1
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Zhu Y, Wu X, Zhang Y, Gu J, Zhou R, Guo Z. Single cell transcriptomic analysis reveals tumor immune infiltration by NK cells gene signature in lung adenocarcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33928. [PMID: 39071697 PMCID: PMC11283104 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33928] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Natural Killer (NK) cells are vital components of the innate immune system, crucial for combating infections and tumor growth, making them pivotal in cancer prognosis and immunotherapy. We sought to understand the diverse characteristics of NK cells within lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) by conducting single-cell RNA sequencing analyses. Methods Using the scRNA-seq dataset for multiple primary lung cancers (MPLCs), we examined two major NK cell groups, NK1 and NK2, comparing the expression profiles of 422 differentially expressed NK signature genes. We identified eight genes (SPON2, PLEKHG3, CAMK2N1, RAB27B, CTBP2, EFHD2, GOLM1, and PLOD1) that distinguish NK1 from NK2 cells. A prognostic signature, the NK gene signature (NKGS) score, was established through LASSO Cox regression. High NKGS scores were linked to poorer overall survival in TCGA-LUAD patients and consistently validated in other datasets (GSE31210 and GSE14814). Results Functional analysis revealed an enrichment of genes related to the TGF-β signaling pathway in the high NKGS score group. Moreover, a high NKGS score correlated with an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) driven by immune evasion mechanisms. We also observed reduced T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire diversity in the high-risk NKGS group, indicating a negative association between inflammation and risk score. Conclusion This study introduced the innovative NKGS score, differentiating NK1 from NK2 cells. High NKGS scores were associated with the TGF-β pathway and provided insights into LUAD prognosis and immune activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Zhu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuhua Wu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunjiao Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Gu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongwei Zhou
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhong Guo
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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2
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Kim AM, Zhao L, Patel TR, Bailey CJ, Bai Q, Wakefield MR, Fang Y. From bench to bedside: the past, present and future of IL-21 immunotherapy. Med Oncol 2024; 41:181. [PMID: 38900341 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02404-7] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
As immunotherapy gains momentum as a promising approach for treating several types of cancer, IL-21 has emerged as the latest discovery within the γ chain cytokine family, known for its decisive effects on innate and adaptive immunity and immunopathology. Through the modulation of immune cells, IL-21 has demonstrated significant anti-tumor effects in preclinical studies. The potential of IL-21 in cancer treatment has been explored in phase I and II clinical trials, where it has been utilized both as monotherapy and in combination with other drug agents. Further investigation, alongside larger studies, is necessary before final evaluation and application of IL-21 as immunotherapy. This review aims to summarize these pre-clinical and clinical studies and to discuss the possible future directions of IL-21 immunotherapy development. Such a study may be helpful to accelerate the process of clinical application for IL21 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin M Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines, IA, 50312, USA
| | - Lei Zhao
- The Department of Respiratory Medicine, The 2nd People's Hospital of Hefei and Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Tej R Patel
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Colin J Bailey
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Qian Bai
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Mark R Wakefield
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Yujiang Fang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines, IA, 50312, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA.
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3
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Kaur K, Sanghu J, Memarzadeh S, Jewett A. Exploring the Potential of Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapy in Targeting High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinomas. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:677. [PMID: 38932405 PMCID: PMC11209217 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOCs) likely consist of poorly differentiated stem-like cells (PDSLCs) and differentiated tumor cells. Conventional therapeutics are incapable of completely eradicating PDSLCs, contributing to disease progression and tumor relapse. Primary NK cells are known to effectively lyse PDSLCs, but they exhibit low or minimal cytotoxic potential against well-differentiated tumors. We have introduced and discussed the characteristics of super-charged NK (sNK) cells in this review. sNK cells, in comparison to primary NK cells, exhibit a significantly higher capability for the direct killing of both PDSLCs and well-differentiated tumors. In addition, sNK cells secrete significantly higher levels of cytokines, especially those known to induce the differentiation of tumors. In addition, we propose that a combination of sNK and chemotherapy could be one of the most effective strategies to eliminate the heterogeneous population of ovarian tumors; sNK cells can lyse both PDSLCs and well-differentiated tumors, induce the differentiation of PDSLCs, and could be used in combination with chemotherapy to target both well-differentiated and NK-induced differentiated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
| | - Jashan Sanghu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.S.); (S.M.)
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sanaz Memarzadeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.S.); (S.M.)
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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4
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Rademacher MJ, Faber ML, Bone KM, Medin JA, Schloemer NJ. Fate control engagement augments NK cell responses in LV/hu-IL-12 transduced sarcoma. Exp Mol Pathol 2024; 137:104898. [PMID: 38729059 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2024.104898] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION NK cells are an untapped resource for cancer therapy. Sarcomas transduced with lentiviruses to express human IL-12 are only cleared in mice bearing mature human NK cells. However, systemic inflammation limits IL-12 utilization. Fate control a.k.a. "suicide mechanisms" regulate unchecked systemic inflammation caused by cellular immunotherapies. Despite increasing utilization, there remains limited data on immune consequences or tumor-directed effects of fate control. OBJECTIVES We sought to engage the mutant thymidylate kinase (mTMPK) metabolic fate control system to regulate systemic inflammation and assess the impact on NK cell effector functions. METHODS Primary human sarcoma short-passage samples and cell lines were transduced with LV/hu-IL-12_mTMPK engineering expression of IL-12 and an AZT-associated fate control enzyme. We assessed transduced sarcoma responses to AZT engagement and subsequent modulation of NK cell functions as measured by inflammatory cytokine production and cytotoxicity. RESULTS AZT administration to transduced (LV/hu-IL-12_mTMPK) short-passage primary human sarcomas and human Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines, abrogated the robust expression of human IL-12. Fate control activation elicited a specific dose-dependent cytotoxic effect measured by metabolic activity (WST-1) and cell death (Incucyte). NK effector functions of IFN-γ and cytotoxic granule release were significantly augmented despite IL-12 abrogation. This correlated with preferentially induced expression of NK cell activation ligands. CONCLUSIONS mTMPK fate control engagement terminates transduced sarcoma IL-12 production and triggers cell death, but also augments an NK cell-mediated response coinciding with metabolic stress activating surface ligand induction. Fate control engagement could offer a novel immune activation method for NK cell-mediated cancer clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo Rademacher
- Departments of Pediatrics; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Mary L Faber
- Departments of Pediatrics; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Kathleen M Bone
- Departments of Pathology; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Medin
- Departments of Pediatrics; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Departments of Biochemisty; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Nathan J Schloemer
- Departments of Pediatrics; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
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Hermans L, O’Sullivan TE. No time to die: Epigenetic regulation of natural killer cell survival. Immunol Rev 2024; 323:61-79. [PMID: 38426615 PMCID: PMC11102341 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13314] [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] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
NK cells are short-lived innate lymphocytes that can mediate antigen-independent responses to infection and cancer. However, studies from the past two decades have shown that NK cells can acquire transcriptional and epigenetic modifications during inflammation that result in increased survival and lifespan. These findings blur the lines between the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, and suggest that the homeostatic mechanisms that govern the persistence of innate immune cells are malleable. Indeed, recent studies have shown that NK cells undergo continuous and strictly regulated adaptations controlling their survival during development, tissue residency, and following inflammation. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the critical factors regulating NK cell survival throughout their lifespan, with a specific emphasis on the epigenetic modifications that regulate the survival of NK cells in various contexts. A precise understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern NK cell survival will be important to enhance therapies for cancer and infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen Hermans
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Timothy E. O’Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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6
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Wu L, Gao G, Mi H, Luo Z, Wang Z, Liu Y, Wu L, Long H, Shen Y. Validation of CDC45 as a novel biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17130. [PMID: 38515458 PMCID: PMC10956518 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Cell division cycle protein 45 (CDC45) has been demonstrated to play vital roles in the progression of various malignancies. However, the clinical significance of CDC45 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unreported. Method In this study, we employed the TCGA database and the TCGA & GTEx dataset to compare the mRNA expression levels of CDC45 between gastric cancer tissues and adjacent or normal tissues (p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant), which was further validated in multiple datasets including GSE13911, GSE29272, GSE118916, GSE66229, as well as RT-qPCR. Furthermore, we harnessed the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) to evaluate the protein expression of CDC45, which was subsequently verified through immunohistochemistry (IHC). To ascertain the diagnostic utility of CDC45, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) were calculated in TCGA database, and further validated it in TCGA & GTEx and GSE66229 datasets. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to reveal the prognostic importance of CDC45 in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and authenticated through the GSE66229, GSE84433, and GSE84437 datasets. Through cBioPortal, we identified co-expressed genes of CDC45, and pursued enrichment analysis. Additionally, we availed gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to annotate the biological functions of CDC45. Results Differential expression analysis revealed that CDC45 was significantly upregulated at both the mRNA and protein levels in GC (all p < 0.05). Remarkably, CDC45 emerged as a promising prognostic indicator and a novel diagnostic biomarker for GC. In a comprehensive the drug susceptibility analysis, we found that patients with high expression of CDC45 had high sensitivity to various chemotherapeutic agents, among which 5-fluorouracil, docetaxel, cisplatin, and elesclomol were most evident. Furthermore, our findings suggested a plausible association between CDC45 and immune cell infiltration. Enrichment analysis revealed that CDC45 and its associated genes may play crucial roles in muscle biofunction, whereas GSEA demonstrated significant enrichment of gene sets pertaining to G protein-coupled receptor ligand binding and G alpha (i) signaling events. Conclusion Our study elucidates that upregulation of CDC45 is intricately associated with immune cell infiltration and holds promising potential as a favorable prognostic marker and a novel diagnostic biomarker for GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Wu
- Affiliated Liutie Central Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, China
| | - Gan Gao
- Clinical Laboratory, Liuzhou Hospital of Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, liuzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Hui Mi
- Changzhi People’s Hospital, Changzhi, china
| | - Zhou Luo
- Affiliated Liutie Central Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Affiliated Liutie Central Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, China
| | - Yongdong Liu
- Affiliated Liutie Central Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, China
| | - Liangyan Wu
- Affiliated Liutie Central Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, China
| | - Haihua Long
- Affiliated Liutie Central Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, China
| | - Yongqi Shen
- Affiliated Liutie Central Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, China
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7
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Kaur K, Jewett A. Osteoclasts and Probiotics Mediate Significant Expansion, Functional Activation and Supercharging in NK, γδ T, and CD3+ T Cells: Use in Cancer Immunotherapy. Cells 2024; 13:213. [PMID: 38334605 PMCID: PMC10854567 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030213] [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] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Our previous studies have introduced osteoclasts (OCs) as major activators of NK cells. It was found that OCs exhibit the capabilities of inducing cell expansion as well as increasing the cytotoxic activity of NK cells by granule release and increasing the secretion of TNF-α and TRAIL, leading to increased lysis of tumors in short-term as well as long-term periods, respectively. OC- induced expanded NK cells were named supercharged NK cells (sNK) due to their significantly high functional activity as well as their significantly higher cell expansion rate. It is, however, unclear whether the OC-mediated effect in NK cells is specific or whether other cytotoxic immune cells can also be expanded and activated by OCs. We chose to focus on γδ T cells and pan T cells, which also include CD8+ T cells. In this paper, we report that OCs are capable of expanding and functionally activating both γδ T cells and pan T cells. Expanded γδ T and pan T cells were capable of secreting high levels of INF-γ, albeit with different dynamics to those of NK cells, and, moreover, they are unable to kill NK-specific targets. Since we used humanized-BLT (hu-BLT) mice as a model of human disease, we next determined whether NK and T cell activation through OCs is also evident in cells obtained from hu-BLT mice. Similar to humans, OCs were capable of increasing the cell expansion and secretion of IFN-γ in the culture of either NK or T cells from hu-BLT mice, providing yet further evidence that these mice are appropriate models to study human disease. Therefore, these studies indicated that CD3+ T or γδ T cells can proliferate and be supercharged by OCs similar to the NK cells; thus, they can be used individually or in combination in the cell therapy of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Dentistry and Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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8
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Griffith BD, Frankel TL. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor: Impact on the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Modulation as a Potential Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:472. [PMID: 38339226 PMCID: PMC10854841 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ubiquitous nuclear receptor with a broad range of functions, both in tumor cells and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Activation of AhR has been shown to have a carcinogenic effect in a variety of organs, through induction of cellular proliferation and migration, promotion of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and inhibition of apoptosis, among other functions. However, the impact on immune cell function is more complicated, with both pro- and anti-tumorigenic roles identified. Although targeting AhR in cancer has shown significant promise in pre-clinical studies, there has been limited efficacy in phase III clinical trials to date. With the contrasting roles of AhR activation on immune cell polarization, understanding the impact of AhR activation on the tumor immune microenvironment is necessary to guide therapies targeting the AhR. This review article summarizes the state of knowledge of AhR activation on the TME, limitations of current findings, and the potential for modulation of the AhR as a cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D. Griffith
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Timothy L. Frankel
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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9
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Kaur K, Jewett A. Role of Natural Killer Cells as Cell-Based Immunotherapy in Oral Tumor Eradication and Differentiation Both In Vivo and In Vitro. Crit Rev Immunol 2024; 44:87-98. [PMID: 38618731 DOI: 10.1615/critrevimmunol.2024052389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Despite advancements in the field of cancer therapeutics, the five-year survival rate remains low in oral cancer patients. Therefore, the effective therapeutics are needed against oral cancer. Also, several studies including ours, have shown severely suppressed function and number of NK cells in oral cancer patients. In this review, we discuss the approach to inhibit the tumor growth and metastasis by direct killing or NK cell-mediated tumor differentiation. This review also provides an overview on supercharging NK cells using osteoclasts and probiotic bacteria, and their efficacy as cancer immunotherapeutic in humanized-BLT mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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10
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Abdelmoneim M, Aboalela MA, Naoe Y, Matsumura S, Eissa IR, Bustos-Villalobos I, Sibal PA, Takido Y, Kodera Y, Kasuya H. The Impact of Metformin on Tumor-Infiltrated Immune Cells: Preclinical and Clinical Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13353. [PMID: 37686159 PMCID: PMC10487782 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a pivotal role in the fate of cancer cells, and tumor-infiltrating immune cells have emerged as key players in shaping this complex milieu. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. The most common standard treatments for cancer are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapeutic drugs. In the last decade, immunotherapy has had a potential effect on the treatment of cancer patients with poor prognoses. One of the immune therapeutic targeted approaches that shows anticancer efficacy is a type 2 diabetes medication, metformin. Beyond its glycemic control properties, studies have revealed intriguing immunomodulatory properties of metformin. Meanwhile, several studies focus on the impact of metformin on tumor-infiltrating immune cells in various tumor models. In several tumor models, metformin can modulate tumor-infiltrated effector immune cells, CD8+, CD4+ T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, as well as suppressor immune cells, T regulatory cells, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). In this review, we discuss the role of metformin in modulating tumor-infiltrating immune cells in different preclinical models and clinical trials. Both preclinical and clinical studies suggest that metformin holds promise as adjunctive therapy in cancer treatment by modulating the immune response within the tumor microenvironment. Nonetheless, both the tumor type and the combined therapy have an impact on the specific targets of metformin in the TME. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory effects of metformin and to optimize its clinical application in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Abdelmoneim
- Department of Surgery II, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (M.A.A.); (I.R.E.)
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan (S.M.)
| | - Mona Alhussein Aboalela
- Department of Surgery II, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (M.A.A.); (I.R.E.)
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan (S.M.)
| | - Yoshinori Naoe
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan (S.M.)
| | - Shigeru Matsumura
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan (S.M.)
| | - Ibrahim Ragab Eissa
- Department of Surgery II, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (M.A.A.); (I.R.E.)
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan (S.M.)
| | - Itzel Bustos-Villalobos
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan (S.M.)
| | - Patricia Angela Sibal
- Department of Surgery II, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (M.A.A.); (I.R.E.)
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan (S.M.)
| | - Yuhei Takido
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kodera
- Department of Surgery II, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (M.A.A.); (I.R.E.)
| | - Hideki Kasuya
- Cancer Immune Therapy Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan (S.M.)
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Merino A, Maakaron J, Bachanova V. Advances in NK cell therapy for hematologic malignancies: NK source, persistence and tumor targeting. Blood Rev 2023; 60:101073. [PMID: 36959057 PMCID: PMC10979648 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2023.101073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells yield promise in therapy of hematologic malignancies. The clinical experience with adoptively transferred allogeneic NK cells over past two decades has revealed safety and minimal risk of CRS or ICANS. Unlike T cells which have to be genetically altered to avoid graft vs host disease (GVHD), HLA mismatched NK cells can be infused without GVHD risk. This makes them ideal for the development of off-the-shelf products. In this review we focus on NK biology relevant to the cancer therapy, the trajectory of NK therapeutics for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma; and advantages of the NK cell platform. We will also discuss novel methods to enhance NK cell targeting, persistence, and function in the tumor microenvironment. The future of NK cell therapy depends on novel strategies to realize these qualities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee Merino
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Joseph Maakaron
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Veronika Bachanova
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America.
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12
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Liu R, Li T, Zhang G, Jia Y, Liu J, Pan L, Li Y, Jia C. Pancancer Analysis Revealed the Value of RAC2 in Immunotherapy and Cancer Stem Cell. Stem Cells Int 2023; 2023:8485726. [PMID: 37214785 PMCID: PMC10198763 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8485726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the oncogenic effect and clinical significance of RAC2 in pancarcinoma from the perspective of tumor immunity and cancer stem cell. Methods After in-depth mining of TCGA, GEO, UCSC, and other databases, basic information of the RAC2 gene and its expression in tumor tissues as well as the relationship between RAC2 and tumor were analyzed based on survival, mutation, immune microenvironment, tumor stemness, and enrichment analysis on related pathways. Results RAC2 mRNA expression was increased in most tumor tissues and was associated with their prognosis. Compared to normal tissues, the RAC2 mutation rate was higher in patients with skin melanoma, uterine sarcoma, and endometrial cancer. RAC2 had a strong relation with immune cell infiltration, immunomodulators, immunotherapy markers, cancer stem cell of THYM, and immune-related pathways. Conclusions This study explored the potential importance of RAC2 in the prognosis, immunotherapy, and cancer stem cell of 33 cancers, laying the foundation for mechanistic experiments and its future application in clinical practice. However, the results using bioinformatics methods could be affected by the differences in patients across databases. Thus, the present results were preliminary and required further experimental validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranran Liu
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Tianyu Li
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Guohong Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Research on Cardiocerebrovascular Disease, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yejuan Jia
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Jingxuan Liu
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Lijia Pan
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yunfeng Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Research on Cardiocerebrovascular Disease, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Chunsheng Jia
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
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13
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Slater K, Bosch R, Smith KF, Jahangir CA, Garcia-Mulero S, Rahman A, O’Connell F, Piulats JM, O’Neill V, Horgan N, Coupland SE, O’Sullivan J, Gallagher WM, Villanueva A, Kennedy BN. 1,4-dihydroxy quininib modulates the secretome of uveal melanoma tumour explants and a marker of oxidative phosphorylation in a metastatic xenograft model. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 9:1036322. [PMID: 36698840 PMCID: PMC9868667 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1036322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is an intraocular cancer with propensity for liver metastases. The median overall survival (OS) for metastatic UM (MUM) is 1.07 years, with a reported range of 0.84-1.34. In primary UM, high cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT1) expression associates with poor outcomes. CysLT1 antagonists, quininib and 1,4-dihydroxy quininib, alter cancer hallmarks of primary and metastatic UM cell lines in vitro. Here, the clinical relevance of CysLT receptors and therapeutic potential of quininib analogs is elaborated in UM using preclinical in vivo orthotopic xenograft models and ex vivo patient samples. Immunohistochemical staining of an independent cohort (n = 64) of primary UM patients confirmed high CysLT1 expression significantly associates with death from metastatic disease (p = 0.02; HR 2.28; 95% CI 1.08-4.78), solidifying the disease relevance of CysLT1 in UM. In primary UM samples (n = 11) cultured as ex vivo explants, 1,4-dihydroxy quininib significantly alters the secretion of IL-13, IL-2, and TNF-α. In an orthotopic, cell line-derived xenograft model of MUM, 1,4-dihydroxy quininib administered intraperitoneally at 25 mg/kg significantly decreases ATP5B expression (p = 0.03), a marker of oxidative phosphorylation. In UM, high ATP5F1B is a poor prognostic indicator, whereas low ATP5F1B, in combination with disomy 3, correlates with an absence of metastatic disease in the TCGA-UM dataset. These preclinical data highlight the diagnostic potential of CysLT1 and ATP5F1B in UM, and the therapeutic potential of 1,4-dihydroxy quininib with ATP5F1B as a companion diagnostic to treat MUM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh Slater
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland,UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rosa Bosch
- Xenopat S.L., Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kaelin Francis Smith
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland,UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Chowdhury Arif Jahangir
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland,UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sandra Garcia-Mulero
- Unit of Biomarkers and Susceptibility, Oncology Data Analytics Program (ODAP), Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and CIBERESP, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain,Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arman Rahman
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland,UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fiona O’Connell
- Department of Surgery, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Josep M. Piulats
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Cancer (ICO), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL)-OncoBell, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Noel Horgan
- Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sarah E. Coupland
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jacintha O’Sullivan
- Department of Surgery, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - William M. Gallagher
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland,UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alberto Villanueva
- Xenopat S.L., Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,Chemoresistance and Predictive Factors Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE), Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Breandán N. Kennedy
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland,UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland,*Correspondence: Breandán N. Kennedy,
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14
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Chen PC, Kaur K, Ko MW, Huerta-Yepez S, Jain Y, Jewett A. Regulation of Cytotoxic Immune Effector Function by AJ3 Probiotic Bacteria in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Crit Rev Immunol 2023; 43:13-26. [PMID: 37522558 DOI: 10.1615/critrevimmunol.2023047231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Our recent studies indicated that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients suffer from significantly elevated levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) secretion by natural killer (NK) and CD8+ T cells, which may be responsible for the immune-pathologies seen in central nervous system and in peripheral organs of the patients. In order to counter such elevated induction of IFN-γ in patients we designed a treatment strategy to increase anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) by the use of probiotic strains which significantly increase the levels of IL-10. Therefore, in this paper we demonstrate disease specific functions of Al-Pro (AJ3) formulated for the adjunct treatment of auto-immune diseases including ALS, and compared the function with CA/I-Pro (AJ4) for the treatment of cancer and viral diseases, and NK-CLK (AJ2) for maintenance of immune balance and promotion of disease prevention. The three different formulations of probiotic bacteria have distinct profiles of activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), NK, and CD8+ T cells, and their induced activation is different from those mediated by either IL-2 or IL-2 + anti-CD16 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or IL-2 + anti-CD3/CD28 mAbs. IL-2 + anti-CD16 mAb activation of PBMCs and NK cells had the highest IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio, whereas IL-2 combination with sAJ4 had the next highest followed by IL-2 + sAJ2 and the lowest was seen with IL-2 + sAJ3. Accordingly, the highest secretion of IFN-γ was seen when the PBMCs and NK cells were treated with IL-2 + sAJ4, intermediate for IL-2 + sAJ2 and the lowest with IL-2 + sAJ3. The levels of IFN-γ induction and the ratio of IFN-γ to IL-10 induced by different probiotic bacteria formulation in the absence of IL-2 treatment remained much lower when compared to those treated in the presence of IL-2. Of note is the difference between NK cells and CD8+ T cells in which synergistic induction of IFN-y by IL-2 + sAJ4 was significantly higher in NK cells than those seen by CD8+ T cells. Based on these results, sAJ3 should be effective in alleviating auto-immunity seen in ALS since it will greatly regulate the levels and function of IFN-γ negatively, decreasing overactivation of cytotoxic immune effectors and prevention of death in motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Chun Chen
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Meng-Wei Ko
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sara Huerta-Yepez
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yash Jain
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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15
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Kaur K, Jewett A. Supercharged NK Cell-Based Immuotherapy in Humanized Bone Marrow Liver and Thymus (Hu-BLT) Mice Model of Oral, Pancreatic, Glioblastoma, Hepatic, Melanoma and Ovarian Cancers. Crit Rev Immunol 2023; 43:13-25. [PMID: 37938193 DOI: 10.1615/critrevimmunol.2023050618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we review a number of in vitro and in vivo studies regarding the efficacy of supercharged NK (sNK) cell therapy in elimination or treatment of cancer. We have performed studies using six different types of cancer models of oral, pancreatic, glioblastoma, melanoma, hepatic and ovarian cancers using hu-BLT mice. Our in vitro studies demonstrated that primary NK cells preferentially target cancer stem-like cells (CSCs)/poorly differentiated tumors whereas sNK cells target both CSCs/poorly-differentiated and well-differentiated tumors significantly higher than primary activated NK cells. Our in vivo studies in humanized-BLT mice showed that sNK cells alone or in combination with other cancer therapeutics prevented tumor growth and metastasis. In addition, sNK cells were able to increase IFN-γ secretion and cytotoxic function by the immune cells in bone marrow, spleen, gingiva, pancreas and peripheral blood. Furthermore, sNK cells were able to increase the expansion and function of CD8+ T cells both in in vitro and in vivo studies. Overall, our studies demonstrated that sNK cells alone or in combination with other cancer therapeutics were not only effective against eliminating aggressive cancers, but were also able to increase the expansion and function of CD8+ T cells to further target cancer cells, providing a successful approach to eradicate and cure cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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16
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High-Frequency Nanosecond Bleomycin Electrochemotherapy and its Effects on Changes in the Immune System and Survival. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246254. [PMID: 36551739 PMCID: PMC9776811 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, a time-dependent and time-independent study on bleomycin-based high-frequency nsECT (3.5 kV/cm × 200 pulses) for the elimination of LLC1 tumours in C57BL/6J mice is performed. We show the efficiency of nsECT (200 ns and 700 ns delivered at 1 kHz and 1 MHz) for the elimination of tumours in mice and increase of their survival. The dynamics of the immunomodulatory effects were observed after electrochemotherapy by investigating immune cell populations and antitumour antibodies at different timepoints after the treatment. ECT treatment resulted in an increased percentage of CD4+ T, splenic memory B and tumour-associated dendritic cell subsets. Moreover, increased levels of antitumour IgG antibodies after ECT treatment were detected. Based on the time-dependent study results, nsECT treatment upregulated PD 1 expression on splenic CD4+ Tr1 cells, increased the expansion of splenic CD8+ T, CD4+CD8+ T, plasma cells and the proportion of tumour-associated pro inflammatory macrophages. The Lin- population of immune cells that was increased in the spleens and tumour after nsECT was identified. It was shown that nsECT prolonged survival of the treated mice and induced significant changes in the immune system, which shows a promising alliance of nanosecond electrochemotherapy and immunotherapy.
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17
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Focus on organoids: cooperation and interconnection with extracellular vesicles - Is this the future of in vitro modeling? Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:367-381. [PMID: 34896267 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Organoids are simplified in vitro model systems of organs that are used for modeling tissue development and disease, drug screening, cell therapy, and personalized medicine. Despite considerable success in the design of organoids, challenges remain in achieving real-life applications. Organoids serve as unique and organized groups of micro physiological systems that are capable of self-renewal and self-organization. Moreover, they exhibit similar organ functionality(ies) as that of tissue(s) of origin. Organoids can be designed from adult stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, or embryonic stem cells. They consist of most of the important cell types of the desired tissue/organ along with the topology and cell-cell interactions that are highly similar to those of an in vivo tissue/organ. Organoids have gained interest in human biomedical research, as they demonstrate high promise for use in basic, translational, and applied research. As in vitro models, organoids offer significant opportunities for reducing the reliance and use of experimental animals. In this review, we will provide an overview of organoids, as well as those intercellular communications mediated by extracellular vesicles (EVs), and discuss the importance of organoids in modeling a tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Organoids can also be exploited to develop a better understanding of intercellular communications mediated by EVs. Also, organoids are useful in mimicking TIME, thereby offering a better-controlled environment for studying various associated biological processes and immune cell types involved in tumor immunity, such as T-cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, among others.
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18
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Talaat IM, Elemam NM, Zaher S, Saber-Ayad M. Checkpoint molecules on infiltrating immune cells in colorectal tumor microenvironment. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:955599. [PMID: 36072957 PMCID: PMC9441912 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.955599] [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: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancer types worldwide, with a high mortality rate due to metastasis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) contains multiple interactions between the tumor and the host, thus determining CRC initiation and progression. Various immune cells exist within the TME, such as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs). The immunotherapy approach provides novel opportunities to treat solid tumors, especially toward immune checkpoints. Despite the advances in the immunotherapy of CRC, there are still obstacles to successful treatment. In this review, we highlighted the role of these immune cells in CRC, with a particular emphasis on immune checkpoint molecules involved in CRC pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman M. Talaat
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Noha M. Elemam
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- *Correspondence: Noha M. Elemam,
| | - Shroque Zaher
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maha Saber-Ayad
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Maha Saber-Ayad,
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19
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Sabag B, Levy M, Kivelevitz J, Dashevsky N, Ben-Shmuel A, Puthenveetil A, Awwad F, Barda-Saad M. Actin Retrograde Flow Regulated by the Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome Protein Drives the Natural Killer Cell Response. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153756. [PMID: 35954420 PMCID: PMC9367451 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the crosstalk between natural killer (NK) cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) has enhanced the potential of exploiting the interplay between activation and inhibition of NK cells for immunotherapy. This interaction is crucial for understanding how tumor cells escape NK cell immune surveillance. NK cell dysfunction is regulated by two molecular mechanisms, downregulated activating receptor ligand expression on the tumor cells, and upregulated inhibitory signals delivered to NK cells. Recent studies demonstrated the role of mechanotransduction in modulating NK cell responses in the TME. The immunological synapse represents a functional interface between the NK cell and its target, regulated by Actin Retrograde Flow (ARF), which drives the adhesion molecules and receptors toward the central zone of the immunological synapse (IS). Here, we further characterize the role of ARF in controlling the immune response of NK cells, using CRISPR/cas9-mediated Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASp) gene silencing of NK cells. We demonstrate that WASp regulates ARF velocity, affecting the conformation and function of the key NK inhibitory regulator, SH2-domain containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1), and consequently, the NK cell response. Our results demonstrate the potential of modulating the biophysical and intracellular regulation of NK activation as a promising approach for improving immunotherapy.
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20
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Mealiea D, McCart JA. Cutting both ways: the innate immune response to oncolytic virotherapy. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:629-646. [PMID: 34453122 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00351-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs), above and beyond infecting and lysing malignant cells, interact with the immune system in complex ways that have important therapeutic significance. While investigation into these interactions is still in its early stages, important insights have been made over the past two decades that will help improve the clinical efficacy of OV-based management strategies in cancer care moving forward. The inherent immunosuppression that defines the tumor microenvironment can be modified by OV infection, and the subsequent recruitment and activation of innate immune cells, in particular, is central to this. Indeed, neutrophils, macrophages, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells, as well as other populations such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells, are key to the immune escape that allows tumors to survive, but their natural response to infection can be exploited by virotherapy. While stimulation of innate immune cells by OVs can initiate antitumor responses, related antiviral activity can limit virus spread and direct cytopathogenic effects. In this review, we highlight how each innate immune cell population influences this balance of antitumor and antiviral forces during virotherapy, some of the important molecular pathways that have been identified, and specific therapeutic targets that have emerged through this work. We discuss the importance of OV-based combination therapies in optimizing antiviral and antitumor innate immune responses stimulated by virotherapy toward tumor eradication, and how these processes vary depending on the tumor and OV in question. Rather than concentrating on a particular OV species in the review, we present the range of effects that have been documented across OV types to emphasize the context-specific nature of these interactions and how this is important in the design of future OV-based treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mealiea
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - J Andrea McCart
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
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21
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Mylod E, Lysaght J, Conroy MJ. Natural killer cell therapy: A new frontier for obesity-associated cancer. Cancer Lett 2022; 535:215620. [PMID: 35283210 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell infiltration of solid tumours is associated with better outcomes, placing augmentation of NK cell abundance in tumours as an attractive immunotherapeutic approach. The unique ability of NK cells to target cancer cells without antigen specificity increases their versatility and applicability as an immunotherapeutic tool. However, successful utilisation of NK cell-based therapies in solid tumours is still at an early stage. Obesity has become a global health epidemic, and the prevalence of obesity-associated cancers has significantly increased. Obesity-associated malignancies provide a unique challenge for the successful application of cell-based immunotherapies including NK cell-based therapies because significant numbers of NK and T cells are recruited to the visceral adipose tissue at the expense of successful tumour infiltration and eradication. As such, immunotherapy efficacy has been disappointing for obesity-associated malignancies such as oesophageal and gastric adenocarcinoma. Therefore, immunotherapies for obesity-associated cancers warrant our further attention. Indeed, it is becoming ever more obvious that more innovative approaches are needed to re-invigorate anti-tumour immunity and overcome immune exclusion in such tumours. In this review, we briefly summarise the dysfunctionality of NK cells in obesity-associated cancer. We outline the NK cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches which hold promise as effective treatments in this disease space, including CAR-NK cells. Furthermore, we suggest future avenues which possess the potential to transform immunotherapy and specifically NK cell therapy efficacy for obesity-associated cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eimear Mylod
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute and Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, St. James's Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, 8, Ireland
| | - Joanne Lysaght
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute and Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, St. James's Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, 8, Ireland
| | - Melissa J Conroy
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute and Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, St. James's Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, 8, Ireland; Cancer Immunology Research Group, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, 2, Ireland.
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22
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Valenzuela PL, Saco-Ledo G, Santos-Lozano A, Morales JS, Castillo-García A, Simpson RJ, Lucia A, Fiuza-Luces C. Exercise Training and Natural Killer Cells in Cancer Survivors: Current Evidence and Research Gaps Based on a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. SPORTS MEDICINE - OPEN 2022; 8:36. [PMID: 35244811 PMCID: PMC8897541 DOI: 10.1186/s40798-022-00419-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background Exercise training can positively impact the immune system and particularly natural killer (NK) cells, at least in healthy people. This effect would be of relevance in the context of cancer given the prominent role of these cells in antitumor immunity. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to summarize current evidence on the effects of exercise training on the levels and function of NK cells in cancer survivors (i.e., from the time of diagnosis until the end of life). Methods Relevant articles were searched in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (until January 11, 2022). Randomized controlled trials (RCT) of exercise training (i.e., non-acute) interventions vs usual care conducted in cancer survivors and assessing NK number and/or cytotoxic activity (NKCA) before and upon completion of the intervention were included. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed with the PEDro scale, and results were meta-analyzed using a random effects (Dersimoian and Laird) model. Results Thirteen RCT including 459 participants (mean age ranging 11–63 years) met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality of the studies was overall fair (median PEDro score = 5 out of 10). There was heterogeneity across studies regarding cancer types (breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors), treatment (e.g., receiving vs having received chemotherapy), exercise modes (aerobic or resistance exercise, Tai Chi, Yoga) and duration (2–24 weeks). No consistent effects were observed for NK number in blood (mean difference [MD]: 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] − 0.35 to 3.29, p = 0.113) or NKCA as assessed in vitro (MD: − 0.02, 95%CI − 0.17 to 0.14, p = 0.834). However, mixed results existed across studies, and some could not be meta-analyzed due to lack of information or methodological heterogeneity. Conclusions Current evidence does not support a significant effect of exercise training intervention on NK cells in blood or on their ‘static response’ (as assessed in vitro) in cancer survivors. Several methodological issues and research gaps are highlighted in this review, which should be considered in future studies to draw definite conclusions on this topic. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40798-022-00419-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro L Valenzuela
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Physical Activity and Health Research Group (PaHerg), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital, '12 de Octubre' ('imas12'), Centro de Actividades Ambulatorias (CAA), 7ª Planta, Bloque D, Av. de Córdoba s/n, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Saco-Ledo
- Physical Activity and Health Research Group (PaHerg), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital, '12 de Octubre' ('imas12'), Centro de Actividades Ambulatorias (CAA), 7ª Planta, Bloque D, Av. de Córdoba s/n, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Santos-Lozano
- Physical Activity and Health Research Group (PaHerg), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital, '12 de Octubre' ('imas12'), Centro de Actividades Ambulatorias (CAA), 7ª Planta, Bloque D, Av. de Córdoba s/n, 28041, Madrid, Spain.,I+HeALTH, Department of Health Sciences, European University Miguel de Cervantes, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Javier S Morales
- MOVE-IT Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cadiz, Cadiz, Spain
| | | | - Richard J Simpson
- School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Department of Immunobiology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Alejandro Lucia
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Physical Activity and Health Research Group (PaHerg), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital, '12 de Octubre' ('imas12'), Centro de Actividades Ambulatorias (CAA), 7ª Planta, Bloque D, Av. de Córdoba s/n, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Fiuza-Luces
- Physical Activity and Health Research Group (PaHerg), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital, '12 de Octubre' ('imas12'), Centro de Actividades Ambulatorias (CAA), 7ª Planta, Bloque D, Av. de Córdoba s/n, 28041, Madrid, Spain.
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23
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Sawasdee N, Wattanapanitch M, Thongsin N, Phanthaphol N, Chiawpanit C, Thuwajit C, Yenchitsomanus PT, Panya A. Doxorubicin sensitizes breast cancer cells to natural killer cells in connection with increased Fas receptors. Int J Mol Med 2022; 49:40. [PMID: 35119077 PMCID: PMC8815410 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2022.5095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women. Although standard treatments are successful in patients with BC diagnosed at an early stage, an alternative treatment is required for patients with advanced-stage disease who do not respond to these treatments. The concept of using chemotherapy to sensitize cancer cells to become susceptible to immunotherapy was recently introduced and may be used as an alternative treatment for BC. The chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin has been reported to sensitize cancer cells; however, the efficacy to sensitize the solid spheroids, in addition to its underlying mechanism regarding how doxorubicin sensitizes BC, has not previously been explored. In the present study, the effectiveness of a combined treatment of doxorubicin and natural killer-92 (NK-92) cells against BC in either 2D or 3D spheroid models, and its association with Fas receptor (FasR) expression, was demonstrated. The BC (MCF7) cell line expressing a higher level of FasR was more sensitive to NK-92 cell killing than the MDA-MB-231 cell line, which expressed a lower level of FasR. A sublethal dose of doxorubicin caused a significant improvement in NK cytotoxicity. Concordantly, a significant reduction in cell viability was observed in the doxorubicin-treated MCF7 spheroids. Notably, flow cytometric analysis revealed significantly increased FasR expression in the MCF7 cells, suggesting the underlying sensitization mechanism of doxorubicin in BC was related to the FasR upregulation. The present findings supported the use of combined doxorubicin and NK immunotherapy in BC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunghathai Sawasdee
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Methichit Wattanapanitch
- Siriraj Center for Regenerative Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Nontaphat Thongsin
- Siriraj Center for Regenerative Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Nattaporn Phanthaphol
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Chutipa Chiawpanit
- Department of Biology, Industry and Medicine, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Chanitra Thuwajit
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Pa-Thai Yenchitsomanus
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Aussara Panya
- Department of Biology, Industry and Medicine, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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24
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Nandagopal S, Li CG, Xu Y, Sodji QH, Graves EE, Giaccia AJ. C3aR Signaling Inhibits NK-cell Infiltration into the Tumor Microenvironment in Mouse Models. Cancer Immunol Res 2022; 10:245-258. [PMID: 34819308 PMCID: PMC9351714 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Many solid tumors have low levels of cytotoxic CD56dim natural killer (NK) cells, suggesting that CD56dim NK-cell exclusion from the tumor microenvironment (TME) contributes to the decreased response rate of immunotherapy. Complement component 3a (C3a) is known for its tumor-promoting and immunosuppressive roles in solid tumors. Previous reports have implicated the involvement of the C3a receptor (C3aR) in immune cell trafficking into the TME. C3aR is predominantly expressed on the surface of activated cytotoxic NK cells, but a specific role for C3aR in NK-cell biology has not been investigated. Because solid tumors generate elevated C3a and have decreased NK-cell infiltration, we hypothesized that C3aR might play a role in cytotoxic NK-cell recruitment into the TME. Our results indicate that blocking C3aR signaling in NK cells increased NK-cell infiltration into the TME in mouse models and led to tumor regression. Because the critical lymphocyte trafficking integrin LFA-1 orchestrates the migration of activated NK cells, we wanted to gain insight into the interaction between C3aR signaling and LFA-1. Our results demonstrated that direct interaction between C3aR and LFA-1, which led to a high-affinity LFA-1 conformation, decreased NK-cell infiltration into the TME. We propose that approaches to enhance cytotoxic NK-cell infiltration into the TME, through either disrupting C3a and C3aR interaction or inhibiting the formation of high-affinity LFA-1, represent a new strategy to improve the efficiency of immunotherapy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saravanan Nandagopal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Caiyun G Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Yu Xu
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford, California
| | - Quaovi H Sodji
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Edward E Graves
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Amato J Giaccia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
- MRC/CRUK Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology and Gray Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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25
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Yu DL, Lou ZP, Ma FY, Najafi M. The interactions of paclitaxel with tumour microenvironment. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 105:108555. [PMID: 35121223 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Today, it is well-known that the interactions and secretion within the tumour are crucial to consider for cancer therapy. Some novel cancer therapy modalities such as immunotherapy or tumour vaccination therapy work based on the control of interactions within the tumour microenvironment (TME). It has been revealed that anti-cancer drugs or radiotherapy can modulate some interactions in favour of cancer therapy. However, they may induce some mechanisms to increase the resistance of cancer cells to therapy. Paclitaxel is known as the first approved herbal derived chemotherapy drug. Although the main known anti-cancer effect of paclitaxel is the inhibition of the cell cycle, today, it has been well known that paclitaxel may suppress the tumour via modulating several interactions in TME. Furthermore, paclitaxel may increase the expression of some tumour resistance drivers. This review aims to discuss the interactions within TME following treatment with paclitaxel. The effects of paclitaxel on the anti-tumour immunity, immunosuppressive cells, hypoxia, and also angiogenesis will be discussed. The targeting of these interactions may be interesting to increase therapy efficiency using the combination modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ding-Li Yu
- Zhuji People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhuji Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Zhuji, Zhejiang 311800, China.
| | - Zhi-Ping Lou
- Zhuji People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhuji Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Zhuji, Zhejiang 311800, China
| | - Feng-Yun Ma
- Zhuji People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhuji Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Zhuji, Zhejiang 311800, China
| | - Masoud Najafi
- Medical Technology Research Center, Institute of Health Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Department, School of Paramedical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
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26
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Li JH, O’Sullivan TE. Back to the Future: Spatiotemporal Determinants of NK Cell Antitumor Function. Front Immunol 2022; 12:816658. [PMID: 35082797 PMCID: PMC8785903 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.816658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells play a crucial role in host protection during tumorigenesis. Throughout tumor development, however, NK cells become progressively dysfunctional through a combination of dynamic tissue-specific and systemic factors. While a number of immunosuppressive mechanisms present within the tumor microenvironment have been characterized, few studies have contextualized the spatiotemporal dynamics of these mechanisms during disease progression and across anatomical sites. Understanding how NK cell immunosuppression evolves in these contexts will be necessary to optimize NK cell therapy for solid and metastatic cancers. Here, we outline the spatiotemporal determinants of antitumor NK cell regulation, including heterogeneous tumor architecture, temporal disease states, diverse cellular communities, as well as the complex changes in NK cell states produced by the sum of these higher-order elements. Understanding of the signals encountered by NK cells across time and space may reveal new therapeutic targets to harness the full potential of NK cell therapy for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joey H. Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Timothy E. O’Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
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27
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Manoochehri M, Hielscher T, Borhani N, Gerhäuser C, Fletcher O, Swerdlow AJ, Ko YD, Brauch H, Brüning T, Hamann U. Epigenetic quantification of circulating immune cells in peripheral blood of triple-negative breast cancer patients. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:207. [PMID: 34789319 PMCID: PMC8596937 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01196-1] [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: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A shift in the proportions of blood immune cells is a hallmark of cancer development. Here, we investigated whether methylation-derived immune cell type ratios and methylation-derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (mdNLRs) are associated with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). METHODS Leukocyte subtype-specific unmethylated/methylated CpG sites were selected, and methylation levels at these sites were used as proxies for immune cell type proportions and mdNLR estimation in 231 TNBC cases and 231 age-matched controls. Data were validated using the Houseman deconvolution method. Additionally, the natural killer (NK) cell ratio was measured in a prospective sample set of 146 TNBC cases and 146 age-matched controls. RESULTS The mdNLRs were higher in TNBC cases compared with controls and associated with TNBC (odds ratio (OR) range (2.66-4.29), all Padj. < 1e-04). A higher neutrophil ratio and lower ratios of NK cells, CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, monocytes, and B cells were associated with TNBC. The strongest association was observed with decreased NK cell ratio (OR range (1.28-1.42), all Padj. < 1e-04). The NK cell ratio was also significantly lower in pre-diagnostic samples of TNBC cases compared with controls (P = 0.019). CONCLUSION This immunomethylomic study shows that a shift in the ratios/proportions of leukocyte subtypes is associated with TNBC, with decreased NK cell showing the strongest association. These findings improve our knowledge of the role of the immune system in TNBC and point to the possibility of using NK cell level as a non-invasive molecular marker for TNBC risk assessment, early detection, and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Manoochehri
- Molecular Genetics of Breast Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Department of in-Vitro Diagnostics, Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Thomas Hielscher
- Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nasim Borhani
- Molecular Genetics of Breast Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Clarissa Gerhäuser
- Cancer Epigenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olivia Fletcher
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Anthony J Swerdlow
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.,Division of Genetics and Epidemiology and Division of Breast Cancer Research, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Yon-Dschun Ko
- Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelische Kliniken Bonn gGmbH, Johanniter Krankenhaus, 53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hiltrud Brauch
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany.,iFIT Cluster of Excellence, University of Tübingen, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner Site Tübingen, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Brüning
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ute Hamann
- Molecular Genetics of Breast Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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28
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Hsu LJ, Liu CL, Kuo ML, Shen CN, Shen CR. An Alternative Cell Therapy for Cancers: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-Derived Natural Killer Cells. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1323. [PMID: 34680440 PMCID: PMC8533510 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy is usually defined as the treatment or prevention of human disease by supplementation with cells that have been selected, manipulated, and pharmacologically treated or altered outside the body (ex vivo). Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), with their unique characteristics of indefinite expansion in cultures and genetic modifications, represent an ideal cell source for differentiation into specialized cell types. Cell therapy has recently become one of the most promising therapeutic approaches for cancers, and different immune cell types are selected as therapeutic platforms. Natural killer (NK) cells are shown to be effective tumor cell killers and do not cause graft-vs-host disease (GVHD), making them excellent candidates for, and facilitating the development of, "off-the-shelf" cell therapies. In this review, we summarize the progress in the past decade in the advent of iPSC technology and review recent developments in gene-modified iPSC-NK cells as readily available "off-the-shelf" cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Jie Hsu
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
- PhD Program in Biotechnology Industry, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Lin Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei 243, Taiwan;
- Biochemical Technology R&D Center, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei 243, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Ling Kuo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
- Center of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Lin-Kou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, New Taipei Municipal TuCheng Hospital, New Taipei 236, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ning Shen
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan;
| | - Chia-Rui Shen
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
- PhD Program in Biotechnology Industry, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Center of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lin-Kou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
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29
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Development and Validation of a TNF Family-Based Signature for Predicting Prognosis, Tumor Immune Characteristics, and Immunotherapy Response in Colorectal Cancer Patients. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:6439975. [PMID: 34541005 PMCID: PMC8448595 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6439975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, a comprehensive analysis of TNF family members in colorectal cancer (CRC) was conducted and a TNF family-based signature (TFS) was generated to predict prognosis and immunotherapy response. Using the expression data of 516 CRC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, TNF family members were screened to construct a TFS by using the univariate Cox proportional hazards regression and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator- (LASSO-) Cox proportional hazards regression method. The TFS was then validated in a meta-Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) cohort (n = 1162) from the GEO database. Additionally, the tumor immune characteristics and predicted responses to immune checkpoint blockade in TFS-based risk subgroups were analyzed. Eight genes (TNFRSF11A, TNFRSF10C, TNFRSF10B, TNFSF11, TNFRSF25, TNFRSF19, LTBR, and NGFR) were used to construct the TFS. Compared to the high-risk patients, the low-risk patients had better overall survival, which was verified by the GEO data. In addition, a high TFS risk score was associated with high infiltration of regulatory T cells (Tregs), nonactivated macrophages (M0), natural killer cells, immune escape phenotypes, poor immunotherapy response, and tumorigenic and metastasis-related pathways. Conversely, a low TFS risk score was related to high infiltration of resting CD4 memory T cells and resting dendritic cells, few immune escape phenotypes, and high sensitivity to immunotherapy. Thus, the eight gene-based TFS is a promising index to predict the prognosis, immune characteristics, and immunotherapy response in CRC, and our results also provide new understanding of the role of the TNF family members in the prognosis and treatment of CRC.
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30
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Abstract
Despite the ability of immune-based interventions to dramatically increase the survival of patients with melanoma, a significant subset fail to benefit from this treatment, underscoring the need for accurate means to identify the patient population likely to respond to immunotherapy. Understanding how melanoma evades natural or manipulated immune responses could provide the information needed to identify such resistant individuals. Efforts to address this challenge are hampered by the vast immune diversity characterizing tumor microenvironments that remain largely understudied. It is thus important to more clearly elucidate the complex interactions that take place between the tumor microenvironment and host immune system.
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31
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Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Engineered Natural Killer (CAR NK) Cells in Cancer Treatment; Recent Advances and Future Prospects. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 17:2081-2106. [PMID: 34472037 PMCID: PMC8410173 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10246-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are critical members of the innate immunity lymphocytes and have a critical role in host defense against malignant cells. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) redirects the specificity of the immune cell against a target-specific antigen. ACT has recently created an outstanding opportunity for cancer treatment. Unlike CAR-armored T cells which hadnsome shortcomings as the CAR-receiving construct, Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independency, shorter lifespan, the potential to produce an off-the-shelf immune product, and potent anti-tumor properties of the NK cells has introduced NK cells as a potent alternative target for expression of CAR. Here, we aim to provide an updated overview on the current improvements in CAR NK design and immunobiology and describe the potential of CAR-modified NK cells as an alternative “off-the-shelf” carrier of CAR. We also provide lists for the sources of NK cells in the process of CAR NK cell production, different methods for transduction of the CAR genetic sequence to NK cells, the differences between CAR T and CAR NK, and CAR NK-targeted tumor antigens in current studies. Additionally, we provide data on recently published preclinical and clinical studies of CAR NK therapy and a list of finished and ongoing clinical trials. For achieving CAR NK products with higher efficacy and safety, we discuss current challenges in transduction and expansion of CAR NK cells, CAR NK therapy side effects, and challenges that limit the optimal efficacy of CAR NK cells and recommend possible solutions to enhance the persistence, function, safety, and efficacy of CAR NK cells with a special focus on solid tumors.
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32
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Becicka WM, Bielecki PA, Lorkowski ME, Moon TJ, Zhang Y, Atukorale PU, Covarrubias G, Karathanasis E. The effect of PEGylation on the efficacy and uptake of an immunostimulatory nanoparticle in the tumor immune microenvironment. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2021; 3:4961-4972. [PMID: 34485818 PMCID: PMC8386411 DOI: 10.1039/d1na00308a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of immunotherapies is often limited by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which is populated with dysfunctional innate immune cells. To reprogram the tumor-resident innate immune cells, we developed immunostimulatory silica mesoporous nanoparticles (immuno-MSN). The cargo of immuno-MSN is a Stimulator of Interferon Gene (STING) agonist, which activates innate immune cells leading to production of interferon (IFN) β. By proficiently trafficking its cargo into immune cells, the immuno-MSN induced a 9-fold increase of IFN-β secretion compared to free agonist. While an external PEG shield has historically been used to protect nanoparticles from immune recognition, a PEGylated immunostimulatory nanoparticle needs to strike a balance between immune evasion to avoid off-site accumulation and uptake by target immune cells in tumors. Using the 4T1 mouse model of metastatic breast cancer and flow cytometry, it was determined that the degree of PEGylation significantly influenced the uptake of 'empty' MSNs by tumor-resident innate immune cells. This was not the case for the agonist-loaded immuno-MSN variants. It should be noted the surface charge of the 'empty' MSNs was positive rather than neutral for the agonist-loaded immuno-MSNs. However, even though the cellular uptake was similar at 24 h after injection for the three immuno-MSN variants, we observed a significant beneficial effect on the activation and expansion of APCs especially in lung metastasis using the lightly PEGylated immuno-MSN variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wyatt M Becicka
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland OH USA
| | - Peter A Bielecki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland OH USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland OH USA
| | - Morgan E Lorkowski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland OH USA
| | - Taylor J Moon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland OH USA
| | - Yahan Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland OH USA
| | - Prabhani U Atukorale
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland OH USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland OH USA
| | - Gil Covarrubias
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland OH USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland OH USA
| | - Efstathios Karathanasis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland OH USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland OH USA
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33
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Kirhan I, Taskiran H, Gönel A. Effect of Conventional Chemotherapies on Natural Killer Cell Activity. CURRENT CANCER THERAPY REVIEWS 2021. [DOI: 10.2174/1573394717666210223111332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background:
The effects of chemotherapeutics agents are considered to influence the
immune system and cells due to their myelosuppressive and immunosuppressive functions. Natural
killer cells are one of the important components of the innate immune system and have a critical
role against tumor cells and infections.
Objective:
The study was aimed to demonstrate whether conventional chemotherapies had an effect
on Natural Killer (NK) cell activity.
Methods:
Forty-nine adjuvant and 19 first-time metastatic chemotherapy-naïve cancer patients
were recruited into the study. Blood samples at pre-chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy, at 1st
and 4th cycles, were obtained for NK cell activity.
Results:
We found no difference between baseline and post-chemotherapy NK cell activity levels.
In addition, we found no difference between pre-chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy NK cell activity
in both adjuvant and metastatic cancer patients separately.
Conclusion:
Conventional chemotherapy seems to have no effect on NK cell activity levels in cancer
patients in both metastatic and adjuvant settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idris Kirhan
- Department of Medicinal Internal Medicine, Medicine Faculty, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Huseyin Taskiran
- Department of Medicinal Internal Medicine, Medicine Faculty, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Ataman Gönel
- Department of Biochemistry, Medicine Faculty, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
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34
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Ding H, Buzzard GW, Huang S, Sehorn MG, Marcus RK, Wei Y. MICA-G129R: A bifunctional fusion protein increases PRLR-positive breast cancer cell death in co-culture with natural killer cells. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252662. [PMID: 34077462 PMCID: PMC8172023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer cells were reported to up-regulate human prolactin receptor (PRLR) to assist their growth through the utilization of prolactin (PRL) as the growth factor, which makes PRLR a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer. On the other hand, advanced cancer cells tend to down-regulate or shed off stress signal proteins to evade immune surveillance and elimination. In this report, we created a fusion protein consisting of the extracellular domain of MHC class I chain-related protein (MICA), a stress signal protein and ligand of the activating receptor NKG2D of natural killer (NK) cells, and G129R, an antagonistic variant of PRL. We hypothesize that the MICA portion of the fusion protein binds to NKG2D to activate NK cells and the G129R portion binds to PRLR on breast cancer cells, so that the activated NK cells will kill the PRLR-positive breast cancer cells. We demonstrated that the MICA-G129R fusion protein not only binds to human natural killer NK-92 cells and PRLR-positive human breast cancer T-47D cells, but also promotes NK cells to release granzyme B and IFN-γ and enhances the cytotoxicity of NK cells specifically on PRLR-positive cells. The fusion protein, therefore, represents a new approach for the development of breast cancer specific immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ding
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Garrett W. Buzzard
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sisi Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Michael G. Sehorn
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - R. Kenneth Marcus
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Yanzhang Wei
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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35
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Li T, Copeland C, Le A. Glutamine Metabolism in Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1311:17-38. [PMID: 34014532 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-65768-0_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Metabolism is a fundamental process for all cellular functions. For decades, there has been growing evidence of a relationship between metabolism and malignant cell proliferation. Unlike normal differentiated cells, cancer cells have reprogrammed metabolism in order to fulfill their energy requirements. These cells display crucial modifications in many metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis and glutaminolysis, which include the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, the electron transport chain (ETC), and the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) [1]. Since the discovery of the Warburg effect, it has been shown that the metabolism of cancer cells plays a critical role in cancer survival and growth. More recent research suggests that the involvement of glutamine in cancer metabolism is more significant than previously thought. Glutamine, a nonessential amino acid with both amine and amide functional groups, is the most abundant amino acid circulating in the bloodstream [2]. This chapter discusses the characteristic features of glutamine metabolism in cancers and the therapeutic options to target glutamine metabolism for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Li
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Anne Le
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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36
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Ehlers FAI, Mahaweni NM, Olieslagers TI, Bos GMJ, Wieten L. Activated Natural Killer Cells Withstand the Relatively Low Glucose Concentrations Found in the Bone Marrow of Multiple Myeloma Patients. Front Oncol 2021; 11:622896. [PMID: 34094908 PMCID: PMC8174784 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.622896] [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: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Infusion of ex vivo expanded and cytokine-activated natural killer (NK) cells is a promising alternative way to treat multiple myeloma (MM). However, the tumor microenvironment (TME) may suppress their function. While reduced glucose availability is a TME hallmark of many solid tumors, glucose levels within the TME of hematological malignancies residing in the bone marrow (BM) remain unknown. Here, we measured glucose levels in the BM of MM patients and tested the effect of different glucose levels on NK cells. BM glucose levels were measured using a biochemical analyzer. Compared to the normal range of blood glucose, BM glucose levels were lower in 6 of 9 patients (479-1231 mg/L; mean=731.8 mg/L). The effect of different glucose levels on NK cell cytotoxicity was tested in 4-hour cytotoxicity assays with tumor cells. 500 mg/L glucose (representing low range of MM BM) during the 4-hour cytotoxicity assay did not negatively affect cytotoxicity of activated NK cells, while higher glucose concentrations (4000 mg/L) diminished NK cell cytotoxicity. Since clinical application of NK cell therapy might require ex vivo expansion, expanded NK cells were exposed to a range of glucose concentrations from 500-4000 mg/L for a longer period (4 days). This did not reduce cytotoxicity or IFN-γ secretion nor affected their phenotypic profile. In summary, low glucose concentrations, as found in BM of MM patients, by itself did not compromise the anti-tumor potential of IL-2 activated NK cells in vitro. Although follow up studies in models with a more complex TME would be relevant, our data suggest that highly activated NK cells could be used to target tumors with a reduced glucose environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke A I Ehlers
- Department of Transplantation Immunology, Tissue Typing Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, Netherlands.,GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Niken M Mahaweni
- Department of Transplantation Immunology, Tissue Typing Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, Netherlands.,GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Timo I Olieslagers
- Department of Transplantation Immunology, Tissue Typing Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, Netherlands.,GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Gerard M J Bos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, Netherlands.,GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Lotte Wieten
- Department of Transplantation Immunology, Tissue Typing Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, Netherlands.,GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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37
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Jhunjhunwala S, Hammer C, Delamarre L. Antigen presentation in cancer: insights into tumour immunogenicity and immune evasion. Nat Rev Cancer 2021; 21:298-312. [PMID: 33750922 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00339-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 577] [Impact Index Per Article: 192.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade, which blocks inhibitory signals of T cell activation, has shown tremendous success in treating cancer, although success still remains limited to a fraction of patients. To date, clinically effective CD8+ T cell responses appear to target predominantly antigens derived from tumour-specific mutations that accumulate in cancer, also called neoantigens. Tumour antigens are displayed on the surface of cells by class I human leukocyte antigens (HLA-I). To elicit an effective antitumour response, antigen presentation has to be successful at two distinct events: first, cancer antigens have to be taken up by dendritic cells (DCs) and cross-presented for CD8+ T cell priming. Second, the antigens have to be directly presented by the tumour for recognition by primed CD8+ T cells and killing. Tumours exploit multiple escape mechanisms to evade immune recognition at both of these steps. Here, we review the tumour-derived factors modulating DC function, and we summarize evidence of immune evasion by means of quantitative modulation or qualitative alteration of the antigen repertoire presented on tumours. These mechanisms include modulation of antigen expression, HLA-I surface levels, alterations in the antigen processing and presentation machinery in tumour cells. Lastly, as complete abrogation of antigen presentation can lead to natural killer (NK) cell-mediated tumour killing, we also discuss how tumours can harbour antigen presentation defects and still evade NK cell recognition.
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38
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Bozward AG, Warricker F, Oo YH, Khakoo SI. Natural Killer Cells and Regulatory T Cells Cross Talk in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Exploring Therapeutic Options for the Next Decade. Front Immunol 2021; 12:643310. [PMID: 33995362 PMCID: PMC8120158 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.643310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite major advances in immunotherapy, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a challenging target. Natural Killer (NK) cells are crucial components of the anti-HCC immune response, which can be manipulated for immunotherapeutic benefit as primary targets, modulators of the tumour microenvironment and in synchronising with tumour antigen specific effector CD8 cells for tumour clearance. Regulatory T cells shape the anti-tumour response from effector T cells via multiple suppressive mechanisms. Future research is needed to address the development of novel NK cell-targeted immunotherapy and on restraining Treg frequency and function in HCC. We have now entered a new era of anti-cancer treatment using checkpoint inhibitor (CPI)-based strategies. Combining GMP-NK cell immunotherapy to enhance the frequency of NK cells with CPI targeting both NK and CD8 T cells to release co-inhibitory receptors and enhance the cells anti-tumour immunity of HCC would be an attractive therapeutic option in the treatment of HCC. These therapeutic approaches should now be complemented by the application of genomic, proteomic and metabolomic approaches to understanding the microenvironment of HCC which, together with deep immune profiling of peripheral blood and HCC tissue before and during treatment, will provide the much-needed personalised medicine approach required to improve clinical outcomes for patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber G. Bozward
- Centre for Liver and Gastroenterology Research and National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR BRC) Birmingham, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Rare Diseases, European Reference Network Centre- Rare Liver, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Frazer Warricker
- The School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, The School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Ye H. Oo
- Centre for Liver and Gastroenterology Research and National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR BRC) Birmingham, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Rare Diseases, European Reference Network Centre- Rare Liver, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Unit, University Hospital of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Salim I. Khakoo
- The School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, The School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Unit, University Hospital of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Rademacher MJ, Cruz A, Faber M, Oldham RAA, Wang D, Medin JA, Schloemer NJ. Sarcoma IL-12 overexpression facilitates NK cell immunomodulation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8321. [PMID: 33859303 PMCID: PMC8050085 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87700-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is an inflammatory cytokine that has demonstrated efficacy for cancer immunotherapy, but systemic administration has detrimental toxicities. Lentiviral transduction eliciting IL-12-producing human sarcoma for autologous reintroduction provides localized delivery for both innate and adaptive immune response augmentation. Sarcoma cell lines and primary human sarcoma samples were transduced with recombinant lentivirus engineering expression of human IL-12 (hu-IL-12). IL-12 expressing sarcomas were assessed in vitro and in vivo following implantation into humanized NSG and transgenic human IL-15 expressing (NSG.Tg(Hu-IL-15)) murine models. Lentiviral transduction (LV/hu-IL-12) of human osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines, as well as low-passage primary human sarcomas, engendered high-level expression of hu-IL-12. Hu-IL-12 demonstrated functional viability, eliciting specific NK cell-mediated interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release and cytotoxic growth restriction of spheroids in vitro. In orthotopic xenograft murine models, the LV/hu-IL-12 transduced human sarcoma produced detectable IL-12 and elicited an IFN-γ inflammatory immune response specific to mature human NK reconstitution in the NSG.Tg(Hu-IL-15) model while restricting tumor growth. We conclude that LV/hu-IL-12 transduction of sarcoma elicits a specific immune reaction and the humanized NSG.Tg(Hu-IL-15) xenograft, with mature human NK cells, can define in vivo anti-tumor effects and systemic toxicities. IL-12 immunomodulation through autologous tumor transduction and reintroduction merits exploration for sarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo Rademacher
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Anahi Cruz
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Mary Faber
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Robyn A A Oldham
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dandan Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Medin
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Department of Biochemisty, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nathan J Schloemer
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
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40
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Karampatzakis A, Brož P, Rey C, Önfelt B, Cruz De Matos GDS, Rycroft D, Ambrose A, Davis DM. Antibody Afucosylation Augments CD16-Mediated Serial Killing and IFNγ Secretion by Human Natural Killer Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:641521. [PMID: 33796107 PMCID: PMC8008054 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.641521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
One mechanism by which monoclonal antibodies (mAb) help treat cancer or autoimmune disease is through triggering antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) via CD16 on Natural Killer (NK) cells. Afucosylation is known to increase the affinity of mAbs for CD16 on NK cells and here, we set out to assess how mAb afucosylation affects the dynamics of NK cell interactions, receptor expression and effector functions. An IgG1 version of a clinically important anti-CD20 mAb was compared to its afucosylated counterpart (anti-CD20-AF). Opsonization of CD20-expressing target cells, 721.221 or Daudi, with anti-CD20-AF increased NK cell cytotoxicity and IFNγ secretion, compared to anti-CD20. The afucosylated mAb also caused a more rapid and greater loss of CD16 from NK cell surfaces. Loss of CD16 has recently been shown to be important for NK cell detachment and sequential engagement of multiple target cells. Here, live-cell time-lapse microscopy of individual cell-cell interactions in an aqueous environment and a three-dimensional matrix, revealed that anti-CD20-AF induced more rapid killing of opsonized target cells. In addition, NK cells detached more quickly from target cells opsonized with anti-CD20-AF compared to anti-CD20, which increased engagement of multiple targets and enabled a greater proportion of NK cells to perform serial killing. Inhibition of CD16 shedding with TAPI-0 led to reduced detachment and serial killing. Thus, disassembly of the immune synapse caused by loss of cell surface CD16 is a factor determining the efficiency of ADCC and antibody afucosylation alters the dynamics of intercellular interactions to boost serial killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Karampatzakis
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Petr Brož
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Camille Rey
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Björn Önfelt
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor, and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Applied Physics, Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (KTH) - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Ashley Ambrose
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel M Davis
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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41
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Abstract
NK cells are responsible for defense against viral infections and cancer. Although activated NK cells are armed to combat tumors, the tumor microenvironment (TME) contains ROS, which suppress NK cell antitumor activity. In this issue of the JCI, Yang, Neo, and colleagues explored NK cell resistance to oxidative stress in vitro and in human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). High surface thiol density and elevated expression of the ROS scavenger thioredoxin (Trx1) protected NK cells from ROS. Trx1 and thiol levels were higher in IL-15- than in IL-2-primed NK cells. Tumor-infiltrating Trx1+ NK cells were present in patients with NSCLC with elevated ROS levels in the tumor. Smokers scored higher for the ROS signature, which predicted poor prognosis, compared with nonsmokers. This study explains how activated NK cells survive in the ROS-rich TME and suggests that smokers with lung cancer may benefit from therapies using IL-15-primed NK cells.
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42
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Mattei F, Andreone S, Marone G, Gambardella AR, Loffredo S, Varricchi G, Schiavoni G. Eosinophils in the Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1273:1-28. [PMID: 33119873 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-49270-0_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Eosinophils are rare blood-circulating and tissue-infiltrating immune cells studied for decades in the context of allergic diseases and parasitic infections. Eosinophils can secrete a wide array of soluble mediators and effector molecules, with potential immunoregulatory activities in the tumor microenvironment (TME). These findings imply that these cells may play a role in cancer immunity. Despite these cells were known to infiltrate tumors since many years ago, their role in TME is gaining attention only recently. In this chapter, we will review the main biological functions of eosinophils that can be relevant within the TME. We will discuss how these cells may undergo phenotypic changes acquiring pro- or antitumoricidal properties according to the surrounding stimuli. Moreover, we will analyze canonical (i.e., degranulation) and unconventional mechanisms (i.e., DNA traps, exosome secretion) employed by eosinophils in inflammatory contexts, which can be relevant for tumor immune responses. Finally, we will review the available preclinical models that could be employed for the study of the role in vivo of eosinophils in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Mattei
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Andreone
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Marone
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedali dei Colli - Monaldi Hospital Pharmacy, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Stefania Loffredo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences and Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,WAO Center of Excellence, Naples, Italy.,Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "G. Salvatore" (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Gilda Varricchi
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences and Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. .,WAO Center of Excellence, Naples, Italy. .,Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "G. Salvatore" (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Schiavoni
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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ADCC against MICA/B Is Mediated against Differentiated Oral and Pancreatic and Not Stem-Like/Poorly Differentiated Tumors by the NK Cells; Loss in Cancer Patients due to Down-Modulation of CD16 Receptor. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020239. [PMID: 33440654 PMCID: PMC7826810 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells are known to upregulate major histocompatibility complex-class I chain related proteins A and B (MICA/B) expression under stress conditions or due to radiation exposure. However, it is not clear whether there are specific stages of cellular maturation in which these ligands are upregulated or whether the natural killer (NK) cells differentially target these tumors in direct cytotoxicity or antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC). We used freshly isolated primary and osteoclast (OCs)-expanded NK cells to determine the degree of direct cytotoxicity or of ADCC using anti-MICA/B monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against oral stem-like/poorly-differentiated oral squamous cancer stem cells (OSCSCs) and Mia PaCa-2 (MP2) pancreatic tumors as well as their well-differentiated counterparts: namely, oral squamous carcinoma cells (OSCCs) and pancreatic PL12 tumors. By using phenotypic and functional analysis, we demonstrated that OSCSCs and MP2 tumors were primary targets of direct cytotoxicity by freshly isolated NK cells and not by ADCC mediated by anti-MICA/B mAbs, which was likely due to the lower surface expression of MICA/B. However, the inverse was seen when their MICA/B-expressing differentiated counterparts, OSCCs and PL12 tumors, were used in direct cytotoxicity and ADCC, in which there was lower direct cytotoxicity but higher ADCC mediated by the NK cells. Differentiation of the OSCSCs and MP2 tumors by NK cell-supernatants abolished the direct killing of these tumors by the NK cells while enhancing NK cell-mediated ADCC due to the increased expression of MICA/B on the surface of these tumors. We further report that both direct killing and ADCC against MICA/B expressing tumors were significantly diminished by cancer patients' NK cells. Surprisingly, OC-expanded NK cells, unlike primary interleukin-2 (IL-2) activated NK cells, were found to kill OSCCs and PL12 tumors, and under these conditions, we did not observe significant ADCC using anti-MICA/B mAbs, even though the tumors expressed a higher surface expression of MICA/B. In addition, differentiated tumor cells also expressed higher levels of surface epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and programmed death-ligand 1(PDL1) and were more susceptible to NK cell-mediated ADCC in the presence of anti-EGFR and anti-PDL1 mAbs compared to their stem-like/poorly differentiated counterparts. Overall, these results suggested the possibility of CD16 receptors mediating both direct cytotoxicity and ADCC, resulting in the competitive use of these receptors in either direct killing or ADCC, depending on the differentiation status of tumor cells and the stage of maturation and activation of NK cells.
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44
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Stephen ZR, Zhang M. Recent Progress in the Synergistic Combination of Nanoparticle-Mediated Hyperthermia and Immunotherapy for Treatment of Cancer. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2001415. [PMID: 33236511 PMCID: PMC8034553 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has demonstrated great clinical success in certain cancers, driven primarily by immune checkpoint blockade and adoptive cell therapies. Immunotherapy can elicit strong, durable responses in some patients, but others do not respond, and to date immunotherapy has demonstrated success in only a limited number of cancers. To address this limitation, combinatorial approaches with chemo- and radiotherapy have been applied in the clinic. Extensive preclinical evidence suggests that hyperthermia therapy (HT) has considerable potential to augment immunotherapy with minimal toxicity. This progress report will provide a brief overview of immunotherapy and HT approaches and highlight recent progress in the application of nanoparticle (NP)-based HT in combination with immunotherapy. NPs allow for tumor-specific targeting of deep tissue tumors while potentially providing more even heating. NP-based HT increases tumor immunogenicity and tumor permeability, which improves immune cell infiltration and creates an environment more responsive to immunotherapy, particularly in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary R Stephen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Miqin Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
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45
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Kaur K, Ko MW, Ohanian N, Cook J, Jewett A. Osteoclast-expanded super-charged NK-cells preferentially select and expand CD8+ T cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20363. [PMID: 33230147 PMCID: PMC7683603 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76702-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoclasts (OCs) and much less dendritic cells (DCs) induce significant expansion and functional activation of NK cells, and furthermore, the OC-expanded NK cells preferentially increase the expansion and activation of CD8+ T cells by targeting CD4+ T cells. When autologous OCs were used to expand patient NK cells much lower percentages of expanded CD8+ T cells, decreased numbers of expanded NK cells and decreased functions of NK cells could be observed, and the addition of allogeneic healthy OCs increased the patients' NK function. Mechanistically, OC-expanded NK cells were found to lyse CD4+ T cells but not CD8+ T cells suggesting potential selection of CD8+ T cells before their expansion by OC activated NK cells. In agreement, Increased IFN-γ secretion, and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and higher percentages of CD8+ T cells, in various tissue compartments of oral tumor-bearing hu-BLT mice in response to immunotherapy by OC-expanded NK cells were observed. Thus, our results indicate an important relationship between NK and CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Meng-Wei Ko
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Nick Ohanian
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jessica Cook
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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46
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Neo SY, Yang Y, Record J, Ma R, Chen X, Chen Z, Tobin NP, Blake E, Seitz C, Thomas R, Wagner AK, Andersson J, de Boniface J, Bergh J, Murray S, Alici E, Childs R, Johansson M, Westerberg LS, Haglund F, Hartman J, Lundqvist A. CD73 immune checkpoint defines regulatory NK cells within the tumor microenvironment. J Clin Invest 2020; 130:1185-1198. [PMID: 31770109 DOI: 10.1172/jci128895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
High levels of ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73) have been implicated in immune suppression and tumor progression, and have also been observed in cancer patients who progress on anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Although regulatory T cells can express CD73 and inhibit T cell responses via the production of adenosine, less is known about CD73 expression in other immune cell populations. We found that tumor-infiltrating NK cells upregulate CD73 expression and the frequency of these CD73-positive NK cells correlated with larger tumor size in breast cancer patients. In addition, the expression of multiple alternative immune checkpoint receptors including LAG-3, VISTA, PD-1, and PD-L1 was significantly higher in CD73-positive NK cells than in CD73-negative NK cells. Mechanistically, NK cells transport CD73 in intracellular vesicles to the cell surface and the extracellular space via actin polymerization-dependent exocytosis upon engagement of 4-1BBL on tumor cells. These CD73-positive NK cells undergo transcriptional reprogramming and upregulate IL-10 production via STAT3 transcriptional activity, suppressing CD4-positive T cell proliferation and IFN-γ production. Taken together, our results support the notion that tumors can hijack NK cells as a means to escape immunity and that CD73 expression defines an inducible population of NK cells with immunoregulatory properties within the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Yong Neo
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Julien Record
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ran Ma
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xinsong Chen
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ziqing Chen
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicholas P Tobin
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emily Blake
- Cell Therapy Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
| | | | - Ron Thomas
- Cell Therapy Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
| | | | | | - Jana de Boniface
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Surgery, Capio St. Goran's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Bergh
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Shannon Murray
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Division of Basic Sciences, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Richard Childs
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Lisa S Westerberg
- Cell Therapy Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
| | - Felix Haglund
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Hartman
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Pathology, Karolinska University Laboratory, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Lundqvist
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Wieckowski S, Avenal C, Orjalo AV, Gygax D, Cymer F. Toward a Better Understanding of Bioassays for the Development of Biopharmaceuticals by Exploring the Structure-Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity Relationship in Human Primary Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:552596. [PMID: 33193318 PMCID: PMC7658677 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.552596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Pharmaceutical manufacturing relies on rigorous methods of quality control of drugs and in particular of the physico-chemical and functional characterizations of monoclonal antibodies. To that end, robust bioassays are very often limited to reporter gene assays and the use of immortalized cell lines that are supposed to mimic immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells to the detriment of primary materials, which are appreciated for their biological validity but are also difficult to exploit due to the great diversity between individuals. Here, we characterized the phenotype of the peripheral blood circulating cytotoxic cells of 30 healthy donors, in particular the repertoire of cytotoxic markers, using flow cytometry. In parallel, we characterized the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) effector functions of these primary cells by measuring their cytolytic activity against a cancer cell-line expressing HER2 in the presence of trastuzumab and with regards to FCGR3A genotype. We could not establish a correlation or grouping of individuals using the data generated from whole peripheral blood mononuclear cells, however the isolation of the CD56-positive population, which is composed not only of NK cells but also of natural killer T (NKT) and γδ-T cells, as well as subsets of activated cytotoxic T cells, monocytes and dendritic cells, made it possible to standardize the parameters of the ADCC and enhance the overall functional avidity without however eliminating the inter-individual diversity. Finally, the use of primary CD56+ cells in ADCC experiments comparing glycoengineered variants of trastuzumab was conclusive to test the limits of this type of ex vivo system. Although the effector functions of CD56+ cells reflected to some extent the in vitro receptor binding properties and cytolytic activity data using NK92 cells, as previously published, reaching a functional avidity plateau could limit their use in a quality control framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Wieckowski
- School of Life Sciences, Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, University of Applied Life Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Cécile Avenal
- Department PTDE-A, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Arturo V. Orjalo
- Biological Technologies, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Daniel Gygax
- School of Life Sciences, Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, University of Applied Life Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Florian Cymer
- Department PTDE-A, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
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48
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Woan KV, Miller JS. Harnessing Natural Killer Cell Antitumor Immunity: From the Bench to Bedside. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 7:1742-1747. [PMID: 31676567 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-19-0404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are critical effector lymphocytes mediating tumor immune surveillance and clearance. They do so by direct tumor killing using cytolytic granules and death receptors, and by interfacing with and potentiating adaptive immune responses through the production of cytokines. From a therapeutic perspective, NK cells have been shown to exert graft-versus-leukemia activity in the context of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and are important in the clinical efficacy of antibodies. Advances in basic and translational NK cell biology have led to multiple potential strategies to augment their in vivo activity to improve antitumor responses. Despite their potent effects, NK cells have been shown to be safe for adoptive cell therapy in both the autologous and allogeneic settings, with promising, but so far limited, clinical efficacy. This review will provide an overview of strategies being pursued to improve NK cell activity and efficacy, focusing on cell source, NK cell activation, and in vivo persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karrune V Woan
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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49
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Kang Y, Datta P, Shanmughapriya S, Ozbolat IT. 3D Bioprinting of Tumor Models for Cancer Research. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020; 3:5552-5573. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c00791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Youngnam Kang
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Engineering Science and Mechanics Department, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Pallab Datta
- Centre for Healthcare Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal 711103, India
| | - Santhanam Shanmughapriya
- Department of Medicine, Penn State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Penn State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
- Heart and Vascular Institute, Penn State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
| | - Ibrahim T. Ozbolat
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Engineering Science and Mechanics Department, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Materials Research Institute, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Penn State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
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50
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Valdés-Ferrada J, Muñoz-Durango N, Pérez-Sepulveda A, Muñiz S, Coronado-Arrázola I, Acevedo F, Soto JA, Bueno SM, Sánchez C, Kalergis AM. Peripheral Blood Classical Monocytes and Plasma Interleukin 10 Are Associated to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response in Breast Cancer Patients. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1413. [PMID: 32733470 PMCID: PMC7363840 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer death among women. For many patients the most effective treatment is a resection surgery that removes the tumor. Within this subset, patients sometimes receive chemotherapy treatment (CT) prior to surgery aiming to reduce tumor size in order to preserve healthy breast tissue. This strategy is commonly called neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). This approach also offers an opportunity to determine treatment sensitivity, especially in aggressive tumors. Post NAC absence of residual disease is associated to long term survival in BC patients and is used to define the need of adjuvant therapy options. Studies suggest that NAC allows the recognition of tumor antigens by immune cells potentiating the eradication of the tumor. However, the dynamic changes in patients' immune cells under NAC remain unclear. Here, we assessed changes in leucocyte and cytokine profiles in order to determine its association to NAC response in BC patients. Peripheral blood patient samples were taken prior to each NAC cycle to assess the abundance of leukocyte subsets and serum cytokines in 20 patients. These immunological features were associated with clinical outcomes including pathological response. We found a positive correlation between plasma Interleukin 10 (IL-10) and classical monocytes in HER2+ BC patients under NAC. We also observed a trend between increased IL-10 and classical monocytes levels and lower rates of pathologic complete response at the end of NAC. These data support the notion that monocyte subsets and IL-10 could be applied as a novel indicator of NAC efficacy in HER2+ BC patients. Finally, we confirm a key role of the immune system in cancer progression and CT response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Valdés-Ferrada
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Natalia Muñoz-Durango
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandra Pérez-Sepulveda
- Departamento de Hematología-Oncología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sabrina Muñiz
- Departamento de Hematología-Oncología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Irenice Coronado-Arrázola
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Acevedo
- Departamento de Hematología-Oncología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge A Soto
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Susan M Bueno
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cesar Sánchez
- Departamento de Hematología-Oncología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexis M Kalergis
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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