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Mestiri S, El-Ella DMA, Fernandes Q, Bedhiafi T, Almoghrabi S, Akbar S, Inchakalody V, Assami L, Anwar S, Uddin S, Gul ARZ, Al-Muftah M, Merhi M, Raza A, Dermime S. The dynamic role of immune checkpoint molecules in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of head and neck cancers. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 171:116095. [PMID: 38183744 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common cancer type, accounting for approximately 277,597 deaths worldwide. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) agents targeting programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) as a treatment regimen for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Studies have reported the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors as targeted therapeutic regimens that unleash the immune response against HNSCC tumors. However, the overall response rates to immunotherapy vary between 14-32% in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC, with clinical response and treatment success being unpredictable. Keeping this perspective in mind, it is imperative to understand the role of T cells, natural killer cells, and antigen-presenting cells in modulating the immune response to immunotherapy. In lieu of this, these immune molecules could serve as prognostic and predictive biomarkers to facilitate longitudinal monitoring and understanding of treatment dynamics. These immune biomarkers could pave the path for personalized monitoring and management of HNSCC. In this review, we aim to provide updated immunological insight on the mechanism of action, expression, and the clinical application of immune cells' stimulatory and inhibitory molecules as prognostic and predictive biomarkers in HNC. The review is focused mainly on CD27 and CD137 (members of the TNF-receptor superfamily), natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D), tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 4 (TNFRSF4 or OX40), S100 proteins, PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3), cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3), indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA). It also highlights the importance of T, natural killer, and antigen-presenting cells as robust biomarker tools for understanding immune checkpoint inhibitor-based treatment dynamics. Though a comprehensive review, all aspects of the immune molecules could not be covered as they were beyond the scope of the review; Further review articles can cover other aspects to bridge the knowledge gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarra Mestiri
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/ Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Dina Moustafa Abo El-Ella
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/ Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Queenie Fernandes
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/ Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Takwa Bedhiafi
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/ Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Salam Almoghrabi
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/ Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shayista Akbar
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/ Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Varghese Inchakalody
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/ Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Laila Assami
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/ Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shaheena Anwar
- Department of Biosciences, Salim Habib University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute and Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdul Rehman Zar Gul
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mariam Al-Muftah
- Translational Cancer and Immunity Centre, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar; College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maysaloun Merhi
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/ Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Afsheen Raza
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Said Dermime
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/ Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
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Inchakalody VP, Hydrose SP, Krishnankutty R, Merhi M, Therachiyil L, Sasidharan Nair V, Elashi AA, Khan AQ, Taleb S, Raza A, Yoosuf ZSKM, Fernandes Q, Al-Zaidan L, Mestiri S, Taib N, Bedhiafi T, Moustafa D, Assami L, Maalej KM, Elkord E, Uddin S, Al Homsi U, Dermime S. The molecular mechanisms of apoptosis accompanied with the epigenetic regulation of the NY-ESO-1 antigen in non-small lung cancer cells treated with decitabine (5-aza-CdR). Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 945:175612. [PMID: 36822455 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulated epigenetic modifications are common in lung cancer but have been reversed using demethylating agent like 5-Aza-CdR. 5-Aza-CdR induces/upregulates the NY-ESO-1 antigen in lung cancer. Therefore, we investigated the molecular mechanisms accompanied with the epigenetic regulation of NY-ESO-1 in 5-Aza-CdR-treated NCI-H1975 cell line. We showed significant induction of the NY-ESO-1 protein (**p < 0.0097) using Cellular ELISA. Bisulfite-sequencing demonstrated 45.6% demethylation efficiency at the NY-ESO-1 gene promoter region and RT-qPCR analysis confirmed the significant induction of NY-ESO-1 at mRNA level (128-fold increase, *p < 0.050). We then investigated the mechanism by which 5-Aza-CdR inhibits cell proliferation in the NCI-H1975 cell line. Upregulation of the death receptors TRAIL (2.04-fold *p < 0.011) and FAS (2.1-fold *p < 0.011) indicate activation of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway. The upregulation of Voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 1 (1.9-fold), Major vault protein (1.8-fold), Bax (1.16-fold), and Cytochrome C (1.39-fold) indicate the activation of the intrinsic pathway. We also observed the differential expression of protein Complement C3 (3.3-fold), Destrin (-5.1-fold), Vimentin (-1.7-fold), Peroxiredoxin 4 (-1.6-fold), Fascin (-1.8-fold), Heme oxygenase-2 (-0.67-fold**p < 0.0055), Hsp27 (-0.57-fold**p < 0.004), and Hsp70 (-0.39-fold **p < 0.001), indicating reduced cell growth, cell migration, and metastasis. The upregulation of 40S ribosomal protein S9 (3-fold), 40S ribosomal protein S15 (4.2-fold), 40S ribosomal protein S18 (2.5-fold), and 60S ribosomal protein L22 (4.4-fold) implied the induction of translation machinery. These results reiterate the decisive role of 5-Aza-CdR in lung cancer treatment since it induces the epigenetic regulation of NY-ESO-1 antigen, inhibits cell proliferation, increases apoptosis, and decreases invasiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varghese P Inchakalody
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shereena P Hydrose
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Roopesh Krishnankutty
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maysaloun Merhi
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Lubna Therachiyil
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Varun Sasidharan Nair
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Germany
| | - Asma A Elashi
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdul Q Khan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sara Taleb
- Genomics and Precision Medicine, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Afsheen Raza
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Zeenath Safira K M Yoosuf
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Queenie Fernandes
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Lobna Al-Zaidan
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sarra Mestiri
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nassiba Taib
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Takwa Bedhiafi
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Dina Moustafa
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Laila Assami
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Karama Makni Maalej
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Eyad Elkord
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Oman; Biomedical Research Center, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, UK
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Research Institute and Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ussama Al Homsi
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Said Dermime
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
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Taib N, Merhi M, Inchakalody V, Mestiri S, Hydrose S, Makni-Maalej K, Raza A, Sahir F, Azizi F, Nizamuddin PB, Fernandes Q, Yoosuf ZSKM, Almoghrabi S, Al-Zaidan L, Shablak A, Uddin S, Maccalli C, Al Homsi MU, Dermime S. Treatment with decitabine induces the expression of stemness markers, PD-L1 and NY-ESO-1 in colorectal cancer: potential for combined chemoimmunotherapy. J Transl Med 2023; 21:235. [PMID: 37004094 PMCID: PMC10067322 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04073-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanism of tumor immune escape and progression in colorectal cancer (CRC) is widely investigated in-vitro to help understand and identify agents that might play a crucial role in response to treatment and improve the overall survival of CRC patients. Several mechanisms of immune escape and tumor progression, including expression of stemness markers, inactivation of immunoregulatory genes by methylation, and epigenetic silencing, have been reported in CRC, indicating the potential of demethylating agents as anti-cancer drugs. Of these, a chemotherapeutic demethylating agent, Decitabine (DAC), has been reported to induce a dual effect on both DNA demethylation and histone changes leading to an increased expression of target biomarkers, thus making it an attractive anti-tumorigenic drug. METHODS We compared the effect of DAC in primary 1076 Col and metastatic 1872 Col cell lines isolated and generated from patients' tumor tissues. Both cell lines were treated with DAC, and the expression of the NY-ESO-1 cancer-testis antigen, the PD-L1 immunoinhibitory marker, and the CD44, Nanog, KLF-4, CD133, MSI-1 stemness markers were analyzed using different molecular and immunological assays. RESULTS DAC treatment significantly upregulated stemness markers in both primary 1076 Col and meta-static 1872 Col cell lines, although a lower effect occurred on the latter: CD44 (7.85 fold; ***p = 0.0001 vs. (4.19 fold; *p = 0.0120), Nanog (4.1 fold; ***p < 0.0001 vs.1.69 fold; ***p = 0.0008), KLF-4 (4.33 fold; ***p < 0.0001 vs.2.48 fold; ***p = 0.0005), CD133 (16.77 fold; ***p = 0.0003 vs.6.36 fold; *p = 0.0166), and MSI-1 (2.33 fold; ***p = 0.0003 vs.2.3 fold; ***p = 0.0004), respectively. Interestingly, in the metastatic 1872 Col cells treated with DAC, the expression of both PD-L1 and NY-ESO-1 was increased tenfold (*p = 0.0128) and fivefold (***p < 0.0001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the upregulation of both stemness and immune checkpoint markers by DAC treatment on CRC cells might represent a mechanism of immune evasion. In addition, induction of NY-ESO-1 may represent an immuno-therapeutic option in metastatic CRC patients. Finally, the combination of DAC and anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 antibodies treatment should represent a potential therapeutic intervention for this group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nassiba Taib
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maysaloun Merhi
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Varghese Inchakalody
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sarra Mestiri
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shereena Hydrose
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Karama Makni-Maalej
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Afsheen Raza
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Fairooz Sahir
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Fouad Azizi
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Parveen B Nizamuddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Queenie Fernandes
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- College of Medicine, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Zeenath Safira K M Yoosuf
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Salam Almoghrabi
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Lobna Al-Zaidan
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Alaaeldin Shablak
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute and Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Cristina Maccalli
- Laboratory of Immune and Biological Therapy, Human Immunology Department, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Said Dermime
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar.
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar.
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, 34110, Doha, Qatar.
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Zergoun AA, Draleau KS, Chettibi F, Touil-Boukoffa C, Djennaoui D, Merghoub T, Bourouba M. Plasma secretome analyses identify IL-8 and nitrites as predictors of poor prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Cytokine 2022; 153:155852. [PMID: 35278812 PMCID: PMC9375845 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.155852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Predicting tumor recurrence and death in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains to date challenging. We here analyzed the plasmatic secretomes of NPC untreated and relapsing patients, and explored possible correlations with the clinical and pathological features and survival characteristics of the corresponding patient cohorts, with the aim of identifying novel prognostic biomarkers. This study included 27 controls, 45 untreated NPC and 11 relapsed patients. A set of 14 plasma cytokines were analyzed using Millipore multiplex assay. Nitrites were assessed by Griess method. A comparative analysis of each groups' secretome showed upregulation of IL-8, IL-12p70, IL-10 and IP-10 in untreated patients, and of IL-6, IL-10, MCP-1 and IP-10 in relapsing patients. Nitrites significantly correlated with IL-8 during relapse. Secretomes' network analyses revealed prevalence of high correlations between IL8/IL-17A and IFN-γ/IL12p70 in the control group, between TNF-α/IL-8/IL-6, TNF-α/VEGF/IFN-γ and IL-10/MCP-1 in the untreated group, and between IL-8/IL-6/IL-10, TNF-α/IL-8/IL-6, IL12-p70/VEGF/IL-10/IFN-γ, IL-6/IL-10/IFN-γ and IL-8/IP-10 in the relapse group. IL-12p70, IP-10 and MCP-1 levels respectively associated with gender, age and node metastasis respectively. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) analysis showed that patients presenting High IL-8/Low NO immunological scores presented a combined 80% probability of relapse/death after 53 months (combined log-rank test p = 0.0034; individual p = 0.012 and p = 0.016). Multivariate Cox hazard regression analysis revealed that IL-8 (HR = 7.451; 95% CI [2.398-23.152]; p = 0.001) and treatment type (HR = 0.232; 95% CI 0.072-0.749; p = 0.015) were independent prognostic factors. C&RT decision tree analysis showed that High IL-8/Low NO immunological scores predicted treatment failure in 50% cases starting the 36th month of follow-up (AUC = 1) for all of the studied cases and in 57% cases for patients receiving chemotherapy alone (AUC = 1). Altogether, our results showed that NPC development is accompanied with cytokines deregulation to form specific interaction networks at time of diagnosis and relapse, and demonstrate that High IL-8/Low NO signature may constitute a predictor of poor prognosis which may be useful to improve risk stratification and therapy failure management.
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Sieviläinen M, Saavalainen J, Adnan-Awad S, Salo T, Al-Samadi A. IDO1 Inhibition Reduces Immune Cell Exclusion Through Inducing Cell Migration While PD-1 Blockage Increases IL-6 and -8 Secretion From T Cells in Head and Neck Cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:812822. [PMID: 35359980 PMCID: PMC8963946 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.812822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), primarily anti-PD-1, are currently used to treat patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, only a minority of patients benefit from these costly therapies. Therefore, there is an unmet need to better understand the effect of ICIs on immune effector cells. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a PD-1 antibody and an IDO1 inhibitor on different lymphocyte populations (NK, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells) in term of migration, cytotoxicity, and cytokine release in the presence of HNSCC cells.MethodsUsing a microfluidic chip, we injected HSC-3 cells (an oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line) embedded in a human tumor-derived matrix “myogel/fibrin” together with NK, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells in separate channels. The two channels were connected with microchannels. The PD-1 antibody nivolumab and IDO1 inhibitor epacadostat were added to the microfluidic chips. Lymphocyte migration and cytotoxicity were examined under fluorescent microscopy and cytokine release was measured using a FirePlex Human Discovery Cytokines Immunoassay.ResultsEpacadostat significantly increased the migration and infiltration of NK and CD4+ T cells, but not CD8+ T cells, towards the cancer cells. Nivolumab did not exhibit a similar effect. While CD8+ T cells alone showed near to no migration, adding CD4+ T cells enhanced migration towards the cancer cells. There was a mild nonsignificant increase in apoptosis of HSC-3 cells after adding epacadostat to lymphocytes. In contrast, HSC-3 proliferation was not affected by lymphocytes regardless of ICIs. Nivolumab significantly increased release of MIP1-α, IL-6, and IL-8 from NK, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells, respectively.ConclusionsThis study revealed that each subpopulation of lymphocytes respond differently to ICIs. We also revealed the subpopulation of lymphocytes responsible for the increases in specific serum cytokines after ICI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meri Sieviläinen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- *Correspondence: Meri Sieviläinen,
| | - Jordan Saavalainen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Shady Adnan-Awad
- Clinical Pathology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Hematology Research Unit, Department of Hematology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuula Salo
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Pathology, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ahmed Al-Samadi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Dermime S, Merhi M, Merghoub T. Editorial: Dynamic Biomarkers of Response to Anti-Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:781872. [PMID: 34745152 PMCID: PMC8567164 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.781872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Said Dermime
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maysaloun Merhi
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Taha Merghoub
- Ludwig Collaborative, Swim Across America Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), New York, NY, United States.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), New York, NY, United States.,Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), New York, NY, United States.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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7
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Xu TT, Zeng XW, Wang XH, Yang LX, Luo G, Yu T. Cystatin-B Negatively Regulates the Malignant Characteristics of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Possibly Via the Epithelium Proliferation/Differentiation Program. Front Oncol 2021; 11:707066. [PMID: 34504787 PMCID: PMC8421684 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.707066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Disturbance in the proteolytic process is one of the malignant signs of tumors. Proteolysis is highly orchestrated by cysteine cathepsin and its inhibitors. Cystatin-B (CSTB) is a general cysteine cathepsin inhibitor that prevents cysteine cathepsin from leaking from lysosomes and causing inappropriate proteolysis. Our study found that CSTB was downregulated in both oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissues and cells compared with normal controls. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that CSTB was mainly distributed in the epithelial structure of OSCC tissues, and its expression intensity was related to the grade classification. A correlation analysis between CSTB and clinical prognosis was performed using gene expression data and clinical information acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Patients with lower expression levels of CSTB had shorter disease-free survival times and poorer clinicopathological features (e.g., lymph node metastases, perineural invasion, low degree of differentiation, and advanced tumor stage). OSCC cell models overexpressing CSTB were constructed to assess the effects of CSTB on malignant biological behaviors and upregulation of CSTB inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed based on the TCGA data to explore potential mechanisms, and CSTB appeared to correlate with squamous epithelial proliferation-differentiation processes, such as epidermal cell differentiation and keratinization. Moreover, in WGCNA, the gene module most associated with CSTB expression (i.e., the brown module) was also the one most associated with grade classification. Upregulation of CSTB promoted the expression levels of markers (LOR, IVL, KRT5/14, and KRT1/10), reflecting a tendency for differentiation and keratinization in vitro. Gene expression profile data of the overexpressed CSTB cell line were obtained by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology. By comparing the GSEA enrichment results of RNA-seq data (from the OSCC models overexpressing CSTB) and existing public database data, three gene sets (i.e., apical junction, G2/M checkpoint, etc.) and six pathways (e.g., NOTCH signaling pathway, glycosaminoglycan degradation, mismatch repair, etc.) were enriched in the data from both sources. Overall, our study shows that CSTB is downregulated in OSCC and might regulate the malignant characteristics of OSCC via the epithelial proliferation/differentiation program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Tian Xu
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Zeng
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Hong Wang
- Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu-Xi Yang
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gang Luo
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Yu
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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8
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Tada H, Takahashi H, Yamada K, Masuda K, Nagata Y, Uchida M, Shino M, Ida S, Mito I, Matsuyama T, Oyama T, Tatematsu KI, Sezutsu H, Takeda S, Chikamatsu K. Dynamic alterations of circulating T lymphocytes and the clinical response in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 71:851-863. [PMID: 34463793 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03042-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has been recognized as a novel therapeutic option for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, only approximately 20-30% of patients with recurrent/metastatic (R/M) HNSCC benefit. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying the response to ICIs remain unclear. We investigated the proportion, activation status, and expression level of immune checkpoint molecules in circulating T cell subsets in R/M HNSCC patients treated with nivolumab using flow cytometry and mass cytometry, and then determined whether treatment response was associated with these values. We also assessed the changes in the frequency of tumor-associated antigens, MAGE-A4 and p53, -specific T cells prior to and after nivolumab treatment using the IFN-γ ELISPOT assay. The proportion of activated CD4+ and CD8+ TEMRA cells significantly increased in the disease-controlled patients but not in disease-progressed patients. As expected, the expression of PD-1 in T cells markedly decreased regardless of the therapeutic response. Meanwhile, T cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 expression on CD8+ T cells was significantly higher in patients with disease progression than in disease-controlled patients after treatment. The frequency of the tumor-associated antigens, MAGE-A4- and p53-specific T cells, was not correlated with clinical responses; however, in the disease-controlled patients, the frequency of MAGE-A4-specific T cells was significantly augmented. We concluded that in R/M HNSCC patients treated with nivolumab, circulating T cells show dynamic alterations depending on treatment efficacy. An analysis of the immunokinetics of circulating T cells could thus provide new insights into rational therapeutic strategies in cancer immunotherapy for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroe Tada
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 3718511, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Takahashi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 3718511, Japan
| | - Kanae Yamada
- Division of Molecular Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Gunma University, Kiryu, Gunma, 376-8515, Japan
| | - Kei Masuda
- Department of Pathology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Yurino Nagata
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 3718511, Japan
| | - Miho Uchida
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 3718511, Japan
| | - Masato Shino
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 3718511, Japan
| | - Shota Ida
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 3718511, Japan
| | - Ikko Mito
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 3718511, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Matsuyama
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 3718511, Japan
| | - Tetsunari Oyama
- Department of Pathology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichiro Tatematsu
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8634, Japan
| | - Hideki Sezutsu
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8634, Japan
| | - Shigeki Takeda
- Division of Molecular Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Gunma University, Kiryu, Gunma, 376-8515, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Chikamatsu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 3718511, Japan.
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9
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Naїja A, Merhi M, Inchakalody V, Fernandes Q, Mestiri S, Prabhu KS, Uddin S, Dermime S. The role of PAK4 in the immune system and its potential implication in cancer immunotherapy. Cell Immunol 2021; 367:104408. [PMID: 34246086 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2021.104408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The p21 activated kinases (PAKs) are known to play a role in the regulation of cell morphology and functions. Among the various members of PAKs family, only the PAK4 protein has been shown to be overexpressed in cancer cells and its upregulation was associated with tumor development. Indeed, several studies have shown that PAK4 overexpression is implicated in carcinogenesis by different mechanisms including promotion of cell proliferation, invasion and migration, protection of cells from apoptosis, stimulation of the tumor-specific anchorage-independent cell growth and regulation of the cytoskeletal organisation and adhesion. Moreover, high PAK4 protein levels have been observed in several solid tumors and have been shown able to enhance cancer cell resistance to many treatments especially chemotherapy. Interestingly, it has been recently demonstrated that PAK4 downregulation can inhibit the PD-1/PD-L1 immune regulatory pathway. Taken together, these findings not only implicate PAK4 in oncogenic transformation and in prediction of tumor response to treatment but also suggest its role as an attractive target for immunotherapy. In the current review we will summarize the different mechanisms of PAK4 implication in tumor development, describe its role as a regulator of the immune response and as a potential novel target for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azza Naїja
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maysaloun Merhi
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Varghese Inchakalody
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Queenie Fernandes
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sarra Mestiri
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kirti S Prabhu
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute and Dermatology Institute, Academic health system, Hamad medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Said Dermime
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar.
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10
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Huang J, Lei L, Chen B, Pan G, Wang X, Fang M. Remarkable Response of Toripalimab Combined with Chemotherapy in Sarcomatoid Carcinoma of Palatine Tonsil: A Case Report. J Multidiscip Healthc 2021; 14:599-604. [PMID: 33727822 PMCID: PMC7955754 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s296584] [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: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sarcomatoid carcinoma (SaCa) of the palatine tonsil is a rare and aggressive subset of head and neck (H&N) cancer which is characterized by insensitivity to surgery and radiotherapy and a poor prognosis. Immunotherapy has led advances in the treatment of melanoma and H&N cancer, but the combined effects of immunotherapy and chemotherapy have not been sufficiently investigated. Case Presentation Herein, we report the case of 29-year-old Chinese women with local advanced non-resectable SaCa of the palatine tonsil who exhibited a substantial partial response to toripalimab and chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of its successful application in this context. Conclusion Toripalimab combined with chemotherapy may be an effective approach for locally advanced H&N cancer in rare categories of patients, which was the first application as far as we know.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahuan Huang
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Chen
- Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoqiang Pan
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojiao Wang
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, People's Republic of China
| | - Meiyu Fang
- Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, People's Republic of China.,Department of Medical Oncology of Rare Cancer and Head and Neck Cancer, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Key Laboratory of Head and Neck Cancer Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, People's Republic of China
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11
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Merhi M, Raza A, Inchakalody VP, Siveen KS, Kumar D, Sahir F, Mestiri S, Hydrose S, Allahverdi N, Jalis M, Relecom A, Al Zaidan L, Hamid MSE, Mostafa M, Gul ARZ, Uddin S, Al Homsi M, Dermime S. Persistent anti-NY-ESO-1-specific T cells and expression of differential biomarkers in a patient with metastatic gastric cancer benefiting from combined radioimmunotherapy treatment: a case report. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:jitc-2020-001278. [PMID: 32913031 PMCID: PMC7484873 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Combined radioimmunotherapy is currently being investigated to treat patients with cancer. Anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) immunotherapy offers the prospect of long-term disease control in solid tumors. Radiotherapy has the ability to promote immunogenic cell death leading to the release of tumor antigens, increasing infiltration and activation of T cells. New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma-1 (NY-ESO-1) is a cancer-testis antigen expressed in 20% of advanced gastric cancers and known to induce humoral and cellular immune responses in patients with cancer. We report on the dynamic immune response to the NY-ESO-1 antigen and important immune-related biomarkers in a patient with metastatic gastric cancer treated with radiotherapy combined with anti-PD-1 pembrolizumab antibody.Our patient was an 81-year-old man diagnosed with locally advanced unresectable mismatch repair-deficient gastric cancer having progressed to a metastatic state under a second line of systemic treatment consisting of an anti-PD-1 pembrolizumab antibody. The patient was subsequently treated with local radiotherapy administered concomitantly with anti-PD-1, with a complete response on follow-up radiologic assessment. Disease control was sustained with no further therapy for a period of 12 months before relapse. We have identified an NY-ESO-1-specific interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secretion from the patients' T cells that was significantly increased at response (****p˂0.0001). A novel promiscuous immunogenic NY-ESO-1 peptide P39 (P153-167) restricted to the four patient's HLA-DQ and HLA-DP alleles was identified. Interestingly, this peptide contained the known NY-ESO-1-derived HLA-A2-02:01(P157-165) immunogenic epitope. We have also identified a CD107+ cytotoxic T cell subset within a specific CD8+/HLA-A2-NY-ESO-1 T cell population that was low at disease progression, markedly increased at disease resolution and significantly decreased again at disease re-progression. Finally, we identified two groups of cytokines/chemokines. Group 1 contains five cytokines (IFN-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-5 and IL-6) that were present at disease progression, significantly downregulated at disease resolution and dramatically upregulated again at disease re-progression. Group 2 contains four biomarkers (perforin, soluble FAS, macrophage inflammatory protein-3α and C-X-C motif chemokine 11/Interferon-inducible T Cell Alpha Chemoattractant that were present at disease progression, significantly upregulated at disease resolution and dramatically downregulated again at disease re-progression. Combined radioimmunotherapy can enhance specific T cell responses to the NY-ESO-1 antigen that correlates with beneficial clinical outcome of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysaloun Merhi
- Medical Oncology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar
| | - Afsheen Raza
- Medical Oncology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar
| | | | | | - Deepak Kumar
- Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University - Qatar Campus, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar
| | | | | | | | | | - Munir Jalis
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar
| | | | | | | | - Mai Mostafa
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar
| | | | - Shahab Uddin
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar
| | | | - Said Dermime
- Medical Oncology, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Doha, Qatar
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12
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Xiong Y, Neskey DM, Horton JD, Paulos CM, Knochelmann HM, Armeson KE, Young MRI. Immunological effects of nivolumab immunotherapy in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:229. [PMID: 32183719 PMCID: PMC7076935 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-06726-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although checkpoint blockades have become widely used, the immunological impact in cancer patients, especially those with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC), has not been well studied. METHODS The present study assessed the immunological impact of anti-PD-1 (nivolumab) treatment in 10 patients with OCSCC. This involved phenotypic analyses of peripheral blood T-cell subpopulations and their expression of immune mediators prior to and following nivolumab treatment. The focus was on immunological effects of treatment without regard to possible clinical responses. RESULTS Nivolumab caused a decline in the frequency of blood CD4+ cells but did not affect their expression of IFN-γ. However, nivolumab increased the proportion of CD4+ cells expressing the Treg-supporting factor Foxp3. Nivolumab treatment caused an increase in the proportion of CD8+ cells. While their expression of granzyme B increased, it did not attain significance. Analyses of CD8+ cell subpopulations showed nivolumab caused an increase in levels of unconventional CD8dimCD3+ T-cells. It also caused an increase in expression of granzyme B by these unconventional T-cells as well as by the conventional CD8hiCD3+ cells. The CD8hiCD3+ subpopulation also had a near-significant increase in IFN-γ expression. Treatment with nivolumab had no effect on the levels of the NK containing CD8dimCD3- subpopulation of cells or their expression of IFN-γ or granzyme B. CONCLUSIONS These results show nivolumab causes opposing effects on CD4+ and CD8+ cell populations, with CD4+ cell levels declining but increasing the proportion of Treg cells, and unconventional CD8+ T-cell levels increasing with increased expression of immune mediators by CD8+ T-cell subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xiong
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - David M Neskey
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Joshua D Horton
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Hannah M Knochelmann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kent E Armeson
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - M Rita I Young
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA.
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13
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Heath BR, Michmerhuizen NL, Donnelly CR, Sansanaphongpricha K, Sun D, Brenner JC, Lei YL. Head and Neck Cancer Immunotherapy beyond the Checkpoint Blockade. J Dent Res 2019; 98:1073-1080. [PMID: 31340724 DOI: 10.1177/0022034519864112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of immune checkpoint receptor blockade has brought exciting promises for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). While patients who respond to checkpoint inhibitors tend to develop a durable response, <15% of patients with HNSCC respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors, underscoring the critical need to alleviate cancer resistance to immunotherapy. Major advances have been made to elucidate the intrinsic and adaptive resistance mechanisms to immunotherapy. Central genomic events in HNSCC have been found to possess previously unknown roles in suppressing immune sensing. Such inhibitory function affects both the innate and adaptive arms of tumor-specific immunity. While checkpoint blockade effectively reinvigorates adaptive T-cell responses, additional targeting of the oncogenic inhibitors of innate immune sensing likely informs a novel and potent strategy for immune priming. This review discusses the recent advances on the identification of key HNSCC oncogenes that impair antitumor immunity and emerging immune-priming approaches that sensitize poorly immunogenic HNSCCs to checkpoint blockade. These approaches include but are not limited to cancer vaccine systems utilizing novel type I interferon agonists as immune adjuvants, radiation, DNA damage-inducing agents, and metabolic reprogramming. The goal of these multipronged approaches is to expand tumor-specific effector T-cells, break checkpoint receptor-mediated tolerance, and metabolically support sustained T-cell activation. The translation of therapeutics that reverses oncogenic inhibition of immune sensing requires thorough characterization of the HNSCC regulators of innate immune sensors, development of additional immunocompetent HNSCC mouse models, as well as engineering of more robust immune adjuvant delivery systems. Built on the success of checkpoint blockade, validation of novel immune-priming approaches holds key promises to expand the pool of responders to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- B R Heath
- 1 Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,2 Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - N L Michmerhuizen
- 3 Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,4 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - C R Donnelly
- 1 Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - K Sansanaphongpricha
- 5 The National Nanotechnology Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - D Sun
- 6 University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,7 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - J C Brenner
- 3 Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,4 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,6 University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Y L Lei
- 1 Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,2 Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,4 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,6 University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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14
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Merhi M, Raza A, Inchakalody V, Zar AR, Uddin S, Dermime S. Immunotherapeutic strategies in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019; 7:S22. [PMID: 31032302 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2019.01.72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maysaloun Merhi
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,Translational Cancer Research Facility, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Afsheen Raza
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,Translational Cancer Research Facility, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Varghese Inchakalody
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,Translational Cancer Research Facility, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdul Rahman Zar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Said Dermime
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,Translational Cancer Research Facility, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
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15
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Bridge JA, Lee JC, Daud A, Wells JW, Bluestone JA. Cytokines, Chemokines, and Other Biomarkers of Response for Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Skin Cancer. Front Med (Lausanne) 2018; 5:351. [PMID: 30631766 PMCID: PMC6315146 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2018.00351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy for skin malignancies has ushered in a new era for cancer treatments by demonstrating unprecedented durable responses in the setting of metastatic Melanoma. Consequently, checkpoint inhibitors are now the first-line treatment of metastatic melanoma and widely used as adjuvant therapy for stage III disease. With the observation that higher tumor mutational burden correlates with a better response, checkpoint inhibitors are tested in other skin cancer types of known high tumor mutational burden with promising results and recently became the first-ever FDA-approved treatment for metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma. The emerging new standards-of-care will necessitate more precise biomarkers and predictors for treatment response and immune-related adverse events. Measurable immune-related mediators are currently under investigation as factors that promote or block the response to cancer immunotherapy and may provide insights into the underlying immune response to the tumor. Cytokines and chemokines are such mediators and are crucial for facilitating the recruitment and activation of specific subsets of leukocytes within the microenvironment of skin cancers. The exact mechanisms of how these meditators, both immunological and non-immunological, operate in the tumor microenvironment is an area of active research, so to reliable biomarkers of responses to cancer immunotherapy. Here, we will review and summarize the expanding body of literature for immune-related biomarkers pertaining to Melanoma, Basal cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma, highlighting clinically relevant checkpoint inhibitor therapy biomarker advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Bridge
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - James C Lee
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Adil Daud
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - James W Wells
- The Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jeffrey A Bluestone
- Sean N. Parker Autoimmune Research Laboratory, Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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