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Aghajani M, Jalilzadeh N, Aghebati-Maleki A, Yari A, Tabnak P, Mardi A, Saeedi H, Aghebati-Maleki L, Baradaran B. Current approaches in glioblastoma multiforme immunotherapy. Clin Transl Oncol 2024; 26:1584-1612. [PMID: 38512448 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-024-03395-7] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is the most prevalent CNS (central nervous system) tumor in adults, with an average survival length shorter than 2 years and rare metastasis to organs other than CNS. Despite extensive attempts at surgical resecting, the inherently permeable nature of this disease has rendered relapse nearly unavoidable. Thus, immunotherapy is a feasible alternative, as stimulated immune cells can enter into the remote and inaccessible tumor cells. Immunotherapy has revolutionized patient upshots in various malignancies and might introduce different effective ways for GBM patients. Currently, researchers are exploring various immunotherapeutic strategies in patients with GBM to target both the innate and acquired immune responses. These approaches include reprogrammed tumor-associated macrophages, the use of specific antibodies to inhibit tumor progression and metastasis, modifying tumor-associated macrophages with antibodies, vaccines that utilize tumor-specific dendritic cells to activate anti-tumor T cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and enhanced T cells that function against tumor cells. Despite these findings, there is still room for improving the response faults of the many currently tested immunotherapies. This study aims to review the currently used immunotherapy approaches with their molecular mechanisms and clinical application in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Aghajani
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nazila Jalilzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Aghebati-Maleki
- Molecular Medicine Department, Faculty of Modern Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Yari
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Peyman Tabnak
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Mardi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hossein Saeedi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Leili Aghebati-Maleki
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Vlachovsky SG, Di Ciano LA, Oddo EM, Azurmendi PJ, Silberstein C, Ibarra FR. Role of Female Sex Hormones and Immune Response in Salt-Sensitive Hypertension Development: Evidence from Experimental Models. Curr Hypertens Rep 2023; 25:405-419. [PMID: 37676461 DOI: 10.1007/s11906-023-01257-1] [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] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSEOF REVIEW Female sex hormones have systemic effects unrelated to their reproductive function. We describe experiences of different research groups and our own, on aspects related to the importance of female sex hormones on blood pressure (BP) regulation and salt-sensitivity-mediated BP response and salt sensitivity without alterations in BP, as well as renal sodium handling and interactions with the immune system. RECENT FINDINGS Changes in sodium intake in normotensive premenopausal women cause more BP variations than in men. After menopause, women often develop arterial hypertension (HT) with a profile of sodium sensitivity. Besides, experimental results have shown that in adult rat models resembling the postmenopausal hormonal state induced by ovariectomy, controlling BP is not enough to avoid renal and other tissue infiltration with immune cells, which does not occur when sodium intake is low or normal. Therefore, excess sodium promotes an inflammatory state with the involvement of immune cells. The evidence of activation of adaptive immunity, besides changes in T cell subpopulations, includes changes in sodium transporters and receptors. More studies are needed to evaluate the particular sodium sensitivity of women and its meaning. Changes in lifestyle and sodium intake reduction are the main therapeutic steps. However, to face the actual burden of salt-sensitive HT in postmenopausal women and its associated inflammatory/immune changes, it seems reasonable to work on immune cell activity by considering the peripheral blood mononuclear cell phenotypes of molecules and transport proteins related to sodium handle, both to screen for and treat cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra G Vlachovsky
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Medicas A. Lanari, Laboratorio de Nefrología Experimental y Bioquímica Molecular, Combatientes de Malvinas 3150, Buenos Aires, 1427, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A. Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luis A Di Ciano
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Medicas A. Lanari, Laboratorio de Nefrología Experimental y Bioquímica Molecular, Combatientes de Malvinas 3150, Buenos Aires, 1427, Argentina
| | - Elisabet M Oddo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Medicas A. Lanari, Laboratorio de Nefrología Experimental y Bioquímica Molecular, Combatientes de Malvinas 3150, Buenos Aires, 1427, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A. Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo J Azurmendi
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Medicas A. Lanari, Laboratorio de Nefrología Experimental y Bioquímica Molecular, Combatientes de Malvinas 3150, Buenos Aires, 1427, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A. Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Claudia Silberstein
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica B. Houssay (IFIBIO-Houssay), Laboratorio de Fisiología Renal, Paraguay 2155, piso 4, Buenos Aires, 1121, Argentina.
| | - Fernando R Ibarra
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Medicas A. Lanari, Laboratorio de Nefrología Experimental y Bioquímica Molecular, Combatientes de Malvinas 3150, Buenos Aires, 1427, Argentina.
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A. Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica B. Houssay (IFIBIO-Houssay), Laboratorio de Fisiología Renal, Paraguay 2155, piso 4, Buenos Aires, 1121, Argentina.
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Lv W, Zheng Y, Jiao J, Fu Y, Xu T, Zhang L, Zhang Z, Ma N. The Role of XBP1 in bone metabolism. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1217579. [PMID: 37795354 PMCID: PMC10546391 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1217579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone is a dynamic organ that, once formed, undergoes a constant remodeling process that includes bone resorption and synthesis. Osteoclasts and osteoblasts are primarily responsible for controlling this process. X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1), a transcription factor, affects the metabolism of bones in various ways. In recent years, numerous studies have revealed that XBP1 plays a vital role in bone metabolism, including osteoclast and osteoblast development, as well as in regulating immune cell differentiation that affects the immune microenvironment of bone remodeling. In this review, we highlight the regulatory mechanisms of XBP1 on osteoclasts and osteoblasts, how XBP1 affects the immune microenvironment of bone remodeling by influencing the differentiation of immune cells, and predict the possible future research directions of XBP1 to provide new insights for the treatment of bone-related metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Lv
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Youli Zheng
- The School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Junjun Jiao
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yu Fu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Tingrui Xu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Function Reconstruction, Tianjin, China
| | - Ning Ma
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Lindner AK, Lackner F, Tymoszuk P, Barth DA, Seeber A, Kocher F, Toth B, Hochleitner M, Pichler M, Pichler R. Sex hormones influence survival of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma undergoing immune checkpoint therapy. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:38. [PMID: 37277835 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00522-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Clinical trials investigating efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) revealed sex-specific divergent outcomes in urothelial cancer (UC), suggesting that sex hormones might play an important role in gender-specific dimorphisms of response upon ICI. However, further clinical investigations are still needed to understand the influence of sex hormones in UC. The aim of this study was to get further insights on the prognostic and predictive value of sex hormone levels in patients with metastatic UC (mUC) who underwent ICI. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sex hormone levels of patients with mUC including luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), LH/FSH ratio, prolactin, testosterone and 17β-estradiol (E2) were evaluated at baseline and during ICI at 6/8 weeks and 12/14 weeks. RESULTS Twenty-eight patients (10 women, 18 men) with a median age of 70 years were included. Metastatic disease was confirmed in 21 patients (75%) after radical cystectomy while seven patients showed mUC at first diagnosis. Twelve patients (42.8%) received first line and 16 patients second line pembrolizumab. The objective response rate (ORR) was 39% (CR in 7%). The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was 5.5 and 20 months. Focusing on changes of sex hormone levels during ICI, a significant increase in FSH levels and decrease of the LH/FSH ratio was noticed in responders (p = 0.035), yet without sex-specific significance. When adjusted for sex and treatment line, a significant increase of FSH levels was confirmed in men during second line pembrolizumab. Focusing on baseline levels, LH/FSH ratio was significantly higher in female responders (p = 0.043) compared to non-responders. In women, increased LH levels and LH/FSH ratio were associated with better PFS (p = 0.014 for LH, p = 0.016 for LH/FSH ratio) and OS (p = 0.026 and p = 0.018). In male patients, increased E2 levels were linked with improved PFS (p < 0.001) and OS (p = 0.039). CONCLUSION Increased LH and LH/FSH values in women as well as high E2 levels in men were significant predictors of better survival. Elevated LH/FSH ratio was predictive of better response to ICI in women. These results show first clinical evidence of the potential role of sex hormones as prognostic and predictive biomarker in mUC. Further prospective analyses are needed to corroborate our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Katharina Lindner
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Felizian Lackner
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Dominik Andreas Barth
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Seeber
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Florian Kocher
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bettina Toth
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Margarethe Hochleitner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gender Medicine Unit, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Martin Pichler
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Translational Oncology, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Renate Pichler
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Röcken C. Predictive biomarkers in gastric cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:467-481. [PMID: 36260159 PMCID: PMC9889517 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04408-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Predictive biomarkers are the mainstay of precision medicine. This review summarizes the advancements in tissue-based diagnostic biomarkers for gastric cancer, which is considered the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. A disease seen in the elderly, it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, thereby limiting therapeutic options. In Western countries, neoadjuvant/perioperative (radio-)chemotherapy is administered, and adjuvant chemotherapy is administered in the East. The morpho-molecular classification of gastric cancer has opened novel avenues identifying Epstein-Barr-Virus (EBV)-positive, microsatellite instable, genomically stable and chromosomal instable gastric cancers. In chromosomal instable tumors, receptor tyrosine kinases (RKTs) (e.g., EGFR, FGFR2, HER2, and MET) are frequently overexpressed. Gastric cancers such as microsatellite instable and EBV-positive types often express immune checkpoint molecules, such as PD-L1 and VISTA. Genomically stable tumors show alterations in claudin 18.2. Next-generation sequencing is increasingly being used to search for druggable targets in advanced palliative settings. However, most tissue-based biomarkers of gastric cancer carry the risk of a sampling error due to intratumoral heterogeneity, and adequate tissue sampling is of paramount importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Röcken
- Department of Pathology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Haus 14, Haus U33, 24105 Kiel, Germany
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6
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He F, Furones AR, Landegren N, Fuxe J, Sarhan D. Sex dimorphism in the tumor microenvironment - From bench to bedside and back. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:166-179. [PMID: 35278635 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Cancer represents a significant cause of death and suffering in both the developed and developing countries. Key underlying issues in the mortality of cancer are delayed diagnosis and resistance to treatments. However, improvements in biomarkers represent one important step that can be taken for alleviating the suffering caused by malignancy. Precision-based medicine is promising for revolutionizing diagnostic and treatment strategies for cancer patients worldwide. Contemporary methods, including various omics and systems biology approaches, as well as advanced digital imaging and artificial intelligence, allow more accurate assessment of tumor characteristics at the patient level. As a result, treatment strategies can be specifically tailored and adapted for individual and/or groups of patients that carry certain tumor characteristics. This includes immunotherapy, which is based on characterization of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and, more specifically, the presence and activity of immune cell subsets. Unfortunately, while it is increasingly clear that gender strongly affects immune regulation and response, there is a knowledge gap concerning differences in sex-specific immune responses and how these contribute to the immunosuppressive TME and the response to immunotherapy. In fact, sex dimorphism is poorly understood in cancer progression and is typically ignored in current clinical practice. In this review, we aim to survey the available literature and highlight the existing knowledge gap in order to encourage further studies that would contribute to understanding both gender-biased immunosuppression in the TME and the driver of tumor progression towards invasive and metastatic disease. The review highlights the need to include sex optimized/genderized medicine as a new concept in future medicine cancer diagnostics and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Urology, First affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Andrea Rodgers Furones
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden; Tumor Immunology Department, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Nils Landegren
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 23, Sweden; Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden
| | - Jonas Fuxe
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dhifaf Sarhan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Ma J, Yao Y, Tian Y, Chen K, Liu B. Advances in sex disparities for cancer immunotherapy: unveiling the dilemma of Yin and Yang. Biol Sex Differ 2022; 13:58. [PMID: 36273184 PMCID: PMC9587634 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-022-00469-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A wide sex disparity has been demonstrated in cancer incidence, tumor aggressiveness, prognosis, and treatment response of different types of cancer. The sex specificity of cancer appears to be a relevant issue in managing the disease, and studies investigating the role of sex and gender are becoming extremely urgent. Immunotherapy plays a leading role in cancer treatment, offering a new perspective on advanced malignancies. Gender has not been considered in standard cancer treatment, suggesting increasing the recognition of sex differences in cancer research and clinical management. This paper provides an overview of sex and gender disparities in cancer immunotherapy efficacy, anti-cancer immune response, predictive biomarkers, and so on. We focus on the molecular differences between male and female patients across a broad range of cancer types to arouse the attention and practice of clinicians and researchers in a sex perspective of new cancer treatment strategies. Sex differences exist in the prevalence, tumor invasiveness, treatment responses, and clinical outcomes of pan-cancer, suggesting that, while not yet incorporated, sex will probably be considered in future practice guidelines. Inherent genetic differences, overlapping epigenetic alterations, and sex hormone influences underpin everything. Androgen receptors influence the sexual differences in TME by regulating epigenetic and transcriptional differentiation programs. It highlights a sex-based therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy. Proper consideration of sex, age, sex hormones/menopause status, and socio-cultural gender differences in clinical investigation and gene association studies of cancer are needed to fill current gaps and implement precision medicine for patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfu Ma
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Tianjin, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yanxin Yao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Tianjin, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Ye Tian
- Department of Senior Ward, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology of Tianjin, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Kexin Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Tianjin, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Ben Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Tianjin, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300060, China.
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Sex differences in the human brain: a roadmap for more careful analysis and interpretation of a biological reality. Biol Sex Differ 2022; 13:43. [PMID: 35883159 PMCID: PMC9327177 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-022-00448-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence, magnitude, and significance of sex differences in the human brain are hotly debated topics in the scientific community and popular media. This debate is largely fueled by studies containing strong, opposing conclusions: either little to no evidence exists for sex differences in human neuroanatomy, or there are small-to-moderate differences in the size of certain brain regions that are highly reproducible across cohorts (even after controlling for sex differences in average brain size). Our Commentary uses the specific comparison between two recent large-scale studies that adopt these opposing views-namely the review by Eliot and colleagues (2021) and the direct analysis of ~ 40k brains by Williams and colleagues (2021)-in an effort to clarify this controversy and provide a framework for conducting this research. First, we review observations that motivate research on sex differences in human neuroanatomy, including potential causes (evolutionary, genetic, and environmental) and effects (epidemiological and clinical evidence for sex-biased brain disorders). We also summarize methodological and empirical support for using structural MRI to investigate such patterns. Next, we outline how researchers focused on sex differences can better specify their study design (e.g., how sex was defined, if and how brain size was adjusted for) and results (by e.g., distinguishing sexual dimorphisms from sex differences). We then compare the different approaches available for studying sex differences across a large number of individuals: direct analysis, meta-analysis, and review. We stress that reviews do not account for methodological differences across studies, and that this variation explains many of the apparent inconsistencies reported throughout recent reviews (including the work by Eliot and colleagues). For instance, we show that amygdala volume is consistently reported as male-biased in studies with sufficient sample sizes and appropriate methods for brain size correction. In fact, comparing the results from multiple large direct analyses highlights small, highly reproducible sex differences in the volume of many brain regions (controlling for brain size). Finally, we describe best practices for the presentation and interpretation of these findings. Care in interpretation is important for all domains of science, but especially so for research on sex differences in the human brain, given the existence of broad societal gender-biases and a history of biological data being used justify sexist ideas. As such, we urge researchers to discuss their results from simultaneously scientific and anti-sexist viewpoints.
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卓 灵, 王 烁, 刘 星, 陈 保, 李 想. [Estradiol inhibits differentiation of mouse macrophage into a pro-inflammatory phenotype by upregulating the IRE1 α-XBP1 signaling axis]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2022; 42:432-437. [PMID: 35426809 PMCID: PMC9010986 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2022.03.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism by which estradiol modulates the immunophenotype of macrophages through the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway. METHODS Peritoneal macrophages isolated from C57 mice were cultured in the presence of 60 ng/mL interferon-γ (IFN-γ) followed by treatment with estradiol (1.0 nmol/L) alone, estradiol with estrogen receptor antagonist (Acolbifene, 4 nmol/L), estradiol with IRE1α inhibitor (4 μ 8 C), or estradiol with IRE1α agonist. After the treatments, the expression levels of MHC-Ⅱ, iNOS and endoplasmic reticulum stress marker proteins IRE1α, eIF2α and ATF6 in the macrophages were detected with Western blotting, and the mRNA levels of TGF-β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α were detected with RT-PCR. RESULTS Estrogen treatment of the macrophages significantly decreased the expressions of M1-related proteins MHC-Ⅱ (P=0.021) and iNOS (P < 0.001) and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α (P=0.003) and IL-6 (P=0.004), increased the mRNA expression of TGF-β (P=0.002) and IL-10 (P=0.008), and up-regulated the protein expressions of IRE1α (P < 0.001) and its downstream transcription factor XBP-1 (P < 0.001). Addition of the estrogen inhibitor obviously blocked the effect of estrogen. Compared with estrogen treatment alone, combined treatment of the macrophages with estrogen and the IRE1α inhibitor 4 μ 8 C significantly up-regulated the protein expressions of MHC-Ⅱ (P=0.002) and iNOS (P=0.003) and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α (P=0.003) and IL-6 (P=0.024), and obviously down-regulated the mRNA expression of TGF-β (P < 0.001) and IL-10 (P < 0.001); these changes were not observed in cells treated with estrogen and the IRE1α agonist. CONCLUSION Estrogen can inhibit the differentiation of murine macrophages into a pro-inflammatory phenotype by up-regulating the IRE1α-XBP-1 signaling axis, thereby producing an inhibitory effect on inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- 灵剑 卓
- />南方医科大学南方医院急诊科,广东 广州 510515Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - 烁辰 王
- />南方医科大学南方医院急诊科,广东 广州 510515Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - 星 刘
- />南方医科大学南方医院急诊科,广东 广州 510515Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - 保安 陈
- />南方医科大学南方医院急诊科,广东 广州 510515Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - 想 李
- />南方医科大学南方医院急诊科,广东 广州 510515Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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Abstract
Background: Sex dimorphism strongly impacts tumor biology, with most cancers having a male predominance. Uniquely, thyroid cancer (TC) is the only nonreproductive cancer with striking female predominance with three- to four-fold higher incidence among females, although males generally have more aggressive disease. The molecular basis for this observation is not known, and current approaches in treatment and surveillance are not sex specific. Summary: Although TC has overall good prognosis, 6-20% of patients develop regional or distant metastasis, one third of whom are not responsive to conventional treatment approaches and suffer a 10-year survival rate of only 10%. More efficacious treatment strategies are needed for these aggressive TCs, as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy have major toxicities without demonstrable overall survival benefit. Emerging evidence indicates a role of sex hormones, genetics, and the immune system in modulation of both risk for TC and its progression in a sex-specific manner. Conclusion: Greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in TC pathogenesis could provide insights into the development of sex-specific, targeted, and effective strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and management. This review summarizes emerging evidence for the importance of sex in the pathogenesis, progression, and response to treatment in differentiated TC with emphasis on the role of sex hormones, genetics, and the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Shobab
- MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Kenneth D Burman
- MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Leonard Wartofsky
- Medstar Health Research Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Xiong L, Wei Y, Zhou X, Dai P, Cai Y, Zhou X, Xu M, Zhao J, Tang H. AGTR1 Inhibits the Progression of Lung Adenocarcinoma. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:8535-8550. [PMID: 34803402 PMCID: PMC8598130 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s335543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The occurrence and development of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) are related to many factors. Multiple researches showed that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in lung cancer. This research mainly focuses on angiotensin II receptor 1 (AT1R) encoding gene AGTR1, an important part of the RAS. Methods We comprehensively evaluated the expression of AGTR1 in pan-cancer based on RNA sequencing data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We explored the correlation of AGTR1 with clinicopathological features, prognosis and tumor microenvironment in LUAD. We also explored the mechanism through enrichment analysis and verified it with cell lines and tissue samples. Results We found that AGTR1 was less expressed in most tumors and related to prognosis based on the TCGA database. To further explore its mechanism, we mainly focused on LUAD. Combined with the verification results in the GEO database, AGTR1 was associated with a better prognosis in LUAD. High expression of AGTR1 was associated with less lymph node metastasis (P=0.007) and MET mutation (P=0.019). High expression of AGTR1 was related to the anti-tumor immune microenvironment with high infiltration of B cells, myeloid dendritic cells, monocytes, and low infiltration of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (all P<0.05). Enrichment analysis and in vitro verification results showed that AGTR1 was likely to play a role in LUAD through the PI3K/AKT3 pathway. Finally, we verified the above results through tissue samples and the construction of AGTR1 overexpressing cells. Conclusion AGTR1 inhibits the progression of lung adenocarcinoma through the PI3K/AKT3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lecai Xiong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhong Wei
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Dai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Cai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuefeng Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinping Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Hexiao Tang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
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Neoadjuvant/Perioperative Treatment Affects Spatial Distribution and Densities of Tumor Associated Neutrophils and CD8+ Lymphocytes in Gastric Cancer. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11111184. [PMID: 34834537 PMCID: PMC8622782 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11111184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor associated neutrophils (TANs) and cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) are part of the tumor microenvironment of gastric cancer (GC). We explored their tumor biological significance in neoadjuvantly/perioperatively treated GC. Immunostaining was performed on whole tissue sections of 173 GCs, using antibodies directed against myeloperoxidase (MPO) and CD8. Stained specimens were digitalized, and the densities of TANs and CTLs were assessed separately in the mucosa, tumor surface, tumor center, invasion front, and tumor scar. The densities were correlated with clinicopathological patient characteristics. Compared with a historical cohort of 449 treatment naive GCs, the TAN density in the invasion front was significantly lower in neoadjuvantly/perioperatively treated GCs. TAN density in the tumor center and invasion front correlated with tumor regression. TAN density also correlated with CTL density in the tumor center and invasion front. A high density of CTL in the tumor center correlated with an improved overall survival and tumor specific survival. We show that neoadjuvant/perioperative (radio-) chemotherapy impacts on the immune microenvironment of GC, while also depending on sex. The density of TANs in neoadjuvantly/perioperatively treated GCs differed from findings made in a treatment naive GC cohort.
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13
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Da Gama Duarte J, Woods K, Quigley LT, Deceneux C, Tutuka C, Witkowski T, Ostrouska S, Hudson C, Tsao SCH, Pasam A, Dobrovic A, Blackburn JM, Cebon J, Behren A. Ropporin-1 and 1B Are Widely Expressed in Human Melanoma and Evoke Strong Humoral Immune Responses. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1805. [PMID: 33918976 PMCID: PMC8069442 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies that block immune regulatory checkpoints (programmed cell death 1, PD-1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4, CTLA-4) to mobilise immunity have shown unprecedented clinical efficacy against cancer, demonstrating the importance of antigen-specific tumour recognition. Despite this, many patients still fail to benefit from these treatments and additional approaches are being sought. These include mechanisms that boost antigen-specific immunity either by vaccination or adoptive transfer of effector cells. Other than neoantigens, epigenetically regulated and shared antigens such as NY-ESO-1 are attractive targets; however, tissue expression is often heterogeneous and weak. Therefore, peptide-specific therapies combining multiple antigens rationally selected to give additive anti-cancer benefits are necessary to achieve optimal outcomes. Here, we show that Ropporin-1 (ROPN1) and 1B (ROPN1B), cancer restricted antigens, are highly expressed and immunogenic, inducing humoral immunity in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma. By multispectral immunohistochemistry, 88.5% of melanoma patients tested (n = 54/61) showed ROPN1B expression in at least 1 of 2/3 tumour cores in tissue microarrays. Antibody responses against ROPN1A and ROPN1B were detected in 71.2% of melanoma patients tested (n = 74/104), with increased reactivity seen with more advanced disease stages. Thus, ROPN1A and ROPN1B may indeed be viable targets for cancer immunotherapy, alone or in combination with other cancer antigens, and could be combined with additional therapies such as immune checkpoint blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Da Gama Duarte
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (J.D.G.D.); (K.W.); (L.T.Q.); (C.D.); (C.T.); (T.W.); (S.O.); (C.H.); (S.C.-H.T.); (A.P.); (A.D.); (J.C.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Katherine Woods
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (J.D.G.D.); (K.W.); (L.T.Q.); (C.D.); (C.T.); (T.W.); (S.O.); (C.H.); (S.C.-H.T.); (A.P.); (A.D.); (J.C.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Luke T. Quigley
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (J.D.G.D.); (K.W.); (L.T.Q.); (C.D.); (C.T.); (T.W.); (S.O.); (C.H.); (S.C.-H.T.); (A.P.); (A.D.); (J.C.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Cyril Deceneux
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (J.D.G.D.); (K.W.); (L.T.Q.); (C.D.); (C.T.); (T.W.); (S.O.); (C.H.); (S.C.-H.T.); (A.P.); (A.D.); (J.C.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Candani Tutuka
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (J.D.G.D.); (K.W.); (L.T.Q.); (C.D.); (C.T.); (T.W.); (S.O.); (C.H.); (S.C.-H.T.); (A.P.); (A.D.); (J.C.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Tom Witkowski
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (J.D.G.D.); (K.W.); (L.T.Q.); (C.D.); (C.T.); (T.W.); (S.O.); (C.H.); (S.C.-H.T.); (A.P.); (A.D.); (J.C.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Simone Ostrouska
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (J.D.G.D.); (K.W.); (L.T.Q.); (C.D.); (C.T.); (T.W.); (S.O.); (C.H.); (S.C.-H.T.); (A.P.); (A.D.); (J.C.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Chris Hudson
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (J.D.G.D.); (K.W.); (L.T.Q.); (C.D.); (C.T.); (T.W.); (S.O.); (C.H.); (S.C.-H.T.); (A.P.); (A.D.); (J.C.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Simon Chang-Hao Tsao
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (J.D.G.D.); (K.W.); (L.T.Q.); (C.D.); (C.T.); (T.W.); (S.O.); (C.H.); (S.C.-H.T.); (A.P.); (A.D.); (J.C.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Anupama Pasam
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (J.D.G.D.); (K.W.); (L.T.Q.); (C.D.); (C.T.); (T.W.); (S.O.); (C.H.); (S.C.-H.T.); (A.P.); (A.D.); (J.C.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Alexander Dobrovic
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (J.D.G.D.); (K.W.); (L.T.Q.); (C.D.); (C.T.); (T.W.); (S.O.); (C.H.); (S.C.-H.T.); (A.P.); (A.D.); (J.C.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Jonathan M. Blackburn
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
- Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Jonathan Cebon
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (J.D.G.D.); (K.W.); (L.T.Q.); (C.D.); (C.T.); (T.W.); (S.O.); (C.H.); (S.C.-H.T.); (A.P.); (A.D.); (J.C.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
- Medical Oncology Unit, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Andreas Behren
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (J.D.G.D.); (K.W.); (L.T.Q.); (C.D.); (C.T.); (T.W.); (S.O.); (C.H.); (S.C.-H.T.); (A.P.); (A.D.); (J.C.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
- Department of Medicine—Austin, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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Craft RM, Hewitt KA, Britch SC. Antinociception produced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in female vs male rats. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 32:153-169. [PMID: 33290343 PMCID: PMC8033571 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The primary aim of this study was to examine sex differences in acute antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in rats. Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was administered to adult Sprague-Dawley rats to induce pain and inflammation in one hindpaw; 2.5 h later, vehicle or a single dose of the NSAIDs ibuprofen (1.0-32 mg/kg) or ketoprofen (0.1-10 mg/kg), or the COX-2-preferring inhibitor celecoxib (1.0-10 mg/kg) was injected i.p. Mechanical allodynia, heat hyperalgesia, biased weight-bearing, and hindpaw thickness were assessed 0.5-24 h after drug injection. Ibuprofen and ketoprofen were more potent or efficacious in females than males in reducing mechanical allodynia and increasing weight-bearing on the CFA-injected paw, and celecoxib was longer-acting in females than males on these endpoints. In contrast, ketoprofen and celecoxib were more potent or efficacious in males than females in reducing hindpaw edema. When administered 3 days rather than 2.5 h after CFA, ketoprofen (3.2-32 mg/kg) was minimally effective in attenuating mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia, and did not restore weight-bearing or significantly decrease hindpaw edema, with no sex differences in any effect. Neither celecoxib nor ketoprofen effects were significantly attenuated by cannabinoid receptor 1 or 2 (CB1 or CB2) antagonists in either sex. These results suggest that common NSAIDs administered shortly after induction of inflammation are more effective in females than males in regard to their antinociceptive effects, whereas their anti-inflammatory effects tend to favor males; effect sizes indicate that sex differences in NSAID effect may be functionally important in some cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M. Craft
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Kelly A. Hewitt
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Stevie C. Britch
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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15
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Tulchiner G, Pichler R, Ulmer H, Staudacher N, Lindner AK, Brunner A, Zelger B, Steinkohl F, Aigner F, Horninger W, Thurnher M. Sex-specific hormone changes during immunotherapy and its influence on survival in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:2805-2817. [PMID: 33646368 PMCID: PMC8423679 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02882-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a highly vascularized and immunogenic tumor, being an ideal candidate for checkpoint blockade-based immunotherapy. Accordingly, checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated clinical efficacy in patients with metastatic RCC (mRCC). Sex-specific differences in cancer immunotherapy may be explained by the interaction of sex hormone signaling, genetic and environmental factors, affecting the innate and adaptive immune response in men and women in different ways. The aim of this prospective study was to monitor for the first time changes in sex hormones including luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), LH/FSH ratio and 17-ß-estradiol (E2) in 22 mRCC patients (12 male and 10 female) receiving nivolumab therapy. In contrast to female patients, male patients showed a significant increase in E2 (p = 0.006) and LH/FSH ratio (p = 0.013) from the beginning of nivolumab therapy to week 12 of follow-up. Moreover, survival analysis revealed a significant negative association between LH/FSH ratio and progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.022) as well as between therapy response (p = 0.009) in males compared to females at interim evaluation (week 6/8). Our findings may therefore be the first reference to sex hormone changes during immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennadi Tulchiner
- Department of Urology & Immunotherapy Unit, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35 and Innrain 66a, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Renate Pichler
- Department of Urology & Immunotherapy Unit, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35 and Innrain 66a, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Hanno Ulmer
- Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Medical University Innsbruck, Schoepfstraße 41, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nina Staudacher
- Department of Urology & Immunotherapy Unit, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35 and Innrain 66a, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andrea Katharina Lindner
- Department of Urology & Immunotherapy Unit, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35 and Innrain 66a, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andrea Brunner
- Department of Pathology, Medical University Innsbruck, Muellerstraße 44, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bettina Zelger
- Department of Pathology, Medical University Innsbruck, Muellerstraße 44, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Fabian Steinkohl
- Department of Radiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Friedrich Aigner
- Department of Radiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Horninger
- Department of Urology & Immunotherapy Unit, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35 and Innrain 66a, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Martin Thurnher
- Department of Urology & Immunotherapy Unit, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35 and Innrain 66a, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Vanura K. Sex as decisive variable in lymphoid neoplasms-an update. ESMO Open 2020; 6:100001. [PMID: 33399069 PMCID: PMC7808098 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2020.100001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- K Vanura
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Haematology and Haemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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17
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Deregulated estrogen receptor signaling and DNA damage response in breast tumorigenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1875:188482. [PMID: 33260050 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Carriers of BRCA1 mutations have a higher chance of developing cancers in hormone-responsive tissues like the breast, ovary and prostate, compared to other tissues. These tumors generally exhibit basal-like characters and do not express estrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR). Intriguingly, BRCA1 mutated breast cancers have a less favorable clinical outcome, as they will not respond to hormone therapy. BRCA1 has been reported to exhibit ligand dependent and independent transcriptional inhibition of ER-α; however, there exists a controversy on whether BRCA1 induces or inhibits ER-α expression. The mechanisms associated with resistance of BRCA1 mutated cancers to hormone therapy, as well as the tissue restriction exhibited by BRCA1 mutated tumors are still largely unknown. BRCA1 mutated tumors possess increased DNA damages and decreased genomic integrity, as BRCA1 plays a cardinal role in high fidelity DNA damage repair pathways, like homologous recombination (HR). The existence of cross regulatory signaling networks between ER-α and BRCA1 speculates a role of ER on BRCA1 dependent DDR pathways. Thus, the loss or haploinsufficiency of BRCA1 and the consequential deregulation of ER-α signaling may result in persistence of unrepaired DNA damages, eventually leading to tumorigenesis. Therefore, understanding of this cross-talk between ER-α and BRCA1, with regard to DDR, will provide critical insights to steer drug development and therapy for breast/ovarian cancers. This review discusses the mechanisms by which estrogen and ER signaling influence BRCA1 mediated DNA damage response and repair pathways in the mammalian system.
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Kourbanhoussen K, McMartin C, Lodde M, Zlotta A, Bryan RT, Toren P. Switching Cancers: A Systematic Review Assessing the Role of Androgen Suppressive Therapy in Bladder Cancer. Eur Urol Focus 2020; 7:1044-1051. [PMID: 33132108 DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Bladder cancer demonstrates striking gender-based differences in incidence, with a role for androgens possibly implicated in the development and progression of the disease. Emerging preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that there may be a role for antiandrogen therapy in bladder cancer. OBJECTIVE This systematic review assessed the current clinical evidence evaluating androgen suppressive therapy (AST) for the treatment or prevention of bladder cancer. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, MEDLINE was searched for full-text articles detailing clinical outcomes or incidence of bladder cancer among patients who received AST, defined as gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists or equivalent, androgen receptor antagonists, or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS A total of 12 studies were included. Five studies focused on prostate cancer patients, with one study in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Among these studies, a lower incidence of bladder cancer was observed in five, with adjusted risk reduction estimates ranging from 7% to 47%. Six studies evaluating 11 820 bladder cancer patients investigated clinical outcomes among men who received a form of AST. Three out of four studies evaluating recurrence-free survival found a benefit for AST, with adjusted hazard ratios for recurrence of non-muscle-invasive cancer ranging from 0.29 to 0.53. Limitations included large variability in data sources and methodologies, as well as no data on tolerability. CONCLUSIONS Current evidence indicates that antiandrogen therapies exert a favorable influence on bladder tumors. Further prospective studies are needed to assess their therapeutic potential. PATIENT SUMMARY Androgen suppressive therapy is commonly prescribed for the treatment of prostate-related problems. Prior research indicates that there may be a role for these treatments in patients with bladder cancer. In this review, we evaluate the current evidence that strongly suggests that these agents may be effective against bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassim Kourbanhoussen
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Catherine McMartin
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michele Lodde
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; Oncology Division, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Alexandre Zlotta
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard T Bryan
- Institute of Cancer & Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Paul Toren
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; Oncology Division, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
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Sex and Gender Influences on Cancer Immunotherapy Response. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8070232. [PMID: 32708265 PMCID: PMC7400663 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8070232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The global burden of cancer is growing and a wide disparity in the incidence, malignancy and mortality of different types of cancer between each sex has been demonstrated. The sex specificity of cancer appears to be a relevant issue in the management of the disease, and studies investigating the role of sex and gender are becoming extremely urgent. Sex hormones are presumably the leading actors of sex differences in cancer, especially estrogens. They modulate gene expression, alter molecules and generate disparities in effectiveness and side effects of anticancer therapies. Recently immunotherapy aims to improve anticancer treatment strategies reducing off-target effects of chemotherapy and direct cancer cells killing. It is recognized as a fruitful strategy to treat and possible to cure cancer. Immunotherapeutic agents are used to activate or boost the activation of the immune system to fight cancer cells through physiological mechanisms often evaded in the offensive march of the disease. These therapeutic strategies have allowed new successes, but also have serious adverse effects including non-specific inflammation and autoimmunity. Sex and gender issues are of primary importance in this field, due to their recognized role in inflammation, immunity and cancer, and the clarification and understanding of these aspects is a necessary step to increase the responses and to diminish the adverse effects of immunotherapy. This review describes the available knowledge on the role of sex and gender in cancer immunotherapy, and will offer insights to stimulate the attention and practice of clinicians and researchers in a gender perspective of new cancer treatment strategies.
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Arroyo-Mendoza M, Peraza K, Olson J, Adler-Moore JP, Buckley NE. Effect of testosterone and estrogen supplementation on the resistance to systemic Candida albicans infection in mice. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04437. [PMID: 32685740 PMCID: PMC7358272 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida species are the 4th leading cause of nosocomial infections in the US affecting both men and women. Since males of many species can be more susceptible to infections than females, we investigated whether male mice were more susceptible to systemic Candida albicans (C. albicans) infection and if sex hormones were responsible for sex-dependent susceptibility to this infection. Non-gonadectomized or gonadectomized mice were supplemented with sustained release 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5αDHT) or 17-β-estradiol (E2) using subcutaneous pellet implantation. Mice were challenged intravenously with 5 × 105C. albicans/mouse seven days after pellet implantation and monitored for survival and weight change. We observed that male mice were more susceptible to systemic C. albicans infection than female mice while gonadectomized male mice were as resistant to the C. albicans infection as female mice. 5αDHT supplementation of gonadectomized female or male mice increased their susceptibility to the yeast infection while E2 supplementation of gonadectomized male mice did not increase their resistance to the infection. Overall, our results strongly suggest that testosterone plays an important role in decreasing resistance to systemic C. albicans infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Arroyo-Mendoza
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA 91768, USA
| | - Kristiana Peraza
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA 91768, USA
| | - Jon Olson
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA 91768, USA
| | - Jill P Adler-Moore
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA 91768, USA
| | - Nancy E Buckley
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA 91768, USA
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The Impact of Age and Gender on Outcomes of Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated With Targeted Therapy. Clin Genitourin Cancer 2020; 18:e598-e609. [PMID: 32280027 DOI: 10.1016/j.clgc.2020.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of evidence suggests that age and gender play a role in cancer outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of age and gender on survival of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS We conducted a pooled analysis of patients with metastatic RCC treated on phase II and III clinical trials. Patients were stratified by age (young [<50 years], intermediate [50-70 years], versus elderly [>70 years]) and gender. Statistical analyses were performed using Cox regression adjusted for several risk factors and the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS We identified 4736 patients with metastatic RCC. Overall, there was no difference in overall survival (OS) when stratified by age (21.0 vs. 17.3 months for elderly vs. intermediate age groups, P = .382; 20.0 vs. 17.3 months for young vs. intermediate age groups, P = .155) or gender (19.8 vs. 19.0 for male vs. female, P = .510). Progression-free survival (PFS) was shorter in younger individuals compared with the intermediate age patients (6.0 vs. 7.1 months, P < .001), but similar across gender groups. Although all grade adverse events were more common in elderly patients (fatigue, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and weight), serious adverse events were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS Although OS was similar between age groups, younger individuals had a shorter PFS. Gender was not an independent determinant of survival. Elderly patients experienced more adverse events than their younger counterparts. These findings are important to guide clinicians when counseling patients about expectations and toxicity associated with therapy.
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Wang PF, Song HF, Zhang Q, Yan CX. Pan-cancer immunogenomic analyses reveal sex disparity in the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Eur J Cancer 2020; 126:136-138. [PMID: 31927214 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2019.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Fei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Hai-Feng Song
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Institute of Urology, Peking University, National Research Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Beijing, China.
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Institute of Urology, Peking University, National Research Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Beijing, China.
| | - Chang-Xiang Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Lorger M, Andreou T, Fife C, James F. Immune Checkpoint Blockade - How Does It Work in Brain Metastases? Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:282. [PMID: 31824260 PMCID: PMC6881300 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoints restrain the immune system following its activation and their inhibition unleashes anti-tumor immune responses. Immune checkpoint inhibitors revolutionized the treatment of several cancer types, including melanoma, and immune checkpoint blockade with anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies is becoming a frontline therapy in metastatic melanoma. Notably, up to 60% of metastatic melanoma patients develop metastases in the brain. Brain metastases (BrM) are also very common in patients with lung and breast cancer, and occur in ∼20-40% of patients across different cancer types. Metastases in the brain are associated with poor prognosis due to the lack of efficient therapies. In the past, patients with BrM used to be excluded from immune-based clinical trials due to the assumption that such therapies may not work in the context of "immune-specialized" environment in the brain, or may cause harm. However, recent trials in patients with BrM demonstrated safety and intracranial activity of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapy. We here discuss how immune checkpoint therapy works in BrM, with focus on T cells and the cross-talk between BrM, the immune system, and tumors growing outside the brain. We discuss major open questions in our understanding of what is required for an effective immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in BrM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Lorger
- Institute of Medical Research at St. James’s, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Tereza Andreou
- Institute of Medical Research at St. James’s, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Fife
- Institute of Medical Research at St. James’s, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona James
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Márquez-Garbán DC, Deng G, Comin-Anduix B, Garcia AJ, Xing Y, Chen HW, Cheung-Lau G, Hamilton N, Jung ME, Pietras RJ. Antiestrogens in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors in breast cancer immunotherapy. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 193:105415. [PMID: 31226312 PMCID: PMC6903431 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancers (BCs) with expression of estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) occur in more than 70% of newly-diagnosed patients in the U.S. Endocrine therapy with antiestrogens or aromatase inhibitors is an important intervention for BCs that express ERα, and it remains one of the most effective targeted treatment strategies. However, a substantial proportion of patients with localized disease, and essentially all patients with metastatic BC, become resistant to current endocrine therapies. ERα is present in most resistant BCs, and in many of these its activity continues to regulate BC growth. Fulvestrant represents one class of ERα antagonists termed selective ER downregulators (SERDs). Treatment with fulvestrant causes ERα down-regulation, an event that helps overcome several resistance mechanisms. Unfortunately, full antitumor efficacy of fulvestrant is limited by its poor bioavailability in clinic. We have designed and tested a new generation of steroid-like SERDs. Using ERα-positive BC cells in vitro, we find that these compounds suppress ERα protein levels with efficacy similar to fulvestrant. Moreover, these new SERDs markedly inhibit ERα-positive BC cell transcription and proliferation in vitro even in the presence of estradiol-17β. In vivo, the SERD termed JD128 significantly inhibited tumor growth in MCF-7 xenograft models in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001). Further, our findings indicate that these SERDs also interact with ER-positive immune cells in the tumor microenvironment such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and other selected immune cell subpopulations. SERD-induced inhibition of MDSCs and concurrent actions on CD8+ and CD4 + T-cells promotes interaction of immune checkpoint inhibitors with BC cells in preclinical models, thereby leading to enhanced tumor killing even among highly aggressive BCs such as triple-negative BC that lack ERα expression. Since monotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors has not been effective for most BCs, combination therapies with SERDs that enhance immune recognition may increase immunotherapy responses in BC and improve patient survival. Hence, ERα antagonists that also promote ER downregulation may potentially benefit patients who are unresponsive to current endocrine therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana C Márquez-Garbán
- UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA; UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA
| | - Gang Deng
- UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA; UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA
| | - Begonya Comin-Anduix
- UCLA Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA; UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA
| | - Alejandro J Garcia
- UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA; UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA
| | - Yanpeng Xing
- UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA; UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA
| | - Hsiao-Wang Chen
- UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA; UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA
| | - Gardenia Cheung-Lau
- UCLA Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA; UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA
| | - Nalo Hamilton
- UCLA School of Nursing, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA; UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA
| | - Michael E Jung
- UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA; UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA
| | - Richard J Pietras
- UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA; UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles CA 90095, USA.
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Liao ZH, Huang T, Xiao JW, Gu RC, Ouyang J, Wu G, Liao H. Estrogen signaling effects on muscle-specific immune responses through controlling the recruitment and function of macrophages and T cells. Skelet Muscle 2019; 9:20. [PMID: 31358063 PMCID: PMC6661750 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-019-0205-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Estrogen signaling is indispensable for muscle regeneration, yet the role of estrogen in the development of muscle inflammation, especially in the intramuscular T cell response, and the influence on the intrinsic immuno-behaviors of myofibers remain largely unknown. We investigated this issue using the mice model of cardiotoxin (CTX)-induced myoinjury, with or without estrogen level adjustment. Methods CTX injection i.m. (tibialis anterior, TA) was performed for preparing mice myoinjury model. Injection s.c. of 17β-estradiol (E2) or estrogen receptor antagonist 4-OHT, or ovariectomy (OVX), was used to change estrogen level of animal models in vivo. Serum E2 level was evaluated by ELISA. Gene levels of estrogen receptor (ERs) and cytokines/chemokines in inflamed muscle were monitored by qPCR. Inflammatory infiltration was observed by immunofluorescence. Macrophage and T cell phenotypes were analyzed by FACS. Immunoblotting was used to assess protein levels of ERs and immunomolecules in C2C12 myotubes treated with E2 or 4-OHT, in the presence of IFN-γ. Results We monitored the increased serum E2 level and the upregulated ERβ in regenerated myofibres after myotrauma. The absence of estrogen in vivo resulted in the more severe muscle inflammatory infiltration, involving the recruitment of monocyte/macrophage and CD4+ T cells, and the heightened proinflammatory (M1) macrophage. Moreover, estrogen signaling loss led to Treg cells infiltration decrease, Th1 response elevation in inflamed muscle, and the markedly expression upregulation of immunomolecules in IFN-γ-stimulated C2C12 myotubes in vitro. Conclusion Our data suggest that estrogen is a positive intervention factor for muscle inflammatory response, through its effects on controlling intramuscular infiltration and phenotypes of monocytes/macrophages, on affecting accumulation and function of Treg cells, and on suppressing Th1 response in inflamed muscle. Our findings also imply an inhibition effect of estrogen on the intrinsic immune behaviors of muscle cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Hong Liao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, Department of Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, Department of Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jiang Wei Xiao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, Department of Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Rui Cai Gu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, Department of Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jun Ouyang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, Department of Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Gang Wu
- Department of Emergency, NanFang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Hua Liao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, Department of Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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26
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Corsini E, Ruffo F, Racchi M. Steroid hormones, endocrine disrupting compounds and immunotoxicology. CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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27
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Gubbels Bupp MR, Potluri T, Fink AL, Klein SL. The Confluence of Sex Hormones and Aging on Immunity. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1269. [PMID: 29915601 PMCID: PMC5994698 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune systems of post-pubescent males and females differ significantly with profound consequences to health and disease. In many cases, sex-specific differences in the immune responses of young adults are also apparent in aged men and women. Moreover, as in young adults, aged women develop several late-adult onset autoimmune conditions more frequently than do men, while aged men continue to develop many cancers to a greater extent than aged women. However, sex differences in the immune systems of aged individuals have not been extensively investigated and data addressing the effectiveness of vaccinations and immunotherapies in aged men and women are scarce. In this review, we evaluate age- and sex hormone-related changes to innate and adaptive immunity, with consideration about how this impacts age- and sex-associated changes in the incidence and pathogenesis of autoimmunity and cancer as well as the efficacy of vaccination and cancer immunotherapy. We conclude that future preclinical and clinical studies should consider age and sex to better understand the ways in which these characteristics intersect with immune function and the resulting consequences for autoimmunity, cancer, and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tanvi Potluri
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ashley L Fink
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sabra L Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
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28
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Cortellini A, Bersanelli M, Buti S, Gambale E, Atzori F, Zoratto F, Parisi A, Brocco D, Pireddu A, Cannita K, Iacono D, Migliorino MR, Gamucci T, De Tursi M, Sidoni T, Tiseo M, Michiara M, Papa A, Angius G, Tomao S, Fargnoli MC, Natoli C, Ficorella C. Family history of cancer as surrogate predictor for immunotherapy with anti-PD1/PD-L1 agents: preliminary report of the FAMI-L1 study. Immunotherapy 2018; 10:643-655. [DOI: 10.2217/imt-2017-0167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Tumors related to hereditary susceptibility seem to have an immunosensitive phenotype. Materials & methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study, to investigate if family history of cancer, multiple neoplasms and early onset of cancer could be related to clinical outcomes of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. Activity and efficacy data of 211 advanced cancer patients (kidney, non-small-cell lung cancer, melanoma, urothelium, colorectal and HeN), treated at seven Italian centers with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents, were analyzed. Results: In this preliminary report at multivariate analyses, positive family history of cancer showed a statistically significant relationship with a better objective response rate (p = 0.0024), disease control rate (p = 0.0161), median time to treatment failure (p = 0.0203) and median overall survival (p = 0.0221). Diagnosis of multiple neoplasms significantly correlates only to a better disease control rate, while interestingly non-early onset of cancer and sex (in favor of female patients) showed significant correlation with a better median overall survival (p = 0.0268 and p = 0.0272, respectively). Conclusion: This pilot study seems to individuate easily available patient's features as possible predictive surrogates of clinical benefit for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatments. These preliminary results need to be confirmed with a greater sample size, in prospective trials with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Cortellini
- Medical Oncology Unit, St Salvatore Hospital, Department of Biotechnological & Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
- Department of Biotechnological & Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Sebastiano Buti
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Gambale
- Medical Oncology Unit, SS Annunziata Hospita, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Medical, Oral & Biotechnological Sciences University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Francesco Atzori
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Parisi
- Medical Oncology Unit, St Salvatore Hospital, Department of Biotechnological & Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
- Department of Biotechnological & Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Davide Brocco
- Medical Oncology Unit, SS Annunziata Hospita, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Medical, Oral & Biotechnological Sciences University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | | | - Katia Cannita
- Medical Oncology Unit, St Salvatore Hospital, Department of Biotechnological & Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Daniela Iacono
- Pulmonary Oncology Unit, St. Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Teresa Gamucci
- Medical Oncology Unit, F. Spaziani Hospital, Frosinone, Italy
| | - Michele De Tursi
- Medical Oncology Unit, SS Annunziata Hospita, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Medical, Oral & Biotechnological Sciences University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Tina Sidoni
- Medical Oncology Unit, St Salvatore Hospital, Department of Biotechnological & Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Marcello Tiseo
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Michiara
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Anselmo Papa
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences & Biotechnologies, University of Rome ‘Sapienza’, Latina, Italy
| | - Gesuino Angius
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences & Biotechnologies, University of Rome ‘Sapienza’, Latina, Italy
| | - Silverio Tomao
- Oncology Unit, Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology & Pathology, University of Rome ‘Sapienza’, Latina, Italy
| | - Maria C Fargnoli
- Oncological Dermatology Unit, San Salvatore Hospital, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Clara Natoli
- Medical Oncology Unit, SS Annunziata Hospita, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Medical, Oral & Biotechnological Sciences & CeSI-MeT, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti and Pescara, Italy
| | - Corrado Ficorella
- Medical Oncology Unit, St Salvatore Hospital, Department of Biotechnological & Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
- Department of Biotechnological & Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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Sex-based differences in phagocyte metabolic profile in rats with monosodium glutamate-induced obesity. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5419. [PMID: 29615659 PMCID: PMC5882925 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23664-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The important component of obesity pathogenesis is inflammatory activation of innate immune cells within adipose tissue and in other body locations. Both the course of obesity and innate immune reactivity are characterized by sex-associated differences. The aim of the work was a comparative investigation of metabolic profiles of phagocytes from different locations in male and female rats with MSG-induced obesity. The administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG) caused obesity, with sex-associated differences, that was more severe in male rats. Obesity was associated with pro-inflammatory activation of CD14+ phagocytes from adipose tissue in female, but not in male rats, which was demonstrated by decreased phagocytosis activity along with increased ROS generation. Phagocytes from the peritoneal cavity and peripheral blood of obese female rats exhibited neutral metabolic profile, whereas those cells from obese male rats displayed a pro-inflammatory metabolic profile. Thus, the manifestation of obesity-induced inflammation was characterized by different patterns of metabolic profile of phagocytes in male and female rats. Identified immune cell characteristics expand our knowledge of obesity immunobiology and may help to develop more effective preventive and therapeutic interventions for obese patients of different sexes.
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Capone I, Marchetti P, Ascierto PA, Malorni W, Gabriele L. Sexual Dimorphism of Immune Responses: A New Perspective in Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2018; 9:552. [PMID: 29619026 PMCID: PMC5871673 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, several types of tumors can benefit from the new frontier of immunotherapy, due to the recent increasing knowledge of the role of the immune system in cancer control. Among the new therapeutic strategies, there is the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), able to restore an efficacious antitumor immunity and significantly prolong the overall survival (OS) of patients with advanced tumors such as melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite the impressive efficacy of these agents in some patients, treatment failure and resistance are frequently observed. In this regard, the signaling governed by IFN type I (IFN-I) has emerged as pivotal in orchestrating host defense. This pathway displays different activation between sexes, thus potentially contributing to sexual dimorphic differences in the immune responses to immunotherapy. This perspective article aims to critically consider the immune signals, with particular attention to IFN-I, that may differently affect female and male antitumor responses upon immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imerio Capone
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Marchetti
- Department of Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Antonio Ascierto
- Unit of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale (IRCCS), Naples, Italy
| | - Walter Malorni
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Gabriele
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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31
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Capone I, Marchetti P, Ascierto PA, Malorni W, Gabriele L. Sexual Dimorphism of Immune Responses: A New Perspective in Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2018. [PMID: 29619026 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.0055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, several types of tumors can benefit from the new frontier of immunotherapy, due to the recent increasing knowledge of the role of the immune system in cancer control. Among the new therapeutic strategies, there is the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), able to restore an efficacious antitumor immunity and significantly prolong the overall survival (OS) of patients with advanced tumors such as melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite the impressive efficacy of these agents in some patients, treatment failure and resistance are frequently observed. In this regard, the signaling governed by IFN type I (IFN-I) has emerged as pivotal in orchestrating host defense. This pathway displays different activation between sexes, thus potentially contributing to sexual dimorphic differences in the immune responses to immunotherapy. This perspective article aims to critically consider the immune signals, with particular attention to IFN-I, that may differently affect female and male antitumor responses upon immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imerio Capone
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Marchetti
- Department of Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Antonio Ascierto
- Unit of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale (IRCCS), Naples, Italy
| | - Walter Malorni
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Gabriele
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Glucocorticoid receptor expression on circulating leukocytes differs between healthy male and female adults. J Clin Transl Sci 2017. [PMID: 28649452 PMCID: PMC5471823 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2016.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a key receptor involved in inflammatory responses and is influenced by sex steroids. This study measured GR expression on circulating leukocyte subtypes in males and females. Methods A total of 23 healthy adults (12 female) participated in this study. GR expression was measured in leukocyte subtypes using flow cytometry. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) gene expression of GR (NR3C1), GR β, TGF-β1 and 2, and glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results Leukocyte GR was lower in females, particularly in granulocytes, natural killer cells, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (p≤0.01). GR protein expression was different across leukocyte subtypes, with higher expression in eosinophils compared with granulocytes, T lymphocytes, and natural killer cells (p<0.05). There was higher gene expression of GR β in males (p=0.03). Conclusions This is the first study to identify sexual dimorphism in GR expression in healthy adults using flow cytometry. These results may begin to explain the sexual dimorphism seen in many diseases and sex differences in glucocorticoid responsiveness.
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33
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Harshman LC. Mind the gap: What is driving the survival disparity between the sexes in bladder cancer? Cancer 2016; 122:1966-70. [PMID: 27224470 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.30027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren C Harshman
- Lank Center for Genitourinary Cancers, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
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34
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Ahmed SB, Ramesh S. Sex hormones in women with kidney disease. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2016; 31:1787-1795. [DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfw084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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35
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Barriers to a cure for HIV in women. J Int AIDS Soc 2016; 19:20706. [PMID: 26900031 PMCID: PMC4761692 DOI: 10.7448/ias.19.1.20706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Distinct biological factors exist that affect the natural history of HIV and the host immune response between women and men. These differences must be addressed to permit the optimal design of effective HIV eradication strategies for much of the HIV-positive population. Methods and results Here, we review the literature on sex-based differences in HIV pathogenesis and natural history in tissues and anatomic compartments, HIV latency and transcriptional activity, and host immunity including the role of sex hormones. We then outline the potential effects of these differences on HIV persistence, and on the safety and efficacy of HIV eradication and curative interventions. Finally, we discuss the next steps necessary to elucidate these factors to achieve a cure for HIV, taking in account the complex ethical issues and the regulatory landscape in the hopes of stimulating further research and awareness in these areas. Conclusions Targeted enrolment of women in clinical trials and careful sex-based analysis will be crucial to gain further insights into sex-based differences in HIV persistence and to design sex-specific approaches to HIV eradication, if required.
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Forger NG, Strahan JA, Castillo-Ruiz A. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of sexual differentiation in the mammalian nervous system. Front Neuroendocrinol 2016; 40:67-86. [PMID: 26790970 PMCID: PMC4897775 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Neuroscientists are likely to discover new sex differences in the coming years, spurred by the National Institutes of Health initiative to include both sexes in preclinical studies. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in the mammalian nervous system, based primarily on work in rodents. Cellular mechanisms examined include neurogenesis, migration, the differentiation of neurochemical and morphological cell phenotype, and cell death. At the molecular level we discuss evolving roles for epigenetics, sex chromosome complement, the immune system, and newly identified cell signaling pathways. We review recent findings on the role of the environment, as well as genome-wide studies with some surprising results, causing us to re-think often-used models of sexual differentiation. We end by pointing to future directions, including an increased awareness of the important contributions of tissues outside of the nervous system to sexual differentiation of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy G Forger
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States.
| | - J Alex Strahan
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States.
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de Vries GJ, Forger NG. Sex differences in the brain: a whole body perspective. Biol Sex Differ 2015; 6:15. [PMID: 26279833 PMCID: PMC4536872 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-015-0032-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Most writing on sexual differentiation of the mammalian brain (including our own) considers just two organs: the gonads and the brain. This perspective, which leaves out all other body parts, misleads us in several ways. First, there is accumulating evidence that all organs are sexually differentiated, and that sex differences in peripheral organs affect the brain. We demonstrate this by reviewing examples involving sex differences in muscles, adipose tissue, the liver, immune system, gut, kidneys, bladder, and placenta that affect the nervous system and behavior. The second consequence of ignoring other organs when considering neural sex differences is that we are likely to miss the fact that some brain sex differences develop to compensate for differences in the internal environment (i.e., because male and female brains operate in different bodies, sex differences are required to make output/function more similar in the two sexes). We also consider evidence that sex differences in sensory systems cause male and female brains to perceive different information about the world; the two sexes are also perceived by the world differently and therefore exposed to differences in experience via treatment by others. Although the topic of sex differences in the brain is often seen as much more emotionally charged than studies of sex differences in other organs, the dichotomy is largely false. By putting the brain firmly back in the body, sex differences in the brain are predictable and can be more completely understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geert J. de Vries
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 5030, Atlanta, GA 30302-5030 USA
| | - Nancy G. Forger
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 5030, Atlanta, GA 30302-5030 USA
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