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Jou E, Chaudhury N, Nasim F. Novel therapeutic strategies targeting myeloid-derived suppressor cell immunosuppressive mechanisms for cancer treatment. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2024; 5:187-207. [PMID: 38464388 PMCID: PMC10918238 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2024.00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of death globally superseded only by cardiovascular diseases, and novel strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance against existing cancer treatments are urgently required. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature myeloid cells with potent immunosuppressive capacity against well-established anti-tumour effectors such as natural killer cells (NK cells) and T cells thereby promoting cancer initiation and progression. Critically, MDSCs are readily identified in almost all tumour types and human cancer patients, and numerous studies in the past decade have recognised their role in contributing to therapeutic resistance against all four pillars of modern cancer treatment, namely surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. MDSCs suppress anti-tumour immunity through a plethora of mechanisms including the well-characterised arginase 1 (Arg1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated pathways, along with several other more recently discovered. MDSCs are largely absent in healthy homeostatic states and predominantly exist in pathological conditions, making them attractive therapeutic targets. However, the lack of specific markers identified for MDSCs to date greatly hindered therapeutic development, and currently there are no clinically approved drugs that specifically target MDSCs. Methods to deplete MDSCs clinically and inhibit their immunosuppressive function will be crucial in advancing cancer treatment and to overcome treatment resistance. This review provides a detailed overview of the current understandings behind the mechanisms of MDSC-mediated suppression of anti-tumour immunity, and discusses potential strategies to target MDSC immunosuppressive mechanisms to overcome therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Jou
- Medical Sciences Division, Oxford University Hospitals, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK
- Kellogg College, University of Oxford, OX2 6PN Oxford, UK
- Wexham Park Hospital, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, SL2 4HL Slough, UK
| | - Natasha Chaudhury
- Wexham Park Hospital, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, SL2 4HL Slough, UK
| | - Fizza Nasim
- Wexham Park Hospital, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, SL2 4HL Slough, UK
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Wang T, Hu Y, Dusi S, Qi F, Sartoris S, Ugel S, De Sanctis F. "Open Sesame" to the complexity of pattern recognition receptors of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1130060. [PMID: 36911674 PMCID: PMC9992799 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1130060] [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: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Pattern recognition receptors are primitive sensors that arouse a preconfigured immune response to broad stimuli, including nonself pathogen-associated and autologous damage-associated molecular pattern molecules. These receptors are mainly expressed by innate myeloid cells, including granulocytes, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Recent investigations have revealed new insights into these receptors as key players not only in triggering inflammation processes against pathogen invasion but also in mediating immune suppression in specific pathological states, including cancer. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells are preferentially expanded in many pathological conditions. This heterogeneous cell population includes immunosuppressive myeloid cells that are thought to be associated with poor prognosis and impaired response to immune therapies in various cancers. Identification of pattern recognition receptors and their ligands increases the understanding of immune-activating and immune-suppressive myeloid cell functions and sheds light on myeloid-derived suppressor cell differences from cognate granulocytes and monocytes in healthy conditions. This review summarizes the different expression, ligand recognition, signaling pathways, and cancer relations and identifies Toll-like receptors as potential new targets on myeloid-derived suppressor cells in cancer, which might help us to decipher the instruction codes for reverting suppressive myeloid cells toward an antitumor phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Wang
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Yushu Hu
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Silvia Dusi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Fang Qi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Silvia Sartoris
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Ugel
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesco De Sanctis
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Dong P, Yan Y, Fan Y, Wang H, Wu D, Yang L, Zhang J, Yin X, Lv Y, Zhang J, Hou Y, Liu F, Yu X. The Role of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2022; 21:15330338221142472. [PMID: 36573015 PMCID: PMC9806441 DOI: 10.1177/15330338221142472] [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] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers, with a 5-year survival rate of about 10%. Early warning signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer are vague or nonexistent, and most patients are diagnosed in Stage IV, when surgery is not an option for about 80%-85% of patients. For patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer, current conventional treatment modalities such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT) have suboptimal efficacy. Tumor progression is closely associated with the tumor microenvironment, which includes peripheral blood vessels, bone marrow-derived inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, immune cells, signaling molecules, and extracellular matrix. Tumor cells affect the microenvironment by releasing extracellular signaling molecules, inducing peripheral immune tolerance, and promoting tumor angiogenesis. In turn, the immune cells of the tumor affect the survival and proliferation of cancer cells. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells are key cellular components in the tumor microenvironment and exert immunosuppressive functions by producing cytokines, recognizing other immune cells, and promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells are the main regulator of the tumor immune response and a key target for tumor treatments. Since the combination of RT and immunotherapy is the main strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, it is very important to understand the immune mechanisms which lead to MDSCs generation and the failure of current therapies in order to develop new target-based therapies. This review summarizes the research advances on the role of Myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the progression of pancreatic cancer and its treatment application in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Dong
- Department of oncology, The First affiliated hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Shandong, China
| | - Yu Yan
- Department of oncology, The First affiliated hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Shandong, China
| | - Yujun Fan
- Medical Management Center,Health Commission of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of oncology, The First affiliated hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Shandong, China
| | - Danzhu Wu
- Department of oncology, The First affiliated hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Shandong, China,Department of Oncology, Clinical Medical College of Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Liyuan Yang
- Department of oncology, The First affiliated hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Shandong, China
| | - Junpeng Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China,Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoyang Yin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Yajuan Lv
- Department of oncology, The First affiliated hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Shandong, China
| | - Jiandong Zhang
- Department of oncology, The First affiliated hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Shandong, China
| | - Yuzhu Hou
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, China
| | - Fengjun Liu
- Department of oncology, The First affiliated hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Shandong, China
| | - Xinshuang Yu
- Department of oncology, The First affiliated hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Shandong, China,Xinshuang Yu, Department of Oncology, The First affiliated hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Shandong, China.
Fengjun Liu, Department of Oncology, The First affiliated hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Shandong, China.
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Ma Y, Nikfarjam M, He H. The trilogy of P21 activated kinase, autophagy and immune evasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Lett 2022; 548:215868. [PMID: 36027997 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDA) is one of the most lethal types of cancer with a dismal prognosis. KRAS mutation is a commonly identified oncogene in PDA tumorigenesis and P21-activated kinases (PAKs) are its downstream mediator. While PAK1 is more well-studied, PAK4 also attracted increasing interest. In PDA, PAK inhibition not only reduces cancer cell viability but also sensitises it to chemotherapy. While PDA remains resistant to existing immunotherapies, PAK inhibition has been shown to increase cancer immunogenicity of melanoma, glioblastoma and PDA. Furthermore, autophagy plays an important role in PDA immune evasion, and accumulating evidence has pointed to a connection between PAK and cancer cell autophagy. In this literature review, we aim to summarize currently available studies that have assessed the potential connection between PAK, autophagy and immune evasion in PDA biology to guide future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Ma
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, The University of Melbourne, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Mehrdad Nikfarjam
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, The University of Melbourne, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia; Department of Hepatopancreatic-Biliary Surgery, Austin Health, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Hong He
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, The University of Melbourne, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.
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Kim YJ, Jiang F, Park J, Jeong HH, Baek JE, Hong SM, Jeong SY, Koh SS. PAUF as a Target for Treatment of High PAUF-Expressing Ovarian Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:890614. [PMID: 35600865 PMCID: PMC9121814 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.890614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma up-regulated factor (PAUF) plays an important role in tumor growth, metastasis, and immune evasion in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment, and recent studies suggest an association between PAUF expression and poor prognosis in ovarian cancer patients. The current study aimed 1) to characterize the potential tumor-promoting role of PAUF in ovarian cancer, using in vitro and in vivo models, including a PAUF-knockout OVCAR-5 cell line, and 2) to explore the potential therapeutic effects of an anti-PAUF antibody for ovarian cancer. Recombinant PAUF significantly increased tumor metastatic capacity (migration, invasion, and adhesion) in all the ovarian cancer cell lines tested, except for the OVCAR-5 cell line which expresses PAUF at a much higher level than the other cells. PAUF-knockout in the OVCAR-5 cell line led to apparently delayed tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the administration of an anti-PAUF antibody exhibited notable sensitizing and synchronizing effects on docetaxel in mice bearing the OVCAR-5 xenograft tumors. Taken together, this study shows that the expression level of PAUF is an independent factor determining malignant behaviors of ovarian cancer and, for the first time, it suggests that PAUF may be a promising therapeutic target for high PAUF-expressing ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Jeong Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan, South Korea
- Innovative Discovery Center, Prestige Biopharma, Busan, South Korea
| | - Fen Jiang
- Innovative Discovery Center, Prestige Biopharma, Busan, South Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, South Korea
| | - Jin Park
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyeon Hee Jeong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Ji Eun Baek
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Seung-Mo Hong
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seong-Yun Jeong
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Sang Seok Koh, ; Seong-Yun Jeong,
| | - Sang Seok Koh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Sang Seok Koh, ; Seong-Yun Jeong,
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Acidic Tumor Microenvironment Promotes Pancreatic Cancer through miR-451a/MEF2D Axis. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:3966386. [PMID: 35069734 PMCID: PMC8769849 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3966386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC), as a highly malignant and aggressive solid tumor, is common in the digestive system. The acidic microenvironment is one of the critical markers of cancer. Nonetheless, there are few studies on how the acidic microenvironment affects the development of PC. This study focused on investigating the specific molecular mechanisms of the acidic microenvironment in PC. In our study, qRT-PCR was conducted for examining microRNA (miR)-451a and myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D) expressions in PANC-1 cells. Then, detailed functional effects of an acidic environment on miR-451a and MEF2D in PANC-1 cells were detected by CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, wound healing, transwell, mitochondrial functionality measurement, JC-1 staining, DCFH-DA staining, and sphere formation assays. The relationship between miR-451a and MEF2D was confirmed by luciferase reporter analysis. Under acidic conditions, the increase of proliferation, migration, and invasion of PANC-1 cells was observed. Moreover, the mitochondrial oxidative respiration-related gene miR-451a was reduced in acidic conditions. In addition, we found that, in PANC-1 cells under an acidic environment, miR-451a overexpression enhanced oxygen consumption, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss, and ROS generation and inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness via sponging MEF2D. In a word, our results revealed that the acidic microenvironment regulated PC progression by affecting the miR-451a/MEF2D axis, indicating a novel avenue for the future treatment of PC.
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Tanriover G, Dilmac S, Aytac G, Farooqi AA, Sindel M. Effects of melatonin and doxorubicin on primary tumor and metastasis in breast cancer model. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 22:1970-1983. [PMID: 34961467 DOI: 10.2174/1871520621666211213094258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melatonin exerts oncostatic effects on breast cancer via immunomodulation and anti-oxidation. Doxorubicin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent, but parallel studies also provide ample evidence of an off-target effect of Doxorubicin in breast cancer patients. OBJECTIVE Combinatorial use of doxorubicin and melatonin has not been comprehensively analyzed in breast cancer models. We hypothesized that the anti-oxidative, anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of melatonin could ameliorate the off-target effects of doxorubicin in breast cancer patients and enhance the anti-tumoral effects of doxorubicin. The goal of the study is to test this hypothesis in cancer cell lines and xenografted mice. METHODS The effects of Melatonin and doxorubicin on the cell viability were evaluated in 4T1-Brain Metastatic Tumor (4TBM). Furthermore, the effects of melatonin and doxorubicin on the primary tumors and systemic metastasis were evaluated in the xenografted mice. Lung and liver tissues were removed and metastasis analyses were performed. The levels of p65, phospho-STAT3, CD11b+, GR1+, Ki67, and cleaved caspase-3 proteins were determined with immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. We examined the effects of melatonin and Melatonin+Doxorubicin combination therapy on 4TBM cells. RESULTS Our results showed that doxorubicin inhibited the proliferation of metastatic breast cancer cells while melatonin did not affect cells. Tumor growth and metastasis were markedly suppressed in melatonin alone and combination with doxorubicin. The expression of CD11b+ and GR1+ proteins which are indicators of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were noted to be reduced in both primary tumor and metastatic tissues in melatonin and doxorubicin groups. CONCLUSION The combination of melatonin with doxorubicin reduced primary tumor growth and distant metastasis. Based on these results, melatonin is a promising candidate for combinatory use with conventional chemotherapeutics for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamze Tanriover
- Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine Department of Histology and Embryology, Antalya. Turkey
| | - Sayra Dilmac
- Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine Department of Histology and Embryology, Antalya. Turkey
| | - Gunes Aytac
- TOBB University of Economics & Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Ankara. Turkey
| | | | - Muzaffer Sindel
- Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine Department of Anatomy, Antalya. Turkey
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Yanai H, Hangai S, Taniguchi T. Damage-associated molecular patterns and Toll-like receptors in the tumor immune microenvironment. Int Immunol 2021; 33:841-846. [PMID: 34357403 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxab050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As clinically demonstrated by the success of immunotherapies to improve survival outcomes, tumors are known to gain a survival advantage by circumventing immune surveillance. A defining feature of this is the creation and maintenance of a tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) that directly and indirectly alters the host's immunologic signaling pathways through a variety of mechanisms. Tumor-intrinsic mechanisms that instruct the formation and maintenance of the TIME have been an area of intensive study, such as the identification and characterization of soluble factors actively and passively released by tumor cells that modulate immune cell function. In particular, damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs) typically released by necrotic tumor cells are recognized by innate immune receptors such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and stimulate immune cells within TIME. Given their broad and potent effects on the immune system, a better understanding for how DAMP and TLR interactions sculpt the TIME to favor tumor growth would identify new strategies and approaches for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideyuki Yanai
- Department of Inflammology, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Sho Hangai
- Department of Inflammology, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Tadatsugu Taniguchi
- Department of Inflammology, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
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Pancreatic cancer induces muscle wasting by promoting the release of pancreatic adenocarcinoma upregulated factor. Exp Mol Med 2021; 53:432-445. [PMID: 33731895 PMCID: PMC8080719 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-021-00582-2] [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: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cachexia is a highly debilitating condition characterized by weight loss and muscle wasting that contributes significantly to the morbidity and mortality of pancreatic cancer. The factors that induce cachexia in pancreatic cancer are largely unknown. We previously showed that pancreatic adenocarcinoma upregulated factor (PAUF) secreted by pancreatic cancer cells is responsible for tumor growth and metastasis. Here, we analyzed the relation between pancreatic cancer-derived PAUF and cancer cachexia in mice and its clinical significance. Body weight loss and muscle weight loss were significantly higher in mice with Panc-1/PAUF tumors than in those with Panc-1/Mock tumors. Direct administration of rPAUF to muscle recapitulated tumor-induced atrophy, and a PAUF-neutralizing antibody abrogated tumor-induced muscle wasting in Panc-1/PAUF tumor-bearing mice. C2C12 myotubes treated with rPAUF exhibited rapid inactivation of Akt-Foxo3a signaling, resulting in Atrogin1/MAFbx upregulation, myosin heavy chain loss, and muscle atrophy. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and body weight loss were significantly higher in pancreatic cancer patients with high PAUF expression than in those with low PAUF expression. Analysis of different pancreatic cancer datasets showed that PAUF expression was significantly higher in the pancreatic cancer group than in the nontumor group. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas data found associations between high PAUF expression or a high DNA copy number and poor overall survival. Our data identified tumor-secreted circulating PAUF as a key factor of cachexia, causing muscle wasting in mice. Neutralizing PAUF may be a useful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer-induced cachexia.
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Martinez-Useros J, Martin-Galan M, Garcia-Foncillas J. The Match between Molecular Subtypes, Histology and Microenvironment of Pancreatic Cancer and Its Relevance for Chemoresistance. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:322. [PMID: 33477288 PMCID: PMC7829908 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, several studies based on whole transcriptomic and genomic analyses of pancreatic tumors and their stroma have come to light to supplement histopathological stratification of pancreatic cancers with a molecular point-of-view. Three main molecular studies: Collisson et al. 2011, Moffitt et al. 2015 and Bailey et al. 2016 have found specific gene signatures, which identify different molecular subtypes of pancreatic cancer and provide a comprehensive stratification for both a personalized treatment or to identify potential druggable targets. However, the routine clinical management of pancreatic cancer does not consider a broad molecular analysis of each patient, due probably to the lack of target therapies for this tumor. Therefore, the current treatment decision is taken based on patients´ clinicopathological features and performance status. Histopathological evaluation of tumor samples could reveal many other attributes not only from tumor cells but also from their microenvironment specially about the presence of pancreatic stellate cells, regulatory T cells, tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid derived suppressor cells and extracellular matrix structure. In the present article, we revise the four molecular subtypes proposed by Bailey et al. and associate each subtype with other reported molecular subtypes. Moreover, we provide for each subtype a potential description of the tumor microenvironment that may influence treatment response according to the gene expression profile, the mutational landscape and their associated histology.
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11
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Barreto SG, Habtezion A, Gukovskaya A, Lugea A, Jeon C, Yadav D, Hegyi P, Venglovecz V, Sutton R, Pandol SJ. Critical thresholds: key to unlocking the door to the prevention and specific treatments for acute pancreatitis. Gut 2021; 70:194-203. [PMID: 32973069 PMCID: PMC7816970 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-322163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Acute pancreatitis (AP), an acute inflammatory disorder of the exocrine pancreas, is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases encountered in emergency departments with no specific treatments. Laboratory-based research has formed the cornerstone of endeavours to decipher the pathophysiology of AP, because of the limitations of such study in human beings. While this has provided us with substantial understanding, we cannot answer several pressing questions. These are: (a) Why is it that only a minority of individuals with gallstones, or who drink alcohol excessively, or are exposed to other causative factors develop AP? (b) Why do only some develop more severe manifestations of AP with necrosis and/or organ failure? (c) Why have we been unable to find an effective therapeutic for AP? This manuscript provides a state-of-the-art review of our current understanding of the pathophysiology of AP providing insights into the unanswered clinical questions. We describe multiple protective factors operating in most people, and multiple stressors that in a minority induce AP, independently or together, via amplification loops. We present testable hypotheses aimed at halting progression of severity for the development of effective treatments for this common unpredictable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savio George Barreto
- Division of Surgery and Perioperative Medicine, Flinders Medical Center, Bedford Park, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Aida Habtezion
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Anna Gukovskaya
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, West Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Aurelia Lugea
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Christie Jeon
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Dhiraj Yadav
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Peter Hegyi
- First Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute for Translational Medicine and First Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Szentágothai Research Center, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Viktória Venglovecz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Robert Sutton
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Stephen J Pandol
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Zhou H, Jiang M, Yuan H, Ni W, Tai G. Dual roles of myeloid-derived suppressor cells induced by Toll-like receptor signaling in cancer. Oncol Lett 2020; 21:149. [PMID: 33552267 PMCID: PMC7798029 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12410] [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: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are one of the major components of the tumor microenvironment (TME), and are the main mediators of tumor-induced immunosuppression. Recent studies have reported that the survival, differentiation and immunosuppressive activity of MDSCs are affected by the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway. However, the regulatory effect of TLR signaling on MDSCs remains controversial. TLR-induced MDSC can acquire different immunosuppressive activities to influence the immune response that can be either beneficial or detrimental to cancer immunotherapy. The present review summarizes the effects of TLR signals on the number, phenotype and inhibitory activity of MDSCs, and their role in cancer immunotherapy, which cannot be ignored if effective cancer immunotherapies are to be developed for the immunosuppression of the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyue Zhou
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Mengyu Jiang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Hongyan Yuan
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Weihua Ni
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Guixiang Tai
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
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13
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Interactions between tumor-derived proteins and Toll-like receptors. Exp Mol Med 2020; 52:1926-1935. [PMID: 33299138 PMCID: PMC8080774 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-020-00540-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are danger signals (or alarmins) alerting immune cells through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to begin defense activity. Moreover, DAMPs are host biomolecules that can initiate a noninflammatory response to infection, and pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMPs) perpetuate the inflammatory response to infection. Many DAMPs are proteins that have defined intracellular functions and are released from dying cells after tissue injury or chemo-/radiotherapy. In the tumor microenvironment, DAMPs can be ligands for Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expressed on immune cells and induce cytokine production and T-cell activation. Moreover, DAMPs released from tumor cells can directly activate tumor-expressed TLRs that induce chemoresistance, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Furthermore, DAMP-induced chronic inflammation in the tumor microenvironment causes an increase in immunosuppressive populations, such as M2 macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Therefore, regulation of DAMP proteins can reduce excessive inflammation to create an immunogenic tumor microenvironment. Here, we review tumor-derived DAMP proteins as ligands of TLRs and discuss their association with immune cells, tumors, and the composition of the tumor microenvironment. Tumor cells killed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy release signaling molecules that stimulate both immune response and tumor aggressiveness; regulating these molecules could improve treatment efficacy. Tae Heung Kang, Yeong-Min Park, and co-workers at Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea, have reviewed the role of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in immunity and cancer. These signaling molecules act as danger signals, activating immune cells by binding to specific receptors. However, tumor cells have the same receptors, and DAMPs binding triggers chemoresistance and increases invasiveness. The researchers report that although DAMPs can trigger a helpful immune response, they can also cause chronic inflammation, which in turn promotes an immune suppression response, allowing tumors to escape immune detection. Improving our understanding of the functions of different DAMPs could improve our ability to boost the immune response and decrease tumor aggressiveness.
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14
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Lu H, Shi C, Liu X, Liang C, Yang C, Wan X, Li L, Liu Y. Identification of ZG16B as a prognostic biomarker in breast cancer. Open Med (Wars) 2020; 16:1-13. [PMID: 33336077 PMCID: PMC7718615 DOI: 10.1515/med-2021-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Zymogen granule protein 16B (ZG16B) has been identified in various cancers, while so far the association between ZG16B and breast cancer hasn’t been explored. Our aim is to confirm whether it can serve as a prognostic biomarker in breast cancer. In this study, Oncomine, Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE), Ualcan, and STRING database analyses were conducted to detect the expression level of ZG16B in breast cancer with different types. Kaplan–Meier plotter was used to analyze the prognosis of patients with high or low expression of ZG16B. We found that ZG16B was significantly upregulated in breast cancer. Moreover, ZG16B was closely associated with foregone biomarkers and crucial factors in breast cancer. In the survival analysis, high expression of ZG16B represents a favorable prognosis in patients. Our work demonstrates the latent capacity of ZG16B to be a biomarker for prognosis of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haotian Lu
- School of Basic Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Chunying Shi
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Chen Liang
- School of Basic Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Chaochao Yang
- School of Basic Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xueqi Wan
- School of Basic Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Ying Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.,Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
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15
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Wang H, Li X, Dong G, Yan F, Zhang J, Shi H, Ning Z, Gao M, Cheng D, Ma Q, Wang C, Zhao M, Dai J, Li C, Li Z, Zhang H, Xiong H. Toll-like Receptor 4 Inhibitor TAK-242 Improves Fulminant Hepatitis by Regulating Accumulation of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell. Inflammation 2020; 44:671-681. [PMID: 33083887 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-020-01366-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Fulminant hepatitis (FH) is an acute clinical disease with a poor prognosis and high mortality rate. The purpose of this study was to determine the protective effect of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inhibitor TAK-242 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced explosive hepatitis and explore in vivo and in vitro mechanisms. Mice were pretreated with TAK-242 for 3 h prior to LPS (10 μg/kg)/D-GalN (250 mg/kg) administration. Compared to the LPS/D-GalN group, the TAK-242 pretreatment group showed significantly prolonged survival, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, relieved oxidative stress, and reduced inflammatory interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels. In addition, TAK-242 increased the accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Next, mice were treated with an anti-Gr-1 antibody to deplete MDSCs, and adoptive transfer experiments were performed. We found that TAK-242 protected against FH by regulating MDSCs. In the in vitro studies, TAK-242 regulated the accumulation of MDSCs and promoted the release of immunosuppressive inflammatory cytokines. In addition, TAK-242 inhibited protein expression of nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases. In summary, TAK-242 had a hepatoprotective effect against LPS/D-GalN-induced explosive hepatitis in mice. Its protective effect may be involved in suppressing inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, and increasing the proportion of MDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Wang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xuehui Li
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Guanjun Dong
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, Shandong, China
| | - Fenglian Yan
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, Shandong, China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, Shandong, China
| | - Hui Shi
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, Shandong, China
| | - Zhaochen Ning
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, Shandong, China
| | - Min Gao
- Clinical Laboratory, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong Province, Jining, 272011, China
| | - Dalei Cheng
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qun Ma
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, Shandong, China
| | - Changying Wang
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, Shandong, China
| | - Mingsheng Zhao
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, Shandong, China
| | - Jun Dai
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, Shandong, China
| | - Chunxia Li
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, Shandong, China
| | - Zhihua Li
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, Shandong, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, Shandong, China.
| | - Huabao Xiong
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, Shandong, China.
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16
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Gan LL, Hii LW, Wong SF, Leong CO, Mai CW. Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutic Reversal of Pancreatic Cancer-Induced Immune Evasion. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071872. [PMID: 32664564 PMCID: PMC7408947 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer ranks high among the causes of cancer-related mortality. The prognosis of this grim condition has not improved significantly over the past 50 years, despite advancement in imaging techniques, cancer genetics and treatment modalities. Due to the relative difficulty in the early detection of pancreatic tumors, as low as 20% of patients are eligible for potentially curative surgery; moreover, chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT) do not confer a great benefit in the overall survival of the patients. Currently, emerging developments in immunotherapy have yet to bring a significant clinical advantage among pancreatic cancer patients. In fact, pancreatic tumor-driven immune evasion possesses one of the greatest challenges leading to immunotherapeutic resistance. Most of the immune escape pathways are innate, while poor priming of hosts' immune response and immunoediting constitute the adaptive immunosuppressive machinery. In this review, we extensively discuss the pathway perturbations undermining the anti-tumor immunity specific to pancreatic cancer. We also explore feasible up-and-coming therapeutic strategies that may restore immunity and address therapeutic resistance, bringing hope to eliminate the status quo in pancreatic cancer prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Lian Gan
- School of Postgraduate Study, International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (L.-L.G.); (L.-W.H.)
| | - Ling-Wei Hii
- School of Postgraduate Study, International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (L.-L.G.); (L.-W.H.)
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia;
| | - Shew-Fung Wong
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia;
- Centre for Environmental and Population Health, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
| | - Chee-Onn Leong
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia;
- Centre for Cancer and Stem Cells Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
| | - Chun-Wai Mai
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia;
- Centre for Cancer and Stem Cells Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +60-3-2731-7596
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17
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Differences between KC and KPC pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma mice models, in terms of their modeling biology and their clinical relevance. Pancreatology 2020; 20:79-88. [PMID: 31780287 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2019.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the dangerous human cancers, is the 10th highly prevalent cancer, and the fourth sole cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States of America. Notwithstanding the significant commitment, the forecast for people with this burden continues to have a five-year survival rate of just 4-6%. The most critical altered genes within PDAC consist of K-ras the proto-oncogene which is usually mutationally activated above 90% cases and tumor suppressors likeTrp53 are altered at 55%. To face the burden of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a variety of genetically engineered pancreatic cancer mice models have been created over the last past years. These models have distinctive features and are not all appropriate for preclinical studies. In this review, we focus on differences between two mice models K-rasLSL.G12D/+;Pdx-1-Cre(KC) and K-rasLSL.G12D/+; Trp53R172H/+; Pdx-1-Cre(KPC) in terms of their modeling biology and their clinical relevance.
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18
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Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Pancreatic Cancer: Implications in Novel Therapeutic Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11111627. [PMID: 31652904 PMCID: PMC6893814 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a devastating human malignancy with poor prognosis and low survival rates. Several cellular mechanisms have been linked with pancreatic carcinogenesis and also implicated in inducing tumor resistance to known therapeutic regimens. Of various factors, immune evasion mechanisms play critical roles in tumor progression and impeding the efficacy of cancer therapies including PDAC. Among immunosuppressive cell types, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been extensively studied and demonstrated to not only support PDAC development but also hamper the anti-tumor immune responses elicited by therapeutic agents. Notably, recent efforts have been directed in devising novel approaches to target MDSCs to limit their effects. Multiple strategies including immune-based approaches have been explored either alone or in combination with therapeutic agents to target MDSCs in preclinical and clinical settings of PDAC. The current review highlights the roles and mechanisms of MDSCs as well as the implications of this immunomodulatory cell type as a potential target to improve the efficacy of therapeutic regimens for PDAC.
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19
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Daniel SK, Sullivan KM, Labadie KP, Pillarisetty VG. Hypoxia as a barrier to immunotherapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Clin Transl Med 2019; 8:10. [PMID: 30931508 PMCID: PMC6441665 DOI: 10.1186/s40169-019-0226-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal disease with limited response to cytotoxic chemoradiotherapy, as well as newer immunotherapies. The PDA tumor microenvironment contains infiltrating immune cells including cytotoxic T cells; however, there is an overall immunosuppressive milieu. Hypoxia is a known element of the solid tumor microenvironment and may promote tumor survival. Through various mechanisms including, but not limited to, those mediated by HIF-1α, hypoxia also leads to increased tumor proliferation and metabolic changes. Furthermore, epithelial to mesenchymal transition is promoted through several pathways, including NOTCH and c-MET, regulated by hypoxia. Hypoxia-promoted changes also contribute to the immunosuppressive phenotype seen in many different cell types within the microenvironment and thereby may inhibit an effective immune system response to PDA. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and myofibroblasts appear to contribute to the recruitment of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and B cells in PDA via cytokines increased due to hypoxia. PSCs also increase collagen secretion in response to HIF-1α, which promotes a fibrotic stroma that alters T cell homing and migration. In hypoxic environments, B cells contribute to cytotoxic T cell exhaustion and produce chemokines to attract more immunosuppressive regulatory T cells. MDSCs inhibit T cell metabolism by hoarding key amino acids, modulate T cell homing by cleaving L-selectin, and prevent T cell activation by increasing PD-L1 expression. Immunosuppressive M2 phenotype macrophages promote T cell anergy via increased nitric oxide (NO) and decreased arginine in hypoxia. Increased numbers of regulatory T cells are seen in hypoxia which prevent effector T cell activation through cytokine production and increased CTLA-4. Effective immunotherapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma and other solid tumors will need to help counteract the immunosuppressive nature of hypoxia-induced changes in the tumor microenvironment. Promising studies will look at combination therapies involving checkpoint inhibitors, chemokine inhibitors, and possible targeting of hypoxia. While no model is perfect, assuring that models incorporate the effects of hypoxia on cancer cells, stromal cells, and effector immune cells will be crucial in developing successful therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Daniel
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - K M Sullivan
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - K P Labadie
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
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20
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Roles of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Cancer Metastasis: Immunosuppression and Beyond. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2018; 67:89-102. [PMID: 30386868 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-018-0531-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is the direst face of cancer, and it is not a feature solely dependent on cancer cells; however, a complex interaction between cancer cells and host causes this process. Investigating the mechanisms of metastasis can lead to its control. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are key components of tumor microenvironment that favor cancer progression. These cells result from altered myelopoiesis in response to the presence of tumor. The most recognized function of MDSCs is suppressing anti-tumor immune responses. Strikingly, these cells are among important players in cancer dissemination and metastasis. They can exert their effect on metastatic process by affecting anti-cancer immunity, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cell formation, angiogenesis, establishing premetastatic niche, and supporting cancer cell survival and growth in metastatic sites. In this article, we review and discuss the mechanisms by which MDSCs contribute to cancer metastasis.
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21
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Hallmarks of Cancer-Related Newly Prognostic Factors of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19082413. [PMID: 30115834 PMCID: PMC6121568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is the sixth leading malignancy worldwide. OSCC is an aggressive tumor and its prognosis has exhibited little improvement in the last three decades. Comprehensive elucidation of OSCC's molecular mechanism is imperative for early detection and treatment, improving patient survival. Based on broadly accepted notions, OSCC arises from multiple genetic alterations caused by chronic exposure to carcinogens. In 2011, research revealed 10 key alterations fundamental to cancer cell development: sustaining proliferative signaling, evading growth suppressors, avoiding immune destruction, activating invasion and metastasis, tumor-promoting inflammation, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, genome instability and mutation, resisting cell death, and deregulating energetics. This review describes molecular pathological findings on conventional and novel hallmarks of OSCC prognostic factors. In addition, the review summarizes the functions and roles of several molecules as novel OSCC prognosticators.
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22
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Choi CH, Kang TH, Song JS, Kim YS, Chung EJ, Ylaya K, Kim S, Koh SS, Chung JY, Kim JH, Hewitt SM. Elevated expression of pancreatic adenocarcinoma upregulated factor (PAUF) is associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance in epithelial ovarian cancer. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12161. [PMID: 30111860 PMCID: PMC6093878 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30582-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma upregulated factor (PAUF) is a ligand of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and has been reported to be involved in pancreatic tumor development. However, the significance of PAUF expression in epithelial ovarian cancer remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the possible clinical significance of PAUF in epithelial ovarian cancer. We examined the link between PAUF and TLR4 in ovarian cancer cell lines. Recombinant PAUF induced cell activation and proliferation in ovarian cancer cell lines, whereas PAUF knockdown inhibited these properties. Subsequently, we assessed PAUF and TLR4 expression by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray of 408 ovarian samples ranging from normal to metastatic. PAUF expression positively correlated with TLR4 expression. Overexpression of PAUF was associated with high-grade tumor (p = 0.014) and chemoresistant tumor (p = 0.017). Similarly, high expression of TLR4 correlated with advanced tumor stage (p = 0.002) and chemoresistant tumor (p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that PAUFhigh, TLR4high, and PAUFhigh/TLR4high expression are independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival, while TLR4high and PAUFhigh/TLR4high expression were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Our results suggest that PAUF has a role in ovarian cancer progression and is a potential prognostic marker and novel chemotherapeutic target for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chel Hun Choi
- Experimental Pathology Laboratory, Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.,Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Heung Kang
- Department of Immunology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju, 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Seon Song
- Experimental Pathology Laboratory, Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.,Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Seob Kim
- Department of Immunology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju, 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Joo Chung
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Kris Ylaya
- Experimental Pathology Laboratory, Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Seokho Kim
- Aging Research Institute, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Seok Koh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Yong Chung
- Experimental Pathology Laboratory, Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jae-Hoon Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea.
| | - Stephen M Hewitt
- Experimental Pathology Laboratory, Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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23
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Houg DS, Bijlsma MF. The hepatic pre-metastatic niche in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer 2018; 17:95. [PMID: 29903049 PMCID: PMC6003100 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-018-0842-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most aggressive malignancies to date, largely because it is associated with high metastatic risk. Pancreatic tumors have a characteristic tendency to metastasize preferentially to the liver. Over the past two decades, it has become evident that the otherwise hostile milieu of the liver is selectively preconditioned at an early stage to render it more conducive to the engraftment and growth of disseminated cancer cells, a concept defined as pre-metastatic niche (PMN) formation. Pancreatic cancer cells exploit components of the tumor microenvironment to facilitate their migration out of the primary tumor, which often involves conversion of pancreatic cancer cells from an epithelial to a mesenchymal phenotype via the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Pancreatic stellate cells and matrix stiffness have been put forward as major drivers of invasiveness in PDAC. Even before the onset of pancreatic cancer cell dissemination, soluble factors and extracellular vesicles secreted by the primary tumor, and possibly even premalignant lesions, help shape a supportive niche in the liver by providing vascular docking sites for circulating tumor cells, enhancing vascular permeability, remodeling the extracellular matrix and recruiting immunosuppressive inflammatory cells. Emerging evidence suggests that some of these tumor-derived factors may represent powerful diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers. Though our understanding of the mechanisms driving PMN formation in PDAC has expanded considerably, many outstanding questions and challenges remain. Further studies dissecting the molecular and cellular events involved in hepatic PMN formation in PDAC will likely improve diagnosis and open new avenues from a therapeutic standpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demi S Houg
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center of Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten F Bijlsma
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center of Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. .,Oncode Institute, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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24
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Parente P, Parcesepe P, Covelli C, Olivieri N, Remo A, Pancione M, Latiano TP, Graziano P, Maiello E, Giordano G. Crosstalk between the Tumor Microenvironment and Immune System in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Potential Targets for New Therapeutic Approaches. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2018; 2018:7530619. [PMID: 30662458 PMCID: PMC6312626 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7530619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a lethal disease for which radical surgery and chemotherapy represent the only curative options for a small proportion of patients. Recently, FOLFIRINOX and nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine have improved the survival of metastatic patients but prognosis remains poor. A pancreatic tumor microenvironment is a dynamic milieu of cellular and acellular elements, and it represents one of the major limitations to chemotherapy efficacy. The continued crosstalk between cancer cells and the surrounding microenvironment causes immunosuppression within pancreatic immune infiltrate increasing tumor aggressiveness. Several potential targets have been identified among tumor microenvironment components, and different therapeutic approaches are under investigation. In this article, we provide a qualitative literature review about the crosstalk between the tumor microenvironment components and immune system in pancreatic cancer. Finally, we discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting the tumor microenvironment and we show the ongoing trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Parente
- 1Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, UO di Anatomia Patologica, Viale Cappuccini 1, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Pietro Parcesepe
- 2Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Claudia Covelli
- 1Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, UO di Anatomia Patologica, Viale Cappuccini 1, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Nunzio Olivieri
- 3Biology Department, University of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Remo
- 4“Mater Salutis” Hospital, ULSS 9, Via C. Gianella 1, 37045 Legnago, Verona, Italy
| | - Massimo Pancione
- 5Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, Via Port'Arsa 11, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Tiziana Pia Latiano
- 6Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, UO di Oncologia Medica, Viale Cappuccini 1, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Paolo Graziano
- 1Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, UO di Anatomia Patologica, Viale Cappuccini 1, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Evaristo Maiello
- 6Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, UO di Oncologia Medica, Viale Cappuccini 1, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Guido Giordano
- 6Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, UO di Oncologia Medica, Viale Cappuccini 1, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
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25
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Martinenaite E, Mortensen REJ, Hansen M, Orebo Holmström M, Munir Ahmad S, Grønne Dahlager Jørgensen N, Met Ö, Donia M, Svane IM, Andersen MH. Frequent adaptive immune responses against arginase-1. Oncoimmunology 2017; 7:e1404215. [PMID: 29399404 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1404215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The enzyme arginase-1 reduces the availability of arginine to tumor-infiltrating immune cells, thus reducing T-cell functionality in the tumor milieu. Arginase-1 is expressed by some cancer cells and by immune inhibitory cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and its expression is associated with poor prognosis. In the present study, we divided the arginase-1 protein sequence into overlapping 20-amino-acid-long peptides, generating a library of 31 peptides covering the whole arginase-1 sequence. Reactivity towards this peptide library was examined in PBMCs from cancer patients and healthy individuals. IFNγ ELISPOT revealed frequent immune responses against multiple arginase-1-derived peptides. We further identified a hot-spot region within the arginase-1 protein sequence containing multiple epitopes recognized by T cells. Next, we examined in vitro-expanded tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) isolated from melanoma patients, and detected arginase-1-specific T cells that reacted against epitopes from the hot-spot region. Arginase-1-specific CD4+T cells could be isolated and expanded from peripheral T cell pool of a patient with melanoma, and further demonstrated the specificity and reactivity of these T cells. Overall, we showed that arginase-1-specific T cells were capable of recognizing arginase-1-expressing cells. The activation of arginase-1-specific T cells by vaccination is an attractive approach to target arginase-1-expressing malignant cells and inhibitory immune cells. In the clinical setting, the induction of arginase-1-specific immune responses could induce or increase Th1 inflammation at the sites of tumors that are otherwise excluded due to infiltration with MDSCs and TAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Martinenaite
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Morten Hansen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Morten Orebo Holmström
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Shamaila Munir Ahmad
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Özcan Met
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marco Donia
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
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26
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Song H, Song J, Kim YJ, Jeong HH, Min HJ, Koh SS. DCPP1 is the mouse ortholog of human PAUF that possesses functional analogy in pancreatic cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 493:1498-1503. [PMID: 28988106 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.10.015] [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: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma upregulated factor (PAUF) overexpressed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) plays a major role in tumor progression and metastasis by autocrine and paracrine manners. However, underlying molecular mechanism of PAUF functioning in pancreatic cancer are not fully understood yet. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of demilune cell and parotid protein 1 (DCPP1) as a putative mouse ortholog of human PAUF by sequence alignment and functional studies. Overexpression of mouse DCPP1 in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells or pancreatic cancer cells increased cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and adhesion ability in vitro. Treatment of human pancreatic cancer cells with recombinant mouse DCPP1 elevated cell growth, motility, invasiveness, and adhesiveness. Mouse DCPP1 exerted its function on pancreatic cancer cells by activating intracellular signaling pathways involved in aggressive cancer phenotype of human pancreatic cancer cells. Moreover, subcutaneous injection of mice with DCPP1-overexpressing CHO cells increased tumor sizes. Taken together, we conclude that mouse DCPP1 is a multifunctional promoter of tumor growth through functional activation of pancreatic cancer cells, suggesting it to be an ortholog of human PAUF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayne Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Jinhoi Song
- Aging Research Institute, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Yeon Jeong Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Hyeon Hee Jeong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Hye Jin Min
- Aging Research Institute, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sang Seok Koh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan, South Korea.
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27
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Li J, Yang F, Wei F, Ren X. The role of toll-like receptor 4 in tumor microenvironment. Oncotarget 2017; 8:66656-66667. [PMID: 29029545 PMCID: PMC5630445 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors are closely related to chronic inflammation, during which there are various changes in inflammatory sites, such as immune cells infiltration, pro-inflammation cytokines production, and interaction between immune cells and tissue cells. Besides, substances, released from both tissue cells attacked by exogenous etiologies, also act on local cells. These changes induce a dynamic and complex microenvironment favorable for tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. The toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is the first identified member of the toll-like receptor family that can recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMPs). TLR4 expresses not only on immune cells but also on tumor cells. Accumulating evidences demonstrated that the activation of TLR4 in tumor microenvironment can not only boost the anti-tumor immunity but also give rise to immune surveillance and tumor progression. This review will summarize the expression and function of TLR4 on dendritic cells (DCs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), T cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumor cells as well as stromal cells in tumor microenvironment. Validation of the multiple role of TLR4 in tumors could primarily pave the road for the development of anti-tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Wei
- Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiubao Ren
- Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
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28
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Liu Q, Liao Q, Zhao Y. Chemotherapy and tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2017; 17:68. [PMID: 28694739 PMCID: PMC5498917 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-017-0437-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is an extremely dismal malignance. Chemotherapy has been widely applied to treat this intractable tumor. It has exclusive tumor microenvironment (TME), characterized by dense desmoplasia and profound infiltrations of immunosuppressive cells. Interactions between stromal cells and cancer cells play vital roles to affect the biological behaviors of pancreatic cancer. Targeting the stromal components of pancreatic cancer has shown promising results. In addition to the direct toxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs on cancer cells, they can also remodel the TME, eventually affecting their efficacy. Herein, we reviewed the following four aspects; (1) clinical landmark advances of chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer, since 2000; (2) interactions and mechanisms between stromal cells and pancreatic cancer cells; (3) remodeling effects and mechanisms of chemotherapy on TME; (4) targeting stromal components in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaofei Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1# Shuai Fu Yuan, Dong Dan District, Beijing, 100730 China
| | - Quan Liao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1# Shuai Fu Yuan, Dong Dan District, Beijing, 100730 China
| | - Yupei Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1# Shuai Fu Yuan, Dong Dan District, Beijing, 100730 China
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29
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Tamadaho RSE, Hoerauf A, Layland LE. Immunomodulatory effects of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in diseases: Role in cancer and infections. Immunobiology 2017; 223:432-442. [PMID: 29246400 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are heterogeneous cells capable of abrogating T and B cells responses and have been identified in numerous cancers. As with other regulatory cell populations, they aim to maintain balance between host-defence-associated inflammation and ensuing tissue pathology. MDSC accumulation and/or activation involve several growth factors and cytokines including Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) and Interleukin (IL)-6 and suppression has been linked to receptors such as IL-4Rα. Other immune pathways, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have also been shown to interfere in MDSC activity adding to the complexity in clarifying their pathways. Monocytic- (Mo-MDSCs) and polymorphonuclear- (PMN-MDSCs) cells are two subsets of MDSCs that have been well characterized and have been shown to function through different mechanisms although both appear to require nitric oxide. In human and murine model settings, MDSCs have been shown to have inhibitory effects on T cell responses during bacterial, parasitic and viral pathologies and an increase of MDSC numbers has been associated with pathological conditions. Interestingly, the environment impacts on MDSC activity and regulatory T cells (Tregs), mast cells and a few cells that may help MDSC in order to regulate immune responses. Since the majority of pioneering data on MDSCs has stemmed from research on malignancies, this review will summarize MDSC biology and function in cancer and highlight current knowledge about these cells during infectious pathologies as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth S E Tamadaho
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site, Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Laura E Layland
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site, Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany.
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30
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Crosstalk between stromal cells and cancer cells in pancreatic cancer: New insights into stromal biology. Cancer Lett 2017; 392:83-93. [PMID: 28189533 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2016] [Revised: 01/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide. Increasing evidence has confirmed the pivotal role of stromal components in the regulation of carcinogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance in PC. Interaction between neoplastic cells and stromal cells builds a specific microenvironment, which further modulates the malignant properties of cancer cells. Instead of being a "passive bystander", stroma may play a role as a "partner in crime" in PC. However, the role of stromal components in PC is complex and requires further investigation. In this article, we review recent advances regarding the regulatory roles and mechanisms of stroma biology, especially the cellular components such as pancreatic stellate cells, macrophages, neutrophils, adipocytes, epithelial cells, pericytes, mast cells, and lymphocytes, in PC. Crosstalk between stromal cells and cancer cells is thoroughly investigated. We also review the prognostic value and molecular therapeutic targets of stroma in PC. This review may help us further understand the molecular mechanisms of stromal biology and its role in PC development and therapeutic resistance. Moreover, targeting stroma components may provide new therapeutic strategies for this stubborn disease.
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31
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Szebeni GJ, Vizler C, Nagy LI, Kitajka K, Puskas LG. Pro-Tumoral Inflammatory Myeloid Cells as Emerging Therapeutic Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17111958. [PMID: 27886105 PMCID: PMC5133952 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17111958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the observation of Virchow, it has long been known that the tumor microenvironment constitutes the soil for the infiltration of inflammatory cells and for the release of inflammatory mediators. Under certain circumstances, inflammation remains unresolved and promotes cancer development. Here, we review some of these indisputable experimental and clinical evidences of cancer related smouldering inflammation. The most common myeloid infiltrate in solid tumors is composed of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). These cells promote tumor growth by several mechanisms, including their inherent immunosuppressive activity, promotion of neoangiogenesis, mediation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and alteration of cellular metabolism. The pro-tumoral functions of TAMs and MDSCs are further enhanced by their cross-talk offering a myriad of potential anti-cancer therapeutic targets. We highlight these main pro-tumoral mechanisms of myeloid cells and give a general overview of their phenotypical and functional diversity, offering examples of possible therapeutic targets. Pharmacological targeting of inflammatory cells and molecular mediators may result in therapies improving patient condition and prognosis. Here, we review experimental and clinical findings on cancer-related inflammation with a major focus on creating an inventory of current small molecule-based therapeutic interventions targeting cancer-related inflammatory cells: TAMs and MDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabor J Szebeni
- Avidin Ltd., Also kikoto sor 11/D., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary.
- Synaptogenex Ltd., Őzsuta utca 20995/1, H-1037 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Csaba Vizler
- Department of Biochemistry, Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvari krt. 62., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Lajos I Nagy
- Avidin Ltd., Also kikoto sor 11/D., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Klara Kitajka
- Department of Genetics, Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvari krt. 62., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Laszlo G Puskas
- Avidin Ltd., Also kikoto sor 11/D., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary.
- Department of Genetics, Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvari krt. 62., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary.
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