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Liu Y, Wang F, Peng D, Zhang D, Liu L, Wei J, Yuan J, Zhao L, Jiang H, Zhang T, Li Y, Zhao C, He S, Wu J, Yan Y, Zhang P, Guo C, Zhang J, Li X, Gao H, Li K. Activation and antitumor immunity of CD8 + T cells are supported by the glucose transporter GLUT10 and disrupted by lactic acid. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadk7399. [PMID: 39196962 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adk7399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/30/2024]
Abstract
CD8+ T cell activation leads to the rapid proliferation and differentiation of effector T cells (Teffs), which mediate antitumor immunity. Although aerobic glycolysis is preferentially activated in CD8+ Teffs, the mechanisms that regulate CD8+ T cell glucose uptake in the low-glucose and acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) remain poorly understood. Here, we report that the abundance of the glucose transporter GLUT10 is increased during CD8+ T cell activation and antitumor immunity. Specifically, GLUT10 deficiency inhibited glucose uptake, glycolysis, and antitumor efficiency of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Supplementation with glucose alone was insufficient to rescue the antitumor function and glucose uptake of CD8+ T cells in the TME. By analyzing tumor environmental metabolites, we found that high concentrations of lactic acid reduced the glucose uptake, activation, and antitumor effects of CD8+ T cells by directly binding to GLUT10's intracellular motif. Disrupting the interaction of lactic acid and GLUT10 by the mimic peptide PG10.3 facilitated CD8+ T cell glucose utilization, proliferation, and antitumor functions. The combination of PG10.3 and GLUT1 inhibition or anti-programmed cell death 1 antibody treatment showed synergistic antitumor effects. Together, our data indicate that GLUT10 is selectively required for glucose uptake of CD8+ T cells and identify that TME accumulated lactic acid inhibits CD8+ T cell effector function by directly binding to GLUT10 and reducing its glucose transport capacity. Last, our study suggests disrupting lactate-GLUT10 binding as a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance CD8+ T cell-mediated antitumor effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Feng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Dongxue Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Luping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jun Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Jian Yuan
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Luyao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Huimin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yunxuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Chenxi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Shuhua He
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jie Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yechao Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Peitao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Chunyi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jiaming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xia Li
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai 264200, China
| | - Huan Gao
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai 264200, China
| | - Ke Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
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2
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Li L, Chao Z, Peng H, Hu Z, Wang Z, Zeng X. Tumor ABCC4-mediated release of PGE2 induces CD8 + T cell dysfunction and impairs PD-1 blockade in prostate cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:4424-4437. [PMID: 39247809 PMCID: PMC11380449 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.99716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer presents as an immunologically "cold" malignancy, characterized by a lack of response to immunotherapy in the majority of patients. The dysfunction of prostate tumor metabolism is recognized as a critical factor in immune evasion, resulting in reduced effectiveness of immunotherapeutic interventions. Despite this awareness, the precise molecular mechanisms underpinning metabolic dysregulation in prostate cancer and its intricate relationship with immune evasion remain incompletely elucidated. In this study, we introduce the multi-drug resistance protein ABCC4/MRP4 as a key player prominently expressed in prostate cancer, exerting a pivotal role in suppressing the activity of intratumoral CD8+ T cells. Depletion of ABCC4 in prostate cancer cells halts the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a molecule that diminishes the population of CD8+ T cells and curtails their cytotoxic capabilities. Conversely, constraining the activation of PGE2 signaling in CD8+ T cells effectively improved the efficacy of prostate cancer treatment with PD-1 blockade. During this process, downregulation of the JAK1-STAT3 pathway and depolarization of mitochondria emerge as crucial factors contributing to T cell anergy. Collectively, our research identifies the ABCC4-PGE2 axis as a promising target for reversing dysfunction within tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and augmenting the suboptimal responsiveness to immunotherapy in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Li
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zheng Chao
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hao Peng
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Zhiquan Hu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Zhihua Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xing Zeng
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
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3
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Hsu CY, Abdulrahim MN, Mustafa MA, Omar TM, Balto F, Pineda I, Khudair TT, Ubaid M, Ali MS. The multifaceted role of PCSK9 in cancer pathogenesis, tumor immunity, and immunotherapy. Med Oncol 2024; 41:202. [PMID: 39008137 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02435-0] [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: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a well-known regulator of cholesterol metabolism and cardiovascular diseases, has recently garnered attention for its emerging involvement in cancer biology. The multifunctional nature of PCSK9 extends beyond lipid regulation and encompasses a wide range of cellular processes that can influence cancer progression. Studies have revealed that PCSK9 can modulate signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and Wnt/β-catenin, thereby influencing cellular proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis. Additionally, the interplay between PCSK9 and cholesterol homeostasis may impact membrane dynamics and cellular migration, further influencing tumor aggressiveness. The central role of the immune system in monitoring and controlling cancer is increasingly recognized. Recent research has demonstrated the ability of PCSK9 to modulate immune responses through interactions with immune cells and components of the tumor microenvironment. This includes effects on dendritic cell maturation, T cell activation, and cytokine production, suggesting a role in shaping antitumor immune responses. Moreover, the potential influence of PCSK9 on immune checkpoints such as PD1/PD-L1 lends an additional layer of complexity to its immunomodulatory functions. The growing interest in cancer immunotherapy has prompted exploration into the potential of targeting PCSK9 for therapeutic benefits. Preclinical studies have demonstrated synergistic effects between PCSK9 inhibitors and established immunotherapies, offering a novel avenue for combination treatments. The strategic manipulation of PCSK9 to enhance tumor immunity and improve therapeutic outcomes presents an exciting area for further investigations. Understanding the mechanisms by which PCSK9 influences cancer biology and immunity holds promise for the development of novel immunotherapeutic approaches. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the intricate connections between PCSK9, cancer pathogenesis, tumor immunity, and the potential implications for immunotherapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chou-Yi Hsu
- Department of Pharmacy, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan City, 71710, Taiwan.
- Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University Tempe Campus, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA.
| | | | - Mohammed Ahmed Mustafa
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Imam Jaafar AL-Sadiq University, Baghdad, Iraq
- Department of Pathological Analyzes, College of Applied Sciences, University of Samarra, Samarra, Iraq
| | - Thabit Moath Omar
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technics, Al-Noor University College, Nineveh, Iraq
| | - Franklin Balto
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetics, Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560069, India
- Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303012, India
| | - Indira Pineda
- School of Basic & Applied Sciences, Shobhit University, Gangoh, Uttar Pradesh, 247341, India
- Department of Health & Allied Sciences, Arka Jain University, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, 831001, India
| | - Teeba Thamer Khudair
- College of Nursing, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Iraq
| | - Mohammed Ubaid
- Medical Technical College, Al-Farahidi University, Baghdad, Iraq
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4
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Mondal S, Saha S, Sur D. Immuno-metabolic reprogramming of T cell: a new frontier for pharmacotherapy of Rheumatoid arthritis. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2024; 46:330-340. [PMID: 38478467 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2024.2330636] [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: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a persistent autoimmune condition characterized by ongoing inflammation primarily affecting the synovial joint. This inflammation typically arises from an increase in immune cells such as neutrophils, macrophages, and T cells (TC). TC is recognized as a major player in RA pathogenesis. The involvement of HLA-DRB1 and PTPN-2 among RA patients confirms the TC involvement in RA. Metabolism of TC is maintained by various other factors like cytokines, mitochondrial proteins & other metabolites. Different TC subtypes utilize different metabolic pathways like glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid oxidation for their activation from naive TC (T0). Although all subsets of TC are not deleterious for synovium, some subsets of TC are involved in joint repair using their anti-inflammatory properties. Hence artificially reprogramming of TC subset by interfering with their metabolic status poised a hope in future to design new molecules against RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Mondal
- Division of Pharmacology, Guru Nanak Institute of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology, Panihati, Kolkata, India
| | - Sarthak Saha
- Division of Pharmacology, Guru Nanak Institute of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology, Panihati, Kolkata, India
| | - Debjeet Sur
- Division of Pharmacology, Guru Nanak Institute of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology, Panihati, Kolkata, India
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5
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Montoya M, Gallus M, Phyu S, Haegelin J, de Groot J, Okada H. A Roadmap of CAR-T-Cell Therapy in Glioblastoma: Challenges and Future Perspectives. Cells 2024; 13:726. [PMID: 38727262 PMCID: PMC11083543 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090726] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor, with a median overall survival of less than 2 years and a nearly 100% mortality rate under standard therapy that consists of surgery followed by combined radiochemotherapy. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. The success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in hematological cancers has prompted preclinical and clinical investigations into CAR-T-cell treatment for GBM. However, recent trials have not demonstrated any major success. Here, we delineate existing challenges impeding the effectiveness of CAR-T-cell therapy for GBM, encompassing the cold (immunosuppressive) microenvironment, tumor heterogeneity, T-cell exhaustion, local and systemic immunosuppression, and the immune privilege inherent to the central nervous system (CNS) parenchyma. Additionally, we deliberate on the progress made in developing next-generation CAR-T cells and novel innovative approaches, such as low-intensity pulsed focused ultrasound, aimed at surmounting current roadblocks in GBM CAR-T-cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Montoya
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Marco Gallus
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Su Phyu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jeffrey Haegelin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - John de Groot
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Hideho Okada
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
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Montecchi T, Nannini G, De Tommaso D, Cassioli C, Coppola F, Ringressi MN, Carraro F, Naldini A, Taddei A, Marotta G, Amedei A, Baldari CT, Ulivieri C. Human colorectal cancer: upregulation of the adaptor protein Rai in TILs leads to cell dysfunction by sustaining GSK-3 activation and PD-1 expression. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:2. [PMID: 38175205 PMCID: PMC10766791 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03614-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) of colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major hurdle for immune checkpoint inhibitor-based therapies. Hence characterization of the signaling pathways driving T cell exhaustion within TME is a critical need for the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and the development of effective therapies. We previously showed that (i) the adaptor protein Rai is a negative regulator of T cell receptor signaling and T helper 1 (Th1)/Th17 cell differentiation; and (ii) Rai deficiency is implicated in the hyperactive phenotype of T cells in autoimmune diseases. METHODS The expression level of Rai was measured by qRT-PCR in paired peripheral blood T cells and T cells infiltrating tumor tissue and the normal adjacent tissue in CRC patients. The impact of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α on Rai expression was evaluated in T cells exposed to hypoxia and by performing chromatin immunoprecipitation assays and RNA interference assays. The mechanism by which upregulation of Rai in T cells promotes T cell exhaustion were evaluated by flow cytometric, qRT-PCR and western blot analyses. RESULTS We show that Rai is a novel HIF-1α-responsive gene that is upregulated in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes of CRC patients compared to patient-matched circulating T cells. Rai upregulation in T cells promoted Programmed cell Death protein (PD)-1 expression and impaired antigen-dependent degranulation of CD8+ T cells by inhibiting phospho-inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3, a central regulator of PD-1 expression and T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. CONCLUSIONS Our data identify Rai as a hitherto unknown regulator of the TME-induced exhausted phenotype of human T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Montecchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Giulia Nannini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, 50134, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Cassioli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Federica Coppola
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Maria Novella Ringressi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, 50134, Italy
| | - Fabio Carraro
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Antonella Naldini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Antonio Taddei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, 50134, Italy
| | | | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, 50134, Italy.
| | - Cosima T Baldari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy.
| | - Cristina Ulivieri
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy.
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Finisguerra V, Dvorakova T, Formenti M, Van Meerbeeck P, Mignion L, Gallez B, Van den Eynde BJ. Metformin improves cancer immunotherapy by directly rescuing tumor-infiltrating CD8 T lymphocytes from hypoxia-induced immunosuppression. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-005719. [PMID: 37147018 PMCID: PMC10163559 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite their revolutionary success in cancer treatment over the last decades, immunotherapies encounter limitations in certain tumor types and patients. The efficacy of immunotherapies depends on tumor antigen-specific CD8 T-cell viability and functionality within the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, where oxygen levels are often low. Hypoxia can reduce CD8 T-cell fitness in several ways and CD8 T cells are mostly excluded from hypoxic tumor regions. Given the challenges to achieve durable reduction of hypoxia in the clinic, ameliorating CD8 T-cell survival and effector function in hypoxic condition could improve tumor response to immunotherapies. METHODS Activated CD8 T cells were exposed to hypoxia and metformin and analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting for cell proliferation, apoptosis and phenotype. In vivo, metformin was administered to mice bearing hypoxic tumors and receiving either adoptive cell therapy with tumor-specific CD8 T cells, or immune checkpoint inhibitors; tumor growth was followed over time and CD8 T-cell infiltration, survival and localization in normoxic or hypoxic tumor regions were assessed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Tumor oxygenation and hypoxia were measured by electron paramagnetic resonance and pimonidazole staining, respectively. RESULTS We found that the antidiabetic drug metformin directly improved CD8 T-cell fitness in hypoxia, both in vitro and in vivo. Metformin rescued murine and human CD8 T cells from hypoxia-induced apoptosis and increased their proliferation and cytokine production, while blunting the upregulation of programmed cell death protein 1 and lymphocyte-activation gene 3. This appeared to result from a reduced production of reactive oxygen species, due to the inhibition of mitochondrial complex I. Differently from what others reported, metformin did not reduce tumor hypoxia, but rather increased CD8 T-cell infiltration and survival in hypoxic tumor areas, and synergized with cyclophosphamide to enhance tumor response to adoptive cell therapy or immune checkpoint blockade in different tumor models. CONCLUSIONS This study describes a novel mechanism of action of metformin and presents a promising strategy to achieve immune rejection in hypoxic and immunosuppressive tumors, which would otherwise be resistant to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Finisguerra
- de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, de Duve Institute, Brussels, Belgium
- Walloon Excellence in Life Science and Biotechnology (WELBIO), WEL Research Institute, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tereza Dvorakova
- de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, de Duve Institute, Brussels, Belgium
- Walloon Excellence in Life Science and Biotechnology (WELBIO), WEL Research Institute, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Matteo Formenti
- de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, de Duve Institute, Brussels, Belgium
- Walloon Excellence in Life Science and Biotechnology (WELBIO), WEL Research Institute, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Lionel Mignion
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (REMA) Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Nuclear and Electron Spin Technologies (NEST) Platform, Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bernard Gallez
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (REMA) Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Nuclear and Electron Spin Technologies (NEST) Platform, Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Benoit J Van den Eynde
- de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, de Duve Institute, Brussels, Belgium
- Walloon Excellence in Life Science and Biotechnology (WELBIO), WEL Research Institute, Brussels, Belgium
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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8
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Dehghani T, Shahrjerdi A, Kahrizi MS, Soleimani E, Ravandeh S, Merza MS, Rahnama N, Ebrahimzadeh F, Bakhshesh M. Targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) for treatment of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC); the recent advances. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 246:154470. [PMID: 37150133 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The immune system uses various immune checkpoint axes to adjust responses, support homeostasis, and deter self-reactivity and autoimmunity. Nevertheless, non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) can use protective mechanisms to facilitate immune evasion, which leads to potentiated cancer survival and proliferation. In this light, many blocking anti-bodies have been developed to negatively regulate checkpoint molecules, in particular, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) / PD-ligand 1 (L1), and bypass these immune suppressive mechanisms. Meanwhile, anti-PD-1 anti-bodies such as nivolumab, pembrolizumab, cemiplimab, and sintilimab have shown excellent competence in successfully inspiring immune responses versus NSCLC. Accordingly, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved nivolumab (alone or in combination with ipilimumab) and pembrolizumab (alone or in combination with chemotherapy) as first-line treatment for advanced NSCLC patients. However, PD-1 blockade monotherapy remains inefficient in more than 60% of NSCLC patients, and many patients don't respond or acquire resistance to this modality. Also, toxicities related to anti-PD-1 anti-body have been progressively identified in clinical trials and oncology practice. Herein, we will outline the clinical benefits of PD-1 blockade therapy alone or in combination with other treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, anti-angiogenic therapy) in NSCLC patients. Moreover, we will take a glimpse into the recently identified predictive biomarkers to determine patients most likely to suffer serious adverse events to decrease untoward toxicity risk and diminish treatment costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tannaz Dehghani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Lorestan, Iran
| | - Alireza Shahrjerdi
- National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), P.O. Box: 14965/161, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Elnaz Soleimani
- Departmant of Genetic, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, Iran
| | | | - Muna S Merza
- Prosthetic Dental Techniques Department, Al-Mustaqbal university College, Babylon 51001, Iraq
| | - Negin Rahnama
- Department of Internal Medicine and Health Services, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Farnoosh Ebrahimzadeh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Morteza Bakhshesh
- Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Khomein University of Medical Sciences, Khomein, Iran.
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9
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Alvarez-Arzola R, Bancaro N, Lai P, Attanasio G, Pellegrini L, Troiani M, Colucci M, Mosole S, Pasquini E, Alimonti A, Mesa C. VSSP-activated macrophages mediate senescence and tumor inhibition in a preclinical model of advanced prostate cancer. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:76. [PMID: 37055829 PMCID: PMC10100133 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01095-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a standard therapy for prostate cancer (PCa). Though disseminated disease is initially sensitive to ADT, an important fraction of the patients progresses to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). For this reason, the identification of novel effective therapies for treating CRPC is needed. Immunotherapeutic strategies focused on macrophages as antitumor effectors, directly enhancing their tumoricidal potential at the tumor microenvironment or their adoptive transfer after ex vivo activation, have arisen as promising therapies in several cancer types. Despite several approaches centered on the activation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in PCa are under investigation, to date there is no evidence of clinical benefit in patients. In addition, the evidence of the effectiveness of macrophage adoptive transfer on PCa is poor. Here we find that VSSP, an immunomodulator of the myeloid system, decreases TAMs and inhibits prostatic tumor growth when administered to castrated Pten-deficient prostate tumor-bearing mice. In mice bearing castration-resistant Ptenpc-/-; Trp53pc-/- tumors, VSSP administration showed no effect. Nevertheless, adoptive transfer of macrophages activated ex vivo with VSSP inhibited Ptenpc-/-; Trp53pc-/- tumor growth through reduction of angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation and induction of senescence. Taken together, our results highlight the rationale of exploiting macrophage functional programming as a promising strategy for CRPC therapy, with particular emphasis on ex vivo-activated proinflammatory macrophage adoptive transfer. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rydell Alvarez-Arzola
- Department of Immunoregulation, Immunology and Immunotherapy Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba.
| | - Nicoló Bancaro
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Ping Lai
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppe Attanasio
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Laura Pellegrini
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Martina Troiani
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Colucci
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Simone Mosole
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Emiliano Pasquini
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Alimonti
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 1011, Lugano, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, 35131, Padua, Italy
- Medical Oncology, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Circe Mesa
- Innovative Immunotherapy Alliance S.A., Mariel, Artemisa, Cuba
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10
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Li X, Yang X, Xue W, Yang R, He Z, Ai L, Liu H. Identification of gene signatures related to hypoxia and angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer to aid immunotherapy and prognosis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1119763. [PMID: 37064125 PMCID: PMC10098147 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1119763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundOne of the most diverse tumors is pancreatic cancer (PC), which makes predicting the prognosis challenging. PC development is directly related to hypoxia, angiogenesis, and immunotherapy. It is still unclear how the three features are related.MethodsThe Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were employed to obtain sequencing data for healthy pancreatic tissues and PC tissues, respectively. According to the constructed hypoxic prognostic model (HPM) and angiogenic prognostic model (APM), 4 subtypes of PC were identified. Hypoxia and angiogenesis prognostic model (HAPM) was established based on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between high-angiogenesis/high-hypoxia (HH) and low-angiogenesis/low-hypoxia (LL) subgroups. Base on the median risk score, PC patients were separated into high-risk and low-risk groups, and clinical traits, prognosis, percentage of immune cell infiltration, PD-1 expression, and the fraction of T-cell depletion were compared between the groups. Finally, the predictive accuracy of the tumor immune dysfunction and rejection (TIDE) and tumor inflammatory signature (TIS) models, as well as HAPM, was compared.ResultWe analyzed the mRNA sequencing data from 178 PC tissues and 171 normal pancreatic tissues to obtain 9527 DEGs. We discovered 200 genes linked with hypoxia and 36 genes involved with angiogenesis through the literature. We found the core genes related with hypoxia and angiogenesis in PC by intersecting the DEGs of the HH and LL subgroups with those of PC via WGCNA. IL-17 signaling pathway, ECM-receptor interactions, cytokine receptor interactions, etc. were all enriched in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) results of core genes. HAPM has good predictive efficiency, according to an evaluation of KM survival curves and ROC curves. The external dataset also validated the model’s ability to anticipate outcomes. Patients in the high- and low-risk groups were compared for PD1 expression and T-cell exclusion scores, which suggested that the model might be used to forecast which PC patients might benefit from immunotherapy.ConclusionsThe probable molecular processes connecting hypoxia and angiogenesis are described in this work, and a model is developed that may be utilized to forecast the prognosis for PC patients and the benefits of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiushen Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, The People’s Hospital of Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
| | - Weiqi Xue
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiwei He
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Lisha Ai
- Department of Teaching and Research, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases and Carson International Cancer, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Hui Liu,
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11
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SLC7A5 is a lung adenocarcinoma-specific prognostic biomarker and participates in forming immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10866. [PMID: 36217463 PMCID: PMC9547238 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amino acid metabolism participates in forming immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Amino acid transporters (AATs), as a gate for admission, remains to be studied. Materials and methods We identified LUAD-specific prognostic AATs, SLC7A5 by differential expression analysis, logistic regression, machine learning, Kaplan-Meier analysis, AUC value filtrating and Cox regression. Then differential expression and distribution of SLC7A5 were depicted. Copy number variation, DNA methylation, transcriptional factors and ceRNA network were investigated to explore potential mechanism causing differential expression. The prognostic and clinical relation were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cox regression analysis. GSEA and GSVA were used to analyze altered pathways between SLC7A5 high- and low-groups. The expression of HLA-related genes and immune checkpoint genes, and immune cells infiltration were detected. SLC7A5 expression in immune cells was evaluated by single-cell sequencing data. IPS and an independent immunotherapy cohort assessed response rates of patients with distinct SLC7A5 expression. Proliferation assay and wound healing assay validated the effects of SLC7A5 on proliferation and migration of LUAD cells. Western blotting and cell viability assays were performed to detect mTORC1 pathway activity and sensitivity to rapamycin. Results SLC7A5 was a LUAD-specific prognostic AAT and had significant differential expression in transcription and translation level. Methylation levels of cg00728300, cg00858400, cg12408911, cg08710629 were negative correlation with SLC7A5 expression. FOXP3 and TFAP2A were possible transcription factors and miR-30a-5p, miR-184, miR-195-5p may target SLC7A5 mRNA. SLC7A5 high-expression indicated poor prognosis and was an independent prognostic factor. mTORC1, cell cycle, DNA damage repair, response to reactive oxygen, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and various growth factors signaling pathways were activated in SLC7A5 high-expression group. Interestingly, SLC7A5 high-expression group had less immune-related genes expression and immune cells infiltration. Single-cell sequencing data also suggested SLC7A5 was downregulated in various T cells, especially effector T cells. Moreover, high SLC7A5 expression indicated poor immunotherapy efficacy and higher sensitivity to inhibitors of mTORC1 pathway, cell cycle and angiogenesis. SLC7A5 deficiency abrogated proliferation, migration and mTORC1 pathway activity. Conclusions In summary, as a LUAD-specific prognostic AAT, SLC7A5 is involved in activation of multiple oncogenic pathways and indicates poor prognosis. Moreover, SLC7A5 may participate in forming immunosuppressive TME and is associated with low response of immunotherapy. SLC7A5 is promising to be a new diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in LUAD.
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12
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Pęksa R, Kunc M, Czapiewski P, Piątek M, Hać S, Radecka B, Biernat W. Tumor Budding Is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma and It Positively Correlates with PD-L1 Expression on Tumor Cells. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071761. [PMID: 35885065 PMCID: PMC9312915 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in developed countries. Only 15% of patients are candidates for radical surgery, and adequate prognostication may guide proper postsurgical management. We aimed to retrospectively assess the prognostic significance of the immunohistochemical expression of immune checkpoint receptors (PD-L1 and VISTA), markers of systemic inflammation, thrombosis in the tumor area, and the tumor budding in the group of 107 patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma in a single center. The high expression of PD-L1 on tumor cells (TCs) was associated with worse overall survival (OS, p = 0.041, log-rank). On the contrary, high PD-L1 or VISTA on tumor-associated immune cells (TAICs) was correlated with better OS (p = 0.006 and p = 0.008, respectively, log-rank). The joint status of PD-L1 on TCs and TAICs stratified patients into three prognostic groups. The cases with high-grade budding were characterized by higher PD-L1 expression on TCs (p = 0.008) and elevated systemic inflammatory markers. Moreover, budding was identified as the independent prognostic factor in multivariate Cox regression analysis (HR = 2.87; 95% CI = 1.75−4.68; p < 0.001). To conclude, the pattern of PD-L1 and VISTA expression was associated with survival in univariate analysis. Tumor budding accurately predicts outcomes in pancreatic cancer and should be incorporated into routine histopathological practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Pęksa
- Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland; (M.K.); (W.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-58-349-3750
| | - Michał Kunc
- Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland; (M.K.); (W.B.)
| | - Piotr Czapiewski
- Department of Pathology, Dessau Medical Centre, Auenweg 38, 06847 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany;
- Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipzigerstr. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Michał Piątek
- Department of Oncology with Daily Unit, Tadeusz Koszarowski Cancer Center in Opole, Katowicka 66a, 45-061 Opole, Poland; (M.P.); (B.R.)
| | - Stanisław Hać
- Department of General Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Barbara Radecka
- Department of Oncology with Daily Unit, Tadeusz Koszarowski Cancer Center in Opole, Katowicka 66a, 45-061 Opole, Poland; (M.P.); (B.R.)
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45-062 Opole, Poland
| | - Wojciech Biernat
- Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland; (M.K.); (W.B.)
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Naimi A, Mohammed RN, Raji A, Chupradit S, Yumashev AV, Suksatan W, Shalaby MN, Thangavelu L, Kamrava S, Shomali N, Sohrabi AD, Adili A, Noroozi-Aghideh A, Razeghian E. Tumor immunotherapies by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs); the pros and cons. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:44. [PMID: 35392976 PMCID: PMC8991803 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00854-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The main breakthrough in tumor immunotherapy was the discovery of immune checkpoint (IC) proteins, which act as a potent suppressor of the immune system by a myriad of mechanisms. After that, scientists focused on the immune checkpoint molecules mainly. Thereby, much effort was spent to progress novel strategies for suppressing these inhibitory axes, resulting in the evolution of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Then, ICIs have become a promising approach and shaped a paradigm shift in tumor immunotherapies. CTLA-4 plays an influential role in attenuation of the induction of naïve and memory T cells by engagement with its responding ligands like B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86). Besides, PD-1 is predominantly implicated in adjusting T cell function in peripheral tissues through its interaction with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and PD-L2. Given their suppressive effects on anti-tumor immunity, it has firmly been documented that ICIs based therapies can be practical and rational therapeutic approaches to treat cancer patients. Nonetheless, tumor inherent or acquired resistance to ICI and some treatment-related toxicities restrict their application in the clinic. The current review will deliver a comprehensive overview of the ICI application to treat human tumors alone or in combination with other modalities to support more desired outcomes and lower toxicities in cancer patients. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adel Naimi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Rebar N. Mohammed
- Medical Laboratory Analysis Department, Cihan University Sulaimaniya, Sulaymaniyah, 46001 Kurdistan Region Iraq
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Suleimanyah, Iraq
| | - Ahmed Raji
- College of Medicine, University of Babylon, Department of Pathology, Babylon, Iraq
| | - Supat Chupradit
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
| | | | - Wanich Suksatan
- Faculty of Nursing, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, 10210 Thailand
| | - Mohammed Nader Shalaby
- Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Sports Health Department, Faculty of Physical Education, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Lakshmi Thangavelu
- Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Siavash Kamrava
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Navid Shomali
- Immunology Research Center (IRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Armin D. Sohrabi
- Immunology Research Center (IRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Adili
- Department of Oncology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Noroozi-Aghideh
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Razeghian
- Human Genetics Division, Medical Biotechnology Department, National Institute of Genetics Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
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Byrnes JR, Weeks AM, Shifrut E, Carnevale J, Kirkemo L, Ashworth A, Marson A, Wells JA. Hypoxia Is a Dominant Remodeler of the Effector T Cell Surface Proteome Relative to Activation and Regulatory T Cell Suppression. Mol Cell Proteomics 2022; 21:100217. [PMID: 35217172 PMCID: PMC9006863 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2022.100217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunosuppressive factors in the tumor microenvironment (TME) impair T cell function and limit the antitumor immune response. T cell surface receptors and surface proteins that influence interactions and function in the TME are proven targets for cancer immunotherapy. However, how the entire surface proteome remodels in primary human T cells in response to specific suppressive factors in the TME remains to be broadly and systematically characterized. Here, using a reductionist cell culture approach with primary human T cells and stable isotopic labeling with amino acids in cell culture-based quantitative cell surface capture glycoproteomics, we examined how two immunosuppressive TME factors, regulatory T cells (Tregs) and hypoxia, globally affect the activated CD8+ surface proteome (surfaceome). Surprisingly, coculturing primary CD8+ T cells with Tregs only modestly affected the CD8+ surfaceome but did partially reverse activation-induced surfaceomic changes. In contrast, hypoxia drastically altered the CD8+ surfaceome in a manner consistent with both metabolic reprogramming and induction of an immunosuppressed state. The CD4+ T cell surfaceome similarly responded to hypoxia, revealing a common hypoxia-induced surface receptor program. Our surfaceomics findings suggest that hypoxic environments create a challenge for T cell activation. These studies provide global insight into how Tregs and hypoxia remodel the T cell surfaceome and we believe represent a valuable resource to inform future therapeutic efforts to enhance T cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Byrnes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Amy M Weeks
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Eric Shifrut
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Julia Carnevale
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lisa Kirkemo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Alan Ashworth
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; The Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Alexander Marson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; The Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, California, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - James A Wells
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
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15
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Mortezaee K, Majidpoor J. CD8 + T Cells in SARS-CoV-2 Induced Disease and Cancer-Clinical Perspectives. Front Immunol 2022; 13:864298. [PMID: 35432340 PMCID: PMC9010719 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.864298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated innate and adaptive immunity is a sign of SARS-CoV-2-induced disease and cancer. CD8+ T cells are important cells of the immune system. The cells belong to the adaptive immunity and take a front-line defense against viral infections and cancer. Extreme CD8+ T-cell activities in the lung of patients with a SARS-CoV-2-induced disease and within the tumor microenvironment (TME) will change their functionality into exhausted state and undergo apoptosis. Such diminished immunity will put cancer cases at a high-risk group for SARS-CoV-2-induced disease, rendering viral sepsis and a more severe condition which will finally cause a higher rate of mortality. Recovering responses from CD8+ T cells is a purpose of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this review is to discuss the CD8+ T cellular state in SARS-CoV-2-induced disease and in cancer and to present some strategies for recovering the functionality of these critical cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Jamal Majidpoor
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
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Luo Q, Napoleon JV, Liu X, Zhang B, Zheng S, Low PS. Targeted Rejuvenation of Exhausted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells Regresses Refractory Solid Tumors. Mol Cancer Res 2022; 20:823-833. [DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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17
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Vafaei S, Zekiy AO, Khanamir RA, Zaman BA, Ghayourvahdat A, Azimizonuzi H, Zamani M. Combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs); a new frontier. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:2. [PMID: 34980128 PMCID: PMC8725311 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02407-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy has become a promising therapeutic strategy with encouraging therapeutic outcomes due to their durable anti-tumor effects. Though, tumor inherent or acquired resistance to ICIs accompanied with treatment-related toxicities hamper their clinical utility. Overall, about 60-70% of patients (e.g., melanoma and lung cancer) who received ICIs show no objective response to intervention. The resistance to ICIs mainly caused by alterations in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which in turn, supports angiogenesis and also blocks immune cell antitumor activities, facilitating tumor cells' evasion from host immunosurveillance. Thereby, it has been supposed and also validated that combination therapy with ICIs and other therapeutic means, ranging from chemoradiotherapy to targeted therapies as well as cancer vaccines, can capably compromise tumor resistance to immune checkpoint blocked therapy. Herein, we have focused on the therapeutic benefits of ICIs as a groundbreaking approach in the context of tumor immunotherapy and also deliver an overview concerning the therapeutic influences of the addition of ICIs to other modalities to circumvent tumor resistance to ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Vafaei
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Angelina O. Zekiy
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ramadhan Ado Khanamir
- Internal Medicine and Surgery Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Burhan Abdullah Zaman
- Basic Sciences Department, College of Pharmacy, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | | | | | - Majid Zamani
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
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Cienfuegos-Jimenez O, Vazquez-Garza E, Rojas-Martinez A. CAR-NK Cells for Cancer Therapy: Molecular Redesign of the Innate Antineoplastic Response. Curr Gene Ther 2021; 22:303-318. [PMID: 34923939 DOI: 10.2174/1566523222666211217091724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) has arisen as a powerful synthetic biology-based technology with demonstrated versatility for implementation in T and NK cells. Despite CAR T cell successes in clinical trials, several challenges remain to be addressed regarding adverse events and long-term efficacy. NK cells present an attractive alternative with intrinsic advantages over T cells for treating solid and liquid tumors. Early preclinical and clinical trials suggest at least two major advantages: improved safety and an off-the-shelf application in patients due to its HLA independence. Due to the early stages of CAR NK translation to clinical trials, limited data is currently available. By analyzing these results, it seems that CAR NK cells could offer a reduced probability of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) or Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) in cancer patients, reducing safety concerns. Furthermore, NK cell therapy approaches may be boosted by combining it with immunological checkpoint inhibitors and by implementing genetic circuits to direct CAR-bearing cell behavior. This review provides a description of the CAR technology for modifying NK cells and the translation from preclinical studies to early clinical trials in this new field of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Cienfuegos-Jimenez
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud. Monterrey, CP64710, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Vazquez-Garza
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud. Monterrey, CP64710, Mexico
| | - Augusto Rojas-Martinez
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud. Monterrey, CP64710, Mexico
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Peeters MJW, Aehnlich P, Pizzella A, Mølgaard K, Seremet T, Met Ö, Rasmussen LJ, Thor Straten P, Desler C. Mitochondrial-Linked De Novo Pyrimidine Biosynthesis Dictates Human T-Cell Proliferation but Not Expression of Effector Molecules. Front Immunol 2021; 12:718863. [PMID: 34899685 PMCID: PMC8652221 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.718863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell activation upon antigen stimulation is essential for the continuation of the adaptive immune response. Impairment of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is a well-known disruptor of T-cell activation. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is a component of the de novo synthesis of pyrimidines, the activity of which depends on functional oxidative phosphorylation. Under circumstances of an inhibited oxidative phosphorylation, DHODH becomes rate-limiting. Inhibition of DHODH is known to block clonal expansion and expression of effector molecules of activated T cells. However, this effect has been suggested to be caused by downstream impairment of oxidative phosphorylation rather than a lower rate of pyrimidine synthesis. In this study, we successfully inhibit the DHODH of T cells with no residual effect on oxidative phosphorylation and demonstrate a dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation of activated CD3+ T cells. This block is fully rescued when uridine is supplemented. Inhibition of DHODH does not alter expression of effector molecules but results in decreased intracellular levels of deoxypyrimidines without decreasing cell viability. Our results clearly demonstrate the DHODH and mitochondrial linked pyrimidine synthesis as an independent and important cytostatic regulator of activated T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies J W Peeters
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pia Aehnlich
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Adriano Pizzella
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kasper Mølgaard
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tina Seremet
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Özcan Met
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Inflammation and Cancer Group, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lene Juel Rasmussen
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Per Thor Straten
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Inflammation and Cancer Group, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Desler
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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20
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Storkus WJ, Maurer D, Lin Y, Ding F, Bose A, Lowe D, Rose A, DeMark M, Karapetyan L, Taylor JL, Chelvanambi M, Fecek RJ, Filderman JN, Looney TJ, Miller L, Linch E, Lowman GM, Kalinski P, Butterfield LH, Tarhini A, Tawbi H, Kirkwood JM. Dendritic cell vaccines targeting tumor blood vessel antigens in combination with dasatinib induce therapeutic immune responses in patients with checkpoint-refractory advanced melanoma. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-003675. [PMID: 34782430 PMCID: PMC8593702 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A first-in-human, randomized pilot phase II clinical trial combining vaccines targeting overexpressed, non-mutated tumor blood vessel antigens (TBVA) and tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib was conducted in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2+ patients with advanced melanoma. Methods Patient monocyte-derived type-1-polarized dendritic cells were loaded with HLA-A2-presented peptides derived from TBVA (DLK1, EphA2, HBB, NRP1, RGS5, TEM1) and injected intradermally as a vaccine into the upper extremities every other week. Patients were randomized into one of two treatment arms receiving oral dasatinib (70 mg two times per day) beginning in week 5 (Arm A) or in week 1 (Arm B). Trial endpoints included T cell response to vaccine peptides (interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot), objective clinical response (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors V.1.1) and exploratory tumor, blood and serum profiling of immune-associated genes/proteins. Results Sixteen patients with advanced-stage cutaneous (n=10), mucosal (n=1) or uveal (n=5) melanoma were accrued, 15 of whom had previously progressed on programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade. Of 13 evaluable patients, 6 patients developed specific peripheral blood T cell responses against ≥3 vaccine-associated peptides, with further evidence of epitope spreading. All six patients with specific CD8+ T cell response to vaccine-targeted antigens exhibited evidence of T cell receptor (TCR) convergence in association with preferred clinical outcomes (four partial response and two stabilization of disease (SD)). Seven patients failed to respond to vaccination (one SD and six progressive disease). Patients in Arm B (immediate dasatinib) outperformed those in Arm A (delayed dasatinib) for immune response rate (IRR; 66.7% vs 28.6%), objective response rate (ORR) (66.7% vs 0%), overall survival (median 15.45 vs 3.47 months; p=0.0086) and progression-free survival (median 7.87 vs 1.97 months; p=0.063). IRR (80% vs 25%) and ORR (60% vs 12.5%) was greater for females versus male patients. Tumors in patients exhibiting response to treatment displayed (1) evidence of innate and adaptive immune-mediated inflammation and TCR convergence at baseline, (2) on-treatment transcriptional changes associated with reduced hypoxia/acidosis/glycolysis, and (3) increased inflammatory immune cell infiltration and tertiary lymphoid structure neogenesis. Conclusions Combined vaccination against TBVA plus dasatinib was safe and resulted in coordinating immunologic and/or objective clinical responses in 6/13 (46%) evaluable patients with melanoma, particularly those initiating treatment with both agents. Trial registration number NCT01876212.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter J Storkus
- Dermatology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Deena Maurer
- Translational and Regulatory Affairs, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yan Lin
- Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Fei Ding
- Biostatistics, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anamika Bose
- Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Devin Lowe
- Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, Texas, USA
| | - Amy Rose
- Clinical Research Services, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Melissa DeMark
- Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lilit Karapetyan
- Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jennifer L Taylor
- Dermatology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Manoj Chelvanambi
- Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ronald J Fecek
- Microbiology and Immunology, LECOM, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jessica N Filderman
- Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Lauren Miller
- Molecular Biology, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Santa Clara, Carlsbad, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth Linch
- Molecular Biology, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Santa Clara, Carlsbad, California, USA
| | - Geoffrey M Lowman
- Molecular Biology, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Santa Clara, Carlsbad, California, USA
| | - Pawel Kalinski
- Medical Oncology and Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Lisa H Butterfield
- Research and Development, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, California, USA
- Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ahmad Tarhini
- Cutaneous Oncology and Immunology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Hussein Tawbi
- Melanoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - John M Kirkwood
- Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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21
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Harnessing the combined potential of cancer immunotherapy and nanomedicine: A new paradigm in cancer treatment. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2021; 40:102492. [PMID: 34775062 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2021.102492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has recently emerged as a rising star due to its ability to activate patients' immune systems to fight tumors and prevent relapse. Conversely, the interest in cancer nanomedicine has seemingly waned due to its lackluster clinical translation. Despite being hailed as a game-changer in oncology, cancer immunotherapy still faces numerous challenges. Combining both entities together has thus been one among several solutions proposed to circumvent these challenges. This solution has since gained traction and has also led to a renaissance of cancer nanomedicine. While most combinations are currently experimental at best, some have progressed on to clinical trials. This review thus seeks to examine the advantages and disadvantages of integrating both modalities as a cancer treatment. The opportunities, challenges and future directions of this emerging field will also be explored with the hope that such a combination will lead to a paradigm shift in cancer treatments.
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22
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Li H, Li Y, Zhang Y, Tan B, Huang T, Xiong J, Tan X, Ermolaeva MA, Fu L. MAPK10 Expression as a Prognostic Marker of the Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:687371. [PMID: 34408980 PMCID: PMC8366563 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.687371] [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: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a devastating malignancy worldwide due to lack of effective therapy. The immune-rich contexture of HCC tumor microenvironment (TME) makes this tumor an appealing target for immune-based therapies; however, the immunosuppressive TME is still a major challenge for more efficient immunotherapy in HCC. Using bioinformatics analysis based on the TCGA database, here we found that MAPK10 is frequently down-regulated in HCC tumors and significantly correlates with poor survival of HCC patients. HCC patients with low MAPK10 expression have lower expression scores of tumor infiltration lymphocytes (TILs) and stromal cells in the TME and increased scores of tumor cells than those with high MAPK10 expression. Further transcriptomic analyses revealed that the immune activity in the TME of HCC was markedly reduced in the low-MAPK10 group of HCC patients compared to the high-MAPK10 group. Additionally, we identified 495 differentially expressed immune-associated genes (DIGs), with 482 genes down-regulated and 13 genes up-regulated in parallel with the decrease of MAPK10 expression. GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses indicated that the biological functions of these DIGs included cell chemotaxis, leukocyte migration and positive regulation of the response to cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, T cell receptor activation and MAPK signaling pathway. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) analyses of the 495 DIGs revealed five potential downstream hub genes of MAPK10, including SYK, CBL, VAV1, LCK, and CD3G. Several hub genes such as SYK, LCK, and VAV1 could respond to the immunological costimulatory signaling mediated by the transmembrane protein ICAM1, which was identified as a down-regulated DIG associated with low-MAPK10 expression. Moreover, ectopic overexpression or knock-down of MAPK10 could up-regulate or down-regulate ICAM1 expression via phosphorylation of c-jun at Ser63 in HCC cell lines, respectively. Collectively, our results demonstrated that MAPK10 down-regulation likely contributes to the immunosuppressive TME of HCC, and this gene might serve as a potential immunotherapeutic target and a prognostic factor for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huahui Li
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.,Group of Homeostasis and Stress Tolerance, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany.,Shenzhen University-Friedrich Schiller Universitat Jena Joint PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuting Li
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.,Group of Homeostasis and Stress Tolerance, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany.,Shenzhen University-Friedrich Schiller Universitat Jena Joint PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Binbin Tan
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tuxiong Huang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jixian Xiong
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiangyu Tan
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Maria A Ermolaeva
- Group of Homeostasis and Stress Tolerance, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Li Fu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
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23
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Choi JU, Lee NK, Seo H, Chung SW, Al-Hilal TA, Park SJ, Kweon S, Min N, Kim SK, Ahn S, Kim UI, Park JW, Kang CY, Kim IS, Kim SY, Kim K, Byun Y. Anticoagulation therapy promotes the tumor immune-microenvironment and potentiates the efficacy of immunotherapy by alleviating hypoxia. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002332. [PMID: 34341129 PMCID: PMC8330593 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Here, this study verifies that cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) accelerates hypoxia, which is detrimental to the tumor immune microenvironment by limiting tumor perfusion. Therefore, we designed an oral anticoagulant therapy to improve the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and potentiate the efficacy of immunotherapy by alleviating tumor hypoxia. Experimental design A novel oral anticoagulant (STP3725) was developed to consistently prevent CAT formation. Tumor perfusion and hypoxia were analyzed with or without treating STP3725 in wild-type and P selectin knockout mice. Immunosuppressive cytokines and cells were analyzed to evaluate the alteration of the tumor microenvironment. Effector lymphocyte infiltration in tumor tissue was assessed by congenic CD45.1 mouse lymphocyte transfer model with or without anticoagulant therapy. Finally, various tumor models including K-Ras mutant spontaneous cancer model were employed to validate the role of the anticoagulation therapy in enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy. Results CAT was demonstrated to be one of the perfusion barriers, which fosters immunosuppressive microenvironment by accelerating tumor hypoxia. Consistent treatment of oral anticoagulation therapy was proved to promote tumor immunity by alleviating hypoxia. Furthermore, this resulted in decrease of both hypoxia-related immunosuppressive cytokines and myeloid-derived suppressor cells while improving the spatial distribution of effector lymphocytes and their activity. The anticancer efficacy of αPD-1 antibody was potentiated by co-treatment with STP3725, also confirmed in various tumor models including the K-Ras mutant mouse model, which is highly thrombotic. Conclusions Collectively, these findings establish a rationale for a new and translational combination strategy of oral anticoagulation therapy with immunotherapy, especially for treating highly thrombotic cancers. The combination therapy of anticoagulants with immunotherapies can lead to substantial improvements of current approaches in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Uk Choi
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, South Korea
| | - Na Kyeong Lee
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, South Korea
| | - Hyungseok Seo
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Seung Woo Chung
- Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Taslim A Al-Hilal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Seong Jin Park
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, South Korea
| | - Seho Kweon
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Nuri Min
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Kyoon Kim
- Laboratory Animal Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Seohyun Ahn
- ST Pharm Research & Development Center, Siheung-si, South Korea
| | - Uk-Il Kim
- ST Pharm Research & Development Center, Siheung-si, South Korea
| | - Jin Woo Park
- Department of Biomedicine, Health & Life Convergence Sciences, BK21 Four, Biomedical and Healthcare Research Institute, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, South Korea
| | - Chang-Yuil Kang
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, South Korea
| | - In-San Kim
- Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, South Korea
| | - Sang Yoon Kim
- College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, South Korea
- Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyungjin Kim
- ST Pharm Research & Development Center, Siheung-si, South Korea
| | - Youngro Byun
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, South Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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24
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Yee PP, Li W. Tumor necrosis: A synergistic consequence of metabolic stress and inflammation. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2100029. [PMID: 33998010 PMCID: PMC8217290 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis is a common histological feature and poor prognostic predictor in various cancers. Despite its significant clinical implications, the mechanism underlying tumor necrosis remains largely unclear due to lack of appropriate pre-clinical modeling. We propose that tumor necrosis is a synergistic consequence of metabolic stress and inflammation, which lead to oxidative stress-induced cell death, such as ferroptosis. As a natural consequence of tumor expansion, tumor cells are inevitably stripped of vascular supply, resulting in deprivation of oxygen and nutrients. The resulting metabolic stress has commonly been considered the cause of tumor necrosis. Recent studies found that immune cells, such as neutrophils, when recruited to tumors, can directly trigger ferroptosis in tumor cells, suggesting that immune cells can be involved in amplifying tumor necrosis. This article will discuss potential mechanisms underlying tumor necrosis development and its impact on tumor progression as well as the immune response to tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia P. Yee
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
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25
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Vecchi L, Araújo TG, Azevedo FVPDV, Mota STS, Ávila VDMR, Ribeiro MA, Goulart LR. Phospholipase A 2 Drives Tumorigenesis and Cancer Aggressiveness through Its Interaction with Annexin A1. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061472. [PMID: 34208346 PMCID: PMC8231270 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Phospholipids are suggested to drive tumorigenesis through their essential role in inflammation. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is a phospholipid metabolizing enzyme that releases free fatty acids, mostly arachidonic acid, and lysophospholipids, which contribute to the development of the tumor microenvironment (TME), promoting immune evasion, angiogenesis, tumor growth, and invasiveness. The mechanisms mediated by PLA2 are not fully understood, especially because an important inhibitory molecule, Annexin A1, is present in the TME but does not exert its action. Here, we will discuss how Annexin A1 in cancer does not inhibit PLA2 leading to both pro-inflammatory and pro-tumoral signaling pathways. Moreover, Annexin A1 promotes the release of cancer-derived exosomes, which also lead to the enrichment of PLA2 and COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, contributing to TME formation. In this review, we aim to describe the role of PLA2 in the establishment of TME, focusing on cancer-derived exosomes, and modulatory activities of Annexin A1. Unraveling how these proteins interact in the cancer context can reveal new strategies for the treatment of different tumors. We will also describe the possible strategies to inhibit PLA2 and the approaches that could be used in order to resume the anti-PLA2 function of Annexin A1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Vecchi
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38400-902, MG, Brazil; (L.V.); (T.G.A.); (F.V.P.d.V.A.); (S.T.S.M.)
| | - Thaise Gonçalves Araújo
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38400-902, MG, Brazil; (L.V.); (T.G.A.); (F.V.P.d.V.A.); (S.T.S.M.)
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Patos de Minas 387400-128, MG, Brazil;
| | | | - Sara Teixeria Soares Mota
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38400-902, MG, Brazil; (L.V.); (T.G.A.); (F.V.P.d.V.A.); (S.T.S.M.)
| | - Veridiana de Melo Rodrigues Ávila
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38400-902, MG, Brazil;
| | - Matheus Alves Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Patos de Minas 387400-128, MG, Brazil;
| | - Luiz Ricardo Goulart
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38400-902, MG, Brazil; (L.V.); (T.G.A.); (F.V.P.d.V.A.); (S.T.S.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-3432258440
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26
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Pezeshki PS, Mahdavi Sharif P, Rezaei N. Resistance mechanisms to programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed death ligand 1 inhibitors. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2021; 21:1575-1590. [PMID: 33984254 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2021.1929919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: In the past few years, administrating monoclonal humanized antibodies, namely checkpoint inhibitors, against programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and its ligand (PD-L1), has yielded reassuring tumor regression rates. Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors disrupt the engagement of PD-1 on T-cells and their ligands on tumor or other target cells and reactivate the tumor-specific T infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which are mostly in a state of anergy before the PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. However, a limited number of patients initially respond, and the others show a primary (innate) resistance. Moreover, the rate of relapse and tumor progression after a partial, or even complete response (secondary or acquired resistance) is relatively considerable.Areas covered: This paper presents a comprehensive discussion on the mechanisms of primary and secondary resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Loss of T-cell infiltration or T-cell exclusion, lack of PD-L1 or PD-1 expression, and also lack of tumor immunogenicity are among the most important mechanisms, and also biomarkers of resistance in patients undergoing PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Several somatic mutations in tumors are known to be related to at least one of the resistance mechanisms.Expert opinion: Identification of the novel resistance mechanisms suggests further combinatorial therapies to tackle primary and secondary resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parmida Sadat Pezeshki
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pouya Mahdavi Sharif
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Sheffield, UK
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27
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Van Acker HH, Ma S, Scolaro T, Kaech SM, Mazzone M. How metabolism bridles cytotoxic CD8 + T cells through epigenetic modifications. Trends Immunol 2021; 42:401-417. [PMID: 33867272 PMCID: PMC9681987 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In the direct competition for metabolic resources between cancer cells and tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, the latter are bound to lose out. These effector lymphocytes are therefore rendered exhausted or dysfunctional. Emerging insights into the mechanisms of T cell unresponsiveness in the tumor microenvironment (TME) point towards epigenetic mechanisms as crucial regulatory factors. In this review, we discuss the effects of characteristic components of the TME, i.e. glucose/amino acid dearth with elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), on DNA methylation and histone modifications in CD8+ T cells. We then take a closer look at the translational potential of epigenetic interventions that aim to improve current immunotherapeutic strategies, including the adoptive transfer of T cell receptor (TCR) or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineered T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heleen H Van Acker
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, VIB - KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Shixin Ma
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tommaso Scolaro
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, VIB - KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Susan M Kaech
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Massimiliano Mazzone
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, VIB - KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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28
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Dong Y, Wan Z, Gao X, Yang G, Liu L. Reprogramming Immune Cells for Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy: Targets and Strategies. Front Immunol 2021; 12:609762. [PMID: 33968014 PMCID: PMC8097044 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.609762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death and a major public health problem all over the world. Immunotherapy is becoming a revolutionary clinical management for various cancer types. Restoration of aberrant immune surveillance on cancers has achieved markable progress in the past years by either in vivo or ex vivo engineering of the immune cells. Here, we summarized the central roles of immune cells in tumor progression and regression, and the existing and emerging strategies for different immune cell-based immunotherapies. In addition, the current challenges and the potential solutions in translating the immunotherapies into the clinic are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Dong
- Department of Hematology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhuo Wan
- Department of Hematology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaotong Gao
- Department of Hematology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Guodong Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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Potentiating CD8 + T cell antitumor activity by inhibiting PCSK9 to promote LDLR-mediated TCR recycling and signaling. Protein Cell 2021; 12:240-260. [PMID: 33606190 PMCID: PMC8018994 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-021-00821-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic regulation has been proven to play a critical role in T cell antitumor immunity. However, cholesterol metabolism as a key component of this regulation remains largely unexplored. Herein, we found that the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), which has been previously identified as a transporter for cholesterol, plays a pivotal role in regulating CD8+ T cell antitumor activity. Besides the involvement of cholesterol uptake which is mediated by LDLR in T cell priming and clonal expansion, we also found a non-canonical function of LDLR in CD8+ T cells: LDLR interacts with the T-cell receptor (TCR) complex and regulates TCR recycling and signaling, thus facilitating the effector function of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). Furthermore, we found that the tumor microenvironment (TME) downregulates CD8+ T cell LDLR level and TCR signaling via tumor cell-derived proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) which binds to LDLR and prevents the recycling of LDLR and TCR to the plasma membrane thus inhibits the effector function of CTLs. Moreover, genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of PCSK9 in tumor cells can enhance the antitumor activity of CD8+ T cells by alleviating the suppressive effect on CD8+ T cells and consequently inhibit tumor progression. While previously established as a hypercholesterolemia target, this study highlights PCSK9/LDLR as a potential target for cancer immunotherapy as well.
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30
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Song M, Liu C, Chen S, Zhang W. Nanocarrier-Based Drug Delivery for Melanoma Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1873. [PMID: 33668591 PMCID: PMC7918190 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, as a tumor cell derived from melanocyte transformation, has the characteristics of malignant proliferation, high metastasis, rapid recurrence, and a low survival rate. Traditional therapy has many shortcomings, including drug side effects and poor patient compliance, and so on. Therefore, the development of an effective treatment is necessary. Currently, nanotechnologies are a promising oncology treatment strategy because of their ability to effectively deliver drugs and other bioactive molecules to targeted tissues with low toxicity, thereby improving the clinical efficacy of cancer therapy. In this review, the application of nanotechnology in the treatment of melanoma is reviewed and discussed. First, the pathogenesis and molecular targets of melanoma are elucidated, and the current clinical treatment strategies and deficiencies of melanoma are then introduced. Following this, we discuss the main features of developing efficient nanosystems and introduce the latest reports in the literature on nanoparticles for the treatment of melanoma. Subsequently, we review and discuss the application of nanoparticles in chemotherapeutic agents, immunotherapy, mRNA vaccines, and photothermal therapy, as well as the potential of nanotechnology in the early diagnosis of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Siyu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; (M.S.); (C.L.)
| | - Wenxiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; (M.S.); (C.L.)
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31
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He S, Cai T, Yuan J, Zheng X, Yang W. Lipid Metabolism in Tumor-Infiltrating T Cells. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1316:149-167. [PMID: 33740249 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-33-6785-2_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
T cells recognize "foreign" antigens and induce durable humoral and cellular immune responses, which are indispensable for defending pathogens, as well as maintaining the integrity and homeostasis of tissues and organs. T cells are the major immune cell population in the tumor microenvironment which play a critical role in the antitumor immune response and cancer immune surveillance. Defective immune response of tumor-infiltrating T cells is the main cause of cancer immune evasion. The antitumor response of T cells is affected by multiple factors in the tumor microenvironment, including immunosuppressive cells, immune inhibitory cytokines, tumor-derived suppressive signals like PD-L1, immnuogenicity of tumor cells, as well as metabolic factors like hypoxia and nutrient deprivation. Abundant studies in past decades have proved the metabolic regulations of the immune response of T cells and the tumor-infiltrating T cells. In this chapter, we will discuss the regulations of the antitumor response of tumor-infiltrating T cells by lipid metabolism, which is one of the main components of metabolic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangwen He
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Cai
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juanjuan Yuan
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojun Zheng
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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32
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Leon E, Ranganathan R, Savoldo B. Adoptive T cell therapy: Boosting the immune system to fight cancer. Semin Immunol 2020; 49:101437. [PMID: 33262066 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2020.101437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cellular therapies have shown increasing promise as a cancer treatment. Encouraging results against hematologic malignancies are paving the way to move into solid tumors. In this review, we will focus on T-cell therapies starting from tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) to optimized T-cell receptor-modified (TCR) cells and chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells (CAR-Ts). We will discuss the positive preclinical and clinical findings of these approaches, along with some of the persisting barriers that need to be overcome to improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Leon
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
| | - Raghuveer Ranganathan
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Barbara Savoldo
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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33
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Anderson NR, Minutolo NG, Gill S, Klichinsky M. Macrophage-Based Approaches for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancer Res 2020; 81:1201-1208. [PMID: 33203697 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 335] [Impact Index Per Article: 83.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy with genetically modified T cells has generated exciting outcomes in hematologic malignancies, but its application to solid tumors has proven challenging. This gap has spurred the investigation of alternative immune cells as therapeutics. Macrophages are potent immune effector cells whose functional plasticity leads to antitumor as well as protumor function in different settings, and this plasticity has led to notable efforts to deplete or repolarize tumor-associated macrophages. Alternatively, macrophages could be adoptively transferred after ex vivo genetic modification. In this review, we highlight the role of macrophages in solid tumors, the progress made with macrophage-focused immunotherapeutic modalities, and the emergence of chimeric antigen receptor macrophage cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Saar Gill
- Department of Hematology Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Ouled Dhaou M, Kossai M, Morel AP, Devouassoux-Shisheboran M, Puisieux A, Penault-Llorca F, Radosevic-Robin N. Zeb1 expression by tumor or stromal cells is associated with spatial distribution patterns of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes: a hypothesis-generating study on 113 triple negative breast cancers. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:3370-3381. [PMID: 33163276 PMCID: PMC7642672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Spatial organization of tumor microenvironment (TME) may influence tumor response to immunomodulatory therapies. Zeb1 is a driver of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, with several roles in immune cell development, however its role in shaping of the immune TME is not fully explored. We conducted a pre-multiplex spatial analysis study to verify whether Zeb1 influences spatial distribution of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). We applied single and double immunohistochemistry to analyze spatial relationships between CD8+, FoxP3+ and CD20+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and the cells expressing Zeb1 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded surgical specimens of 113 TNBCs. 15.5% of cases had Zeb1+ tumor cells and 72.8% of cases had stroma rich in Zeb1+ cells. Low density of intratumoral CD8+ TILs was observed in almost all TNBCs with high or moderate Zeb1+ expression in tumor cells (22/23 cases, 95.6%), and in 90.4% of TNBCs (75/83 cases) with stroma rich in Zeb1+ cells. On the other side, a majority of TNBCs with stroma rich in Zeb1+ cells had high density of stromal CD8+ TILs (55/83 cases, 66.3%). These associations were not observed between Zeb1-expressing cells and FoxP3+ or CD20+ TILs. This in situ analysis showed specific spatial relationship between tumor or stromal Zeb1+ cells and CD8+ TILs, which need to be validated in other cohorts. Zeb1 was highlighted both as a marker of tumor cell EMT and of tumor stroma richness in mesenchymal cells. Several hypotheses about causes of the observed relationship between Zeb1 and TILs are generated and the approaches to verify them discussed. Zeb1 is worth further investigation as a potential biomarker of intratumor immunosuppression of TNBC and of its response to immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Ouled Dhaou
- University Clermont Auvergne, INSERM U1240, Centre Jean PerrinClermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Myriam Kossai
- University Clermont Auvergne, INSERM U1240, Centre Jean PerrinClermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Anne-Pierre Morel
- University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Leon Berard, Cancer Research Center of LyonLyon, France
| | | | - Alain Puisieux
- University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Leon Berard, Cancer Research Center of LyonLyon, France
- Institut CurieParis, France
| | | | - Nina Radosevic-Robin
- University Clermont Auvergne, INSERM U1240, Centre Jean PerrinClermont-Ferrand, France
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35
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Zhang M, Wang W, Wu F, Zheng T, Ashley J, Mohammadniaei M, Zhang Q, Wang M, Li L, Shen J, Sun Y. Biodegradable Poly(γ-glutamic acid)@glucose oxidase@carbon dot nanoparticles for simultaneous multimodal imaging and synergetic cancer therapy. Biomaterials 2020; 252:120106. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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36
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Abstract
Genetically engineered T-cells are being developed to perform a variety of therapeutic functions. However, no robust mechanisms exist to externally control the activity of T-cells at specific locations within the body. Such spatiotemporal control could help mitigate potential off-target toxicity due to incomplete molecular specificity in applications such as T-cell immunotherapy against solid tumors. Temperature is a versatile external control signal that can be delivered to target tissues in vivo using techniques such as focused ultrasound and magnetic hyperthermia. Here, we test the ability of heat shock promoters to mediate thermal actuation of genetic circuits in primary human T-cells in the well-tolerated temperature range of 37-42 °C, and introduce genetic architectures enabling the tuning of the amplitude and duration of thermal activation. We demonstrate the use of these circuits to control the expression of chimeric antigen receptors and cytokines, and the killing of target tumor cells. This technology provides a critical tool to direct the activity of T-cells after they are deployed inside the body.
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37
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Ryan ÉJ, Creavin B, Sheahan K. Delivery of Personalized Care for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Incorporating Pathological, Molecular Genetic, and Immunological Biomarkers Into the Multimodal Paradigm. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1369. [PMID: 32923389 PMCID: PMC7456909 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately one-third of all newly diagnosed colorectal cancer (CRC) is composed of rectal cancer, with the incidence rising in younger patients. The principal neoadjuvant treatments consist of neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and long-course chemoradiation. Locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is particularly challenging to manage given the anatomical constrictions of the pelvis and the risk for local recurrence. In appropriately treated patients, 5- and 10-year overall survival is estimated at 60 and 50%, respectively. The prognosis for LARC has improved in recent years with more access to screening, advances in surgical techniques, and perioperative care. Furthermore, the refinement of the multidisciplinary team with combined-modality management strategies has improved outcomes. These advancements have been augmented by significant improvements in the understanding of the underlying tumor biology. However, there are many instances where patient outcomes do not match those for their tumor stage and accurate prognostic information for individual patients can be difficult to estimate owing to the heterogeneous nature of LARC. Many new combinations of chemotherapy with radiotherapy, including total neoadjuvant therapy with targeted therapies that aim to diminish toxicity and increase survival, are being evaluated in clinical trials. Despite these advances, local recurrence and distant metastasis remain an issue, with one-third of LARC patients dying within 5 years of initial treatment. Although much of the new pathological, molecular genetics, and immunological biomarkers allow refinement in the classification and prognostication of CRC, the relative importance of each of these factors with regards to the development and progression of LARC remains incompletely understood. These factors are often insufficiently validated and seldom consider the individual characteristics of the host, the tumor and its location, the local available expertise, or the probable location of recurrence. Appreciating the mechanisms behind these differences will allow for a more comprehensive, personalized approach and more informed treatment options, leading to ultimately superior outcomes. This review aims to first outline the current multidisciplinary context in which LARC care should be delivered and then discuss how some key prognosticators, including novel histopathological, molecular genetics, and immunological biomarkers, might fit into the wider context of personalized LARC management in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éanna J. Ryan
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ben Creavin
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kieran Sheahan
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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38
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Manipulation of Metabolic Pathways and Its Consequences for Anti-Tumor Immunity: A Clinical Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114030. [PMID: 32512898 PMCID: PMC7312891 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the relatively short history of anti-tumor treatment, numerous medications have been developed against a variety of targets. Intriguingly, although many anti-tumor strategies have failed in their clinical trials, metformin, an anti-diabetic medication, demonstrated anti-tumor effects in observational studies and even showed its synergistic potential with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in subsequent clinical studies. Looking back from bedside-to-bench, it may not be surprising that the anti-tumor effect of metformin derives largely from its ability to rewire aberrant metabolic pathways within the tumor microenvironment. As one of the most promising breakthroughs in oncology, ICIs were also found to exert their immune-stimulatory effects at least partly via rewiring metabolic pathways. These findings underscore the importance of correcting metabolic pathways to achieve sufficient anti-tumor immunity. Herein, we start by introducing the tumor microenvironment, and then we review the implications of metabolic syndrome and treatments for targeting metabolic pathways in anti-tumor therapies. We further summarize the close associations of certain aberrant metabolic pathways with impaired anti-tumor immunity and introduce the therapeutic effects of targeting these routes. Lastly, we go through the metabolic effects of ICIs and conclude an overall direction to manipulate metabolic pathways in favor of anti-tumor responses.
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39
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Ramalho R, Rao M, Zhang C, Agrati C, Ippolito G, Wang FS, Zumla A, Maeurer M. Immunometabolism: new insights and lessons from antigen-directed cellular immune responses. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 42:279-313. [PMID: 32519148 PMCID: PMC7282544 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00798-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Modulation of immune responses by nutrients is an important area of study in cellular biology and clinical sciences in the context of cancer therapies and anti-pathogen-directed immune responses in health and disease. We review metabolic pathways that influence immune cell function and cellular persistence in chronic infections. We also highlight the role of nutrients in altering the tissue microenvironment with lessons from the tumor microenvironment that shapes the quality and quantity of cellular immune responses. Multiple layers of biological networks, including the nature of nutritional supplements, the genetic background, previous exposures, and gut microbiota status have impact on cellular performance and immune competence against molecularly defined targets. We discuss how immune metabolism determines the differentiation pathway of antigen-specific immune cells and how these insights can be explored to devise better strategies to strengthen anti-pathogen-directed immune responses, while curbing unwanted, non-productive inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Ramalho
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM, U4585 FCT), Applied Nutrition Studies Group G.E.N.A.-IUEM), Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz, Egas Moniz Higher Education School, Monte de Caparica, Portugal
| | - Martin Rao
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Chao Zhang
- Treatment and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Fu-Sheng Wang
- Treatment and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Alimuddin Zumla
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Markus Maeurer
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal.
- I Medizinische Klinik, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
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40
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Kristi N, Gafur A, Kong L, Ma X, Ye Z, Wang G. Atomic Force Microscopy in Mechanoimmunology Analysis: A New Perspective for Cancer Immunotherapy. Biotechnol J 2020; 15:e1900559. [PMID: 32240578 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201900559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has remarkable success outcomes against hematological malignancies with high rates of complete remission. To date, many studies have been conducted to increase its effectiveness in other types of cancer. However, it still yields unsatisfying results in solid tumor therapy. This limitation is partly attributed to the lack of understanding of how immunotherapy works in cancer from other perspectives. The traditional studies focus on the biological and chemical perspectives to determine which molecular substrates are involved in the immune system that can eradicate cancer cells. In the last decades, accumulating evidence has shown that physical properties also play important roles in the immune system to combat cancer, which is studied in mechanoimmunology. Mechanoimmunology analysis requires special tools; and herein, atomic force microscopy (AFM) appears as a versatile tool to determine and quantify the mechanical properties of a sample in nanometer precisions. Owing to its multifunctional capabilities, AFM can be used to explore immune system function from the physical perspective. This review paper explains the mechanoimmunology of how immune systems work through AFM, which includes mechanosignaling, mechanosensing, and mechanotransduction, with the aim to deepen the understanding of the mechanistic role of immunotherapy for further development in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Kristi
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Alidha Gafur
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Lingwen Kong
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Central Hospital of Chongqing University, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, 400014, P. R. China
| | - Xinshuang Ma
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Zhiyi Ye
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Guixue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing, 400030, China
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41
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Hei Y, Teng B, Zeng Z, Zhang S, Li Q, Pan J, Luo Z, Xiong C, Wei S. Multifunctional Immunoliposomes Combining Catalase and PD-L1 Antibodies Overcome Tumor Hypoxia and Enhance Immunotherapeutic Effects Against Melanoma. Int J Nanomedicine 2020; 15:1677-1691. [PMID: 32214807 PMCID: PMC7082626 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s225807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) are a promising treatment for cancers such as melanoma by blocking important inhibitory pathways that enable tumor cells to evade immune attack. Programmed death ligand 1 monoclonal antibodies (aPDL1s) can be used as an ICB to significantly enhance the effectiveness of tumor immunotherapy by blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitory pathway. However, the effectiveness of aPDL1s may be limited by low selectivity in vivo and immunosuppressed tumor microenvironment including hypoxia. Purpose To overcome the limitations, we develop a multifunctional immunoliposome, called CAT@aPDL1-SSL, with catalase (CAT) encapsulated inside to overcome tumor hypoxia and aPDL1s modified on the surface to enhance immunotherapeutic effects against melanoma. Methods The multifunctional immunoliposomes (CAT@aPDL1-SSLs) are prepared using the film dispersion/post-insertion method. The efficacy of CAT@aPDL1-SSLs is verified by multiple experiments in vivo and in vitro. Results The results of this study suggest that the multifunctional immunoliposomes preserve and protect the enzyme activity of CAT and ameliorate tumor hypoxia. Moreover, the enhanced cellular uptake of CAT@aPDL1-SSLs in vitro and their in vivo biodistribution suggest that CAT@aPDL1-SSLs have great targeting ability,resulting in improved delivery and accumulation of immunoliposomes in tumor tissue.Finally, by activating and increasing the infiltration of CD8+ T cells at the tumor site, CAT@aPDL1-SSLs inhibit the growth of tumor and prolong survival time of mice,with low systemic toxicity. Conclusion In conclusion, the multifunctional immunoliposomes developed and proposed in this study are a promising candidate for melanoma immunotherapy, and could potentially be combined with other cancer therapies like radiotherapy and chemotherapy to produce positive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Hei
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Binhong Teng
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Laboratory of Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziqian Zeng
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Laboratory of Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Siqi Zhang
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Li
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jijia Pan
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zuyuan Luo
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyang Xiong
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shicheng Wei
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Laboratory of Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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42
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Schurich A, Magalhaes I, Mattsson J. Metabolic regulation of CAR T cell function by the hypoxic microenvironment in solid tumors. Immunotherapy 2020; 11:335-345. [PMID: 30678555 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2018-0141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of immunometabolism has attracted growing attention as an area at the heart of immune regulation. Upon activation, T cells undergo significant metabolic changes allowing them to mediate effector responses. The advent of chimeric antigen receptor T cell-adoptive therapy has shown some striking clinical efficacy but fails to induce sufficient antitumor response in many patients. Solid tumors put up significant opposition creating a microenvironment deficient of oxygen and glucose, depriving T cells of energy and pushing them to exhaustion. Here, we focus on immune suppressive mechanisms related to hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment and the resulting metabolic changes in T cells. New therapeutic approaches such as generating chimeric antigen receptor T cells able to withstand the challenging solid tumor microenvironment are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Schurich
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Isabelle Magalhaes
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Mattsson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Clinical Immunology, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
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43
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Kemp JA, Keebaugh A, Edson JA, Chow D, Kleinman MT, Chew YC, McCracken AN, Edinger AL, Kwon YJ. Biocompatible Chemotherapy for Leukemia by Acid-Cleavable, PEGylated FTY720. Bioconjug Chem 2020; 31:673-684. [PMID: 31986014 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Targeting the inability of cancerous cells to adapt to metabolic stress is a promising alternative to conventional cancer chemotherapy. FTY720 (Gilenya), an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, has recently been shown to inhibit cancer progression through the down-regulation of essential nutrient transport proteins, selectively starving cancer cells to death. However, the clinical use of FTY720 for cancer therapy is prohibited because of its capability of inducing immunosuppression (lymphopenia) and bradycardia when phosphorylated upon administration. A prodrug to specifically prevent phosphorylation during circulation, hence avoiding bradycardia and lymphopenia, was synthesized by capping its hydroxyl groups with polyethylene glycol (PEG) via an acid-cleavable ketal linkage. Improved aqueous solubility was also accomplished by PEGylation. The prodrug reduces to fully potent FTY720 upon cellular uptake and induces metabolic stress in cancer cells. Enhanced release of FTY720 at a mildly acidic endosomal pH and the ability to substantially down-regulate cell-surface nutrient transporter proteins in leukemia cells only by an acid-cleaved drug were confirmed. Importantly, the prodrug demonstrated nearly identical efficacy to FTY720 in an animal model of BCR-Abl-driven leukemia without inducing bradycardia or lymphopenia in vivo, highlighting its potential clinical value. The prodrug formulation of FTY720 demonstrates the utility of precisely engineering a drug to avoid undesirable effects by tackling specific molecular mechanisms as well as a financially favorable alternative to new drug development. A multitude of existing cancer therapeutics may be explored for prodrug formulation to avoid specific side effects and preserve or enhance therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Yap Ching Chew
- Zymo Research Corporation, Irvine, California 92604, United States
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44
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Pallett LJ, Schmidt N, Schurich A. T cell metabolism in chronic viral infection. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 197:143-152. [PMID: 31038727 PMCID: PMC6642876 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells are a fundamental component of the adaptive immune response in the context of both acute and chronic viral infection. Tight control over the metabolic processes within T cells provides an additional level of immune regulation that is interlinked with nutrient sensing and the continued balancing of co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory signals. Underpinning T cell responsiveness for viral control are a number of phenotypic and functional adaptations ensuring adequate nutrient uptake and their utilization. T cells responding to persistent viral infections often exhibit a profile associated with immune cell exhaustion and a dysregulated metabolic profile, driven by a combination of chronic antigenic stimulation and signals from the local microenvironment. Understanding alterations in these metabolic processes provides an important basis for immunotherapeutic strategies to treat persistent infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. J. Pallett
- Division of Infection and ImmunityUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - N. Schmidt
- Division of Infection and ImmunityUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - A. Schurich
- Department of Infectious DiseasesKing’s College LondonLondonUK
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45
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Khan JF, Khan AS, Brentjens RJ. Application of CAR T cells for the treatment of solid tumors. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2019; 164:293-327. [PMID: 31383408 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CAR T cell therapy of cancers promises to revolutionize oncology by harnessing the powers of synthetic biology and immunotherapy in a single agent. CARs are synthetic receptors composed of an extracellular antigen binding domain and one or more intracellular signaling domains which act in concert to activate the T cell upon antigen recognition. CARs targeting B cell associated CD19 demonstrated robust in vivo cytolytic activity, expansion, and persistence upon antigen exposure paving the way for clinical application of this technology and ultimately FDA approval for pediatric and young adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia as well as patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma. However, these successes have not yet been replicated in the arena of solid tumors. Unlike hematologic malignancies, solid tumors present numerous challenges in the form of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In this chapter, we will highlight clinical application of CAR T cells in solid tumors, discuss hurdles that have impeded CAR T cell function in these malignancies, and propose methods to overcome these limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan F Khan
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Abdul Salam Khan
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Renier J Brentjens
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States; Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States.
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46
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Prado-Garcia H, Romero-Garcia S, Castro-Flores DA, Rumbo-Nava U. Deficient glucose uptake is linked to impaired Glut1 expression upon CD3/CD28 stimulation in memory T cells from pleural effusions secondary to lung cancer. Scand J Immunol 2019; 90:e12802. [PMID: 31269269 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Glucose and nutrient uptake is essential in supporting T cell activation and is increased upon CD3/CD28 stimulation. As T cells from pleural effusions secondary to lung cancer show impaired function, we hypothesized that these cells might have altered expression of nutrient transporters. Here, we analysed by flow cytometry the expression of the transferrin receptor CD71, amino acid transporter CD98 and glucose transporter Glut1 and glucose uptake in pleural effusion-derived T cells from lung cancer patients, after stimulation via CD3/CD28 under normoxia or hypoxia (2% O2 ). We compared the response of T cells from pleural effusions secondary to lung cancer with that of T cells from nonmalignant effusions. In memory T cells from both groups, anti-CD3/CD28-stimulation under normoxia upregulated CD98 and CD71 expression (measured as median fluorescence intensity, MFI) in comparison with anti-CD3-stimulation. Costimulation under hypoxia tended to increase CD98 expression compared to CD3-stimulation in memory T cells from both groups. Remarkably, in the cancer group, memory T cells stimulated via CD3/CD28 under hypoxia failed to increase CD71 and Glut1 expression levels compared to the cells receiving anti-CD3 stimulation, a phenomenon that contrasted with the behaviour of memory T cells from nonmalignant effusions. Consequently, glucose uptake by memory T cells from the cancer group was not increased after CD3/CD28 stimulation under hypoxia, implying that their glycolytic metabolism is defective. As this process is required for inducing an antitumoural response, our study suggests that memory T cells are rendered dysfunctional and are unable to eliminate lung tumour cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heriberto Prado-Garcia
- Departamento de Enfermedades Cronico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, "Ismael Cosio Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Susana Romero-Garcia
- Departamento de Enfermedades Cronico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, "Ismael Cosio Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniela Alejandra Castro-Flores
- Departamento de Enfermedades Cronico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, "Ismael Cosio Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Uriel Rumbo-Nava
- Clinica de Neumo-Oncologia, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, "Ismael Cosio Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
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47
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Sillo TO, Beggs AD, Morton DG, Middleton G. Mechanisms of immunogenicity in colorectal cancer. Br J Surg 2019; 106:1283-1297. [PMID: 31216061 PMCID: PMC6772007 DOI: 10.1002/bjs.11204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background The immune response in cancer is increasingly understood to be important in determining clinical outcomes, including responses to cancer therapies. New insights into the mechanisms underpinning the immune microenvironment in colorectal cancer are helping to develop the role of immunotherapy and suggest targeted approaches to the management of colorectal cancer at all disease stages. Method A literature search was performed in PubMed, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases to identify relevant articles. This narrative review discusses the current understanding of the contributors to immunogenicity in colorectal cancer and potential applications for targeted therapies. Results Responsiveness to immunotherapy in colorectal cancer is non-uniform. Several factors, both germline and tumour-related, are potential determinants of immunogenicity in colorectal cancer. Current approaches target tumours with high immunogenicity driven by mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes. Recent work suggests a role for therapies that boost the immune response in tumours with low immunogenicity. Conclusion With the development of promising therapies to boost the innate immune response, there is significant potential for the expansion of the role of immunotherapy as an adjuvant to surgical treatment in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- T O Sillo
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - A D Beggs
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - D G Morton
- Academic Department of Surgery, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - G Middleton
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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48
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Tahmasebi S, Elahi R, Esmaeilzadeh A. Solid Tumors Challenges and New Insights of CAR T Cell Engineering. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2019; 15:619-636. [DOI: 10.1007/s12015-019-09901-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Mora J, Mertens C, Meier JK, Fuhrmann DC, Brüne B, Jung M. Strategies to Interfere with Tumor Metabolism through the Interplay of Innate and Adaptive Immunity. Cells 2019; 8:cells8050445. [PMID: 31083487 PMCID: PMC6563030 DOI: 10.3390/cells8050445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The inflammatory tumor microenvironment is an important regulator of carcinogenesis. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells promote each step of tumor development, exerting crucial functions from initiation, early neovascularization, to metastasis. During tumor outgrowth, tumor-associated immune cells, including myeloid cells and lymphocytes, acquire a tumor-supportive, anti-inflammatory phenotype due to their interaction with tumor cells. Microenvironmental cues such as inflammation and hypoxia are mainly responsible for creating a tumor-supportive niche. Moreover, it is becoming apparent that the availability of iron within the tumor not only affects tumor growth and survival, but also the polarization of infiltrating immune cells. The interaction of tumor cells and infiltrating immune cells is multifaceted and complex, finally leading to different activation phenotypes of infiltrating immune cells regarding their functional heterogeneity and plasticity. In recent years, it was discovered that these phenotypes are mainly implicated in defining tumor outcome. Here, we discuss the role of the metabolic activation of both tumor cells and infiltrating immune cells in order to adapt their metabolism during tumor growth. Additionally, we address the role of iron availability and the hypoxic conditioning of the tumor with regard to tumor growth and we describe the relevance of therapeutic strategies to target such metabolic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Mora
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Christina Mertens
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Julia K Meier
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Dominik C Fuhrmann
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Bernhard Brüne
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, Germany.
- Project Group Translational Medicine and Pharmacology TMP, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Michaela Jung
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
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50
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Yu M, Zhao M, Yu R, Chu S, Xu J, Xia M, Wang C. Nanotechnology-mediated immunochemotherapy with Ingenol-3-Mebutate for Systematic Anti-tumor Effects. J Control Release 2019; 304:242-258. [PMID: 31071376 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-Immunotherapy was the most exciting topic. However, either insensitivity due to singleness of therapeutic target or immune evasion leads to the failure of the treatment. Ingenol-3-mebutate (I3A) can inhibit cancer through synergy between immunotherapy and chemotherapy, however, the speculation and accurate mechanism haven't been confirmed in vivo limited by its hydrophobicity and pH-instability, which also hindered its clinical translation. Herein we developed a polymeric micelle with 'acidic core' provided by single alcoholic hydroxyl (-CH(CH3)-OH) encapsulating I3A (I3A-PM), which successfully overcome the aforementioned problems and reduce the toxicity in vivo. To test the synergy, S180 tumor-bearing mice were subjected to I3A-PM through intravenous and intratumoral administration, we found I3A-PM presented significant antitumor effect, and promoted Th1 polarization by upregulating the level of Th1 cytokines (IL-12, IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α), and accelerated the expansion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, meanwhile, I3A-PM depleted regulatory T cells, Th2 cytokine IL-6 through inhibiting TGF-β signaling pathway. Furthermore, we appealed to virtual screening of tumor target, and found a new pathway of I3A as a TGF-β receptor type I inhibitor to improve immunostimulatory effects. These results demonstrated I3A-PM as a promising nanoagent for cancer immunotherapy strategy. The synergistic therapeutic effects are encouraged to further evaluate in different cancer model compared with commercial products to facilitate research finding (I3A-PM) entering the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mian Yu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Miaoqing Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Key Laboratory for Kidney Regeneration of Shandong Province, Jinan 250021, China
| | - Rilei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Shaochen Chu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Jiahao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Ming Xia
- Department of Otolaryngology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Key Laboratory for Kidney Regeneration of Shandong Province, Jinan 250021, China.
| | - Cheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China.
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