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Kong X, Li Q, Wang D, Wang M, Yang F, Meng J. Mechanism of Qizhen decoction-mediated maturation of DC cells to activate the IL-12/JAK2/STAT4 pathway to sensitise PD-1 inhibitors in the treatment of colorectal cancer. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 320:117399. [PMID: 37956913 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Traditional Chinese medicine has been utilized to treat colorectal cancer (CRC). Qizhen decoction (QZD), a potential compound prescription of traditional Chinese medicine, possesses multiple biological activities. It has been used to treat CRC in clinical practice and has been proven to be effective. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the impact of QZD supported by intestinal flora in combination with PD-1 inhibitor on colorectal cancer, and to elucidate the mechanism by which QZD enhances the sensitivity of PD-1 inhibitor against colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Observation of Intestinal Flora Mediating the Effect of QZD Combined with PD-1 Inhibitor in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer. We used Flow cytometry and qPCR to detect the effect of QZD combined with PD-1 inhibitor on the activation of effector T cells in a wild mouse model of colorectal cancer. In wild and germ-free mouse models, the differences in inflammatory factors, pathological change, body mass, colorectal length, and tumour load were observed. In the study of the mechanism of QZD combined with PD-1 inhibitor in the treatment of colorectal cancer, the study evaluated the abundance of Akkermansia, the phenotypes of effector T cells and DC cells, as well as inflammatory factors in each group of mice to determine whether Akkermansia played a role in activating DC cells. Based on the JAK2/TYK2/STAT4 pathway, the mechanism of PD-1 inhibitor sensitisation by QZD in colorectal cancer was further investigated. RESULTS We found that QZD combined with PD-1 inhibitor could improve the therapeutic effect on colorectal cancer by inducing more critical immune functions. QZD promotes increased Akkermansia abundance in the gut. Akkermansia promotes maturation of DC cells, and mature DC cells activate the IL-12/JAK2/STAT4 pathway, which significantly activates effector T cells. Akkermansia is key to QZD combined with PD-1 inhibitor-mediated immunity exerting a therapeutic effect on colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION The mechanism of action of the QZD sensitizing PD-1 inhibitor is to promote the maturation of DC cells to release IL-12 and activate the JAK2/STAT4 pathway to induce effector T cell activation by increasing the abundance of Akkermansia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianbin Kong
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
| | - Qingbo Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
| | - Dong Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
| | - Miao Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
| | - Fan Yang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
| | - Jingyan Meng
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
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Linares I, Berenguer Frances MÁ, Cañas R, Najjari D, Gutiérrez C, Marín S, Comas S, Guedea F, Pujol M. Brachytherapy for targeting the immune system in cervical cancer patients. BMC Immunol 2023; 24:23. [PMID: 37559025 PMCID: PMC10413692 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-023-00559-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND New combinations based on standard therapeutic modalities and immunotherapy require understanding the immunomodulatory properties of traditional treatments. The objective was to evaluate the impact of brachytherapy (BT) on the immune system of cervical cancer and to identify the best modality, High-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) vs. Pulsed-dose-rate (PDR-BT), to target it. METHODS Nineteen patients enrolled in a prospective study received chemoradiation (CRT) and subsequently HDR-BT or PDR-BT. Peripheral blood samples were obtained for immunophenotyping analysis by flow-cytometry before CRT, BT, and two and four weeks after BT. The Friedman one-way ANOVA, Conover post hoc test, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to compare changes in cell populations at different periods, perform multiple pairwise comparisons and assess differences between treatment groups (PDR and HDR). RESULTS Natural killer cells (NKs) were the best target for BT. Patients receiving HDR-BT achieved significantly higher values and longer time of the CD56dimCD16 + NK cells with greater cytotoxic capacity than the PDR-BT group, which presented their highest elevation of CD56-CD16 + NK cells. Furthermore, both BT modalities were associated with an increase in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), related to a worse clinical prognosis. However, there was a decrease in the percentage of CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + CD45RA + regulatory T cells (Tregs) in patients receiving HDR-BT, although there were no significant differences between BT. CONCLUSIONS Immune biomarkers are important predictive determinants in cervical cancer. Higher cytotoxic NK cells and a trend toward lower values of Tregs might support the use of HDR-BT to the detriment of PDR-BT and help develop effective combinations with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Linares
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain.
- Radiobiology and Cancer Group, ONCOBELL Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | - Rut Cañas
- Radiobiology and Cancer Group, ONCOBELL Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dina Najjari
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Gutiérrez
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susanna Marín
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Comas
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Carretera de Canyet, s/n, 08916, Badalona, Spain
| | - Ferran Guedea
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain
- Radiobiology and Cancer Group, ONCOBELL Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Monica Pujol
- Radiobiology and Cancer Group, ONCOBELL Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat d'Antropologia Biològica, Departament de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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Mu J, Wu Y, Jiang C, Cai L, Li D, Cao J. Progress in Applicability of Scoring Systems Based on Nutritional and Inflammatory Parameters for Ovarian Cancer. Front Nutr 2022; 9:809091. [PMID: 35464000 PMCID: PMC9024308 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.809091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a malignancy that seriously endangers women’s health; its case fatality rate ranks first among the gynecological malignancies. The status of nutrition of ovarian cancer patients is related to their prognoses. Thus, it is important to evaluate, monitor, and improve the nutritional status of ovarian cancer patients during their treatment. Currently, there are several tools for examining malnutrition and nutritional assessment, including NRI (nutrition risk index), PG-SGA (patient-generated subjective global assessment), and NRS 2002 (nutritional risk screening 2002). In addition to malnutrition risk examination and related assessment tools, the evaluation of muscle mass, C-reactive protein, lymphocytes, and other inflammation status indicators, such as neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and C-reactive protein-albumin ratio, is of great importance. The nutritional status of ovarian cancer patients undergoing surgery affects their postoperative complications and survival rates. Accurate evaluation of perioperative nutrition in ovarian cancer patients is crucial in clinical settings. An intelligent nutritional diagnosis can be developed based on the results of its systematic and comprehensive assessment, which would lay a foundation for the implementation of personalized and precise nutritional therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Mu
- Department of Nutrition, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Wu
- Department of Gynecology, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chen Jiang
- Department of Gynecology, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Linjuan Cai
- Department of Gynecology, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dake Li
- Department of Gynecology, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Dake Li,
| | - Jian Cao
- Department of Gynecology, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jian Cao,
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Immunotherapeutic Approaches for Glioblastoma Treatment. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020427. [PMID: 35203636 PMCID: PMC8962267 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma remains a challenging disease to treat, despite well-established standard-of-care treatments, with a median survival consistently of less than 2 years. In this review, we delineate the unique disease-specific challenges for immunotherapies, both brain-related and non-brain-related, which will need to be adequately overcome for the development of effective treatments. We also review current immunotherapy treatments, with a focus on clinical applications, and propose future directions for the field of GBM immunotherapy.
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Rickard BP, Conrad C, Sorrin AJ, Ruhi MK, Reader JC, Huang SA, Franco W, Scarcelli G, Polacheck WJ, Roque DM, del Carmen MG, Huang HC, Demirci U, Rizvi I. Malignant Ascites in Ovarian Cancer: Cellular, Acellular, and Biophysical Determinants of Molecular Characteristics and Therapy Response. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4318. [PMID: 34503128 PMCID: PMC8430600 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascites refers to the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneum resulting from an underlying pathology, such as metastatic cancer. Among all cancers, advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer is most frequently associated with the production of malignant ascites and is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies. Despite decades of evidence showing that the accumulation of peritoneal fluid portends the poorest outcomes for cancer patients, the role of malignant ascites in promoting metastasis and therapy resistance remains poorly understood. This review summarizes the current understanding of malignant ascites, with a focus on ovarian cancer. The first section provides an overview of heterogeneity in ovarian cancer and the pathophysiology of malignant ascites. Next, analytical methods used to characterize the cellular and acellular components of malignant ascites, as well the role of these components in modulating cell biology, are discussed. The review then provides a perspective on the pressures and forces that tumors are subjected to in the presence of malignant ascites and the impact of physical stress on therapy resistance. Treatment options for malignant ascites, including surgical, pharmacological and photochemical interventions are then discussed to highlight challenges and opportunities at the interface of drug discovery, device development and physical sciences in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany P. Rickard
- Curriculum in Toxicology & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; (M.K.R.); (S.A.H.); (W.J.P.)
| | - Christina Conrad
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.C.); (A.J.S.); (G.S.); (H.-C.H.)
| | - Aaron J. Sorrin
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.C.); (A.J.S.); (G.S.); (H.-C.H.)
| | - Mustafa Kemal Ruhi
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; (M.K.R.); (S.A.H.); (W.J.P.)
| | - Jocelyn C. Reader
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (J.C.R.); (D.M.R.)
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Stephanie A. Huang
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; (M.K.R.); (S.A.H.); (W.J.P.)
| | - Walfre Franco
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA;
| | - Giuliano Scarcelli
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.C.); (A.J.S.); (G.S.); (H.-C.H.)
| | - William J. Polacheck
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; (M.K.R.); (S.A.H.); (W.J.P.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Dana M. Roque
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (J.C.R.); (D.M.R.)
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Marcela G. del Carmen
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| | - Huang-Chiao Huang
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.C.); (A.J.S.); (G.S.); (H.-C.H.)
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Utkan Demirci
- Bio-Acoustic MEMS in Medicine (BAMM) Laboratory, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA;
| | - Imran Rizvi
- Curriculum in Toxicology & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; (M.K.R.); (S.A.H.); (W.J.P.)
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Kang Y, Flores L, Ngai HW, Cornejo YR, Haber T, McDonald M, Moreira DF, Gonzaga JM, Abidi W, Zhang Y, Hammad M, Kortylewski M, Aboody KS, Berlin JM. Large, Anionic Liposomes Enable Targeted Intraperitoneal Delivery of a TLR 7/8 Agonist To Repolarize Ovarian Tumors' Microenvironment. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:1581-1592. [PMID: 34289694 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy in the United States. Current standard of treatment includes surgical debulking and chemotherapy, such as cisplatin and paclitaxel. However, the patients' response rate for chemotherapy in ovarian cancer is not optimal, and they often develop chemoresistance and suffer from side effects. Current clinical trials make extensive use of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) as a novel cancer immunotherapeutic strategy against ovarian tumors. However, the response rates for ICB antibodies remain limited to 10-20% of treated ovarian cancer patients despite the success of this approach in melanoma, renal, head and neck, and nonsmall cell lung cancers. This lack of efficacy is often attributed to the "cold" immune status of ovarian tumors, as these tumors often have a low number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) but a high number of suppressive immune cells, including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), or regulatory T cells (Tregs). Repolarizing TAMs could be a promising strategy to reshape the tumor immune microenvironment and promote antitumor activity when combined with ICBs. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and 8 agonists, such as imiquimod and resiquimod, are potent immunostimulatory molecules with potential to repolarize macrophages. However, these small molecules have poor pharmacokinetic profiles and can induce severe side effects when administered systemically. Previously, our group demonstrated that various large, anionic nanomaterials (silica, PLGA, and polystyrene) specifically target TAMs when administered intraperitoneally (IP) to ovarian tumor-bearing mice. In the present study, we demonstrate that large, anionic liposomes administered IP also efficiently localize to TAMs and can be used to target the delivery of resiquimod. Resiquimod delivered in this targeted fashion promoted activation of M1 macrophages and T cell infiltration, while reducing the percentage of Tregs in the tumor microenvironment. Finally, liposome-formulated resiquimod significantly enhanced the efficacy of PD1 blockade against syngeneic ovarian tumors. We anticipate that further optimization of our liposomal delivery strategy can generate a clinically relevant strategy for more effective and safer immunotherapy for ovarian cancer patients.
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Clinical Significance of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Association with Hormone Receptor Expression Patterns in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115714. [PMID: 34071938 PMCID: PMC8198528 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hormone receptor expression patterns often correlate with infiltration of specific lymphocytes in tumors. Specifically, the presence of specific tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) with particular hormone receptor expression is reportedly associated with breast cancer, however, this has not been revealed in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Therefore, we investigated the association between hormone receptor expression and TILs in EOC. Here we found that ERα, AR, and GR expression increased in EOC, while PR was significantly reduced and ERβ expression showed a reduced trend compared to normal epithelium. Cluster analysis indicated poor disease-free survival (DFS) in AR+/GR+/PR+ subgroup (triple dominant group); while the Cox proportional-hazards model highlighted the triple dominant group as an independent prognostic factor for DFS. In addition, significant upregulation of FoxP3+ TILs, PD-1, and PD-L1 was observed in the triple dominant group compared to other groups. NanoString analyses further suggested that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and/or NF-κB signaling pathways were activated with significant upregulation of RELA, MAP3K5, TNFAIP3, BCL2L1, RIPK1, TRAF2, PARP1, and AKT1 in the triple dominant EOC group. The triple dominant subgroup correlates with poor prognosis in EOC. Moreover, the TNF and/or NF-κB signaling pathways may be responsible for hormone-mediated inhibition of the immune microenvironment.
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8
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Martincuks A, Li PC, Zhao Q, Zhang C, Li YJ, Yu H, Rodriguez-Rodriguez L. CD44 in Ovarian Cancer Progression and Therapy Resistance-A Critical Role for STAT3. Front Oncol 2020; 10:589601. [PMID: 33335857 PMCID: PMC7736609 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.589601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant progress in cancer therapy over the last decades, ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecologic malignancy worldwide with the five-year overall survival rate less than 30% due to frequent disease recurrence and chemoresistance. CD44 is a non-kinase transmembrane receptor that has been linked to cancer metastatic progression, cancer stem cell maintenance, and chemoresistance development via multiple mechanisms across many cancers, including ovarian, and represents a promising therapeutic target for ovarian cancer treatment. Moreover, CD44-mediated signaling interacts with other well-known pro-tumorigenic pathways and oncogenes during cancer development, such as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Given that both CD44 and STAT3 are strongly implicated in the metastatic progression and chemoresistance of ovarian tumors, this review summarizes currently available evidence about functional crosstalk between CD44 and STAT3 in human malignancies with an emphasis on ovarian cancer. In addition to the role of tumor cell-intrinsic CD44 and STAT3 interaction in driving cancer progression and metastasis, we discuss how CD44 and STAT3 support the pro-tumorigenic tumor microenvironment and promote tumor angiogenesis, immunosuppression, and cancer metabolic reprogramming in favor of cancer progression. Finally, we review the current state of therapeutic CD44 targeting and propose superior treatment possibilities for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antons Martincuks
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Pei-Chuan Li
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Qianqian Zhao
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Chunyan Zhang
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Yi-Jia Li
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Hua Yu
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, United States
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Cho JH, Lim YC. Prognostic impact of regulatory T cell in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Oral Oncol 2020; 112:105084. [PMID: 33181417 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.105084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The impact of regulatory T (Treg) cells as a prognostic factor of survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains controversial. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of Treg cells in patients with HNSCC through a meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Through a literature search in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane, we included 11 articles in this meta-analysis and investigated the effect of Treg cell level on the survival of patients with HNSCC. Also, we performed a subgroup analysis according to the study sample (blood vs. tumor tissue), primary tumor site, HPV infectivity, or Treg cell marker. RESULTS High levels of circulating Treg cells in the peripheral blood of patients with HNSCC can significantly increase the disease specific survival rate of patients. Moreover, subgroup analysis showed that high levels of Treg in peripheral blood were significantly associated with better disease specific survival in patients with oral cancer, a subsite of HNSCC, but not in those with other head and neck subsite. Positivity of HPV infection did not influence the prognosis of patients with HNSCC. CONCLUSION Increase in the levels of circulating Treg cells in peripheral blood can be a prognostic factor of survival in patients with oral cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Hoon Cho
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Chang Lim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Da Silva DM, Enserro DM, Mayadev JS, Skeate JG, Matsuo K, Pham HQ, Lankes HA, Moxley KM, Ghamande SA, Lin YG, Schilder RJ, Birrer MJ, Kast WM. Immune Activation in Patients with Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Treated with Ipilimumab Following Definitive Chemoradiation (GOG-9929). Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:5621-5630. [PMID: 32816895 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-0776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE A phase I clinical trial (GOG-9929) examined the safety and efficacy of adjuvant immune-modulation therapy with the checkpoint inhibitor ipilimumab [anti-CTL antigen-4 (anti-CTLA-4)] following chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for newly diagnosed node-positive human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cervical cancer. To better understand the mechanism of action and to identify predictive biomarkers, immunologic and viral correlates were assessed before, during, and after treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-one patients who received CRT and ≥2 doses of ipilimumab and 5 patients who received CRT only were evaluable for translational endpoints. Circulating T-cell subsets were evaluated by multiparameter flow cytometry. Cytokines were evaluated by multiplex ELISA. HPV-specific T cells were evaluated in a subset of patients by IFNγ ELISpot. RESULTS Expression of the activation markers ICOS and PD-1 significantly increased on T-cell subsets following CRT and were sustained or increased following ipilimumab treatment. Combined CRT/ipilimumab treatment resulted in a significant expansion of both central and effector memory T-cell populations. Genotype-specific E6/E7-specific T-cell responses increased post-CRT in 1 of 8 HPV16+ patients and in 2 of 3 HPV18+ patients. Elevation in levels of tumor-promoting circulating cytokines (TNFα, IL6, IL8) post-CRT was significantly associated with worse progression-free survival. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that CRT alone and combined with ipilimumab immunotherapy show immune-modulating activity in women with locally advanced cervical cancer and may be a promising therapeutic option for the enhancement of antitumor immune cell function after primary CRT for this population at high risk for recurrence and metastasis. Several key immune biomarkers were identified that were associated with clinical response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane M Da Silva
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Danielle M Enserro
- Clinical Trial Development Division, NRG Oncology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Jyoti S Mayadev
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, UC San Diego Medical Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Joseph G Skeate
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Koji Matsuo
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Huyen Q Pham
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Heather A Lankes
- Operations Center-Philadelphia East, NRG Oncology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Katherine M Moxley
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oklahoma University Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Sharad A Ghamande
- Department of Gynecology/Oncology, Augusta University Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Yvonne G Lin
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Russell J Schilder
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael J Birrer
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - W Martin Kast
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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11
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Quinn KM, Kartikasari AER, Cooke RE, Koldej RM, Ritchie DS, Plebanski M. Impact of age-, cancer-, and treatment-driven inflammation on T cell function and immunotherapy. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 108:953-965. [PMID: 32678927 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5mr0520-466r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Many cancers are predominantly diagnosed in older individuals and chronic inflammation has a major impact on the overall health and immune function of older cancer patients. Chronic inflammation is a feature of aging, it can accelerate disease in many cancers and it is often exacerbated during conventional treatments for cancer. This review will provide an overview of the factors that lead to increased inflammation in older individuals and/or individuals with cancer, as well as those that result from conventional treatments for cancer, using ovarian cancer (OC) and multiple myeloma (MM) as key examples. We will also consider the impact of chronic inflammation on immune function, with a particular focus on T cells as they are key targets for novel cancer immunotherapies. Overall, this review aims to highlight specific pathways for potential interventions that may be able to mitigate the impact of chronic inflammation in older cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie M Quinn
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Rachel E Cooke
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Translational Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rachel M Koldej
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Translational Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David S Ritchie
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Translational Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Magdalena Plebanski
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
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12
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Lynes JP, Nwankwo AK, Sur HP, Sanchez VE, Sarpong KA, Ariyo OI, Dominah GA, Nduom EK. Biomarkers for immunotherapy for treatment of glioblastoma. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:e000348. [PMID: 32474411 PMCID: PMC7264836 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2019-000348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a promising new therapeutic field that has demonstrated significant benefits in many solid-tumor malignancies, such as metastatic melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. However, only a subset of these patients responds to treatment. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor with a poor prognosis of 14.6 months and few treatment advancements over the last 10 years. There are many clinical trials testing immune therapies in GBM, but patient responses in these studies have been highly variable and a definitive benefit has yet to be identified. Biomarkers are used to quantify normal physiology and physiological response to therapies. When extensively characterized and vigorously validated, they have the potential to delineate responders from non-responders for patients treated with immunotherapy in malignancies outside of the central nervous system (CNS) as well as GBM. Due to the challenges of current modalities of radiographic diagnosis and disease monitoring, identification of new predictive and prognostic biomarkers to gauge response to immune therapy for patients with GBM will be critical in the precise treatment of this highly heterogenous disease. This review will explore the current and future strategies for the identification of potential biomarkers in the field of immunotherapy for GBM, as well as highlight major challenges of adapting immune therapy for CNS malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Lynes
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Anthony K Nwankwo
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Hannah P Sur
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Victoria E Sanchez
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kwadwo A Sarpong
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Oluwatobi I Ariyo
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gifty A Dominah
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Edjah K Nduom
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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13
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Baci D, Bosi A, Gallazzi M, Rizzi M, Noonan DM, Poggi A, Bruno A, Mortara L. The Ovarian Cancer Tumor Immune Microenvironment (TIME) as Target for Therapy: A Focus on Innate Immunity Cells as Therapeutic Effectors. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093125. [PMID: 32354198 PMCID: PMC7247443 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OvCA) accounts for one of the leading causes of death from gynecologic malignancy. Despite progress in therapy improvements in OvCA, most patients develop a recurrence after first-line treatments, dependent on the tumor and non-tumor complexity/heterogeneity of the neoplasm and its surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME has gained greater attention in the design of specific therapies within the new era of immunotherapy. It is now clear that the immune contexture in OvCA, here referred as tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), acts as a crucial orchestrator of OvCA progression, thus representing a necessary target for combined therapies. Currently, several advancements of antitumor immune responses in OvCA are based on the characterization of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, which have been shown to correlate with a significantly improved clinical outcome. Here, we reviewed the literature on selected TIME components of OvCA, such as macrophages, neutrophils, γδ T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells; these cells can have a role in either supporting or limiting OvCA, depending on the TIME stimuli. We also reviewed and discussed the major (immune)-therapeutic approaches currently employed to target and/or potentiate macrophages, neutrophils, γδ T lymphocytes, and NK cells in the OvCA context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denisa Baci
- Immunology and General Pathology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (D.B.); (M.G.); (M.R.); (D.M.N.)
| | - Annalisa Bosi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy;
| | - Matteo Gallazzi
- Immunology and General Pathology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (D.B.); (M.G.); (M.R.); (D.M.N.)
| | - Manuela Rizzi
- Immunology and General Pathology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (D.B.); (M.G.); (M.R.); (D.M.N.)
| | - Douglas M. Noonan
- Immunology and General Pathology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (D.B.); (M.G.); (M.R.); (D.M.N.)
- IRCCS MultiMedica, 20138 Milan, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Poggi
- UOSD Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | | | - Lorenzo Mortara
- Immunology and General Pathology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (D.B.); (M.G.); (M.R.); (D.M.N.)
- Correspondence:
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14
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Moody R, Wilson K, Jaworowski A, Plebanski M. Natural Compounds with Potential to Modulate Cancer Therapies and Self-Reactive Immune Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12030673. [PMID: 32183059 PMCID: PMC7139800 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12030673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-related deaths are approaching 10 million each year. Survival statistics for some cancers, such as ovarian cancer, have remained unchanged for decades, with women diagnosed at stage III or IV having over 80% chance of a lethal cancer recurrence after standard first-line treatment (reductive surgery and chemotherapy). New treatments and adjunct therapies are needed. In ovarian cancer, as in other cancers, the immune response, particularly cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells are correlated with a decreased risk of recurrence. As well as completely new antigen targets resulting from DNA mutations (neo-antigens), these T cells recognize cancer-associated overexpressed, re-expressed or modified self-proteins. However, there is concern that activation of self-reactive responses may also promote off-target pathology. This review considers the complex interplay between cancer-reactive and self-reactive immune cells and discusses the potential uses for various leading immunomodulatory compounds, derived from plant-based sources, as a cancer therapy option or to modulate potential autoimmune pathology. Along with reviewing well-studied compounds such as curcumin (from turmeric), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, from green tea) and resveratrol (from grapes and certain berries), it is proposed that compounds from novel sources, for example, native Australian plants, will provide a useful source for the fine modulation of cancer immunity in patients.
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