1
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Petrova L, Bunz F. Interferons in Colorectal Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapy. DISEASES & RESEARCH 2024; 4:31-39. [PMID: 38962090 PMCID: PMC11220628 DOI: 10.54457/dr.202401005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
As key modulators of the immune response, interferons play critical roles following infection and during the pathogenesis of cancer. The idea that these cytokines might be developed as new therapies emerged soon after their discovery. While enthusiasm for this approach to cancer therapy has waxed and waned over the ensuing decades, recent advances in cancer immunotherapy and our improved understanding of the tumor immune environment have led to a resurgence of interest in this unique class of biologic drug. Here, we review how interferons influence the growth of colorectal cancers (CRCs) and highlight new insights into how interferons and drugs that modulate interferon expression might be most effectively deployed in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Petrova
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland 21287, USA
| | - Fred Bunz
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland 21287, USA
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2
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Xuan L, Bai C, Ju Z, Luo J, Guan H, Zhou PK, Huang R. Radiation-targeted immunotherapy: A new perspective in cancer radiotherapy. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2024; 75:1-11. [PMID: 38061920 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
In contemporary oncology, radiation therapy and immunotherapy stand as critical treatments, each with distinct mechanisms and outcomes. Radiation therapy, a key player in cancer management, targets cancer cells by damaging their DNA with ionizing radiation. Its effectiveness is heightened when used alongside other treatments like surgery and chemotherapy. Employing varied radiation types like X-rays, gamma rays, and proton beams, this approach aims to minimize damage to healthy tissue. However, it is not without risks, including potential damage to surrounding normal cells and side effects ranging from skin inflammation to serious long-term complications. Conversely, immunotherapy marks a revolutionary step in cancer treatment, leveraging the body's immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. It manipulates the immune system's specificity and memory, offering a versatile approach either alone or in combination with other treatments. Immunotherapy is known for its targeted action, long-lasting responses, and fewer side effects compared to traditional therapies. The interaction between radiation therapy and immunotherapy is intricate, with potential for both synergistic and antagonistic effects. Their combined use can be more effective than either treatment alone, but careful consideration of timing and sequence is essential. This review explores the impact of various radiation therapy regimens on immunotherapy, focusing on changes in the immune microenvironment, immune protein expression, and epigenetic factors, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment strategies and ongoing research to enhance the efficacy of these combined therapies in cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihui Xuan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410078, China; Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Chenjun Bai
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Zhao Ju
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410078, China; Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Jinhua Luo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410078, China; Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Hua Guan
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Ping-Kun Zhou
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Ruixue Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410078, China.
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3
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Xu Y, He Z, Du J, Chen Z, Creemers JWM, Wang B, Li F, Wang Y. Epigenetic modulations of immune cells: from normal development to tumor progression. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:5120-5144. [PMID: 37928272 PMCID: PMC10620821 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.88327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The dysfunction of immune cell development often impairs immunological homeostasis, thus causing various human diseases. Accumulating evidence shows that the development of different immune cells from hematopoietic stem cells are highly fine-tuned by different epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling and RNA-related regulations. Understanding how epigenetic regulators modulate normal development of immune cells contributes to the identification of new strategies for various diseases. Here, we review recent advances suggesting that epigenetic modulations can orchestrate immune cell development and functions through their impact on critical gene expression. We also discuss the aberrations of epigenetic modulations in immune cells that influence tumor progression, and the fact that underlying mechanisms affect how epigenetic drugs interfere with tumor progression in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanchun Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of nursing, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zongsheng He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Du
- Department of General Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ziqiang Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | | | - Bin Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fan Li
- Department of General Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yaling Wang
- Department of nursing, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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4
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Yu S, Xiao H, Ma L, Zhang J, Zhang J. Reinforcing the immunogenic cell death to enhance cancer immunotherapy efficacy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188946. [PMID: 37385565 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Immunogenic cell death (ICD) has been a revolutionary modality in cancer treatment since it kills primary tumors and prevents recurrent malignancy simultaneously. ICD represents a particular form of cancer cell death accompanied by production of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that can be recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which enhances infiltration of effector T cells and potentiates antitumor immune responses. Various treatment methods can elicit ICD involving chemo- and radio-therapy, phototherapy and nanotechnology to efficiently convert dead cancer cells into vaccines and trigger the antigen-specific immune responses. Nevertheless, the efficacy of ICD-induced therapies is restrained due to low accumulation in the tumor sites and damage of normal tissues. Thus, researchers have been devoted to overcoming these problems with novel materials and strategies. In this review, current knowledge on different ICD modalities, various ICD inducers, development and application of novel ICD-inducing strategies are summarized. Moreover, the prospects and challenges are briefly outlined to provide reference for future design of novel immunotherapy based on ICD effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihui Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyang Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiawen Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jiarong Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Musella M, Manduca N, Maccafeo E, Sistigu A. Epigenetics behind tumor immunology: a mini review. Oncogene 2023; 42:2932-2938. [PMID: 37604925 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02791-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Immunogenic- and immune-therapies have become hot spots in the treatment of cancer. Although promising, these strategies are frequently associated with innate or acquired resistance, calling for combined targeting of immune inhibitory signals. Epigenetic therapy is attracting considerable attention as a combination partner for immune-based therapies due to its role in molding the state and fate of cancer and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Here, we describe epigenetic dysregulations in cancer, with a particular focus on those related to innate immune signaling and Type I interferons, and emphasize opportunities and current efforts to translate this knowledge into treatment regimens with improved clinical benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Musella
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Manduca
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Ester Maccafeo
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Sistigu
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy.
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario 'A. Gemelli' - Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00168, Rome, Italy.
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6
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Mödl B, Moritsch S, Zwolanek D, Eferl R. Type I and II interferon signaling in colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Cytokine 2023; 161:156075. [PMID: 36323190 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.156075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Traditional chemotherapy extended the lifespan of cancer patients by only a few months, but targeted therapies and immunotherapy prolonged survival and led to long-term remissions in some cases. Type I and II interferons have direct pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells and stimulate anti-cancer immunity. As a result, interferon production by cells in the tumor microenvironment is in the spotlight of immunotherapies as it affects the responses of anti-cancer immune cells. However, promoting effects of interferons on colorectal cancer metastasis have also been reported. Here we summarize our knowledge about pro- and anti-metastatic effects of type I and II interferons in colorectal cancer liver metastasis and discuss possible therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadette Mödl
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Moritsch
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Zwolanek
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert Eferl
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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7
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Repurposing of Commercially Existing Molecular Target Therapies to Boost the Clinical Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246150. [PMID: 36551637 PMCID: PMC9776741 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is now standard of care for several metastatic epithelial cancers and prolongs life expectancy for a significant fraction of patients. A hostile tumor microenvironment (TME) induced by intrinsic oncogenic signaling induces an immunosuppressive niche that protects the tumor cells, limiting the durability and efficacy of ICB therapies. Addition of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKi) as potential modulators of an unfavorable local immune environment has resulted in moderate life expectancy improvement. Though the combination strategy of ICB and RTKi has shown significantly better results compared to individual treatment, the benefits and adverse events are additive whereas synergy of benefit would be preferable. There is therefore a need to investigate the potential of inhibitors other than RTKs to reduce malignant cell survival while enhancing anti-tumor immunity. In the last five years, preclinical studies have focused on using small molecule inhibitors targeting cell cycle and DNA damage regulators such as CDK4/6, CHK1 and poly ADP ribosyl polymerase (PARP) to selectively kill tumor cells and enhance cytotoxic immune responses. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the available drugs that attenuate immunosuppression and overcome hostile TME that could be used to boost FDA-approved ICB efficacy in the near future.
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8
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Solomon PE, Kirkemo LL, Wilson GM, Leung KK, Almond MH, Sayles LC, Sweet-Cordero EA, Rosenberg OS, Coon JJ, Wells JA. Discovery Proteomics Analysis Determines That Driver Oncogenes Suppress Antiviral Defense Pathways Through Reduction in Interferon-β Autocrine Stimulation. Mol Cell Proteomics 2022; 21:100247. [PMID: 35594991 PMCID: PMC9212846 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2022.100247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of oncogenes, there has been tremendous interest to understand their mechanistic basis and to develop broadly actionable therapeutics. Some of the most frequently activated oncogenes driving diverse cancers are c-MYC, EGFR, HER2, AKT, KRAS, BRAF, and MEK. Using a reductionist approach, we explored how cellular proteomes are remodeled in isogenic cell lines engineered with or without these driver oncogenes. The most striking discovery for all oncogenic models was the systematic downregulation of scores of antiviral proteins regulated by type 1 interferon. These findings extended to cancer cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models of highly refractory pancreatic cancer and osteosarcoma driven by KRAS and MYC oncogenes. The oncogenes reduced basal expression of and autocrine stimulation by type 1 interferon causing remarkable convergence on common phenotypic and functional profiles. In particular, there was dramatically lower expression of dsRNA sensors including DDX58 (RIG-I) and OAS proteins, which resulted in attenuated functional responses when the oncogenic cells were treated with the dsRNA mimetic, polyI:C, and increased susceptibility to infection with an RNA virus shown using SARS-CoV-2. Our reductionist approach provides molecular and functional insights connected to immune evasion hallmarks in cancers and suggests therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige E Solomon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lisa L Kirkemo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Gary M Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kevin K Leung
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mark H Almond
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, UCSF Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Leanne C Sayles
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Oren S Rosenberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, UCSF Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA; Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Joshua J Coon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; National Center for Quantitative Biology of Complex Systems, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - James A Wells
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
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9
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Zhang J, Tavakoli H, Ma L, Li X, Han L, Li X. Immunotherapy discovery on tumor organoid-on-a-chip platforms that recapitulate the tumor microenvironment. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 187:114365. [PMID: 35667465 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has achieved remarkable success over the past decade by modulating patients' own immune systems and unleashing pre-existing immunity. However, only a minority of cancer patients across different cancer types are able to benefit from immunotherapy treatment; moreover, among those small portions of patients with response, intrinsic and acquired resistance remains a persistent challenge. Because the tumor microenvironment (TME) is well recognized to play a critical role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and the suppression of the immune system and responses to immunotherapy, understanding the interactions between the TME and the immune system is a pivotal step in developing novel and efficient cancer immunotherapies. With unique features such as low reagent consumption, dynamic and precise fluid control, versatile structures and function designs, and 3D cell co-culture, microfluidic tumor organoid-on-a-chip platforms that recapitulate key factors of the TME and the immune contexture have emerged as innovative reliable tools to investigate how tumors regulate their TME to counteract antitumor immunity and the mechanism of tumor resistance to immunotherapy. In this comprehensive review, we focus on recent advances in tumor organoid-on-a-chip platforms for studying the interaction between the TME and the immune system. We first review different factors of the TME that recent microfluidic in vitro systems reproduce to generate advanced tools to imitate the crosstalk between the TME and the immune system. Then, we discuss their applications in the assessment of different immunotherapies' efficacy using tumor organoid-on-a-chip platforms. Finally, we present an overview and the outlook of engineered microfluidic platforms in investigating the interactions between cancer and immune systems, and the adoption of patient-on-a-chip models in clinical applications toward personalized immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Hamed Tavakoli
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Lei Ma
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Xiaochun Li
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Lichun Han
- Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an 710016, China
| | - XiuJun Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA; Border Biomedical Research Center, Forensic Science, & Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
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10
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Huang JL, Chen SY, Lin CS. Targeting Cancer Stem Cells through Epigenetic Modulation of Interferon Response. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12040556. [PMID: 35455671 PMCID: PMC9027081 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12040556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cancer cells and are thought to play a critical role in the initiation and maintenance of tumor mass. CSCs exhibit similar hallmarks to normal stem cells, such as self-renewal, differentiation, and homeostasis. In addition, CSCs are equipped with several features so as to evade anticancer mechanisms. Therefore, it is hard to eliminate CSCs by conventional anticancer therapeutics that are effective at clearing bulk cancer cells. Interferons are innate cytokines and are the key players in immune surveillance to respond to invaded pathogens. Interferons are also crucial for adaptive immunity for the killing of specific aliens including cancer cells. However, CSCs usually evolve to escape from interferon-mediated immune surveillance and to shape the niche as a “cold” tumor microenvironment (TME). These CSC characteristics are related to their unique epigenetic regulations that are different from those of normal and bulk cancer cells. In this review, we introduce the roles of epigenetic modifiers, focusing on LSD1, BMI1, G9a, and SETDB1, in contributing to CSC characteristics and discussing the interplay between CSCs and interferon response. We also discuss the emerging strategy for eradicating CSCs by targeting these epigenetic modifiers, which can elevate cytosolic nuclei acids, trigger interferon response, and reshape a “hot” TME for improving cancer immunotherapy. The key epigenetic and immune genes involved in this crosstalk can be used as biomarkers for precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jau-Ling Huang
- Department of Bioscience Technology, College of Health Science, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan 711, Taiwan;
| | - Si-Yun Chen
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Chang-Shen Lin
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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11
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Dai E, Zhu Z, Wahed S, Qu Z, Storkus WJ, Guo ZS. Epigenetic modulation of antitumor immunity for improved cancer immunotherapy. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:171. [PMID: 34930302 PMCID: PMC8691037 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01464-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms play vital roles not only in cancer initiation and progression, but also in the activation, differentiation and effector function(s) of immune cells. In this review, we summarize current literature related to epigenomic dynamics in immune cells impacting immune cell fate and functionality, and the immunogenicity of cancer cells. Some important immune-associated genes, such as granzyme B, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12, FoxP3 and STING, are regulated via epigenetic mechanisms in immune or/and cancer cells, as are immune checkpoint molecules (PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, LAG-3, TIGIT) expressed by immune cells and tumor-associated stromal cells. Thus, therapeutic strategies implementing epigenetic modulating drugs are expected to significantly impact the tumor microenvironment (TME) by promoting transcriptional and metabolic reprogramming in local immune cell populations, resulting in inhibition of immunosuppressive cells (MDSCs and Treg) and the activation of anti-tumor T effector cells, professional antigen presenting cells (APC), as well as cancer cells which can serve as non-professional APC. In the latter instance, epigenetic modulating agents may coordinately promote tumor immunogenicity by inducing de novo expression of transcriptionally repressed tumor-associated antigens, increasing expression of neoantigens and MHC processing/presentation machinery, and activating tumor immunogenic cell death (ICD). ICD provides a rich source of immunogens for anti-tumor T cell cross-priming and sensitizing cancer cells to interventional immunotherapy. In this way, epigenetic modulators may be envisioned as effective components in combination immunotherapy approaches capable of mediating superior therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enyong Dai
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zhi Zhu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Surgical Oncology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shudipto Wahed
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zhaoxia Qu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Walter J Storkus
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Departments of Dermatology, Immunology, Pathology and Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zong Sheng Guo
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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12
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Parlato S, Grisanti G, Sinibaldi G, Peruzzi G, Casciola CM, Gabriele L. Tumor-on-a-chip platforms to study cancer-immune system crosstalk in the era of immunotherapy. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:234-253. [PMID: 33315027 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00799d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a powerful therapeutic approach able to re-educate the immune system to fight cancer. A key player in this process is the tumor microenvironment (TME), which is a dynamic entity characterized by a complex array of tumor and stromal cells as well as immune cell populations trafficking to the tumor site through the endothelial barrier. Recapitulating these multifaceted dynamics is critical for studying the intimate interactions between cancer and the immune system and to assess the efficacy of emerging immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and adoptive cell-based products. Microfluidic devices offer a unique technological approach to build tumor-on-a-chip reproducing the multiple layers of complexity of cancer-immune system crosstalk. Here, we seek to review the most important biological and engineering developments of microfluidic platforms for studying cancer-immune system interactions, in both solid and hematological tumors, highlighting the role of the vascular component in immune trafficking. Emphasis is given to image processing and related algorithms for real-time monitoring and quantitative evaluation of the cellular response to microenvironmental dynamic changes. The described approaches represent a valuable tool for preclinical evaluation of immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Parlato
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome, Italy.
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13
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Type I Interferons and Cancer: An Evolving Story Demanding Novel Clinical Applications. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11121943. [PMID: 31817234 PMCID: PMC6966569 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The first report on the antitumor effects of interferon α/β (IFN-I) in mice was published 50 years ago. IFN-α were the first immunotherapeutic drugs approved by the FDA for clinical use in cancer. However, their clinical use occurred at a time when most of their mechanisms of action were still unknown. These cytokines were being used as either conventional cytostatic drugs or non-specific biological response modifiers. Specific biological activities subsequently ascribed to IFN-I were poorly considered for their clinical use. Notably, a lot of the data in humans and mice underlines the importance of endogenous IFN-I, produced by both immune and tumor cells, in the control of tumor growth and in the response to antitumor therapies. While many oncologists consider IFN-I as “dead drugs”, recent studies reveal new mechanisms of action with potential implications in cancer control and immunotherapy response or resistance, suggesting novel rationales for their usage in target and personalized anti-cancer treatments. In this Perspectives Article, we focus on the following aspects: (1) the added value of IFN-I for enhancing the antitumor impact of standard anticancer treatments (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) and new therapeutic approaches, such as check point inhibitors and epigenetic drugs; (2) the role of IFN-I in the control of cancer stem cells growth and its possible implications for the development of novel antitumor therapies; and (3) the role of IFN-I in the development of cancer vaccines and the intriguing therapeutic possibilities offered by in situ delivery of ex vivo IFN-stimulated dendritic cells.
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14
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Bezu L, Wu Chuang A, Liu P, Kroemer G, Kepp O. Immunological Effects of Epigenetic Modifiers. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11121911. [PMID: 31805711 PMCID: PMC6966579 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations are associated with major pathologies including cancer. Epigenetic dysregulation, such as aberrant histone acetylation, altered DNA methylation, or modified chromatin organization, contribute to oncogenesis by inactivating tumor suppressor genes and activating oncogenic pathways. Targeting epigenetic cancer hallmarks can be harnessed as an immunotherapeutic strategy, exemplified by the use of pharmacological inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) and histone deacetylases (HDAC) that can result in the release from the tumor of danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) on one hand and can (re-)activate the expression of tumor-associated antigens on the other hand. This finding suggests that epigenetic modifiers and more specifically the DNA methylation status may change the interaction of chromatin with chaperon proteins including HMGB1, thereby contributing to the antitumor immune response. In this review, we detail how epigenetic modifiers can be used for stimulating therapeutically relevant anticancer immunity when used as stand-alone treatments or in combination with established immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucillia Bezu
- Service anesthésie-réanimation, Hôpital européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, 75015 Paris, France;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Paris Sud, 94270 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France;
- Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, 75000, Paris, France;
- Université de Paris, Sorbonne, INSERM U1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, 75006 Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, 94800 Villejuif, France
| | - Alejandra Wu Chuang
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Paris Sud, 94270 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France;
- Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, 75000, Paris, France;
- Université de Paris, Sorbonne, INSERM U1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, 75006 Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, 94800 Villejuif, France
| | - Peng Liu
- Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, 75000, Paris, France;
- Université de Paris, Sorbonne, INSERM U1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, 75006 Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, 94800 Villejuif, France
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, 75000, Paris, France;
- Université de Paris, Sorbonne, INSERM U1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, 75006 Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, 94800 Villejuif, France
- Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, 75015 Paris, France
- Suzhou Institute for Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 215123 Suzhou, China
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence: (G.K.); (O.K.)
| | - Oliver Kepp
- Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, 75000, Paris, France;
- Université de Paris, Sorbonne, INSERM U1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, 75006 Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, 94800 Villejuif, France
- Correspondence: (G.K.); (O.K.)
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15
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Schnekenburger M, Dicato M, Diederich MF. Anticancer potential of naturally occurring immunoepigenetic modulators: A promising avenue? Cancer 2019; 125:1612-1628. [PMID: 30840315 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The immune system represents the major primary defense line against carcinogenesis and acts by identifying and eradicating nascent transformed cells. A growing body of evidence is indicating that aberrant epigenetic reprogramming plays a key role in tumor immune escape through: 1) impaired efficient recognition of neoplastic cells by the immune system, resulting from a downregulation or loss of the expression of tumor-associated antigens, human leukocyte antigens, antigen processing and presenting machinery, and costimulatory molecule genes; 2) aberrant expression of immune checkpoint proteins and their ligands; and 3) modification of cytokine profiles and tumor-associated immune cell populations toward an immunosuppressive state in the tumor microenvironment. Consistent with the inherent reversibility of epigenetic alterations, epigenetic drugs, including DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors, have the unique potential to favorably modify the tumor microenvironment, restore tumor recognition and stimulate an antitumor immune response. The objective of this review is to highlight selected, naturally occurring epigenetic modulators, namely, butyrate, curcumin, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, resveratrol, romidepsin, and trichostatin A, with a special focus on their antitumor immune properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schnekenburger
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer, Kirchberg Hospital, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Mario Dicato
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer, Kirchberg Hospital, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Marc F Diederich
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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16
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Cancer stem cells: Road to therapeutic resistance and strategies to overcome resistance. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2018; 1866:165339. [PMID: 30481586 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Unlike other normal cells, a subpopulation of cells often termed as "stem cells" are long-lived and generate cellular progeny throughout life. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are rare immortal cells within a tumor that can both self-renew by dividing and giving rise to many cell types that constitute the tumor. CSCs also have been shown to be involved in fundamental processes of cell proliferation and metastatic dissemination. CSCs are generally resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, a subset of remaining CSCs after therapy can survive and promote cancer relapse and resistance to therapies. Understanding the biological characteristics of CSCs, the pathways leading to their sustainability and proliferation, and the CSCs role in drug resistance is crucial for establishing novel tumor diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In this review, we address the pathways that regulate CSCs, the role of CSCs in the resistance to therapy, and strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance.
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17
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Castiello L, Sestili P, Schiavoni G, Dattilo R, Monque DM, Ciaffoni F, Iezzi M, Lamolinara A, Sistigu A, Moschella F, Pacca AM, Macchia D, Ferrantini M, Zeuner A, Biffoni M, Proietti E, Belardelli F, Aricò E. Disruption of IFN-I Signaling Promotes HER2/Neu Tumor Progression and Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2018; 6:658-670. [PMID: 29622580 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-17-0675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Type I interferon (IFN-I) is a class of antiviral immunomodulatory cytokines involved in many stages of tumor initiation and progression. IFN-I acts directly on tumor cells to inhibit cell growth and indirectly by activating immune cells to mount antitumor responses. To understand the role of endogenous IFN-I in spontaneous, oncogene-driven carcinogenesis, we characterized tumors arising in HER2/neu transgenic (neuT) mice carrying a nonfunctional mutation in the IFNI receptor (IFNAR1). Such mice are unresponsive to this family of cytokines. Compared with parental neu+/- mice (neuT mice), IFNAR1-/- neu+/- mice (IFNAR-neuT mice) showed earlier onset and increased tumor multiplicity with marked vascularization. IFNAR-neuT tumors exhibited deregulation of genes having adverse prognostic value in breast cancer patients, including the breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) marker aldehyde dehydrogenase-1A1 (ALDH1A1). An increased number of BCSCs were observed in IFNAR-neuT tumors, as assessed by ALDH1A1 enzymatic activity, clonogenic assay, and tumorigenic capacity. In vitro exposure of neuT+ mammospheres and cell lines to antibodies to IFN-I resulted in increased frequency of ALDH+ cells, suggesting that IFN-I controls stemness in tumor cells. Altogether, these results reveal a role of IFN-I in neuT-driven spontaneous carcinogenesis through intrinsic control of BCSCs. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(6); 658-70. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Castiello
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Sestili
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Schiavoni
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosanna Dattilo
- Unit of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenica M Monque
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Ciaffoni
- Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Iezzi
- Department of Medicine and Aging Science, Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (CeSi-Met), G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Alessia Lamolinara
- Department of Medicine and Aging Science, Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (CeSi-Met), G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Antonella Sistigu
- Unit of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.,Department of General Pathology and Physiopathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Moschella
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Pacca
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Macchia
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Ferrantini
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ann Zeuner
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Biffoni
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Proietti
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Belardelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Aricò
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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18
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Cruickshank B, Giacomantonio M, Marcato P, McFarland S, Pol J, Gujar S. Dying to Be Noticed: Epigenetic Regulation of Immunogenic Cell Death for Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2018; 9:654. [PMID: 29666625 PMCID: PMC5891575 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunogenic cell death (ICD) activates both innate and adaptive arms of the immune system during apoptotic cancer cell death. With respect to cancer immunotherapy, the process of ICD elicits enhanced adjuvanticity and antigenicity from dying cancer cells and consequently, promotes the development of clinically desired antitumor immunity. Cancer ICD requires the presentation of various "hallmarks" of immunomodulation, which include the cell-surface translocation of calreticulin, production of type I interferons, and release of high-mobility group box-1 and ATP, which through their compatible actions induce an immune response against cancer cells. Interestingly, recent reports investigating the use of epigenetic modifying drugs as anticancer therapeutics have identified several connections to ICD hallmarks. Epigenetic modifiers have a direct effect on cell viability and appear to fundamentally change the immunogenic properties of cancer cells, by actively subverting tumor microenvironment-associated immunoevasion and aiding in the development of an antitumor immune response. In this review, we critically discuss the current evidence that identifies direct links between epigenetic modifications and ICD hallmarks, and put forward an otherwise poorly understood role for epigenetic drugs as ICD inducers. We further discuss potential therapeutic innovations that aim to induce ICD during epigenetic drug therapy, generating highly efficacious cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paola Marcato
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Sherri McFarland
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada
| | - Jonathan Pol
- Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Université Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Shashi Gujar
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Centre for Innovative and Collaborative Health Services Research, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
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19
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Di Franco S, Turdo A, Todaro M, Stassi G. Role of Type I and II Interferons in Colorectal Cancer and Melanoma. Front Immunol 2017; 8:878. [PMID: 28798748 PMCID: PMC5526853 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer can be considered an aberrant organ with a hierarchical composition of different cell populations. The tumor microenvironment, including the immune cells and related cytokines, is crucial during all the steps of tumor development. In particular, type I and II interferons (IFNs) are involved in a plethora of mechanisms that regulate immune responses in cancer, thus balancing immune escape versus immune surveillance. IFNs are involved in both the direct and indirect regulation of cancer cell proliferation and metastatic potential. The mutational background of genes involved in IFNs signaling could serve as a prognostic biomarker and a powerful tool to screen cancer patients eligible for checkpoint blocking therapies. We herewith describe the latest findings regarding the contribution of IFNs in colorectal cancer and melanoma by researching their dual role as either tumor promoter or suppressor, in diverse tumor types, and microenvironmental context. We are reporting the most innovative and promising approaches of IFN-based therapies that have achieved considerable outcomes in clinical oncology practice and explain the possible mechanisms responsible for their failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Di Franco
- Cellular and Molecular Pathophysiology Laboratory, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alice Turdo
- Cellular and Molecular Pathophysiology Laboratory, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matilde Todaro
- Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,DiBiMIS, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Cellular and Molecular Pathophysiology Laboratory, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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20
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Bracci L, Sistigu A, Proietti E, Moschella F. The added value of type I interferons to cytotoxic treatments of cancer. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2017; 36:89-97. [PMID: 28693974 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2017.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFNs) exert anti-proliferative, antiviral and immunomodulatory activities. They are also involved in cell differentiation and anti-tumor defense processes. A growing body of literature indicates that the success of conventional chemotherapeutics, epigenetic drugs, targeted anticancer agents and radiotherapy (RT) relies, at least in part, on the induction of type I IFN signaling in malignant cells, tumor-infiltrating antigen presenting cells or other immune cells within lymphoid organs or blood. The mechanisms underlying type I IFN induction and the clinical consequences of these observations are only beginning to be elucidated. In the present manuscript, we reviewed the recent advances in the field and provided our personal view on the role of type I IFNs induced in the context of cytotoxic anticancer treatments and on its possible exploitation as a complement in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bracci
- Unit of Tumor Immunology, Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Antonella Sistigu
- Unit of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy; Department of General Pathology and Physiopathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
| | - Enrico Proietti
- Unit of Tumor Immunology, Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Federica Moschella
- Unit of Tumor Immunology, Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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21
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Fragale A, Romagnoli G, Licursi V, Buoncervello M, Del Vecchio G, Giuliani C, Parlato S, Leone C, De Angelis M, Canini I, Toschi E, Belardelli F, Negri R, Capone I, Presutti C, Gabriele L. Antitumor Effects of Epidrug/IFNα Combination Driven by Modulated Gene Signatures in Both Colorectal Cancer and Dendritic Cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2017; 5:604-616. [PMID: 28615266 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-17-0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer results from the progressive accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations. IFN signaling defects play an important role in the carcinogenesis process, in which the inability of IFN transcription regulatory factors (IRF) to access regulatory sequences in IFN-stimulated genes (ISG) in tumors and in immune cells may be pivotal. We reported that low-dose combination of two FDA-approved epidrugs, azacytidine (A) and romidepsin (R), with IFNα2 (ARI) hampers the aggressiveness of both colorectal cancer metastatic and stem cells in vivo and triggers immunogenic cell death signals that stimulate dendritic cell (DC) function. Here, we investigated the molecular signals induced by ARI treatment and found that this drug combination increased the accessibility to regulatory sequences of ISGs and IRFs that were epigenetically silenced in both colorectal cancer cells and DCs. Likewise, specific ARI-induced histone methylation and acetylation changes marked epigenetically affected ISG promoters in both metastatic cancer cells and DCs. Analysis by ChIP-seq confirmed such ARI-induced epigenetically regulated IFN signature. The activation of this signal endowed DCs with a marked migratory capability. Our results establish a direct correlation between reexpression of silenced ISGs by epigenetic control and ARI anticancer activity and provide new knowledge for the development of innovative combined therapeutic strategies for colorectal cancer. Cancer Immunol Res; 5(7); 604-16. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Fragale
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giulia Romagnoli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Licursi
- Institute for System Analysis and Computer Science "Antonio Ruberti", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Buoncervello
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Del Vecchio
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "C. Darwin," Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Giuliani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Parlato
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Celeste Leone
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta De Angelis
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Canini
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Toschi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rodolfo Negri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "C. Darwin," Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy
| | - Imerio Capone
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Presutti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "C. Darwin," Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Gabriele
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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22
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Kharkar PS. Cancer stem cell (CSC) inhibitors: a review of recent patents (2012-2015). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2017; 27:753-761. [PMID: 28460551 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2017.1325465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Prashant S. Kharkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, SPP School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM’s NMIMS, Mumbai, India
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23
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3D Microfluidic model for evaluating immunotherapy efficacy by tracking dendritic cell behaviour toward tumor cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:1093. [PMID: 28439087 PMCID: PMC5430848 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01013-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy efficacy relies on the crosstalk within the tumor microenvironment between cancer and dendritic cells (DCs) resulting in the induction of a potent and effective antitumor response. DCs have the specific role of recognizing cancer cells, taking up tumor antigens (Ags) and then migrating to lymph nodes for Ag (cross)-presentation to naïve T cells. Interferon-α-conditioned DCs (IFN-DCs) exhibit marked phagocytic activity and the special ability of inducing Ag-specific T-cell response. Here, we have developed a novel microfluidic platform recreating tightly interconnected cancer and immune systems with specific 3D environmental properties, for tracking human DC behaviour toward tumor cells. By combining our microfluidic platform with advanced microscopy and a revised cell tracking analysis algorithm, it was possible to evaluate the guided efficient motion of IFN-DCs toward drug-treated cancer cells and the succeeding phagocytosis events. Overall, this platform allowed the dissection of IFN-DC-cancer cell interactions within 3D tumor spaces, with the discovery of major underlying factors such as CXCR4 involvement and underscored its potential as an innovative tool to assess the efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches.
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