The Value of Programmed Death Ligand 1 Expression in Cancer Patients Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Elucidating the Influence of MPT-driven necrosis-linked LncRNAs on immunotherapy outcomes, sensitivity to chemotherapy, and mechanisms of cell death in clear cell renal carcinoma

Background

Clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) stands as the prevailing subtype among kidney cancers, making it one of the most prevalent malignancies characterized by significant mortality rates. Notably,mitochondrial permeability transition drives necrosis (MPT-Driven Necrosis) emerges as a form of cell death triggered by alterations in the intracellular microenvironment. MPT-Driven Necrosis, recognized as a distinctive type of programmed cell death. Despite the association of MPT-Driven Necrosis programmed-cell-death-related lncRNAs (MPTDNLs) with ccRCC, their precise functions within the tumor microenvironment and prognostic implications remain poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a novel prognostic model that enhances prognostic predictions for ccRCC.

Methods

Employing both univariate Cox proportional hazards and Lasso regression methodologies, this investigation distinguished genes with differential expression that are intimately linked to prognosis.Furthermore, a comprehensive prognostic risk assessment model was established using multiple Cox proportional hazards regression. Additionally, a thorough evaluation was conducted to explore the associations between the characteristics of MPTDNLs and clinicopathological features, tumor microenvironment, and chemotherapy sensitivity, thereby providing insights into their interconnectedness.The model constructed based on the signatures of MPTDNLs was verified to exhibit excellent prediction performance by Cell Culture and Transient Transfection, Transwell and other experiments.

Results

By analyzing relevant studies, we identified risk scores derived from MPTDNLs as an independent prognostic determinant for ccRCC, and subsequently we developed a Nomogram prediction model that combines clinical features and associated risk assessment. Finally, the application of experimental techniques such as qRT-PCR helped to compare the expression of MPTDNLs in healthy tissues and tumor samples, as well as their role in the proliferation and migration of renal clear cell carcinoma cells. It was found that there was a significant correlation between CDK6-AS1 and ccRCC results, and CDK6-AS1 plays a key role in the proliferation and migration of ccRCC cells. Impressive predictive results were generated using marker constructs based on these MPTDNLs.

Conclusions

In this research, we formulated a new prognostic framework for ccRCC, integrating mitochondrial permeability transition-induced necrosis. This model holds significant potential for enhancing prognostic predictions in ccRCC patients and establishing a foundation for optimizing therapeutic strategies.

Determining Factors in the Therapeutic Success of Checkpoint Immunotherapies against PD-L1 in Breast Cancer: A Focus on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Activation

Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm diagnosed in women around the world. Checkpoint inhibitors, targeting the programmed death receptor-1 or ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) axis, have dramatically changed the outcome of cancer treatment. These therapies have been recently considered as alternatives for treatment of breast cancers, in particular those with the triple-negative phenotype (TNBC). A further understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of PD-L1 expression is required to increase the benefit of PD-L1/PD-1 checkpoint immunotherapy in breast cancer patients. In this review, we will compile the most recent studies evaluating PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors in breast cancer. We review factors that determine the therapeutic success of PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapies in this pathology. In particular, we focus on pathways that interconnect the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) with regulation of PD-L1 expression. We also discuss the relationship between cellular metabolic pathways and PD-L1 expression that are involved in the promotion of resistance in TNBC.

Ultrasound targeting of microbubble-bound anti PD-L1 mAb to enhance anti-tumor effect of cisplatin in cervical cancer xenografts treatment

AIMS

Anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (mAb)-conjugated ultrasound (US) lipid-shelled microbubbles (PD-L1-MBs) were successfully synthesized to investigate whether that PD-L1-MBs could enhance anti-tumor effect in combination therapy with cisplatin (CDDP) under ultrasound mediation.

MAIN METHODS

Based on affinity between biotin and streptavidin, we prepared microbubbles conjugated with anti-PD-L1 mAb by membrane hydration and mechanical oscillation. A subcutaneous tumor model was established to test the anti-tumor effect and immunological activity of this combination therapy. Bax and Bcl-2 expression were detected by RT-qPCR and Immunohistochemistry. Cells undergoing apoptosis in tissue section were determined by TUNEL. Proliferation of splenocytes was analyzed by Flow cytometry. A cytotoxic T lymphocyte assay was performed by CTL. Expression of PD-L1 and CD8 in tissue section was examined by immunologfluorescence. Expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α, CD86 and CD80 was also detected by RT-qPCR.

KEY FINDINGS

We observed that the growth of the subcutaneous tumor was significantly slower in combined group than that in the group treated with either drug or microbubbles. Moreover, higher antitumor activity was observed in the combined group than that in cisplatin alone, which could be reflected by the number of apoptotic cells in tumor tissues and over expression of bax in the combined group. This combination treatment also exhibited a better immunological activity, increasing the infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells and the expression of several revelant cytokines.

SIGNIFICANCE

The ultrasound lipid-shelled PD-L1-MBs may enhance anti-tumor effects of cisplatin by blocking the PD-L1 site and improving immune function.