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Gan W, Sun BY, Yang ZF, Ye C, Wang ZT, Zhou C, Sun GQ, Yi Y, Qiu SJ. Enhancing hepatocellular carcinoma management: prognostic value of integrated CCL17, CCR4, CD73, and HHLA2 expression analysis. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:325. [PMID: 38914802 PMCID: PMC11196339 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05832-0] [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: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a critical global health concern, with existing treatments benefiting only a minority of patients. Recent findings implicate the chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17) and its receptor CCR4 as pivotal players in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of various cancers. This investigation aims to delineate the roles of CCL17 and CCR4 in modulating the tumor's immune landscape, assessing their potential as therapeutic interventions and prognostic markers in HCC. METHODS 873 HCC patients post-radical surgery from 2008 to 2012 at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University were retrospectively examined. These individuals were stratified into a training cohort (n = 354) and a validation cohort (n = 519). Through immunohistochemical analysis on HCC tissue arrays, the expressions of CCL17, CCR4, CD73, CD47, HHLA2, and PD-L1 were quantified. Survival metrics were analyzed using the Cox model, and a prognostic nomogram was devised via R software. RESULTS The investigation confirmed the presence of CCL17 and CCR4 within the cancerous and stromal compartments of HCC tissues, associating their heightened expression with adverse clinical markers and survival outcomes. Notably, the interplay between CD73 and CCR4 expression in tumor stroma highlighted a novel cellular entity, CCR4 + CD73 + stromal cells, impacting overall and relapse-free survival. A prognostic nomogram amalgamating these immunological markers and clinical variables was established, offering refined prognostic insights and aiding in the management of HCC. The findings suggest that reduced CCR4 and CCR4 + CD73 + cell prevalence may forecast improved outcomes post-TACE. CONCLUSION This comprehensive evaluation of CCR4, CCL17, and associated markers introduces a nuanced understanding of the HCC immunological milieu, proposing CCR4 + CD73 + stromal cells as critical to HCC pathogenesis and patient stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Gan
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bao-Ye Sun
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation & Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Zhongshan Hospital, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhang-Fu Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation & Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Zhongshan Hospital, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Ye
- Department of Otolaryngology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhu-Tao Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation & Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Zhongshan Hospital, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation & Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Zhongshan Hospital, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guo-Qiang Sun
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation & Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Zhongshan Hospital, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Yi
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation & Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Zhongshan Hospital, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shuang-Jian Qiu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation & Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Zhongshan Hospital, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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2
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Yin N, Li X, Zhang X, Xue S, Cao Y, Niedermann G, Lu Y, Xue J. Development of pharmacological immunoregulatory anti-cancer therapeutics: current mechanistic studies and clinical opportunities. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:126. [PMID: 38773064 PMCID: PMC11109181 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01826-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy represented by anti-PD-(L)1 and anti-CTLA-4 inhibitors has revolutionized cancer treatment, but challenges related to resistance and toxicity still remain. Due to the advancement of immuno-oncology, an increasing number of novel immunoregulatory targets and mechanisms are being revealed, with relevant therapies promising to improve clinical immunotherapy in the foreseeable future. Therefore, comprehending the larger picture is important. In this review, we analyze and summarize the current landscape of preclinical and translational mechanistic research, drug development, and clinical trials that brought about next-generation pharmacological immunoregulatory anti-cancer agents and drug candidates beyond classical immune checkpoint inhibitors. Along with further clarification of cancer immunobiology and advances in antibody engineering, agents targeting additional inhibitory immune checkpoints, including LAG-3, TIM-3, TIGIT, CD47, and B7 family members are becoming an important part of cancer immunotherapy research and discovery, as are structurally and functionally optimized novel anti-PD-(L)1 and anti-CTLA-4 agents and agonists of co-stimulatory molecules of T cells. Exemplified by bispecific T cell engagers, newly emerging bi-specific and multi-specific antibodies targeting immunoregulatory molecules can provide considerable clinical benefits. Next-generation agents also include immune epigenetic drugs and cytokine-based therapeutics. Cell therapies, cancer vaccines, and oncolytic viruses are not covered in this review. This comprehensive review might aid in further development and the fastest possible clinical adoption of effective immuno-oncology modalities for the benefit of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanhao Yin
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center & State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Xintong Li
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center & State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Xuanwei Zhang
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center & State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Shaolong Xue
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 20, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
- Institute of Disaster Medicine & Institute of Emergency Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Gaopeng Avenue, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Gabriele Niedermann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site DKTK-Freiburg, Robert-Koch-Strasse 3, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - You Lu
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center & State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
- Laboratory of Clinical Cell Therapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 2222, Xinchuan Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Jianxin Xue
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center & State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
- Laboratory of Clinical Cell Therapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 2222, Xinchuan Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
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3
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Wang ZQ, Zhang ZC, Wu YY, Pi YN, Lou SH, Liu TB, Lou G, Yang C. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins: biological functions, diseases, and targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:420. [PMID: 37926722 PMCID: PMC10625992 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01647-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BET proteins, which influence gene expression and contribute to the development of cancer, are epigenetic interpreters. Thus, BET inhibitors represent a novel form of epigenetic anticancer treatment. Although preliminary clinical trials have shown the anticancer potential of BET inhibitors, it appears that these drugs have limited effectiveness when used alone. Therefore, given the limited monotherapeutic activity of BET inhibitors, their use in combination with other drugs warrants attention, including the meaningful variations in pharmacodynamic activity among chosen drug combinations. In this paper, we review the function of BET proteins, the preclinical justification for BET protein targeting in cancer, recent advances in small-molecule BET inhibitors, and preliminary clinical trial findings. We elucidate BET inhibitor resistance mechanisms, shed light on the associated adverse events, investigate the potential of combining these inhibitors with diverse therapeutic agents, present a comprehensive compilation of synergistic treatments involving BET inhibitors, and provide an outlook on their future prospects as potent antitumor agents. We conclude by suggesting that combining BET inhibitors with other anticancer drugs and innovative next-generation agents holds great potential for advancing the effective targeting of BET proteins as a promising anticancer strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Zhao-Cong Zhang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Yu-Yang Wu
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ya-Nan Pi
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Sheng-Han Lou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Tian-Bo Liu
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Ge Lou
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
| | - Chang Yang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
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Alečković M, Li Z, Zhou N, Qiu X, Lulseged B, Foidart P, Huang XY, Garza K, Shu S, Kesten N, Li R, Lim K, Garrido-Castro AC, Guerriero JL, Qi J, Long HW, Polyak K. Combination Therapies to Improve the Efficacy of Immunotherapy in Triple-negative Breast Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:1304-1318. [PMID: 37676980 PMCID: PMC10618734 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibition combined with chemotherapy is currently approved as first-line treatment for patients with advanced PD-L1-positive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, a significant proportion of metastatic TNBC is PD-L1-negative and, in this population, chemotherapy alone largely remains the standard-of-care and novel therapeutic strategies are needed to improve clinical outcomes. Here, we describe a triple combination of anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade, epigenetic modulation thorough bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) bromodomain inhibition (BBDI), and chemotherapy with paclitaxel that effectively inhibits both primary and metastatic tumor growth in two different syngeneic murine models of TNBC. Detailed cellular and molecular profiling of tumors from single and combination treatment arms revealed increased T- and B-cell infiltration and macrophage reprogramming from MHCIIlow to a MHCIIhigh phenotype in mice treated with triple combination. Triple combination also had a major impact on gene expression and chromatin profiles shifting cells to a more immunogenic and senescent state. Our results provide strong preclinical evidence to justify clinical testing of BBDI, paclitaxel, and immune checkpoint blockade combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maša Alečković
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Zheqi Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ningxuan Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Xintao Qiu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Bethlehem Lulseged
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Pierre Foidart
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Xiao-Yun Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kodie Garza
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shaokun Shu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nikolas Kesten
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Klothilda Lim
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Ana C. Garrido-Castro
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer L. Guerriero
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Surgery, Division of Breast Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jun Qi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Henry W. Long
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Kornelia Polyak
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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5
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Kang JH, Zappasodi R. Modulating Treg stability to improve cancer immunotherapy. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:911-927. [PMID: 37598003 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) provide a main mechanism of tumor immune evasion. Targeting Tregs, especially in the tumor microenvironment (TME), continues to be investigated to improve cancer immunotherapy. Recent studies have unveiled intratumoral Treg heterogeneity and plasticity, furthering the complexity of the role of Tregs in tumor immunity and immunotherapy response. The phenotypic and functional diversity of intratumoral Tregs can impact their response to therapy and may offer new targets to modulate specific Treg subsets. In this review we provide a unifying framework of critical factors contributing to Treg heterogeneity and plasticity in the TME, and we discuss how this information can guide the development of more specific Treg-targeting therapies for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee Hye Kang
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA; Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roberta Zappasodi
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA; Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School, New York, NY, USA.
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6
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Chen Z, Yang X, Chen Z, Li M, Wang W, Yang R, Wang Z, Ma Y, Xu Y, Ao S, Liang L, Cai C, Wang C, Deng T, Gu D, Zhou H, Zeng G. A new histone deacetylase inhibitor remodels the tumor microenvironment by deletion of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells and sensitizes prostate cancer to immunotherapy. BMC Med 2023; 21:402. [PMID: 37880708 PMCID: PMC10601128 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03094-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy diagnosed in men. Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) alone showed disappointing results in PCa. It is partly due to the formation of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) could not be reversed effectively by ICB alone. METHODS We used PCa cell lines to evaluate the combined effects of CN133 and anti-PD-1 in the subcutaneous and osseous PCa mice models, as well as the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS We found that CN133 could reduce the infiltration of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs), and CN133 combination with anti-PD-1 could augment antitumor effects in the subcutaneous PCa of allograft models. However, anti-PD-1 combination with CN133 failed to elicit an anti-tumor response to the bone metastatic PCa mice. Mechanistically, CN133 could inhibit the infiltration of PMN-MDSCs in the TME of soft tissues by downregulation gene expression of PMN-MDSC recruitment but not change the gene expression involved in PMN-MDSC activation in the CN133 and anti-PD-1 co-treatment group relative to the anti-PD-1 alone in the bone metastatic mice model. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our work firstly demonstrated that combination of CN133 with anti-PD-1 therapy may increase the therapeutic efficacy to PCa by reactivation of the positive immune microenvironment in the TME of soft tissue PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zude Chen
- Department of Urology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Xiaoshuang Yang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Zugen Chen
- Department of Urology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minzhao Li
- Department of Urology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- The Second Ward of Urology, Qujing Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Qujing, China
| | - Riwei Yang
- Department of Urology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zuomin Wang
- Department of Urology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxiang Ma
- Department of Urology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yulong Xu
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Shan Ao
- Department of Urology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Leqi Liang
- Department of Urology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chao Cai
- Department of Urology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changning Wang
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Tuo Deng
- Department of Urology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Di Gu
- Department of Urology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Hongqing Zhou
- Department of Urology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- The Second Ward of Urology, Qujing Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Qujing, China.
| | - Guohua Zeng
- Department of Urology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Musella M, Manduca N, Maccafeo E, Sistigu A. Epigenetics behind tumor immunology: a mini review. Oncogene 2023; 42:2932-2938. [PMID: 37604925 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02791-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Immunogenic- and immune-therapies have become hot spots in the treatment of cancer. Although promising, these strategies are frequently associated with innate or acquired resistance, calling for combined targeting of immune inhibitory signals. Epigenetic therapy is attracting considerable attention as a combination partner for immune-based therapies due to its role in molding the state and fate of cancer and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Here, we describe epigenetic dysregulations in cancer, with a particular focus on those related to innate immune signaling and Type I interferons, and emphasize opportunities and current efforts to translate this knowledge into treatment regimens with improved clinical benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Musella
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Manduca
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Ester Maccafeo
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Sistigu
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy.
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario 'A. Gemelli' - Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00168, Rome, Italy.
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Rana M, Kansal RG, Bisunke B, Fang J, Shibata D, Bajwa A, Yang J, Glazer ES. Bromo- and Extra-Terminal Domain Inhibitors Induce Mitochondrial Stress in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:936-946. [PMID: 37294884 PMCID: PMC10527726 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0149] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Identifying novel, unique, and personalized molecular targets for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains the greatest challenge in altering the biology of fatal tumors. Bromo- and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins are activated in a noncanonical fashion by TGFβ, a ubiquitous cytokine in the PDAC tumor microenvironment (TME). We hypothesized that BET inhibitors (BETi) represent a new class of drugs that attack PDAC tumors via a novel mechanism. Using a combination of patient and syngeneic murine models, we investigated the effects of the BETi drug BMS-986158 on cellular proliferation, organoid growth, cell-cycle progression, and mitochondrial metabolic disruption. These were investigated independently and in combination with standard cytotoxic chemotherapy (gemcitabine + paclitaxel [GemPTX]). BMS-986158 reduced cell viability and proliferation across multiple PDAC cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, even more so in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy (P < 0.0001). We found that BMS-986158 reduced both human and murine PDAC organoid growth (P < 0.001), with associated perturbations in the cell cycle leading to cell-cycle arrest. BMS-986158 disrupts normal cancer-dependent mitochondrial function, leading to aberrant mitochondrial metabolism and stress via dysfunctional cellular respiration, proton leakage, and ATP production. We demonstrated mechanistic and functional data that BETi induces metabolic mitochondrial dysfunction, abrogating PDAC progression and proliferation, alone and in combination with systemic cytotoxic chemotherapies. This novel approach improves the therapeutic window in patients with PDAC and offers another treatment approach distinct from cytotoxic chemotherapy that targets cancer cell bioenergetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjul Rana
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Rita G. Kansal
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Bijay Bisunke
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Jie Fang
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - David Shibata
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Amandeep Bajwa
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
- Transplant Research Institute, James D. Eason Transplant Institute, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
- Department of Genetics, Genomics, and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
- Transplant Research Institute, James D. Eason Transplant Institute, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
- Department of Genetics, Genomics, and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Evan S. Glazer
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
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9
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Olson BM, Chaudagar K, Bao R, Saha SS, Hong C, Li M, Rameshbabu S, Chen R, Thomas A, Patnaik A. BET Inhibition Sensitizes Immunologically Cold Rb-Deficient Prostate Cancer to Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:751-764. [PMID: 37014264 PMCID: PMC10239341 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-22-0369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Non-T-cell-inflamed immunologically "cold" tumor microenvironments (TME) are associated with poor responsiveness to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and can be sculpted by tumor cell genomics. Here, we evaluated how retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor-suppressor loss-of-function (LOF), one of the most frequent alterations in human cancer and associated with lineage plasticity, poor prognosis, and therapeutic outcomes, alters the TME, and whether therapeutic strategies targeting the molecular consequences of Rb loss enhance ICB efficacy. We performed bioinformatics analysis to elucidate the impact of endogenous Rb LOF on the immune TME in human primary and metastatic tumors. Next, we used isogenic murine models of Rb-deficient prostate cancer for in vitro and in vivo mechanistic studies to examine how Rb loss and bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) domain inhibition (BETi) reprograms the immune landscape, and evaluated in vivo therapeutic efficacy of BETi, singly and in combination with ICB and androgen deprivation therapy. Rb loss was enriched in non-T-cell-inflamed tumors, and Rb-deficient murine tumors demonstrated decreased immune infiltration in vivo. The BETi JQ1 increased immune infiltration into the TME through enhanced tumor cell STING/NF-κB activation and type I IFN signaling within tumor cells, resulting in differential macrophage and T-cell-mediated tumor growth inhibition and sensitization of Rb-deficient prostate cancer to ICB. BETi can reprogram the immunologically cold Rb-deficient TME via STING/NF-κB/IFN signaling to sensitize Rb-deficient prostate cancer to ICB. These data provide the mechanistic rationale to test combinations of BETi and ICB in clinical trials of Rb-deficient prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M. Olson
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology; Emory University, Atlanta, GA
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Kiranj Chaudagar
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Riyue Bao
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Center for Research Informatics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Cancer Bioinformatics Services, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Sweta Sharma Saha
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Christina Hong
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology; Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Marguerite Li
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology; Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Srikrishnan Rameshbabu
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Raymond Chen
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Alison Thomas
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology; Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Akash Patnaik
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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10
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Mandl A, Markowski MC, Carducci MA, Antonarakis ES. Role of bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins in prostate cancer. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:213-228. [PMID: 36857796 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2186851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family of proteins are epigenetic readers of acetylated histones and are critical activators of oncogenic networks across many cancers. Therapeutic targeting of BET proteins has been an attractive area of clinical development for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. In recent years, many structurally diverse BET inhibitors have been discovered and tested. Preclinical studies have demonstrated significant antiproliferative activity of BET inhibitors against prostate cancer. However, their clinical success as monotherapies has been limited by treatment-associated toxicities, primary and acquired drug resistance, and a lack of predictive biomarkers of benefit. AREAS COVERED This review provides an overview of advancements in BET inhibitor design, preclinical research, and conclusions from clinical trials in prostate cancer. We speculate on incorporating BET inhibitors into combination regimens with other agents to improve the therapeutic index of BET inhibition in treating prostate cancer. EXPERT OPINION The therapeutic potential of BET inhibitors for prostate cancer has been demonstrated in preclinical studies. However, further research is needed to identify biomarkers that can predict sensitivity to BET inhibitors and to develop novel, highly selective inhibitors to reduce toxicities. Finally, BET inhibitors are likely to hold the most clinical potential in combination with other agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adel Mandl
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mark C Markowski
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael A Carducci
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emmanuel S Antonarakis
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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11
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Zhang J, Huang L, Ge G, Hu K. Emerging Epigenetic-Based Nanotechnology for Cancer Therapy: Modulating the Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206169. [PMID: 36599655 PMCID: PMC9982594 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulated epigenetic modifications dynamically drive the abnormal transcription process to affect the tumor microenvironment; thus, promoting cancer progression, drug resistance, and metastasis. Nowadays, therapies targeting epigenetic dysregulation of tumor cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment appear to be promising adjuncts to other cancer therapies. However, the clinical results of combination therapies containing epigenetic agents are disappointing due to systemic toxicities and limited curative effects. Here, the role of epigenetic processes, including DNA methylation, post-translational modification of histones, and noncoding RNAs is discussed, followed by detailed descriptions of epigenetic regulation of the tumor microenvironment, as well as the application of epigenetic modulators in antitumor therapy, with an emphasis on the epigenetic-based advanced drug delivery system in targeting the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical BiologyInstitute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine ResearchShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai201203China
| | - Leaf Huang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular PharmaceuticsEshelman School of PharmacyUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
| | - Guangbo Ge
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical BiologyInstitute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine ResearchShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai201203China
| | - Kaili Hu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical BiologyInstitute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine ResearchShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai201203China
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12
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Analysis and therapeutic targeting of the EP300 and CREBBP acetyltransferases in anaplastic large cell lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. Leukemia 2023; 37:396-407. [PMID: 36456744 PMCID: PMC9949602 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01774-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) share a similar cytological and high surface expression of CD30, and novel therapeutic strategies are needed. The EP300 and CREBBP acetyltransferases play essential roles in the pathogenesis of non-Hodgkin B cell lymphoma, but their functions in ALCL and HL are unknown. In the current study, we investigated the physiological roles of EP300 and CREBBP in both ALCL and HL, and exploited the therapeutic potential of EP300/CREBBP small molecule inhibitors that target either the HAT or bromodomain activities. Our studies demonstrated distinct roles for EP300 and CREBBP in supporting the viability of ALCL and HL, which was bolstered by the transcriptome analyses. Specifically, EP300 but not CREBBP directly modulated the expression of oncogenic MYC/IRF4 network, surface receptor CD30, immunoregulatory cytokines IL10 and LTA, and immune checkpoint protein PD-L1. Importantly, EP300/CREBBP HAT inhibitor A-485 and bromodomain inhibitor CPI-637 exhibited strong activities against ALCL and HL in vitro and in xenograft mouse models, and inhibited PD-L1 mediated tumor immune escape. Thus, our studies revealed critical insights into the physiological roles of EP300/CREBBP in these lymphomas, and provided opportunities for developing novel strategies for both targeted and immune therapies.
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13
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Targeting Epigenetic Mechanisms: A Boon for Cancer Immunotherapy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11010169. [PMID: 36672677 PMCID: PMC9855697 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is rapidly emerging as a promising approach against cancer. In the last decade, various immunological mechanisms have been targeted to induce an increase in the immune response against cancer cells. However, despite promising results, many patients show partial response, resistance, or serious toxicities. A promising way to overcome this is the use of immunotherapeutic approaches, in combination with other potential therapeutic approaches. Aberrant epigenetic modifications play an important role in carcinogenesis and its progression, as well as in the functioning of immune cells. Thus, therapeutic approaches targeting aberrant epigenetic mechanisms and the immune response might provide an effective antitumor effect. Further, the recent development of potent epigenetic drugs and immunomodulators gives hope to this combinatorial approach. In this review, we summarize the synergy mechanism between epigenetic therapies and immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer, and discuss recent advancements in the translation of this approach.
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14
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Rosochowicz MA, Lipowicz JM, Karwacka MI, Ostapowicz J, Cisek M, Mackiewicz AA, Czerwinska P. It Runs in the Bromodomain Family: Speckled Proteins (SP) Play a Role in the Antitumor Immune Response in Solid Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010549. [PMID: 36614001 PMCID: PMC9820261 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010549] [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: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells and immune cells in the extracellular matrix: Depending on the tumor type and variety of TAAs (tumor-associated antigens), immune infiltrates are composed of many different subpopulations of immune cells. Epigenetic changes are also considered to be characteristic of cancer. Epigenetic factors taking part in the regulation of gene expression include the VII group of bromodomain proteins (BrD)-SP-family proteins. Here, we used transcriptomic data from the TCGA database, as well as immunological evidence from ESTIMATE, TIP, and TIMER2.0 databases for various solid tumor types and harnessed several publicly available bioinformatic tools (such as GSEA and GSCA) to demonstrate mechanisms and interactions between BrD proteins and immune infiltrates in cancer. We present a consistently positive correlation between the SP-family genes and immune score regardless of the tumor type. The SP-family proteins correlate positively with T cells' trafficking and infiltration into tumor. Our results also show an association between the high expression of SP family genes and enriched transcriptome profiles of inflammatory response and TNF-α signaling via NF-κβ. We also show that the SP-family proteins could be considered good predictors of high immune infiltration phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Anna Rosochowicz
- Undergraduate Research Group “Biobase”, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-545 Poznan, Poland
| | - Julia Maria Lipowicz
- Undergraduate Research Group “Biobase”, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Histology and Embriology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
| | - Marianna Iga Karwacka
- Undergraduate Research Group “Biobase”, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Julia Ostapowicz
- Undergraduate Research Group “Biobase”, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Electroradiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Cisek
- Undergraduate Research Group “Biobase”, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Andrzej Adam Mackiewicz
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-61-885-06-67; Fax: +48-61-852-85-02
| | - Patrycja Czerwinska
- Undergraduate Research Group “Biobase”, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
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15
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Zhao H, Li Y, Shi H, Niu M, Li D, Zhang Z, Feng Q, Zhang Y, Wang L. Prodrug nanoparticles potentiate tumor chemo-immunometabolic therapy by disturbing oxidative stress. J Control Release 2022; 352:909-919. [PMID: 36370878 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Constant oxidative stress and lactate accumulation are two main causes of tumor immunosuppression, their concurrent reduction plays a dominant role in effective antitumor immunity, but remains challenging. Herein, reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsive prodrug nanoparticles (designed as DHCRJ) are constructed for metabolic amplified chemo-immunotherapy against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by modulating oxidative state and hyperglycolysis. Specifically, DHCRJ is prepared by the self-assembly of DOX prodrug-tethered ROS consuming bond-bridged copolymers with the loading of bromodomain-containing protein 4 inhibitor (BRD4i) JQ1. Interestingly, the nanoparticle polymer network could reduce ROS to relieve tumor hypoxia and realize the dense-to-loose structure inversion arising from ROS-triggered network collapse, which favors JQ1 release and hyaluronidase (Hyal)-activatable DOX prodrugs generation. More importantly, disruption of oxidative stress decreases glucose uptake and assists JQ1 to down-regulate oncogene c-Myc driven tumor glycolysis for blocking the source of lactate and reshaping immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITME). Meanwhile, benefiting from the synergistic effect of DOX prodrugs and JQ1, DHCRJ is able to facilitate tumor immunogenicity and potentiate systemic immune responses through antigen processing and presentation pathway. In this manner, DHCRJ significantly suppresses tumor growth and metastasis with prolonged survival. Collectively, this study represents a proof of concept antioxidant-enhanced chemo-immunometabolic therapy strategy using ROS-reducing nanoparticles for efficient synergistic therapeutic modality of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjuan Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China; Biotherapy Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou University, Henan Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Yatong Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Haiyu Shi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Mengya Niu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Dan Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Zhenzhong Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou University, Henan Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Qianhua Feng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou University, Henan Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou University, Henan Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
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16
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Zhang M, Wang G, Ma Z, Xiong G, Wang W, Huang Z, Wan Y, Xu X, Hoyle RG, Yi C, Hou J, Liu X, Chen D, Li J, Wang C. BET inhibition triggers antitumor immunity by enhancing MHC class I expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Ther 2022; 30:3394-3413. [PMID: 35923111 PMCID: PMC9637808 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.07.022] [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: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BET inhibition has been shown to have a promising antitumor effect in multiple tumors. However, the impact of BET inhibition on antitumor immunity was still not well documented in HNSCC. In this study, we aim to assess the functional role of BET inhibition in antitumor immunity and clarify its mechanism. We show that BRD4 is highly expressed in HNSCC and inversely correlated with the infiltration of CD8+ T cells. BET inhibition potentiates CD8+ T cell-based antitumor immunity in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, BRD4 acts as a transcriptional suppressor and represses the expression of MHC class I molecules by recruiting G9a. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic depletion of BRD4 potently increases the expression of MHC class I molecules in the absence and presence of IFN-γ. Moreover, compared to PD-1 blocking antibody treatment or JQ1 treatment individually, the combination of BET inhibition with anti-PD-1 antibody treatment significantly enhances the antitumor response in HNSCC. Taken together, our data unveil a novel mechanism by which BET inhibition potentiates antitumor immunity via promoting the expression of MHC class I molecules and provides a rationale for the combination of ICBs with BET inhibitors for HNSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Zhang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China
| | - Ganping Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Zhikun Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, USA; Institute for Structural Biology, Drug Discovery, and Development, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, USA
| | - Gan Xiong
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China
| | - Wenjin Wang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China
| | - Zhengxian Huang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China
| | - Yuehan Wan
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China
| | - Xiuyun Xu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China
| | - Rosalie G Hoyle
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, USA; Institute for Structural Biology, Drug Discovery, and Development, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, USA
| | - Chen Yi
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China
| | - Jinsong Hou
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China
| | - Xiqiang Liu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Demeng Chen
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jiong Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, USA; Institute for Structural Biology, Drug Discovery, and Development, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, USA; Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, USA; Department of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, USA; Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, USA.
| | - Cheng Wang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51055, China.
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17
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Rodems TS, Heninger E, Stahlfeld CN, Gilsdorf CS, Carlson KN, Kircher MR, Singh A, Krueger TEG, Beebe DJ, Jarrard DF, McNeel DG, Haffner MC, Lang JM. Reversible epigenetic alterations regulate class I HLA loss in prostate cancer. Commun Biol 2022; 5:897. [PMID: 36050516 PMCID: PMC9437063 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03843-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Downregulation of HLA class I (HLA-I) impairs immune recognition and surveillance in prostate cancer and may underlie the ineffectiveness of checkpoint blockade. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating HLA-I loss in prostate cancer have not been fully explored. Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of HLA-I genomic, epigenomic and gene expression alterations in primary and metastatic human prostate cancer. Loss of HLA-I gene expression was associated with repressive chromatin states including DNA methylation, histone H3 tri-methylation at lysine 27, and reduced chromatin accessibility. Pharmacological DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition decreased DNA methylation and increased H3 lysine 27 acetylation and resulted in re-expression of HLA-I on the surface of tumor cells. Re-expression of HLA-I on LNCaP cells by DNMT and HDAC inhibition increased activation of co-cultured prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)27-38-specific CD8+ T-cells. HLA-I expression is epigenetically regulated by functionally reversible DNA methylation and chromatin modifications in human prostate cancer. Methylated HLA-I was detected in HLA-Ilow circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which may serve as a minimally invasive biomarker for identifying patients who would benefit from epigenetic targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara S Rodems
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Erika Heninger
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Charlotte N Stahlfeld
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Cole S Gilsdorf
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Kristin N Carlson
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Madison R Kircher
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Anupama Singh
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Timothy E G Krueger
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - David J Beebe
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 3170 UW Medical Foundation Centennial Building, 1685 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - David F Jarrard
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Urology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Douglas G McNeel
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Michael C Haffner
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave, N., Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.,Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600N Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Joshua M Lang
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA. .,Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
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18
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Zhang M, Chen Y, Li D, He Z, Wang H, Wu A, Fei W, Zheng C, Liu E, Huang Y. Gold Nanocage-Based Photothermal Ablation Facilitates In Situ Vaccination for Melanoma Therapy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:38550-38561. [PMID: 35982542 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c10842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy represents a medical breakthrough, but there are still many patients unable to benefit from it because of the low response rate. The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) is the main barrier to immunotherapy. Alleviating intratumoral immunosuppression is critical for improving the immune therapeutic efficacy. This work developed an in situ vaccination strategy by using gold nanocage (AuNC)-based photothermal effect in combination with an adjuvant and PD-L1 suppressor. In specific, this therapeutic strategy included three components: AuNCs as an inducer for tumor antigen production via photothermal ablation, CpG oligodeoxynucleotides as an adjuvant to amplify immune responses, and JQ1 as a PD-L1 suppressor to inhibit an immune checkpoint. The results showed that the in situ vaccination efficiently activated dendritic cells and primed T cells and exhibited a high therapeutic efficacy in the melanoma-bearing mice. This therapeutic strategy can increase the infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, suppress the PD-L1 expression in the tumor, and repolarize tumor-associated macrophages from pro-tumor M2 to the anti-tumor M1 phenotype, thereby remodeling the TME via regulating the innate immune and adaptive immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528437, China
| | - Yingzhi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dongdong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhidi He
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hairui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Aihua Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Weidong Fei
- Department of Pharmacy, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Caihong Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Ergang Liu
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528437, China
| | - Yongzhuo Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528437, China
- Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients, National Medical Products Administration, Shanghai 201203, China
- School of Advanced Study, Institute of Natural Medicine and Health Product, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, China
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19
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Liu Z, Zhang Y, Xiang Y, Kang X. Small-Molecule PROTACs for Cancer Immunotherapy. Molecules 2022; 27:5439. [PMID: 36080223 PMCID: PMC9458232 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Unsatisfactory physicochemical properties of macromolecular drugs seriously hinder their application in tumor immunotherapy. However, these problems can be effectively solved by small-molecule compounds. In the promising field of small-molecule drug development, proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) offers a novel mode of action in the interactions between small molecules and therapeutic targets (mainly proteins). This revolutionary technology has shown considerable impact on several proteins related to tumor survival but is rarely exploited in proteins associated with immuno-oncology up until now. This review attempts to comprehensively summarize the well-studied and less-developed immunological targets available for PROTAC technology, as well as some targets to be explored, aiming to provide more options and opportunities for the development of small-molecule-based tumor immunotherapy. In addition, some novel directions that can magnify and broaden the protein degradation efficiency are mentioned to improve PROTAC design in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xin Kang
- West China (Airport) Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610047, China
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20
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Zhong M, Gao R, Zhao R, Huang Y, Chen C, Li K, Yu X, Nie D, Chen Z, Liu X, Liu Z, Chen S, Lu Y, Yu Z, Wang L, Li P, Zeng C, Li Y. BET bromodomain inhibition rescues PD-1-mediated T-cell exhaustion in acute myeloid leukemia. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:671. [PMID: 35918330 PMCID: PMC9346138 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05123-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Sustained expression of programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) is correlated with the exhaustion of T cells, and blockade of the PD-1 pathway is an effective immunotherapeutic strategy for treating various cancers. However, response rates are limited, and many patients do not achieve durable responses. Thus, it is important to seek additional strategies that can improve anticancer immunity. Here, we report that the bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) inhibitor JQ1 inhibits PD-1 expression in Jurkat T cells, primary T cells, and T-cell exhaustion models. Furthermore, JQ1 dramatically impaired the expression of PD-1 and T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-domain-containing-3 (Tim-3) and promoted the secretion of cytokines in T cells from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In line with that, BET inhibitor-treated CD19-CAR T and CD123-CAR T cells have enhanced anti-leukemia potency and resistant to exhaustion. Mechanistically, BRD4 binds to the NFAT2 and PDCD1 (encoding PD-1) promoters, and NFAT2 binds to the PDCD1 and HAVCR2 (encoding Tim-3) promoters. JQ1-treated T cells showed downregulated NFAT2, PD-1, and Tim-3 expression. In addition, BET inhibitor suppressed programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and cell growth in AML cell lines and in primary AML cells. We also demonstrated that JQ1 treatment led to inhibition of leukemia progression, reduced T-cell PD-1/Tim-3 expression, and prolonged survival in MLL-AF9 AML mouse model and Nalm6 (B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell)-bearing mouse leukemia model. Taken together, BET inhibition improved anti-leukemia immunity by regulating PD-1/PD-L1 expression, and also directly suppressed AML cells, which provides novel insights on the multiple effects of BET inhibition for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjun Zhong
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Rili Gao
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Ruocong Zhao
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Center for Cell Regeneration and Biotherapy, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510530 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Youxue Huang
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Cunte Chen
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Kehan Li
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xibao Yu
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Dingrui Nie
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zheng Chen
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xin Liu
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zhuandi Liu
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Shaohua Chen
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yuhong Lu
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zhi Yu
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Liang Wang
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Peng Li
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Center for Cell Regeneration and Biotherapy, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510530 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Chengwu Zeng
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yangqiu Li
- grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, P. R. China
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21
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Moreira-Silva F, Henrique R, Jerónimo C. From Therapy Resistance to Targeted Therapies in Prostate Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:877379. [PMID: 35686097 PMCID: PMC9170957 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.877379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common malignancy among men worldwide. Although early-stage disease is curable, advanced stage PCa is mostly incurable and eventually becomes resistant to standard therapeutic options. Different genetic and epigenetic alterations are associated with the development of therapy resistant PCa, with specific players being particularly involved in this process. Therefore, identification and targeting of these molecules with selective inhibitors might result in anti-tumoral effects. Herein, we describe the mechanisms underlying therapy resistance in PCa, focusing on the most relevant molecules, aiming to enlighten the current state of targeted therapies in PCa. We suggest that selective drug targeting, either alone or in combination with standard treatment options, might improve therapeutic sensitivity of resistant PCa. Moreover, an individualized analysis of tumor biology in each PCa patient might improve treatment selection and therapeutic response, enabling better disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Moreira-Silva
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (He-alth Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (He-alth Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (He-alth Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
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22
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Zhang J, Ding X, Peng K, Jia Z, Yang J. Identification of biomarkers for immunotherapy response in prostate cancer and potential drugs to alleviate immunosuppression. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:4839-4857. [PMID: 35680563 PMCID: PMC9217695 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204115] [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: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: Immunotherapy has a significant effect on the treatment of many tumor types. However, prostate cancers generally fail to show significant responses to immunotherapy owing to their immunosuppressive microenvironments. To sustain progress towards more effective immunotherapy for prostate cancer, comprehensive analyses of the genetic characteristics of the immune microenvironment and novel therapeutic strategies are required. Methods: The transcriptome profiles of patients with prostate cancer were obtained from GEO and processed with the TIDE algorithm to predict their responses to immunotherapy. Next, the significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the responder and non-responder groups were identified and used to compute the co-expression modules by WGCNA. Then, co-expression networks were constructed and survival analysis was applied to hub genes. Finally, drug candidates to alleviate immunosuppression were filtered in prostate cancer using GSEA based on hub genes. Results: In total, we identified 2758 significant DEGs and constructed 16 co-expression modules, seven of which were significantly correlated with the immune response score. In total, 133 hub genes were identified, of which 13 were significantly associated with prostate cancer prognosis. Co-expression networks of hub genes were constructed with KMT2B at the center. Finally, six candidate drugs for prostate cancer immunotherapy were identified in PC3 and LNCaP cell lines. Conclusions: We obtained datasets from multiple platforms, performed integrated bioinformatic analysis to identify 133 hub genes and 13 biomarkers of an immunotherapy response, and six candidate drugs were filtered to inhibit the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, to ultimately improve patient responses to immunotherapy in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinpeng Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Henan Institute of Urology, Tumor Molecular Biology Key Laboratory of Zhengzhou, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Department of Urology, Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zheng Zhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiaohui Ding
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Henan Institute of Urology, Tumor Molecular Biology Key Laboratory of Zhengzhou, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Kun Peng
- Department of Urology, Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zheng Zhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhankui Jia
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Henan Institute of Urology, Tumor Molecular Biology Key Laboratory of Zhengzhou, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jinjian Yang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Henan Institute of Urology, Tumor Molecular Biology Key Laboratory of Zhengzhou, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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23
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Mori JO, Shafran JS, Stojanova M, Katz MH, Gignac GA, Wisco JJ, Heaphy CM, Denis GV. Novel forms of prostate cancer chemoresistance to successful androgen deprivation therapy demand new approaches: Rationale for targeting BET proteins. Prostate 2022; 82:1005-1015. [PMID: 35403746 PMCID: PMC11134172 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In patients with prostate cancer, the duration of remission after treatment with androgen deprivation therapies (ADTs) varies dramatically. Clinical experience has demonstrated difficulties in predicting individual risk for progression due to chemoresistance. Drug combinations that inhibit androgen biosynthesis (e.g., abiraterone acetate) and androgen signaling (e.g., enzalutamide or apalutamide) have proven so effective that new forms of ADT resistance are emerging. In particular, prostate cancers with a neuroendocrine transcriptional signature, which demonstrate greater plasticity, and potentially, increased predisposition to metastasize, are becoming more prevalent. Notably, these subtypes had in fact been relatively rare before the widespread success of novel ADT regimens. Therefore, better understanding of these resistance mechanisms and potential alternative treatments are necessary to improve progression-free survival for patients treated with ADT. Targeting the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) protein family, specifically BRD4, with newer investigational agents may represent one such option. Several families of chromatin modifiers appear to be involved in ADT resistance and targeting these pathways could also offer novel approaches. However, the limited transcriptional and genomic information on ADT resistance mechanisms, and a serious lack of patient diversity in clinical trials, demand profiling of a much broader clinical and demographic range of patients, before robust conclusions can be drawn and a clear direction established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joakin O. Mori
- Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jordan S. Shafran
- Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marija Stojanova
- Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mark H. Katz
- Department of Urology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gretchen A. Gignac
- Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jonathan J. Wisco
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christopher M. Heaphy
- Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gerald V. Denis
- Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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24
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Wu Z, Wang Y, Li J, Wang H, Tuo X, Zheng J. MCM10 is a Prognostic Biomarker and Correlated With Immune Checkpoints in Ovarian Cancer. Front Genet 2022; 13:864578. [PMID: 35664337 PMCID: PMC9161093 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.864578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Microchromosome maintenance protein 10 (MCM10) is required for DNA replication in all eukaryotes, and it plays a key role in the development of many types of malignancies. However, we currently still do not know the relationship between MCM10 and ovarian cancer (OV) prognosis and immune checkpoints. Methods: The Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis and Tumor Immunology Estimation Resource (TIMER) databases were used to investigate MCM10 expression in Fan cancer. The Kaplan-Meier Plotter and PrognoScan were used to assess the relationship between MCM10 and OV prognosis. The LinkedOmics database was used to analyze the MCM10 co-expression network and explore GO term annotation and the KEGG pathway. The relationship between MCM10 expression and immune infiltration in OV was investigated using the Tumor Immunology Estimation Resource database. cBioPortal database was used to explore the relationship between MCM10 expression and 25 immune checkpoints. Finally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect MCM10 expression. The prognosis was also analyzed by distinguishing between high and low expression groups based on median expression values. Results: The results of the three data sets (220,651_s_at, 222,962_s_at and 223,570_at) in KM Plotter all indicated that the overall survivalof the high MCM10 expression group was lower than that of the low expression group OV, and the results of GSE9891 also reached the same conclusion. The expression level of MCM10 was negatively correlated with B cells and CD8+T cells, and positively correlated with CD4+T Cells and Macrophages. GO term annotation and KEGG pathway analysis showed that the co-expressed genes of MCM10 were mainly enriched in cell cycle and DNA replication. The alterations in MCM10 coexisted statistically with the immune checkpoints CTLA4, TNFSF4, TNFSF18, CD80, ICOSLG, LILRB1 and CD200. PCR results displayed that MCM10 was highly expressed in OV tissues, and the increased expression of MCM10 was significantly associated with poor overall survival. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that high expression of MCM10 was associated with poor prognosis in OV and correlated with immune checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Wu
- Department of Gynecology, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-Care Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yueyuan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-Care Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Gynecology, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-Care Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Huiling Wang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-Care Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xunyuan Tuo
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-Care Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jing Zheng
- Department of Gynecology, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-Care Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Zheng,
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25
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Xie K, Tan K, Naylor MJ. Transcription Factors as Novel Therapeutic Targets and Drivers of Prostate Cancer Progression. Front Oncol 2022; 12:854151. [PMID: 35547880 PMCID: PMC9082354 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.854151] [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: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer among men worldwide. Androgen deprivation therapy, the most common targeted therapeutic option, is circumvented as prostate cancer progresses from androgen dependent to castrate-resistant disease. Whilst the nuclear receptor transcription factor, androgen receptor, drives the growth of prostate tumor during initial stage of the disease, androgen resistance is associated with poorly differentiated prostate cancer. In the recent years, increased research has highlighted the aberrant transcriptional activities of a small number of transcription factors. Along with androgen receptors, dysregulation of these transcription factors contributes to both the poorly differentiated phenotypes of prostate cancer cells and the initiation and progression of prostate carcinoma. As master regulators of cell fate decisions, these transcription factors may provide opportunity for the development of novel therapeutic targets for the management of prostate cancer. Whilst some transcriptional regulators have previously been notoriously difficult to directly target, technological advances offer potential for the indirect therapeutic targeting of these transcription factors and the capacity to reprogram cancer cell phenotype. This mini review will discuss how recent advances in our understanding of transcriptional regulators and material science pave the way to utilize these regulatory molecules as therapeutic targets in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangzhe Xie
- Charles Perkins Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Keely Tan
- Charles Perkins Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew J Naylor
- Charles Perkins Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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26
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Eke I, Aryankalayil MJ, Bylicky MA, Sandfort V, Vanpouille-Box C, Nandagopal S, Graves EE, Giaccia AJ, Coleman CN. Long-term expression changes of immune-related genes in prostate cancer after radiotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:839-850. [PMID: 34435232 PMCID: PMC8873240 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03036-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The expression of immune-related genes in cancer cells can alter the anti-tumor immune response and thereby impact patient outcomes. Radiotherapy has been shown to modulate immune-related genes dependent on the fractionation regimen. To identify long-term changes in gene expression after irradiation, PC3 (p53 deleted) and LNCaP (p53 wildtype) prostate cancer cells were irradiated with either a single dose (SD, 10 Gy) or a fractionated regimen (MF) of 10 fractions (1 Gy per fraction). Whole human genome arrays were used to determine gene expression at 24 h and 2 months after irradiation. Immune pathway activation was analyzed with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. Additionally, 3D colony formation assays and T-cell cytotoxicity assays were performed. LNCaP had a higher basal expression of immunogenic genes and was more efficiently killed by cytotoxic T-cells compared to PC3. In both cell lines, MF irradiation resulted in an increase in multiple immune-related genes immediately after irradiation, while at 2 months, SD irradiation had a more pronounced effect on radiation-induced gene expression. Both immunogenic and immunosuppressive genes were upregulated in the long term in PC3 cells by a 10 Gy SD irradiation but not in LNCaP. T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity was significantly increased in 10 Gy SD PC3 cells compared to the unirradiated control and could be further enhanced by treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Irradiation impacts the expression of immune-related genes in cancer cells in a fractionation-dependent manner. Understanding and targeting these changes may be a promising strategy for primary prostate cancer and recurrent tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Eke
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Center for Clinical Sciences Research (CCSR), Stanford University School of Medicine, 269 Campus Dr., Room 1260, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Molykutty J Aryankalayil
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Michelle A Bylicky
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Veit Sandfort
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | | | - Saravanan Nandagopal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Center for Clinical Sciences Research (CCSR), Stanford University School of Medicine, 269 Campus Dr., Room 1260, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Edward E Graves
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Center for Clinical Sciences Research (CCSR), Stanford University School of Medicine, 269 Campus Dr., Room 1260, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Amato J Giaccia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Center for Clinical Sciences Research (CCSR), Stanford University School of Medicine, 269 Campus Dr., Room 1260, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Oxford Institute of Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX37DQ, UK
| | - C Norman Coleman
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Radiation Research Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
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Palicelli A, Croci S, Bisagni A, Zanetti E, De Biase D, Melli B, Sanguedolce F, Ragazzi M, Zanelli M, Chaux A, Cañete-Portillo S, Bonasoni MP, Ascani S, De Leo A, Giordano G, Landriscina M, Carrieri G, Cormio L, Gandhi J, Nicoli D, Farnetti E, Piana S, Tafuni A, Bonacini M. What Do We Have to Know about PD-L1 Expression in Prostate Cancer? A Systematic Literature Review (Part 6): Correlation of PD-L1 Expression with the Status of Mismatch Repair System, BRCA, PTEN, and Other Genes. Biomedicines 2022; 10:236. [PMID: 35203446 PMCID: PMC8868626 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) is allowed in selected metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PC) patients showing microsatellite instability/mismatch repair system deficiency (MSI-H/dMMR). BRCA1/2 loss-of-function is linked to hereditary PCs and homologous recombination DNA-repair system deficiency: poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase inhibitors can be administered to BRCA-mutated PC patients. Recently, docetaxel-refractory metastatic castration-resistant PC patients with BRCA1/2 or ATM somatic mutations had higher response rates to pembrolizumab. PTEN regulates cell cycle/proliferation/apoptosis through pathways including the AKT/mTOR, which upregulates PD-L1 expression in PC. Our systematic literature review (PRISMA guidelines) investigated the potential correlations between PD-L1 and MMR/MSI/BRCA/PTEN statuses in PC, discussing few other relevant genes. Excluding selection biases, 74/677 (11%) PCs showed dMMR/MSI; 8/67 (12%) of dMMR/MSI cases were PD-L1+. dMMR-PCs included ductal (3%) and acinar (14%) PCs (all cases tested for MSI were acinar-PCs). In total, 15/39 (39%) PCs harbored BRCA1/2 aberrations: limited data are available for PD-L1 expression in these patients. 13/137 (10%) PTEN- PCs were PD-L1+; 10/29 (35%) PD-L1+ PCs showed PTEN negativity. SPOP mutations may increase PD-L1 levels, while the potential correlation between PD-L1 and ERG expression in PC should be clarified. Further research should verify how the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors in metastatic castration-resistant PCs is related to dMMR/MSI, DNA-damage repair genes defects, or PD-L1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Palicelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (S.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Stefania Croci
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (S.C.); (M.B.)
| | - Alessandra Bisagni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (S.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Eleonora Zanetti
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (S.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Dario De Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Beatrice Melli
- Fertility Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | | | - Moira Ragazzi
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (S.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Magda Zanelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (S.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Alcides Chaux
- Department of Scientific Research, School of Postgraduate Studies, Norte University, Asuncion 1614, Paraguay;
| | - Sofia Cañete-Portillo
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Maria Paola Bonasoni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (S.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Stefano Ascani
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria di Terni, University of Perugia, 05100 Terni, Italy;
- Haematopathology Unit, CREO, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Azienda USL Bologna, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Guido Giordano
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Matteo Landriscina
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Giuseppe Carrieri
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Luigi Cormio
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Jatin Gandhi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Davide Nicoli
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (D.N.); (E.F.)
| | - Enrico Farnetti
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (D.N.); (E.F.)
| | - Simonetta Piana
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (S.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Alessandro Tafuni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (S.P.); (A.T.)
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
| | - Martina Bonacini
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (S.C.); (M.B.)
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Nanamori H, Sawada Y. Epigenetic Modification of PD-1/PD-L1-Mediated Cancer Immunotherapy against Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031119. [PMID: 35163049 PMCID: PMC8835029 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is one of the representative skin cancers with unfavorable clinical behavior. Immunotherapy is currently used for the treatment, and it dramatically improves clinical outcomes in patients with advanced malignant melanoma. On the other hand, not all these patients can obtain therapeutic efficacy. To overcome this limitation of current immunotherapy, epigenetic modification is a highlighted issue for clinicians. Epigenetic modification is involved in various physiological and pathological conditions in the skin. Recent studies identified that skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma, has advantages in tumor development, indicating that epigenetic manipulation for regulation of gene expression in the tumor can be expected to result in additional therapeutic efficacy during immunotherapy. In this review, we focus on the detailed molecular mechanism of epigenetic modification in immunotherapy, especially anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody treatment for malignant melanoma.
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Wang J, Xu Y, Rao X, Zhang R, Tang J, Zhang D, Jie X, Zhu K, Wang X, Xu Y, Zhang S, Dong X, Zhang T, Yang K, Xu S, Meng R, Wu G. BRD4-IRF1 axis regulates chemoradiotherapy-induced PD-L1 expression and immune evasion in non-small cell lung cancer. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e718. [PMID: 35083874 PMCID: PMC8792480 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemoradiotherapy-induced PD-L1 upregulation leads to therapeutic resistance and treatment failure. The PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies sensitize cancers to chemoradiotherapy by blocking extracellular PD-1 and PD-L1 binding without affecting the oncogenic function of intracellular PD-L1. Reversing the chemoradiation-induced PD-L1 expression could provide a new strategy to achieve a greater anti-tumour effect of chemoradiotherapy. Here, we aimed to identify candidate small molecular inhibitors that might boost the anti-tumour immunity of chemoradiotherapy by decreasing treatment-induced PD-L1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS A drug array was used to recognize compounds that can suppress the cisplatin-induced and radiation-induced PD-L1 expression in NSCLC via the flow cytometry-based assay. We examined whether and how targeting bromodomain containing 4 (BRD4) inhibits chemoradiation-induced PD-L1 expression and evaluated the effect of BRD4 inhibition and chemoradiation combination in vivo. RESULTS BRD4 inhibitors JQ1 and ARV-771 were identified as the most promising drugs both in the cisplatin and radiation screening projects in two NSCLC cell lines. Targeting BRD4 was supposed to block chemoradiotherapy inducible PD-L1 expression by disrupting the recruitment of BRD4-IRF1 complex to PD-L1 promoter. A positive correlation between BRD4 and PD-L1 expression was observed in human NSCLC tissues. Moreover, BRD4 inhibition synergized with chemoradiotherapy and PD-1 blockade to show a robust anti-tumour immunity dependent on CD8+ T cell through limiting chemoradiation-induced tumour cell surface PD-L1 upregulation in vivo. Notably, the BRD4-targeted combinatory treatments did not show increased toxicities. CONCLUSION The data showed that BRD4-targeted therapy synergized with chemoradiotherapy and anti-PD-1 antibody by boosting anti-tumour immunity in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wang
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Yingzhuo Xu
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Xinrui Rao
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Ruiguang Zhang
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Jing Tang
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Xiaohua Jie
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Kuikui Zhu
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Xu Wang
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Yunhong Xu
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Xiaorong Dong
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Kunyu Yang
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Shuangbing Xu
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Rui Meng
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Gang Wu
- Cancer Center, Union HospitalTongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
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30
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Zhang Y, Wang H, Oliveira RHM, Zhao C, Popel AS. Systems biology of angiogenesis signaling: Computational models and omics. WIREs Mech Dis 2021; 14:e1550. [PMID: 34970866 PMCID: PMC9243197 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a highly regulated multiscale process that involves a plethora of cells, their cellular signal transduction, activation, proliferation, differentiation, as well as their intercellular communication. The coordinated execution and integration of such complex signaling programs is critical for physiological angiogenesis to take place in normal growth, development, exercise, and wound healing, while its dysregulation is critically linked to many major human diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and ocular disorders; it is also crucial in regenerative medicine. Although huge efforts have been devoted to drug development for these diseases by investigation of angiogenesis‐targeted therapies, only a few therapeutics and targets have proved effective in humans due to the innate multiscale complexity and nonlinearity in the process of angiogenic signaling. As a promising approach that can help better address this challenge, systems biology modeling allows the integration of knowledge across studies and scales and provides a powerful means to mechanistically elucidate and connect the individual molecular and cellular signaling components that function in concert to regulate angiogenesis. In this review, we summarize and discuss how systems biology modeling studies, at the pathway‐, cell‐, tissue‐, and whole body‐levels, have advanced our understanding of signaling in angiogenesis and thereby delivered new translational insights for human diseases. This article is categorized under:Cardiovascular Diseases > Computational Models Cancer > Computational Models
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hanwen Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rebeca Hannah M Oliveira
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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31
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Palicelli A, Bonacini M, Croci S, Bisagni A, Zanetti E, De Biase D, Sanguedolce F, Ragazzi M, Zanelli M, Chaux A, Cañete-Portillo S, Bonasoni MP, Ascani S, De Leo A, Gandhi J, Tafuni A, Melli B. What Do We Have to Know about PD-L1 Expression in Prostate Cancer? A Systematic Literature Review. Part 7: PD-L1 Expression in Liquid Biopsy. J Pers Med 2021; 11:1312. [PMID: 34945784 PMCID: PMC8709072 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11121312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsy is an accessible, non-invasive diagnostic tool for advanced prostate cancer (PC) patients, potentially representing a real-time monitoring test for tumor evolution and response to treatment through the analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and exosomes. We performed a systematic literature review (PRISMA guidelines) to describe the current knowledge about PD-L1 expression in liquid biopsies of PC patients: 101/159 (64%) cases revealed a variable number of PD-L1+ CTCs. Outcome correlations should be investigated in larger series. Nuclear PD-L1 expression by CTCs was occasionally associated with worse prognosis. Treatment (abiraterone, enzalutamide, radiotherapy, checkpoint-inhibitors) influenced PD-L1+ CTC levels. Discordance in PD-L1 status was detected between primary vs. metastatic PC tissue biopsies and CTCs vs. corresponding tumor tissues. PD-L1 is also released by PC cells through soluble exosomes, which could inhibit the T cell function, causing immune evasion. PD-L1+ PC-CTC monitoring and genomic profiling may better characterize the ongoing aggressive PC forms compared to PD-L1 evaluation on primary tumor biopsies/prostatectomy specimens (sometimes sampled a long time before recurrence/progression). Myeloid-derived suppressor cells and dendritic cells (DCs), which may have immune-suppressive effects in tumor microenvironment, have been found in PC patients circulation, sometimes expressing PD-L1. Occasionally, their levels correlated to clinical outcome. Enzalutamide-progressing castration-resistant PC patients revealed increased PD-1+ T cells and circulating PD-L1/2+ DCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Palicelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.)
| | - Martina Bonacini
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Stefania Croci
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Alessandra Bisagni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.)
| | - Eleonora Zanetti
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.)
| | - Dario De Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | | | - Moira Ragazzi
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.)
| | - Magda Zanelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.)
| | - Alcides Chaux
- Department of Scientific Research, School of Postgraduate Studies, Norte University, Asunción 1614, Paraguay;
| | - Sofia Cañete-Portillo
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Maria Paola Bonasoni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.)
| | - Stefano Ascani
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria di Terni, University of Perugia, 05100 Terni, Italy;
- Haematopathology Unit, CREO, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Azienda USL Bologna, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Jatin Gandhi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Alessandro Tafuni
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy;
| | - Beatrice Melli
- Fertility Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
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Kong D, Jiang Y, Miao X, Wu Z, Liu H, Gong W. Tadalafil enhances the therapeutic efficacy of BET inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma through activating Hippo pathway. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1867:166267. [PMID: 34508829 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins are promising therapeutic targets for hematological and solid tumors. However, BET inhibitor monotherapy did not show a significant therapeutic benefit for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in preclinical trials. Here, we identified YAP/TAZ genes, as determinants for sensitivity to BET inhibitors. YAP/TAZ expression, especially TAZ, promote resistance to BET inhibitor. In addition, we analyzed that the mRNA level of PDE5 was positively correlated with YAP/TAZ based on TCGA database and demonstrated tadalafil, a PDE5 inhibitor, could block YAP/TAZ protein expression by activating Hippo pathway. Cotreatment with tadalafil and JQ-1 synergistically reduced YAP/TAZ protein expression, suppressed proliferation and induced G0-G1 arrest of cultured HCC cells. JQ-1 alone does not show significant benefits in a mouse model of HCC induced by c-Myc/N-Ras plasmids. In contrast, the combination, tadalafil and JQ-1, successfully suppressed tumor progression, enhanced antitumor immunity by improving the ratio of activated CD8 and extended the survival time of mice. Our data define the key role of YAP/TAZ in mediating resistance to BET inhibitor, described the PDE5/PKG/Hippo/YAP/TAZ axis and identified a common clinical drug that can be developed as an effective combined strategy to overcome BET inhibitor resistance in MYC/Ras-driven HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deqiang Kong
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yuancong Jiang
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaolong Miao
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zelai Wu
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Han Liu
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Weihua Gong
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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33
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Palicelli A, Croci S, Bisagni A, Zanetti E, De Biase D, Melli B, Sanguedolce F, Ragazzi M, Zanelli M, Chaux A, Cañete-Portillo S, Bonasoni MP, Soriano A, Ascani S, Zizzo M, Castro Ruiz C, De Leo A, Giordano G, Landriscina M, Carrieri G, Cormio L, Berney DM, Gandhi J, Nicoli D, Farnetti E, Santandrea G, Bonacini M. What Do We Have to Know about PD-L1 Expression in Prostate Cancer? A Systematic Literature Review. Part 5: Epigenetic Regulation of PD-L1. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12314. [PMID: 34830196 PMCID: PMC8619683 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations (including DNA methylation or miRNAs) influence oncogene/oncosuppressor gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. Prostate cancer (PC) displays a complex genetic and epigenetic regulation of cell-growth pathways and tumor progression. We performed a systematic literature review (following PRISMA guidelines) focused on the epigenetic regulation of PD-L1 expression in PC. In PC cell lines, CpG island methylation of the CD274 promoter negatively regulated PD-L1 expression. Histone modifiers also influence the PD-L1 transcription rate: the deletion or silencing of the histone modifiers MLL3/MML1 can positively regulate PD-L1 expression. Epigenetic drugs (EDs) may be promising in reprogramming tumor cells, reversing epigenetic modifications, and cancer immune evasion. EDs promoting a chromatin-inactive transcriptional state (such as bromodomain or p300/CBP inhibitors) downregulated PD-L1, while EDs favoring a chromatin-active state (i.e., histone deacetylase inhibitors) increased PD-L1 expression. miRNAs can regulate PD-L1 at a post-transcriptional level. miR-195/miR-16 were negatively associated with PD-L1 expression and positively correlated to longer biochemical recurrence-free survival; they also enhanced the radiotherapy efficacy in PC cell lines. miR-197 and miR-200a-c positively correlated to PD-L1 mRNA levels and inversely correlated to the methylation of PD-L1 promoter in a large series. miR-570, miR-34a and miR-513 may also be involved in epigenetic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Palicelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Stefania Croci
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (S.C.); (M.B.)
| | - Alessandra Bisagni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Eleonora Zanetti
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Dario De Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Beatrice Melli
- Fertility Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
| | | | - Moira Ragazzi
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Magda Zanelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Alcides Chaux
- Department of Scientific Research, School of Postgraduate Studies, Norte University, Asunción 1614, Paraguay;
| | - Sofia Cañete-Portillo
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Maria Paola Bonasoni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Alessandra Soriano
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Gastroenterology Division, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Stefano Ascani
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria di Terni, University of Perugia, 05100 Terni, Italy;
- Haematopathology Unit, CREO, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zizzo
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Carolina Castro Ruiz
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Azienda USL Bologna, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Guido Giordano
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Matteo Landriscina
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Giuseppe Carrieri
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Luigi Cormio
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Daniel M. Berney
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 5PZ, UK;
| | - Jatin Gandhi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Davide Nicoli
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (D.N.); (E.F.)
| | - Enrico Farnetti
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (D.N.); (E.F.)
| | - Giacomo Santandrea
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (G.S.)
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
| | - Martina Bonacini
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (S.C.); (M.B.)
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Palicelli A, Croci S, Bisagni A, Zanetti E, De Biase D, Melli B, Sanguedolce F, Ragazzi M, Zanelli M, Chaux A, Cañete-Portillo S, Bonasoni MP, Soriano A, Ascani S, Zizzo M, Castro Ruiz C, De Leo A, Giordano G, Landriscina M, Carrieri G, Cormio L, Berney DM, Gandhi J, Copelli V, Bernardelli G, Santandrea G, Bonacini M. What Do We Have to Know about PD-L1 Expression in Prostate Cancer? A Systematic Literature Review. Part 3: PD-L1, Intracellular Signaling Pathways and Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12330. [PMID: 34830209 PMCID: PMC8618001 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) includes immune (T, B, NK, dendritic), stromal, mesenchymal, endothelial, adipocytic cells, extracellular matrix, and cytokines/chemokines/soluble factors regulating various intracellular signaling pathways (ISP) in tumor cells. TME influences the survival/progression of prostate cancer (PC), enabling tumor cell immune-evasion also through the activation of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. We have performed a systematic literature review according to the PRISMA guidelines, to investigate how the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is influenced by TME and ISPs. Tumor immune-escape mechanisms include suppression/exhaustion of tumor infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes, inhibition of tumor suppressive NK cells, increase in immune-suppressive immune cells (regulatory T, M2 macrophagic, myeloid-derived suppressor, dendritic, stromal, and adipocytic cells). IFN-γ (the most investigated factor), TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, IL-15, IL-27, complement factor C5a, and other soluble molecules secreted by TME components (and sometimes increased in patients' serum), as well as and hypoxia, influenced the regulation of PD-L1. Experimental studies using human and mouse PC cell lines (derived from either androgen-sensitive or androgen-resistant tumors) revealed that the intracellular ERK/MEK, Akt-mTOR, NF-kB, WNT and JAK/STAT pathways were involved in PD-L1 upregulation in PC. Blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling by using immunotherapy drugs can prevent tumor immune-escape, increasing the anti-tumor activity of immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Palicelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (V.C.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Stefania Croci
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (S.C.); (M.B.)
| | - Alessandra Bisagni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (V.C.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Eleonora Zanetti
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (V.C.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Dario De Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Beatrice Melli
- Fertility Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
| | | | - Moira Ragazzi
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (V.C.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Magda Zanelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (V.C.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Alcides Chaux
- Department of Scientific Research, School of Postgraduate Studies, Norte University, Asunción 1614, Paraguay;
| | - Sofia Cañete-Portillo
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Maria Paola Bonasoni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (V.C.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Alessandra Soriano
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Gastroenterology Division, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Stefano Ascani
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria di Terni, University of Perugia, 05100 Terni, Italy;
- Haematopathology Unit, CREO, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zizzo
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Carolina Castro Ruiz
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Azienda USL Bologna, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Guido Giordano
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Matteo Landriscina
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Giuseppe Carrieri
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Luigi Cormio
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Daniel M. Berney
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 5PZ, UK;
| | - Jatin Gandhi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Valerio Copelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (V.C.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Giuditta Bernardelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (V.C.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Giacomo Santandrea
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (V.C.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
| | - Martina Bonacini
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (S.C.); (M.B.)
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Palicelli A, Bonacini M, Croci S, Magi-Galluzzi C, Cañete-Portillo S, Chaux A, Bisagni A, Zanetti E, De Biase D, Melli B, Sanguedolce F, Ragazzi M, Bonasoni MP, Soriano A, Ascani S, Zizzo M, Castro Ruiz C, De Leo A, Giordano G, Landriscina M, Carrieri G, Cormio L, Berney DM, Athanazio D, Gandhi J, Cavazza A, Santandrea G, Tafuni A, Zanelli M. What Do We Have to Know about PD-L1 Expression in Prostate Cancer? A Systematic Literature Review. Part 1: Focus on Immunohistochemical Results with Discussion of Pre-Analytical and Interpretation Variables. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113166. [PMID: 34831389 PMCID: PMC8625301 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy targeting the PD-1-PD-L1 axis yielded good results in treating different immunologically ''hot'' tumors. A phase II study revealed good therapeutic activity of pembrolizumab in selected prostatic carcinoma (PC)-patients. We performed a systematic literature review (PRISMA guidelines), which analyzes the immunohistochemical expression of PD-L1 in human PC samples and highlights the pre-analytical and interpretation variables. Interestingly, 29% acinar PCs, 7% ductal PCs, and 46% neuroendocrine carcinomas/tumors were PD-L1+ on immunohistochemistry. Different scoring methods or cut-off criteria were applied on variable specimen-types, evaluating tumors showing different clinic-pathologic features. The positivity rate of different PD-L1 antibody clones in tumor cells ranged from 3% (SP142) to 50% (ABM4E54), excluding the single case tested for RM-320. The most tested clone was E1L3N, followed by 22C3 (most used for pembrolizumab eligibility), SP263, SP142, and 28-8, which gave the positivity rates of 35%, 11-41% (depending on different scoring systems), 6%, 3%, and 15%, respectively. Other clones were tested in <200 cases. The PD-L1 positivity rate was usually higher in tumors than benign tissues. It was higher in non-tissue microarray specimens (41-50% vs. 15%), as PC cells frequently showed heterogenous or focal PD-L1-staining. PD-L1 was expressed by immune or stromal cells in 12% and 69% cases, respectively. Tumor heterogeneity, inter-institutional preanalytics, and inter-observer interpretation variability may account for result biases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Palicelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.P.B.); (A.C.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (M.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0522-296-864; Fax: +39-0522-296-945
| | - Martina Bonacini
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Stefania Croci
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Cristina Magi-Galluzzi
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (C.M.-G.); (S.C.-P.)
| | - Sofia Cañete-Portillo
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (C.M.-G.); (S.C.-P.)
| | - Alcides Chaux
- Department of Scientific Research, School of Postgraduate Studies Norte University, Asunción 1614, Paraguay;
| | - Alessandra Bisagni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.P.B.); (A.C.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (M.Z.)
| | - Eleonora Zanetti
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.P.B.); (A.C.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (M.Z.)
| | - Dario De Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Beatrice Melli
- Fertility Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
| | | | - Moira Ragazzi
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.P.B.); (A.C.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (M.Z.)
| | - Maria Paola Bonasoni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.P.B.); (A.C.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (M.Z.)
| | - Alessandra Soriano
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Gastroenterology Division, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Stefano Ascani
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria di Terni, University of Perugia, 05100 Terni, Italy;
- Haematopathology Unit, CREO, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zizzo
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Carolina Castro Ruiz
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Azienda USL Bologna, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Guido Giordano
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Matteo Landriscina
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Giuseppe Carrieri
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Luigi Cormio
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Daniel M. Berney
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 5PZ, UK;
| | | | - Jatin Gandhi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Alberto Cavazza
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.P.B.); (A.C.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (M.Z.)
| | - Giacomo Santandrea
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.P.B.); (A.C.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (M.Z.)
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Tafuni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.P.B.); (A.C.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (M.Z.)
| | - Magda Zanelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.P.B.); (A.C.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (M.Z.)
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Palicelli A, Croci S, Bisagni A, Zanetti E, De Biase D, Melli B, Sanguedolce F, Ragazzi M, Zanelli M, Chaux A, Cañete-Portillo S, Bonasoni MP, Soriano A, Ascani S, Zizzo M, Castro Ruiz C, De Leo A, Giordano G, Landriscina M, Carrieri G, Cormio L, Berney DM, Gandhi J, Santandrea G, Bonacini M. What Do We Have to Know about PD-L1 Expression in Prostate Cancer? A Systematic Literature Review. Part 4: Experimental Treatments in Pre-Clinical Studies (Cell Lines and Mouse Models). Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12297. [PMID: 34830179 PMCID: PMC8618402 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In prostate cancer (PC), the PD-1/PD-L1 axis regulates various signaling pathways and it is influenced by extracellular factors. Pre-clinical experimental studies investigating the effects of various treatments (alone or combined) may discover how to overcome the immunotherapy-resistance in PC-patients. We performed a systematic literature review (PRISMA guidelines) to delineate the landscape of pre-clinical studies (including cell lines and mouse models) that tested treatments with effects on PD-L1 signaling in PC. NF-kB, MEK, JAK, or STAT inhibitors on human/mouse, primary/metastatic PC-cell lines variably down-modulated PD-L1-expression, reducing chemoresistance and tumor cell migration. If PC-cells were co-cultured with NK, CD8+ T-cells or CAR-T cells, the immune cell cytotoxicity increased when PD-L1 was downregulated (opposite effects for PD-L1 upregulation). In mouse models, radiotherapy, CDK4/6-inhibitors, and RB deletion induced PD-L1-upregulation, causing PC-immune-evasion. Epigenetic drugs may reduce PD-L1 expression. In some PC experimental models, blocking only the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway had limited efficacy in reducing the tumor growth. Anti-tumor effects could be increased by combining the PD-1/PD-L1 blockade with other approaches (inhibitors of tyrosine kinase, PI3K/mTOR or JAK/STAT3 pathways, p300/CBP; anti-RANKL and/or anti-CTLA-4 antibodies; cytokines; nitroxoline; DNA/cell vaccines; radiotherapy/Radium-223).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Palicelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Stefania Croci
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (S.C.); (M.B.)
| | - Alessandra Bisagni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Eleonora Zanetti
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Dario De Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Beatrice Melli
- Fertility Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
- International Doctorate School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
| | | | - Moira Ragazzi
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Magda Zanelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Alcides Chaux
- Department of Scientific Research, School of Postgraduate Studies, Norte University, Asunción 1614, Paraguay;
| | - Sofia Cañete-Portillo
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Maria Paola Bonasoni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Alessandra Soriano
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Gastroenterology Division, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Stefano Ascani
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria di Terni, University of Perugia, 05100 Terni, Italy;
- Haematopathology Unit, CREO, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zizzo
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Carolina Castro Ruiz
- International Doctorate School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Azienda USL Bologna, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Guido Giordano
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Matteo Landriscina
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Giuseppe Carrieri
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Luigi Cormio
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Daniel M. Berney
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 5PZ, UK;
| | - Jatin Gandhi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Giacomo Santandrea
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.R.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (G.S.)
- International Doctorate School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
| | - Martina Bonacini
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (S.C.); (M.B.)
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Palicelli A, Bonacini M, Croci S, Magi-Galluzzi C, Cañete-Portillo S, Chaux A, Bisagni A, Zanetti E, De Biase D, Melli B, Sanguedolce F, Zanelli M, Bonasoni MP, De Marco L, Soriano A, Ascani S, Zizzo M, Castro Ruiz C, De Leo A, Giordano G, Landriscina M, Carrieri G, Cormio L, Berney DM, Gandhi J, Santandrea G, Gelli MC, Tafuni A, Ragazzi M. What Do We Have to Know about PD-L1 Expression in Prostate Cancer? A Systematic Literature Review. Part 2: Clinic-Pathologic Correlations. Cells 2021; 10:3165. [PMID: 34831388 PMCID: PMC8618408 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Many studies have investigated the potential prognostic and predictive role of PD-L1 in prostatic carcinoma (PC). We performed a systematic literature review (PRISMA guidelines) to critically evaluate human tissue-based studies (immunohistochemistry, molecular analysis, etc.), experimental research (cell lines, mouse models), and clinical trials. Despite some controversial results and study limitations, PD-L1 expression by tumor cells may be related to clinic-pathologic features of adverse outcome, including advanced tumor stage (high pT, presence of lymph node, and distant metastases), positivity of surgical margins, high Grade Group, and castration resistance. Different PD-L1 positivity rates may be observed in matched primary PCs and various metastatic sites of the same patients. Over-fixation, type/duration of decalcification, and PD-L1 antibody clone may influence the immunohistochemical analysis of PD-L1 on bone metastases. PD-L1 seemed expressed more frequently by castration-resistant PCs (49%) as compared to hormone-sensitive PCs (17%). Some series found that PD-L1 positivity was associated with decreased time to castration resistance. Treatment with ipilimumab, cyclophosphamide/GVAX/degarelix, or degarelix alone may increase PD-L1 expression. Correlation of PD-L1 positivity with overall survival and outcomes related to tumor recurrence were rarely investigated; the few analyzed series produced conflicting results and sometimes showed limitations. Further studies are required. The testing and scoring of PD-L1 should be standardized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Palicelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (L.D.M.); (G.S.); (M.C.G.); (A.T.); (M.R.)
| | - Martina Bonacini
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Stefania Croci
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Cristina Magi-Galluzzi
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (C.M.-G.); (S.C.-P.)
| | - Sofia Cañete-Portillo
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (C.M.-G.); (S.C.-P.)
| | - Alcides Chaux
- Department of Scientific Research, School of Postgraduate Studies, Norte University, Asunción 1614, Paraguay;
| | - Alessandra Bisagni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (L.D.M.); (G.S.); (M.C.G.); (A.T.); (M.R.)
| | - Eleonora Zanetti
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (L.D.M.); (G.S.); (M.C.G.); (A.T.); (M.R.)
| | - Dario De Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Beatrice Melli
- Fertility Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
| | | | - Magda Zanelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (L.D.M.); (G.S.); (M.C.G.); (A.T.); (M.R.)
| | - Maria Paola Bonasoni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (L.D.M.); (G.S.); (M.C.G.); (A.T.); (M.R.)
| | - Loredana De Marco
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (L.D.M.); (G.S.); (M.C.G.); (A.T.); (M.R.)
| | - Alessandra Soriano
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Gastroenterology Division, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Stefano Ascani
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria di Terni, University of Perugia, 05100 Terni, Italy;
- Haematopathology Unit, CREO, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zizzo
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Carolina Castro Ruiz
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Azienda USL Bologna, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Guido Giordano
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Matteo Landriscina
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Giuseppe Carrieri
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Luigi Cormio
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (G.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Daniel M. Berney
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 5PZ, UK;
| | - Jatin Gandhi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Giacomo Santandrea
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (L.D.M.); (G.S.); (M.C.G.); (A.T.); (M.R.)
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
| | - Maria Carolina Gelli
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (L.D.M.); (G.S.); (M.C.G.); (A.T.); (M.R.)
| | - Alessandro Tafuni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (L.D.M.); (G.S.); (M.C.G.); (A.T.); (M.R.)
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
| | - Moira Ragazzi
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.B.); (E.Z.); (M.Z.); (M.P.B.); (L.D.M.); (G.S.); (M.C.G.); (A.T.); (M.R.)
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Sena LA, Denmeade SR, Antonarakis ES. Targeting the spectrum of immune checkpoints in prostate cancer. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2021; 14:1253-1266. [PMID: 34263692 PMCID: PMC8484035 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2021.1949287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The proven efficacy of the cellular vaccine sipuleucel-T in 2010 led to optimism about immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of prostate cancer. Some surmised that prostate cancer might be an ideal target for immune-mediated killing given that the prostate is not an essential organ and expresses unique proteins including prostate-specific antigen, prostate-specific membrane antigen, and prostatic acid phosphatase that could be targeted without side effects. Subsequently, antibodies that inhibit the T cell checkpoints PD1 and CTLA4 were shown to stimulate antitumor immune responses, leading to tumor regression in several cancer types. These therapies have since been tested in several studies as treatments for prostate cancer, but appear to have limited efficacy in molecularly unselected patients.Areas covered: In this review, we discuss these studies and evaluate features of prostate cancer and its host environment that may render it generally resistant to CTLA4 and PD1 blockade. We provide an overview of alternate immune checkpoints that may hold greater significance in this disease.Expert opinion: Combination therapies to target multiple layers of alternate immune checkpoints may be required for an effective immune response to prostate cancer. We discuss combination therapies currently being investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Sena
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Samuel R. Denmeade
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emmanuel S. Antonarakis
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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The Role of Oncogenes and Redox Signaling in the Regulation of PD-L1 in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174426. [PMID: 34503236 PMCID: PMC8431622 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174426] [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: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells can evade the immune system via multiple mechanisms, including the dysregulation of the immune checkpoint signaling. These signaling molecules are important factors that can either stimulate or inhibit tumor immune response. Under normal physiological conditions, the interaction between programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and its receptor, programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), negatively regulates T cell function. In cancer cells, high expression of PD-L1 plays a key role in cancer evasion of the immune surveillance and seems to be correlated with clinical response to immunotherapy. As such, it is important to understand various mechanisms by which PD-L1 is regulated. In this review article, we provide an up-to-date review of the different mechanisms that regulate PD-L1 expression in cancer. We will focus on the roles of oncogenic signals (c-Myc, EML4-ALK, K-ras and p53 mutants), growth factor receptors (EGFR and FGFR), and redox signaling in the regulation of PD-L1 expression and discuss their clinical relevance and therapeutic implications. These oncogenic signalings have common and distinct regulatory mechanisms and can also cooperatively control tumor PD-L1 expression. Finally, strategies to target PD-L1 expression in tumor microenvironment including combination therapies will be also discussed.
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Chen B, Zhang G, Lai J, Xiao W, Li X, Li C, Mok H, Li K, Wang Y, Cao L, Jia M, Ren C, Wen L, Wei G, Lin J, Li Y, Zhang Y, Chen X, Wu X, Zhang H, Li M, Liu J, Balch CM, Liao N. Genetic and immune characteristics of sentinel lymph node metastases and multiple lymph node metastases compared to their matched primary breast tumours. EBioMedicine 2021; 71:103542. [PMID: 34454403 PMCID: PMC8399410 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with breast cancer presenting with single lymph node metastasis (from a sentinel node) experience prolonged survival compared to patients with multiple lymph node metastases (≥3). However, little information is available on the genetic and immunological characteristics of breast cancer metastases within the regional lymph nodes as they progress from the sentinel lymph node (SLN) downstream to multiple regional lymph nodes (MLNs). METHODS Genomic profiling was performed using a next-generation sequencing panel covering 520 cancer-related genes in the primary tumour and metastatic lymph nodes of 157 female patients with breast cancer. We included primary tumours, metastatic lymph nodes and adjacent clinically normal lymph nodes (20 patients from the SLN group and 28 patients from the MLNs group) in the whole transcriptome analysis. FINDINGS The downstream metastatic lymph nodes (P = 0.029) and the primary breast tumours (P = 0.011) had a higher frequency of PIK3CA mutations compared to the SLN metastasis. We identified a distinct group of 14 mutations from single sentinel node metastasis and a different group of 15 mutations from multiple nodal metastases. Only 4 distinct mutations (PIK3CA, CDK4, NFKBIA and CDKN1B) were conserved in metastases from both lymph node settings. The tumour mutational burden (TMB) was significantly lower in single nodal metastasis compared to the paired primary breast cancer (P = 0.0021), while the decline in TMB did not reach statistical significance in the MLNs group (P = 0.083). In the gene set enrichment analysis, we identified 4 upregulated signatures in both primary tumour and nodal metastases from the MLNs group, including 3 Epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) signatures and 1 angiogenesis signature. Both the CD8/Treg ratio and the CD8/EMT ratio were significantly higher in adjacent normal lymph nodes from patients with a single metastasis in the SLN compared with samples from the MLNs group (P = 0.045 and P = 0.023, respectively). This suggests that the immune defence from the MLNs patients might have a less favourable microenvironment, thus permitting multiple lymph nodes metastasis. INTERPRETATION Single lymph node metastases and multiple lymph node metastases have significant differences in their molecular profiles and immune profiles. The findings are associated with more aggressive tumour characteristics and less favourable immune charactoristics in patients with multiple nodal metastases compared to those with a single metastasis in the sentinel node. FUNDING This work was supported by funds from High-level Hospital Construction Project (DFJH201921), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81902828 and 82002928), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (y2syD2192230), and the Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province (B2019039).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Chen
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Guochun Zhang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China;; The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China;; Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianguo Lai
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weikai Xiao
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuerui Li
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Cheukfai Li
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hsiaopei Mok
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yulei Wang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Li Cao
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Minghan Jia
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chongyang Ren
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lingzhu Wen
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guangnan Wei
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiali Lin
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingzi Li
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuchen Zhang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoqing Chen
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Foshan Maternity and Children's Healthcare Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueying Wu
- Genecast Biotechnology Co., Ltd; Beijing, China
| | - Henghui Zhang
- Genecast Biotechnology Co., Ltd; Beijing, China;; Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Min Li
- Burning Rock Biotech, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Burning Rock Biotech, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Charles M Balch
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Ning Liao
- Department of Breast Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China;; The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China;; Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China.
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Milner JJ, Toma C, Quon S, Omilusik K, Scharping NE, Dey A, Reina-Campos M, Nguyen H, Getzler AJ, Diao H, Yu B, Delpoux A, Yoshida TM, Li D, Qi J, Vincek A, Hedrick SM, Egawa T, Zhou MM, Crotty S, Ozato K, Pipkin ME, Goldrath AW. Bromodomain protein BRD4 directs and sustains CD8 T cell differentiation during infection. J Exp Med 2021; 218:e20202512. [PMID: 34037670 PMCID: PMC8160575 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20202512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to infection, pathogen-specific CD8 T cells differentiate into functionally diverse effector and memory T cell populations critical for resolving disease and providing durable immunity. Through small-molecule inhibition, RNAi studies, and induced genetic deletion, we reveal an essential role for the chromatin modifier and BET family member BRD4 in supporting the differentiation and maintenance of terminally fated effector CD8 T cells during infection. BRD4 bound diverse regulatory regions critical to effector T cell differentiation and controlled transcriptional activity of terminal effector-specific super-enhancers in vivo. Consequentially, induced deletion of Brd4 or small molecule-mediated BET inhibition impaired maintenance of a terminal effector T cell phenotype. BRD4 was also required for terminal differentiation of CD8 T cells in the tumor microenvironment in murine models, which we show has implications for immunotherapies. Taken together, these data reveal an unappreciated requirement for BRD4 in coordinating activity of cis regulatory elements to control CD8 T cell fate and lineage stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Justin Milner
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Clara Toma
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Sara Quon
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Kyla Omilusik
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Nicole E. Scharping
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Anup Dey
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Miguel Reina-Campos
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Hongtuyet Nguyen
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Adam J. Getzler
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL
| | - Huitian Diao
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL
| | - Bingfei Yu
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Arnaud Delpoux
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Tomomi M. Yoshida
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Deyao Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jun Qi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Adam Vincek
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Stephen M. Hedrick
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Takeshi Egawa
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Ming-Ming Zhou
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Shane Crotty
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Keiko Ozato
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Matthew E. Pipkin
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL
| | - Ananda W. Goldrath
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
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Xu Y, Song G, Xie S, Jiang W, Chen X, Chu M, Hu X, Wang ZW. The roles of PD-1/PD-L1 in the prognosis and immunotherapy of prostate cancer. Mol Ther 2021; 29:1958-1969. [PMID: 33932597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple studies have confirmed that programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD-1/PD-L1 play pivotal roles in the treatment of numerous tumors. Patients suffering from cancer are provided hope in the form of immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the finding that high PD-L1 expression is associated with poor clinical outcomes in prostate cancer patients. Some molecules exert their antitumor effects by downregulating PD-L1 expression in prostate cancer. Additionally, we discuss and summarize the important roles played by anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy and its combination with other drugs, including chemotherapy and vaccines, in the treatment of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichi Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Gendi Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Shangdan Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Wenxiao Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Man Chu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Xiaoli Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.
| | - Zhi-Wei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Center of Scientific Research, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.
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43
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Yap TA, Parkes EE, Peng W, Moyers JT, Curran MA, Tawbi HA. Development of Immunotherapy Combination Strategies in Cancer. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:1368-1397. [PMID: 33811048 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Harnessing the immune system to treat cancer through inhibitors of CTLA4 and PD-L1 has revolutionized the landscape of cancer. Rational combination strategies aim to enhance the antitumor effects of immunotherapies, but require a deep understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of the immune system and robust preclinical and clinical drug development strategies. We review the current approved immunotherapy combinations, before discussing promising combinatorial approaches in clinical trials and detailing innovative preclinical model systems being used to develop rational combinations. We also discuss the promise of high-order immunotherapy combinations, as well as novel biomarker and combinatorial trial strategies. SIGNIFICANCE: Although immune-checkpoint inhibitors are approved as dual checkpoint strategies, and in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy and angiogenesis inhibitors for multiple cancers, patient benefit remains limited. Innovative approaches are required to guide the development of novel immunotherapy combinations, ranging from improvements in preclinical tumor model systems to biomarker-driven trial strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Yap
- Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. .,Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Khalifa Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Eileen E Parkes
- Oxford Institute of Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Weiyi Peng
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Justin T Moyers
- Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Michael A Curran
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Hussein A Tawbi
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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44
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Maes K, Mondino A, Lasarte JJ, Agirre X, Vanderkerken K, Prosper F, Breckpot K. Epigenetic Modifiers: Anti-Neoplastic Drugs With Immunomodulating Potential. Front Immunol 2021; 12:652160. [PMID: 33859645 PMCID: PMC8042276 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.652160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells are under the surveillance of the host immune system. Nevertheless, a number of immunosuppressive mechanisms allow tumors to escape protective responses and impose immune tolerance. Epigenetic alterations are central to cancer cell biology and cancer immune evasion. Accordingly, epigenetic modulating agents (EMAs) are being exploited as anti-neoplastic and immunomodulatory agents to restore immunological fitness. By simultaneously acting on cancer cells, e.g. by changing expression of tumor antigens, immune checkpoints, chemokines or innate defense pathways, and on immune cells, e.g. by remodeling the tumor stroma or enhancing effector cell functionality, EMAs can indeed overcome peripheral tolerance to transformed cells. Therefore, combinations of EMAs with chemo- or immunotherapy have become interesting strategies to fight cancer. Here we review several examples of epigenetic changes critical for immune cell functions and tumor-immune evasion and of the use of EMAs in promoting anti-tumor immunity. Finally, we provide our perspective on how EMAs could represent a game changer for combinatorial therapies and the clinical management of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Maes
- Laboratory for Hematology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Center for Medical Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universiteit Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anna Mondino
- Lymphocyte Activation Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Juan José Lasarte
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Xabier Agirre
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain.,Hemato-oncology Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karin Vanderkerken
- Laboratory for Hematology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Felipe Prosper
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain.,Hemato-oncology Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Hematology and Cell Therapy Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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Zhou Q, Chen X, He H, Peng S, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Cheng L, Liu S, Huang M, Xie R, Lin T, Huang J. WD repeat domain 5 promotes chemoresistance and Programmed Death-Ligand 1 expression in prostate cancer. Theranostics 2021; 11:4809-4824. [PMID: 33754029 PMCID: PMC7978315 DOI: 10.7150/thno.55814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Advanced prostate cancer (PCa) has limited treatment regimens and shows low response to chemotherapy and immunotherapy, leading to poor prognosis. Histone modification is a vital mechanism of gene expression and a promising therapy target. In this study, we characterized WD repeat domain 5 (WDR5), a regulator of histone modification, and explored its potential therapeutic value in PCa. Experimental Design: We characterized specific regulators of histone modification, based on TCGA data. The expression and clinical features of WDR5 were analyzed in two dependent cohorts. The functional role of WDR5 was further investigated with siRNA and OICR-9429, a small molecular antagonist of WDR5, in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of WDR5 was explored by RNA-sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Results: WDR5 was overexpressed in PCa and associated with advanced clinicopathological features, and predicted poor prognosis. Both inhibition of WDR5 by siRNA and OICR-9429 could reduce proliferation, and increase apoptosis and chemosensitivity to cisplatin in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, targeting WDR5 by siRNA and OICR-9429 could block IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression in PCa cells. Mechanistically, we clarified that some cell cycle, anti-apoptosis, DNA repair and immune related genes, including AURKA, CCNB1, E2F1, PLK1, BIRC5, XRCC2 and PD-L1, were directly regulated by WDR5 and OICR-9429 in H3K4me3 and c-Myc dependent manner. Conclusions: These data revealed that targeting WDR5 suppressed proliferation, enhanced apoptosis, chemosensitivity to cisplatin and immunotherapy in PCa. Therefore, our findings provide insight into OICR-9429 is a multi-potency and promising therapy drug, which improves the antitumor effect of cisplatin or immunotherapy in PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianghua Zhou
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Haixia He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China & Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Shengmeng Peng
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Yangjie Zhang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jingtong Zhang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Sen Liu
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Ming Huang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Ruihui Xie
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Tianxin Lin
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Kashi Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Kashi, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
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46
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Wang N, Wu R, Tang D, Kang R. The BET family in immunity and disease. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:23. [PMID: 33462181 PMCID: PMC7813845 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00384-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate immunity serves as the rapid and first-line defense against invading pathogens, and this process can be regulated at various levels, including epigenetic mechanisms. The bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) family of proteins consists of four conserved mammalian members (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRDT) that regulate the expression of many immunity-associated genes and pathways. In particular, in response to infection and sterile inflammation, abnormally expressed or dysfunctional BETs are involved in the activation of pattern recognition receptor (e.g., TLR, NLR, and CGAS) pathways, thereby linking chromatin machinery to innate immunity under disease or pathological conditions. Mechanistically, the BET family controls the transcription of a wide range of proinflammatory and immunoregulatory genes by recognizing acetylated histones (mainly H3 and H4) and recruiting transcription factors (e.g., RELA) and transcription elongation complex (e.g., P-TEFb) to the chromatin, thereby promoting the phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II and subsequent transcription initiation and elongation. This review covers the accumulating data about the roles of the BET family in innate immunity, and discusses the attractive prospect of manipulating the BET family as a new treatment for disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nian Wang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Runliu Wu
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Daolin Tang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
| | - Rui Kang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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Abstract
Multiple immunologic platforms have provided minimal impact in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, necessitating that novel approaches continue to be developed. Although checkpoint inhibitors have been largely ineffective, there remain small cohorts of patients who have durable responses but lack the conventional indicators for response to this class of drugs, that is, high mutational burden or significant genomic alterations, as seen in other solid tumors. This article presents an update on the evolution of immunotherapeutics that target a more lethal form of prostate cancer and provides the groundwork for future considerations as to how this field should proceed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan F Slovin
- Genitourinary Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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48
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Khodamoradi E, Hoseini-Ghahfarokhi M, Amini P, Motevaseli E, Shabeeb D, Musa AE, Najafi M, Farhood B. Targets for protection and mitigation of radiation injury. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:3129-3159. [PMID: 32072238 PMCID: PMC11104832 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03479-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Protection of normal tissues against toxic effects of ionizing radiation is a critical issue in clinical and environmental radiobiology. Investigations in recent decades have suggested potential targets that are involved in the protection against radiation-induced damages to normal tissues and can be proposed for mitigation of radiation injury. Emerging evidences have been shown to be in contrast to an old dogma in radiation biology; a major amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell toxicity occur during some hours to years after exposure to ionizing radiation. This can be attributed to upregulation of inflammatory and fibrosis mediators, epigenetic changes and disruption of the normal metabolism of oxygen. In the current review, we explain the cellular and molecular changes following exposure of normal tissues to ionizing radiation. Furthermore, we review potential targets that can be proposed for protection and mitigation of radiation toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Khodamoradi
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Department, School of Paramedical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Hoseini-Ghahfarokhi
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Department, School of Paramedical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Peyman Amini
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Paramedical, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elahe Motevaseli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Dheyauldeen Shabeeb
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Misan, Misan, Iraq
- Misan Radiotherapy Center, Misan, Iraq
| | - Ahmed Eleojo Musa
- Department of Medical Physics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (International Campus), Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Najafi
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Department, School of Paramedical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Bagher Farhood
- Department of Medical Physics and Radiology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
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49
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Spriano F, Stathis A, Bertoni F. Targeting BET bromodomain proteins in cancer: The example of lymphomas. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 215:107631. [PMID: 32693114 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The Bromo- and Extra-Terminal domain (BET) family proteins act as "readers" of acetylated histones and they are important transcription regulators. BRD2, BRD3, BRD4 and BRDT, part of the BET family, are important in different tumors, where upregulation or translocation often occurs. The potential of targeting BET proteins as anti-cancer treatment originated with data obtained with a first series of compounds, and there are now several data supporting BET inhibition in both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Despite very positive preclinical data in different tumor types, the clinical results have been so far moderate. Using lymphoma as an example to review the data produced in the laboratory and in the context of the early clinical trials, we discuss the modalities to make BET targeting more efficient both generating novel generation of compounds and by exploring the combination with small molecules affecting various signaling pathways, BCL2, or DNA damage response signaling, but also with additional epigenetic agents and with immunotherapy. We also discuss the mechanisms of resistance and the toxicity profiles so far reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Spriano
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Anastasios Stathis
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Bertoni
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Bellinzona, Switzerland; Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
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50
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Epigenetic Mechanisms of Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10071061. [PMID: 32708698 PMCID: PMC7407667 DOI: 10.3390/biom10071061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated to be highly efficient in treating solid tumors; however, many patients have limited benefits in terms of response and survival. This rapidly led to the investigation of combination therapies to enhance response rates. Moreover, predictive biomarkers were assessed to better select patients. Although PD-L1 expression remains the only validated marker in clinics, molecular profiling has brought valuable information, showing that the tumor mutation load and microsatellite instability (MSI) status were associated to higher response rates in nearly all cancer types. Moreover, in lung cancer, EGFR and MET mutations, oncogene fusions or STK11 inactivating mutations were associated with low response rates. Cancer progression towards invasive phenotypes that impede immune surveillance relies on complex regulatory networks and cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment. Epigenetic modifications, such as the alteration of histone patterns, chromatin structure, DNA methylation status at specific promoters and changes in microRNA levels, may alter the cell phenotype and reshape the tumor microenvironment, allowing cells to grow and escape from immune surveillance. The objective of this review is to make an update on the identified epigenetic changes that target immune surveillance and, ultimately, ICI responses, such as histone marks, DNA methylation and miR signatures. Translational studies or clinical trials, when available, and potential epigenetic biomarkers will be discussed as perspectives in the context of combination treatment strategies to enhance ICI responses in patients with solid tumors.
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