1
|
Mohanty A, Afkhami M, Reyes A, Pharaon R, Yin H, Li H, Do D, Bell D, Nam A, Chang S, Gernon T, Kang R, Amini A, Sampath S, Kulkarni P, Pillai R, Villaflor V, Salgia R, Maghami E, Massarelli E. Exploring markers of immunoresponsiveness in papillary thyroid carcinoma and future treatment strategies. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008505. [PMID: 39074963 PMCID: PMC11288153 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study summarizes the potential use of immunotherapy for BRAF-mutated papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) by analyzing the immune profile of City of Hope PTC patient samples and comparing them to the thyroid dataset available in the TCGA database. MATERIALS AND METHODS PTC cases with available formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded archived tumor tissue were identified. RNA was extracted from the tumor tissue and analyzed by NanoString to evaluate their immune gene expression profile. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of immune suppressive genes and lymphocytic infiltration into the tumor tissue. Thyroid cancer cell lines (MDA-T32, MDA-T68, MDA-T85, and MDA-T120) were used to determine the correlation between the BRAF inhibition and CD274 expression. RESULTS The study found that PTC cases with BRAF mutations had higher expression of immune checkpoint markers CD274 and CTLA4, as well as higher tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, particularly CD4+T cells. Additionally, the study identified immunosuppressive markers expressed by tumor cells like CD73, CD276, and CD200 that could be targeted for immunotherapy. Further experiments using PTC cell lines lead to the conclusion that CD274 expression correlates with BRAF activity and that inhibitors of BRAF could potentially be used in combination with immunotherapy to treat PTC. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that PTC cases with BRAF mutations or high expression may be correlated with an immune hot signature and could benefit from immunotherapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Atish Mohanty
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Monrovia, California, USA
| | - Michelle Afkhami
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Amanda Reyes
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Rebecca Pharaon
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Holly Yin
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Haiqing Li
- Computational & Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Dana Do
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Diana Bell
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Arin Nam
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Sue Chang
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Thomas Gernon
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Robert Kang
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Arya Amini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Sagus Sampath
- Department of Radiation Oncology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Raju Pillai
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Vicky Villaflor
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Ellie Maghami
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Erminia Massarelli
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Qi J, Cheng H, Su L, Li J, Cheng F. A novel exosome-related prognostic risk model for thyroid cancer. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38577908 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.14063] [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: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
AIM The aim was to build an exosome-related gene (ERG) risk model for thyroid cancer (TC) patients. METHODS Note that, 510 TC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and 121 ERGs from the ExoBCD database were obtained. Differential gene expression analysis was performed to get ERGs in TC (TERGs). Functional enrichment analyses including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were conducted on the TERGs. Then we constructed a model based on LASSO Cox regression analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was applied and a Nomogram model was also built. The immune landscape was evaluated by CIBERSORT. RESULTS Thirty-eight TERGs were identified and their functions were enriched on 591 GO terms and 30 KEGG pathways. We built a Risk Score model based on FGFR3, ADRA1B, and POSTN. Risk Scores were significantly higher in T4 than in other stages, meanwhile, it didn't significantly differ in genders and TNM N or M classifications. The nomogram model could reliably predict the overall survival of TC patients. The mutation rate of BRAF and expression of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 were significantly higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group. The risk score was significantly correlated to the immune landscape. CONCLUSION We built a Risk Score model using FGFR3, ADRA1B, and POSTN which could reliably predict the prognosis of TC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Qi
- Department of Ultrasound, Wuwei People's Hospital, Wuwei, China
| | - Hanshan Cheng
- Department of Ultrasound, Wuwei People's Hospital, Wuwei, China
| | - Long Su
- Department of Ultrasound, Wuwei People's Hospital, Wuwei, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Ultrasound, Wuwei People's Hospital, Wuwei, China
| | - Fei Cheng
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Wuwei People's Hospital, Wuwei, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tao Y, Li P, Feng C, Cao Y. New Insights into Immune Cells and Immunotherapy for Thyroid Cancer. Immunol Invest 2023; 52:1039-1064. [PMID: 37846977 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2023.2268656] [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] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy worldwide, and the incidence of TC has gradually increased in recent decades. Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the most common subtype and has a good prognosis. However, advanced DTC patients with recurrence, metastasis and iodine refractoriness, as well as more aggressive subtypes such as poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), still pose a great challenge for clinical management. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to explore the inherent molecular heterogeneity of different TC subtypes and the global landscape of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) to find new potential therapeutic targets. Immunotherapy is a promising therapeutic strategy that can be used alone or in combination with drugs targeting tumor-driven genes. This article focuses on the genomic characteristics, tumor-associated immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint expression of different subtypes of TC patients to provide guidance for immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Tao
- School of Medical Laboratory, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The 960th Hospital of the PLA, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The 960th Hospital of the PLA, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Chao Feng
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The 960th Hospital of the PLA, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuan Cao
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The 960th Hospital of the PLA, Jinan, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Background: Sex dimorphism strongly impacts tumor biology, with most cancers having a male predominance. Uniquely, thyroid cancer (TC) is the only nonreproductive cancer with striking female predominance with three- to four-fold higher incidence among females, although males generally have more aggressive disease. The molecular basis for this observation is not known, and current approaches in treatment and surveillance are not sex specific. Summary: Although TC has overall good prognosis, 6-20% of patients develop regional or distant metastasis, one third of whom are not responsive to conventional treatment approaches and suffer a 10-year survival rate of only 10%. More efficacious treatment strategies are needed for these aggressive TCs, as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy have major toxicities without demonstrable overall survival benefit. Emerging evidence indicates a role of sex hormones, genetics, and the immune system in modulation of both risk for TC and its progression in a sex-specific manner. Conclusion: Greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in TC pathogenesis could provide insights into the development of sex-specific, targeted, and effective strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and management. This review summarizes emerging evidence for the importance of sex in the pathogenesis, progression, and response to treatment in differentiated TC with emphasis on the role of sex hormones, genetics, and the immune system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leila Shobab
- MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Kenneth D Burman
- MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Leonard Wartofsky
- Medstar Health Research Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li M, Zhang J, Zhang Z, Qian Y, Qu W, Jiang Z, Zhao B. Identification of Transcriptional Pattern Related to Immune Cell Infiltration With Gene Co-Expression Network in Papillary Thyroid Cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:721569. [PMID: 35185791 PMCID: PMC8854657 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.721569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of evidence suggests that immune cell infiltration in cancer is closely related to clinical outcomes. However, there is still a lack of research on papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). METHODS Based on single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (SSGSEA) algorithm and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) tool, the infiltration level of immune cell and key modules and genes associated with the level of immune cell infiltration were identified using PTC gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. In addition, the co-expression network and protein-protein interactions network analysis were used to identify the hub genes. Moreover, the immunological and clinical characteristics of these hub genes were verified in TCGA and GSE35570 datasets and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of hub genes. RESULTS Activated B cell, activated dendritic cell, CD56bright natural killer cell, CD56dim natural killer cell, Eosinophil, Gamma delta T cell, Immature dendritic cell, Macrophage, Mast cell, Monocyte, Natural killer cell, Neutrophil and Type 17 T helper cell were significantly changed between PTC and adjacent normal groups. WGCNA results showed that the black model had the highest correlation with the infiltration level of activated dendritic cells. We found 14 hub genes whose expression correlated to the infiltration level of activated dendritic cells in both TCGA and GSE35570 datasets. After validation in the TCGA dataset, the expression level of only 5 genes (C1QA, HCK, HLA-DRA, ITGB2 and TYROBP) in 14 hub genes were differentially expressed between PTC and adjacent normal groups. Meanwhile, the expression levels of these 5 hub genes were successfully validated in GSE35570 dataset. Quantitative real-time PCR results showed the expression of these 4 hub genes (except C1QA) was consistent with the results in TCGA and GSE35570 dataset. Finally, these 4 hub genes had diagnostic value to distinguish PTC and adjacent normal controls. CONCLUSIONS HCK, HLA-DRA, ITGB2 and TYROBP may be key diagnostic biomarkers and immunotherapy targets in PTC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meiye Li
- Department of Endocrinology, No. 960 Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Jinan, China
| | - Jimei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, China
| | - Zongjing Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, No. 960 Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Jinan, China
| | - Ying Qian
- Department of Endocrinology, No. 960 Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Jinan, China
| | - Wei Qu
- Department of Endocrinology, No. 960 Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Jinan, China
| | - Zhaoshun Jiang
- Department of Endocrinology, No. 960 Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Baochang Zhao, ; Zhaoshun Jiang,
| | - Baochang Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, China
- *Correspondence: Baochang Zhao, ; Zhaoshun Jiang,
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shang H, Zhao J, Yao J, Wang H, Wang S, Dong J, Liao L. Nevirapine inhibits migration and invasion in dedifferentiated thyroid cancer cells. Thorac Cancer 2019; 10:2243-2252. [PMID: 31631580 PMCID: PMC6885442 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.13211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Metastatic or recurrent thyroid cancer often behaves aggressively, and approximately two‐thirds of patients present with radioiodine resistance. Effective therapies to suppress thyroid cancer metastasis are urgently needed. Nevirapine has been proved to suppress tumor growth and induce differentiation in several tumor cells, but has not previously been evaluated in metastasis of thyroid cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of nevirapine on migration and invasion in dedifferentiated thyroid cancer cells. Methods Human dedifferentiated thyroid cancer cell line (WRO 82‐1) was subject to real‐time quantitative PCR, western blot and transwell migration/invasion assays. The liver metastasis in tumor xenografts of nude mice was subject to hematoxylin‐eosin (HE) staining. Results Nevirapine significantly repressed cell migration and invasion in WRO 82‐1 cells, and surprisingly significantly decreased liver metastatic tumor in the nude mouse model of dedifferentiated thyroid cancer compared with that of the control. Moreover, nevirapine significantly decreased the expression of IL‐6 mRNA and phosphorylation of JAK2 (Y1007+Y1008) and STAT3 (Tyr 705) in WRO 82‐1 cells compared with those in control cells. Conclusion Our findings suggest that nevirapine significantly repressed migration and invasion/metastasis in WRO 82‐1 cells and tumor xenografts, which may be related to inhibition of IL‐6/STAT3 signaling pathway. It promises great potential as a novel therapy for thyroid cancer, especially for those patients with metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Shang
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Junyu Zhao
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Jinming Yao
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Huanjun Wang
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Shengnan Wang
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Jianjun Dong
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lin Liao
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liotti F, Prevete N, Vecchio G, Melillo RM. Recent advances in understanding immune phenotypes of thyroid carcinomas: prognostication and emerging therapies. F1000Res 2019; 8. [PMID: 30854191 PMCID: PMC6396838 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.16677.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors modulate the host immune cells within their microenvironment to avoid recognition and elimination by our immune system, a phenotype called cancer immune escape. Different mechanisms responsible for cancer immune escape that result either in decreased tumor immunogenicity or in increased tumor immunosuppressive activity have been identified. Recently, various immunotherapeutic approaches have been developed with the aim to revert tumor immune escape. The aims of this review are to explore the immunological aspects of thyroid cancer and to assess whether these features can be exploited in the prognosis and treatment of advanced forms of this disease. Therefore, we will describe the immune landscape and phenotypes of thyroid cancer, summarize studies investigating the expression of immunomodulatory molecules, and finally describe the preclinical and clinical trials investigating the utility of immunotherapies in the management of thyroid cancer. The aim of this review is to explore the immunological aspects of thyroid cancer and to assess whether these features can be exploited in the prognosis and treatment of advanced forms of this disease. Therefore, we will describe the immune-landscape and phenotypes of thyroid cancer, we will summarize studies investigating the expression of immunomodulatory molecules, and we will finally describe the preclinical and clinical trials investigating the utility of immunotherapies in the management of thyroid cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Liotti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy, Italy
| | - Nella Prevete
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università ¨Federico II¨ di Napoli, Naples, Italy, Italy.,Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale "G. Salvatore", CNR, Naples, Italy, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Vecchio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy, Italy.,Istituto Superiore di Oncologia, Naples, Italy.,Istituto Superiore di Oncologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Rosa Marina Melillo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy, Italy.,Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale "G. Salvatore", CNR, Naples, Italy, Italy
| |
Collapse
|