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Gracia-Hernandez M, Yende AS, Gajendran N, Alahmadi Z, Li X, Munoz Z, Tan K, Noonepalle S, Shibata M, Villagra A. Targeting HDAC6 improves anti-CD47 immunotherapy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:60. [PMID: 38414061 PMCID: PMC10898070 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-02982-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer cells can overexpress CD47, an innate immune checkpoint that prevents phagocytosis upon interaction with signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) expressed in macrophages and other myeloid cells. Several clinical trials have reported that CD47 blockade reduces tumor growth in hematological malignancies. However, CD47 blockade has shown modest results in solid tumors, including melanoma. Our group has demonstrated that histone deacetylase 6 inhibitors (HDAC6is) have immunomodulatory properties, such as controlling macrophage phenotype and inflammatory properties. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling these processes are not fully understood. In this study, we evaluated the role of HDAC6 in regulating the CD47/SIRPα axis and phagocytosis in macrophages. METHODS We tested the role of HDAC6is, especially Nexturastat A, in regulating macrophage phenotype and phagocytic function using bone marrow-derived macrophages and macrophage cell lines. The modulation of the CD47/SIRPα axis and phagocytosis by HDAC6is was investigated using murine and human melanoma cell lines and macrophages. Phagocytosis was evaluated via coculture assays of macrophages and melanoma cells by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Lastly, to evaluate the antitumor activity of Nexturastat A in combination with anti-CD47 or anti-SIRPα antibodies, we performed in vivo studies using the SM1 and/or B16F10 melanoma mouse models. RESULTS We observed that HDAC6is enhanced the phenotype of antitumoral M1 macrophages while decreasing the protumoral M2 phenotype. In addition, HDAC6 inhibition diminished the expression of SIRPα, increased the expression of other pro-phagocytic signals in macrophages, and downregulated CD47 expression in mouse and human melanoma cells. This regulatory role on the CD47/SIRPα axis translated into enhanced antitumoral phagocytic capacity of macrophages treated with Nexturastat A and anti-CD47. We also observed that the systemic administration of HDAC6i enhanced the in vivo antitumor activity of anti-CD47 blockade in melanoma by modulating macrophage and natural killer cells in the tumor microenvironment. However, Nexturastat A did not enhance the antitumor activity of anti-SIRPα despite its modulation of macrophage populations in the SM1 tumor microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate the critical regulatory role of HDAC6 in phagocytosis and innate immunity for the first time, further underscoring the use of these inhibitors to potentiate CD47 immune checkpoint blockade therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gracia-Hernandez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ashutosh S Yende
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Nithya Gajendran
- Oncology Department, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Zubaydah Alahmadi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Xintang Li
- Oncology Department, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Zuleima Munoz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Karen Tan
- Oncology Department, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Satish Noonepalle
- Oncology Department, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Maho Shibata
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Alejandro Villagra
- Oncology Department, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
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von Ofen AJ, Thiel U, Eck J, Gassmann H, Thiede M, Hauer J, Holm PS, Schober SJ. YB-1-based oncolytic virotherapy in combination with CD47 blockade enhances phagocytosis of pediatric sarcoma cells. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1304374. [PMID: 38357194 PMCID: PMC10865101 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1304374] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) selectively replicate in tumor cells resulting in lysis, spreading of new infectious units and induction of antitumor immune responses through abrogating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Due to their mode of action, OVs are ideal combination partners with targeted immunotherapies. One highly attractive combination is the inhibition of the 'don't-eat-me'-signal CD47, which is known to increase the phagocytic potential of tumor-associated macrophages. In this work, we analyzed the combination approach consisting of the YB-1-based oncolytic adenovirus XVir-N-31 (XVir) and the CD47 inhibitor (CD47i) B6.H12.2 concerning its phagocytic potential. We investigate phagocytosis of XVir-, adenovirus wildtype (AdWT)-, and non-infected established pediatric sarcoma cell lines by different monocytic cells. Phagocytes (immature dendritic cells and macrophages) were derived from THP-1 cells and healthy human donors. Phagocytosis of tumor cells was assessed via FACS analysis in the presence and absence of CD47i. Additional characterization of T cell-stimulatory surface receptors as well as chemo-/cytokine analyses were performed. Furthermore, tumor cells were infected and studied for the surface expression of the 'eat-me'-signal calreticulin (CALR) and the 'don't-eat-me'-signal CD47. We herein demonstrate that (1) XVir-infected tumor cells upregulate both CALR and CD47. XVir induces higher upregulation of CD47 than AdWT. (2) XVir-infection enhances phagocytosis in general and (3) the combination of XVir and CD47i compared to controls showed by far superior enhancement of phagocytosis, tumor cell killing and innate immune activation. In conclusion, the combination of CD47i and XVir causes a significant increase in phagocytosis exceeding the monotherapies considerably accompanied by upregulation of T cell-stimulatory receptor expression and inflammatory chemo/-cytokine secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Josefine von Ofen
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Uwe Thiel
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jennifer Eck
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hendrik Gassmann
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Melanie Thiede
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Hauer
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Per Sonne Holm
- Department of Urology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sebastian J. Schober
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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3
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Avşar G, Pir P. An integrated study to decipher immunosuppressive cellular communication in the PDAC environment. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2023; 9:56. [PMID: 37945567 PMCID: PMC10636193 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-023-00320-6] [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: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one the most aggressive cancers and characterized by a highly rigid and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). The extensive cellular interactions are known to play key roles in the immune evasion, chemoresistance, and poor prognosis. Here, we used the spatial transcriptomics, scRNA-seq, and bulk RNA-seq datasets to enhance the insights obtained from each to decipher the cellular communication in the TME. The complex crosstalk in PDAC samples was revealed by the single-cell and spatial transcriptomics profiles of the samples. We show that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the central cell types in the regulation of microenvironment in PDAC. They colocalize with the cancer cells and tumor-suppressor immune cells and take roles to provide an immunosuppressive environment. LGALS9 gene which is upregulated in PDAC tumor samples in comparison to healthy samples was also found to be upregulated in TAMs compared to tumor-suppressor immune cells in cancer samples. Additionally, LGALS9 was found to be the primary component in the crosstalk between TAMs and the other cells. The widespread expression of P4HB gene and its interaction with LGALS9 was also notable. Our findings point to a profound role of TAMs via LGALS9 and its interaction with P4HB that should be considered for further elucidation as target in the combinatory immunotherapies for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gülben Avşar
- Department of Bioengineering, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
- Turkish Academy of Sciences, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Pınar Pir
- Department of Bioengineering, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Turkey
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4
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Rubio-San-Simón A, van Eijkelenburg NKA, Hoogendijk R, Hasle H, Niemeyer CM, Dworzak MN, Zecca M, Lopez-Yurda M, Janssen JM, Huitema ADR, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM, Laille EJ, van Tinteren H, Zwaan CM. Azacitidine (Vidaza ®) in Pediatric Patients with Relapsed Advanced MDS and JMML: Results of a Phase I/II Study by the ITCC Consortium and the EWOG-MDS Group (Study ITCC-015). Paediatr Drugs 2023; 25:719-728. [PMID: 37695474 DOI: 10.1007/s40272-023-00588-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advanced myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) are rare hematological malignancies in children. A second allograft is recommended if a relapse occurs after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, but the outcome is poor. OBJECTIVE We conducted a phase I/II multicenter study to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and activity of azacitidine in children with relapsed MDS/JMML prior to the second hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS Patients enrolled from June 2013 to March 2019 received azacitidine intravenously/subcutaneously once daily on days 1-7 of a 28-day cycle. The MDS and JMML cohorts followed a two-stage design separately, with a safety run-in for JMML. Response and safety data were used to evaluate efficacy and establish the recommended dose. Pharmacokinetics was also analyzed. The study closed prematurely because of low recruitment. RESULTS Six patients with MDS and four patients with JMML received a median of three and five cycles, respectively. Azacitidine 75 mg/m2 was well tolerated and plasma concentration-time profiles were similar to observed in adults. The most prevalent grade 3-4 adverse event was myelotoxicity. No responses were seen in patients with MDS, but 83% achieved stable disease; four patients underwent an allotransplant. Overall response rate in the JMML cohort was 75% (two complete responses; one partial response) and all responders underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. One-year overall survival was 67% (95% confidence interval 38-100) in MDS and 50% (95% confidence interval 19-100) in JMML. CONCLUSIONS Azacitidine 75 mg/m2 prior to a second hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is safe in children with relapsed MDS/JMML. Although the long-term advantage remains to be assessed, this study suggests that azacitidine is an efficacious option for relapsed JMML. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION EudraCT 2010-022235-10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Rubio-San-Simón
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Niño Jesús Children's Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Natasha K A van Eijkelenburg
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Raoull Hoogendijk
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henrik Hasle
- Department of Pediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Charlotte M Niemeyer
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael N Dworzak
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Anna Children's Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marco Zecca
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marta Lopez-Yurda
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Biometrics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Julie M Janssen
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alwin D R Huitema
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pharmacology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marry M van den Heuvel-Eibrink
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric J Laille
- Cellectis, New York, NY, USA
- Bristol Myers Squibb/Celgene, Summit, NJ, USA
| | - Harm van Tinteren
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christian M Zwaan
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- European Consortium for Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer (ITCC), Villejuif, France
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Abstract
There are encouraging signs in our collective progress to leverage the immune system to treat pediatric cancers. Here, we summarize interim successes in cancer immunotherapy and opportunities to translate from the adult world to pediatrics, and highlight challenges that could benefit from additional development, focusing on solid tumors. Just a decade ago, other than antibodies targeting disialoganglioside (GD2) in neuroblastoma, pediatric cancer immunotherapy was mostly relegated to obscure preclinical studies in a few academic labs. Today there are numerous clinical trials of a variety of antibody, cellular, gene, and viral therapies and vaccines designed to either promote antitumor immunity or specifically attack validated immunotherapy targets. Understanding those targets and their pediatric relevance is paramount. While much work is underway to evaluate the utility of numerous immunologic targets, the lack of regulatory approvals is emblematic of the challenges that remain. Herein we focus our review on the most promising targeted immunotherapies in clinical trials for children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Gupta
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, New York, USA.
| | - Timothy P Cripe
- Division of Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Melcher V, Kerl K. The Growing Relevance of Immunoregulation in Pediatric Brain Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5601. [PMID: 34830753 PMCID: PMC8615622 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors are genetically heterogeneous solid neoplasms. With a prevailing poor prognosis and widespread resistance to conventional multimodal therapy, these aggressive tumors are the leading cause of childhood cancer-related deaths worldwide. Advancement in molecular research revealed their unique genetic and epigenetic characteristics and paved the way for more defined prognostication and targeted therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, uncovering the intratumoral metrics on a single-cell level placed non-malignant cell populations such as innate immune cells into the context of tumor manifestation and progression. Targeting immune cells in pediatric brain tumors entails unique challenges but promising opportunities to improve outcome. Herein, we outline the current understanding of the role of the immune regulation in pediatric brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Melcher
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Kornelius Kerl
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
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Ocadlikova D, Lecciso M, Broto JM, Scotlandi K, Cavo M, Curti A, Palmerini E. Sunitinib Exerts In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity on Sarcomas via Dendritic Cells and Synergizes With PD-1 Blockade. Front Immunol 2021; 12:577766. [PMID: 33717062 PMCID: PMC7952316 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.577766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High-grade sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of aggressive tumors arising in bone and soft tissues. After relapse, treatment options are limited. The multi-targeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) sunitinib and inhibitor of PD-1 (anti-PD-1) nivolumab have shown antitumor activity in selected subtypes. In this study, we examine the role of TKIs and PD-1 based therapy in in vitro cocultures of sarcoma. Methods The human osteosarcoma (SaOS-2) and synovial sarcoma (SYO-1) cell lines were treated with sunitinib. After cell death and proliferation assessment, expression of PD-L1 was analyzed by flow cytometry. Sunitinib-treated sarcoma cells were cocultured with dendritic cells (DCs), and the phenotype of mature DCs was determined by flow cytometry. Mature DCs were cultured with autologous T cells. PD-1 expression on T cells, their proliferation, T regulatory cell (Tregs) induction and IFN-γ production, before and after nivolumab exposure, were analyzed. Results Along with its anti-proliferative and direct pro-apoptotic effect on sarcoma cell lines, sunitinib prompted PD-L1 upregulation on sarcoma cells. Interestingly, sunitinib-treated sarcoma cells drive DCs to full maturation and increase their capacity to induce sarcoma-reactive T cells to produce IFN-γ. Conversely, no effect on T cell proliferation and T cell subpopulation composition was observed. Moreover, both bone and synovial sarcoma cell lines induced Tregs through DCs but sunitinib treatment completely abrogated Treg induction. Finally, sarcoma cell lines induced PD-1 upregulation on both effector T cells and Tregs when loaded into DCs, providing a rationale for using PD-1 blockade. Indeed, PD-1 blockade by nivolumab synergized with sunitinib in inducing IFN-γ-producing effector T cells. Conclusions Taken together, our in vitro data indicate that the treatment of sarcoma cells with sunitinib can exert significant changes on immune cell subsets toward immune activation, leading to DC-based cross-priming of IFN-γ-producing effector T cells and reduced Treg induction. PD-1 blockade with nivolumab has a synergistic effect with sunitinib, supporting the use of TKI and anti-PD-1 approach in sarcomas, and perhaps in other cancers. DC-targeted drugs, including toll-like receptor 3 inhibitors and CD47 inhibitors, are under development and our preclinical model might help to better design their clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darina Ocadlikova
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia “Seràgnoli”, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mariangela Lecciso
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia “Seràgnoli”, Bologna, Italy
| | - Javier Martin Broto
- Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, Institute of Biomedicine Research (IBIS), Seville, Spain
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Cavo
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia “Seràgnoli”, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio Curti
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia “Seràgnoli”, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emanuela Palmerini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Osteoncology, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Innovative Therapies, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
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