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Zheng Z, Wieder T, Mauerer B, Schäfer L, Kesselring R, Braumüller H. T Cells in Colorectal Cancer: Unravelling the Function of Different T Cell Subsets in the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11673. [PMID: 37511431 PMCID: PMC10380781 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic options for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) are very limited, and the prognosis using combination therapy with a chemotherapeutic drug and a targeted agent, e.g., epidermal growth factor receptor or tyrosine kinase, remains poor. Therefore, mCRC is associated with a poor median overall survival (mOS) of only 25-30 months. Current immunotherapies with checkpoint inhibitor blockade (ICB) have led to a substantial change in the treatment of several cancers, such as melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. In CRC, ICB has only limited effects, except in patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) tumors, which comprise about 15% of sporadic CRC patients and about 4% of patients with metastatic CRC. The vast majority of sporadic CRCs are microsatellite-stable (MSS) tumors with low levels of infiltrating immune cells, in which immunotherapy has no clinical benefit so far. Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors requires the presence of infiltrating T cells into the tumor microenvironment (TME). This makes T cells the most important effector cells in the TME, as evidenced by the establishment of the immunoscore-a method to estimate the prognosis of CRC patients. The microenvironment of a tumor contains several types of T cells that are anti-tumorigenic, such as CD8+ T cells or pro-tumorigenic, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs) or T helper 17 (Th17) cells. However, even CD8+ T cells show marked heterogeneity, e.g., they can become exhausted, enter a state of hyporesponsiveness or become dysfunctional and express high levels of checkpoint molecules, the targets for ICB. To kill cancer cells, CD8+ T cells need the recognition of the MHC class I, which is often downregulated on colorectal cancer cells. In this case, a population of unconventional T cells with a γδ T cell receptor can overcome the limitations of the conventional CD8+ T cells with an αβT cell receptor. γδ T cells recognize antigens in an MHC-independent manner, thus acting as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we discuss the effects of different T cell subsets in colorectal cancer with a special emphasis on γδ T cells and the possibility of using them in CAR-T cell therapy. We explain T cell exclusion in microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer and the possibilities to overcome this exclusion to enable immunotherapy even in these "cold" tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwen Zheng
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Wieder
- Department of Vegetative and Clinical Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Mauerer
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Luisa Schäfer
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rebecca Kesselring
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Heidi Braumüller
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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2
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Pan M, Wang F, Nan L, Yang S, Qi J, Xie J, Shao S, Zou H, Wang M, Sun F, Zhang J. αVEGFR2-MICA fusion antibodies enhance immunotherapy effect and synergize with PD-1 blockade. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:969-984. [PMID: 36227341 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03306-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Antiangiogenic therapy has shown significant clinical benefits in gastric cancer (GC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, their effectiveness is limited by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The MHC class I chain-related molecules A and B (MICA/B) are expressed in many human cancers, enabling elimination of cancer cells by cytotoxic lymphocytes through natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) receptor activation. To improve antiangiogenic therapy and prolong its efficacy, we generated a bi-specific fusion protein (mAb04-MICA). This was comprised of an antibody targeting VEGFR2 fused to a MICA α1-α2 ectodomain. mAb04-MICA inhibited proliferation of GC and NSCLC cells through specific binding to VEGFR2 and had superior anti-tumor efficacy in both GC and NSCLC-bearing mouse models compared with ramucirumab. Further investigation revealed that the mAb04-MICA promoted NKG2D+ NK cell activation and induced the tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) polarization from M2 type to M1 type both in vitro and in vivo. The polarization of TAMs upon NKG2D and MICA mediated activation has not yet been reported. Moreover, given the up-regulation of PD-L1 in tumors during anti-angiogenesis therapy, anti-PD-1 antibody enhanced the anti-tumoral activity of mAb04-MICA through stimulating infiltration and activation of NKs and CD8+T cells in responding tumors. Our findings demonstrate that dual targeting of angiogenesis and NKG2D, or in combination with the PD-1/PD-L1 blockade, is a promising anti-tumor therapeutic strategy. This is accomplished through maintaining or reinstating tumor immunosurveillance during treatment, which expands the repertoire of anti-angiogenesis-based cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Pan
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Lidi Nan
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Siyu Yang
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Jinyao Qi
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Jiajun Xie
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Shuai Shao
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Hongyi Zou
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Min Wang
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Fumou Sun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.
| | - Juan Zhang
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
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3
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Fornaro L, Musettini G, Orlandi P, Pecora I, Vivaldi C, Banchi M, Salani F, Fini E, Massa V, Catanese S, Cucchiara F, Lencioni M, Masi G, Vasile E, Bocci G. Early increase of plasma soluble VEGFR-2 is associated with clinical benefit from second-line treatment of paclitaxel and ramucirumab in advanced gastric cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:3347-3356. [PMID: 35968330 PMCID: PMC9360220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ramucirumab plus paclitaxel is considered the standard of care in the second-line treatment of gastric carcinoma (GC). The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), VEGF-D, and circulating soluble VEGF receptor-2 (sVEGFR-2) as possible markers of resistance or response to ramucirumab administered with paclitaxel in pretreated metastatic GC patients. Plasma samples were collected at different time points (on days 1 and 15 of the first 3 cycles, at best radiologic response and at disease progression). VEGF-A, VEGF-D and sVEGFR-2 were analysed by ELISA. Correlations of biomarker baseline levels or dynamic changes with outcome measures were assessed. Progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint of the study. Forty-one patients were enrolled. VEGF-A and VEGF-D, but not sVEGFR-2, values significantly increased during treatment compared to baseline (P < 0.001). A positive correlation between VEGF-A and sVEGFR-2 at cycle 2 was found (P=0.045). At univariate analysis, higher baseline levels of VEGF-A were associated with worse OS (P=0.015). Early increase of sVEGFR-2 levels after the first treatment cycle was the only factor associated with longer PFS (6.6 vs. 3.6 months, P=0.049) and OS (18.6 vs. 5.2 months, P=0.008). Significance of sVEGFR-2 early increase was retained at multivariate analysis for OS (HR 0.32; 95% CI 0.12-0.91; P=0.032). The reported results confirmed the prognostic role of baseline VEGF-A and, with the limitations of the limited sample size and the lack of a control arm, suggested that the early increase of sVEGFR-2 after 1 cycle of treatment could be a potential predictive biomarker of benefit from second-line ramucirumab plus paclitaxel in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Fornaro
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria PisanaPisa, Italy
| | - Gianna Musettini
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria PisanaPisa, Italy
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Ospedale di LivornoLivorno, Italy
| | - Paola Orlandi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Irene Pecora
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria PisanaPisa, Italy
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Ospedale della MisericordiaGrosseto, Italy
| | - Caterina Vivaldi
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria PisanaPisa, Italy
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Marta Banchi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Salani
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria PisanaPisa, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Fini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Massa
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria PisanaPisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Catanese
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria PisanaPisa, Italy
| | - Federico Cucchiara
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Monica Lencioni
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria PisanaPisa, Italy
| | - Gianluca Masi
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria PisanaPisa, Italy
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Enrico Vasile
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria PisanaPisa, Italy
| | - Guido Bocci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
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4
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Rech J, Sypniewski D, Żelaszczyk D, Szkaradek N, Rogóż W, Waszkielewicz A, Marona H, Bednarek I. Novel Xanthone Derivatives Impair Growth and Invasiveness of Colon Cancer Cells In Vitro. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11101480. [PMID: 34680113 PMCID: PMC8533335 DOI: 10.3390/biom11101480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural xanthones are a large group of compounds from which promising anticancer properties could be further developed by chemical modifications. This study aimed to investigate the influence of four novel xanthone derivatives based on a naturally occurring xanthone skeleton on the invasiveness of colon cancer cells in vitro. First, the concentrations required to inhibit growth of three colorectal cancer cell lines to 50% (GI50) of all the studied compounds, as well as the natural xanthones used as a reference (gambogic acid and α-mangostin), have been established (MTS reduction test). Next, the assays determining several aspects of the GI25 xanthones influence on colorectal cancer cells, including cytotoxicity, migration and invasion potential, interaction with extracellular matrix and endothelial cells, as well as expression of selected invasiveness related genes have been performed. Our results demonstrate that these novel xanthone derivatives impair colorectal cancer proliferation, motility, adhesion to extracellular matrix and to endothelial cells, and also induce apoptosis and cell death. Moreover, their activity is comparable to cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, used as reference compounds. Conducted research indicates our compounds for further research and development as novel drugs in colorectal cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Rech
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (D.S.); (I.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Daniel Sypniewski
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (D.S.); (I.B.)
| | - Dorota Żelaszczyk
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 30-688 Krakow, Poland; (D.Ż.); (N.S.); (A.W.); (H.M.)
| | - Natalia Szkaradek
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 30-688 Krakow, Poland; (D.Ż.); (N.S.); (A.W.); (H.M.)
| | - Wojciech Rogóż
- Department of Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Anna Waszkielewicz
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 30-688 Krakow, Poland; (D.Ż.); (N.S.); (A.W.); (H.M.)
| | - Henryk Marona
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 30-688 Krakow, Poland; (D.Ż.); (N.S.); (A.W.); (H.M.)
| | - Ilona Bednarek
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (D.S.); (I.B.)
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5
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Moodi M, Tavakoli T, Tahergorabi Z. Crossroad between Obesity and Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Review of Molecular Mechanisms and Interventions. Int J Prev Med 2021; 12:18. [PMID: 34084315 PMCID: PMC8106288 DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_266_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The burden of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is increasing worldwide, and in the past decade, cancer had entered the list of chronic debilitating diseases whose risk is substantially increased by hypernutrition. Obesity may increase the risk of cancer by the imbalance of various mechanisms including insulin and insulin-like growth factor1 (IGF-I) signaling, systemic inflammation, immune dysregulation, tumor angiogenesis, adipokines secretion, and intestinal microbiota that usually act interdependently. An increased understanding of the mechanisms underlying obesity-GI cancer link can provide multiple opportunities for cancer prevention. This review discusses various mechanisms involved molecular mechanisms linking obesity with GI cancers including esophagus, stomach, colorectal and hepatocellular. Furthermore, an optional intervention such as diet restriction and exercise is described, which may be preventive or therapeutic in GI cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Moodi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Tahmineh Tavakoli
- Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center (MTDRC), Gasteroenterology Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Zoya Tahergorabi
- Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center (MTDRC), Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
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6
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Seiler KM, Bajinting A, Alvarado DM, Traore MA, Binkley MM, Goo WH, Lanik WE, Ou J, Ismail U, Iticovici M, King CR, VanDussen KL, Swietlicki EA, Gazit V, Guo J, Luke CJ, Stappenbeck T, Ciorba MA, George SC, Meacham JM, Rubin DC, Good M, Warner BW. Patient-derived small intestinal myofibroblasts direct perfused, physiologically responsive capillary development in a microfluidic Gut-on-a-Chip Model. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3842. [PMID: 32123209 PMCID: PMC7051952 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60672-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The development and physiologic role of small intestine (SI) vasculature is poorly studied. This is partly due to a lack of targetable, organ-specific markers for in vivo studies of two critical tissue components: endothelium and stroma. This challenge is exacerbated by limitations of traditional cell culture techniques, which fail to recapitulate mechanobiologic stimuli known to affect vessel development. Here, we construct and characterize a 3D in vitro microfluidic model that supports the growth of patient-derived intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts (ISEMFs) and endothelial cells (ECs) into perfused capillary networks. We report how ISEMF and EC-derived vasculature responds to physiologic parameters such as oxygen tension, cell density, growth factors, and pharmacotherapy with an antineoplastic agent (Erlotinib). Finally, we demonstrate effects of ISEMF and EC co-culture on patient-derived human intestinal epithelial cells (HIECs), and incorporate perfused vasculature into a gut-on-a-chip (GOC) model that includes HIECs. Overall, we demonstrate that ISEMFs possess angiogenic properties as evidenced by their ability to reliably, reproducibly, and quantifiably facilitate development of perfused vasculature in a microfluidic system. We furthermore demonstrate the feasibility of including perfused vasculature, including ISEMFs, as critical components of a novel, patient-derived, GOC system with translational relevance as a platform for precision and personalized medicine research.
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Grants
- R01 HD105301 NICHD NIH HHS
- R01 DK106382 NIDDK NIH HHS
- T32 DK007130 NIDDK NIH HHS
- R01 DK104698 NIDDK NIH HHS
- R01 DK114047 NIDDK NIH HHS
- R03 DK111473 NIDDK NIH HHS
- R01 DK109384 NIDDK NIH HHS
- R01 DK118568 NIDDK NIH HHS
- R01 DK112378 NIDDK NIH HHS
- K08 DK101608 NIDDK NIH HHS
- P30 DK052574 NIDDK NIH HHS
- T32 HD043010 NICHD NIH HHS
- K01 DK109081 NIDDK NIH HHS
- Association for Academic Surgery Foundation (AASF)
- Children’s Discovery Institute of Washington University in St. Louis and St. Louis Children’s Hospital MI-F-2017-629; National Institutes of Health 4T32HD043010-14
- National Institutes of Health 3T32DK007130-45S1
- Givin’ it all for Guts Foundation (https://givinitallforguts.org/), Lawrence C. Pakula MD IBD Research, Innovation, and Education Fund, National Institutes of Health R01DK109384
- National Institutes of Health R03DK111473, R01DK118568, and K08DK101608, Children’s Discovery Institute of Washington University in St. Louis and St. Louis Children’s Hospital MI-FR-2017-596, March of Dimes Foundation Grant No. 5-FY17-79, Department of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen M Seiler
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Adam Bajinting
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - David M Alvarado
- Division of Gastroenterology and the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Mahama A Traore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Michael M Binkley
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - William H Goo
- Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Wyatt E Lanik
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Jocelyn Ou
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Usama Ismail
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Micah Iticovici
- Division of Gastroenterology and the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Cristi R King
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Kelli L VanDussen
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Elzbieta A Swietlicki
- Division of Gastroenterology and the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Vered Gazit
- Division of Gastroenterology and the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Jun Guo
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Cliff J Luke
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Thaddeus Stappenbeck
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Matthew A Ciorba
- Division of Gastroenterology and the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Steven C George
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, California, United States
| | - J Mark Meacham
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Deborah C Rubin
- Division of Gastroenterology and the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Misty Good
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Brad W Warner
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States.
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7
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Tamma R, Annese T, Ruggieri S, Marzullo A, Nico B, Ribatti D. VEGFA and VEGFR2 RNAscope determination in gastric cancer. J Mol Histol 2018; 49:429-435. [PMID: 29761299 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-018-9777-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Several studies on angiogenic blocking agents in gastric cancer revealing promising results by the use of monoclonal antibodies against VEGFA or its receptor VEGFR2 or against VEGFA activating pathway. The validation of biomarkers useful to better organize the clinical trials involving anti-angiogenic therapies is crucial. Molecular markers such as RNA are increasingly used for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy guidance as in the case of the targeted therapies concerning the inhibition of angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to set the conditions for evaluating the expression of VEGFA and VEGFR2 in gastric cancer specimens and in healthy gastric mucosa by the use of RNAscope, a novel RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) method that allows the visualization of a specific gene expression in individual cells. We found the increased expression of VEGFA in the tubular glands and VEGFR2 in the endothelium of gastric cancer samples mainly in the T2, T3 and T4 stages of tumor progression as compared to the healthy controls. These results obtained by the application of this highly sensitive method for oligonucleotide detection the role of angiogenesis in gastric cancer progression already highlighted by conventional immunohistochemical methods, and offer significant promise as a new platform for developing and implementing RNA-based molecular diagnostics also in the conditions in which immunohistochemistry is not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Tamma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Policlinico - Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Tiziana Annese
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Policlinico - Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Simona Ruggieri
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Policlinico - Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Marzullo
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Section of Pathological Anatomy, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Beatrice Nico
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Policlinico - Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Policlinico - Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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8
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Ma S, Pradeep S, Hu W, Zhang D, Coleman R, Sood A. The role of tumor microenvironment in resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy. F1000Res 2018; 7:326. [PMID: 29560266 PMCID: PMC5854986 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.11771.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-angiogenic therapy has been demonstrated to increase progression-free survival in patients with many different solid cancers. Unfortunately, the benefit in overall survival is modest and the rapid emergence of drug resistance is a significant clinical problem. Over the last decade, several mechanisms have been identified to decipher the emergence of resistance. There is a multitude of changes within the tumor microenvironment (TME) in response to anti-angiogenic therapy that offers new therapeutic opportunities. In this review, we compile results from contemporary studies related to adaptive changes in the TME in the development of resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy. These include preclinical models of emerging resistance, dynamic changes in hypoxia signaling and stromal cells during treatment, and novel strategies to overcome resistance by targeting the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaolin Ma
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China
| | - Sunila Pradeep
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dikai Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China
| | - Robert Coleman
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anil Sood
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNA, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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9
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Yamakawa M, Doh SJ, Santosa SM, Montana M, Qin EC, Kong H, Han KY, Yu C, Rosenblatt MI, Kazlauskas A, Chang JH, Azar DT. Potential lymphangiogenesis therapies: Learning from current antiangiogenesis therapies-A review. Med Res Rev 2018. [PMID: 29528507 DOI: 10.1002/med.21496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, lymphangiogenesis, the process of lymphatic vessel formation from existing lymph vessels, has been demonstrated to have a significant role in diverse pathologies, including cancer metastasis, organ graft rejection, and lymphedema. Our understanding of the mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis has advanced on the heels of studies demonstrating vascular endothelial growth factor C as a central pro-lymphangiogenic regulator and others identifying multiple lymphatic endothelial biomarkers. Despite these breakthroughs and a growing appreciation of the signaling events that govern the lymphangiogenic process, there are no FDA-approved drugs that target lymphangiogenesis. In this review, we reflect on the lessons available from the development of antiangiogenic therapies (26 FDA-approved drugs to date), review current lymphangiogenesis research including nanotechnology in therapeutic drug delivery and imaging, and discuss molecules in the lymphangiogenic pathway that are promising therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Yamakawa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Susan J Doh
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Samuel M Santosa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Mario Montana
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Ellen C Qin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Hyunjoon Kong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Kyu-Yeon Han
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Charles Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Mark I Rosenblatt
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Andrius Kazlauskas
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Jin-Hong Chang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Dimitri T Azar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
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10
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Xu L, Wang W, Meng T, Ma LP, Tong LJ, Shen JK, Wang YQ, Miao ZH. New microtubulin inhibitor MT189 suppresses angiogenesis via the JNK-VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling axis. Cancer Lett 2017; 416:57-65. [PMID: 29248713 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The microtubulin inhibitor MT189 possesses anticancer activity and has been shown to overcome multidrug resistance. Here, we report that MT189 also inhibits angiogenesis. MT189 inhibited the proliferation, migration and differentiation of endothelial cells, with or without VEGF stimulation, and suppressed microvessel formation ex vivo and in vivo. MT189 reduced VEGF expression and secretion in both tumor and endothelial cells, under either hypoxic or normoxic conditions. The activation of VEGFR2 and downstream Src was thus abrogated in the MT189-treated endothelial cells. MT189 subsequently stabilized endothelial cell-cell junctions consist of VE-cadherin, β-catenin, vinculin, and actin. MT189 also disrupted endothelial cell-matrix junctions by inhibiting the turnover of focal adhesions containing FAK, paxillin, vinculin, and actin. Inhibition of JNK reversed MT189-mediated inhibition of endothelial migration and differentiation, JNK activation, the reduction of VEGF expression and secretion, and the decrease of Src and FAK phosphorylation. These results indicate that MT189 suppresses angiogenesis by reducing endothelial proliferation, migration, and differentiation via the JNK-VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling axis. Together with our previous report showing that MT189 exhibited anticancer activity via the JNK-MCL-1 pathway, these new findings further support MT189-based drug development for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Xu
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Tao Meng
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lan-Ping Ma
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lin-Jiang Tong
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jing-Kang Shen
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ying-Qing Wang
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Ze-Hong Miao
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.
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11
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Blocker SJ, Douglas KA, Polin LA, Lee H, Hendriks BS, Lalo E, Chen W, Shields AF. Liposomal 64Cu-PET Imaging of Anti-VEGF Drug Effects on Liposomal Delivery to Colon Cancer Xenografts. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:4229-4239. [PMID: 29158822 PMCID: PMC5695009 DOI: 10.7150/thno.21688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Liposomes (LP) deliver drug to tumors due to enhanced permeability and retention (EPR). LP were labeled with 64Cu for positron emission tomography (PET) to image tumor localization. Bevacizumab (bev), a VEGF targeted antibody, may modify LP delivery by altering tumor EPR and this change can also be imaged. Objective: Assess the utility of 64Cu-labeled LP for PET in measuring altered LP delivery early after treatment with bev. Methods: HT-29 human colorectal adenocarcinoma tumors were grown subcutaneously in SCID mice. Empty LP MM-DX-929 (Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Cambridge, MA) were labeled with 64CuCl2 chelated with 4-DEAP-ATSC. Tumor-bearing mice received ~200-300 μCi of 64Cu-MM-DX-929 and imaged with microPET. All mice were scanned before and after the treatment period, in which half of the mice received bev for one week. Scans were compared for changes in LP accumulation during this time. Initially, tissues were collected after the second PET for biodistribution measurements and histological analysis. Subsequent groups were divided for further treatment. Tumor growth following bev treatment, with or without LP-I, was assessed compared to untreated controls. Results: PET scans of untreated mice showed increased uptake of 64Cu-MM-DX-929, with a mean change in tumor SUVmax of 43.9%±6.6% (n=10) after 7 days. Conversely, images of treated mice showed that liposome delivery did not increase, with changes in SUVmax of 7.6%±4.8% (n=12). Changes in tumor SUVmax were significantly different between both groups (p=0.0003). Histology of tumor tissues indicated that short-term bev was able to alter vessel size. Therapeutically, while bev monotherapy, LP-I monotherapy, and treatment with bev followed by LP-I all slowed HT-29 tumor growth compared to controls, combination provided no therapeutic benefit. Conclusions: PET with tracer LP 64Cu-MM-DX-929 can detect significant differences in LP delivery to colon tumors treated with bev when compared to untreated controls. Imaging with 64Cu-MM-DX-929 is sensitive enough to measure drug-induced changes in LP localization which can have an effect on outcomes of treatment with LP.
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12
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Nasir A, Holzer TR, Chen M, Man MZ, Schade AE. Differential expression of VEGFR2 protein in HER2 positive primary human breast cancer: potential relevance to anti-angiogenic therapies. Cancer Cell Int 2017; 17:56. [PMID: 28533703 PMCID: PMC5438568 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-017-0427-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clinically relevant predictive biomarkers to tailor anti-angiogenic therapies to breast cancer (BRC) patient subpopulations are an unmet need. Methods We analyzed tumor vascular density and VEGFR2 protein expression in various subsets of primary human BRCs (186 females; Mean age: 59 years; range 33–88 years), using a tissue microarray. Discrete VEGFR2+ and CD34+ tumor vessels were manually scored in invasive ductal, lobular, mixed ductal-lobular and colloid (N = 139, 22, 18, 7) BRC cores. Results The observed CD34+ and VEGFR2+ tumor vascular counts in individual cases were heterogeneous. Mean CD34+ and VEGFR2+ tumor vessel counts were 11 and 3.4 per tumor TMA core respectively. Eighty-nine of 186 (48%) cases had >10 CD34+ tumor vessels, while 97/186 (52%) had fewer CD34+ vessels in each TMA core. Of 169 analyzable cores in the VEGFR2 stained TMA, 90 (53%) showed 1–5 VEGFR2+ tumor vessels/TMA core, while 42/169 (25%) cores had no detectable VEGFR2+ tumor vessels. Thirteen of 169 (8%) cases also showed tumor cell (cytoplasmic/membrane) expression of VEGFR2. Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) appeared to be less vascular (Mean VD = 9.8, range 0–34) than other breast cancer subtypes. Overall, VEGFR2+ tumor vessel counts were significantly higher in HER2+ as compared to HR+ (p = 0.04) and TNBC (p = 0.02) tissues. Compared to HER2− cases, HER2+ breast cancers had higher VEGFR2+ tumor vessel counts (p = 0.007). Conclusion Characterization of pathologic angiogenesis in HER2+ breast cancer provides scientific rationale for future investigation of clinical activity of agents targeting the VEGF/VEGFR2 axis in this clinically aggressive breast cancer subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aejaz Nasir
- Diagnostic and Experimental Pathology, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN USA.,Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, DC0424, Indianapolis, IN 46285 USA
| | - Timothy R Holzer
- Diagnostic and Experimental Pathology, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | - Mia Chen
- Diagnostic and Experimental Pathology, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | - Michael Z Man
- Oncology Statistics, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | - Andrew E Schade
- Diagnostic and Experimental Pathology, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN USA
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13
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Xiang J, Sun H, Su L, Liu L, Shan J, Shen J, Yang Z, Chen J, Zhong X, Ávila MA, Yan X, Liu C, Qian C. Myocyte enhancer factor 2D promotes colorectal cancer angiogenesis downstream of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. Cancer Lett 2017; 400:117-126. [PMID: 28478181 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D) is involved in many aspects of cancer progression, including cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. However, little is known about the role of MEF2D in tumor angiogenesis. Using clinical specimens, colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines and a mouse model in the present study, we found that MEF2D expression was positively correlated with CD31-positive microvascular density in CRC tissues. MEF2D promoted tumor angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo and induced the expression of proangiogenic cytokines in CRC cells. MEF2D was found to be a downstream effector of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in the induction of tumor angiogenesis. HIF-1α transactivates MEF2D expression by binding to the MEF2D gene promoter. These results demonstrate that the HIF-1α/MEF2D axis can serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Xiang
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Sun
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Su
- Department of Oncology, Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Limei Liu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Juanjuan Shan
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Junjie Shen
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xing Zhong
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Matías A Ávila
- Center of Investigation for Applied Medcine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Xiaochu Yan
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Chungang Liu
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Cheng Qian
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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