Hyperthermic Isolated Perfusion With Low-Dose Tumor Necrosis Factor α and Doxorubicin for the Treatment of Limb-Threatening Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Identification and Characterization of Tunneling Nanotubes Involved in Human Mast Cell FcεRI-Mediated Apoptosis of Cancer Cells

Simple Summary

Mast cells (MCs) are ubiquitously found in most tissues and in and around tumors. Their role in cancer pathogenesis remains an open area of investigation, and their interactions with tumor cells has not been explored. Here, a novel mechanism of communication between human MCs and tumor cells involving tunneling nanotubes (TnT) and other membrane structures is described. The formation of these communication structures is dependent on MC receptors interacting with tumor antigens through tumor-specific immunoglobulins and results in tumor-killing mediators from MC entering the tumor cells. This mechanism underlying the MC killing of tumor cells has important implications in understanding cancer pathogenesis.

Abstract

Mast cells (MCs) are found in practically all tissues where they participate in innate and adaptive immune responses. They are also found in and around tumors, yet their interactions with cancer cells and the resulting impact on cancer cell growth and metastasis are not well understood. In this study, we examined a novel mechanism of IgE-FcεRI-mediated, intercellular communication between human adipose-derived mast cells (ADMC) and cancer cells. The formation of heterotypic tunneling nanotubes (TnT) and membrane structures between MCs and tumor cells in vitro was examined using microscopy and a diverse array of molecule-specific indicator dyes. We show that several MC-specific structures are dependent on the specific interactions between human tumor IgE-sensitized MCs and antigens on the tumor cell surface. The formation of TnT, membrane blebs and other MC-specific structures paralleled FcεRI-degranulation occurring within 30 min and persisting for up to 24 h. The TnT-specific adhesion of FcεRI-activated MCs to tumor cells was characterized by the transport of the MC granule content into the tumor cells, including tryptase and TNF-α. This interaction led to apoptosis of the tumor cells, which differs from previous studies examining tissue cells within the cancer microenvironment. The formation of heterotypic TnT results in stimulation of an invasive tumor cell phenotype and increased tumor cell invasion and chemoresistance of the cancer cells. These studies describe a heretofore-unrecognized mechanism underlying IgE-mediated interactions and FcεRI-activated MC-mediated killing of tumor cells through the formation of TnT.

Local Recurrence of Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma

The management of recurrent soft tissue sarcoma is a challenging problem for clinicians and has a significant physical, mental, emotional, and oncologic impact for the patient. Despite excellent limb-preservation therapies, approximately one-quarter of patients may eventually develop recurrence of disease. How to most appropriately manage these patients is a matter of debate. Several treatment options exist, including surgical resection, irradiation, systemic chemotherapy, amputation, and regional therapies. This article highlights the management of recurrent extremity soft tissue sarcoma.

Looking for answers: the current status of neoadjuvant treatment in localized soft tissue sarcomas

PURPOSE

Sarcomas are a rare and heterogeneous variant of cancer. The standard of care treatment involves surgical resection with radiation in high-risk patients. Despite appropriate treatment approximately 50 % of patients will suffer and die from recurrent disease. The purpose of this article is to review the current evidence concerning the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without radiation in soft tissue sarcomas.

METHODS

An in-depth literature search was conducted using Ovid Medline and PubMed.

RESULTS

The most active chemotherapeutic agents in sarcoma are anthracyclines and ifosfamide. Adjuvant chemotherapy trials show only minimal benefit. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy offers the potential advantage of reducing the extent of surgery, increasing the limb salvage rate, early exposure of micrometastatic disease to chemotherapy, and assessment of tumor response to chemotherapy. Some retrospective and phase II trials suggest a benefit to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Unfortunately, no clearly positive phase III prospectively randomized trials exist for neoadjuvant therapy in soft tissue sarcomas.

CONCLUSIONS

The current neoadjuvant chemotherapy trials that do exist are heterogeneous resulting in conflicting results. However, neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without radiation can be considered in patients with high-risk disease in an attempt to improve long-term outcomes.

Isolated regional therapy for advanced extremity soft tissue sarcomas

Patients presenting with unresectable, large, primary or recurrent extremity soft tissue sarcoma or locally advanced extremity tumors may benefit from treatment options in the form of isolated regional perfusion therapy. Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (HILP) and isolated limb infusion (ILI) have proved to be efficacious with acceptable systemic and regional toxicity profiles. Both procedures are attractive as options for patients who might otherwise be facing amputation as limb salvage procedures. HILP and ILI can be offered as either definitive treatment or as neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery and/or radiation treatment. Response rates are encouraging as are limb preservation rates after regional therapy. Ongoing multicenter collaborations and clinical trials are required to gain knowledge on HILP and ILI for unresectable extremity sarcoma and expand the indications for use in the management of advanced extremity soft tissue sarcoma.

[Soft tissue sarcomas: clinical practice guidelines]

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) constitute a rare heterogeneous group of tumours that include a wide variety of histological subtypes, which require a multidisciplinary and, frequently specialized and complex management. Despite advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease, there are no consensus multidisciplinary recommendations about its diagnosis and treatment in our country. The objective of these guidelines is to provide practical therapeutic recommendations that may contribute to improve the therapeutic results of this disease in our environment. With this purpose, the Spanish Group for Research in Sarcomas (GEIS) held a meeting with a multidisciplinary group of experts for the study and management of sarcomas. The results of this meeting are compiled in this document, in which recommendations on diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of soft tissue sarcomas are included. In summary, these guidelines aim to facilitate the identification and management of STS for clinical practice in Spain.

Non-metastatic unresected paediatric non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas: results of a pooled analysis from United States and European groups

BACKGROUND

Non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (NRSTS) with initially unresected tumours represent a particular subset of patients with a poor outcome. Various international research groups pooled their data in a joint study in order to investigate prognostic variables and treatment modalities.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 304 patients <21 years old treated between 1980 and 2005 using a multimodality therapeutic strategy.

RESULTS

Synovial sarcoma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) were the most frequent histotypes. Most patients received initial chemotherapy: major responses were recorded in 41% and minor in 16% of cases. Overall survival (OS) was 60.0% and 51.5% at 5 and 10 years, respectively, and it was significantly associated with patient's age, histological subtype, tumour site and size, quality of delayed surgical resection, radiotherapy administration and response to induction chemotherapy. MPNST associated to neurofibromatosis type 1 was the tumour type with the worst rate of response to chemotherapy and the worst outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

In unresected NRSTS patients, radiotherapy and delayed surgery are of crucial importance. Patients who respond to chemotherapy have better chance of survival. However, given the relatively poor prognosis, research on intensive multimodal treatment approaches and novel strategies is warranted.

Long-term results of melphalan-based isolated limb perfusion with or without low-dose TNF for in-transit melanoma metastases

BACKGROUND

The aims of the study were: (1) to determine toxicity, response rate, local-regional control, and survival in the entire population of the perfused patients; (2) to compare toxicity, response, and survival among patients who underwent melphalan-based perfusion with or without low-dose tumor necrosis factor (TNF); and (3) to identify factors that predict a complete response and survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 53 patients with extensive in-transit metastases (47%) underwent perfusion with melphalan, and 59 (53%) also received low-dose TNF.

RESULTS

No difference was observed between the 2 drug regimens for what concerns local toxicity (P = 1.0). The tumor complete response rate was higher in patients treated with TNF (60.3% versus 41.5%, P = .036), in particular in the case of locally advanced tumors (66.7% versus 30%, P = .049). The presence of lymph node metastases had a negative influence on the tumor response rate (P = .003). Median time to local progression and survival were 19.6 and 34.5 months, respectively. Long-term complete response was achieved in 68% of the patients with initial CR (39 of 57 patients). The tumor response after perfusion was the only prognostic factor for local control and survival (P < .0001 and P = .002, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In the case of locally advanced disease, the addition of low-dose TNF to melphalan-based isolated limb perfusion appears safe and particularly useful. The presence of lymph node metastases is associated with decreased response rates. A sustained complete response was obtained in about one-third of the patients.

Isolated limb perfusion with TNF-alpha and melphalan in locally advanced soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities

Limb-sparing surgery has become all the more important in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the extremities since we learned that amputation does not improve survival of these patients. In bulky tumours, however, preoperative strategies to reduce tumour size are then required. Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) with tumour necrosis factor (TNF) has been developed as a biochemotherapeutic therapy to act both on the tumour-associated vasculature and on the tumour itself. It has shown to be a very potent treatment modality, as in early reports response rates were around 80%. Limb salvage could then be achieved in a quite similar percentage. Many confirmatory studies have been performed since, with consistent results even in patients with multiple tumours, after extensive radiotherapy or with metastatic disease, all at the cost of very limited toxicity. This chapter gives an overview of the ILP studies performed in patients with soft tissue limb sarcoma, discusses the mechanism of TNF-mediated vasculotoxic effects on tumour vasculature, and places TNF-based ILP in the multimodality treatment of these patients with extensive STS of the extremities.

Tumor necrosis factor and cancer, buddies or foes?

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays important roles in diverse cellular events such as cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and death. As a pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF is secreted by inflammatory cells, which may be involved in inflammation-associated carcinogenesis. TNF exerts its biological functions through activating distinct signaling pathways such as nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). NF-kappaB is a major cell survival signal that is anti-apoptotic, whereas sustained JNK activation contributes to cell death. The crosstalk between the NF-kappaB and JNK is involved in determining cellular outcomes in response to TNF. In regard to cancer, TNF is a double-dealer. On one hand, TNF could be an endogenous tumor promoter, because TNF stimulates the growth, proliferation, invasion and metastasis, and tumor angiogenesis of cancer cells. On the other hand, TNF could be a cancer killer. The property of TNF in inducing cancer cell death renders it a potential cancer therapeutic, although much work is needed to reduce its toxicity for systematic TNF administration. Recent studies have focused on sensitizing cancer cells to TNF-induced apoptosis through inhibiting survival signals such as NF-kappaB, by combined therapy. In this article we provide an overview of the roles of TNF-induced signaling pathways in cancer biology with specific emphasis on carcinogenesis and cancer therapy.

Role of chemotherapy in pediatric nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft-tissue sarcomas

The definition of nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft-tissue sarcomas includes a varied group of malignant soft part tumors that can occur in childhood, but the majority are entities typically observed in adult age. Similar to their adult counterparts, pediatric nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft-tissue sarcomas are usually considered scarcely sensitive to chemotherapy, but treatment strategies for these tumors have changed to some degree in recent years, and multiple-modality treatments that also include chemotherapy have increasingly been attempted. Subsets of patients with specific histological subtypes and prognostic variables have been thought likely to benefit from chemotherapy. The recent development of new molecular treatment approaches to specific tumor targets may enable the current limits of systemic therapies to be overcome in the near future, possibly identifying specific agents tailored to each histotype. While awaiting these developments, however, a better use of standard chemotherapy may prove important in improving the cure rate for these patients.

Toxicities associated with hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion and isolated limb infusion in the treatment of melanoma and sarcoma

Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (HILP) and isolated limb infusion (ILI) may play a significant role in the treatment of patients with recurrent or in transit extremity melanoma or sarcoma that is unresectable. These procedures may be indicated when patients are otherwise faced with the possibility of a debilitating amputation. Not entirely benign treatment modalities, HILP and ILI can be associated with regional and systemic toxicities. We conducted a literature search of published studies using HILP and ILI for the treatment of extremity sarcomas and melanomas, and associated toxicities was performed. The regional toxicities of HILP and ILI are similar. The most common toxicities reported are mild to moderate. However, when severe regional toxicity occurs, albeit infrequently (<5%), fasciotomies or even amputation may be necessary. Some studies have showed a relationship between acute regional toxicities and long term regional morbidity. Systemic toxicity appears to be more frequent when TNF-alpha is used in combination with other drugs during HILP, however the use of TNF-alpha in the United States is limited to trials. Although regional toxicities are similar, systemic toxicity of ILI is minimal compared to HILP. ILI is easier to repeat, technically less complex, and may be more acceptable in infirmed patients. Long term morbidity and outcomes for ILI are still being evaluated. Both of these techniques may be suitable options in patients with unresectable advanced or recurrent, or in transit extremity melanoma or sarcoma.

Isolated limb perfusion with melphalan and TNF-alpha in the treatment of extremity sarcoma

Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) with chemotherapy alone has uniformly failed in the treatment of irresectable extremity soft tissue sarcomas. The addition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) to this treatment approach contributed to a major step forward in the treatment of locally advanced extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS). High response rates and limb salvage rates have been reported in multicenter trials, which combined ILP with TNF-α plus melphalan, which resulted in the approval of TNF-α for this indication in Europe in 1998. Subsequently a series of confirmatory single institution reports on the efficacy of the procedure have now been published. TNF-α has an early and a late effect; it enhances tumor-selective drug uptake during the perfusion and plays an essential role in the subsequent selective destruction of the tumor vasculature. These effects result in a high response rate in high-grade soft tissue sarcomas. This induction therapy thus allows for resection of tumor remnants some 3 months after ILP and thus avoidance of limb amputation. TNF-α-based ILP is a well-established treatment to avoid amputations. It represents an important example of tumor vasculatory-modulating combination therapy and should be offered in large volume tertiary referral centers.

Histamine, a vasoactive agent with vascular disrupting potential, improves tumour response by enhancing local drug delivery

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-based isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is an approved and registered treatment for sarcomas confined to the limbs in Europe since 1998, with limb salvage indexes of 76%. TNF improves drug distribution in solid tumours and secondarily destroys the tumour-associated vasculature (TAV). Here we explore the synergistic antitumour effect of another vasoactive agent, histamine (Hi), in doxorubicin (DXR)-based ILP and evaluate its antivascular effects on TAV. We used our well-established rat ILP model for in vivo studies looking at tumour response, drug distribution and effects on tumour vessels. In vitro studies explored drug interactions at cellular level on tumour cells (BN-175) and Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). There was a 17% partial response and a 50% arrest in tumour growth when Hi was combined to DXR, without important side effects, against 100% progressive disease with DXR alone and 29% arrest in tumour growth for Hi alone. Histology documented an increased DXR leakage in tumour tissue combined to a destruction of the TAV, when Hi was added to the ILP. In vitro no synergy between the drugs was observed. In conclusion, Hi is a vasoactive drug, targeting primarily the TAV and synergises with different chemotherapeutic agents.

TNF-alpha in cancer treatment: molecular insights, antitumor effects, and clinical utility

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), isolated 30 years ago, is a multifunctional cytokine playing a key role in apoptosis and cell survival as well as in inflammation and immunity. Although named for its antitumor properties, TNF has been implicated in a wide spectrum of other diseases. The current use of TNF in cancer is in the regional treatment of locally advanced soft tissue sarcomas and metastatic melanomas and other irresectable tumors of any histology to avoid amputation of the limb. It has been demonstrated in the isolated limb perfusion setting that TNF-alpha acts synergistically with cytostatic drugs. The interaction of TNF-alpha with TNF receptor 1 and receptor 2 (TNFR-1, TNFR-2) activates several signal transduction pathways, leading to the diverse functions of TNF-alpha. The signaling molecules of TNFR-1 have been elucidated quite well, but regulation of the signaling remains unclear. Besides these molecular insights, laboratory experiments in the past decade have shed light upon TNF-alpha action during tumor treatment. Besides extravasation of erythrocytes and lymphocytes, leading to hemorrhagic necrosis, TNF-alpha targets the tumor-associated vasculature (TAV) by inducing hyperpermeability and destruction of the vascular lining. This results in an immediate effect of selective accumulation of cytostatic drugs inside the tumor and a late effect of destruction of the tumor vasculature. In this review, covering TNF-alpha from the molecule to the clinic, we provide an overview of the use of TNF-alpha in cancer starting with molecular insights into TNFR-1 signaling and cellular mechanisms of the antitumor activities of TNF-alpha and ending with clinical response. In addition, possible factors modulating TNF-alpha actions are discussed.

Technology insight: Utility of TNF-alpha-based isolated limb perfusion to avoid amputation of irresectable tumors of the extremities

Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) with melphalan is effective in the treatment of small multiple melanoma intransit metastases and is utilized widely for this indication. The treatment is much less effective against bulky melanoma metastases and has uniformly failed in the treatment of irresectable extremity soft tissue sarcomas. The addition of tumor-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) to this treatment approach has changed the situation dramatically. High response rates and limb-salvage rates have been reported in multicenter trials that combined ILP with TNF-alpha plus melphalan; these trials resulted in the approval of TNF-alpha for bulky melanoma metastases and soft tissue sarcomas in Europe in 1998. Subsequently, many doctors working in European centers have been trained, and a series of confirmatory reports from single institutions have now been published regarding the efficacy of the procedure. TNF-alpha has an early and a late effect; it enhances tumor-selective drug uptake during the perfusion, and plays an essential role in the subsequent selective destruction of the tumor vasculature. These effects result in a high response rate in bulky tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, bulky melanomas, and various other tumor types. This induction therapy therefore allows tumor remnants to be resected some 3 months after ILP thus avoiding limb amputation. TNF-alpha-based ILP is a well-established treatment that aims to avoid amputations regardless of the tumor size and type. It represents an important example of combination therapy that modulates the tumor vasculature and should be offered in high-volume tertiary referral centers.

Altered localization of a coactivator sensitizes breast cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor–induced apoptosis

Proline-, glutamic acid-, and leucine-rich protein-1 (PELP1) is a novel coregulator of the estrogen receptor that plays a role in both genomic and nongenomic actions of the estrogen receptor. Emerging studies suggest that in addition to the nuclear localization of PELP1, it is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm in human breast tumors, leading to excessive nongenomic signaling and possibly to tamoxifen resistance. The mechanisms underlying resistance to hormones in preclinical model systems remain under intense investigation. In an effort to develop a model system to treat tumor cells with cytoplasmic PELP1 expression and tamoxifen resistance, here we used the cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. We found that clones of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells overexpressing PELP1 in the cytoplasm were distinctly sensitive to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis than were wild-type nuclear PELP1- and pcDNA vector-expressing clones as revealed by cell growth assay, cell cycle analysis, Annexin V staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay. We also found that the clones with cytoplasmic PELP1 overexpression had significantly less antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 and nuclear factor-kappaB DNA binding, but increased cyclin E expression, further supporting evidence that these cells are sensitive to apoptosis. The mechanism behind TNF-induced apoptosis in these cells involves caspases, as revealed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and the broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-inhibited apoptosis. In conclusion, our results suggest that altered localization of PELP1 promotes heightened sensitivity to TNF-alpha in MCF-7 cells, paving the way for developing new treatment strategies for tumors with cytoplasmic PELP1 expression.

Adult soft tissue sarcomas: Conventional therapies and molecularly targeted approaches

The therapeutic approach to soft tissue sarcomas (STS) has evolved over the past two decades based on the results from randomized controlled trials, which are guiding physicians in the treatment decision-making process. Despite significant improvements in the control of local disease, a significant number of patients ultimately die of recurrent/metastatic disease following radical surgery due to a lack of effective adjuvant treatments. In addition, the characteristic chemoresistance of STS has compromised the therapeutic value of conventional antineoplastic agents in cases of unresectable advanced/metastatic disease. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to improve the prognosis of patients with STS. Recent advances in STS biology are paving the way to the development of molecularly targeted therapeutic strategies, the efficacy of which relies not only on the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development/progression but also on the personalization of the therapeutic regimen according to the molecular features of individual tumours. In this work, we review the state-of-the-art of conventional treatments for STS and summarize the most promising findings in the development of molecularly targeted therapeutic approaches.