HA-low tumors (HR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.17–0.79) and HA-high tumors (HR = 0.20; 95% CI 0.06–0.69). Conclusions The C3M/PRO-C3 ratio measuring type III collagen turnover in plasma has potential as a blood-based predictive biomarker in patients with mPDA and provides additional value to a HA biopsy when applied for patient selection. Trial registration: NCT01839487. Registered 25 April 2016
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Wang
- Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Cecilie L Bager
- Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev Hovedgade 207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Morten A Karsdal
- Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev Hovedgade 207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
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38
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Nissen NI, Kehlet S, Boisen MK, Liljefors M, Jensen C, Johansen AZ, Johansen JS, Erler JT, Karsdal M, Mortensen JH, Høye A, Willumsen N. Prognostic value of blood-based fibrosis biomarkers in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy and bevacizumab. Sci Rep 2021; 11:865. [PMID: 33441622 PMCID: PMC7806753 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79608-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A desmoplastic colorectal cancer stroma, characterized by excess turnover of the cancer-associated fibroblast derived collagens type III and VI, can lead to reduced drug-uptake and poor treatment response. We investigated the association between biomarkers of collagen type III and VI and overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Serum samples were collected from 252 patients with mCRC prior to treatment with bevacizumab and chemotherapy. Serum concentrations of biomarkers reflecting formation of collagen type III (PRO-C3) and VI (PRO-C6) and degradation of collagen type VI (C6M and C6Mα3) were determined by ELISA. The biomarkers were evaluated for associations with OS, individually, combined, and after adjusting for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and performance status (PS). High baseline levels (> median) of each collagen biomarker were significantly associated with shorter OS (PRO-C3: HR = 2.0, 95%CI = 1.54-2.63; PRO-C6: HR = 1.6, 95%CI = 1.24-2.11; C6M: HR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.05-1.78; C6Mα3: HR = 1.6, 95%CI = 1.16-2.07). PRO-C3 and PRO-C6 remained significant after adjustment for CEA, LDH and PS. Weak correlations were seen between the collagen biomarkers (r = 0.03-0.59) and combining all improved prognostic capacity (HR = 3.6, 95%CI = 2.30-5.76). Collagen biomarkers were predictive of shorter OS in patients with mCRC. This supports that collagen- and CAF biology is important in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neel I Nissen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Biomarkers and Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark.
| | - Stephanie Kehlet
- Biomarkers and Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mogens K Boisen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Liljefors
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christina Jensen
- Biomarkers and Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Astrid Z Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julia S Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Medicine, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Janine T Erler
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Karsdal
- Biomarkers and Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Joachim H Mortensen
- Biomarkers and Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Anette Høye
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nicholas Willumsen
- Biomarkers and Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
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Petersen EV, Chudakova DA, Skorova EY, Anikin V, Reshetov IV, Mynbaev OA. The Extracellular Matrix-Derived Biomarkers for Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Personalized Therapy of Malignant Tumors. Front Oncol 2020; 10:575569. [PMID: 33425730 PMCID: PMC7793707 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.575569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor biomarkers already have proven clinical value and have become an integral part in cancer management and modern translational oncology. The tumor tissue microenvironment (TME), which includes extracellular matrix (ECM), signaling molecules, immune and stromal cells, and adjacent non-tumorous tissue, contributes to cancer pathogenesis. Thus, TME-derived biomarkers have many clinical applications. This review is predominately based on the most recent publications (manuscripts published in a last 5 years, or seminal publications published earlier) and fills a gap in the current literature on the cancer biomarkers derived from the TME, with particular attention given to the ECM and products of its processing and degradation, ECM-associated extracellular vesicles (EVs), biomechanical characteristics of ECM, and ECM-derived biomarkers predicting response to the immunotherapy. We discuss the clinical utility of the TME-incorporating three-dimensional in vitro and ex vivo cell culture models for personalized therapy. We conclude that ECM is a critical driver of malignancies and ECM-derived biomarkers should be included in diagnostics and prognostics panels of markers in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V. Petersen
- Department of Molecular and Bio Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Daria A. Chudakova
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ekaterina Yu. Skorova
- Department of Molecular and Bio Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Vladimir Anikin
- Harefield Hospital, The Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Harefield, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery, Sechenov Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor V. Reshetov
- Department of Molecular and Bio Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Department of Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery, Sechenov Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ospan A. Mynbaev
- Department of Molecular and Bio Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
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40
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Jensen C, Holm Nielsen S, Eslam M, Genovese F, Nielsen MJ, Vongsuvanh R, Uchila R, van der Poorten D, George J, Karsdal MA, Leeming DJ, Willumsen N. Cross-Linked Multimeric Pro-Peptides of Type III Collagen (PC3X) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma - A Biomarker That Provides Additional Prognostic Value in AFP Positive Patients. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2020; 7:301-313. [PMID: 33204663 PMCID: PMC7665576 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s275008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosing and prognosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are urgently needed. Cirrhosis is present in 80–90% of HCC patients. Cirrhosis is characterized by deposition and cross-linking of collagens that have crucial roles in HCC initiation and progression. We evaluated circulating cross-linked pro-peptides of type III collagen (PC3X) as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HCC. Patients and Methods PC3X was measured by ELISA in plasma from patients with HCC (n=79), cirrhosis (n=86), non-cirrhotic hepatitis-B infection (n=74) and from healthy controls (n=44). PC3X was compared to the liver fibrosis marker PRO-C3 and the HCC tumor-cell derived marker alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Diagnostic and prognostic potential was evaluated by AUROC and by calculating hazard ratios (HR) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results PC3X, PRO-C3 and AFP were significantly elevated in patients with HCC compared to other liver diseases and healthy controls (p=0.0002, p<0.0001). In patients with normal AFP (<20 IU/mL), PC3X and PRO-C3 separated HCC from cirrhosis with an AUROC of 0.72 and 0.68, respectively. High PC3X and AFP predicted for poor PFS (HRPC3X=1.80, p=0.032; HRAFP=1.70, p=0.031) and OS (HRPC3X=2.12, p=0.024; HRAFP=2.55; p=0.003), whereas PRO-C3 did not (PFS: HR=1.19, p=0.059 and OS: HR=1.12, p=0.324). PC3X was independent of AFP (PFS: HR=1.74, p=0.045 and OS: HR=2.21, p=0.018) and combining the two improved prognostic value (PFS: HR=2.66, p=0.004 and OS: HR=5.86, p<0.0001). Conclusion PC3X is associated with HCC independent of AFP and provides diagnostic and prognostic value for HCC patients. If validated, this suggests that PC3X has biomarker potential for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Jensen
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev, Denmark.,Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Signe Holm Nielsen
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev, Denmark.,Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Mohammed Eslam
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | - Roslyn Vongsuvanh
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Raj Uchila
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David van der Poorten
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jacob George
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Hurkmans DP, Jensen C, Koolen SLW, Aerts J, Karsdal MA, Mathijssen RHJ, Willumsen N. Blood-based extracellular matrix biomarkers are correlated with clinical outcome after PD-1 inhibition in patients with metastatic melanoma. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:jitc-2020-001193. [PMID: 33093157 PMCID: PMC7583811 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001193] [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] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors that target the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor induce a response in only a subgroup of patients with metastatic melanoma. Previous research suggests that transforming growth factor beta signaling and a collagen-rich peritumoral stroma (tumor fibrosis), may negatively interfere with the interaction between T cells and tumor cells and thereby contribute to resistance mechanisms by immune-exclusion, while increased tumor infiltration of M1-like macrophages enhances T cell activity. Hence, the current study aimed to assess the relationship between blood-based markers of collagen or vimentin turnover (reflecting M1 macrophage activity) and clinical outcome in patients with metastatic melanoma after PD-1 inhibition. Methods Patients with metastatic melanoma who were treated with anti-PD-1 monotherapy between May 2016 and March 2019 were included in a prospective observational study. N-terminal pro-peptide of type III collagen (PRO-C3) cross-linked N-terminal pro-peptides of type III collagen (PC3X), matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-degraded type III (C3M) and type IV collagen (C4M), granzyme B-degraded type IV collagen and citrullinated and MMP-degraded vimentin (VICM) were measured with immunoassays in serum before (n=107), and 6 weeks after the first administration of immunotherapy (n=94). The association between biomarker levels and overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) was assessed. Results Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified high baseline PRO-C3 (Q4) and PC3X (Q4) as independent variables of worse PFS (PRO-C3: HR=1.81, 95% CI=1.06 to 3.10, p=0.030 and PC3X: HR=1.86, 95% CI=1.09 to 3.18, p=0.023). High baseline PRO-C3 was also independently related to worse OS (HR=2.08, 95% CI=1.06 to 4.09, p=0.035), whereas a high C3M/PRO-C3 ratio was related to improved OS (HR=0.42, 95% CI=0.20 to 0.90, p=0.025). An increase in VICM (p<0.0001; in 56% of the patients) was observed after 6 weeks of treatment, and an increase in VICM was independently associated with improved OS (HR=0.28, 95% CI=0.10 to 0.77, p=0.014). Conclusions Blood-based biomarkers reflecting excessive type III collagen turnover were associated with worse OS and PFS after PD-1 inhibition in metastatic melanoma. Moreover, an increase in VICM levels after 6 weeks of treatment was associated with improved OS. These findings suggest that type III collagen and vimentin turnover contribute to resistance/response mechanisms of PD-1 inhibitors and hold promise of assessing extracellular matrix-derived and stroma-derived components to predict immunotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daan P Hurkmans
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands .,Department of Pulmonology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Stijn L W Koolen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joachim Aerts
- Department of Pulmonology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ron H J Mathijssen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Jensen C, Sinkeviciute D, Madsen DH, Önnerfjord P, Hansen M, Schmidt H, Karsdal MA, Svane IM, Willumsen N. Granzyme B Degraded Type IV Collagen Products in Serum Identify Melanoma Patients Responding to Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102786. [PMID: 32998446 PMCID: PMC7601429 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Novel biomarkers that can identify melanoma patients responding to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy are urgently needed. As high T-cell infiltration and low fibrotic activity are associated with response, we aimed to examine the serum biomarker potential of granzyme B degraded type IV collagen (C4G) products in combination with the fibrosis biomarker PRO-C3. We found that high C4G combined with low PRO-C3 has the potential to identify patients responding to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy suggesting that these biomarkers may provide a non-invasive tool for patient selection and therapeutic decision-making in the future. Abstract A T-cell permissive tumor microenvironment, characterized by the presence of activated T cells and low fibrotic activity is crucial for response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Granzyme B has been shown to promote T-cell migration through the basement membrane by the degradation of type IV collagen. In this study, we evaluated the biomarker potential of measuring granzyme B-mediated degradation of type IV collagen (C4G) in combination with a fibroblast activation biomarker (PRO-C3) non-invasively for identifying metastatic melanoma patients responding to the ICI ipilimumab. A monoclonal antibody was generated against C4G and used to develop a competitive electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay. C4G and PRO-C3 were measured in pretreatment serum from metastatic melanoma patients (n = 54). The C4G assay was found specific for a granzyme B-generated neo-epitope on type IV collagen. The objective response rate (ORR) was 2.6-fold higher (18% vs. 7%) in patients with high C4G levels (>25th percentile) vs. low levels (≤25th percentile). Likewise, high C4G levels at baseline were associated with longer overall survival (OS) (log-rank, p = 0.040, and hazard ratio (HR) = 0.48, 95%CI: 0.24–0.98, p = 0.045). Combining high C4G with low PRO-C3 correlated with improved OS with a median OS of 796 days vs. 273 days (p = 0.0003) and an HR of 0.30 (95%CI: 0.15–0.60, p = 0.0006). In conclusion, these results suggest that high granzyme B degraded type IV collagen (C4G) combined with low PRO-C3 quantified non-invasively has the potential to identify the responders to ICI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Jensen
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (D.S.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence:
| | - Dovile Sinkeviciute
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (D.S.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden;
| | - Daniel Hargbøl Madsen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (D.H.M.); (M.H.); (I.M.S.)
| | - Patrik Önnerfjord
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden;
| | - Morten Hansen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (D.H.M.); (M.H.); (I.M.S.)
| | - Henrik Schmidt
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark;
| | - Morten Asser Karsdal
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (D.S.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (D.H.M.); (M.H.); (I.M.S.)
| | - Nicholas Willumsen
- Biomarkers & Research, Nordic Bioscience, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (D.S.); (M.A.K.); (N.W.)
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James NE, Woodman M, DiSilvestro PA, Ribeiro JR. The Perfect Combination: Enhancing Patient Response to PD-1-Based Therapies in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2150. [PMID: 32756436 PMCID: PMC7466102 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, with an overall 5-year survival of only 47%. As the development of novel targeted therapies is drastically necessary in order to improve patient survival, current EOC clinical trials have heavily focused on immunotherapeutic approaches, centered upon programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors. While PD-1 monotherapies have only exhibited modest responses for patients, it has been theorized that in order to enhance EOC patient response to immunotherapy, combinatorial regimens must be investigated. In this review, unique challenges to EOC PD-1 response will be discussed, along with a comprehensive description of both preclinical and clinical studies evaluating PD-1-based combinatorial therapies. Promising aspects of PD-1-based combinatorial approaches are highlighted, while also discussing specific preclinical and clinical areas of research that need to be addressed, in order to optimize EOC patient immunotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E. James
- Program in Women’s Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA; (N.E.J.); (M.W.); (P.A.D.)
| | - Morgan Woodman
- Program in Women’s Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA; (N.E.J.); (M.W.); (P.A.D.)
| | - Paul A. DiSilvestro
- Program in Women’s Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA; (N.E.J.); (M.W.); (P.A.D.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Jennifer R. Ribeiro
- Program in Women’s Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA; (N.E.J.); (M.W.); (P.A.D.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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Serum Type XIX Collagen is Significantly Elevated in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Preliminary Study on Biomarker Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061510. [PMID: 32527017 PMCID: PMC7352985 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Type XIX collagen is a poorly characterized collagen associated with the basement membrane. It is abnormally regulated during breast cancer progression and the NC1 (XIX) domain has anti-tumorigenic signaling properties. However, little is known about the biomarker potential of collagen XIX in cancer. In this study, we describe a competitive ELISA, named PRO-C19, targeting the C-terminus of collagen XIX using a monoclonal antibody. PRO-C19 was measured in serum of patients with a range of cancer types and was elevated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (p < 0.0001), small cell lung cancer (p = 0.0081), breast (p = 0.0005) and ovarian cancer (p < 0.0001) compared to healthy controls. In a separate NSCLC cohort, PRO-C19 was elevated compared to controls when evaluating adenocarcinoma (AD) (p = 0.0003) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (p < 0.0001) patients but was not elevated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. SCC also had higher PRO-C19 levels than AD (p = 0.0457). PRO-C19 could discriminate between NSCLC and healthy controls (AUROC:0.749 and 0.826 for AD and SCC, respectively) and maintained discriminatory performance in patients of tumor stages I+II (AUROC:0.733 and 0.818 for AD and SCC, respectively). Lastly, we confirmed the elevated type XIX collagen levels using gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) initiatives. In conclusion, type XIX collagen is released into circulation and is significantly elevated in the serum of cancer patients and PRO-C19 shows promise as a cancer biomarker.
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Han X, Caron JM, Brooks PC. Cryptic collagen elements as signaling hubs in the regulation of tumor growth and metastasis. J Cell Physiol 2020; 235:9005-9020. [PMID: 32400053 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Structural remodeling of the extracellular matrix is a well-established process associated with tumor growth and metastasis. Tumor and stromal cells that compose the tumor mass function cooperatively to promote the malignant phenotype in part by physically interacting with intact and structurally altered matrix proteins. To this end, collagen represents the most abundant component of the extracellular matrix and is known to control the behavior of histologically distinct tumor types as well as a diversity of stromal cells. Although a significant molecular understanding has been established concerning how cellular interactions with intact collagen govern signaling pathways that control tumor progression, considerably less is known concerning how interactions with cryptic or hidden regions within remodeled collagen may selectively alter signaling cascades, or whether inhibition of these cryptic signaling pathways may represent clinically effective therapeutic strategies. Here, we review the emerging evidence concerning the possible mechanisms for the selective generation of cryptic or hidden elements within collagen and their potential cell surface receptors that may facilitate signal transduction. We discuss the concept that cellular communication links between cell surface receptors and these cryptic collagen elements may serve as functional signaling hubs that coordinate multiple signaling pathways operating within both tumor and stromal cells. Finally, we provide examples to help illustrate the possibility that direct targeting of these unique cryptic signaling hubs may lead to the development of more effective therapeutic strategies to control tumor growth and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- XiangHua Han
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, Maine
| | - Jennifer M Caron
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, Maine
| | - Peter C Brooks
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, Maine
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Karsdal MA, Daniels SJ, Holm Nielsen S, Bager C, Rasmussen DGK, Loomba R, Surabattula R, Villesen IF, Luo Y, Shevell D, Gudmann NS, Nielsen MJ, George J, Christian R, Leeming DJ, Schuppan D. Collagen biology and non-invasive biomarkers of liver fibrosis. Liver Int 2020; 40:736-750. [PMID: 31997561 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is an unmet need for high-quality liquid biomarkers that can safely and reproducibly predict the stage of fibrosis and the outcomes of chronic liver disease (CLD). The requirement for such markers has intensified because of the high global prevalence of diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In particular, there is a need for diagnostic and prognostic tools, as well as predictive biomarkers that reflect the efficacy of interventions, as described by the BEST criteria (Biomarkers, EndpointS, and other Tools Resource). This review covers the various liver collagens, their functional role in tissue homeostasis and delineates the common nomenclature for biomarkers based on BEST criteria. It addresses the common confounders affecting serological biomarkers, and describes defined collagen epitope biomarkers that originate from the dynamic processes of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling during liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten A Karsdal
- Nordic Bioscience, Fibrosis Biomarkers and Research, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Samuel J Daniels
- Nordic Bioscience, Fibrosis Biomarkers and Research, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Cecilie Bager
- Nordic Bioscience, Fibrosis Biomarkers and Research, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Rohit Loomba
- Division of Gastroenterology and Division of Epidemiology, NAFLD Research Center, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Rambabu Surabattula
- Division of Gastroenterology and Division of Epidemiology, NAFLD Research Center, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ida Falk Villesen
- Nordic Bioscience, Fibrosis Biomarkers and Research, Herlev, Denmark.,University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yi Luo
- Innovative Medicine, Bristol Myers-Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Diane Shevell
- Innovative Medicine, Bristol Myers-Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Natasja S Gudmann
- Nordic Bioscience, Fibrosis Biomarkers and Research, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mette J Nielsen
- Nordic Bioscience, Fibrosis Biomarkers and Research, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Jacob George
- Storr Liver Centre, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Rose Christian
- Innovative Medicine, Bristol Myers-Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Diana J Leeming
- Nordic Bioscience, Fibrosis Biomarkers and Research, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Detlef Schuppan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immune Therapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
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47
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Wilky BA. Immune checkpoint inhibitors: The linchpins of modern immunotherapy. Immunol Rev 2020; 290:6-23. [PMID: 31355494 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized our approach to cancer treatment in the past decade. While monoclonal antibodies to CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 have produced remarkable and durable responses in a subset of patients, the majority of patients will still develop primary or adaptive resistance. With complex mechanisms of resistance limiting the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy, it is critical to develop combination approaches to allow more patients to benefit from immunotherapy. In this review, I approach the current landscape of ICI research from the perspective of sarcomas, a rare group of bone and soft tissue cancers that have had limited benefit from checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy, and little investigation of biomarkers to predict responses. By surveying the various mechanisms of resistance and treatment modalities being explored in other solid tumors, I outline how ICIs will undoubtedly serve as the critical foundation for future directions in modern immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breelyn A Wilky
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
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48
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Cancer immunotherapy: Pros, cons and beyond. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 124:109821. [PMID: 31962285 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.109821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 316] [Impact Index Per Article: 79.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is an innovative treatment for tumors today. In various experiments and clinical studies, it has been found that immunotherapy does have incomparable advantages over traditional anti-tumor therapy, which can prolong progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). However, immunotherapy has obvious complexity and uncertainty. Immunotherapy may also cause severe adverse reactions due to an overactive immune system. More effective and fewer adverse reactions immunological checkpoints are still under further exploration. This review gives an overview of recent developments in immunotherapy and indicates a new direction of tumor treatment through analyzing the pros and cons of immunotherapy coupled with keeping a close watch on the development trend of the immunotherapy future.
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Willumsen N, Ali SM, Leitzel K, Drabick JJ, Yee N, Polimera HV, Nagabhairu V, Krecko L, Ali A, Maddukuri A, Moku P, Ali A, Poulose J, Menon H, Pancholy N, Costa L, Karsdal MA, Lipton A. Collagen fragments quantified in serum as measures of desmoplasia associate with survival outcome in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19761. [PMID: 31875000 PMCID: PMC6930304 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56268-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients have poor prognosis and poor response to treatment. This is largely due to PDAC being associated with a dense and active stroma and tumor fibrosis (desmoplasia). Desmoplasia is characterized by excessive degradation and formation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) generating collagen fragments that are released into circulation. We evaluated the association of specific collagen fragments measured in pre-treatment serum with outcome in patients with PDAC. Matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-degraded type I collagen (C1M), type III collagen (C3M), type IV collagen (C4M) and a pro-peptide of type III collagen (PRO-C3) were measured by ELISA in pre-treatment serum from a randomized phase 3 clinical trial of patients with stage III/IV PDAC treated with 5-fluorouracil based therapy (n = 176). The collagen fragments were evaluated for their correlation (r, Spearman) with serum CA19-9 and for their association with overall survival (OS) based on Cox-regression analyses. In this phase 3 PDAC trial, pre-treatment serum collagen fragment levels were above the reference range for 67%-98% of patients, with median values in PDAC approximately two-fold higher than reference levels. Collagen fragment levels did not correlate with CA19-9 (r = 0.049–0.141, p = ns). On a continuous basis, higher levels of all collagen fragments were associated with significantly shorter OS. When evaluating degradation (C3M) and formation (PRO-C3) of type III collagen further, higher PRO-C3 was associated with poor OS (>25th percentile cut-point, HR = 2.01, 95%CI = 1.33–3.05) and higher C3M/PRO-C3 ratio was associated with improved OS (>25th percentile cut-point, HR = 0.53, 95%CI = 0.34–0.80). When adjusting for CA19–9 and clinical covariates, PRO-C3 remained significant (HR = 1.65, 95%CI = 1.09–2.48). In conclusion, collagen remodeling quantified in pre-treatment serum as a surrogate measure of desmoplasia was significantly associated with OS in a phase 3 clinical PDAC trial, supporting the link between desmoplasia, tumorigenesis, and response to treatment. If validated, these biomarkers may have prognostic and/or predictive potential in future PDAC trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suhail M Ali
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA.,Lebanon VA Medical Center, Lebanon, PA, USA
| | - Kim Leitzel
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Joseph J Drabick
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Nelson Yee
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Hyma V Polimera
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Vinod Nagabhairu
- Pinnacle Health System, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Harrisburg, PA, USA
| | - Laura Krecko
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Ayesha Ali
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Ashok Maddukuri
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Prashanth Moku
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Aamnah Ali
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Joyson Poulose
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Harry Menon
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Neha Pancholy
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Luis Costa
- Oncology division, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisboa, Portugal.,Clinical Translational Oncology Research Unit, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Allan Lipton
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
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50
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Nissen NI, Karsdal M, Willumsen N. Post-translational modifications of vimentin reflect different pathological processes associated with non-small cell lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Oncotarget 2019; 10:6829-6841. [PMID: 31827725 PMCID: PMC6887574 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vimentin has shown to be highly implicated in cancer initiation and progression. Vimentin is often a target of post-translational modifications (PTMs) which can be disease specific, thus targeting these specific modifications can be of high biomarker potential. In this study we set out to evaluate the biological relevance and serum biomarker potential of citrullinated vimentin (VICM) and non-citrullinated vimentin (VIM) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS A competitive ELISA targeting VIM was developed and quantified in serum from patients with NSCLC and COPD. VIM was compared with levels of VICM in the same indications. RESULTS VIM was significantly increased in NSCLC (n = 100) compared to healthy controls (n = 67) in two independent cohorts (p = 0.0003 and p < 0.0001). Furthermore, VIM was highly increased in late stages of NSCLC (p = 0.001), however VIM was not increased in COPD patients (n = 10). Contrarily, serum levels of VICM was not increased in late stages of NSCLC, but highly elevated in patients with COPD (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest a biomarker potential of VIM in NSCLC. Our findings also indicate that PTMs of vimentin are highly relevant and that targeting these modifications can have differential biomarker potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neel Ingemann Nissen
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Nordic Bioscience, Biomarkers and Research, DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark
| | - Morten Karsdal
- Nordic Bioscience, Biomarkers and Research, DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark
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