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Zhu X, Hu C, Zhang Z, Zhu Y, Liu W, Zheng B, Feng X, Lu H. PD-L1 and B7-H3 are Effective Prognostic Factors and Potential Therapeutic Targets for High-Risk Thyroid Cancer. Endocr Pathol 2024:10.1007/s12022-024-09822-3. [PMID: 39102163 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-024-09822-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
The prognosis of thyroid cancer in patients varies significantly based on different pathological types or distinct clinical situations. Investigating the expression of immune checkpoint molecules PD-L1 and B7-H3 in high-risk thyroid cancer and their correlation with clinicopathological features and prognosis will contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. A retrospective sample of 202 patients with thyroid cancer who underwent surgery at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences was collected, including 33 cases of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), 21 cases of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) with distant metastasis (DM), 7 cases of differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma (DHGTC), and 109 cases of aggressive subtypes of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) (including 28 cases of tall cell PTC, 31 cases of diffuse sclerosing PTC, 20 cases of solid PTC, 15 cases of columnar cell PTC, and 15 cases of hobnail PTC). In the control group, there were 32 cases of classic PTC. The differences in protein expression between PD-L1 and B7-H3 in several high-risk thyroid cancers and normal tissues and controls were compared by immunohistochemical staining, and the clinicopathological features and prognostic relevance were statistically analyzed. The expression of PD-L1 in ATC (P < 0.001), tall cell PTC (P = 0.031), and DHGTC (P = 0.003) was significantly higher than that in classic PTC. The expression of B7-H3 in ATC (P < 0.001), DTC with DM (P = 0.001), diffuse sclerosing PTC (P = 0.013), columnar cell PTC (P = 0.007), solid PTC (P < 0.001), hobnail PTC (P < 0.001), and DHGTC (P < 0.001) was significantly higher than that in classic PTC. In ATC, PD-L1 expression correlated significantly with extrathyroidal extension (ETE) (P = 0.027) and B7-H3 expression correlated significantly with male patients (P = 0.031) and lymph node metastasis (LNM) (P = 0.026). The positive expression of B7-H3 (P = 0.041) was an independent risk factor for disease progression in ATC. B7-H3 positive expression (P = 0.049), PD-L1 positive expression (P = 0.015), and tumor diameter ≥ 2 cm (P = 0.038) were independent risk factors for disease progression in patients with DTC with DM. PD-L1 positive expression (P = 0.019) and tumor diameter ≥ 2 cm (P = 0.018) were independent risk factors for disease progression in patients with aggressive subtypes of PTC. B7-H3 and PD-L1 are expected to be effective prognostic indicators for patients with aggressive thyroid cancer, which can help in optimization of individualized treatment strategies. Immunotherapy targeting these two molecules may provide new and complementary ideas for the treatment of high-risk/refractory thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Zhu
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 17# Panjiayuan Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Chunfang Hu
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 17# Panjiayuan Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 17# Panjiayuan Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yuelu Zhu
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 17# Panjiayuan Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Wenchao Liu
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 17# Panjiayuan Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Bo Zheng
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 17# Panjiayuan Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Xiaoli Feng
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 17# Panjiayuan Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Haizhen Lu
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 17# Panjiayuan Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China.
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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.
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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
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Santana VB, Krüger VM, Abrahão MCY, Cantú PLM, Brackmann RL, Pandolfi GM, Marisco LS, Remonatto G, Ferreira LA, Graudenz MS. Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis with Oncocytic Metaplasia Influences PD-L1 Expression in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. Head Neck Pathol 2024; 18:14. [PMID: 38457034 PMCID: PMC10923758 DOI: 10.1007/s12105-024-01618-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the increasing recognition of PD-L1 as predictor of immunotherapeutic response in various malignancies, its role and prognostic significance in thyroid cancer remain underexplored and subject to debate. This study begins to address this gap by comprehensively analyzing PD-L1 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and investigating its correlation with key clinicopathological variables. METHODS We conducted immunohistochemistry (IHC) to assess PD-L1 expression in whole-tissue sections from 121 primary papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cases. We then analyzed the correlations between PD-L1 expression and various clinicopathological variables. RESULTS PD-L1 expression was detected in 33.1% of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), predominantly exhibiting weak to moderate intensity. Notably, this study found no significant correlation between PD-L1 expression and various clinicopathological variables. The lack of association with traditional factors such as age, sex, histological subtype, and tumor size suggests the complex and multifaceted nature of PD-L1 regulation in PTC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis with oncocytic metaplasia as the sole independent predictor of PD-L1 expression (P = 0.014), underlining the potential influence of the tumor microenvironment on immune checkpoint expression in PTC. CONCLUSIONS Our study underscores the intricate interplay between chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis with oncocytic metaplasia and PD-L1 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma. The observed link suggests a potential avenue for therapeutic intervention using anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies in surgery-refractory PTC. Understanding the dynamics of immune checkpoint regulation in the context of the tumor microenvironment is crucial for devising effective treatment strategies. Future research endeavors should delve deeper into the molecular mechanisms underlying this interaction and explore its implications for patient outcomes. As the field of immunotherapy continues to evolve, our findings contribute valuable insights into the complex immunological landscape of thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Barreto Santana
- Department of Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Ramiro Barcelos, Porto Alegre, 2350, 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | | | - Maria Cristina Yunes Abrahão
- Department of Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Ramiro Barcelos, Porto Alegre, 2350, 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Pietru Lentz Martins Cantú
- Department of Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Ramiro Barcelos, Porto Alegre, 2350, 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rosicler Luzia Brackmann
- Department of Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Ramiro Barcelos, Porto Alegre, 2350, 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gisele Moroni Pandolfi
- Department of Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Ramiro Barcelos, Porto Alegre, 2350, 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Liane Scheffler Marisco
- Department of Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Ramiro Barcelos, Porto Alegre, 2350, 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Remonatto
- Department of Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Ramiro Barcelos, Porto Alegre, 2350, 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luciana Adolfo Ferreira
- Department of Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Ramiro Barcelos, Porto Alegre, 2350, 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marcia Silveira Graudenz
- Department of Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Ramiro Barcelos, Porto Alegre, 2350, 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Laboratory of Pathology, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Dell'Aquila M, Tralongo P, Granitto A, Martini M, Capodimonti S, Curatolo M, Fiorentino V, Pontecorvi A, Fadda G, Lombardi CP, Raffaelli M, Pantanowitz L, Larocca LM, Rossi ED. Update regarding the role of PD-L1 in oncocytic thyroid lesions on cytological samples. J Clin Pathol 2023; 76:671-677. [PMID: 35701142 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2022-208215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Several papers have shown that programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression is a relevant predictive biomarker in anti-PD-L1 cancer immunotherapy. While its role in several human cancers is correlated with poor prognosis and resistance to anticancer therapies, in thyroid cancers the role of PD-L1 remains questionable. Few articles have studied PD-L1 in thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), demonstrating a possible correlation with papillary thyroid carcinoma. However, its role in oncocytic thyroid lesions remains controversial. We accordingly examine the performance of PD-L1 immunostaining in liquid based cytology (LBC) from oncocytic lesions. METHODS From January 2019 to March 2021, 114 thyroid lesions diagnosed by FNAC from lesions with a predominant oncocytic component, were enrolled for evaluation by PD-L1 immunostaining on both LBC and corresponding histology samples. RESULTS The FNAC cohort included 51 benign (B, negative controls), 4 atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesions of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS), 57 follicular lesions (follicular neoplasm/suspicious for FN, FN/SFN) and 2 suspicious for malignancy (SFM) cases. Fifty-four cases (11B, 2 AUS/FLUS, 39 FN/SFN and 2 SFM) had histological follow-up including: 1B case resulted as a hyperplastic oxyphilic nodule in Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT), 10B as goitre, 2 AUS/FLUS cases as oncocytic adenomas (OAs); 39 FN/SFN included 27 OAs, 4 FA and 8 oncocytic follicular carcinoma (OFC). The two SFM cases were diagnosed on histopathology as OAs. Increased plasma membrane and cytoplasmic PD-L1 expression were found in 47 cases of the LBC cases (41.2%). Among the histological series, 67.3% of OAs and 75% of OFC had PD-L1 expression, while negative PD-L1 was found in hyperplastic oncocytic cells in HT. A positivity in more than 30% of the neoplastic cells was found in 72.9% of the cases including six OFC. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that PD-L1 expression is expressed in oncocytic thyroid lesions. While weak PD-L1 expression failed to discriminate benign from malignant lesions, OFC demonstrated more intense cytoplasmic and membranous expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Dell'Aquila
- Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Pietro Tralongo
- Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessia Granitto
- Anatomic Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Maurizio Martini
- Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Sara Capodimonti
- Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Mariangela Curatolo
- Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Fiorentino
- Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Guido Fadda
- Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Celestino Pio Lombardi
- Endocrine Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Maco Raffaelli
- Endocrine Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Liron Pantanowitz
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Luigi Maria Larocca
- Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Esther Diana Rossi
- Anatomic Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
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Fagin JA, Krishnamoorthy GP, Landa I. Pathogenesis of cancers derived from thyroid follicular cells. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:631-650. [PMID: 37438605 PMCID: PMC10763075 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00598-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The genomic simplicity of differentiated cancers derived from thyroid follicular cells offers unique insights into how oncogenic drivers impact tumour phenotype. Essentially, the main oncoproteins in thyroid cancer activate nodes in the receptor tyrosine kinase-RAS-BRAF pathway, which constitutively induces MAPK signalling to varying degrees consistent with their specific biochemical mechanisms of action. The magnitude of the flux through the MAPK signalling pathway determines key elements of thyroid cancer biology, including differentiation state, invasive properties and the cellular composition of the tumour microenvironment. Progression of disease results from genomic lesions that drive immortalization, disrupt chromatin accessibility and cause cell cycle checkpoint dysfunction, in conjunction with a tumour microenvironment characterized by progressive immunosuppression. This Review charts the genomic trajectories of these common endocrine tumours, while connecting them to the biological states that they confer.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Fagin
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Gnana P Krishnamoorthy
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Iñigo Landa
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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Sekino M, Iwadate M, Yamaya Y, Matsumoto Y, Suzuki S, Mizunuma H, Nakano K, Nakamura I, Suzuki S. Analysis of Expression of Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) and BRAFV600E Mutation in Thyroid Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3449. [PMID: 37444559 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In thyroid cancer, it has been suggested that PD-L1 overexpression is associated with some clinicopathological factors and prognosis. The aim of this study is to characterize the expression of PD-L1, the presence of the BRAFV600E mutation, as well as cellular and humoral immunity in thyroid cancer, and to investigate the factors that predict the effectiveness of anti-PD-L1 antibody therapy. Blood samples were collected from 33 patients who were newly diagnosed with thyroid cancer after surgery or biopsy. PD-L1 expression, BRAFV600E mutation, and CD8+ expression were examined by immunohistological staining using clinical thyroid cancer specimens. With a PD-L1 staining cut-off value of 1%, 13 (39.4%) patients were classified as PD-L1 positive. Stimulation Index (SI) is an indicator of T cell activation. PD-L1 expression was significantly correlated with low SI level (p = 0.046). Moreover, BRAFV600E mutation was detected in 24 of the 33 (72.7%) patients, and was significantly associated with PD-L1 expression (p = 0.047). In addition, enhanced CD8+ expression was significantly associated with PD-L1 expression (p = 0.003). Multivariate analyses confirmed that high CRP levels (p = 0.039) were independently and significantly associated with poor progression-free survival. These findings suggest that elevated PD-L1 status can be a prognostic indicator for survival in patients with thyroid cancer when comprehensively assessed using the expression of CD8+, the presence of BRAFV600E mutation and the patient's immune status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizuki Sekino
- Department of Thyroid and Endocrinology, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima City 960-1295, Japan
| | - Manabu Iwadate
- Department of Thyroid and Endocrinology, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima City 960-1295, Japan
| | - Yukie Yamaya
- Department of Thyroid and Endocrinology, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima City 960-1295, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Matsumoto
- Department of Thyroid and Endocrinology, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima City 960-1295, Japan
| | - Satoshi Suzuki
- Department of Thyroid and Endocrinology, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima City 960-1295, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Mizunuma
- Department of Thyroid and Endocrinology, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima City 960-1295, Japan
| | - Keiichi Nakano
- Department of Thyroid and Endocrinology, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima City 960-1295, Japan
| | - Izumi Nakamura
- Department of Thyroid and Endocrinology, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima City 960-1295, Japan
| | - Shinichi Suzuki
- Department of Thyroid Treatment, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima City 960-1295, Japan
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Asmamaw MD, Shi XJ, Zhang LR, Liu HM. A comprehensive review of SHP2 and its role in cancer. Cell Oncol 2022; 45:729-753. [PMID: 36066752 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00698-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Src homology 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2) is a non-receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase ubiquitously expressed mainly in the cytoplasm of several tissues. SHP2 modulates diverse cell signaling events that control metabolism, cell growth, differentiation, cell migration, transcription and oncogenic transformation. It interacts with diverse molecules in the cell, and regulates key signaling events including RAS/ERK, PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT and PD-1 pathways downstream of several receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) upon stimulation by growth factors and cytokines. SHP2 acts as both a phosphatase and a scaffold, and plays prominently oncogenic functions but can be tumor suppressor in a context-dependent manner. It typically acts as a positive regulator of RTKs signaling with some inhibitory functions reported as well. SHP2 expression and activity is regulated by such factors as allosteric autoinhibition, microRNAs, ubiquitination and SUMOylation. Dysregulation of SHP2 expression or activity causes many developmental diseases, and hematological and solid tumors. Moreover, upregulated SHP2 expression or activity also decreases sensitivity of cancer cells to anticancer drugs. SHP2 is now considered as a compelling anticancer drug target and several classes of SHP2 inhibitors with different mode of action are developed with some already in clinical trial phases. Moreover, novel SHP2 substrates and functions are rapidly growing both in cell and cancer. In view of this, we comprehensively and thoroughly reviewed literatures about SHP2 regulatory mechanisms, substrates and binding partners, biological functions, roles in human cancers, and different classes of small molecule inhibitors target this oncoprotein in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moges Dessale Asmamaw
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Jing Shi
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Rong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hong-Min Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan Province, China. .,Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450001, People's Republic of China.
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Song B, Tian L, Zhang F, Lin Z, Gong B, Liu T, Teng W. A novel signature to predict thyroid cancer prognosis and immune landscape using immune-related LncRNA pairs. BMC Med Genomics 2022; 15:183. [PMID: 35996170 PMCID: PMC9394074 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-022-01332-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy worldwide. The incidence of TC is high and increasing worldwide due to continuous improvements in diagnostic technology. Therefore, identifying accurate prognostic predictions to stratify TC patients is important. METHODS Raw data were downloaded from the TCGA database, and pairwise comparisons were applied to identify differentially expressed immune-related lncRNA (DEirlncRNA) pairs. Then, we used univariate Cox regression analysis and a modified Lasso algorithm on these pairs to construct a risk assessment model for TC. We further used qRT‒PCR analysis to validate the expression levels of irlncRNAs in the model. Next, TC patients were assigned to high- and low-risk groups based on the optimal cutoff score of the model for the 1-year ROC curve. We evaluated the signature in terms of prognostic independence, predictive value, immune cell infiltration, immune status, ICI-related molecules, and small-molecule inhibitor efficacy. RESULTS We identified 14 DEirlncRNA pairs as the novel predictive signature. In addition, the qRT‒PCR results were consistent with the bioinformatics results obtained from the TCGA dataset. The high-risk group had a significantly poorer prognosis than the low-risk group. Cox regression analysis revealed that this immune-related signature could predict prognosis independently and reliably for TC. With the CIBERSORT algorithm, we found an association between the signature and immune cell infiltration. Additionally, immune status was significantly higher in low-risk groups. Several immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related molecules, such as PD-1 and PD-L1, showed a negative correlation with the high-risk group. We further discovered that our new signature was correlated with the clinical response to small-molecule inhibitors, such as sunitinib. CONCLUSIONS We have constructed a prognostic immune-related lncRNA signature that can predict TC patient survival without considering the technical bias of different platforms, and this signature also sheds light on TC's overall prognosis and novel clinical treatments, such as ICB therapy and small molecular inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Song
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijun Tian
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheyu Lin
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Boshen Gong
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiping Teng
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Qiao PP, Tian KS, Han LT, Ma B, Shen CK, Zhao RY, Zhang Y, Wei WJ, Chen XP. Correlation of mismatch repair deficiency with clinicopathological features and programmed death-ligand 1 expression in thyroid carcinoma. Endocrine 2022; 76:660-670. [PMID: 35366156 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-022-03031-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes associated with thyroid carcinoma (TC) have rarely been reported, especially in East Asian populations. METHODS We examined tumor tissue from a cohort of 241 patients diagnosed with TC between 2008 and 2020. MMR proteins were detected using tissue microarray-based immunohistochemistry in order to identify MMR-protein-deficient (MMR-D) and MMR-protein-intact (MMR-I) tumors. We retrospectively summarized the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with MMR-D TC, measured the expression of PD-L1, and recorded overall survival (OS) and other clinical outcomes. RESULTS In our cohort, there were 18 (7.5%) MMR-D (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2) patients, including 12 with papillary TC (PTC) (6.7%), 2 with poorly differentiated TC (PDTC) (4.7%), and 4 with anaplastic TC (ATC) (22.2%). Half of them (9/18) showed a specific deletion in MSH6, and 6 of them also carried variants in the MSH6 and PMS2 gene. Survival was significantly better in patients with MMR-D ATC than in those with MMR-I tumors (p = 0.033). Four of the 18 MMR-D patients (22%) were found to be PD-L1 positive. Their OS was much shorter than that of PD-L1-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS MMR-D and PD-L1 positivity appear to be associated with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in TC. The results indicate that MMR status may have important prognostic significance in TC. Therefore, immune checkpoint inhibitors that target the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway may be a treatment option for TCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Pei Qiao
- Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Kai-Sai Tian
- Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Li-Tao Han
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ben Ma
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Cen-Kai Shen
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Run-Yu Zhao
- Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Pudong New Area Gongli Hospital, Shanghai, 200135, China
| | - Wen-Jun Wei
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Xiao-Ping Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Pudong New Area Gongli Hospital, Shanghai, 200135, China.
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10
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Garcia-Alvarez A, Hernando J, Carmona-Alonso A, Capdevila J. What is the status of immunotherapy in thyroid neoplasms? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:929091. [PMID: 35992118 PMCID: PMC9389039 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.929091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has changed the treatment of patients with advanced cancer, with different phase III trials showing durable responses across different histologies. This review focuses on the preclinical and clinical evidence of potential predictive biomarkers of response and efficacy of immunotherapy in thyroid neoplasms. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) staining by immunohistochemistry has shown higher expression in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) compared to other subtypes. The tumor mutational burden in thyroid neoplasms is low but seems to be higher in ATC. Immune infiltrates in the tumor microenvironment (TME) differ between the different thyroid neoplasm subtypes. In general, differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has a higher number of tumor-associated lymphocytes and regulatory T cells (Tregs), while ATC and medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) display a high density of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Nevertheless, results from clinical trials with immunotherapy as monotherapy or combinations have shown limited efficacy. Further investigation into new strategies aside from anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4)/programmed death 1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 antibodies, validation of predictive biomarkers, and better population selection for clinical trials in thyroid neoplasms is more than needed in the near future.
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11
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Cunha LL, Domingues GAB, Morari EC, Soares FA, Vassallo J, Ward LS. The immune landscape of the microenvironment of thyroid cancer is closely related to differentiation status. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:387. [PMID: 34284788 PMCID: PMC8293508 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02084-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We have read with great interest the article entitled “Identification of an immune-related signature indicating the dedifferentiation of thyroid cells” by Wang et al. Their data reinforce our own previous results, here compiled. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma had higher stromal scores, immune scores and enrichment of most immune cells than the control groups, suggesting that the immune microenvironment may correlate with differentiation status in thyroid cancer. We previously demonstrated that the differentiation status expressed by the pattern of protein expression may be related to the profile of immune cell infiltration of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Wang et al. also explored the differences between the high-risk and low-risk score groups of samples. Among the distinct signaling pathways enriched in the high-risk score group, the epithelial to mesenchymal transition, TNFα signaling, and some common immune-related signaling pathways, including the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway, interferon alpha response, interferon gamma response and inflammatory response were observed with high normalized enrichment score. We also investigated the IL-6 protein immune-histochemical expression in a retrospective study of 114 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and 39 patients with follicular thyroid carcinoma. We also obtained samples of 14 normal thyroid tissues from autopsies, 50 goiters and 43 follicular adenoma. We found IL-6 more frequently positive among malignant tumors than non-malignant samples. We demonstrated that IL-6 positivity was associated with infiltration of CD3 + cells, CD16 + cells and CD68 + macrophages. In addition, IL-6 expression was associated with infiltration of activated lymphocytes such as Granzyme B + cells and CD69 + cells. IL-6 positivity was not associated with infiltration of CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, FOXP3+, CD25 + cells but IL-6 was associated with tumor expression of PD-L1, FOXP3, IL-17, COX2, IL-1β, IL-10, CD134, IL-23. In summary, Wang et al. beautiful data reinforce the seminal idea that the immune landscape is closely related to the differentiation status of the tumor. This concept may help select individuals who deserve more careful attention, an essential point in the management of patients with mostly indolent tumors such as those of the thyroid. In fact, our results, here compiled, were obtained with immune-histochemistry, a routine laboratory technique that offers the possibility of simpler and practical execution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Leite Cunha
- Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Federal University of São Paulo, 669, Pedro de Toledo St, 11st floor, São Paulo, 04039-032, Brazil. .,Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil.
| | - Guilherme Augusto Barcelos Domingues
- Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Federal University of São Paulo, 669, Pedro de Toledo St, 11st floor, São Paulo, 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Elaine Cristina Morari
- Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil.,Federal University of Roraima, Boa Vista, Brazil
| | - Fernando Augusto Soares
- Pathology Division, ID' Or Research Institute, Rede D'Or Hospitals Network, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Vassallo
- Pathology Division, ID' Or Research Institute, Rede D'Or Hospitals Network, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Investigative and Molecular Pathology (Ciped), Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Laura Sterian Ward
- Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
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12
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Current understanding of nonsurgical interventions for refractory differentiated thyroid cancer: a systematic review. Future Sci OA 2021; 7:FSO738. [PMID: 34258030 PMCID: PMC8256328 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2021-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer incidence and related mortality is increasing year-on-year, and although treatment for early disease with surgery and radioiodine results in a 98% 5-year survival rate, recurrence and treatment refractory disease is evident in an unacceptable number of patients. Alternative treatment regimens have therefore been sought in the form of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immunotherapy, vaccines, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and oncolytic viruses. The current review aims to consolidate knowledge and highlight the latest clinical trials using secondary therapies in thyroid cancer treatment, focusing on both in vitro and in vivo studies, which have investigated therapies other than radioiodine. The rates of thyroid cancer and related deaths are increasing. Differentiated thyroid cancer is the most common type of thyroid cancer. Early disease can be treated with surgery and radioactive iodine with very good outcomes. However, this therapy does not work for a small number of patients making it important to find different (secondary) treatment options. This review summarizes the results of published research about secondary treatment options for differentiated thyroid cancer. Ongoing research including laboratory-based and clinical trials are also highlighted.
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13
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Kovacevic B, Vucevic D, Cerovic S, Eloy C. Peripheral Versus Intraparenchymal Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: Different Morphologies and PD-L1 Expression. Head Neck Pathol 2021; 16:200-212. [PMID: 34076845 PMCID: PMC9018942 DOI: 10.1007/s12105-021-01337-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral localisation of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), in comparison with intraparenchymal PTMC (i-PTMC) is related to some clinicopathological features related with biological aggressiveness, including lymph node metastasis (LNM). The expression of PD-L1 in tumour cell has been associated with increased tumour survival, progression, and potentially an aggressive clinical course. This study evaluates the relation between clinicopathological features of PTMC, including tumour localisation, with PD-L1 immunoexpression. The study included 99 patients with the histological diagnosis of PTMC (≥ 5 mm). PD-L1 protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. PTMCs were divided into the four following groups: G1- peripherally localised PTMC (p-PTMC) with PD-L1 expression; G2-p-PTMC without PD-L1 expression; G3-i-PTMC with PD-L1 expression and G4-i-PTMC without PD-L1 expression. G1 was the most frequent (n = 46; 46.5%), followed by G4 (n = 25; 25.3%) and similar distribution of G3 (n = 15; 15.2%) and G2 (n = 13; 13.1%). In comparison with other groups, G1 was significantly associated with classical morphology, invasive growth, lymphatic invasion (LI), vascular invasion (VI), psammoma bodies, intratumoral fibrosis, PD-L1 positive tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, and multinuclear giant cells (MGCs). G4 more commonly exhibited follicular morphology, expansive/circumscribed growth, and absence of the following: intratumoural fibrosis, LI, VI, psammoma bodies, PD-L1 positive tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, and MGCs. LNMs were significantly more frequent in G1 in comparison with the other groups (p = 0.000). In conclusion, morphology and tumour microenvironment of p-PTMC with PD-L1 expression is different from i-PTMC without PD-L1 expression. The differences between these two groups of PTMC include clinicopathological features related with biological aggressiveness such as the occurrence of LNM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bozidar Kovacevic
- Institute of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Military Medical Academy, Crnotravska 17, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragana Vucevic
- Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy – INEP, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Snezana Cerovic
- Institute of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Military Medical Academy, Crnotravska 17, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Catarina Eloy
- Ipatimup Diagnostics, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of Porto University, Ipatimup, Porto, Portugal ,Medical Faculty, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ,Instituto de Investigação E Inovação Em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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14
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Cameselle-García S, Abdulkader-Sande S, Sánchez-Ares M, Rodríguez-Carnero G, Garcia-Gómez J, Gude-Sampedro F, Abdulkader-Nallib I, Cameselle-Teijeiro JM. PD-L1 expression and immune cells in anaplastic carcinoma and poorly differentiated carcinoma of the human thyroid gland: A retrospective study. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:553. [PMID: 34093774 PMCID: PMC8170268 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) and poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) have limited treatment options, and immune profiling may help select patients for immunotherapy. The prevalence and relevance of programmed death-1 ligand (PD-L1) expression and the presence of immune cells in ATC and PDTC has not yet been well established. The present study investigated PD-L1 expression (clone 22C3) and cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and dendritic cells, in whole tissue sections of 15 cases of ATC and 13 cases of PDTC. Immunohistochemical PD-L1 expression using a tumor proportion score (TPS) with a 1% cut-off was detected in 9/15 (60%) of ATC cases and 1/13 (7.7%) of PDTC cases (P=0.006). PD-L1 expression in TILs was limited to the ATC group (73.3 vs. 0% in ATC and PDTC, respectively). In the ATC group, the TPS for tumor positive PD-L1 expression revealed a non-significant trend towards worse survival, but no difference was observed when investigating PD-L1 expression in TILs and TAMs. In addition to increased PD-L1 expression, all ATC cases exhibited significantly increased CD3+ and CD8+ T cells, CD68+ and CD163+ macrophages, and S100+ dendritic cells compared with the PDTC cases. Loss of mutL homolog 1 and PMS1 homolog 2 expression was observed in one ATC case with the highest PD-L1 expression, as well as in the only PDTC case positive for PD-L1. Notably, the latter was the only PDTC case exhibiting positivity for p53 and a cellular microenvironment similar to ATC. The current results indicated that PD-L1 expression was frequent in ATC, but rare in PDTC. In addition to PD-L1, the present study suggested that microsatellite instability may serve a role in both the TME and the identification of immunotherapy candidates among patients with PDTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soledad Cameselle-García
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Complex of Ourense, Galician Healthcare Service, 32005 Ourense, Spain
| | - Sámer Abdulkader-Sande
- Department of Pathology, Clinical University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Galician Healthcare Service, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María Sánchez-Ares
- Department of Pathology, Clinical University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Galician Healthcare Service, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Gemma Rodríguez-Carnero
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Clinical University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Galician Healthcare Service, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Jesús Garcia-Gómez
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Complex of Ourense, Galician Healthcare Service, 32005 Ourense, Spain
| | - Francisco Gude-Sampedro
- Department of Epidemiology, Clinical University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Galician Healthcare Service, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,School of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ihab Abdulkader-Nallib
- Department of Pathology, Clinical University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Galician Healthcare Service, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,School of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - José Manuel Cameselle-Teijeiro
- Department of Pathology, Clinical University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Galician Healthcare Service, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,School of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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15
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Wan B, Deng P, Dai W, Wang P, Dong Z, Yang C, Tian J, Hu T, Yan K. Association between programmed cell death ligand 1 expression and thyroid cancer: A meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e25315. [PMID: 33832105 PMCID: PMC8036129 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000025315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), which is highly expressed in a variety of malignant tumors, is closely related to clinicopathological features and prognosis. However, there are few studies on the potential effects of PD-L1 on thyroid carcinoma, the incidence of which has shown an upward trend worldwide. This study aimed to explore the association between PD-L1 expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis of thyroid cancer. METHODS An elaborate retrieval was performed using Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, WanFang databases, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure to determine the association between PD-L1 expression and disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and clinicopathological features in patients with thyroid cancer. Study selection, data extraction, risk assessment, and data synthesis were performed independently by 2 reviewers. In this meta-analysis, RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.1 were used for bias risk assessment and data synthesis. RESULTS After a detailed search, 2546 cases reported in 13 articles were included in this meta-analysis. The outcomes revealed that high expression of PD-L1 in patients with thyroid cancer was associated with poor DFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.54-4.48, P < .00001) and OS (HR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.20-5.32, P = .01). High PD-L1 expression was associated with tumor size ≥2 cm, tumor recurrence, extrathyroidal extension, concurrent thyroiditis, unifocal tumor, and absence of psammoma body (P < .05). Subgroup analysis showed that positive expression of PD-L1 was related to poor prognosis for DFS of non-medullary thyroid carcinoma, and the overexpression of PD-L1 in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) was related to tumor recurrence, concurrent thyroiditis, extrathyroidal extension, unifocal DTC, late stage DTC, and BRAFV600E mutation in DTC. CONCLUSION PD-L1 is a significant predictor of prognosis and malignancy of thyroid cancer (especially DTC), and PD-L1 inhibitors may be a promising therapeutic option for refractory thyroid cancer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Zhizhi Dong
- Department of Ultrasound, the First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University
| | - Chaojun Yang
- Central Laboratory, Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | | | - Tao Hu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine
| | - Kai Yan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine
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16
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Thyroid Cancer Stem-Like Cells: From Microenvironmental Niches to Therapeutic Strategies. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10071455. [PMID: 33916320 PMCID: PMC8037626 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10071455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy. Recent progress in thyroid cancer biology revealed a certain degree of intratumoral heterogeneity, highlighting the coexistence of cellular subpopulations with distinct proliferative capacities and differentiation abilities. Among those subpopulations, cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are hypothesized to drive TC heterogeneity, contributing to its metastatic potential and therapy resistance. CSCs principally exist in tumor areas with specific microenvironmental conditions, the so-called stem cell niches. In particular, in thyroid cancer, CSCs' survival is enhanced in the hypoxic niche, the immune niche, and some areas with specific extracellular matrix composition. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about thyroid CSCs, the tumoral niches that allow their survival, and the implications for TC therapy.
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17
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Liotti F, Kumar N, Prevete N, Marotta M, Sorriento D, Ieranò C, Ronchi A, Marino FZ, Moretti S, Colella R, Puxeddu E, Paladino S, Kano Y, Ohh M, Scala S, Melillo RM. PD-1 blockade delays tumor growth by inhibiting an intrinsic SHP2/Ras/MAPK signalling in thyroid cancer cells. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:22. [PMID: 33413561 PMCID: PMC7791757 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01818-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) receptor and its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 are immune checkpoints that suppress anti-cancer immunity. Typically, cancer cells express the PD-Ls that bind PD-1 on immune cells, inhibiting their activity. Recently, PD-1 expression has also been found in cancer cells. Here, we analysed expression and functions of PD-1 in thyroid cancer (TC). METHODS PD-1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on human TC samples and by RT-PCR, western blot and FACS on TC cell lines. Proliferation and migration of TC cells in culture were assessed by BrdU incorporation and Boyden chamber assays. Biochemical studies were performed by western blot, immunoprecipitation, pull-down and phosphatase assays. TC cell tumorigenicity was assessed by xenotransplants in nude mice. RESULTS Human TC specimens (47%), but not normal thyroids, displayed PD-1 expression in epithelial cells, which significantly correlated with tumour stage and lymph-node metastasis. PD-1 was also constitutively expressed on TC cell lines. PD-1 overexpression/stimulation promoted TC cell proliferation and migration. Accordingly, PD-1 genetic/pharmacologic inhibition caused the opposite effects. Mechanistically, PD-1 recruited the SHP2 phosphatase to the plasma membrane and potentiated its phosphatase activity. SHP2 enhanced Ras activation by dephosphorylating its inhibitory tyrosine 32, thus triggering the MAPK cascade. SHP2, BRAF and MEK were necessary for PD-1-mediated biologic functions. PD-1 inhibition decreased, while PD-1 enforced expression facilitated, TC cell xenograft growth in mice by affecting tumour cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS PD-1 circuit blockade in TC, besides restoring anti-cancer immunity, could also directly impair TC cell growth by inhibiting the SHP2/Ras/MAPK signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Liotti
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Narender Kumar
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Nella Prevete
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), CNR, Naples, Italy
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Marotta
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Sorriento
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Caterina Ieranò
- Functional Genomics, Istituto Nazionale Tumouri "Fondazione G. Pascale", IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Ronchi
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Zito Marino
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Sonia Moretti
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Renato Colella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Efiso Puxeddu
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Simona Paladino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Yoshihito Kano
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michael Ohh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stefania Scala
- Functional Genomics, Istituto Nazionale Tumouri "Fondazione G. Pascale", IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Marina Melillo
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), CNR, Naples, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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18
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D'Andréa G, Lassalle S, Guevara N, Mograbi B, Hofman P. From biomarkers to therapeutic targets: the promise of PD-L1 in thyroid autoimmunity and cancer. Theranostics 2021; 11:1310-1325. [PMID: 33391536 PMCID: PMC7738901 DOI: 10.7150/thno.50333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) immune checkpoint proteins hold promise as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets for precision oncology. By restoring antitumor T cell surveillance, the high degree of effectiveness of the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized cancer treatment. However, the majority of patients (65-80 %) treated with ICIs experience significant side effects, called immune-related adverse events (irAEs), resulting in autoimmune damage to various organs. Therefore, broadening the clinical applicability of these treatments to all cancer types requires an improved understanding of the mechanisms linking cancer immune evasion and autoimmunity. The thyroid is the endocrine gland the most frequently involved in autoimmunity and cancer, the growing incidence of which is raising serious public health issues worldwide. In addition, the risk of developing thyroid cancer is increased in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease and thyroid dysfunction is one of the most common irAEs, especially with PD‑1/PD-L1 blockade. Therefore, we chose the thyroid as a model for the study of the link between autoimmunity, irAEs, and cancer. We provide an update into the current knowledge of the PD‑1/PD-L1 axis and discuss the growing interest of this axis in the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of thyroid diseases within the context of autoimmunity and cancer, while embracing personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire D'Andréa
- ENT and Head and Neck surgery department, Institut Universitaire de la Face et du Cou, CHU de Nice, University Hospital, Côte d'Azur University, Nice, France
- Côte d'Azur University, CNRS, INSERM, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
| | - Sandra Lassalle
- Côte d'Azur University, CNRS, INSERM, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Côte d'Azur University and Biobank, Pasteur Hospital, University Côte d'Azur, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
| | - Nicolas Guevara
- ENT and Head and Neck surgery department, Institut Universitaire de la Face et du Cou, CHU de Nice, University Hospital, Côte d'Azur University, Nice, France
| | - Baharia Mograbi
- Côte d'Azur University, CNRS, INSERM, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
- Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
| | - Paul Hofman
- Côte d'Azur University, CNRS, INSERM, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
- Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Côte d'Azur University and Biobank, Pasteur Hospital, University Côte d'Azur, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
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19
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Girolami I, Pantanowitz L, Mete O, Brunelli M, Marletta S, Colato C, Trimboli P, Crescenzi A, Bongiovanni M, Barbareschi M, Eccher A. Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) Is a Potential Biomarker of Disease-Free Survival in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of PD-L1 Immunoexpression in Follicular Epithelial Derived Thyroid Carcinoma. Endocr Pathol 2020; 31:291-300. [PMID: 32468210 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-020-09630-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an established prerequisite for the administration of checkpoint inhibitor therapy and is of prognostic value in several cancer types. Data concerning the potential effect of PD-L1 on the prognosis of thyroid carcinoma are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a systematic review of the published data on this topic. The literature was reviewed to gather and quantify evidence on the prognostic role of PD-L1 in follicular epithelial derived thyroid carcinomas and determine its association with clinicopathological parameters. A meta-analysis was performed using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. The quality of studies was evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and a modified GRADE approach used to rate the quality of evidence. Out of 445 papers, 18 were included and 15 provided adequate data for meta-analysis. The quality of evidence ranged from low to high. PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with a reduced disease-free survival (DFS) (RR 1.63, CI 1.04-2.56, p = 0.03, I2 68%, τ2 0.19 and HR 1.90, CI 1.33-2.70, p< 0.001, I2 0%, τ2 0.00); however, no association was found with the overall survival (OS). Furthermore, a significant association was found with respect to underlying chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and BRAFV600E mutation status in papillary thyroid carcinomas. In the subgroup analysis, the association of PD-L1 and DFS remained strong in papillary thyroid carcinoma when compared with dedifferentiated thyroid carcinomas (anaplastic and poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas) that failed to demonstrate a significant association with respect to PD-L1. These findings underscore the role of PD-L1 immunohistochemistry as a potential prognostic biomarker of disease recurrence in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.
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MESH Headings
- Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/diagnosis
- Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/metabolism
- Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/mortality
- Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/therapy
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- B7-H1 Antigen/analysis
- B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism
- Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Disease-Free Survival
- Female
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/diagnosis
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/metabolism
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/mortality
- Prognosis
- Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/diagnosis
- Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/metabolism
- Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/mortality
- Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/therapy
- Thyroid Neoplasms/diagnosis
- Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism
- Thyroid Neoplasms/mortality
- Thyroid Neoplasms/therapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Girolami
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, P.le Stefani n. 1, 37126, Verona, Italy
| | - Liron Pantanowitz
- Department of Pathology, UPMC Shadyside Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ozgur Mete
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Matteo Brunelli
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, P.le Stefani n. 1, 37126, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Marletta
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, P.le Stefani n. 1, 37126, Verona, Italy
| | - Chiara Colato
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, P.le Stefani n. 1, 37126, Verona, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine and Competence Centre for Thyroid Disease, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Anna Crescenzi
- Section of Pathology, University Hospital Campus Bio Medico, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Albino Eccher
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, P.le Stefani n. 1, 37126, Verona, Italy.
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20
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Ferrari SM, Fallahi P, Elia G, Ragusa F, Ruffilli I, Paparo SR, Antonelli A. Thyroid autoimmune disorders and cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 64:135-146. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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21
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Wang G, He L, Wang S, Zhang M, Li Y, Liu Q, Sun N, Zhang X, Liu Y, Zhang J, Tai J, Ni X. EV PD-L1 is Correlated With Clinical Features and Contributes to T Cell Suppression in Pediatric Thyroid Cancer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5847668. [PMID: 32459310 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The contribution of blood extracellular vesicular (EV) programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is uncertain. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the relationship of EV PD-L1/PD-1 with the clinical features of pediatric PTC and the role of EV PD-L1 in immunosuppression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Plasma levels of EV and soluble PD-L1 and PD-1 and levels of plasma cytokines in children with PTC and controls were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Levels of tumor PD-L1 and the tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) score were determined by immunohistochemistry. Correlations of the plasma PD-L1/PD-1 level with clinicopathological characteristics, levels of plasma cytokines, tumor PD-L1 expression, and TIL score were analyzed. T-cell suppression by EVs from PTC patients was determined by incubation of PD-L1high or PD-L1low EVs with activated CD8+ T cells. Changes in CD69 and PD-1 expression and changes in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and interferon-γ (IFNγ) secretion were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS The levels of plasma PD-L1/PD-1 were significantly higher in children with PTC than in controls. The levels of plasma EV PD-L1 significantly correlated with tumor T stage, tumor PD-L1 expression, TIL score, and plasma cytokine content. Levels of plasma soluble PD-1 significantly correlated with patient age, plasma EV PD-L1, and IFNα concentration. PD-L1high EVs significantly inhibited the activation of CD8+ T cells. CONCLUSIONS Plasma levels of EV PD-L1, but not soluble PD-L1, were associated with tumor T stage in children with PTC. Plasma EV PD-L1 emerges as a useful metric for assessing tumor T stage and T cell suppression in PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoliang Wang
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Lejian He
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shengcai Wang
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanzhen Li
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaoyin Liu
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Nian Sun
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuexi Zhang
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuwei Liu
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Tai
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Ni
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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22
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Yin H, Tang Y, Guo Y, Wen S. Immune Microenvironment of Thyroid Cancer. J Cancer 2020; 11:4884-4896. [PMID: 32626535 PMCID: PMC7330689 DOI: 10.7150/jca.44506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer (TC) is a highly heterogeneous endocrine malignancy with an increased incidence in women than in men. Previous studies regarding the pathogenesis of TC focused on the pathological changes of the tumor cells while ignoring the importance of the mesenchymal cells in tumor microenvironment. However, more recently, the stable environment provided by the interaction of thyroid cancer cells with the peri-tumoral stroma has been widely studied. Studies have shown that components of an individual's immune system are closely related to the occurrence, invasion, and metastasis of TC, which may affect response to treatment and prognosis of the patients. This article presents a comprehensive review of the immune cells, secreted soluble mediators and immune checkpoints in the immune microenvironment, mechanisms that promoting TC cells immune evasion and existing immunotherapy strategies. Besides it provides new strategies for TC prognosis prediction and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Yin
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, P.R. China.,Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, P.R. China
| | - Yemei Tang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, P.R. China.,Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, P.R. China
| | - Yujia Guo
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, P.R. China.,Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, P.R. China
| | - Shuxin Wen
- Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, P.R. China.,General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518061, Guangdong, P.R. China
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23
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PD-L1 expression in papillary thyroid cancer with and without lymphocytic thyroiditis: a cross sectional study. Pathology 2020; 52:318-322. [PMID: 32107082 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2019.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The impact of concurrent autoimmune thyroid disease on the tumour microenvironment and disease progression in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is not well understood. Studies evaluating the programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) tumour expression in PTC have shown variable results, and the effect of lymphocytic thyroiditis (LT) on tumour PD-L1 expression has not been adequately assessed. The main aim of this study was to determine expression of PD-L1 in PTC with and without LT. We examined 81 PTC cases; 28.5% of all reviewed PTC had presence of LT. In PTC specimens without LT, tumour PD-L1 expression was significantly lower compared to PD-L1 expression in PTC with LT, 6.9% vs 39.1%, respectively. Expression of PD-L1 did not differ with PTC stage, even when sub-categorised according to the presence and absence of LT. Utility of PD- L1 expression as a prognostic marker in thyroid cancer needs to be interpreted with caution.
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24
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Pusztaszeri MP, Bongiovanni M, Brimo F. Do we need PD-L1 as a biomarker for thyroid cytologic and histologic specimens? Cancer Cytopathol 2019; 128:160-165. [PMID: 31821734 DOI: 10.1002/cncy.22223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fadi Brimo
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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25
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Dell’Aquila M, Granitto A, Martini M, Capodimonti S, Cocomazzi A, Musarra T, Fiorentino V, Pontecorvi A, Lombardi CP, Fadda G, Pantanowitz L, Larocca LM, Rossi ED. PD‐L1 and thyroid cytology: A possible diagnostic and prognostic marker. Cancer Cytopathol 2019; 128:177-189. [DOI: 10.1002/cncy.22224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Dell’Aquila
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Alessia Granitto
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Maurizio Martini
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Sara Capodimonti
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Alessandra Cocomazzi
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Teresa Musarra
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Vincenzo Fiorentino
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- Division of Endocrinology Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Celestino Pio Lombardi
- Division of Endocrine Surgery Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Guido Fadda
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Liron Pantanowitz
- Department of Pathology University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
| | - Luigi Maria Larocca
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Esther Diana Rossi
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS Rome Italy
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26
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Croce L, Coperchini F, Magri F, Chiovato L, Rotondi M. The multifaceted anti-cancer effects of BRAF-inhibitors. Oncotarget 2019; 10:6623-6640. [PMID: 31762942 PMCID: PMC6859927 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The BRAF gene is commonly involved in normal processes of cell growth and differentiation. The BRAF (V600E) mutation is found in several human cancer, causing an increase of cell proliferation due to a modification of the ERK/MAPK-signal cascade. In particular, BRAFV600E mutation is found in those melanoma or thyroid cancer refractory to the common therapy and with a more aggressive phenotype. BRAF V600E was found to influence the composition of the so-called tumour microenvironment modulating both solid (immune-cell infiltration) and soluble (chemokines) mediators, which balance characterize the ultimate behaviour of the tumour, making it more or less aggressive. In particular, the presence of BRAFV600E mutation would be associated with a change of this balance to a more aggressive phenotype of the tumour and a worse prognosis. The investigation of the possible modulation of those components of tumour microenvironment is nowadays object of several studies as a new potential target therapy in those more complicated cases. At present several clinical trials both in melanoma and thyroid cancer are using BRAF-inhibitors with encouraging results, which are derived also from numerous in vitro pre-clinical studies aimed at evaluate the possible modulation of immune-cell density and of specific pro-tumorigenic chemokine secretion (CXCL8 and CCL2) by several BRAF-inhibitors in the context of melanoma and thyroid cancer. This review will encompass in vitro and in vivo studies which investigated the modulation of the tumour microenvironment by BRAF-inhibitors, highlighting also the most recent clinical trials with a specific focus on melanoma and thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Croce
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- PHD course in Experimental Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Coperchini
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Flavia Magri
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luca Chiovato
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mario Rotondi
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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27
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Virotherapy as a Potential Therapeutic Approach for the Treatment of Aggressive Thyroid Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101532. [PMID: 31636245 PMCID: PMC6826611 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Virotherapy is a novel cancer treatment based on oncolytic viruses (OVs), which selectively infect and lyse cancer cells, without harming normal cells or tissues. Several viruses, either naturally occurring or developed through genetic engineering, are currently under investigation in clinical studies. Emerging reports suggesting the immune-stimulatory property of OVs against tumor cells further support the clinical use of OVs for the treatment of lesions lacking effective therapies. Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), have a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Therefore, several groups investigated the therapeutic potential of OVs in PDTC/ATC models producing experimental data sustaining the potential clinical efficacy of OVs in these cancer models. Moreover, the presence of an immunosuppressive microenvironment further supports the potential use of OVs in ATC. In this review, we present the results of the studies evaluating the efficacy of OVs alone or in combination with other treatment options. In particular, their potential therapeutic combination with multiple kinases inhibitors (MKIs) or immune checkpoint inhibitors are discussed.
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28
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Ferrari SM, Fallahi P, Galdiero MR, Ruffilli I, Elia G, Ragusa F, Paparo SR, Patrizio A, Mazzi V, Varricchi G, Marone G, Antonelli A. Immune and Inflammatory Cells in Thyroid Cancer Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4413. [PMID: 31500315 PMCID: PMC6769504 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A hallmark of cancer is the ability of tumor cells to avoid immune destruction. Activated immune cells in tumor microenvironment (TME) secrete proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines which foster the proliferation of tumor cells. Specific antigens expressed by cancer cells are recognized by the main actors of immune response that are involved in their elimination (immunosurveillance). By the recruitment of immunosuppressive cells, decreasing the tumor immunogenicity, or through other immunosuppressive mechanisms, tumors can impair the host immune cells within the TME and escape their surveillance. Within the TME, cells of the innate (e.g., macrophages, mast cells, neutrophils) and the adaptive (e.g., lymphocytes) immune responses are interconnected with epithelial cancer cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells via cytokines, chemokines, and adipocytokines. The molecular pattern of cytokines and chemokines has a key role and could explain the involvement of the immune system in tumor initiation and progression. Thyroid cancer-related inflammation is an important target for diagnostic procedures and novel therapeutic strategies. Anticancer immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors, unleashes the immune system and activates cytotoxic lymphocytes to kill cancer cells. A better knowledge of the molecular and immunological characteristics of TME will allow novel and more effective immunotherapeutic strategies in advanced thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Martina Ferrari
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.M.F.); (I.R.); (G.E.); (F.R.); (S.R.P.); (A.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Translational Research and of New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Maria Rosaria Galdiero
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences and Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.R.G.); (G.V.); (G.M.)
- WAO Center of Excellence, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Ruffilli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.M.F.); (I.R.); (G.E.); (F.R.); (S.R.P.); (A.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Giusy Elia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.M.F.); (I.R.); (G.E.); (F.R.); (S.R.P.); (A.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Francesca Ragusa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.M.F.); (I.R.); (G.E.); (F.R.); (S.R.P.); (A.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Sabrina Rosaria Paparo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.M.F.); (I.R.); (G.E.); (F.R.); (S.R.P.); (A.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Armando Patrizio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.M.F.); (I.R.); (G.E.); (F.R.); (S.R.P.); (A.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Valeria Mazzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.M.F.); (I.R.); (G.E.); (F.R.); (S.R.P.); (A.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Gilda Varricchi
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences and Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.R.G.); (G.V.); (G.M.)
- WAO Center of Excellence, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Gianni Marone
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences and Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.R.G.); (G.V.); (G.M.)
- WAO Center of Excellence, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “Gaetano Salvatore” (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.M.F.); (I.R.); (G.E.); (F.R.); (S.R.P.); (A.P.); (V.M.)
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Hao S, Huang G, Feng J, Li D, Wang K, Wang L, Wu Z, Wan H, Zhang L, Zhang J. Non-NF2 mutations have a key effect on inhibitory immune checkpoints and tumor pathogenesis in skull base meningiomas. J Neurooncol 2019; 144:11-20. [DOI: 10.1007/s11060-019-03198-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors act to restore T cell-mediated antitumor immunity. By this nature, these cancer immunotherapy drugs are associated with various immune-related adverse events such as thyroid dysfunction. We describe a case of thyrotoxicosis secondary to a programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor, pembrolizumab. A 30-year-old female was started on pembrolizumab immunotherapy for stage III small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type. Thirteen days after her second cycle of therapy, she presented with symptoms consistent with thyrotoxicosis. A thyroiditis was diagnosed by thyroid function tests and ultrasonography. She was originally treated with prednisone and metoprolol for possible Grave's disease. Pertechnetate thyroid scan was more consistent with thyroiditis secondary to pembrolizumab. She underwent a total thyroidectomy 10 days after initial presentation for refractory thyrotoxicosis despite maximal medical therapy. Her symptoms resolved and thyroid function tests significantly improved. Pathology was consistent with severe thyroiditis. Immune microenvironment may play a role in the expression of programmed cell death protein 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1). Chronic inflammation surrounding tumor upregulates PD-L1 expression on tumor cells by the release of cytokines, which acts to inhibit tumor destruction. We suggest that our patient had an undetected chronic inflammation of the thyroid, specifically Hashimoto's thyroidits, which predisposed her to thyroid destruction when taking pembrolizumab. Understanding that an inflammatory environment impacts thyroid toxicity to PD-1 inhibitor therapy is novel and should be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittney A Imblum
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Six Founders Pavilion, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4283, USA.
| | - Zubair W Baloch
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Six Founders Pavilion, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4283, USA
| | - Douglas Fraker
- Department of Surgery and Division of Endocrine & Oncologic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Four Silverstein, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4283, USA
| | - Virginia A LiVolsi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Six Founders Pavilion, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4283, USA
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31
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Zhang GQ, Wei WJ, Song HJ, Sun ZK, Shen CT, Zhang XY, Chen XY, Qiu ZL, Luo QY. PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH-LIGAND 1 OVEREXPRESSION IN THYROID CANCER. Endocr Pract 2019; 25:279-286. [PMID: 30913016 DOI: 10.4158/ep-2018-0342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on tumor tissue has been associated with favorable response to anti-programmed cell death-receptor 1/PD-L1 therapy in many human cancers. Studies have reported that PD-L1 is also expressed in thyroid cancer. The objective of this paper is to introduce the potential predictive and therapeutic values of PD-L1 in thyroid cancer. METHODS A literature search was conducted in the PubMed database using the terms "PD-L1," "B7-H1," and "thyroid cancer." PD-L1 positivity was determined by immunohistochemical assay. RESULTS The frequency of PD-L1 positivity in different studies ranged from 6.1 to 82.5% in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients and 22.2 to 81.2% in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) patients. PD-L1 positivity rate was higher in ATC than in PTC within the same studies, and its expression intensity was significantly higher in tumor tissue than in the corresponding nontumor thyroid tissues. Moreover, PD-L1 expression was positively associated with the aggressiveness and recurrence of thyroid cancers and negatively associated with the differentiation status and outcomes. PD-L1 checkpoint pathway blockade may emerge as a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of thyroid cancers. CONCLUSION PD-L1 is a potential biomarker to predict the recurrence and prognosis of thyroid cancers. It is also a novel immunotherapy target for optimizing the management landscape of radioiodine-refractory and ATCs. ABBREVIATIONS ATC = anaplastic thyroid cancer; DTC = differentiated thyroid cancer; IHC = immunohistochemical; OS = overall survival; PD-1 = programmed cell death-receptor 1; PD-L1 = programmed cell death-ligand 1; PD-L2 = programmed cell death-ligand 2; PTC = papillary thyroid cancer; TNM = tumor-node-metastasis; Treg = regulatory T cell.
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32
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Cantara S, Bertelli E, Occhini R, Regoli M, Brilli L, Pacini F, Castagna MG, Toti P. Blockade of the programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) as potential therapy for anaplastic thyroid cancer. Endocrine 2019; 64:122-129. [PMID: 30762153 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-019-01865-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare, highly aggressive form of thyroid cancer (TC) characterized by an aggressive behavior and poor prognosis, resulting in patients' death within a year. Standard treatments, such as chemo and radiotherapy, as well as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, are ineffective for ATC treatment. Cancer immunotherapy is one of the most promising research area in oncology. The PD-1/PD-L1 axis is of particular interest, in light of promising data showing a restoration of host immunity against tumors, with the prospect of long-lasting remissions. METHODS In this study, we evaluated PD-L1 expression in a large series of TCs (20 cases) showing a progressive dedifferentiation of the thyroid tumor from well differentiated TC to ATC, employing two different antibodies [R&D Systems and VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) Rabbit Monoclonal Primary Antibody]. We also tested the anti PD-L1 mAb in an in vivo animal model. RESULTS We found that approximately 70-90% of ATC cases were positive for PD-L1 whereas normal thyroid and differentiated TC were negative. Moreover, all analyzed cases presented immunopositive staining in the endothelium of vessels within or in close proximity to the tumor, while normal thyroid vessels were negative. PD-L1 mAb was also effective in inhibiting ATC growth in an in vivo model. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that immunotherapy may be a promising treatment specific for ATC suggesting the need to start with clinical TRIALs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Cantara
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Eugenio Bertelli
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Marì Regoli
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Lucia Brilli
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Furio Pacini
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Castagna
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Ulisse S, Tuccilli C, Sorrenti S, Antonelli A, Fallahi P, D'Armiento E, Catania A, Tartaglia F, Amabile MI, Giacomelli L, Metere A, Cornacchini N, Pironi D, Carbotta G, Vergine M, Monti M, Baldini E. PD-1 Ligand Expression in Epithelial Thyroid Cancers: Potential Clinical Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061405. [PMID: 30897754 PMCID: PMC6471477 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The new immunotherapy targeting the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) receptor and its cognate ligand PD-L1 has renewed hopes of eradicating the most difficult human cancers to treat. Among these, there are the poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancers, unresponsive to all the therapies currently in use. In the present review we will summarize information regarding the expression of PD-L1 in the different thyroid cancer histotypes, its correlation with clinicopathological features, and its potential prognostic value. Then, we will evaluate the available data indicating the PD-1/PD-L1 axis as a promising target for thyroid cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Ulisse
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Chiara Tuccilli
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Sorrenti
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Eleonora D'Armiento
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Antonio Catania
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco Tartaglia
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Ida Amabile
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Laura Giacomelli
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessio Metere
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Nicola Cornacchini
- Department of Surgery, S. Kliment Ohridski University, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | - Daniele Pironi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Carbotta
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Massimo Vergine
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Massimo Monti
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Enke Baldini
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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34
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Mehnert JM, Varga A, Brose MS, Aggarwal RR, Lin CC, Prawira A, de Braud F, Tamura K, Doi T, Piha-Paul SA, Gilbert J, Saraf S, Thanigaimani P, Cheng JD, Keam B. Safety and antitumor activity of the anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab in patients with advanced, PD-L1-positive papillary or follicular thyroid cancer. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:196. [PMID: 30832606 PMCID: PMC6399859 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5380-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment options for advanced thyroid cancer refractory to standard therapies are limited. The safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab were evaluated in patients with advanced differentiated thyroid cancer expressing programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). METHODS Patients with advanced thyroid cancer were enrolled in the nonrandomized, phase Ib KEYNOTE-028 trial conducted to evaluate safety and antitumor activity of the anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) antibody pembrolizumab in advanced solid tumors. Key eligibility criteria were advanced papillary or follicular thyroid cancer, failure of standard therapy, and PD-L1 expression in tumor or stroma cells (assessed by immunohistochemistry). Pembrolizumab 10 mg/kg was administered every 2 weeks up to 24 months or until confirmed progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1. RESULTS Twenty-two patients were enrolled: median age was 61 years; 59% were women; and 68% had papillary carcinoma. Median follow-up was 31 months (range, 7-34 months). Treatment-related adverse events were observed in 18 (82%) patients; those occurring in ≥15% of patients were diarrhea (n = 7) and fatigue (n = 4). One grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse event occurred (colitis, grade 3); no treatment-related discontinuations or deaths occurred. Two patients had confirmed partial response, for an ORR of 9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1-29%); response duration was 8 and 20 months. Median progression-free survival was 7 months (95% CI, 2-14 months); median overall survival was not reached (95% CI, 22 months to not reached). CONCLUSIONS Results of this phase Ib proof-of-concept study suggest that pembrolizumab has a manageable safety profile and demonstrate evidence of antitumor activity in advanced differentiated thyroid cancer in a minority of patients treated. Further analyses are necessary to confirm these findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02054806 . Registered 4 February 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice M Mehnert
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
| | - Andrea Varga
- Institut Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard-Vaillant, 94800, Villejuif, France
| | - Marcia S Brose
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Rahul R Aggarwal
- University of California, San Francisco Cancer Center, 500 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Chia-Chi Lin
- Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, 7 Chung-Shan S Rd, Taipei, 10002, Taiwan
| | - Amy Prawira
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C1, Canada
| | - Filippo de Braud
- Department of Oncology, University of Milan and Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Milano, Via Giacomo Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Kenji Tamura
- Department of Breast and Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital Tokyo, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Doi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
| | - Sarina A Piha-Paul
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jill Gilbert
- Hematology/Oncology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 215 Light Hall, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Sanatan Saraf
- Merck & Co., Inc., 8000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | | | - Jonathan D Cheng
- Merck & Co., Inc., 8000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Bhumsuk Keam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101, Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
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35
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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: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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.
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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
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36
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Lubin D, Baraban E, Lisby A, Jalali-Farahani S, Zhang P, Livolsi V. Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Emerging from Hashimoto Thyroiditis Demonstrates Increased PD-L1 Expression, Which Persists with Metastasis. Endocr Pathol 2018; 29:317-323. [PMID: 30121940 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-018-9540-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
There is evidence that programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is expressed by thyroid follicular epithelium in thyroiditis, but the role of PD-L1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is poorly understood. We aimed to determine whether (1) the presence of background chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) or Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) influenced the expression of PD-L1 in benign follicular epithelium or in PTC and (2) if PD-L1 expression in PTC persisted with lymph node metastasis. We performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) for PD-L1 on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. We first studied five cases of unremarkable thyroid, five cases of CLT, and five cases of HT without carcinoma. We subsequently performed PD-L1 IHC on ten cases of PTC arising in normal thyroid, ten cases of PTC arising in CLT, and ten cases of PTC arising in HT. Whenever available, we evaluated corresponding synchronous lymph node metastases from all cases for PD-L1 expression. PD-L1 expression was increased (10-90%) in all five cases of HT, only minimal expressed (1-5%) in two of five cases of CLT, and not expressed in five cases of unremarkable thyroid. PTC arising in normal thyroid or CLT nearly uniformly lacked PD-L1 expression. In contrast, PTC arising in HT demonstrated significant PD-L1 expression, which persisted in corresponding lymph node metastases. Background non-neoplastic follicular epithelium in the HT cases also demonstrated PD-L1 expression. Thyroid follicular epithelium in HT demonstrates increased PD-L1 expression, and PTC arising in a background of HT shows increased PD-L1 expression, which is retained with metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Lubin
- Department of Pathology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 6 Founders, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Ezra Baraban
- Department of Pathology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 6 Founders, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Amanda Lisby
- Department of Pathology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 6 Founders, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sahar Jalali-Farahani
- Department of Pathology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 6 Founders, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Paul Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 6 Founders, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Virginia Livolsi
- Department of Pathology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 6 Founders, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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37
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Bi Y, Ren X, Bai X, Meng Y, Luo Y, Cao J, Zhang Y, Liang Z. PD-1/PD-L1 expressions in medullary thyroid carcinoma: Clinicopathologic and prognostic analysis of Chinese population. Eur J Surg Oncol 2018; 45:353-358. [PMID: 30528043 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2018.10.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Few studies have focused on PD-L1 expression in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Expressions of PD-1 and PD-L1 and their clinicopathologic and prognostic relevance were therefore further investigated on a relatively large population of MTC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Surgical specimens were obtained from 87 MTC patients during a median follow-up of 37.7 months. PD-1 and PD-L1 expressions on tumor and associated immune cells were studied immunohistochemically using >1% positive cells as a threshold for positivity. Their correlations with clinicopathologic and prognostic feature were analyzed. RESULTS PD-1 and PD-L1 were positively stained in 22 and 19 MTC patients. Most PD-L1-positive cases (18/19) showed weak to moderate staining intensity. PD-1 and PD-L1 were co-expressed in 11 patients. PD-L1 positivity was significantly correlated with distant metastases at surgery (21.1% vs 1.5%, P = 0.007). Coexpression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in MTC was correlated with advanced pathologic TNM stage III/IV (P = 0.040) and distant metastases at surgery (P = 0.013). However, there was no other clinicopathologic and prognostic relevance regarding to PD-1, PD-L1 or their coexpression in our MTC patients. CONCLUSION PD-1/PD-L1 pathway was expressed in MTC patients and was significantly correlated with the distant metastases at surgery, which may shed light on PD-1/PD-L1 as a promising therapeutic target in MTC. Future better understanding of PD-1/PD-L1 expression and their relationship with immunotherapy response may provide direct evidence for management of refractory MTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Bi
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xinyu Ren
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xiaohui Bai
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yunxiao Meng
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yufeng Luo
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Jinling Cao
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yuhan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Zhiyong Liang
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China.
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38
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Hsieh AMY, Polyakova O, Fu G, Chazen RS, MacMillan C, Witterick IJ, Ralhan R, Walfish PG. Programmed death-ligand 1 expression by digital image analysis advances thyroid cancer diagnosis among encapsulated follicular lesions. Oncotarget 2018; 9:19767-19782. [PMID: 29731981 PMCID: PMC5929424 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Recognition of noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasms with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) that distinguishes them from invasive malignant encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (EFVPTC) can prevent overtreatment of NIFTP patients. We and others have previously reported that programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a useful biomarker in thyroid tumors; however, all reports to date have relied on manual scoring that is time consuming as well as subject to individual bias. Consequently, we developed a digital image analysis (DIA) protocol for cytoplasmic and membranous stain quantitation (ThyApp) and evaluated three tumor sampling methods [Systemic Uniform Random Sampling, hotspot nucleus, and hotspot nucleus/3,3'-Diaminobenzidine (DAB)]. A patient cohort of 153 cases consisting of 48 NIFTP, 44 EFVPTC, 26 benign nodules and 35 encapsulated follicular lesions/neoplasms with lymphocytic thyroiditis (LT) was studied. ThyApp quantitation of PD-L1 expression revealed a significant difference between invasive EFVPTC and NIFTP; but none between NIFTP and benign nodules. ThyApp integrated with hotspot nucleus tumor sampling method demonstrated to be most clinically relevant, consumed least processing time, and eliminated interobserver variance. In conclusion, the fully automatic DIA algorithm developed using a histomorphological approach objectively quantitated PD-L1 expression in encapsulated thyroid neoplasms and outperformed manual scoring in reproducibility and higher efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M-Y Hsieh
- Alex and Simona Shnaider Research Laboratory in Molecular Oncology, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Olena Polyakova
- Alex and Simona Shnaider Research Laboratory in Molecular Oncology, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Guodong Fu
- Alex and Simona Shnaider Research Laboratory in Molecular Oncology, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ronald S Chazen
- Alex and Simona Shnaider Research Laboratory in Molecular Oncology, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christina MacMillan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ian J Witterick
- Alex and Simona Shnaider Research Laboratory in Molecular Oncology, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Joseph and Mildred Sonshine Family Centre for Head and Neck Diseases, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ranju Ralhan
- Alex and Simona Shnaider Research Laboratory in Molecular Oncology, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul G Walfish
- Alex and Simona Shnaider Research Laboratory in Molecular Oncology, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Joseph and Mildred Sonshine Family Centre for Head and Neck Diseases, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Endocrine Division, Sinai Health System and University of Toronto Medical School, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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39
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In papillary thyroid carcinoma, expression by immunohistochemistry of BRAF V600E, PD-L1, and PD-1 is closely related. Virchows Arch 2018; 472:779-787. [PMID: 29651624 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-018-2357-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies targeting PD-L1/PD-1 have been shown to be effective in treating several types of human cancer. In papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), little is known about the expression of PD-L1/PD-1 in the tumor microenvironment or its potential correlation with BRAF V600E mutation status. In this study, we examined the expression of PD-L1, PD-1, and BRAF V600E in PTC by immunohistochemistry and investigated the clinical significance of expression status. We studied the expression of PD-L1, PD-1, and BRAF V600E by immunohistochemical staining in 110 cases of PTC with a diameter > 1 cm. Cases with a background of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) were excluded, as differentiating lymphocytes in the context of CLT from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is difficult. We classified PD-L1+/PD-1+ expression as type 1 (41%), PD-L1-/PD-1- as type 2 (17%), PD-L1+/PD-1- as type 3 (5%), and PD-L1-/PD-1+ as type 4 (37%). Significant correlations were found between expression of BRAF V600E and that of PD-L1 and PD-1. The positive correlation observed between expression of BRAF V600E and PD-L1/PD-1 suggests that immunotherapies targeting PD-L1/PD-1 might be effective for PTC patients with the BRAF V600E mutation, which are refractory to radioiodine therapy.
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40
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Rosenbaum MW, Gigliotti BJ, Pai SI, Parangi S, Wachtel H, Mino-Kenudson M, Gunda V, Faquin WC. PD-L1 and IDO1 Are Expressed in Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma. Endocr Pathol 2018; 29:59-67. [PMID: 29372535 PMCID: PMC6500591 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-018-9514-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is an aggressive form of thyroid cancer that currently has limited effective treatment options. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown to be an effective treatment for a variety of carcinomas. In this study, we explore whether immune checkpoint pathways, such as programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), are activated in a cohort of patients with PDTC to determine whether ICIs may be an effective therapy for these patients. PDTC from 28 patients were stained for IDO1, PD-L1, and CD8 using immunohistochemistry. Staining was scored using an H-score, and PD-L1 and IDO1 expression was correlated with clinicopathologic characteristics. Positivity for PD-L1 and IDO1 was set at an H-score cutoff of five. Twenty-five percent (n = 7/28) of the PDTC were positive for PD-L1 expression. Twenty-nine percent (n = 2/7) of the PD-L1 positive PDTCs also co-expressed IDO1. The expression of PD-L1 in PDTC was significantly associated with tumor size and multifocality, with a non-significant trend towards associations with older age, extrathyroidal extension, presence of metastasis, higher stage, increased number of CD8+ T cells, and decreased disease-free and overall survival. PD-L1 expression occurs in a subset of PDTC, and is associated with a subset of clinical features of aggressive thyroid disease. Given the limited effective treatments for this patient population, consideration for ICIs as monotherapy or in combination with an IDO1 inhibitor should be explored as a novel treatment modality for patients with PDTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Rosenbaum
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Warren 219, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Benjamin J Gigliotti
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Sara I Pai
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Sareh Parangi
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Heather Wachtel
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Mari Mino-Kenudson
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Warren 219, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Viswanath Gunda
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - William C Faquin
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Warren 219, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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41
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Aghajani M, Graham S, McCafferty C, Shaheed CA, Roberts T, DeSouza P, Yang T, Niles N. Clinicopathologic and Prognostic Significance of Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 Expression in Patients with Non-Medullary Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Thyroid 2018; 28:349-361. [PMID: 29455638 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2017.0441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence has shown that programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) overexpression is associated with poor prognosis and resistance to immune therapies in several human cancers. However, data on the prognostic significance of PD-L1 expression in thyroid cancer are limited and remain controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate comprehensively the clinicopathologic significance and prognostic value of PD-L1 expression in non-medullary thyroid cancers. METHODS Electronic databases, including Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, were searched up until July 5, 2017. In total, seven comparisons (from six articles) comprising 1421 patients were included in the pooled analysis. RESULTS There was moderate quality evidence from four studies (n = 721) that shows positive PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with poor survival among thyroid cancer patients (pooled hazard ratio = 3.73 [confidence interval (CI) 2.75-5.06]). Increased PD-L1 expression was also found to be significantly associated with disease recurrence (odds ratio = 1.95 [CI 1.15-3.32]) and concurrent thyroiditis (odds ratio = 1.65 [CI 1.09-2.51]). CONCLUSIONS The results confirm the prognostic significance of PD-L1 expression in thyroid cancer patients. PD-L1 expression has the potential to be implemented as a prognostic biomarker used to guide clinicians in identifying patients with more aggressive cancers, and for the selection of individuals that would derive durable clinical benefit from anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. Prospective clinical trials will be useful to support these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marra Aghajani
- 1 Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research , Liverpool, Australia
- 2 School of Medicine, Western Sydney University , Campbelltown, Australia
| | - Susannah Graham
- 1 Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research , Liverpool, Australia
- 2 School of Medicine, Western Sydney University , Campbelltown, Australia
- 3 Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Liverpool Hospital , Liverpool, Australia
| | - Charles McCafferty
- 2 School of Medicine, Western Sydney University , Campbelltown, Australia
| | | | - Tara Roberts
- 1 Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research , Liverpool, Australia
- 2 School of Medicine, Western Sydney University , Campbelltown, Australia
- 5 South West Sydney Clinical School , UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Paul DeSouza
- 1 Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research , Liverpool, Australia
- 2 School of Medicine, Western Sydney University , Campbelltown, Australia
- 5 South West Sydney Clinical School , UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Tao Yang
- 2 School of Medicine, Western Sydney University , Campbelltown, Australia
- 6 Saint Vincent's Clinical School , UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- 7 SydPath, Saint Vincent's Hospital , Sydney, Australia
| | - Navin Niles
- 1 Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research , Liverpool, Australia
- 2 School of Medicine, Western Sydney University , Campbelltown, Australia
- 3 Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Liverpool Hospital , Liverpool, Australia
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42
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Tuccilli C, Baldini E, Sorrenti S, Catania A, Antonelli A, Fallahi P, Tartaglia F, Barollo S, Mian C, Palmieri A, Carbotta G, Arcieri S, Pironi D, Vergine M, Monti M, Ulisse S. CTLA-4 and PD-1 Ligand Gene Expression in Epithelial Thyroid Cancers. Int J Endocrinol 2018; 2018:1742951. [PMID: 30123257 PMCID: PMC6079443 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1742951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The dysregulation of PD-1 ligands (PD-L1 and PD-L2) and CTLA-4 ligands (CD80 and CD86) represents a tumor strategy to escape the immune surveillance. Here, the expression of PD-L1, PD-L2, CD80, and CD86 was evaluated at the mRNA level in 94 patients affected by papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and 11 patients affected by anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). Variations in the mRNAs in PTC patients were then correlated with clinicopathological features. The expression of all genes was deregulated in PTC and ATC tissues compared to normal tissues. In particular, the downregulation of CD80 was observed above all in ATC. In addition, the increased expression of CD80 associated with longer disease-free survival in PTC. Higher expression of PD-L1 associated with the classical histological variant and with the presence of BRAFV600E mutation in PTC. The increased PD-L2 expression correlated with BRAFV600E mutation and lymph node metastasis, while its lower expression correlated with the follicular PTC variant. The latter was also associated with the CD80 downregulation, which was also related to the absence of lymph node metastasis. In conclusion, we documented the overall dysregulation of PD-1 and CTLA-4 ligands in PTC and ATC tissues and a possible prognostic value for CD80 gene expression in PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Tuccilli
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Enke Baldini
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Sorrenti
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Catania
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Susi Barollo
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Caterina Mian
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Andrea Palmieri
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Carbotta
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Arcieri
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Pironi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Vergine
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Monti
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Ulisse
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Chowdhury S, Veyhl J, Jessa F, Polyakova O, Alenzi A, MacMillan C, Ralhan R, Walfish PG. Programmed death-ligand 1 overexpression is a prognostic marker for aggressive papillary thyroid cancer and its variants. Oncotarget 2017; 7:32318-28. [PMID: 27086918 PMCID: PMC5078015 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1) expression on tumor cells is emerging as a potential predictive biomarker in anti-PD-L1 directed cancer immunotherapy. We analyzed PD-L1 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and its variants and determined its prognostic potential to predict clinical outcome in these patients. This study was conducted at an academic oncology hospital which is a prime referral centre for thyroid diseases. Immunohistochemical subcellular localization (IHC) analyses of PD-L1 protein was retrospectively performed on 251 archived formalin fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE) surgical tissues (66 benign thyroid nodules and 185 PTCs) using a rabbit monoclonal anti-PD-L1 antibody (E1L3N, Cell Signaling Technology) and detected using VECTASTAIN rapid protocol with diaminobenzidine (DAB) as the chromogen. The clinical-pathological factors and disease outcome over 190 months were assessed; immunohistochemical subcellular localization of PD-L1 was correlated with disease free survival (DFS) using Kaplan Meier survival and Cox multivariate regression analysis. Increased PD-L1 immunostaining was predominantly localized in cytoplasm and occasionally in plasma membrane of tumor cells. Among all combined stages of PTC, patients with increased PD-L1 membrane or cytoplasmic positivity had significantly shorter median DFS (36 months and 49 months respectively) as compared to those with PD-L1 negative tumors (DFS, both 186 months with p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 respectively). Comparison of PD-L1+ and PD-L1− patients with matched staging showed increased cytoplasmic positivity in all four stages of PTC that correlated with a greater risk of recurrence and a poor prognosis, but increased membrane positivity significantly correlated with a greater risk of metastasis or death only in Stage IV patients. In conclusion, PD-L1 positive expression in PTC correlates with a greater risk of recurrence and shortened disease free survival supporting its potential application as a prognostic marker for PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subrata Chowdhury
- Alex and Simona Shnaider Research Laboratory in Molecular Oncology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joe Veyhl
- Alex and Simona Shnaider Research Laboratory in Molecular Oncology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fatima Jessa
- Alex and Simona Shnaider Research Laboratory in Molecular Oncology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olena Polyakova
- Alex and Simona Shnaider Research Laboratory in Molecular Oncology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Endocrine Division, Mount Sinai Hospital and University of Toronto Medical School, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ahmed Alenzi
- Alex and Simona Shnaider Research Laboratory in Molecular Oncology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Endocrine Division, Mount Sinai Hospital and University of Toronto Medical School, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christina MacMillan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ranju Ralhan
- Alex and Simona Shnaider Research Laboratory in Molecular Oncology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Joseph and Mildred Sonshine Family Centre for Head and Neck Diseases, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Program, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul G Walfish
- Alex and Simona Shnaider Research Laboratory in Molecular Oncology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Joseph and Mildred Sonshine Family Centre for Head and Neck Diseases, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Program, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Endocrine Division, Mount Sinai Hospital and University of Toronto Medical School, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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44
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Combining BRAF inhibitor and anti PD-L1 antibody dramatically improves tumor regression and anti tumor immunity in an immunocompetent murine model of anaplastic thyroid cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 7:17194-211. [PMID: 26943572 PMCID: PMC4941380 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of programmed cell death-1 and its ligand is widely studied in cancer. Monoclonal antibodies blocking these molecules have had great success but little is known about them in thyroid cancer. We investigated the role of PD-L1 in thyroid cancer with respect to BRAF mutation and MAP kinase pathway activity and the effect of anti PD-L1 antibody therapy on tumor regression and intra-tumoral immune response alone or in combination with BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi). BRAFV600E cells showed significantly higher baseline expression of PD-L1 at mRNA and protein levels compared to BRAFWT cells. MEK inhibitor treatment resulted in a decrease of PD-L1 expression across all cell lines. BRAFi treatment decreased PD-L1 expression in BRAFV600E cells, but paradoxically increased its expression in BRAFWT cells. BRAFV600E mutated patients samples had a higher level of PD-L1 mRNA compared to BRAFWT (p=0.015). Immunocompetent mice (B6129SF1/J) implanted with syngeneic 3747 BRAFV600E/WT P53-/- murine tumor cells were randomized to control, PLX4720, anti PD-L1 antibody and their combination. In this model of aggressive thyroid cancer, control tumor volume reached 782.3±174.6mm3 at two weeks. The combination dramatically reduced tumor volume to 147.3±60.8, compared to PLX4720 (439.3±188.4 mm3, P=0.023) or PD-L1 antibody (716.7±62.1, P<0.001) alone. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed intense CD8+ CTL infiltration and cytotoxicity and favorable CD8+:Treg ratio compared to each individual treatment. Our results show anti PD-L1 treatment potentiates the effect of BRAFi on tumor regression and intensifies anti tumor immune response in an immunocompetent model of ATC. Clinical trials of this therapeutic combination may be of benefit in patients with ATC.
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45
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Cunha LL, Nonogaki S, Soares FA, Vassallo J, Ward LS. Immune Escape Mechanism is Impaired in the Microenvironment of Thyroid Lymph Node Metastasis. Endocr Pathol 2017; 28:369-372. [PMID: 28730569 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-017-9495-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
We previously identified the infiltration of CD8+ lymphocytes and COX2 expression as an independent factor of risk for recurrence in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. However, the presence of lymph node (LN) metastasis at diagnosis lost its significance in a multivariate model analysis. These results encouraged us to compare the immune cells arrangement in the microenvironment of the LN metastasis and the primary tumor. We studied 104 consecutive PTC patients. Tissue specimens of both primary tumor and LN metastasis at the time of diagnosis were available in 19 out of them. These 19 patients were followed up for 32 to 81 months (64.7 ± 47.5 months). Immune cell markers were investigated using immunohistochemistry and included tumor infiltrating lymphocytes subsets such as CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD20, CD45RO, GRANZYME B, CD69, and CD25. We also investigated the expression of COX2 in tumor cells. Paired t test showed an increase of GRANZYME-B+ lymphocytes density in LN metastasis compared to the corresponding primary tumor, suggesting that LN metastasis is enriched with activated immune cells. In addition, we observed a decrease in COX2 expression levels in LN metastasis compared to the corresponding primary tumors, reinforcing the idea that the immune escape mechanism is impaired in the microenvironment of thyroid LN metastasis. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that the microenvironment of PTC LN metastasis present features that favor an anti-tumor immune response. This may help to explain why the presence of LN metastasis at diagnosis is not a good predictor of PTC patients' survival or disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Leite Cunha
- Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (Unicamp), 126, Tessalia Vieira de Camargo Street, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Suely Nonogaki
- Adolfo Lutz Institute, 355, Doutor Arnaldo Avenue, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando Augusto Soares
- Department of Pathology, A. C. Camargo Cancer Center, 211, Antonio Prudente Street, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - José Vassallo
- Department of Pathology, A. C. Camargo Cancer Center, 211, Antonio Prudente Street, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Laboratory of Investigative and Molecular Pathology (Ciped), Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (Unicamp), 126, Tessalia Vieira de Camargo Street, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Laura Sterian Ward
- Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (Unicamp), 126, Tessalia Vieira de Camargo Street, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
- Cidade Universitária, 126, Tessalia Veira de Camargo Street; , Campinas, São Paulo, 11083-894, Brazil.
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46
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Aghajani MJ, Yang T, McCafferty CE, Graham S, Wu X, Niles N. Predictive relevance of programmed cell death protein 1 and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte expression in papillary thyroid cancer. Surgery 2017; 163:130-136. [PMID: 29128181 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2017.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Co-signaling molecule programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 has been shown to induce potent inhibition of T cell-mediated antitumoral immunity. Our study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte density as biomarkers in specimens from patients with papillary thyroid cancer. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the data and tissue samples of 75 patients with papillary thyroid cancer. Stained cells were counted manually and analyzed for clinical and histopathologic correlations and disease-free survival. RESULTS Programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 expression was significantly correlated with increased incidence of lymphovascular invasion (P = .038), extrathyroidal extension (P = .026), and concurrent lymphocytic thyroiditis (P = .003). Patients with low CD8+ and CD3+ expression presented with a significantly higher incidence of lymph node metastasis (P = .042) and extrathyroidal extension (P = .015). The subgroup of cases with positive programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 expression and low CD8+ T cell infiltration demonstrated a significantly increased incidence of lymph node metastasis (P = .031). Univariate and multivariate analysis confirmed that a high CD8+ T cell density was significantly associated with favorable disease-free survival (P = .017). Subanalysis revealed that the shortest disease-free survival was evident in the programmed cell death 1 ligand 1+/CD8low group (P = .004). CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte density and programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 expression may serve as valuable predictive biomarkers in patients with papillary thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marra J Aghajani
- Thyroid Cancer Group, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia.
| | - Tao Yang
- Thyroid Cancer Group, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia; SydPath, Saint Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Susannah Graham
- Thyroid Cancer Group, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia; Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Xiaojuan Wu
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Navin Niles
- Thyroid Cancer Group, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia; Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
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47
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Aberrant expression of CD20 in thyroid cancer and its clinicopathologic significance. Hum Pathol 2017; 71:74-83. [PMID: 29079175 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2017.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
CD20 is the first-line diagnostic marker of B-cells, which serves as the target of the therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in B-cell lymphomas and leukemias. Recently, aberrant CD20 expression has been described in a small series of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). We aimed to evaluate CD20 immunoexpression and to perform clinicopathologic correlation in a large set of thyroid tumors, including a cohort of high-grade thyroid cancer. A total of 625 cases of thyroid tumor comprised tissue microarrays of 538 PTCs and 47 follicular adenomas, and whole-slide sections of 40 aggressive thyroid carcinomas (10 radioiodine-refractory PTCs and 8 poorly differentiated, 5 anaplastic, and 17 medullary thyroid carcinomas) were immunostained with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. BRAFV600E mutation was tested by direct sequencing in 478 cancers. Our study found that a small subset of PTCs (<10%, mainly of classic variant) exhibited aberrant membranous expression of CD20. These tumors displayed less aggressive histological features and had a lower prevalence of BRAFV600E mutation. We also discovered that CD20 expression was maintained in 6%-20% of aggressive thyroid cancers but not observed in follicular adenomas. All CD20-positive tumor cells were negative for CD79a and PAX5. Aberrant expression of CD20 by thyroid cancer cells may present a diagnostic pitfall in cytologic evaluation of thyroid and cervical masses. Residual expression of CD20 in aggressive cancers may offer promise for translational implications, which merits further experimental investigation.
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48
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Salmaninejad A, Khoramshahi V, Azani A, Soltaninejad E, Aslani S, Zamani MR, Zal M, Nesaei A, Hosseini SM. PD-1 and cancer: molecular mechanisms and polymorphisms. Immunogenetics 2017. [PMID: 28642997 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-017-1015-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is expressed by activated T cells that act as an immunoregulatory molecule, and are responsible for the negative regulation of T cell activation and peripheral tolerance. The PD-1 gene also encodes an inhibitory cell surface receptor involved in the regulation of T cell functions during immune responses/tolerance. Beyond potent inhibitory effects on T cells, PD-1 also has a role in regulating B cell and monocyte responses. An overexpression of PD-1 has been reported to contribute to immune system avoidance in different cancers. In particular, PD-1 over-expression influences tumor-specific T cell immunity in a cancer microenvironment. Blocking the PD-1/PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) pathway could potentially augment endogenous antitumor responses. Along these lines, the use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors has been applied in clinical trials against diverse forms of cancer. It was believed that antibodies targeting PD-1/PD-L1 might synergize with other treatments that enhance endogenous antitumor immunity by blocking inhibitory receptor-ligand interactions. However, in all cases, the host genetic status (as well as that of the tumor) is likely to have an impact on the expected outcomes. Various investigations have evaluated the association between PD-1 polymorphisms and the risk of various types of cancer. Frequently studied PD-1 polymorphisms, PD-1.1 (rs36084323), PD-1.3 (rs11568821), PD-1.5 (rs2227981), PD-1.9 (rs2227982), and PD-1 rs7421861, and their associations in the risk of susceptibility to different types of cancer are mentioned in this review, as are studies highlighting the significance of conducting genetic association studies in different ethnic populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Salmaninejad
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Medical Genetics Research Center, Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Khoramshahi
- Department of Immunology, International Campus of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Alireza Azani
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Soltaninejad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Aslani
- Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zamani
- Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Zal
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Nesaei
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
| | - Sayed Mostafa Hosseini
- Human Genetic Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
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49
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Bongiovanni M, Rebecchini C, Saglietti C, Bulliard JL, Marino L, de Leval L, Sykiotis GP. Very low expression of PD-L1 in medullary thyroid carcinoma. Endocr Relat Cancer 2017; 24:L35-L38. [PMID: 28420659 PMCID: PMC5457503 DOI: 10.1530/erc-17-0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Bongiovanni
- Service of Clinical PathologyLausanne University Hospital, Institute of Pathology, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Caterina Rebecchini
- Service of Clinical PathologyLausanne University Hospital, Institute of Pathology, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Saglietti
- Service of Clinical PathologyLausanne University Hospital, Institute of Pathology, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Luc Bulliard
- Institute of Social and Preventive MedicineLausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laura Marino
- Service of EndocrinologyDiabetology and Metabolism, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laurence de Leval
- Service of Clinical PathologyLausanne University Hospital, Institute of Pathology, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gerasimos P Sykiotis
- Service of EndocrinologyDiabetology and Metabolism, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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50
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Pai SI, Faquin WC. Programmed cell death ligand 1 as a biomarker in head and neck cancer. Cancer Cytopathol 2017; 125:529-533. [PMID: 28472542 DOI: 10.1002/cncy.21872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 12/24/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara I Pai
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - William C Faquin
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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