Advanced Colorectal Cancer Is Associated With Enhanced IL-23 and IL-10 Serum Levels

The interaction effect of dietary selenium intake and the IL10 rs1800871 polymorphism on the risk of colorectal cancer: a case-control study in Korea

The importance of Se in human health has received much attention due to its antioxidant properties when it is consumed at an appropriate level. However, the existing evidence is limited to obtain an effective conclusion for colorectal cancer (CRC). Notably, an adequate intake of Se was reported for Koreans. Furthermore, cytokine secretion and immune function may be affected by dietary Se. Our study aimed to explore whether Se potentially reduces CRC risk and whether the IL10 rs1800871 polymorphism has an effect on this association. We designed a case-control study with 1420 cases and 2840 controls. A semi-quantitative FFQ was used to obtain information on Se intake. We determined IL10 rs1800871 through genetic analysis. Different models were developed to explore Se intake related to CRC risk by calculating OR and 95 % CI using unconditional logistic regression. A reduced risk of CRC was found as Se intake increased, with an OR (95 % CI) of 0·44 (0·35, 0·55) (Pfor trend < 0·001). However, this association seems to be allele-specific and only present among risk variant allele carriers (GA/GG) with a significant interaction between dietary Se and IL10 rs1800871 (Pfor interaction = 0·043). We emphasised that a reduction in CRC risk is associated with appropriate Se intake. However, the IL10 rs1800871 polymorphism has an impact on this reduction, with a greater effect on variant allele carriers. These findings suggest the importance of considering an individual's genetic characteristics when developing nutritional strategies for CRC prevention.

Peritoneal and Systemic Interleukin-10 as Early Biomarkers for Colorectal Anastomotic Leakage Following Surgery in Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<b><br>Introduction:</b> Despite advancements in diagnostic methods, the early detection of colorectal anastomotic leakage (CAL) continues to pose challenges. The identification of reliable markers is crucial to reduce patient morbidity and mortality. Cytokines present in drain fluid and systemic cytokine levels have shown promise as predictive markers for CAL; however, additional high-quality evidence is warranted to enhance the reliability and validity of the findings in this field.</br> <b><br>Aim:</b> This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the significance of peritoneal and serum/plasma interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in the early detection of CAL in patients undergoing colorectal surgery for colorectal cancer.</br> <b><br>Methods:</b> A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, covering studies published until July 2023. The search aimed to identify relevant studies investigating the levels of plasma/serum and peritoneal IL-10 (or both) in colorectal cancer patients undergoing colorectal surgery, specifically focusing on the presence of CAL. Data on the mean and standard deviation of IL-10 levels in both CAL and non-CAL patients were extracted from the selected studies. Mean differences in IL-10 levels were analyzed for each postoperative day (POD) using the OpenMeta [analyst] software.</br> <b><br>Results:</b> 11 articles were selected for inclusion in this systematic review. Among them, nine articles reported data on peritoneal IL-10 levels, while four articles focused on circulating IL-10 levels. The statistical analysis included four eligible articles that assessed peritoneal IL-10 levels, and the results indicated no significant increase in CAL patients compared to non-CAL patients on any postoperative day (POD). Meta-analysis for circulating IL-10 levels was not feasible.</br> <b><br>Conclusions:</b> Up to now, peritoneal and systemic IL-10 levels cannot be considered as early markers for CAL after colorectal surgery in colorectal cancer patients. More high-quality studies are needed to establish the potential of IL-10 as a reliable marker for detecting anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery.</br>.

Emerging interleukin targets in the tumour microenvironment: implications for the treatment of gastrointestinal tumours

The effectiveness of antitumour immunity is dependent on intricate cytokine networks. Interleukins (ILs) are important mediators of complex interactions within the tumour microenvironment, including regulation of tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte proliferation, differentiation, migration and activation. Our evolving and increasingly nuanced understanding of the cell type-specific and heterogeneous effects of IL signalling has presented unique opportunities to fine-tune elaborate IL networks and engineer new targeted immunotherapeutics. In this review, we provide a primer for clinicians on the challenges and potential of IL-based treatment. We specifically detail the roles of IL-2, IL-10, IL-12 and IL-15 in shaping the tumour-immune landscape of gastrointestinal malignancies, paying particular attention to promising preclinical findings, early-stage clinical research and innovative therapeutic approaches that may properly place ILs to the forefront of immunotherapy regimens.

Nanoengineered drug delivery in cancer immunotherapy for overcoming immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment

Almost like a living being in and of itself, tumors actively interact with and modify their environment to escape immune responses. Owing to the pre-formation of cancer-favorable microenvironment prior to anti-cancer treatment, the numerous attempts that followed propose limited efficacy in oncology. Immunogenicity by activation of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment or recruitment of immune cells from nearby lymph nodes is quickly offset as the immunosuppressive environment, rapidly converting immunogenic cells into immune suppressive cells, overriding the immune system. Tumor cells, as well as regulatory cells, namely M2 macrophages, Treg cells, and MDSCs, derived by the immunosuppressive environment, also cloak from potential anti-tumoral factors by directly or indirectly secreting cytokines, such as IL-10 and TGF-β, related to immune regulation. Enzymes and other metabolic or angiogenetic constituents - VEGF, IDO1, and iNOS - are also employed directed for anti-cancer immune cell malfunctioning. Therefore, the conversion of "cold" immunosuppressive environment into "hot" immune responsive environment is of paramount importance, bestowing the advances in the field of cancer immunotherapy the opportunity to wholly fulfill its intended purpose. This paper reviews the mechanisms by which tumors wield to exercise immune suppression and the nanoengineered delivery strategies being developed to overcome this suppression.

Gut microbiota resilience and recovery after anticancer chemotherapy

Although research on the role of the gut microbiota (GM) in human health has sharply increased in recent years, what a "healthy" gut microbiota is and how it responds to major stressors is still difficult to establish. In particular, anticancer chemotherapy is known to have a drastic impact on the microbiota structure, potentially hampering its recovery with serious long-term consequences for patients' health. However, the distinguishing features of gut microbiota recovery and non-recovery processes are not yet known. In this narrative review, we first investigated how gut microbiota layouts are affected by anticancer chemotherapy and identified potential gut microbial recovery signatures. Then, we discussed microbiome-based intervention strategies aimed at promoting resilience, i.e., the rapid and complete recovery of a healthy gut microbial network associated with a better prognosis after such high-impact pharmacological treatments.

Modeling resistance of colorectal peritoneal metastases to immune checkpoint blockade in humanized mice

BACKGROUND

The immunogenic nature of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) underlies their responsiveness to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). However, resistance to ICB is commonly observed, and is associated with the presence of peritoneal-metastases and ascites formation. The mechanisms underlying this site-specific benefit of ICB are unknown.

METHODS

We created a novel model for spontaneous multiorgan metastasis in MSI-H CRC tumors by transplanting patient-derived organoids (PDO) into the cecum of humanized mice. Anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocytes-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) ICB treatment effects were analyzed in relation to the immune context of primary tumors, liver metastases, and peritoneal metastases. Immune profiling was performed by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing. The role of B cells was assessed by antibody-mediated depletion. Immunosuppressive cytokine levels (interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)b1, TGFb2, TGFb3) were determined in ascites and serum samples by ELISA.

RESULTS

PDO-initiated primary tumors spontaneously metastasized to the liver and the peritoneum. Peritoneal-metastasis formation was accompanied by the accumulation of ascites. ICB completely cleared liver metastases and reduced primary tumor mass but had no effect on peritoneal metastases. This mimics clinical observations. After therapy discontinuation, primary tumor masses progressively decreased, but peritoneal metastases displayed unabated growth. Therapy efficacy correlated with the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS)-containing B cells and juxtaposed T cells-and with expression of an interferon-γ signature together with the B cell chemoattractant CXCL13. B cell depletion prevented liver-metastasis clearance by anti-CTLA-4 treatment. Peritoneal metastases were devoid of B cells and TLS, while the T cells in these lesions displayed a dysfunctional phenotype. Ascites samples from patients with cancer with peritoneal metastases and from the mouse model contained significantly higher levels of IL-10, TGFb1, TGFb2 and TGFb3 than serum samples.

CONCLUSIONS

By combining organoid and humanized mouse technologies, we present a novel model for spontaneous multiorgan metastasis by MSI-H CRC, in which the clinically observed organ site-dependent benefit of ICB is recapitulated. Moreover, we provide empirical evidence for a critical role for B cells in the generation of site-dependent antitumor immunity following anti-CTLA-4 treatment. High levels of immunosuppressive cytokines in ascites may underlie the observed resistance of peritoneal metastases to ICB.

IL-10 in cancer: an essential thermostatic regulator between homeostatic immunity and inflammation - a comprehensive review

Cytokines are soluble proteins that mediate intercellular signaling regulating immune and inflammatory responses. Cytokine modulation represents a promising cancer immunotherapy approach for immune-mediated tumor regression. However, redundancy in cytokine signaling and cytokines' pleiotropy, narrow therapeutic window, systemic toxicity, short half-life and limited efficacy represent outstanding challenges for cytokine-based cancer immunotherapies. Recently, there has been interest in the paradoxical role of IL-10 in cancer, its controversial prognostic utility and novel strategies to enhance its therapeutic profile. Here, the authors review the literature surrounding the role of IL-10 within the tumor microenvironment, its prognostic correlates to cancer patient outcomes and its pro- and antitumor effects, and they assess the legitimacy of potential therapeutic strategies harnessing IL-10 by outlining the notable preclinical and clinical evidence to date.

A role for serum cytokines and cell adhesion molecules in the non‑invasive diagnosis of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality. Consequently, new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are being investigated including the serum levels of cytokines and other molecules, although the results are often inconclusive. Thus, the present study aimed to determine whether serum level of cytokines, cell adhesion molecules or matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), alone or in combination, may contribute to the non-invasive diagnosis of CRC. The serum levels of nine cytokines [ILs; IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IL-22 and IL-33, and interferon (IFN)-γ], two cell adhesion molecules (intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and P-selectin) and an MMP-7 were measured by ELISA in 33 patients with CRC and 35 healthy controls. Combined capacity of all molecules to detect the presence of CRC was assessed by logistic regression. Molecules and molecule combinations were tested for all stages and tumor grades. A significant increase was identified for IL-8 in patients compared with healthy controls; IL-10 was found to be significantly decreased. The biomarker potential of each significantly modified molecule was tested: IL-8 had a sensitivity of 0.865, a specificity of 0.600 and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.777; for IL-10, sensitivity was 0.65, specificity was 0.69, with an AUC of 0.689. Logistic regression determined the best discriminative potential between patients and control groups for the combination IL-4 + IL-6 + IL-8 + IFN-γ, with 0.97 sensitivity and 0.58 specificity. For the early stages of CRC, the combination IL-6 + IL-8 + IL-22 showed good performance. It was concluded that increased IL-8 had potential as single biomarker in CRC. Cytokine combinations are superior to single cytokine analysis in showing the presence of CRC.

The Role of Inflammatory Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Colorectal Carcinoma—Recent Findings and Review

The inflammatory process plays a significant role in the development of colon cancer (CRC). Intestinal cytokine networks are critical mediators of tissue homeostasis and inflammation but also impact carcinogenesis at all stages of the disease. Recent studies suggest that inflammation is of greater importance in the serrated pathway than in the adenoma-carcinoma pathway. Interleukins have gained the most attention due to their potential role in CRC pathogenesis and promising results of clinical trials. Malignant transformation is associated with the pro-tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic cytokines. The harmony between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors is crucial to maintaining homeostasis. Immune cells in the tumor microenvironment modulate immune sensitivity and facilitate cancer escape from immune surveillance. Therefore, clarifying the role of underlying cytokine pathways and the effects of their modulation may be an important step to improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy.

Systemic Interleukins' Profile in Early and Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Tumor microenvironment (TME) is characterized by mutual interactions of the tumor, stromal and immune cells. Early and advanced colorectal tumors differ in structure and present altered serum cytokine levels. Mutual crosstalk among TME infiltrating cells may shift the balance into immune suppressive or pro-inflammatory, antitumor response this way influencing patients' prognosis. Cancer-related inflammation affects all the body and this way, the systemic level of cytokines could reflect TME processes. Despite numerous studies, it is still not known how systemic cytokines levels change during colorectal cancer (CRC) tumor development. Better understanding tumor microenvironment processes could help in planning therapeutic interventions and more accurate patient prognosis. To contribute to the comprehension of these processes within TME, we reviewed cytokines levels from clinical trials in early and advanced colorectal cancer. Presented data were analyzed in the context of experimental studies and studies analyzing tumor infiltration with immune cells. The review summarizes clinical data of cytokines secreted by tumor microenvironment cells: lymphocytes T helper 1 (Th1), lymphocytes T helper 2 (Th2), lymphocytes T helper 17 (Th17), regulatory T cells (Treg cells), regulatory T cells (Breg cells), M1/M2 macrophages, N1/N2 neutrophils, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), dendritic cells (DC), innate lymphoid cells (ILC) natural killer (NK) cells and tumor cells.

Cross-Talk Between Tumor Cells Undergoing Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Natural Killer Cells in Tumor Microenvironment in Colorectal Cancer

Tumor cells undergoing epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and immune cells in tumor microenvironment (TME) reciprocally influence each other. Immune cells, by supplying TME with bioactive molecules including cytokines, chemokines, enzymes, metabolites, and by physical interactions with tumor cells via their receptors, represent an important factor that affects EMT. Chronical inflammation in TME favorizes tumor growth and invasiveness and stimulates synthesis of EMT promoting transcription factors. Natural killer (NK) cells, owing to their unique ability to exert cytotoxic function independent of major histocompatibility (MHC)-mediated antigen presentation, play a significant role in the control of metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Although, the cross-talk between immune cells and tumor cells in general favors the induction of EMT and inhibition of antitumor immune responses, there are some changes in the immunogenicity of tumor cells during EMT of CRC cells that increase their susceptibility to NK cell cytotoxic lysis. However, suppressive TME downmodulates the expression of activating NK cell receptors, decreases the expression of activating and increases the expression of inhibitory NK cell ligands on tumor cells, and impairs NK cell metabolism that altogether negatively affects the overall NK cell function. Furthermore, process of EMT is often associated with increased expression of programmed cell death ligand (PD-L) and expression of immune checkpoint molecules PD-1, TIGIT, and TIM3 on functionally exhausted NK cells in TME in CRC. In this review we discuss modalities of cross-talk between tumor cells and NK cells, with regard of EMT-driven changes.

Cannabinoids, Medical Cannabis, and Colorectal Cancer Immunotherapy

Colorectal cancer is a major public health problem. Unfortunately, currently, no effective curative option exists for this type of malignancy. The most promising cancer treatment nowadays is immunotherapy which is also called biological or targeted therapy. This type of therapy boosts the patient's immune system ability to fight the malignant tumor. However, cancer cells may become resistant to immunotherapy and escape immune surveillance by obtaining genetic alterations. Therefore, new treatment strategies are required. In the recent decade, several reports suggest the effectiveness of cannabinoids and Cannabis sativa extracts for inhibiting cancer proliferation in vitro and in vivo, including intestinal malignancies. Cannabinoids were shown to modulate the pathways involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, programmed cell death and metastasis. Because of that, they are proposed as adjunct therapy for many malignancies. By far less information exists on the potential of the use of cannabis in combination with immunotherapy. Here, we explore the possibility of the use of cannabinoids for modulation of immunotherapy of colon cancer and discuss possible advantages and limitations.

Emerging Complexity in CD4+T Lineage Programming and Its Implications in Colorectal Cancer

The intestinal immune system has the difficult task of protecting a large environmentally exposed single layer of epithelium from pathogens without allowing inappropriate inflammatory responses. Unmitigated inflammation drives multiple pathologies, including the development of colorectal cancer. CD4⁺T cells mediate both the suppression and promotion of intestinal inflammation. They comprise an array of phenotypically and functionally distinct subsets tailored to a specific inflammatory context. This diversity of form and function is relevant to a broad array of pathologic and physiologic processes. The heterogeneity underlying both effector and regulatory T helper cell responses to colorectal cancer, and its impact on disease progression, is reviewed herein. Importantly, T cell responses are dynamic; they exhibit both quantitative and qualitative changes as the inflammatory context shifts. Recent evidence outlines the role of CD4⁺T cells in colorectal cancer responses and suggests possible mechanisms driving qualitative alterations in anti-cancer immune responses. The heterogeneity of T cells in colorectal cancer, as well as the manner and mechanism by which they change, offer an abundance of opportunities for more specific, and likely effective, interventional strategies.

Imbalance of Chemokines and Cytokines in the Bone Marrow Microenvironment of Children with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

In the hematopoietic microenvironment, leukemic cells secrete factors that imbalanced chemokine and cytokine production. However, the network of soluble immunological molecules in the bone marrow microenvironment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains underexplored. Herein, we evaluated the levels of the immunological molecules (CXCL8, CCL2, CXCL9, CCL5, CXCL10, IL-6, TNF, IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-2) in the bone marrow plasma of 47 recently diagnosed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patients during induction therapy using cytometric beads arrays. The results demonstrated that B-ALL patients showed high levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, IL-6, and IL-10 at the time of diagnosis, while at the end of induction therapy, a decrease in the levels of these immunological molecules and an increase in CCL5, IFN-γ, and IL-17A levels were observed. These findings indicate that B-ALL patients have an imbalance in chemokines and cytokines in the bone marrow microenvironment that contributes to suppressing the immune response. This immune imbalance may be associated with the presence of leukemic cells since, at the end of the induction therapy, with the elimination and reduction to residual cells, the proinflammatory profile is reestablished, characterized by an increase in the cytokines of the Th1 and Th17 profiles.

Association of Foxp3 rs3761548 polymorphism with cytokines concentration in gastric adenocarcinoma patients

T regulatory cells (Tregs) and related-cytokines are effectively engaged in the process of tumor immune escape and functionally inhibit immune response against the tumor. This study aimed to investigate the association of Foxp3 gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs3761548) with serum IL-35, IL-10, and TGF-β levels in gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) patients. The blood samples were obtained from 150 GA patients and 166 control subjects. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was done to genotyping of Foxp3 gene polymorphism (rs3761548). The serum cytokines levels were measured using the ELISA method. According to genotyping, the AA, and AC genotypes and A allele demonstrated significantly greater risk of GA. Considering the Lauren classification, our results revealed a greater risk of GA progression in patients with AC + AA genotype compared to CC genotype. Moreover, significantly increased levels of IL-10, IL-35, and TGF-β were observed in GA patients compared to controls and also in diffuse-type compared to the intestinal type of GA patients. The IL-35, IL-10 concentrations in GA patients displayed significant differences between the participants with CC, AC and AA genotypes. Further analysis indicated the prognostic role of serum IL-35, IL-10, and TGF-β levels in GA patients. Our results confirmed that the Foxp3 polymorphism (rs3761548) could influence the predisposition to GA and the serum IL-10, IL-35, and TGF-β levels. Thus, this polymorphism might be involved in the GA progression through influencing Tregs function and the secretion of immunomodulatory cytokines.

Serum cytokine profile as a potential prognostic tool in colorectal cancer patients - one center study

Aim

Comparison of 14 cytokines levels between a control group and prospectively enrolled CRC patients to confirm their significance in CRC development. We tested if a model based on 14 cytokines levels could predict prognosis in Caucasian CRC patients treated with 5-FU based chemotherapy.

Background

Novel prognostic tools in colorectal cancer (CRC) are necessary to optimize treatment, reduce toxicity and chemotherapy (CHT) costs.

Materials and Methods

We assessed prognostic significance of 14 cytokines: IL-1 beta, IL-1RA, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL12p70, IL-13, IL-17A in 75 prospectively enrolled CRC patients before initiation of palliative or adjuvant CHT and in 22 control subjects. Readings were taken using the Bio-Plex 200 System. Response to treatment was assessed after 6 months from initiation of CHT. The treated group was divided depending on the response into a progressors (death, progression of disease) and non-progressors group (stable disease, partial response, complete response).

Results

We found that increased concentration of IL-8 was a negative prognostic factor in the whole group and palliative subgroup, whereas increased level of IL-10, IL-7, and IL-12p70 was a negative predictor in the adjuvant group CHT.

Conclusions

We proposed a statistical model based on circulating cytokine levels, showing a good prognostic value in prediction of the response to CHT (AUC = 0.956). The model, including combined IL-2, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-13 levels, established in the whole treated group, should be validated in larger trials.

Obesity, diabetes and the risk of colorectal adenoma and cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In the current case-control study, an association between diagnosis of CRC, obesity and diabetes was investigated.

METHODS

Demographic characteristics, colonoscopy reports, history of drug, smoking, and medical history were collected from patients referred to a colonoscopy unit. The location, size and number of the polyps were recorded during the colonoscopy. Statistically, t-test was conducted for mean comparison for the groups. Pearson's chi-squared test (χ2) was applied to categorize variables. Five classification methods based on the important clinicopathological characteristics such as age, BMI, diabetes, family history of colon cancer was performed to predict the results of colonoscopy.

RESULTS

Overall, 693 patients participated in this study. In the present study, 115 and 515 patients were evaluated for adenoma/adenocarcinoma and normal colonoscopy, respectively. The mean age of patients positive for adenoma or adenocarcinoma were significantly higher than the negative groups (p value < 0.001). Incidence of overweight and/or obesity (BMI > 25 kg/m2) were significantly higher in adenoma positive patients as compared to controls (49.9 and 0.9% respectively, p value = 0.04). The results also demonstrated a significant association between suffering from diabetes and having colon adenoma (OR = 1.831, 95%CI = 1.058-3.169, p value = 0.023). The experimental results of 5 classification methods on higher risk factors between colon adenoma and normal colonoscopy data were more than 82% and less than 0.42 for the percentage of classification accuracy and root mean squared error, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In the current study, the occurrence of obesity measured based on BMI and diabetes in the adenoma positive patient group was significantly higher than the control group although there was no notable association between obesity, diabetes and adenocarcinoma.

T Regulatory Cells and Priming the Suppressive Tumor Microenvironment

Treg play a central role in maintenance of self tolerance and homeostasis through suppression of self-reactive T cell populations. In addition to that role, Treg also survey cancers and suppress anti-tumor immune responses. Thus, understanding the unique attributes of Treg-tumor interactions may permit control of this pathologic suppression without interfering with homeostatic self-tolerance. This review will define the unique role of Treg in cancer growth, and the ways by which Treg inhibit a robust anti-tumor immune response. There will be specific focus placed on Treg homing to the tumor microenvironment (TME), TME formation of induced Treg (iTreg), mechanisms of suppression that underpin cancer immune escape, and trophic nonimmunologic effects of Treg on tumor cells.

Integration analysis for novel lncRNA markers predicting tumor recurrence in human colon adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Numerous evidence has suggested that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) acts an important role in tumor biology. This study focuses on the identification of novel prognostic lncRNA biomarkers predicting tumor recurrence in human colon adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

We obtained the research data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The interaction among different expressed lncRNA, miRNA and mRNA markers between colon adenocarcinoma patients with and without tumor recurrence were verified with miRcode, starBase and miRTarBase databases. We established the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network based on the verified association between the selected markers. We performed the functional enrichment analysis to obtain better understanding of the selected lncRNAs. Then we use multivariate logistic regression to identify the prognostic lncRNA markers with covariates. We also generated a nomogram predicting tumor recurrence risk based on the identified lncRNA biomarkers and clinical covariates.

RESULTS

We included 12,727 lncRNA, 1881 miRNA and 47,761 mRNA profiling and clinical features for 113 colon adenocarcinoma patients obtained from the TCGA database. After filtration, we used 37 specific lncRNAs, 60 miRNAs and 148 mRNAs in the ceRNA network analysis. We identified five lncRNAs as prognostic lncRNA markers predicting tumor recurrence in colon adenocarcinoma, in which four of them were identified for the first time. Finally, we generated a nomogram illustrating the association between the identified lncRNAs and the tumor recurrence risk in colon adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The four newly identified lncRNA biomarkers might be potential prognostic biomarkers predicting tumor recurrence in colon adenocarcinoma. We recommend that further clinical and fundamental researches be conducted on the identified lncRNA markers.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of serum IL-23 in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Cytokines play a pivotal role in the induction of host immune responses against tumour growth and are involved in the development and progression of colorectal cancer in humans. The role of IL-23 in colorectal cancer is still unclear. Thus, we aimed to determine IL-23 levels in the development and progression of colorectal (CRC) cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty two patients with colorectal cancer aged 60.4 ± 3.5 years. and 20 age, sex and BMI ‑matched healthy control subjects were included in the study. Serum IL-23 levels were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were determined using a turbidimetric immunoassay. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9) were measured by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

IL-23 levels were found significantly higher in patients relative to the control subjects (p < 0.001) and were gradually increased with TNM tumour stage progression. The mean CRP, CEA and CA-19-9 levels also were significantly higher in patients (p < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between the serum levels of IL-23 and the other measured parameters in CRC patients. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) for serum IL-23 was 0.955 at cut off value ≥57.15 with sensitivity 96% and specificity 100%.

CONCLUSION

The observed results suggest that IL-23 may have a potential role in the pathogenesis and progression of colorectal malignancy and may be a good marker of colorectal cancer and stage progression.

The capability and potential of new forms of personalized colon cancer treatment: Immunotherapy and Photodynamic Therapy

INTRODUCTION

PDT can interfere with cytokine-mediated responses that play an important role in the processes of cancer progression, tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. Therefore, based on the identification of these cancer biomarkers, the therapy of combining various forms of treatment, including immunotherapy and PDT, may be a justified strategy for colorectal cancer treatment that focuses on individualized comprehensive therapy.

METHOD

We reviewed the major approaches on the use of immunotherapy in colorectal cancer, with the special regard to photodynamic therapy, its immunological effect and new oncological treatment directions, connected with adjuvant immunotherapy including use of nanoparticles. Databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect and Springer were utilized to search the literature for relevant articles.

PURPOSE

To review studies of the immunotherapy in colon cancer and immune response to PDT.

CONCLUSION

Based on the identification of immunological cancer biomarkers, the therapy of combining various forms of treatment, including immunotherapy and PDT, may be a justified strategy for colorectal cancer treatment that focuses on individualized comprehensive therapy.

SERUM CYTOKINE OF IL-2, IL-10 AND IL-12 LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH STOMACH ADENOCARCINOMA

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Gastric adenocarcinoma is the fourth most common cause of cancer-associated death worldwide. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the immunological status of patients with gastric cancer before surgery and circulating cytokines as potential diagnostic biomarkers for gastric cancer. METHODS: We included 90 healthy controls and 95 patients with distal Gastric adenocarcinoma in Mazandaran, Sari, Iran. We measured serum IL-2, IL-10 and IL-12 Levels by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the IBL international GMBH kit. RESULTS: The serum IL-10 levels in the patients with Gastric adenocarcinoma were significantly higher than those of the healthy controls (P=0.02). There were no significant differences in serum IL-2 and IL-12 levels between patients with gastric cancer and healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Increased levels of IL-10 might be useful as diagnostic biomarkers for Gastric adenocarcinoma; however, this needs to be confirmed with larger number of patients and with control groups other than blood donors, properly age paired. These results suggest that positive expression of IL-10 may be useful as a molecular marker to distinguish stage of gastric cancers which can be more readily controlled.

Expression of IL-23R and IL-17 and the pathology and prognosis of urinary bladder carcinoma

Expression of interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) and IL-17 in urinary bladder carcinoma (UBC) was investigated to explore the correlations with prognosis. IL-23/IL-17 axis significantly inhibited the development of inflammatory bowel disease. Thirty patients with UBC were enrolled in Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from September 2013 to September 2014. Tumor tissue and adjacent healthy tissue were collected, and the levels of IL-23R and IL-17 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. Thirty healthy people were also selected to serve as normal control group. Serum levels of IL-23R and IL-17 in serum of UBC patients and normal controls were detected by ELISA, and the correlations with clinical features of UBC were analyzed. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between IL-23R and IL-17 protein expression. Follow-up study was performed by phone or during patient's visit to out-patient department. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) curves were plotted by Kaplan-Meier method to analyze the correlation between expression of IL-23R and IL-17 and survival time. ROC curve was used to detect the diagnostic values of IL-23R and IL-17 protein for UBC. Levels of IL-23R and IL-17 mRNA in UBC tissue were 3.26 and 2.65 times higher than those in adjacent tissue (P<0.05), and serum levels of IL-23R and IL-17 protein in UBC patients were significantly higher than those in normal control group. Protein expression levels of IL-23R and IL-17 were correlated with clinical stage and lymph node metastasis in UBC patients (P<0.05), and Cox hazard model showed that L-23R and IL-17 expression may be independent factors for UBC (P<0.05), and high expression levels of IL-23R and IL-17 significantly shortened the OS and DFS (P<0.05). Serum levels of IL-23R and IL-17 can be used to effectively diagnose clinical stage and lymph node metastasis of UBC patients, and the combined diagnosis has a higher sensitivity and specificity than the diagnosis using a single factor. These findings indicated that expression levels of IL-23R and IL-17 were increased in tumor tissue and serum of UBC patients, and the increased expression levels of IL-23R and IL-17 were correlated with poor prognosis. Detection of IL-23R and IL-17 levels has certain clinical significance in the diagnosis and prognosis of UBC.

Interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 and Their Conflicting Roles in Cancer

The balance of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 plays a key role in shaping the development of antitumor or protumor immunity. In this review, we discuss the role IL-12 and IL-23 plays in tumor biology from preclinical and clinical data. In particular, we discuss the mechanism by which IL-23 promotes tumor growth and metastases and how the IL-12/IL-23 axis of inflammation can be targeted for cancer therapy.

Radiation and SN38 treatments modulate the expression of microRNAs, cytokines and chemokines in colon cancer cells in a p53-directed manner

Aberrant expression of miRNAs, cytokines and chemokines are involved in pathogenesis of colon cancer. However, the expression of p53 mediated miRNAs, cyto- and chemokines after radiation and SN38 treatment in colon cancer remains elusive. Here, human colon cancer cells, HCT116 with wild-type, heterozygous and a functionally null p53, were treated by radiation and SN38. The expression of 384 miRNAs was determined by using the TaqMan® miRNA array, and the expression of cyto- and chemokines was analyzed by Meso-Scale-Discovery instrument. Up- or down-regulations of miRNAs after radiation and SN38 treatments were largely dependent on p53 status of the cells. Cytokines, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, Il-4, IL-10, VEGF, and chemokines, IL-8, MIP-1α were increased, and IFN-γ expression was decreased after radiation, whereas, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, Il-4, IL-10, IL-8 were decreased, and VEGF and MIP-1α were increased after SN38 treatment. Bioinformatic analysis pointed out that the highly up-regulated miRNAs, let-7f-5p, miR-455-3p, miR-98, miR-155-5p and the down-regulated miRNAs, miR-1, miR-127-5p, miR-142-5p, miR-202-5p were associated with colon cancer pathways and correlated with cyto- or chemokine expression. These miRNAs have the potential for use in colon cancer therapy as they are related to p53, pro- or anti-inflammatory cyto- or chemokines after the radiation and SN38 treatment.

Cytokine-Induced Modulation of Colorectal Cancer

The emergence of novel immunomodulatory cancer therapies over the last decade, above all immune checkpoint blockade, has significantly advanced tumor treatment. For colorectal cancer (CRC), a novel scoring system based on the immune cell infiltration in tumors has greatly improved disease prognostic evaluation and guidance to more specific therapy. These findings underline the relevance of tumor immunology in the future handling and therapeutic approach of malignant disease. Inflammation can either promote or suppress CRC pathogenesis and inflammatory mediators, mainly cytokines, critically determine the pro- or anti-tumorigenic signals within the tumor environment. Here, we review the current knowledge on the cytokines known to be critically involved in CRC development and illustrate their mechanisms of action. We also highlight similarities and differences between CRC patients and murine models of CRC and point out cytokines with an ambivalent role for intestinal cancer. We also identify some of the future challenges in the field that should be addressed for the development of more effective immunomodulatory therapies.

Isolation and identification of Candida species in patients with orogastric cancer: susceptibility to antifungal drugs, attributes of virulence in vitro and immune response phenotype

Background

Because of the inherent immunosuppression of cancer patients opportunistic infections by Candida spp, occur frequently. This study aimed to identify Candida species in the oral mucosa of 59 patients with orogastric cancer (OGC) and to analyze the immunological phenotype of these patients.

Methods

The yeasts were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS). For all isolates, we performed phospholipases and proteinases assays, in vitro adherence to buccal epithelial cells (BEC), minimum inhibitory concentration of antifungal drugs and determined the cytokine profile by Cytometric Bead Array flow citometry assay.

Results

C. albicans was the most prevalent species in OGC patients (51.6 %) and control group (66.7 %). Candida spp. strains isolated from OGC patients exhibited better adherence to BEC (p = 0.05) than did the control group. Phospholipases production by Candida strains from OGC patients was lower (51.6 %) than in the control group (61.9 %). Proteinases were detected in 41.9 % and 4.8 % of the yeasts from OGC patients and control group, respectively. Significant differences were found in the serum of OGC patients compared to the control group for IL-2, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-17.

Conclusions

The results of this work suggest increased virulence of yeasts isolated from OGC patients and, that this may interfere with the immune phenotype.

Significance of -1082A/G polymorphism of IL10 gene for progression of colorectal cancer and IL-10 expression

The role of functional polymorphism within IL10 (rs1800896) in colorectal cancer (CRC) still remains elusive. The aim of present study was to investigate the significance of -1082A/G polymorphism in IL10 on CRC risk, progression, and overall survival in a cohort of Bulgarian patients. Also, a functional role of this polymorphism on systemic and local level of IL10 mRNA quantity and serum IL-10 level was explored. A group of 119 patients with sporadic CRC and 154 age-sex-matched controls were genotyped by allele-specific PCR. The quantification of mRNA and serum IL-10 levels was performed by real-time PCR and ELISA assays, respectively. The genotype and allelic frequency among cases and controls was similar. However, we observed significant elevation of G-allele and GG-genotype frequencies among advanced CRC. G-allele was overrepresented in advanced CRC patients (49 %) compared to early CRC (35 %) with OR = 1.77; 95%CI 1.018 ÷ 3.083; P = 0.031. A significant upregulated expression of IL10 mRNA was observed among AG/GG-genotypes in tumor tissue compared to homozygous AA-genotype (RQ value 68.3 vs. 6.68; P = 0.0062). Also, GG-genotype of -1082A/G polymorphism in IL10 was positively associated with higher serum IL-10 among early CRC patients and controls, in contrast to advanced cases. Although, investigated polymorphism in IL10 has no significant impact of overall survival among Bulgarian CRC patients, we found a significant relationship of high pre-operative serum level of IL-10 with poor survival of CRC (P = 0.023). Our findings indicate a significant impact of -1082A/G polymorphism of IL10 on CRC progression, rather than genetic predisposition and prognosis of CRC.

The role of interleukin 17 in tumour proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis

With 7.6 million deaths globally, cancer according to the World Health Organisation is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Interleukin 17 (IL-17) is a cytokine produced by Th17 cells, a T helper cell subset developed from an activated CD4+ T-cell. Whilst the importance of IL-17 in human autoimmune disease, inflammation, and pathogen defence reactions has already been established, its potential role in cancer progression still needs to be updated. Interestingly studies have demonstrated that IL-17 plays an intricate role in the pathophysiology of cancer, from tumorigenesis, proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis, to adapting the tumour in its ability to confer upon itself both immune, and chemotherapy resistance. This review will look into IL-17 and summarise the current information and data on its role in the pathophysiology of cancer as well as its potential application in the overall management of the disease.

The prognostic value of preoperative serum levels of IL-12p40 and IL-23 for survival of patients with colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients were previously shown to express a signature of cytokines that contribute to cancer pathogenesis and are detectable in serum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential clinical use of circulating cytokine measurements in CRC patients preoperatively as markers for disease outcome. The levels of cytokines IL-12p40 and IL-23 were assessed by ELISA in the sera of 91 patients with previously untreated CRC and then 5-year survival was determined using Kaplan-Meier analyses. The levels of circulating interleukin IL-12p40 significantly decreased with the progression of CRC, whereas the levels of IL-23 remained with no significant differences between disease stages. None of the cytokine levels were influenced by age, gender and colon vs rectum localization. We found that preoperative serum concentration of IL-12p40 cytokine is a good prognostic marker for survival; as for IL-23 levels, we found no outcome prognostic value. In addition, 5-year survival confirmed that tumor grade, bowel wall invasion, lymph node and metastatic status have an impact on overall survival. In conclusion, we believe that our findings show clinical significance of the preoperative serum concentration for IL-12p40 and provide an additional prognostic biomarker for CRC survival.

Dissimilar cytokine patterns in different human liver and colon cancer cell lines

An accurate and simultaneous estimate of cellular levels of a large cytokine number is very useful to obtain information about an organ dysfunction leading to cancer because through the understanding of the evolution of cytokine patterns we can recognize and predict the disease progression. Cancer cell lines are commonly used to study the cancer microenvironment, to analyze their chemosensitivity and carcinogenesis as well as to test in vitro the effect of molecules, such as drugs or anti-oxidants, on the inflammation status and its progression. We noted that various cell lines commonly used as a model for studies on liver and colon cancer possess different patterns of cytokines. This aspect may generate data not comparable in laboratories using different cell lines; thus, to investigate the origin of these abnormalities we compared the cell lines HepG2 and Huh7, and HT-29 and HCT-116, for liver and colon cancer, respectively. In this context we have evaluated and compared the levels of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in the supernatants of these cellular lines. Our aim was to identify what cytokines were significantly different correlating similarities and differences to the specific inflammation status of each cellular model of cancer.

The paradox of IL-10-mediated modulation in cervical cancer

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) has opposing effects as an anti-inflammatory (potentially cancer-promoting) and antiangiogenic (potentially cancer-inhibiting) agent. The role of IL-10 in cervical cancer is also dual. Here, we review the IL-10-mediated tumor-promoting effect and tumor-inhibiting effects in cervical cancer, among which, human papilloma virus (HPV), human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) and IL-10 polymorphisms are associated with the development of cervical cancer. IL-10 is also used for the therapy of cervical cancer through enhancing proliferation, expression of immunologically important surface molecules and increasing Th1 cytokine production and cytotoxic potential in HPV-specific CD8 (+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Deregulated systemic IL-10/IL-12 balance in advanced and poor prognosis paediatric soft tissue sarcomas

CONTEXT

The roles of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and IL-12 in regulation of cancer growth and Th1/Th2 immune responses towards cancer are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To establish the prognostic significance of serum IL-10 and IL-12 in paediatric soft tissue sarcomas (STS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ELISA determinations of cytokines were performed as pre-treatment in 59 children with STS and 30 healthy controls.

RESULTS

Elevated IL-10 and decreased IL-12 serum levels correlated with advanced disease, poor response to chemotherapy and poor outcome. IL-10 ≥ 9.5 pg/ml, IL-12 ≤ 65 pg/ml and lymph nodes involvement independently predicted poor overall survival (OS) in multivariate Cox analysis.

CONCLUSION

Serum IL-10/IL-12 balance determination may facilitate to assess risk groups and prognosis in childhood STS.

Interleukin 10 in the tumor microenvironment: a target for anticancer immunotherapy

IL-10 is an immunomodulatory cytokine that is frequently upregulated in various types of cancer. The biological role of IL-10 in cancer is quite complex; however, the presence of IL-10 in advanced metastases and the positive correlation between serum IL-10 levels and progression of disease indicates a critical role of IL-10 in the tumor microenvironment. IL-10 has been shown to directly affect the function of antigen-presenting cells by inhibiting the expression of MHC and costimulatory molecules, which in turn induces immune suppression or tolerance. Additionally, IL-10 downregulates the expression of Th1 cytokines and induces T-regulatory responses. Taken together, a combination of IL-10 antagonism and immunostimulatory treatments such as cancer vaccines, Toll-like receptor agonists, Th1 cytokines, and chemokines would be a logical approach to enhance an antitumor immune response.

Anti-IL-23 monoclonal antibody synergizes in combination with targeted therapies or IL-2 to suppress tumor growth and metastases

Immunosuppressive barricades erected by tumors during the evolution of immune escape represent a major obstacle to many potentially effective cancer therapies and vaccines. We have shown that host interleukin (IL)-23 suppresses the innate immune response during carcinogenesis and metastasis, independently of effects on the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17A. Based on these findings, we envisioned that IL-23 neutralization might offer a promising strategy to modulate immunosuppression, particularly in combination with immunostimulatory agents. Here we show that by itself a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) to IL-23 suppressed early experimental lung metastases in the B16F10 mouse model of melanoma and also modestly inhibited the subcutaneous growth of primary tumors. These antitumor effects were respectively mediated by natural killer cells or CD8(+) T cells. More notably, combinatorial treatments of anti-IL-23 mAb with IL-2 or anti-erbB2 mAb significantly inhibited subcutaneous growth of established mammary carcinomas and suppressed established experimental and spontaneous lung metastases. Overall, our results suggest the potential of anti-human IL-23 mAbs to improve the immunostimulatory effects of IL-2 and trastuzumab in the current management of some advanced human cancers.